‘DUS’ characterization of an endangered salt tolerant radish landrace (Newar)

24-32In this study, responses to salinity stress of three varieties of radish, viz., ‘Newar’ (landrace), ‘Pusa Mridula’ and ‘White Excel’, were recorded. Additionally, landrace Newar was also characterized for ‘Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability’ (DUS) using 34 descriptors. Results indicated higher salt tolerance in ‘Newar’ as evidenced by relatively early germination and high early seedling vigour than other varieties regardless of the salinity of the irrigation water. Although salinity stress, especially up to 8.0 dS m-1, had no adverse effect on shoot growth in all the varieties, effects on root growth were quite different. While ‘Newar’ exhibited non-significant differences in root fresh weight (RFW) at different salinity levels, ‘White Excel’ displayed nominal variations up to 8.0 dS m-1 salinity and ‘Pusa Mridula’ registered consistent declines in RFW with increasing salinity. ‘Newar’ plants were found to be efficient in Na+ exclusion and in maintaining a favourable Na+ to K+ ratio in their shoots and roots. Further, proline accumulation was much higher in salt treated Newar than in ‘White Excel’ and ‘Pusa Mridula’ plants. Based on DUS descriptors, number of leaves, leaf length, and root length and weight were found to be the major distinguishable characters in Newar

‘DUS’ characterization of an endangered salt tolerant radish landrace (Newar)

In this study, responses to salinity stress of three varieties of radish, viz., ‘Newar’ (landrace), ‘Pusa Mridula’ and ‘White Excel’, were recorded. Additionally, landrace Newar was also characterized for ‘Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability’ (DUS) using 34 descriptors. Results indicated higher salt tolerance in ‘Newar’ as evidenced by relatively early germination and high early seedling vigour than other varieties regardless of the salinity of the irrigation water. Although salinity stress, especially up to 8.0 dS m-1, had no adverse effect on shoot growth in all the varieties, effects on root growth were quite different. While ‘Newar’ exhibited non-significant differences in root fresh weight (RFW) at different salinity levels, ‘White Excel’ displayed nominal variations up to 8.0 dS m-1 salinity and ‘Pusa Mridula’ registered consistent declines in RFW with increasing salinity. ‘Newar’ plants were found to be efficient in Na+ exclusion and in maintaining a favourable Na+ to K+ ratio in their shoots and roots. Further, proline accumulation was much higher in salt treated Newar than in ‘White Excel’ and ‘Pusa Mridula’ plants. Based on DUS descriptors, number of leaves, leaf length, and root length and weight were found to be the major distinguishable characters in Newar

Review of HRESs based on storage options, system architecture and optimisation criteria and methodologies

The fast-growing awareness of depleting fossil fuel and the adverse impact of conventional energy generation methods on the environment has brought passionate attention to renewable energy sources (RE source). Owing to stochastic nature of energy production from renewable energy system (RES), two or more sources are combined to form hybrid RE system (HRES). Optimisation of size, cost and reliability of power production of HRES are important factors in the planning of HRES. This study presents a review of optimisation tools and constraints on which HRES system is optimised. The types of storage/backup system available for HRES are also presented in this study.http://digital-library.theiet.org/content/journals/iet-rpghj2018Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineerin

Optimization of an isolated photo-voltaic generating unit with battery energy storage system using electric system cascade analysis

This paper presents an improvement to the iterative method of electric system cascade analysis (ESCA) for the optimisation of an isolated PV system with battery energy storage system (BESS) for a residential load. The ESCA algorithm is implemented on MATLAB software environment with Final Excess Energy (FEE), Loss of Power Supply Probability (LPSP) and system cost as optimization constraints. The load, temperature and solar radiation profiles are considered for a year, based on historical data. Practical losses in solar radiation reaching the PV collector surface are considered for analysis. Change in PV efficiency due to variation in temperature and change in charge/discharge efficiency of the battery based on current state of charge (SOC) of BESS are taken into consideration which further bolsters the credibility of the ESCA methodology. The ESCA methodology is used to optimize a PV-BESS system for a residential load with average daily consumption of 26.1 kWh. The optimized result obtained from improved ESCA are compared and verified with benchmark HOMER software.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/epsr2019-11-01hj2018Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineerin

Environmental feasibility of incorporation of electric taxis in South Africa

Public transport is very influential industry affecting our society due to its significant environmental and social impact. Policy makers have seen electric vehicle as a tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Cleanliness of power from the electricity grid plays a vital role in environmental impact in the transition to electric vehicle. In countries like China, USA, India etc., majority of electricity generation is still dominated by fossil fuel fired generators. Thus, in some cases, the environmental impact of electric vehicle may be more adverse in comparison to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV). This paper tries to study the environmental effect of incorporation of 100 Electric Vehicle taxies in Johannesburg (JNB), South Africa. Firstly, the current electricity generation scenario and vehicles standards of SA with its carbon emission is discussed. Secondly, it is shown that with the current generation mix the adoption of EV is not sustainable. Finally, penetration of Renewable Energy (RE) system at charging stations is proposed with Renewable Energy Fraction (REF) of 40% and 58% to make carbon mission from EV equivalent to Euro III and Euro V standards of petrol ICEV. The optimised size of RE system is found using the Electric System Cascade Analysis.http://digital-library.theiet.org/content/journals/joeam2021Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineerin

People and plant: Learning with Adi community on ethnomedicinal practices and conservation in Arunachal Pradesh, India

74-82Local plant species have been in use in variety of ethnomedicinal practices from the time immemorial among the people of various communities for treating various human diseases. This paper reports about the plant species used by Adi community in curing various human diseases and ailments. A study was conducted during 2008-2009 and further refined in succeeding years with the 12 purposively selected traditional knowledge holders (TKHs) of Adi tribe of East Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Data were collected using combined approaches of personal interview, participant observations and transect walks. It was observed that with Shannon-Weaver diversity index 2.73, there were 39 local plant species belonging to 25 plant families and used as ethnomedicinal practices by the TKHs. Most of the species (17) were used by Adi TKHs with their green leaf parts followed by root and fruits (5 each) to develop ethnomedicinal formulations. Out of these, several species namely Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link.; Plumeria rubra L.; Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don; Solanum torvum Swartz; Solanum khasianum C.B. Clarke; Oroxylum indicum (L.) Benth.ex Kurze; and Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb.) Miers) were found in use by Adis against asthma, bronchitis, cough, sinusitis, diabetes, malaria, typhoid and jaundice. The Adi TKHs maintain a rich cultural ethics, govern by their own world-view in continuing ethnomedicinal practices, and harvesting the species from various land use systems with the aim to sustain biodiversity and associated practices. The key findings indicated that, plant species used as ethnomedicines for some of the diseases and ailments by the Adi TKHs, can be undertaken for the long-term trial to find some natural remedies against few human diseases, including search of immune enhancer against COVID-19, provided TKHs of Adi community are partnered in ethically and culturally appropriate manner.&nbsp

People and plant: Learning with Adi community on ethnomedicinal practices and conservation in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Local plant species have been in use in variety of ethnomedicinal practices from time immemorial among the people of various communities for treating various human diseases. This paper reports about the plant species used by Adi community in curing various human diseases and ailments. A study was conducted during 2008-2009 and further refined in succeeding years with the 12 purposively selected traditional knowledge holders (TKHs) of Adi tribe of East Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Data were collected using combined approaches of personal interview, participant observations and transect walks. It was observed that with Shannon-Weaver diversity index 2.73, there were 39 local plant species belonging to 25 plant families and used as ethnomedicinal practices by the TKHs. Most of the species (17) were used by Adi TKHs with their green leaf parts followed by root and fruits (5 each) to develop ethnomedicinal formulations for treating a range of diseases and ailments. Out of these, most of the species [(e.g., Leucas   aspera (Willd.) Link.; Plumeria rubra L.; Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don; Solanum  torvum Swartz; Solanum  khasianum C. B. Clarke; Oroxylum  indicum (L.) Benth. ex Kurze; and Tinospora  cordifolia (Thunb.) Miers)] were found in use by Adis against asthma, bronchitis, cough, sinusitis, diabetes, malaria, typhoid and jaundice. The Adi TKHs holders maintain a rich cultural ethics, govern by their own world-view in continuing ethnomedicinal practices, and harvesting the species from various land use systems with the aim to sustain biodiversity and associated practices. The key findings indicated that, plant species used as ethnomedicines for some of the diseases and ailments by the Adi TKHs, can be undertaken for the long-term trial to find some natural remedies against few human diseases, including search of immune enhancer against COVID-19,  provided TKHs of Adi community are partnered in ethically and culturally appropriate manner.

