Northwestern India Research Articles

Paleomagnetic Constraint on the Age of the Shyok Suture Zone

AbstractThe India‐Eurasia collision is a key case study for understanding the influence of plate tectonic processes on Earth's crust, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. However, the timing of the final India‐Eurasia continental collision is debated due to significant uncertainty in the age of the collision between the Kohistan‐Ladakh arc (KLA) and Eurasia along the Shyok suture zone. Here we present paleomagnetic results that constrain the Karakoram terrane in northwest India to a paleolatitude of 19.9 ± 8.9°N between 93 and 75 million years ago (Ma). Our results show that the Karakoram terrane was situated on the southern margin of Eurasia in the Late‐Cretaceous. Our results indicate that the KLA and Eurasian continent had a not converged until <61.6 Ma, placing a Paleocene older limit on the age of final closure of the Shyok suture zone. This suggests that the India‐Eurasia collision in northwestern India likely occurred after the closure of the oceanic basin between the KLA and Eurasia. The Paleocene collision event affecting India that has been widely interpreted to represent final India‐Eurasia collision instead records the arc‐continent collision between the KLA and the northern edge of India prior to final India‐Eurasia collision. Final India‐Eurasia collision in northwest India most likely occurred after the closure of the oceanic basin between the KLA and Eurasia.

Association of a novel begomovirus species with fenugreek yellow vein disease in India.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecumL.) is an annual medicinal and spice crop belonging to the family Fabaceae. The occurrence of a yellow vein disease was recorded in fenugreek in Jodhpur (India) in 2022. The infection of begomoviruses in legume crops results in significant yield loss and major economic loss. The current study reports an association of a novel begomovirus species associated with yellow vein disease in Fenugreek. In symptomatic fenugreek plants, geminivirus-like particles were visible under a transmission electron microscope. Further, nucleotide sequence analysis of the rolling circle amplified product revealed 2743 nucleotide DNA-A genome with close relatedness to French bean leaf curl virus (88.21%) and Senna leaf curl virus (87.63%). It was proposed as a new begomovirus species, Fenugreek yellow vein Rajasthan virus. The genome organization suggested the presence of a typical nonanucleotide sequence along with 7 ORFs in DNA-A. A possible recombination event took place in the coat protein (V1) region with Pedilanthus leaf curl virus and Chilli leaf curl virus as major and minor parents. The recombinant virus poses possible threats to several other legume crops. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the association of FeYVRaV with fenugreek yellow vein disease from northwestern India. In conclusion, the presence of a novel begomovirus species associated with yellow vein disease in fenugreek is alarming and needs further studies on its infectivity to prevent its spread to legume crops.

Changes in Micro-nutrients and Their Fractions in Relation to Soil Quality Indices Under Rice-Wheat, Cotton-Wheat, and Agroforestry in North-western India

Changes in Micro-nutrients and Their Fractions in Relation to Soil Quality Indices Under Rice-Wheat, Cotton-Wheat, and Agroforestry in North-western India

Likely impacts of the 2022 heatwave on India’s wheat production

The 2022 Indian heatwave impacted key geographies of wheat production in northwestern and central India. It coincided with this crop’s harvest season in the region, and is expected to have considerably reduced national wheat production. Here we provide spatially disaggregated estimates of the likely impact on wheat yield using statistical relationships derived from historical climate and wheat yield data. Compared to a normal year (median of 1992–2021 climate), national wheat production in 2022 is expected to have fallen by 4.5%; some regions may have experienced wheat yield losses of up to 15%. Our analysis can also be analyzed as a proof of concept for using current and forecasted weather data to estimate real-time impact of short-term weather variability on end-of-season crop yields, even while the crop season is ongoing.

Rhubarb: A novel model plant to study the conundrum of calcium oxalate synthesis

The study investigated calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal composition, accumulation, synthesis, and degradation in five rhubarb species from the North-Western Indian Himalayas. Techniques like optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), SEM-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and real-time (qRT-PCR) expression analysis of strategic genes were used to understand the processes of oxalate synthesis and precipitation. Results showed crystals tend to accumulate around vascular bundles in all species, irrespective of size, indicating a consistent pattern. Crystal synthesis and accumulation were stress-driven, linked to substrate composition, and in planta soluble oxalate and calcium levels, paralleling oxalate precursors. Based on their availability, CaOx crystals precipitated heavy metals mostly associated with its weddellite form. Crystal content correlated positively with mRNA levels of calcium/oxalate/ascorbate-related and stress-responsive genes, and negatively with oxalate oxidation/decarboxylation genes. CaOx crystals were suggested as potential biominerals for addressing heavy metal stress in agriculture.

