Standardization of container type, substrate and nutrition for potted plant production of China aster [Callistephus chinensis (L.) Ness.] var. Arka Archana

A study was conducted at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hesaraghatta, Bengaluru for three consecutive seasons during 2019-20, to standardize the container type, substrate combination and nutrition for potted plant production of China aster var. Arka Archana. The treatments comprised of two type of containers (plastic and coir), three substrates {Red soil + FYM + Sand (1:1:1 v/v), Arka Fermented cocopeat (AFC), AFC + Vermicompost (1:1 v/v)} and four nutrition concentration (160:30:180 ppm N:P: K, 128:24:144 ppm N:P: K, 96:18:108 ppm N:P: K and Jeevamrutha @ 3%) laid out in factorial completely randomized design with three replications. Plant height at flowering (33.12 cm), number of primary branches (12.4), plant spread (536.64 cm2), number of flowers/plant (26.47), flower size (5.26 cm) and uptake of major, secondary and minor nutrients were maximum in the plants grown in 6" plastic pots using the substrate combination of soil +sand +FYM (1:1:1 v/v/v) along with the weekly application of nutrient solution of 96:18:108 ppm NPK/plant. This production protocol resulted in a dense canopy and highly floriferous potted plants. The benefit cost ratio of potted China aster production was 1.70. This technology can be adopted by the nurserymen for large-scale commercial potted plant production

Revisiting the Hanbury Brown-Twiss set-up for fractional statistics

The Hanbury Brown-Twiss experiment has proved to be an effective means of probing statistics of particles. Here, in a set-up involving edge-state quasiparticles in a fractional quantum Hall system, we show that a variant of the experiment composed of two sources and two sinks can be used to unearth fractional statistics. We find a clear cut signature of the statistics in the equal-time current-current correlation function for quasiparticle currents emerging from the two sources and collected at the sinks.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Correlators and fractional statistics in the quantum Hall bulk

We derive single-particle and two-particle correlators of anyons in the presence of a magnetic field in the lowest Landau level. We show that the two-particle correlator exhibits signatures of fractional statistics which can distinguish anyons from their fermionic and bosonic counterparts. These signatures include the zeroes of the two-particle correlator and its exclusion behavior. We find that the single-particle correlator in finite geometries carries valuable information relevant to experiments in which quasiparticles on the edge of a quantum Hall system tunnel through its bulk.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, RevTe

Enhanced metabolite yield with compensatory biomass reduction revealed by moisture stress induction in Centella asiatica (L.)

The exposure to any kind of stress tends to accelerate the secondary metabolism in medicinal plants increasing the production of secondary metabolites. The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of moisture stress (100, 75, 50, 25 and 10% pot capacity) and control (as without plant) on growth, yield and metabolite content of Centella asiatica var. ‘Arka Prabhavi’, for two growing seasons under polyhouse conditions. Results revealed that moisture stress treatments had a significant effect on all observed growth and yield traits. Plants maintained at 100% PC exhibited luxurious vegetative growth with maximum leaf length (6.28 cm), leaf breadth (8.14 cm), petiole length (22.32 cm) and fresh biomass yield (164 g/pot). Cumulative water transpired and water use efficiency of the plants was also observed to be maximum at 100% PC. In contrary to biomass yield, increased asiaticoside (1.864%, 1.892%), madecassoside (2.856%, 3.382%) and total triterpenoid content (5.356%, 5.578%) at higher moisture stress levels of 75% and 50% PC, respectively, was observed. Hence, it is appropriate to grow Centella either at 100% or 75% PC to get optimum biomass and metabolite yield on a commercial scale

Reproductive biology and breeding system of Saraca asoca (Roxb.) De Wilde: a vulnerable medicinal plant

