Status of Insecticide Residues and Impact of Integrated Pest Management

The present research was taken up to study the "Status of insecticide residues and impact of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)". The field studies were conducted to monitor the insecticide residues on food crops (rice, maize, pigeonpea), cotton, vegetables, soil and water and to know the impact of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in reducing insecticide residues. The laboratory experiments were conducted in Pesticide Residue Laboratory at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, India. Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) was undertaken in Kothapally watershed (IPM village) and Enkepally (non-IPM village). Among the food crops and cotton analysed for presence of insecticide residues (monocrotophos, chlorpyriphos, alpha endosulfan, beta endosulfan and cypermethrin), one rice grain sample (0.5 pg g-') out of 5 samples collected from Kothapally was contaminated and among the soil samples, residues were detected in one soil sample (0.02 pg g'') collected from maize field during 2008 in Enkepally. Only two samples were contaminated -- one rice grain sample (0.008 pg g-I) and one soil sample (0.03 pg g") collected from rice field during 2009 from Enkepally...

Secondary Metabolites of Entomopathogenic Microbes to Control Lepidopteran Pests

Global crop losses due to Helicoverpa amzigerahave been estimated to be over US $ 2 billion annually whereas 80% of this loss occurs in India causing wide spread misery to the farmers who face the risk of frequent crop failures. Secondary metabolites from microbes, particularly bacteria and actinomycetes, are known to kill various insects including H. armigera. Spinosad extracted from soil actinomycetes Sachharopolyspora spinosacaused significant effect on H. amzigera ...

Evaluation of integrated pest management in reducing insecticide residues in plant, soil and water

The impact of integrated pest management (IPM) in reducing insecticide residues at Kothapally (IPM) and Enkepally (non-IPM) villages of Ranga Reddy district, Andhra Pradesh, India was evaluated in two vegetables (tomato and brinjal), besides soil and water samples during 2008–09. Out of the 15 tomato fruit samples analyzed for insecticide residues from IPM fields, only 3 samples (20% contamination) were found contaminated with residues compared to 47% in non-IPM fields. Two soil samples out of the 10 from non-IPM tomato fields, had insecticide residues. In the brinjal fields, 20% of the IPM treated and 47% in non-IPM had insecticide contamination. Twenty per cent of the soil samples in the non-IPM fields had insecticide residues, while none of the soil samples in the IPM fields had residues. Water samples collected either from IPM or non-IPM treated fields contained no residues above the detectable level. Though the contamination levels in crops and soils in the IPM and non-IPM fields indicated substantial differences, the residue concentrations were below the MRL

Occurrence of insecticide residues in selected crops and natural resources

Pesticide residue monitoring was taken up at Kothapally and Enkepally villages of Ranga Reddy district, Andhra Pradesh in food crops (rice, maize, pigeonpea), vegetables (tomato and brinjal), cotton besides soil and water during 2008–2009 seasons. Of the 80 food crop and cotton samples, only two rice grain samples (3 %) showed beta endosulfan residues and two (3 %) out of 80 soil samples of food crops and cotton showed alpha and beta endosulfan residues. Out of 75 tomato samples, 26 (35 %) were contaminated and 4 % had residues above maximum residue limit (MRLs). Out of the 50 soil samples from tomato fields, 13 (26 %) contained residues. Among the 80 brinjal samples, 46 (56 %) contained residues and 4 % of samples had residues above MRLs. Only 13 % of the soil samples from brinjal fields were contaminated. Water samples found free from residues. In general the incidence of residues was below MRL in food crop

Development of Broad-Spectrum Actinomycetes for Biocontrol and Plant Growth Promotion of Food Crops

Current investigation is aimed at identifying actinomycetes and their metabolites with multiple actions against insect pests and pathogens, including plant growth promotion (PGP). We characterized 137 actinomycetes, isolated from 25 different herbal vermi-composts, for their antagonistic potential against charcoal rot in sorghum (caused by Macrophomina phaseolina) and wilt in chickpea (caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri [FOC], respectively) by dual culture assay. Of the isolates, three most promising M. phaseolina antagonistic strains (CAI-21, CAI-26 and MMA-32) and five most promising FOC antagonistic strains (CAI-24, CAI-121, CAI-127, KAI-32 and KAI-90) were further evaluated for their antagonistic and PGP potential by blotter paper assay, greenhouse and field conditions. All the eight strains were characterized for their physiological traits (tolerance to salinity, temperature, pH and compatibility to antibiotics and fungicides) and further evaluated in the field for their PGP on rice. Ten strains (CAI-8, CAI-13, CAI-70, CAI-85, CAI-87, CAI-132, CAI-133, CAI-155, SAI-25 and BCA-508) were also found effective in suppressing Helicoverpa, Spodoptera and Chilo spp. under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The sequences of 16S rDNA gene of all eighteen strains matched with Streptomyces, but species appeared to be different. This study confirms that the selected Streptomyces strains have broad-spectrum biocontrol and PGP properties

