Field evaluation of Musa germplasm for resistance against banana stem weevil, Odoiporus longicollis (Oliver) (Curculionidae: Coleoptera) in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh

Banana germplasm with 17 different accessions for resistance were screened against banana stem weevil, Odoiporous longicollis in Koduru region of Kadapa district (Andhra Pradesh). All the accessions had infestation of stem weevil but with varying percent infestation. The 17 accessions of germplasm had weevil infestation ranging from 10.0–100 percent in 2012 with maximum infestation of 100 percent in red banana (AAA genome) followed by Bontha selection-88.88 % (ABB), Karpuravalli-84.60% (AAB) and Ellakibale-64.7% (AB) and the lowest was inSugandhalu-10.00% (AAB). In the year 2013, the infestation was in the range of 13.00-90.40% and with respect to infestation levels in different accessions, and the trend remained same as the earlier year wherein the highest infestation was recorded in red banana-90.40% followed by Bontha selection with the damage of 83.50 %, Karpuravalli (79.80%), Ellakibale (70.00%) and least in Sugandhalu-13.0% (AAB). There was no correlation between number of adults observed and percent damage and similarly no relation can be drawn between percent infestation and height of oviposition, This implies that the infestation caused by the weevils varied in different genotypes and also this information will be further helpful in selecting the resistant germplasms for future

Design and development of electronic jacquard for Korai mat weaving loom

A low-cost computerised mat weaving handloom has beendeveloped. After successful field trials at the client locations,300% increase in productivity is observed. Now any weaver canweave mat of any design within 2 days instead of 6-8 days,increasing their earning per mat. Easy to use pedallingmechanism, electronic jacquard and the software tool aredeveloped. This innovation facilitates electronic design storage,eliminates recurring cost on punched cards and the weaverdependence on designers while weaving marriage mats. The welldesigned pedalling and jacquard lifting mechanism results inbetter ergonomics. The system is designed to operate with powerof just 75 watt, so that it can be driven by solar power

Bio-rational insecticides toxicity against Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) damaging Cantaloupes, Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis

Field experiments were conducted for two seasons (2015-16 and 2016-17) to evaluate bio-rational insecticides against leaf miner (Liriomyza trifolii) damaging cantaloupes and it was found that among various insecticides viz. spinosad [email protected]/l, abamectin 1.9EC @0.3ml/l, fipronil 5SC@2ml/l, fipronil [email protected]/l, cyantraniliprole 10OD@ 1.8ml/l, triazophos 40EC@2ml/l, diafenthiuron 50WP@1g/l, novaluron 10EC@1ml/l, neem [email protected]/l, pongamia [email protected]/l, azadirachtin 1%EC @5ml/l, abamectin (1.03-2.33 mined leaves/10ft row) and spinosad (1.18-3.33 mined leaves/10ft row) in both the seasons prove to be highly effective in minimising the damage. All the treatments had significant effect on the yield as compared to control but among treatments they were non-significant in first season which was not the case in second season where highest yield was noted in spinosad (11.43t/acre) followed by azadirachtin(9.79t/acre) and abamectin (9.67t/acre). Though there was variation in yield within these treatments but they were statistically on par with each other. Similarly the treatments were on par with each other with respect to number of fruits per vine, fruit weight, TSS and number of seeds set per fruit. The overall findings indicate that the molecules viz., abamectin and spinosad can be recommended to control leaf miner in cantaloupes to achieve an appreciable yield

Securing the Skies: Cybersecurity Strategies for Smart City Cloud using Various Algorithams

As smart cities continue to evolve, their reliance on cloud computing technologies becomes increasingly apparent, enabling the seamless integration of data-driven services and urban functionalities. However, this transformation also raises concerns about the security of the vast and interconnected cloud infrastructures that underpin these cities' operations. This paper explores the critical intersection of cloud computing and cybersecurity within the context of smart cities. This research is dealing with challenges posed by the rapid expansion of smart city initiatives and their reliance on cloud-based solutions. It investigates the vulnerabilities that emerge from this technological convergence, emphasizing the potential risks to data privacy, urban services, and citizen well-being. The abstract presents a comprehensive overview of the evolving threat landscape that smart cities face in the realm of cloud computing. To address these challenges, the abstract highlights the importance of proactive cybersecurity strategies tailored specifically to the unique needs of smart cities. It underscores the significance of adopting a multi-layered approach that encompasses robust encryption protocols, intrusion detection systems, threat intelligence sharing, and collaborative efforts among stakeholders. Drawing insights from existing research and real-world case studies, the abstract showcases innovative solutions that leverage advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain to fortify the security posture of smart city cloud infrastructures. It explores the role of data governance, user authentication, and anomaly detection in creating a resilient cybersecurity framework that safeguards critical urban systems

