Indian Conditions Research Articles

Development of Grid Tied Inverter for Indian Grid and Operating Environmental Condition

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology is one of the renewable energy source technologies to realize the shift to decarbonize energy supply because of availability of safe, limitless, free and reliable long-term sources of power. PV modules/cells are instruments to convert this solar energy to DC energy. Grid interconnection with solar power system is comparatively easier to install as the same do not require storage system. This paper presents injection of 3 kW power generated from solar PV array to 230V grid distribution network. Technique uses phase angle difference between grid voltage and voltage source inverter. The grid acts like a virtual energy storage system with an unlimited storage capacity. Hence, the proposed system is designed without a battery backup. This system is simulated in MATLAB/Simulink to confirm the desire output. In the second step, hardware circuit is designed and implemented based on the simulation results.

Effects of potassium application on vegetative growth, fruiting, and nutrient status of Kinnow mandarin under Indian sub-tropical conditions

Kinnow mandarin is the predominant citrus crop of Punjab state. The area and production of Kinnow are increasing in the southern–western districts of the state because of its high adaptability, yield potential, and better fruit quality, which ensure higher economic returns to the growers. However, soils of sub-mountain and in some areas of central zones of Punjab are deficient in potassium which hinders the quality and production of Kinnow in these regions. Considering these facts, the present study was undertaken during 2009–2020 to find out the optimum level of potassium fertilization in addition to recommended doses of nitrogen and phosphorous required under sub-mountain and central zones of Punjab. The results showed that soil application of potassium significantly increased the plant height, spread, and canopy volume. Fruit weight, fruit number, yield, TSS, and TSS/acid ratio were also markedly improved with soil application of potassium. Leaf analysis revealed that nutrient uptake like N, K, Mg, Fe, and Cu increased with increased soil K application. However, P, S, Mn, and B did not show any linear trend with an increase in the K application. The results indicated that all rates of K application improved fruit quality and yield in Kinnow. So, it is recommended that soil application of K100 and other recommended doses of nitrogen (N100) and phosphorous (P50) should be made to enhance fruit yield and quality in Kinnow mandarin under sub-mountain and central zones of Punjab state.

Modification in Hcm Delay Model for Roundabout for Mixed Traffic Conditions - a Pilot Study

Roundabouts have proven to be an effective intersection design method for smooth traffic flow movements and improved safety. Previous studies show that VISSIM, commercial traffic simulation software, can be used as a proficient tool for modeling and efficiently analyzing roundabouts. This paper focuses on developing a methodology for modeling roundabouts in India using VISSIM. Three typical roundabouts were chosen from the northern part of India. Calibration and validation of the model were performed to ensure the correctness of the model. The average delay and volume to capacity ratio (v/c ratio) were compared for developing the level of service (LOS) thresholds for Indian conditions. The thresholds are compared with existing guidelines provided by the HCM 2010 and AUSTROADS. In addition, the methodology for determining modification factors for applying HCM 2010 delay model in Indian traffic conditions is defined.

Design of a point absorber wave energy converter for an indian coast

Abstract Ocean waves are considered as a potential unharnessed renewable resource being 800 times denser than wind. India has a wide coastal area of nearly 7500 km, providing a huge potential for harnessing ocean wave energy. The article aims to present the parametric optimization of a point absorber wave energy converter (PAWEC) for a location near Ennore port of India. Indian offshore condition such as significant wave height, period, and amplitude was reviewed for their minimum, maximum, and average values for several years. Hydrodynamic coefficients such as Froude-Krylov force, radiation damping, added mass, diffraction, excitation and response amplitude operator are optimized through geometric optimization of PAWEC’s float. In hydrodynamic response analysis, only heaving motion is considered and all motion is neglected for the study. Regular wave is only considered for this study. Output parameters such as structure velocity and structure response are studied for the mentioned geometry. Power-take-off (PTO) device is simulated for maximum efficiency and the float velocity response is observed. Monthly variation in the mean absorbed power and efficiency of Point absorber is calculated with respect to ocean power.

Reinforcing Exclusions: Caste, Patriarchy and Land Reforms in India

Land reform studies have often found wanting for not paying adequate attention to the close correspondence between land relations, gender and caste; all of them reinforcing each other and State polices extending legitimacy to this complex web of relationships. These complexities betray theorisation on State intervention in property relations that consider land only as an economic asset, overlooking its sociopolitical significance. The article argues that land reforms in India have been designed to protect landed property. The article further argues that the impact on the bottom rungs could be the crucial criteria for the assessment of any land reforms programme in a third-world country. In Indian conditions, Dalits and women constitute these segments.

