Losses In India Research Articles

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Bacterial wilt and brown rot caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most dreaded diseases causing 30 to 70% yield loss in India. The disease is both tuber and soil borne. A field trial was conducted following split plot design in the year 2008 to 09 and 2009 to 10 under All India Co-ordinated Potato Research Project in Central Farm, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India with chemical soil amendments in main plots (M1 = application of bleaching powder 7 days prior to planting, M2 = application of bleaching powder at the time of planting, M3 = no bleaching powder application) and different physical, chemical and bio-agent treatments in the subplots (T1 = large sized tuber, T2 = tuber treatment with Bacillus subtilis (106 cfu/ml),T3 = tuber treatment with boric acid, T4 = tuber treatment with Bacillus subtilis + boric acid, T5 = tuber treatment with streptocycline (0.015%), and also 4 times basal drenching with streptocycline (0.015%), T6 = control). Observations on plant wilt at 75 days after planting and yield of healthy and rotten tubers at harvest were recorded. Soil application of bleaching powder at the rate of 12.5 kg/h irrespective of other treatments significantly reduced wilting of plants in comparison to control. Among the treatments, tuber treatments with streptocycline combined with basal application of the same antibiotics at 10 days interval for four times after planting resulted in minimum wilting (3.83%) of plant and significant increase in tuber yield (18.21t/h) followed by tuber treatment with B. subtilis along with 3% boric acid (17.31t/h) recoded to be the second best treatment in reducing the wilting (9.55%) and increase in yield over control. Key words: Bacterial wilt, disease, management, coastal plains.

Response of different botanicals against fusarium Moniliforme-Causing bakanae disease of rice

Bakanae disease is an important disease of rice causing serious threat to basmati production in all basmati rice growing countries including India. It is emerging as major problem in basmati rice producing areas of India. As per report, this disease caused 15% losses in India and 40–50% in Japan. This disease caused by Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon (teleomorph-Gibberella fujikuroi Sawada) is mainly seed borne but this may be soil borne also. Therefore seed treatment may be an effective method for management of this disease. To know the inhibitory effect, extract of different botanicals (weed host, medicinal plant and tree plant) were evaluated against F. moniliforme in vitro through the poison food technique. It was observed that extract of botanicals have quit inhibitory effect against fungal growth whereas extract of some medicinal plant found effective. Among weed host plants, extract of Solenum (Solanum nigrum) and Bhang (Cannabis sativa) found effective, in hibit 29.65 and 23.89% growth of F. moniliforme. Among medicinal plants, extract of Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum), Ajwain and Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), observed with effective result, in hibit fungal growth 100, 97.53 and 55.56% growth re spectively. In the evaluated tree plant extract, extract of Neem (Azadirachta Indica) and Aonla (Phyllanthus emblica) was found effective. Extract of Neem and Aonla in hibited 47.06 and 36.47% fungal growth. Presentinves tigationcon cluded that extract of some botanical have the good fungicidal effect against the pathogen. There fore, they can be use ful tool in integrated disease management programme.

Studies of alternaria black spot disease of pomegranate caused by Alternaria alternata in Punjab

Alternaria black spot of pomegranate caused by Alternaria alternata pose significant economic losses in India as it reduce the crop yield. Farm survey was undertaken at Punjab Agricultural University, Pomegranate Research Block, Fruit Research Station, Jallowal- Lesriwal Jalandhar during 2015. Among all the five cultivars highest disease incidence (70%) and severity (30%) was registered in cultivar Bhagwa. Twenty two isolates of A. alternata were recovered from infected fruits and clustered using UPGMA (unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages) on the basis of disease score produced in five cultivars (Ganesh, Ruby, Bhagwa, Jyoti and Mridula). It was revealed that five isolates namely AL14, AL15, AL20, AL21 and AL22 were highly virulent on almost all the pomegranate cultivars. Two cultivars viz. Bhagwa and Mridula were found to be most susceptible as 45.45 % isolates were found to be highly virulent on them.Thein vitro antifungal effects of the six fungicides on mycelial growth were investigated. Based on the inhibition of mycelial growth, all the fungicides showed most toxic reaction with 50% effective concentrations (EC50) of < 1 ppm. However, they varied in EC90 values. 10 ppm cocentration of Tilt (azole group) showed 90% effective concentration (EC90). Folicur also showed approximately same results as Tilt while EC90 value of Natio and SAAF was <25 ppm and > 20 ppm. However, two fungicides namely Dithane Z-78 and Bavistin showed less toxicity against Alternaria alternata as compared to other with EC90 value at concentrations <50 ppm and > 25 ppm. Azole group fungicides (Tilt and Folicur) were found most effective to inhibit the pathogen growth.

