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It is still not clear whether differential response of Bt cotton and conventional non-Bt cotton genotypes in terms of growth, phenology and yield ability are hypothetical or realistic. This study investigated the response of three Bt cotton hybrids in comparison to their conventional non-transgenic version (near-isogenic lines) along with two locally adapted genotypes for growth, yield attributes, phenological characteristics and rooting behavior. Therefore, two experiments were conducted during summer season of year 2016 and 2017 to evaluate differences among 3 popular Bt cotton hybrids along with their non-Bt version. First field experiment was conducted as a pot study wherein shoot and root parameters of 3 Bt cotton hybrids (Ankur 3028, MRC 7017, Bioseed 6588) were compared with their non-Bt version along with 2 local checks (i.e.,hirsutum cotton Cv. F2228 and arboreum cottonCv. FDK124). Second field experiment evaluated growth, phenological characteristics, yield attributes and productivity potential of above mentioned Bt and non-Bt hybrids. Findings of pot experiment could not establish any significant difference among studied Bt and non-Bt hybrids for root and shoot characteristics. However, arboreum cotton FDK124 exhibited higher root length than all genotypes. Results of second experiment revealed significant differences for phenological characteristics, wherein Bt version of all the tested hybrids exhibited earliness for flowering initiation, 50 % flowering and days to maturity over their non-Bt version. Seed cotton yield (SCY) in all hybrids possessing Bt gene was significantly higher than their non-Bt version primarily due to higher bolls plant-1. Studies conclude that introgression of Bt gene could not alter rooting parameters of evaluated cotton genotypes but significantly affected phenological stages by inducing earliness and higher SCY in Bt versions due to improved bolls plant-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In North India, sub-soiling is required to alleviate the problem of soil compaction raised due to the use of heavy machinery. We have emphasized energy auditing to understand the practical feasibility of sub-soiling in cotton-wheat cropping system. Four sub-soiling treatments (cross and single side sub-soiling at 1.0 m, 1.5 m under both cases) in addition to conventional tillage were compared with conventional tillage alone at two sites. Sub-soiling improved crop yield by 13.5–33.7% in cotton and 13.0–22.0% in wheat as compared to control. Net monetary returns earned with sub-soiling were 98–408 and 159–287 US$/ha higher under cotton and wheat, respectively over control. Energy auditing suggested that sub-soiling treatments consumed 489–1504 MJ/ha extra energy in cotton season, however, net energy gain was higher in cotton (by 11,518–29,715 MJ/ha) and wheat (by 19,861–32,594 MJ/ha) over control. Energy use efficiency was higher under sub-soiling treatments in cotton (5.36–7.25) and wheat (9.55–10.46), whereas corresponding values under control were 4.64–6.18 and 8.18–8.36. Similarly, lesser specific energy was observed under sub-soiling treatments as compared to control. The present study concluded that sub-soiling increased cotton productivity and energetic returns as well as had the significant residual effect on wheat crop. These results clearly suggest that sub-soiling is a sustainable practice for cotton-wheat system in north-western India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrigation water scarcity during the very high rate of evapotranspiration period (during May and June) is a major concern for cotton production in north-western India. So, an experiment was planned to study the response of cotton to levels of pre-sowing irrigation, different times of sowing, delay in first irrigation and different agrometeorological indices (AMI). Cotton growth and yield attributes and AMI for different phenophases were poor under shallow pre-sowing irrigation and resulted in a reduction in seed cotton yield (SCY) significantly by 14.4–15.7% as compared to heavy pre-sowing irrigation. Timely sown cotton achieved maximum crop growth and yield attributes and AMI as well as SCY over the late sown crop. Late sown crop resulted in more than 40% yield reduction. Cotton crop that received first irrigation at 4 weeks after sowing (WAS) recorded significantly higher SCY along with higher growth and yield attributes and AMI. A delay in first irrigation from 4 WAS to 6 WAS resulted in the reduction of 15% SCY. SCY was significantly correlated with accumulated growing degree days (GDD), phenothermal index (PTI) and helio-thermal units (HTU) with higher correlation coefficients. Hence, higher AMI, SCY and heat use efficiency (HUE) were achieved from early sown crop with heavy pre-sowing irrigation and first irrigation at 4 WAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Influenza A/H1N1pdm09 causes respiratory illness and remains a concern for public health. Since its first emergence in 2009, the virus has been continuously circulating in the form of its genetic variants. Influenza A/ H1N1pdm09 surveillance is essential for uncovering emerging variants of epidemiologic and vaccine efficacy. The present study attempts in silico analysis and molecular characterization of Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus circulating and causing major outbreaks in central India during 2009-2019. Materials and Methods: We have investigated the antigenic drift analysis of 96 isolates' hemagglutinin (HA) gene sequences (59 central Indian and 37 local Indian and 28 global reference HA gene sequences) of Influenza A/H1N1pdm09 viruses from 2009 to 2019. The study