Optimizing passive design strategies for energy efficient buildings using hybrid artificial neural network (ANN) and multi-objective evolutionary algorithm through a case study approach

Building energy reduction opportunities and thermal comfort of occupants are two major aspects that could be enhanced through passive design solutions. In tropical weather conditions such as in India, there have been very minimal efforts in developing simulation-based approaches to understand the impacts of common passive design solutions on energy needs and thermal comfort. Therefore, this study focuses on developing an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Building Energy Simulation and Optimization (BESO) based framework to improve building energy performance and thermal comfort using passive design solutions in Indian climate condition with mixed-mode operation strategy. The initial part of the study performs building energy simulation through a coupled approach of DesignBuilder and jEPlus to develop a valid ANN surrogate model. Eventually, ANN outputs are integrated with multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II) to find the optimal solutions of predefined passive decision variables of the building for minimizing building energy consumption and maximizing thermal comfort. The optimized results in the study show decrease of 46% of building energy consumption and 7.58% of discomfort hours when the set of passive design solutions are opted. The findings of optimal passive design solutions could be helpful for designers and practitioners in developing energy-efficient buildings.

Antioxidant activity of Patanwadi breed sheep milk over cow milk— A preliminary study

Milk is an excellent source of dietary antioxidants, however, the antioxidants activity of different species of milk varies significantly. Sheep milk’s compositional and functional properties are one of the untapped areas for Indian researchers. This present study evaluated and compared the antioxidant potential of Patanwadi breed sheep milk over cow milk. The protein, fat, and lactose content of Patanwadi breed sheep milk was significantly higher than cow’s milk. Different anti-oxidant assays confirmed that the antioxidant activity of sheep milk was superior to cow milk. The present study supports that Patanwadi breed sheep could be a potential source of dietary antioxidants. Therefore, more scientific studies are required to develop sheep milk functional dairy products, and thereof optimized process parameters for sheep milk dairy products in Indian conditions.

Impact of Land-Use Changes on Soil Properties and Carbon Pools in India: A Meta-analysis

Land-use changes (LUC), primarily due to deforestation and soil disturbance, are one of the major causes of soil quality degradation and greenhouse gas emissions. Effects of LUC on soil physicochemical properties and changes in soil quality and land use management strategies that can effectively restore soil carbon and microbial biomass levels have been reported from all over the world, but the impact analysis of such practices in the Indian context is limited. In this study, over 1,786 paired datasets (for meta-analysis) on land uses (LUs) were collected from Indian literature (1990–2019) to determine the magnitude of the influence of LUC on soil carbon, microbial biomass, and other physical and chemical properties at three soil depths. Meta-analysis results showed that grasslands (36.1%) lost the most soil organic carbon (SOC) compared to native forest lands, followed by plantation lands (35.5%), cultivated lands (31.1%), barren lands (27.3%), and horticulture lands (11.5%). Our findings also revealed that, when compared to forest land, the microbial quotient was lower in other LUs. Due to the depletion of SOC stock, carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 eq) emissions were significantly higher in all LUs than in forest land. Results also showed that due to the conversion of forest land to cultivated land, total carbon, labile carbon, non-labile carbon, microbial biomass carbon, and SOC stocks were lost by 21%, 25%, 32%, 26%, and 41.2%, respectively. Changes in soil carbon pools and properties were more pronounced in surface (0–15 cm) soils than in subsurface soils (15–30 cm and 30–45 cm). Restoration of the SOC stocks from different LUs ranged from a minimum of 2% (grasslands) to a maximum of 48% (plantation lands). Overall, this study showed that soil carbon pools decreased as LUC transitioned from native forestland to other LUs, and it is suggested that adopting crop-production systems that can reduce CO2 emissions from the intensive LUs such as the ones evaluated here could contribute to improvements in soil quality and mitigation of climate change impacts, particularly under Indian agro-climatic conditions.

Tillage and nutrient management influence net global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity in soybean-wheat cropping system

Conservation tillage has proven advantageous in improving soil health and productivity. However, the greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission and intensity from different conservation tillage and nutrient management systems under Indian conditions are less understood. Therefore, here, we compared the effect of tillage and nutrient management on GHGs emissions, net global warming potential (NGWP), and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) from a field experiment under five years in a soybean-wheat cropping system in the Vertisols. The tillage treatments comprised of reduced tillage (RT) and no tillage (NT). The three nutrient management treatments included application of 100% NPK (T1), 100% NPK + 1.0 Mg FYM-C ha-1 (T2), 100% NPK +2.0 Mg FYM-C ha-1 (T3). The results showed significantly higher SOC sequestration under NT (1388 kg ha-1 yr-1) followed byRT (1134 kg ha-1 yr-1) with application of FYM (2.0 Mg C ha-1) (T3) every year. Across tillage, integrated nutrient management(T2 and T3) lowered NGWP and GHGI compared to NPK (T1). The GHGI of NT system was less by 33% compared to RT. The results suggest that GHGs mitigation and sustained food production in the soybean-wheat system can be achieved in NT and RT with integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizer as the major component of nutrient management.

