Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis Norms (CND) for Guava (Psidium guajava L.)

Multivariate nutrient diagnostic norms were developed for guava using compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) through leaf nutrient concentration vs. yield data bank. CND norms for N (VN), P (VP) and K (VK) were 2.48, 0.23 and 2.13, respectively. Norms for N and K were much higher compared to P, indicating higher requirement of these two nutrients. CND norms are multivariate norms that consider all elements, including unmeasured factors and, therefore, has higher diagnostic sensitivity. Among micronutrients, Fe requirement was much higher than all other nutrients. Interaction among different nutrients was explained by principal component analysis conducted on log-transformed data which produced four significant PCs, explaining about 73.66% of the variance. The four Eigen values added up to 8.1 denoting the four significant PCs. The first PC was positively correlated with P, Zn and R (residue, which is a reflection of dry matter accumulation in the plant) and negatively correlated with Ca, Mg, S and Fe, indicating that P and Zn behaved in one direction and the other elements in opposite direction. In the second PC, antagonistic effect of N, Fe with P and Cu was evident. In PC3, P and Mg were negatively correlated with Mn and Cu. In PC4, N and S showed their behaviour in the same direction. Diagnostic norms developed were used for identification of yield-limiting nutrients in low-yielding orchards. Thus, diagnostic norms and nutrient interactions help evolve nutrient management strategies for guava to realize higher yields and better quality

Augmented BIB Design-An Alternative Statistical Design in Germplasm Evaluation Trials

Randomized Block Design (RBD) is commonly employed to evaluate a set of germplasm accessions (test treatments) along with local checks. In such a trial, if the test treatments under evaluation are more in number and the availability of the seeds is limited, then an alternate experimental design has to be employed. As a remedy, Balanced Incomplete Block Design (BIBD), which estimates treatments contrasts with more precision and the treatments are not repeated in all the blocks, unlike RBD, may be used. Such a constructed layout, not only saves the precious seed material of the test treatments, but also directly reduces the cost of all the related inputs such as labour, water, fertilizers, pesticides etc. Foregoing thoughts were elucidated in the evaluation of 100 accessions of okra along with four check varieties (Arka Anamika, Arka Abhay, Parbhani Kranti and PB-7) evaluated using Augmented BIB Design with six blocks in the Division of Vegetable crops at I.I.H.R., Bangalore during Kharif 2005. Results showed that by adopting BIB experimental design, instead of regular complete block design 60.2% of the land area required for conducting germplasm evaluation in Okra had been reduced

2-Meth­oxy­quinoline-3-carbaldehyde

In the title compound, C11H9NO2, the quinoline ring system is essentially planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.005 Å) and the meth­oxy and aldehyde groups are almost coplanar with it [N—C—O—C = 6.24 (19) and O—C—C—C = 0.3 (2)°]. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by pairs of C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming centrosymmetric R 2 2(10) dimers. The dimers are linked via π–π inter­actions involving the pyridine and benzene rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.639 (1) Å]

Clinical isolates of Anantapuramu for the protein E isolation of the dengue virus

In theclinical samples from the state of Anantapuramu, the dengue virus serotype 2 protein E gene was found. It was established that the protein E gene was present in the models by using RT-PCR and cellular isolates. There has been one new sub strain discovered that are akin to the hermits described in previous investigations. An investigation of the epidemiology of the isolated strain was conducted using a phylogenetic analysis of the strain

Pulse yields: feeling the pulse

Pulses are perhaps the most neglected components of our food grains during the green revolution and if we need to stabilize our nutritional base in the most eco-friendly and energy-efficient manner, we ought to alter our mindset from treating pulses as 'marginalized' crops. We argue here that the pulses are not as low in their yield performance as is generally projected and that this perception of lower yields is owing to a set of confounding issues. Nonetheless, we show that pulses are poor in harvesting the solar energy and in converting it to biological yield. We dissect the reasons for this inefficiency and trace that the inputs supplied to pulses is one of the major factors limiting the pulse yields. Accordingly, we call for an attitude change in our breeding protocols, production system and policy structure for pulse cultivation

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Not AvailableThe study is focused on identifying markers linked to aquaporin genes from the expressed regions of S. melongena using bioinformatics applications. The EST collections were explored for identification of aquaporin markers for water stress response using comparative analysis and in-house developed repeat motif detection program. An algorithm was developed to generate repeat motifs which can be effectively used for collecting EST of S. melongena to filter the sequences having repeat motifs for further analysis. From the results generated, the 22 potential sequences with the markers were found to be associated with aquaporin proteins. The detected repeat motifs are inherent part of markers and these markers are found to be evolutionarily conserved and associated with aquaporin proteins. Hence, identifying the markers for the presence of aquaporin proteins plays an important role in water diffusion across cell membranes in plants. Identifying the aquaporin markers are useful for plant breeders for development of water stress tolerant crops during elevated temperatures. These markers are linked to water channel proteins that belongs to Major Intrinsic Protein, that primarily plays an important role in conduction of water in plants.Not Availabl