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The present experiment was conducted at a constant temperature of 25 ± 0.5 °C, 70 ± 5 per cent relative humidity and 14L: 10D photoperiod on French bean, Phaseolus vulgaris cv. contender plants in the Biocontrol Laboratory of the Department of Entomology, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India. The study revealed that Encarsia formosa exhibited a Type II functional response both on the bases of parasitism and host kill with third and fourth nymphal instars of greenhouse whitefly. The functional response parameters i.e. handling time (Th), attack rate (a), effectiveness of parasitoid (a/Th) and the maximum parasitization rate (K) on total host kill by the parasitoid on third nymphal instar was 0.575 h, 0.037 h−1, 0.064 and 41.684, respectively whereas with fourth nymphal instar, handling time (Th), attack rate (a), effectiveness of parasitoid (a/Th) and the maximum parasitization rate (K) was 0.518 h, 0.044 h−1, 0.086 and 46.317, respectively. The area of discovery of the parasitoid with third nymphal instars decreased from 0.12 to 0.09 and with fourth instar it decreased from 0.14 to 0.09 with the increase in the density of the parasitoid from 2 to 8 for both the nymphal instars (third and fourth), respectively. The mutual interference coefficient with fourth instar was highest (m = 0.285) as compared to third instar nymphs (m = 0.166). It shows its effectiveness against the greenhouse whitefly. Hence, it can be utilized as one of the component of an integrated pest management programme of greenhouse whitefly, T. vaporariorum under protected cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize is one of the important cereal crops in the north western Himalayan region of India. The present investigation was carried out to briefly compile the natural enemies associated with maize insect pests in Zone-I (sub-tropical low hills) and Zone-II (sub-humid mid-hills) of Himachal Pradesh, India. A total of 11 natural enemies were found to be associated with maize insect pests during different stages of crop growth viz., coccinellids (adults and grubs), larvae of syrphids and lacewings, parasitoid wasps, i.e., Anastatus sp., Cotesia ruficrus and Dinocampus sp. The maximum population of coccinellid adults and grubs was recorded at Bhareri i.e., 10.25 adult beetles per 30 plants and 8.25 grubs per 30 plants during September in Zone-I. In Zone-II, the maximum population of coccinellid adults (12.00 beetles / 30 plants) and grubs (10.75 grubs/30 plants) was recorded at Chamba during the maturity stage of the crop. At Palampur, the population of predators was maximum when the population of its host i.e., aphids was maximum and the activity of parasitoids (Diaeretiella sp.) was observed to be maximum in the fourth week of September . This study will boost up farmer's and researcher's knowledge about the status of natural enemy fauna associated with maize pests at major maize cultivating locations in the state and moreover, it will encourage farmers to go for any of the available biocontrol agents, rather than relying on harmful and synthetic chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of the development strategy for Chuhar Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India. The study is conducted to design production strategies intended to improve income, employment, and socio-economic well-being of the Indian farming community. It concludes that credit institutions, market outlets, and farm or extension services should be strengthened in the remote region in order to realize its potential.

The article highlights the Indian hagiographic texts of the Puranas and focuses on the Western Himalayan Provinces of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. It mentions that Indian texts are connected to the contravention of the earlier Vedic-Upanishadic texts. It gives an emphasis on the local Sanskrit literature and focuses on the Nilamata Purana. It mentions that iconographies of dieties of the river is being used in Nilamata Purana. The article also highlights the rituals and rites of the rivers and the pilgrims used in the worship of river goddesses.

