An approach to obtain specific polyclonal antisera to Xanthomonas campestris pv. cyamopsidis and its potential application in indexing of infected seeds of guar

Clusterbean seed health testing is warranted since the pathogen (Xanthomonas campestris pv. cyamopsidis (Xccy)) is seed-borne and seed-transmitted. A polyclonal antibody was developed in rabbit via subcutaneous and intramuscular injections and characterized for sensitivity, specificity and its applicability to ELISA which: (i) was sensitive in detecting as few as 102 cells ml−1 at a titre of 1:4000; (ii) was specific, since it reacted only with Xccy and not with other xanthomonads; (iii) reacted both with Xccy cells and culture filtrate, indicating that the antigenic determinant is a secretory component; (iv) was applicable and reliable in seed health testing since it reacted only with infected seeds and plant materials and not with healthy seeds and (v) a purified fraction of antibody was virulent-specific since heat-denatured and avirulent isolates were not detected. The ELISA thus developed is highly reproducible and therefore suitable for the evaluation of the potential disease status of seeds and plant health, which is appropriate for routine seed health testing

A brief review of the impact of silver nanoparticles on agriculture and certain biological properties: A case study

Nanotechnology is progressively becoming a popular field of research because it has been successful in changing our agricultural and food systems. According to research published by the UNFAO, agriculture as well as its derivatives would be in high demand sooner or later, owing to nutritional changes. Nanoparticles have been reported to be used in an agricultural sector, because of its capacity to encourage crop growth and yield. Among metal nanoparticles, Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) are attracting a lot of attention. We have highlighted some of the agricultural uses of AgNPs, which include pest management, plant disease detection, crop enhancement, and crop production

Multi-environment analysis of grain quality traits in recombinant inbred lines of a biparental cross in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A set of 286 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) along with the parents and a popular wheat variety in India were grown for two consecutive years at three locations belonging to the two major wheat growing zones of India and evaluated for four grain quality traits. Rare recombinants with high trait value appeared for protein content (PC), thousand-kernel weight (TKW), sedimentation value (SV), and kernel hardness (KH). The magnitude of environmental effects was more pronounced than genotypic effects and genotype-environment interaction (GEI). The cumulative contribution of environment and GEI components to the total variance was highest in the expression of PC followed by TKW, SV, and KH. The top five percent (14 RILs) of genotypes with high trait value were subjected to Eberhart and Russell (1966) (ER), genotype and genotype-environment (GGE) and additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) stability models. Five RILs were identified as stable in all the three stability models. RIL61 with 38.8%, RIL101 with 8.9%, RIL226 with 26.1% superiority over check variety were the most stable genotypes in all the three stability models for PC, TKW and KH, respectively. RIL113 was found to be stable genotype in ER and GGE models, whereas, RIL231 was the most stable genotype in AMMI and GGE models in the expression of SV. These common stable genotypes with high trait value identified through ER, AMMI and GGE models could be potential donors in active breeding programs to develop high yielding wheat varieties with improved PC, TKW, SV and KH

MFC-09-1: A New Forage Cowpea (\u3cem\u3eVigna unguiculata\u3c/em\u3e (L.) Walp) Variety for South Zone of India

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is a leguminous crop grown throughout West Africa, often in association with pearl millet and sorghum. Cowpea is well adapted to the harsh growing conditions, including low soil fertility, high temperatures, and drought. Cowpea can fix atmospheric nitrogen to improve soil fertility and cropping system productivity. Additionally, farmers feed cowpea fodder to livestock to increase income, and collect the manure produced for use in their fields thereby reduces farmers’ reliance on commercial fertilizers and sustains soil fertility. Previous studies with cowpea indicated that this legume improves soil fertility and enhances the intake and utilization of poor quality roughage consequently improving livestock production and productivity

Performance of Dual Purpose Pearl Millet Genotypes as Influenced by Cutting Management and Nitrogen Levels

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) is important minor millets cultivated both for food and fodder. The dual purpose nature of pearl millet has recently identified due to its profused tillering, repeated harvesting and absence of anti nutritional factor. In fodder crops, the production potential can be manipulated by fertilizer management and time of harvest. In this regard, peal millet no exception, scientific study on cutting and nitrogen management on green fodder yield, quality and grain yield is meagre. Therefore, the present investigation was under taken to study the influence of cutting management and nitrogen levels on green forage and grain yield of dual purpose pearl millet

Enhancing Productivity of Guinea Grass Variety JHGG-08-1 through Agro-Techniques in Southern Dry Zone of Karnataka

Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) is a major pan tropical grass used throughout the tropics for pasture, cut-and-carry, silage and hay. It is a fast growing and leafy grass, which is palatable to livestock with a good nutritional value. However, it is generally recommended to supplement it with sources of protein in order to meet nutritional requirements or improve animal performance. It grows well on a wide variety of well drained soils of good fertility and it is a good vegetative barrier. It can survive quick moving fires which does not harm the underground roots and drought because of the deep, dense and fibrous root system. The potentiality of the varieties varies with agro climatic situation and soil type, keeping these things in view, the present investigation was undertaken to identify the optimum plant population and nutrient levels for enhancing the productivity and quality of guinea grass variety JHGG-08- in southern Zone of Karnataka