Commercialization: Status and way forward

Ethanol is a biofuel that is used as a fuel additive and a replacement for nearly 3 % of the world’s fossil fuel-based gasoline consumption. Currently, most of the bioethanol is produced from sugarcane in Brazil and corn in the United States, while biodiesel is made from rapeseed in Europe. The rationale for the success of the Brazilian Proalcool program, its present status and its perspectives has been presented. The Proalcool program’s mandate was a vast increase in ethanol production with a sound government-backed subsidies and incentives initially to reach the goal; however, it was the private investors and companies that were solely responsible to achieve the end result. The Proalcool program indeed provides several essential lessons to many countries around the world about the potential competitiveness of biofuels vis-à-vis traditional fuels. Considering the importance of alternate biofuels, sweet sorghum has been identified as a promising energy crop to meet the energy security and reduce the dependence on fossil fuels in many countries around the globe. The Indian National Biofuel Policy (2009) recognizes sweet sorghum as a major biofuel feedstock and well adapted to India. However, its value chain could not get popular as anticipated due to low price level (Rs. 27) fixed by Government of India. Hence, it is necessary to review the ethanol price in India so as to give fillip to the beleaguered biofuel industry, which will likely to play a stabilization role in a oil import dependent economy like ours. Similarly, a number of case studies are presented on the research efforts made in various countries around the world like India, USA, Brazil and China on the use of sweet sorghum as a potential bioenergy feedstock. The current and commercialization status of the various biofuel technologies and approaches are discussed. The biofuel blending targets and mandates of different countries are also presente

Sweet Sorghum: From theory to practice

Sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a multipurpose crop (food, feed, fodder and fuel) that has the potential as an alternative biofuel feedstock without impacting food and fodder security. This chapter entitled “Sweet sorghum: From theory to practice” discusses on the historical developments in sweet sorghum and immense range of genetic variability that was available in major sorghum regions of the world. The candidate feedstock characteristic traits of sweet sorghum vis-a-vis other major biofuel feedstocks like sugarcane, corn and sugar beet were compared. Sweet sorghum fares well in many aspects as it is a C4 species with greater resilience to diverse agro-ecologies, low fertilizer and water requirement besides short lifecycle. Hence, many consider it as climate change ready crop; some consider it as miracle crop and few term it as a smart crop. A quantitative insight into the production-ecological sustainability of sweet sorghum biofuel feedstock production systems has been discussed. The ongoing R&D efforts at ICRISAT as well as in National Agricultural Research System (NARS) on sweet sorghum value chain were highlighted. The breeding efforts in Brazil, USA and China on this crop are briefly narrate

DJ-1 interacts with and regulates paraoxonase-2, an enzyme critical for neuronal survival in response to oxidative stress.

Loss-of-function mutations in DJ-1 (PARK7) gene account for about 1% of all familial Parkinson's disease (PD). While its physiological function(s) are not completely clear, DJ-1 protects neurons against oxidative stress in both in vitro and in vivo models of PD. The molecular mechanism(s) through which DJ-1 alleviates oxidative stress-mediated damage remains elusive. In this study, we identified Paraoxonase-2 (PON2) as an interacting target of DJ-1. PON2 activity is elevated in response to oxidative stress and DJ-1 is crucial for this response. Importantly, we showed that PON2 deficiency hypersensitizes neurons to oxidative stress induced by MPP+ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium). Conversely, over-expression of PON2 protects neurons in this death paradigm. Interestingly, PON2 effectively rescues DJ-1 deficiency-mediated hypersensitivity to oxidative stress. Taken together, our data suggest a model by which DJ-1 exerts its antioxidant activities, at least partly through regulation of PON2

