Losses In India Research Articles

Formulation of weather based forecasting model for mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi kalt. in Tarai region of Uttarakhand

Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) infestation on mustard account for significant yield losses in India. Experimental data from sixteen years were used to study the role of weather on the incidence and development of mustard aphid. Temperature was found to regulate the aphid population build-up and arrival . Weather parameters before one week from aphid population observation contribute higher effect than of the same date, two week prior and three week prior observation. In the present investigation regression equation between aphid incidence and using previous week’s weather data could be used for formulating the forecasting model for L. erysimi, and for taking control measures.

Association of anxiety and depression with physical and sensory functional difficulties in adults in five population-based surveys in low and middle-income countries.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the association between anxiety and depression with physical and sensory functional difficulties, among adults living in five low and middle-income countries (LMICs).Methods and findingsA secondary data analysis was undertaken using population-based disability survey data from five LMICs, including two national surveys (Guatemala, Maldives) and 3 regional/district surveys (Nepal, India, Cameroon). 19,337 participants were sampled in total (range 1,617–7,604 in individual studies). Anxiety, depression, and physical and sensory functional difficulties were assessed using the Washington Group Extended Question Set on Functioning. Age-sex adjusted logistic regression analyses were undertaken to assess the association of anxiety and depression with hearing, visual or mobility functional difficulties.The findings demonstrated an increased adjusted odds of severe depression and severe anxiety among adults with mobility, hearing and visual functional difficulties in all settings (with ORs ranging from 2.0 to 14.2) except for in relation to hearing loss in India, the Maldives and Cameroon, where no clear association was found. For all settings and types of functional difficulties, there was a stronger association with severe anxiety and depression than with moderate. Both India and Cameroon had higher reported prevalences of physical and sensory functional difficulties compared with Nepal and Guatemala, and weaker associations with anxiety and depression.ConclusionPeople with physical and sensory functional difficulties are more likely to report experiencing depression and anxiety. This evidence supports the need for ensuring a good awareness of mental health among those working with individuals with physical and sensory functional difficulties in LMICs. This implies that these practitioners must have the skills to identify anxiety and depression. Furthermore, mental health services must be available and accessible to patients with these conditions, which will likely require further programmatic scale-up in these LMIC settings.

Does choice of drought index influence estimates of drought-induced rice losses in India?

AbstractDrought events have critical impacts on agricultural production yet there is little consensus on how these should be measured and defined, with implications for drought research and policy. We develop a flexible rainfall-temperature drought index that captures all dry events and we classify these as Type 1 (above-average cooling degree days) and Type 2 droughts (below-average cooling degree days). Applied to a panel dataset of Indian districts over 1966–2009, Type 2 droughts are found to have negative marginal impacts comparable to those of Type 1 droughts. Irrigation more effectively reduces Type 2 drought-induced yield losses than Type 1 yield losses. Over time, Type 1 drought losses have declined while Type 2 losses have risen. Estimates of average yield losses due to Type 1 droughts are reduced by up to 27 per cent when Type 2 droughts are omitted. The associatedex-posteconomic costs in terms of rice production are underestimated by up to 124 per cent.

The COVID-19 lockdown in India: Impacts on the economy and the power sector

This paper demonstrates the use of a linear Input-Output (IO) model to estimate the economic losses in India due to COVID-19. The results show that depending on the duration of the lockdown, the Indian economy is likely to face a loss of about 10–31% of its GDP. This method can be applied to assess economic losses for other regions also. The paper also discusses the impacts of COVID-19 on the demand and supply of electricity and CO2 emissions from the power sector. The results show that daily supply from coal-based power plants has reduced by 26% during the lockdown resulting in a possible emissions reduction of about 15–65 MtCO2 depending on the lockdown duration. The cost of avoided carbon is approximately 186–264 $/tCO2, much higher than the $7–12/tCO2 currently being paid by consumers in India indicating the difficulty of achieving emissions reductions through restructuring economic activity as often advocated.

