Development of Smart Weighing Lysimeter for Measuring Evapotranspiration and Developing Crop Coefficient for Greenhouse Chrysanthemum.

The management of water resources is a priority problem in agriculture, especially in areas with a limited water supply. The determination of crop water requirements and crop coefficient (Kc) of agricultural crops helps to create an appropriate irrigation schedule for the effective management of irrigation water. A portable smart weighing lysimeter (1000 × 1000 mm and 600 mm depth) was developed at CPCT, IARI, New Delhi for real-time measurement of Crop Coefficient (Kc) and water requirement of chrysanthemum crop and bulk data storage. The paper discusses the assembly, structural and operational design of the portable smart weighting lysimeter. The performance characteristics of the developed lysimeter were evaluated under different load conditions. The Kc values of the chrysanthemum crop obtained from the lysimeter installed inside the greenhouse were Kc ini. 0.43 and 0.38, Kc mid-1.27 and 1.25, and Kc end-0.67 and 0.59 for the years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, respectively, which apprehensively corroborated with the FAO 56 paper for determination of crop coefficient. The Kc values decreased progressively at the late-season stage because of the maturity and aging of the leaves. The lysimeter's edge temperature was somewhat higher, whereas the center temperature closely matched the field temperature. The temperature difference between the center and the edge increased as the ambient temperature rose. The developed smart lysimeter system has unique applications due to its real-time measurement, portable attribute, and ability to produce accurate results for determining crop water use and crop coefficient for greenhouse chrysanthemum crops.

Determination of Polylactide Microstructure by Homonuclear Decoupled 1 H NMR Spectroscopy.

The ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide (the dilactone of lactic acid) produces poly(lactide) commonly referred to as poly(lactic acid) (PLA). The monomer lactide, has two stereogenic centers and thus, three stereoisomers are possible, namely: D-(R,R), L-(S,S) and meso-lactide. The rac-lactide is an equimolar mixture of D- and L-enantiomers. Depending upon the relative configuration of the stereogenic centers in the polymeric chain, different tacticities (isotactic, syndiotactic, heterotactic and atactic) arise in the PLA chains. The study of the tacticity of a polymer is fundamental since it plays a crucial role in determining the physical properties of the polymer. NMR spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique for the determination of the tacticity of PLA. This article describes in details the tacticity assignment for PLA derived from ROP of rac-lactide and meso-lactide, using homonuclear proton-decoupled 1 H NMR. The detailed tetrad level assignment pertinent to the methine hydrogen signal is the key for the determination of tacticity.

Comparative evaluation of linear and nonlinear weather-based models for coconut yield prediction in the west coast of India.

Coconut is a major plantation crop of coastal India. Accurate prediction of its yield is helpful for the farmers, industries and policymakers. Weather has profound impact on coconut fruit setting, and therefore, it greatly affects the yield. Annual coconut yield and monthly weather data for 2000-2015 were compiled for fourteen districts of the west coast of India. Weather indices were generated using monthly cumulative value for rainfall and monthly average value for other parameters like maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and solar radiation. Different linear models like stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR), principal component analysis together with SMLR (PCA-SMLR), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and elastic net (ELNET) with nonlinear models namely artificial neural network (ANN) and PCA-ANN were employed to model the coconut yield using the monthly weather indices as inputs. The model's performance was evaluated using R2, root mean square error (RMSE) and absolute percentage error (APE). The R2 and RMSE of the models ranged between 0.45-0.99 and 18-3624 nuts ha-1 respectively during calibration while during validation the APE varied between 0.12 and 58.21. The overall average ranking of the models based these performance statistics were in the order of ELNET > LASSO > ANN > SMLR > PCA-SMLR > PCA-ANN. Results indicated that the ELNET model could be used for prediction of coconut yield for the region.

Pre-sowing static magnetic field treatment for improving water and radiation use efficiency in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under soil moisture stress.

