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Background: In this study, the impact of integrated nutrient management practice in cereal based cropping sequence has been examined. A detail study about the impact of INM in the above cropping system for last 8 years has been carried out. Method: On-station research experiments were conducted at Karjat centre of district Raigad of Maharashtra, under the ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut of ICAR-All India Co-ordinated Research Project during the years 2010-11 to 2017-18 on integrated nutrient supply (INM) system in rice – rice (Oryza sativa L.) cropping system at Karjat. Result: 100% recommended NPK dose through fertilizers was identified as the best INM practice at Karjat during kharif season. A detail study about the impact of INM in the above cropping system for last 8 years has been carried out and presented in tabular as well as graphical view both.

The present study was aimed to examine the antibacterial potential of Brassica nigra essential oil (BNEO) against Ralstonia solanacearum, causal agent of bacterial wilt and Nitrosomonas sp., the nitrifying bacteria. In poisoned food assay, BNEO showed 100% growth inhibition of R. solancearum at ≥ 125 µg mL-1. Revalidation of findings by volatile assay employing inverted Petri plate technique exhibited 100% bacterial growth inhibition caused by vapors of BNEO, even at 50 µg mL-1 concentration. In the broth microdilution assay, the BNEO exhibited significant antibacterial activity only at higher concentrations (>500 µg mL-1). At 500 µg mL-1, BNEO showed 80% bacterial growth inhibition over control, which was at par with that of streptomycin (5 µg mL-1). In resazurin microtitre-plate assay, the maximum concentration of BNEO, at which color change occurred was 512 µg mL-1 (T9), and thus 512 µg mL-1 was concluded as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). BNEO effectively inhibited the activity of Nitrosomonas spp. with 30-65% nitrification inhibition at the dose of 400 mkg-1 of Urea-N. Homology modeled protein targets assisted computational tool-based novel analysis helped to understand that the antibacterial potency of BNEO is due to preferable binding efficiency of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), the major active ingredient of BNEO.

Environmental concerns related to synthetic pesticides and the emphasis on the adoption of an integrated pest management concept as a cardinal principle have strengthened the focus of global research and development on botanical pesticides. A scientific understanding of the mode of action of biomolecules over a range of pests is key to the successful development of biopesticides. The present investigation focuses on the in silico protein-ligand interactions of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a major constituent of black mustard (Brassica nigra) essential oil (MEO) against two pests, namely, Meloidogyne incognita (Mi) and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol), that cause severe yield losses in agricultural crops, especially in vegetables. The in vitro bioassay results of MEO against Mi exhibited an exposure time dependent on the lethal concentration causing 50% mortality (LC50) values of 47.7, 30.3, and 20.4 μg ml−1 at 24, 48, and 72 h of exposure, respectively. The study revealed short-term nematostatic activity at lower concentrations, with nematicidal activity at higher concentrations upon prolonged exposure. Black mustard essential oil displayed excellent in vitro Fol mycelial growth inhibition, with an effective concentration to cause 50% inhibition (EC50) value of 6.42 μg ml−1. In order to decipher the mechanism of action of MEO, its major component, AITC (87.6%), which was identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), was subjected to in silico docking and simulation studies against seven and eight putative target proteins of Mi and Fol, respectively. Allyl isothiocyanate exhibited the highest binding affinity with the binding sites of acetyl cholinesterase (AChE), followed by odorant response gene-1 (ODR1) and neuropeptide G-protein coupled receptor (nGPCR) in Mi, suggesting the possible suppression of neurotransmission and chemosensing functions. Among the target proteins of Fol, AITC was the most effective protein in blocking chitin synthase (CS), followed by 2,3-dihydroxy benzoic acid decarboxylase (6m53) and trypsinase (1try), thus inferring these as the principal molecular targets of fungal growth. Taken together, the study establishes the potential of MEO as a novel biopesticide lead, which will be utilized further to manage the Mi–Fol disease complex.

Latin hypercube designs are widely used in designing computer experiments. In recent years, nested orthogonal Latin hypercube designs have been proposed in the literature. In this article, two general methods of constructing nested orthogonal Latin hypercube designs have been developed. The methods give many new nested orthogonal Latin hypercube designs with fewer number of runs as compared to existing nested orthogonal Latin hypercube designs.

In this paper, the problem of obtaining efficient block designs for incomplete factorial treatment structure with two factors excluding one treatment combination for estimation of dual versus singl...

