Himachal Research Articles

Estimation of regression relation between velocity of shear wave and depth: A contribution towards mitigating seismic hazard in Bilaspur and Hamirpur districts of Himachal Pradesh

Estimation of regression relation between velocity of shear wave and depth: A contribution towards mitigating seismic hazard in Bilaspur and Hamirpur districts of Himachal Pradesh

Koha LMS (Library Management System) Managing in the Tagore Library of Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh: A Study

Koha LMS (Library Management System) Managing in the Tagore Library of Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh: A Study

Enhancing the Nutritional Value of Food through Process of Natural Farming in India

Natural farming also referred to as organic farming, vital for health since it produces pesticide-free goods. The amount of vital micronutrients in naturally cultivated food has been found to be higher. The Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Program, found effective in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala is an initiative of the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, supports natural farming in India. The purpose of this study is to identify the difficulties experienced by farmers as well as the requirements and limitations of natural farming in India. Natural farming depends on the potential of the soil under the present local climate conditions and employs the agro-eco system as a self-contained unit. Only 4.9, 2.0, and 1.6 percent of the net sown area in the top three states with the most organic farming, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, are used for organic farming, respectively. In a few states such as; Meghalaya, Mizoram, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Sikkim, organic crops account for 10% or more of the net sown area. This study examines the health benefits of regularly ingesting foods that are naturally generated. Natural-grown plants are better for a therapeutic diet as well as contributing in economic development.

Epidemiology, genetic characterization and population structure analysis of lumpy skin disease virus from North India.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a transboundary, viral disease of cattle with a significant economic impact on the livestock industry. This study describes the epidemiological investigations of outbreaks of LSD that occurred in 2022 in three Indian states viz., Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan and the genetic characterization of Lumpy skin disease viruses (LSDVs). Also, the population structure analysis of LSDVs was carried out. Out of 138 scab samples tested from suspected cattle for LSDV, 106 were found positive. Of these, nine representative scab samples were further genetically characterized. Phylogenetic analysis based on the P32 and EEV gene sequences depicted that the LSDV strains of the present study had nucleotide identity of 100% and 99.10-99.45%, respectively with the LSDV/2019 field strains of India. Multiple sequence alignment of the EEV glycoprotein gene sequences revealed nucleotide polymorphisms at three positions viz., G178A, G253A and A459G in circulating LSDV/2022 field strains. Based on the median joining network analysis of the EEV gene, 12 haplotypes were identified among the LSDV populations. Population structure analysis corresponding to the EEV gene revealed high haplotype (0.8486 ± 0.026) and low nucleotide diversities (0.00636 ± 0.0006) and negative values for neutrality indices, indicating a high number of closely related haplotypes and the studied population may have undergone a recent expansion. The findings will help in understanding the distribution and dynamics of LSDV populations, which will prove pivotal in designing and implementing effective management and control strategies.

Plug-shaped burrow Bergaueria Prantl, 1945 from the Lower Cambrian of Nigalidhar Syncline, Himachal Pradesh, Lesser Himalaya and its biostratigraphic significance in Himalayan Cambrian sections

Plug-shaped burrow Bergaueria Prantl, 1945 from the Lower Cambrian of Nigalidhar Syncline, Himachal Pradesh, Lesser Himalaya and its biostratigraphic significance in Himalayan Cambrian sections

Occurrence and impact of polyploidy in dicotyledonous plants from Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh (India)

Occurrence and impact of polyploidy in dicotyledonous plants from Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh (India)

Effect of Biostimulants and Nutrient Management on Soil Nutrients Level in Onion (Allium cepa L.)

During rabi season of 2021, a field experiment was conducted by embracing different organic manures, inorganic fertilizers and biostimulants (Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis) over growth, yield, quality and persisting soil fertility of onion in the mineralized soils of Himachal Pradesh. The study was organized in thirteen treatments. The analysis revealed that lowest soil pH (6.94), electrical conductivity (0.186 dSm-1), highest soil organic carbon (0.85%), available nitrogen (257.79 kg/ha) and available phosphorus (26.14 kg/ha) were recorded with treatment T7 [75% RDF + 40 kg S/ha + Bacillus subtilis + FYM (250 q/ha)]. The highest available potassium was recorded in treatment T12 [100% RDF (125:75:60 kg/ha)] and highest available sulphur was recorded in treatment in T11 [100% RDF + 40 kg S/ha].