Soil moisture stress during pod filling is a major constraint in production of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), a fundamentally dry land crop. We investigated effect of pre-sowing seed priming with static magnetic field (SMF) on alleviation of stress through improvement in radiation and water use efficiencies. Experiments were conducted under greenhouse and open field conditions with desi and kabuli genotypes. Seeds exposed to SMF (strength: 100 mT, exposure: 1 h) led to increase in root volume and surface area by 70% and 65%, respectively. This enabled the crop to utilize 60% higher moisture during the active growth period (78-118 days after sowing), when soil moisture became limiting. Both genotypes from treated seeds had better water utilization, biomass, and radiation use efficiencies (17%, 40%, and 26% over control). Seed pre-treatment with SMF could, therefore, be a viable option for chickpea to alleviate soil moisture stress in arid and semi-arid regions, helping in augmenting its production. It could be a viable option to improve growth and yield of chickpea under deficit soil moisture condition, as the selection and breeding program takes a decade before a tolerant variety is released. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:400-408, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Evaluating soil quality under a long-term integrated tillage-water-nutrient experiment with intensive rice-wheat rotation in a semi-arid Inceptisol, India.

Long-term sustainability and a declining trend in productivity of rice-wheat rotation in the Indo-Gangetic plain, often direct towards the changes in soil quality parameters. Soil quality is decided through few sensitive soil physical, chemical and biological indicators as it cannot be measured directly. The present investigation was carried out to develop a valid soil quality index through some chosen indicators under long-term influences of tillage, water and nutrient-management practices in a rice-wheat cropping system. The experiment consisted of two tillage treatments, three irrigation treatments, and nine nutrient management treatments for both rice and wheat, was continued for 8 years. The index was developed using expert-opinion based conceptual framework model. After harvest of rice, the CFSQI-P (productivity) was higher under puddled situation, whereas CFSQI-EP (environmental protection) was more under non-puddled condition and 3-days of drainage was found promising for all the indices. No-tillage practice always showed higher soil quality index. The treatments either receiving full organics (100% N) or 25% substitution of fertilizer N with organics showed higher soil quality indices. Puddling, irrigation after 3 days of drainage and substitution of 25% recommended fertilizer N dose with FYM in rice could be practiced for maintaining or enhancing soil quality. No-tillage, two irrigations, and domestic sewage sludge in wheat can safely be recommended for achieving higher soil quality.

Aligning Santal Tribe Menu Templates with EAT-Lancet Commission's Dietary Guidelines for Sustainable and Healthy Diets: A Comparative Analysis.

BACKGROUND: In the context of global shifts in food systems, this paper explores the unique dietary practices of the Santal tribe, an indigenous group in eastern India, to understand the health, nutrition, and sustainability aspects of their traditional food systems. This study evaluates the nutritional content of the Santal diet in comparison to the EAT-Lancet Commission's 2019 dietary guidelines for healthy and sustainable diets. METHODS: The University of East Anglia, in collaboration with the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health in Cambridge, PRADAN; colleagues in India and local Santal youth, conducted nutritional analyses of traditional Santal recipes. Two menu templates, Kanhu Thali and Jhano Thali, were selected for comparative analysis based on their representation of diverse dietary practices within the Santal community. Nutritional data, including energy as well as the distribution of macronutrients and micronutrients, were compiled and compared with the EAT-Lancet guidelines. RESULTS: The Santal menu templates (nutritionally complete meals) demonstrated alignment with EAT-Lancet recommendations in aspects such as whole grains, starchy vegetables, vegetables, plant-based protein sources, unsaturated fats, and limited added sugars. However, notable deviations included the absence of animal-based protein sources and dairy. The Santal diet showed high protein intake, largely from plant-based sources, and emphasised the importance of whole grains. Seasonal variations in nutritional content were observed between the two templates. CONCLUSIONS: While the Santal diet aligns with some aspects of global dietary guidelines, there are notable deviations that underscore the complexity of aligning traditional diets with universal recommendations. The findings emphasise the need for culturally sensitive dietary recommendations that respect traditional diets while promoting sustainability. Research needs to support tailored global guidelines enshrining core principles of nutritional adequacy which are inter-culturally operable in order to accommodate cultural diversity, local practices, and seasonal variations, crucial for fostering sustainable and healthy eating habits in diverse sociodemographic contexts.

