Central Indian Region Research Articles

Carbon sequestration and $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$ CO 2 absorption by agroforestry systems: An assessment for Central Plateau and Hill region of India

India ranks fourth in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and accounts for 6% of total GHG emissions in the world. Carbon dioxide $$(\hbox {CO}_{2})$$ has major contribution of 76% in total GHG emissions. Agroforestry that integrates trees in the agricultural landscape is regarded as a strategy for both adaptation and mitigation of climate change. Agroforestry plays an important role in reducing the level of GHG emissions vis-à-vis atmospheric $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$ through carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration is the process involved in carbon capture and the long period storage of atmospheric $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$ . In the present study, firstly area under agroforestry was estimated in Central Plateau and Hill region (agro-climatic zone-8) using satellite remote sensing data. Secondly, dynamic $$\hbox {CO}_{2}\hbox {FIX}$$ model v3.1 was used to assess the baseline total carbon and carbon sequestration potential (CSP) of agroforestry systems for a simulation period of 30 yr. Finally, equivalent $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$ absorption was assessed with the help of estimated agroforestry area and net CSP in the zone. Estimated area in Central Plateau and Hill region is about 1.96 million ha, which is 5.18% of total geographical area of this zone. Total carbon sequestered at zone level was estimated to be 17.81 Tg (tera gram) C and equivalent $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$ absorption is at 65.36 Tg. The CSP of agroforestry systems would be about 158.55 Tg C for a simulated period of 30 yr or CSP would be 5.28 Tg C $$\hbox {yr}^{-1}$$ at country level. On the other hand, equivalent $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$ absorption was 586.50 Tg for a period of 30 yr or would be 19.55 Tg $$\hbox {yr}^{-1}$$ at country level. Hence, the present study concludes that agroforestry has significant contribution in reduction of atmospheric $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$ which would have much more if the area under agroforestry and/or number of trees $$\hbox {ha}^{-1}$$ on farmlands are increased.

Disentangling the influencing factors driving the cooling trend in boreal summer over Indo-Gangetic river basin, India: role of Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO)

Using the Community Earth System Model (CESM)-Large Ensemble (LE) surface air temperature (SAT) data, we investigate the multidecadal changes in SAT variability over Central Indian landmass, particularly the Indo-Gangetic (IG) river basin. This region comes under the active influence of the Indian summer monsoon, and during the summer monsoon months (JJA), we observe an amplified cooling (< − 3 °C) trend (1961–2000) in SAT. This SAT trend is considered as a superposition of external forcings and natural climatic variability. The forced response is computed by averaging the trend in 35 ensemble members, which displays a moderate cooling trend due to aerosol-, ozone-, and volcano-only forcings. But the internal variability introduces a wide range of uncertainties in SAT, with majority of the members display a strong cooling trend in the Central Indian region. During the entire period, natural climatic variability dominates over the forced response, which strongly overrides the greenhouse gas (GHG) warming. Here, we separate out the influence of global climate variability on regional climate variability and identify the specific internal variability which is responsible for the multidecadal cooling trend in the analyzed region. Furthermore, we investigate the specific physical mechanism driving the cooling trend and analyze the role of Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) in its negative phase. The covariability is − 0.74, i.e., AMO accounts for ~ 55% of total variance in the multidecadal variability. In the negative phase of AMO, strong signals of Rossby waves emanating from North Atlantic Ocean propagate across the Eurasian continent, and in the latter half of the twentieth century, the effect of this cold sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly is felt in the Central Indian landmass (particularly over IG river basin) through teleconnection. This study will increase the predictability of multidecadal variability in SAT during summer monsoon season over the Central Indian region with AMO as a strong driving component.

Seismic Structure of the Central Indian Crust and its Implications on the Crustal Evolution

Abstract The crustal structures of the Narmada region in Central India bounded by fault system (Narmada- North and South faults : NNF and NSF) has been derived from deep seismic sounding (DSS) studies along the two profiles trending almost north-south direction. The wide-angle phases have been modeled kinematically and dynamically using the 2-D asymptotic ray tracing technique. The combined seismic and gravity modeling reveals a multilayer crust in the region. The crustal wide-angle reflection phases map the Moho discontinuity, where the P-wave velocity jumps from 7.2 km s-1 to 8.0-8.1 km s-1, at depth varying between 38 km and 44 km. A layer with velocity 7.2 km s-1, exists above the Moho in most parts of the profiles and is attributed to the magmatic underplating related to the Deccan volcanism (~65 Ma). The intriguing observation of the study is a zone characterized by anomalous high velocity (6.5-6.6 km s-1) within the upper crust. 2-D gravity modeling demonstrates that this anomalous layer has a density of ~2.9 gm cm-3, which is equivalent to the rocks metamorphosed to granulite/amphibolite facies. This high velocity layer probably represents the granulite enclaves within the Archaean granites/gneiss rocks and was formed during the cratonization of the Achaean crust. Importantly, this high velocity layer shows an average upward displacement of ~8.5 km within the region bounded by NNF and NSF as compared to the regions beyond it. The studies suggest that the observed displacement in the high velocity layer of the upper crust is a result of repeated reactivation of the Narmada fault system.