The Socio-technical challenge between the two modes: how to engage Science and Technology Studies in a coherent Engineering practice?

The change in Indian political and economic conditions has brought about a change in the outlooks of academic producers and consumers alike. There has been an increasing demand for transparency and equity in government-supported modes of activity, as well as, an increase in engineering and technological activity. Demand has grown in the sectors of engineering and design. The government has concomitantly set up manpower production avenues in the form of engineering institutes and the creation of a design spine in the current engineering curriculum. While this dominant wave has continued, there is a counter growth from other academic sectors, such as Science and Technology Studies (STS), that emphasizes that the crux of technoscientific activities need to be comprehended to make their end results just and equitable to society. Most notable in this line of research is the study of large-scale technical systems, qua socio-technical systems, by both historians and sociologists. While both the engineering and STS academic literature have continued to grow steadily in these large technological systems, there is still a need for integrating the insights of STS into core engineering practices for systems design in Indian technological development trajectories. This chapter aims to highlight that the dichotomy of the two modes of knowledge production, in terms of state-led top-down and actor-led bottom-up, does not fare well for socio-technical systems. Thus, there is a need for tighter integration between the existing modes of engineering activity with the new alternatives, such as STS, with the long-term view of comprehending the two waves, Post–Nehruvian vs. new technoscientific consensus, together rather than seeing them as alternatives.

Reliability assessment of a marine bridge structure considering Indian climatic conditions under time-variant loads

Reliability assessment of a marine bridge structure considering Indian climatic conditions under time-variant loads

Assessment of genetic divergence in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata)

Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata L.) is one of the most important Cucurbitaceous crops having a huge potential ofnutritional security and has vast diversity in Indian condition. Forty diverse genotypes of pumpkin were evaluated for phenotypical variations and assessment of genetic diversity, at G B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Pantnagar during spring-summer of 2018 and 2019. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The data was subjected to Principal Component Analysis, where a total of 8 components were identified. First four components account for about 60.26% and 60.33% cumulative effects during first and second season, respectively. During first year the Eigen root of the first principal component caused 20.24% variation of total variation while, during second year the Eigen root of first principal component accounted 25.58% variation of total variation. A relative positive weight by each of the component to each single trait indicated that there was great scope for improvement in these traits through selection. Presence of sufficient phenotypic and genotypic diversity showed the scope in pumpkin crop for further improvement.

Occurrence of oosporic stage of Pseudoperonospora cubensis on cucumber, in Punjab, India: A first report

Downy mildew disease in cucurbits is a major constraint to sustainable production of cucurbits in India. The pathogen is known to perpetuate as active mycelium, sporangia and oospores. But in India, the oospores were not reported to play an active role in survival of the pathogen. A little is known about the complete life cycle of P. cubensis, thus, in this study an attempt was made to determine whether the pathogen form oospore under Indian conditions. A survey was undertaken in major cucumber growing regions of Indian Punjab and leaf samples showing symptoms of downy mildew infection were collected. The average size of oospore of P. cubensis ranged from 24 to 28 μm in diameter. The oospores were yellow to light brown in colour with smooth thick outerwall. Species specific primers corresponding to Cytochrome oxidase subunit 2 (COX-2) gene were further used for molecular identification and confirmation of the fungus. Ludhiana, MW855102 (Ldh10) and Sangrur, MW855103 (SC6) isolates shared maximum nucleotide identity i.e 98.96 per cent (%) with the P. cubensis isolates from Germany and Malaysia. This is the first morphological and molecular evidence of occurrence of oospores of P. cubensis in India. These evidences suggest that, oospores can survive as overwintering stage under Indian conditions and can thus play an important role in causation of the disease.

Performance of marker-assisted backcross bread-wheat (Triticum aestivum) variety Unnat PBW 343 under diverse environments

The field studies were carried out to evaluate the performance of newly developed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) variety Unnat PBW 343 through marker-assisted backcross breeding under different sowing environments. Theexperiment was conducted at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during rabi 2014–15 to 2016–17 in splitplot design replicated thrice with two main plot treatments [timely sown conditions–1st week of November and late sown conditions–1st week of December] and five wheat genotypes (Unnat PBW 343, PBW 343, HD 2967, PBW 621 and WH 1105) including one developed through marker-assisted backcross breeding. Based on the pooled analysis, timely sown crop recorded significantly higher grain yield (23.8%) than late sown crop. Lowest yellow rust score was recorded in Unnat PBW 343 over all the check varieties. Among wheat varieties, mean grain yield of Unnat PBW 343 was the highest and statistically at par with PBW 621 and WH 1105 in different years and showed ignificantimprovement over check varieties PBW 343 and HD 2967. So, Unnat PBW 343 found to be resistant to yellow rustand can be sown under timely sown conditions in northwestern Indian conditions.

