Zones Of India Research Articles

Genetic Variability and AMMI Bi-Plot Analysis in Bread Wheat Based on Multi-location Trials Conducted under Drought Conditions across Agro-climatic Zones of India

Wheat grown globally under different agro-ecological conditions and drought conditions has emerged as a priority research area for developing genotypes in the near future. In this research, 36 genotypes, including checks (HW 2004, HD 2888, PBW 175 and NI 5439) were tested at 12 locations covering four mega wheat growing zones of India, followed by augmented design under drought conditions, during the crop season 2012/13. The main objective of this research was: to estimate variability parameters and correlation; determining the closeness of experimental sites; and identification of site specific adapted wheat genotypes. Our research findings revealed higher broad-sense heritability for plant height (89-98%) and thousand grain weight (80-93%) in all four zones of India. Herein positive and significant phenotypic correlation was found between thousand grain weight and grain yield; while days to heading, days to maturity and plant height were negatively correlated with grain yield under peninsular zone comparable to other zones. Based upon mean yield across locations, the genotypes MACS 6348 (25 q/ha); HD 3043 and AKAW 4635 (24 q/ha each) were found better than others. AMMI analysis revealed that locations; Kota, Sagar, Indore and Niphad were very close to each other and five genotypes were found to be stable in these locations. The locations; Ranchi, Delhi, Gurdaspur and Pune had also been very close to each other and we have identified seven stable genotypes for these locations. Our findings would be very spectacular for wheat breeders conducting multi-location trials. Herein; the promising genotypes identified for different locations could serve as donors to develop the multi-parent advanced generation integrated cross populations to stack genes/alleles conferring drought tolerance.

Vigilance to Limit the Bidirectional Introduction and Co-circulation of Virus Serotypes Aims to Reduce Risk of Severe Dengue Disease in North East India

Dengue is a serious re-emerging arboviral disease that presents a global human health challenge. Infection is caused by one of several recognised serotypes of dengue virus, a member of the mosquito-transmitted Flaviviridae family of human pathogens, which also includes yellow fever, Zika and West Nile viruses. The greatest burden of dengue is borne by countries in the Asia Pacific region, in particular South East Asia and the Indian subcontinent where infection breaks out with increasing frequency and intensity. The World Health Organization South East Asia Region has a population of 1.3 billion people and includes 11 countries, of which Thailand, Myanmar and India have the highest reported incidence of dengue. Infection outcomes vary from the commonly asymptomatic or a self-limiting fever to more severe manifestations such as dengue haemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. Although primary infection with one serotype elicits lifelong immunity against homologous reinfection, severe dengue is linked to an antibody-related immunopathological response that is triggered by secondary infection with a heterologous serotype. The principal vectors of transmission are the day-biting mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus, the respective preference of which for urban and rural habitats has facilitated the rapid and continued spread of dengue across tropical and sub-tropical climatic zones. The narrow elevated corridor of North East India was considered historically to be non-endemic for dengue and as such separated areas of high endemicity in the Bengal Delta and the other zones of India from those in Thailand and Myanmar. In these regions the predominant serotype is usually distinct, so a breach of this geographical bottleneck would potentially enable the co-circulation of virus serotypes, thus posing an increased risk of severe disease upon secondary infection. This alarming scenario may now be realized following the notification of clinical cases in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur in recent years. While incidence is still sporadic in North East India limitation of local outbreaks is required through vigilant adherence to the integrated implementation of clinical management, diagnosis, surveillance and vector control in order to prevent the transcontinental spread of dengue.

Crop Diversification by Agro-climatic Zones of India-Trends and Drivers

Crop diversification is seen as a means to improve income and also as a risk mitigating strategy. Using districtlevel data of 318 districts from 16 states of India, and classifying the districts according to 12 agro-ecologicalzones and irrigation types, this paper examines the pattern of crop diversification and computes the Simpson Index and Herfindahl index to present agricultural diversification between the periods 1966–67 to 2007–08. The paper shows that the demand side-push and urbanization are some of the major factors that explain the crop diversification across agro-climatic zones in India. The paper poses questions for need of future analysis to check if this pattern of diversification can be an adaptive measure to manage climate risk and what should be carefullythought over the broader policy scenario to make the farmers more responsive to manage climate risk through diversification as an adaptive strategy.