Why Statistical Modelling in Outcome Prediction in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury is Essential?: In Indian context

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public health problem in all regions of the globe despite advancement in prevention and treatments. Its global incidence is rising and it is predicted to surpass many diseases as a major cause of death and disability by the year 2020. It is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity, disability, and socioeconomic losses in India as well. For reducing the burden of TBIs, India and other developing countries are facing the major challenges of prehospital care, prevention, and rehabilitation in their rapidly changing environments.

The economic impact of peste des petits ruminants in India.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an economically important livestock disease which affects a vast section of the small ruminant population in India. However, data on the incidence of PPR are limited and scant literature is available on the economic losses caused by the disease. In the present study, a structured sampling design was adopted, which covered the major agro-climatic regions of the country, to ascertain the morbidity and mortality rates of PPR. Available estimates of the economic losses in India due to various livestock diseases are based on single values of various epidemiological and economic parameters. Stochastic modelling was used to estimate the economic impact of PPR. Overall annual morbidity and mortality rates of PPR for small ruminants in India have been estimated from the sample as being 8%and 3.45%, respectively. The authors have analysed variations in these rates across species, age group, sex, season and region. The expected annual economic loss due to PPR in India ranges from as little as US $2 million to $18 million and may go up to US $1.5 billion; the most likely range of expected economic losses is between US $653 million and $669 million. This study thus reveals significant losses due to the incidence of PPR in small ruminants in India.

Wilt incidence and cultural variability of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. udum collected from different districts of Uttar Pradesh

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) L. Millsp. is an important legume crop widely used as food grain as it is rich source of protein, carbohydrate, essential amino acids, minerals and fibres. India is reknowned as a major pigeonpea producer country all over the world. Pigeonpea is susceptible to a number of pathogens, among which Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. udum is considered as the most important fungal pathogen causing considerable economic loss in India and all over the world. Among different states in India, Uttar Pradesh is the major pigeonpea growing state having most of the wilt susceptible pigeonpea growing areas causing considerable yield losses. In the present study, collection of diseased samples from wilt affected areas of different districts, isolation of test fungi, test of pathogenicity in pots under wirenet house condition was conducted. Further test of wilt incidence of the selected strains of Fusarum oxysporum f.sp. udum through root dip method and soil inoculation method was undertaken in earthen pots under wirenet house to make a precise comparison between the two methods. Cultural variabilities like radial growth, growth rate and mycelia dry weight among the selected isolates were studied under laboratory conditions.

Variation in larval gut bacteria between insecticide-resistant and -susceptible populations of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), a lepidopteron pest, causes enormous crop loss in India and elsewhere in the world in part because of resistance to various insecticides. The major mechanism of insecticide resistance is metabolic, genetic and behavioural modification. In the present investigation, we analysed the possibility of the involvement of gut symbiotic bacteria in insecticide resistance. Isolation of culturable bacteria from insecticide-resistant and -susceptible populations of H. armigera collected from crops in India resulted in 6 different species of bacteria isolated from resistant populations and only one from the susceptible laboratory-reared population. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was used to amplify the partial gene sequences of the 16S rRNA–V3 region. The banding pattern was analysed by using PAST software. Jaccard’s multivariate cluster analysis revealed that the resistant populations formed a group as did the susceptible population. The Raup and Crick bacterial similarity index showed that the resistant populations were similar in bacterial composition regardless of host plant. Gut microbiota of the resistant populations had the highest diversity index, followed by the moderately resistant and susceptible populations. Microbiota of the highly resistant population from Amreli (Gujarat State) had the highest diversity index, 2.30 (Shannon H). Six bacterial species were isolated from H. armigera larvae by culture. Four bacterial species had a long-term and mutual association with the H. armigera populations and some of the microflora associated with insecticide resistant populations differ quantitatively from insecticide-susceptible populations.