Nematicidal potential of essential oils (EOs) has been widely reported. Terpenoids present in most of the essential oils have been reported responsible for their bioactivity though very less is known about their modes of action. In the present study, an in vitro screening of nine Eos, namely, Citrus sinensis (OEO), Myrtus communis (MTEO), Eucalyptus citriodora (CEO), Melaleuca alternifolia (TEO), Acorus calamus (AEO), Commiphora myrrha (MREO), Cymbopogon nardus (CNEO), Artemisia absinthium (WEO), and Pogostemon cablin (PEO) against Meloidogyne incognita revealed OEO, CNEO, and TEO as most effective with LC50 39.37, 43.22, and 76.28 μg ml–1 respectively. EOs had varying compositions of mono- and sesquiterpenes determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The in silico molecular interactions screening of major EO constituents and the seven selected target proteins of the nematode indicated highest binding affinity of geraniol-ODR1 (odorant response gene 1) complex (ΔG = -36.9 kcal mol–1), due to extensive H-bonding, hydrophobic and π-alkyl interactions. The relative binding affinity followed the order: geraniol-ODR1 > β-terpineol-ODR1 > citronellal-ODR1 > l-limonene-ODR1 > γ-terpinene-ODR1. Taken together, the cumulative in vitro and computational bioefficacy analysis related to the chemoprofiles of EOs provides useful leads on harnessing the potential of EOs as bionematicides. The insight on biochemical ligand–target protein interactions described in the present work will be helpful in logical selection of biomolecules and essential oils for development of practically viable bionematicidal products.

The purpose of this article is to present an algorithm to construct A-optimal balanced treatment incomplete block (BTIB) designs. A number of A-optimal BTIB designs are constructed in the parametri...

Study ascertained the recovery of β-carotene from enzyme-treated (enzyme load of 167 U/g) pericarp of ripe bitter melon using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) technique. Effect of different pressure (ranged from 150–450 bar), carbon dioxide (CO2) flow rates (ranged from 15 to 55 ml/min), temperatures (from 50 to 90 °C), and extraction periods (from 45–225 minutes) were observed on the extraction efficiency of β-carotene. Results showed that extraction pressure (X1) among extraction parameters had the most significant (p 4), CO2 flow rate (X2) and the temperature of the extraction (X3). The maximum yield of 90.12% of β-carotene from lyophilized enzymatic pretreated ripe bitter melon pericarp was achieved at the pressure of approx. 390 bar, flow rate of 35 mL/min, temperature at 70 °C and extraction time of 190 min, respectively. Based on the accelerated storage study the 70% retention shelf life of the β-carotene into extract was estimated up to 2.27 months at 10 °C and up to 3.21 months at 5 °C.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of planting time and fertilizer dose on growth, yield and quality of cucumber (Cucumber sativa L.) var. Pusa Seedless Cucumber 6 under two different protected structures. Experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with 3 replications. The treatments were formulated with four fertilizer levels (15:7:16, 20:12:21, 25:17:26 and 30:22:31 kg NPK/ha) and three date of plantings (15 August, 1 September and 15 September) under two different protected structures (insect proof nethouse and naturally ventilated polyhouse). Among the combinations, 15 September planting with 30:22:31 kg NPK/ha showed highest interaction effect for number of fruits/plant (20.20), fruit weight (134.11 g), yield/plant (2709.1 g), yield/1000 m2 (180.61 q), nitrogen (59 mg/100 g), phosphorus (27.33 mg/100 g), potassium (150.0 mg/100 g), calcium (11.29 mg/100 g), iron (0.23 mg/100 g) and zinc (0.22 mg/100 g) content of fruit under polyhouse. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the application of fertilizers at the rate of 30:22:31 kg NPK/ha on 15 September planting under naturally ventilated polyhouse is economical and found suitable for the successful growth, yield and quality of cucumber for higher productivity.

Latin hypercube designs are popular now-a-days for computer experiments. We give construction methods of orthogonal Latin hypercube designs for four factors for any number of runs for which such a design exists by combining smaller orthogonal matrices. We also propose methods for obtaining orthogonal Latin hypercube designs with larger number of factors.

A mixture experiment is an experiment in which the response is assumed to depend on the relative proportions of the ingredients present in the mixture and not on the total amount of the mixture. In such experiment process, variables do not form any portion of the mixture but the levels changed could affect the blending properties of the ingredients. Sometimes, the mixture experiments are costly and the experiments are to be conducted in less number of runs. Here, a general method for construction of efficient mixture experiments in a minimum number of runs by the method for projection of efficient response surface design onto the constrained region is obtained. The efficient designs with a less number of runs have been constructed for 3rd, 4th, and 5th component of mixture experiments with one process variable.

Recently, balanced incomplete Latin square designs are introduced in the literature. We propose three methods of constructions of balanced incomplete Latin square designs. Particular classes of Latin squares namely Knut Vik designs, semi Knut Vik designs, and crisscross Latin squares play a key role in the construction.

