Lean Period Research Articles

Morphological Variations and Germination Behaviour of Seeds of Four Fodder Tree Species

The study was conducted for the morphological and germination behavior of four fodder tree species viz., Gmelina arborea, Sesbania grandiflora, Moringa oleifera and Bauhinia purpurea under nursery conditions. The experiment was carried out at the nursery of the ICFRE Eco-Rehabilitation, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, during April 2021 and different germination parameters viz., germination percent, survival percent, germination capacity, germination energy, vigour index, mean daily germination and mean germination time along with seed morphological parameters were studied in four replications. The highest seed length and width was recorded in B. purpurea (17.57 mm ± 2.79) and (13.38 mm ± 1.95) respectively, seed thickness in M. oleifera (10.92 mm ±1.39), the highest seed weight was recorded in G. arborea (65.95 gm ± 0.79). Seeds of S. grandiflora recorded highest germination percent (83.42%), seedling vigour index (762.30), mean daily germination (6.41) and germination index (66.11), highest seed germination capacity value (84.90%), seed germination value (52.50%), highest survival of seedling value (96.16 %) among three other fodder species despite being the smallest seed size. Such an investigation may help in developing conservation strategies in nursery conditions and fodder availability during lean period.

A Shape-Restorable hierarchical polymer membrane composite system for enhanced antibacterial and antiadhesive efficiency

Intelligent shape memory polymer can be potentially used in manufacturing implantable devices that enables a benign variation of implant dimensions with the external stimuli, thus effectively lowering insertion forces and evading associated risks. However, in surgical implantation, biomaterials-associated infection has imposed a huge burden to healthcare system that urgently requires an efficacious replacement of antibiotic usages. Preventing the initial attachment and harvesting a biocidal function upon native surfaces may be deemed as a preferable strategy to tackle the issues of bacterial infection. Herein, a functionalized polylactic acid (PLA) composite membrane assembled with graphene (GE, a widely used photothermal agent) was fabricated through a blending process and then polydimethylsiloxane utilized as binders to pack hydrophobic SiO2 tightly onto polymer surface (denoted as PLA-GE/SiO2). Such an active platform exhibited a moderate shape-memory performance upon near-infrared (NIR) light stimulation, which was feasible for programmed deformation and shape recovery. Particularly stirring was that PLA-GE/SiO2 exerted a pronounced bacteria-killing effect under NIR illumination, 99.9 % of E. coli and 99.8 % of S. aureus were effectively eradicated in a lean period of 5 min. Furthermore, the obtained composite membrane manifested excellent antiadhesive properties, resulting in a bacteria-repelling efficacy of up to 99 % for both E. coli and S. aureus species. These findings demonstrated the potential value of PLA-GE/SiO2 as a shape-restorable platform in “kill&repel” integration strategy, further expanding its applications for clinical anti-infective treatment.

Engineering robust ZnO/Au decorated biomass-derived carbonaceous platforms for integrated antibacterial and electromagnetic wave absorbing properties

In consideration of the issues of electromagnetic pollution in medical settings, the function integration of high antibacterial activity and efficient wave absorption is becoming the preferred solution. In this work, spinach-derived carbon coupled with antibacterial assembly of ZnO nanorods decorated by Au nanoparticles were fabricated to form a hierarchical nanocomposite (CS–ZnO/Au) to meet the dual demands. Such an active platform guaranteed a pronounced bactericidal performance upon visible light illumination. 99.9 % of E. coli and 99.7 % of S. aureus were effectively eradicated in a lean period of 30 min, which was attributed to that ZnO/Au nanohybrids promoted the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibited the charge recombination. Meanwhile, the anticipated wave attenuation ability was available owing to the multiple loss responses in the hierarchical CS-ZnO/Au. The ternary nanocomposites achieved the maximum absorbing bandwidth of 4.8 GHz and the strongest absorption of −54.61 dB. The mechanisms for wave absorption were ascribed to the improved dielectric loss and optimized impedance matching performance. It proposed an engineering robust platform, in sum, to tackle the dual challenges of antibacterial and wave absorption with these sustainable materials obtained from a green route.

