The effect of cutting interval on yield and nutrient composition of different plant fractions of Moringa oleifera tree

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of cutting interval on biomass yield and chemical composition of different plant fractions of Moringa oleifera. In a completely randomized block design experiment, an established Moringa plot was divided into 12 equal plots and subjectedto three cutting intervals of 4, 6 and 8 weeks, each with four replications. The highest fresh and dry matter (DM) yields (t ha-1 cut-1) of total foliage, leaf and stem were obtained at the 8 weeks cutting interval followed by 6 and 4 weeks cutting interval. Effect of leaf to stem ratio was not significant (P>0.05) among harvesting intervals. The CP content of total foliage, leaf and stem was not different (P>0.05) over the harvesting intervals. The acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) of total foliage was significantly (P0.05) different among the treatments. The values of IVDMD and IVOMD ranges were from 772.0 to 802.0 and 761.0 to 798.0 g kg-1 DM, respectively. Both yields and chemical compositions of Moringa foliage and leaf suggest that the optimum cutting interval was 8 weeks in rainy season from mature Moringa tree. These data suggest that the higher CP and lower fibre value in the leaf indicate a good protein source for poultry or other monogastric animals and Moringa foliage could be a potential protein source for ruminant livestock

Participatory and Institutional Approaches to Agricultural Climate Services: A South and Southeast Asia Regional Technical & Learning Exchange

In order to share experience and boost capacity in agricultural climate services, a three-day workshop titled ‘Participatory and Institutional Approaches to Agricultural Climate Services Development: A South and South East Asia Regional Technical and Learning exchange” was held between September 17-19, 2017, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with more than 50 leaders in agricultural climate services from 11 countries attending. The workshop was sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) behalf of the Climate Services for Resilient Development (CSRD). The workshop was organized by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) alongside the SERVIR and Climate Services Support Activity and CSRD South Asian partners

Synthesis, characterization, and optoelectronic properties of phenothiazine-based organic co-poly-ynes

We present the synthesis and characterization of seven new organic co-poly-ynes P1-P7 incorporating the phenothiazine (PTZ) motif and evaluate their optoelectronic properties and performance in polymer light-emitting diodes and polymer solar cells (PLEDs/PSCs). The co-poly-ynes were obtained in moderate to high yields via Sonogashira coupling reactions and characterized using analytical, spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques and complementary quantum-chemical modelling. The materials show strong optical absorption in the visible region of the spectrum and most also show strong emission with quantum yields in the range of 13-41% relative to rhodamine 6G (R6G). PLED devices based on the co-poly-ynes were prepared and the most promising was measured to have a brightness of up to 1.10 × 104 cd m-2. PSCs based on donor materials incorporating some of the polymers were prepared and demonstrated power conversion efficiencies of up to 0.24%. This journal is </p

Climate Services for Resilient Development in South Asia Annual Report: January to December 2019

Climate Services for Resilient Development (CSRD) is a global partnership that connects climate science, data streams, decision support tools, and training to decision-makers in developing countries. CSRD addresses the climate challenges faced by smallholder farmers in South Asia. The partnership is led by the United States Government and supported by the UK Government Department for International Development (DFID), the UK Meteorological Office, ESRI, Google, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the American Red Cross. The CSRD in South Asia initiative3 ran from November 2016 to December 2019 and was led by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and funded by USAID. The consortium worked to increase resilience to climate change in South Asia by creating and making available timely and useful climate data, information, tools and services. These activities aligned with the Global Framework for Climate Services and the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). In South Asia, the CSRD consortium focused primarily on Bangladesh (in alignment with Objective 1 as described above), with a secondary emphasis on Nepal and India (supporting Objective 2), and overall capacity development and awareness raising efforts across countries (Objective 3). To improve the usefulness and agricultural relevance of climate information and weather forecasts, the consortium developed strong science partnerships, and moved research into action and impact. The overarching goal was to develop and sustain the capacity development of agricultural climate services in the region. Throughout its duration, the consortium benefited from valuable inputs and guidance from USAID and its multi-partner CSRD Steering Committee

Climate Services for Resilient Development in South Asia: Semi-annual Report, January to June 2019

Recognizing that strengthening the climate resilience of developing nations can be achieved through relevant climate data and scientific insights, the partnership Climate Services for Resilient Development (CSRD) is aligned with the Global Framework for Climate Services and brings together climate science, data streams, and decision support tools, while also facilitating training for decision-makers on climate services. CSRD in South Asia is supported by the United States Government and with a steering consortium committee comprised of the UK Government Department for International Development (DFID), UK Meteorological Office, Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), Google, the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the American Red Cross (ARC). In South Asia, CSRD activities are led by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). This report details activities of the CSRD project in South Asia during the first half of 2019