Economics,adoption determinants,and impacts of micro-irrigation technologies: empirical results from India

Micro-irrigation technologies are promoted for various reasons in India. Despite the reported significant economic advantages, and the concerted support of the government and NGOs, the current micro-irrigation area in India remains an insignificant proportion of its potential. This paper analyzes: (1) the economics of alternative micro-irrigation technologies, (2) the determinants of adoption, (3) the poverty outreach of the different micro-irrigation systems, and (4) the sustainability implications of micro-irrigation adoption. In line with the findings of other studies, this study indicates that micro-irrigation technologies result in a significant productivity and economic gains. The most important determinants of micro-irrigation adoption include access to groundwater, cropping pattern, availability of cash, and level of education, the social status and poverty status of the farmer. Contrary to the expectations, the majority of the current adopters of low-cost micro-irrigation systems are the better-off farmers. The study indicates that the impact of micro-irrigation systems on the sustainability of groundwater resources depends upon the magnitude of the overall productivity gain following the shift from traditional irrigation method to micro-irrigation system, the pattern of use of the saved water, and the type and potential number of adopters. This study was supported by the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture (CA) and IWMI-TATA Water Policy Program.

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Cytokinins in developing fruits of Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.

Developing fruits of jujube, Ziziphus mauritiana Lam., contain 2 cytokinin-like compounds, the activities of which were tested by the soybean callus test. One of them appeared to be zeatin, and this was confirmed by its behaviour in paper and column chromatography, coupled with various physicochemical tests.     

Deltamethrin and cypermethrin resistance status of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus collected from six agro-climatic regions of India

A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of synthetic pyrethroids (SP) resistance in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in India. Twenty-seven areas located in six agro-climatic regions were selected for the collection of engorged ticks using two stage stratified sampling procedure. Adult immersion test (AIT) and larval packet test (LPT) were optimized using laboratory reared susceptible line of R.(B.) microplus (IVRI-I) for determination of 95% lethal concentration (LC(95)) of deltamethrin (29.6 ppm in AIT and 35.5 ppm in LPT) and cypermethrin (349.1 ppm in AIT and 350.7 ppm in LPT). The AIT with a discriminating dose (2 × LC(95)) was used to detect deltamethrin and cypermethrin resistance in the field isolates of R.(B.) microplus. On the basis of the data generated on three variables viz., mortality, egg masses and reproductive index, the resistance level was categorized as I, II, III and IV. The overall prevalence of SP-resistant R.(B.) microplus among the sampled farms was 66.6% (18/27). Out of these 18 areas, resistance to deltamethrin at level I was detected in 08 areas (resistance factor=2.0-4.9), at level II in 09 areas (RF=5.2-11.8), at level III in 01 area (RF=34.9) and at level IV in 01 area (RF=95.7). The resistance to cypermethrin was detected in 16 areas and level of resistance was detected at level I in 10 areas (RF=2.06-4.64) and at level II in 06 areas (RF=5.13-9.88). The middle-gangetic and trans-gangetic plains revealed higher density of resistant ticks where intensive cross bred cattle population are reared and the SP compounds are commonly used. The data generated on acaricide resistant status in ticks will help in formulating tick control strategy for the country.     

Growth traits of four maternal lines of rabbits founded on different criteria: comparisons at foundation and at last periods after selection

The objective was to compare growth traits in four maternal lines of rabbits (A, V, H and LP), with the aim of understanding the consequence of the different foundation and selection processes on the growth performance of the lines. The lines are currently in the 43th, 38th, 22th and 8th generations, respectively. Two comparisons were performed. One compared the values of the lines at their foundation, using the complete data set, the full pedigree and a two‐trait analysis, including data on the selection criteria, litter size. The other comparisons were done during the last period when all the lines were housed together with the same feeding and management. The numbers of records were 323 208 for weaning weight, and 300 553 for slaughter weight and average daily Gain (from 46 708 l). The pedigree file included 346 638 animals. The second analysis used only the data corresponding to each period, and the analysis was conducted using a one‐trait model. The model was the same as that defined for the comparisons at the foundation, but the additive effects were excluded. The H and LP lines showed highest values for all the traits compared. In the last periods, a good agreement was observed between the estimated differences, computed with the complete model and data set, or computed with an incomplete model and only data from the comparison period. At last periods, the differences were smaller than at foundation. The importance of the correlated response in growth after selection for litter size at weaning or the importance of a non‐programmed intramating selection for the growth traits can explain the changes since foundation.     