Alternaria blight of oilseed brassicas: A review on management strategies through conventional, non-conventional and biotechnological approaches

Oilseed Brassicas are contributing approximately 28 percent of the India’s total oilseed production. This crop is gaining wide acceptance among t he f a rme r s b e ca u s e of adaptability for both irrigated as well as rainfed areas and suitability for sole as well as mixed cropping. Besides, it offers higher return with low cost of production and low water requirement. The production and productivity of oilseed brassicas are comparatively lower as compared to the world average due to the biotic and abiotic constraints. Among the biotic constraints, alternaria blight disease caused by Alternaria spp. has been reported from all the continents of the world, causing up to 70% yield losses in India. This disease was found on leaves, stems and siliquae and dark spots on the leaves and siliquae reduce the photosynthetic capacity and induce immature ripening, which causes reduced amount of quality seed and oil content. The severity of this disease depends upon weather conditions, varieties, age of host plants and virulence of the pathogens. Efforts are being done throughout the world for the management of alternaria blight of rapeseed-mustard. This paper comprehensively reviews the research of alternaria blight of rapeseed-mustard with special reference to management strategies through conventional, non conventional and biotechnological approaches that leads to planning the future research. The present scenario demands the traditional and modern biotechnological techniques bringing together for integrated disease management according to the need and availability at farmers level for sustainable management of alternaria blight disease of oilseed brassicas.

Management of pathogens and pests to maintain seed quality during storage

The post harvest losses in India is about 12 to 16 million tonne (Mt) of food grains each year, of which 7.5% losses occur during storage. Quality seed is the cheapest and most critical input in agriculture which alone can result in 15–20% increase in productivity but its production and storage needs utmost care. The important factors that determine the longevity of seeds are the seed moisture, type of storage container and storage environment; and their interaction leads to contamination with microorganisms or insect pests resulting in seed deterioration. Temperatures of 25–30°C and more than 13–14% moisture content at harvest provides ideal conditions for mould and insect infestation. Any mechanical damage during harvesting and threshing or insect infestation increases the susceptibility of the stored product to fungal contamination. A significant negative correlation (r = -0.872) between seed germination and mycoflora has been observed with increase in the storage period. Seed longevity can be maintained either by reducing/preventing the fungal inoculum or by creating unfavorable conditions for their growth. Management of pathogens and pests are essential both at preharvest and post harvest stages. Proper storage and application of safe chemicals prior to storage can effectively control seed mycoflora and insects, thereby reducing the storage losses considerably. Appropriate dressing with proper dose and its uniform distribution on the seed is equally important for seed treatments to be effective. Post harvest management of diseases through mechanical processing is another important, most economical and new option for obtaining bunt free grain/seed in wheat and paddy. Fumigation is one of the most effective methods to control storage insects, but its efficiency depends upon the type of fumigant, its dose, placement and the weather conditions.

Response of different maize accessions to pink stem borer Sesamia inferens Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Sesamia inferens (Walker) is the most important Rabi pest of maize causing serious losses in India. The objective of the study was to identify maize landraces with high levels of resistance to S. inferens by screening 427 maize land races sourced from different agro-ecological regions, along with CM 500 and CML 451 as resistant and susceptible checks, respectively under natural conditions during Rabi, 2012-13. The range of average per cent dead hearts observed in land races was 0.0 to 57.14%. The most resistant land races were IC258225, IC319533, IC321053, IC321110, IC321111, IC321119, IC326886, IC331795, IC 338827 and IC 350198 which showed no dead hearts infestation while the susceptible were IC331939, IC340368, IC369174, IC369184, IC406420, IC549985, IC549989, IC549990, IC569669 and IC547811 suffered to the extent of 46.15 to 57.14 % dead hearts. There was no dead hearts infestation on resistant check CM 500 while susceptible check CML 451 showed 50 - 100 % dead hearts. These resistant land races identified are recommended for use in the development of S. inferens resistant maize.

