Rare earth element (REE) lanthanum doped zinc oxide (La: ZnO) nanomaterials: synthesis structural optical and antibacterial studies

Lanthanum (La) doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials (LaxZn1-xO, x = 0.0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07 M) were synthesized via co-precipitation method using zinc acetate, lanthanum nitrate as precursors, octylamine as capping and reducing agent. The structures, morphologies, optical activity and antibacterial properties of LaxZn1-xO were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, High resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), UV–Visible, Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The antibacterial activities of LaxZn1-xO were tested by modified disc diffusion method. The XRD results showed that the La3+ ions were successfully incorporated into the ZnO host, and the products were well-crystalline. The average size of undoped and doped La-doped ZnO was found to be in the ranges from 15.64 to 10.18 nm. In addition, the sphere-like nanoparticles morphology of LaxZn1-xO was confirmed by HR-SEM images. The band gap of La-doped ZnO nanoparticles were varied with the La3+ ions doping concentration. In addition, increasing the doping concentration of La3+ ions in ZnO increases the defects in ZnO lattice and hence resulting red-shift in UV emission, which indicate the presence of narrow band-gap in doped nanoparticles

One-pot combustion synthesis and characterization studies of spinel CoAl2O4 nano-catalysts

Moortheswaran, S., Manikandan, A., Sujatha, S., Jaganathan, S.K., Antony, S.A

Fast‐Track introgression of “ QTL‐hotspot” for root traits and other drought tolerance traits in JG 11, an elite and leading variety of chickpea

A “QTL-hotspot” containing quantitative trait loci (QTL) for several root and drought tolerance traits was transferred through marker-assisted backcrossing into JG 11, a leading variety of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in India from the donor parent ICC 4958. Foreground selection with up to three simple sequence repeat markers, namely TAA170, ICCM0249, and STMS11, and background selection with up to 10 amplified fragment length polymorphism primer combinations was undertaken. After undertaking three backcrosses with foreground and background selection and selfing, 29 BC3F2 plants homozygous for two markers (ICCM0249 and TAA170) were selected and referred as introgression lines (ILs). Root trait phenotyping of these ILs showed higher rooting depth (RDp) (average 115.21 ± 2.24 cm) in all 29 ILs, better root length density (RLD) (average 0.41 ± 0.02 cm cm−3) in 26 ILs, and higher root dry weight (RDW) (average 1.25 ± 0.08 g per cylinder) as compared to the recurrent parent, JG 11 (111.70 cm for RDp, 0.39 cm cm−3 for RLD, and 1.10 g per cylinder for RDW), as well as the donor parent, ICC 4958 (114.20 cm for RDp, 0.45 cm cm−3 for RLD, and 1.25 g per cylinder for RDW). These ILs, developed in 3 yr, after multilocation field trials may be released as improved variety with enhanced drought tolerance

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Not AvailableThe organic movement may have gained a place in the spotlight of the mainstream now, but it has not been like that for long. Since the 1950s, organic farmers operating at a grassroots level have devised, tested and shared production methods. Organic crop production in the organic farming system is gradually gaining momentum worldwide. For achieving sustainable food–livelihood–environmental security, an array of alternatives to chemical intensive agriculture is to be developed. Globally, 187 countries are involved in organic farming with 72.3 million ha land. The area of organic farming increased rapidly from 0.58 thousand ha in 2003–04 to 26.6 thousand ha in 2020–21, and many government schemes are initiated. Of the farmers involved in organic farming globally, 43.8% are from India, but currently India shares only 4.7% to global area. Therefore, technology development is going to play a critical role in enhancing the area, production and productivity. Integrated organic farming system models enhanced the system productivity and resulted in net returns ` 171,867/ha in Umiam, Meghalaya to ` 433,490/ha in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Hence, organic farming endorses the one health approach to ensure healthy soil, plant, animal, human and environment. Organic farming improves the ecosystem services through regenerative approach for rehabilitation of food and farming systems. Therefore, it is an alternative viable option for sustainable and clean food production with minimum environmental pollution. Organic farming practices are suitable for small and marginal farmers, especially for their sustainable livelihood food security and to minimize the risk. Sustained efforts from research institutes, developmental organizations, progressive farmers, input dealers, processors and other stakeholders are warranted for better adoption of organic farming in horticultural crops in the long run. In this article, suitable location–specific organic farming technologies for agricultural and horticultural crops are focused.Not Availabl

Development of phosphor containing functional coatings via cold atmospheric pressure plasma jet - Study of various operating parameters

In this study, we deposited phosphorous containing functional coatings on the surface of polypropylene (PP) substrate by cold atmospheric plasma assisted polymerization using low temperature plasma jet. Triisopropyl phosphate (TIP) was used as precursor while the coating process was carried out as a function of deposition potential and monomer flow rate. The influence of various plasma polymerization operating parameters on the surface properties of functional coatings are examined by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS). The reactive species involved during the in-situ polymerization were studied by optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The variation in hydrophilic properties of the surface coated film was investigated by measuring contact angle. Furthermore, the stability of post-plasma polymerized films was evaluated by measuring contact angle values 15 days after storing in various ambient conditions (air and distilled water). The characterization results clearly exhibited that phosphorus containing functional films could be successfully deposited on the surface of PP films and the retention of the functional groups could be tuned within the framework of the operating parameters

Atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma assisted polymerization of poly (ethylene glycol) methylether methacrylate (PEGMA) on low density polyethylene (LDPE) films for enhancement of biocompatibility

This study focuses on the polymerization of poly (ethylene glycol) methylether methacrylate (PEGMA) on LDPE films via atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma (APNTP) to enrich their biocompatibility. The influence of the discharge potential and the deposition time on the changes in surface properties of plasma polymerized PEGMA films has been studied through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), static contact angle (CA) measurements and atomic force microscopy (AFM). An increase in surface hydrophilicity, surface free energy and roughness was observed after the deposition of the PEGMA-based films. It was found that the higher concentration of characteristic ether groups (CO) are incorporated on the surface of PEGMA films deposited at higher discharge potentials and deposition time, as confirmed by XPS analysis. Increasing the discharge potential and deposition time were responsible for substantial changes in surface chemical composition, topography and film thickness. Finally, in-vitro analysis was used to examine the alterations in antifouling efficiency and cytocompatibility of the plasma polymerized PEGMA films. Films deposited at a discharge potential of 14 kV for 5 min were found to give the highest antifouling efficiency and cell viability, when compared to the films deposited at other discharge potentials and deposition times. Thus, by choosing suitable plasma parameters, the properties of the deposited films can be tailored to enhance the biocompatible properties of LDPE films