Performance of Guinea Grass Variety JHGG-08-1 in Southern Region of Karnataka

Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) is native to Africa but this grass was introduced to almost all tropical countries as a source of animal forage. It grows well on a wide variety of well drained soils of good fertility and it is suitable for vegetative barrier and conservation of soil. It can survive quick moving fires which does not harm the underground roots and drought because of the deep, dense and fibrous root system. The Potentiality of the varieties varies with agro climatic situation and soil type. Keeping these things in view, the present investigation was taken up to study the performance of Guinea grass varieties in southern dry zone of Karnataka under protective irrigation

VOLTE CLIENT ON WINDOWS PLATFORM

Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a 4G technology developed by the 3GPP standards. Pre-LTE networks, 2G/3G/EDGE/HSPA/UMTS were used for data in conjunction with circuit switched GSM for Voice calls. Since LTE being only packet switched, for voice calls VoLTE that is based on IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) framework is the solution. LTE network has more advancement such as higher data transfer rate up to 100 MBPS [1], higher bandwidth, low latency, more efficient use of the network resources and lower operational cost compared to pre-LTE networks. In the existing solution, the Application Processor, directly calls the services from Service Adaptation Layer (SAL) of the IMS framework, bypassing the Universal Terminal API (UTA) layer in VoLTE client on Windows platform. The proposed work implements UTA sublayer between Application Processor and IMS framework, replicating the behavior of Target Hardware/Modem platform to Windows platform. This enables the Application Processor to call all the services of IMS framework using UTA layer instead of calling it from SAL directly. Thus, porting Modem platform specific UTA layer to Windows platform. The implementation also covers GUI enhancements, to adapt to Windows Platform. The results achieved shows that, debugging and development effort reduced from 75% to 25% of time. It also allows to verify the UTA services on Windows platform without using any Target Hardware/Modem platform and Network Simulators, thus completely eliminating dependency on hardware resource

Soil Nutrient Mapping for On-farm Fertility Management

Feeding the projected population of 9.1 billion globally and 1.6 billion in India by 2050 is one of the greatest challenges of the century, and in this endeavour to ensure future food security, efficient soil nutrient management is crucial (Wani et al., 2003; Sahrawat et al., 2010; Chander et al., 2013). Since the era of the Green Revolution in India in the late 1960s, the focus has been on only three macronutrients, namely nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), and this has brought nutrient imbalances and widespread deficiencies of micro and secondary nutrients such as sulfur (S), boron (B) and zinc (Zn) in addition to macronutrients (Wani et al., 2009; Sahrawat and Wani, 2013; Chander et al., 2014). Most farmers and stakeholders are not aware of soil fertility issues and management alongside water and crop management, which is the main reason for large yield gaps in the semi-arid tropics (SAT). In order to ensure future food security and the future of smallholder farmers, science-led interventions are needed to bridge the yield gaps in the SAT. Some pilot initiatives such as the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)—Andhra Pradesh Rural Livelihood Programme (APRLP) initiative in Andhra Pradesh and the Bhoochetana initiative in Karnataka have shown that soil nutrient mapping is the best entry point activity to enhance productivity and livelihoods through soil-needbased fertility management (Wani et al., 2011; Chander et al., 2013; Sahrawat and Wani, 2013). This chapter therefore focuses on soil fertility management issues and the need of soil nutrient mapping for informed decisions..

Loungu (Carpenter worm): Indigenous Delicious Insects with Immense Dietary Potential in Nagaland state, India

Carpenter worms of genus Cossus (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) are common wood-boring insects that can cause significant damage to several economically important plant species across the globe. Nevertheless, these worms are a popular delicacy among the indigenous population of Nagaland state of India since age old days. The carpenter worms (locally known as ‘Loungu’) are culturally significant during the Te-l Khukhu festival of Southern Angami region, annually held during July. The direct larval consumption is also cited for medicinal value. Rearing of carpenter worm is gaining popularity in hill tracts of Nagaland, because of its potential as a viable source of income for the rural population. The present study aimed to determine the eventual nutritional value of the larva by approximating its nutritional potential for the first time. Proximate analysis presents a significantly higher value of crude fat (37%), crude protein (48%), crude fibre (12.90%) and an appreciable calorific value. Close correlation between increased polyphenol value with its higher antioxidant capacity and pigment content is strongly evident. Nevertheless, the larva also provides appreciable quantities of dietary minerals reflected in terms of higher zinc and iron content. Analysis of thin layer chromatography undertaken in the study interestingly identified some of the essential amino acids, viz., methionine, lysine, leucine, histidine, threonine etc. This is the first report pioneering other detail studies to establish the significant value of carpenter worm larvae as an exotic dietary supplement among the indigenous Naga population, thereby providing more impetus for its promotion and commercialization