Analysis of a terrain characteristic using WAsP and windPRO

Abstract This paper investigates the analysis of a terrain characteristics parameter which is responsible for the accurate wind resource estimation for a site. In this paper, the effect of terrain dependent parameters such as Wind shear exponent, Roughness Index, RIX (Ruggedness Index factor) and roughness length has been discussed for a site in Central India Region. Whole one year measured met mast wind data has been taken using anemometer and wind vane at 10 m and 25 m height respectively above ground level. The digitized elevation and roughness model of the corresponding site shows the roughness class 4 (roughness length 1.2525m). The wind data has been extrapolated up to 80m height by using power and log law models which provide the power density near about 120 W/m2. As per the micro sitting guidelines for the virtual wind farm installation 5D X 7D mapping has been selected which Indicates the total power output by installing 8 Vestas V- 90 1.8 MW wind turbine from WAsP is 31.561 GWh and from windPRO is 28.083 GWh.

Evaluation of Upper Tropospheric Humidity in WRF Model during Indian Summer Monsoon

In this work, we evaluate the upper tropospherichumidity (UTH) in a regional atmospheric model in conjunction with remote sensing observations and reanalysis products during the Indian summer monsoon (ISM). We performed continuous Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model simulations from 1st May to 1st October for every year during 2001 to 2011 at 45 km spatial resolution. The maximum UTH zones viz. Bay of Bengal, and central and north-east Indian regions are well represented in WRF model when compared to the satellite observations and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) interim reanalysis (ERAI) during ISM season. Analyses found that ERAI exhibits higher magnitudes of UTH over the ISM region compared to that of satellite observations (Atmospheric Infrared Sounder:AIRS) and WRF. In terms of spatial distribution, WRF is in close agreement with satellite observations as compared to ERAI, is further supported by the pattern correlation coefficients. In addition to that, our analysis suggested that WRF model could simulate the seasonal evolution of the northward movement of maximum UTH band as in AIRS and ERAI. However, UTH variability over the equatorial Indian Ocean and western north Pacific (north of Madagascar region) is underestimated (overestimated) in the WRF model compared to the observations. Nevertheless, the model is able to represent high (low) UTH over the north Indian Ocean region during active (break) period, unable to capture the northward propagation of UTH well. This indicates that the model has considerable discrepancies in simulating UTH over the deep convective monsoon region during the ISM season. It is suggested that in order to improve the UTH representation in the model over the ISM region, it is essential to reduce biases over the equatorial and southern tropical regions. Thus, this study emphasized the variations in UTH at different time scales during monsoon season along with the credibility of remote sensing observations in WRF model.

A study of occurrence and risk factors of age-related macular degeneration in a region of Central India

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to determine the occurrence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in patients aged >50 years and to study risk factors associated with it. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional prospective study, in which 907 patients aged 50 years and above of both sexes were studied who visited eye outpatient department of our tertiary hospital between October 2014 and September 2016. Visual acuity, slit-lamp examination, and disc and macular evaluation with 90D lens and 20D using indirect ophthalmoscope were performed. AMD was confirmed by doing fundus fluorescein angiography. Association of AMD with hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, smoking, alcohol consumption, and body mass index were studied. Results: Out of 907 patients, 21 had AMD, i.e., the occurrence was 2.3%. Of 21 patients, 15 had early AMD (1.6%) and 6 had late AMD (0.7%). The highest occurrence of 9.75% was seen in age group of 80 years and above, whereas other risk factors of AMD, i.e., smoking showed P = 0.1261, cardiovascular disease P = 0.0251, and prior cataract surgery with P = 0.0001. Conclusion: Age was found to be strong and consistent risk factor of AMD. Smoking, cardiovascular disease, and prior cataract surgery were significantly associated with AMD.