A Simplified Approach of Design Pile Foundation on Liquefiable Soil in India

In India piles are designed as per IS 2911:2010 (Part 1) for different soil conditions considering all the load criteria. But there is no such provision in Indian Standard Codes for designing piles in potentially liquefiable soils. In this paper, the design of pile foundation in liquefiable soil is discussed. The provisions for design of pile foundations in liquefiable soil from different codes of practice from different countries are studied and the design approaches for the same are discussed based on those studies (Puri et al. 2008). The load bearing capacity of a pile in liquefied soil and non-liquefied soil is made based on the force equilibrium approach. A standardize graph which may be useful for practicing engineers has been plotted. Further, a comparative study is made based on the force equilibrium approach in Indian conditions.

Efficacy of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Bacterial Inoculants in Enhancing Yield of Phaseolus mungo L. and Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek under Central Indian Conditions

Efficacy of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Bacterial Inoculants in Enhancing Yield of Phaseolus mungo L. and Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek under Central Indian Conditions

Assessment of weather effect on flower morphogenesis and fruit set in mango varieties in central India

A two-year field experiment was initiated in 2017-18 and 2018-19 years simultaneously to assess temperature on flower morphogenesis stages, flower sex ratio (hermaphrodite/staminate male flower) and fruit set in monoembryonic Langra and Amrapali varieties. Different dates of flower phenological stages viz., bud, panicle, bloom and flower initiation, pea, marble, egg, and maturity of fruits were recorded. The Langra variety exhibited bud initiation after mid December whereas Amrapali variety by the end of December. The range of mean maximum / minimum temperature as 26-31/10-12 °C promoted hermaphrodite flowers per panicle by 74 per cent in Langra variety, whereas range of 27-29/11-13 °C favored by 35 per cent in Amrapali variety. A positive and significant correlation between total number of flower / panicle and flower sex ratio in both the varieties suggested that higher temperature during initial flower phenologies improved number of hermaphrodite flowers. A mean minimum temperature for producing more number of hermaphrodite flower exhibited a range of 11-14 °C under central Indian conditions. Fruit set was maximum during pea stage and decline afterwards in marble and fruit maturity stages due to sudden rise in temperature at marble stage that caused in drop down of humidity thereby resulted in fruit drop in both the varieties.

Study on Comparative Performances of Selected Paddy Weeders Developed in India

Various types of paddy weeders, for dry as well as wet-land conditions, have been developed and used in India. The commonly used wetland paddy weeders under Indian conditions are rotary power weeder, cono-weeder, and Ambika weeder; whereas, hoe-type weeders are mostly used under dry-land conditions. The common and effective type of weeder is two-row power-operated rotary type of 0.0793 ha.h-1 field capacity. The average cost of operation and weeding efficiency of existing paddy weeder is 1,169.59 `.ha-1 and 79.92%, respectively. A review undertaken on different types of paddy weeders developed by researchers in India indicated that most of the developed weeders are designed for the use in inter-row cultivation, and limited research has been conducted for intra-row weeding. Thus, research should focus on developing inter-cum-intra-row weeders which could increase weeding efficiency and crop yield.

Post-independence scenario of table grape cultivation in India

Grape is a high value export oriented fruit crop which has gained significance in India due to location specific suitable modifications. Now it is being practiced in almost all climatic conditions from tropical to temperate and spread over different states of the country. Grape cultivation on a commercial basis is about seven decades old in India and now considered as most remunerative amongst all fruit cultivation in the country. In India around 78–80% of grape is produced for fresh consumption and about 17–20% for raisin making and around 2% collectively for juice and wine production. If we looked 75 years back, the country has shown implausible progress in the grape production. The endeavors of Indian research institutes and innovative grape growers in respect of varietal development, adoption of grape rootstocks and modification of grape cultivation practices pertinent to Indian climatic conditions has made India prominent table grape producing country in the world next to China. To lead global market of table grapes, India needs indigenous grape cultivars with better fruit quality, varieties with vivid aromas/flavors, wider adaptability, climate resilience and inherited tolerance against biotic as well as abiotic stresses. Besides widening of varietal base and development of abiotic stress tolerant rootstocks some important areas needs to be look into like adoption of protected cultivation, off-season availability and mechanization friendly crop husbandry techniques for enhancing the export potential of the country.

Evaluation of Biochemical Diversity among Single and Double Petaled Polianthes tuberosa Genotypes under North Indian Condition

Evaluation of Biochemical Diversity among Single and Double Petaled Polianthes tuberosa Genotypes under North Indian Condition