Chromatographic Detection of Antibacterial Antibiotics from Pseudomonas fluorescens (TNAU PF1) and Their Effect on Bacterial Wilt Pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum (KK2)

Bacterial wilt of tomato is a devastating disease incited by Ralstonia solanacearum (KK2) causing heavy yield loss in India. The antagonist Pseudomonas fluorescens (TNAU PF1) was characterized for antibacterial ability against the bacterial wilt pathogen. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) identified six distinct antibiotics in crude metabolite of TNAU PF1 strain. The crude antibiotics and the antibiotics 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol and Phenazine of TNAU PF1 showed best in vitro antibacterial activity against the bacterial wilt pathogen R. solanacearum. The ability of crude antibiotics in inhibiting Ralstonia colonies was higher than the individual antibiotics (2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol and Phenazine) under in vitro. Further, GC-MS analysis of the semi-purified crude extract of Pseudomonas fluorescens (TNAU PF1) identified six antibacterial compounds viz., Phloroglucinol dimethyl ether, Patulin, Hemipyocyanin, Phthalic acid, butyl 2-pentyl ester, Phenazine and 1-Phenazinecarboxylic acid that would be synergistically inhibited the colony multiplication of the pathogen. The study emphasized the antagonistic activity of the Pseudomonas fluorescens (TNAU PF1) for the management of bacterial wilt disease.

<sup>137</sup>Cs–A Potential Environmental Marker for Assessing Erosion-Induced Soil Organic Carbon Loss in India

The use of Cesium-137 ( 137 Cs) as a potential environmental marker was examined for estimating soil erosion induced carbon losses on slopping agricultural land. Depth-wise incremental soil samples were taken from uneroded reference sites and four levels of cultivated slopping lands representing different erosion phase in Doon valley region of India. Comparing the 137 Cs inventories for eroded sites with the reference inventory, the erosion rates were computed. The estimated erosion rates were then compared with the actual measured values of erosion at each erosion phase. Since soil erosion preferentially removes the finer soil particles, these results were used to assess erosion induced loss of OC. The result indicated that erosion in different phases relocate 137 kg C ha –1 in slightly eroded plots to 384 kg C ha –1 in severely eroded plots which in turn contributes to 27 to 77 kg C ha –1 the atmosphere as net source of C respectively.

Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss in India – A Capsule

Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss in India – A Capsule

Wheat yield losses in India due to ozone and aerosol pollution and their alleviation: A critical review

This review examines estimations made over the last two decades of the wheat yield losses in India due to elevated tropospheric ozone (O3) and to aerosol pollution. Notwithstanding the poor record of O3and solar radiation measurement in wheat regions, a reasonable estimate can be made yield losses around 2010. From an average of the more credible studies, this is around 30% compared to the yield which would have been achieved with 1970 solar radiation and O3assumed to be <40 ppb (parts per billion by volume). The results suggest that O3causes two-thirds of the loss and reduced total solar radiation due to aerosols (but corrected for increased diffuse radiation) one-third. Ozone, in particular, appears to be still increasing. It is likely that increased stomatal conductance (e.g. due to more irrigation (97% of production now irrigated) and the unwitting consequence of breeding for increased potential yield) has added to current O3losses. Much is known about the physiology of O3damage in the wheat leaf and plant. What is lacking is a thorough search for genetic tolerance independent of stomatal conductance and potential yield penalties, and this requires, at least initially, many chamber and/or FACE (free-air CO2enhancement) experiments under typical Indian field conditions. Genetic engineering could offer a solution for O3but only in the long term. Other solutions to pollution damage are very limited, but earlier planting should help wheat escape the rising O3level in the spring. The 40 million tonnes of wheat currently foregone annually by India due to these two pollutants, even if an overestimate, far exceeds estimates of wheat yield loss to date due to climate change and demands concerted action to reduce the sources of this pollution, bringing added direct advantages for other crops and for human health.