The article grapples with the period of transition from 'native' to colonial rule. It comprehends the crisis of political-economy in transition by contextualising certain civil cases and petitions to understand how people exploited the ambiguity between power and authority--between the ideology of 'tradition' and the 'method' of colonial institutions--to elevate their social and economic status. While the colonial institutions could empower individuals and groups economically, only 'traditional' authority could legitimise their revision in social status. The strategy employed by the Jogis of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, who petitioned the Raja while simultaneously exploring the legal framework and the land settlement regime of their British masters, indicates their comprehension of the system in transition. The institutional framework of the latter empowered them, while the nominal authority of the Raja was invoked to claim social status. This strategy, of social mobility and empowerment, undergirds the transformation in the agrarianscape, and contextualises the ascendance of religious orders/ leaders who cut across caste and sectarian boundaries at the time when the state was in the process of transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thermostable cellulases are in constant demand for several biotechnological applications. Two thermophilic bacterial strains PW1 and PW2 isolated from Tattapani hot spring were found to have cellulolytic activity. Subsequently, PW1 and PW2 were identified and mined for genes encoding cellulase activity. Results: Sequencing of the 16S rDNA of PW1 and PW2 identified them as Bacillus sp. PW1 (Acc no. KU711837) and Bacillus sp. PW2 (Acc no. KU711838), respectively, which clustered in the clades containing thermophilic members of Bacillus sp. and Geobacillus species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that despite the morphological and sequence identities, Bacillus sp. PW1 and Bacillus sp. PW2 are different at the genetic level. The cellulase genes (~ 1.1 kb) of the two bacterial strains were amplified using primers designed against related thermophilic cellulases. Sequencing of the cellulase gene amplicons of PW1 and PW2 revealed that they encode proteins of 280 and 206 amino acid residues, respectively. Sequence and domain analysis of the protein products of PW1 and PW2 revealed that they belong to M42 family of aminopeptidase/endoglucanase. The PW2 endoglucanase coding sequence was submitted to Genbank under accession no. MH049504. The structures of putative endoglucanases of PW1 and PW2 were generated using 1VHE.A as template, which showed the presence of vast proportion of random coils. Molecular docking of the modeled endoglucanase proteins with various substrates and products of cellulases showed that carboxymethyl cellulose and maltose exhibit the highest binding affinity, while xylan and glucose the least. Conclusions: The two thermophilic bacteria PW1 and PW2 and their endoglucanase gene can be further utilized for recombinant production of thermostable cellulases for their application in industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several pests and diseases infest apple during production, potentially causing heavy losses. Numerous pesticides are used to control pests and diseases, sprays of which contaminate the environment and result in pesticide residues. Among Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), particle film technology (PFT) is promising for organic fruit production. Now some kaolin-based PFs such as Surround WP®, EclipseT, Anti-stress-500®, Parasol® have been developed which are available worldwide for commercial use. In India, preliminary research work was conducted for observing the effect of one kaolin-based PF (Surround WP®) on 'Delicious' apple. Five sprays of Surround WP® (3%) were applied to 20-randomly selected 'Delicious' apple trees each year during 2015–16 and 2016–17. The sprays were applied, starting on June 15 every year at fortnightly intervals and 20 unsprayed trees served as controls. Surround WP® reduced the incidence of San Jose scale (by ~ 64%), apple scab (by ~ 87%) and powdery mildew (by ~78%) significantly but increased the incidence of woolly apple aphid (by ~ 23%) compared to the control. Surround WP®- treated apples developed a better red color (Hunter 'a' value = 53.42 ± 0.42), increased anthocyanin content and improved appearance score. Surround WP® - treated apples were 35.4% firmer and contained a 49.9% higher Ca content compared to untreated fruit. Surround WP® treatment also showed significant improvement in soluble solids (increased by 10.5%) and ascorbic acid content (increased by 10.8%) with significant reduction in storage disorders such as bitter pit (reduced by 90.8%), brown core (reduced by 73.3%) and water core (reduced by 88.4%). Based on this study, Surround WP® can be recommended for organic production of 'Delicious' apples in Himachal Pradesh, India. • Preliminary trials have been conducted on the effects of Surround WP®, a kaolin-based particle film on apple in India. • Surround WP®, improved peel colour, fruit appearance score and reduced the incidence of major insect-pests and diseases. • Pre-harvest sprays of Surround WP® reduced the incidence of storage disorders of apples such as bitter pit, brown core and water core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Trend analysis of PM 10 over a period of 7 years study is conducted and presented. • Annual averages did not show a clear trend and seasonal analysis displayed maximum concentrations during summer. • Correlations of PM10 with other criteria pollutants were presented. • Correlation of PM 10 with relevant meteorological parameters were presented. • Design and location of additional monitoring stations for Shimla city were determined. The present study aims to evaluate the long-term trends of PM 10 at two monitoring stations (an urban and a background station) in Shimla city, in India during the period 2011–2017. The highest daily mean concentrations were determined to be 176 μg/m3 and 152 μg/m3 respectively at the urban and the background monitoring locations. Similarly, the annual mean concentrations at the monitoring locations were determined to be 59 μg/m3 and 45 μg/m3 respectively for urban and background concentrations. Exceedance factors determined showed that at the urban monitoring location the ranges varied between 'moderate to high' while at the background monitoring station it remained at 'moderate' levels. Seasonal analysis study carried out revealed that higher concentrations were observed during summer in comparison to winter with the least concentrations occurring during the monsoon season. A regression analysis was carried out to test the interdependency of the PM 10 with other pollutants and a positive correlation was observed between PM 10 and NO 2 and SO 2. Similarly, correlation of PM 10 with meteorological parameters such as wind speed and temperature were found to be positive while for parameters like precipitation and relative humidity it was negative. The paper also presents a critical discussion on the outcomes of the trend analysis study. This includes design and location of additional monitoring sites to adequately represent the actual ambient air quality conditions in Himachal Pradesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]