Effect of Aggregate Flakiness on the Compressive Strength of Concrete Cubes

In this paper effects of aggregate flakiness on the compressive strength of concrete cubes have been studied using experiments. Total 30 cubes have been cast using normal, 5% of 8 mm, 10 mm and 12 mm size of flaky aggregates and 10% of 12mm size of flaky aggregate. NDT of the cast cubes using rebound hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity have been also carried out. Aall the cubes were tested for compressive strength. Based on these data, comparative studies have been carried out to quantify the effect of flakiness and salient conclusions are drawn. Most Searchable Keywords what is flaky aggregate, flaky aggregate, the flaky aggregate is when flaky aggregate size,flaky aggregates,flaky aggregate is when, the flaky aggregates is when, mean dimension of aggregate, the flaky aggregate, flakiness of aggregate, flakiness index, effect of flaky aggregates on concrete, flakiness, factors affecting aggregate impact value, flaky shape aggregate, flakiness and elongation test procedure, flakiness and elongation, shape test of aggregate, flakiness and elongation test, flaky aggregate least dimensio

A compendium of Technologies, Practices, Services and Policies for Scaling Climate Smart Agriculture in Odisha (India)

Stakeholders engaged in agricultural research for development (AR4D) are increasingly tackling risks associated with climate change in smallholder systems. Accordingly, development and scaling of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) are one of the priorities for all the organizations, departments and ministries associated with the farm sector. Having a ‘one-stop-shop’ compiled in the format of a compendium for CSA technologies, practices and services would therefore serve a guide for all the stakeholders for scaling CSA in smallholder systems. Bringing out a Compendium on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) for Odisha, India was therefore thought of during the workshop on ‘Scaling Climate-Smart Agriculture in Odisha’ organized at Bhubaneswar on 18-19 July 2018 by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in collaboration with Department of Agriculture (DoA) & Farmers’ Empowerment, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Rice Research Institute (ICAR-NRRI), Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) & International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) under the aegis of CGIAR Research program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). The main objectives to bring forth this compendium are: to argue the case for agriculture policies and practices that are climate-smart; to raise awareness of what can be done to make agriculture policies and practices climatesmart; and to provide practical guidance and recommendations that are well referenced and, wherever possible, based on lessons learned from practical action. CSA programmes are unlikely to be effective unless their implementation is supported by sound policies and institutions. It is therefore important to enhance institutional capacities in order to implement and replicate CSA strategies. Institutions are vital to agricultural development as well as the realisation of resilient livelihoods.They are not only a tool for farmers and decision-makers, but are also the main conduit through which CSA practices can be scaled up and sustained. The focus in this compendium is on CSA and it’s relevant aspects, i.e., (i) technologies and practices, (ii) services, (iii) technology targeting, (iv) business models, (v) capacity building, and (vi) policies. The approaches and tools available in the compendium span from face-to-face technicianfarmer dialogues to more structured exchanges of online and offline e-learning. In every scenario it is clear that tailoring to local expectations and needs is key. In particular, the voice of farmers is essential to be captured as they are the key actors to promote sustainable agriculture, and their issues need to be prioritized. CSA practices are expected to sustainably increase productivity and resilience (adaptation), reduce Greenhouse Gases (mitigation), and enhance achievement of national food security along with sustainable development goals. CSA is widely expected to contribute towards achieving these objectives and enhance climate change adaptation. CSA practices have to be included in State’s Climate Policy as a priority intervention as the state steps up efforts to tackle climate change. Furthermore, emphasis shoud be laid on CSA training for a sustainable mode to enhance CSA adoption in the state hence the relevance of developing this document. The adaption of climate related knowledge, technologies and practices to local conditions, promoting joint learning by farmers, researchers, rural advisor and widely disseminating CSA practices, is critical. This compendium brings together a collection of experiences from different stakeholders with background of agricultural extension and rural advisory services in supporting CSA. The contributions are not intended to be state-of-the art academic articles but thought and discussion pieces of work in progress. The compendium itself is a ‘living‘ document which is intended to be revised periodically

A training program on the International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade (IMPACT)

The CCAFS project team at IFPRI in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) team organized a 5-day capacity building workshop at the ICAR - National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NIAP). The workshop was conducted on IFPRI’s IMPACT model and was attended by scientists and senior scientists working in various ICAR institutes, particularly in NIAP. The training course introduced the IMPACT methodology, theory and scenario design to the participants. The course helped them gain an understanding on scenarios and scenario analysis. Participants learned how to use the network of models that make up IMPACT, how each module work and how they interact. They further learned to use IMPACT simulations, to design and run scenarios in IMPACT, and access and use IMPACT results correctly

