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Not AvailableSeed is recognized to be the cheapest source, yet most critical single input for enhancing vegetable productivity. Use of good quality seeds can result in 15–20% yield increase. The Indian vegetable seed sector is established with tremendous potential to grow beyond boundaries of domestic market. Being high value per unit weight, vegetable seed segment has a significant share in the overall seed market in monetary terms. Although the price of vegetable seeds in market is very high, farmers are facing problem of spurious seed, low germination percentage and unavailability of quality seeds on time. Research and development interventions are required to overcome these problems and an effort has been made to identify the priority areas where interventions are required in vegetable seed sector. This study was undertaken during 2014-16 by conducting a survey of vegetable and seed experts in which major constraints in vegetable seed sector were identified. The constraints are rank ordered as perceived by the respondents like exorbitantly high price of private sector hybrids (Score-680, Rank-1), unavailability of quality seeds of recommended/released hybrids and OP varieties of vegetables (Score-658, Rank-2) and many more which have been discussed and will draw attention on the issues related to the vegetable seed sector which needs priority in further research.Not Availabl

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A Fuzzy Ga Based STATCOM for Power Quality Improvement

This paper deals with various power issues such as voltage sag, swell, harmonics, and surges using static synchronous compensator (STATCOM).The conventional controller suffers from uncertain parameters and non-linear qualities. However they are computationally inefficient extending to optimize the fuzzy controller (FC) parameters, since they exhaustively search the optimal values to optimize the objective functions. To overcome this drawback, a genetic algorithm (GA) based Fuzzy controller parameter optimization is presented in this paper. The GA algorithm is used to find the optimal fuzzy parameters for minimizing the objective functions. The feasibility of the proposed GA technique for distribution systems to improve the sag and total harmonic distortion (THD) as major power quality indices in sensitive loads at fault conditions has been simulated and tested. Therefore, the multi-objective optimization algorithm is considered in order to attain a better performance in solving the related problems

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Not AvailableUltra-dry storage, also called low moisture content storage, is a technique for decreasing seed moisture content to below 5-6 per cent using different methods and then stored hermetically at ambient temperatures. Though sun drying is common practice to dry the seeds, it is difficult to bring down seed moisture where high humidity and high temperature is frequently fluctuating. Use of seed dryer also a best alternative to reduce the seed moisture. But it may affect the viability due to temperature fluctuation at the time of seed drying. Zeolite beads (aluminum silicate) and silica gel are desiccants, which can be utilized to Ultra- dry the seeds even in fluctuated temperature and RH without affecting quality of seeds. In this study, standardization of the drying method performed by mixing okra cv. Kashi Kranti seeds with zeolite beads and silica gel, separately, in the ratio of 1:0.5, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 (seed: desiccant, by weight) in an air tight container and kept at room temperature. Initial moisture content of seeds (10.5%) was estimated by hot air oven method. Seeds were separated from desiccant and estimated for moisture content after 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h and 120h of drying. Moisture content of the seeds was noted down at every 24h interval. At the end of the experiment, final moisture content of dried seeds was estimated. It was observed that seed drying with zeolite beads was faster than silica gel. Significantly higher moisture content was removed from seeds by zeolite beads, and final moisture content of seeds dried with zeolite beads reached 4.59% in 1:3 ratio, which was higher moisture elimination than seeds dried with silica gel in the same ratio 6.21%. Since, hard seed formation is a problem in over dried okra seeds, germination test were conducted to know the germination (%) and vigour of dried seeds. Germination test reveals no reduction in germination (%) and no hard seed formation even in 1:3 ratio of seeds with zeolite beads. More than 80% germination was observed in all drying conditions and non-dried control which was on par with each other’s. Further work is necessary to know the storability of ultra-dried seeds under air tight condition.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableHybrid seed production in sunflower is a challenging task. Pollen theft by pollinators is a problem in sunflower hybrid seed production. The male parent block is always covered with a net to avoid pollinator visits. Hence, manual pollination method was recommended for good seed set and higher seed yield in sunflower. During hand pollination, a shortage of pollen due to lack of synchronization between male and female parents and unfavourable weather conditions leads to poor seed set and low yield. The utilization of stored pollen grains is a viable option to ensure pollen availability during pollen scarcity periods. In this study, sunflower pollen grains were stored at room temperature (RT), earthen pot under the pit in the open field, refrigerator (5℃) and non-polar solvents (both in RT and 5℃) for up to seven days. The viability of stored pollen was tested every day both in the laboratory (staining method) and in field conditions (hand pollination method). The staining method used for testing pollen viability was modified and standardized in laboratory conditions because of non-satisfactory results observed in existing methods. The highest pollen viability was observed in dry pollen stored at 5℃ for up to 7 days. Pollen grains stored in hexane at 5℃ recorded viability and seed set up to 4 days. Dry pollen grain at room temperature and in an earthen pot remains viable for two days. Though the pollen grains stored in acetone (both RT and 5℃) was showing viability in staining methods for three days, it failed to set seeds in field conditions. Therefore, the dry pollen grains can be effectively stored at 5℃ and utilized for up to seven days in hybrid seed production of sunflower.Not Availabl

Role of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) in disease prevention and treatment

Seeds of flax or linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) are important nutraceutical foods with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, estrogenic, laxative, and antibacterial properties. Flaxseed oil and seeds are the richest vegetarian source of omega-3 fatty acids. Consumption of flaxseeds helps in prevention and control of cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, obesity, diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary syndrome, gout, liver and kidney dysfunction, oxidative stress-related diseases, post-menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, irritable bowel syndrome, dry eye disease, cystic fibrosis, diarrhea, and cancer, particularly of the mammary and prostate gland cancer. Of late, flaxseed is gaining more importance not only because of its industrial values but also due to its nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties. The literature review was performed using PubMed, Scopus, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, and Web of Science from 1995 onwards. Data was also obtained from websites/books/book chapters

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Not AvailableThe present study aims to understand the physiological and biochemical changes occurring in Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) seeds from development to maturation. The flowers of ten uniform plants (1.5 years old) were first tagged, and the growth of the pod and seeds was monitored from 7 days after anthesis (DAA) to 70 DAA (maturity) during 2016-17 and 2017-18. Results showed that the moisture content of seeds increased significantly from 14 to 28 DAA. Following that, it decreased gradually from 28 to 49 DAA and drastically from 49 to 70 DAA. The dry weight of the seeds increased substantially until 70 DAA due to increase in carbohydrates, proteins, and oils in developing seed. Seeds acquired germinability at 49 DAA but attained desiccation tolerance only after 56 DAA. Seeds harvested at 70 DAA showed maximum germination, seedling length, seedling dry weight, vigor index-I, vigor index-II, and maximum dry weight. Thus, this stage could be considered as the most suitable stage for harvesting. Furthermore, high dehydrogenase activity and lower electrical conductivity with a decrease in total soluble sugars and total soluble proteins in seed leachate indicate higher vigour and better physiological status of the seed during the later stages of development and maturation. A proper understanding of seed maturity will boost seed-based cultivation, improve seed storability and germination percentage, reduce seed shattering, and promote commercial cultivation.Not Availabl