A combined Taguchi and response surface approach to improve electret charge in corona-charged fibrous electrets

In this work, an attempt was made to model, analyze, and optimize corona charging process for production of fibrous electrets using a combined Taguchi and response surface approach. The key process variables determining the magnitude and duration of electret charge were screened out using Taguchi approach and optimized using response surface approach. The simultaneous optimization of magnitude as well as duration of electret charge led to an initial surface potential of 1.6 kV and half-decay time of 11.18 min.     

Studies on conjoint application of nutrient sources and PGPR on growth,yield, quality,and economics of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.)

The present experiment was carried out with cauliflower cv. Pusa Snowball K1 in a randomized block design with three replications. The experiment comprised of seven different treatments with different sources of nutrients including organic fertilizers, inorganic fertilizers, and biofertilizers, which were applied following the proper procedures as per treatment. Conjoint use of fertilizers, manures, and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) significantly influenced plant growth and yield attributes of crop. Gross weight (1,267.22 g), curd weight (981.05 g), curd yield (392.45 q/ha), number of days taken to curd initiation (86.17) and curd maturity (94.00) and ascorbic acid content (74.87 mg/100 g) were found best under T₅. Also, treatment T₅ recorded 42.77% increase in yield over recommended practice (T₁) along with highest benefit cost ratio (3.36) and quality (ascorbic acid). From present investigation, it can be concluded that treatment T₅ (75% NPK + 50% FYM and 50% VC on N equivalence basis + PGPR) can be suggested as a cost-effective nutrient module for getting higher yield and quality with 25% net saving of fertilizers, besides enhanced soil health as evident by soil fertility status of soil after crop harvest.     

The nutrient levels in fruiting and non-fruiting terminals of three mango cultivars

The leaf nutrient status of 3 mango cultivars, determined in fruiting and non-fruiting terminals after fruit harvest (June 1976) from 20 orchards, were compared. N, P and Ca contents were significantly higher in ‘Dashehari’ than in ‘Chausa’ and ‘Lucknow Safeda’. The reverse was true for K, S and Zn contents. Mg and Mn contents were more or less at par in all the 3 cultivars. Leaves collected from non-fruiting terminals contained significantly higher amounts of N and P in all the 3 cultivars, but K, Ca, S and Zn only in 2 cultivars, as compared to those from fruiting terminals. Mn and Fe contents in both kinds of terminals were more or less at par in all the 3 cultivars.     

Impact of crop and nutrient management on crop growth and yield,nutrient uptake and content in rice

Paddy and Water Environment - System of rice intensification (SRI) together with appropriate nutrient management holds promise in increasing rice productivity with micronutrient enriched grains....     

Impact of high-density stocking and selective harvesting on yield and water productivity of deepwater rice-fish systems

We examine the productivity of deepwater rice-fish systems and management strategies that include high-density initial stocking and selective harvesting. All species of fish and prawns grow faster after 120 days of rearing, probably due to periodic selective harvesting that minimizes the competition for food and space, as well as physiological stress at reduced density. We observe a higher survival rate, a lower apparent feed conversion ratio (1.77) and higher fish yield (14.1%) in rice-fish culture with selective harvesting (T₁) than in rice-fish culture without selective harvesting (T₂). The highest paddy yield was recorded in T₁, primarily due to the higher number of panicles per m² (139.5) and the number of filled grains per panicle (111.5). The increase in paddy yield over rice mono-cropping was higher in T₁ (25%) than T₂ (16.9%). The smaller number of panicles (122.2/m²) and filled grains (98.5 per panicle) in rice mono-cropping was probably due to the absence of fish and prawns in the field as fish and prawns improve soil fertility, recover lost energy, and adjust energy flow by consuming plankton, weeds, insects and bacteria that compete with rice for nutrients. The highest rice equivalent yield (38.5 t ha⁻¹), the output value-cultivation cost ratio (1.56) and net water productivity (Rs. 7.30/m³) in deepwater rice-fish culture was recorded when selective harvesting was practiced. This eco-friendly dual production system (rice and fish) and on-dyke horticulture, which generate near-term lucrative returns and generates employment opportunities, can be adopted and expanded in lowlands and waterlogged areas.     

Assessment of soil quality monitoring indicators under long term rice cultivation in hot arid Ghaggar-flood plains of India

ABSTRACT

The evaluation of soil quality is essential in monitoring the long term effects of rice cultivation. Present study investigated the effects of long term rice cultivation on soil properties and organic C pools and identified indicators for monitoring soil quality in Ghaggar-flood plains of hot arid India. Soil samples were collected from fields with 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 years of rice cultivation. The study revealed that electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) increased after 30–40 years of rice cultivation. Available nutrients increased with increasing years of rice cultivation. The organic carbon pools namely, total organic carbon (TOC), Walkley Black carbon (WBC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) were increased above 50% in 20 and above years of rice cultivation. The TOC and POC were increased by 40.6 to 132.4% and 31.7% to 104.8% in 10 to 40 years of rice cultivation. Cation exchange capacity, WBC, ESP and CaCO₃ could serve as soil monitoring indicators of long term rice cultivation in arid region. The findings clearly indicated that long term rice cultivation could aggravate soil salinity and have negative impact on soil quality in arid environment.     

