MAPPING OF SITTAMPUNDI ANORTHOSITE COMPLEX (SAC) IN SOUTHERN GRANULITE TERRAIN (SGT), INDIA WITH ASTER AND SENTINEL-2A DATA

The Sittampundi Anorthosite Complex (SAC) is a well-exposed Archean layered anorthosite-gabbro- ultramafic rock complex in southern India. SAC well preserved white- and dark-anorthosite,gabbros, and ultramafic rocks. This study aims to discriminate, characterize, and separate from adjacent and surrounding rocks the anorthosite complex in sitampundi using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and Sentinel-2A data. Methods such as band color composites (True color composite, False color composite and Pseudo color composite), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF) and Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM), are applied to discriminate the anorthosite complex in SGT (Southern Granulite Terrain). Band composites enhance the litho units using visible and shortwave infrared bands and thus, assisted in mapping for the anorthosite complex. PCA and MNF have been applied to the ASTER and Sentinel- 2A bands in order to decrease the redundant information in highly correlated bands. PCA and MNF driven band combinations facilitate the validation and help in discriminating the various lithological units exposed in the study area. SAM classifier classification technique was utilized to characterize the selected surface mineral assemblages from Sitampundi Anorthosite Complex using spectral signatures. The above- mentioned digital image processing techniques have been proven resourceful in discrimination of anorthosite complex and associated rocks. The results obtained from ASTER and Sentinel-2A data processing were validated in field, followed by accuracy assessment

Effect of dimming of global radiation on morphology and yield of wheat crop in Delhi

Long-term observations of the surface global solar radiation in recent decades have shown a widespread declining trend in many parts of the world. Experient was carried out at the farm of ICARIndian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during rabi season of 2014-15 and 2015-16 to study response of three cultivars (HD 2967, WR 544 and PBW 502) of wheat under five reduced solar radiation levels (0, 20, 35, 50, 75% shading). Plant height, internode distance and leaf area index (LAI) were measured at different DAS throughout the crop growth period. The result shows that plant height and internode distance increased under 75% shading treatment. The highest leaf area index (LAI) was observed in 35% shading treatment, followed by 20% shading and control. Final biomass, grain yield and harvest index decreased significantly with shading and was lowest in 75% shading treatment. Among the cultivars, HD 2967 performed better under reduced radiation condition as compared to other cultivars

Radiation dimming induced modifications in radiation utilization of wheat (Triticumaestivum) crop

Global dimming has many environmental and climatic implications. India has also experienced a steady and continuous radiation dimming since 1960s due to increasing load of dust and aerosol in the atmosphere. Radiation interception, temperature, humidity and wind profile are altered under reduced light condition which are determining factor for crop phenology, leaf area index, biomass production, grain yield and radiation use efficiency of crops.In this experiment, three wheat cultivars (HD 2967, WR 544 and PBW 502) were grown under five solar radiation treatments i.e. R1 (no shading), R2 (20% shading), R3 (35% shading), R4 (50% shading) and R5 (75% shading) during rabi season of 2014-15 and 2015-16 at research farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), New Delhi to study the effect of radiation dimming on performance of selected wheat cultivars.In both the years the canopy temperature of wheat from crop vegetative stage to maturity was decreased with increase of shading level. The effect of reduced solar radiation significantly decreased the biomass production and yield.The radiation use efficiency (RUE) for biomass was increased due to shading treatments whereas the RUE for yield decreased with radiation reduction.The RUE for yield was the highest for no shading treatment (0.85 and 0.75 g MJ-1 in 2014-15 and 2015-16, respectively). Among the cultivars, the radiation use efficiency for biomass as well as yield was the highest in HD 2967 followed by WR 544 and PBW 502,respectively

Himalayan Natural Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites: Effect of Grewia optiva/Bauhinia Vahlii Fibers on Physico-mechanical and Dry Sliding Wear Behavior

The physical, mechanical, and sliding wear properties of Grewia optiva and hybrid G. optiva/Bauhinia vahlii fiber-reinforced epoxy composites were investigated. Results reveal that 6 wt.% hybrid G. optiva/B. vahlii fiber-added composites resulted in highest physical (void content, water absorption) and mechanical (impact energy, hardness, tensile, and flexural strength) properties. An L27 orthogonal array of Taguchi method was implemented to extract the optimal level of control factors. The optimal combination of control factors for achieving lowest wear rate was obtained as 4 wt.% fiber content, 2.5 m/s sliding velocity, 15 N normal load and 2000 m sliding distance