Indoor dust as a mercury reservoir: A case study on indoor microenvironments located in Ernakulam district, Kerala state, India

This study was conducted during the summer season of 2009 and 2010 at Barrage Horticultural Research Station, Kalubia governorate. The study included two experiments on two bean cultivars (Paulista and Nebraska). The first was to investigate the response of Paulista cultivar (green yield) to seed size (large and small) and planting dates (the first week of February, March and April). The second experiment was to investigate the response of Nebraska cultivar (dry yield) to seed size (large and small) and planting dates (first week of February, March and April). Data were recorded on plant height, number of branches/plant, dry weight of leaves/plant, total green yield, pod weight, pod length, pod thickness, pod width, weight of 100 seed, seed germination percentage, total protein and potassium percentage for Paulista cultivar in the first experiment. While, the characters studied for Nebraska cultivar in the second experiment were plant height, number of branches/plant, dry weight of leaves/plant, total dry seed yield, number of seed/pod, weight of 100 seed, seed germination percentage, total protein, nitrogen and potassium percentages. Regarding results of the first experiment, sowing large seed size from Paulista cultivar gave higher values of plant height, number of branches, dry weight of leaves/plant, total green yield, pod weight, pod characters, weight of 100 seed and seed germination percentage than those obtained from small seed size in both seasons. Sowing in the first week of March gave the highest value of plant height, number of branches, dry weight of leaves/plant, total green yield, pod weight, pod characters, weight of 100 seed, seed germination percentage and potassium percentage in both seasons. Using large seeds and sowing in the first week of March gave the highest values for dry weight of leaves/plant, total green yield, pod weight and seed germination percentage. Concerning the second experiment, sowing with large seeds from Nebraska cultivar gave the high values in most traits, i.e. plant height, number of branches, dry weight of leaves/plant, total dry seed yield, number of seeds/pod, weight of 100 seed, seeds germination percentage, nitrogen percentage and total protein, compared to small size. Sowing Nebraska cultivar in the first week of March gave the highest values of plant height, number of branches, dry weight of leaves/plant, total dry seed yield, number of seeds/pod, weight of 100 seed, seed germination percentage, total protein and nitrogen and potassium percentage. For this study it can be concluded that using the large seed size from the cultivars Paulista (green yield) and Nebraska (dry yield) for the growing and planting in the first week from March gave the highest total yield and yield quality.

The population density of the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch.and its associated predators on faba bean and cowpea fields were studied at El-Khattara district, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons.A. craccivora had three peaks on faba bean for each season the first peak was during the fourth week of December , the second one was in the second week of February, where the last peak was in the first week of March (2010-2011 season), The three peaks of 2011-2012 were recorded in the first week of January, the fourth week of February and the second week of March 2012.There was one peak only on cowpea in the third and fourth week of July in 2011 and 2012, respectively.The common predators observed in faba bean and cowpea fields were: Coccinella undecimpunctata L., Chrysoperla carnea Steph., Paederus alfierii (Koch.),Orius sp., Syrphus sp.Scymnus sp. and Cydonia vicina isis (Muls.)Regarding predators on faba bean, two peaks were found in the first weeks of February and second week of March (37 and 79 predators/ 100 plants) during the first season 2010-2011, also, two peaks were found in the third week of February and second week of March (61 and 58 predators / 100 plants), respectively in 2011-12 season.On cowpea, however, also two peaks were found in the fourth week of July and second week of August (89 and 69 predators/ 50 plants), respectively in 2011 season, while, one peak was found in the third week of July (78 predators/ 50 plants) in 2012.Statistical analysis showed that temperature and relative humidity had different effects (significant or insignificant) on insects under investigation.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most popular and widely grown vegetable crop of both tropicsand subtropics of the world. Itis a member of the family Solanaceae. Low tomato yields have been ascribed to a variety ofissues, including poor seed quality, pest infestations and severe weather conditions. The field study conducted in MainAgriculture Research Station, Dharwad revealed that, there are totally 8 species of pests, 3 species of coccinellids and 10different species of spiders were recorded in tomato ecosystem. The peak incidence of aphid, leafhopper, whitefly, thripsand mites was observed during last week of January, second week of January, first week of March, last week of Februaryand third week of February, respectively. The peak incidence of leaf miner, fruit borer and pinworm was observed duringlast week of February, second week of March and third week of February, respectively. Correlation coefficient betweendifferent weather parameters and population of tomato pests revealed that, maximum temperature recorded significantpositive correlation with population of whitefly, thrips, mites, leafminer, fruit borer and pinworm but negatively correlatedwith aphid and leafhopper.

