Taxonomic studies of Eulophid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) collected from Uttarakhand, India

A sound taxonomic knowledge base is a prerequisite for effective conservation, environment assessment, ecological research, management and sustainable use of biological resources. Parasitoids are the major component of the biocontrol, so the correct identification of the parasitoid is very important task. Eulophidae is a large family of the superfamily Chalcidoidea and comprises promising biocontrol agents for the control of insect pests causing harm to agricultural ecosystem. The present study has been done to provide the account and occurrence of 4 genera belonging to subfamily Entedoninae, Eulophinae and Tetrastichinae. Entedon costalis Dalman, Diglyphus horticola Khan, Hemiptarsenus varicornis (Girault), and Neotrichoporoides viridimaculatus (Fullaway) was collected from Uttarakhand (India) and described in detail with additional morphological characters that aids in clear identification of the parasitoids. Entedon costalis is recorded from this region with additional characters for identification

Validation of integrated pest management module against insect pests of pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan in Tarai region of Uttarakhand

Experiments on validation of integrated pest management (IPM) module against insect pest of pigeonpea in comparison with the Non-IPM (farmer’s practices) were conducted at N.E.B. Crop Research Centre, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar during Kharif 2014 and 2015. Adopted IPM module contained Seed treatment with Trichoderma spp. @10g/kg of seed, Sole crop, Bird perches @ 50/ha, need based insecticides spray (Chlorantraniliprole 18.5SC @ 30 g a. i./ha; Neem soap@10g/lit; Acetamiprid 20SP @ 20 g a. i./ha). The results indicated that minimum population of pod borers (Helicoverpa armigera,Maruca vitrata and podfly) and sucking insects (aphids, jassids, pod bug) was reported in IPM plots and maximum population of insects was observed in Non-IPM plots. Percent insect control over non-IPM was 50.98 % for H. armigera, 44.69 % for M. vitrata and 19.17 % for Maruca webbing were recorded. While, for sucking pest complex, insect control over non-IPM was 51.59 %, 40.36 % and 36.17 % against jassids, aphids and tur pod bug, respectively. Similarly, minimum pod borer damage (6.48 and 7.71 %) was recorded in IPM plots as compared to maximum pod borer damage (8.37 and 8.22 %) in non-IPM plots, respectively during 2014 and 2015. Whereas, pooled grain yield for IPM plots was 1286.5 kg/ha for both seasons as against 888 kg/ha in non-IPM plots with 1:2.89 benefit cost ratio. Hence, It is apparent that studied IPM module was able to increase the yield of pigeonepea with lower cost of production as against non-IPM thus it would be benefiting the farmers

A new species of the genus Stenomesius Westwood (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from India

Volume: 101Start Page: 421End Page: 42

Long-term fertilization effects on soil organic carbon sequestration in an Inceptisol

Limited information is available on long-term fertilization impacts on soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in deep soils and C pools within bulk soils and aggregates. Hence, the major objectives of this study were to evaluate long-term (44 years) fertilization impacts on: (i) soil aggregation, labile and recalcitrant C pools within bulk soils and aggregates and (ii) deep soil C accumulation versus sequestration. Treatments were: no mineral fertilizer or manure (control), 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (N), N and phosphorus (NP), N, P and potassium (NPK), 150% recommended NPK (150% NPK), and NPK + farmyard manure (FYM) (NPK + FYM). Labile C, recalcitrant C, total SOC and glomalin in bulk soils and their aggregates were determined in the 0-15 and 15-30 cm soil layers. In addition, total SOC, labile and recalcitrant C contents were measured in the 30-60 and 60-90 cm soil layers. Results revealed that C accumulation and sequestration in NPK + FYM over control plots were 0.74 and 0.22 Mg C ha(-1) yr(-1), respectively, in 0-90 cm soil layer with > 50% of the accumulated C in deep soil layers (30-90 cm). In 0-15 cm layer, despite NPK + FYM and NPK plots had similar amounts of soil macroaggregates, microaggregates were 27% higher with NPK + FYM than NPK, causing higher aggregate stability. Plots with NPK and NPK + FYM had more labile: recalcitrant C ratios in bulk soils than control, NP and N plots. The NPK + FYM plots also had highest recalcitrant C pools within macro- and microaggregates. Glomalin was generally positively correlated with all labile C pools in both soil layers. Additionally, mean weight diameter (MWD) was positively correlated with aggregate-associated C and glomalin within bulk soils. Overall, NPK + FYM management practice not only had higher C accumulation and sequestration in surface and deep soils, but also had better aggregation and similar to 26% greater carbon management index than NPK in soil surface and hence should be adopted