Right Median Nerve Stimulation for Improving Consciousness: A Case Series

Brain injury is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity, and socioeconomic losses in India. Despite the improvements in emergency treatment, persistent coma is still a major clinical problem. Regardless of the etiology of the coma or reduced level of awareness, electrical stimulation may serve as a catalyst to enhance central nervous system functions. The right median nerve is a portal to electrically stimulate and help arouse the central nervous system for persons with reduced levels of consciousness. The mechanisms of central action include increased cerebral blood flow and raised levels of norepinephrine and dopamine. We report findings of seven patients who were given right median nerve stimulation to observe its effect on the consciousness.

Factors influencing the spatial distribution of Anopheles larvae in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India

Malaria causes extensive morbidity and mortality in humans and results in significant economic losses in India. The distribution of immature malaria-transmitting Anopheles mosquitoes was studied in 17 villages in Coimbatore District as a prelude to the development and implementation of vector control strategies that are intended to reduce the risk of human exposure to potentially infectious mosquitoes. Eight Anopheles species were recorded. The most numerous species were Anopheles vagus, Anopheles subpictus, and Anopheles hyrcanus. The location of mosquito development sites and the density of larvae in each village was evaluated for correlation with selected demographic, biologic, and land use parameters using remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) technology. We found the number of mosquito development sites in a village and the density of larvae in such sites to be positively correlated with human population density but not the surface area (km2) of the village. The number of mosquito development sites and the density of larvae in each site were not correlated. Data from this study are being used to construct a GIS-based mapping system that will enable the location of aquatic habitats with Anopheles larvae in the Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India as target sites for the application of vector control.

Role of Echocardiography In Acute Rheumatic Fever Compared With Jones Criteria

Introduction: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), the sequel of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), is a very common cause of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. RHD results in enormous disease burden translating into huge economic and social losses in India. Classical ARF is still encountered across the country. The diagnosis of RF remains clinical. Echocardiography is a very important diagnostic tool to detect valvular lesions in patients with carditis of acute rheumatic fever. Jones criteria has been modified several times but the role of echocardiography in detecting carditis is not been mentioned in any modifications. Methods and Material: The study was conducted from November 2007 to October 2009, for duration of 2 years in GSVM medical college, Kanpur. Patients with joint pain (arthritis, arthralgia), chest pain, dyspnoea, palpitation, chorea (involuntary movements), subcutaneous nodule, erhythema marginatum, sore throat, skin infection, recurrent upper respiratory tract infection etc, who visited OPD, health camps, or were admitted in Medicine and Pediatrics department were included in the study. Thus selected patients were undergone detailed history taking, clinical examinations particularly they were evaluated to find out whether they were having symptom/signs of carditis and fulfilling Jones criteria to diagnose Acute Rheumatic fever. The same patients were evaluated with Echocardiography to detect carditis. Results: 40 patients were diagnosed as acute rheumatic fever based on revised Jones criteria. Only 24 patients showed carditis clinically, but Echocardiography showed 27 patients with evidence of carditis. Ventricular septal defect was also detected in 3 patients, which was wrongly detected as carditis in clinical examination. 21 patients had carditis clinically, but echocardiography diagnosed carditis in 27 patients. (p value <0.05). Conclusion: Echocardiography plays a very important role in detection of carditis. Echocardiographic confirmation of carditis could be accepted as major criteria.

