Search

Climate change impact on crop production using different climate model projections varies considerably and it is challenging to choose a suitable climate scenario for risk assessment. This study aims to assess the climate change impact on the wheat crop in nine agro-climatic zones (ACZs) of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in Northern India using the CERES-Wheat crop model, driven by high resolution projected climate from different regional climate models (RCMs). The results show that the vegetative growth period would be shortened across the ACZs and scenarios where higher reductions will be witnessed under RCP 8.5 viz., up to 10 days in the 2050s (2040–2069), and 14 days in the 2080s (2070–2099). Also, in the 2080s shortening up to 17 days will be observed in the total growth period under RCP 8.5. When elevated CO2concentration was not considered the wheat yields were found to reduce up to 20.5 and 30% under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5, respectively, in the 2050s. In the 2080s, the losses will be more pronounced reaching up to 41.5% under RCP 8.5. With the consideration of CO2,the yield reductions will be up to 14 and 18% under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 respectively in the 2080s. Uncertainty associated with climate model revealed that ACCESS 1-0 and MPI-ESM-LR predicted higher mean yield reductions while CNRM-CM5 has shown a mild effect. Present study concluded that eastern UP is a vulnerable region for wheat production in the 21st century. The results suggest that there is an urgent need for developing suitable adaptation strategies to ameliorate the adverse effects on wheat production in UP through regional policy planning.

Wound emerge as biggest healthcare concern and a leading cause of death. Oral antibiotics are first line therapy used for wound treatment. However, large consumption of oral antibiotic drugs leads to antibiotic resistance. This condition makes demand for the development of novel wound dressing with highly efficient wound healing activity. Rapid wound healing, localized drug delivery, less adverse effects and cost-effective properties of hydrogel makes it most efficient among all other wound dressing. Few limitations such as poor mechanical strength and non-responding to external stimuli of hydrogel is overcome by use of smart hydrogel. Smart hydrogel releases drugs in controlled manner depending on continuous changing chemical and physical stimuli of wound. Smart hydrogel alters their water solubility, expansion capability and physical properties with respect to change in external stimuli, which makes it more effective in wound condition than any other conventional medical dressing. Biocompatibility, biodegradability and adaptable mechanical characteristics of natural biopolymer makes upper hands over synthetic biopolymer. Biopolymers are frequently used as precursors for smart hydrogels because of the unique and crucial qualities of cell adhesion, which accelerates the rate of cell proliferation and tissue regeneration activity and improves the rate of wound healing. This review is aimed to provide an insight to the recent advancement in biopolymer-based smart hydrogels and their applications in wound healing.