Ecological impact of alien plant invasion in national parks of an Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot in India

The present study aims to evaluate the ecological impact of invasion in two protected areas and provides the first authentic inventory of alien plants with their invasion status. Random sampling technique was followed along with nested quadrats to investigate the phytosociological status of invasion by the alien plants. The ecological studies revealed the occurrence of 207 alien plant species 193 genera under 59 families. The family Asteraceae exhibited the highest species diversity with 38 plant species followed by families like Fabaceae (20 species), Euphorbiaceae (8 species), Convolvulaceae (8 species) and Amaranthaceae (7 species). Most of the alien plants (31%) belonged to American origin followed by 9.18 % from Mexican, 9.17 % from African and 5.31% from European origin. Out of the total species recorded, it was observed that 60.38% herbs, 12.56% trees and 11.11% were shrubs. Phytosociological investigation showed that the lowest reading of Shannon diversity index (H’=1.897) was found in the herb layer of disturbed habitats in the middle altitude of Murlen national park in comparison to the disturbed habitats in the middle altitude of Phawngpui national park (H’=2.198). Ageratina adenophora, Mikania micrantha, Ageratina riparia and Chromolaena odorata were observed as the most noxious invasive alien plants. This database may be utilized to prepare the area's conservation or forest management plans

The ocean carbon pool: a vital component of the global carbon cycle

The global carbon cycle is an integral part of the Earth System. Of the land, atmosphere, and ocean components of the global carbon cycle that exchange carbon on the timescales of decades to centuries, the ocean contains more than 90% of carbon. The ocean carbon pool represents a critical component of the Earth's carbon cycle, playing a pivotal role in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and influencing climate dynamics. The exponential increase of total anthropogenic CO2 emissions in the industrial era implies the ocean's uptake has increased exponentially, reaching 2.5 ± 0.6 Pg C yr-1 for 2009-2018. Without the ocean and land sinks, atmospheric CO2 levels would be close to 600 ppm. The ocean carbon pool comprises dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), organic carbon, and particulate organic matter, collectively responsible for the sequestration and release of carbon into the atmosphere. Phytoplankton, the microscopic marine plants, play a fundamental role in the oceanic carbon cycle by photosynthesizing and fixing atmospheric CO2 into organic matter. This organic matter can be transferred to the deep ocean through the biological pump, further contributing to the storage of carbon in the form of sinking particles. The bulk of the global ocean margin represents a carbon sink of ~0.1-0.2 Pg C. Oceanic processes, such as ocean circulation and upwelling, help redistribute carbon from surface waters to the deep ocean. The solubility pump, which is driven by changes in temperature and salinity, also affects the solubility of CO2 in seawater. These natural processes work to mitigate the increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations and help regulate global temperatures

Population dynamics of arthropods on tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum l.) in Vindhya plateau region of Madhya Pradesh

The field experiment results on “population dynamics of different insect pest and their natural enemies on tomato” showed that the aphid population peaked in the 7th SMW (8.83 aphids/6 leaves) during Rabi Season 2021-22. Amrasca biguttula population attained its peak (6.33 jassids/ 6 leaves) during the 11th SMW. The first peak of the leaf miner population was observed (4.67 leaf miner/6 leaves) during the 11th SMW and the second during the 16th SMW. The tomato mirid bug had the highest mean population (5.80 bugs/ plant) during the 11th SMW. The damaged fruit borer (H. armigera) was first recorded during the 9th SMW and maximum fruit damage was 96 per cent during the 13th SMW. The maximum mean population of ladybird beetle (5.26 lady beetles/ plant) and weaver ant (12.06 Weaver ant/ plant) was recorded during the 11th standard week. The peak population of damselfly (2.20 damselfly/ plant), whitefly (7.83 whitefly/6 leaves) and dragonfly (2.20 dragonflies/plant) were observed during the 10th SMW

Influence of farming systems on management of major pests and disease of groundnut

A field experiment was conducted during the summer 2019 to manage significant pests and diseases of groundnut. Four farming methods were evaluated against Aphis craccivora, Scirtothrips dorsalis, Spodoptera litura andearly leaf spot (Cercospora arachidicola). Among the different farming methods, Natural farming (NF) (neemastra @ 625 lit/ha) significantly reduced the Aphis craccivora (3.92 aphids /plant) and Scirtothrips dorsalis (11.80%) at one week after spray followed by organic farming (OF) and a package of practice (POP). Similarly, S. litura (0.44 % leaf damage) infestation was significantly lower at two weeks after spray compared to other treatments. Botanical decoctions were found safer to Coccinella transversalis in natural farming plot. The experiment also evaluated the effective farming methods against early leaf spot of groundnut and among the different methods, the minimum per cent disease index (6.26) was recorded in POP (hexaconazole 5EC @ 500ml/ha) followed by OF (azadirachtin 10000 ppm @ 600ml/ha) (7.02) and NF (fermented buttermilk @ 12.50 lit/ha) (7.19). All the farming methods were statistically at par in recording pod yield however, the highest pod yield was recorded in POP (20.07 q/ha) followed by organic farming (19.50 q/ha). The present investigation has found natural farming to be an effective system against the management of pests and disease in groundnut

