Balancing of Production Line in a Bearing Industry to improve Productivity

Line balancing addresses the issues of balancing production or assembly line and it generally minimizes the idle time for all the events and the combinations of workstations. Factors such as lack of materials, design changes in the product, labor position may also be needed for line balancing. We approached the industry and proposed a heuristic solution solving in two different platforms, by rearranging the existing tasks over the work stations, so that the idle time of the machines are reduced to minimum and the other is by using Timer Pro software where grouping of similar kind of activities are to find out the optimized productivity . The experiment was conducted in a bearing company where analysis about line balancing were made and latter comparisons are made with that of Timer Pro Professional software to analyze the productivity. The results were much more higher compared to that of existing productivity. We address the solutions by experimenting, analyzing either ways through practical as well as software and propose how optimization can enhance the productivity in an industry

Standardization of soil-less nursery mixture for black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) multiplication using plug-trays

Availability of quality planting material of high yielding varieties is a major production constraint in all black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) growing countries, and hence there is a need for technology that boosts production of quality planting material. An investigation was carried out to study the effect of different combinations of soil-less coir pith based nursery mixtures on rooting and growth of black pepper cuttings in the nursery. Among the different nursery media combinations, coir pith with Trichoderma and vermicompost recorded significantly higher growth parameters. The study confirmed that composted coir pith with vermicompost and Trichoderma is an ideal potting medium for black pepper nursery. In the second experiment, among the single node cuttings with three different maturities (collected from the serpentine method runners), maximum nursery grwoth, was recorded in the terminal portion of the runners (11-15th nodes). Similarly, higher growth parameters were recorded in the cuttings planted with full leaf compared to halfleaf cuttings. The study indicated that the rooted cuttings with full leaf from middle and top portions recorded higher growth parameters. Use of Trichoderma and vermicompost enriched coir pith in black pepper nurseries minimizes chemical fungicides besides Trichoderma that colonizes the root system of seedlings will help in preventing the infection by pathogens in the main field. Since there is no high additional cost involved, the use of Trichoderma enriched coir pith can also be adopted by commercial nurseries. &nbsp

Standardization of soil-less nursery mixture for black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) multiplication using plug-trays

Availability of quality planting material of high yielding varieties is a major production constraint in all black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) growing countries, and hence there is a need for technology that boosts production of quality planting material. An investigation was carried out to study the effect of different combinations of soil-less coir pith based nursery mixtures on rooting and growth of black pepper cuttings in the nursery. Among the different nursery media combinations, coir pith with Trichoderma and vermicompost recorded significantly higher growth parameters. The study confirmed that composted coir pith with vermicompost and Trichoderma is an ideal potting medium for black pepper nursery. In the second experiment, among the single node cuttings with three different maturities (collected from the serpentine method runners), maximum nursery grwoth, was recorded in the terminal portion of the runners (11-15th nodes). Similarly, higher growth parameters were recorded in the cuttings planted with full leaf compared to halfleaf cuttings. The study indicated that the rooted cuttings with full leaf from middle and top portions recorded higher growth parameters. Use of Trichoderma and vermicompost enriched coir pith in black pepper nurseries minimizes chemical fungicides besides Trichoderma that colonizes the root system of seedlings will help in preventing the infection by pathogens in the main field. Since there is no high additional cost involved, the use of Trichoderma enriched coir pith can also be adopted by commercial nurseries. &nbsp

Standardization of stem thickness and length for harvesting cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Pres.) bark

An experiment was conducted during 2008–09, 2009–10 & 2010–11 at Dapoli (Maharashtra) to study the effect of stem thickness and stem length for harvesting cinnamon bark. Twelve treatment combinations viz., two genotypes; Konkan Tej (G1), ACC-11 (G2), two lengths of stem; 50 cm (L1), 100 cm (L2) and three thicknesses of stem; 1–2 cm (T1), 2–3 cm (T2), 5–6 cm (T3) were used for experimentation. There were no significant differences in bark thickness before and after drying, fresh and dry weights of quill in the genotypes studied and length of cinnamon stem selected for bark extraction. Significantly highest bark thicknesses before (1.14 mm) and after (0.82 mm) drying and fresh (111.21 g) and dry (56.64 g) weights of quill were recorded in T3 (5–6 cm thick stem) treatment. Interaction effect of genotype, length and thickness of stem selected for coppicing indicate significant differences in bark thickness before and after drying and fresh and dry weights of quill. Significantly maximum bark thickness before drying (1.74 mm) was recorded in treatment combination G2L1T3, which was at par with G1L2T3 (1.72 mm), G2L2T3 (1.71 mm) and G1L1T3 (1.67 mm). The treatment combination G1L2T3 produced significantly highest bark thickness after drying (1.33 mm) fresh (223.31 g) and dry (117.28 g) weights of quill respectively. Significantly low bark thickness before drying (1.00 mm) fresh (49.13 g) and dry (22.92 g) weights of quill were recorded in treatment combination G1L1T1, which were at par with treatment combination G2L1T1. Higher oil percentage was observed in 5–6 cm thick stem i.e. Konkan Tej (3%) and ACC-11 (2.50%) respectively. Thus for coppicing of cinnamon for extraction of bark, harvesting of 5-6 cm thick stem is recommended. &nbsp

