Evaluation of CERES-Rice model for the selected rice varieties of Kerala

A field experiment was conducted at Thrissur during kharif seasons of 2013 and 2014 using two rice varieties (Jyothi and Kanchana) and five dates of planting (June 5th, June 20th, July 5th, July 20th and August 5th). CERES-Rice model of DSSAT v 4.6 was used to simulate the phenology and grain yield of rice. Calibration of genetic coefficients was done with 6000 iterations and then the model was validated. The model could simulate the phenology of both the rice varieties with RMSE ranging between 0.89 to 1.92 for physiological maturity.The model overestimated the grain yield of rice cultivars which need further refinement.

Demonstration of Synergistic Catalysis in Au@Ni Bimetallic Core–Shell Nanostructures

Core–shell bimetallic nanoparticles comprised of gold core and varying nickel shell have been synthesized, and their synergistic effect in catalysis is explored through catalytic hydrogenation of <i>p</i>-nitrophenol and <i>p</i>-nitrothiophenol. A clear evidence for synergism in Au@Ni core–shell nanoparticles having an ultrathin Ni shell (1–2 nm) around a Au core (6–10 nm) resulting in enhanced catalytic activity is observed. The rates observed from a thin nickel shell are higher than monometallic Au or Ni nanoparticles of similar size or with a thicker Ni shell of 6–8 nm