Distinct morpho-physiological and biochemical features of arid and hyper-arid ecotypes of Ziziphus nummularia under drought suggest its higher tolerance compared with semi-arid ecotype.

Tree species in the arid and semi-arid regions use various strategies to combat drought stress. Ziziphus nummularia (Burm. f.) Wight et Arn., native to the Thar Desert in India, is highly drought-tolerant. To identify the most drought-tolerant ecotype of Z. nummularia, one ecotype each from semi-arid (Godhra, annual rainfall >750 mm), arid (Bikaner, 250-350 mm) and hyper-arid (Jaisalmer, <150 mm) regions was selected along with two other Ziziphus species, Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk. and Ziziphus rotundifolia Lamk., and screened for parameters contributing to drought tolerance. Among these, Z. nummularia (Jaisalmer) (CIAHZN-J) was the most drought - tolerant. The tolerance nature of CIAHZN-J was associated with increased membrane stability, root length and number, length of hairs and thorns, root dry/fresh weight ratio, seed germination (at -0.5 MPa), proline content (31-fold), catalase and sugar content (two- to three-fold). Apart from these characteristics, it also exhibited the longest duration to reach highest cumulative drought stress rating, maintained higher relative water content for a longer period of time with reduced leaf size, leaf rolling and falling of older leaves, and displayed sustained shoot growth during drought stress. To determine drought tolerance in Ziziphus, we developed a morphological symptom-based screening technique in this study. Additionally, transcriptome profiling of CIAHZN-J in response to drought revealed the up-regulation of genes involved in sugar metabolism and transport, abscisic acid biosynthesis, osmoregulation, reactive oxygen species homeostasis and maintaining water potential. Expression profiles and semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR results further correlated with the physiological and biochemical mechanisms. In conclusion, CIAHZN-J is an excellent genetic stock for the identification of drought-responsive genes and can also be deployed in crop improvement programs for drought tolerance.

Effect of zero energy cool chamber and post-harvest treatments on shelf-life of fruits under semi-arid environment of Western India. Part 2. Indian gooseberry fruits.

Effect of zero energy cool chamber (ZECC) along with post-harvest treatments including CaCl2, mustard oil and K2SO4 separately on shelf-life and fruit quality attributes of Indian gooseberry or aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn) during storage under semi-arid ecosystem of Gujarat was studied. Increase in physiological loss in weight (PLW), spoilage loss, total soluble solids, total sugar and reducing sugars, reduction in titratable acidity and ascorbic acid were observed during storage period in all the treatments. Fruits treated with 1.5% CaCl2 and stored in ZECC recorded least PLW (16%), spoilage loss (16.5%), respiratory activity (83 mg CO2 /kg/h) and exhibited 11 days of shelf-life, while untreated control had 6 days economic life. It was closely followed by 1% CaCl2 + ZECC treatment. Fruits stored in ZECC recorded 9 days shelf-life. Highest respiration rate was in control (88.1 mg CO2 /kg/h) on 13(th) day of storage. It may be concluded that 1.5% CaCl2 and storage in ZECC treatment was found most efficient to retain the fruit quality attributes till 13(th) day of storage under semi-arid environment of western India.

Effect of zero energy cool chamber and post-harvest treatments on shelf-life of fruits under semi-arid environment of Western India. Part 1. Ber fruits.

Effect of zero energy cool chamber (ZECC) along with post-harvest treatments (including CaCl2, mustard oil and K2SO4 separately) on shelf-life and fruit quality attributes of ber (Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk.) cv 'Gola' during storage under semi-arid ecosystem of Gujarat was studied. Increase in physiological loss in weight (PLW), spoilage loss, total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing sugar and reduction in titratable acidity, and ascorbic acid during storage were observed in all treatments. Fruits treated with CaCl2 1.5% and stored in ZECC recorded least PLW (17.1%), spoilage loss (20%), respiratory activity (0.25 mg CO2/kg/h) and exhibited 7 days of shelf-life, followed by CaCl2 1% + ZECC, while untreated fruits had 3 days of economic shelf-life. Fruits stored in ZECC recorded 6 days shelf-life. Highest respiration rate was in control (0.45 mg CO2 /kg/h) on 9(th) day of storage. Data on fruit quality attributes indicated that ZECC + CaCl2 1.5% or ZECC alone might be an ideal on-farm storage facility for maintaining the quality of ber fruits under semi-arid environment of Western India.

To assess effect of noise on hearing ability of bus drivers by audiometry.

The present study was planned to assess the noise levels to which the drivers from State Transport Sangli Depot., are exposed during their duty hours and to explore the effects of high intensity noise of their hearing ability by audiometric examination. The study was done both in study and control group. Noise levels were measured in the driver's cabin and in the working place of the controls which ranged from 89 to 106 dB and 50 to 62 dB respectively. Audiometric examinations were performed in the study and control groups. 89% of the drivers and 19% from the control group showed abnormal audiograms.