Modelling the impact of different irrigation regimes and mulching on strawberry crop growth and water use in the arsenic-contaminated Bengal basin.

Replacement of water-intensive winter rice with strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) may restrict groundwater extraction and improve water productivity and sustainability of agricultural production in the arsenic-contaminated Bengal basin. The potential of strawberry cultivation in terms of yield obtained and water use efficiency need to be evaluated under predominant soil types with mulch applications. Water-driven model AquaCrop was used to predict the canopy cover, soil water storage and above-ground biomass of strawberry in an arsenic-contaminated area in the Bengal basin. After successful calibration and validation over three seasons, AquaCrop was used over a range of management scenarios (nine drip-irrigation × three soil types × four mulch materials) to identify the best irrigation options for a drip-irrigated strawberry crop. The most appropriate irrigation of 176 mm for clay loam soil in lowland and 189 mm for sandy clay loam in medium land rice areas and the use of organic mulch from locally available jute agrotextile improved 1.4 times higher yield and 1.7 times higher water productivity than that of without mulch. Strawberry can be introduced as an alternative crop replacing rice in non-traditional upland and medium land areas of the arsenic-contaminated Bengal basin with 88% lower groundwater extraction load and better economic return to farmers.

Anti-cancer Activity of Biogenic Nat-ZnO Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Nat) Flower Extract.

Inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have played an important role as nano-drug delivery systems during cancer therapy in recent years. These NPs can carry cancer therapeutic agents. Due to this, they are considered a promising ancillary to traditional cancer therapies. Among inorganic NPs, Zinc Oxide (ZnO) NPs have been extensively utilized in cellular imaging, gene/drug delivery, anti-microbial, and anti-cancerous applications. In this study, a rapid and cost-effective method was used to synthesize Nat-ZnO NPs using the floral extract of the Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Nat) plant. Nat-ZnO NPs were physicochemically characterized and tested further on in vitro cancer models. The average hydrodynamic diameter (Zaverage) and the net surface charge of Nat-ZnO NPs were 372.5 ± 70.38 d.nm and -7.03 ± 0.55 mV, respectively. Nat-ZnO NPs exhibited a crystalline nature. HR-TEM analysis showed the triangular shape of NPs. Furthermore, Nat-ZnO NPs were also found to be biocompatible and hemocompatible when tested on mouse fibroblast cells and RBCs. Later, the anti-cancer activity of Nat-ZnO NPs was tested on lung and cervical cancer cells. These NPs displayed potent anti-cancer activity and induced programmed cell death in cancer cells.

Anti-cancer Application of Nat-ZnFe2O4 Nanoparticles on 2D Tumor Models.

Metal/Metal Oxide nanoparticles (M/MO NPs) exhibit potential biomedical applications due to their tunable physicochemical properties. Recently, the biogenic synthesis of M/MO NPs has gained massive attention due to their economical and eco-friendly nature. In the present study, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Nat) flower extract-derived Zinc Ferrite NPs (Nat-ZnFe2O4 NPs) were synthesized and physicochemically characterized by FTIR, XRD, FE-SEM, DLS, and other instruments to study their crystallinity, size, shape, net charge, presence of phytocompounds on NP's surface and several other features. The average particle size of Nat-ZnFe2O4 NPs was approx. 25.87 ± 5.67 nm. XRD results showed the crystalline nature of Nat-ZnFe2O4 NPs. The net surface charge on NPs was -13.28 ± 7.18 mV. When tested on mouse fibroblasts and human RBCs, these NPs were biocompatible and hemocompatible. Later, these Nat-ZnFe2O4 NPs exhibited potent anti-neoplastic activity against pancreatic, lung, and cervical cancer cells. In addition, NPs induced apoptosis in tested cancer cells through ROS generation. These in vitro studies confirmed that Nat-ZnFe2O4 NPs could be used for cancer therapy. Moreover, further studies are recommended on ex vivo platforms for future clinical applications.