Cross species amplification of microsatellite loci from Phytophthora spp to assess genetic diversity among the Phytophthora isolates from black pepper

Phytophthora capsici is one of the most destructive pathogens of black pepper in India and the world over. Diversity of 114 Phytophthora isolates obtained from leaf, stem, root and soil of different agro climatic areas was studied using 25 SSR primers that were previously described. twenty primers were successfully amplified. Of these, 15 were polymorphic among the Phytophthora isolates and altogether 37 loci were detected. Of the 37 bands generated from 20 primers, 75.67% were polymorphic. Cluster analysis using the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages divided the isolates into seven major groups. The dendrogram generated showed that all the isolates were separated at similarity coefficient between 57-95%. Group 7 with a single isolate stood as an out group. Clustering did not follow the pattern of geographical origin or plant part from where the isolates were obtained. &nbsp

Molecular identification of scale insect (Eulecanium giganteum) in Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is a widely grown evergreen valuable medicinal, ornamental species planted in India. Scale insects are small herbivorous insects found on all continents and they are serious sap sucking pests of many ornamental plants. These scale insects are undetectable due to their tiny size, basic morphology, and polyphagous feeding nature. Hence, the management of these tiny insects become a serious concern across the globe. To afford a prospective solution to the problem, an accurate, simple, and developmental-stage-independent identification method is required, hence this study attempted the molecular identification of scale insect in Hibiscus rosa-sinensis using mitochondrial gene Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I (mtCOI) sequencing. The experiment was carried out by isolating insect DNA using a modified CTAB method. Through two or three rounds of error-prone PCR followed by a steady procedure to amplify a mtCOI region. This region of mtCOI has been used as a standard DNA barcode for a diverse array of taxa. The confirmation has been done by sequencing of mtCOI which suggest the highest similarities with Eulecanium giganteum. This study addresses the questions of biodiversity and molecular characterization of scale insects. Further, the information obtained in this study provides baseline data for future crop improvement programs and integrated pest management strategies

Cross species amplification of microsatellite loci from Phytophthora spp to assess genetic diversity among the Phytophthora isolates from black pepper

Phytophthora capsici is one of the most destructive pathogens of black pepper in India and the world over. Diversity of 114 Phytophthora isolates obtained from leaf, stem, root and soil of different agro climatic areas was studied using 25 SSR primers that were previously described. twenty primers were successfully amplified. Of these, 15 were polymorphic among the Phytophthora isolates and altogether 37 loci were detected. Of the 37 bands generated from 20 primers, 75.67% were polymorphic. Cluster analysis using the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages divided the isolates into seven major groups. The dendrogram generated showed that all the isolates were separated at similarity coefficient between 57-95%. Group 7 with a single isolate stood as an out group. Clustering did not follow the pattern of geographical origin or plant part from where the isolates were obtained. &nbsp

Standardization of stem thickness and length for harvesting cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Pres.) bark