PRICE BEHAVIOUR ACROSS PLACE AND TIME: A CASE OF COCOYAM WHOLESALE MARKETING IN THE SOUTHEAST, NIGERIA

Market prices across time and region are one of the key determinants of efficient food marketing system.Against this background, the study seeks to investigate the behaviour of market price in a period and as cocoyam moves from one place to the other. Multistage, purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select 216 respondents for the study. A well structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data for six months (time series data). Data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Co-integration analysis. The study revealed that inter market and seasonal prices of cocoyam showed a highest marketing margin (7,500) in Anambra State followed by Enugu State (6,100) and least in Imo State (4300) during the peak period. During the lean period, the highest marketing margin of6,200 was recorded in Anambra State, followed by Imo State (5,150) and least (4200) in Enugu State. The Southeast recorded grand mean marketing margins of 21,499.67 and 19,667 during peak and lean respectively. The result of co-integration analysis revealed that wholesale prices of cocoyam in rural and urban markets of Anambra and Enugu State showed evidence of integration while poor price transmission was observed in the rural and urban markets of Imo State.A breakthrough in this study will gear towards improving price transmission which forms thebedrock for marketing efficiency of cocoyam in the area.

Sweet Sorghum for Biofuel Production in Sub-Tropical India

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench), a sugar crop with wider adaptation and high potential for bioenergy and ethanol production is expected to meet food, feed, fodder, fuel and fibre demands. It produces high biomass (50-80 t/ha) and alcohol (1500-2800 l/ha) and multiple income opportunities exist with this crop. Some sweet sorghum lines attain juice yields of about 78% of total plant biomass, containing from 15 to 23% soluble fermentable sugars which are composed mainly of sucrose (70–80%), fructose and glucose. Due to its short growing period (3-4 months), it could be cultivated and supplied during the lean period of sugarcane crushing thus extending the crushing period before and after sugarcane crushing and stretch the sugar mill operation. The major advantage with this crop is that no CAPEX is required when used in a sugar mill system as same machinery can be used for crushing and fermentation. It will help farmers to fetch additional income and provide an opportunity for better utilization of industrial facilities during sugarcane off-season. Promising sweet sorghum genotypes developed by ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad are being tested for their suitability to sub-tropical conditions in February and June-July plantings at the NSI, Kanpur to establish a sustainable cropping system. Five sweet sorghum genotypes were tested during kharif 2021 for sweet sorghum productivity traits. The fresh stalk yield ranged from 45-60 t/ha and based on TRS, maximum alcohol percentage in wash was observed in three varieties, i.e., Phule Vasundhara, CSH 22SS and SSV 74 which was 8.4%, 8.38% and 7.8% respectively. Maximum ethanol yield of 53.05 L/T was recorded in CSH 22 SS followed by SSV 74 (50.93 L/T). Phule Vasundhara, with a highest stalk yield of 60 t/ha recorded highest ethanol content of 2837 L/ha followed by CSH 22SS (2780 L/ha) and SSV 74 (2411 L/ha).

Variation of extreme values of rainfall and temperature in Subarnarekha River basin in India

Abstract In recent years, the Subarnarekha River basin has frequently experienced harsh weather and has also observed extreme floods during monsoons and a shortage of water during lean periods. Hence, in this study, the data of extreme values of rainfall and maximum–minimum temperatures from the years 1990 to 2020 in the Subarnarekha River basin have been analysed. The trend analysis of annual extreme rainfall, maximum–minimum temperatures, extreme diurnal temperature range, and number of rainy days have been determined using the Mann–Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator. Further, the analysis has also been carried out to study the shifting of the onset date of monsoon. The results show that extreme rainfall showed a significant increasing trend at a 95% level of confidence in the upper and middle parts of the basin, whereas it had a decreasing trend in the lower part. Annual extreme maximum temperature indicated a decreasing trend of 0.03 and 0.08 °C/year in the upper and middle parts, respectively, and the decrease in extreme minimum temperature in the lower part was 0.03 °C/year. No significant variations in the number of rainy days have been observed; however, a major shift in the onset date of the monsoon was observed during the selected time-period.

DNA metabarcoding, diversity partitioning and null models reveal mechanisms of seasonal trophic specialization in a Mediterranean warbler.