Split-plot designs are very popular in agricultural experiments where two factors require different sizes of plots. In traditional split-plot designs, main plot treatments are allocated using a randomized complete block design and subplot treatments are allocated within each main pot. However, often it may not be feasible to accommodate all the subplot treatments in each main plot. The purpose of this article is to propose a method of construction of such incomplete split-plot designs. Method of analysis of such incomplete split-plot designs is also presented. Construction and analysis methods are implemented using R language.

The designs for mixture experiments have been extensively used in agricultural/ industrial experiments. Some of the situations in which these designs could be advantageously used are: split application of fertilizers, intercropping experiments where the interest of experimenter is to find best crop mixtures, sensory evaluation experiments for making the agricultural and animal products, preparation of fertilizers, insecticides/ pesticides mixtures for optimum response, feeding trials in animal nutritional experiments. Mixture experiments can be used in with unrestricted region, with restricted region having upper and/or lower bounds, with process variable(s).

Design of experiments are mainly consist of two parts. One as construction and second is data analysis using the inference drawn. In this article we have described some of the methods used for diallel crosses and partial diallel crosses in plant breeding. A procedure for analysis of these type of designs was also described in sequel. These type of experiments are generally used for both animal as well as plant breeding experiments. An illustration of the analysis of mating designs is also described with results.

The Brassica vegetable crops are rich source of important antioxidant compounds having anticancer and health promoting properties. Development of F1 hybrids with better nutritional traits is one of the main breeding objectives in different vegetable crops. Our study is the first report of determining heterotic combinations utilizing cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) and doubled haploid (DH) inbred lines for antioxidant compounds in snowball cauliflower. Twenty genetically diverse Ogura CMS lines of cauliflower and six DH male fertile inbred lines were crossed to develop 120 F1 hybrids in line × tester mating design. The resulting 120 test cross progenies along with 26 parents and 4 standard checks were evaluated in 10 × 15 alpha lattice design with three replications during next cropping season. The CMS lines Ogu33-1A, Ogu122-5A and Ogu119-1A were good general combiner and CMS line Ogu118-6A was poor general combiner for majority of traits. Most of the heterotic hybrids were associated with high positive SCA effects. The proportions of σ2A/D and $$\upsigma^{2}_{\text{gca}} /\upsigma^{2}_{\text{sca}}$$ ratios were less than unity in all the cases indicating preponderance of non-additive gene action in the genetic control of all the traits. Highest number of heterotic hybrids with SCA effects in desired positive direction was recorded for ascorbic acid content and phenolic content followed by total carotenoid content. The F1 hybrids with better combining ability and better per se performance could be useful in accumulation of favourable allele for higher concentration of important anti-oxidant compounds.

Enzymatic hydrolysis is the most crucial step in bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol as efficient conversion of polymers to fermentable sugars determines final ethanol concentration. Cellulase complex used for commercial biomass hydrolysis is mostly derived from Trichoderma sp. and contains β-glucosidase

The present study was conducted to observe changes in acoustic parameters and to find out threshold values of Murrah buffaloes acoustic features during four phases of estrous cycle. Voice samples were collected from thirty healthy buffaloes, maintained at Livestock Research Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India. The acoustic features viz. call duration (sec.), intensity (dB), formants (Hz), pitch (Hz), number of periods, number of pulses, mean noise/harmonic ratio (%) were extracted with the help of PRAAT 5.1.36 software package. Mean values of call duration, intensity (mean, minimum, maximum), pitch (mean, maximum), formants (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5), mean noise to harmonic ratio were found significantly (p

