Showing papers by "Central Agricultural University published in 2022"

Wild relatives of plants as sources for the development of abiotic stress tolerance in plants

Abstract: The abiotic stresses such as unfavorable temperature, drought, flood, salinity, and heavy metal stress are considered as major factors causing a huge impression on crop growth and productivity. The abiotic stresses can reduce as much as 50% of benefits for some important crops in the world through altering the physiological, morphological, biochemical, and molecular process of plants. Therefore, escape, avoidance, and tolerance mechanisms are very important for plants to survive against abiotic stresses. Crop wild relatives (CWRs) are considered as wild plant species of the same genus (mostly with the same gene pool) of a crop, which play a vital role in the development of crop species for various hostile environments. The gene pool CWRs wild relatives is considered in the choice of crops for today, which is simply a selection from vast. The CWRs helped a lot in the domestication of selected species of present day’s crops and played a vital role in feeding the human civilization. Under the present scenario of climate change, CWRs have got a vital dimension in crop improvement for combatting the adverse effects of climatic threats. Therefore, CWRs became more useful in molecular breeding for the sustainability of crop production in the modern era of climate change. In the chapter, we have been discussed on the wild relatives of plants as sources for the development of abiotic stress tolerance in plants.

Biochemical, physiological (haematological, oxygen-consumption rate) and behavioural effects of mercury exposures on the freshwater snail, Bellamya bengalensis.

Abstract: The widespread occurrence of Mercury (Hg) and its derivatives in the aquatic environment and risks to the health of local populations has necessitated investigations into its toxic effects on sessile species. The toxicity of Mercury was observed sequentially from 96 h acute exposure regime (behavioural endpoints) to chronic durations (haematological and biochemical toxicity endpoints) in Bellamya bengalensis. Time-dependent lethal endpoints for acute toxicity (LC50) of mercury i.e., 24,48,72 and 96 h were estimated as 0.94, 0.88, 0.69 and 0.40 mg/l respectively. Threshold effect values i.e., LOEC (Lowest Observed Effect Concentration), NOEC (No Observed Effect Concentration) and MATC (Maximum Acceptable Toxicant Concentration) at 96 h were found to be 0.10, 0.05, 0.039 mg/l respectively. The study of oxygen consumption rate and behavioural changes during acute toxicity and haematological and biochemical responses during chronic toxicity to sublethal concentrations (10% and 20% of 96 h LC50) of mercury to the snail were also conducted. The organisms showed initial elevation at 24 h but later gradual decrease in oxygen consumption rate with the increase of concentration of mercury and time of exposure. For behavioural studies, variable test concentrations from 0.00 to 1.00 mg/l were used for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. The crawling activity and clumping tendency decreased with the progress of time at all treatment periods and stopped ultimately at 96 h of exposure from 0.7 mg/l onwards whereas touch reflex was not observed at 96 h exposure at all treatments except at 0.09 mg/l. In haemocyte count, no significant variation was observed among control values between various exposure periods (p > 0.05) though variations were observed in sub-lethal concentrations versus control at all treatment duration (7, 14, 21, 28d, p

Fractal analysis of aggregates: Correlation between the 2D and 3D box-counting fractal dimension and power law fractal dimension

Abstract: Fractal dimension (Df) has been extensively used for many years to characterize the morphological properties of aggregate systems. There are two main methods to estimate the fractal dimension of aggregates, namely the box-counting (BC) and power law (PL) methods. However, the relationship between the BC fractal dimension (Df, BC) and PL fractal dimension (Df, PL) has not been discussed yet. In this work, a series of three-dimensional aggregates with different input parameters (Df, PL and the number of primary particles) is generated by a tunable aggregation model. Then, the fractal dimensions (Df, BC, 3D) of all the aggregates are estimated by the 3D BC method. The relationship between Df, BC, 3D and Df, PL is investigated. We found that Df, BC, 3D is greater than Df, PL when Df, PL≤ 2.5. However, the situation is reversed when Df, PL> 2.5. Further, a novel projection method is proposed and applied to all the 3D aggregates to obtain their 2D projection images. In this projection method, the minimum projection overlapping area of all the primary particles in the aggregate is considered. Then, the fractal dimensions (Df, BC, 2D) of 2D projection images are estimated using the 2D BC method. Finally, correlations between Df, BC, 3D and Df, PL with Df, BC, 2D are established.

