Third Week Of March Research Articles

Population Dynamics of Gram Pod Borer <i>Helicoverpa armigera</i> (Hubner)

The population dynamics of gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on chickpea was evaluated at the Agricultural Research Farm of B R D P G College, Deoria, Uttar Pradesh during rabi 2022-23. The larval incidence was initially recorded in 6th SMW (first week of February) (2.3 larvae/ plant) with a peak in 11th SMW (third week of March) (10.53 larvae/ plant). Larval incidence on chickpea variety Pusa-261 showed significant positive correlation with maximum temperature (0.837) and minimum temperature (0.804), whereas relative humidity (maximum and minimum) revealed non-significant negative correlation (-0.410), (-0.588), respectively. Correlation between rainfall and larval incidence was found positive and significant (0.734). However, all the weather parameters together contributed 94.18% towards larval incidence.

Population Dynamics of the Coriander Aphids in Hyper Arid Region of Rajasthan and their Correlation with Biotic and Abiotic Factors

Population dynamics of coriander aphid and their correlation with biotic and abiotic factors were studied at instructional farm of the department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, SKRAU Bikaner during Rabi, 2020-21 and 2021-22. The incidence of coriander aphid, H. coriandri (Das) commenced in the fourth week of January (4th SMW) and remained active throughout the crop season i.e. upto third week of March during both the years (2020-21 and 2021-22). The population of H. coriandri increased gradually and attained its peak in last week of February/first week of March (9th SMW) during both the years. After peak aphid population started declining and reached to low levels in the 11th SMW near maturity of the crop during both the years. Simultaneously the occurrence of predator, Coccinella septempunctata coincided with the population of aphids during both the years. Maximum and minimum temperatures had positive correlation with aphid population during both the years i.e. 2020-21, 2021-22. Morning and evening relative humidity showed negative correlation with aphid population. whereas, population of C. septempunctata was significant positively correlated with aphid population during both years.

First Report of Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) as an Emerging Insect Pest of Maize in India

The green stink bug Nezara viridula (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an economic insect pest of many cultivated plants around the world.Recently, high population of green stink bug were observedin maize crop during March–May 2020 in Bihar, a leading state of maize production in India. The population changes, damage symptoms, morpho-variants of N. viridula on maize were studied during 2020 and 2021 and presented in this report. For this study, 1 m2 area were randomly selected at three places in the maize field grown at Dumraon, Bihar to record the population of N. viridula at weekly during crop period in the year 2020 and 2021. Also number of maximum adults per plants and per cobs were recorded. The adults of N. viridula were first recorded in maize field during third week of March 2020 and in the same period of year 2021. The mean maximum adults’ population of N. viridula was 43adults/ m2and 34.33 adults/ m2 observed during April 2020 and 202, respectively onmaize crop. The high population densities of the pest may be due to the migration of bugs from other field crops and native vegetation to the cultivated maize crop. During the course of the investigation, maximum 18 adult bugs per plant and 13 adult bugs per corn were recorded during fourth week of April 2020, whereas, maximum 12 adults per plant and 8 adults per cob were recorded during April 2021.The bugs were damage standing maize plants and corn by sucking saps and hindering the growth of plants, cobs as well as the developing kernels. Considering the high population densities, regular appearance of the pest and damage caused to maize crop in the state created an alarming situation for thepest management researchers of the country to develop suitable integrated pest management strategies for the management of N. viridula on maize in the near future.

