Hot Arid Conditions Research Articles

Effect of foliar supplementation of N, P and K on nutrient dynamics and productivity of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)

A field experiment was conducted at Bikaner, Rajasthan during rainy (kharif) season of 2016 to study the effect of foliar supplementation of N, P and K on nutrient content, uptake and productivity of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend Stuntz]. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 3 replications. The treatments comprised 14 combinations of N, P and K applied through basal application, foliar application and top-dressing. The results revealed that, application of N, P and K through foliar supplementation significantly influenced the nutrient content and uptake in pearl millet. Application of 75% RDF of N (50% basal + 25% top-dressing at 25 DAS) : P : K + 1.5% spray of NPK (18:18:18) at 35 DAS resulted in maximum crude protein content (11.58%), total N uptake (70.7 kg/ha), total P uptake (13.1 kg/ha), total K uptake (74.0 kg/ha), ear-head length (32.4 cm), grain weight per ear-head (23.3 g), grain yield (2.13 t/ha), biological yield (6.88 t/ha) and B:C ratio (2.16) under hot arid conditions of western Rajasthan.

Geochemistry of Brown Detrital Limestone BedswWithin Sarmord Formation, Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq: Implication for Depositional Environment, Provenance and Tectonic Setting

Fifteen samples of brown detrital limestone beds within the Sarmord Formation from the Imbricated Zone (Qaiwan and Barzinjah sections) and High Folded Zone (Zewe section), Kurdistan region, NE-Iraq were analyzed. The analysis includes the major oxides, trace elements, and rare earth elements (REEs) to find out their provenance, tectonic setting, and depositional environment. These beds are mainly composed of detrital limestone in which calcite and traces of quartz are confirmed by XRD and the microscopic study. Al2O3/TiO2, La/Sc, La/Co, Th/Sc, Cr/Th and Th/Cr ratios and {(TiO2 + V2O3) - (MgO/ (MgO + Al2O3)}, (TiO2 - Ni), (La/Th - Hf), (La/Sc - Co/Th) diagrams reveal sourcing from the mixed carbonate platform and felsic rocks. The ratios of major, trace, and REE with PAAS values fall within the range of felsic rocks, which agree with Cretaceous western Iraq (present Western Desert) as a source of these beds. The (Rb – Sr – Ba) ternary diagram and (Sr/Ba-Sr/Rb) diagram display the distribution of the samples between the continental margin and inland field. Tectonically, these detrital limestones are transported from the erosion of the interior of the Arabian platform into deep marine and interbedded with the green marl. The V/Cr, U/Th, Ni/Co, and Sr/Ca ratios and diagram of Al2O3-V indicate deposition under shallow marine oxic to the dysoxic environment and transported to the deep marine. The paleoclimate index C-value, Sr/Cu ratio, and SiO2 - (Al2O3 + K2O + Na2O) diagram indicates hot arid conditions. Paleosalinity ratios Rb/K and Sr/Ba imply brackish to marine water conditions.

Organic geochemistry of the middle Paleozoic Ora Formation in Iraq: Implications for source rock assessment and hydrocarbon potentiality

The Ora Formation (late Devonian–early Carboniferous) is thought to be a potential source rocks for the Paleozoic petroleum system of Iraq. The source potential from the Ora Formation is evaluated for the first time ever in this study from western and northern Iraq which integrates data from organic geochemistry including Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis, HAWK pyrolysis, gas chromatography (GC), and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and mineralogical X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The shale and muddy carbonate succession within the Ora Formation from surface section in northernmost Iraq and subsurface section from two wells (Akkas-1 and Akkas −3) from western Iraq have been employed to assess the source rock potentiality, thermal maturity, kerogen type, organic content, and depositional environment. In addition to organic geochemical analyses, mineralogical XRD and SEM-EDS were used to support the paleoenvironmental interpretation of the Ora Formation. The results from TOC and HAWK analyses reveal that the Ora Formation ranges from poor to good as a source rock. However, the HAWK data suggests that the surface samples from northernmost Iraq are highly mature, highly weathered, or both. Kerogen analysis revealed that the Ora Formation contains immature type III and mixed II-III kerogens. Low TOC values were attributed to factors such as significant clastic input, weathering effects, and the prevailing oxic environment during deposition. The presence of detrital influx of quartz and feldspars, along with the occurrence of illite and kaolinite clay minerals, suggest a detrital input with weathering influence under hot arid and warm humid conditions. Biomarker analysis of the light hydrocarbons using GC and GC-MS revealed that these light hydrocarbons were generated from marine planktonic algae sources, possibly with some contributions from terrestrial and/or microbially reworked organic matter. These high mature light hydrocarbons in subsurface section were originated from anoxic marine shale source rocks. They were most likely from the Cambro-Ordovician Khabour Formation and were contaminated from another source.