Assessing the Impact of Weather Parameters on the Population Dynamics of Insect Pests in Cucurbit Vegetables under Mid-Hill Conditions of Himachal Pradesh

A study focusing on population dynamics of sucking and leaf-eating some insect pests along with their correlation with weather parameters in cucurbits was conducted at research field, Department of Entomology, Dr. YSPUHF, Solan, H.P., India from June-October, 2019 and 2020. The results revealed that Amrasca biguttula biguttula (I), Trialeurodes vaporariorum (W), Aulacophora foveicollis (L), Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (F), Liriomyza trifolii (B), Aulacophora sp., were recorded as the major insect pests. In bitter gourd, maximum population of jassids recorded was (2.33/leaf) in first week of August while, maximum whitefly population in bottle gourd (2.96/leaf) during last week of August and in ridge gourd during last week of July (3.76/leaf). The maximum red pumpkin beetle population on bitter gourd (2.4 beetles/plant) and bottle gourd (2.6 beetles/plant) was observed during last week of August while, hadda beetle attained peak population during first and third week of August in ridge gourd (1.0/plant) and bitter gourd (1.1 adults/plant), respectively. Maximum leaf miner infestation (2.7 mines/leaf) in bottle gourd and ridge gourd was observed during first and third week of August. All pest attained maximum population between 30 to 32 SMW when weather parameters values were Tmax: 27.50 to 28.90; Tmin: 20.60 to 20.80 oC; RH: 79 to 80 %; Rainfall: 25.80 to 30.20 mm. Relative humidity and rainfall played major role with non-significant positive influence on the population build-up of these pests in cucurbit crops along with temperature. The present findings on weather-driven pest dynamics can inform strategies to boost crop yields and reduce farmers' economic losses in similar environments.

Adulteration and Assessment of Raw Milk Quality in and Nearby Areas of Palampur Himachal Pradesh, India

Milk is one of the essential food for human intake, especially for growing children, which contains various proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. However, milk is prone to adulteration, minimizing its quality and safety even as it has numerous benefits to consumers. Present research monitored the physicochemical quality and the level of adulteration observed for the milk samples which were directly retrieved from the consumer’s door. The study established that there was variations in different studied parameters in 120 collected raw milk samples where CLR (27.16±5.15), fat (4.07±1.53), SNF (7.94±1.70), Total solid (12.00%), Protein (2.92±0.58%), Lactose (4.38±0.82), Minerals (0.65±0.12) were assessed. As for the intentionally added substances formalin, starch, cellulose, maltose and boric acid were not present, while ammonium sulphate (9.10%), urea (6.66%), neutralizers (2.50%), detergent (10%), sodium chloride (30%), skim milk powder (1.66%), sugar (2.50%), glucose (3.33%), hydrogen peroxide (45.83%) and pond water were found in different percentages. The investigation was carried out on the problem of adulteration faced and awareness regarding the quality of milk and its variations which was needed for better quality check system. The investigation made awareness amongst the society about the health dangers linked with the contaminated milk advancements in dairy equipment’s and farming techniques can also enhance the milk quality. Testing helped to measure the nutritional contents of milk including fats, vitamins and minerals. Study provided information about factors affecting milk quality and better storage conditions.

Exploring variations in flood events and casualties over Yamuna River basin, India

ABSTRACT The current study seeks to investigate the temporal and spatial distribution of flood events and casualties in the Yamuna River basin from 1978 to 2014. The data were compiled from the published reports on disastrous weather events and analyzed with simple quantitative methods (sums, averages, and percentages). The analysis revealed the occurrence of a total of 1886 flood events, which resulted in 5481 casualties (148 per year). The years 1995, 2003, 1993, and 1996 were observed as the most devastating years, contributing about 30 percent of the total flood events, while 1978, 1980, 1981, 1995, 2006, and 2013 were the deadliest years in terms of casualties (47 percent). The largest number of flood events and casualties were recorded during June–September months. Considering the event/casualty density and rates, the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand experienced the highest event density (0.036 and 0.091) and casualty rates (2.1 and 1.9 persons). These findings will help in identifying and demarcating the worst flood-affected areas over the Yamuna River basin, which can subsequently help in reducing the flood risk and human casualties in these regions after initiating suitable flood mitigation measures.

