Search

Widespread use of chemical pesticides leads to soil and water pollution with harvest detrimental to human health. A viable alternative is to use environment-friendly substitutes that do not possess residue problems. Moringa is popularly known as “the tree of life” as each part of the tree has some medicinal attributes. An attempt was made to explore the use of moringa extracts for plant disease management. Moringa leaves were extracted with different solvents (water, acetone, ethyl acetate and hexane) and tested against major soil-borne pathogens (Athelia rolfsii, Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium spp.). The leaf extracts showed an inhibitory effect on the growth of all the pathogens. Significantly higher inhibition was observed in plates where water was used for the extraction of bioactive compounds. The ED50 value of 546.51 mg/litre was reported for the pathogen Athelia rolfsii when water was used for extraction followed by acetone (624.25 mg/litre) and ethyl acetate (680.75 mg/ litre). The inhibition percentage and ED50 value varied significantly with the change in the solvent used for the extraction purpose. According to the results, moringa leaf extracts can be utilized as a good substitute for chemical pesticides since they are efficient against plant pathogens.

Aim of study: To quantify the data regarding soil compaction induced beneath the tillage working depth purely due to the tilling action of the different active tillage machinery in sandy loam soil. Area of study: Research Farm, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India Material and methods: The data were quantified in terms of cone index (CI), bulk density, and porosity. Its comparison was also made with conventional practice followed by the farmers, involving only passive-tillage tools (i.e. cultivator and disc harrow). The results did not represent the tractor-imposed soil compaction under the tires. Main results: The maximum soil compaction beneath the working depth in terms of increment in soil CI occurred with rotavator followed by conventional practice, PTO-operated disc tiller, and power harrow, which are in the range of 6.67-7.05%, 5.17-5.29%, 4.29-4.97%, and 2.08-2.36%, respectively. The increment in bulk density was similar to that as mentioned above with values in the range of 3.96-4.06%, 2.30-2.42%, 1.71-1.88%, and 1.31-1.40%, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum decrement in soil porosity occurred with rotavator followed by conventional practice, PTO-operated disc tiller, and power harrow which were in the range of 5.67-6.61%, 2.74-2.94%, 1.71-1.88%, and 2.06-2.25%, respectively. Research highlights: The active tillage rotary machinery cause soil compaction due to the applied compressive force on the soil during their tilling action. They create optimal topsoil tilth but can compact deeper soil due to blade speed, necessitating the selection of ideal rotational and forward speeds to minimize this compaction.

As an agricultural state, Haryana (India) produces about six million metric tons (mt) of rice straw every year from rice cultivation. Currently, rice straw is either burned or ploughed into the field without being turned into a functional product. Burning of paddy straw release green house gases and particulate matter (2.5 and 10 μm), which leads to air pollution and considerable loss of soil property viz. nutrients, organic matter, productivity and biodiversity, and on and off-farm humans and animals’ health. The biochemically and functionally specified potential for optimal alternative use of the rice straw of 13 most widely produced rice varieties from Haryana’s eastern and western agro-climate zones was undertaken. Pusa-1401 variety had the highest cellulose (46.55%) and silica content (13.70%), while Pusa-1718 had hemicellulose (28.25%) and lignin (11.60%), respectively. Maximum nitrogen (0.81%), phosphorus (0.32%) and potassium (2.78%) were found in rice variety Pusa-1509, Pusa-1401 and Rice-6129. The findings seemed to be statistically significant (p

Potential methane-oxidizing-plant growth-promoting yeast was isolated and characterized during 2017-18 at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Yeast isolates belonging to the genus Meyerozyma guilliermondii were isolated from five major flooded paddy growing regions of India. Among all the isolates, Meyerozyma guilliermondii KAS-143 efficiently oxidized methane up to 57.64% ± 0.83 in 6 d under in vitro conditions. It also produced a significant quantity of phytohormone IAA and solubilized P, K, and Zn. Meyerozyma guilliermondii KAS-143 can be used for devolving potential inoculants for flooded paddy which can not only promote plant growth but also simultaneously reduce methane emission by its oxidation.

