Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute

About: Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute is a facility organization based out in New Delhi, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Small area estimation. The organization has 454 authors who have published 870 publications receiving 7987 citations.

Effect of chromium (VI) toxicity on morpho-physiological characteristics, yield, and yield components of two chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties

Abstract: The ever-increasing industrial activities over the decades have generated high toxic metal such as chromium (Cr) that hampers the crop productivity. This study evaluated the effect of Cr on two chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties, Pusa 2085 and Pusa Green 112, in hydroponic and pot-grown conditions. First, growth parameters (seed germination, seedling growth, and biomass production) and physio-biochemical parameters (oxidative stress and the content of antioxidants and proline) were measured to evaluate the performance of both varieties grown hydroponically for 21 days at concentrations of 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 μM Cr in the form of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7). In both varieties, significantly deleterious effects on germination and seedling growth parameters were observed at 90 and 120 μM, while growth was stimulated at 30 μM Cr. Significant increases in malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide content and electrolyte leakage demonstrated enhanced oxidative injury to seedlings caused by higher concentrations of Cr. Further, increasing concentrations of Cr positively correlated with increased proline content, superoxide dismutase activity, and peroxide content in leaves. There was also an increase in peroxisomal ascorbate peroxidase and catalase in the leaves of both varieties at lower Cr concentrations, whereas a steep decline was recorded at higher Cr concentrations. In the pot experiments conducted over two consecutive years, growth, yield, yield attributes, grain protein, and Cr uptake and accumulation were measured at different Cr concentrations. Pusa Green 112 showed a significant reduction in plant growth, chlorophyll content, grain protein, pod number, and grain yield per plant when compared with Pusa 2085. Overall, our results indicate that Pusa 2085 has a higher Cr tolerance than Pusa Green 112. Therefore, Pusa 2085 could be used to further elucidate the mechanisms of Cr tolerance in plants and in breeding programmes to produce Cr-resistant varieties.

Non-segregated municipal solid waste in an open dumping ground: a potential contaminant in relation to environmental health

Abstract: The present article discusses an overview on the contamination of non-segregated open municipal solid waste (MSW) in and around a dumping site at Garchuk in Guwahati city, Assam, India. Analysis showed depth-wise variations in the concentrations of selected heavy metals in MSW and their subsequent accumulations with increasing depths. Zinc was the most abundant heavy metal in MSW. Six-step selective sequential extractions revealed that most of the heavy metals in MSW were in the residual phase except zinc. Analysis of the leachate from MSW showed high concentrations of fluoride, chloride, ammonium–nitrogen and the ratio of biological oxygen demand/chemical oxygen demand. Concentrations of all the heavy metals in the leachates were higher than the Indian national effluent standards. High amounts of biological oxygen demand, heavy metals, total and fecal coliforms in water samples from the adjoining water body (Deepor Beel, a Ramsar site) of the MSW dumping site indicated its unsuitability for domestic use. Principle component analysis showed that influence of MSW leachate was the major source of water contamination in Deepor Beel. Though accumulation of heavy metals in different vegetables growing in MSW dumping site did not exceed the recommended maximum intake, it was a significant additional source of heavy metals in cooked human diet.

pH-Sensitive crosslinked guar gum-based superabsorbent hydrogels: Swelling response in simulated environments and water retention behavior in plant growth media

Abstract: Crosslinked guar gum-g-polyacrylate (cl-GG-g-PA) superabsorbent hydrogels were prepared to explore their potential as soil conditioners and carriers. The hydrogels were prepared by in situ grafting polymerization and crosslinking of acrylamide onto a natural GG followed by hydrolysis. Microwave-initiated synthesis under the chosen experimental conditions did not exhibit any significant improvement over the conventional technique. The optimization studies of various synthesis parameters, namely, monomer concentration, crosslinker concentration, initiator concentration, quantity of water per unit reaction mass, particle size of backbone, and concentration of alkali were performed. The hydrogels were characterized by wide-angle X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and solid-state 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Swelling behavior of a candidate hydrogel [GG-superabsorbent polymer (SAP)] in response to external stimuli, namely, salt solutions, fertilizer solutions, temperature, and pH, was studied. The GG-SAP exhibited significant swelling in various environments. The effect of GG-SAP on water absorption and the retention characteristics of sandy loam soil and soil-less medium were also studied as a function of temperature and moisture tensions. The addition of GG-SAP significantly improved the moisture characteristics of plant growth media (both soil and soil-less), showing that it has tremendous potential for diverse applications in moisture stress agriculture.

Transcriptomic signature of drought response in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) and development of web-genomic resources

Abstract: Pearl millet, (Pennisetum glaucum L.), an efficient (C4) crop of arid/semi-arid regions is known for hardiness. Crop is valuable for bio-fortification combating malnutrition and diabetes, higher caloric value and wider climatic resilience. Limited studies are done in pot-based experiments for drought response at gene-expression level, but field-based experiment mimicking drought by withdrawal of irrigation is still warranted. We report de novo assembly-based transcriptomic signature of drought response induced by irrigation withdrawal in pearl millet. We found 19983 differentially expressed genes, 7595 transcription factors, gene regulatory network having 45 hub genes controlling drought response. We report 34652 putative markers (4192 simple sequence repeats, 12111 SNPs and 6249 InDels). Study reveals role of purine and tryptophan metabolism in ABA accumulation mediating abiotic response in which MAPK acts as major intracellular signal sensing drought. Results were validated by qPCR of 13 randomly selected genes. We report the first web-based genomic resource ( http://webtom.cabgrid.res.in/pmdtdb/ ) which can be used for candidate genes-based SNP discovery programs and trait-based association studies. Looking at climatic change, nutritional and pharmaceutical importance of this crop, present investigation has immense value in understanding drought response in field condition. This is important in germplasm management and improvement in endeavour of pearl millet productivity.