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Availability of resistance sources among cultivated varieties helps in easy utilization as donor owing to no deleterious linkage drag. In the present investigation, 121 rice varieties were screened for their resistance against a virulent isolate of Fusarium fujikuroi (Ff-10) and genotyped using reported microsatellite markers. Among 121 varieties, only eight varieties, namely Luna Sankhi, Improved Tapaswini, Sarasa, Sadabahar, CR-311, Kshira, Wifa-10 and Binadhan-8, were found to be highly resistant (HR), seven varieties were resistant (R), 31 were moderately resistant (MR), 10 were moderately susceptible (MS), 11 were susceptible (S) and the rest 54 were highly susceptible (HS). The allele diversity of molecular markers classified the population into three clusters. The highly resistant varieties were grouped in major clusters II and III, whereas the remaining genotypes were distributed in all three clusters. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) resulted in 95% of the maximum diversity within the test population and 5% diversity between populations. Population structure analysis grouped the genotypes into two sub-populations based on relatedness, where most of the resistant genotypes were grouped into one sub-population and other genotypes were distributed among sub-populations. Re-examination of reported markers' trait associations with bakanae resistance in the experimental population identified marker RM-3698 as associated with resistance accounting 8.4% explained phenotypic variation. This study shows that simple sequence repeat markers can be used to assess allelic diversity and population structure of bakanae resistance in rice varieties. The highly resistant genotypes, along with resistance markers, could be used as donors in marker-assisted bakanae improvement breeding programmes.

Aim: Nowadays, turmeric value has increased with the presence of curcumin content and total phenols, as they are highly advantageous and useful in different areas of study. Salinity stress is also a major problem in certain areas under which many turmeric germplasms show reduced phenolic compounds and curcumin content. Therefore, the present study is aimed at identifying the different varieties that are diverse with high yields and maximum production so that the salt stress effects can be studied. Methodology: This study was carried out using Factorial Completely Randomized Design (FCRD). Statistical analysis was done by applying the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) in relation to the concentrations of total phenolic compounds and curcumin content. Results: We observed, a gradual rise in the total phenol content and curcumin content in all the germplasms. In particular, treatments including maximum salinity stress like 100 mM concentration gave better results compared to the control and 50 mM concentration (Figs. 2 & 3). These observations can be considered as stress-responsive mechanisms developed by the turmeric plants under salt stress conditions. Compared to all the selected germplasms, Vallabh Sharad and Selection 1 gave maximum output for total phenol content. 2.12 (leaf) and 0.28 (rhizome) values, which are maximum compared to controls observed in the case of 100 mM concentration. Also, Selection 1 gave 0.58 (rhizome) curcumin content, which is the maximum compared to the control. Conclusions: Therefore, this increase in the phytochemicals in plants, helps in the increase of the medicinal properties in the turmeric plants also, internally protecting them from salt stress.

The Diwani hills are located SE of Balaram–Abu Road in the Banaskantha district of north Gujarat. The crystalline rocks of the Diwani hill area are a diverse assemblage of Precambrian metamorphic and igneous rocks. These rocks are petrologically more complex and date back to the Aravallis or earlier. The mineralogical assemblages such as grt–sp–opx–qz of these rocks indicate their origin in anhydrous or dry conditions, implying metamorphism under pyroxene granulite facies. These granulitic rocks were subjected to Delhi orogenic deformation and were later intruded by the Erinpura granite. Textural and microstructural relationships, mineral chemistry, P–T–X pseudosection modelling and the oxidation state of pelitic granulites from the Diwani hill area of north Gujarat are all part of the current approach. The winTWQ program and pseudosection modelling in the NCKFMASHTO model system utilizing Perple_X software were used to restrict the P–T evolution of these pelitic granulites. The unification of these estimates shows that the pelitic granulites reached their pressure and temperature maxima at 8.6 kbar and 770 °C, respectively. The oxygen fugacity (log fO2) versus temperature computations at 6.2 kbar revealed log fO2–T values of −13.0 and 765 °C, respectively. The electron microprobe dating of monazite grains separated from the granulites of the Diwani hills yields ages ranging from 769 Ma to 855 Ma. The electron microprobe dating presented here from the Diwani hills provides evidence for a Neoproterozoic (Tonian) metamorphic event in the Aravalli–Delhi Mobile Belt.