The study deals with the optimization of paddy residue management technologies for the management of paddy straw in combine harvested fields. The study emphasizes paddy straw management under different techniques (Retention, Incorporation and Removal of straw) with the use of different combinations of machinery. The research was conducted at farmer's field Dabra, Hisar, Haryana during 2017–18. The objective of the research was to evaluate techno-economic feasibility of different options of machinery. According to the results of the trials, the M4 (Combine harvester with SMS + Reversible mould board plough + Rotavator + Seed drill) had the greatest fuel consumption of 53.12 l/ha. M2 (Combine harvester with SMS + Spatial till drill) had the lowest fuel consumption of 22.29 l/ha. The lowest cost of operation of 63.32 `/q was found in treatment M2. Highest unit cost operation of 140.52 `/q was found in M9 (Traditional combine + Stubble shaver + Hay rake + Straw baler + Disc harrow (2 pass) + Planker + Seed drill). The benefit-cost ratio was found to be highest in traditional combine (1.99) and lowest in zero-till drill (1.11). Treatment-wise, benefit-ratio ratio was found maximum in treatment M10 (1.80) and minimum in M5 (1.50). According to the findings of study, residue retention technology is found better in comparison to straw incorporation and straw removal.

The effect of synthesised IONPs employing a nontoxic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica as a reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent for increasing biogas and methane output from cattle manure during anaerobic digestion (AD) was investigated in this study. Furthermore, the UV-visible spectra examination of the synthesized nanoparticles revealed a high peak at 432 nm. Using a transmission electron microscope, the average particle size of IONPs observed was 30–80 nm, with irregular, ultra-small, semi-spherical shapes that were slightly aggregated and well-distributed. IONPs had a polydisparity index (PDI) of 219 nm and a zeta potential of −27.0 mV. A set of six bio-digesters were fabricated and tested to see how varying concentrations of IONPs (9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 mg/L) influenced biogas, methane output, and effluent chemical composition from AD at mesophilic temperatures (35 ± 2 °C). With 18 mg/L IONPs, the maximum specific biogas and methane production were 136.74 L/g of volatile solids (VS) and 64.5%, respectively, compared to the control (p < 0.05), which provided only 107.09 L/g and 51.4%, respectively. Biogas and methane production increased by 27.6% and 25.4%, respectively using 18 mg/L IONPs as compared to control. In all treatments, the pH of the effluent was increased, while total volatile fatty acids, total solids, volatile solids, organic carbon content, and dehydrogenase activity decreased. Total solid degradation was highest (43.1%) in cattle manure + 18 mg/L IONPs (T5). According to the results, the IONPs enhanced the yield of biogas and methane when compared with controls.

A two-year field study was conducted during 2011 and 2012 at Karnal (Haryana), to evaluate tillage and crop establishment (TCE) options with an objective to improve yield, water productivity and profitability in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The TCE methods had a significant effect on rice yields. Grain yield of mechanically transplanted rice (MTR) in puddled soil was significantly higher (10-22%) than all the other treatments in both the years of study. Conventional till direct seeded rice (CT-DSR) and zero-till direct seeded rice (ZT-DSR) consumed 12-17% less water as compared to puddled transplanted (manual or mechanical) rice during 2011, whereas during 2012, it consumed 5- 9% more water than puddled transplanted rice. DSR (CT or ZT) and mechanical transplanting (under both puddled and unpuddled conditions) resulted in a labour saving of 7-8% and 6-12% as compared to manual puddled transplanting, respectively. The benefit: cost ratio was highest in MTR in puddled soil followed by ZT-DSR and was minimum in mechanically transplanted rice in unpuddled soil. Energy output: input ratio was highest in MTR (4.1) in puddled soil followed by manual transplanting (3.7) and was minimum in MTR in unpuddled soil (3.2).