includes mutational (Multiple sequence Alignment), phylogenetic (Maximum Likelihood Method), and statistical analysis (Covariance and correlation) of HA sequences submitted in NCBI, IRD and GISAID from central India. Results: Phylogenetic analysis indicated maximum clustering of central Indian HA gene sequences in genogroup 6B. Analysis of amino acid sequence alignment revealed changes in receptor binding site (RBS). The frequency of S220T amino acid substitution was found to be high followed by S202T, K300E A273T, K180Q. The Karl Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and covariance between the number of mutations and the death toll was found +0.246 and +100.3 respectively. Conclusion: The study identifies the continuous genetic variations in the HA gene sequences of circulating Influenza A/ H1N1pdm09 in central India from the year 2009 to 2019. Further suggesting importance of monitoring the gradual evolution of the virus with regards to an increase in virulence, pathogenicity and vaccine efficacy timely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment of growth stage specific irrigation scheduling is considered critically important for achieving higher cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) productivity in north-western India. In the study region, farmers prefer pre-sowing irrigation (PSI) with canal water because underground water has poor quality due to presence of high concentration of soluble salts. However, non-availability of canal water at cotton sowing period often delays its sowing, and eventually impacts cotton productivity with significant effect on crop phenology. Therefore, we investigated the effect of irrigation scheduling based on depth of PSI and subsequent post-sowing first irrigation (PSFI) on crop phenology, growth attributes and water productivity of cotton at different dates of sowing (DOS) which are representative of actual sowing window in the study region. More specifically, this study evaluated the performance of PSI depths (viz. 75 and 120 mm; PSI 75 and PSI 120) and DOS (viz. April 30th and May 30th) combinations in main plots, and PSFI treatments (i.e. 21–42 DOS; PSFI 21 , PSFI 28 , PSFI 35 and PSFI 42) in the subplots. These results revealed that PSI 120 significantly (p < 0.05) increased the seed cotton yield (by ∼16.8–18.7 %), real crop water productivity (RCWP; by ∼15.9–17.9 %) and total crop water productivity (TCWP; by ∼11.0 %), compared with PSI 75. The April 30th sown cotton showed improved phenological development; apparently due to longer yield formation phase which has significantly increased the seed cotton yield (by ∼87.8–97.6 %), apparent water productivity (by ∼77.3–79.0 %), RCWP (by ∼61.2–71.1 %) and TCWP (by ∼77.3–88.3 %), compared with May 30th sown crop. Therefore, to achieve higher cotton productivity under PSI 75 treatment, PSFI 21–35 appeared most optimum, whilst under PSFI 28–42 significantly outperformed under PSI 120. The PSI 120 treatment significantly improved the lint yield and ginning outturn (GOT), compared with PSI 75. The number of monopods/sympods, bolls m−2 and boll weight were significantly higher at PSFI 28 ; which decreased with delayed PSFI. The effect of PSI and PSFI on crop productivity was significantly higher for April 30th sown crop, compared with May 30th sown crop. The days to square initiation exhibited a linear significant relationship with flower initiation (R2 =0.797 *; p < 0.05), boll development (R2 =0.857 *; p < 0.05), boll opening (R2 =0.735 *; p < 0.05) and crop maturity (R2 =0.779 *; p < 0.05). GOT exhibited a linear significant relationship with fibre span length (R2 =0.709 *; p < 0.05). These results highlight that irrigation scheduling at PSI 120 and PSFI 28–42 for 30th April sown crop significantly enhanced the crop and water productivity. Nonetheless, PSI 120 helped delay the PSFI for both sowing dates without any significant impact on cotton productivity. The economic indices viz. average gross returns (AGRs), average net returns (ANRs) and benefit-cost (B-C) ratio of cotton cultivation were significantly higher under PSI 120 and PSFI 28–35. • Heavy pre-sowing irrigation (PSI 120) increased crop and water productivity than PSI 75. • Sown on April 30th results to higher yield and water productivity than May 30th. • Irrigation after 21–35 days of sowing yielded higher seed cotton yield. • PSI 120 and post-sowing irrigation at 35 days was better for April 30th sown cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonpolio acute flaccid paralysis is increasing in India. To determine viral causes, we conducted cell culture and molecular analysis identification of nonpolio human enteroviruses associated with acute flaccid paralysis during March-August 2010 in northern India. The predominant nonpolio enterovirus found was echovirus 13, a serotype rarely isolated in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Genetic analysis of measles viruses associated with recent cases and outbreaks has proven to bridge information gaps in routine outbreak investigations and has made a substantial contribution to measles control efforts by helping to identify the transmission pathways of the virus. Materials and methods: The present study describes the genetic characterization of wild type measles viruses from Uttar Pradesh, India isolated between January 2008 and January 2011. In the study, 526 suspected measles cases from 15 outbreaks were investigated. Blood samples were collected from suspected measles outbreaks and tested for the presence of measles specific IgM; throat swab and urine samples were collected for virus isolation and RT-PCR. Genotyping of circulating measles viruses in Uttar Pradesh was performed by sequencing a 450-bp