The Effect of the Hight of the Pheromone Traps Type Delta in Trapping and Forecasting the Emergence of the Lesser Date Moth, Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick and Evaluating the Sensitivity of Some Palm Varieties to Insect Injury

El-Filahy, M.H.A. and M.Sh. Mansour. 2023. The Effect of the Hight of the Pheromone Traps Type Delta in Trapping and Forecasting the Emergence of the Lesser Date Moth, Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick and Evaluating the Sensitivity of Some Palm Varieties to Insect Injury. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 41(3): 226-232. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-41.3.226232 During the 2021-2022 season field study conducted in Anbar governorate to determine the population dynamics of Batrachedra amydraula using pheromone traps (Alpha scenes Inc. West Linn) and the effect of trap height on number of male insects traped. In addition, host preference and sensitivity of date palm varieties to infestation with the insect was also evaluated. The results obtained showed that the first appearance of the insect was at the end of the third week of March with an average of 2 insects/trap at a temperature of 16.5°C and 51.5% RH. The number of insects caught in the trap reached a peak during the first week of June at an average of 139 insect/trap, at a temperature of 32°C and 42% RH. The insect count then decreased after the third week of June to zero insects/trap until the third week of July. Field experiments also showed that the traps height had an effect on the number of insects caught. The average number of total insects caught in traps at 1.5 m was 45.5, whereas the average number of insects caught in traps placed at 2.5 m was 20.5. The results also showed that the highest total infestation rate in the Khistawi variety was 36.89%, followed by Zahdi (18.83%). The infestation rate of the variety kheyara was the lowest (12.61%). The results also showed the average larval density of the insect Batrachedra amydraula was the highest on the khestawi variety with total average injury severity of 0.14%, followed by zahdi variety with an average total injury severity of 0.05%. Therefore, by combining the infestation rate and average number of the insect larvae, it can be concluded that the Khistawi variety was the most sensitive to the insect, and the variety Kheyara was the most tolerant. In addition, the use of pheromone traps was instrumental in reducing the injury caused by the insect, and using resistant/tolerant varieties can effectively contributes to the reduction of the infestation rate of the insect to become below the economic injury level. Keywords: Date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L., Lesser date moth Batrachedra amydraula, Pheromone traps, Variety sensitivity

NITROGEN AND BIOFERTILIZATION EFFECTS ON BIOCHEMICAL, QUALITATIVE, AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS OF SORGHUM (SORGHUM BICOLOR L.)

A field experiment done in the spring of 2022 on Sorghum bicolor L. cultivars with different nitrogen and biofertilizer fertilizer regimes proceeded at the Ibn-Al-Bitar Vocational Preparatory School, District Al-Hussainiya, Holy Governorate of Kerbala. Sowing in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a factorial experiment and three replications took place in the third week of March 2022, and harvesting in the third week of July 2022. The trial included two factors; the first had three sorghum cultivars (V1 = Al-Khair, V2 = Rabeh, and V3 = Bohuth 70). The second factor was combinations of nitrogen and biofertilizers, i.e., F0 = the complete dose of nitrogen fertilizer (320 kg N ha-1 ); F1 = 3/4 nitrogen fertilizer + Azotobacter; F2 = 1/2 nitrogen fertilizer + Azotobacter; F3 = 1/4 nitrogen fertilizer + Azotobacter, and F4 = Azotobacter with no nitrogen fertilizer. The results showed the superiority of cultivar Bohuth 70 for the traits yield per plant (116.2 g plant-1 ) and nitrogen, phosphorus, and protein percentages in grains (2.212%, 0.3212%, and 13.82%, respectively). Cultivar Al-Khair excelled in total chlorophyll, ash, and potassium percentages in grains (1.057 mg g-1 , 2.165%, and 2.085%, respectively). As for the interaction, the combined treatments V3F0 excelled in the traits of yield per plant (134.4 g plant-1 ), nitrogen (2.610%), and protein percentages (16.31%), while the interaction of V1F3 performed better for the variables ash and potassium percentages (2.600% and 2.160%, respectively). However, the reaction of V3F1 surpassed phosphorus and potassium percentages (0.3615% and 2.160%). The research happened to know the extent to reducing the quantities of recommended chemical nitrogen fertilizers and their effect on the qualitative.

