G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology

About: G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology is a education organization based out in Haldwani, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Agriculture. The organization has 3154 authors who have published 3244 publications receiving 43741 citations. The organization is also known as: Govind Ballabh Pant Krishi Evam Praudyogik Vishwavidyalaya & Pantnagar University.

Zinc – An Indispensable Micronutrient

Abstract: Availability of Zn to plant is hampered by its immobile nature and adverse soil conditions. Thus, Zn deficiency is observed even though high amount is available in soil. Root-shoot barrier, a major controller of zinc transport in plant is highly affected by changes in the anatomical structure of conducting tissue and adverse soil conditions like pH, clay content, calcium carbonate content, etc. Zn deficiency results in severe yield losses and in acute cases plant death. Zn deficiency in edible plant parts results in micronutrient malnutrition leading to stunted growth and improper sexual development in humans. To overcome this problem several strategies have been used to enrich Zn availability in edible plant parts, including nutrient management, biotechnological tools, and classical and molecular breeding approaches.

Interactions of an acid tolerant strain of phosphate solubilizing bacteria with a few acid tolerant crops

Abstract: Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) were isolated from sixty soil samples of various soil classes and cropping histories in Himalayan regions of Uttar Pradesh, India by enrichment culture techniques. Phosphate solubilization and acid tolerance of each strain was estimated. A strain (PAS-2) isolated froma pasture and waste land of pH 4.8, organic matter 2.6% available N 265kg ha-1, available P2O5(Bray's II) 2.3kg ha-1 and available K2O 353 kg ha-1 had the highest P-solubilization (45 µg P per mL per day) and also highest acid tolerance rating 42. The strain was identified as Bacillus sp. Seed inoculation of this bacterial strain resulted in significant increases in grain and vegetative yield of fingermillet (Elosine coracana), maize (Zea mays), amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus), buckwheat (Fagopyrium esculentum), frenchbean (Phaseolus vulgaris) with or without added P sources. The significant grain yield (quintol ha-1) with phosphate and seed inoculation ranged from 33.85 in maize, 26.33 in frenchbean, 22.41 in buckwheat, 20.71 in amaranth and 19.19 in fingermillet as compared to controls. The highest response was observed with frenchbean followed by fingermillet, buckwheat, amaranth and maize. Phosphate use efficiency was highest in frenchbean followed by maize and lowest and almost at par in buckwheat, amaranth and fingermillet. Available phosphate was also highest in frenchbean cultivated plot followed by amaranth, fingermillet, buckwheat and maize. The MPN count of phosphate solubilizing bacteria were also influenced by seed inoculation of strain PAS-2. Frenchbean exerted greaterrhizosphere effect followed by pseudocereals and cereals. Likewise, phosphate nutrition of crops were also improved through seed inoculation irrespective of added P sources. The study thus demonstrated that selection of efficient strain of PSB from acid soil and its seed inoculation in selected crop genotype is beneficial in boosting up crop yield in low productive hill soil. Seed inoculation also created greater rhizosphere effect over uninoculation which improved P-nutrition of crops and also available soil P.

Use of apple pomace as a source of dietary fiber in cakes.

Abstract: Dried and powdered apple pomace was passed through 30, 50 and 60 mesh sieves to get pomace of varying particle size. Blends were prepared by mixing 5, 10 and 15 percent pomace from each of the three particle sizes with wheat flour. The blends were evaluated for cake. Batter viscosity increased with increasing pomace level and decreasing particle size. Specific gravity and pH of the batter decreased with increasing pomace levels. Cake weight, shrinkage and uniformity index increased with increasing pomace levels, whereas, cake volume and symmetry index showed a reverse trend.

Sequencing batch reactor technology for biological wastewater treatment: a review

Abstract: Wastewater treatment has been a challenge throughout the years due to varying influent characteristics and stringent effluent regulations. In response to this dilemma, a reliable, cost-effective and high-efficiency sequencing batch reactor (SBR) technology has been recently developed. SBRs are variations of the activated sludge process that operates on a fill-and-draw basis. It combines both aerobic–anaerobic phases in one unit and saves up to 25% of the aeration costs concomitant with low sludge production. Consequently, simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal from the wastewater could be achieved by adjusting the actual operating cycle. This review paper discusses the technical description and operational flexibility of SBR for the treatment of wide range of effluent under different operational conditions, together with its modifications that could increase the effectiveness of SBR systems in the future. Copyright © 2010 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.