INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

4

Authors: Vikash Kumar1 , Sanjay Sahay1 , Feza Ahmad1 , Vishal Nirgude1 , Ravi S. Singh2 * and Ashish Khandelwal3

Genetic divergence of 12 Cape gooseberry Indian genotypes for morphological parameters was estimated using Mahanalobis D2 -analysis. The genotypes were grouped into four clusters, the cluster-II was the largest with 5 genotypes followed by cluster I and cluster IV with 3 genotypes, and cluster III with 1 genotype. Clustering pattern indicated no association between geographical distribution of genotypes and genetic divergence. The inter-cluster distances were higher than the intra-cluster distance suggesting wider genetic diversity among the genotypes of different groups. The intra-cluster value was maximum in cluster I and II and minimum cluster III and IV. The inter-cluster D2 -values indicated maximum distance between cluster I and IV followed by between I and III, and between I and II, showing wide diversity between the groups. Fruit diameters, duration of fruit set to maturity, number of flower per branch, fruit weight and inter-nodal length showed maximum contribution towards total divergence among the genotypes. Thus, the genetically diverged genotypes identified in this study, could be used as parents in hybridization programme for getting desirable segregants. Highlights • Genetic divergence of Cape gooseberry was estimated by Mahanalobis D2 -analysis. • Genotype selection done by divergence method. • Diversity positively correlates with heterosis.

5

Authors: R. Prabhu1*, N. Manivannan1, A. Mothilal2 and S.M. Ibrahim3

Genetic studies assist the breeder in understanding the inheritance mechanism and enhance the efficiency of a breeding programme. Knowledge of the way genes act and interact will determine the breeding system that optimizes gene action more efficiently and will elucidate the role of breeding systems in the evolution of crop plants. The generation mean analysis was employed in four crosses viz., CO 7 × GPBD 4, ICGV 03128 × GPBD 4, ICGV 03128 × COG 0437 and ICGV 03128 × VRI Gn 6 of groundnut to partition the genetic variance into additive, dominance and epistasis. Hence F1, F2 and F3 generations of each cross were evaluated along with their parents to assess the nature of gene action involved for various characters which in turn helps in formulating an effective and sound breeding programme in groundnut. In all the vegetative and reproductive characters, additivity, dominance and one or more of the epistatic effects determined the expression. Pedigree method of breeding followed by simple selection in later generation would be a meaningful breeding strategy to be followed in such crosses for the improvement of the characters under evaluation. Considering the kernel yield per plant, pod yield per plant and foliar disease incidence, the cross ICGV 03128 × GPBD 4 was adjudged as the best cross for further selection programme. Highlights • Groundnut is an important oilseed crop and a principle source of human nutrition in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. • Choice of appropriate breeding procedure depends on the type of gene action involved in the expression of the characters in a genetic population. • Generation mean analysis was employed to study the genetics of yield and its components in each of the four cross combinations in groundnut. • In all the vegetative and reproductive characters, additivity, dominance and one or more of the epistatic effects determined the expression. • Pedigree method of breeding followed by simple selection in later segregating generations will be a meaningful breeding strategy to be followed. • Based on the yield and foliar disease incidence, the cross ICGV 03128 × GPBD 4 was adjudged as best for further selection programme

6

Authors: Jai Singh Patel1, Ram Sanmukh Upadhyay1, Harikesh Bahadur Singh2, Ravindra Nath Kharwar1, Mushtaq Ahmed1 and Birinchi Kumar Sarma2*

A simple and efficient protocol is developed for isolation of high quality RNA from roots and leaves of chickpea and pea. The procedure is based on use of SDS, sodium acetate and EDTA in an extraction buffer in order to eliminate polysaccharides and prevent oxidation of phenolic compounds. The current method is modification of a method described for RNA isolation from pea leaves only, and yields excess amount of high-quality RNA suitable for cDNA based gene expression analysis. The protocol requires only three disposable micro centrifuge tubes during extraction, single phenol extraction step and a single precipitation step to yield high-quality RNA. RNA extracted with this method was free from protein and phenolic contaminants as evident from gel electrophoresis analysis. This method is applicable not only for leaves but also for roots and shoots and equally applicable to both chickpea and pea. cDNA is prepared and PCR amplification have been done with universal ubiqutin primer to check the integrity of RNA and absence of inhibitory compounds in RNA samples, which proves the suitability of samples towards qRTPCR. Highlights • An efficient and cost effective method for RNA isolation from different parts of chickpea and pea. • Purity and quality of isolated RNA isolated was found sufficient for gene expression studies