Biochemical changes due to Pathogenesis in French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris l.) Infected by rhizoctonia solani Kuhn

French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris l.) belongs to the family Fabaceae and is native to south america. French bean has evolved from wild growing vine distributed in the high lands of Middle america and andes. this important legume crop is grown for its dry grain and tender pods in north-Western India. this offseason crop can be successfully raised under Punjab conditions during winter season which fetches higher price in the market and economical to the farmers when there is no availability of green pods from high altitude. It is widely cultivated in tropics, sub-tropics and temperate regions. When bean plant infected by fungal, bacterial or any other pathogen, different alternations are observed. the present study was carried out in the department of Botany, darrang college to compare the biochemical changes occurring in bean plants growing in normal soil, and sterilized soil mixed with fungus rhizoctonia solani .

A Prospective Observational Study of Autoimmune Encephalitis in Northwestern India.

Autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) is a group of rare, increasingly recognized, potentially reversible, noninfectious causes of unexplained encephalitis. It affects any age-group and has a plethora of clinical presentations, the most common being the neuropsychiatric manifestation. The diagnosis of this entity at the right time and proper treatment with immunotherapy can save many lives. In this study, we describe the demographic profile, clinical spectrum, diagnosis, and treatment of 42 patients with features of AIE. This is a prospective study where 42 cases were selected from a tertiary care center in Northwestern India. Patients with suspected AIE underwent detailed clinical assessment, routine blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain, electroencephalography (EEG), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) study, and autoimmune profile in blood and CSF. Screening for malignancy was done in all patients with computer tomography (CT) thorax and abdomen and tumor markers. Among 42 patients, males, and females were almost equally affected. The mean age of onset was 31 years. Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) Encephalitis was the commonest of all AIE (57%) followed by anti-leucine-rich glioma inactivated-1 (anti-LGI-1) related AIE (11.9%), anti-contactin-associated protein 2 (anti-CASPR2) related AIE (4.7%), and steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT) related to antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibody (2.3%). Neuropsychiatric manifestation is the commonest. The seizure was noted in around 72% of patients, the commonest in the anti-NMDAR group. Faciobrachial dystonic seizure (FBDS) was noted in all five anti-LG1-1 encephalitis patients. CSF abnormalities were seen in 33.3% of patients in the form of pleocytosis or raised protein, or both. MRI abnormality was seen in 52% of patients. EEG was abnormal in 10% of patients, and delta brush was noted in three anti-NMDAR patients. All patients received immunotherapy in the form of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) or pulse IV methylprednisolone (IVMPS), or both. Two patients nonresponsive to IVIg and IVMPS received rituximab. Almost all patients responded to immunotherapy. Autoimmune encephalitis (AIE), a potentially treatable immune-responsive entity, is a common neurological problem and may be an answer to a large number of cases having unexplained encephalitis. Good clinical acumen and knowledge are required for early diagnosis and treatment of this potentially reversible disorder. How to cite this article: Sharma B, Paul M, Bagaria AK. A Prospective Observational Study of Autoimmune Encephalitis in Northwestern India. J Assoc Physicians India 2023;71(9):39-44.

Reconstructing the population history of the Sinhalese, the major ethnic group in Śrī Laṅkā

The Sinhalese are the major ethnic group in Śrī Laṅkā, inhabiting nearly the whole length and breadth of the island. They speak an Indo-European language of the Indo-Iranian branch, which is held to originate in northwestern India, going back to at least the fifth century BC. Previous genetic studies on low-resolution markers failed to infer the genomic history of the Sinhalese population. Therefore, we have performed a high-resolution fine-grained genetic study of the Sinhalese population and, in the broader context, we attempted to reconstruct the genetic history of Śrī Laṅkā. Our allele-frequency-based analysis showed a tight cluster of Sinhalese and Tamil populations, suggesting strong gene flow beyond the boundary of ethnicity and language. Interestingly, the haplotype-based analysis preserved a trace of the North Indian affiliation to the Sinhalese population. Overall, in the South Asian context, Śrī Laṅkān ethnic groups are genetically more homogeneous than others.