Zinc oxide and ferric oxide nanoparticles combination increase plant growth, yield, and quality of soybean under semiarid region.

Zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) malnutrition are global health challenges that need immediate attention. Hence, to address these issues, a two-pronged approach involving the development and application of novel Zn and Fe products for crop fertilization may be a potential solution. Therefore, zinc oxide (ZnO) (∼13.2 nm) and ferric oxide (Fe2O3) (∼15 nm) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and characterized. Seven nutrients treatments viz, control, ZnO- NPs (25 mg kg-1), Fe2O3-NPs (25 mg kg-1), ZnO + Fe2O3-NPs (25 mg kg-1each), ZnSO4 (55.8 mg kg-1), FeSO4 (60.4 mg kg-1) and ZnSO4+ FeSO4 (55.8 and 60.4 mg kg-1) were arranged in five-time replicated Completely Randomized Design model to test the effectiveness of ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs in two soybean cultivars over conventional zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) fertilizers. The results indicated that the photosynthetic rate (Pn) and chlorophyll content increased (33.9-86.2%) significantly at the flowering stage with ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs applications, compared to their conventional counterparts. Likewise, the combined application of ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs reduced H2O2 production by 17-19% and increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities by 15-17% and 9.6-11.4% over the combined use of ZnSO4 and FeSO4, respectively. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) showed an increase of 6.9-44.2% under ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs, as well as ZnSO4 and FeSO4. Furthermore, the combined application of NPs enhanced soybean seed yield by 4.6-18.3% compared to conventional Zn and Fe fertilizers. Concerning seed Zn and Fe density, conjoint application of ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs increases Zn by 1.8-2.2-fold and Fe by 19.22-22.58% over the combined application of Zn SO4 and FeSO4, respectively. While the application of NPs significantly decreased seed phytic acid concentrations by 7.3-59.9% compared to the control. These findings suggest that the combined application of ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs effectively enhances soybean productivity, seed nutrient density, and overall produce quality. Therefore, the combined application of ZnO and Fe2O3 -NPs in soybean can be a potential approach for sustainable soybean production and to reduce/arrest Zn and Fe malnutrition in a growing population.

Root growth and physiological responses in wheat to topsoil and subsoil compaction with or without artificial vertical macropores.

The process of soil compaction can cause various stresses on roots, ultimately limiting their growth and development within the soil. Understanding this phenomenon in real-world conditions can be challenging since the growth of roots is influenced by the soil environment. To investigate this issue, four experiments were conducted to examine the impact of topsoil (two in pots: with clay loam and sandy loam soils under two soil water regimes) and subsoil (in rhizobox: one with clay loam soil and the other with sandy loam soil, containing artificial vertical macropores) compaction on the relationship between edaphic factors and the physiological response of wheat roots. The topsoil compaction reduced root length, volume, and weight by 30-50% and the root diameter by ∼15% compared to the non-compact soil. The effect was reduced in the soil with higher clay content (clay loam), especially under the limited soil water condition. Plant physiological responses were adversely affected by compaction with a reduction in plant height. The transpiration rate was highly impacted (21-47% reduction) with the build-up of intercellular CO2 content in leaves (13-31%), especially with limited water applications. Root growth was severely restricted (>60%) in the compact subsoil layer, although the surface area and volume of roots increased in the overlying non-compact layer. Naturally occurring or artificial vertical macropores acted as escape channels, facilitating the roots to pass through the compact subsoil and grow abundantly in the loose soil below. However, plants in field conditions encounter a mix of loose and compact soil zones. By studying how roots respond to this soil heterogeneity, we can develop strategies to reduce the negative effects of soil compaction.

Controlled Synthesis of Dendrite-like Polyglycerols Using Aluminum Complex for Biomedical Applications.