6

Authors: A Raja Gopala Reddy*and Madhumitha Mitra Sarkar

The experiment was conducted during the year 2011-2013 in Mondouri Horticultural research farm, BCKVV, Mohanpur, West Bengal to study the role of calcium and to identify its effective source and application time on the post-harvest, corm and cormel parameters of gladiolus with foliar application of calcium nitrate and calcium carbonate at different days (3-4, 6 leaf and spike emergence) after plantingand was conducted in Randomized Block Design with three replications.Analysis of variance study indicated that most of the treatments differed significantly among themselves except for days taken for basal floret open, no of corms per plot, corm weight and no of cormels per corm in both the years. The results obtained revealed that foliar spray of calcium favored most of the post-harvest, corm and cormel characters. Calcium nitrate was found superior to calcium carbonate in promoting various post-harvest, corm and cormelcharacters under study. Spraying of calcium nitrate at 6 leaves stage and spike emergence stage to gladiolus plant was most effective to influence the post-harvest, corm and cormelparameters and was found on par with calcium nitrate 300 ppm at 6 leaves stage for maximum characters like vase life, cumulative water uptake, days to incipient senescence, fresh weight of spike, days to senescence, corm diameter, corm thickness and cormel weight per plot. Highlights • Spraying at 3-4 leaf stage and spike emergence stage improves the vase life • Post-harvest and corm parameters are enhanced by calcium nitrate • Calcium nitrate increases the vase life of gladiolus spike

6

Authors: Harwinder Kaur, Hari Ram*, Rajeev Sikka and Harinderjeet Kaur

Nitrogen (N) occupies a conspicuous place in plant metabolism because adequate supply of this nutrient associated with high photosynthetic activity, vigorous vegetative growth and a dark green color among cereal crops. In view of this, the field experiments were conducted during 2011-12 and 2012-13 to evaluate the effect of nitrogen with different wheat cultivars on growth and productivity. The soil was low in organic carbon and available nitrogen. The leaf area index and photo synthetically active radiation interception was higher in variety PBW 621. The 1000-grain weight and grains per ear were significantly higher in variety PBW 550 than other varieties. The variety DBW 17 had significantly higher tiller density. The variety PBW 550 gave significantly higher grain yield but statistically on par with variety PBW 621. The yield attributes, grain yield and quality parameters were highest under 150 kg N/ha. With increase in nitrogen level upto 120 kg N/ha, there was significantly increase in grain yield which was statistically on par with 150 kg N/ha. Agronomic use efficiency was significantly similar at 120 and 150 kg N/ha than other nitrogen levels. Therefore, there is need to save nitrogen fertilizers on soils low in nitrogen availability for wheat cultivars. Highlights • Wheat variety PBW 550 gave the highest grain yield which was almost similar with variety PBW 621 • Nitrogen levels of 120 kg/ha increased the grain yield significantly than other levels but similar to 150 kg N/ha.

8

Authors: Rita Nongthombam1*, Kigwie Seyie2, Noren Konjengbam3, Brajendra Naorem3 and Pramesh Khoyumthem3

Most of the varieties show great degree of genotype x environment interactions for highlydesirable characters. Field experiment was conducted using fourteen genotypes of black gram during kharif season, 2009 and 2010. The data were analyzed according to the stability model as suggested by Eberhart and Russell (1966). The pooled analysis of variance due to genotypes was found highly significant for all the characters indicating genetic variability among the genotypes. Highly significant pooled deviation for all the characters except 100 seed weight was observed in all the genotypes that fluctuated significantly from their respective linear path of response to environments.From the estimated parameters of stability in the present study, genotypes RBU1012 and Pant U-19 were considered to be the most stable genotypes. Environments 6 was the best for yield and its components while environment 1 was the lowest for yield and its components. Highlights • 14 genotypes of black gram were selected for the study of stability analysis of high yielding varieties of black gram. • Genetic variability among the genotypes was indicated by the pooled analysis of variance due to genotypes. • Most stable genotypes were RBU1012 and Pant U-19, environment 6 was best for yield and its components and environment 1, the lowest.

