Water-saving Rice Production Technologies in Krishna Western Delta Command of Andhra Pradesh – An Economic Analysis

The economic analysis of water-saving rice production technologies, viz. system of rice intensification (SRI), semi-dry and rotational irrigation vis-à-vis farmers’ practice has been carried out based on the study executed in Modukuru pilot area of Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. Among the three water-saving rice production technologies analyzed, the total cost of cultivation has been recorded highest in SRI (Rs 58645/ha), followed by rotational (Rs 47140/ha) and semi-dry (Rs 39321/ha). But, the per hectare yield has been found highest in SRI (6.85 t), followed by semi-dry (6.66 t) and rotational (6.2 t), inferring that all the three technologies have recorded higher yields over farmers’ practice of 5.5 t/ha. However, the net returns and B-C ratio are maximum in semi-dry (Rs 43,484/ha; 1.11), followed by rotational (Rs 30,085; 0.64) and SRI (Rs 26,466/ha; 0.45) methods. Similarly, the water-use efficiency has been found highest in SRI (8.53 kg/ ha-mm), followed by semi-dry (8.02 kg/ha-mm) and rotational (7.33 kg/ ha-mm) methods, while the water-use efficiency benefit (Rs/ha-mm) has been recorded maximum in semi-dry (52.39), followed by SRI (42.08) and rotational (35.56) methods. With the initiation of Andhra Pradesh Water Management Project, Bapatla, the area under semi-dry rice cultivation has been found increasing over a period of four years, from 0.6 ha in 2004-2005 to 22 ha in 2007 -2008.Agricultural and Food Policy,

Full-genome sequencing as a basis for molecular epidemiology studies of bluetongue virus in India

Since 1998 there have been significant changes in the global distribution of bluetongue virus (BTV). Ten previously exotic BTV serotypes have been detected in Europe, causing severe disease outbreaks in naïve ruminant populations. Previously exotic BTV serotypes were also identified in the USA, Israel, Australia and India. BTV is transmitted by biting midges (Culicoides spp.) and changes in the distribution of vector species, climate change, increased international travel and trade are thought to have contributed to these events. Thirteen BTV serotypes have been isolated in India since first reports of the disease in the country during 1964. Efficient methods for preparation of viral dsRNA and cDNA synthesis, have facilitated full-genome sequencing of BTV strains from the region. These studies introduce a new approach for BTV characterization, based on full-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, facilitating the identification of BTV serotype, topotype and reassortant strains. Phylogenetic analyses show that most of the equivalent genome-segments of Indian BTV strains are closely related, clustering within a major eastern BTV ‘topotype’. However, genome-segment 5 (Seg-5) encoding NS1, from multiple post 1982 Indian isolates, originated from a western BTV topotype. All ten genome-segments of BTV-2 isolates (IND2003/01, IND2003/02 and IND2003/03) are closely related (>99% identity) to a South African BTV-2 vaccine-strain (western topotype). Similarly BTV-10 isolates (IND2003/06; IND2005/04) show >99% identity in all genome segments, to the prototype BTV-10 (CA-8) strain from the USA. These data suggest repeated introductions of western BTV field and/or vaccine-strains into India, potentially linked to animal or vector-insect movements, or unauthorised use of ‘live’ South African or American BTV-vaccines in the country. The data presented will help improve nucleic acid based diagnostics for Indian serotypes/topotypes, as part of control strategies