A field experiment entitled, impact of organic nutrients on soil health and enzyme activity in soybean (Glycine max L.) on typic Heplustepts soils in Rajasthan was conducted at Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur during consecutive kharif season of the year 2016 and 2017. The experiment was evaluated in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. Organic manures (FYM, compost, green leaf manure and vermicompost) were incorporated in treated plots before 15 days of sowing. Variety JS-9560 of soybean was sown as per recommended package of practices. Results showed that organic carbon, available N, P, K and micronutrients, viz. Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn in soil were found maximum at harvest stage of soybean with the application of 100% vermicompost treatment. Enzyme activity dehydrogenase and phosphate activity in soil were significantly influenced through organic nutrient fertilization of 100% vermicompost treatment. Maximum net return of ₹ 60785.07 with benefit cost ratio of 2.9 was obtained with the application of 100% RDF, followed by 100% vermicompost.

The present investigation was carried out to study the soil microbial dynamics and enzyme activities as influenced by organic nutrients management in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] under Typic Haplustepts soil of Rajasthan. The experiment comprised 12 treatment combinations of organic source of nutrients, i. e. control (T1), 100% RDF (T2), 100% FYM (T3), 100% vermicompost (T4), 100% compost (T5), 100% green-leaf manure (T6), 50% FYM + 50% vermicompost (T7), 50% FYM + 50% compost (T8), 50% FYM + 50% green-leaf manure (T9), 50% vermicompost + 50% compost (T10), 50% vermicompost + 50% green leaf manure (T11) and 50% compost + 50% green-leaf manure (T12). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with four replications. The soil microbial population (bacterial, fungal, actinomycetes) at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, dehydrogenase activity and alkaline phosphatase activity of soil significantly influenced due to organic nutrient fertilization, viz. 100% vermicompost treatment (T4) in pooled analysis. However, the application of 100% vermicompost (T4) on bacterial population, fungal population, actinomycetes population of soil at 30 DAS and 60 DAS was found statistically at par with the application of 50% FYM + 50% vermicompost (T7), 50% FYM + 50% compost (T8), 50% vermicompost + 50% compost (T10) and 50% vermicompost + 50% green-leaf manure (T11) in pooled analysis.

The study area belongs to the Singhbhum metamorphic belt of Jharkhand, situated in the eastern part of India. The spatial distribution of the index minerals in the pelitic schists of the area shows Barrovian type of metamorphism. Three isograds, viz. garnet, staurolite and sillimanite, have been delineated and the textural study of the schists has revealed a time relation between crystallization and deformation. Series of folds with shifting values of plunges in the supracrustal rocks having axial-planar schistosity to the folds have been widely cited. Development of these folds could be attributed to the second phase of deformation. In total, two phases of deformation, D1 and D2, in association with two phases of metamorphism, M1 and M2, have been lined up in the study area. Chemographic plots of reactant and product assemblages corresponding to various metamorphic reactions suggest that the pattern of metamorphic zones mapped in space is in coherence with the temporal-sequential change during prograde metamorphism. The prograde P–T evolution of the study area has been obtained using conventional geothermobarometry, internally consistent winTWQ program and Perple_X software in the MnNCKFMASHTO model system. Our observations suggest that the progressive metamorphism in the area is not related to granitic intrusion or migmatization but that it was possibly the ascending plume that resulted in the M1 phase of metamorphism followed by D1 deformation. The second and prime metamorphic phase, M2, with its possible heat source generated by crustal overloading, was preceded by D1 and it lasted until late- to post-D2 deformation.

A new locality of sapphirine-spinel-bearing granulites from the Kaithapalli area which lies NW of Chilka Lake, Odisha is reported. The area tectonically forms a northern part of Eastern Ghats belt. It occurs as small enclaves within the khondalite and pelitic granulite. The mineral assemblage includes spinel-sapphirine-garnet-cordierite-orthopyroxene-sillimanite-biotite-k-feldspar-plagioclase-quartz. Development of reaction textures and symplectites are common in the sapphirine-spinel granulites which have been used to describe reaction history. The relative XMg values among various minerals are as follows: cordierite > biotite > sapphirine > orthopyroxene > garnet > spinel. The P-T evolution of these sapphirine-spinel granulites constrained through the pseudosection modelling in the NCKFMASH model system using Perple_X software indicate conditions of ultra-high temperature (UHT) metamorphism. The P-T estimates computed by isopleths define a retrograde trajectory with decompression of c.2.5 kbar from P-Tmax of c.10.5 kbar at c.950 $$^{\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle-}$}}{o} }C$$ . The sequence of reactions as deduced from the symplectite assemblages, together with pseudosection modelling, from the Kaithapalli area, offer greater opportunities for providing a better picture of petrological evolution of northern part of the Eastern Ghats Belt (EGB).

The FTIR and FT-Raman spectra of tetrahydroxy-1,4quinone hydrate have been recorded in the regions 4000–400 and 3500–50 cm–1 respectively. Using the observed Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and FT-Raman data, a complete vibrational assignment and analysis of the fundamental modes of the compound has been carried out. The optimum molecular geometry, harmonic vibrational frequencies, infrared intensities and Raman scattering activities, were calculated by the density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP) and Hartree–Fock (HF) method with 6-311+G(d,p) basis set. The difference between the observed and scaled wavenumber values of most of the fundamental vibrations is very small. A detailed interpretation of the infrared and Raman spectra of tetrahydroxy-1,4quinone hydrate is also reported. The calculated HOMO and LUMO energies show that charge transfer occurs within the molecule.

Madurai block in South India stands as an excellent example of ultrahigh temperature metamorphic terranes being studied globally to understand the extreme thermal capacities of crustal rocks and the processes that cause these extreme thermal environments. The granulites of the Madurai block were subjected to extreme crustal metamorphism during the Late Neoproterozoic, as evidenced by the texture of the sapphirine + quartz association registered as peak metamorphic assemblage. The metamorphic zircon from sapphirine-granulites produces a U-Pb age of 546.5 ± 7.8 Ma which is interpreted as a global Pan-African crustal evolution event and the dominant zircon population indicates multiple sources of Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic age in the southern Madurai block. Decompression textures other than orthopyroxene-cordierite ± sapphirine symplectites are indicative of retrograde / exhumation in the granulites metamorphic cycle. P–T pseudosections have been constructed for sapphirine-granulites in relation to the NCKFMASHTO system (Na2O-CaO-K2O-FeO-MgO-Al2O3–SiO2-H2O-TiO2-O2) using Perple_X software (version 6). The limitations in the interpretation of mineral reactions and the metamorphic history provided by pseudosection modelling for mineral proportions suggest that the peak metamorphic temperature is ~960 °C and pressure is ~9.2 kbar.

La-based Perovskite-type oxides with composition La1-xCuxCoO3 (0 ≤ X ≤ 0.8) have been synthesized by malic acid sol-gel low temperature route at pH 3.75. In each preparation, nitrate salts of lanthanum, copper, cobalt and malic acid were taken as starting material. The pH of the solution was adjusted by using ammonia solution. Techniques used to know the physical properties of the materials were scanning electron microscope (SEM) powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). All the electrochemical viza cyclic voltammetry, roughness factor and anodic polarization studies have been performed in three electrode single compartment glass cell. For the purpose, materials were transferred in the form of oxide film electrode on Ni conducting support. XRD data showed the formation of almost pure phase of the material with hexagonal crystal geometry. The cyclic voltammetric study showed that each oxide electrode exhibited a pair of redox peaks prior to the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The values of Tafel slope (78-90 mV decade-1) and reaction order (~ 1) indicate that each catalyst follows similar mechanistic path. The data of anodic polarization study shows that the substitution of Cu in place of La in the base oxide increases the electrocatalytic activity considerably. The value was found to be highest with 0.4 mol Cu substitution. Electrochemically active area of the material was determined in terms of roughness factor by recording the cyclic voltammograms at different scan rates in the potential region 0.0-0.1V. The roughness factor was observed to be highest with 0.2 mol Cu-substituted oxide.

Some ternary ferrites having composition CoxNi1.5-xFe1.5O4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.25) have been synthesized by NH4OH co-precipitation method at 11.5 pH. Materials, so obtained, were tested for their electrocatalytic properties towards oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in the form film on Ni-support in alkaline solution. The study showed that the electrocatalytic properties the material increased with partial substitution of Co for Ni in the base oxide (Ni1.5Fe1.5O4). The value being highest with 0.5 mol Co-substitution. At E = 850 mV vs Hg/HgO in 1M KOH at 25 ºC, the electrode showed apparent current density 206.2 mA cm-2, which is about 3 times higher than the base oxide. The Tafel slope values were ranged between 46-82 mV decade-1. A pair of redox peak, an anodic (EPa = 522±28 mV) and corresponding cathodic (EPc= 356±9 mV), was observed in the cyclic voltammetry (CV) study of the material. The thermodynamic parameters namely, standard apparent electrochemical enthalpy of activation ( ), standard enthalpy of activation ( ) and standard entropy of activation ( ) for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have also been determined by recording anodic polarization curve in 1M KOH. The value of was observed to be almost similar with each oxide electrode. The values were highly negative and ranged between ~ -165 and ~ -207 J deg-1 mol-1. Phase and morphology of materials have been investigated by using physical techniques X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy (IR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively.

The Sikkim Himalaya is mostly constituted of Proterozoic metapelites and metavolcanics of the Daling Group and high-grade gneisses and metasediments of the Darjeeling Group. Metapelitic schists and gneisses of the Sikkim Himalaya show an inverted sequence of metamorphic rocks ranging from lower greenschist facies (chlorite zone) to upper amphibolite facies (sillimanite + K-feldspar zone). The relative XMg in the minerals varies as: garnet > staurolite > biotite > muscovite. The P-T evolution of the study area has been constrained through the use of an internally consistent winTWQ programme and Perple_X software in the MnNCKFMASHTO model system. The combination of these two approaches demonstrates that the schists and gneisses have experienced a range of pressure and temperature with increasing grade. Constraints on the interpretation of mineral reactions and metamorphic history provided by pseudosection modelling for mineral proportions suggest the peak metamorphic temperature as ~750 °C and pressure ~7.5 kbar. The proposed prograde P-T path implies that the rocks from the study area may have resulted from a single metamorphic event with continuous changes in pressure and temperature. The conclusions made on the basis of the study of metamorphic event in the area and the regeneration of the reaction history adheres to classical Barrovian type metamorphism. The tectonic implication of such a metamorphic evolution is also discussed in the present work. Finally, we conclude that the possible explanation for the exhumation in this section of Himalaya may most likely be explained with the help of the channel flow model.

Diwani Hill granulites occurring on the southern tip of the South Delhi Terrane (SDT) of Aravalli Mobile Belt (AMB), comprises rocks of granulite facies and represent the deeper level of the crust. The SDT represents an admixture of charnockites, granites, calc-granulites and hercynite-quartz-bearing pelitic granulites. The symplectite and corona textures recorded in the hercynite-quartz-bearing granulites from a part of SDT provides a wide spectrum of P-T sensors in support of the petrological evolution. P-T evolution of these hercynite-quartz-bearing granulites has been constrained through the use of THERMOCALC program, conventional thermobarometry, and pseudosection modelling in the NCKFMASHTO model system using Perple_X software. The unification of these three calculations, demonstrates that the hercynite-quartz-bearing granulites experienced peak pressure and temperature at 6.7 kbar and 750 °C, respectively. The textural imprints, multistage reaction textures, P-T pseudosections as well as the application of multi-equilibrium calculation give evidence for decompressive history related to their exhumation. SHRIMP U-Pb chronological results yield ages between 780 and 680 Ma as a time of metamorphic overprint, and the ages between 1591 and 1216 Ma corresponding with detritus derived from magmatic source for hercynite-quartz-bearing granulites. Zircon ages reflect that continental crust in the SDT resulted from the Mesoproterozoic protolith of an igneous origin whereas sedimentary succession was deposited between 1216 and 780 Ma. The present study envisages that the South Delhi basin would have been a remnant of the proto-Mozambique Ocean in NW India which was closed due to subduction. This subduction metamorphosed the sediments of the basin to granulite facies and the rocks were subsequently, uplifted because of the thrust sheet tectonics during the Neoproterozoic times.

Some binary ferrites having molecular formula, MnxFe3-xO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.5) have been synthesized by a simple and cost effective egg white sol-gel route. In each preparation, nitrates of constituent metal were taken as starting materials and egg white as gelling agent. The material, thus obtained was altered in the form of film electrode on the pre-treated Ni- support using an oxide-slurry painting tech-nique and investigated as electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction in KOH solutions. The study showed that Mn-substitution in the base oxide matrix influences the electrocatalytic activity of the material significantly and found to be greatest with 0.5 mol Mn-substitution. The reaction order has been found to be approximately unity with respect to OH¯ concentration. The Tafel slope values at low potential ranged between ~ 52 and ~ 65 mVdecade-1. The thermodynamic parameters namely, standard apparent electrochemical enthalpy of activa-tion (), standard enthalpy of activation () and standard entropy of activation () for the oxygen evolution reac-tion (OER) have also been determined. It has been observed that and values decreased with Mn-substitution in the Fe3O4 lattice. This decrease inandwas found to be greatest with 0.5 mol Mn. Thevalues were also found to be highly negative varying between ~ - 185 and – 211 J deg-1 mol-1.

Processing of fruits through radiation, involves exposure to short wave energy to achieve a specific purpose viz. reduced the weight loss and extended the ripening. An experiment was carried out to study the effect of irradiation and storage conditions in Alphonso mango on physiological weight loss and ripening. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized block design withfactorial concept with three repetitions. There were sixteen treatment combinations of irradiation dose (I1 -0.00, I2 -0.20, I3 -0.40 and I4 -0.60 kGy) and storage temperature (S1-Ambient, S2-90C, S3-120C and S4-CA storage (120C, O2 2%, CO2 3%). The fruits were exposed to gamma radiation for different doses from the source of 60Co at Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. The data indicated that the fruits irradiated with 0.40 kGy gamma rays (I3) recorded significantly minimum per cent reduction in PLW and extended the ripening. Same pattern noted when fruits kept at 90C storage temperature. In combined effect of 0.40 kGy gamma rays irradiation and 90C storage temperature (I3S2) also recorded maximum reduction in the PLW and ripening per cent throughout the storage period.

Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT v4.5) Cropping System Model (CSM) was used to study the impact of climate change and variability on productivity of different kharif (rice, maize, jowar and bajra) and rabi crops (wheat and barley) at Varanasi. Keeping in view the observed trends in climate variability, productivity of different kharif and rabi crops were simulated under plausible synthetic climatic scenarios of changes in temperature, solar radiation and carbon dioxide. Productivity of kharif crops viz. rice, maize, jowar and bajra and rabi crops viz. wheat, and barley decreased with an increase in temperature or a decrease in solar radiation above normal. However, productivity of different kharif and rabi crops increased under expected enhanced CO2 concentrations. Highest productivity decreased in barley crop (40.7%) of rabi season and minimum in rice crop (5%) of kharif season with an increase of 3.0 0C in temperature from normal. Whereas, maximum productivity decreased in barley crop (5.0%) of rabi season and minimum in jowar crop (1.8%) of kharif season with a decrease of 2.5 per cent in solar radiation from normal. Highest productivity increase in barley crop (58.2%) of rabi season and lowest in jowar crop (4.2%) of kharif season were simulated under expected enhanced CO2 concentration of 660 ppm. The maximum decrease in productivity of barley crop (45%) in rabi season and minimum inrice crop (7%) in kharif season were simulated when a decrease in temperature by 3 0C and solar radiation by 2.5 per cent from normal. Highest counter-balance on productivity of rice crop (13%) in kharif season and lowest in barja crop (-23%) of kharif season were simulated when an increase in temperature by 3 0C from normal under expected enhanced CO2 concentration of 660 ppm.

Dispensation of fresh produce especially fruits through radiation, involves exposure to short wave energy to achieve a specific purpose viz. reduce the weight loss and extend the ripening. An experiment was carried out to study the effect of irradiation and storage conditions in Alphonso mango on physiological weight loss and ripening. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized block design with factorial concept with three repetitions. The fruits were exposed to gamma radiation for different doses from the source of 60Co at Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. There were sixteen treatment combinations of irradiation dose (I1 -0.00, I2 -0.20, I3 -0.40 and I4 -0.60 kGy) and storage temperature (S1-Ambient, S2-9°C, S3-12°C and S4-CA storage (12°C, O2 2%, CO2 3%). The data indicated that the fruits irradiated with 0.40 kGy gamma rays (I3) recorded significantly minimum percent reduction in physiological loss in weight and extended the ripening. Similar pattern was noted when fruits were kept at 9°C storage temperature. Combined effect of 0.40 kGy gamma rays irradiation and 9°C storage temperature (I3S2) also recorded maximum reduction in the physiological loss in weight and ripening percent throughout the storage period. Key words: Gamma rays, Mangifera indica L., postharvest, 60Co, refrigeration.

Soil is the reservoir of macro and micro nutrients with the inception of commercial farming the emphasis is given to production without taking care of soil health and eventually soil health deteriorates and production falls. One of the very important components of soil health remained neglected and now reached to the threatening level. Management of balanced nutrients has become of vital importance. Without minimizing the importance of macronutrients in quadrupling the fruit production in the world during the last 50 years, it can be stated that micronutrients are going to play a major productive and qualitative role in bringing stability and sustainability in the production system during the next few decades, particularly in respect of tropical and sub-tropical fruit crops. Key words: Micronutrient, tropical, sub-tropical.

Eighteen years (1991-2008) of weather data and yield data of rice and wheat for 9 districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh was used to develop yield prediction equations. Models were validated with 2 years (2009 and 2010) data. Results indicated that models explained 51 to 79 percent variations for rice yield and 65 to 92 percent variations for wheat yield in different districts. The percent Mean Bias Error (MBE) was between -1.05 (Mau) to 6.17 (Mirzapur) for rice and from -6.56 (Mau) to 0.01 (Varanasi) for wheat crop. The percent Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) was between 6.87 (Jaunpur) to 11.60 (Sant Ravidas Nagar) for rice and from 5.52 (Mirzapur) to 11.11 (Mau) for wheat crop. This revealed that the models can be used to some extent for predicting the yield in different districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Radiation processing of fruits, involves exposure to short wave energy to achieve a specific purpose to maintain the physiological changes and sensory quality of the product. Fruits of Alphonso mango (Mangifera indica L.) exposed to gamma radiation (0.40 kGy) and stored at 9 °C, resulted in significant reduction in physiological loss in weight, reduced ripening, increased marketability, whereas, maximum scores on skin and pulp colour, texture, taste and overall acceptability were observed in 0.40 kGy gamma rays irradiated fruits stored at 12 °C. Suggestions are made for optimization of irradiation and storage temperature for maintaining marketable fruits of Alphonso mango during storage.

Alphonso mango fruit has high nutritional values, pleasant flavor, delicious taste as well as beautiful appearance and hence is known as the king of mango verities. The experiment was arranged from the 2008 and 2010 with 16 treatment combinations of irradiation dose (that is, 0.00, 0.20, 0.40, and 0.60 kGy) and stored at different storage temperatures viz., ambient at 27 ± 2°C and 60 to 70% RH, 9°C and 90% RH, 12°C and 90% RH, and Control atmospheric storage (12°C, O2 2%, CO2 3% and RH 90%). The fruits were exposed to gamma radiation from the source of 60Co. The two years collective data indicated that, the significantly minimum percent reduction in physiological loss in weight, reduced ripening percent, increased marketability of fruits, maximum total soluble solids, total and reducing sugars, and ascorbic acid content and minimum acidity were noted in 0.40 kGy gamma rays irradiated fruits stored at 12°C as compared to the other irradiated or unirradiated fruits stored at ambient condition and other storage environment. Suggestions were made for maximizing maintained physiological changes and quality by use of irradiation and adequate storage facilities for hygiene produce. Key words: Alphonso mango, irradiation, marketability, ripening, quality, storage temperature.

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of irradiation and storage temperatures on quality parameters in Kesar mango fruits. The fruits were exposed to gamma radiation of different doses i.e. 0.00, 0.20, 0.40 and 0.60 kGy) from 60Co source and stored at various storage environment viz., ambient temperature 27 ± 2 °C and RH 60–70 %; temperature 9 °C and RH 90 %; 12 °C and RH 90 % and control atmospheric (CA) storage at 12 °C, O2 2 %, CO2 3 % and RH 90 %. The data indicated that highest total soluble solids, total and reducing sugars and ascorbic acid contend and minimum acidity were noted in 0.40 kGy gamma rays irradiated fruits stored at 12 °C compared to unirradiated fruits stored at ambient condition at ripening stage.

