Effect of Phosphorus Solublizing Bacteria (PSB) on Growth and Yield in Tomato

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of phosphate solublizing bacteria (PSB) on growth and yield of tomato. PSB culture was applied through soil and seedling root dip before transplanting with two levels of phosphorus fertilizers, i.e., 75% and 100% of recommended P, and compared. Results revealed that application of 100% P with seedling dip in PSB 1:10 solution recorded significantly higher plant height (86.30cm), leaf area index (3.52), number of fruits/plant (16.32), fruit weight (77.75g), fruit yield/plant (1125g) and yield (392.26 q/ha) compared to other treatment combinations, except 100% P with 5kg/ha soil application of PSB. The same treatment also recorded the highest (3.41) cost:benefit ratio. However, no significant difference was noticed in 100% recommended P with seedling dip in PSB solution, or soil application

Correlation between the exchange bias effect and antisite disorders in Sr2−x_{2-x}Lax_xCoNbO6_6

We unravel the effect of La substitution and hence antisite disorders on the exchange bias (EB) mechanism in Sr$_{2-x}$La$_x$CoNbO$_6$ ($x=$ 0, 0.2) double perovskite samples using the detailed analysis of the field cooled magnetization isotherms (M--H) and training effect. The field dependence of the freezing temperature deviates from both Gabay-Toulouse (GT) and de Almeida-Thouless (AT) lines and the analysis suggests that the $x=$ 0 sample follows a different universality class with moderate anisotropy in the frozen spins. Interestingly, we find that the EB effect is significantly suppressed in the $x=$ 0.2 sample due to increase [decrease] in the size of ferromagnetic (FM) [cluster glass (CG)] domain, which reduces the effective disordered interface responsible for the EB. The changes in fraction of FM, AFM, and CG like interactions with the La substitution and applied magnetic field are found to be crucial in governing the EB effect in these samples. Further, the training effect measurements show the unequal shift in the left and right branches of the M--H loops and their different evolution with the field cycles ($n$). The analysis reveals that the rotatable spins relax approximately one order of magnitude faster than the frozen spins at the disordered interface. We find a possible correlation between the observed EB effect and the antisite disorders in these samples.Comment: submitte

Physical Properties of Metallic Antiferromagnetic CaCo{1.86}As2 Single Crystals

We report studies of CaCo{1.86}As2 single crystals. The electronic structure is probed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements of CaCo{1.86}As2 and by full-potential linearized augmented-plane-wave calculations for the supercell Ca8Co15As16 (CaCo{1.88}As2). Our XRD crystal structure refinement is consistent with the previous combined refinement of x-ray and neutron powder diffraction data showing a collapsed-tetragonal ThCr2Si2-type structure with 7(1)% vacancies on the Co sites corresponding to the composition CaCo{1.86}As2 [D. G. Quirinale et al., Phys. Rev. B 88, 174420 (2013)]. The anisotropic magnetic susceptibility chi(T) data are consistent with the magnetic neutron diffraction data of Quirianale et al. that demonstrate the presence of A-type collinear antiferromagnetic order below the Neel temperature TN = 52(1) K with the easy axis being the tetragonal c axis. However, no clear evidence from the resistivity rho(T) and heat capacity Cp(T) data for a magnetic transition at TN is observed. A metallic ground state is demonstrated from band calculations and the rho(T), Cp(T) and ARPES data, and spin-polarized calculations indicate a competition between the A-type AFM and FM ground states. The Cp(T) data exhibit a large Sommerfield electronic coefficient reflecting a large density of states at the Fermi energy D(EF), consistent with the band structure calculations which also indicate a large D(EF) arising from Co 3d bands. At 1.8 K the M(H) data for H|| c exhibit a well-defined first-order spin-flop transition at an applied field of 3.5 T. The small ordered moment of 0.3 muB/Co obtained from the M(H) data at low T, the large exchange enhancement of chi and the lack of a self-consistent interpretation of the chi(T) and M(H,T) data in terms of a local moment Heisenberg model together indicate that the magnetism of CaCo{1.86}As2 is itinerant.Comment: 18 pages, 15 figures, 4 tables, 61 references; v2: extended the fits of experimental data by additional electronic structure calculations; published versio

Evidence of discrete energy states and cluster-glass behavior in Sr2−x_{2-x}Lax_xCoNbO6_6