8000-year monsoonal record from Himalaya revealing reinforcement of tropical and global climate systems since mid-Holocene

We provide the first continuous Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) climate record for the higher Himalayas (Kedarnath, India) by analyzing a C-14-dated peat sequence covering the last similar to 8000 years, with similar to 50 years temporal resolution. The ISM variability inferred using various proxies reveal striking similarity with the Greenland ice core (GISP2) temperature record and rapid denitrification changes recorded in the sediments off Peru. The Kedarnath record provides compelling evidence for a reorganization of the global climate system taking place at similar to 5.5 ka BP possibly after sea level stabilization and the advent of inter-annual climate variability governed by the modern ENSO phenomenon. The ISM record also captures warm-wet and cold-dry conditions during the Medieval Climate Anomaly and Little Ice Age, respectively

Not Available

Not AvailableThe aim of this study was to understand impacts of long-term (43 years) fertilization on soil aggregation, N accumulation rates and δ15N in surface and deep layers in an Alfisol. Soil samples from seven treatments were analysed for N stocks, aggregate-associated N in 0–30 cm and the changes in δ15N in 0–90 cm depths. The treatments were: unfertilized control (control); recommended N dose (N); recommended N and phosphorus doses (NP); recommended N, P and potassium doses (NPK); 150% of recommended N, P and K doses (150% NPK); NPK + 10 Mg FYM ha−1 (NPK + FYM) and NPK + 0.4 Mg lime ha−1 (NPK + L). Results revealed that plots under NPK + FYM had ~39% higher total N concentrations than NPK + L in 0–30 cm soil layers. In NPK + L, macro-aggregates had 35 and 11% and microaggregates had 20 and 9% lower δ15N values than NPK + FYM in 0–15 and 15–30 cm soil layers, respectively. However, plots receiving NPK + FYM had ~39% greater deep soil (30–90 cm) N accumulation than NPK + L. These results would help understanding N supplying capacity by long-term fertilization and assist devising N management strategies in sub-tropical acidic Alfisols.Not Availabl

Design of serious games based on cognitive bias modification and learned helplessness paradigms for treatment of depression.

Background: Depression is a debilitating mental health disorder with a huge treatment gap. Recent years have seen a surge of digital interventions to bridge this treatment gap. Most of these interventions are based on computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (cCBT). Despite the efficacy of cCBT-based interventions, their uptake is low, and dropout rates are high. Cognitive bias modification (CBM) paradigms provide a complementary approach for digital interventions for depression. However, interventions based on CBM paradigms have been reported to be repetitive and boring. Objectives: In this paper, we describe the conceptualization, design, and acceptability of serious games based on CBM paradigms and the learned helplessness paradigm. Methods: We searched the literature for CBM paradigms that have been shown to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms. For each of the CBM paradigms, we ideated on how to create a game so that the gameplay is engaging while the active therapeutic component remains unchanged. Results: We developed 5 serious games based on CBM paradigms and the learned helplessness paradigm. The games include various core elements of gamification, including goals, challenges, feedback, rewards, progress, and fun. Overall, the games received positive acceptability ratings from 15 users. Conclusions: These games may help in improving the effectiveness and engagement levels of computerized interventions for depression

Paleofloods records in Himalaya

We use paleoflood deposits to reconstruct a record of past floods for the Alaknanda-Mandakini Rivers (Garhwal Himalaya), the Indus River (Ladakh, NW Himalaya) and the Brahmaputra River (NE Himalaya). The deposits are characterized by sand-silt couplets, massive sand beds, and from debris flow sediment. The chronology of paleoflood deposits, established by Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) and C-14 AMS dating techniques, indicates the following: (i) The Alaknanda-Mandakini Rivers experienced large floods during the wet and warm Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA); (ii) the Indus River experienced at least 14 large floods during the Holocene climatic optimum, when flood discharges were likely an order of magnitude higher than those of modern floods; and (iii) the Brahmaputra River experienced a megaflood between 8 and 6 ka. Magnetic susceptibility of flood sediments indicates that 10 out of 14 floods on the Indus River originated in the catchments draining the Ladakh Batholith, indicating the potential role of glacial lake outbursts (GLOFs) and/or landslide lake outbursts (LLOFs) in compounding flood magnitudes. Pollen recovered from debris flow deposits located in the headwaters of the Mandakini River showed the presence of warmth-loving trees and marshy taxa, thereby corroborating the finding that floods occurred during relatively warm periods. Collectively, our new data indicate that floods in the Himalaya largely occur during warm and wet climatic phases. Further, the evidence supports the notion that the Indian Summer Monsoon front may have penetrated into the Ladakh area during the Holocene climatic optimum. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved