Phonons in fcc Strontium

A more realistic model, requiring a few parameters to explain the interactions among distant neighbours and valid to various crystallographic structures, is developed to study the phonon dispersion in fcc metals the model free from usual fitting procedure, is employed to obtain phonon dispersion in fcc stiontium, which has attracted scant attention so far .The computed results showing good agreement with the recent experimental findings lend reliability and credibility to the theory

Distribution, Diversity and Utilization of \u3cem\u3eHaloxylon salicornicum\u3c/em\u3e: A Rangeland Shrub of Arid Regions

Livestock systems occupy ~ 30 % of the planet’s ice – free terrestrial area, contributes about 40 % to the agricultural GDP and directly supports the livelihoods of 600 million poor smallholder farmers in the developing world. Livestock play multiple roles (societal, economic and environmental) in the livelihoods of people in communities, especially the poor. Therefore the sustainable livestock production is an imperative to nutritional and livelihood security globally. Haloxylon salicornicum is an important rangeland shrub species of arid regions. The species possesses range of morphological, physiological and ecological adaptation to survive under water limiting, nutrient poor environmental conditions of arid regions. It is used as a fodder, medicine and in restoration of degraded arid lands. However, information about this species is fragmentary and meager, which hinders its development and sustainable utilization. This paper aims to summarize information regarding distribution, agro-morphological diversity and uses of H. salicornicum to stimulate interest in this species

Cultivation and characteristics of the Marine Actinobacteria from the Sea water of Alang, Bhavnagar

1896-1901The methods for the sample treatment and isolation included heat and CaCO3 treatment, enrichment of the samples and use of different growth media. Since the initial microbial load was quite high, the serial dilutions were used for the isolation of the actinomycetes. Morphotypes of different colony morphology and filamentous structure were detected and selected. A distinct variation in the occurrence of the morphotypes on various media using different techniques was evident. Among the three seasons; winter samples had highest number of the morphotypes. The heat treatment of the samples significantly affected the isolation and abundance of the morphotypes. Further, highest numbers of the actinomycetes were obtained on ISP-3 (International Streptomyces Project; Oatmeal agar), ISP-6 (Peptone-yeast extract iron agar) and ISP-2 (Yeast extract-malt extract agar) media, suggesting its suitability for the growth of the marine actinomycetes. Over all, the study highlights the occurrence, cultivability and diversity of the actinomycetes of the Alang Sea water

An operational medium range local weather forecasting system developed in India

A forecasting system for objective medium range location specific forecasts of surface weather elements was evolved at the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF). The basic information used for this is the output from a general circulation model (GCM). The two essential components of the system are statistical interpretation (SI) forecast and direct model output (DMO) forecast. These are explained in brief. The SI forecast is obtained by using dynamical-statistical methods like model output statistics (MOS) and the perfect prog method (PPM) in which prediction of upper air circulation from a GCM around the location of interest is used. The DMO forecast is obtained from the prediction of surface weather elements from the GCM. The procedure for preparation of final forecast by using these two components and prevailing synoptic conditions is also explained. This is essentially a man-machine-mix approach. Finally, an evaluation of the forecast skill for the 1996 monsoon and some of the future plans are presented. Copyrigh

Role of Shrubs in Rangeland Based Livestock Production System in Western Rajasthan, India

Rangeland covers ~ 51% of the terrestrial surface of the Earth, and supports half of the world‟s livestock. More than 80 % of forage consumed by domestic livestock is supplied by rangelands in Africa and Asia. Hot arid regions of India cover an area of 31.7 million hectares and out of which Rajasthan state constitutes ~ 61.8 % of the entire area. The crop production in this area is low, unstable and risky. Livestock sustains arid farming systems by virtue of their potential to reduce risk, alleviate poverty, important providers of nutrients and traction for growing crops in smallholder systems and the imparting sustainability of household. The hot arid region of Rajasthan has about 29.08 million livestock. Pastures and grazing lands, residential area and wayside grazing lands, crop by-products and residues, fodder crops etc. are the major feed resources. For the small ruminants and camels, the rangelands are the major source of feed supply. Shrubs are vital component of rangeland vegetation and cover \u3e 70 % of desert landscapes from Aravalli to the international border of the Indian part of Thar desert. They are an important source of feed and assure feed availability in a drought situation. They have remarkable morpho-physiological adaptations to different land forms and survive under harsh edapho-climatic conditions. During recent past, a rapid decline population of browse shrubs is noticed due to their over exploitation, destruction of natural habitat, expending irrigation facilities, increasing agricultural mechanization and changes in land use pattern. In the present paper key species, fodder production and nutritive value of shrubs of hot arid rangelands are discussed

Sustainability of maize (Zea mays)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system under legumes intercropping and effect of nitrogen level on light distribution, soil temperature and crop productivity

Agriculture designs for cropping system with legume intercropping for increased resource use efficiency profitability, productivity and reduced adverse environmental impact are urgently required. A three years field experiment consisting of six cropping treatments applied during both seasons was conducted during 2008-09 to 2010-11 to study the effect of nitrogen and legumes intercropping with maize (Zea mays L.) for sustainability of maize-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system. Results indicate that the photosynthetic active radiation had highest values at noon reaching nearly 1940 µmol/m2/s for maize and 1620 µmol/m2/s for intercropped legumes. Intercropping can increase light interception, shading and reduce water evaporation as compared to sole maize. Maize intercropped had higher values of stomatal condutance and leaf temperature than sole crop. The grain yield and yield attributing characters of wheat crop increased significantly under intercropping treatments over respective check. Wheat yield significantly increased up to 160 kg N/ha. However, there was no significant increase in yield of maize beyond 120 kg N/ha.Sole maize-wheat rotation showed a decline in soil organic carbon by 3.7%,while blackgram and cowpea intercropping with maize in paired rows (2:2 row ratio) followed by wheat increased contents of percent organic carbon in soil as 0.63 and 0.67 respectively, compared to initial values of 0.54 percent. Plots treated with intercrops/FYM during the rainy season sustained the wheat yield while the check plot showed a decline in wheat yield by 4-9%

Effect of precision land leveling and permanent raised bed planting on soil properties, input use efficiency, productivity and profitability under maize (Zea mays) – wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system

Precision land leveling with permanent raised bed planting with recommended dose of NPK can be used to improve crop yield,water and nutrient use efficiency over the existing traditional land leveling with flat beds planting with recommended dose of NPK practices. The objective of present study was to establish an understanding of maize (Zea mays L.) -wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation yield and input use efficiency can be improved and how land leveling and crop establishment practices can be modified to be more efficient in water use through precision conservation crop management techniques. A farmers participatory field experiment was conducted during 2009- 2011 in the jurisdiction of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut, UP. Multi crop planter with inclined plate seed metering device machine were given to the farmers and crops were sown on permanent raised beds in maize-wheat cropping system.The data collected from the farmers participatory field experiment showed that there was about 20.4% (295.8 mm/ha for wide beds, i e 107 cm furrow centre gap) water saving and about 16.5% (310.3 mm/ha for narrow beds, i e 37 cm furrow centre gap) with grain yield increase about 13.5% (5.13 and 4.44 tonnes/ha) for wheat crop and 11.8% (4.33 and 3.82 tonnes/ha) for maize crop with precision land leveling raised bed planting compared to traditional land leveling with flat beds planting. The agronomic efficiency (AE) of N (23.4 and 30.4 kg grain/kg N for maize and wheat) and uptake of N, P and K (103.85, 25.6 and 110.7 kg/ha for maize and 112.95, 19.49 and 112.96 kg/ha for wheat) were significantly improved under precision land leveling with raised bed planting technique compared to other practices

Development of new early maturing cytoplasmic genetic male sterile lines in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh)

Sufficient level of heterosis and out crossing (>70%) in pigeonpea provides opportunity for the development of hybrid varieties. Earlier, GMS based hybrids were developed by different research institutes. However, due to inherent problem of maintenance of male sterility and high cost of hybrid seed production they could not be popularized. Thereafter work on development of CGMS lines was initiated by GAU, S.K. Nagar and ICRISAT, Hyderabad. The CGMS lines developed by these institutes were of medium to late maturity group and were not suitable for pigeonpea-wheat cropping system under north-western Indian conditions. Thus, a need was felt to develop early maturing CGMS lines to develop early maturing hybrids for this zone. In the first phase, early maturing and stable CGMS lines viz., AL100A, AL102A and AL103A in A2 cytoplasmic background were developed, and utilized in hybrid breeding. In the second phase, fourteen new male sterile lines were developed in A2 CMS background. These newly developed lines, were found stable for their cytoplasmic sterility across diverse agroecological locations across seasons. These lines can be used to develop early maturing high yielding hybrids suitable for pigeonpea-wheat rotation of north-western India. Sufficient level of heterosis and out crossing (>70%) in pigeonpea provides opportunity for the development of hybrid varieties. Earlier, GMS based hybrids were developed by different research institutes. However, due to inherent problem of maintenance of male sterility and high cost of hybrid seed production they could not be popularized. Thereafter work on development of CGMS lines was initiated by GAU, S.K. Nagar and ICRISAT, Hyderabad. The CGMS lines developed by these institutes were of medium to late maturity group and were not suitable for pigeonpea-wheat cropping system under north-western Indian conditions. Thus, a need was felt to develop early maturing CGMS lines to develop early maturing hybrids for this zone. In the first phase, early maturing and stable CGMS lines viz., AL100A, AL102A and AL103A in A2 cytoplasmic background were developed, and utilized in hybrid breeding. In the second phase, fourteen new male sterile lines were developed in A2 CMS background. These newly developed lines, were found stable for their cytoplasmic sterility across diverse agroecological locations across seasons. These lines can be used to develop early maturing high yielding hybrids suitable for pigeonpea-wheat rotation of north-western India

Novel cross linked guar gum-g-poly(acrylate) porous superabsorbent hydrogels: Characterization and swelling behaviour in different environments

A new series of eco-friendly cross linked guar gum-g-poly(acrylate) porous superabsorbent hydrogels was prepared by in situ grafting polymerization and cross-linking on to a natural guar gum employing N,N-methylene bis acrylamide as cross linker. Morphological and structural characterization of the prepared hydrogels (SPHs) done by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and solid state C13 NMR spectroscopy confirmed formation of porous grafted and crosslinked hydrogel structure. Increase in cross linker concentration in the feed mass exhibited decrease in porosity and increase in density of the hydrogels. Swelling of an optimized hydrogel (SPH) in response to external stimuli namely, salt solutions, fertilizer solutions, temperature, and pH exhibited high swelling ratios in various environments. Swelling rate of the SPH was faster than the corresponding nonporous superabsorbent hydrogel. The prepared hydrogels can serve as excellent carriers of pesticides, fertilizers and agriculturally important microbes. Biocontrol formulations based on a representative SPH exhibited excellent shelf-life characteristics and bioefficacy against phytopathogenic fungus Pythium aphanidermatum

Genetic variability, genotype × environment interaction and correlation analysis for grain iron and zinc contents in recombinant inbred line population of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L). R.

Micronutrient malnutrition is one of the major health problems, especially iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies that are widespread coupled with inadequate food supply in the developing world. Pearl millet grains are a good source of Fe and Zn elements making it a potential staple crop for overcoming hidden-hunger and micronutrient deficiencies. Breeding pearl millet with high levels of grain Zn and Fe contents represents a major opportunity to enhance the intake of these minerals for poor and malnourished people. A precise understanding of the genetic variability, correlation of mineral nutrients, genotype × environment (G × E) interaction is important for developing improved lines with high Fe and Zn content. To get fair estimates, we used a bi-parental recombinant inbred lines (RIL) mapping population representing F2 phenotypic variance. A total of 317 RILs were evaluated for grain iron and zinc content in two seasons, Summer 2016 (E1) and Summer 2017 (E2). The result from the analysis of variance exhibited a large variability for grain Fe and Zn content across the two environments. The G × E for high grain Fe were significant at P < 0.01. The mean performance across the two environments data for grain Fe ranged from 22.9 to 154.5 mg kg-1 (ppm) and Zn content ranged from 19.3 to 121 mg kg-1. The correlation coefficient for grain Fe and Zn was 0.9, and 0.8 and across the two (E1 and E2) environments. The value of correlation coefficient (0.9) was found to be highly significant at P < 0.01 level, that indicated good opportunities for simultaneous genetic improvement of both iron and zinc contents in pearl millet