Banaras Hindu University

About: Banaras Hindu University is a education organization based out in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 11858 authors who have published 23917 publications receiving 464677 citations. The organization is also known as: Kashi Hindu Vishvavidyalay & Benares Hindu University.

Structure and the location of the morphotropic phase boundary region in (1-x)[Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3]-xPbTiO3

Abstract: The structure of (1-x)[Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3]-xPbTiO3 is tetragonal and rhombohedral for x≥0.35 and x≤0.30, respectively. The intrinsic width of the morphotropic phase boundary region (0.30

Evaluation of some essential oils as botanical fungitoxicants in management of post-harvest rotting of citrus fruits

Abstract: During screening of some essential oils against Penicillium italicum, the oils of Mentha arvensis, Ocimum canum and Zingiber officinale were found to exhibit absolute fungitoxic activity against the test fungus. The oils were subsequently standardized through physico-chemical and fungitoxic properties. Practical applicability of the essential oils was observed in control of blue mould rot of oranges and lime fruits caused by P. italicum during storage. The Mentha oil-treated oranges and lime fruits showed enhancement of storage life of 6 and 8 days, respectively. The storage life of Ocimum oil-treated oranges and lime fruits was found to be enhanced by 6 days while in the case of Zingiber oil, it was 4 and 8 days enhancement of shelf life of oranges and lime fruits, respectively.

Sustainability of crop production from polluted lands

Abstract: Sustainable food production for a rapidly growing global population is a major challenge of this century. In order to meet the demand for food production, an additional land area of 2.7–4.9 Mha year−1 will be required for agriculture. However, one-third of arable lands are already contaminated; therefore, the use of polluted lands will have to feature highly in modern agriculture. The use of such lands comes, however, with additional challenges, and suitable agrotechnological interventions are essential for ensuring the safety and sustainability of relevant production system. There are also other issues to consider, such as cost–benefit analysis, the possible entry of pollutants into the phytoproducts, certification and marketing of such products, in order to achieve the large-scale exploitation of polluted lands. The present article addresses the sustainability challenges of crop production from polluted lands and briefly outlines the plausible strategies for using polluted lands for sustainable agricultural extensification.

UV-B and UV-C pre-treatments induce physiological changes and artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua L. - an antimalarial plant.

Abstract: Present study was undertaken to investigate if short-term UV-B (4.2 kJ m−2 day−1) and UV-C (5.7 kJ m−2 day−1), pre-treatments can induce artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua. Twenty-one day old Artemisia seedlings were subjected to short-term (14 days) UV pre-treatment in an environmentally controlled growth chamber and then transplanted to the field under natural conditions. Treatment of A. annua with artificial UV-B and UV-C radiation not only altered the growth responses, biomass, pigment content and antioxidant enzyme activity but enhanced the secondary metabolites (artemisinin and flavonoid) content at all developmental stages as compared to non-irradiated plants. The extent of oxidative damage was measured in terms of the activities of enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase. Reinforcement in the antioxidative defense system seems to be a positive response of plants in ameliorating the negative effects of UV-B and UV-C radiations. While the carotenoid content was elevated, the chlorophyll content decreased under UV-B and UV-C pre-treatments. The reverse transcription PCR analysis of the genes associated in artemisinin/isoprenoid biosynthesis like 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR), cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CPR) and amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS) genes at different growth stages revealed UV induced significant over-expression of the above protein genes. UV-B and UV-C pre-treatments, led to an increase in the concentrations of artemisinin at full bloom stage by 10.5% and 15.7% than that of the control respectively. Thus, the result of our study suggests that short term UV-B pre-treatment of seedlings in greenhouse prior to transplantation into the field enhances artemisinin production with lesser yield related damages as compared to UV-C radiation in A. annua.