A Key Interaction Behind the Scenes: Dung Beetles in Livestock Production from Arid and Semi-Arid Rangelands.

Pastoralism is a dominant agricultural activity in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. The interaction between coprophagous insects and livestock is a key but an undervalued topic in rangeland management decisions. The objective was to identify similarities and differences in the composition of coprophagous insects and nesting strategies, associated with different climatic conditions within these regions. We performed a literature review of research articles available in the Scopus database which resulted in 17 articles. We examined the taxonomic diversity of dung beetles and their nesting strategies in relation to temperature and precipitation at the study sites. Results revealed a rich and varied interaction between dung beetles and livestock in arid and semi-arid environments, with 364 species from the Scarabaeoidea superfamily documented worldwide. The greatest diversity of dung beetles was reported in hot arid and semi-arid conditions with dry winters and in cold semi-arid ones with no marked annual precipitation cycle. These insects displayed diverse nesting strategies, with endocoprid strategies predominating in colder and drier settings, and paracoprid and telecoprid strategies in warmer, more humid environments. Domestic animal species are currently key components in promoting this interaction, which indicates that the ecological processes involving coprophagous fauna are occurring in production systems, which are under the influence of human decisions. We discuss the design and planning of livestock and rangeland management in arid and semi-arid environments, emphasizing in a more formalized manner the inclusion of this kind of interaction.

Off-Season and Quality Production of Watermelon by Modifying Micro-Climate under Hot Arid Conditions

Off-Season and Quality Production of Watermelon by Modifying Micro-Climate under Hot Arid Conditions

Evaluation of the role of fibres and admixture(s) on sustainable crack reduction in expansive soil

Many geotechnical infrastructure facilities such as canals, farm ponds, reservoirs, natural slopes and landfills are prone to cracking during wetting/drying cycles, mainly due to the presence of expansive soils. The formation of cracks may result in significant ingress/loss of water and leachate percolation from landfills causing contamination of land/ground water. Proper lining/stabilization of the above stated geotechnical facilities would minimize loss of water/migration of leachate. In this context, the present study evaluates the performance of expansive soil blended with fibres, and with/without admixtures, on its cracking behaviour. Desiccation drying tests have been performed on expansive soil blended with fibres, by varying the type of fibres (viz., natural coir and polypropylene fibres), proportion of fibres (0.5% to 2% of dry soil weight) and exposure temperature, viz., 27 °C (ambient temperature) and 45 °C (representing hot arid conditions). Crack and shrinkage intensity factor (CSIF) has been computed as ratio of area of crack and shrinkage to total area of specimen. It has been observed from the study that addition of fibres substantially reduces the CSIF values, with 1% polypropylene fibres yielding maximum reduction. Further, the expansive soil has been blended with optimum proportion of polypropylene fibres (1%) and admixture with proportion varying from 2.5% to 10%, wherein a maximum reduction in CSIF values upto 73% were achieved for soil with 1% polypropylene fibres and 10% ultrafine slag. Though, complete crack mitigation could not be achieved, attributed to high cracking potential of expansive soil due to differential stresses during drying, size and area of the cracks has been substantially reduced. The study results are quite encouraging in utilization of fibres with admixtures, for sustainable reduction of cracking in expansive soil, and optimizing the thickness of lining/usage of thinner water proofing membranes for canals, farm ponds and other similar construction on expansive soils.

