Resisting Modern Agricultural Practices and Urge to Practice Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Barbara Kingsolver’s Prodigal Summer

Long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability is the goal of sustainable agriculture, which aims to satisfy current and future agricultural demands. Having access to enough safe and nourishing food is essential to a healthy and active life. The novel Prodigal Summer revolves around multiple problems, such as environmental conservation, food security, human-nature interdependence, sustainable farming methods, and resistance to modern agricultural practices. The narrative skilfully blends the natural world with the lives of its characters to highlight the tension between conventional farming practices and the expanding movement toward sustainable agriculture. The actors discuss both traditional and contemporary farming practices in the first speech, focusing on how they understand sustainable farming and how they disagree with issues facing the industry today, such as monoculture and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The second point of contention is how to safeguard food from modern agricultural methods and pesticides. The characters in the novel—Deanna Wolfe, Lusa, and Walker in particular—emphasize the value of biodiversity, organic farming, and the preservation of natural ecosystems in order to maintain a balance between human requirements and environmental care. These characters are acting in unique ways and using their strength and deeds to oppose males and other community members

Removal of hexavalent chromium Cr (VI) using activated carbon prepared from mango kernel activated with H3PO4

The present work reported the adsorption of Cr (VI) from aqueous solutions on activated carbon prepared from mango kernel, a seasonal waste from mango fruits. Kernels from dried mango fruit shells were taken out and pulverized in a micro-pulverizing mill. The powder thus obtained was activated with 40% H3PO4 and carbonized at 600 °C for 1 hour in an inert atmosphere. Physico-chemical characteristics such as elemental composition, surface area, functional groups and surface morphology of the activated carbon were analyzed using elemental analyzer, BET surface area analyzer, FTIR spectroscopy and SEM analysis respectively. Batch adsorption experiments were performed to investigate the effects of Cr (VI) concentration, carbon dose, pH, rate of agitation, time and temperature. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) was found to be 7.8 mg g−1 at pH 2 and temperature 35 °C. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm best represented the equilibrium data and a pseudo-second order relation represented the adsorption kinetics

Bio-efficacy of phytoextracts and oil cakes on Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) causing stem rot disease of jute, Corchorus spp.

In the present study efforts were made to explore the efficacy of various plant extracts and oil cakes against Macrophomina phaseolina. The efficacy of eight different plant species, Zingiber officianale, Aloe indica, Lawsonia inermis, Chenopodium album, Allium cepa, Piper betel, Murraya koenigii, Parthenium hysterophorus aqueous extracts including oil cakes of mustard and neem were evaluated by using of poisoned food technique in vitro for their inhibitory effect on mycelial growth of M. phaseolina causing stem rot of jute (Corchorus olitorius and C. capsularis). The rhizome extract of Z. officinale produced maximum growth inhibition (74.59%) of the pathogen followed by leaf extracts of A. indica (63.57%), and leaf extract of L. inermis (60.17%) at the concentration of 10%. The maximum mycelial growth inhibition (52.40%) was recorded with neem cake (Azadirachta indica) at the concentrations of 20% followed by 42.61% and 29.60% with concentration of 15% and 10%, respectively. However, maximum mycelial growth inhibition (19.42%) was recorded with mustard cake (Brassica juncea) at the concentration of 20% followed by 16.64% and 12.20% at the concentration of 15% and 10% respectively. In general mycelial growth inhibition was dose dependent and it was maximum in case of neem cake than mustard cake. The present study revealed that, these plant extracts and oilcake extracts could be exploited for the possible control of deadly pathogen M. phaseolina. Accordingly, this is an important proactive measure in preventing the spread of the stem rot disease through a more ecofriendly approach

Eco-friendly management of major diseases in jute (Corchorus olitorius L.)

Field experiment was conducted for disease management with seven eco-friendly treatments in Corchorus olitorius jute during 2012-2013 under randomized block design (RBD) in three replications with variety JRO-524. The ecofriendly treatment 50% N: P: K + seed treatments with Azotobacter and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) @ 5g/Kg+ Trichoderma viride (seed treatment @ 5g/Kg of seed and soil application @ 2Kg/ha at 21DAS) + Psuedomonas fluorescens spray @ 0.2% at 45DAS was found superior with minimum per cent disease incidence (3.46 and 1.43%) as compared to control (13.17 and 4.96%). The second best treatment was found with Farm yard manure (FYM) @ 5t/ha + seed treatment with Azotobecter and PSB @ 5g/Kg+ T. viride (seed treatment @ 5g/Kg of seed and soil application @ 2Kg/ha 21DAS)+ P. fluorescencs spray @ 0.2% at 45DAS and showed 3.61 and 2.0% disease incidence. The treatment with N: P: K @ 60:30:30 and seed treatment with carbendazim 50WP @ 2g/Kg at 45DAS showed 4.56 and 2.10 % disease incidence. Dry fibre yield was highest (30.33q/ha) in the plots treated with FYM @ 5t/ha + seed treatment with Azotobacter and PSB @ 5g/Kg+ T. viride (seed treatment @ 5g/Kg of seed and soil application @ 2Kg/ha at 21DAS) + P. fluorescencs spray @ 0.2% at 45DAS) and it was lowest in untreated control (15.69 q/ha).Variation in yield was attributed due to difference in plant height

A prospective clinical study of foetomaternal outcome in relation to oligohydramnios in pregnancies beyond 36 weeks of gestation