Optimal Foraging Theory (OFT) predicts that a population's trophic niche expansion should occur in periods of food scarcity as individuals begin to opportunistically exploit sub-optimal food items. However, the Niche Variation Hypothesis (NVH) posits that niche widening may result from increased among-individual differentiation due to food partitioning to avoid competition. We tested these hypotheses through a DNA metabarcoding study of the Sardinian Warbler (Curruca melanocephala) diet over a year. We used null models and the decomposition of beta diversity on among-individual dietary differentiation to infer the mechanisms driving the population's niche variation. Warblers fed frequently on berries, with a peak in late summer and, to a lesser extent, in autumn. Their diet also included a wide range of arthropods, with their prevalence varying among seasons. Consistent with OFT, the population's niche width was narrower in spring/summer when the population was strongly specialized in berries. In winter, the population's niche expanded, possibly reflecting seasonal declines in food abundance. As predicted by NVH, among-individual differentiation tended to be higher in winter, but this was mainly due to increased differences in dietary richness rather than to the partitioning of resources. Overall, our results suggest that within-individual niche does not increase in lean periods, and instead, individuals adopt either a more opportunistic or more specialized foraging strategy. Increased competition in periods of scarcity may help explain such patterns, but instead of showing increased food partitioning as expected from NVH, it may reflect OFT mechanisms on individuals with differential competitive ability to access better food resources.

Influence of detopping practices on green fodder availability, seed yield and economics of fodder maize (Zea mays L.) in central and southern Zea maysplateau regions of India

The unavailability of adequate quality seeds and green fodder during the lean period together affects livestock productivity in the country. Hence, it is necessary to assure the availability of quality seeds for sowing and green fodder to feed the livestock. To study this, field experiments were conducted on fodder maize at two locations in the country. Treatments included four detopping (DT) practices ., T : no DT, T : DT at 10 days viz12after (DA) 50% silking, T : DT at 20 DA 50% silking and T : DT at 30 DA 50% silking. Results demonstrated that 34DT at 10, and 20 DA 50% silking is not advisable in fodder maize for seed production as it considerably reduced the biomass accumulation (252.4-254.5 g/plant) and leaf relative water content (44.79-63.95%). However, no DT produced the highest growth attributes and green fodder yield followed by DT at 30 DA 50% silking which was at par with no DT regarding 100 seed weight (23.01 g) and seed yield (2725 kg/ha) with an additional green fodder yield (3245 kg/ha). Thus, no DT followed by DT at 30 DA 50% silking favored the economics of fodder maize seed production (gross return, net return, and benefit-cost ratio). Regarding locations, Dharwad (Karnataka) outperformed Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) regarding growth, seed yield attributes, and the economics of fodder maize. Therefore, DT at 30 DA 50% silking could supply additional green fodder (3245 kg/ha) with a 14% compromise in the seed yield of fodder maize

How Effective Is Inter-Basin Transfer to Manage Temporal Variation Of “Too Much” And “Too Little” Water Conditions for Irrigation in a Himalayan Basin?

Better irrigation facilities leading to “more crop per drop” are today’s needs. This study examines how the overall water balance of Sunkoshi, Marin, and Bagmati Basins will be altered by implementing the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Project (SMDP) to fulfill the unmet demands of the Bagmati Irrigation Project (BIP) in the Bagmati Basin via the Marin Basin in Nepal. The specific objectives are to: i) quantify “too much” and “too little” water peculiar to the study basin based on historical data; ii) evaluate water availability, irrigation water requirement, and deficits with and without SMDP; and iii) provide evidence-based recommendations on the effectiveness of the SMDP considering hydropower generation, irrigation and low- and high-flow conditions. Thirty years of historical daily flow data (two gauging stations) and precipitation data (15 stations) were obtained from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. Other spatial input data were acquired from relevant authorized sources. Water availability has been estimated using flow at the diversion sites while the irrigation requirements have been calculated based on secondary information. Results show that additional water is not at all required for Marin and Bagmati Basins in the monsoon season. Rather, the diverted water increases the flood hazard. Moreover, the contribution of hydropower from SMDP to the national energy demand is insignificant in the monsoon. However, the SMDP was found to play an important role in meeting the irrigation deficits during the dry season. Its contribution to hydropower production in the lean period is also commendable. However, the proposed irrigation requirement of the BIP cannot be met even after the implementation of the SMDP. More importantly, there is a high probability of the intended diversion flow not being available in the Sunkoshi River (donor) which could have severe consequences downstream. Therefore, additional options for conjunctive use need to be explored.