Perspective on the present state and future usefulness of marama bean (Tylosema esculentum)

AbstractRecent focus on indigenous knowledge of plant species that have long been consumed by mankind, but not having a prominent place in organized agriculture, has raised the profile of what steps are needed to bring such potentially useful plant species into formal agriculture practice. Many of these orphan plants have been cultivated, albeit usually without much improvement. Tylosema esculentum (marama bean) is unusual; in that, it has not been grown as a crop but only collected from wild stands. The nutritious seeds have been consumed, and other potentially useful products from the marama seeds and tubers have been identified. The marama bean grows under inhospitable environments, particularly hot arid conditions, and, if domesticated, could be grown in environments where there are no high‐yielding alternatives. The perspective of this article is to view the current status of the marama bean domestication and the possible pathways to bring this plant into wider agricultural use. The scientific basis for an improved crop yield needs to be coupled with the identification of possible added value characteristics for growers. These include acceptability as a food, possible industrial use, the development and distribution of improved seed, and the recruitment of growers to plant marama as a crop. The authors' international collaboration has already made advances in some of these areas. We discuss the current ongoing developments and existing gaps in moving this plant into formal agriculture, along with a plan for the future developments necessary for marama to provide food security under climate change, particularly in Africa. Even as the process of domestication of marama bean is proceeding, its unusual and potentially useful characteristics will greatly benefit the improvement of other legume crops needed to provide adequate nutrition to about 35% of the world population living in semi‐arid to arid regions of the developing world.

Reconstruction of early Paleogene landscapes and climate in the Jianghan Basin, central China: Evidence from evaporites and palynology

The early Paleogene environment and climate of East Asia are poorly understood. To improve knowledge, we investigated the palynological record of well ZK0303 in the southwest Jianghan Basin, Hubei Province (central China). The well lithology comprises three intervals whose lithofacies represent the deposits of a saline lake: anhydrite/silty mudstone, halite/mudstone, and dolomite/siltstone. Based on a study of 37 palynological samples, three assemblages were recognized. Assemblage A, which correlates with Paleocene, is dominated by Ephedripites and contains a high proportion of thermophilic and xerophytic taxa. Assemblage B, which correlates with the early Eocene, is dominated by Taxodiaceaepollenites and hygrophilous taxa while the proportion of xerophytes is generally low. Assemblage C, probably early Eocene too, is dominated by Ephedripites and contains higher numbers of xerophytic species while hygrophilous species decrease to nearly half of their earlier abundances. These palynological data show that the early Paleogene climate of the Jianghan Basin experienced a transition from hot and arid to warm and humid conditions, with the latter period interrupted by short arid intervals. Afterwards, hot-arid conditions prevailed again. The reconstructed desert shrub and mountain forest vegetation suggests that the regional Paleocene landscape resulted from basin and range tectonics. Under the influence of a hot and arid climate controlled by global circulation patterns and rain-shadow effects, desert landscape and evaporites were formed in central China during the early Paleogene, whilst humid climate and forest vegetation prevailed in central China under the influence of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM).

White hair coat color does not influence heat tolerance of sheep grazing under a hot arid environment

High climatic temperature is the most important factor hampering livestock productivity in tropical and arid regions. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the interaction between coat color and heat tolerance in two principal Saudi sheep breeds; Najdi (black colored coat) and Naemi (white colored coat). Najdi and Naemi adult sheep of different age groups and both sexes, raised under direct solar radiation in different parts of the Riyadh region were used. The thermo-physiological measurements were taken from sheep flocks raised under a similar production system in different parts of Riyadh region during the summer season. The recorded rectal temperature (Tre) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the white coat colored breed compared to the black coat colored breed. Consequently, the calculated heat tolerance coefficient (HTC) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the black coat colored breed compared to the white coat colored one. No significant (P> 0.05) differences were observed concerning skin temperature (Tsk), packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma albumin levels between the two breeds. The obtained results indicate that white coat color of sheep grazing under a hot arid climate is not a crucial trait of heat tolerance and adaptation. Other hair coat characteristics and evaporative cooling traits might play important role in the adaptation of the black coat colored sheep breed grazing under hot arid conditions.

Management of bacterial leaf blight (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. cymopsidis) of clusterbean in Rajasthan

Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. cymopsidis is an important disease of clusterbean, under severe infestation it cause 58–68% losses in seed yield.Three-year field experiments were conducted in hot arid conditions at Bikaner, Rajasthan with the objective to find out suitable management strategies for BLB. The experiment was conducted on highly suscibtible cv. M-83 against BLB with five different treatment combinations of seed soaking with streptocycline and/or tetracycline and spraying against the blight and compared with an untreated control. Results of experiment showed that all the treatments brought significant decline in disease intensity and consequently enhancement of seed yield compared to control. The treatment having combination of seed soaking with streptocycline @500 ppm for one hour followed by two spray of streptocycline @250 ppm and copper oxychloride (0.2%) at 15 days interval had minimum (14.83%) BLB intensity, highest seed yield (11.18 q/ha) and net return (Rs 16,270/ha). The seed soaking in streptocycline @500 ppm for one hour followed by two spray of copper hydroxide (0.2%) at 15 days interval was the next best treatment with 17.33% disease intensity and 10.45 q/ha of seed yield. These treatments can provide an effective and economical management of bacterial leaf blight of clusterbean for cultivators.