8

Authors: Sahadeo Sonkar, S.K. Singh*, Prudhvi Raj Vennela and D.K. Singh

Assessment of genetic diversity is very important in rice breeding from the standpoint of selection, conservation and proper utilization. The role of a broad genetic base and systematically characterized germplasm in the crop improvement of cultivated plants has been well recognized. To meet the continuously expanding needs of varietal improvements, the evaluation and characterization of all existing germplasm are required. Genetic variability studies are important in selection of parents for hybridization as sound crop improvement depends upon the magnitude of variability in the base population. In the present investigation 36 rice genotypes were studied for diversity studies using polymorphic SSR markers. These rice genotypes were grouped into two main clusters that is cluster I and II with similarity coefficient (0.00). Cluster I can be sub divided into two minor sub-groups IA, IB, and with similarity coefficient (0.15). Cluster IA consisted of 12 genotypes, whereas cluster IB consisted of 13 genotypes. The second main cluster can be also sub divided into two minor sub-groups that is IIA and IIB (0.25). This indicated presence of considerable diversity in the genotypes studied. Through diversity analysis, highest similarity was observed between cultivar URG-5 and URG-8 followed by NDR-359 and Pusa-6-B. The most diverse cultivars were Akshaya dhan and URG-24. Highlights • The highest similarity observed between cultivar URG-5 and URG-8. • The most diverse cultivar was Akshayadhan and URG-24. • This indicated presence of considerable diversity in the genotypes studied

10

Authors: Krishna Kumar Jangid and Padmanabh Dwivedi

Tomato has important role in food and commercial utilization in the whole world. It is an undetached part of food due to its taste and nutritional value. It is full of minerals, vitamin and antibiotic characteristics. Climate change produces so many natural hazards such as abiotic and biotic stress in the plant. Drought is an important natural phenomenon which affects morphological, physiological, biochemical and yield attributes of plants leading to death. During water stress many physiological and molecular processes are disturbed such as root-shoot growth, water relation, mineral absorption, leaf expansion and orientation, stometal behavior, transpiration rate, photosynthesis and respiration rate, solute translocation, etc. Toxic elements such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during stress period create oxidative damage to the cellular organization. Plants have its antioxidant system to scavenge such harmful element and accumulate osmoprotectants such as proline, glycien betaine, etc to maintain osmotic adjustment. All these and many more aspects have been discussed in case of tomato plants in this review. Highlights • Drought stress exerts physiological impact on various growth and developmental stages in tomato plants. • Drought resistance mechanism, signal transduction and oxidative adjustment in tomato plants under drought stress are discussed.

14

Authors: Shikha Sachan*1, V.K. Chandola1 and A.K. Lohani2

Rainfall is the most important climatic parameters influencing agriculture in Pune district of Maharashtra. Rainfall of this region is highly variable with respect to space and time and about 80-90% of precipitation falls in monsoon period from June to October resulting in drought and flood situation in the upper Bhima basin of Maharashtra. Therefore, for efficient water resources management, optimal crop planning and also for better understanding of rainfall behavior (i.e., distribution and minimum expected amount during crop growing period) probability analysis of rainfall was conducted. Probability analysis (at 50% and 80%) of monthly rainfall data of 13 raingauge stations of the left bank canal of upper Bhima basin viz., Urali, Loni Karbol, Kasurdi, Tajuproject, Yewat, Dahitane, Bhigwan, Madanwadi, Pondewadi, Kedgaon, Patas, Pimplegaon and Daund for the period from 1975 to 2002 was conducted. Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) has been calculated using climatic parameters like sun shine hour, wind speed, maximum & minimum temperature and rainfall humidity for the period from years 1993-2005 by CROPWAT model. It was found that ETo is maximum (7.72 mm/day) during April and low in December (3.10 mm/day). Effective rainfall of existing rain gauge stations falling in different sub-basins, BM48, BM49, BM50, BM51 and BM68 have been estimated using the CROPWAT model. Finally net irrigation requirement of crops Kharif Cotton, Summer Cotton, Sugarcane and Rabi Sorghum have been find out for all the sub-basin. From this study it has been concluded that, the crop planning in the area, represented by Pimplegoan and Urali stations should be done keeping in mind maximum deficit of 187 mm and 113 mm of water respectively during July. Similarly in other stations maximum deficit of water was observed during September which indicate that while selection of crops for the areas represented by these stations the crops requiring less water during September should be selected. Highlights • Deficit rainfall for different months obtained through probability analysis of rainfall data at 50 % and 80 % probability and net irrigation requirement worked out through CROPWAT model. • The monthly rainfall deficit and Net irrigation requirement provided a road map for efficient crop planning