Conjunctival oculosporidiosis: A case report from a nonendemic zone in India

Oculosporidiosis or rhinosporidial infection of eye, a rarely encountered disease outside the endemic coastal areas of South India, is caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi. A 12-year-old patient presented with polypoidal conjunctival lesion of the right eye in a tertiary care hospital at West Bengal, India. Excision of the lesion followed by microbiological and histopathological examination confirmed the unique infectious etiology of the lesion. Oculosporidiosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of conjunctival polypoidal lesions even in nonendemic areas because misdiagnosis and improper management may lead to increased incidence in the same zones.

Multivariate analysis of quantitative characters for fiber yield in roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) over six environments

Multivariate Analysis of Quantitative Characters for Fiber Yield in Roselle (Hibiscus Sabdariffa L.) Over Six Environments Sixty genotypes of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) were evaluated at three different agro-climatic zones in India viz., North Coastal zone of Andhra Pradesh, Indo-Gangetic zone and Terai zone of West Bengal for fiber yield and its contributing characters during Kharif, 2013 and 2014 for twelve characters. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that three components (PC1 to PC3 ) with eigen values more than one accounted for about 88% of the total variation among twelve quantitative characters in roselle genotypes. The principal components PC1 , PC2 and PC3 contributed about 74.56%, 8.24% and 5.04% respectively to the total variation. The first principal component had high positive loading for dry stick weight, plant height, fiber yield and green weight (leafless) which contributed more to the diversity. The second principal component had high loading for petiole length, dry stick weight and fiber yield. The genotypes viz., ER-60, REX-34, AS-81-22, REX-6, R-284, AR-71, R-30, R-37, ER-57 and AS-80-7 were identified as the most diverse genotypes, based on component scores for use as parents in hybridization programme. High degree of variability existing within the accessions and the characters will help for further improvement of the rosella crop by evolving high fiber yielding cultivars...

ANN based methodology for active control of buildings for seismic excitation for different seismic zones of India

Abstract In the last two decades, many studies are reported in literature for determining the control force for the active control systems for damage mitigation of buildings due to earthquake. However, no study has been reported for prediction of control force considering the seismic zones in India. In the present study, spectrum compatible time histories are generated for the seismic zones IV and V as per Indian standard IS 1893(Part 1):2002 design spectrum. Time history analysis are carried out with spectrum compatible time histories for shear type buildings modelled as multi-degree of freedom system (MDOF) with a computer program developed in MATLAB by modal superposition using Newmark-beta method. Control forces are obtained by adopting algorithm proposed in literature and input and output patterns are generated for development of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models in Stuttgart Neural Network Simulator (SNNS). In the present study the methodology is demonstrated with five storey building by developing 24 ANN models consisting of two ANN architectures viz., NET1 and NET2 for each seismic zone and three soil types. From the validation of results from ANN models it is observed that the maximum difference in percentage response reduction of peak displacement is less than 10% when it is compared with the target value of percentage response reduction.