Improving the energy efficiency of passive PCM system using controlled natural ventilation

In recent years, the building sector has been responsible for continuous increase in energy consumption in the world. Space heating and cooling accounts for 34% of this energy consumption in buildings. In this context, using thermal energy storage (TES) can reduce energy consumption for space air conditioning. The use of phase change materials (PCM) as latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) system in the building envelope has been of great interest for passive cooling applications due to the high energy storage capacity of this technology. However, in order to utilize the full potential of a PCM, it needs to be fully charged at each cycle. Ventilation during the night is an effective method which can be used in PCM-enhanced office buildings with the aim of charging the PCM every required cycle. In the present study, PCM melting temperature of office building in various climate conditions was optimized using a simulation-based optimization and coupled with free cooling operation. Ventilation control strategies were used to improve the cooling energy performance of the PCM enhanced building integrated into envelopes. It was found that charging PCM with night ventilation, especially when using some specific control strategies of natural ventilation operated by external windows opening results in considerable cooling energy savings. The study was conducted for 15 different cities around the world. It was found that, in hot arid conditions, PCM passive cooling system was ineffective. Although, the energy savings were improved by coupling PCM and natural ventilation in these climate conditions. But the benefits were more or less similar to using natural ventilation only. On the other hand, in temperate condition, the effectiveness of PCM was increased from 3.32% to 25.62% by coupling a PCM passive system with night ventilation. It was further improved to 40% when using PCM with temperature-controlled ventilation. Moreover, it can be said that smart control of ventilation can lead to considerable energy savings.

A Review and Insights for Eleven Years of Urban Microclimate Research Towards a New Egyptian ERA of Low Carbon, Comfortable and Energy-Efficient Housing Typologies

Since the mid-1970s, urban development in Egypt has sprawled far from the distinguished compact arid built environment, as the court-yarded housing typologies that completed the vernacular picture of desert architecture have been discarded in the early 20th century. This has motivated urban microclimate research in Egypt. The main objective was initially to improve outdoor thermal comfort. Therefore, Egyptian research started with assessing different existing patterns for the sake of climate responsive and sustainable urban design practice characterized with low carbon, thermal comfort and energy efficiency in such a hot arid conditions. That is why the review workflow of this article has followed a design progress workflow that led to solving design complexities with regard to generating housing urban forms on a microclimate basis rather than an article regular review workflow in order to extract the research gaps and conclude insights. After discussing a general framework for generating housing sustainable design identified from the concluded gaps, the main conclusion is a vision and a call to integrate the Urban microclimate-Building passiveness-Renewables design dimensions, UBR, towards the evolution of a new era of energy efficient housing typologies and a 5th generation of Egyptian sustainable cities where the 1st generation of new Egyptian cities started 1970s.

Management of Root Rot (Rhizoctonia solani) of Mothbean through Bio-Agents

Root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani is an important disease of mothbean, under severe infestation it causes 58-68 % losses in grain yield. Three-year field experiments were conducted in hot arid conditions at Bikaner, Rajasthan during kharif seasons with the objective to find out suitable eco-friendly management strategies for root rot. The experiment was conducted on cv. RMO-225 with six different combination of Trichoderma harzianum + Pseudomonas fluorescens bio- agents viz, seed treatment, soil treatment and their combinations against the root rot disease and compared with an untreated control. Results of experiment showed that all the treatments brought significant decline in disease incidence and consequently enhancement of grain yield compared to control. The treatment having combination of Trichoderma harzianum + Pseudomonas fluorescens seed treatment (4+4 g/kg seed) + soil application of T. harzianum + P. fluorescens (1.25 +1.25 kg in 50 kg FYM for each/ha) had minimum (21.78 %) root rot incidence, highest grain yield (10.56 q /ha) and net return (Rs. 14,338/ha). The T. harzianum seed treatment 8 g/kg seed + soil application of T. harzianum 2.5kg in 100 kg FYM/ha was the next best treatment with 25.56 per cent disease incidence and 9.42 q/ha of grain yield. These treatments can provide an effective, economical and eco- friendly management of root rot of mothbean for cultivators.