This work describes a one-pot synthesis of dendrite-like hyperbranched polyglycerols (HPGs) via a ring-opening multibranching polymerization (ROMBP) process using a bis(5,7-dichloro-2-methyl-8-quinolinolato)methyl aluminum complex (1) as a catalyst and 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane/trimethylol propane (TMP) as an initiator. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to elucidate the molecular structure of complex 1. Inverse-gated (IG)13C NMR analysis of HPGs showed degree of branching between 0.50 and 0.57. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis of the HPG polymers provided low, medium, and high-molecular weight (M n) polymers ranging from 14 to 73 kDa and molecular weight distributions (M w/M n) between 1.16 and 1.35. The obtained HPGs exhibited high wettability with water contact angle between 18 and 21° and T g ranging between -39 and -55 °C. Notably, ancillary ligand-supported aluminum complexes as catalysts for HPG polymerization reactions have not been reported to date. The obtained HPG polymers in the presence of the aluminum complex (1) can be used for various biomedical applications. Here, nanocomposite electrospun fibers were fabricated with synthesized HPG polymer. The nanofibers were subjected to cell culture experiments to evaluate cytocompatibility behavior with L929 and MG63 cells. The cytocompatibility studies of HPG polymer and nanocomposite scaffold showed high cell viability and spreading. The study results concluded, synthesized HPG polymers and composite nanofibers can be used for various biomedical applications.

Decolorization and degradation of reactive orange 16 by Bacillus stratosphericus SCA1007.

Efficient bacterial strain was isolated from the dye contaminated area and identified as Bacillus stratosphericus SCA1007 based on 16S rRNA gene sequence (GenBank under accession number KY992944). This isolate was selected based on its potential to efficiently decolorize reactive orange 16 dye which is extensively used in textile industries. Various culture conditions like dye concentration, temperature, pH, salinity, and additional nitrogen source were optimized in the present study. The optimal conditions for decolorization of reactive orange 16 was found to be: dye concentration 150 mg/L, pH 7, temperature 35 °C, and yeast extract as nitrogen source. The isolate was also resistant to 4% saline culture condition. Decolorization and degradation of dye were confirmed through UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS). Toxicity studies were performed on Escherichia coli and Vigna radiata to confirm the non-toxic nature of the degraded metabolites. This is the first study demonstrating complete decolorization of reactive orange 16 dye by Bacillus stratosphericus SCA1007 at high salinity within 10 h of incubation under optimized conditions.

Seed priming with selenium and zinc nanoparticles modifies germination, growth, and yield of direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Direct-seeded rice (DSR) seeds are often exposed to multiple environmental stresses in the field, leading to poor emergence, growth and productivity. Appropriate seed priming agents may help to overcome these challenges by ensuring uniform seed germination, and better seedling stand establishment. To examine the effectiveness of sodium selenite (Na-selenite), sodium selenate (Na-selenate), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), and their combinations as priming agents for DSR seeds, a controlled pot experiment followed by a field experiment over two consecutive years was conducted on a sandy clay loam soil (Inceptisol) in West Bengal, India. Priming with combinations of all priming agents had advantages over the hydro-priming treatment (control). All the combinations of the three priming agents resulted in the early emergence of seedlings with improved vigour. In the field experiment, all the combinations increased the plant chlorophyll, phenol and protein contents, leaf area index and duration, crop growth rate, uptake of nutrients (N, P, K, B, Zn and Si), and yield of DSR over the control. Our findings suggest that seed priming with the combination of ZnO-NPs, Na-selenite, and Na-selenate could be a viable option for the risk mitigation in DSR.

Biopolymeric superabsorbent hydrogels enhance crop and water productivity of soybean-wheat system in Indo-Gangetic plains of India.