4

Authors: Raimani Hembrom*1 and Anil K. Singh2

Lilium is a bulbous plant having non-tunicate bulbs. They are popular throughout the world for their exotic colours and fragrance, making them ideal cut flowers. A trial was conducted to study the effect of foliar spray of iron and zinc in form of sulphate to see their effect on growth, flowering and bulb yield attributes in lilium. Bulbs of lilium cv. Tresor were planted under polyhouse condition and different combinations of iron sulphate and zinc sulphate at 0.2% and 0.4% were applied as foliar spray at 30 and 45 days after planting. Experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 3 replications. Foliar application of FeSO4 0.2% promoted length of flower stalk and diameter of 1st flower, while its higher dose (FeSO4 at 0.4%) increased the number of buds plant-1 and weight of bulbs plant-1. Foliar treatment of ZnSO4 at 0.4% significantly enhanced the number of bulblets plant-1, number of scales bulb-1, diameter of 1st flower and diameter of bulb. Different treatment combinations of iron sulphate and zinc sulphate also affected various characters like number of leaves plant-1, diameter of stem, days to colour show and days to opening of 1st bud.

4

Authors: P. S. Singh and S. K. Singh

Results indicated that IPM module proved comparatively economical against major insect pests of mungbean over farmer’s practices. The results revealed that, IPM module i.e., Mungbean with seed treatment of Imidacloprid 600 FS (5ml kg-1) followed by one spray of NSKE (5%) at 30 days after sowing (DAS) and chemical insecticide Triazophos 40 EC 0.04 per cent of the crop, were effective in reducing the incidence of White fly, MYMV, Jassids and Thrips and gave higher grain yield than farmer’s practices. Present study indicates that IPM is definitely better over non-IPM practices under different pest population numbers. IPM implies the rational integration of various methods of insect pests control to suppress the pest population below ETL. Therefore, farmers should be made aware of its benefits and motivated to critically analyze and make decisions regarding pest management practices.

5

Authors: Sukhchain Singh*, Pushpinder Singh Aulakh and Parmpal Singh Gill

The studies on seasonal variations in peel colour of grapefruit cv. Star Ruby were carried out in order to explain the relationship between fruit growth and colour development. The fruit diameter of the grapefruit increased from 90 days after fruit set to the maturity of fruit. The seasonal variation in fruit diameter was recorded 12.83% during fruit development. The increase in a* coordinate, which represented the gradual loss of greenness, continued until mid-November at 210 DAFS. Calorimetric coordinate b* values always remained positive and increased until the fruit maturity and showed yellow tinge. The hue angle values decreased continuously from start of sampling to the harvest of fruit with appearance of pinkish-yellow tone. Seasonal variation in the hue angle was recorded 26.80%. The negative correlation was observed between hue angle and the fruit development with the advancement of fruit maturity. However, studies have reported positive correlation was recorded between colour space values (L*, a*, b* and C*) with fruit development. The maximum seasonal variation was noted in colour parameter a* (CV = 189.99%) and minimum seasonal variation was noted in L* (CV = 9.42%).