Drivers of food and nutrition security during the lean period in southeastern Madagascar

The rural population in southeastern Madagascar faces widespread poverty and weak resilience to frequent climate shocks, both contributing to severe food and nutrition insecurity. For effective policy responses and tailored interventions, development stakeholders need to know which factors determine household food and nutrition security status. In particular, the relative contributions of on-farm production diversity versus cash income are of importance since they would suggest different intervention priorities. We collected survey data on household food security and women's diets during the lean season, where improvements are most needed, as well as on households' agricultural activities, market participation, and sources of cash income from 413 randomly sampled households. Regression results suggest that frequent market participation and cash income from non-farm self-employment improve food security, but on-farm diversity does not. Other determinants of household food security include livestock assets and maternal education. Women's dietary diversity, in contrast, is associated only with market participation. The importance of market participation for food and nutrition security reflects the situation in the lean period, when farm production is low and many households' food supply relies, in part, on market purchases enabled by non-agricultural income. Our findings imply that a focus on developing food markets and enabling opportunities for income generation are likely viable strategies for improving the rural food and nutrition security situation during the lean period in southeastern Madagascar. Relatively food- and nutrition-secure households are characterized by their ability to mobilize cash (e.g., from non-farm self-employment) to purchase food.

Continuous Unsteady-State De-NOx System via Tandem Water-Gas Shift, NH3 Synthesis, and NH3-SCR under Periodic Lean/Rich Conditions.

The development of urea-free and platinum group metal (PGM)-free catalytic systems for automotive emission control is a challenging task. Herein, we report a new de-NOx system using cyclic feeds of rich and lean gas mixtures with PGM-free catalysts. Initial catalyst screening tests showed that Cu/CeO2 with 5 wt % Cu loading was the most suitable for the water-gas shift reaction (WGS, CO + H2O → CO2 + H2), followed by the selective NH3 synthesis by the NO + H2 reaction. The unsteady-state system under alternating feeds of rich (0.1% NO + 0.5% CO + 1% H2O) and lean (0.1% NO + 2% O2 + 1% H2O) gas mixtures over a mixture of Cu/CeO2 and Cr-exchanged mordenite (CrMOR) showed higher NOx conversion than the steady-state (0.1% NO + 0.35% CO + 0.6% O2 + 1% H2O) reaction between 200 and 500 °C. The de-NOx mechanism under periodical rich/lean conditions was studied by operando infrared (IR) experiments. In the rich period, the WGS reaction on the Cu/CeO2 catalyst yield H2, which reduces NO to NH3 on the Cu/CeO2 catalyst. NH3 is then captured by the Brønsted acid sites of CrMOR. In the subsequent lean period, the adsorbed NH3 acts as a reductant for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx catalyzed by the Cr sites of CrMOR. This study demonstrates a new urea-free and PGM-free catalytic system that can provide an alternative de-NOx technology for automotive catalysis under periodic rich/lean conditions.

Economic Vulnerability of Coastal Households in Southern Tamilnadu

India is the world's largest fish employer and a leader in the fish business, according to statistics on fisheries and aquaculture. Regrettably this industry is largely affected by the change in the nature and one among it is climate changes. The effects of this climatic change manifest in the form of extreme weather events with varying frequency and intensity and due to which the sea level is increasing by the end of 21st century. The lives of coastal communities are also made more difficult by the increase in cyclones, storm surges, and coastal floods as well as the decrease in ocean fish catch brought on by human-caused climate change. Tamil Nadu is one of the top fish producing States located on the southern coast of India. In 2019 Tamilnadu produces 3.56 million metric tons of marine fish up 2.1% year on year. Tamil Nadu recorded 21 fishing villages in Thoothukudi district while the district’s revenue and administrative boundaries mention 24 fishing villages or hamlets in six coastal taluks. A structured questionnaire was administered and the respondents were personally contacted upon getting receiving assistance from the religious and community leaders. Employing random sampling, 689 samples from 24 coastal villages in Thoothukudi District. Economic Vulnerability Index (EVI) was measured with three different constructs namely; Exposure, Sensitivity, and Adaptive Capacity for each taluks. During the lean period, extreme weather conditions and climate change, the traditional fishing communities are also forced to adopt alternate livelihoods to satisfy their needs and the economic development of the country. The findings of the study show that the extreme weather conditions make costal households more vulnerable and lead to financial loss to the economically backward people. Out of six taluks Tiruchendur and Srivaikundam region people are more vulnerable due to the high degree of dependency on fishing and fishing- related economic activities.