Cocoa Butter Extender from Simarouba glauca Fat

ABSTRACT: Simarouba glauca is a rich source of fat, having a melting point of about 29°C and consisting of palmitic (12.5%), stearic (27%) and oleic (56%) as major fatty acids. It consists of about 30% of symmetrical monounsaturated-type triacylglycerols and appears to be a good source of fat for preparation of cocoa butter (CB) extender. The stearin fraction (35% yield) obtained by solvent fractionation showed an increased supercooling property and a sudden rise in temperature during solidification compared to native fat as shown by cooling curves. The fraction had a narrow melting range and consisted of a high content (66%) of symmetrical monounsaturated-type triacylglycerols like CB. The fraction was compatible with CB even at 50% substitution. In addition, the fraction did not affect the formation of stable or other polymorphic forms of CB at different tempering conditions. The fraction obtained by dry fractionation also had properties similar to that obtained by solvent fractionation. The conditions of the fractionation determine the yield of stearin, which in turn alters the melting characteristics of the fractions. The stearin obtained after removal of about 60-65% olein was found to be suitable as a CB extender to replace up to 25% of CB in chocolate products. Paper no. J9656 in JAOCS 78, 271-276 (2001). KEY WORDS: Chocolate, cocoa butter extenders, confectionery fat, fractionation, Simarouba glauca fat. Simarouba glauca, D.C. (Simaroubaceae), which is native to El Salvador in Central America and popularly known as aceituno, was introduced to India in the early 1960s. It is an evergreen tree with profuse deep green, glossy foliage on its rounded crown and has the habit of growing sprawling branches from almost the ground level in its early stages of growth. The plant begins fruiting at about 5-6 yr of age and yields for up to 50-60 yr. A mature plant yields about 20-50 kg of brown-colored oval-shaped seeds (1). It has been reported that the seeds contain 40% kernels and the kernels contain 60% fat, which is edible. The odorless, greenish-yellow fat melts at 26.4°C, has an iodine value of 52.6, and a saponification value of 190.5. The average values of major fatty acids reported were: oleic (51.1%), stearic (30.4%), and palmitic (12.6%) (2-6). Further, it has been reported that the characteristics of the fat and the fatty acid composition of Indian origin do not significantly differ from those reported from seeds of other countries (5,6). Considering the high fat content in the kernels and moderate iodine value and high content of oleic and stearic acids, the fat has good potential for use as edible fat or for blending with vanaspati or for use as a cocoa butter (CB) substitute or extender. Preparation of CB extender from S. glauca fat by fractionation and its effect on polymorphic behavior of CB are reported in this paper. MATERIALS AND METHODS Simarouba glauca seeds were procured from the Assistant Soil Conservation Officer (Keonjhar, Orissa, India). The fat was extracted from the kernels using hexane and refined with alkali. Refined fat was also procured from Regional Research Laboratory (Bhubaneswar, India). Standard triacylglycerol and fatty acid methyl esters were obtained from Sigma Chemical Company (St. Louis, MO). Fractionation. (i) Solvent fractionation. Refined S. glauca fat (200 g) was dissolved in 400 mL of acetone by heating to about 50°C. The solution was gradually cooled to 18°C and held at this temperature for about 2 h. The partially crystallized mass was filtered through a Büchner funnel under suction to separate stearin and olein fractions. The solvent from the fractions was removed under vacuum. The yield of stearin (Fr. 1) was 35% by weight of the fat. In another experiment, the holding time was increased to obtain stearin of 45% (Fr. 2) yield, and in yet another experiment, the solution was held at 16°C for 1 h to obtain 21% stearin (Fr. 3). (ii) Dry fractionation. Simarouba glauca fat (200 g) was melted by heating to ca. 45°C to destroy all crystal nuclei. The fat was cooled gradually to 25°C and held at this temperature for 3 h. The solid and liquid fractions were separated by filtration to yield 38% stearin (Fr. 4). Cooling curves. Solidification characteristics of the samples were determined by cooling curves obtained by using Shukoff's flask according to the procedure described by Wilton and Wode (7). The method is simple, quick, and provides information regarding how crystallization proceeds during cooling, though the crystals are not completely transformed into the most stable form. The method is also sensitive to impurities and an admixture of foreign triacylglycerols and it has been used to assess both the quality of CB from different countries of origin (8) and palm oil fractions as CB replacers (9). The temperature rise is an index of amount of crystallization formed during the experiment, the time taken shows the rate of transition of α to β′ (9,10), and the minimum temperature reached on the curve indicates the supercooling property of the sample. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A Mettler (Zurich, Switzerland) differential scanning calorimeter was used to obtain melting and crystallization characteristics o

Conjugated organic dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells

629-634A new metal-free sensitizer 2-[3-(4-dimethyl amino-phenyl)-allylidene]-malonic acid (2) has been synthesized by the condensation of N,N'-dimethylaminocinnaldehyde and malonic acid. This dye has two carboxyl groups on the same carbon atom, which act as better electron withdrawing groups in addition to providing effective anchoring to titanium dioxide. The new dye has characterized by UV –Vis, 1H NMR and CHN analysis. Dye-sensitized nanocrystalline-titanium dioxidese miconductor solar cells (DSSC) have been tested in a stable and durable redox electrolyte. The efficiency of dye is as high as 1.38%. The dye molecule is thermally stable up to 100oC

Water-saving Rice Production Technologies in Krishna Western Delta Command of Andhra Pradesh – An Economic Analysis

The economic analysis of water-saving rice production technologies, viz. system of rice intensification (SRI), semi-dry and rotational irrigation vis-à-vis farmers’ practice has been carried out based on the study executed in Modukuru pilot area of Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. Among the three water-saving rice production technologies analyzed, the total cost of cultivation has been recorded highest in SRI (Rs 58645/ha), followed by rotational (Rs 47140/ha) and semi-dry (Rs 39321/ha). But, the per hectare yield has been found highest in SRI (6.85 t), followed by semi-dry (6.66 t) and rotational (6.2 t), inferring that all the three technologies have recorded higher yields over farmers’ practice of 5.5 t/ha. However, the net returns and B-C ratio are maximum in semi-dry (Rs 43,484/ha; 1.11), followed by rotational (Rs 30,085; 0.64) and SRI (Rs 26,466/ha; 0.45) methods. Similarly, the water-use efficiency has been found highest in SRI (8.53 kg/ ha-mm), followed by semi-dry (8.02 kg/ha-mm) and rotational (7.33 kg/ ha-mm) methods, while the water-use efficiency benefit (Rs/ha-mm) has been recorded maximum in semi-dry (52.39), followed by SRI (42.08) and rotational (35.56) methods. With the initiation of Andhra Pradesh Water Management Project, Bapatla, the area under semi-dry rice cultivation has been found increasing over a period of four years, from 0.6 ha in 2004-2005 to 22 ha in 2007 -2008