Interactions of VAM fungi, pesticides and crops

V esicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (V AM) are beneficial root symbionts of most crops, including corn and soybeans. These fungi colonize plant roots, facilitating nutrient ex­ change between the plant and the fungus. The plant supplies carbon for fungal growth; in turn, the VAM enhances uptake of relatively immobile nutrients such as phosphorus (P). The network of external fungal filaments, or hyphae (see photos below), extends outside the root up to several centimeters in the soil, allowing the fungus access to soil P otherwise unavailable to the plant

Electrodeposition of Sn, Se, SnSe and the material properties of SnSe films

Tin sulphide (SnS) films have been electrodeposited and the materials properties are reported, The potential-pH diagram of Sn and S in aqueous medium are superimposed to obtain the common immunity domains which predicts a pH value 1.5 and deposition potential of ·1.0 VseE for the stoichiometric deposition. Films are cathodically deposited on 5002 coated conducting glass substrates at bath temperatures 303-353 K. XRD studies show the polycrystalline nature with orthorhombic structure. The optical band gap of the snS film is 1.1 eV from the absorption studies. ESCA spectrum confirms the presence of Sn and S on the grey black sample. Uniform, smooth and pin hole free surface morphology is observed by SEM

Climatology of ionospheric slab thickness

The ionospheric slab thickness τ defined as a ratio of the total electron content (TEC) to the F-region peak electron density (<i>Nm</i>F2) has been analysed during the solar maximum (1981) and minimum (1985) phases of an intense, the 21st, solar cycle. Hourly values of TEC and <i>Nm</i>F2 collected at Hawaii (low-latitude), Boulder (mid-latitude) and Goosebay (high-latitude) are used in the study. Climatology of the slab thickness is described by the diurnal, seasonal, solar and magnetic activity variations of τ for the different latitude zones. It is found that, for magnetically quiet days of solar maximum, increased ionization of <i>Nm</i>F2 and TEC during the daytime is accompanied by an increased thickness of the ionosphere compared to the night-time for non-auroral latitudes. However, the reverse is found to be true during the solar minimum compensating TEC against a weak night-time ionization of <i>Nm</i>F2. For the high-latitude the night-time slab thickness is higher compared to the daytime for both the solar phases. Ratios of daily peak to minimum values of slab thickness vary from 1.3 to 3.75 with the peaks of τ often observed at pre-sunrise and post-sunset hours. The average night-to-day ratios of τ vary from 0.68 to 2.23. The day-to-day variability of τ, expressed in percentage standard deviation, varies from 10% by day (equinox, high-latitude) to 67% by night (summer, mid-latitude) during solar minimum and from 10% by day (winter and equinox, mid-latitude) to 56% by night (equinox, high-latitude) during solar maximum. A comprehensive review of slab thickness related literature is given in the paper. <br><br><b>Key words.</b> Ionospheric physic

Initial inflammatory response of skeletal muscle to commonly used suture materials: an animal model study to evaluate muscle healing after surgical repair - histopathological perspective

Objectives: To evaluate initial inflammatory response of skeletal muscle to a few commonly used suture materials for muscle repair namely nylon, polydiaxonone (PDS II), plain catgut and polygalactin 910 which in turn determines the scarring of muscle and loss of function. Material and Methods: Inflammation and healing of muscle post repair was evaluated in the lateral thigh muscle (biceps femoris) of 8 adult healthy male Rattus norvegicus. The inflammatory reaction & healing of the skeletal muscle was evaluated histologically at the end of 48 hours, 1 week and 3 weeks. Results: At 48 hours post-surgery, Nylon samples showed severe inflammation followed by Catgut and Polygalactin. At 1 week post-surgery, the catgut group demonstrated increased macrophages infiltration while Nylon demonstrated persistant lymphocytic pro-inflammatory component. PDS sutures elicited minimal inflammatory response all through. Conclusion: In the present study the most desirable suture material was determined to be PDS due to its minimal tissue response and superior handling qualities. However the fact that the presence of macrophages in healing muscle enhances the repair process would be a pointer to create an environment which contains the sustained presence of macrophages to enhance optimal healing of skeletal muscle in the presence of an ideal suture material