Assessing the impact of precipitation on hardrock aquifer system using standard precipitation index and groundwater resilience index: a case study of Purulia, West Bengal, India.

Groundwater stored in the aquifers provides water security during natural hazards, e.g. clean water access during floods and droughts. Groundwater drought, a phenomenon closely linked with rainfall (climate) variability, is less researched, especially in India. This study aims to detect precipitation and groundwater droughts and comprehend the groundwater response to long-term precipitation trends (25years). As a case study, the drought-affected and groundwater-depleted Purulia district in West Bengal, India, which is a part of the Chotanagpur plateau, was selected. Precipitation and groundwater droughts (in aquifer types of shallow, moderate and deep) are detected using the Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) and Groundwater Resilience Index (GRI). During the 25 yearstudy period (1996-2020),Purulia had 13 (52%) rainfall deficiency years, with an annualaverage rainfall of 1382 mm. SPI detected four severe droughts and the most severe occurring in 2010-2011 (1.50). GRI found that aquifermedium had a 71% [Formula: see text] conditions and are the most resilient and aquiferdeep experienced maximum extreme drought events and is the most stressed. The cross-correlationcoefficients (CCCs) between rainfall and groundwater is moderate in deep, shallow, and medium aquifers, with CCCs - 0.43, - 0.59, and - 0.49, respectively. Positive CCCs are found for seasonal lags of - 3, - 4, and - 7. The study found that during the monsoon, average depth to groundwater level is 1 - 4m and it drops to 8-10m during the lean period, more than 85% of wells are vulnerable to extreme droughts (SPI > 1.5), aquifer's response to rainfall is aquifershallow > aquifermoderate > aquiferdeep, and aquifer's may be arranged as aquifermoderate > aquifershallow > aquiferdeep depending on their drought resistance. This study, with the use of statistical tools and long term data, will aid in the management of groundwater at varying depthsby creating basis forunderstanding the groundwater response to rainfall events.

Impact of interbasin transfer hydroelectric project on downstream aquatic habitat

AbstractThe recent surge of anthropogenic activities like damming is causing a severe threat to the aquatic ecosystem. A scope of minimizing the degradation of biota exists by modifying the dam operation policy. This can be achieved by releasing a minimum environmental flow (EF), which further requires more scientific investigations. The present study investigated the impact of an interbasin transfer hydropower dam on the downstream habitat of an endangered fish species, Tor putitora, using an adaptive modelling framework. The framework consists of coupling a reservoir operation and a hydrodynamic model. This study analyses the scope of releasing different EFs from a hydropower dam to meet the environmental flow requirement (EFR) at downstream with satisfactory power production efficiency. The EFR was estimated using flow duration curve and Tennant's method. A lean period inflow hydrograph was incorporated into the model with a series of alternate EFs. Two scenarios were explored, with 4 and 6 h of peaking hours, along with the three cases of different initial reservoir storage. The total usable area over the river reach of the mentioned fish species was evaluated from the flow parameters simulated by the hydrodynamic component of the model. The power production efficiencies and area utilization rates were assessed in all these cases to prepare an easy‐to‐use decision support tool in a tabular form depicting the possible states of EF. The generalized methodology adopted in this analysis will help the decision‐makers quantify EF to be released from the dam within an acceptable power generation efficiency.