Biological options for crop health (Nutrition, pest and disease) management-sanguine to sustainable agriculture

Interest in biological control of plant insect pests and pathogens has been stimulated in recent years by trends in agriculture towards greater sustainability and public concern about the use of hazardous pesticides. Microorganisms have the capability to synthesize many different biologically active secondary metabolites such as antibiotics, herbicides, pesticides, antiparasitic and enzymes like cellulase, chitinase and xylanase. Microbial collection at ICRISAT, Patancheru, India has over 2000 accessions of bacteria and actinomycetes isolated from various sources and/or niches of composts, rhizosphere and rhizoplane soil samples of sorghum and rice. These accessions possess at least one of six agriculturally beneficial traits studied viz. phosphate solublization, siderophore production, cellulose degradation, nitrogen fixation, antagonism to disease causing fungi and fluorescent Pseudomonas. In addition to that ICRISAT has also identified 28 entomopathogenic bacteria and actinomycetes capable of managing the mos

Assessment of different methods of rice (Oryza sativa. L) cultivation affecting growth parameters, soil chemical, biological, and microbiological properties, water saving, and grain yield in rice–rice system

Field experiments were conducted at DRR farm located at ICRISAT, Patancheru, in sandy clay loam soils during four seasons, Kharif 2008, Rabi 2008–2009, Kharif 2009 and Rabi 2009–2010, to investigate growth parameters, water-saving potential, root characteristics, chemical, biological, and microbial properties of rhizosphere soil, and grain yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) by comparing the plants grown with system of rice intensification (SRI) methods, with organic or organic + inorganic fertilization, against current recommended best management practices (BMP). All the growth parameters including plant height, effective tillers (10–45 %), panicle length, dry matter, root dry weight (24–57 %), and root volume (10–66 %) were found to be significantly higher with in SRI-organic + inorganic over BMP. With SRI-organic fertilization, growth parameters showed inconsistent results; however, root dry weight (3–77 %) and root volume (31–162 %) were found significantly superior compared to BMP. Grain yield was found significantly higher in SRI-organic + inorganic (12–23 and 4–35 % in the Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively), while with SRI-organic management, yield was found higher (4–34 %) only in the Rabi seasons compared to BMP. An average of 31 and 37 % of irrigation water were saved during Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively, with both SRI methods of rice cultivation compared to BMP. Further, total nitrogen, organic carbon%, soil dehydrogenase, microbial biomass carbon, total bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes were found higher in the two SRI plots in comparison to BMP. It is concluded that SRI practices create favorable conditions for beneficial soil microbes to prosper, save irrigation water, and increase grain yield

The James Webb Space Telescope Mission

Twenty-six years ago a small committee report, building on earlier studies, expounded a compelling and poetic vision for the future of astronomy, calling for an infrared-optimized space telescope with an aperture of at least $4m$. With the support of their governments in the US, Europe, and Canada, 20,000 people realized that vision as the $6.5m$ James Webb Space Telescope. A generation of astronomers will celebrate their accomplishments for the life of the mission, potentially as long as 20 years, and beyond. This report and the scientific discoveries that follow are extended thank-you notes to the 20,000 team members. The telescope is working perfectly, with much better image quality than expected. In this and accompanying papers, we give a brief history, describe the observatory, outline its objectives and current observing program, and discuss the inventions and people who made it possible. We cite detailed reports on the design and the measured performance on orbit.Comment: Accepted by PASP for the special issue on The James Webb Space Telescope Overview, 29 pages, 4 figure

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

Toluidine blue with a synergistic effect in morphological assessment of oral cytosmears

Objectives: One percent toluidine blue being the most effective adjunct is often used to detect dysplasia. Not much attention has been given to the effect of toluidine blue in enhancement of cytological smears. The present study assessed the smears before and after application of toluidine blue in smokers against non-smokers using three different stains [Papanicolaou (PAP), Hematoxylin and Eosin (H and E), and Giemsa]. Study Design: Twenty-five individuals from each group participated in the study. The oral cytosmears were obtained before and after application of toluidine blue and assessed for clumping of squamous cells, cellular and nuclear pleomorphism, micronuclei, binucleation, bacterial colony units, and keratin flakes. Results: In smokers, the maximum enhancement in cytological smears post-toluidine blue application was shown by Giemsa stain than PAP and H and E stains. Among the individual parameters, nuclear pleomorphism exhibited greatest significant difference between smokers and non-smokers. Conclusion: Toluidine blue enhanced the staining characteristics both in terms of sensitivity and specificity and thereby was found to be synergistic in assessment of cytosmears. The cellular alterations noticed in the smears of smokers with clinically normal buccal mucosa can be used as a means of education tool in counselling for smoking cessation