Adsorptive column studies for removal of acid orange 7 dye using bagasse fly ash

319-327Increasing industrialization creates a large scale of pollution and affects the availability of usable water. Dyes in wastewater are a visible pollutant, difficult to treat, and are toxic in nature. Amongst all the physicochemical methods, adsorption is the extensively applied process for the aqueous removal of dye. In the present study; the Bagasse Fly Ash (BFA) is used as an adsorbent for aqueous removal of Acid Orange dye in packed bed adsorption technique. The packed bed studies for different bed heights, influent concentration and flow rate are performed. The efficacy of packed columns is investigated using different models namely Bed depth service time, Thomas, Wolborsaka, Yoon-Nelson, and Bohart-Adams Models. The maximum adsorption capacity of BFA for 50% saturation of column is calculated to be 38 (mg/g) which shows BFA as a good adsorbent for dye removal

Effect of super-optimal levels of fertilizers on soil enzymatic activities during growth stages of wheat crop on an Inceptisol

A field experiment was conducted during 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 to investigate the effect of optimal (100% NPK) to super-optimal doses (200% NPK) of mineral fertilizers on soil enzymes such as dehydrogenase (DHA), acid phosphatase (Ac-PA), alkaline phosphatase (Alk-PA), fluorescien diacetate hydrolysis (FDA), urease and nitrate reductase (NRA) at three physiological stages (CRI, anthesis and maturity) of wheat crop on an Inceptisol. Dehydrogenase activity was reduced by 28-37% when fertilizer application was at super-optimal dose (200% NPK), whereas, urease and NRA responded positively in the range of 43-44% and 213-231% respectively. Alk-PAwas 7.3-7.9% higher in treatments receiving 125% NPK as compared to control (100% NPK); whereas, Ac-PA declines in the plots receiving 175 and 200% of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) as compared to 150% NPK levels. Addition of 175% RDF increased the FDA to the tune of 46-53% as compared to 100% NPK. A significant (P?0.05) positive interaction between fertilizer treatments and physiological stages of wheat growth was observed on soil enzyme activities (except urease and NRA) being highest at the anthesis stage of wheat. Correlation matrix analysis showed that DHA was correlated with the studied enzyme activities except Ac-PA and FDA; whereas, strong correlation was observed between urease and NRA (r=0.981, P=0.01). This study provides theoretical and practical base for avoiding super optimal application of fertilisers which hinders the enzyme activities and vis-a-vis sustainable nutrient enrichment under rhizosphere

GREEN SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES

Metallic nanoparticles have gained the interest of researchers worldwide due to their unique antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. There is a constant need for the sustainable green synthesis of the metallic nanoparticles with less involvement of the toxic chemicals. In this background, our group has synthesised the silver nanoparticles from the aqueous extracts of clove and cinnamon through green method. The aqueous spice extracts were used for the reduction of silver nitrate solution. The synthesised silver nanoparticles were characterised by the UV-Visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Antibacterial properties of the nanoparticles were evaluated on the Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains using the Kirby-Bauer antibiotic testing method. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirms the size of the nanoparticles to be around 30-60 nm which is further confirmed by the DLS and TEM techniques. Further, the antibacterial activity analysis showed that the bacterial samples (S. aureus and E. coli) treated with the synthesised silver nanoparticles showed minimum inhibitory concentration in the range of 25-30 μM. The study presents an environment friendly method to synthesise metallic nanoparticles showing good antibacterial activity. This work would help other research groups working in the field of biological application of green synthesis mediated metallic nanoparticles

Climate change induced salinity intrusion and its implications for agriculture

An estimated 1.06 million hectare of arable land in Bangladesh and 6.7 million hectares in India is affected by salinity (Rabbani 2013). Salinity intrusion adversely affects the livelihoods of farmers, especially rice cultivators and fisherfolks, vegetations, soil quality, and infrastructure in these areas (Habiba et al. 2014). The net cropped area in coastal Bangladesh has been decreasing over the last few years due to several factors and many studies have identified salinity as the chief cause for yield reduction in coastal agriculture (Baten 2015). Groundwater contamination due to saline water and similar adverse impacts on agriculture and livelihoods are also increasing in coastal India, especially in Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh (Naidu et al. 2013). The extent and intensity of salinity in the coming years are likely to increase due to climate change induced saltwater intrusion

Adsorptive column studies for removal of acid orange 7 dye using bagasse fly ash

Increasing industrialization creates a large scale of pollution and affects the availability of usable water. Dyes in wastewater are a visible pollutant, difficult to treat, and are toxic in nature. Amongst all the physicochemical methods, adsorption is the extensively applied process for the aqueous removal of dye. In the present study; the Bagasse Fly Ash (BFA) is used as an adsorbent for aqueous removal of Acid Orange dye in packed bed adsorption technique. The packed bed studies for different bed heights, influent concentration and flow rate are performed. The efficacy of packed columns is investigated using different models namely Bed depth service time, Thomas, Wolborsaka, Yoon-Nelson, and Bohart-Adams Models. The maximum adsorption capacity of BFA for 50% saturation of column is calculated to be 38 (mg/g) which shows BFA as a good adsorbent for dye removal