Recent Advances in Sorghum Genetic Enhancement Research at ICRISAT

Sorghum is one of the most important cereal crops widely grown for food, feed, fodder/forage, and fuel in the semi-arid tropics of Asia, Africa, the Americas and Australia. The global sorghum areas remained static as the increased area in Africa compensated the area loss in Asia. Inspite of rapid decline in sorghum area in Asia due to competition from other remunerative crops, sorghum grain production levels have not declined at the same rate owing to adoption of high yielding hybrids. Though impressive gains have been made in improving productivity levels, biotic and abiotic challenges such as shoot fly, stem borer, grain molds, and terminal drought stress continue to haunt the sorghum growers across the world. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the respec-tive national programs are working on genetic enhancement of sorghum for high yield; shoot fly, and grain mold resis-tance, and sweet stalk traits. In addition, research focus at ICRISAT also includes adaptation to postrainy season, ter-minal drought tolerance, and increasing micronutrient contents (Fe and Zn) in grain. Genetic and cytoplasmic diversi-fication of hybrid parents and varieties for key traitsis critical for sustaining the productivity gains. The grain and stover quality requirements of different market segments needs special attention in sorghum improvement research to enhance its market value. This paper analyses the progress made in sorghum improvement research at ICRISAT in partnership with national programs in recent years and the way forward

Effect of Micronutrient Treatments in Main and Ratoon Crops of Sweet Sorghum Cultivar ICSV 93046 Under Tropical Conditions

The sweet sorghum variety, ICSV 93046 is commercially cultivated in large areas in India and the Philippines. The response of ICSV 93046 to six fertilizer treatments viz., T1 (control: 80 kg N ha−1 and 40 kg P2O5 ha−1); T2 (designed fertilizer from a commercial source); T3 (N + P with Zn and B soil application); T4 (N + P with Zn and B soil application); T5 (N + P with foliar application of 0.1 % sodium borate and T6 (N + P with foliar application of 0.5 % ZnSO4 and 0.1 % sodium borate) was evaluated during the post-rainy season (December–March, 2009–2010) as main (plant) crop and during summer season (April–July, 2010) as ratoon crop. The combined ANOVA showed that there were no significant differences observed between main and ratoon crops and the treatment interactions for the qualitative and quantitative component traits of sugar yield measured and also no significant differences observed for main and ratoon crop except for non-significant numerical differences giving a trend. The stalk yield was highest for treatments T5 and T6 in main crop and in the ratoon crop however, the treatment T4 recorded the highest stalk yield

Prevalence and Causes of Blindness and Visual Impairment and Their Associated Risk Factors, in Three Tribal Areas of Andhra Pradesh, India

Objective: To assess the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment (VI), their associated causes and underlying risk factors in three tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh, India and compare this data in conjunction with data from other countries with low and middle income settings. Methods: Using a validated Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness methodology, a two stage sampling survey was performed in these areas involving probability proportionate to size sampling and compact segment sampling methods. Blindness, VI and severe visual impairment (SVI) were defined as per the WHO guidelines and Indian definitions. Results: Based on a prior enumeration, 7281 (97.1%) subjects were enrolled (mean age = 61.0+/−7.9 years). Based on the presenting visual acuity (PVA), the prevalences of VI, SVI and blindness were 16.9% (95% CI: 15.7–18.1), 2.9% (95% CI: 2.5–3.4), and 2.3% (95% CI: 1.9–2.7), respectively. When based on the Pinhole corrected visual acuity (PCVA), the prevalences were lower in VI (6.2%, 95% CI: 5.4–6.9), SVI (1.5%, 95% CI: 1.2–1.9) and blindness (2.1%, 95% CI: 1.7–2.5). Refractive error was the major cause of VI (71.4%), whereas, cataract was the major cause of SVI and blindness (70.3%). Based on the PVA, the odds ratio (OR) of blindness increased in the age groups of 60–69 years (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 2.8, 5.1), 70–79 years (OR = 10.6, 95% CI: 7.2, 15.5) and 80 years and above (OR = 30.7, 95% CI: 19.2, 49). The ORs were relatively higher in females (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.6) and illiterate subjects (OR = 4.3, 95% CI: 2.2, 8.5), but lower in those wearing glasses (OR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1, 0.4). Conclusions: This is perhaps the first study to assess the prevalence of blindness and VI in these tribal regions and the majority of the causes of blindness and SVI were avoidable (88.5%). These findings may be useful for planning eye care services in these underserved regions