Vermi degradation of different dietary supplements mediated on the reproduction and metabolic profile of earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae

Earthworm growth and reproduction is influenced by the environmental variables such as temperature, moisture, substrate and nutrient content in vermibed materials. By using different kind of dietary supplements with the conventional vermibed materials raise the development and reproductive potential of the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae. The current study evaluated on particular periods such as 10th, 45th, and 90th day in vermibins with dietary supplements in the ratio of 1:1 the 50% Ficus religiosa leaf litters + 50% cow dung (T1); 50% Lawsonia inermis leaf litters + 50% cow dung (T2); 50% sugarcane bagasse + 50% cow dung (T3) was used and 100% cow dung serves as control (C). Among these vermibins, T3 vermibin treated earthworms had the highest growth, reproduction, highest sperm count in the seminal vesicle, hatching success, and also increased the metabolic profile of earthworms such as protein, carbohydrate, and lipids in tissues and seminal vesicle. Compared to the other nutritional supplements, the present study result revealed that cow dung and sugarcane bagasse together have a significant positive impact on earthworm growth and reproduction. This study emphasized on the enhancement of the reproductive capacity of the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae by incorporating different dietary supplements with the traditional vermicomposting methods. This also helps to analyse the influence of the metabolic profile in the growth and development and even on the reproductive index of the earthworm which is been observed on three different period: 10th, 45th and 90th day of experimentation. In the current research multi output can be ensured by integrating with production of crops, vermicompost, earthworm growth and waste management. This present study also represents that the open dumping of such a huge quantity of dung materials and plant and animal wastes will create environmental pollution and benefits for soil fertility improvement

Food Price Volatility in India – Drivers, Impact and Policy Response

Volatility in agricultural commodity prices is a priority policy agenda in the ongoing debate on commodity markets vis-à-vis food inflation. The extent of volatility in food commodities has been examined by comparing different indicators. In comparison to previous two decades, food prices are volatile globally and more in rice and wheat particularly during the decade since 2000. In contrast, the extent of price volatility in absolute and relative terms for India elucidated that rice and wheat are less volatile. Plausible drivers of price volatility have been empirically verified based on the arguments in economic forums besides elaborating its impact on economy. The study also highlights the various existing price stabilisation measures and concludes with a pragmatic approach of policy interventions to encounter the rising food prices

Food Price Volatility in India – Drivers, Impact and Policy Response

Volatility in agricultural commodity prices is a priority policy agenda in the ongoing debate on commodity markets vis-à-vis food inflation. The extent of volatility in food commodities has been examined by comparing different indicators. In comparison to previous two decades, food prices are volatile globally and more in rice and wheat particularly during the decade since 2000. In contrast, the extent of price volatility in absolute and relative terms for India elucidated that rice and wheat are less volatile. Plausible drivers of price volatility have been empirically verified based on the arguments in economic forums besides elaborating its impact on economy. The study also highlights the various existing price stabilisation measures and concludes with a pragmatic approach of policy interventions to encounter the rising food prices

Transition metal sulfide nanostructures: synthesis and application in metal-air batteries

Owing to great energy density, eco-friendliness, safety and security, and cost-effectiveness, rechargeable metal–air batteries (MABs) have engrossed substantial devotion. The MABs signify one of the most feasible forthcoming alternatives to powering electric vehicles (EVs) and smart-grid energy storage. The progress of MABs has offered a solution benefitting from its much higher theoretical energy density than that of lithium-ion batteries (LIB). However, certain technical difficulties allied with metal–air batteries include sluggish electrochemical oxygen reaction kinetics that has yet to be fixed. The transition single metal and mixed metals sulfides (TMS) nanostructures have validated an advanced electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance, due to their higher electronic conductivity and fast-charge transfer kinetics. The bifunctional electrocatalytic act of the TMSs can be enhanced by altering the electronic configuration, double layer structure and interface, valence state, and vacancies. In this minireview, the preparation, properties, and testing of electrode components of transition metal sulfides (TMS) nanomaterials towards different types of metal–air batteries (aqueous and non-aqueous), the fundamentals, configuration of battery, choice of electrode materials, electrolyte, and separator, current challenges as well as perspectives of the design of high-performance MABs are also discussed based on the existing execution