Current Science

R. Harikumar ¹, T. M. Balakrishnan Nair ¹, B. M. Rao ¹, Rajendra Prasad ², P. Ramakrishna Phani ¹, C. Nagaraju ¹, M. Ramesh Kumar ¹, C. Jeyakumar ¹, S. S. C. Shenoi ¹, Shailesh Nayak ³

Affiliations
1 ESSO-Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad 500 090, IN
2 Andhra University, Visakhapatnam 530 003, IN
3 Earth System Science Organisation, New Delhi 110 003, IN

Abstract

Ocean-met observations from INCOIS real-time automatic weather station on-board a ship RV Kaustubh served as strong ground truth for satellite- and modelderived forecasts during the very severe cyclonic storm Hudhud, which made a landfall at Visakhapatnam, India. The ship recorded maximum wind speed of 204 km/h (with a minimum central pressure of 945 hPa), which is the highest (lowest) ever instrumentally recorded value at a location on the Indian coastline during any cyclone. Though the global model forecasts of wind fields have shown good agreement inland, they failed in representing the reality along the coasts. Variation in wind energy from ocean towards inland suggests that it is attenuated exponentially inland (the maximum wind power density had reduced by 93,406 W/m² at Anakapalle (~25 km) compared to the ocean, and by 7022 W/m² at Chintapalle (~100 km inland) compared to Anakapalle). The present study reinforces the significance of having realtime near-shore ocean-met observations, and their operational usage for evaluation (assimilation) of (into) ocean-met forecast models in realtime.

Keywords

Automatic Weather Stations, Bias-Corrected Wind Forecasts, Forecast Models, Tropical Cyclones, Shipbased Observations, Wind Power Density.

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R. H. Rizvi ¹, Ram Newaj ¹, Rajendra Prasad ¹, A. K. Handa ¹, Badre Alam ¹, S. B. Chavan ¹, Abhishek Saxena ¹, P. S. Karmakar ¹, Amit Jain ¹, Mayank Chaturvedi ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi 284 003, IN

Abstract

Agroforestry is a traditional and ancient land use practice, having deliberate integration of trees with crop and livestock components. In India, agroforestry practices are prevalent in different agro-ecological zones and occupy sizeable areas. These practices have great potential for climate change mitigation through sequestration of atmospheric CO₂. Carbon sequestration potential was studied in four districts of Gujarat (Anand, Dahod, Patan and Junagarh), for which field survey was conducted to collect primary data on existing agroforestry systems. The extent of agroforestry area in these districts was estimated by sub-pixel classifier using medium resolution remote sensing data (RS-2/LISS III). By sub-pixel classifier, the highest area under agroforestry was estimated in Dahod (12.48%) followed by Junagarh district (10.95%) with an average of 9.12%. Sapota (Manilkara zapota) based agroforestry was also mapped in Junagarh district, which occupied an area of 1.13%. An accuracy of 87.2% was found by sub-pixel classifier in delineation of sapota-based agroforestry in the district. Dynamic CO2FIX model has been used to estimate total carbon (biomass + soils) and net carbon sequestered in existing agroforestry systems. Net carbon sequestered over a simulated period of 30 years in Anand, Dahod, Patan and Junagarh districts was found to be 2.70, 6.26, 1.61 and 1.50 Mg C ha^-1 respectively. Total carbon stock in all four districts for baseline and simulated period of 30 years was estimated to be 2.907 and 3.251 million tonnes respectively. Thus, agroforestry systems in Gujarat have significant potential in carbon storage and trapping atmospheric CO₂ into biomass and soils. Hence, CO2FIX model in conjunction with remote sensing techniques can be successfully applied for estimating carbon sequestration potential of agroforestry systems in a district or a region.

Keywords

Agroforestry, Geospatial, Remote Sensing, Sub-Pixel, Tree Cover.

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Rajendra Prasad ¹, Yashbir Singh Shivay ¹

Affiliations
1 Division of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, IN

Abstract

Oxalic acid and oxalates are produced and present in plants in different amounts. Insoluble calcium oxalate plays a key role in regulating calcium concentration, which is important in the functioning of guard cells. Oxalates provide tolerance to aluminium toxicity to plants growing in acid soils. Both oxalic acid and calcium oxalate provide self-defence against insect pests and grazing animals. Oxalates are involved in phytoremediation of soils rendered toxic by heavy metals, like lead, cadmium, zinc, etc.

Keywords

Aluminium Toxicity, Calcium Oxalate, Oxalic Acid, Phytoremediation.