We report the detailed analysis of specific heat [C$_{\rm P}$(T)] and ac-susceptibility for magnetically frustrated Sr$_{2-x}$La$_x$CoNbO$_6$ ($x=$ 0--1) double perovskites to understand low temperature complex magnetic interactions and their evolution with $x$. Interestingly, the observed Schottky anomaly in the $x\leqslant$ 0.4 samples shifts gradually towards higher temperature with magnetic field as well as $x$, and the analysis reveal the persistence of the discrete energy states in these samples resulting from the spin-orbit coupling and octahedral distortion. Moreover, the extracted values of Land\'e g--factor indicate the existence of high-spin state Co$^{3+}$ ions close to non-magnetic low-spin state. The specific heat data show the $\lambda$-type anomaly for the $x\geqslant$ 0.6 samples due to evolution of the long range antiferromagnetic ordering. Our analysis of low temperature C$_{\rm P}$(T) data for the $x\geqslant$ 0.6 samples demonstrate the 3D isotropic Heisenberg antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions and the temperature induced second order AFM--paramagnetic phase transition. More interestingly, we demonstrate the presence of the free Co$^{2+}$ like Kramers doublet ground state in the $x =$1 sample. Further, the ac susceptibility and time evolution of the magnetization data reveal the low temperature cluster-glass like behavior in the $x=$ 0--0.4 samples, where spin-spin correlation strength decreases with $x$.Comment: accepted for publication in PR

Yield and Economic Viability of Coriander under Frontline Demonstration in Bundi District of Rajasthan

A study was conducted in Bundi district of Rajasthan to analyze yield and economics of coriander under frontline demonstration. Results of the study revealed that yields in coriander were substantially higher over the Local Check (Control), fetching the participating farmers a higher price for their produce. A majority of the respondent farmers expressed high (44.32%) to very high (37.50%) level of satisfaction with extension services and performance of the technology under the demonstration

Experimental and theoretical electronic structure of EuRh2As2

The Fermi surfaces (FS's) and band dispersions of EuRh2As2 have been investigated using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The results in the high-temperature paramagnetic state are in good agreement with the full potential linearized augmented plane wave calculations, especially in the context of the shape of the two-dimensional FS's and band dispersion around the Gamma (0,0) and X (pi,pi) points. Interesting changes in band folding are predicted by the theoretical calculations below the magnetic transition temperature Tn=47K. However, by comparing the FS's measured at 60K and 40K, we did not observe any signature of this transition at the Fermi energy indicating a very weak coupling of the electrons to the ordered magnetic moments or strong fluctuations. Furthermore, the FS does not change across the temperature (~ 25K) where changes are observed in the Hall coefficient. Notably, the Fermi surface deviates drastically from the usual FS of the superconducting iron-based AFe2As2 parent compounds, including the absence of nesting between the Gamma and X FS pockets.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Buffer zone restoration and development in Knuckles conservation area, Sri Lanka An overview of Darwin Initiative Project

The Knuckles Conservation Area, which extends to an area about 17, 500 ha of central uplands of SriLanka, is famous for its highly diverse species of flora and fauna, endemism and many unique habitats.Over few decades, much of the forest in the area was cleared for the cultivation of coffee, tea andthen cardamom. The buffer zone, therefore, consists of a mosaic of anthropogenically derived vegetationtypes that vary in habitat quality, including degraded grasslands and natural forest fragments underplantedwith Cardamom. In this context, a project primarily focussed on research, training andknowledge dissemination, funded by Darwin Initiative of the government of UK is jointly launched inKnuckles region by University of Aberdeen, UK and University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka along withother partner organisations for three years. It has already passed the first sixth months of itsimplementation. The project aims to enhance the sustainable conservation of biological diversity andecosystem services in the Knuckles by addressing the main threats to environmental protection throughthe development of options for buffer zone management that improve the livelihoods of localcommunities. This paper is, therefore, supported with ideas and information gathered from preliminaryproject workshop and field observation at Knuckles, assess the relevancy of this project in the contextand explore the conservation related issues in Knuckles. Beyond that, in addition to the experiencewith the project so far, this paper examines the approach adopted for the restoration and developmentof Knuckles and its surrounding buffer zone.

Analysis of role performance of women in farm activities

ABSTRAC

Dramatic Changes in the Electronic Structure Upon Transition to the Collapsed Tetragonal Phase in CaFe2As2

We use angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study the electronic structure of CaFe$_2$As$_2$ in previously unexplored collapsed tetragonal (CT) phase. This unusual phase of the iron arsenic high temperature superconductors was hard to measure as it exists only under pressure. By inducing internal strain, via the post growth, thermal treatment of the single crystals, we were able to stabilize the CT phase at ambient-pressure. We find significant differences in the Fermi surface topology and band dispersion data from the more common orthorhombic-antiferromagnetic or tetragonal-paramagnetic phases, consistent with electronic structure calculations. The top of the hole bands sinks below the Fermi level, which destroys the nesting present in parent phases. The absence of nesting in this phase along with apparent loss of Fe magnetic moment, are now clearly experimentally correlated with the lack of superconductivity in this phase.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted in PRB(RC