Ecological aspects of the soil-water-plant-atmosphere system

Abstract: The soil-water-plant-atmosphere system (SWPAS) is a “physically integrated, dynamic system in which interacting processes of mass and energy are performed.” The SWPAS system is comprised of four different components with varying physical and chemical properties that ultimately poses a complex mechanism. Water stress is primarily caused due to nonuniform precipitation. The exhaustion of this reservoir by a crop requires its artificial reloading, which is the case of irrigation. Soil moisture has been shown to have major implications for carbon storage and related climatic feedbacks. Therefore, it is more important than ever to understand how the flow of water interacts with ecosystem health and the mechanisms controlling water fluxes at the land-atmosphere interface. Atmosphere acts as an upper buffer that takes up, transforms, and protects water, as a substance, in the climatic system. The soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC) is the pathway for water moving from soil through plants to the atmosphere. Movement of water occurs in response to differences in the potential energy of water. The flow path of water through SPAC is complex with a series of resistances offered by different components of the system. Different atmospheric, plant canopy, and soil factors affect the water flow through SPAC. With increasing water scarcity, improvement in crop water productivity will be vital in terms of food security for the future generation. As a result, the effect of soil-plant-atmosphere interactions on how ecosystems respond to and exert influence on, the global environment remains difficult to predict.

Biological nitrification inhibition for sustainable crop production

Abstract: The oxidation of ammonium to nitrate by biological process is known as nitrification. This process of nitrification is accomplished by Nitrosomonas spp. and Nitrobacter spp. Current intensive agricultural systems, characterized by heavy-nitrification systems, are prone to greater losses of nitrogen through nitrate leaching and emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as nitrous oxide, contributing to the increment of global temperature and ozone layer depletion. Furthermore, nitrate, under anoxic or partially anoxic conditions, escapes into the atmosphere as gaseous forms of nitrogen (N2 and N2O) through denitrification. Synthetic nitrification inhibitors (NIs) are used to regulate nitrification process in soil. The NIs are compounds that regulate this process by inhibiting ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) enzymes. Ability of certain plant species to exudate certain organic compounds from roots that have regulatory effect on performance of nitrifying bacteria has been known as biological nitrification inhibition (BNI). It inhibits both AMO and HAO (hydroxylamine oxidoreductase) enzymatic pathway in that process. The compounds are also stable in soil and production of BNI compounds are localized mainly to the rhizosphere and therefore, their modes of action may be more efficient. Brachiaria humidicola, a tropical pasture grass capable of growing in acidic soils and humid environments, is a well-known BNI-capable species that produces biochemical compound known as brachialactone. Cropping system adoption with current move toward ecologically intensified cropping with high nutrient-use efficiency is found to be novel strategy for controlling nitrification process.

Plant ionomics: toward high-throughput nutrient profiling

Abstract: Up to two-thirds of the world population is at risk of deficiency in one or more fundamental mineral elements. In order to overcome deficiency disorder of mineral nutrients, a biofortification approach in crops is an absolute requirement to eliminate hidden hunger. Hence the goal of crop biofortification is shifting from food security to nutritional security. In this context, ionomics becomes essential to recognize potential gene(s) responsible for the uptake, transport, and storage of ions in plants. Ionomics is one of the major pillars for the study of structural and functional genomics. It includes the estimation of elemental composition of an organism and changes in its composition in relation to physiological, formative, environmental, and genetic variables. The whole ionomic profiling of the plant is done by various analytical tools fruitfully used to measure elemental composition. Among the best are atomic absorption spectrometry, ion beam analysis, ICP-OES, X-ray crystallography, inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry, and neutron activation analysis. These tools gave complete profiles of the ions present in the plants. These data are stored in a database called PiiMS (Purdue Ionomics Information Management System). The vast amount of data available in the database helps the forward and reverse genetic approach for studying the structural and functional genomics of particular organisms. It renders the functional analysis of genes and gene networks that directly or indirectly influence the complete ionome. This chapter discusses the study of ionome with special reference to different types of ionic interaction, quantifications, and gene identification.

BOOK REVIEW: Soil Analysis. Edited by S. K.Singh, D. R.Biswas, C. A.Srinivasamurthy, S. P.Datta, G.Jayasree, P.Jha, S. K.Sharma, R. N.Katkar, K. P.Raverkar, A. K.Ghosh, Indian Society of Soil Science, New Delhi, India, 2019, pp. INR1400, <scp>ISBN</scp> 81‐903797‐8‐X.