Alternative management practices for the control of banded leaf and sheath blight incited by Rhizoctonia solani f.sp. sasakii (Kuhn) Exner in maize in North Western India

Alternative management practices for the control of banded leaf and sheath blight incited by Rhizoctonia solani f.sp. sasakii (Kuhn) Exner in maize in North Western India

Magmatic and post-magmatic evolution of the Newania carbonatite complex, Rajasthan, north-western India

AbstractThis work describes the mineralogy of dolomite carbonatite occurring at the Newania carbonatite complex, Rajasthan, north-western India. The mineralogy records the textural and compositional features of magmatic and post-magmatic stages of carbonatite evolution. Ferroan dolomite is the principal constituent and displays variable degrees of deformation, ranging from brittle-to-ductile deformation regimes. Apatite exhibits textural and compositional evolutionary trends from early-to-late stages of carbonatite evolution. Two varieties of amphibole are reported for the first time from this complex, ferri-winchite and cummingtonite; the former is magmatic and the latter is metamorphic in origin. The columbite–tantalite-series minerals are columbite-(Fe), and their paragenesis evolves from composite grains with pyrochlore to individual crystals. Pyrochlore is magmatic with U–Ta–Ti-rich compositions and shows evolution from calciopyrochlore to kenopyrochlore, followed by alteration during late-stages of carbonatite evolution. Monazite and baryte constitute the post-magmatic mineral assemblage; the former is hydrothermal and crystallised after precursor apatite, whereas the latter is associated exclusively with columbite–pyrochlore composites. On the basis of the mineralogy of the carbonatite, it is concluded that the parent magma was generated by low-degree partial melting of magnesite–phlogopite-bearing peridotite.

Loggerhead turtle oceanic-neritic habitat shift reveals key foraging areas in the Western Indian Ocean

Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) use both oceanic and neritic habitats depending on their life stage, eventually undertaking an ontogenetic shift. Juveniles likely start foraging in a purely opportunistic manner and later seek resources more actively. In the Indian Ocean, it is still unclear where oceanic-stage individuals go, what they do, and importantly where they forage. Yet, such information is crucial to protect this endangered species from anthropogenic threats such as bycatch in fisheries. To address this, 67 individuals (66 late juveniles and one adult) bycaught in the open ocean were equipped with satellite tags and released in the Southwestern Indian Ocean between 2008 and 2021. Most individuals traveled to the Northwestern Indian Ocean where they used neritic habitats of the continental shelf (i.e., largely between 0 and 200-m depth). Using hidden Markov models, we identified three types of movements likely associated with traveling, wandering, and foraging behaviors. We found that the movement characteristics of these behaviors differ depending on turtles’ target destination and habitat (oceanic vs neritic), highlighting different strategies of habitat use among individuals of presumably the same life stage (late juveniles). The turtles that traveled to the Northwestern Indian Ocean encountered warmer waters (mean = 27.6°C, min. = 20.6°C, max. = 33.1°C) than their counterparts remaining in the Southern Hemisphere (mean = 22.5°C, min. = 14.6°C, max. = 29.7°C) but were found foraging at locations with comparable biomass of potential prey (mean = 2.5 g C m-2, min. = 0.5 g C m-2, max. = 10.4 g C m-2) once in the Northern Hemisphere. It remains obscure why these individuals undertook a trans-equatorial migration. Once in neritic habitats, the proportion of time spent traveling was considerably reduced (from 33% to 19%) and allocated to foraging instead. In light of this, it is very likely that the individuals migrated to the Northwestern Indian Ocean to undergo an oceanic-to-neritic ontogenetic shift. Our study sheds light on the behavioral ecology of loggerhead turtles and identifies important foraging areas in the Western Indian Ocean, with the top-three most densely used ones being the Gulf of Oman, the Central Somali Coast, and the Western Arabian Sea.

Data envelopment analysis based energy optimization for improving energy efficiency in wheat established following rice residue management in rice-wheat cropping system

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a winter cereal crop with higher energy footprints. We therefore aimed to budget energy use, establish input-output relationships, and to perform data envelopment analysis (DEA) based optimization in wheat established with innovative super seeder technology. Data-set of 45 decision-making units (DMUs) collected during face-to-face interviews were changed to energy units for enhancing their energy efficiency. These results revealed that total energy input (EI) of 22.6 GJ ha−1 and output energy of 125.3 GJ ha−1 yielded energy productivity of 0.231 kg MJ−1. The net energy gain (102.7 GJ ha−1) accomplished with an energy ratio of 5.6 indicates that super seeder technology was energy-efficient. Direct and indirect energy share ∼53.2 and 46.8%, whilst renewable and non-renewable energy comprised ∼24.8 and 75.2% of EI, respectively. Fertilizer-N emerged as the major energy input (∼44.7% of EI), followed by irrigation water (∼17.4%) and electricity (15.1%). The DEA based benchmarking elucidated 23 DMUs (∼51.1% of total studied) as efficient, whilst others inefficient. An average technical efficiency of 0.89 illustrates ∼11% EI saving possibilities by the adoption of best management practices. These results underpin the overwhelming significance of efficient fertilizer-N, irrigation water and electricity for reduced energy footprints in north-western India.

