Leveling-index based variable rate seeding technique for paddy

Precision Agriculture - Poor land leveling of paddy fields leads to irrigation problems which affect crop establishment and ultimately yield. One way to manage this is to vary the seeding rate...     

Cyclisation of farnesyl pyrophosphate into sesquiterpenoids in ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale)

The atomic ratios (¹⁴C/³H) obtained in ar-curcumene, α-zingiberene, β-bisabolene obtained from the essential oil of rhizomes of Zingiber officinale which were fed with [2-¹⁴C, 2-³H₂], [2-¹⁴C, 4R-³H₁] and [2-¹⁴C, 5-³H₂]mevalonic acid and [1-³H₂]farnesylpyrophosphate (FPP) revealed that (a) (2E,6E)-isomer of FPP is isomerised to (2Z,6E)-isomer without loss of epimeric hydrogen that means without a redox process; (b) (2Z,6E)-FPP is cyclised to bisabolyl cation which is the penultimate precursor of α-zingiberene, ar-curcumene and β-bisabolene; and (c) two 1,2-hydrogen shifts take place during the formation of α-zingiberene whereas one 1,2 shift has been observed during the formation of ar-curcumene.     

Assessment of sodium status in large ruminants by measuring the sodium-to-potassium ratio in muzzle secretions.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a simple diagnostic test to assess sodium status in large ruminants on the basis of the sodium-to-potassium ratio (Na:K) and to determine its relevance. ANIMALS: 7 buffalo heifers and 21 lactating, pregnant, and nonpregnant dairy cows and heifers. PROCEDURE: Buffalo heifers were subjected in 2 experiments to variable dietary sodium intake or sodium depletion and changes in sodium and potassium concentrations; Na:K was simultaneously monitored in various body fluids to study its value for indicating sodium status. Validity of the muzzle secretion test was assessed. RESULTS: Muzzle secretion and urinary Na:K and sodium concentration, but not serum electrolyte concentrations, reflected the sodium status of buffalo heifers in response to the widely variable intake of sodium (0.03 to 0.16% of dry matter [DM]). Progressive sodium depletion during an 11-day period, using saliva deprivation caused reciprocal changes in sodium and potassium concentrations in saliva and muzzle secretion, but not in urine. Decreasing urine sodium concentration was associated with decreasing urine potassium concentration. Saliva, urine, and muzzle secretion Na:K closely reflected the degree of sodium deficit. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Buffaloes or dairy cows maintained on optimal sodium intake had muzzle secretion and urine Na:K > 0.30. Muzzle secretion or urine Na:K < 0.20 or < 0.10, respectively, was indicative of sodium deficiency. Analysis of muzzle secretion Na:K, and to a large extent urine Na:K, may be used as a convenient diagnostic tool to assess sodium status in large ruminants. It has accuracy similar to that of saliva Na:K.     

Generation of interspecific hybrids between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trifolium vesiculosum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">T. alexandrinum</Emphasis> using embryo rescue

Interspecific hybrids were developed between Trifolium alexandrinum cultivar Wardan × Trifolium vesiculosum and T. alexandrinum cultivar BL1 × T. vesiculosum through embryo rescue, as the crosses failed to set seed under natural conditions. Trifolium vesiculosum was used as a donor/male parent in this study as it is reported to possess tolerance to stem rot and high forage yield. Fertilization in crossed florets of the crosses was manifested from the recovery of swollen ovaries (< 7.80%) and confirmed from the presence of one degenerated ovule in most (> 93.00%) of the swollen ovaries. The hybrid embryos at various developmental stages (heart, torpedo and cotyledonary) were rescued at a frequency of 2.56% from Wardan × T. vesiculosum and 6.12% from BL1 × T. vesiculosum. Differentiation occurred only in the cotyledonary stage embryos, resulting in 17 putative interspecific hybrid plantlets. The assessment of plantlet hybridity through SSR markers (for the alleles inherited from the donor parent), micromorphological leaf traits (leaf texture and stomata) and morphological characters (plant height, leaflet length and width) confirmed production of two interspecific hybrids designated as AV1 and BV3 representing both the crosses. AV1 displayed moderate resistance and BV3 was resistant to stem rot.     