Abstract: Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

Nanotechnology and Its Potential Application in Postharvest Technology

Abstract: Due to ever-increasing human population, there is a huge need of enough supply of food in the near future to overcome food crisis. Now, only increasing sufficient amount of food is not enough to stand alone to resolve the problems, otherwise the postharvest loss which accounts up to 33% of total agricultural produce will be a hampered in the process. Hence, many combinatorial efforts using novel scientific technologies such as biotechnology, nano biotechnology, nanoparticles and other relevant technologies are being fostered to tackle the problems. Nanotechnology as its unique properties can be explored to minimize the postharvest losses. Nanoparticles such as gold, silver, zinc and other metallic nanoparticles are often showing potential results in controlling the micro-organism deterioration and increasing the shelf life period of highly perishable crops. Nanotechnology is a useful technology that can be applied to all branches of the science and technology. This chapter focuses on packaging of crops using nanotechnology to increase its shelf life. It also discussed about different nanomaterials playing together in the food to safeguard from micro-organism and other pathogens especially while storage. It is concluded that there is need to explore on using of nanoparticles in postharvest management of crops to enhance their shelf life period. It also concludes that there is need of substantial research on novel technologies in the food and agricultural sectors.

Species richness and folk therapeutic uses of ethnomedicinal plants in West Bengal, India – A meta-analysis

Abstract: Background: West Bengal is a state rich in floral biodiversity, with a high occurrence of medicinal plants being used. The state is populated by several ethnic communities, which still rely on various ethnomedical practises. Unfortunately information relating to the medicinally useful species is not holistic or is fraganmentory. We thus felt for a meta-analysis and abridged the available information of the state Methods: The purpose of the present study was to annotate the published information on ethnomedicinal plants used by various indigenous communities of West Bengal, India. We therefore searched the published Journal articles, book chapters, and scientific reports using Web of Science, Scopus, Google, Google Scholar, individual journal databases and personal communication to review the ethnomedicinal information of the state. Resutls: The meta-analysis resulted to a repository of 377 plant species represented by 99 families and 278 genera which were utilized for folk medicinal purposes. These ethnomedicinal plant species were used to treat a total of 126 different ailments and diseases. Stomach related problems were found common among the ethnic groups for which about half of the listed plant species were used for its treatment. Santal ethnic group was found richest with traditional knowledge related to folk medicinal purposes of 195 plant species. Some plant species Aerva lanata and Aristolochia indica were found commonly utilized by the communities. Leaves were prominently used plant part for folk therapies. Harvesting of the plants or their parts was largely unsustainable and is a matter of concern which needs urgent conservation action. Moreover, neglect and disregard to traditional culture and lores by the younger generation of the traditional communities is causing rapid decline and making the traditional knowledge system of these communities obsolete. Conclusion: Documentation of ethnomedicinal plant species and the associated traditional knowledge is vital for well being of future generation as well as their conservation. This meta-analysis will be useful as baseline information for research on new drug development which will give national and global recognition to the traditional knowledge system of these ethnic societies while, will boost their healthcare, ecological, socioeconomic and bio-cultural perspectives.

Optical temperature sensing by tuning photoluminescence in wide (visible to NIR) wavelength range in Eu3+-doped relaxor ferroelectric

Abstract: The prevalent material design principles for optical thermometry primarily rely on thermally driven changes in the relative intensities of the thermally coupled levels (TCLs) of rare-earth-doped phosphor materials, where the maximum achievable sensitivity is limited by the energy gap between the TCLs. In this work, a new, to the best of our knowledge, approach to thermometric material design is proposed, which is based on temperature tuning of PL emission from the visible to the NIR region. We demonstrate a model ferroelectric phosphor, Eu3+-doped 0.94(Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3)-0.06(BaTiO3) (NBT-6BT), which, by virtue of the contrasting effects of temperature on PL signals from the host and Eu3+ intraband transitions, can achieve a relative thermal sensitivity as high as 3.05% K-1. This model system provides a promising alternative route for developing self-referencing optical thermometers with high thermal sensitivity and good signal discriminability.

Udder Health Maintenance to Augment Milk Production in Dairy Cattle: A Review

Abstract: The burning problems of udder health /subclinical mastitis (SCM) in dairy cattle is considered as a worldwide silent threat which is major reasons for low yield and poor quality milk and causes substantial economic loss. The present work was conducted at ICAR-NDRI, ERS, Kalyani (WB) through a project (2017-2020). The article’s aim is to review important advances in udder health maintenance to ameliorate SCM for higher quantity and quality milk production. Many researchers worked to identify effective practices to control SCM caused by Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus. Worldwide different researchers aimed to achieve better udder health and focused to detect SCM, mechanisms associated with infection, differentiating between clinical and subclinical stages, invent suitable diagnostic tests, understand exposure time, recognize specific characteristics of pathogen and establishing scientific milking procedures, etc. Establishment of standard operative programs, as discussed in this paper, resulted in better udder health maintenance. In changing climatic scenario and varying farm management practices globally researchers worked to redefine procedures to control SCM caused by different biotic and abiotic agents. Although, researchers achieved significant advances in SCM management, however changing herd structure and increased milk demand indicates that SCM /udder health will be one of the major issues to be dealt by scientists, entrepreneurs, dairy workers.