5

Authors: S.K. Shah*, D.K. Patel, R.M. Patel and P.S. Patel

Castor (Ricinus communis L) is an important non-edible oilseed crop with diversified industrial usage. India is dominating in the production and productivity of castor. Thirteen inbred lines were studied for seed physical characteristics, oil quality, as well as fatty acid profile. Among the inbred studied, the maximum weight of 100 seed was 34.2 g, in JC-26, and maximum oil content was 51.3% in SKI-333. One hundred seed wt showed a positive correlation with % of kernel (r=0.472*) and seed oil content has positive correlation with kernel oil content (r=0.803**). Important oil characteristics for industrial use like specific gravity (g/cc) varied from 0.954 to 0.958 while the viscosity (cp) ranged from 604 to 626. The free Fatty acid as oleic acid was ranging between 4.33 to 6.02%. Among the fatty acid, the ricinolic acid was ranging from 83.93 to 87.02%, the minimum value was in 48-1 while the maximum value of ricinolic acid was recorded in DCS-9 inbred.

7

Authors: Sheshrao Kautkar*, Ram Krishna Pandey, Rishi Richa and Anjineyulu Kothakota

Ohmic heating is now regarded as highly attractive advanced technique for food processing wherein electric current is passed through the liquid particulates foods with primary purpose of heating them. The success of ohmic heating depends on the rate of heat generation in the system, the electrical conductivity of the food, method by which the food flows through the system and composition of the food. In this study, the ginger paste at different salt treatment (0-2% w/w) was heated in a laboratory scale ohmic heater by applying voltage gradients (5–13 V/cm). The temperature dependent electrical conductivity was obtained at different time interval of 0, 5 and 10 minute at different temperatures (30-60˚C). Bubbling was observed above 70˚C especially at high voltage gradients. The electrical conductivity measured in terms of point and bulk electrical conductivity. Point electrical conductivity was greater than bulk electrical conductivity. The point and bulk electrical conductivity values were in the range of 4.41 to 6.63 and 3.75 to 5.87 mS/cm respectively.

7

Authors: R. H. S Raja*1, Z. A. Bhat2, A. R. Malik2 and R. H. Shafi4

The effectiveness of pre-harvest calcium, chloride on post-harvest life and quality of peach fruits were studied. Calcium chloride viz. 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% was sprayed to peach plants at pit hardening stage, 10 and 20 days after pit hardening. Peach fruits harvested at physiological mature stage were sorted, washed, air dried and packed in CFB boxes before placing in cold store (temperature 0-10 and RH 85-90%). Changes in PLW, fruit firmness, sensory quality, pulp: stone, total sugars, total phenolics and calcium content were studied. Calcium chloride @ 1.5% (three sprays) resulted in minimum PLW, total sugars and maximum fruit firmness, sensory quality score, pulp: stone, total phenolics and calcium content during the stipulated storage period.

7

Authors: Geeta Singh1, Sujoy Saha2, Ruchi Garg2, Bineet Kumar Sharma2 , Awadhesh Bahadur Rai2 and Rana Pratap Singh1

Early blight of tomato is one of the most destructive diseases caused by Alternaria solani causing considerable loss to quality and quantity of fruits. To avoid chemical fungicides in the management of this menace, soil borne rhizospheric organisms were isolated and evaluated against the pathogen. Different antagonists i.e Aspergillus sp. Trichoderma sp. Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp. were used against most virulent isolates of A. solani under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Maximum in vitro inhibition of mycelial growth of Alternaria solani was observed in case of Trichoderma sp. (87.69%) followed by Aspergillus sp. (84.23%) as compared to control. Under glass house conditions Trichoderma sp. exhibited a similar efficacy with a percent disease control ranging from 82.6-91.3.

