National Academy Science Letters最新文献

Manual transplanted rice is labor-intensive, requires a large amount of water, and makes soil poor. Keeping this in view, Non-puddled machine transplanted rice (NPMTR) as an alternative planting technique for puddled machine transplanted rice (PMTR) was tested at Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute (TRRI), Aduthurai during Kharif seasons 2016 to 2020. The experimental data was analyzed using an independent two-sample t-test. The statistical analysis results indicated that NPMTR and PMTR rice planting techniques did not show any significant difference in rice grain yields and recorded 4.82 and 5.06 t/ha respectively. However, a significant (P < 0.00) higher water use efficiency (4.852 kg/ ha mm) was observed under NPMTR, saving approximately 21% water with a 4.97% yield penalty compared to PMTR. In addition, economic analysis results also indicated a higher benefit-cost ratio (B: C Ratio) of 2.29 under NPMTR than 2.09 in PMTR. NPMTR is cost-effective (less production cost ₹ 5880/ha), resource-saving (fuel 26 L/ ha, energy (1220 MJ/ ha), time (5.5 h/ ha) and water (250.4 mm/ ha), easy to practice and reliable rice transplanting method under fast-changing global climatic conditions.

This article focuses on mapping MNDWI of Pune District, Maharashtra, with a specific application in drought mapping. By analyzing satellite imagery, we identify areas experiencing reduced water content, such as shrinking water bodies and stressed vegetation, indicative of drought conditions. The temporal monitoring capability of MNDWI allows us to track the progression of drought and evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures. The generated MNDWI map may provide valuable information for policymakers and stakeholders in Pune District to address the impacts of drought on water resources and agricultural productivity.

Canopy temperature (CT) is one of the important traits for evaluation/screening for high temperature tolerance in wheat crop. In our study genotypes are sowing variation in terms of canopy temperature. The ten wheat genotypes were assessed during the 2021–2022 rabi season using a precise phenotyping technique under both timely sown (TS) and late sown (LS) conditions. 7th day after anthesis (DAA), PBW644 showed the highest value 39.60C and PBW752 showed lowest value 31.1 °C in TS condition. DBW14 (Delhi bread wheat) showed the highest value 51.5 °C and PBW757(Punjab Bread Wheat) showed the lowest value 37.0 °C in LS condition. 14th DAA, AKW1071 (Akola wheat) showed highest value 40.4 °C and PBW752 showed lowest value 32.2 °C in TS condition. PBW644 showed highest value 48.5 °C and DBW71 showed lowest value 37.1 °C in LS condition. High canopy temperature implies reduced heat tolerance or sensitivity to high temperatures or limited moisture. Low canopy temperature suggests better adaptation to heat or drought conditions, possibly due to traits like increased transpiration rates or better water use efficiency.

Fourteen isolates of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana could be introduced as an endophyte into jute plant (Corchorus capsularis) through seed inoculation. Only four endophytic isolates induced the activation of salt stress-tolerant gene pathways in the jute plants that were treated. RNA Sequencing identified 1017 differentially expressed genes between the ‘endophyte colonized plant’ and the ‘untreated plant’. A total of 1117 genes exhibited upregulation, while 279 genes showed downregulation in the treated plant. The expression of salinity stress resistant genes (SLT1, GDSL, KAT3) were significantly up regulated. Furthermore, the analysis revealed the presence of genes encoding transcription factors MYB, bHLH, NAC, bZIP, WRKY, and zinc finger among the 1017 differentially expressed genes.

In the present study, the immiscible fluid flow of micropolar and viscous conducting fluids is considered in the porous medium between two vertical plates. A magnetic field is applied normal to the flow direction and flow is considered under a constant pressure gradient. The left part (Region 1) contains the micropolar fluid and the right part (Region 2) has viscous fluid. The main objective of the current study is to analyze the effect of weak and strong values of all governing parameters in heat and mass transfer solutions of the two different fluid layers. The governing equations of this problem are modeled in the form of nonlinear coupled partial differential equations. These equations are solved analytically and the results of all the coefficients involved in solutions are shown numerically. The effect of all the parameters on velocity, microrotation, and temperature distribution are displayed through various graphs. These obtained solutions are beneficial and may be used for industrial applications.

