Effect of growth regulators and micronutrients on quality parameters in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is an important tropical nut crop of social and economic importance worldwide. However, the crop is threatened with the low yield. In the present study, an attempt was made to test the effects of plant growth hormones as well as micronutrients on nut and apple quality of cashew var. Bhaskara. Significant differences in kernel weight, shelling percentage, carbohydrates and starch content of cashew kernel and juice content of cashew apple were observed with the foliar application of growth hormones and micronutrients. The foliar application of ethrel @ 50 ppm increased shelling percentage (35.8%), carbohydrate content (21.63%), sugar content (6.26%), protein content (32.4%), starch content (31.42%), juice content (78.3%) and total soluble solids (120 Brix). Further, the foliar spray of zinc sulphate (0.5%) + borax (0.1%) increased shelling (36.13%), protein content (32.15%), starch content (32.03%) among all the treatments tested. Furthermore, higher cashew apple juice content (78%) and total soluble solids (120Brix) was also recorded with the foliar spray of zinc sulphate (0.5%) + borax (0.1%)

Not Available

Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableAn experiment was conducted in Department of Horticulture, GKVK, Bengaluru during the year 2010 to study the effect of growth regulators on vegetative propagation of Vitex negundo. Among the growth regulators treatment 3000 ppm IBA recorded early sprouting (12.42 days), maximum sprouting (89.44 %), more number of sprouts (2.12) per rooted cutting, longest sprout (16.71 cm), fresh (2.64 g) and dry weights (0.63 g) of sprouts per rooted cutting, early root initiation (33.42 days), highest rooting percentage (82.22 %), more number of roots per cutting (15.59), length of longest root (15.31 cm), fresh (1.02 g) and dry weights (0.30 g) of roots per cutting and cent per cent survival in secondary nursery. Hence, IBA at 3000 ppm was found to be best for vegetative propagation of Vitex negundo.Not Availabl

Facile green synthesis, characterization and transport properties of LiAlSiO4:Ce3+ nanocomposites

The LiAlSiO4:Ce3+ (0-11 mol%) nanocomposites are synthesized by low temperature solution combustion method using aloe vera gel as a fuel. The prepared samples are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) to know the crystallite size, optical energy band gap by Kubelka-Munk (K-M) plot and surface morphology by scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis for elemental confirmation. The stretching frequency of all nanocomposites is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The Raman spectroscopy provides a structural fingerprint by which molecules can be identified. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics showed that the prepared samples obey Ohm's law. DC conductivity is studied for temperature ranging from 30-450 degrees C and activation energy is calculated by Arrhenius plot. Further, the present method was reliable, environmental friendly and alternative to economical routes

Computer simulation of underground blast response of pile in saturated soil

This paper treats the blast response of a pile foundation in saturated sand using explicit nonlinear finite element analysis, considering complex material behavior of soil and soil–pile interaction. Blast wave propagation in the soil is studied and the horizontal deformation of pile and effective stresses in the pile are presented. Results indicate that the upper part of the pile to be vulnerable and the pile response decays with distance from the explosive. The findings of this research provide valuable information on the effects of underground explosions on pile foundation and will guide future development, validation and application of computer models.Accepted versio

Synthesis and characterization of advanced functional dysprosium doped Sr2MgSi2O7 nanopowders for white LED application

Dy3+ doped Sr2MgSi2O7 (0-11 mol%) nanopowders were prepared by low-temperature solution combustion technique which is based on the propellant chemistry concepts. Powder X-ray diffraction study confirms the crystalline nature with a crystallite size of about 30 nm and single-phase formation with space group P(4)(-)2(1)m. The optical band gap and refractive indices were estimated by diffused reflectance spectroscopy. Purity of the samples and the molecular bonding strengths were identified through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopic images shows the rod-like shape with polycrystalline nature. Scanning electron microscope indicates the non-uniform and irregular shaped particles. Photoluminescence studies exhibited emission peaks at 479 nm (blue), 575 nm (yellow) and 668 nm (red) for the excitation wavelength at 348 nm attributes to white light-emission. The intensity parameters and various radiative properties were estimated using the Judd- Ofelt theory to support the optical transitions. AC Conductivity, dielectric constant studies were studied in the range of 100 Hz to 1 MHz and DC conductivity behaviors were also reported. Prepared samples showed the high dielectric constant with low dielectric loss. Hence, these silicate samples are useful for white LED components and as an electrical insulation material in nanopacking applications

Dy3+ doped Y2MoO6 nanopowders for white light emission: Spectroscopic and transport properties for optoelectronic and energy harvesting applications

In this communication, we report the white light emitting Dy3+ ions doped Y2MoO6 (YMO) nanopowders (NPs) prepared via green combustion synthesis route by utilizing the Aloe vera (AV) gel as surfactant. For the convenient to the readers, we represent Y2MoO6:Dy3+ as YMOD. The cubic structure of the YMOD is confirmed by the results of powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The energy band gap values are studied by diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) plots and the observed values are found to be in the range of 3.33-3.43 eV. The block-like structures of the fabricated nanopowders is analyzed by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images are castoff to evaluate the particle size of the prepared powders. The crystallinity and interplanar spacing are analyzed by means of selected area diffraction (SAED) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) images respectively. In order to study the luminescence behaviour of the fabricated powders, the photoluminescence spectra are recorded in the range of 400-675 nm under 386 nm excitation wavelength. There are three prominent peaks positioned at 480, 575 and 637 nm which are corresponding to the F-4(9/2) -> H-6(15/2), (13/2) and 11/2 respectively. The direct current conductivity is studied in the temperature range from 30 to 400 degrees C. The DC conductivity of NPs increases with increase in temperature. The color emission of the fabricated powders is studied by means of color diagrams namely, CIE and CCT. It is noticed from the color diagrams that, the emission color lies in the bright white region (0.33, 0.33) which is a characteristic emission of the Dy3+ doped powders. The obtained CCT value (5426 K) indicates that the prepared powders can be effectively utilized for cool LED sources in the indoor lighting applications. The average color purity (CP) values are found to be 80%. The quantum efficiency of the prepared nanopowders is found to be similar to 86.82%. The above findings substantiate the ability of YMO: Dy3+ phosphor to be used in photovoltaic and display device applications

Assessing the ability of Nisin A and derivatives thereof to inhibit Gram-negative bacteria from the genus Thermus

supplementary dat

Trends in Recently Emerged Leishmania donovani Induced Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Sri Lanka, for the First 13 Years

Sri Lanka reports a large epidemic of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by an atypical L. donovani while regional leishmaniasis elimination drive aims at achieving its targets in 2020. Visceralization, mucotrophism, and CL associated poor treatment response were recently reported. Long-term clinico-epidemiological trends (2001-2013) in this focus were examined for the first time. Both constant and changing features were observed. Sociodemographic patient characteristics that differ significantly from those of country profile, microchanges within CL profile, spatial expansion, constant biannual seasonal variation, and nondependency of clinical profile on age or gender were evident. Classical CL remains the main clinical entity without clinical evidence for subsequent visceralization indicating presence of parasite strain variation. These observations make a scientific platform for disease control preferably timed based on seasonal variation and highlights the importance of periodic and continued surveillance of clinic-epidemiological and other characteristics