8

Authors: T.D. Lama*1, R.K. Singh2, U.S. Saikia3 and K.K. Satapathy4

Morphometric analysis of a hilly watershed was carried out using GIS. The drainage map generated from the Survey of India toposheets was used for morphometric analysis of the watershed in terms of stream order, stream length, bifurcation ratio, relief ratio, drainage density, stream frequency, drainage texture, form factor, circulatory ratio, elongation ratio, infiltration number and ruggedness number. The Um Shipra watershed is a fifth order watershed having dendritic drainage pattern with high drainage density (6.22 km.km-2). The logarithmic plot of the stream length versus stream order showed a linear relationship indicating the watershed has developed over a homogeneous rock material. The mean bifurcation ratio of 1.71 indicated absence of strong structural control on the drainage pattern and that the watershed was structurally less disturbed. The number of streams belonging to the order I, II, III, IV and V were found to be 327, 147, 78, 45 and 46 respectively. Lower values of form factor (0.19), circularity ratio (0.29) and elongation ratio (0.49) suggested that the watershed has elongated shape with lower peak flows for longer duration. The ruggedness number having relatively higher value implied that the area has rugged topography which is prone to soil erosion. Higher values of stream frequency and drainage density indicated that the watershed has high runoff potential despite having lower peak flow creating a good scope for surface water resource development. The results obtained can serve as a useful input for developing soil and water resources conservation and management plan on a watershed basis.

8

Authors: Hassen Shifa1*, Chellappan Gopalakrishnan1 and Rethinasamy Velazhahan1

A total of seven biocontrol agents with known antifungal activity against other soilborne fungal pathogens were screened for their antagonistic potential against Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc, the causal agent of stem rot disease of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) by dual culture assay. Among the various biocontrol agents tested Bacillus subtilis strain G-1 was the most effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of S. rolfsii and recorded an inhibition of 28%. Groundnut seeds when treated with B. subtilis G-1 showed significant increases in root length, shoot length and seedling vigour. A talc-based powder formulation of the highly effective strain, B. subtilis G-1, was developed and its efficacy in controlling groundnut stem rot was determined under greenhouse conditions. The results indicated that seed treatment with the powder formulation of B. subtilis G-1 alone effectively reduced the incidence of stem rot and increased the pod yield; but combined application through seed and soil increased the efficacy. Seed treatment and soil application with B. subtilis G-1 reduced the stem rot incidence from 80 per cent (with non-bacterized seeds) to 5 per cent. When the treated seeds were sown in soil, the antagonist moved to the rhizosphere and multiplied well in it. These results suggest that B. subtilis G-1 is an effective bioagent against stem rot of groundnut. Further studies are required to assess its efficacy in controlling stem rot of groundnut under field conditions.

8

Authors: Sudhakar. S. Kelageri1, Cherukuri Sreenivasa Rao1*, Vemuri Shashi Bhushan1, Pothula Narayana Reddy2, Harinatha Reddy A1, Hymavathy M1, Aruna M1, Swarupa Rani S1, Ravindranath D1 and Ramesh B1

Profenofos is a broad spectrum foliar insecticide and acaricide with contact and systemic action, widely used on tomato in India for the management of sap sucking insects and mites. Profenofos is not registered for use in India on tomato, and hence Maximum Residue Limits are not available as per Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. However, use of profenofos in poly house and open fields is very common, and hence profenofos residues are found in market samples. A research project was taken to study dissipation pattern of profenophos 50% EC in both open fields and poly houses, when applied twice @ 500 g a.i. ha-1, first spray at fruit initiation followed by second spray at 10 days interval as per the farmers practice. Profenofos residues were quantified through regular sampling till the residues are below determination level (BDL) of 0.05 mg kg-1 following the validated QuEChERS method. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of profenofos was performed on GC-FPD and GC-MSMS (TQD). Initial deposits of 3.25 mg kg-1 were detected in tomato samples collected from poly house, which dissipated to BDL by 15th day with half-life of 2.43 days. In open fields, deposits of 1.51 mg kg-1 dissipated to BDL by 7th day with half-life of 1.55 days, indicates that dissipation is slow in poly house compared to open fields due to various factors, and in both situations initial deposits are lower than the MRL (10 mg kg-1) of Codex Alimentarius Commission hence a pre-harvest interval of 1 day is recommended. MRL of 7 mg kg-1 in poly house tomato and 3 mg kg-1 in open field tomato is recommended based on the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) calculator and chronic hazard exposure assessment taking into consideration of average body weight, national per capita tomato consumption and acceptable daily intake (ADI) of profenofos. Among various decontamination methods tested, veggy wash found to be very effective in removing profenofos residues to an extent of 75.84% which can be recommended as risk mitigation method for food safety, followed by 4% acetic acid solution (71.22%) and tap water wash was least effective (37.60%) in removing profenofos residues from tomato.