Aim. The phenological observations help in identifying how plant species respond to regional climatic changes in particular such as ambient temperature. The study of trends in phenology of Cassia fistula L. (Caesalpiniaceae, Fabaceae) to climate changes in Agra (India) was the aim of the researches. Methods. The data on the average annual temperature in India and Agra were collected for 1965 to 2019 from the Meteorological Department. Commencement of leaf fall, time of new flush of leaves, flowering period (initiation, full bloom, and end) and the rest of phenophases in trees planted at Raja Balwant Singh College (Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India) were recorded from 25 marked trees during 1965–2019. Results. In C. fistula trees leaf fall started in the second and third week of February. Trees became completely leaf-less at the beginning of March. Flowering commenced in the first week of March, and the trees were in full bloom during the second week of March. Flowering continued till the beginning of May, and it was over in the second week of June. Fruiting commenced in December and continued till April. The timing of phenological events was consistent in 1965–2000. However, after 2001, there was a gradual shift recorded, and the shift was evident in 2009–2019. During the period 1965–2008, the average annual temperature ranged between 23.23º–25.13ºC there was a liner increase in the temperature. The increase in average yearly temperature became more pronounced in 2009, and this trend is rising in temperature continued till 2019. In Agra in 2009–2019, temperature increase by 0.75–1.0ºC had been recorded. The shift of phenoevents in C. fistula is correlated with the rise in annual average temperature. Conclusions. The shift in the timing of various phenoevents is the trees of C. fistula at Agra (India) are influenced by the change in the climate and rise in temperature. It is suggested that a phenological model should be developed to estimate the impact of climate change on fruit trees, horticultural plants and crops development in different regions of India.

On farm trails were conducted on walnut propagation using two different types of scion woods for maximum graft take percentage under both polyhouse as well as in open field conditions during the year 2023 & 2024 at different locations viz on farm as well as farmers field. Two different types viz terminal and basal portions were used for grafting at different levels of timings viz 1st, 2nd week of February in 2X2 factorial CRBD under polyhouse and repeated at 3rd week of Feb. and 1st week of march in 2x 2 factorial RCBD under open field conditions with three replications to standardize portion of scion wood for maximum scion take percentage and feasible timing for walnut propagation in District Ganderbal (J&K). Terminal scion wood in grafting under polyhouse conditions revealed maximum scion take (68.75%) and scion sprouting (63.12%) respectively, whereas type of basal scion wood in grafting recorded scion-take (60.23%), scion sprouting (52.84%) however significantly more than field conditions. Whereas interaction between methods x timings revealed type of terminal scion wood grafting in 2nd week of February showed maximum scion take (73.19%) and scion sprouting(68.90%) significantly higher than First week of February (64.32%) scion take and (57.34%) scion sprouting under Polyhouse conditions. Graft success under open field conditions at interaction of terminal scion wood x first week of march showed significantly higher scion take(63.78%) and scion sprouting (56.98%) comparatively higher than basal type of scion wood grafting at first week of march recorded minimum scion take (59.67%) and scion sprouting (51.89%). Vegetative growth viz. stem diameter (3.69 mm), No. of leaves (4.31), leaflet size (40.66 cm2), plant height (18.80 cm), were significantly influenced in walnut grafts under polyhouse conditions The results indicate that walnut grafting while using terminal type of scion wood could be economically feasible for vegetative propagation. Wedge Grafting using terminal portion of scion wood performed in 2nd week of February under polyhouse conditions was observed most suitable procedure to propagate walnuts at mass scale under climatic conditions of District Ganderbal. Bud wood taken from selected variety were distributed among progressive walnut nurserymen for successful scion take percentage in second year under front line demonstrations.

This study investigates the impact of weather parameters on the population dynamics of the mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi, in Brassica crops. A field experiment was conducted using Randomized Block Design with four treatments: black mulch, transparent mulch, straw mulch, and control plot. Aphid population observations were recorded at 5-day intervals from January 10, 2015, to March 6, 2015. The results revealed that aphid population peaked during the third week of February to the first week of March, with a maximum average population of 238.25 aphids per plant. Correlation analysis showed a positive relationship between aphid population and temperature (maximum and minimum), sunshine hours, with correlation coefficients of 0.57, 0.57, and 0.310, respectively. Conversely, negative correlations were observed with relative humidity, rainfall, and wind speed. The study also found that mulch treatments significantly affected aphid population, with straw mulch recording the highest average population (107.42 aphids per plant). The findings suggest that conducive weather conditions, particularly temperature and sunshine hours, are crucial role in aphid population dynamics. The results of this study can inform strategies for managing aphid populations in Brassica crops, such as optimizing sowing dates and using mulch treatments. Furthermore, the study's findings on the relationship between weather parameters and aphid population dynamics can contribute to the development of predictive models for aphid population management. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the complex interactions between weather parameters, mulch treatments, and aphid population dynamics in Brassica crops.

