An Unmanned Tracked Vehicle for Snow Research Applications

Lightweight robotic vehicles can be designed for over-snow mobility to carry out a variety of snow and glacier related studies like carrying out GPR survey of cracks & crevasses over ice crusts that cannot support foot travel, for collecting snow samples and carrying out sub-surface experiments with penetrometers on terrain that are dangerous for human, GPS mapping of avalanche debris etc. Sinkage, resistance to snow compaction, loss of traction and ingestion of snow into the driving system are some of the challenges that an unmanned lightweight tracked vehicle faces in snowbound terrain. In present work, a lightweight and unmanned remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is conceptualized and developed as a technological solution. In this paper design and features of this vehicle, named HimBot, are presented along with the results obtained from tests carried over snow at Solang Nullah field observatory of SASE in February 2013. The outcome of this work will help in developing an optimized design of an ROV for over snow mobility for a variety of applications

Carp seed production during drought year 1987 under controlled hatchery system

The introduction of the controlled hatchery system "Model CIFE D-81" resulted in a production of 60 lakhs Indian major carp seed in the drought area of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The hatchery system provided optimum temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH for breeding and hatching and also removed the metabolites generated. The technology is simple and the success of the program attracts pisciculturists

Fish seed production under controlled hatchery system: a cottage industry

The fish seed production in recent times has emerged as a cottage industry, with the development of controlled hatchery system. Two units of six buckets of vertical hatchery system i.e. Modern Carp Hatchery CIFE D-81 were installed in a private fish farm. 130.25 lakh spawn of Indian Major Carp (Cyprinidae) was produced during the 1988 season, with an average survival rate of 70%. The results support the viability of technology especially for the economically weaker section

Preliminary observations on the availability of Tor tor (Hamilton) fry in the River Narmada near Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh

Collection of mahseer (Tor tor) fry during December to January from three centres of the river Narmada near Hoshangabad, (Joshipur ghat, Dungerwada ghat and Kherra ghat) using a special type of fry collection net is described. The physical features and physico-chemical conditions of the collection sites are also dealt with

Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and productivity of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal in Kymore Plateau and Satpura hills of Madhya Pradesh, India

The field experiment was carried out at the Dusty Acres Farm, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (JNKVV), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh to study the effect of integrated nutrient management for growth and yield of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Variety: Jawahar Ashwagandha-134). Tallest plants (49.35 cm) were observed at harvest stage, whereas higher number of branches per plant (5.78) of W. somnifera was observed at 90 DAS with T11, respectively. The mean number of leaves per plant (125.40) and LAI (10.345) of W. somnifera was higher at 90 DAS with T11. Mean CGR was maximum (2.536 g m-2 week-1) and mean RGR was highest (0.098 gg-1 day-1) of W. somnifera at 90 DAS and thereafter decline at 120 DAS and harvest stage with T11. Whereas, mean dry matter (1392.60 kg/ha) production of W. somnifera was higher at harvesting stage of crop with T11. Significantly higher mean root length (16.30 cm), root girth (2.26 cm) and mean dry root yield (612.8 kg/ha) of W. somnifera was recorded under T11 than the rest of treatments. Mean number of berries per plant (30.78) and mean number of seeds per berry (194.17) of W. somnifera were significantly higher under T11. Higher mean seed yield (62.6 kg/ha) and harvest index (43.61%) of W. somnifera was observed under T11 as compared to other treatments. Therefore, 100% recommended dose of NPK through fertilizers along with vermicompost (2.5 t/ha), FYM (5.0 t/ha) and ZnSO4 20kg/ha (T11) followed by 50% recommended dose of NPK through fertilizers along with vermicompost (2.5 t/ha), FYM (5.0 t/ha) and ZnSO4 20kg/ha (T14) and 100% recommended dose of NPK through fertilizers along with vermicompost (2.5 t/ha) and ZnSO4 20kg/ha (T10) were found to be better integrated nutrient management for the cultivation of W. somnifera

Natural nitrification inhibitors for higher nitrogen use efficiency, crop yield, and for curtailing global warming

Nitrification inhibitors selectively inhibit microbial enzymes responsible for the conversion of NH4+ to NO3-. Arresting nitrification could be a key strategy to improve nitrogen (N) recovery and agronomic N use efficiency in situations where the loss of N is significant. Although chemicals known to inhibit nitrifiers have been tested, many of these are still at the experimental level; high cost, limited availability, adverse influence on beneficial soil microorganisms, and above all, poor extension and promotional activities are major constraints in this respect. It is therefore necessary to develop plant-based nitrification inhibitors (natural nitrification inhibitors, NNI) for augmenting nitrogen use efficiency, crop productivity, and for safeguarding the environment. The advantages of NNI are that they are easily available, cheap, and eco-friendly. This paper briefly reviews the different aspects of plant-based nitrification retarder

Potentiality of Kolar Dam Water for Drinking Purposes

Kolar Dam, a major masonry dam, is located about 35 km away from Bhopal, near Lawakhari village in Sehore District. Constructed across the Kolar River, a tributary of Narmada on the right bank, the dam is about 45 m high. The maximum storage capacity is 270 Mcm. Kolar reservoir is the important sources of potable water supply for the Bhopal city. To assess its suitability for drinking purpose, the physico chemical and microbiological characteristics were studied on monthly basis.  In general almost all the parameters are within the range except coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria were found beyond the norm prescribed for drinking water by various agencies. The analysis indicates that the water of Kolar reservoir is moderately soft with moderate alkalinity, transparent, low BOD, COD level as apparent by the study. The overall water quality of Kolar reservoir is not much affected by anthropogenic sources as it is surrounded by thick forest and less human activities are evident in this area. Therefore its water can only be used for drinking purposes but only after conventional treatment and disinfection. Keywords: Kolar Dam, Water quality, Physico chemical parameter, Drinking water