Use of Green Fluorescent Protein Expressing Colletotrichum falcatum, the Red Rot Pathogen for Precise Host–Pathogen Interaction Studies in Sugarcane

Productivity in sugarcane, a vegetatively propagated crop, is affected by various diseases. Red rot caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum falcatum Went is a devastating disease of sugarcane causing serious yield losses in India and in many other countries. Understanding the pathogenesis of this hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen within host tissue will deepen our knowledge on host–pathogen interaction and helps to develop effective disease management strategies. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is an effective tool for exploring fungal biology during host–pathogen interactions. In the present study we have conducted detailed investigations using GFP transformed strain of C. falcatum to establish the pathogenesis, colonization and spread of this fungus inside host tissues. We transformed C. falcatum with eGFP using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using hygromycin B as a selectable marker and the transgene was stably integrated with mitotic stability. The C. falcatum transformants maintained morphological characters and growth parameters as like the wild type and the virulence nature was not altered as compared to the wild-type C. falcatum. GFP-tagged C. falcatum pathotypes clearly demonstrated the variations in C. falcatum colonization during compatible and incompatible interactions with sugarcane. These variations were comparable to in planta studies conducted using non GFP-tagged C. falcatum and using calcofluor staining. This was further validated with histological assays with calcofluor staining. The study is first of its kind in sugarcane and C. falcatum and will give a better understanding of pathogenesis inside the host in a spatio-temporal manner.

An assessment of biological control of the banana pseudostem weevil Odoiporus longicollis (Olivier) by entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana

Abstract Banana (Musa sp.) is the most imperative staple food crop for all types of people worldwide, which is commonly grown in Southeast Asia. Banana plantain can be severely affected by the devastating pest Odoiporus longicollis that results in severe economic losses in India. Management of weevil pests using chemical methods is harmful to the environment, and cultural methods are also partially successful. Therefore, an alternative approach of plant defense mediated by endophytic fungi to control banana stem borer larvae is necessary, which could affect the extracellular enzyme chitinase and protease. Among four isolates, Beauveria bassiana isolate KH3 is the most virulent entomopathogenic fungus compared with other isolates, and species identification was achieved using molecular phylogenetic characteristics. The B. bassiana isolate KH3 (1 × 108 conidia/mL-1) is more bioeffective against O. longicollis larvae, causing >90% significant mortality in 12 and 18 days. Adult weevils were treated with a higher concentration (1 × 108 conidia/mL-1) of the endophytic B. bassiana isolates KH3 and KH9, which resulted in a maximum mortality of 76.6% at 27 days of post inoculation compared to that with other isolates (p > 0.05). Based on our results, B. bassiana isolate KH3 (MN165867) can be exploited as a potential biocontrol agent for reducing insect population and stem damages in banana by lure and kill method.

Trends and future prediction of livestock diseases outbreaks by periodic regression analysis

Livestock disease outbreaks become a burden to the animal husbandry farmers and cause great economic loss in India. Period regression analysis is used to find the periodic or cyclic character of livestock disease outbreaks in animals, as many other natural phenomena in environment is periodic or cyclic in nature. In present study, livestock disease outbreaks of anthrax (AX), black quarter (BQ), enterotoxaemia (ET), haemorrahgic septicemia (HS), bluetongue (BT), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), peste des petits ruminants (PPR), sheep and goat pox (SGP), babesiosis (BA), fasciolosis (FA), theileriosis (TH) and trypanosomosis (TR) were analyzed using periodic regression to know the trend and future prediction of outbreaks. Time series data on disease outbreaks, month and year was collected from National Animal Disease Referral Expert System database for 2001–2016. The regression curves were prepared with baseline, observed outbreaks and upper bound curves for 12 livestock diseases. The analysis revealed decreasing trend for AX, BQ, ET, HS, FMD, PPR, SGP and a cyclical trend of peak occurrence for every 4–5 years was observed in BQ, PPR, SGP, FA and TR. However, TR showed increasing trend and BT, BA, FA, TH outbreaks were maintained at the same trend in the past and future also. Further, BQ in 2026, ET in 2020, HS in 2022, FMD in 2023, outbreak numbers may touch the zero point, if the preventive measures are continued for these diseases effectively. Thus, continuous and constant efforts are needed for prevention of livestock diseases outbreaks from all stakeholders, which will improve the economy of farmers in India.

