Impact of India’s Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN on Its Goods Exports: A Gravity Model Analysis

The relationship between India and ASEAN has emerged as a crucial basis of their foreign policy. Both the regions signed a Free Trade Agreement in 2009, which came into effect in 2010. They are now reviewing the FTA to further enhance their economic cooperation. At this critical juncture, this study aimed to analyze the trade and export relationship between India and ASEAN and examine the extent to which the AIFTA effectively influenced it. Additionally, the study intended to determine what other factors influenced the trade and export relationship between the two regions and what future changes are needed in order to make this partnership mutually beneficial. To fulfill this objective, a gravity model was applied to a panel data from 2000–2019. A random effect model was utilized for the estimation. The empirical analysis concludes that the adoption of the AIFTA increased trade significantly; however, had no significant impact on raising exports. The study has identified rising NTMs as one of the important variables impeding realization of India’s export potential to ASEAN. This study suggests that in order to increase India’s exports and for the future of the FTA, India needs to emphasize on building stronger and extensive relationships with those countries in the ASEAN that are witnessing a higher GDP growth rate, such as Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam

Management of plant vigor and soil health using two agriusable nanocompounds and plant growth promotory rhizobacteria in Fenugreek

Not AvailableApplication of nanocompounds and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) plays an important role in improving plant growth and soil health. In the present study, response of two PGPR (PS2-KX650178 and PS10-KX650179) along with nanozeolite and nanochitosan was studied on Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), on the basis of physiological and biochemical parameters of soil and plant in pot experiment for 45 days. A signifcant increase (1.5–2 folds) in plant height, leaf number, leaf area and fresh weight over control was observed in Fenugreek plants when treated with nanocompounds and PGPR. Combined treatment also showed the highest level of total chlorophyll (3.27 mg g−1), sugar (6.14 μg mg−1 dry wt), soluble leaf protein (295.37 mg g−1 fresh weight) and catalase activity (23.84 U g−1 tissue) in Fenugreek plants. GC–MS analysis of plant metabolites revealed the abundance of phenols which are known to improve biotic/abiotic stresses in plants. Activity of Fluorescein Diacetate hydrolase enzyme was 2.5 times higher in the combined treatment of nanozeolite with PS10 than in control. An increase of 11% in alkaline phosphatase activity was observed in the same treatment with respect to control. The results obtained from the pot experiment clearly indicate that nanocompounds along with PGPR improved the growth of plants and soil health which suggest their benefts in agriculture practices to increase crop production.Not Availabl

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Illumina based high throughput analysis of microbial diversity of maize rhizosphere treated with nanocompounds and Bacillus sp.

Not AvailableSoil microorganisms play a crucial role in the maintenance of the ecosystem. Their diverse enzymatic machinery facilitates the biogeochemical cycling of essential macro/micronutrients. Over the past two decades, significant amount of research has been carried out on the application of nanocompounds in agricultural practices. Some reports support the role of nanocompounds in enhancing crop productivity by providing essential nutrients to plants or by exhibiting antimicrobial activities against different phytopathogens. Meagre information is available on long term impact of agriusable nanocompounds along with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on mi crobial population of an agriculture field. In this study, attempts have been made to analyse the impact of nanozeolite and nanochitosan (50 mg L− 1 ) along with a bioinoculant (Bacillus sp.) on the bacterial community of maize rhizosphere under field condition. Total bacterial counts, activities of soil health indicator enzymes and total microbial diversity of the experimental maize rhizosphere were assessed using Illumina based high throughput sequencing after 60 days of the experiment. Obtained results indicated higher bacterial diversity in the treated soil than the control which corresponded to increased number of Operational Taxanomic Units (OTUs). Combined treatment of bioinoculant and nanocompounds showed two fold increase in FDA (Fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis), dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activity than the control. Presence of dominant bacterial genera viz. Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria and Chloroflexi were observed in treated soil sample. Combined treatment of Bacillus sp. and nanocompounds had a strong influence on the composition of rhizospheric microbiota, diversity and richness. We propose that the application of nanocompounds along with a potential bioinoculant is beneficial for the survival of rhizospheric bacterial population and soil health.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableIn the present study we examined the effect of nanogypsum and Pseudomonas taiwanensis strain BCRC 17751on plant and soil health using conventional and metagenomics approaches. Soil physicochemical properties and agronomical parameters of maize plants were reported to be better when applied with nanogypsum and bacterial inoculum together. When compared to control a significant increase in total bacterial counts, nitrogen, phospho rus, potassium (NPK) solubilizing bacterial population and soil enzyme activities (fluorescein diacetate, alkaline phosphatase, dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, arylesterase and amylase) was reported in treatments. The metagenomics studies revealed dominance of beneficial bacteria such as Proteobacteria, Bacteriodetes, Planctomycetes, Acidobacteria and Nitros pirae in treated soil. On the other hand some novel bacterial diversity was also reported in treated soil which was evident from presence of taxonomically unclassified sequences. Hence, it can be concluded that combined application of nanogypsum and Pseudomonas taiwanensis in maize help in improving the structure and function of soil which affects the plant health without causing any toxic effect. However, in situ validation of the prescribed treatment is required under field conditions on different crops in order to give maximum ben efits to the farmers and the environmentNot Availabl

