Semi-arid Region Of India Research Articles

Multifunctional Pseudomonasputida strain FBKV2 from arid rhizosphere soil and its growth promotional effects on maize under drought stress

In the present study, rhizobacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of maize, okra, eggplant, tomato, green gram, peanut and red gram grown in arid and semi-arid regions in India and were screened for drought tolerance in Trypticase soy broth (TSB) supplemented with different concentrations of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000). Out of 23 isolates, three could tolerate minimal negative water potential of −1.03MPa and were evaluated for plant growth promoting (PGP) traits under control and drought stress (−1.03MPa) conditions. Pseudomonas spp. strain FBKV2 isolated from eggplant (Solanum melongeana L.) rhizosphere, showed multiple PGP traits under both control and drought stress conditions. The strain was identified as Pseudomonas putida by 16S rRNA sequence analysis and the sequence was submitted to GenBank under the accession number KT311002.1. The strain was evaluated for growth promotion of maize (Zea mays L.) under drought stress. Seedlings inoculated with P. putida strain FBKV2 showed better growth in terms of shoot, root length, and dry biomass. Furthermore, inoculation improved cellular metabolites and stomatal conductance in maize seedlings. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the colonization of P. putida strain FBKV2 on the root surface of maize seedlings. The present study demonstrates that the isolation of indigenous drought tolerant P. putida strain FBKV2 from stressed ecosystems can be a very useful approach for the development of bio-inoculants for drought stress management in crops.

WITHDRAWN: V-trough concentrator with integrated cooling for performance enhancement of rooftop PV in arid and semi-arid regions of India

WITHDRAWN: V-trough concentrator with integrated cooling for performance enhancement of rooftop PV in arid and semi-arid regions of India

Influence of Drip Irrigation Regimes and Lateral Spacing on Cumin Productivity

Cumin is one of the important spice crops grown in arid and semi arid regions of India and is being adopted to cure some of the dreaded diseases. Determination of optimum water requirement which is function of soil crop and atmosphere is needed for achieving more profit and higher productivity per unit of water. Keeping in view, a field experiment was undertaken to access the conjugate impact of three irrigation regimes (0.6IW/ETc, 0.8IW/ETc and1.0IW/ETc) and three lateral spacing (0.60m, 0.70m and 0.80m) on productivity of cumin. Split plot design with three treatment replications was adopted. Drip irrigation with 0.8 IW/ETc resulted higher seed yield, plant height and dry matter of 1344.17 kg/ha, 36.42 cm and 2365 kg/ha respectively at 0.8 IW/ETc with lateral spacing 0.6 m as compared to other treatments. Highest water use efficiency (5.58 kg/ha.mm) was observed at 0.6 IW/ETc with 0.60 m lateral spacing. Highest B:C ratio (2.27) observed at 0.8 IW/ETcwith lateral spacing 0.6m as compared to other treatments.

Tolerance of Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth. seedlings to NaCl salinity

Increase in salinity is predicted to affect plant growth and survival in most arid and semiarid regions worldwide. Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth. is an important medicinal tree species distributed throughout the semiarid regions of India; however, it is facing a threat of its extinction in its natural habitat. We examined the effects of increasing NaCl salinity on two-month-old M. parvifolia seedlings grown in an environment-controlled chamber and exposed to soils of different electrical conductivity (EC) caused by NaCl [0–5 (control), 5–10, 10–15, 15–20, and 20–25 dS m−1)] for 85 days. Seedlings transferred to soil of EC >15 dS m−1 did not survive beyond 1 week. Increase in the Na+ concentration negatively correlated with their height and positively correlated with their water-use efficiency (WUE). However, leaf area, net photosynthetic rate (P N), stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate showed varying correlations and an overall decrease in these parameters compared with the control. At EC of 10–15 dS m−1, the seedling height was reduced by 37% and P N was lowered by 50% compared with those of the control. An increase in the Na+/K+ ratio was observed with increasing salinity. The maximum quantum efficiency of PSII significantly decreased with increasing salinity compared with the control. Our results suggest that the increase in salinity reduced the overall performance of the M. parvifolia seedlings. However, the maintenance of WUE and maximum quantum efficiency of PSII might help M. parvifolia to tolerate NaCl salinity of 15 dS m−1.