Rain Water Harvesting for Food and Livelihood Security: A case study from Pali, India

Abstract Arid zones are characterized by high evaporation, low and uneven rainfall, undulated topography, presence of salt layers at shallow depth in the soil and poor-quality ground water. Under these conditions an innovative farmer in the district of Pali in the state of Rajasthan, India explored options for farm diversification under hot-arid conditions at his farm. His motivation brought him to the ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) where he was trained in various basic aspects of rain water harvesting. KVK, Pali studied the methods and innovative ideas utilized by the farmers and the subsequent gain in yield and income by adoption of rainwater harvesting at his farm on a yearly basis. Initially he constructed a small rainwater harvesting structure by which he was able to store substantial quantities of water for longer duration. As a result of constant motivation, he constructed a concrete rainwater storage structure (40M x 40M x 3.5M) and explored further options to increase production at his farm. Also, development of goat farming, intercropping, raising fodder crops and grasses, and developing a fishery, all from the gains of water harvested from rains, gave him confidence and added to the prosperity of his farm. Presently, on farm productive activities, family labour mobilization and diversification provide him with a stable income. This experiential learning also led to new knowledge emerging from interactions among a hitherto powerful scientific hierarchy and served as role model for other farmers’ adoption of innovative techniques.

Remarkablemuscles, remarkable locomotion in desert-dwelling wildebeest.

Large mammals that live in arid and/or desert environments can cope with seasonal and local variations in rainfall, food and climate1 by moving long distances, often without reliable water or food en route. The capacity of an animal for this long-distance travel is substantially dependent on the rate of energy utilization and thus heat production during locomotion-the cost of transport2-4. The terrestrial cost of transport is much higher than for flying (7.5 times) and swimming (20 times)4. Terrestrial migrants are usually large1-3 with anatomical specializations for economical locomotion5-9, because the cost of transport reduces with increasing size and limb length5-7. Here we used GPS-tracking collars10 with movement and environmental sensors to show that blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus, 220kg) that live in a hot arid environment in Northern Botswana walked up to 80km over five days without drinking. They predominantly travelled during the day and locomotion appeared to be unaffected by temperature and humidity, although some behavioural thermoregulation was apparent. We measured power and efficiency of work production (mechanical work and heat production) during cyclic contractions of intact muscle biopsies from the forelimb flexor carpi ulnaris of wildebeest and domestic cows (Bos taurus, 760kg), a comparable but relativelysedentary ruminant. The energetic costs of isometric contraction (activation and force generation) in wildebeest and cows were similar to published values for smaller mammals. Wildebeest muscle was substantially more efficient (62.6%) than the same muscle from much larger cows (41.8%) and comparable measurements that were obtained from smaller mammals (mouse (34%)11 and rabbit (27%)). We used thedirect energetic measurements on intact muscle fibres to model the contribution of high working efficiency of wildebeest muscle to minimizing thermoregulatory challenges during their long migrations under hot arid conditions.

Ultra-Low Volume Application of Spinosad (Natular 2EC) as a Residual in a Hot-Arid Environment Against Aedes aegypti.

The invasive Aedes aegypti is an important disease vector increasing in frequency in hot-arid regions of the USA such as the Southwest. Within hot-arid surroundings this mosquito may be confined to peridomestic locations that tend to be cooler and humid, such as in lush, irrigated ornamental vegetation surrounding homes. However, to reach these habitat refugia, ultra-low volume (ULV) applications of insecticides targeting this mosquito must retain efficacy after being sprayed from the air or street where hot-arid conditions are prevalent. We investigated the efficacy of a biologically based larvicide, spinosad (Natular 2EC), applied as a ULV in a hot-arid environment targeting Aedes aegypti. We found that this pesticide is able to penetrate this environment and has the potential to act as a residual.