Analysis of Pre-monsoon and Post-monsoon Seasonal Rainfall Trends by Mann-Kendall and Sen’s Slope Estimator Test in Himachal Pradesh, India

The purpose of the current study is to determine the trends and patterns of precipitation occurring in the periods before and after the monsoon season at 12 meteorological stations located in the twelve districts of the Himachal Pradesh region. The timeframe of the analysis is from 1991 to 2020. For this study, we used the Mann-Kendall test and estimator Sen's slope estimator test. Precipitation is an essential climatic factor that can act as a signal of climate change. In order to understand how climate change may affect water resource planning and management, it is crucial to understand rainfall pattern. The results indicate that there is a growing tendency in the pre-monsoon season at some sites, while some stations are seeing a declining trend. Keylong has the most significant falling trend, with a Sen slope of -4.154mm whereas Manali had the highest increasing trend at Sen's Slope (1.471mm). In contrast, the analysis of post-monsoon season data reveals an upward tendency in all studied regions, except for Dharamshala, where Sen's slope (-0.042mm) shows a slight downward trend whereas Manali had the highest increasing trend with the value of 1.771mm. According to the research, agricultural and horticultural sectors in Himachal Pradesh are at risk from heavy rainfall and landslides during the periods before and after the monsoon season, respectively, if the patterns continue to rise. Conversely, a decrease in these patterns might result in water scarcity. To tackle adverse climate changes, the general public must embrace adaptation measures based on long-term series data.

Integrated Pest Management Strategies for Controlling Tuta absoluta and Enhancing Tomato Seed Yield and Quality

A field experiment was conducted in the mid-hills region of Himachal Pradesh, India, during April, 2019–January, 2020, to evaluate various insect management strategies, including eco-friendly approaches, against Tuta absoluta and other pests on tomato crop. Six treatment modules were compared to untreated control plants. Among all treatments, T4, which included lambda cyhalothrin, indoxacarb, rynaxypyr and novaluron, was most effective, recording the lowest number of Tuta absoluta larvae (0.43) and leaf mines (0.75) plant-1. This treatment also showed the lowest populations of aphids (10.49), serpentine leaf miners (0.83), and fruit borers (1.28) plant-1. T4 significantly enhanced growth and yield parameters, with the highest number of flower clusters (7.73), fruits (29.36), healthy fruits (23.23) plant-1, seeds per fruit (87.73), 1000-seed weight (2.76 g), and seed yield (5.32 g plant-1, 63.84 g plot-1, 149.35 kg ha-1). Seed quality was also superior in T4, showing maximum germination (87.25%), seedling length (16.14 cm), dry weight (1.88 mg), seedling vigor indices I and II (1,412.57 and 164.71), and germination after accelerated ageing (75.25%). The enhanced performance can be attributed to the collaborated action of eco-friendly chemicals, which effectively reduced pest populations, allowing the plants to utilize their energy for growth and seed development. This study underscores the importance of integrated use of pest management strategies in optimizing tomato production, seed yield and quality, highlighting the possible benefits for agricultural economies. This study identifies an effective eco-friendly approach using specific insecticides to control Tuta absoluta and improve tomato yield and seed quality while minimizing environmental impact.

A new epifoliar melioloid fungus from the Siwalik (Miocene) of Himachal sub-Himalaya and its palaeoecological implications

A new fossil epifoliar ascomycete (Ascomycota), Meliolinites miocenicus nov. sp. (fossil Meliolaceae), occurs in situ on a compressed monocot leaf from middle Siwalik (Late Miocene, ca. 12–8 Ma) sediments of Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalaya. The fossil consists of a well-preserved mycelium of superficial, brown to dark brown, septate, thick-walled, branched hyphodiate hyphae; a sub-globose, dark brown putative ascoma, and an oblong to broadly cylindrical, five-celled, four-septate, mature germinating ascospore. The new fossil differs from earlier reported melioloid fossils primarily in the morphology of appressoria. Meliolinites miocenicus nov. sp. on its host is evidence of the existence of a biotrophic relationship at the time of deposition. Qualitative climate data using plant megafossils recovered from the same fossil locality indicate that M. miocenicus nov. sp. and its host thrived in a warm and humid tropical environment.