Characterization of high molecular weight glutenin subunits of Wheat genotypes

End use quality of wheat is an important goal for developing elite genotypes. Glutenins are considered key factors in improving processing quality, particularly high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS). The HMW-GS are known to be encoded by three Glu-1 loci located on the long arms of chromosomes 1A, 1B and 1D. The endosperm storage proteins of 90 advanced breeding lines developed for peninsular zone of India were analysed by SDS-PAGE to determine their HMW-GS compositions. A total of ten alleles were identified: three at Glu-A1 , five at Glu-B1 , and two at Glu-D1 . In Glu-A1 locus, null, 1 and 2* alleles were found with the frequency of 48%, 30% and 22%. Whereas, in Glu-B1 , 5 alleles with frequency of 17+18 (33%), 7+9 (27%), 7 (25%), 6+8 (9%), and 20 (6%) were detected. In Glu-D1 locus, 2+12 and 5+10 were marked with the frequency of 60% and 40%, respectively. Quality score of genotypes were ranged from 4 to 10, with an average of 6.95 indicating vast genetic diversity among the genotypes. The presence of subunits combinations in different varieties with low, medium and high gluten strength revealed that breeding wheat for bread, chapatti and biscuits is possible as per end use requirement.

New Agro Technology and Traditional Agricultural Knowledge: Some Anthropological Reflection from Tribal India

Since generation traditional knowledge of agriculture is used by human beings in varied agro-ecological zone. These specific traditional agricultural practices of specific agro-ecological zone and its imperativeness for the livelihood pattern get more vibrantly reflected in the agriculture sector of indigenous population of India. In worldview of tribal people, these traditional agro-practices comprises of all stages of agricultural operation and providing the sustainable view of agriculture. This is the reason for resilient nature of persistence of these practices till contemporary period. The agriculture practices and its relations with production is not separated as distinct entity from the other parts of socio-cultural life of the tribal population. It is the amalgamation of kinship, religion, ritual, ecological and other socio-economic cultural cosmos of life. This is the one side of the coin. The other side of the coin (that means knowledge practices in agriculture) is getting deep seated influence of modern agro-technological advancement in agricultural production process. There is one view which, gives the more importance to the traditional aspect of the agricultural production and also argues with new scientific discovery of rationale of using former. On the other hand, modern technocrats argue in favour of new agro-technology to raise the agricultural production as a method to face the food crises. In background of this dichotomy, taking some secondary sources and personal experiences into account, the present paper is an attempt for looking the contemporary interrelationship of traditional farming systems with modern agro-technological advancement in the major tribal agro-ecological zone of India.

Greenhouse Gas Diffusive Flux Assessment from Few Indian Reservoirs

There is a growing interest and concern regarding Green House Gas (GHG) emissions as these is the major contributors of global warming. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and Methane (CH4) are two main GHGs which get emitted from both natural aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems as well as from anthropogenic activities. In natural aquatic system water storage is an important aspect for meeting the requirements of drinking water, food, and energy. However, development of such water bodies will impact the environment. Recent studies have shown that water bodies play a significant role as the sources of GHG emission, particularly in tropical climatic zones. One possible reason for this is the annual water temperature is much higher in tropical climates. This means that the rate of decomposition is faster leading to higher CO2 and CH4 flux in the water. Indian reservoirs indicate the complete spectrum of different types of reservoir found in the world. Their performance in terms of emission of GHGs is more difficult to trace out. In this paper pathways of GHG emission from a reservoir have been discussed and a tool as suggested by UNESCO/IHA has been used to assess the GHG emission from four existing reservoirs in India. These reservoirs are of different age and are located in different parts and climatic zones of India. Predicted diffusive fluxes in CO2eq have been estimated for the year 2013 as well as over the 100 years of their existence in terms of Tonnes CO2 eq.

Energy and Emission Reduction Potential for Bank ATM Units in India

With the growing economy of India, banking sector growth has led to installation of thousands of Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) throughout the country. ATMs provide 24 × 7 services as well as operate at low-temperature ranges of cooling, hence have high operating energy costs. Insulating an ATM’s envelope is not a prevalent technique in India. In the present study, an effort has been made to determine the optimum insulation thickness for three different insulation materials for the typical ATM envelope in four different climatic zones of India. Life cycle savings and payback periods for various insulation materials are also evaluated. Further, these optimally insulated ATM envelopes can be integrated with grid connected rooftop solar PV systems. The energy saving and emissions reduction potential due to these two interventions have been estimated on the national basis. Altogether in the four selected climate zones, energy saving of 17% - 30% provides the annual economic benefit of Indian National Rupees (Rs.) 3570 million with annual carbon reduction potential of about 0.60 million tCO2. From this study, it is observed that properly insulated ATMs integrated with rooftop solar PV systems, can significantly reduce the energy costs as well as carbon emissions in India’s context.