Manoeuvring Across Academia in National Socialist Germany: The Life and Work of Devendra Nath Bannerjea

The article investigates the possibilities and limits for the academic Devendra Nath Bannerjea to find employment in National Socialist Germany by producing—what he imagined to be—useful knowledge for the state. Bannerjea, who came from the Punjab in northwestern India via London, Geneva and Rome to Berlin, defies neat categorization. He was neither a National Socialist scholar, nor can he be solely understood as an Indian anticolonial nationalist. In the more than four decades he spent in Europe, Bannerjea appeared in many different roles—as an anticolonial rebel, false diplomat, researcher, and endeavouring professor. Despite his employment in different educational institutions, his publications, and his political and academic networks, he remained a second row intellectual and political activist. His activities led to repeated conflicts, first with British and later Nazi authorities, because of his radical ideas and claims to intellectual egalitarianism on the one hand, and, even more often, because of his ‘creative’ efforts to improve his precarious living conditions on the other.The article explores the relationship between knowledge production and National Socialist state politics through the lens of Bannerjea’s life, focussing on the exchange of resources between Bannerjea and the National Socialist apparatus. Against the backdrop of the social circumstances of his livelihood, it investigates the knowledge produced by Bannerjea and the rewards he received from the National Socialist regime in return.

Population genetic structure and mixed stock analysis of the green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas, reveal reproductive isolation in French Polynesia

The green turtle, Chelonia mydas, is a migratory marine species with a circumglobal distribution in tropical and temperate waters. Its natal homing behavior leads to a complex genetic structure with genetically differentiated populations that breed separately and mix within the same foraging grounds. Delineating the boundaries of these populations and their connectivity to feeding grounds is important for the management of this species, classified as endangered on the IUCN red list. Here, we examined the genetic structure and the origin of the green turtle in French Polynesia with 239 samples collected during nesting or hatchling events and 204 samples collected outside of nesting events, across 21 islands. Amplification of the 770pb mtDNA control region fragment, the standard base used to characterize haplotype diversity in this species, revealed 23 haplotypes including three novel ones, belonging to 6 different lineages. Haplotype diversity in the rookeries was 0.615, and nucleotide diversity was 0.019, values similar to those in the North West Pacific and Western Indian Oceans, two regions recognized as genetic diversity hotspots for C. mydas. The genetic structure between the Leeward and Windward Islands of the Society archipelago was found to be significant with pairwise Fst index and φst distance. Island groups (Windward Islands, Leeward Islands, Tuamotu) were genetically different from all other identified Pacific management units, with a weak differentiation between American Samoa and Leeward Islands. A mixed-stock analysis for the French Polynesian mixture revealed an exclusive contribution from the French Polynesian rookeries, with negligible input from the other Pacific populations. This study provides the first assessment of the genetic structure of green turtle populations within French Polynesia and fills an essential data gap regarding the genetic diversity of the species and its connectivity to other feeding grounds in the Pacific Ocean. The French Polynesian populations appear to be important contributors to the overall genetic diversity of the species, isolated from other Pacific populations, thus making them essential within the Pacific region. These results have important implications for the conservation of the species at both local and regional scales.

Unravelling the future changes in rainfall erosivity over India under shared socio-economic pathways

