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Day-to-day life advanced composite materials usage is increasing continuously and replacing the existing monolithic materials. These composite materials are designed and fabricated for human needs with specific applications and also meet the standard requirements. In present study, the agro and industrial wastes derived ceramic reinforcements based Aluminium metal matrix composites, i.e. AA7075/welding slag and AA7075/Rice husk ash are fabricated through liquid metal stir casting route with varying the reinforcement contents from 2 to 12 (wt.%) in the matrix. Mechanical and microstructural characterization of the AA 7075 metal matrix composite were measured and compared to the base material. The results show an improved mechanical strength and high hardness in composites. Impact energy has also significantly improved at higher concentrations of reinforcement particles. Impact energy of the composites increases to 3 J for 9% and 12%, the maximum tensile strength obtained is 173 MPa for 12% Weld Slag MMC. The highest hardness achieved is 98 BHN for 12% Weld Slag MMC. Furthermore, the microstructural results reflect significant grain refinement with stir casting process with good interface characteristics in the matrix and uniform dispersion of agro reinforcement’s particles.

An experiment was undertaken during rabi season of 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 at experimental field of Division of Environmental Science, ICAR-Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi inside Open Top Chambers (OTCs) to study the growth and physiological response of aestivum (HD 3226) and durum wheat (HI 8627) varieties to elevated temperature and CO2 concentration. Results showed that days to maturity hastened under elevated temperature condition. Photosynthesis rate, leaf area index and tiller number of wheat varieties reduced in elevated temperature treatment while elevated CO2 concentration of 550 ppm was able to partially compensate the reduction. In aestivum variety of wheat, transpiration rate significantly reduced in elevated CO2 plus high temperature interaction treatment than ambient while transpiration rate of durum variety remained unaffected. The negative effect of elevated temperature on aboveground biomass was more in aestivum variety than durum variety. Elevated CO2 concentration compensated reduction in aboveground biomass by 5.9% in HD 3226 (aestivum) and by 3.6% in HI 8627 (durum) varieties under elevated temperature condition. Hence elevated CO2 concentration will be able to partially compensate reduced crop growth in both aestivum and durum wheat varieties under high temperature condition.

Water, nutrients, and energy are the three main inputs in agricultural production and recently there has been a drop in the factor productivity of these inputs because of their improper management and deterioration of soil health. To maximize agricultural productivity while lowering strain on natural resources, the best synergistic combinations of tillage, residue, nitrogen, and water management should be identified for improving resource use efficiency of wheat. Hence, an attempt has been made to evaluate the impact of contrasting tillage, crop residue mulch, nitrogen, and irrigation interaction on yield, radiation productivity (RP), and water productivity (WP) of wheat in a split-factorial design. Results showed that wheat yield was higher under no-tillage (4.8%) than that of conventional tillage. Crop residue mulch (CRM) and higher nitrogen application enhanced RP, WP, and yield of wheat; although RP increased with increase in nitrogen application up to 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN). CRM significantly reduced the seasonal evapotranspiration (6.0‒7.2%) as compared to residue removal treatment. Deficit irrigation enhanced the WP while it lowered the crop yield significantly. Therefore, wheat can be grown under no-tillage, CRM, 100% RDN with deficit irrigation to obtain higher WP but with full irrigation to obtain higher yield, and RP in the semiarid climate of India.

Approximately 60 percent of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) produced in developing countries is cultivated under conditions of drought stress and low fertility/ low input. Coincidence of water and heat stress, which is projected to occur more in changing climates, cause severe yield loss. To quantify the response of kidney bean to water and temperature stress, an experiment was carried under Randomized Block Design in field and temperature gradient tunnel conditions. Temperature treatments included high temperature for entire crop growth period (~4.6℃, ~3.1℃, ~2.8℃ above mean ambient, 19.6℃), ambient temperature, elevated temperature during pre-flowering phase (~3.7℃ above mean ambient during that period, 19.6℃), flowering phase (~5.3℃ above mean ambient during that period, 23.1℃) and pod-filling phase (~5.2℃ above mean ambient during that period, 28.9℃). These were combined with i) two irrigations (applied at sowing and seedling phase) and ii) three irrigations (additional irrigation at pod-filling phase). Results indicated that plants under seasonal mean temperatures of 36.7/11.7℃, 33.9/11.6℃ and 33.1/11.7℃ had shortened crop duration with 73-78 DAS. Findings this study indicated that kidney bean exhibits phenological plasticity response to temperature and water regimes. Seasonal mean temperature of 24.2℃ lead to better performance of the crop while temperature shocks during pre-flowering and flowering significantly reduced seed yield. Additionally, exposure of kidney bean plants to water stress (available soil moisture content