Food loss in India: water footprint, land footprint and GHG emissions

Natural resources are consumed in food production, and food loss is consequently accompanied with a loss of resources as well as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study analyses food loss based on India-specific production data (for the year 2013) and reported food loss rates during production and post-harvest stages of major food crops and animal products in India. Further, the study evaluates the environmental impacts of food loss in terms of utilization of water, land resources and GHG emissions. The total food loss in harvest and post-harvest stages of the food supply chain for the selected food items amounted to 58.3 ± 2.22 million tonnes (Mt) in the year 2013 with the highest losses by mass in sugarcane and rice. The volume of water associated with the food losses was found to be 115 ± 4.15 billion m3, of which 105 ± 3.77 billion m3 was direct water use (blue + green) and 9.54 ± 0.38 billion m3 was indirect water use (grey). Wasted sugarcane and rice were found to be the largest contributors for water loss. Land footprint and carbon footprint associated with food loss were found to be 9.58 ± 0.4 million hectares (Mha) and 64.1 ± 3.8 Mt CO2eq, respectively, with rice accounting for the largest impact in both. This highlights the immediate need for quantification and taking measures for minimization of losses across the food supply chains in India.

Seasonal variations of Egg parasitoids on yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) in Rice

Rice yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas), a monophagous pest, is the most destructive pest causing 3 to 95% yield losses in India. Though it accounts for 50% of insecticides used in rice fields, their typical internal feeding behaviour necessitate other management options. In the present study, the extent of natural egg parasitization was assessed on yellow stem egg masses collected from rice fields of Paddy Breeding Station, Coimbatore. Egg masses were collected during September (2016) to May (2017) and the influence of weather parameters on parasitization was observed. Seasonal variation on total egg mass parasitization of yellow stem borer recorded highest parasitization during the first fortnight of December (92.31%) and lowest or no parasitization during the month of May. Individual egg parasitization on yellow stem borer revealed the maximum parasitization of Telenomus dignus in the second fortnight of September (30.82%), T. schoenobii in the second fortnight of April (54.55%), T. japonicum during the second fortnight of November (7.86%) and Trichomalopsis sp. in the second fortnight of February (2.5%).

Incidence of various causes of infectious keratitis in the part of rural central India and its visual morbidity: Prospective hospital-based observational study

Introduction: Infectious keratitis is potential causes for vision loss in India. Early recognition with prompt diagnosis and rapid institution of appropriate therapy will significantly improve visual prognosis. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of various causes of infectious keratitis in this part of rural central India, predisposing factor and visual morbidity. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational hospital-based study conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, at a tertiary care hospital, in the part of rural central India. Data related to socioeconomic status, predisposing factor, and course of disease was collected. Results were analyzed on the basis of history, slit lamp examination, and appropriate laboratory investigation. Results: During the period of January 2015 to February 2017 total 680 patients were examined in cornea specialty clinic, of which 88 were diagnosed with infective keratitis and were included in the study. Majority of patients of infectious keratitis were in between 41 and 60 (41%) age group followed by 21–40 (23%) and incidence in male was higher (61%) as compared to female. Prevalence of Fungal keratitis (59.09%) was higher than bacterial (19.31%) and viral (17.04%) in this part of India. Ocular trauma and occupational accidents were the most common (42%) among farmer. Majority of corneal ulcer (68%) healed, 11% had no change in ulcer status, 4% was progressed, and 10% perforated. About 53% had stable best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) as compared to BCVA at the time of presentation and in 34% BCVA improved. Conclusion: Incidence of fungal corneal ulcer is higher among various causes of infectious keratitis in this part of rural central India. Agricultural injuries are the main predisposing factor for infectious keratitis in this region. Prompt diagnosis and early appropriate treatment on the basis of laboratory investigation can helps the community to reduce the burden of corneal blindness.