Prevalence of suicide ideation and its pattern among college students of the tribal region of Central India

Background: Globally, suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents. Suicide evolves from suicide ideation (SI) to planning of suicide and finally attempting suicide. Understanding the pattern of suicidal ideation is crucial for preventing suicidal acts. Objective: The objective of the study was to study the prevalence of SI and its pattern among college students of Gondia city in tribal region of central India. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted after approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Respondents were students of colleges in Gondia city in tribal areas of Maharashtra. A total of 214 students responded. The questionnaire was developed by contextual modification of SI scale. All categorical variables were expressed in percentage with 95% confidence interval. Quantitative variables were expressed in mean and standard deviation. Results: The majority of participants were undergraduate with mean age of 18.6 (±2) years, female and Hindu. The prevalence of SI was ranging from 3.74% to 13.08%. “I feel life is not just worth living” was the most common thought reported. Among those who had SIs, 13 (46.43%) had SI at least once a year and 15 (53.57%) had expressed that they do not have control over their suicidal ideations. There were 5 (17.86%) out of the study participants having SI who have made attempt to suicide. None of the participants had approached for any professional help for SI. Conclusion: SI is significantly prevalent among college students. They have varied frequencies of thought with no control over them. Self-perceived depression being the most common cause of SI reported by participants.

Assessment of Soil Site Suitability for Cotton Farming in the Semi-arid Regions of Central India: An Analytic Hierarchy Process

Assessment of Soil Site Suitability for Cotton Farming in the Semi-arid Regions of Central India: An Analytic Hierarchy Process

Demographic Study of Fatal Craniocerebral Injuries in Road Traffic Accidents at Indore Region of Central India

Demographic Study of Fatal Craniocerebral Injuries in Road Traffic Accidents at Indore Region of Central India

Conservation agriculture effects on soil properties and crop productivity in a semiarid region of India

Conservation agriculture (CA) including reduced or no-tillage and crop residue retention, is known to be a self–sustainable system as well as an alternative to residue burning. The present study evaluated the effect of reduced tillage coupled with residue retention under different cropping systems on soil properties and crop yields in a Vertisol of a semiarid region of central India. Two tillage systems – conventional tillage (CT) with residue removed, and reduced tillage (RT) with residue retained – and six major cropping systems of this region were examined after 3 years of experimentation. Results demonstrated that soil moisture content, mean weight diameter, percent water stable aggregates (&amp;gt;0.25mm) for the 0–15cm soil layer were significantly (P&amp;lt;0.05) affected by tillage practices. Soil penetration resistance was significantly higher for RT than CT. Irrespective of soil depth, there was higher soil organic carbon (SOC) for RT than CT. The SOC fractions followed in the order: non-labile&amp;gt;moderately labile&amp;gt;less labile. At the 0–15cm depth, the contributions of moderately labile, less labile and non-labile C fractions to total organic C were 39.3%, 10.3% and 50.4% respectively in RT and corresponding values for CT were 38.9%, 11.7% and 49.4%. Significant differences in different C fractions were observed between RT and CT. Soil microbial biomass C concentration was significantly higher in RT than CT at 0–15cm depth. The maize–chickpea cropping system had significantly (P&amp;lt;0.05) higher soybean grain equivalent yield of 4.65 t ha–1 followed by soybean+pigeon pea (2:1) intercropping (3.50 t ha–1) and soybean–wheat cropping systems (2.97 t ha–1). Thus, CA practices could be sustainable management practices for improving soil health and crop yields of rainfed Vertisols in these semiarid regions.

Study of smartphone addiction: prevalence, pattern of use, and personality dimensions among medical students from rural region of central India

Study of smartphone addiction: prevalence, pattern of use, and personality dimensions among medical students from rural region of central India

Corrigendum to: Conservation agriculture effects on soil properties and crop productivity in a semiarid region of India

Conservation agriculture (CA) including reduced or no-tillage and crop residue retention, is known to be a self–sustainable system as well as an alternative to residue burning. The present study evaluated the effect of reduced tillage coupled with residue retention under different cropping systems on soil properties and crop yields in a Vertisol of a semiarid region of central India. Two tillage systems – conventional tillage (CT) with residue removed, and reduced tillage (RT) with residue retained – and six major cropping systems of this region were examined after 3 years of experimentation. Results demonstrated that soil moisture content, mean weight diameter, percent water stable aggregates (&amp;gt;0.25mm) for the 0–15cm soil layer were significantly (Pmoderately labile&amp;gt;less labile. At the 0–15cm depth, the contributions of moderately labile, less labile and non-labile C fractions to total organic C were 39.3%, 10.3% and 50.4% respectively in RT and corresponding values for CT were 38.9%, 11.7% and 49.4%. Significant differences in different C fractions were observed between RT and CT. Soil microbial biomass C concentration was significantly higher in RT than CT at 0–15cm depth. The maize–chickpea cropping system had significantly (P–1 followed by soybean+pigeon pea (2:1) intercropping (3.50 t ha–1) and soybean–wheat cropping systems (2.97 t ha–1). Thus, CA practices could be sustainable management practices for improving soil health and crop yields of rainfed Vertisols in these semiarid regions.