Global mean air temperatures are projected to increase by 1.8 to 4.0 oC by the end of this century. Higher temperatures coupled with increased CO2 levels could result in altered growth and productivity of crops. Since rice is sensitive to high temperatures, a simulation analysis was carried out to quantify the impact of increased temperatures (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 oC) and elevated CO2 (369, 450,550 and 650ppm) alone and in combination on the yield using InfoCrop-RICE model. An assessment is also provided on the possible gains due to change in planting time and crop duration. Though elevated CO2 alone increased the rice yields, increase in temperature by 1oC (even at 369 ppm CO2 concentration) reduced irrigated rice yield by 6.6 to 11.1 % and rainfed rice yields by 4.6 % to 9.4 %. The combined impact of increased temperature and elevated CO2 resulted in net decline in yield in spite of CO2 fertilization. Planting cultivars in future with matching crop duration of current cultivars and change in planting time may reduce the adverse impacts of climate change on rice yields.

In a field experiment, conducted during 2018-19 and 2019-20 at the Research Farm, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, factorial combinations of two levels of FYM (0, 10 Mg ha−1) applied to maize; four levels of nitrogen (0, 60, 120, 180 kg N ha-1) and three levels of phosphorus (0, 30, 60 kg P2O5 ha−1) applied to both maize and wheat and subsequent residual effects on green gram were compared. The RGR was at peak in maize at 29oC and in wheat at 12-13 oC. Integral of LAD and incidental solar radiation has significantly improved CGR. The LAD and CGR also shown significant relationship with grain/ seed yield in all three crops. Slightly higher NAR in combination with LAD and SRD can significantly contribute to overall performance of crops. Results indicated that variation in yield across years due to weather fluctuations, irrespective of treatments, was about 16.7 per cent in maize (kharif), 7.93 per cent in wheat (rabi) and 16.8 per cent in green gram (summer).

Global and regional climate models are reported to have inherent bias in simulating the observed climatology of a region. This bias of climate models is the major source of uncertainties in climate change impact assessments. Therefore, use of bias corrected simulated climate data is important. In this study, the bias corrected climate data for 30 years’ period (1976-2005) from selected common four GCMs and RCMs for six Indian locations are compared with the respective observed data of India Meteorological Department. The analysis indicated that the RCMs performance is much better than GCMs after bias correction for minimum and maximum temperatures. Also, RCMs performance is better than GCMs in simulating extreme temperatures. However, the selected RCMs and GCMs are found to either over estimate or under estimate the rainfall despite bias correction and also overestimated the rainfall extremes for selected Indian locations. Based on the overall performance of four models for the six locations, it was found that the GFDL_ESM2M and NORESM1-M RCMs performed comparatively better than CSIRO and IPSL models. After bias correction, the RCMs could represent the observed climatology better than the GCMs. And these RCMs viz., GFDL_ESM2M and NORESM1-M can be used individually after bias correction in the climate change assessment studies for the selected regions.

Evaluation of crop simulation model for growth and development of crops at farmers' eld is uncommon, as large variability exists in management practices at farmers' elds. Present study was attempted to evaluate the suitability of InfoCrop v2.1 model for prediction of growth, development and yield of wheat crop at farmers' elds using two years data i.e. 2015-16 & 2016-17. A total of 42 farmers' elds were selected in Pataudi block of Haryana state. The large variability in wheat sowing date (1-Nov to 25-Dec), seed rate (87 to 150 kgha-1), N application rate (70 to 195 kgha-1) and number of irrigations (5-8) were observed in farmers' eld. InfoCrop model could able to predict well days to anthesis and physiological maturity within an acceptable error of 5% (RMSE~3 days). Measured leaf area index (LAI) matched well with simulated LAI (RMSE ~ 0.5). The agreement between observed and model simulated wheat grain yield was found to be satisfactory (nRMSE ~ 6-8%). We conclude that InfoCrop-wheat model satisfactorily simulate the growth, development and yield of wheat crop under varied management practices at farmers' elds, and hence can be applied for agricultural applications for farmers

A field experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) season of 2014-15 at IARI, New Delhi to evaluate the response of wheat varieties to heat stress. Three wheat varieties (HD 2967, WR 544 and HD 2985) were grown under ambient and elevated temperature (1.9 to 3.4 oC more than ambient during crop season) condition. Results indicated that the variety WR 544 is highly resistant to heat stress as it exhibited stability of leaf area index (LAI), photosynthesis (Pn), grain yield, harvest index (HI) and test weight under elevated temperature. However, HD 2967 recorded more yield but WR 544 performs better in elevated temperature conditions.