An Approach to Improve Supply Chain Profit Through Buy-Back Contract with Reference to a Book Publishing Firm

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the existing practices of buy-back contract adopted by a book publishing firm and the amount of profit gained by the publisher and a distributor as also the total supply chain profit generated under the current contract. The study was carried out in a leading book publishing firm based in India. It has considered the publisher and a distributor based in northern zone of India as two partners in the supply chain acting as a single supplier and a single retailer respectively. The forecast demand of a book is estimated based on qualitative and quantitative factors and thereafter the print-run quantity and volume of returns is determined based on its estimated demand, variability of demand and critical ratio. Finally the optimum buy-back price is found out which maximizes the profit of both publisher and distributor and also the overall supply chain profit.

Spatio-temporal synoptic variability of aerosol optical depth and cloud properties over the Central North region of India through MODIS collection V satellite sensors

Aerosol optical depth (AOD) values at 550 nm derived from the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors have been analyzed in the present study. The retrieved MODIS satellite data have been used to investigate the temporal heterogeneity in columnar aerosol characteristics over the Central North region of India with a resolution of 1° × 1° grid in magnitude for the 10-year period of 2003–2012. Seasonal and inter-annual variations of AOD values are examined in light of regional synoptic climatic meteorology. On an annual basis, high annual average AOD values (>0.5) are found at Delhi (~0.75 ± 0.44), Kanpur (~0.69 ± 0.7) and Chandigarh (~0.55 ± 0.16), whereas low annual average AOD values (<0.5) are found at Raipur (~0.38 ± 0.046), Jaipur (~0.38 ± 0.096), Bhopal (~0.33 ± 0.087), Nainital (~0.19 ± 0.097) and Shimla (~0.19 ± 0.11). Highest annual mean increase in AOD (~75 %) has been found over Jaipur, whereas lowest over Chandigarh (~21 %) across Central North region of India during the study period of 2003–2012. We have investigated the relationship between Terra AOD values at 550 nm and other cloud parameters, namely cloud fraction, water vapor, cloud top temperature, cloud top pressure, cloud optical depth and cloud effective radius over this urban tropical zone of India so as to have a better understanding of aerosol–cloud interaction. A one-tailed distribution single paired Student’s t test has also been applied to the Terra AOD values and cloud parameters.

Design optimisation of hybrid energy systems: a case study

Cities in developing countries are experiencing rapid population growth that exerts excess pressure on energy and adversely affects the environment. Uninterrupted supply of energy is possible through the use of hybrid energy systems. This paper is addressed towards identifying and integrating the locally available renewable energy sources of a city in a composite climatic zone of India by using ‘hybrid optimisation model for electric renewables’ software. A solar–biodiesel generator system in conjunction with a battery bank has been considered for obtaining the system's optimum configuration at a minimum annualised cost while satisfying the energy demand. Sensitivity analysis and validation of optimum results are also presented in this paper. This research work is an attempt to encourage the use of an off-grid hybrid system with locally available renewable energy resources in the composite climate of India for reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Comparing System of Wheat Intensification (SWI) with standard recommended practices in the northwestern plain zone of India