An experiment was conducted during 2008–09, 2009–10 & 2010–11 at Dapoli (Maharashtra) to study the effect of stem thickness and stem length for harvesting cinnamon bark. Twelve treatment combinations viz., two genotypes; Konkan Tej (G1), ACC-11 (G2), two lengths of stem; 50 cm (L1), 100 cm (L2) and three thicknesses of stem; 1–2 cm (T1), 2–3 cm (T2), 5–6 cm (T3) were used for experimentation. There were no significant differences in bark thickness before and after drying, fresh and dry weights of quill in the genotypes studied and length of cinnamon stem selected for bark extraction. Significantly highest bark thicknesses before (1.14 mm) and after (0.82 mm) drying and fresh (111.21 g) and dry (56.64 g) weights of quill were recorded in T3 (5–6 cm thick stem) treatment. Interaction effect of genotype, length and thickness of stem selected for coppicing indicate significant differences in bark thickness before and after drying and fresh and dry weights of quill. Significantly maximum bark thickness before drying (1.74 mm) was recorded in treatment combination G2L1T3, which was at par with G1L2T3 (1.72 mm), G2L2T3 (1.71 mm) and G1L1T3 (1.67 mm). The treatment combination G1L2T3 produced significantly highest bark thickness after drying (1.33 mm) fresh (223.31 g) and dry (117.28 g) weights of quill respectively. Significantly low bark thickness before drying (1.00 mm) fresh (49.13 g) and dry (22.92 g) weights of quill were recorded in treatment combination G1L1T1, which were at par with treatment combination G2L1T1. Higher oil percentage was observed in 5–6 cm thick stem i.e. Konkan Tej (3%) and ACC-11 (2.50%) respectively. Thus for coppicing of cinnamon for extraction of bark, harvesting of 5-6 cm thick stem is recommended. &nbsp

Standardization of stem thickness and length for harvesting cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Pres.) bark

An experiment was conducted during 2008–09, 2009–10 & 2010–11 at Dapoli (Maharashtra) to study the effect of stem thickness and stem length for harvesting cinnamon bark. Twelve treatment combinations viz., two genotypes; Konkan Tej (G1), ACC-11 (G2), two lengths of stem; 50 cm (L1), 100 cm (L2) and three thicknesses of stem; 1–2 cm (T1), 2–3 cm (T2), 5–6 cm (T3) were used for experimentation. There were no significant differences in bark thickness before and after drying, fresh and dry weights of quill in the genotypes studied and length of cinnamon stem selected for bark extraction. Significantly highest bark thicknesses before (1.14 mm) and after (0.82 mm) drying and fresh (111.21 g) and dry (56.64 g) weights of quill were recorded in T3 (5–6 cm thick stem) treatment. Interaction effect of genotype, length and thickness of stem selected for coppicing indicate significant differences in bark thickness before and after drying and fresh and dry weights of quill. Significantly maximum bark thickness before drying (1.74 mm) was recorded in treatment combination G2L1T3, which was at par with G1L2T3 (1.72 mm), G2L2T3 (1.71 mm) and G1L1T3 (1.67 mm). The treatment combination G1L2T3 produced significantly highest bark thickness after drying (1.33 mm) fresh (223.31 g) and dry (117.28 g) weights of quill respectively. Significantly low bark thickness before drying (1.00 mm) fresh (49.13 g) and dry (22.92 g) weights of quill were recorded in treatment combination G1L1T1, which were at par with treatment combination G2L1T1. Higher oil percentage was observed in 5–6 cm thick stem i.e. Konkan Tej (3%) and ACC-11 (2.50%) respectively. Thus for coppicing of cinnamon for extraction of bark, harvesting of 5-6 cm thick stem is recommended. &nbsp

Standardization of soil-less nursery mixture for black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) multiplication using plug-trays

Availability of quality planting material of high yielding varieties is a major production constraint in all black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) growing countries, and hence there is a need for technology that boosts production of quality planting material. An investigation was carried out to study the effect of different combinations of soil-less coir pith based nursery mixtures on rooting and growth of black pepper cuttings in the nursery. Among the different nursery media combinations, coir pith with Trichoderma and vermicompost recorded significantly higher growth parameters. The study confirmed that composted coir pith with vermicompost and Trichoderma is an ideal potting medium for black pepper nursery. In the second experiment, among the single node cuttings with three different maturities (collected from the serpentine method runners), maximum nursery grwoth, was recorded in the terminal portion of the runners (11-15th nodes). Similarly, higher growth parameters were recorded in the cuttings planted with full leaf compared to halfleaf cuttings. The study indicated that the rooted cuttings with full leaf from middle and top portions recorded higher growth parameters. Use of Trichoderma and vermicompost enriched coir pith in black pepper nurseries minimizes chemical fungicides besides Trichoderma that colonizes the root system of seedlings will help in preventing the infection by pathogens in the main field. Since there is no high additional cost involved, the use of Trichoderma enriched coir pith can also be adopted by commercial nurseries. &nbsp