324 research outputs found
Manipulation of beneficial microorganisms in the coconut rhizosphere : a sustainable soil fertility management approach
No full textInherent low fertility status of coconut grown soils, and the prolonged conventional farming practices without giving attention to the biological fertility component of coconut plantations, have resulted in inactive, degraded soils with very poor soil fertility. Soil microorganisms are a diverse group, having the ability to maintain the continuous functioning of the agricultural ecosystem by influencing soil fertility sustainably. With this emphasis, this chapter focuses on reviewing the scientific knowledge gathered in the past on coconut rhizosphere and the beneficial microorganisms inhabiting this environment. Based on the review, the chapter elaborates, strategies on how to manipulate the beneficial microorganisms and their specific traits in the context of coconut planation management. The strategies identified are, stimulation of favourable environment for soil microorganisms In-situ via soil organic carbon management and external introduction of beneficial microorganisms to the coconut rhizosphere
ENTIRE FUNCTIONS SHARING POLYNOMIALS WITH THEIR DERIVATIVES
No full textIn this paper we study the uniqueness of entire functions sharing two polynomials with their derivatives. The results of the paper improve the corresponding results of Chang and Fang (Kodai Math.J. 25(2002), 309–320) and Lahiri-Ghosh(Present author) (Analysis ,Munich. 31(2011), 47–59)
Scientometric Portrait of Homi Jehangir Bhabha: The Father of Indian Nuclear Research Programme
No full textQuantitative and qualitative analysis with graphic representation of the publication productivity of a scientist facilitates easy and clear perception about the work of a scientist. Bhabha’s scientific work spanned over more than three decades (1933-1967) during which he published 104 publications, which could be classified into nine fields: Interaction of Radiation with Matter (4), Quantum Electrodynamics (5), Mathematical Physics (2), Cosmic Ray Physics (18), Elementary Particle Physics (14), Field Theory (15), General Physics (2), Nuclear Physics (4) and General (40). The highest number of publications (6) were published in 1941, 1945 and 1964 respectively. The average number of publications published per year was 3.05. His productivity coefficient was 0.05 which is a clear indicates that his publication productivity was quite consistent throughout his scientific career. He was single author in 79 of his publications and the main author in 24 publications indicates that he always preferred to work himself and lead the team as ‘mentor’. Bhabha had 22 collaborators during the period. Team of research collaborators working with a successful scientist documents the sociological aspect of history of science while generating knowledge by a leader in a domain.
Bhabha became a citable author in 1937. Bhabha received 1211 citations to his 30 publications out of 104 publications. Out of 104, 74 publications did not receive any citations. Out of 74 publications, 40 publications dealt subjects mainly of general interest. Bhabha’s 86.66 percent of cited publications received their first citations within four years of their publication indicates that his publications were noticed immediately and had direct impact among the fellow researchers working all over the world. His overall citation rate was 11.64 per cited publication. The highest citations 389 were received to the domain ‘Cosmic ray physics’. The highest number of citations received were 45 in 1938. His self-citations were only 24 (1.98%) and citations by others were 1187 (98.02%). The highest self citations were six in 1946. Bhabha’s mean diachronous self-citation rate was 1.98. The highest citation rate 28.4 was to the domain ‘Quantum electrodynamics. His single authored publications have received the highest number 863 (71.26%) of citations. Bhabha’s five publications have been cited more than 100 times each. His publications have been cited by the authors working in various diverse fields like nuclear physics, mathematical physics, instrumentation, optics, geophysics and geochemistry, condensed matter physics, applied physics, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering etc., indicating a very diverse influence and impact of Bhabha’s publications. Bhabha’s publications have also been cited by the Nobel laureates like V. L. Ginzberg, Wolfgang Pauli, H. A. Bethe, M. Born, W. Bothe, E. P. Wigner, H. Yukawa, P. M. S. Blackett and C. N. Yang which is an indication of his originality of ideas and high quality of publications
Survival, morphological variability, and performance of Opuntia ficus-indica in a semi-arid region of India
No full textCactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) can survive extreme environmental condition and is known for its fodder potential in many parts of the world. The morphological diversity of 15 introduced accessions was evaluated at Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The plants were established in 2013. Survival and nutrient status were evaluated after two years. Above-ground plant height, biomass, primary and secondary cladode numbers, primary and secondary cladode lengths and below-ground root length, weight, and surface area measurements were done six years after cladode planting. Yellow San Cono, White Roccapalumba, and Seedless Roccapalumba survived 100%. The discriminant traits according to principal component analysis were: primary cladodes plant−1 (component loading, 0.87), primary cladodes biomass (0.95), secondary cladodes plant−1 (0.83), canopy width (0.84), and plant biomass (0.92). Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped 15 accessions into two main clusters based on 17 morphological traits. Cluster I showed favorable values for many above- and below-ground morphological traits while Cluster II showed higher performance for root system width, height, and biomass, and primary and secondary cladode numbers. The results indicate that cactus pear accessions have considerable morphological variability and genetic diversity suitable for promotion as alternative fodder resources in semi-arid regions of India