Background: Social restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the mental health of children. Yet, analyses on the mental health of younger children in the later course of the pandemic are scarce. The present study assessed 8- to 11-year-olds’ internalising disorder symptoms during the last three weeks, from the third week of February through to the first week of March, of the 2021 national lockdown. Method: One hundred and forty-five pupils, including a subset of keyworkers’ children who had face-toface schooling, completed the validated Revised Child Anxiety and Depression scales, items on COVID-related stress at home, and evaluations of home-learning and school’s measures for reopening. Results: Symptoms increased with age in months and/or number of siblings. Girls reported more symptoms and home stress than boys did. Pupils who had face-to-face schooling were more satisfied with school measures and less satisfied with home learning compared with those who only had home learning. Hierarchical regression analyses corroborated the contributions of sociodemographic characteristics and found that home stress and school measures evaluations were associated most with major depression, generalised anxiety, and social phobia. Conclusion: Findings can contribute to mental health practice by promoting school communications and family and educator awareness of stressors, vulnerabilities and symptoms to boost pupils’ readiness for school returns.

Field experiment on Seasonal occurrence of Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) and coccinellids on maize crop was conducted during rabi season of 2021-22 at Entomology farm, BACA, AAU, Anand. During seasonal occurrence study, maize aphid species R. maidis was noticed from last week of December, 2021 to first week of March, 2022. The aphid infestation on the tassel began in the fourth week of December, progressively expanded and peaked (561. 8 aphids/tassel) in the fifth week of January (5th SMW). Similarly, an aphid infestation on cob began in the first week of January, 2022. Its population was initially low, but it gradually increased in numbers and peaked in the fifth week of January with 472.2 aphids/cob (5th SMW). The incidence of aphid declined from 1st week of February. Aphid infestation showed non-significantly negative correlation with maximum temperature. The minimum temperature had a very highly negative correlation (r=-0.81**). Aphids and relative humidity correlated positively in the morning and negatively in the evening. The activity of coccinellids was observed from 4th week of December to 1stweek of March. In January, the fifth standard meteorological week (for grubs) and the fourth standard meteorological week (for adults) both observed relatively higher population of coccinellids on tassels (2.24 grubs/tassel and  2.22 adults/tassel). Similarly on cob, activity of coccinellids observed during 1st week of January to 1st week of March. The higher population of coccinellids on cob was observed during 1th week of February for grubs (2.00 grubs/tassel) and 5th week of January for adults (2.22 adult/tassel). Decreasing trend of population of coccinellid grub was found from 1st week of February to 1st week of March and 5th week of January to 1st week of March for adults

Experiment was carried out on Seasonal incidence and effect of abiotic factors on population dynamics of major insect pests on Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) at College Farm, N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari during summer-2020. The results revealed that incidence of shoot borer infestation on shoot was commenced from second week of March (11th SMW) to third week of May (21st SMW) while, infestation of fruit damage was noticed at first picking of the brinjal fruit in the first week of April (14th SMW) with maximum in fourth week of May (21st SMW). Shoot and fruit borer infestation exhibited significant and positive correlation with maximum temperature (r= 0.8129) and minimum temperature (r= 0.8444) and wind velocity (r= 0.5871), respectively. Whitefly population was started from second week of February (9th SMW) with 0.93 whitefly per leaf, increased gradually to reach its peak in the last week of April, i.e.17th SMW (15.95 whiteflies/leaf) and positively and significantly correlated with and maximum temperature (r= 0.8062). The jassid infestation started from first week of March, i.e. 10th SMW (0.34 jassids/ leaf), initially increased slowly and reached to its peak level (11.89 jassids/leaf) at last week of April (17th SMW) and positively and significantly correlated with maximum (r= 0.7202) and minimum (r= 0.5712) temperatures. Aphid population started from the first week of March (10th SMW) with a minimum level of 0.60 aphids/leaf, increased slowly and reached to its peak level (5.04 aphids/leaf) at third week of April (16th SMW) and exhibited positive and significant correlation with maximum temperature (r= 0.7849).

Results of pheromone trap study to monitor the population of H. armigera in the chickpea crop showed that the male moths of pest were first recorded in pheromone trap catches from last week of January (4th Standard Meteorological Week) and first week of February (5th Standard Meteorological Week), which reached the peak in first week of March (9th Standard Meteorological Week) during 2020-21 and 2021-22, respectively. Similarly, the population of H. armigera in light trap catches was also first registered in last week of January (4th Standard Meteorological Week) and first week of February (5th Standard Meteorological Week), which reached the peak in second week of March (10th Standard Meteorological Week). The correlation study between pest population in trap catches and abiotic factors indicated that maximum temperature exhibited significant and positive influence on the population buildup of H. armigera in chickpea crop.