Production and Productivity of Oat (Avena sativa L.) Cultivars as Fodder Crop on Hilly Terraces of Nagaland under Rainfed Condition

Background: Agricultural background of rural India, maintaining cattle is very important, but due to the lack of pasture land and fodder production, it is tough to maintain the cattle with the farmers. However, producing fodder crops throughout the year makes it possible to maintain cattle. During the rainy season, different grasses are available, but during the rabi season dry period, fodder becomes scares, so growing fodder oats will compensate during the lean period. Methods: A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2019 and 2020 at the experimental research farm, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema. The experiment consisted of six varieties of oat, namely, V1-OS-346, V2-OS-403, V3-WJ-8, V4-OS-6, V5-OS-7 and V6-OS-377, which were laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with four replications to find out the best suitable variety under rainfed condition of Nagaland. Result: The study revealed that all the oat varieties grew well under Nagaland conditions. The variety OS-403 recorded the highest plant height (72.69 cm) and was at par with variety WJ-8 (72.43 cm). Among the varieties, green fodder yield and dry matter yield were significant. The variety OS-403 recorded the highest green fodder yield (148 q/ha), followed by WJ-8 (143.11 q/ha). Similar is the trend for dry matter yield. The variety OS-403 recorded the highest dry matter yield (27.97q/ha), at par with variety WJ-8 (27.22 q/ha). Crude protein content (%) and crude protein yield (q/ha) were non-significant among the different oat varieties.

Dry and Wet Period Analysis using Meteorological Drought Indices in Sabarkantha district Gujarat, India

Drought assessment is very important to manage water resources in lean period. In the present study, identification of drought years and extent of deficit of annual rainfall is accomplished by use of three meteorological based drought indices like the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration index (SPEI), China-Z index (CZI) and Modified China-Z index (MCZI) on 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 month (short term and long term) timescales using monthly precipitation and temperature data from 1901 to 2002 at Sabarkantha to specify the drought conditions in present study area. The analysis of multiple time steps in drought indices make it harder to decide the best time step to show the drought conditions. The months of January, March, November and December have been identified 76, 79, 77 and 80 times as drought months respectively in the 20th century, indicating that these months must be provided with assured Irrigation. It is observed that 1904, 1911, 1915, 1923, 1974, 1987 and 2002 affected by severe drought condition in SPEI-12. The China Z Index and Modified China Z index shows that’s 1904, 1911, 1915, 1918, 1923, 1948, 1951, 1965, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1985, 1987, 1991, 1995 and 2002 affected by extreme drought. The study also reveals that only 1% year obtain as extreme wet conditions. From result it shows that 23% years are categorised into moderate to extreme drought years, which includes 15% Moderate dry, 8% severe dry years.

An Experimental Study of Fish Movement with Turbulent Kinetic Energy along the Pools of A Vertical Slot Fish Pass

Bangladesh is a land of river which is situated in the delta of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) Rivers which are three of the largest rivers of the world. These rivers provide an arterial transportation network for fish movement. Fish migration depends on flow characteristic and surrounding flood plain connected to rivers. In recent time for flood control in monsoon and water storage in lean period a lot of structure has been built along and across the river [77]. As a result the natural sequence of flooding in floodplain of Bangladesh, food chain and life cycle of natural fish and other aquatic species has become under sever threat [64]. In this research an experimental approach has been carried out to understand the turbulence structures of the flow inside a laboratory flume with different local fish species. The structural set up consists of an adverse slope of 6% followed by a mild slope of 3.4%. The adverse slope is 2.54 m in length and the mild slope is 4.45 m in length. Total nine sets of experiments have been conducted. For each set of experiments, data points were distributed on a 10 cm (in the longitudinal direction) x 10 cm (in the transverse direction) grid at 0.6 hydraulic depth and 10 cm (in the longitudinal direction) x 20 cm (in the transverse direction) grid at 0.4 and 0.8 hydraulic depth. In this experimental setup turbulent kinetic energy and fish movement in all four pools will be observed. This experimental study consists of three types of fish species; Rui (Labeo rohita), Catla (Giberlion catla) and Mrigel (Cirrhinus mrigala) of fry size (1-2 cm body length), fingerline size (7-10 cm) and juvenile size (10-20 cm) have been selected for studying. The flow from slot travels through the center of the pool to the next slot with two recirculation region on either side of the jet. At the pool opening the flow appear almost in the form of a shooting jet. There are similarities with turbulence characteristics in each case. Fishes have avoided high turbulent kinetic energy area in the contour map. The comparison shoes the area with low turbulent kinetic energy was most suitable for fishes to pass the pools or taking rest inside the pools. The results may be useful insight on the turbulence characteristics of flow in the vertical slot fish pass and can be used to study fishes characteristic and also for guidance in the design of fish pass in the future.