Analyzing trend and forecasting of temperature and rainfall in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, India using non-parametric and bagging REPTree machine learning approaches

The changing pattern of climate variables has caused extreme weather events and severe disasters, especially in mountainous regions. Such events have a detrimental impact on resources, environment and society. Thus, it has become imperative to examine the trends and forecasts of meteorological variables using a scientific modelling approach. This study investigates temperature and rainfall trends using the modified Mann-Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator between 1980 and 2021. A Bagging-REPTree machine learning model was utilized for forecasting temperature and rainfall trends for the next 30 years (2022–2051) to understand the temporal dynamics in Shimla district of the Indian Himalayan state. The mean absolute percentage error, mean absolute error, root mean squared error and correlation coefficient were determined to assess the effectiveness and precision of the model. The findings revealed that the frequency of intense rainfall in the district has increased during the monsoon season (June–September) from 1980 to 2021. Significant trends were found in annual rainfall, maximum, minimum and mean temperatures while rainfall during the winter, summer and post-monsoon seasons has shown a declining trend. The forecast analysis revealed a significant trend for rainfall during the monsoon season and an increasing trend in the maximum temperature has been observed during the winter and summer seasons. The analysis has provided sufficient evidence of variability and uncertainty in the behavior of meteorological variables. The outcome of the study may help in devising suitable adaptation and mitigation strategies to combat climate change in hilly regions. The methodology adopted in the study may help in the future progression of the research in different geographical regions for trend and climate forecasting.

Molecular identification of Phlebotomus longiductus collected from an endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Himachal Pradesh (India)

Molecular identification of Phlebotomus longiductus collected from an endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Himachal Pradesh (India)

Intercomparison of Different Agrochemicals (Herbicides) and Manual Methods of Weed Control on Weed Population and Weed Control Efficiency in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Crop in Himachal Pradesh Dist

Aims: A research study entitled Intercomparison of different Agrochemicals (Herbicides) and manual methods of weed control on weed population and weed control efficiency in wheat crop (Triticum aestivum L.) in Himachal Pradesh district Mandi. Study Design: The experiment was designed using a Randomized Block design method. Place and Duration of Study: Department of agronomy, School of Agriculture, Abhilashi university, Chail Chowk, Mandi, (H.P.) during the Rabi season of 2022-23. Methodology: The field trail was conducted with eight treatments and replicated thrice. The investigation included eight different weed control techniques i.e. T1 -weedy check, T2 - weed free, T3 - hand weeding at 30 DAS, T4 - 2, 4-D @ 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1 + Sulfosulfuron @ 0.02 kg a.i. ha-1 at 30 DAS,T5 - Pendimethalin @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1(P.E) + Quizalofop-ethyl @ 50 gm a.i ha-1 (PoE at 25 DAS) + one hand weeding, T6 - 2, 4-D @ 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1, T7 - 2, 4-D @ 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1 + one hand weeding at 30 DAS, T8 - 2, 4-D @ 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1 + two hand weeding at 30 and 45 DAS. Results: The investigation found that the most effective ways to control weeds are by keeping the area completely weed free by using pendimethalin @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1(P.E) + Quizalofop-ethyl @ 50 gm a.i ha-1(PoE at 25 DAS) + one Hand weeding (Treatment T2) was found the most successful in terms of achieving the lowest weed density and highest weed control efficiency. Application of pendimethalin @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1(P.E) + Quizalofop-ethyl @ 50 gm a.i ha-1 (PoE at 25 DAS) + one hand weeding was found to be better than using herbicides to reduce weed infestation in wheat crops. Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that integrated weed management practices weed-free treatment was the most effective option for managing weeds in wheat.

Assessing sediment dynamics and retention services in the vulnerable mountain ecosystem of the Indian Himalayas.

Sediment loss and export pose significant global environmental issues, profoundly affecting water quality, soil fertility, and ecosystem stability, particularly in vulnerable mountain ecosystems like the Indian Himalayas. The present study used remote sensing data and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) sediment delivery ratio (SDR) model to analyze spatial-temporal variations in soil loss (SL), sediment export (SE), and sediment retention (SR) capabilities in the South Shimla watershed, Himachal Pradesh, India, from 1993 to 2023. The findings showed significant changes in land use and land cover (LULC): evergreen forest and scrub land decreased sharply by 11.53% and 36.43%, respectively, while agricultural areas and built-up areas increased notably by 71.16% and 215.76%, respectively. Despite a decline of 19.18% in SL and 24.43% in SE, sediment loss and export varied across the study area, highlighting the heterogeneous nature of sediment dynamics. The overall retention capacity increased by 2.59%, with scrub forests playing a critical role in SR, while built-up areas showed the lowest retention. Northern and central sub-watersheds (SWs) experienced a significant decrease in retention capacity (from - 1.92 to - 11.6%), whereas those in the southern and eastern regions saw an increase in SR (from 3.69 to 28.24%). These results underscore the complex interactions between LULC changes, sediment dynamics, and retention services, highlighting the importance of preserving natural ecosystems and informing policy for landscape-based conservation and development planning in the vulnerable Himalayan region.