Cactus Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) Productivity, Proximal Composition and Soil Parameters as Affected by Planting Time and Agronomic Management in a Semi-Arid Region of India
No full textStudy of appropriate planting time and response to agronomic management practices is imperative for the newly introduced cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) into a semi-arid region of India. Responses of cactus pear to agronomic practices (planting time and irrigation and fertilizer application) were evaluated to determine the potential for fodder production and livestock feed in a semi-arid environment of India. We assessed four planting times (February, March, July and October) and two agronomic managements (with and without irrigation and fertilizer application) during 2016–2020 at Jhansi, India. Cactus pear establishment and growth improved with planting time in July and October due to favorable soil moisture and congenial temperature. However, plant height (19 cm) and cladode weight (118 g) were greater in July than in October planting. Nutrient uptake and crude protein contents, however, were higher for the earlier plantings of February and April compared to June and October. Irrigation and nutrients application had little effect on the cactus pear plant growth, except on plant width and cladode length and width. Cactus pear can be planted during July in moderately fertile soils without any agronomic intervention in semi-arid situations of India and has potential as an effective alternative source of forage for livestock during the summer months
Spineless fodder cactus under different land use and production systems in rainfed semi-arid tropics of India
No full textSpineless forage cactus can be a cost-effective solution for the livestock keepers of semi-arid tropics by providing a stable source of nutritive forage capable of maintaining healthy and productive herds/flocks especially during lean periods. Therefore, the feasibility of growing cactus as an alternate source of feed and fodder in different land use systems was explored for these areas. Spineless fodder cactus was planted under various land uses and production systems like boundary plantation in rainfed farming systems, silvopasture, hortipasture, intercropping with forages like tri-specific hybrid (TSH) and cowpea, waste lands and also on farmers’ fields. The growth and yield of spineless forage cactus was recorded at the one and half year-old stage. On average, cactus achieved 74.8 cm height with 13.4 cladodes plant‑1 and 7.95 kg plant‑1 fresh biomass in TSH based intercropping system. The fresh fodder yield from cactus, TSH and inter-cropping system as a whole was 79.5 t ha‑1, 106.34 t ha‑1 year‑1 and 185.84 t ha‑1, respectively. The survival, cladodes plant‑1 and green fodder yield of cactus in Leucaena based silvipastoral system ranged between 62 and 81%, 2-7 and 1.5-5.25 kg plant‑1 while the corresponding values for Emblica based hortipastoral system were 67-86%, 3-10 and 2.4-8 kg plant‑1. The boundary plantation of cactus in rainfed farming system recorded 84-96% survival, 4-14 cladodes plant‑1 and 4.8-16.8 kg plant‑1 green fodder yield. Similarly, the cactus planted on waste land recorded 73-92% survival, 3-12 cladodes plant‑1 and 2.7-10.8 kg plant‑1 fresh biomass. The cactus planted in boundary plantation system recorded higher growth and fresh biomass followed by grass inter-cropping and least under shade in silvipastoral and hortipastoral systems
Nutrient intake and utilization in sheep fed opuntia [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.] in combination with conventional green and dry fodders
No full textThe nutritive value of opuntia [(Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.] in combination with conventional fodders was assessed on 32 adult sheep, divided into 4 equal groups. The experimental diets consisted of chopped (5-8 cm) green opuntia cladodes (150 g on dry matter basis per head daily) in combination with chopped green napier (Pennisetum purpureum) grass (T1), berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) hay (T2), lathyrus (Lathyrus sativus) straw (T3) and gram (Cicer arietinum) straw (T4) ad libitum. All experimental animals were supplemented with 200 g concentrate mixture per head daily. Total DM intake ranged from 3.39 to 4.35 per cent of live weight and it was higher (P<0.01) in experimental groups where berseem hay and lathyrus straw were used as basal feed (T2 and T3). The total tract apparent digestibility of DM, OM and CP were lower (P<0.01) in sheep fed opuntia with gram straw (T4) diet compared to other diets (T1, T2 and T3). Similarly digestibility of fibre fractions (NDF, ADF and cellulose) was also lower (P<0.01) on T4 diet. Intake of digestible DM, OM and TDN were significantly lower in T4 diet, where opuntia was supplemented with gram straw as basal feed, however, it did not differ (P<0.01) with T1 diet. The DCP intake was lower (P<0.01) in T4 (3.12 g/ kgW0.75) when compared to the standard requirements of 5.00 g/kgW0.75 in sheep for maintenance. But intake of TDN was over and above (48.74 to 62.10 g/kgW0.75) the prescribed requirements of 36.00 g/kgW0.75 in sheep for maintenance when considered for all the groups. Animals of all the experimental groups were in positive nitrogen balance. However, N intake, balance, absorb and retention were lower (P<0.01) in T4 diet compared to other diets, but the N excretion through faeces and urine was similar in T1 and T4; and T2 and T3. No significant (P<0.01) changes in live weight were observed and animals maintained the live weight throughout the experimental period. It was evident from the results that opuntia was highly palatable and in combination with conventional fodder sources could maintain adult sheep during summer in semi-arid conditions
Freely available online information sources and their impact on libraries and information centres
No full textSince past few years free online information sources like e-journals, e-books, e-data- bases have increased cnsiderably. The traditional library systems are going to transform into digital library systems and different projects like Gutenberg e-book project, Virginia Tech. Digital Library Project, University of California Digital Library project etc. have been undertaken. The author has started to compile the links of such freely available online information sources on the Internet at URL: http://www.geocities.com/ ghosh_tbd and described the same in this paper. The paper also describes the impact on collection development, budget and technical processing etc. of the Library and Information centre
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in double gallbladder with dual pathology
No full textDouble gallbladder is a rare embryological anomaly of clinical significance. Despite availability of modern imaging, only 50% of recently reported cases had preoperative diagnosis, which is desirable in every case to avoid serious operative complications. Double pathology in double gallbladder is extremely rare with only 3 reporting′s available till date to the best of author′s knowledge. With a preoperative diagnosis of double gallbladder, laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely and successfully performed with meticulous dissection, aided by operative cholangiogram. However in all such attempts a lower threshold should be kept for conversion to open surgery. Awareness about this anomaly amongst radiologists and surgeons is of crucial importance. Double gallbladder does not present with any specific symptom, neither it increases disease possibility in either lobe. Prophylactic cholecystectomy has no role in asymptomatic cases diagnosed accidentally. Author reports a case of a symptomatic young male with double gallbladder who presented with short history of dyspepsia, abdominal pain and fever. Definite preoperative diagnosis was reached with ultrasound scan and magnetic resonance cholangio pancreatography and subsequently dealt with laparoscopically. Calculous cholecystitis affected one lobe and acalculous empyema the other. While the 1st lobe drained though a cystic duct into common bile duct (CBD), the 2nd was without any communication with either CBD or its counterpart, thus remained as a blind vesicle
Dynamics of Organic Carbon Molecules in Oxbow Lakes of Gangetic Plains
No full textThe Ganges Delta is a key area where elemental contamination of groundwater constitutes a human catastrophe. The delta plain geomorphology comprises a large number of abandoned meander bends or oxbow lakes (Donselaar et al., 2017; Ghosh et al., 2021) characterized by an anoxic environment in the lower part of the lake water column (hypolimnion). Here we present the critical role of these abandoned-river channels forming oxbow lakes. The geomorphological the juxtaposition of (a) abandoned channels (or: oxbow lakes) where the cocktail of organic matter and sediment leads to the release of various elements, (b) the topographically higher point bars where the released elements accumulate in the aquifer and provide a blueprint to explain the origin and localization of elemental toxicity. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is implicated in the mobilization of elements via microbial metabolic processes. Organic matter (OM) is preserved in this environment and provides a perfect environment for microbial oxidation and mobilization of Fe-oxides. Additional deposition of human-introduced sewage wastes adds to a rich source of nutrients to the indigenous microbial communities.A multidisciplinary approach was effective in understanding the geomorphology of river meanders, forming abandoned channels, which act as a growth bed for biomass. While acting as an incubator for primary production (lake vegetation dynamics), and subsequent organic debris accumulation (anoxic, hypolimnion water column), where selective preferential preservation of organic carbon compound (anoxic sediment base) occur. We have described how organic compound infiltration, deposition and abundance depends on their hydrophobicity, molecular weights and bioavailability and further, due to diagenetic alteration (microbial metabolic oxidation). Different classes of surface derived organic carbon from vegetation with anthropogenic inputs, can have different effects on the mineral weathering and in controlling the downstream cationic fluxes such as Fe, Mn, As, F etc. and contamination of aquifers in various river plains across the world.Applied Geolog
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