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Not AvailableIn the present study effect of TiO 2 nanoparticles was tested on six plant growth promotory rhizobacteria (HS2, HS10. HS12, HS11, HM4 and HR11) recovered from soyabean and maize rhizosphere. HM4 showed highest IAA (56.31 μg/ml) production and HR11 showed highest siderophore (56%) production. All the isolates showed maximum growth at 50 ppm TiO 2 in nutrient broth , HS10 and HS12 showed best growth. Effect of TiO 2 nanoparticles was evaluated on plant vigour of maize treated with selected plant growth promotory bacteria. Bacterial treatment showed enhanced shoot germination, plant height and leaf area over control in the presence of TiO 2 nanoparticles. Average total chlorophyll in maize plant was also maximum (5.04 µg/g) in the presence of TiO 2 nanoparticle. Performance of HS12 was best among all treatments. After 45 days of pot experiment, fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis (57.91µg/ml), dehydrogenase (38.10µg/ml) and alkaline phosphatase (207.16 µg/ml) was reported in the presence of nanoparticles and bacterial cultures. HM4 and HS12 treatment in the presence of 10 ppm TiO 2 enhanced enzyme activities.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA qualitative as well as quantitative categorization of seed storage proteins profiles of 23 genotypes of Trigonella foenum graecum L. were performed by using sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) for exploring the level of genetic discrepancy at seed storage protein level. Total soluble proteins were resolved on 10% resolving gel. A dendrogram was constructed on the basis of weight of seed storage proteins, which divide total genotypes into two groups further classified into different sub groups containing different genotypes in them. The bands obtained from gel electrophoresis can serve as a potent tool in discrimination of different genotypes on the basis of their protein content. Proteins with molecular weight 66, 43 and 35 kDa were found in all the genotypes except Fgk-76, PR, Rmt-303, PEB and Rmt-361, The 43 kDa protein band was found missing in Fgk-67, AFg-2, AM-2, AFg-4, Fgk-73, although the protein with 35 kDa weight was present in all the genotypes but not in Rmt-303 same as 63 kDa which is not present in Fgk-70 and 55 kDa protein band was found missing in Fgk-67, Afg-4 and Rmt-361.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableExploring cold habitats offers untapped sites for screening and harnessing potential/novel psychrotrophic microbes bestowed with the characteristic to grow near 0 C and optima lying in mesophilic range. These microbes are of great commercial importance and find multiple uses in different areas such as industries, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture as they are potential producers of enzymes, peptides, biodetergents, antibiotics and acquire multiple plant growth-promoting traits. Utility of such cold-active microbial strains is of immense need for high altitude agroecosystems due to the unique climatic conditions. Hence, it is crucial to identify, characterize, and conserve these beneficial microbes that maintain their functional properties under cold temperature conditions. This chapter is likely to provide some more insights into the recent developments associated with improvement and large-scale production of psychrotolerant microbes as well as scaling up for commercial production.Not Availabl