Enhancing Banana (Musa sp.) productivity through micronutrient application and technological interventions

Banana (Musa sp.) is one of the most important fruit crops globally. However, its productivity is decreasing year by year. Therefore, there is an urgent need to enhance productivity to meet domestic demand, commercial markets and export requirements. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Vamban, Pudukkottai, conducted Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) on the micronutrient mixture IIHR (Indian Institute of Horticultural Research) Banana Special during 2016-17 and 2017-18 to increase the marketable bunches of bananas. Technological interventions such as pairing and pralinage, desuckering, propping, denaveling, foliar application of micronutrients, bunch covering, soil application of biocontrol agents, crop rotation, mulching and plant protection measures led to an increase in bunch weight and yield by 20 % with a benefit-cost (B:C) ratio of 3.7 in demonstrated plots, compared to 3.4 in control plots. Promoting eco-friendly production technologies and integrating indigenous technical knowledge with modern cultivation techniques is critical. Moreover, supporting farmers with subsidies or loans for small-scale processing units is recommended

Assessment on performance and emission characteristics of the CRDI engine fueled with ethanol/diesel blends in addition to EGR

In this research, the CRDI engine characteristics were analyzed with the aid of exhaust gas recirculation rate (EGR) adoption fueled with ethanol blends. The test fuels were the various blends with ethanol, such as (10% of ethanol + 90% of diesel) E10D90 (20% of ethanol + 80% of diesel), E20D80, and (30% of ethanol + 70% of diesel) E30D70. From the results, it was revealed that performance characteristics were reduced when using a higher concentration of the alcohols mixed with diesel fuel. The blend E30D70 showed that brake thermal efficiency (BTE) without EGR drops by 3.8%, increased by 9.14% of BSFC, a 9.25% decrease in oxides of nitrogen emissions, and slightly decreased CO and HC emissions compared to baseline diesel operation at 60% load condition. The blend E10D90 with 20% EGR shows the highest BTE of 8.87% when compared with base fuel, due to proper fuel mixture taking place in the inlet manifold. The results indicate that the engine runs smoothly, and E30D70 has chosen an optimum blend. A further experiment was performed using E30D70 with different rates of exhaust gas recirculation system. The addition of exhaust gas recirculation with E30D70 in the common rail diesel engine exhibits oxides of nitrogen emission, but in contrast, it was noticed to have inferior performance characteristics and drastically decreased HC and CO emissions. The hydrocarbon emission decreased E10D90, E20D80, and E30D70 at 60% load condition by 21.42%, 37.38%, and 48.76%, respectively. The blends E10D90, E20D80, and E30D70 decreased carbon dioxide by 7.9%, 30.08%, and 31.98%, respectively. The maximum reduction of NOx emission was observed at about 51.06% at an EGR rate of 20% with E30D70.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijceam2023Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineerin

Antioxidant rich flavonoids from Oreocnide integrifolia enhance glucose uptake and insulin secretion and protects pancreatic β-cells from streptozotocin insult

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Insulin deficiency is the prime basis of all diabetic manifestations and agents that can bring about insulin secretion would be of pivotal significance for cure of diabetes. To test this hypothesis, we carried out bioactivity guided fractionation of <it>Oreocnide integrifolia </it>(Urticaceae); a folklore plant consumed for ameliorating diabetic symptoms using experimental models.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We carried out bioassay guided fractionation using RINmF and C2C12 cell line for glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and glucose uptake potential of fractions. Further, the bioactive fraction was challenged for its GSIS in cultured mouse islets with basal (4.5 mM) and stimulated (16.7 mM) levels of glucose concentrations. The Flavonoid rich fraction (FRF) was exposed to 2 mM streptozotocin stress and the anti-ROS/RNS potential was evaluated. Additionally, the bioactive fraction was assessed for its antidiabetic and anti-apoptotic property <it>in-vivo </it>using multidose streptozotocin induced diabetes in BALB/c mice.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results suggested FRF to be the most active fraction as assessed by GSIS in RINm5F cells and its ability for glucose uptake in C2C12 cells. FRF displayed significant potential in terms of increasing intracellular calcium and cAMP levels even in presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, IBMX in cultured pancreatic islets. FRF depicted a dose-dependent reversal of all the cytotoxic manifestations except peroxynitrite and NO formation when subjected <it>in-vitro </it>along with STZ. Further scrutinization of FRF for its <it>in-vivo </it>antidiabetic property demonstrated improved glycemic indices and decreased pancreatic β-cell apoptosis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Overall, the flavonoid mixture has shown to have significant insulin secretogogue, insulinomimetic and cytoprotective effects and can be evaluated for clinical trials as a therapeutant in the management of diabetic manifestations.</p

Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted by Fungal Associates of Conifer Bark Beetles and their Potential in Bark Beetle Control