Assessment of the antibody response to Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) disease vaccination in a flock of Sirohi goat kids

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a devastating disease of small ruminants in India due to its spread and economic importance. Vaccination with attenuated whole virus vaccine is the only strategy adopted for prevention of this disease. Present study was carried out to identify the sources of variation and also to unravel the genetic variance in the PPR virus (PPRV) vaccine elicited immune response in 374 Sirohi goat kids maintained at an organized institute flock in the semi-arid region of India. Average age at vaccination was 142.43 days. Sera were tested by competitive ELISA (C-ELISA), an attenuated PPRV (Sungri) was used as the coating antigen. Results revealed significant variability for response to vaccination. Per cent inhibition (PI) values at 0day of vaccination (0DPrV) was 22.50% and at 28 days post vaccination (28DPV) it was 71.8%. On 28DPV, 94.92% of the total animals showed protective titre. Among environmental determinants, cohort and age at vaccination proved to be significant sources of variation (P<0.05). Higher 0DPrV titre was found to affect 28DPV titre negatively. Factors determining the better odds of protection needs to be exploited properly to assure protection. The estimate of heritability (h2±SE) at 0DPrV was 0.00±0.12, however it revealed significant contribution from maternal permanent environment (c2=0.38±0.12). At 28DPV, h2 was 0.34±0.16 and c2 was 0.25±0.15.

Groundwater scarcity impact on inclusiveness and women empowerment: Insights from school absenteeism of female students in two watersheds in India

ABSTRACTA survey was conducted in eight secondary schools located in two watersheds in Gujarat and Rajasthan (semi-arid region of India) to assess students’ perceptions about groundwater scarcity issues and the impact of the scarcity on their educational opportunities. Survey responses to a detailed questionnaire by a cohort of students in both watersheds; school attendance records of year 8 class students (13–14 years old) and responses gathered via a socio-economic survey involving 500 families in the study area were used in the study. In both watersheds, >90% students identified groundwater scarcity as a major issue. Required to work at home or farm, about 65% students in Gujarat and 60% in Rajasthan missed school for up to 2 days/month; and a smaller proportion (∼ 30%) missed schools for 4 or more days/month. School absenteeism was found to be linked with gender; female students missed schools more frequently than their male counterpart. The school attendance records in Rajasthan showed that the frequency of female students missing schools for 5 or more days/month was on an average 2–10 times greater than that for males. The gender difference in absenteeism in all schools was statistically significant (P < .018**). The study highlighted that groundwater scarcity in the study area, and consequent demand on their time for household work including fetching drinking water are contributing factors towards limiting their educational and economic opportunities. Groundwater scarcity can be one of the key factors that can limit inclusiveness and empowerment of women and need to be considered in policy-making.

Effect of deficit irrigation, phosphorous inoculation and cycocel spray on root growth, seed cotton yield and water productivity of drip irrigated cotton in arid environment

Irrigation water is scarce and expensive resource constraining crop production in arid and semi-arid region of India. Most producers’ aims to maximize yield per unit of water applied but it requires a better understanding of crop response to various levels of water stress. A field experiment was conducted during 2009–2011 to investigate the effect of deficit irrigation through drip irrigation; phosphorus solubilizing bacterial (PSB) inoculation and chloromequat chloride (cycocel) spray on seed cotton yield and water productivity (WP) of cotton. Experimental treatments comprised of three drip irrigation levels designated as 1.0 ETc (full irrigation as control), 0.8 ETc and 0.6 ETc (regular deficit irrigation) which receive 80% and 60% of the 1.0 ETc irrigation, were kept in main plots. The factorial combination of PSB inoculation and cycocel spray were included as good management practices (GMP) in sub-plots. A furrow irrigation treatment was also kept as absolute control. The result reveals that drip irrigation in cotton at 1.0 ETc significantly increased mean seed cotton yield by 33.5% and saved 30% irrigation water as compared to furrow irrigation which recorded 1859kgha−1 seed cotton yield with 582mm irrigation water. Deficit irrigation at 0.8 ETc caused 17% water savings with only 6.4% reduction in yield as compared to 1.0 ETc. PSB inoculation and/or cycocel spray significantly increased number of bolls plant−1, boll weight and seed cotton weight plant−1 over control. The interaction effect of deficit irrigation and GMP was significant on seed cotton yield and water productivity. Therefore, deficit irrigation at 0.8Etc along with PSB inoculation and cycocel spray should be considered as useful tool for water saving and higher yield in arid and semi-arid regions where irrigation water supplies are limited.