Background: Amniotic fluid is contributed by both mother and foetus. It plays a vital role in foetal growth. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the foetomaternal outcome in pregnant females with oligohydramnios beyond 36 weeks of gestation.Methods: This study was conducted on 230 pregnant females beyond 36 weeks of gestation with decreased liquor clinically and confirmed sonographically. It was conducted from May 2018 to May 2019. Females with leaking per vaginum, patients who did not give consent and with intrauterine foetal death were excluded. Complete labour record was made. Assessment of maternal outcome was done in terms of mode of delivery and foetal outcome was done in terms of birth weight, Apgar score at one and five-minute, respiratory distress, meconium aspiration, seizures in first 24 hours of life, congenital malformations, neonatal intensive care unit admission and death of baby.Results: A total of 230 pregnant females met the inclusion criteria who were having AFI <5. 121 (53%) females were primigravida and 119 (52%) underwent for caesarean section. Most common indication of LSCS was foetal distress. Apgar score at 1 minute was <7 in 97 (42%) babies and after 5 minutes, it was <7 in 93 (40%) babies. Other neonatal outcome results were IUGR in 59 (26%) babies, meconium aspiration syndrome in 52 (23%) babies, respiratory distress in 92 (40%) babies, congenital malformation in 6 (3%) babies, NICU admission of 93 (40%) babies and neonatal death of 11 (5%) babies.Conclusions: Oligohydramnios increases the chances of maternal morbidity and perinatal morbidity and mortality

Yield and Economic Viability of Coriander under Frontline Demonstration in Bundi District of Rajasthan

A study was conducted in Bundi district of Rajasthan to analyze yield and economics of coriander under frontline demonstration. Results of the study revealed that yields in coriander were substantially higher over the Local Check (Control), fetching the participating farmers a higher price for their produce. A majority of the respondent farmers expressed high (44.32%) to very high (37.50%) level of satisfaction with extension services and performance of the technology under the demonstration

Influence of nitrogen, phosphorus and bio-fertilizers on growth characters and yield of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

A field experiment was carried out at Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat) to find out the optimumlevels of nitrogen and phosphorus with bio-fertilizers for obtaining higher yield in fenugreek(Trigonella foenum-graecum). Sixteen treatment combinations of two nitrogen levels (10 and 20kg N ha-1), two phosphorus levels (20 and 40 kg P2O5&nbsp;ha-1) and four bio-fertilizer levels(Control, Rhizobium sp., Phosphate solublising bacteria (PSB) and Rhizobium sp. + PSB) wereevaluated in the experiment. Application of 20 kg N and 40 kg P2O5&nbsp;ha-1&nbsp;produced&nbsp;&nbsp;higherplant height, dry matter and leaf &nbsp;plant-1, &nbsp;leaf area index and seed and straw yields over 10 kgN and 20 kg P2O5&nbsp;ha-1. Individual and combined application of both Rhizobium sp. and PSBwas at par with each other with respect to plant height but significantly better over controlduring both the years. Dry matter accumulation, leaf area index seed and straw yields werehigher with inoculation of seed with Rhizobium sp. and PSB over their individual applicationas well as control at all growth stages during both the years. Thus, application of 20 kg Nand 40 kg P2O5&nbsp;ha-1&nbsp;with seed inoculation by Rhizobium sp. and phosphorus solublizing bacteriais better for higher growth and yield of fenugreek. &nbsp

Evaluation of stem rot disease in jute (Corchorus olitorius) germplasm caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid

This study was aimed to identify more sources of resistance in jute germplasm (Corchorus olitorius) against deadly disease of stem rot. Thirteen C. olitorius jute germplasm including one standard check (JRO-524) were evaluated against stem rot disease at Barrackpore, Coochbehar and Bahraich location for two consecutive years 2012-2013. Out of thirteen germplasms of jute, six germplasms OIN-853, OIN-651, OIN-154, OIN-125, OEX-27 and OIN-467, with disease rating scale (1.1-5) were found moderately resistant against the stem rot disease at Barrackpore and Bahraich location. Whereas, OIN-270, OIN-932, OIN-270, OIJ-52, OIN-270, OEX-15 and OIN-853 with disease rating scale (5.1-10.0) were found moderately susceptible at all the three location. Rest of the lines were either susceptible or highly susceptible. These germplasm lines OIN-853, OIN-651, OIN-154, OIN-125, OEX-27 and OIN-467, possessed good degree of resistance against stem rot of jute and were found moderately resistant under natural epiphytotic condition at Barrackpore and Bahraich location that would be further exploited for resistance breeding programme against this deadly disease

Response of bio-regulators to yield and quality of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czernj. and Cosson) under different irrigation environments

A field study was conducted during rabi seasons of 2008 and 2009 to evaluated of productivity of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) by foliar spray of bio-regulators under different irrigation environments. Amongst treatments, the application of sufficient irrigation water (four irrigations) recorded the highest number siliqua per plant, higher number of seeds per siliqua, 1000 seed weight and yields as compared to all other irrigation treatments. Results show that an increased in seed yield of 92.40 and 39.37 % under sufficient irrigation and limitedwater condition in 2008 and 93.34% and 40.31% in 2009, respectively over deficient irrigation conditions, foliar sprays of 100 ppm thioglycollic acid at initiation of branching were recorded highest yield attributes and yields. Similarly, 500 ppm of thiourea at initiation of branching and flowering stages also gave second best highest yield attributes and yields as compared to all other bio-regulators spray stages. However, bio-regulators sprays were not recorded any significant effect on oil and protein content. The results were concluded that economic feasibility to improve productivity of Indian mustard with four irrigations levels and sprays of 100 ppm thioglycollic acid and 500 ppm of thiourea at initiation of branching and flowering stages under hyper arid environment

A new anthraquinone derivative from Cassia fistula Linn. pods

1314-131