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Ram Newaj ¹, O. P. Chaturvedi ¹, Dhiraj Kumar ¹, Rajendra Prasad ¹, R. H. Rizvi ¹, Badre Alam ¹, A. K. Handa ¹, S. B. Chavan ¹, Anil Kumar Singh ¹, Mayank Chaturvedi ¹, P. S. Karmakar ¹, Abhishek Maurya ¹, Abhishek Saxena ¹, Gargi Gupta ¹, Kedari Singh ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi 284 003, IN

Abstract

The rising level of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere is a major concern, as scientific evidences show that it is the primary cause of global warming. CO₂ concentration is expected to double by the middle or end of the 21st century, with a temperature rise between 1.5°C and 4.5°C (ref. 1). The importance of agroforestry as a land-use system is receiving wider recognition not only in terms of agricultural sustainability, but also in issues related to carbon sequestration or climate change.

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Rajendra Prasad , Yashbir Singh Shivay

Abstract

Genus Chenopodium has about 250 species, which mostly grow as weeds throughout the world. In India, the most common species is Chenopodium album L., which grows as a weed in wheat fields in the north. Its foliage is used as a green vegetable, while the seed is used in the hilly regions for making gruel and mild alcoholic beverages. However, people of Andes, South America have domesticated and developed Chenopodium quinoa (popularly known as quinoa) as an excellent food-grain crop since the past several millennia. Quinoa received global attention in the wake of human intolerance to gluten in wheat resulting in celiac disease, and its demand has largely increased. The United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 as the International Year of Quinoa. The leading country in the world producing quinoa is Peru, followed by Bolivia. However, considering the demand and high market prices, a number of countries, including India have started growing quinoa. However, farmers in India are facing problem in marketing the crop, because there is no local consumption and exporting a farm product is problematic. India has a variety of food grains, including pearl millet, sorghum and several minor millets to tackle gluten intolerance and celiac disease.

Keywords

No Keywords.

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Rajendra Prasad ¹, Yashbir Singh Shivay ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, IN

Abstract

Cow (also buffalo) milk protein allergy (CMPA) and Lactose Intolerance (LI) due to ingestion of milk are global issues. CMPA could be either immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated or non-IgE-mediated, while LI is a non-allergic response. CMPA affected infants immediately after milk ingestion, express the symptoms which include urticaria, angiooedema, vomiting or an acute flare of atopic dermatitis. If such symptoms are observed, parents should always consult a pediatrician/nutritionist/physician. The IgE-mediated CMPA can be detected by skin prick test. Boiling the milk can partly overcome CMPA. The other option is an alternate diet, such as, soya milk and rice water. LI is not an allergy. The major symptoms of LI are abdominal bloating and cramps, borborygmus (gurgling noise in the intestine), diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. LI is a major problem in Southeast Asia and responsible for low milk consumption in countries in this region. To overcome LI, milk can be consumed as curd or yogurt or other milk products or by taking proper dose of lactase along with milk.

Keywords

Borborygmus, Bloating, Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy, Diarrhoea, Lactase, Lactose Intolerance, Nausea, Rash, Vomiting.

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Dhiraj Kumar ¹, Ram Newaj ¹, Asha Ram ¹, Rajendra Prasad ¹, Veeresh Kumar ²

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Gwalior Road, Near Pahuj Dam, Jhansi 284 003, IN
2 ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru 560 024, IN

Abstract

Fine ischolar_mains are the most important contributors of ecosystem productivity in many terrestrial ecosystems. However, its dynamics, biomass potential, production and turnover rates of fine ischolar_mains under different environments lack clarity. We have studied horizontal and vertical distribution of fine ischolar_main dynamics, including length, density, biomass, production and turnover rates in Phyllanthus emblica-based agroforestry system in stressed environment of red soil patch of Bundelkhand region in Central India. Nearly, 63% of the fine ischolar_main length and its density are confined to 0– 45 cm soil depth. Fine ischolar_main biomass significantly varied across seasons with 70–80% of the biomass obtained during autumn, followed by spring and summer seasons. The annual fine ischolar_main production rates were highest near the stem base up to 1.0 m distance and the turnover rates varied from 1.63 yr^–1 (highest) at 0.5 m distance to 1.03 yr^–1 (lowest) at 1.5 m distance from the stem base. The fine ischolar_main dynamics changed highly across seasons, indicating more vigorous vegetative growth and nutrient release during monsoon months. Thus, studies on fine ischolar_main dynamics can improve our understanding of overall system productivity and management under stressed environments.

Keywords

Agroforestry System, Fine Root Biomass, Phyllanthus emblica, Turnover Rates.

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