ABSTRACTThe practices of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) methodology have been extended to wheat and various other crops with reported good results. To assess such reports with respect to wheat, an experiment was conducted at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during 2011–2012 and 2012–2013. This experiment compared the performance of wheat under System of Wheat Intensification (SWI) and standard recommended practices (SRPs). In 2011–2012, the SWI yield of 7.93 t ha−1 was 30% higher than for SRP in 2012–2013, climatically a less favorable year, hence SWI performed relatively better with a 46% yield advantage under climate stress. SWI produced 12.5% less in the stressful year, while the reduction for the SRPs ranged from 18% to 31%. Differences in yield attributes and root traits were also observed in favor of SWI. Available N, P, and K in the soil after harvesting was increased with SWI, whereas depletion in nutrients with the SRPs indicated the scope for SWI sustaining soil fertility. Higher yield compensated for higher SWI costs of cultivation. A net return of US$ 1383 ha−1 was obtained with SWI, 35% more than the US$ 1020 ha−1 from SRPs. Overall, SWI outperformed the SRPs in terms of yields, climate resilience, and economics.

Do CMIP5 models hint at a warmer and wetter India in the 21st century?

This study diagnoses the spatio-temporal variation of three major hydroclimatic variables (temperature, precipitation and evaporation) estimated from four general circulation models participating in the Fifth Phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparision Project (CMIP5). Changes in climate regime are analyzed across India for the historical scenario (1850–2005) and for the RCP8.5 scenario (2006–2100). The study provides a relative assessment of projected changes in climatic pattern over different zones in India, broadly divided as southern, Eastern, Western, Central, North-Eastern and Himalayan regions. Monthly data for both the scenarios were obtained, and all the data were re-gridded to a common resolution. All the models show a stronger warming in the future as compared to the historical period. The North-Eastern, Northern and Himalayan regions are likely to be severely affected. Though inconsistencies have been observed among the models, the majority of them predict an increase in precipitation in future, with a major increment in southern cities. The Himalayan belt is expected to receive heavy rainfall in the summer season, with little change in the winter season. Most of the regions are not expected to experience change in evaporation in pre-monsoonal months, but substantial change is expected in some regions during monsoonal and post-monsoonal months.

Walkley-Black Recovery Factor to Reassess Soil Organic Matter: Indo-Gangetic Plains and Black Soil Region of India Case Studies

Maintenance of soil organic carbon (SOC) stock is important for monitoring soil health, which appears to be fragile in view of the reported climatic changes due to global warming in tropical countries such as India. This requires accurate and reproducible measurement of SOC. The wet-digestion technique following the Walkley-Black (WB) method to determine SOC has been used throughout the world in soil science, agronomy, and environmental science laboratories. WB suggested a universal correction factor to convert organic carbon to calculate exact quantity of organic carbon present in soil assuming 77% recovery of SOC. We understand that such a blanket recommendation may not hold well in different bioclimatic systems and for soils representing various depths. We present corrected Walkley-Black recovery factors (WBRFc) for different bioclimates and soil depths in two food-growing zones in India.

Temperature trend in different agro-climatic zones in India

Trends in mean monthly temperature m four agro-climatic zones of India have been studied usmg climate data for the period of 1901 to 2002. The Non-Parametnc. Mann-Kendall Test has been applied to Investigate the significance of trend over the years for four agro-climatic zones. The results were cross-checked with those obtained from Spearman's rank statistic and determimstic trend analysis The Investigation reveals that m all the zones, annual mean temperature is significantly increasing The maximum mcrease in annual mean temperature is m zone 3 with a tune of 0.3° centigrade m die last century The results also reveal that the winter months, i.e.. November to January are becoming hotter m all four agro-chmatic zones The monthly mean temperature for zone 1 and 3 is mcreasmg in all the months; on the other hand it is decreasing m June-September m zone 2 and 4 and mcreasmg m other months.

Effect of Building Orientation and Window Glazing on the Energy Consumption of HVAC System of an Office Building for Different Climate Zones

Building orientation, i.e the positioning of building on site, is an important and foremost step during the construction of building. The orientation decides the amount of daylight and natural ventilation which can enter the building. As these days, most of the office space is centrally air conditioned, this paper explores the role of building orientation and window glazing, on the energy consumption of HVAC system of an office building. This paper considers a mid-rise four floor office building in Bangalore, models the building in various geographical orientations and through simulations, and determines the best orientation of the building such that the energy expenditure in rms of cooling and ventilation is minimal. Further simulations are carried out in different temperature zones in India by simulating the same office space in different locations, across India vis New Delhi, Chennai and Ahmedabad and the best orientation for placing the building is found. On realizing the best orientation, the window glazing values are varied for four suitable values of glazing and the most energy efficient glazing providing the least load on the HVAC system is found. The paper concludes with recommendations to reduce the energy consumption of the HVAC system in different zone.