Design, fabrication and performance evaluation of solar dryer for banana

An indirect, active-type, environmentally friendly, low-cost solar dryer was designed to dry various agricultural products. The dryer was built by locally available, biologically degradable, low-cost materials. The dryer consists of solar flat plate air heater with three layers of insulation, drying chamber and a fan with a regulator to induce required air flow in the system. Banana is the chosen crop for the experimentation since it is high in production and also has substantial loss in India. Also, dried bananas are having good nutritive value which makes it as essential diet. The experiments were conducted to dry banana slices and to study its drying characteristics like rate of drying and quality of dried banana in terms of taste, colour and shape. The dryer has the following features: two different air flow configurations (air flow between glass cover and absorber plate called as the top flow and air flow between absorber plate and the bottom insulation of solar collector called as the bottom flow), forced flow with variable flow rates from 0–3 m/s and two different mounting schemes (conventional trays and wooden skewers). In the top and bottom flow experiments, the bottom flow provided about 2.5 °C higher chamber temperatures than the top flow for the same solar energy input. The efficiency of top flow configuration was found to be 27.5 %, whereas the efficiency of bottom flow configuration was found to be higher at 38.21 %. The results also agree well with the theoretical calculations performed as 60 W of energy can be saved for the same energy input. The drying rate was found to increase when wooden skewers were used instead of conventional trays. At the end of the day, the total difference in moisture content is found to be 3.1 % which is considerable knowing that the rate of drying drastically decreases with time. Banana dried at 1 m/s air flow rate was of the best quality in terms of colour, taste and shape when compared to drying at 0.5 and 2 m/s air flow rate while the weather condition and ambient conditions were almost the same for all the cases with negligible difference.

Challenges of small protected areas in urban cities: a case study of Okhla Bird Sanctuary, India

Protected areas have been earmarked throughout the world for the purpose of conserving the biodiversity. The protected areas are facing serious threats due to rapid urban growth, especially in the developing countries like India. The current threats and impacts of urbanization on the Okhla Bird Sanctuary (Delhi, India) have been presented in this paper as a case in point. Uncontrolled urbanization and the lack of policy implementation have been identified as one of the major contributors to incessant biodiversity loss in India and other countries. In addition, a possible management framework for a smaller protected area in an urban setting is presented in brief.

High vapor pressure deficit drives salt-stress-induced rice yield losses in India.

Flooded rice is grown across wide geographic boundaries from as far north as Manchuria and as far south as Uruguay and New South Wales, primarily because of its adaptability across diverse agronomic and climatic conditions. Salt-stress damage, a common occurrence in delta and coastal rice production zones, could be heightened by the interactions between high temperature and relative humidity (vapor pressure deficit--VPD). Using temporal and spatial observations spanning 107 seasons and 19 rice-growing locations throughout India with varying electrical conductivity (EC), including coastal saline, inland saline, and alkaline soils, we quantified the proportion of VPD inducing salinity damage in rice. While controlling for time-invariant factors such as trial locations, rice cultivars, and soil types, our regression analysis indicates that EC has a nonlinear detrimental effect on paddy rice yield. Our estimates suggest these yield reductions become larger at higher VPD. A one standard deviation (SD) increase in EC from its mean value is associated with 1.68% and 4.13% yield reductions at median and maximum observed VPD levels, respectively. Yield reductions increase roughly sixfold when the one SD increase is taken from the 75th percentile of EC. In combination, high EC and VPD generate near catastrophic crop loss as predicted yield approaches zero. If higher VPD levels driven by global warming materialize in conjunction with rising sea levels or salinity incursion in groundwater, this interaction becomes an important and necessary predictor of expected yield losses and global food security.

Integrating TRMM and MODIS satellite with socio-economic vulnerability for monitoring drought risk over a tropical region of India

Drought is a recurring feature of the climate, responsible for social and economic losses in India. In the present work, attempts were made to estimate the drought hazard and risk using spatial and temporal datasets of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) in integration with socio-economic vulnerability. The TRMM rainfall was taken into account for trend analysis and Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) estimation, with aim to investigate the changes in rainfall and deducing its pattern over the area. The SPI and average rainfall data derived from TRMM were interpolated to obtain the spatial and temporal pattern over the entire South Bihar of India, while the MODIS datasets were used to derive the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) deviation in the area. The Geographical Information System (GIS) is taken into account to integrate the drought vulnerability and hazard, in order to estimate the drought risk over entire South Bihar. The results indicated that approximately 36.90% area is facing high to very high drought risk over north-eastern and western part of South Bihar and need conservation measurements to combat this disaster.