In this paper, the climate change scenarios of A2 and B2 for 2070-2100 time scale (denoted as 2080) for several key locations of India and its impact on rice and wheat crops based on regional climate model (PRECIS) were described. The PRECIS projects an increase in temperature over most parts of India especially in the IGP (Indo-Gangetic Plains), the region that presently experiences relatively low temperatures. Extreme high temperature episodes and rainfall intensity days are projected to become more frequent and the monsoon rainfall is also projected to increase. Rabi (mid Nov-March) season is likely to experience higher increase in temperature which could impact and hence become threat to the crops which really require low temperature for their growth. Climatic variability is also projected to increase in both A2 and B2 scenarios. All these projected changes are likely to reduce the wheat and rice yields in Indo-Gangetic plains of India. It is likely that there will be more number of years with low yields occurs towards the end of the century. Such yield reductions in rice and wheat crops due to climate change are mediated through reduction in crop duration, grain number and grain filling duration. The yield loss will be more in A2 scenario compared to B2. These quantitative estimates still have uncertainties associated with them, largely due to uncertainties in climate change projections, future technology growth, availability of inputs such as water for irrigation, changes in crop management and genotype. These projections nevertheless provide a direction of likely change in crop productivity in future climate change scenarios.

It is important to understand the physiological acclimatization process in order to provide the favorable growing conditions, to increase the survival rate and to produce vigorous seedlings for field planting for better establishment. These aspects assume significance because the embryo culture technique is used for germplasm collection in coconut. The zygotic embryos from eight month old selfed nuts from West Coast Tall (WCT) cultivar of coconut were collected for embryo culture. The field planted seedlings produced by embryo culture and those raised from nursery were compared for photosynthetic activity under field grown conditions. Photosynthetic and water relation parameters were studied in the embryo cultured plantlets at different stages of acclimatization under green net house conditions. The photosynthetic rate increased gradually during acclimation with maximum rate atfour months after transfer to pots (under 50% shade; stage 4). The embryo cultured plantlets had higher photosynthetic rates compared to the nursery raised plants under field conditions. Transpiration rate increased with stage during acclimation. Embryo cultured plants had low transpiration rate as compared to the nursery raised plants. Consequently embrvo cultured plants had higher WUE (A/E). The WUE increased during acclimation. The Fv/Fm ratio increased gradually from 0.69 to 0.72 till stage 4. The field‑grown embryo culture plants had higher Fv/Fm compared to the nursery raised plant. This increase in Fv/Fm during acclimation indicated the increase in photochemical activity and photosystem II electron transport efficiency. The study indicated increase in photosystem efficiency and carbon assimilation efficiency of embryo cultured plantlets of coconut during acclimatization.

The impact of projected climate change on wheat and maize (kharif and rabi) have been studied for Anand and Dahod districts of Gujarat state using PRECIS output of A2 and base line data. Yield simulation study was performed by InfoCrop model. The field experiment data on wheat collected at Anand during 2005-2009 and for maize collected at Dahod during 2004-07 respectively were used for calibration and validation of the model. The simulated yield over projected period (2071-2100) showed that nearly 38 to 43 % yield reduction was noted in both the cultivars as compared to their base yield. However, the yield reduction was lower under late sown condition (30th Nov.) and higher in early sown (1st Nov.). In case of maize cultivars the percent reduction in yield during kharif season was higher in 15th July sowing as compared to 1st July sowing. Under normal (1st July) sowing nearly 40 % reduction in yield was simulated by model during projected period. During rabi season the yield reduction was less which clearly suggested that rabi sowing of maize found most beneficial under climate change as compared to kharif sowing.