Soil organic carbon stock variability in the Northern Gangetic Plains of India: interaction between agro‐ecological characteristics and cropping systems

AbstractSoil organic carbon (SOC) content and its spatial distribution in the Northern Gangetic Plain (NGP) Zone of India were determined to establish the cause–effect relationship between agro‐ecological characteristics, prevailing crop management practices and SOC stock. Area Spread Index (ASI) approach was used to collect soil samples from the NGP areas supporting predominant cropping systems. Exponential ordinary kriging was found most suitable geo‐statistical model for developing SOC surface maps of the NGP. Predicted surface maps indicated that 43.7% area of NGP had 0.5–0.6% SOC, while the rest of the area was equally distributed with high (0.61–0.75%) and low (&lt; 0.5%) SOC content levels. Averaged across cropping systems, maximum SOC content was recorded in Bhabar and Tarai Zone (BTZ), followed by Central Plain Zone (CPZ), Mid‐Western Plain Zone (MWPZ), Western Plain Zone (WPZ) and South‐Western Plain Zone (SWPZ) of the NGP. The SOC stock was above the optimum threshold (&gt; 12.5 Mg/ha) in 97.8, 57.6 and 46.4% areas of BTZ, CPZ and MWPZ, respectively. Only 9.8 and 0.4% area of WPZ and SWPZ, respectively, had SOC stock above the threshold value. The variation in SOC stock was attributed largely to carbon addition through recycling of organic sources, cropping systems, tillage intensity, crop or residue cover and land‐use efficiency, nutrient‐use pattern, soil texture and prevailing ecosystem. Adoption of conservation agriculture, balanced use of nutrients, inclusion of legumes in cropping systems and agro‐forestry were suggested for enhancing SOC stock in the region.

Vulnerability of agro-ecological zones in India under the earth system climate model scenarios

India being a developing economy dependent on climate-sensitive sector like agriculture is highly vulnerable to impacts of global climate change. Vulnerability to climate change, however, differs spatially within the country owing to regional differences in exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. The study uses the Hadley Centre Global Environment Model version 2-Earth System (HadGEM-ES) climate projections to assess the dynamics in vulnerability across four climate change exposure scenarios developed using Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). The analysis was carried out at subnational (district) level; the results were interpreted and reported for their corresponding agro-ecological zones. Vulnerability of each district was quantified using indicators capturing climatic variability, ecological and demographic sensitivity, and socio-economic capacity. Our analysis further assigns probabilities to vulnerability classes of all the 579 districts falling under different agro-ecological zones. The results of the vulnerability profile show that Western plains, Northern plains, and central highlands of the arid and semi-arid agro-ecological zones are the most vulnerable regions in the current scenario (1950–2000). In the future scenario (2050), it extends along districts falling within Deccan plateau and Central (Malwa) highlands, lying in the arid and semi-arid zones, along with regions vulnerable in the current scenario, recording the highest vulnerability score across all exposure scenarios. These regions exhibit highest degree of variation in climatic parameters, ecological fragility, socio-economic marginality, and limited accessibility to resources, generating conditions of high vulnerability. The study emphasizes on the priority to take up adaptive management actions in the identified vulnerable districts to not only reduce risks of climate change, but also enhance their inherent capacity to withstand any future changes in climate. It provides a systematic approach to explicitly identify vulnerable regions, where regional planners and policy makers can build on existing adaptation decision-making by utilizing an interdisciplinary approach in the context of global change scenario.