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Background: The number of patients with diarrheal diseases admitted to the hospital was reduced during the COVID-19 lockdown. Following the relaxation of the lockdown, admissions of nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) infection showed a two-fold rise compared to pre-COVID-19 years. This retrospective study aimed to detect the incidence of NTS in the pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 outbreak periods, along with describing the antibiogram and comorbid conditions of the patients. Materials and Methods: Using a retrospective design, from January 2015 to December 2022, we studied stool samples for the presence of NTS. Antibiogram with ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol, and ciprofloxacin were studied. The presence of comorbid conditions was noted. Results: We examined 2312 and 937 stool samples collected during the pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 outbreak period, respectively. The number of samples collected during the outbreak (2020) was 273. During the pre-COVID-19 period (2015–2019), the average annual isolation rate of NTS was 5.63%. During the lockdown of 2020, the corresponding rate was 5.49%. The isolation rate showed a significant rise (11.45%) during the relaxation of the lockdown (P < 0.001). No significant change in resistance to antibiotics other than ciprofloxacin was noted in the present study. Malignancy was the leading comorbid condition (11.91%) followed by chronic liver diseases (10.31%). Conclusions: A significant rise in NTS diarrheal cases was detected following the COVID-19 outbreak. During this period, people were attending more celebrations and feasts. No significant change in antibiotic resistance was noted when comparing pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods. Malignancy was the leading comorbid condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quantitative analysis of scientific articles published in the Journal of Agrometeorology (JAM) between 2008 and 2022 was conducted using SCOPUS database and a variety of scientometric indicators. Various metrics were utilized to examine aspects including yearly research output, highly referenced sources, author rankings, contributions and profiles, cooperation trends, highly contributing nations, most cited papers, commonly searched keywords and worldwide collaboration mapping. This study employs biblioshiny for analysis and only looks at data that is available in Scopus database. With an h-index (17), a g-index (21) and 3238 total citations across the study period, the journal demonstrated considerable influence. With the greatest number of research publications (n=46) and the greatest number of citations (236), Pandey V stands out among other authors. In terms of the number of papers and citations, India emerged as the leading nation, with the Punjab Agricultural University in the lead with 744 publications. Four clusters were found by co-citation network analysis, with Allen RG being the most quoted author among them. The study also highlighted the fact that Indian authors worked together the most. This analysis is important for assessing the influence of the JAM and offers insightful information about noteworthy research trends and developments in the scientific community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Black gram is a leguminous plant species. This pulse crop has been grown on the Indian subcontinent for a long time. Black gram a drought-resistant crop that grown both in the summer and the winter, usually in rotation with rice but occasionally in mixed farming. The objective of this research was to (i) quantify the short-term effects of high minimum temperature and enriched night CO2 (HMT and enCO2) on yield contribution factors and (ii) quantify seed quality parameters employing biochemical analysis. Methods: An investigation was carried out during summer 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the effect of high minimum temperature (ambient+3°C) and enriched night CO2 (600 ppm) (HMT and enCO2) on yield and seed quality parameters of black gram (Vigna mungo) under soil plant atmospheric research (SPAR) and ambient condition at Agro Climate Research Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu with ten treatments which were replicated thrice. Result: Black gram yield and quality parameters were significantly (p=0.05) reduced under HMT and enCO2. Pooled data from two successive summer seasons revealed that stress from (i) 50 to 56 DAS (Days after sowing), the number of flowers dropped per plant significantly increased by 24% and pod setting percent decreased by 19.9% (ii) 43 to 49 DAS, grain yield and biomass/plant decreased by 25.4% and 16.2%, respectively. Seed quality parameters revealed that stress during 50 to 56 DAS, seed protein, total sugar content, polyphenols, calcium and iron decreased by 19.4%, 23.7%, 16.2%, 29.6% and 30.2%, respectively. The proline and phytic acid were statistically reduced by 53.9% and 59.1%, respectively stress during 50 to 56 DAS. Stress from 64 to 70 DAS, seed moisture content was significantly decreased by 32.1%. Overall, black gram yield and seed quality was negatively affected on two treatments: stress imposed from 43 to 49 DAS (T7) and stress imposed from 50 to 56 DAS (T8) (50% flowering to pod filling stage). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of satellite based and reanalysis climatic data has significantly advanced in hydro meteorological research in regions with limited observations. Before implementing satellite based and reanalysis-based data in specific locations, it is crucial to thoroughly assess their accuracy. This study focused on evaluating the accuracy of reanalysis climate data and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite rainfall data compared to observed climate data in different agro climatic zones of Tamil Nadu, India. The evaluation was conducted on a monthly basis from 1981 to 2017. Furthermore, the performance of the precipitation product obtained from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission was also evaluated with reanalysis data at weekly basis from 1998 to 2017. Various statistical methods such as bias, root mean square error, index of agreement, and refined index of agreement were employed for this assessment. The results show that, the reanalysis and observed monthly data for rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature show a strong correlation in all zones of Tamil Nadu, except for the High rainfall and Hilly zone. TRMM rainfall values effectively capture rainfall data, but satellite data can overestimate and underestimate rainfall amounts, as revealed by the validation of satellite and reanalysis precipitation data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life history and fitness parameters of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, were studied under ambient (410 ppm) and elevated concentrations (460, 510, 560, and 610 ppm) of carbon dioxide in a Soil–Plant–Atmosphere–Research chamber. The results revealed that the egg and larval durations were significantly longer at 410 ppm and shortened at a higher carbon dioxide concentration of 610 ppm. At elevated concentrations of 560 and 610 ppm, the net reproductive rate (R0) increased to 99.90 and 88.00 numbers per female in a lifetime, respectively. The intrinsic rate of increased (rm) value was 0.22 per day at 410 ppm; it increased linearly to 0.24, 0.26, 0.30, and 0.31 per day at 460, 510, 560, and 610 ppm, respectively. The fecundity rate increased from 150.86 ± 19.32 eggs (410 ppm) to 196.33 ± 8.63 eggs (560 ppm) on increasing carbon dioxide concentration but decreased to 171.46 ± 6.79 eggs at 610 ppm. These results suggest improved fitness of P. xylostella in the future scenario of global climate change with increasing carbon dioxide concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black gram is a widely grown pulse crop in Asia, prized for its nutritional value and compatibility with various cropping systems. However, the occurrence of powdery mildew, Erysiphe polygoni DC disease poses a significant challenge to black gram production, resulting in potential yield losses in Tamil Nadu. Over a six-year period, spanning from 2017-2018 to 2022-2023, field experiments were conducted during the rabi season at the black soil farm of the Agricultural Research Station in Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu. The primary objective was to evaluate the incidence of powdery mildew in black gram and establish a statistical model by correlating it with weather variables. Notably, observations of disease index were most frequent during the flowering and pod development stages of the crop. Among the eleven weather parameters considered in the study, maximum temperature, afternoon relative humidity, and sunshine hours emerged as the key contributors to explaining the variation in the disease index. Further, a beta regression model was developed using these selected variables to predict powdery mildew incidence in black gram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rainfed sorghum production is profoundly vulnerable to climate variability. Sowing the crop at an appropriate time could be one of the most crucial climate-resilient options to improve the yield. The well-calibrated and validated CERES-Sorghum model was employed to study the rainfed sorghum response to varied environments over the long term (1983-2021) and to determine the optimum sowing window at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The CERES-Sorghum model was used for automatic-planting with a different minimum threshold of 50,60,70 and 80 percent soil water content at 15 cm soil depth under various sowing windows from 1stSeptember to 13th October at a 7-day interval. The model results of automatic planting event indicated the best performance of 1st September sowing window at 50 percent soil water content over 39 years under semi-arid environment. The temperature rise of 1°C exhibited no significant influence on sorghum grain yields at all sowing windows and a slight reduction in yield was observed at an elevated 2°C temperature. A further rise in temperature reduced the yield drastically on September month sowings. Across the sowing window, first week sowing window (1st to 7th September) yield was higher under current climatic conditions. The yield of 1st September sowing window remained higher in the elevated temperature conditions as well as in both deficit and excess rainfall conditions than other sowings. In current and future climatic conditions, 1st September sowing window would be the best sowing time to mitigate climate risk in rainfed sorghum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Agriculture is