Morphometric and developmental consequences in Spodoptera litura due to feeding on three varieties of sweet potato plants (Ipomoea batata)

The tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a polyphagous pest defoliating sweet potato, Ipomoea batata (Lam) (Convolvulaceae), throughout Asia. The study of morphometric parameters of S. litura as a result of feeding on three varieties (RNSP1, KIRAN and RNSP3) of host plant revealed that a greater number of egg masses were laid on the KIRAN variety than on the others. I. batata varieties showed statistically significant effects on length, breadth and weight of different larval instars. KIRAN-fed larvae molted to bigger-sized pupae. S. litura larvae reared on KIRAN variety had the highest feeding index as well as growth index. The low concentrations of phenols and carbohydrates coupled with elevated levels of proteins and amino acids were found in KIRAN as compared with RNSP1 and RNSP3. Collectively, the results of this study revealed that KIRAN cultivar was the most suitable food plant for the development of S. litura. Concurrently, it is suggested that this cultivar is therefore least suitable for sweet potato cultivation.     

Innovative Technology of COD and BOD Reduction from Coffee Processing Wastewater Using Avocado Seed Carbon (ASC)

The study estimated the efficiency of Avocado seed carbon (ASC) for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) reduction from coffee processing wastewater. It was performed under batch mode conditions to investigate the optimum operating conditions and efficiency for COD and BOD reduction with ASC compared with commercial activated carbon (CAC). Adsorption isotherm study was also performed and it was found that the values of regression coefficient (r ²), adsorption capacity (k), and adsorption intensity (1/n) for COD and BOD reduction with ASC were comparable to those of CAC. Under optimum operating conditions, the maximum percentage reduction of COD and BOD concentration using ASC was 98.28% and 99.19%, respectively and with CAC was 99.12% and 99.45%, respectively and hence adsorption capacity of ASC is comparable with that of CAC. Thus, this technique may be a good option for treatment of domestic wastewater.     

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Reduction in Domestic Wastewater by Fly Ash and Brick Kiln Ash

The potential of fly ash, brick kiln ash and commercial activated carbon is determined for the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from domestic wastewater. Laboratory experiments are conducted for investigating the effect of treatment time, adsorbent dose, pH of the media, initial COD concentration, agitation speed and particle size of adsorbents on the COD reduction from the domestic wastewater. Starting with an initial COD concentration of 1080 mg/l the maximum COD reduction achieved for fly ash was 87.84%, brick kiln ash was 83.22% and commercial activated carbon was 99.35 %. These values were achieved when the wastewater was treated with activated carbon for 180 min, fly ash 250 min and brick kiln ash 300 min and the adsorbent dose was kept respectively at 40 g/l, 60 g/l and 45 g/l for activated carbon, fly ash and brick kiln ash. Agitation speed was kept constant at 600 rpm and the pH was maintained at 2 for activated carbon and fly ash and 5 for brick kiln ash. The maximum percent reduction is for 0.053 mm or smaller size of the particles. Though the adsorption capacity of the ash for reducing the COD is lower than that of the commercial activated carbon, the low material cost can make it an attractive option for the treatment of domestic wastewater.     

Evaluation of acute toxicity of phenol and its chloro- and nitro-derivatives to certain teleosts

Acute toxicity bioassays were conducted to evaluate the comparative toxicity of phenol (an aromatic hydrocarbon) pentachlorophenol (chloro-derivative of phenol) and dinitrophenol (nitro-derivative of phenol) for determining the LC50 and acute toxicity range for 24, 48, 72 and 96h, against the test fishes Notopterus notopterus, Colisa fasciatus and Saccobranchus fossilis. Relative susceptibility of fish, safe concentrations, heterogeneity factors and fiducial limits (95 %) were calculated using 96 h LC₅₀ values. Regression equations and slope functions (s) were calculated for each time interval. On the basis of relative susceptibility for phenol, Notopterus notopterus was found to be more susceptible as compared to Saccobranchus fossilis and the susceptibility of Colisa fasciatus lies in between the two. In case of pentachlorophenol and dinitrophenol, susceptibility lies in the increasing order from Colisa fasciatus, Saccobranchus fossilis to Notopterus notopterus.