Quetiapine Fumarate is potent, and the daily therapeutic dose can be delivered easily across the skin with the help of permeation enhancers. Quetiapine Fumarate-loaded transdermal patches were prepared by solvent evaporation technique. Various formulation parameters, excipients, and their combinations were optimized to get thin, translucent, smooth, stable, and high permeable character patches. A total number of 10 formulations were prepared. All formulations were subjected to various physicochemical evaluations. Three different formulations were prepared and F1, F2, and F3. Various physicochemical studies were carried out and found no significant difference between the three batches. The in vitro release study showed 74.29%, 82.73%, and 77.27%, respectively, up to 24 h. From the results, F2 has been selected as an optimized formulation and evaluated for skin irritation test. The results revealed that there is no irritation produced. The stability study results showed that there is no significant change from its initial nature till the period of three months in both temperatures. Quetiapine Fumarate Transdermal Patch F2 has achieved the goal of extended-release, cost-effectiveness, lowering the dose and frequency of drug administration, and thus may improve patient compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reported a sexual assault case where Y-STR DNA profile was tested for the confirmation of male DNA. Within the DNA profile of the sample of accused, a tri-allelic pattern was detected at locus DYF387S1. Since this locus doesn't exist in any of the commercially available Y-STR amplification kits, So, the confirmation of this tri-allelic pattern was done by re-extracting and amplifying the extracted DNA by using Y-Filer Plus amplification kit (Thermo Fischer Scientific, CA, USA--Thermo) followed by separation of amplicons on Genetic Analyzer 3500xl.The allelic patterns of case sample belong to Type-2 pattern of tri-allelic outcome because peak heights were in balanced manner. This region is very much prone towards any structural mutation which could be either addition or deletion of allele, so for the forensic point of view this locus should be used carefully for kinship analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous LiMn 0.6 Fe 0.4 PO 4 (LMFP) is synthesized by a modified sol–gel process. Highly conductive LMFP due to uniform dispersion of carbon throughout LMFP particles are achieved by the addition of sucrose as an additional carbon source. The LMFP obtained has a high specific surface area with a uniform, porous, and web-like nano-sized carbon layer on the surface. The initial discharge capacity and energy density of the LMFP cathode is 152 mAh g −1 and 570 Wh kg −1 , respectively, at 0.1C current rate. The combined effect of high porosity and high electrical conductivity lead to fast lithium ion diffusion and enhance initial capacity compared to materials prepared by the general sol–gel method. However, with conventional electrolyte (1M LiPF 6 in EC/DMC) poor cycle performance is observed due to HF attack. To improve the cycle stability we add tris (trimethylsily) phosphite (TMSP) as an additive in the electrolyte which dramatically improves cycle stability and rate-capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glaucoma is an ocular condition characterized by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Conventional treatments of glaucoma face poor corneal permeability and bioavailability. To address these issues, a nanoemulsion in situ gel of Timolol maleate was developed in this study by adding the polymer Carbopol 934p. Using Carbopol 934p, a novel ophthalmic pH-induced nanoemulsion in situ gel was formulated. The formulation was liquid at pH 4 and quickly gelled when the pH was raised to 7.4 (Lacrimal pH). The pH-triggered in situ gelling mechanism demonstrated continuous drug release over a 24 h cycle. A total of nine trial formulations were prepared (NEI1–NEI9) and subjected to various physicochemical and in vitro evaluations. According to the in vitro release kinetics, the drug release of Timolol maleate nanoemulsion in situ gel NEI5 followed zero-order kinetics, with a release exponent value of 0.902, indicating that the mechanism of release was non-Fickian diffusion regulated. In vivo results showed that Timolol maleate nanoemulsion in situ gel NEI5 provided a better-sustained release of the drug, compared with the Timolet OD eye drops. The formulation is stable in storage, with no distinguishable change in appearance, physical properties, quality, and percentage drug release. NEI5 also reduces drug administration frequency, which improves patient compliance. Timolol maleate nanoemulsion in situ gel NEI5 achieved the goal of controlled drug delivery with extended-release and cost-effectiveness, lowering the dosage and frequency of drug administration, and thus may improve patient compliance. In conclusion, the stable nanoemulsion in situ gel of Timolol maleate NEI5 decreases intraocular pressure (IOP) over a prolonged period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]