Phthalate esters in dusts from different indoor and outdoor microenvironment and potential human health risk: A case study in Beijing

This study was conducted during the period April 2009 to March 2010 in the Northern Governorate, Kingdom of Bahrain, to study the effect of treated sewage water on major alfalfa pests (aphids, leafhopper and plant bugs) and their natural enemies. The study was conducted on six farms, three irrigated by groundwater in the villages of Karranah, Jannusan and Jasra and three irrigated with treated sewage effluent in the villages of Dumistan, Elsahala and Abu Saiba. Insect samples were collected every ten days from five replicates using the standard sweeping net procedure to estimate the numbers of the above insects and their natural enemies. Pitfall traps were used to collect soft dwelling natural enemies. The results showed that irrigating alfalfa with treated sewage water led to a significant increase in population density of aphids and that the groundwater used for irrigation has led to a significant increase in the number of leafhoppers and plant bugs. As for natural enemies, Geocorissp, Dereaocorispallns were significantly increased in alfalfa plants irrigated by ground water, while Coccinella beetles significantly increased in numbers in alfalfa irrigated with treated sewage water Damselbug, aphids lions, ground beetle, tiger beetles, earwigs were not significantly affected by the type of water used. Regarding the seasonal activity of insects, leafhoppers, aphids,and plant bugs, results showed that the highest density of aphids was occurred during the second and third week of December and first week of January, leafhoppers in the second week of December and third week of February, and Plant bug in the second week of October. The activity of seasonal natural enemies had registered the highest density of Geocorissp during the first and third weeks of August. Coccinella beetles showed highest density during the second week of March, while Damselbugs highest density was noted in the fourth week of December and the first week of January. Aphid lions were most active during the fourth week of December and second week of February, whereas the predator Dereaocoris pallens was active during the third week of May and first week of July and ground beetles active during the first weekof May and the fourth week of July through first week of August. Cutting of alfalfa fields more frequent in activity period is a suggested tactic for the management of this pest, as IPM programs designed by the seasonal activity of the pest.

An experiment was conducted to observe the incidence of brinjal shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guen. and to estimate their damages in five different brinjal varieties (viz. Laffa, Dohazari, Uttara, Islampuri and Amjuri) in the Plant Pathology Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from January to March, 2007. Peak period of brinjal shoot and fruit borer infestation was observed in March in all the five varieties. Maximum number of population (5.0 per plant) was recorded in Amjuri variety in first week of March whereas minimum number of population (0.33 per plant) was observed in Dohazari variety in the third week of March. No infestation was found from 3rd week of January to 3rd week of February in all the five tested brinjal varieties. Brinjal shoot and fruit borer caused damages to shoots and fruits of brinjal plant and it was found that all the tested brinjal varieties are susceptible to the borer. In case of all tested varieties, mean number of damaged shoots and fruits per plant differed significantly at different sampling times. Among the five varieties Amjuri was heavily infested with the highest infestation of shoot and fruit. In this variety, mean number of damaged fruit per plant was 2.11, 1.67 and 1.87 at first, second and third week of March, respectively. In Islampuri variety, shoot infestation was found only in the 3rdweek of March.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v18i2.18162 Progress. Agric. 18(2): 75 - 80, 2007

Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] is known tobe infested by many insect pest among them the most important onesare sucking pests like aphids, leafhopper, whitefly and fruit borerslike Earias vitella and Helicoverpa armigera. Controlling these pestsis very much important to obtain good yield, hence knowledge aboutthese pest incidence needed for taking up management practices. Inthis context, okra was sown during last week of November (rabi2020-21) and observations were recorded at weekly interval. Peakincidence of aphid (23.44 aphids/3 leaves) and leafhopper (16.97leafhopper/3 leaves) noticed during last week of December, whitefly(12.70 whiteflies/3 leaves) during second week of March. Fruit borersduring third week of February and second week of March with percent fruit damage of 44.9 (Earias vitella) and 13.59 (Helicoverpaarmigera).Sucking pests incidence more up to 10th week old crop,there after the population declined. In case of fruit borers, theypersisted upto end of the season

Cotton Planting Times in South SulawesiClimatic elements particularly the rainfall strongly influences successful production of rainfed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Planting times determined based on more than 20 years daily rainfall data. The rainfall was analyzed using Markov Chain First Order Probability and dryspell probability methods The rainfall data were collected from 46 rainfall stations over Jeneponto, Soppeng, Wajo, Gowa, Bone. Bulukumba. Bantaeng, and Takalar. The planting times varied from the irst week to the fourth week of December for Jeneponto, Takalar, and mostly Gowa. The planting times in Soppeng and Wajo were ranged from the third week of February to the third week of March. Morever, cotton planting times in Bone and Bulukumba were ranged from the third week of March to the third week of April.