Evaluation of brinjal genotype under hot arid agro-climate

The present investigation was carried out under hot arid agro-climatic conditions to study the genetic variability, heritability, expected genetic advance and character association for nine traits in brinjal. The experimental material comprised of 20 genotypes of brinjal. The genotypes V18, V14 and V3 were superior based on mean for fruit yield per plant. Wider variability was observed for plant height, number of primary branches per plant, leaf length, leaf width, fruit length, fruit width, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight and fruit yield per plant. PCV was in general higher than the GCV and the highest genotypic coefficient of variation was recorded for fruit yield per plant followed by average fruit weight and number of fruits per plant. All these characters also recorded high heritability and genetic advance which indicates participation of additive genetic variance. Correlation coefficient analysis revealed that fruit length, fruit width, number of fruits per plant and average fruit weight had the significant positive correlation with fruit yield per plant. Hence selection will be effective for these traits.

Consideration of climatic conditions in the design of dwellings in the Sahara desert

Climate is one of the important factors in architecture. The historical architecture experience of the inhabitants of the desert zones has created invaluable knowledge on the design of residential environments in these aggressive conditions. Climate also is an important ecological component in the formation of vernacular architecture in the Saharan desert, it had a strong influence on the formation of desert settlements, the Saharan traditional dwellings are an indispensable source for studying organizations and architectural typologies and the adaption to the harsh climate. The article discusses the climatic conditions in which the dwellings in the Sahara desert were built and the important strategies and passive climatization techniques of the design of the dwellings and presents a review of the various techniques developed. These various passive methods and strategies give the Saharan dwellings, adaptation, efficiency, and durability in these hot-arid conditions of the desert and can be a great source of architectural inspiration for new projects.

Palaeoenvironmental change across the Permian-Triassic boundary inferred from palynomorph assemblages (Godavari Graben, south India)

In the present study, palynological and palaeoenvironmental investigations have been carried out on a 601 m-thick sedimentary sequence intersected by borehole MCP-8 (Sattupalli-Chintalapudi coal belt, Chinatalapudi sub-basin, Godavari Graben). These studies have been carried out for the dating and correlation of sediments to understand the biostratigraphy and climatic change documented by terrestrial plant ecosystem across the Permian-Triassic boundary interval. The palynological investigation revealed the presence of five distinct floral assemblages (Assemblages I–V). Assemblages I–III (Guadalupian-Lopingian) represent Raniganj palynoflora (591.27–157.20 m), whereas Assemblages IV–V (Induan) represent Panchet palynoflora (137.79–136.08 m). The Gondwanan flora underwent a considerable change after the end-Permian mass extinction event. The late Permian glossopterids, conifer and cordaites dominated palynoflora was replaced by the lycopsids and few forms of peltasperms and conifers during Early Triassic. The decline in the glossopterid diversity and abundance along with concomitant rise in the lycopsids suggest a gradual but obvious palynofloral and environmental change across the Permian-Triassic boundary. Palynofacies studies have been carried with regards to reconstruct palaeoenvironment and palaeovegetation. These studies predict a thick closed forest cover during the deposition of the Raniganj palynoflora (late Permian), dominated by striate glossopterid and non-striate conifer and peltasperm pollen grains, which were the main peat-forming elements and the vegetation of the hinterland. The Panchet (Early Triassic) palynoflora was dominated by cingulate cavate spore bearing lycopsids and arborescent to sub-arborescent plants of conifers bearing taeniate bisaccates forming an open forest. On the basis of recovered palynoflora and palynofacies studies, the upper Permian (Guadalupian and lower Lopingian) deposits have been inferred as fluvio lacustrine while extensive peat-forming swamp dominating conditions prevailed during Changhsingian times. The Lower Triassic deposits represent hot-arid conditions along the braided river systems.

Profiling of Body Hydration and Related Blood Parameters under Hot-Arid Conditions among Indian Population doing Graded Physical Activity

This study highlights the effect of extreme heat stress exposure (WBGT Index 36.24°C) on hematological variables while performing graded physical activity (sedentary, moderate and heavy). Total 30 participants were involved in the study and were randomly distributed into batches of 10 under three categories of physical activity. Volunteers performed physically strenuous work while being exposed to ambient heat stress (hot –arid conditions). White Blood Corpuscles (WBC) count in heavy work group [506 kcal/ hr energy expenditure] showed significant increase from pre to post exposure (p < 0.01). No other group showed significant change in WBC count. Haematocrit % (Hct %) was significantly increased among heavy work group (p < 0.01) whereas Red Blood Corpuscles (RBC) count and Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW) showed no significant increase. Blood viscosity showed increase among moderate work group [412kcal / hr energy expenditure] (p