Pattern of meniscal tear in patients with anterior cruciate ligament injury at a rural tertiary care center of Central India: A prospective study

Background: Various studies have reported the incidence of meniscal injuries in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knee. It is responsible for the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in patients with ACL injury and concomitant meniscal tear. Objective: The objective of this study is to find out an occurrence of meniscal tear and its pattern in patients with ACL injury. Materials and Methods: We studied 124 patients diagnosed with ACL injury by arthroscopy at a rural tertiary care center of Central India region. The study was conducted from July 2016 to June 2018. Standard protocol was used to collect information for sociodemographic characteristics. Condition of the injury was assessed at the time of arthroscopic procedure and noted. Data were collected and analyzed by Epi Info software. Results: We diagnosed 124 patients with ACL injury, out of which 106 (85.5%) were male and 18 were female (14.5%). The mean age of the patients was found to be 28.7 years (±10.7), with a range of 14–59 years. The present study observed the incidence of medial meniscus tear in 30 (24.2%) and lateral meniscal tear in 18 (14.5%) study participants. Conclusion: The present study showed a substantial number of cases with meniscal damage. Hence, it is imperative to screen patients with ACL tear clinically and radiologically and even during arthroscopic procedure so that chances of OA association can be minimized by early intervention.

Study of Job Satisfaction and Stress among Doctors from Tertiary Care Institute at Rural Region of Central India

Majority (76%) of doctors were found to be dissatisfied with their job and almost half (48%) of them were stressful. Level of stress is negatively correlated with job satisfaction. Doctors were found to be least satisfied with their job on physical working conditions (2.20 ± 1.12), workload (2.07 ± 1.09), rate of pay and benefits (2.19 ± 1.21), safety and security (2.07 ± 1.11), professional growth (2.19± 1.29), autonomy (2.18 ± 1.24) and adequate resources (2.14 ± 1.22). The age, marital status, years since graduation and designation were found to be significantly correlated with job satisfaction (p < 0.05). Age, marital status and severity of stress were factors affecting job satisfaction.

Analysis of Factors Triggering Distress Migration in Bundelkhand Region of Central In

Bundelkhand region of central India, a major drought affected area of the country is associated to high level of rural to urban migration. The present study was conducted to analyze the socio-economic characteristics of the migrants and to examine the key factors triggering migration decision of agriculture practicing households. The region was facing drought for the fourth consecutive period which had left the population, mainly dependent on agricultural income, out of option than migration. The analysis of socio-economic profile of migrants showed that majority of the migrants were between the age group of 20–39 (70.1%) and the education level was secondary (54.8%). The population of female migrants was comparatively low, as many of them followed their family to the migrating place after marriage. Majority of the migrants (81.73%) were engaged in unskilled manual labour activities like construction works in destination cities. The various factors identified triggering migration decision were associated to livelihood security, climatic, agricultural, institutional and socio-cultural factors.

Influence of tropical-extratropical interactions on the dynamics of extreme rainfall event: A case study from Indian region

A diagnostic investigation of an extreme rainfall episode that occurred over the central and north Indian region is carried out in this study using data from a suite of observations from space-borne instruments and the reanalysis datasets. This event is unique in the sense that the organized tropical and extratropical forcing stimulated the intense rainfall on 01 Jan 2012. The WindSat (multi-frequency polarimetric microwave radiometer) observations indicate the source of the moisture flux coming from the adjoining tropical Ocean. The dynamical and thermo-dynamical contributions are evaluated based on the atmospheric instability analysis using the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) and reanalysis datasets by computing various stability indices such as total totals (TT) index, Potential Vorticity (PV), static stability and the Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE). High TT index values (>40 K) are observed both in satellite and reanalysis data indicating thermodynamic instability. PV intrusion to low latitudes is also observed with extreme rainfall occurrence ahead of the PV tongue. The vertical structure of PV intrusion shows remarkable features with enhanced upward motions ahead of the intrusion representing the dynamical instability. The reduced static stability, increased CAPE and upper-level cyclonic anomalies together with enhanced moisture in the lower troposphere coming from the adjoining tropical Indian Ocean regulate the amplitude and region of occurrence of the extreme rainfall. Therefore, this study identifies the significant implications of tropical and extra-tropical influences that generate the thermodynamical and dynamical instabilities for the occurrence of the extreme rainfall event over the Central and Northern parts of India.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Gwalior region of Central India: A comparative study using NCEP ATP III, IDF and Harmonized criteria

