Structural and hydrological alterations of soil due to addition of coal fly ash

Purpose  

We tested the potential of using coal fly ash for improving the physical and hydrological characteristics of coarse and medium-textured agricultural soils.     

Quantum phase extraction in isospectral electronic nanostructures

Quantum phase is not directly observable and is usually determined by interferometric methods. We present a method to map complete electron wave functions, including internal quantum phase information, from measured single-state probability densities. We harness the mathematical discovery of drum-like manifolds bearing different shapes but identical resonances, and construct quantum isospectral nanostructures with matching electronic structure but divergent physical structure. Quantum measurement (scanning tunneling microscopy) of these "quantum drums"-degenerate two-dimensional electron states on the copper(111) surface confined by individually positioned carbon monoxide molecules-reveals that isospectrality provides an extra topological degree of freedom enabling robust quantum state transplantation and phase extraction.     

Detection of the occurrence of the fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) strains on maize in Southern Rajasthan India

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), a polyphagous lepidopteran pest that is native to tropical and sub-tropical America has...     

Effect of downy mildew disease on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in Plantago ovata Forsk

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Plantago ovata is commercially grown in India for its dietary fibre. The crop is affected by downy mildew caused by Peronospora plantaginis Underwood...     

Influence of AM fungi on the growth and physiological status of Erythrina variegata Linn. grown under different water stress conditions

The present study investigated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Glomus mosseae on the growth and physiology state of Erythrina variegata Linn, grown in sandy loam soil with four water stress levels viz. ?0.06 MPa (well watered/control), ?1.20 MPa (mild), ?2.20 MPa (moderate) and ?3.20 MPa (severe) in a completely randomized design. Plants were harvested after 90 days (60 days after stress induction) of growth. Growth parameters (root &, shoot, dry weight and, leaf area); physiological parameters (chlorophyll content, carotenoids, soluble starch, sugar, protein and proline in shoots); and microbiological parameter (percentage of mycorrhizal infection) were determined. AM fungal plants had significantly higher plant biomass, higher chlorophyll content (chlorophyll a and b), carotenoids and protein content in shoots than non-AM-plants. The AM-inoculation in stressed plants significantly declined the soluble sugar and starch in shoots. Moreover, AM-inoculation also reduced the proline accumulation in shoots and the reduction was significant when plants were severely stressed (?3.2 MPa). Mycorrhizal colonization in roots of E. variegata depressed significantly due to increased water stress. However, the AM colonization did not decline below 11% and enabled the plants to maintain osmotic adjustments and enhanced the plants tolerance against water stress.     

Population growth potential of Epilachna vigintioctopunctata (F.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on some solanaceous medicinal plants

The spotted ladybird beetle, Epilachna vigintioctopunctata (F.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is an important pest of solanaceous medicinal plants in India. In this study, we investigated population growth potential of E. vigintioctopunctata in the laboratory at 28 ± 1°C with 80% ± 5% RH and 14:10 L:D photoperiod on seven solanaceous medicinal plants, viz. Solanum nigrum (L.), Datura metel (L.), Datura alba (L.), Solanum surattense Burm. (F.), Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (wild) and cultivars of W. somnifera, viz. “JA 20” and “JA 134”. The lowest rate of population growth occurred on D. metel, where immature development time, immature survival and pre oviposition period were highest, and fecundity was lowest (183.96 eggs per female). The highest growth rate occurred on S. surrattense and fecundity was also highest (637.08). The lowest net reproductive rate (Ro) (56.60) and the intrinsic rate of population increase (r_m) (0.07) were obtained on D. metel and were highest on S. surattense (305.90 and 0.14 respectively). The mean generation time (T) was shortest on S. surattense (40.95 days). Using these measures, it is recognized that E. vigintioctopunctata performance was best on S. surattense and worst on D. metel. The findings of this study will contribute to the development of effective integrated pest management strategies for E. vigintioctopunctata on cultivated W. somnifera.     

Accumulation of Cadmium and Antioxidant and Hormonal Responses in the Indian Major Carp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cirrhinus mrigala</Emphasis> During Acute and Sublethal Exposure

Acute (24 h) and sublethal (35 days) effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) were examined in Cirrhinus mrigala using various endpoints (accumulation pattern, thyroid hormones (THs), and antioxidants). The mean concentrations of CdCl₂ for 24 and 96 h were found to be 35.974 and 22.387 mg L^?l, respectively. LC50 concentration of CdCl₂ for 24 h (35.97 mg L^?l) was used for the acute study. For the sublethal studies, fish were exposed to 3.59 mg L^?1 (Treatment I) and 7.19 mg L^?1 (Treatment II) corresponding to 1/10th and 1/5th of 24 h LC50 of the CdCl₂. During acute exposure, higher accumulation of CdCl₂ was noticed in the gill, liver, and kidney of C. mrigala, which is found in the order gill > liver > kidney tissues. Similarly, in sublethal treatments (Treatment I and II), a concentration and time-dependent increase of CdCl₂ accumulation was noticed in the order of gill > liver > kidney. GSH, GST, and GPx activities were found to be relatively lower from the treated groups in both acute and sublethal treatments. However, LPO activity was significantly increased in CdCl₂-treated fish C. mrigala. Further, plasma T₃ reduction was more pronounced than T₄ in acute study. During sublethal treatments, both T₄ and T₃ levels showed a continuous decrease as the exposure period extended. All the values in this study were statically significant (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05).     

Rapid Serological Profiling by an Immunocomb-based Dot-enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Test for Three Major Poultry Diseases

An immunocomb-based dot-ELISA, employing specially designed apparatus, was used to measure the antibody status for the three major poultry diseases--Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease and infectious bronchitis--in single test sera. Positive samples could be classified into strong, moderate and weak positives by comparison with the colour reaction given by known strong and weak positive serum controls. The simultaneous dot-immunobinding assay gave reproducible results and allowed considerable savings on the cost of reagents compared to liquid ELISA. The antigen-coated immunocomb can be stored under refrigeration and the test can be performed rapidly under field conditions by trained personnel.     

Influence of Stubble Thickness, Carbohydrate Content and Leaf Senescence on Ratoon Rice

Experiment conducted with nine rice varieties during Pishanum season of 1989–90 revealed that Co 37 performed better in ratoon crop and recorded 3.2 t/ha grain yield. It was evident that the ratooning ability was influenced by stem thickness of stubble, carbohydrate content and leaf senescence of main crop. The study also suggests that by maintaining higher seed size and productive tiller in ratoon crop, there is ample possibilities to increase grain yield.