The rainfall erosivity index or R-factor is a climate-driven parameter affecting soil erosion. We studied the spatial distribution of rainfall erosivity over India for the historical (1951 – 2014) and two future periods (near future: 2015–2040; far future: 2041–2070) under two shared socio-economic pathways (SSP245 and SSP585). We used 15-minute rainfall datasets from 70-gauge stations to establish a relationship between rainfall erosivity estimated from 15-minute rainfall data and those estimated from 30 and 60-minute rainfall data. Further, we used 30,203 erosive storm rainfall data from 329 stations in India to estimate the daily rainfall erosivity model parameters. After that, annual rainfall erosivity values of 329 stations, nine bio-climatic variables, and a Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) model were used to prepare rainfall erosivity maps for the historical and two future periods. The bias-corrected Coupled Model Intercomparison Project-6 (CMIP6) dataset of 13 models was used for deriving bioclimatic variables and rainfall erosivity estimation for the historical and future periods. We used the GPR model to find the historical period's mean annual rainfall erosivity value as 5225 MJ.mm.ha−1.h−1.year−1. The result shows a +13 % and +15 % increase in the mean rainfall erosivity over India in the near future under SSP245 and SSP585 projected pathways compared to the historical period. The increase in erosivity values in the far future is even higher at +22 % and +31 % under SSP245, and SSP585 projected pathways, respectively. The northwestern and central India is likely to have a pronounced increase in rainfall erosivity in the far future. The change in rainfall erosivity due to climate change might substantially impact India's land and water resources, which is mainly an agrarian economy. The outcome of the present study could help in better planning and management of land and water resources in the upcoming decades.

Morpho-molecular exploration and selection of elite genotypes from indigenous Syzygium cumini L. Skeels (jamun) diversity of North-Western Indian Himalayas

AbstractEfficiently distinguishing various Syzygium cumini L. Skeels (jamun) accessions holds practical significance for selection purposes. This study concentrated on 15 superior genotypes of jamun from the North Western Indian Himalayas, selected for their pivotal horticultural traits. Drawn from a pool of 82 collected genotypes and assessed across two consecutive years (2019 and 2020), these genotypes underwent morphological evaluations utilizing a randomized block design replicated thrice. Concurrently, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were employed for molecular analysis. Substantial variations surfaced among genotypes, both in morphological traits and fruit biochemistry. Notably, tree 43 exhibited promise across multiple horticultural facets, encompassing fruit weight, length, pulp weight, pulp-to-seed ratio and pulp percentage. Conversely, tree 49 excelled in elevated levels of total soluble solids, total sugar and reducing sugar. While principal component analysis and cluster analysis unveiled modest genetic variability, RAPD and ISSR markers unveiled pronounced molecular-level polymorphism. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering delineated the genotypes into five distinct clusters. Cluster I encompassed two genotypes, cluster II embraced five while the largest group, cluster III, included six genotypes. Clusters IV and V highlighted individual genotypes, trees 43 and 54 respectively. In the molecular analysis, UPGMA clustering yielded two primary clusters, spotlighting the noteworthy similarity between genotypes trees 49 and 52 whereas, trees 40, 43, 44 and 48 stood distinct. The observed genetic diversity stands as a valuable resource with substantial potential to enrich diverse breeding initiatives. These salient genetic variations underscore the richness within the studied population, offering a valuable asset for focused future pursuits.

Unsupervised machine learning-based prospectivity analysis of NW and NE India for carbonatite-alkaline complex-related REE deposits

Rare Earth Elements (REE) form critical raw materials in environment-friendly, high-technology devices and components, and therefore have been classified as “critical minerals and metals” by most countries. About 62% of the global resources of REE occur associated with carbonatite-alkaline complexes; however, the entire production of REE in India currently comes from secondary deposits, even though India contains a variety of REE-enriched primary source rocks, particularly carbonatites and alkaline complexes. There is, therefore, a significant potential in the county for new REE deposit discoveries associated with carbonatite-alkaline complexes. This research attempts to identify exploration targets for REE associated with carbonatite-alkaline complexes in northern India utilising a Self-Organising Maps (SOM)-driven workflow. This unsupervised machine-learning-based workflow eliminates the hand-crafting of input predictor features. The algorithm creates clusters of features directly from primary gridded geophysical and topographical datasets. The obtained clusters are then analysed based on available geological knowledge and empirical spatial associations with known occurrences in the study areas to identify prospective clusters and generate prospectivity maps. Nine new targets are identified across the Shillong plateau in northeastern and Western Rajasthan in northwestern India. These new targets, in addition to the known carbonatite-alkaline complexes, are recommended for further data collection and follow-up exploration. It is noteworthy that these targets conform to the targets identified by Aranha et al. (2022a, 2022b) using mineral systems-guided fuzzy inference systems.