the most sensitive sector to climate variability. In rain-fed ecosystems, rainfall is the single most essential component in crop planning. Crop planning using rainfall variability and probability analysis helps to improve the productivity. Methods: A study was taken for crop planning in Madurai district by analyzing the rainfall variability and probability analysis using 40 years (1982-2021) of weekly, monthly, seasonal and annual rainfall data. Result: The mean annual rainfall in Madurai district was 925.5 mm was spread over 74 rainy days with 24.7 per cent of coefficient of variation thereby the rainfall is dependable over years with decreasing trend. The probability analysis showed that receiving 20 mm rainfall per week was for 12 weeks (32 to 45th week) except 35 and 37th week which is helpful for sowing and planting. On the other hand, highest mean monthly rainfall was received in October (176 mm) followed by September (137.4 mm). Seasonal analysis resulted that Southwest monsoon had high rainfall quantity with mean value of 397.7 mm. Rice is the major crop cultivated in this region should be replaced by maize, green gram, black gram, cowpea, sorghum, ragi and minor millets which can withstand drought conditions with less crop duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pest management plays crucial role in yield prediction in all crops. In Rice, Brown Planthopper (BPH) plays major role in yield reduction. Pest forewarning in agriculture is the important tool and popularly used in various countries to avoid huge fertilizer and pesticide application. In this regard, Hyperspectral remote sensing gives various information about the spectral characteristics of BPH infected plants. Methods: Investigations were carried out to assess the damage of BPH infestation at the field level using a portable Hyper spectral radiometer. The farmers field at the BPH prone area of Kuttalam block, Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu was chosen to analyze the spectral reflectance of BPH -infected and uninfected plants and derive certain vegetation indices for accurate forewarning. The specific spectral bands from visible to infra-red (445 nm, 550 nm, 670 nm, 760 nm, 800 nm) were utilized to detect of BPH-infested plants over the field area. Result: Among various vegetation indices, the index MCARI (Modified Chlorophyll Absorption Reflectance Index) was performed well with high accuracy from early to late infestation at the field level and considered as the most effective tool in Precision Agriculture. As a result, The specific indices were analysed over BPH infected area to prevent greater spreading of pest damage and to minimize pesticides in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercropping is growing two or more crop species simultaneously, different canopy architectures by row configuration, changing light interception, radiation utilisation, and increased yield. The present study aimed to evaluate different intercropping systems affected light interception per cent and radiation use efficiency in maize (Zea mays L.) intercropping with greengram (Vigna radiata L.) different ratios. Field experiments were conducted for Kharif 2022 and Rabi 2022-2023 seasons, which were laid out in a split-plot design and replicated three times. Three Nitrogen levels viz., N1 - 75 % RDN (Recommended dose of Nitrogen), N2 - 100% RDN, N3-125% RDN had taken as the main plot and three intercropping treatments were taken as subplot viz., M2G2 - replacement series (two row of maize and two row of Greengram), M4G2- replacement series (four rows of maize and two row of Greengram), M2G3-paired row system (two rows of maize and three rows of Greengram), and sole maize. Both light interception and radiation use efficiency were significantly affected by intercropping systems. Light interception per cent of the main crop (maize) was significantly higher (69.0, 75.5 and 71.0 % during Kharif and 60.1, 78.1 and 76.6 during rabi) at vegetative, flowering and maturity phases, respectively. The Kharif 2022 and Rabi 2022-2023 maximum Radiation Use Efficiency (RUE) of Maize intercropping with green gram (maize + greengram) was higher in T12 (M2G3 paired row with 125 % Recommended Dose of Nitrogen) recorded as 2.46 (Kharif) and 1.43 (rabi). The outcome might be utilised to optimise the row configuration of intercropping design, explain the mechanism of intercropping on light utilisation, and improve radiation use efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperspectral remote sensing captures images in multiple wavelengths and is widely used to detect plant stress in agriculture. A study was conducted on brown planthopper (BPH) infestation in rice at various temperature regimes (15°C, 20°C, 25°C, 30°C and 35°C). The experimentation was done in the Environmental Control Chamber, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India. The field spectroradiometer and vegetation indices were used to study the early and late infestations of BPH in rice. The results reveal that reflectance at certain wavelengths (550, 670 and 700 nm) indicates plant stress. Among the vegetation indices, MCARI performed better than NDVI, PRI, NDRE and SR for the detection of early and late infestation of BPH. Hence, hyperspectral reflectance from rice has been used to detect pest damage and improve management policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]