Shade tolerance, yield and nutritive value of selected forage crops in typical homegarden of central Kerala

This study aimed to assess the forage yield, nutritive value and shade tolerance of three cereal fodders viz., maize, sorghum, and pearl millet in comparison to popularly grown fodder grass hybrid napier in partially shaded homegarden and under open conditions with full light, during the lean periods of rabi and summer season in randomized block design with three replications. Fodder crops in open areas exhibited higher yield than in homegarden. In open field, maize recorded significantly higher cumulative green fodder yield, while in homegarden the yield of maize (57.16 t ha-1and 73.50 t ha-1) and hybrid napier (60.42 t ha-1 in rabi and 73.51 t ha-1 in summer) was comparable. Pearl millet showed moderate performance under shade, whereas sorghum had very poor yields. The shade tolerance of fodder grasses in homegarden was in order of hybrid napier > maize > pearl millet > sorghum. Crops in homesteads exhibited higher crude protein and lower crude fibre content, whereas dry matter and ash content was higher in open field. Quality attributes and B:C ratio were better in maize than other crops. The study indicated that fodder maize, variety African tall could be successfully and cost effectively cultivated in partially shaded homegardens to enhance quality forage production. Maize also exhibited comparable yield and better quality than hybrid napier, the conventional grass grown in homegarden

Strong seasonality in diets and alarming levels of food insecurity and child malnutrition in south-eastern Madagascar

Rural areas of Madagascar face a tense food and nutrition security situation. The country reports some of the highest rates of undernourishment and malnutrition worldwide. Evidence is scant, however, about how the rural people’s diets vary over the course of the agricultural year, and how different household types deal with fluctuating food availability. This lack of detailed understanding of the food and nutrition security situation across time and social strata currently limits development stakeholders’ ability to tailor interventions to local needs. Using randomly sampled survey data from Farafangana District in south-eastern Madagascar, this study analyzes rural households’ diets across three time points within one year (minor lean period, major lean period, main post-harvest period). In addition, anthropometric data on children aged 6–59 months were collected during the major lean period to determine levels of chronic and acute child malnutrition. Overall, food insecurity stood at high levels at all times, but with substantial variation across the year. Shortly before the main rice harvest, the prevalence of moderate and severe food insecurity was 78%, twice as high as shortly after harvest. With 57% of children stunted and a 17% prevalence of wasting, the observed levels of chronic and acute child malnutrition exceed levels reported previously. By studying what households eat and how they source it (own production vs. purchases), we found distinct patterns of food acquisition between the three periods. Diminishing food security is reflected by substituting rice by cassava, unripe jackfruit (minor lean period), and local tuber tavolo (major lean period), as well as by lower diversity of side dishes. Our results underline the need for long-term agricultural development strategies that contribute to greater household food self-sufficiency especially during the lean periods. But the alarming level of acute child malnutrition also calls for more immediate humanitarian aid and public health interventions.

Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Sector of a Drought Prone Area: A Case of Bargarh District, Odisha

Abstract: Global climate change is a process that affects every one of us differently. Significant climate changes have been seen throughout the past century. The life of more than 700 million people in rural India depends on climate-sensitive businesses like agriculture, forestry, and fisheries as well as on natural resources like water, feed, and biodiversity. Today's climate variabilityrelated uncertainties pose serious threats to global economic growth. This paper aims to analyse how climate change causes drought in an area and how drought has its impact on agricultural sector and production. Drought is caused due to deficiency of rainfall and it is a complex natural hazard. Unlike other environmental disasters, it starts slowly, has its effect for a longer duration of time and covers a vast area. In India, it upsets the country’s food security by seriously affecting our agricultural economy, which is heavily dependent on monsoon. Drought causes economic, social and environmental loss quite frequently. Management of drought needs proper storage and usage of rain and ground water in drought prone areas. Drought assessment is very important to manage water resources in lean period. It plays a vital role in managing water demands especially in agriculture sector. In the present study, monthly temperature and rainfall data for 35 years (i.e., 1985 to 2020) were collected and analysed for drought assessment. The dry spell periods were calculated using agricultural drought indices i.e. spatial rainfall on monthly basis and Soil Moisture Index.