Not AvailableAshoka (Saraca asoca) is a perennial, evergreen tree valued for its ornamental flowers and medicinal values. This species is classified as ‘vulnerable’ under IUCN list due to its dwindling population because of destructive harvesting from natural habitats. Therefore, conservation and multiplication of this species is need of the hour to utilize its astonishing medicinal uses eternally. Conservation approaches of any plant species require in-depth study of its reproductive biology, which is lacking in this species. The present study is the first detailed report on reproductive biology of S. asoca. This tree bears fragrant flowers in paniculate corymbose inflorescence from December end to May, with peak flowering during February–March. The fruits attain its maturity during last week of May–July. Seeds were dispersed from the pod to the tree premises upon complete maturity. The time of anthesis in this species is noticed in the early morning from 3.00 to 5.30 am, which coincided with anther dehiscence, stigma receptivity and insect activity. The length of the stamen and pistil points towards the pollination compatibility in both male and female parts. Pollen viability was maximum within 2 h of anthesis, which decreased thereafter and no pollens were viable after 6 h. The stigma was receptive at the time of anthesis and continued for 24 h. The tree produces bright colour attractive flowers, which changed from yellow/light orange to scarlet/red from the inception of buds to wilting. The bright color of the flowers attracted floral visitors/ pollinators thereby facilitated the pollination in this species. The observations of the floral biology and breeding system indicated the cross pollination behaviour, which limited the production of selfed seeds and would help to maintain the sustainable levels of heterozygosity among the various populations. Considerable amount of seeds produced in this species indicated that the species is capable of sustaining its progenies in the natural populations. Polyembryony to an extent of 5% was also recorded in this species.Not Availabl

Geocasting and Multicasting Routing Operation in Mobile Ad Hoc Network

Abstract: The paper considers, the different multicasting routing protocols in wireless mobile Ad hoc network (MANET).An Ad hoc network is composed of mobile nodes without the presence of a wired support infrastructure .In this environment routing/multicasting protocols are faced with the challenge of producing multihop router under host mobility and band constraints. Various approaches and routing protocol have been proposed to address Ad hoc networking problems and multiple standardization effort within the Internet Engineering Task Force, along with academic and industrial research projects. In recent year, a number of new multicast protocols of different styles have been proposed for Ad hoc networks. Geocast Adaptive Mesh Environment for Routing [GAMER] is one which provides geocast communication in an Ad hoc network and it adapts to the correct network environment by dynamically changing the density of the mesh. Forwarding Group Multicast Protocol [FGMP] is based on the forward group concept and it dynamically refreshes the forward group member using a procedure to On-Demand routing. The relative strengths, weakness and applicability of each multicast protocol to diverse situations have considered and analyzed. Index Terms: FGMP Protocol, GAMER Protocol, MANETs, multicast, routing. An Ad hoc networks [1] [2] , is a dynamically reconfigurable wireless network with no fixed infrastructure (or) central administration. Due to the limited radio propagation range of wireless devices, routers are often "multihop". Applications such as disaster recovery, crowd control, search, rescue and automated battlefields are typical examples of where Ad hoc networks are deployed. Nodes in these networks more arbitrary thus network topology changes frequently and unpredictably. Moreover, bandwidth and battery power are limited. These constraints, in combination with the dynamic network topology make routing and multicasting in Ad hoc networks extremely challenging. Various multicast protocols have been newly proposed to perform multicasting in Ad hoc network. However, no operation study between them has yet been performed. The comparative analysis of Ad hoc unicast routing protocols has been reported. This paper gives a comparison study of two protocols with different characteristics: GAMER [3] and FGMP The rest of the paper is organized as follows. Section I presents an overview of the multicast protocols. The section II discusses the future enhancements, and concluding remarks are made in section III.

Livelihood gains and ecological costs of NTFP dependence: assessing the roles of dependence, ecological knowledge and market structure in three contrasting human and ecological settings in south India

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) constitute the single largest determinant of livelihoods for scores of forest fringe communities and poor people in the tropics. In India over 50 million people are believed to be directly dependent upon NTFPs for their subsistence. However, such human dependence on NTFPs for livelihood gains (win) has most frequently been at a certain ecological cost (lose). If livelihoods are to be maintained, the existing ‘win-lose’ settings have to be steered to a ‘win-win’ mode, otherwise, there could be severe erosion of the biological resources and loss of livelihoods (‘lose-lose’). Examining the dependence of forest fringe communities on NTFPs at three sites in south India with contrasting human and ecological settings, three key factors (extent of dependence on NTFPs, indigenous ecological knowledge and market organization) are likely to constrain reaching the win-win situation. How these factors shape the ecological cost of harvesting NTFPs at the three sites is examined. Within the parameter space of these factors, it is possible to predict outcomes and associations that will conform to win-win or win-lose situations. Empirical data derived from the three study sites demonstrate the causality of the observed associations. The key for long-term livelihood gains lies in reducing the ecological cost. Certain interventions and recommendations that could optimize the balance between livelihood gains and ecological cost are proposed