Sustaining higher mustard productivity through conservation agriculture in semi-arid regions of India

The field experiments were conducted at Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research (DRMR), Bharatpur, India to evaluate the effect of crop establishment methods on crop productivity, soil properties and economics of mustard in a cropping system mode. Conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), zero tillage (ZT) and permanent furrow irrigated raised beds (FIRB) were tested for five mustard-based cropping systems viz., fallow-mustard, green manure-mustard, brown manure-mustard, clusterbean-mustard and pearl millet-mustard in split-plot design replicated thrice. The seed, stover, total biological yields, sustainability indices and economics of mustard were significantly influenced by various crop establishment methods and cropping systems. Soil carbon footprints and bulk density of semi-arid regions improved under conservation agriculture. The average increase in the seed yield of mustard after four years of the experimentation was 32.4 and 20.7%, respectively, under FIRB and ZT. The highest sustainability yield index (0.85) and production efficiency (16.01 kg/ha/day) were also observed under FIRB. An increase of 1.30 g/kg and 2.57 Mg/ha in soil organic carbon and mass of soil organic carbon, respectively, was recorded in ZT over CT. The highest mustard yield was obtained under green manure-mustard cropping system (2549 kg/ha) followed by clusterbean-mustard system (2348 kg/ha). The net returns, profitability and B: C ratio were recorded highest with FIRB and green manure-mustard cropping systems.

Understanding the Linkages between Crop Diversity and Household Dietary Diversity in the Semi-Arid Regions of India

Agriculture is fundamental to achieving nutrition goals; it provides the food, energy, and nutrients essential for human health and well-being. This paper has examined crop diversity and dietary diversity in six villages using the ICRISAT Village Level Studies (VLS) data from the Telangana and Maharashtra states of India. The study has used the data of cultivating households for constructing the crop diversity index while dietary diversity data is from the special purpose nutritional surveys conducted by ICRISAT in the six villages. The study has revealed that the cropping pattern is not uniform across the six study villages with dominance of mono cropping in Telangana villages and of mixed cropping in Maharashtra villages. The analysis has indicated a positive and significant correlation between crop diversity and household dietary diversity at the bivariate level. In multiple linear regression model, controlling for the other covariates, crop diversity has not shown a significant association with household dietary diversity. However, other covariates have shown strong association with dietary diversity. The regression results have revealed that households which cultivated minimum one food crop in a single cropping year have a significant and positive relationship with dietary diversity. From the study it can be inferred that crop diversity alone does not affect the household dietary diversity in the semi-arid tropics. Enhancing the evidence base and future research, especially in the fragile environment of semi-arid tropics, is highly recommended.

Salt-stress-responsive chloroplast proteins in Brassica juncea genotypes with contrasting salt tolerance and their quantitative PCR analysis

Brassica juncea is mainly cultivated in the arid and semi-arid regions of India where its production is significantly affected by soil salinity. Adequate knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the salt tolerance at sub-cellular levels must aid in developing the salt-tolerant plants. A proper functioning of chloroplasts under salinity conditions is highly desirable to maintain crop productivity. The adaptive molecular mechanisms offered by plants at the chloroplast level to cope with salinity stress must be a prime target in developing the salt-tolerant plants. In the present study, we have analyzed differential expression of chloroplast proteins in two Brassica juncea genotypes, Pusa Agrani (salt-sensitive) and CS-54 (salt-tolerant), under the effect of sodium chloride. The chloroplast proteins were isolated and resolved using 2DE, which facilitated identification and quantification of 12 proteins that differed in expression in the salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive genotypes. The identified proteins were related to a variety of chloroplast-associated molecular processes, including oxygen-evolving process, PS I and PS II functioning, Calvin cycle and redox homeostasis. Expression analysis of genes encoding differentially expressed proteins through real time PCR supported our findings with proteomic analysis. The study indicates that modulating the expression of chloroplast proteins associated with stabilization of photosystems and oxidative defence plays imperative roles in adaptation to salt stress.

