Study on yield and quality of flowered and non-flowered turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) plants

Study on yield and quality of flowered and non-flowered turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) plant

Studies on characterisation of high performance coatings based on polymer alloys of interpenetrating polymer networks

Organic coatings are valued after the polymeric binder material out of which it is made for the reason that it only decides the extent of protection and the life of a coating. Of a few ways to obtain better performing polymeric binders, alloying the incompatible polymers through 'compatibilization' is fast-emerging with a number of promises. Interpenetrating polymer networks are one of its kinds. In this study, two polymer alloys of Interpenetrating Polymer Network (IPN) based on epoxy-acrylic-polyurethane polymers have been developed in the laboratory and subjected to different laboratory accelerated tests as pigmented coatings. They have been found to processes far superior physical and chemical and corrosion resistance properties compared to crosslinked acrylates, polyamide cured epoxies and polyurethanes . The IPNs as clear coatings were also charactrerized by various physico-chemical and surface analytical techniques. The thermo analytical techniques, FTIR and SEM confirmed the formation of IPN. The improved corrosion resistance properties were established by water permeation tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscop

Effect of thiocyanates of alkali metals on corrosion protection behaviour of organic coatings in acrylic fibre industries

Due to the reduction in costs and elimination of process steps, Industries manufacturing acrylic fibres prefer solution polymerization. In this technique, tile fibres are prepared in a form suitable for wet and dry spinning. The commonly used solvents include aqueous solution of thiocyanates of alkali metals at higher concentrations, It is reported that the structures and reactors in the manufacturing plant suffer from severe corrosion leading to huge tests for replacement of the same, To find the suitable coating material to protect the Structures in such atmosphere, four representative film forming polymers were chosen and the performance of their coatings was studied under different conditions of concentrations and temperatures, Four coatings based on polyacrylates, polyamide cured epoxy, polyurethane and chlorinated rubber were evaluated and among them the coating based on chlorinated rubber resin is found to give better protection in thiocyanates atmospher

Interpenerating polymer networks for coatings - properties, characterisation, application and current status

As the protective mechanism of an organic coating is largely dependent on its polymer used as binder, blending of polymers has long been practised to improve end use properties. Polymer alloys, in particular interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs), offer a variety of improved coating properties. IPNs represent a mode of blending of two or more polymers to produce a mixture in which the phase seperation is not as extensive as in polymer blends. The combination of varied chemical types of polymeric networks in different proportions, often resulting in different controlled morphologies, has produced IPNs with stnergistic behavior. The physical properties of the IPNs fall into two classes: The first class contains those properties, which vary monotonously as the composition is varied from one pure network to the other. The second class of properties includes those which atleast in certain IPNs can exhibit maxima or minima at an intermediate composition between the two networks. IPNs offer a broad range of applications including protective coatings. IPN technology has surprisingly covered almost all sorts of applications and, in the coatings area also, quite a good number of commercial products based on full, semi- and pseudo-IPNs are already available in the market, although they are rarely identified as such. In this paper the noteworthy IPNs so far published have been cite

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Not AvailableBacterial wilt in ginger caused by Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum race 4 causes significant economic loss in several Asian and Polynesian countries. Since the pathogen being soil and rhizome borne, an early detection would prevent the occurrence and spread of the disease. The present study aimed at developing a strain specific detection methodology for race 4 strain infecting ginger using Real Time Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (real-time LAMP). LAMP primers were designed from the gyrB gene, which can specifically detect race 4 R. pseudosolanacearum infecting Zingiberaceae plants. In real-time LAMP, a sigmoid amplification curve with a Ta value of 92 ± 1 °C was obtained only with race 4 with a detection limit of 103 CFU/g of soil or rhizomes. For on-farmdiagnosis, the protocol was customized with soil supernatant as template instead of genomic DNA, the extraction of which is cumbersome under field conditions. The real-time LAMP thus developed can be used as an indexing tool for seed rhizomes and soil for latent infectionNot Availabl