Current development, application and constraints of biopesticides in plant disease management

Abstract: Biopesticides are the compounds that can manage agricultural diseases without harming natural ecosystem. Since past many years till today pests control in crop production is largely dependent on synthetic pesticides which have worsen the environment as well as many pesticide resistant reports in crops have been emerged. Biopesticides certainly offer a better way to manage plant diseases and environment simultaneously. Biopesticides have tremendous potential to replace or reduce synthetic pesticides usage and cost incurred in them. In general, biopesticides for plant disease management includes exploitation of natural organisms, and product derived from them, biocontrol formulations, essential oils, botanical extracts and also nano biopesticides. Biopesticides require regulatory guidelines and approval system as in case of synthetic pesticides with necessary modifications. This chapter will discuss biopesticides used in current agriculture, their applications, registered biopesticides in India and their regulatory systems. Biopesticides indeed a potential tool as a significant part of integrated pest management (IPM). Application of biopesticides and their use also impose certain challenges such as research for potential biopesticides, production cost and their risk assessment on animal and human; these are also discussed in the current chapter.

PID controller based current sharing in Luo converter for standalone photovoltaic system

Abstract: This paper emphases current sharing in Luo converters which are linked in parallel manner with solar input. The photovoltaic system supplies electric power which depends on the solar radiation and temperature. The suggested scheme comprises of dual parts, the first part is PV system followed by converters joined in a parallel manner at output to produce more current. For segmenting the current at output equally between two converters, the control structure has two control loops, a current loop and a voltage loop. P, PI and PID Controllers are designed for current and voltage loops and compared through MATLAB based simulation and PI is found to be satisfactory.

Agglomeration of Spray-Dried Milk Powder in a Spray Fluidized Bed: A Morphological Modeling

Abstract: The type of solid substrate plays a critical role in determining the kinetics of the spray fluidized bed (SFB) agglomeration process. In the case of porous (also soft) primary particles (PPs), droplet aging is due to imbibition and drying. The surface properties of the substrate also change due to imbibition. The focus of the present work is to simulate the agglomeration of the spray-dried milk powder using the Monte Carlo (MC) method coupled with a drying-imbibition model. In order to extract the morphology of the formed agglomerates, an aggregation model is employed. Further, this aggregation model is employed to predict the number of positions on the PPs (later agglomerates) for droplet deposition; previously, the ‘concept of positions’ was used. The transient growth of different milk powders (whole and skim) is depicted using the enhanced MC model. The enhancement in the droplet deposition model had a prominent influence on the overall kinetics of agglomeration. As expected, this enhanced MC model predicted that the agglomeration rate of skim milk powder is higher than that of whole milk powder.

Robust and Secured Reversible Data Hiding Approach for Medical Image Transmission over Smart Healthcare Environment

Abstract: With the rapid progress of cloud computing, there has been a marked improvement in the development of smart healthcare applications such as Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), Telemedicine, etc. Cloud-based healthcare systems can efficiently store and communicate patient electronic healthcare records (EHR) while allowing for quick growth and flexibility. Despite the potential benefits, identity violation, copyright infringement, illegal re-distribution, and unauthorized access have all been significant. To address all these breaches, in this paper, a reversible medical image watermarking scheme using interpolation is proposed. The medical image is partitioned into Border Region (BR), Region of Interest (ROI), and Region of Non-interest (RONI) regions. BR is used for embedding integrity checksum code generated from ROI for tamper detection. RONI is used for embedding watermark. To ensure complete recovery of ROI and high embedding capacity, ROI is compressed before embedding. To ensure high-security compressed ROI, hospital emblem and EHR merged and then encrypted using a random key generated from Polybius magic square to get higher security. The proposed scheme is proved to take less computational time as there are no complex functions used in the embedding. The experiments performed on the proposed scheme is proved to have high imperceptibility, robustness, embedding capacity, security, and less computational time. All these confirm that the proposed approach is a potential candidate for suitable in smart healthcare environment.