Study on Sex Determination and Variation in Gender Expression of Individual Trees in a Population of Cedrusdeodara (Roxb.) G. Don. From Dense Temperate Forests of Northern India

Conifers are reported to exhibit predominantly monoecious behaviour however, numerous species and some genera show uncertainties regarding their gender expression. The factors influencing the sexual differentiation of strobili in monoecious or dioecious conifers remain poorly understood. To investigate this unpredictable phenomenon in conifers, we selected three populations representing pure stands of Cedrusdeodara in dense temperate forests of Northern India, specifically one in Uttarakhand and two in Himachal Pradesh. Each site was surveyed, and total 900 trees were marked as male, female, monoecious and neutral trees based on their reproductive behaviour and sexual representation. Selection criteria were based on the reproductive age of Cedrusdeodara, as it attains maturity when it reaches a height of 19 to 20 meters. Our findings revealed that Cedrusdeodara exhibits subdioecious behaviour, characterized by the occurrence of four basic sex forms such as male trees, female trees, monoecious trees, and neutral trees. Yearly observations from 2014 to 2016 unveiled that Cedrusdeodara does not exhibit consistent reproductive behaviour. Instead, the species displays a fascinating pattern of alternation between dioecy and monoecy. Additionally, it was also found that individual trees demonstrated change in their expression of sex during each reproductive cycle. These findings underscore the complexity of sex determination and reproductive plasticity in Cedrusdeodara. The study has revealed that the monoecious behaviour was more dominant than the dioecious behaviour, and the individual tree changes its sexual representation depending upon the rate of seed production the previous year. This research pave the way for future investigations into the factors influencing sex expression and reproductive behaviour in conifers and will contribute to our broader knowledge of plant sexuality and plant evolution.

A Comparative Study of Machine Learning Models for Daily and Weekly Rainfall Forecasting

AbstractAccurate rainfall forecasting is crucial for various sectors across diverse geographical regions, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the Union Territory of Delhi. This study addresses the need for precise rainfall predictions by bridging the gap between localized meteorological data and broader regional influences. It explores how rainfall patterns in neighboring states affect Delhi's precipitation, aiming to improve forecasting accuracy. Historical rainfall data from neighboring states over four decades (1980–2021) were collected and analyzed. The study employs a dual-model approach: a daily model for immediate rainfall triggers and a weekly model for longer-term trends. Several machine learning algorithms, including CatBoost, XGBoost, ElasticNet, Lasso, LGBM, Random Forest, Multilayer Perceptron, Ridge, Stochastic Gradient Descent, and Linear Regression, were used in the modeling process. These models were rigorously assessed based on performance metrics from training, validation, and testing datasets. For daily rainfall forecasting, CatBoost, XGBoost, and Random Forest emerged as top performers, showcasing exceptional accuracy and pattern-capturing capabilities. In weekly rainfall forecasting, XGBoost consistently achieved near-perfect accuracy with an R2 value of 0.99, with Random Forest and CatBoost also demonstrating strong performance. The study provides valuable insights into how climate patterns in neighboring states influence Delhi's weather, leading to more reliable and timely rainfall predictions.

The Influence of Leadership Styles on the Efficiency of Higher Educational Institutions in Himachal Pradesh

The primary objective of this current study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the ways in which various leadership styles influence the overall organisational effectiveness of higher education institutions. Furthermore, the goal of the research is to determine whether demographic variables have an impact on the evaluation of organisational efficacy and the perceptions of leadership of individuals within these institutions. Data were meticulously collected from a sample of 215 teachers in Himachal Pradesh, India, who held a variety of positions at both private and public higher educational institutions. This was done in order to attain these objectives. The results of this study provide compelling insights: Initially, it is clear that demographic variables, at least to a certain extent, influence perceptions of organisational efficacy and leadership within higher education institutions. These variables include, but are not limited to, age, gender, educational background, and years of experience. Secondly, the research emphasizes a substantial correlation between the organisational efficacy of these institutions and the transactional style of leadership. In the context of higher education in Himachal Pradesh, transactional leadership is a significant influence on organisational efficacy, as it is defined by a focus on structured rewards and explicit communication of expectations. These results enhance comprehension of the manner in which demographic factors and leadership dynamics interact to influence the operational efficiency of educational institutions in this region.