Conifer bark beetles attack and kill mature spruce and pine trees, especially during hot and dry conditions. These beetles are closely associated with ophiostomatoid fungi of the Ascomycetes, including the genera Ophiostoma, Grosmannia, and Endoconidiophora, which enhance beetle success by improving nutrition and modifying their substrate, but also have negative impacts on beetles by attracting predators and parasites. A survey of the literature and our own data revealed that ophiostomatoid fungi emit a variety of volatile organic compounds under laboratory conditions including fusel alcohols, terpenoids, aromatic compounds, and aliphatic alcohols. Many of these compounds already have been shown to elicit behavioral responses from bark beetles, functioning as attractants or repellents, often as synergists to compounds currently used in bark beetle control. Thus, these compounds could serve as valuable new agents for bark beetle management. However, bark beetle associations with fungi are very complex. Beetle behavior varies with the species of fungus, the stage of the beetle life cycle, the host tree quality, and probably with changes in the emission rate of fungal volatiles. Additional research on bark beetles and their symbiotic associates is necessary before the basic significance of ophiostomatoid fungal volatiles can be understood and their applied potential realized

Symmetrizability of Integer Interval Cartan Matrices

Abstract In this paper, we extend Cartan matrix to Integer Interval Cartan matrix by using interval arithmetic operation. We compute symmetrizability condition to the Interval Cartan matrix. It also satisfies the condition for this extention of Integer Interval Cartan matrix; here we focus on the theorem along with the illustration.</jats:p

Effect of Alkali Activator on the Standard Consistency and Setting Times of Fly Ash and GGBS-Based Sustainable Geopolymer Pastes

In this study, an attempt has been made to study the effect of alkali activator on the standard consistency and setting times of low calcium fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS)- based sustainable geopolymer pastes. Different proportions of FA and GGBS were blended into mixes of geopolymer paste using sodium hydroxide (SH) and sodium silicate (SS) as alkaline activator solution (AAS). Tests on geopolymer pastes for consistency and initial and final setting times were carried out for three different SH : SS ratios of 1 : 1, 1 : 2, and 1 : 3 for both 2.5 M (molarity) and 5.0 M of SH concentration. While increasing the molarity of SH, both consistency and setting time decreased. For all the blended binder mix, the setting time decreases with an increase in the quantity of SS in the alkali activator solution. An increase in the amount of GGBS content in the geopolymer blended binder mix increases the consistency and decreases the setting time. For both 2.5 M and 5 M blended geopolymer mixes, a decrease in the percentage of GGBS and an increase in the percentage of FA increased the setting time. Microstructural studies such as X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analyses were carried out, and the results are presented. The FT-IR spectra for the blended binder mixes demonstrated the formation of geopolymerization and the presence of the functional groups

Effect of Alkali Activator on the Standard Consistency and Setting Times of Fly Ash and GGBS-Based Sustainable Geopolymer Pastes

In this study, an attempt has been made to study the effect of alkali activator on the standard consistency and setting times of low calcium fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS)- based sustainable geopolymer pastes. Different proportions of FA and GGBS were blended into mixes of geopolymer paste using sodium hydroxide (SH) and sodium silicate (SS) as alkaline activator solution (AAS). Tests on geopolymer pastes for consistency and initial and final setting times were carried out for three different SH : SS ratios of 1 : 1, 1 : 2, and 1 : 3 for both 2.5 M (molarity) and 5.0 M of SH concentration. While increasing the molarity of SH, both consistency and setting time decreased. For all the blended binder mix, the setting time decreases with an increase in the quantity of SS in the alkali activator solution. An increase in the amount of GGBS content in the geopolymer blended binder mix increases the consistency and decreases the setting time. For both 2.5 M and 5 M blended geopolymer mixes, a decrease in the percentage of GGBS and an increase in the percentage of FA increased the setting time. Microstructural studies such as X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analyses were carried out, and the results are presented. The FT-IR spectra for the blended binder mixes demonstrated the formation of geopolymerization and the presence of the functional groups.</jats:p

RICE CROP MONITORING USING SENTINEL-1 C-BAND DATA

Abstract. Among the cereal grains, rice is staple food for ½ of the world population. In Asian countries as population increases, the demand for rice also increases. For this future demand rice, biophysical variables are monitored for agricultural management and yield prediction using space borne satellite platform. While in satellite remote sensing there are numerous trouble in mapping and monitoring rice field, particularly in multi season paddy in rainy season, incorporating the changes in crop phenology, the impact of climate and farmland variability. To determine these issues Sentinel-1 was launched and provide opportunity to monitor rice crop, in 10 m spatial resolution, C-band, dual polarization image with 12 days revisit. A rice field in Kulithalai, Tamilnadu is utilized as examination. In this study Sentinel-1 data, which can recognize little vegetation difference at firmly found ground truth (GT) point. While observing the different growing stages of rice, the volume scattering segment proportion was increased though the surface scattering segment proportion for the most part diminished. During rice growing stages, surface scattering component ratio decreased, while volume scattering ratio will be increased. This study describes how multi temporal observation by SAR has extent capacity for estimating rice growing land and monitoring growing stages and also interpret σ0VV and σ0VH back scattering co-efficient. These are examined by knowing crop parameters like leaf area index, plant height, no. of panicle/m2 and no. of grains/m2. </jats:p