Tillage intensity and straw retention impacts on soil organic carbon, phosphorus and biological pools in soil aggregates under rice-wheat cropping system in Punjab, north-western India

The climate smart agricultural residue management practices which entail reduced tillage and in-situ crop residue managements are considered pre-requisite for improved soil health and ecosystems’ sustainability. The adoption of rice residue management practices help reduce the risk of soil nitrogen (N) depletion, while sequestering and conserving more carbon (C) in soils due to crop residues retention as compared to the conventional tillage characterized by more intense tillage and residue removal and/or burning. We therefore, quantified the impact of tillage regimes and residue return on soil C, phosphorus (P) and biological pools in the surface (0–15 cm) soil layer under rice-wheat cropping system in north-western India. We studied the medium term (5-years) impacts of fertilizer-N application (viz. N1 =75% and N2 =100% recommended fertilizer-N) as main plot treatments, and tillage regimes viz. conventional tillage, rotavator tillage and zero tillage, rice residue removal and retention under conventional and rotavator tillage and RT vis-à-vis zero tillage with partial and complete rice residue retention for wheat as sub-plot treatments in a split-plot design. Residue retention and/or incorporation significantly (p < 0.05) increased the proportion of macro-aggregates (>0.25 mm), aggregate diameter and aggregate ratio than the conventional tillage. Zero tillage significantly increased the macro-, meso- and micro-aggregate associated C by ∼22.2%, 25.7% and 18.6%, respectively than under conventional tillage. Macro-aggregates has higher concentration of very labile (by ∼37.8% and 153.1%) and labile C (by ∼29.7% and 80.4%) than the meso-aggregates (0.25–2.0 mm) as well as micro-aggregates (<0.25 mm). The passive C pool comprised the largest proportion of total organic C (TOC) pool; the highest in macro-aggregates (∼75.7% of TOC), while the lowest in macro-aggregates (∼64.4% of TOC). Macro-aggregates has higher dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activity than the meso-and micro-aggregates; which was closely linked to soil related glomalin protein (R2 =0.798–0.828 *; p < 0.05). These results revealed that rice residue retention significantly increased the water soluble-P concentration by ∼60.1% and 57.9%, respectively in macro-aggregates compared to residual removal. The water soluble-P showed linear relationship with increased concentration of Fract. 1 in different sized aggregates (R2 =0.789–0.975). The inorganic P pool (NaHCO3-PI and NaOH-PI) increased with increasing organic P pool (NaHCO3-PO and NaOH-PO). These results suggest that reduced tillage and residue retention is highly beneficial for the overall improvement of C, P and biological pools in soils under rice-wheat cropping system.

Quality assessment of meal protein and oil of thirty four promising genotypes of mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern &amp; Coss.

Rapeseed mustard is an important source of edible oil in Indian diet especially in Eastern and North-Western India. The present investigation was carried out to assess some seed quality traits in thirty four genotypes/varieties of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern&amp;Coss] grown in U.P. We analyzed traits such as moisture content, protein content, test weight, polyphenol content, oil content, glucosinolate and nutritional quality index. The overall range of variability ofmoisture content, test weight, contents of oil, protein, polyphenol and nutritional quality index were 2.45-6.89%, 2.80-5.8g, 33.52-42.15%, 19.53-27.27%, 7.24-30.86 mg/100g, 7.56-12.78, respectively.

The absence of remotely triggered seismicity in Gujarat, NW India during the Nepal earthquake, 2015

Gujarat in the Northwestern Deccan Volcanic Province of India is among the most seismically earthquake-prone. The region may be susceptible to remote dynamic triggering, especially the Kachchh region, which recently hosted the Mw7.7 Bhuj earthquake in 2001. Its aftershocks continue because it is critically stressed and contains nucleation points more frequently close to failure. From waveforms and catalog data, we examine whether remote dynamic triggering occurs following 25 April 2015, Mw7.8 Nepal mainshock in the Gujarat region, Northwestern India. The 2015 Nepal event perturbed the Gujarat region with a peak dynamic stress of ∼53 kPa, much higher than the global lower limit of 1 kPa. Due to the large magnitude and high peak dynamic stress, ideally, the 2015 mainshock should have resulted in the triggered seismicity in the study region. To study the remote dynamic triggering in detail, we also have examined the other recent regional large earthquakes with comparable peak dynamic stresses (&amp;gt;50 kPa), namely, 16 April 2013, Mw7.7 Iran, 24 September 2013, Mw7.7 Pakistan, and 26 October 2015, Mw7.7 Afghanistan. Our result shows that despite their significant peak dynamic stress, there is no significant change in the local seismicity. The analysis suggests that the surface wave amplitude is not the only factor that governs the remote dynamic triggering. Our results also indicate that the faults were not critically stressed during the mainshock candidates in the study region.