A method of construction of row–column designs for estimation of main effects and two factor interaction effects in 2 n factorial microarray experiments based on orthogonal parameterization has been developed in minimum number of replications. A catalogue of designs for 2 ≤ n ≤ 9 has been prepared. The catalogue also gives the main effects and two-factor interactions confounded in different replications and the factorial effects that are not confounded in a replication. The efficiency factor of estimable main effects and two-factor interactions has been given. For each 2 n factorial, two designs have been given, one in which main effects are estimated with more efficiency and another in which two-factor interactions are estimated with more efficiency. A procedure of construction of row–column designs for estimation of all factorial effects with odd number of factors has been given. Row–column designs with unequal replication of different treatment combinations have also been obtained for estimation of all main effects and two-factor interactions.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of planting time and fertilizer dose on growth, yield and quality of bitter gourd var. Pusa Rasdar under two different protected structures (polyhouse and nethouse). The experiment was laid out in the factorial randomized block design with three replications. The treatments were formulated with four fertigation levels (15: 7: 16, 20: 12: 21, 25: 17: 26 and 30: 22: 31 kg NPKha−1) and three date of plantings (15th August, 1st September and 15th September). Among the treatments combination, 15th August sowing with 30: 22: 31 kg NPKha−1 shown highest interaction effect for the number of fruits per plant (11.47), fruit weight (235.26 g), yield per plant (2697.7 g), yield per 1000m2 (107.91 q) under nethouse. Whereas, 15th August planting with 30: 22: 31 kg NPKha−1 recorded highest for nitrogen (236.10 mg/100g), phosphorus (41.00 mg/100g), potassium (346.33 mg/100g), calcium (19.33 mg/100g), iron (0.32 mg/100g), zinc (0.64 mg/100g) and manganese (0.42 mg/100g) content of bitter gourd fruit grown under polyhouse. Hence, cultivation of bitter gourd var. Pusa Rasdar at 15th August planting with application of 30: 22: 31 kg NPKha−1 under the insect-proof nethouse found better for the successful plant growth, yield and quality.

The Information Communication Technologies (ICT) can be efficient tools to supplement public extension system in delivering timely, relevant, specific information at low cost but, past attempts of ICT led delivery mechanisms were very selectively successful and only a few farmers got advantage out of them. The present study aimed at finding out the reasons those hindered the adoption of ICT tools and technologies as agricultural information delivering media. The gap which is created due to differences in digital opportunities like access to ICT tools, digital literacy and the benefit gained by using those can be termed as digital divide. The study was conducted in Nashik (teledensity=98.98) and Varanasi (teledensity=68.60) districts of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, respectively so that the indicators of digital divide among digitally well performing and not well performing district could be found out from which a projection could be made for other places with similar digital climate. From analysis, it was found out that the factors like gender (t=-2.766**), social participation (t=0.840**), awareness (t=4.041**), affordability (t=3.512**) and economic motivation (t=2.042*) were significant for farmers of Nashik districts where income (t=2.003*), affordability (t= 4.142**) and age (t=2.533**) were significant for farmers of Varanasi district. The study can throw some light on regional, farm and micro level characteristics affecting the digital divide so that it may be helpful for researchers, policy makers and academicians to design suitable policies fitting to digital climate of a particular location.

Baryon-to-meson Transition Distribution Amplitudes (TDAs) encoding valuable new information on hadron structure appear as building blocks in the collinear factorized description for several types of hard exclusive reactions. In this paper, we address the possibility of accessing nucleon-to-pion ($��N$) TDAs from $\bar{p}p \to e^+e^- ��^0$ reaction with the future PANDA detector at the FAIR facility. At high center of mass energy and high invariant mass squared of the lepton pair $q^2$, the amplitude of the signal channel $\bar{p}p \to e^+e^- ��^0$ admits a QCD factorized description in terms of $��N$ TDAs and nucleon Distribution Amplitudes (DAs) in the forward and backward kinematic regimes. Assuming the validity of this factorized description, we perform feasibility studies for measuring $\bar{p}p \to e^+e^- ��^0$ with the PANDA detector. Detailed simulations on signal reconstruction efficiency as well as on rejection of the most severe background channel, i.e. $\bar{p}p \to ��^+��^- ��^0$ were performed for the center of mass energy squared $s = 5$ GeV$^2$ and $s = 10$ GeV$^2$, in the kinematic regions $3.0 < q^2 < 4.3$ GeV$^2$ and $5 < q^2 < 9$ GeV$^2$, respectively, with a neutral pion scattered in the forward or backward cone $| \cos��_{��^0}| > 0.5 $ in the proton-antiproton center of mass frame. Results of the simulation show that the particle identification capabilities of the PANDA detector will allow to achieve a background rejection factor of $5\cdot 10^7$ ($1\cdot 10^7$) at low (high) $q^2$ for $s=5$ GeV$^2$, and of $1\cdot 10^8$ ($6\cdot 10^6$) at low (high) $q^2$ for $s=10$ GeV$^2$, while keeping the signal reconstruction efficiency at around $40\%$. At both energies, a clean lepton signal can be reconstructed with the expected statistics corresponding to $2$ fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity. (.../...), 19 pages, 7 figures (some multiple), 2 tables (each double), preprint of an article for epj - v2

In this research article an undergraduate student project on Koch fractal curves based branch line couplers design is reported. The new fractal shaped branch-line couplers, operating at 3.0 GHz, using Koch fractal shapes of different iteration orders, have been successfully designed. The designed couplers, all operated at the designed frequency, achieved a maximum 81% size reduction without much change in the operating frequency and its bandwidth.