Taguchi analysis of fabric shrinkage

This article reports on the effects of fabric constructional factors such as fabric sett, warp tension, back rest position, and pick insertion rate, on the warp-way and weft-way shrinkages of a three-up-one-down twill woven fabric using a Taguchi design of experiments. It was observed that the fabric shrinkage in the warp direction was mostly affected by the change in the number of picks per inch, followed by warp tension, number of ends per inch, number of picks per minute, and back rest position, respectively. The fabric shrinkage in the weft direction was found to be mostly affected by the change in number of ends per inch, followed by number of picks per inch, back rest position, number of picks per minute, respectively and least affected by warp tension. It was observed that the aforesaid five factors were able to explain 99.02 % and 82.81 % of the total variation of fabric shrinkage in the warp and weft directions, respectively.     

Diversity of entomopathogenic bacteria associated with the white grub, Brahmina coriacea

A survey of potato fields located in the south-eastern region of Himachal Pradesh (India) was carried out in order to find out the natural pathogens infecting the white grub, Brahmina coriacea. About 88 % population of the infected grubs were found to exhibit symptoms of natural bacterial infection during the years 2007–2008. Hence, we attempted to isolate and characterize the most potent bacteria for the management of B. coriacea and tested their insecticidal activity. In this study, ten different bacterial isolates belonging to genera Bacillus, Psychrobacter, Paracoccus, Paenibacillus, Mycobacterium, Staphylococcus and Novosphingobium were isolated from B. coriacea. Bacterial species were identified based on morphology, biochemical tests and homologies of 16S rRNA gene sequences. Pathogenicity tests for all isolated bacteria at 1.0 × 10⁸ cfu/ml of broth were performed on late first instar grubs. Among the bacteria tested, Bacillus cereus induced highest mortality level of 51.85 % within 7 days of treatment followed by Psychrobacter pulmonis (33.33 %), Bacillus psychrodurans (25.93 %), Bacillus pumilus (25.93 %), Paenibacillus tylopili (22.22 %) and Novosphingobium capsulatum (18.52 %). Mortality levels were further increased up to 100 % by B. cereus followed by 88.89 % by P. pulmonis after 30 days of treatment. Our results indicate that B. cereus, P. pulmonis, B. psychrodurans, B. pumilus, P. tylopili and N. capsulatum may be valuable biological control agents for white grubs, B. coriacea.     

Clinical evaluation of detomidine-butorphanol-guaifenesin-ketamine as short term TIVA in Spiti ponies

Veterinarians working under remote field conditions are routinely presented with variety of surgical interventions in equines like castrations, management of wound, traumatic and congenital hernias and musculoskeletal disorders thus necessitating the use of general anaesthesia for management of these conditions. The present study was carried out to evaluate and recommend the suitable short term anaesthetic technique for Spiti ponies under field conditions. Seven clinically healthy male Spiti ponies presented for castration were evaluated for short term Total Intravenous Anaesthesia (TIVA) using detomidine (0.02 mg kg(-1)), butorphanol (0.01 mg kg(-1)), 5% guaifenesin (20 mg kg(-1)) and ketamine (2.0 mg kg(-1)). The studies conducted were open label trials and all the animals received same treatment. After proper tetanus prophylaxis and preanesthetic fasting, detomidine was administered intravenously. Subsequently at head down position the animals received butorphanol intravenously. Thereafter, guaifenesin was administered intravenously. As soon as the signs of ataxia developed, the induction of surgical anaesthesia was achieved by intravenous administration of ketamine hydrochloride. The onset of sedation was observed in 2.43 +/- 0.53 min following detomidine administration and the animals were ataxic in 1.43 +/- 0.43 min after butorphanol and guaifenesin administration when ketamine was injected. The ponies were in surgical plane of anaesthesia within 2.28 +/- 0.42 min following ketamine administration. During recovery the limb/head movement and sternal recumbency were attained in 18.71 +/- 1.98 and 26.14 +/- 1.62 min, respectively whereas standing ataxia and normal gait were seen at 29.42 +/- 3.21 and 71.14 +/- 4.74 min, respectively. There was excellent to good muscle relaxation. The surgical anaesthesia remained for 22.57 +/- 1.48 min. The recovery was smooth. Moderate to good suppression of palpebral and corneal reflexes were observed immediately after induction and during anaesthesia. The analgesia was excellent. A highly significant (p < 0.01) to significant (p < 0.05) decrease in respiration rate was observed after induction, during anaesthesia and after recovery. The mean SpO2 value in equines of this group was 76.50 +/- 4.14 and 83.33 +/- 4.18% after induction and during anaesthesia, respectively. Some of the blood biochemical parameters like plasma alanine amino transferase (ALT), total proteins and glucose showed significant increase without clinical consequence. It was concluded that detomidine (0.02 mg kg(-1)), butorphanol (0.01 mg kg(-1)), guaifenesin 5% (20 mg kg(-1)) and ketamine (2.0 mg kg(-1)) combination can safely be used for short term total intravenous anaesthesia in equines under field conditions where the monitoring facilities are meager.