Statistical study of different solar activity features with total column ozone at two hill stations of Uttarakhand

This paper presents a statistical study of different solar activity features (DSAF) viz., sunspot number (SN), solar active prominences (SAP), solar flares (SF) and solar proton events (SPE) with total column ozone amount using 28 years (1986-2013) data. The ozone data has been taken for two hill stations of Uttarakhand i.e. Nainital (29º 23' N, 79º27' E) and Mussoorie (30° 27' N, 78° 06' E). Graphs are plotted between Total Column Ozone (TCO) and DSAF for months Jan to Dec, annually. We obtained a positive correlation coefficient (r) between TCO and DSAF. The value of r for TCO-Nainital with SN, SAP, SF and SPE is found to be 0.51, 0.30, 0.49, and 0.54 respectively and for TCO-Mussoorie with SN, SAP, SF, SPE is found to be 0.45, 0.27, 0.44, and 0.51.  This supports the fact that solar activity features contribute to the production of ozone

Statistical study of different solar activity features with total column ozone at two hill stations of Uttarakhand

251-262This paper presents a statistical study of different solar activity features (DSAF), viz. sunspot number (SN), solar active prominences (SAP), solar flares (SF) and solar proton events (SPE) with total column ozone (TCO) amount using 28 years (1986-2013) data. The ozone data has been taken for two hill stations of Uttarakhand, viz. Nainital (29º23'N, 79º27'E) and Mussoorie (30°27'N, 78°06'E). The study reveals a positive correlation between yearly averaged TCO and DSAF. The value of linear correlation coefficient (r) for TCO-Nainital with SN, SAP, SF and SPE is found to be 0.51, 0.30, 0.49, and 0.54, respectively and for TCO-Mussoorie with SN, SAP, SF, SPE is found to be 0.45, 0.27, 0.44, and 0.51, respectively. This supports the fact that solar activity features contribute to the production of ozone. Also the trend in TCO over both the stations annually, monthly and seasonally has been studied. A negative trend is observed indicating a decrease in the ozone concentration over these stations in given time period

Comprehensive metabolite profiling in distinct chemotypes of <i>Commiphora wightii</i>

<p><i>Commiphora wightii</i> (Arn.) Bhandari, known as guggul, produces a medicinally important gum resin which is used extensively by Ayurvedic physicians to treat various ailments. However, most of the studies on <i>C. wightii</i> have been limited to its gum resin. Comprehensive metabolic profiling of leaves, stem and gum resin samples was undertaken to analyse aqueous and non-aqueous metabolites from three distinct chemotypes (NBRI-101, NBRI-102 and NBRI-103) shortlisted from different agro-climatic zones. GC-MS, HPLC and NMR spectroscopy were used for comprehensive metabolomics. Multivariate analysis showed characteristic variation in quinic and citric acids, <i>myo</i>-inositol and glycine (aqueous metabolites) and 2,6-di-<i>tert</i>-butyl-phenol, <i>trans</i>-farnesol and guggulsterones (non-aqueous metabolites) amongst the three chemotypes. Quinic acid, citric acid and <i>myo</i>-ionositol were detected in substantial quantities from leaves and stem samples which provide opportunities for novel nutraceutical and pharmaceutical formulations. Quinic acid, from the leaves, was identified as a marker metabolite for early selection of high guggulsterones-yielding cultivars.</p

Genetic diversity and genomic resources available for the small millet crops to accelerate a New Green Revolution - Draft

This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and with financial support from the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC)Small millets continue to be grown in remote regions of the world, which has preserved their biodiversity and provides breeders with unique alleles for crop improvement. Although previously neglected, the value of small millets in modern agricultural stability has begun to be identified. The purpose of this review is to highlight the diverse traits of each small millet species that are valued by farmers and consumers and which hold potential for selection, improvement, or mechanistic study. For each species, the germplasm, genetic and genomic resources available are then described, as potential tools towards a new green revolution