Yield and Yield Component Development in Dual-Purpose Barley

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a widely adapted small-grain annual cereal and is a key feed and fodder in India (Kharub et al., 2013). Barley can provide nutrition to the animals through its green fodder at vegetative stage and grains after harvest from the regenerated plants. The vegetative portion of the crop is valuable as a source of pasture, cut green forage, and straw. Their relative importance is determined at different ontogenetic stages of plant. An area of barley breeding receiving increasing attention is the development of dual-purpose (green forage and grain) varieties for plains as well as hills. Up to certain yield level grain yield and vegetative yield are correlated, difficulty may arrive when attempts will be made to combine maximum grain yield with maximum forage yield. Objectives of this study was to compare yield and yield development component in barley cut 55-60 days after sowing (DAS) and harvested after regeneration at maturity

Wind Pressure Distribution on Trough Canopy Roofs

Wind tunnel experiments are carried out to obtain the wind pressure distribution on trough canopy roof. The model made of Perspex sheet at a scale of 1:100 is tested in open circuit wind tunnel under boundary layer flow. Effects of wind incidence angle are studied y changing wind angle. Values of wind pressure coefficients are calculated from the values of wind pressures measured at numerous pressure points on upper and lower surfaces of the trough roof and are reported in the form of cross sectional variation of pressure coefficient and pressure contours. It is observed that the wind pressure distribution on the trough canopy roof is highly influenced by incident wind direction

Cast immobilization in fracture distal radius with wrist in dorsiflexion

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anatomical and functional outcome of cast immobilization in fracture distal radius with wrist in dorsiflexion. Study design selected was prospective cohort study.Methods: The study group comprised 60 patients, with a mean follow-up of 3 month. Patients were evaluated for radial height, radial inclination and volar tilt according to Lindstrom criteria. Functional outcome were assessed with PRWE score.Results: Mean loss of radial height was 4.11 mm. Mean loss of radial inclination was 6.85 degree and mean loss of volar tilt was 7.06 degree at the end of 3 month follow up. As per Lindstrom criteria 88% were excellent to fair and 93% were excellent to fair functional outcome as per PRWE score.Conclusions: Cast immobilization in fracture distal radius with wrist in dorsiflexion produces better anatomical and functional outcome.

Enzyme Inhibition by Molluscicidal Components of Myristica fragrans Houtt. in the Nervous Tissue of Snail Lymnaea acuminata

This study was designed to investigate the effects of molluscicidal components of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Myristicaceae) on certain enzymes in the nervous tissue of freshwater snail Lymnaea acuminata Lamarck (Lymnaeidae). In vivo and in vitro treatments of trimyristin and myristicin (active molluscicidal components of Myristica fragrans Houtt.) significantly inhibited the acetylcholinesterase (AChE), acid and alkaline phosphatase (ACP/ALP) activities in the nervous tissue of Lymnaea acuminata. The inhibition kinetics of these enzymes indicates that both the trimyristin and myristicin caused competitive noncompetitive inhibition of AChE. Trimyristin caused uncompetitive and competitive/noncompetitive inhibitions of ACP and ALP, respectively whereas the myristicin caused competitive and uncompetitive inhibition of ACP and ALP, respectively. Thus results from the present study suggest that inhibition of AChE, ACP, and ALP by trimyristin and myristicin in the snail Lymnaea acuminata may be the cause of the molluscicidal activity of Myristica fragrans

EFFICACY OF BINARY COMBINATION OF DELTAMETHRIN+MGK-264 ON LEVELS OF BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN THE SNAIL LYMNAEA ACUMINATA

Objective: The objective of the present study is the evaluation of the effect of the sublethal (40% and 60% of 48h LC50) binary combination (1:5 ratios) of molluscicides deltamethrin+MGK-264 on the endogenous levels of protein, amino acid and nucleic acid in different tissues of snail Lymnaea acuminata. Methods: The snails were treated with 1:5 mixtures of sub-lethal concentration of (40% and 60% of 48h LC50) deltamethrin+MGK-264 on the protein, amino acid and nucleic acid levels in gonadal, nervous and foot tissue of L. acuminata. In order to study the effect of withdrawal from treatment, the snails were first exposed to the above concentrations for 96h, after which they were transferred to freshwater. Water was changed every 24h for the next seven days, after which different biochemical parameters were estimated. Results: There was a significant change in the levels of protein (sublethal concentration of 60% of 48h LC50 after 96h) gonadal, nervous and foot tissues are 48.1, 12.1 and 14.5%, respectively, amino acid are 273, 234 and 252%, respectively, DNA are 25.1, 38.9 and 42.1%, respectively and RNA are 12.2, 30.7 and 30.5%, respectively. These changes were time and concentration-dependent. In the withdrawal experiment, the snails were treated for 96h to transfer in freshwater for 7 d, which caused significant recovery in all the biochemical parameters. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the high molluscicidal activity of deltamethrin+MGK-264 simultaneous decrease in the levels of proteins, DNA, RNA and increase in the level of amino acids