Field screening of wild introgressed rice lines for resistance to yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas W.

Rice yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas W), a monophagous pest, is the most destructive pest causing 3 to 95% yield losses in India. Though it accounts for 50 per cent of insecticides used in rice fields, their typical internal feeding behaviour necessitates other management options. In the present study, evaluation of various wild rice lines- wild rice magic population (WRM), derivative of crosses from six species viz., Oryza rufipogon, O.nivara, O.meridionalis, O.glumaepatula, O.barthi, O.gaberrima, O.longistaminata and O.sativa has been carried out. The results of field screening carried out in 38 wild rice introgressed lines, the entries WRM 2, WRM 6, WRM 10, WRM 12, WRM 14, WRM 43, WRM 44, WRM 45 and WRM 76 were moderately resistant to yellow stem borer. The morphological characters of the entries were recorded and correlated with stem borer damage. It revealed a significant negative correlation for plant height and top internode length for their resistant to yellow stem borer.

Resistance to race 1 of Fusarium wilt of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.): Genetics and mapping of resistance genes in an intraspecific cross

Fusarium wilt causes 10% annual loss in India. Studies on F1, F2, F3 and F10 recombinant inbred line populations (RILs) of chickpea cultivars ICCV2 (resistant) and JG 62 (susceptible) against Fusarium race 1 suggested that resistance in this cross is governed by two recessive genes h1 and h2. The linkage map constructed using 126 F10 RILs comprised of 49 molecular and 7 phenotypic markers with nine linkage groups. The h1 gene governing Fusarium resistance was linked to RMMFP1 and TA59 markers. TA59 marker assigned this locus to cluster of Fusarium resistance genes on linkage group 2 of the interspecific genetic map.

COMPARISON OF ANTAGONIST FASCILITATION VERSUS AGONIST INHIBITION ON SPASTICITY IN CHRONIC HEAD INJURY

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, disability and socioeconomic losses in India and other developing countries
 It is estimated that nearly 1.5 to 2 million persons are injured and 1 million1 succumb to death every year in India resulting in deaths, injuries and disabilities of young and productive people of our society.
 Road traffic injuries are the leading cause (60%) 2 of TBI followed by falls (20%-25%) and violence (10%). Alcohol involvement is known to be present among 15%-20% of TBIs at the time of injury.
 The failure to implement several proven countermeasures and neglect of people’s safety has only resulted in increase of TBI. Technological advancements in recent years have clearly reduced the case fatality rates from Injuries and TBI, especially in Urban India.

PHP86 - Health Related Income Loss in India: Are Acute Health Conditions Expensive?

PHP86 - Health Related Income Loss in India: Are Acute Health Conditions Expensive?

Time series analysis of satellite data to characterize multiple land use transitions: a case study of urban growth and agricultural land loss in India

ABSTRACTUrban land use change is one of the most impactful land transitions on the biosphere, resulting in land conversion, habitat loss, and changes in biogeochemical cycling, climate, and hydrology. Thus, understanding it is essential for global change research. Most land change detection algorithms assume linear changes. However, urban land-use changes are often nonlinear, i.e., follow multiple transitions over time. We propose a new methodology to identify multiple transitions due to urbanization with high frequency remote sensing time series. We design, implement, and evaluate a time series approach to detect the timing of urban conversion of agricultural land in India. Results show an overall accuracy of 82.11% in detecting change timing when the algorithm is applied to MODIS normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time series. The proposed algorithm yields better results with raw time series than filtered time series. We discuss the usefulness of our algorithm to understand nonlinear land transitions.

English

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.