region encompassing the nucleoprotein hypervariable region and phylogenetic analysis. Results and conclusion: Based on serological results, all the outbreaks were confirmed as measles. Thirty eight strains were obtained. Genetic analysis of circulating measles strains (n = 38) in Uttar Pradesh from 235 cases of laboratory-confirmed cases from 526 suspected measles cases between 2008 and 2011 showed that all viruses responsible for outbreaks were within clade D and all were genotype D8. Analysis of this region showed that it is highly divergent (up to 3.4% divergence in the nucleotide sequence and 4.1% divergence in the amino acid sequence between most distant strains). Considerable genetic heterogeneity was observed in the MV genotype D8 viruses in North India and underscores the need for continued surveillance and in particular increases in vaccination levels to decrease morbidity and mortality attributable to measles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, the author has attempted to analyze the human condition of legend Puran Bhagat in a number of crises in medieval Punjab, as of January 1, 1985. The point of departure is the version composed by the well-known Punjabi bard Qadiryar, in the early years of the 19th century. Condemned by astrologers to avoid his parents, Puran grows up in the darkness and deprivation of a dungeon for the first 12 years of his life. Immediately after his advent in the light of human relationships, Puran is enticed by his stepmother. The human condition in the narrative of Puran is the condition of sex and violence, of discipline and austerity, of heightened emotions and extreme egocentric personalities. Each sequence of the narrative is charged with an existential crisis of the being that can never forget him. The analysis of the sequences of the legend, Puran follows the constituting process of the narrative. It is quite different from the usual interpretations which move along either the collective social norms, as is the case with the poet Qadiryar himself.

Despite polio eradication, nonpolio enterovirus (NPEV) detection amid polio surveillance, which is considered to have implications in paralysis, requires attention. The attributes of NPEV infections in nonpolio-AFP (NPAFP) cases from Uttar Pradesh (UP), India, remain undetermined and are thus investigated. A total of 1839 stool samples collected from patients with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) from UP, India, between January 2010 and October 2011 were analyzed as per the WHO algorithm. A total of 359 NPAFP cases yielded NPEVs, which were subjected to microneutralization assay, partial VP1 gene-based molecular serotyping and phylogenetic analysis. Demographic and clinical-epidemiological features were also ascertained. Echoviruses (29%) and Coxsackievirus (CV)-B (17%) were the most common viruses identified by the microneutralization assay. The molecular genotyping characterized the NPEVs into 34 different serotypes, corresponding to Enterovirus (EV)-A (1.6%), EV-B (94%) and EV-C (5.3%) species. The rarely described EV serotypes, such as EV-C95, CV-A20, EV-C105, EV-B75, EV-B101, and EV-B107, were also identified. NPEV-associated AFP was more prevalent in younger male children, peaked in the monsoon months and was predominantly found in the central part of the state. The NPEV strains isolated in the study exhibited genetic diversity from those isolated in other countries. These form part of a different cluster or subcluster existing in cocirculation, limited to India only. This study augments the understanding of epidemiological features and demonstrates the extensive diversity exhibited by the NPEV strains in NPAFP cases from the polio-endemic region. It also underscores the need or effective long-term strategies to monitor NPEV circulation and its associated health risks in the post-polio eradication era., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Background: No cases of wild poliovirus have been reported for more than one and a half years from India. Cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) of undefined etiology continue to occur in the region. Despite the recent discovery of the human Cosavirus (HCoSV) in the feces of children from developing countries, there have been no studies of cosavirus infection in India., Objectives: To detect and characterize HCoSVs in stool specimens of nonpolio AFP cases by RT-PCR followed by sequencing., Study Design: A total of 387 fecal samples collected from AFP cases in Uttar Pradesh, India, between May 2010 and April 2011, tested negative on cell culture according to WHO algorithm, were subjected to 5'-UTR region specific RT-PCR followed by sequencing to detect HCoSV. Molecular characterization of HCoSV strains was done by sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis., Result: 123 (32%) samples tested positive for cosaviruses and 87 (70.7%) were identified for genetic variants by sequencing a 316-nucleotide interval in the partial 5'-UTR region. Cosavirus strains were characterized as putative species HCoSV-A (n=70; 82%), HCoSV-B (n=7; 8%), HCoSV-C (n=1; 1.1) and HCoSV-D (n=4; 4.5%) while 5 (5%) strains remain uncharacterized. The cosavirus infection appeared highest (63.5%) in younger children, and showed a distinct seasonality, with a late summer peak and winter low., Conclusion: This study demonstrates a diversity of cosavirus strains in circulation, and reports the first investigation of HCoSV infection in children with nonpolio acute flaccid paralysis in India. Currently, this study provides baseline data for further studies of HCoSV infections in children with common enteric infections in India., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)