Strengthening governance of agriculture to enhance competitiveness of farmers in Pacific Islands countries

Effectiveness of governance and its regulatory quality matter for agricultural development in Pacific islands countries. Agriculture in these countries is important but is poorly developed and suffers due to weak agricultural institutions and governance issues. A stronger performing agriculture is crucial but its development depends on the enabling environment. There is need to facilitate the farmers by enhancing their competitiveness and bargaining power. Needed actions for strengthening the governance in PICs are: investment in rural and market infrastructures and services, ensuring quality of farm enterprises, strengthening the extension capabilities and promotion of regional brand for niche products

Water Use Efficiency and Evapotranspiration of Hybrid Napier (\u3cem\u3ePennisetum purpureum\u3c/em\u3e x \u3cem\u3eP. americanum\u3c/em\u3e) under Semi-Arid Indian Region

Napier bajra hybrid (Pennisetum glaucum x P. purpureum) is a highly valued for its abundant quality forage, round the year fodder availability, regenerative ability and suitability to silage and hay making. It yields upto 110-120 t/ha fresh fodder as sole crop. Though, it requires moist regimes for optimum growth, but it can withstand drought for a short spell and regenerate with rains. It contains 8.7-10.2 % crude protein, 28-30.5% crude fibre and 10-11.5 % ash on dry matter basis (Agrawal et al., 2001). The hybrid napier has wider adaptability and is grown all over the country, particularly in milk shed area of Gujrat, Maharashtra and north and central India. Estimation of evapotranspiration (ET) as a function of crop stages is important in determining crop water use for efficient irrigation management. Evapotranspiration loss and the rate of evapotranspiration at different cutting stages indicate the amount of water required at different growth periods for its satisfactory growth and optimum production. Few results in measurement of evapotranspiration and water use efficiency of fodder crops are available (Alvarez and Quiroga, 1992; Pradeep Behari et al., 2003). The water stress in the plant can be quantified by actual evapotranspiration rate, as the level of evapotranspiration is related to the evaporative demand of the air (Doorenbos and Kassam, 1979). However, the information on these aspects for hybrid napier is lacking. In present study we estimate, the water use efficiency and evapotranspiration of the hybrid napier in central India

Functional outcome of proximal tibial fracture treated surgically using locking compression plate

Background: Tibial plateau fractures are common intra-articular fractures, representing 1.2% of all fractures. These fractures are common in two age groups: as higher-energy fractures in younger patients and lower-energy fractures in elderly patients secondary to osteopenia. In the younger population, these injuries are associated with an increased incidence of complications like nonunion, infection, restriction of motion, and post-traumatic arthritis. The study aimed for final outcome of proximal tibial fracture using locking compression plate by minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO).Methods: 30 cases of proximal tibial fractures were treated by using locking compression plate and studied from December 2015 to November 2017 in Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. S.N. Medical College associated group of Hospitals, Jodhpur.Results: All the selected 30 cases were followed up for 6 months. The average time for union of fracture was 21 weeks ranging from 18-24 weeks. Full weight bearing was not allowed until 12 weeks or complete fracture union. Partial immobilization was kept for 6 weeks in long knee brace. An average flexion was achieved upto0-1140. We observed 4 cases of postoperative complications that included 2 infections, one knee stiffness and one varus deformity.Conclusions: Surgical management of proximal tibia fractures with only lateral plating by MIPPO gave excellent reduction, rigid fixation to restore articular congruity and provides early motion to achieve optimal knee function and reducing post-traumatic osteoarthritis

Study of microalbuminuria as early risk marker of nephropathy in type 2 diabetic subjects

 Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus that lead to end-stage of kidney disease (ESKD). Detection of early-stage can slow loss of kidney function and improve patient outcomes with use of diagnostic biomarker detection of DN. Aims and objectives of this study is to evaluate the possible association between glycated hemoglobin and urinary microalbumin as a predictor of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients.Methods: Total 162 subjects were included in this study comprises uncontrolled diabetes 54 cases, controlled diabetes 54 cases and healthy controlled 54 controls. Micro albumin was measured by urinary microalbumin (turbidimetric immunoassay), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) measured by ion exchange resin method and fasting blood glucose estimated by GOD-POD method. The inclusion of age group was between 35 to 74 years. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS, version 16.0. p values were calculated by ANOVA unpaired t-test. The p<0.05 was considered a statistically significant.Results: Urinary microalbumin levels were statistically significant increase in type 2 diabetes mellitus with nephropathy in comparison to uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and controlled diabetes mellitus (138.9±13.7 mg/l vs 67.7±14.1 mg/l and p<0.005**).  HbA1c, which acts as a biomarker of diabetes was significant higher diabetic nephropathy, in comparison to uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, controlled diabetes mellitus and healthy control (8.0±1.1% vs 7.1±0.9% and 5.7±0.4%).Conclusions: The present study was demonstrated impaired glycaemic control is associated with elevations in urinary micro albumin levels and it may be considered as risk marker of diabetic nephropathy