The global shift towards coffee consumption has resulted in a significant increase in spent coffee grounds (SCG) waste. The potential biological activities of SCG, however, remain underexplored. This research investigated the cosmeceutical application potential of SCG, exploring the phytochemical composition, radical scavenging activity, anti-melanogenic activity, and photoprotective properties of SCG extracts obtained from both conventional and cold brewing methods. SCGs were extracted using ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane; after conventional and cold brewing methods, revealing differences in phytochemical yields. Ethyl acetate and ethanol extractions in both conventional and cold brew SCG exhibited the highest total phenolic content. Conversely, there was no difference in total steroidal content among different solvents. Cold brew SCG ethanol extract presents the highest antioxidant capacity, owing to its ability to scavenge neutral radical [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl] (DPPH^•), cation radical [2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] (ABTS^+•), and metal ions, followed by the cold brew SCG ethyl acetate extract. Nevertheless, none of the extracts exhibited inhibitory activity against mushroom tyrosinase, suggestive of the absence of anti-melanogenic activity. UV absorption spectra indicated relatively effective UVB protection in cold brew ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts, with determined Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 7.74 and 5.39, respectively. Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant correlations between total phenolic content and radical scavenging assays (p < 0.05). In summary, this study underscores the potential of cold brew SCG ethanolic and ethyl acetate extracts as a sustainable source of cosmeceutical ingredients, offering good antioxidant and mild photoprotective benefits for skincare formulations and sustainable waste management.

The current trend leans towards employing an in vitro-based regenerative approach to tackle the various challenges associated with conventional propagation techniques. Musa acuminata (AAA) cv. Amrit Sagar, native to North-east India, holds substantial nutritional and biological significance. However, its commercial cultivation faces obstacles such as poor sucker quality and biotic pressures. In this study, multiple shoots were obtained using shoot tip explants of M. acuminata cv. Amrit Sagar. These explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) solid medium supplemented with varying concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), adenine sulfate (AdS), and α-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). To facilitate in vitro propagation, surface sterilization was optimized using 4.0% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for 20 min, followed by 0.1% mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) for 20 min, resulting in a contamination rate as low as 13.33%. Shoot regeneration achieved an establishment rate of 87.33% using shoot tips in MS medium with 2.5 mg L^-1 BAP, 40 mg L^-1 AdS, and 0.5 mg L^-1 α-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Optimal multiple shoot formation was observed in MS medium containing 10 mg L^-1 BAP, 40 mg L^-1 AdS, and 0.5 mg L^-1 NAA. Regarding root development, 92.90% efficiency was noted in half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2.5 mg L^-1 Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA).

Although several intercropping systems have been reported for cotton, the effects of legume under high-density planting systems on soil biology and nutrient availability in rainfed Vertisol have not yet been studied. With this research gap, we performed a comprehensive evaluation of different legumes (black gram, cluster beans, cowpea, green gram, soybean) in cotton and studied their effects on soil biology and nutrient availability. Legume intercropping in cotton significantly decreased soil pH (4%) and calcium carbonate content (29%), indicating soil acidification. Significant enhancements in soil organic carbon (27%), mineralizable nitrogen (35%), available phosphorus (45%), sulphur (39%), and boron (21%) were observed in cotton + legume intercropping compared with the sole cotton. Legume intercropping significantly increased glomalin (24%), soil polysaccharide (16%), and soil phosphatase activities (58%). Among legumes, soybean and green gram exhibited higher beneficial activities. Overall, our study revealed the beneficial effects of legume-based intercropping in cotton. Among the legumes, soybean and green gram were superior in enhancing soil nutrient availability and biological activities.

The species Orthosiphon thymiflorus is reported first time from the north east India. The species is morphologically similar to Orthosiphon rubicundus but can be distinguished from the latter by the absence of tuberous rootstock, presence of distinct leaf petioles and 3 lobed posterior lip. The present collection from Karbi Anglong district of Assam confirms its distributional continuation between the peninsular India and southeast Asia. Morphological description and an illustration plate has been provided for easy identification of the species.

A study was conducted to assess the magnitude of genetic diversity through RAPD markers among 33 genotypes of naturally grown lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) found in Bihar (India). A significant amount of polymorphism was detected by 21 RAPD primers. Among the genetic variation statistics, the highest values of number of polymorphic loci (32), polymorphic loci percent (96.97%), observed number of alleles (Na) 1.97, and effective number of alleles (Ne) 1.85 were analyzed. Nei’s gene diversity ranged from 0.29 (OPL-04) to 0.44 (OPL-05), with an average value of 0.38 indicating a moderate level of variability. Shannon’s information index (I) 0.61, and polymorphic information content (PIC) 0.72 were observed. UPGMA similarity dendrogram was generated from RAPD genomic data. Jaccard’s similarity coefficient ranged from 0.52 to 0.86 for 33 lotus genotypes. All genotypes were grouped in two clusters. Cluster I with BRL-01 and BRL-08 were presented as highly diverse genotypes recognized with 120.80 and 118.40 number of petals in white colour, and in Cluster II genotype BRL-21 and BRL-22 were presented as diverse genotypes with 111.80 and 111.20 numbers of petals per flower in pink colour. Overall, a moderate degree of genetic diversity was ascertained among all 33 genotypes used in the study.