Ecoculture and subsistent adaptations of Monpa community in the eastern Himalayas: An ethnoecological study in Arunachal Pradesh

This study explores the interconnectedness between ecocultural knowledge and subsistence livelihoods of Monpa tribal communities in the West Kameng and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh, India. For such indigenous and tribal peoples, local cultures, spiritual beliefs, social and ethical norms and interconnectedness with local ecosystems is the essence of their social capital. For Monpa people, ecocultural capital plays a particularly significant role in subsistence and conservation of natural resources. The Monpa have rich and diverse socio-cultural, economic and spiritual perceptions of their natural resources and landscapes. These ecocultural and spiritual values represent a challenge for resource managers seeking to integrate them in their top-to-bottom approaches to resource use and regulation. Results indicated that the ecological knowledge codified in Monpa language and culture varied according to altitude and peoples’ access to particular ecosystems. Their overall ecocultural diversity, enhanced through cultural networks across communities, allowed the Monpa a wide degree of food availability and enhanced their health and well-being. Their diverse knowledge systems and cultural network among community members significantly affect the management practices pertaining to agriculture, animal husbandry, forest and aquatic resource’s access pattern, food availability and maintaining the health of human and nature. The survival strategies intermingled with location specific ecological knowledge and indigenous management practices buffered by myths, customs, sacredness and traditional values assured sustainable and subsistence livelihood in harsh ecology; and maintaining the resilience of rainfed ecosystem. They emphasize the need for respectful land use, and described general landscape conditions consistent with such use

Ecoculture and subsistence living of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Monpa</i> community in the eastern Himalayas: An ethnoecological study in Arunachal Pradesh

441-453This study explores the interconnectedness between ecocultural knowledge and subsistence livelihoods of Monpa tribal communities in the West Kameng and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh, India. For such indigenous and tribal peoples, local cultures, spiritual beliefs, social and ethical norms and interconnectedness with local ecosystems is the essence of their social capital. For Monpa people, ecocultural capital plays a particularly significant role in subsistence and conservation of natural resources. The Monpa have rich and diverse socio-cultural, economic and spiritual perceptions of their natural resources and landscapes. These ecocultural and spiritual values represent a challenge for resource managers seeking to integrate them in their top-to-bottom approaches to resource use and regulation. Results indicated that the ecological knowledge codified in Monpa language and culture varied according to altitude and peoples’ access to particular ecosystems. Their overall ecocultural diversity, enhanced through cultural networks across communities, allowed the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Monpa a wide degree of food availability and enhanced their health and well-being. Their diverse knowledge systems and cultural network among community members significantly affect the management practices pertaining to agriculture, animal husbandry, forest and aquatic resource’s access pattern, food availability and maintaining the health of human and nature. The survival strategies intermingled with location specific ecological knowledge and indigenous management practices buffered by myths, customs, sacredness and traditional values assured sustainable and subsistence livelihood in harsh ecology; and maintaining the resilience of rainfed ecosystem. They emphasize the need for respectful land use, and described general landscape conditions consistent with such use. </span

Learning the indigenous knowledge and biodiversity through contest: A participatory methodological tool of ecoliteracy

355-360The paper describes the process, approach and results of participatory based biodiversity learning and creation of an environment among children and traditional healers, pastoralists and wisemen for making the knowledge network. In this endeavor, the students have been collaborated with the farmers by taking the help of regional transfer of technology centers. These students have led the campaign in organizing biodiversity contests among school children and learning with village community. The objective behind the effort was to inculcate the interest among college and school children towards biodiversity use and conservation and thereby reduce the rate of knowledge erosion with the help of local wisdom.The paper introduces issue of collaborative learning on biodiversity between children and village wise men and reflects some lessons learned about the knowledge networking in the society. It also discusses some possible factors behind creation of good environment of learning between wise men and children in forms of participatory approaches applied. The obtained results will support the participatory biodiversity based education and learning programmes for the sustainable development