In the present work, the ultraviolet absorption spectrum of 2,6-dichloro-3-nitro pyridine (2,6,3 DCNP) has been carried out experimentally (in water, n-hexane, ethanol, methanol and Mgo) and theoretically (in water, ethanol and methanol) in the range 3500–2300 cm−1 in the solution phase. Predicted electronic absorption spectra from time dependent density functional theory density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculation have been analyzed and compared with the experimental UV–Vis spectrum. The effects of chloro and nitro group substituent in pyridine ring have been analyzed. The electronic properties such as excitation energy, wavelength corresponding to absorption maxima \(\left( {\lambda_{max} } \right)\), oscillator strength (f), HOMO and LUMO energies are calculated by Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) using HF/6-311++G(d, p) and B3LYP/6-311++G(d, p) as basis sets. In addition Mulliken atomic charges of the atoms are also calculated.

Application of food irradiation for sanitary and phytosanitary purposes to ensure food safety and quality and facilitate international trade, including quarantine measures related to fresh products. The irradiation technique is now emerging as a demanding tool for controlling insect-pests. This technique has been a successful tool against a number of pest species. In this regard, the study was conducted to evaluate four (0.00, 0.20, 0.40 and 0.60 kGy) gamma irradiation doses and similar storage temperature (Ambient, 9 and 12°C and CA storage at 12°C) against the quarantine pests of alphonso mango fruit. The fruits were exposed to gamma radiation for different doses from the source of 60Co. The two year studies revealed that there were no stone weevil and fruit fly incidence in any treatment (gamma irradiation or storage temperature) during study, except unirradiated fruits stored at ambient temperature; recorded fruit fly infestation. Key words: Fruit fly, gamma irradiation, quarantine pests, stone weevil, storage temperature.

Takayasu arteritis can have myriads of presentation, depending on site and extent of disease. As no age is immune for this disease, it is important to keep a high index of suspicion, otherwise the diagnosis can be missed. We hereby describe a case of Takayasu arteritis, which presented as dilated cardiomyopathy.

Department of Chemistry, University of Allahabad, Allahabad-211 002, Uttar Pradesh, India E-mail : jd pandey@ rediffmai l.com; drvsanguri@ rediffmail.com; drranjan@ hotmail.com; drsoni_nk@rediffmail.com Manuscript received 23 February 2006, accepted 10 April 2006 Four different methods Tong and Dong, acoustical, Hartmann and Ballou relation have been employed to evaluate acoustic non-llneurlty purumeter, 8/A for four cycloalkuncs viz. cyclopentane, cyclohcxane, methylcyclopentane and methylcyclohexanc, at different temperuturcs und varying pressures. A comparative study of 8/A values obtained from employed methods has been made. &nbsp

Department of Chemistry. University of Allahabad. Allahabad-211 002, India Manuscript received 31 December 2003, revised 23 March 2004, accepted 22 July 2004 Viscosity of ternary, quaternary and quinary mixtures have been determined by the Pandey-Prajapati method. These values have been compared with those obtained by Mason-Saxena and Lindsay-Bromley methods.

Wheat is one of the most important staple food crop in the world is adversely affected by drought. Understanding its genetics and genome organization using molecular markers is of great value for plant breeding purposes. Drought tolerance is a difficult trait to define as it encompasses a wide range of characteristics involving multiple genetic, physiological, cellular and biochemical strategies in the plants. The transcription factor, DREB2A is one of the promising candidate genes involved in the dehydration tolerance in crop plants. Dehydration responsive element binding (DREB) protein is a subfamily of AP2/ERF transcription which control expression of many drought, salinity and cold inducible genes and causing tolerance to environmental stresses in many plants. The main property of DREB gene is conserved AP2 domain that binds to stress responsive elements. Some selected wheat genotypes were taken for isolation and sequence analysis of DREB2A. NL 897/NL 714//BL 2218 and BAW 969/SHATABDI wheat genotypes along with C 306, drought tolerant variety revealed the presence of AP2 domain when multiple sequence alignment was performed across genotypes.