Simulation of Water Temperature in a Small Pond Using Parametric Statistical Models: Implications of Climate Warming

AbstractChanges in temperature and precipitation patterns due to global warming are likely to affect the quantity and quality of water in different water bodies. Water temperature modeling techniques are usually employed to study the effects of global climate change on stream and river ecosystems. This study aims to identify a suitable air–water temperature relationship for a small aquatic pond in a semiarid region of India and examine the effects of increased water temperature on the small pond’s attributes. The performance of two parametric statistical models—simple linear regression (SLR) and four-parameter nonlinear logistic regression (NLR) models—was evaluated. The developed models were field tested for mean, minimum, and maximum air–water temperatures on daily, weekly, and monthly timescales. The model parameters were estimated from the measured air–water temperature time-series data using the least-squares optimization method. Model performance was evaluated using three statistical indicators—the ...

Fungal weathering of asbestos in semi arid regions of India

The science of Geomicrobiology, which deals with mineral- microbe interaction in nature contributes effectively to three important processes namely- mineral and metal bioremediation, biomining and soil mineral formation by microbes. Bioremediation one of the important process of the above, degrades or transforms hazardous contaminants to less toxic compounds. Several groups of fungi have proved highly efficient in this aspect, with asbestos being one such toxic entity in the environment on which their activity was studied. The present investigation uses the same tool as a device for detoxifying asbestos, a potent carcinogenic entity; with fungal isolates native to the asbestos mines of Rajasthan, India, being investigated for the first time. The cellular mechanism of asbestos toxicity is mainly attributed to the presence of iron in its chemical composition which catalyzes generation of free radicals leading to oxidation of biomolecules. The two dominant novel species found therein, identified as Aspergillus tubingenesis and Coemansia reversa have proved capable of actively removing iron from asbestos fibers as studied by scanning electron microscopy- electron diffraction X-ray (SEM–EDX) analysis. This probably could lead to a reduction in toxicity of asbestos, due to reduced iron concentration as reported in related studies. Many fungi are known to release iron chelating compounds, siderophores, which could be instrumental in the study. The findings related to two new fungal species being added to the list of earlier identified fungal bioremediators of asbestos, widens the prospect of using bioremediation as an effective tool for asbestos detoxification

Water and nitrate dynamics in baby corn (Zea mays L.) under different fertigation frequencies and operating pressures in semi-arid region of India

Improved water use efficiency, under drip irrigation is reduce percolation and evaporation losses, and provides for environmentally safer fertilizer application through irrigation water in the vicinity of the root zone. The present study was conducted at Water Technology Centre (WTC), Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India to investigate the impact of fertigation frequency and system operating pressure on the dynamics of NO3-N in the soil root system of baby corn. The study was conducted during the year 2010–11 for three consecutive seasons consisted of nine treatments which included three system operating pressures (0.5kgcm−2, 1.0kgcm−2 and 1.5kgcm−2) and three fertigation frequencies (biweekly, weekly and fortnightly). Higher NO3-N content was found at surface soil (0–15cm soil depth) in all the treatments. During initial and developmental stages, total applied nitrogen per fertigation was not fully utilized by plants especially in fortnightly fertigation at 1.0kgcm−2 system operating pressure resulting in increase in NO3-N content at 0–30cm soil depth. At maturity stage, when fertigation was over, NO3-N present in 0–30cm soil depth leached up to 45cm soil depth and rest of soil profile remained practically unchanged in its content. NO3-N in lower soil profiles (30–60cm soil depth) was marginally affected in biweekly and weekly fertigation frequency schedule. Fluctuations of NO3-N content at all the depths were more in fortnightly fertigation frequency schedule. Yield attributes of baby corn were significantly affected by fertigation at different system operating pressures.