Environmental crises, declining factor productivity, and shrinking natural resource is a threat to global agricultural sustainability. The task is much more daunting in the Indo-Gangetic northern plains of India, where depletion of the underground water table and erratic rains due to the changing climate pose a major challenge to agriculture. To address these challenges a field investigation was carried out during 2016-2018 to test the efficacy of biopolymeric superabsorbent hydrogels namely Pusa Hydrogel (P-hydrogel: a semi-synthetic cellulose derivative-based product) and kaolin derivative of Pusa Hydrogel (K-hydrogel: semi-synthetic cellulose derivative) to assess their effect on crop and water productivity, soil moisture, root dynamics, and economics of soybean (Glycine max L.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system under three irrigation regimes namely full irrigation, limited irrigation and rainfed. The results revealed that the full irrigation along with P-hydrogel led to enhanced grain yield, biomass yield, and water productivity (WP) of soybean (1.61-10.5%, 2.2-9.5%, and 2.15-21.8%, respectively) and wheat (11.1-18.3%, 12-54% and 11.1-13.1%, respectively) over control plots. Likewise, under water stressed plots of rainfed conditions with P-hydrogel exhibited 52.7 and 20.6% higher system yields (in terms of wheat equivalent yield) over control and other combinations during the respective study years. Whereas the magnitude of increase in system yield under limited irrigation with P-hydrogel was ~ 15.1% and under full irrigation with P-hydrogel was 8.0-19.4%. Plots treated with P-hydrogel retained 3.0-5.0% higher soil moisture compared to no-hydrogel plots, while K-hydrogel treated plots held the lower moisture (4.0-6.0%) than the control. In terms of profitability, full irrigation along with P-hydrogel plots registered 12.97% higher economic returns over control. The results suggested that P-hydrogel (2.5 kg ha-1) reduces runoff water loss in full irrigation applied plots and retained more water, where loss of water is more thus reduces number of irrigations. Hence P-hydrogel with irrigation water is a viable option for sustainable production of soybean-wheat systems in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India and other similar eco-regions of the world.

Salen complexes of zirconium and hafnium: synthesis, structural characterization, controlled hydrolysis, and solvent-free ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters and lactides.

Dinuclear salen compounds of zirconium and hafnium are efficient initiators for the solvent-free ring-opening polymerization of cyclic ester monomers and lactides. There is a correlation between the theoretical and experimental number-average molecular weights (M(n)'s) in these polymerizations. Polymerization of ß-butyrolactone gives poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) with a good M(n) and molecular weight distribution.

1,1'-Binaphthyl-2,2'-diyl benzyl-phos-phoramidate.

In the title compound, C(27)H(20)NO(3)P, the P atom exhibits a somewhat distorted PNO(3) tetra-hedral geometry, with the O-P-O angle for the binaphthyl fragment being 102.82 (6)°. The dihedral angle between the naphthyl ring systems is 59.00 (2)°. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds generate R(2) (2)(8) loops.

Replacing winter rice in non-traditional areas by strawberry reduces arsenic bioaccumulation, and improves water productivity and profitability.

Use of huge amount (1450-1650 mm) of arsenic contaminated (14.0-24.5 mg l-1) ground water to irrigate winter rice resulted in high deposition of arsenic (As) in the topsoil and in rice grains, posing a serious threat to soil and human health of the Bengal basin. Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) requires 250 mm irrigation and fetches 3.5 times more net return over the winter rice, and can be grown as an alternate crop in place of winter rice to save the environment. In comparison to rice As load in edible parts of strawberry reduced from 865 to 39 µg kg-1. Deficit irrigation (0.8 and 0.6 crop evapotranspiration, ETc) to strawberry further reduced total as well as different As species load in fruits. Jute and straw mulches recorded lower As in fruits over other mulches. Drip irrigation to recharge full or 80% of ETc loss and use of jute agrotextile surface mulch maximized root growth and yield in strawberry, benefit:cost ratio, and energy efficiency and productivity. Results demonstrate that strawberry cultivation in non-traditional winter rice growing areas of Bengal basin can potentially benefit millions of people by reducing As load in food chains, ensuring higher returns, and aid in reviving the local jute agrotextile industry.