A STUDY TO ASSESS KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE ON BREAST CANCER AMONG WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT GENERAL HOSPITAL

Objectives: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women worldwide and it accounts for 27% of all cancer cases among women in India. This study aims to assess the awareness of the patients regarding the breast cancer and also to check their knowledge toward the symptoms of breast cancer as well as the breast self-examination process. This study also determines the attitude of patients regarding the breast cancer and breast self-examination. Methods: A prospective educational study was done using a pre-designed questionnaire on 523 patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital for a period of 6 months. All women greater than 20 years admitted in the Department of General Medicine and General Surgery in-patient female ward of SVRRGGH were included in the study. Results: Out of 523 women, a greater proportion respondents 515 (98%) had poor knowledge of breast cancer. Two hundred and eighty-one (53%) show positive attitude while 225 (43%) show neutral attitude and 17 (4%) show negative attitude toward breast cancer. Only 18 (0.3%) know how to perform breast self-examination while the remaining patients have never performed the breast self-examination. Two hundred and one (38%) have agreed to consult a doctor if they found any lumps in the breast whereas the remaining did not respond. After the counseling session with patients, their knowledge regarding the above problems related to breast cancer has significantly increased. Conclusion: Majority of the participants had poor knowledge of breast cancer as well as low level of practice of breast cancer screening procedures. However, patients do have a positive attitude toward the breast cancer which can help to detect the cancer in early stages. Hence, a greater focus on providing breast cancer education programs can create awareness among women in respect to screening programs which, in turn, can decrease the risk of death due to its late discovery

Influence of container, potting media and nutrients on production and post-production consumer acceptance of potted marigold (Tagetes patula L.)

Production of potted plants is influenced by factors viz., type of container, potting medium, nutrient dose. A study was conducted to standardize these factors for potted French marigold var. Arka Pari. The treatments comprised of two type of containers (plastic and coir), three potting media [red soil + FYM + sand (1:1:1 v/v), Arka fermented cocopeat (AFC), AFC + vermicompost (1:1 v/v)] and four nutrition concentrations (160:30:180 ppm N:P: K, 128:24:144 ppm N:P: K, 96:18:108 ppm N:P:K and 3% Jeevamrutha) laid out in factorial completely randomized design replicated thrice. Plants grown in potting media combination of Arka fermented cocopeat (AFC) + vermicompost (1:1 v/v) along with weekly application of nutrient solution (128:24:144 ppm NPK) produced maximum number of flowers plant-1 (147.61) and registered highest uptake of nitrogen (2.87 g plant-1), phosphorus (0.53 g plant-1), potassium (3.24 g plant-1), magnesium (0.85 g plant-1) and sulphur (0.21 g plant-1). Based on the attributes of the potted plants, this treatment combination also registered the highest score (81.2 on a scale of 100), willingness of the consumers to purchase (4.5 on a scale of 5), overall acceptability (2.7 on a scale of 3) and the benefit cost ratio of 1.18

A different approach to soil analysis: Indicative studies

Soil analysis is a tool that has been employed with the primary goal of providing recommendations for soil rectification, crop productivity and for soil health management. Time tested methods like ammonium acetate extraction and diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (DTPA) are commonly used for analysis of bioavailable nutrients. However, there are some limitations to these methods as both extraction fluids are buffered to neutral or near-neutral pH. Hence extracted nutrients represent a “potential or ideal-case” fertility status of soil instead of an “actual” field status. In the ‘Regular methods’, we are overlooking the role of pH, the master variable, in determining the availability of nutrients. Hence, in ‘Modified methods’, the extraction fluid is buffered to actual soil pH. Results obtained with over 150 random samples representing a range of pH, have indicated a difference in values between regular and modified extraction methods. The modified methods (MM) of ammonium acetate and DTPA extraction adjusted to soil pH were found to be better than regular method (RM) for estimation of calcium, magnesium with ammonium acetate and iron and manganese with DTPA in alkaline soils above pH 8.0. For a complete picture of soil health, productivity and fertility, microbiological and enzymatic analysis of soils were included in the present study. Soil solution equivalent medium (SSE) was found to be the appropriate culture medium for microbial counts. A linear relationship was found between urease activity and available nitrogen of soil