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the people of Gwalior. Three criteria viz., National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria and Harmonized criteria for MetS were employed to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in this region, their concordance with respect to this population was recorded. MethodsThe cross-sectional study involved the people, who had attended the Diabetes clinic at the Centre for Translational Research, Jiwaji University during 2015-2017. A total of 1190 participants within the age group of 20–79 years of either gender were included in the study. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, blood glucose and lipid profile of all subjects were assessed. Student's ‘t’ test, Kappa statistics and Binary logistic regression model were used to analyze the data. ResultsThe percentage of prevalent MetS was found to be 72.7, 50.2 and 53.9 following Harmonized criteria, NCEP ATPIII and IDF criteria respectively. The prevalence was found to be maximum in centrally obese female population, aged between 51 and 60 years with the presence of hyperglycemia and reduced HDL– C. Harmonized and IDF criteria showed good agreement (κ 0.85). Regression analysis showed that, high body mass index, hypertension and dyslipedimia were the most critical predictive risk factors of MetS. ConclusionsMaximum prevalence of MetS was recorded when the Harmonized criteria was followed. A good agreement was observed between Harmonized vs. IDF criteria. MetS if detected early especially in apparently healthy subjects; paves way for preventive measures to be designed in order to avert the incidence of diabetes and other risks related to cardio vascular disease.

A comparative analysis of wind resource parameters using WAsP and windPRO

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the accuracy of the wind resource estimation for a site in a central India region using a latest licensed version of WAsP 11 and windPRO 3.1. Whole one year measured met mast wind data has been taken using anemometer and wind vane at 10 m and 25 m height, respectively above ground level. The digitized elevation and roughness model of the corresponding site shows the roughness class 4 (roughness length 1.2525 m). The wind data has been extrapolated up to 80 m height by using power and log law models which provide the power density near about 120 W/m2. As per the micro sitting guidelines for the virtual wind farm installation 5D X 7D mapping has been selected which Indicates the total power output by installing 8 Vestas V-90 1.8 MW wind turbine from WAsP is 31.561 GWh and from windPRO is 28.083 GWh.

Assessment of convective parametrization schemes over the Indian subcontinent using a regional climate model

An effort is made to investigate the performance of convective parameterization schemes on the simulation of characteristic features of monsoon rainfall over the Indian subcontinent using a regional climate model (RegCM). The sensitivity experiments with seven different convective parameterization schemes (CPSs) are carried out for this purpose. The simulated precipitation, temperature and wind fields are compared against the available observations and reanalysis dataset. The sensitivity experiments using “Grell” and “Massachusetts Institute of Technology over land and Grell over ocean (MLGO)” CPS show better performance in the simulation of precipitation, near-surface air temperature and circulation pattern over India as compared to the experiments using other CPSs. A systematic dry bias is seen in the simulations of summer monsoon rainfall in all the experiments, but the magnitude of the bias is lowest in the MLGO experiment. The Grell and MLGO experiments also show better performance in the simulation of seasonal cycle of summer monsoon rainfall. The relative performance of CPSs in simulating the vertical structure of temperature anomaly, relative vorticity anomaly and divergence anomaly associated with the summer monsoon rainfall over the Central Indian region is also investigated.

Scarab Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Scarabaeidae) of Vidarbha, India, with Notes on Distribution

Surveys for collection of scarab beetles of different habitats of the Vidarbha region of Central India were conducted during 2013–2018. A total of 97 species of 39 genera belonging to 07 subfamilies were identified, where 10 species were newly recorded. Subfamily Scarabaeinae is dominant with 57 species under 18 genera, followed by Melolonthinae with 13 species under 05 genera. Third abundant subfamily in terms of species richness is Rutelinae with 10 species under 04 genera. Cetoniinae contributed 09 species under 08 genera. Aphodiinae and Dynastinae contributed 04 and 02 species, respectively, whereas Orphinae added only 02 species. The most dominating subfamily Scarabaeinae can be further categorized into tunnelers, dwellers and rollers according to their functional group. Tunnelers contribute about 77.19% of the species composition of Scarabaeinae followed by rollers 14.04% and dwellers 8.77%. This study also provides the location-specific occurrence data of beetles from the investigated sites. The presented comprehensive checklist is unique in compiling economically and ecologically important scarab faunal diversity of Vidarbha region of Central India.