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Not AvailableEndophytic actinobacteria, which reside in the inner tissues of host plants, are gaining serious attention due to their capacity to produce a plethora of secondary metabolites (e.g. antibiotics) possessing a wide variety of biological activity with diverse functions. This review encompasses the recent reports on endophytic actinobacterial species diversity, in planta habitats and mechanisms underlying their mode of entry into plants. Besides, their metabolic potential, novel bioactive compounds they produce and mechanisms to unravel their hidden metabolic repertoire by activation of cryptic or silent biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) for eliciting novel secondary metabolite production are discussed. The study also reviews the classical conservative techniques (chemical/biological/physical elicitation, co-culturing) as well as modern microbiology tools (e.g. next generation sequencing) that are being gainfully employed to uncover the vast hidden scaffolds for novel secondary metabolites produced by these endophytes, which would subsequently herald a revolution in drug engineering. The potential role of these endophytes in the agro-environment as promising biological candidates for inhibition of phytopathogens and the way forward to thoroughly exploit this unique microbial community by inducing expression of cryptic BGCs for encoding unseen products with novel therapeutic properties are also discussed.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableSurveys conducted in 297 gardens in 99 locations in Kerala and Karnataka in India showed that five species of mealybugs (Planococcus sp., P. citri, P. lilacinus, Dysmicoccus brevipes and Ferrisia virgata) infested the roots and basal region of stem (under the soil) of black pepper vines (Piper nigrum). Infestation was observed in all the taluks surveyed in Wayanad (Kerala) and Kodagu (Karnataka) districts and also in Udumbanchola, Kozhikode, Taliparamba (Kerala), Alur and Saklespur (Karnataka) taluks. The infestation was positively and significantly correlated with altitude and was observed in all cultivars/varieties, and on vines trailed on all standards (support trees), resulting in defoliation, yellowing and wilting of leaves and mortality of vines. Phytophthora capsici, Meloidogyne incognita and Radopholus similis were associated with root mealybug infested vines. Colonies of root mealy-bugs were also observed on 18 species of crop/weed plants especially during summer in black pepper gardens infested with the pest. Anaplolepis sp., Crematogaster sp., Technomyrmex sp. and two unidentified species of ants were associated with root mealybug colonies.Not Availabl

Vitamin A and Hydrochlorothiazide Causing Severe Hypercalcemia in a Patient With Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Objective . To report a case of severe hypercalcemia, exacerbated by vitamin A supplementation and hydrochlorothiazide, in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism. Methods . Clinical and laboratory findings are presented along with response to therapy. Results . A 68-year-old white female presented to the emergency department complaining of nausea, vomiting, and altered mental status. Laboratory findings revealed calcium 15.8 mg/dL (8.4-10.2), albumin 4.1 g/dL (3.8-4.8), and parathyroid hormone 62 pg/mL (14-64). Serum calcium improved after intravenous hydration with normal saline. Prior to this hospitalization, over-the-counter medications were significant for calcium (600 mg daily), vitamin A (11 000 IU daily), and vitamin D (800 IU daily).The patient’s prescription medications were significant for hydrochlorothiazide (12.5 mg daily). Twenty-four-hour urine calcium was subsequently found to be 146 mg (35-250). Myeloma, lymphoma, and sarcoidosis were ruled out as the etiology for hypercalcemia. The diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism was confirmed. She was treated surgically for primary hyperparathyroidism. The right and left superior parathyroid showed hypercellular parathyroid on pathology. The patient was normocalcemic after surgery. Conclusion . Previous reports suggest that very high doses of vitamin A is required to cause hypercalcemia. This case suggests that in a setting of primary hyperparathyroidism and hydrochlorothiazide therapy, vitamin A may contribute to the development of severe hypercalcemia in patients who are on calcium and vitamin D supplements. Given their biologic effects, public awareness needs to be created regarding the injudicious use of vitamins

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Not AvailableEleven cultivars were evaluated for fresh yield (10 environments), curing per cent, cucumin and dry yield (five environments) across India, four each in North and South India and two in North East India, ranging from 43 to 893 m above mean sea level. Combined analyses showed significant differences among cultivars, environments, and cultivar by environment interactions for yield, curing per cent and curcumin contents. A large proportion (70.8%) of variation on fresh yield was attributed to environments; however, for curing per cent, curcumin content and dry yield, genotype effect accounted for 31.2%, 17.7% and 15.7% of variation, respectively. Megha Turmeric was the most stable for fresh yield with above average yield per plant across all environments. Rajendra Sonia was performing well at specific locations as the fresh yield was high and was highly responsive to favorable environments. Results on curcumin and curing per cent showed that, IISR Kedaram performed consistently across five environments with regression values almost equal to one and non-significant deviation from regression was adjudged to be the most stable cultivar for curcumin production. High curcumin cultivar Narendra Tumeric-1 was least responsive at environments with regression values less than one and significant deviation from regression. Megha Turmeric, IISR Prathiba and IISR Kedaram showed high stability for dry yield across environments. Three varieties, Megha Turmeric, IISR Kedaram and IISR Prathiba could serve as a good genetic source for stability in breeding programs for high dry yield and curcumin content.Not Availabl