Competitive Regulation of Dominant Exotic Whiteflies on Coconut Palms as Influenced by Biotic and Abiotic Factors

In the recent past, exotic whiteflies viz., Aleurodicus rugioperculatus, Paraleyrodes bondari, Paraleyrodes minei and Aleurotrachelus atratus are infesting coconut plantations in India. Based on the damage potential, the predominant species are the rugose spiralling whitefly, A. rugioperculatus and the Bondars nesting whitefly, P. bondari. A study was undertaken to determine the seasonal incidence and population dynamics of these in the new invasion region at Karungalakudi block of Madurai district from 33rd standard meteorological week (SMW) of 2021 to 32nd SMW of 2022. The results indicated that A. rugioperculatus incidence rose considerably from the first week of April (10.9 adults/ leaflet) to third week of May (8.3 adults/ leaflet; while P. bondari reached maximum during the third week of March (71.99 adults/ leaflet) and extended up to first week of June (67.57 adults/ leaflet) coinciding with summer months with high temperature and limited precipitation. Subsequently, their incidence declined with the onset of north east monsoon coupled with parasitism by Encarsia guadeloupae and predation by chrysopids from third-week of August to fourth-week of December in 2021. The extent of parasitism by E. guadeloupae on A. rugioperculatus nymphs was positively correlated and ranged from 40% (third week of August, 33rd SMW, 2021) to 84% (second week of June 2022, 24th SMW). Chrysopids revealed a highly significant positive correlation with the incidence.

COVID-19 Vaccine Framing: The Case of Astrazenca and Twitter Users

Framing of health messages on social media can impact health choices and behaviour such as vaccine uptake. The present study aimed to examine how AstraZeneca has been framed on social media, characterize Twitter users who have engaged in the distribution of health-related information about the AstraZeneca vaccine, and demonstrate the impact of various frames on user engagement. Tweets with a collective total of more than 159,000 words were gathered from tweets posted during the second and third week of March 2021 and analyzed using a cognitive linguistics approach, i.e., frame semantics. In addition, social media mining tools were employed to investigate user engagement. The findings indicate the presence of negative vaccination framing with three sub-systems: the vaccine (i.e., vaccination politics), the government’s response to (in)effectiveness, and citizens (the vaccinated), which are known through public reaction. All frames represented AstraZeneca in a negative light and have implications for health professionals, policies, and practices. Furthermore, Twitter user analysis revealed a link between the condensed nature of the retweets about the AstraZeneca vaccine and the potential spread of health misinformation. The findings inform future research by providing a snapshot of how the public has dealt with recent news of the reported side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine on social media. The study concludes that the findings provide useful information in understanding the impact of health messages on social media in influencing people’s vaccine uptake.

Genetic Studies for some Bean Traits in Relation to Stability and Insect Infestations

This research was carried out at a private farm located at Qaha, Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt during the two successive summer seasons of 2018 and 2019 to estimate the stability parameters of ten dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes for yield, insect infestation and some economic traits under different planting densities as well as to assess the annual variation of some insect pests through different growing densities and seasons in relation to certain climatic factors, synchronization of plant age with insect infestation percentage on plant due to insect activity. There were significant genotype × densities interactions for the studied bean’s traits, i.e., number of days to flowering, pod length, 100-seeds weight, number of pods/plant, yield/feddan and insect infestation. Combined analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for all studied traits. Pooled deviation mean squares for number of days to flowering, yield/fed. and insect infestation were not significant suggesting the consistency of the genotypes yielding ability under environmental conditions tested. The high yielding genotypes G6, G1 and G10 produced high yielding performance based on wide adaptation and stability of performance over all environments. Genotypes G3, G5, G7 and G10 were insensitive to environmental changes and could be recommended for cultivation under all conditions. Genotype G8 also had minimum aphid infestation over range of environments showed below regression coefficients for yield/fed. and insect infestation and low deviation from regression, indicated specific adaptability of this genotype to unfavorable environments. Genetic variation (σ2g) was large in magnitude compared to error one (σ2e) in all studied traits of all cases except pod length in all densities of 2nd season (Env. 5-8) and number of pods under 10 cm/2 rows of Env.8, reflecting the genetic differences among genotypes for all studied traits except of those two cases. The population of both leaf miners (Melanogromyza phaseoli) and aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch) was observed from the third week of March (5th week after planting date) and continued till to 3rd week of May (14th week after planting) and reached to a peak level 55.2 and 85.9% for aphid and leaf miners during 9th and 11th weeks after planting date, respectively, i.e. 2nd and 4th week of April. Genotype G8 interacted with planting space of (5 cm ×2 rows) were explained the lowest Melanagromyza phaseoli (Tryon) and Aphis craccivora Koch, infestations (18.8% and 12.6%, respectively) followed by G1 and G5 with the same planting space for leaf miners (29.6%) and aphid (15.3%) infestations, respectively.