Urbanization and agricultural land loss in India: Comparing satellite estimates with census data

We examine the impacts of urbanization on agricultural land loss in India from 2001 to 2010. We combined a hierarchical classification approach with econometric time series analysis to reconstruct land-cover change histories using time series MODIS 250 m VI images composited at 16-day intervals and night time lights (NTL) data. We compared estimates of agricultural land loss using satellite data with agricultural census data. Our analysis highlights six key results. First, agricultural land loss is occurring around smaller cities more than around bigger cities. Second, from 2001 to 2010, each state lost less than 1% of its total geographical area due to agriculture to urban expansion. Third, the northeastern states experienced the least amount of agricultural land loss. Fourth, agricultural land loss is largely in states and districts which have a larger number of operational or approved SEZs. Fifth, urban conversion of agricultural land is concentrated in a few districts and states with high rates of economic growth. Sixth, agricultural land loss is predominantly in states with higher agricultural land suitability compared to other states. Although the total area of agricultural land lost to urban expansion has been relatively low, our results show that since 2006, the amount of agricultural land converted has been increasing steadily. Given that the preponderance of India's urban population growth has yet to occur, the results suggest an increase in the conversion of agricultural land going into the future.

Predicting the impact of climate change on regional and seasonal abundance of the mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) using temperature-driven phenology model linked to GIS

The mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a highly invasive and polyphagous pest of global incidence. The fundamental hypothesis of the present study was that the temperature variations due to global climate change may affect seriously the future distribution and abundance of P. solenopsis, which might further aggravate the crop yield losses. We employed a temperature-based phenology model of P. solenopsis in a geographic information system for mapping population growth potentials of P. solenopsis. The three risk indices viz., establishment risk index, generation index and activity index were computed using interpolated temperature data from worldclim database for current (2000) and future (2050) climatic conditions. The daily minimum and maximum temperature data from four selected weather stations in India were used for analysing within-year variation of pest population. A linear relationship was established between the activity indices and yield losses at various locations reported in literatures for predicting the future trend of yield loss due to climate change. The results revealed that, under current temperature conditions P. solenopsis can complete >4.0 generations per year on ∼80% of the global cotton production areas. Economic losses are likely to occur in areas where at least 8.0 generations can develop in a year; under current climate ∼40% areas fall under this category. The increased geographical suitability at higher latitudes in cotton production areas, additional 2.0 generations per year, and 4.0 fold increase of population abundance of P. solenopsis are expected in tropical and sub-tropical cotton areas of Brazil, South Africa, Pakistan and India due to predicted climate change. Analysis of within year population increase at various selected locations in India revealed that, P. solenopsis attained maximum potential population increase during the major cotton growing season (May–June to October–November). On the other hand, the innate ability of P. solenopsis population to increase reduced considerably during off season and cooler winter months. The increased pest activity of P. solenopsis due to climate change may intensify the losses in cotton yield, with forecasted losses in India to increase from existing losses of million US$ 1217.10 to future losses of million US$ 1764.85 by the year 2050. Here, we illustrate the possible impact of climate change on future P. solenopsis exacerbation based on temperature-driven population studies, which will help in undertaking agro-ecoregion specific management strategies.

Electoral cycles in electricity losses in India

A third of electricity in India is lost each year, where losses refer to power that is supplied but not billed. Utilizing data from the power corporation of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, we study the politics of electricity losses. Examining annual data over four decades, we document that UP's electricity losses tend to increase in periods immediately prior to state assembly elections. Drawing upon geographically disaggregated data for the period 2000–09, we observe higher line losses just prior to the 2002 and 2007 state elections. Our analysis shows that the incumbent party was more likely to retain the assembly seat as line losses in the locality increased. We interpret these results as corroboration that political parties deliberately redirect electricity to flat rate and unbilled users in a context of chronically inadequate supply. Political factors appear to affect line losses in ways that technical and economic factors alone cannot explain.