9

Authors: Deepak Kumar*1, Avinash Kumar2, Sudipto Sarkar2, Dibakar Mohodi3, Pal Thakuria3 and Jurimoni Das3

Tomato is the second most important vegetable crop next to potato. As far as conservation of soil and water is concerned, drip irrigation offers the most practical and effective alternative to regular surface irrigation among all the irrigation technique known today in the world. Researchers throughout the world are kin to obtain the optimal flow rate through drip irrigation for overall development of crop. In this study, attempt has been made to analysis the growth rate and yield of tomato plant at various flow rate of drip irrigation, and to determine the effect of fertigation through drip irrigation on growth and yield of tomato. In this study “Samartha F1 hybrid” variety of tomato seed was selected and cultivated over the farm size of 6×5 m2. The selected farm area was divided into two sections i.e. fertigation section and non-fertigation section. Three rows having ten plants in each row was transplanted in both sections. Growth of tomato plants in term of height and canopy was measured and compared with different flow rates. The average increment in the height of tomato plants at flow rate of 2 L/hr, 4 L/hr and 8 L/hr were estimated as 68%, 60% and 52% respectively. Yield of tomato in terms of fruits was estimated for three different flow rates of 2 L/hr, 4 L/hr and 8 L/hr. The yield of tomato is optimal when drip irrigation with 2 litres per second has been used for irrigating the farm land. Significant effect of fertigation through drip irrigation has been found on growth and yield of tomato plants.

9

Authors: Gabriel A. Ataguba1, Manoj T. Kamble1, Gabriel R. Okayi2 and Balu R. Chavan3

Climate change as occasioned by environmental degradation has led to innovative thought on how to preserve natural resources while also deriving benefits. Mangrove destruction, saline water intrusion, decline in fish stock and reduced livelihoods were factors that led to the establishment of Kung Krabaen Bay development study centre and the Welu wetland both in Chanthaburi province. The two wetlands provide important benefits to the people that live around it as well as tourists. Through the absorption and processing of wastes, these wetlands help maintain environmental quality and safety while also maintaining a biological balance of carbon IV oxide and other green house gases. Shrimp farm waste is treated in Kung Krabaen bay. A synthesis of Provisioning, Regulating, Cultural and Supportive benefits of the two wetlands is presented. Management regime involves integrated approach (Kung Krabaen Bay) and a co-management approach (Welu wetland). Direct and indirect drivers of change are analysed with management capacity to effectively manage these drivers being examined. The rational use of the resources provided by wetlands is a key factor in their conservation. Recovery from overexploitation may take time but these wetlands are showing resilience and there is need to improve management regimes via international cooperation.

11

Authors: Anupama Semwal, Anupama Singh, Khan Chand* and N.C. Shahi

Weaning mix was developed from underutilized crops of Uttarakhand (finger millet, barnyard millet, black soybean, amaranth grain). Malting and fermentation were adopted as ways of improving cereal protein quality and decreasing anti-nutritional property and probiotic weaning mix was produced using probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum. Box-benkhen design of response surface methodology was used to design the experiments design for three variables with three levels [blend ratio (cereals : legume:: 50:50, 60:40, 70:30), fermentation time (12 h, 24 h, 36 h), inoculums concentration (1%, 3%, 5%] and four responses (protein, tannin, water absorption capacity, water absorption index). The probiotic fermentation resulted in favourable changes in nutritionl profile of weaning mix resulting 48.2% increase in protein and 92.3% decrease in tannin content. The optimized set of independent variables (cereals (FM+BM): legume: 70:30 fermented for 25 h with 2.9% inoculum concentration) obtained after statistical analysis, was used to develop final probiotic weaning mix.

16

Authors: Sathi Paul1, Somsubhra Chakraborty*1, Md. Nasim Ali1 and D.P. Ray2

Arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring toxic metalloid which is introduced into the environment through natural geochemical processes and several anthropogenic actions. Since it is a carcinogen, there is an urgent need to efficiently remove As from contaminated soil and water. This review elaborates the chemistry and environmental distribution of As along with several bioremediation approaches to alleviate As pollution.