Spatial and Temporal Monitoring of North African Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur arenicola (Hartert, EJO, 1894): First Migrants Arrive Early and Select Nesting Trees next to Foraging Resources while Second Breeders’ Wave Breed around Earlier Nests

This study aimed to evaluate the spatial microdistribution and temporal microdistribution of the North African subspecies of the globally threatened Turtle Doves in Morocco. From the end of February to early September, we monitored the migration dates, counting arrival and departure dates, and breeding chronology, to clarify if the breeding season is divided into sub-breeding phases or not. Equally, the spatial distribution of nests following potential breeding phases was surveyed weekly in Beni Mellal province following a map of a selected orange orchard. Doves arrived in Beni Mellal in the third week of March and left in mid-October, according to the results. The first nests occurred in the second week of April, followed by the first eggs in the third week of April and the first chicks in the first week of May. PCA analysis showed that the nesting and laying stages were achieved principally during the last two weeks of April and the first three weeks of May, the hatching stage between the fourth week of May and the second week of July, and fledging between the fourth week of July and the first week of September. Further, the breeding season was divided into two phases: the first breeding phase, from the first week of April to the first week of June, and the second phase, between the second week of June and the second week of August. The DCA analysis and orchard-created map indicated that the first wave of breeders colonized the marginal trees located on the orchard sides, surrounded by foraging cereals and legumes, and the second breeding-phase nests were constructed in flocks next to the nests of the first breeding phase. According to this strategy, the first breeders prospect the orchard and select nesting trees near foraging resources, while the second breeders’ wave colonizes trees near successfully used prospector sites. These findings are of great importance for comparative investigations and habitat-scale conservation management.

Losing psychiatric or psychological follow-up during the first COVID-19 confinement in Portugal: outcomes in mental health

IntroductionThe COVID-19 outbreak imposed several periods of lockdown to stop the pandemic, with a determinant impact on access to mental health services. In Portugal, the first State of Emergency was declared on the 18th of March 2020, with the obligation of mandatory confinement and circulation restriction. Restrictive measures were alleviated on the 2nd of May 2020.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the impact of the first confinement on the maintenance or loss of psychiatric and psychological follow-up. Also, we aimed to explore the outcomes in the mental health of losing psychiatric or psychological consultations.MethodsWe conducted an online survey among the Portuguese population to evaluate demographic, clinical and mental health variables (STAI, DASS-21, PHQ, OCI-R, Quality of Life [QoL] and PSS). Individuals were invited to answer the survey at two timepoints: third week of March 2020 and third week of May 2020. Concerning the first timepoint, we used independent t-tests to compare the mental health variables in the individuals who loss and who did not lose consultations. Then, we evaluated the impact of losing consultations across time in those individuals who continued responding in the second timepoint, through a Linear Fixed Model. All the analyses were performed using JASP software.ResultsFrom the total sample (n=2040), 334 individuals (84.4% female gender) had psychiatric and/or psychological consultations previously to the confinement. In March 2020, the individuals who maintained the consultations (35.0%) showed best mental health indicators in the QoL Self Evaluation (p=0.002), QoL Satisfaction (p=0.037), STAI State (p<0.001), DASS-21 (p=0.001), PHQ (p<0.001), OCI-R (p=0.002) and PSS (p<0.001). Among the matched individuals who answered the survey in May 2020 (n=93), we found that the group who maintained follow-up (n=24) did not improve significantly more than the other group (n=69) for any of the mental health variables in study.ConclusionsThe results indicate that stopping psychiatric and psychological follow-up represented worse mental health outcomes at the beginning of the first confinement. However, anxiety feelings improved at the end of the first confinement, which happened independently of psychiatric/ psychological follow-up.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Re‐evaluating online oral examinations

