Spreading of casein and derivatives

1. Casein has been spread from its aqueous solutions by different methods and it has been found that the modified band method is the most suitable for the study of protein films. 2. Effect of salts on the spreading of casein has been studied. The results obtained can be explained on the basis that two different factors, solubility and the electric charge of the protein molecule influence spreading. 3. Treatment of the protein with formaldehyde causes a decrease in spreading. Change in pH affects spreading of formolised casein to a smaller degree. 4. Sodium metaphosphate diminishes markedly the spreading of casein. Trichloracetic acid, however, has no effect. 5. Deaminisation of casein alters the spreading properties and gives unstable films on acidulated water. No films can be got on distilled water. 6. The spreading properties of an isodisperse fraction of casein have been studied. The limiting area of this fraction has been found to be of the same order as that of the original material

Parental combining ability as a good predictor of productive crosses in sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

The exploitation of heterosis through the development and deployment of hybrids for commercial cultivation is one of the effective approaches for genetic enhancement of crop plants for traits of economic importance. Developing an objective criterion of choosing the parents for developing and testing hybrids is essential for maximizing the success of heterosis breeding. A set of 18 crosses produced from parents differing in their gca effects for bio-energy traits such as millable cane yield, juice volume and juice sugar content (as indicated by Brix %) were evaluated in replicated trial in the experimental plots of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore during 2006-07. The utility of parental general combining ability for producing high frequency of superior crosses for a set of bio-energy traits in sweet sorghum was investigated. The study suggested that parents with contrasting gca effects produce crosses with higher sca and heterotic potential for the bio-energy traits. The use of female parents with higher gca effects is important for realizing greater probability of crosses with sca effects and heterosis in desirable direction for bio-energy traits

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Not AvailableSaline black soils (Vertisols), due to their inherent physical and chemical constraints such as high clay content, poor infiltration, low hydraulic conductivity and narrow workable moisture range pose serious problems for arable crop production even at low salinity levels. Such soils are prevalent in the coastal areas of Gujarat State, a western province in India. Cultivating salt tolerant forage grasses through saline agriculture has been suggested a possible approach to meet the fodder demands for the dairy cattle, a prominent agro-based industry in the State. Two grasses, Eragrostis tenella and Aeluropus lagopoides were cultivated on saline Vertisols with sub-surface salinity using saline groundwater under different nitrogen regimes. Results indicated that applied nitrogen, while favouring forage biomass, reduced salt content in the tissues and also enhanced forage quality. Nitrogen applied at the rate of 60 kh/ha has been found ideal for groqing grasses on such soils. These grasses have the potential to remove salt from the soils. Salt compartmentation at tissue level indicated roots and older leaves as potential sinks for toxic ions like sodium. Aeluropus lagopoides has been found to be a better salt remover that Eragrostis tenella and this grass also had better forage quality traits suggesting the possibility of using this grass in saline agriculture program in the region.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableIn saline rainfed areas of Gujarat, where availability of canal water is scare and ground water is saline, desi cotton (Gossypium herbaceum) serves as a lifeline to secure livelihood of farmers. Because of its inherent characteristics like low water requirement, lower susceptibility to pest and diseases, minimum cost of cultivation, it enables resource poor farmers to get sufficient income from available resources. Field trials of desi cotton (G Cot 23) in Bhal areas of Gujarat have shown that it gives comparatively better yield (up to 12 q/ha) in dryland salinity. Farmers were satisfied with the characteristics of desi cotton which helped it to tolerate salinity and drought like situation, however showed negative perception about its longer life cycle, low yield as compared to Bt cotton. Provision of quality and improved seed of desi cotton to the farming community in this area is likely to help in increasing yield of cotton, income and standard of living of the farmers in the region.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableSalinity and sodicity of soils and irrigation waters is an environmental problem in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. While this problem is natural in its genesis in the coastal regions, it occurs primarily due to anthropogenic activities in the irrigation command areas resulting from faulty-irrigation. It is the product of complex interaction of many variables, which reduce the current and the potential capability of soils to produce goods and services. In India, reports have indicated occurrence of 6.73 million ha of salt-affected soils. Vast areas are in imminent danger of turning barrenand production and productivity have simply declined due to secondary salinization. Soil salinity problems are further compounded where the ground water is highly saline and such areas by and large remain barren for want of economically feasible technological interventions thereby affecting the livelihood of the farmers because of low productivity of the existing farming practices. While both saline and sodic Vertisols, occurring in black cotton soil, can be brought under production system through diverse agro-interventions. Research conducted on saline Vertisols brought successful results involving field crops like cotton, wheat, forages including halophytic grasses, economic halophytes like Salvadara persica, seed spices like dill, medicinal and aromatic plants, agroforestry with forest and fruit species, biofuel species like Jatropha curcas, and farming system models. For sodic soils, rice and wheat systems were given priority under amendment application. These interventions along with their impacts are discussed in this chapter.Not Availabl