Effect of organic amendments on termite infestation in chickpea

The field experiment was conducted at the Research farm, Agriculture Research Station, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, during Rabi season in randomized block design with nine treatments, including the control. Out of the seven organic amendments, tested against termites in chickpea, the application of neem cake recorded the lowest 9.97 per cent termite damaged plants, followed by vermicompost (10.43). The highest termite damaged plants (19.53) were observed in plots treated with FYM followed by groundnut cake treated plots (19.47). The maximum grain yield (1325 kg ha-1) was obtained from the plots treated with neem cake, followed by vermicompost (1205 kg ha-1). The minimum yield (1060 kg ha-1) was obtained from the plots treated with FYM. The maximum profit (Rs 8790 ha-1) was obtained from the treatment of vermicompost, followed by poultry manures (Rs 7010 ha-1). The highest incremental cost-benefit ratio (ICBR) of 0.96 was obtained from vermicompost followed by poultry manures (0.69)

Seasonal incidence of stem fly, Melanagromyza sojae (Zehntner) infesting black gram (Vigna mungo L.) in kharif

A field experiment on the seasonal incidence of stem fly, Melanagromyza sojae (Zehntner) infesting black gram was carried out in variety GU 1 (Gujarat Urd 1) during kharif 2017 and 2021 at Entomology farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, AAU, Anand. Infestation of M. sojaewas observed from 1st WAS i.e., 34th SMW. Later on, infestation increased gradually and its highest infestation was observed during the 39th SMW i.e., 68.33 and 73.33% of kharif, 2017 and 2021, respectively. Stem fly infestation exhibited a highly significant positive association (r = 0.519** and 0.655**, respectively) with bright sunshine hours (BSS) and maximum temperature (MaxT), respectively. Abiotic factors viz., rainfall (RF) exhibited a significant negative association (-0.458*), while evaporation (EP) showed a significant positive association (0.466*)

Effect of different organic sources and mulching on growth, yield and quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Ten treatment combinations comprising five different organic sources viz., Vermicompost, FYM, NADEP-compost, Bangalore-compost and No manure and two levels of mulching viz., mulch with wheat straw @ 2.5t/ha and no mulch were evaluated in randomized block design with factorial concept with four replications. An application of vermicompost recorded significantly higher plant height (13.72, 30.00 and 54.56 cm at 30, 60 DAS and at harvest, respectively) and root length (12.52 cm) at 45 DAS, number of pods per plant (25.82), pod yield (2757 kg/ha), haulm yield (4615 kg/ha) shelling % (73.98%), protein content (24.85%) and oil content (51.68%). The effect of mulch on all the observations was found non-significant. All the interaction effects between organic sources and mulching on all the observations were found non-significant. For getting higher growth, yield and quality of kharif groundnut crop should be applied manures with 20 kg N/ha from vermicompost along with 250 kg PROM/ha

Spatial and temporal distribution of donkey and mule population in India

The donkeys and mules are members of the Equidae family. Spiti, Halari and Kachchhi are registered breeds of donkeys in India. They are well acclimatized to the different agro-climatic conditions to which they belong. Donkeys and mules constitute about 37% of the total Indian equine population and play multifarious roles in human life, especially for the poorest of the poor section of society. They are mainly reared by underprivileged and weaker communities of the society and used for various purposes like transportation of goods, farm produces, pack animals at brick kilns, transportation of garbage, building materials and by nomadic pastoralists etc. The severe decreasing trend observed in Livestock Census elicited us to understand the present status of donkeys and mules. The total donkey and mule populations decreased by 61.23% and 57.10%, respectively in 2019 over the last census. This can be due to their decreased working utility, as alternate economic sources of mechanization are available. Further, motorized vehicles are replacing donkeys and mules in plains and hilly regions where there is a road network. Presently, donkeys and mules are more in rural area than urban area of the country, indicating their utility still exists among rural masses and rural transport depends on these equids. The density of mules is high in the hilly states of India, indicating their utility in difficult hilly terrains

A functional decision support system for management of Graphiola leaf spot (Graphiola phoenicis) disease during hardening of date palm tissue cultured plants in a greenhouse

A functional decision support system (DSS) was developed through optimising values of parameters favour faster growth and development of tissue cultured plantlets of date palm and suppression of disease infection. The programming of control devices was further managed based on the ambient environmental conditions, which required variable simulation periods and a plan for controlling of all systems for maintaining the greenhouse environment. During the process of plant hardening, the plants were infected by Graphiola leaf spot (Graphiola phoenicis). The moderate temperature, and high humidity inside the greenhouse, accompanied by short days and frequent occurrence of fog during winter months, favoured the development of smut infection. It is required to manage an extended photoperiod for 16 hours with 15000 lux light intensity provided by white fluorescent tube lights and incandescent bulbs inside the greenhouse. The integrated practices of enhanced photoperiod and light intensity under the greenhouse in combination with fungicides application to plants were found very effective in suppressing the intensity of the disease and its adverse effects on the plants. Using this decision support system (DSS), the tissue cultured date palm plants cv. Barhee has been successfully hardened and managed disease and transplanted in the field for further studying establishment, survival, plant growth and fruiting-related parameters