Re‐evaluating online oral examinations

Efficacy of Some Predators and Lecanicillium lecanii Fungus in Controlling of Aphis gossypii (Glover) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) in Potato Crop

Lokma, N., A.A.A. Saleh, S.A.M. Amer and M F.M. Zawrah. 2023. Efficacy of Some Predators and Lecanicillium lecanii Fungus in Controlling of Aphis gossypii (Glover) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) in Potato Crop. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 41(2): 152-160. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-041.2.152160 This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of predators and Lecanicillium lecanii suspension as bicontrol agents against Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii in potato crop, whereas Aphis gossypii had two peaks in the third week of March and April in 2020 and 2021 seasons. In addition, M. persicae had two peaks for both seasons in the fourth week of March and third week of April in 2020 and in the third week of March during 2021. The common predators observed in potato fields were: Coccinella undecimpunctata L., Chrysoperla carnea Steph., Coccinella septumpunctata, Metasyrphus corollae F. and Cydonia vicina isis (Muls.). Regarding potato predators, one peak was found in the second week of March (60 predators/25 leaves) during the 2020 season, and two peaks were found in the third week of March and second week of April (53 and 38 predators/25 leaves, respectively), in 2021 season. On the 8th day after treatment, the entomopathogenic fungus L. Lecanii produced maximum aphid mortality at highest concentration of 108 conidia/ml and 50% concentration of fungal metabolites for both M. persicae and A. gossypii. Meanwhile, L. lecanii 50% metabolites solution had more latent effect by decreasing the longevity and the number of nymphs than when using the spore suspension of 108 conidial/ml. Keywords: A. gossypii, M. persicae, aphid predators, Lecanicillium lecanii, potato.

Comparing 16-year-old shortleaf and loblolly pine growth and yield on a north Mississippi afforested site

This analysis compares the growth and yield of 16-year-old shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) planted on retired fields near Holly Springs in north Mississippi. The 1-0 bareroot shortleaf seedlings were planted in early March of 2005, while bareroot 1-0 loblolly pine 2nd-generation seedlings were planted during the third week of March in 2005. For both species, the site was subsoiled. Within the plantations of each species, four plots were established for each species and total height and diameter at breast height (dbh) were measured. Volumes were then estimated using appropriate combined-variable volume equations. Loblolly pine had substantially greater growth rates relative to shortleaf pine, producing on average across the four plots (n = 4) 48.4 m-2 of basal area ha-1. This basal area was 42.6% greater than the 34.0 m-2 of basal area ha-1 observed within the shortleaf pine. For merchantable volume, defined as all trees with a dbh of 10.16 cm and greater up to a diameter-outside bark (dob) of 5.08 cm, the loblolly pine m-3 volume ha-1 of 424 was 2.36 times greater than that of shortleaf pine. Merchantable volumes were converted to tons and a revenue of $3.61 was assumed per ton of pulpwood. A theoretical 3rd row thinning with no logger select of the remaining rows was conducted – hence the thinning was assumed to remove 33% of the standing merchantable yield. Loblolly pine had a stumpage value of $97.39 ha-1 which was 136% greater than the shortleaf pine economic value of $41.23 ha-1.