Genetic resistance to natural coccidiosis infection in goats in a semi-arid region of India

AbstractCoccidiosis is one of the major causes of kid mortality in tropical regions and causes significant loss to farmers by affecting growth and feed efficiency in the growing kid. The strategy to control the coccidiosis is mainly through drug usage and is not efficacious at present. Therefore, an alternative strategy is required to control the disease in goats. Increasing genetic resistance to coccidiosis may be an appropriate complementary control strategy. The purpose of this study was to analyse the genetic variation in severity of natural coccidiosis infections in kids in the semi-arid region. The observations were recorded in 227 kids of Barbari and Jamunapari goats. Barbari goats had higher mean faecal oocyst counts (FOC) than Jamunapari goats at 3 and 6 months of age. The heritability for FOC was 0.05 and 0.15 at 3 and 6 months of age, respectively. All phenotypic and environmental correlations between FOC and live weight traits were low and negative, indicating a tendency for more heavily infec...

Evaluation of dry deposition of acidifying N compounds to vegetation.

This papers deals with direct measurements of dry deposition flux of total acidifying N species (gaseous HNO3 and particulate NO3(-)) and theoretically by parameterization method to vegetation (leaf surfaces) over a semiarid region in India. Annual average experimental dry deposition of NO3(-) to leaf of Cassia is 0.65 ± 0.61 mg m(-2) day(-1). Ambient concentrations of HNO3 vapor and particulate NO3(-) are 1.53 and 1.24 μg m(-3), respectively. Theoretically obtained dry deposition velocity of HNO3 and NO3(-) are 0.74 cm s(-1) for both while calculated dry deposition flux of total NO3(-) is found to be 1.3 ± 0.33 mg m(-2) day(-1). The measured dry deposition flux of NO3(-) to Cassia leaf is in the range of theoretically obtained flux. The annual input of N as nitrate is 3.8 mmol m(-2) year(-1) which is lower than the other forest site in China which is probably because of low pollution than China.

Community-Organized Irrigated Agriculture Mitigates Local Food Insecurity in India’s Drylands

People who live in semi-arid regions of India are often faced with challenges and constraints of poverty. Foremost among the challenges are the marginal environmental conditions for agriculture, often influenced by low and erratic rainfall. If a meager amount of rainwater is harvested and used sensibly, it could enhance irrigation opportunities leading to better agricultural production. However, due to the lack of proper water harvesting and distribution structures, most of the surface runoff from the rainfall is lost into the rivers. This article presents a case study of community-based lift irrigation practiced in the ecologically fragile drylands of India, with high potential for a more sustainable agriculture that promotes village-level food security.

Emergence of multiple resistances against gastrointestinal nematodes of Mehsana-cross goats in a semi-organized farm of semi-arid region of India

Faecal samples from 140 adult goats were collected and positive samples were examined quantitatively; goats having at least 500 eggs/g of faeces were selected and randomly divided into four groups. Faecal egg count reduction test was used to detect the efficacy of albendazole (ALB), levamisole (LEV) and ivermectin (IVM) in goats naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes in a semi-organized farm located in semi-arid region of Gujarat, India. ALB, LEV and IVM reduced faecal egg counts on 14th day post-treatment varied from 53% to 76%, revealing presence of resistance of worms to all these drugs. Finding IVM resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes is found to be alarming. Pre-treatment faecal culture of all the groups collectively revealed Haemonchus spp. as the predominant parasite again post-treatment faecal cultures further emphasize the pre-dominance of H. contortus in ALB- and LEV-treated groups. However, faecal cultures from IVM-treated group revealed predominance of Trichostrongylus species which were scarce in pre-treatment group. Study further reveals that only ALB was found to be effective against Oesophagostomum spp., and most of the gastrointestinal nematodes were found to have some degree of resistance against rest of the other drugs used in goats.