GPS phase scintillation and proxy index at high latitudes during a moderate geomagnetic storm

The amplitude and phase scintillation indices are customarily obtained by specialised GPS Ionospheric Scintillation and TEC Monitors (GISTMs) from L1 signal recorded at the rate of 50 Hz. The scintillation indices S[subscript 4] and σ[subscript Φ] are stored in real time from an array of high-rate scintillation receivers of the Canadian High Arctic Ionospheric Network (CHAIN). Ionospheric phase scintillation was observed at high latitudes during a moderate geomagnetic storm (Dst = −61 nT) that was caused by a moderate solar wind plasma stream compounded with the impact of two coronal mass ejections. The most intense phase scintillation (σ[subscript Φ] ~ 1 rad) occurred in the cusp and the polar cap where it was co-located with a strong ionospheric convection, an extended tongue of ionisation and dense polar cap patches that were observed with ionosondes and HF radars. At sub-auroral latitudes, a sub-auroral polarisation stream that was observed by mid-latitude radars was associated with weak scintillation (defined arbitrarily as σ[subscript Φ] 0.1 rad and DPR > 2 mm s[superscript −1], both mapped as a function of magnetic latitude and magnetic local time, are very similar.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant ATM-0856093

Effect of major nutrients on yield of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rose.) intercropped in coconut garden

The effect of different levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on the yield of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) grown as an intercrop in a coconut garden was studied in a field experiment conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram, Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala. Significant increases in leaf production, leaf area index and dry matter production, crop growth rate and uptake of nutrients were resulted from higher dose of fertilizers. Fertilizer recommendation for ginger grown under open condition (N:P:K @.75:50:50 kg ha-1) is insufficient for ginger intercropped in coconut gardens. A higher fertilizer dose of N:P:K @ 150:100:100 kg ha-1 is necessary for increasing the yield of ginger grown as an intercrop in coconut garden. &nbsp

Characteristics of VHF radiowave scintillations over a solar cycle (1983?1993) at a low-latitude station: Waltair (17.7°N, 83.3°E)

International audienceThe characteristics of VHF radiowave scintillations at 244 MHz (FLEETSAT) during a complete solar cycle (1983?93) at a low-latitude station, Waltair (17.7°N, 83.3°E), are presented. The occurrence of night-time scintillations shows equinoctial maxima and summer minima in all the epochs of solar activity, and follows the solar activity. The daytime scintillation occurrence is negatively correlated with the solar activity and shows maximum occurrence during the summer months in a period of low solar activity. The occurrence of night-time scintillations is inhibited during disturbed days of high solar activity and enhanced during low solar activity

Influence of shade regimes on yield and quality of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)

The effect of different levels of shade on yield and quality of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) was studied during two seasons at Coconut Research Station, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala. The shade levels 20 and 40 per cent were favourable for obtaining higher dry ginger yield. Volatile oil content showed an increasing trend with increasing levels of shade. Maximum NVEE was recorded in the plants grown under 20 and 40 per cent shade levels. Higher starch content was observed in plants grown under 20 per cent shade level. Crude fibre content gradually reduced as the intensity of shade increased. The results indicate the possibility of utilizing existing shaded situations in coconut gardens and under other perennial crops for the production of ginger. &nbsp

Effect of major nutrients on yield of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rose.) intercropped in coconut garden

The effect of different levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on the yield of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) grown as an intercrop in a coconut garden was studied in a field experiment conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram, Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala. Significant increases in leaf production, leaf area index and dry matter production, crop growth rate and uptake of nutrients were resulted from higher dose of fertilizers. Fertilizer recommendation for ginger grown under open condition (N:P:K @.75:50:50 kg ha-1) is insufficient for ginger intercropped in coconut gardens. A higher fertilizer dose of N:P:K @ 150:100:100 kg ha-1 is necessary for increasing the yield of ginger grown as an intercrop in coconut garden. &nbsp

Mulch requirement of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) under shade

Field experiments conducted at Vellayani (Kerala, India) to study the mulch requirement of ginger (Zingiber officinale) under various shade levels indicated that under 25 per cent shade, one-fourth quantity (7.5 t/ha) of green leaf mulch could be saved. &nbsp