Literature review on health benefits due to good quality of air during lockdown

The epidemic caused by COVID-19 triggered a terrible situation that spread over the whole world. Since the third week of March 2020, all forms of industrialization, including hospitality, education, the corporate world, and entertainment, are subject to restrictions as a result of this. Please provide research analyzing the effect of the lockout on habitats throughout the whole country of India or beyond. The findings not only show a reduction in potentially hazardous air pollutants such as SO2, NO2, PM10, and PM2.5, but they also show an increase in levels of O3, which in turn leads to the repair of our ozone layer, which is essential for maintaining human health. These studies demonstrate the significant consequences of air quality affects across 46 cities located across the whole country of India.

Pengaruh Pembelajaran STEM Berbasis Masalah Terhadap Penguasaan Konsep Fisika Peserta Didik

This study aims to determine the effect of problem-based STEM learning on students' mastery of physics concepts. The research method used is quasi-experimental with a nonequivalent control group design. The research was carried out from the third week of March to the second week of April at SMAN 1 Sikur. The population of this research was students of class XI MIPA 2, XI MIPA 3, and XI MIPA 4 for the academic year 2021/2022, with a sampling technique using purposive sampling. This study used two classes, namely the control and experimental groups—the Data collection for mastery of concepts using tests in the form of description questions. The research hypothesis was tested using an independent t-test to analyze the difference in the mean scores of pre-test and post-test in both classes using SPSS 16 software. The independent t-hypothesis test resulted in a sig. (2-tailed) of 0.009, more minor than the significance value. (0.05) so that H_0 is rejected, and it is concluded that there are differences in the mastery of physics concepts due to the application of the problem-based STEM learning model.

Ocular events following the surge of cough and cold medications use during the Omicron outbreak in Hong Kong.

To the Editor Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation worsened since the Omicron spread in Hong Kong,1 numerous infected but mildly ill patients accumulated in our community.2,3 We report a surge in acute primary angle closure (APAC) since the local outbreak of Omicron. This letter highlights the potential ocular sequelae of antitussive and nasal decongestants usage and serves to alert practitioners to wear adequate personal protective equipment upon attending APAC cases. In second to third week of March, we encountered consecutive eight eyes (seven patients) of APAC (Table 1) in our hospital, which was more than triple of usual. Five (71.4%) were without past ocular history. The remaining two (28.6%) were known to be primary angle-closure suspect (PACS). All admitted prior cough mixture or cold medications uses for relief of upper respiratory tract symptoms, including promethazine compound linctus, diphenhydramine compound linctus, actified syrup (pseudoephedrine and triprolidine), chlorpheniramine and different over-the-counter anti-histamine and nasal decongestant. Four (57.1%) patients were known cases of COVID-19, when the first week of March was the peak of the Omicron surge. The remaining three (42.9%) were not yet tested upon attendance, yet symptomatic with cough, sputum and runny noses. All were SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive by polymerase chain reaction subsequently. Investigation gonioscopy of the contralateral eye revealed PACS in all cases.

Public Search Interests Related to COVID-19: Insights from Google Search Trends in Bangladesh

PurposePublic response monitoring is critical to reducing COVID-19 infections and developing effective public health strategies. This study explored Google search trends to understand public responses to COVID-19 concerns in Bangladesh.Methods & MaterialsWe used country-level Google search trends data to examine the association between Google search terms related to COVID-19 deaths, face masks, and COVID-19 vaccines and the actual and one-week lagged actual COVID-19 death counts from February 2, 2020, to December 19, 2020, in Bangladesh.ResultsSearch terms related to COVID-19 deaths, face masks, and COVID-19 vaccines increased and peaked during March and April, but then began declining gradually after June 2020. The mean relative search volume for face masks (35 points) was higher than for death information (8 points) and vaccines (16 points) throughout the study period, and searching for masks peaked (100 points) during the third week of March. Search interests for death information and face masks were negatively correlated with the actual and one-week lagged actual COVID-19 death counts.ConclusionIn response to declining trends in COVID-19-related google search terms, policymakers should strengthen ongoing risk communication and preventive information dissemination programs to control and prevent COVID-19 cases and deaths.