English

Isabgol (Plantago ovata Forks.) is one of the important cash crops in arid and semi-arid regions of India. The husk of Isabgol seeds are primarily used as laxative in medicinal preparations. The cultivation of Isabgol crop is very much dependent on soils and weather conditions as this crop is highly susceptible to many biotic and abiotic stress parameters. Soil microbial population is involved in many direct and indirect interactions with crop plants. The type of microbes present in the soils also affects the plant health. Soil samples from the rhizospheric zone of the plants were collected from Barmer, Jalore and Ajmer Districts of Rajasthan State in western arid region of India. The soil EC and pH (1:2.5) recorded were in the range of 0.12 to 0.46 dS/m and 7.4 to 8.9, respectively, depicting neutral to alkaline soils, the macro nutrient viz; N, P, K were found to be in the range of 128.0 to 192.54, 19.4 to 80.4 and 149.8 to 338.8 kg/ha, respectively. The DTPA extractable micronutrients Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe were in the range of 0.29 to 3.50, 0.26 to 1.5, 0.51 to 4.51 and 1.0 to 5.38 ppm, respectively, in the soil samples of Isabgol growing regions of Rajasthan. Total viable count (TVC) gives a quantitative idea about the presence of microorganism such as bacteria and fungi in samples. The total bacterial count of soil microorganisms varied from 0.8x107 to 1.96x107 cfu/g whereas, total fungal count varied from 1.52x106 to 2.85x106 cfu/g. Beneficial microorganism population in terms of total Azotobacter count (0.1x105 to 1.0 x105 ) psuedomonads counts (3.33x105 to 5.8x105 cfu/g) and phosphate solubilizing bacterial count (0.1x103 to 1.0x103 cfu/g) varied highly in different soils. Key words: Isabgol (Plantago ovata Forks.), bacterial count, fungal count, N, P, K, macronutrients, micronutrients.

English

The ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamarck) is an important fruit crop grown in arid and semi arid regions of India and elsewhere. Nutritionally, the fruits are rich in protein, phosphorus, calcium, carotene and vitamin C. In India, productivity tends to be low because of various biotic stresses such as pests and diseases. Of the various insect pests infesting ber, the stone weevil Aubeus himalayanus Voss (Coleoptera:&nbsp; Curculionidae) is a new threat to ber cultivation in India. This was recorded as a new pest of ber in India for the first time in the state of Andhra Pradesh in 1994. Serious attacks were later reported in Rahuri, Maharashtra and Jobner, in 1996, and in Karnataka during 1998. Recently, infestations of this pest were reported in Bikaner and Rajasthan in 2010 and in Bangladesh in 2009. The females lay their eggs on the stylar end of fruits, or rarely on the distal end. The newly emerged white coloured grubs enter the seeds by making a puncture in the endocarp of the immature fruits, and starts feeding on the soft seed coat. Later it enters the endosperm, feeds on it, and pupates within the seed. The weevil completes its life within a single fruit. The infestation results in severe fruit drop at the initial stage of fruit set. The damage intensity of the stone weevil varies with cultivars; stoned varieties are preferred more than the pulp rich varieties. Periodical monitoring of orchards for weevil incidence is essential for timely implementation of control strategies. Delayed detection makes management difficult as they enter the seed. &nbsp; Key words: Ber, Ziziphus mauritiana, stone weevil, Aubeus himalayanus.

Effect of Planting Pattern on Productivity and Water Use Efficiency of Pearl Millet in the Indian Semi-Arid Region

In the semi-arid regions of India, profitable cropping systems must make efficient use of limited and highly variable precipitation. Hence, new planting patterns (ridge, bed and seeddrill system that act as the in-situ soil moisture conservation) were evaluated for the pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L) r. br] crop during 2009 under semi-arid tropical (SAT) region of India. The broadcast method is commonly used for planting of pearl millet. During the crop growth period (July to October, 2009), total rainfall was 718.5 mm and 21.0% of the total rainfall consisted of the effective rainfall for all plots. Ridge, bed and seeddrill planting patterns increased soil moisture by 37.1, 27.0 and 13.5 per cent, respectively, compared to broadcast pattern in 45 cm depth of root zone. Consequently, grain yield and water use efficiency increased significantly under ridge, bed and seeddrill method of sowing compared to the broadcasting method. Grain yield under ridge pattern increased by 11.6 per cent over broadcast method (1.65 t ha−1). Since rainfall is often below average of ten years (1059 mm), we recommend ridge method of planting for SAT region of India, to mitigate the effect of drought stress and crop failure.