Changes in endogenous gibberellins during fruit growth in guava,with a general discussion

Levels of endogenous gibberellins were determined in seeded and seedless fruits of guava (Psidium guajava L.) in relation to fruit development. The gibberellin content in the seeded fruit was at all times higher than that in the seedless fruit. The peak concentrations of gibberellins in both kinds of fruits occurred at 15 days after pollination and thereafter declined rapidly. This suggests that these substances are involved in the early phase of fruit growth.     

Acaricide resistance in Rhipicephalus microplus collected from selected districts of Madhya Pradesh,Uttar Pradesh and Punjab states of India

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The isolates of Rhipicephalus microplus collected from Madhya Pradesh (MP), Punjab (PJB) and Uttar Pradesh (UP) states of India were characterized using...     

Vacuum press drying studies on two fast-growing Indian wood species

Two fast-growing Indian species, Melia composita Benth. and Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm., which have different sets of physical properties, were dried together in a vacuum press dryer(VPD) under two drying conditions,i.e., above boiling point(ABP) and below boiling point(BBP). The ABP and BBP conditions were maintained by keeping the temperature constant at 75 ℃ and maintaining two pressure levels: 300 mm of Hg(ABP) and 450 mm of Hg(BBP). In order to understand pressure conditions at the core during vacuum drying, a cylindrical brass pipe was inserted in both wood cores and attached with pressure gauges placed outside of the VPD. The results indicate that the Melia wood core attained equilibrium pressure immediately with the pressure of VPD, while Eucalyptus attained it very slowly, reaching equilibrium at later stages of drying when cracks and checks advanced to the core.The drying rate was higher for Melia than Eucalyptus under both drying conditions. The drying rate of Melia(ABP) was higher than Melia(BBP), however, the drying rate for Eucalyptus(ABP) was not significantly different from the BBP drying rate.     

Mechanical and thermo-mechanical analysis based numerical simulation of granite powder filled polymer composites for wind turbine blade

In present article fabrication and characterization of unfilled and granite powder filled carbon epoxy composites are reported. Addition of carbon fiber shows positive effect on mechanical performance of the composites. However, incorporation of granite powder has negative hybridizing effect on the properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength and inter-laminar shear strength. The storage modulus evaluated at 30 °C is in close agreement with flexural modulus of composites. Further, successful attempt is made for numerical simulation of actual geometry of wind turbine blade. The results obtained from numerical analysis are comparable with experimental results.     

Comparative studies of pyrolysis-mass spectra of melanins,model phenolic polymers,and humic acids

Curie-point pyrolysis in direct combination with a fast-scanning, quadrupole mass-spectrometer was used for the characterization of humic acids from soils, peats, and composted straw, fungal humic acid-type polymers (melanins), model phenolic polymers and lignins. All the humic acids, most of the fungal melanins and the model polymer with linked peptone yielded complex but highly similar spectra. Prominent homologous ion series were: m/e 34, 48 and 62 (“sulfides”); m/e 67, 81 and 95 (“pyrroles”); m/e 78, 92 and 106 (“benzenes”); m/e 94, 108 and 122 (“phenols”); and m/e 117, 131 and 145 (“indoles”). “Humic acid” fractions from fresh straw and straw composted for various periods of time yielded relatively strong but gradually diminishing lignin series peaks at m/e 94, 108, 120 and 122 (phenols); m/e 124, 138, 150 and 164 (methoxyphenols); and at m/e 154 and 168 (dimethoxyphenols). Weak signals for the methoxy and dimethoxyphenol series were also present in the soil humic acid spectra. In addition to the series peaks for the other fungal melanins, the S. chartarum spectrum showed a pronounced ion series at m/e 68, 82, 86 and 96 which is indicative of polysaccharides and at m/e 136, 150 and 164 which suggests the presence of alkylphenols.