Efficacy of Neem Based Formulations Against Wheat Aphids Under Semi-Arid Irrigated Conditions in South-West Punjab

Neem formulations viz. aqueous extract of neem and NSKE along with standard check thiamethoxam were evaluated for their efficacy against wheat aphids Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) and Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch). It was observed that aphids’ incidence on shoots started in the first week of January with a peak (40.90 aphids/ shoot) during third week of March. Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 50 g/ ha was found significantly superior giving 93.53% reduction after 7 DAS (days of spray). Different formulations of neem also yielded comparable results in controlling wheat aphids. Aqueous extract of neem @ 5 l/ ha resulted maximum (74.21%) reduction followed by NSKE @ 10% (69.04%) after 7 DAS. Occurrence of coccinellids was more in treatments with neem formulations than in thiamethoxam. The treatments resulted in 2.48- 9.25% increase in yield and it can be concluded that aqueous extract of neem and NSKE can be recommended over the most commonly used thiamethoxam for controlling wheat aphids.

Thermal Response of Spring–Summer-Grown Black Gram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) in Indian Subtropics

The thermal environment of a crop is one of the prime factors enhancing growth and production by regulating its physiological processes at different phenophases. To study the impact of thermal regime on spring–summer-grown black gram (variety Pant Urd 31), an experiment was conducted with different sowing dates (from the first to the third week of March), soil application of cobalt (Co) and foliar sprays of potassium (K) and boron (B) in various combinations in the split–split plot design during 2020 and 2021. The first-week-of-March-sown crop recorded more accumulated growing degree-days (GDD), photothermal units (PTU) and heliothermal units (HTU) with a longer duration than the later sown crop. Higher daily mean temperature during the reproductive stage of the later sown crop compelled it to complete the phenophases earlier than the normally sown crop, leading to yield reduction. Soil application of Co at 4 kg ha−1 and foliar sprays of K at 1.25% and B at 0.2% mitigated the adversities of excess heat irrespective of sowing dates. Variations in GDD and HTU, respectively, explained variations of about 75.8% and 87.3% in the final dry matter accumulation and of 72.9% and 84.8% in seed yield through polynomial regressions in the respective years. The maximum mean thermal use efficiency (TUE) for biomass production (0.24 g m−2/°C/day−1) and seed yield (0.11 g m−2/°C/day−1) were observed with Co soil application and combined foliar sprays of K and B due to higher dry matter production or seed yield with lower heat units accumulation in the first sown crop.

COVID-19 restrictions and their influences on ambient air, surface water and plastic waste in a coastal megacity, Chennai, India

Anthropogenic activities experienced a pause due to the nationwide lockdown, imposed to contain the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the third week of March 2020. The impacts of suspension of industrial activities, vehicular transport and other businesses for three months (25 March-30 June) on the environmental settings of Chennai, a coastal megacity was assessed. A significant reduction in the key urban air pollutants [PM2.5 (66.5%), PM10 (39.5%), NO2 (94.1%), CO (29%), O3 (45.3%)] was recorded as an immediate consequence of the reduced anthropogenic activities. Comparison of water quality of an urban river Adyar, between pre-lockdown and lockdown, showed a substantial drop in the dissolved inorganic N (47%) and suspended particulate matter (41%) during the latter period. During the pandemic, biomedical wastes in India showed an overall surge of 17%, which were predominantly plastic. FTIR-ATR analysis confirmed the polymers such as polypropylene (25.4%) and polyester (15.4%) in the personal protective equipment.