Analysis of past weather data indicated increase in maximum temperature at varied magnitudes over various coconut growing areas across the country except in southern Kerala. In case of minimum temperature, sixty percent of the locations studied showed a declining trend, widening the difference between maximum and minimum temperatures. The days above 33 oC, optimal for coconut growth and development, were in increasing trend in most of the coconut growing area while days below 15 oC are increasing in northern Kerala, plains of Karnataka and western Tamil Nadu. Annual Rainfall showed declining trend in most of the coconut growing areas with change in amount. Dry spells are in increasing trend in parts of Karnataka and Kerala. Change in coconut productivity during past three decades across the country ranged from -114 to 270 nuts/ha/year. The productivity of coconut during the study period was in increasing trend except for parts of Maharastra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, where consecutive droughts affected the yields.

Weight-based fertigation scheduling strategies optimized for cucumber production in coco-peat grow bag under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted using treatments comprised of four different levels of nutrient solution replenishment based on weight loss of growing bags along with plants, viz. full replenishment, 10% and 20% less replenishment and 20% more replenishment. Significantly, maximum cucumber yield (96.88–104.89 t/ha), number of fruits per plant (25–25.33) and yield per plant (2.42–2.62 kg/plant) were observed under full replenishment of nutrient solution against weight loss. It was also at par with treatment, which received 20% more nutrient solution as compared to full replenishment. The physiological attributes, viz. plant height (184 cm), number of nodes per plant (29.33), dry biomass and root parameters were observed higher in the full replenishment strategy which received 100% fertigation against the weight loss. Water use efficiency was found higher in the full replenishment followed by 20% less replenishment and lowest (811.38 kg/ha-mm) in 20% more replenishment of nutrient solution. Fertigation strategy which received the 100% nutrient solution against the weight loss, allowed the plant to grow fully with maximum yield and water use efficiency (WUE). Hence, 100% and more replenishment of nutrient solution against weight loss were found to be highly suitable strategies for controlling the fertigation scheduling through the weightbased sensing system.

The article presents a study on the relationship between water availability and the existing cropping pattern and fallow land area in Bundelkhand, India during 2013-2021 period. Topics include availability of surface water for irrigation of rabi season crops such as wheat, mustard, and peas, patterns and trends in the agriculture, water body, and fallow classes extracted from the Land Use and Land Cover Change (LULC), and effect of increased water availability during winter season.

Present experiment was conducted (2015-16 and 2016-17) comprising different levels of water stress and environmental conditions for the model parametrization and validation of Info Crop-wheat v2.1 model. The model was calibrated and validated for popular wheat variety HD-2967 under semi-arid environmental conditions. The important genetic coefficients were generated and model fine-tuned for simulating phenology, leaf area index (LAI), dry matter and yield of wheat crop. The result showed that the model simulated the phenology in terms of days to 50% anthesis and days to physiological maturity very accurately with root mean squared error of 2.26 and 1.36 days, respectively. The model could also able to simulate temporal course of LAI and biomass very satisfactorily. The errors in simulating final biomass and yield were also within the acceptable limit of 10%. We conclude that InfoCrop model is reasonably suitable to simulate the developmental stages, leaf area expansion, dry matter and yield of wheat crop in semi-arid environment hence it can be utilized for undertaking various crop management applications.

Dyslipidaemia, inflammation and oxidative stress play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) correlates negatively with CVD risk. However, drugs aiming to increase HDL-C have failed to show a beneficial effect on CVD risk. Further research in this area showed the importance of HDL-associated proteins in relation to CVD risk. Diabetes mellitus leads to alteration in the quantity as well as the quality of HDL. The modifications in HDL proteins convert an antiatherogenic HDL to a proatherogenic HDL termed dysfunctional HDL. This review focuses on the normal functions of HDL-associated proteins and their alterations in T2DM.

Day-to-day life advanced composite materials usage is increasing continuously and replacing the existing monolithic materials. These composite materials are designed and fabricated for human needs with specific applications and also meet the standard requirements. In present study, the agro and industrial wastes derived ceramic reinforcements based Aluminium metal matrix composites, i.e. AA7075/welding slag and AA7075/Rice husk ash are fabricated through liquid metal stir casting route with varying the reinforcement contents from 2 to 12 (wt.%) in the matrix. Mechanical and microstructural characterization of the AA 7075 metal matrix composite were measured and compared to the base material. The results show an improved mechanical strength and high hardness in composites. Impact energy has also significantly improved at higher concentrations of reinforcement particles. Impact energy of the composites increases to 3 J for 9% and 12%, the maximum tensile strength obtained is 173 MPa for 12% Weld Slag MMC. The highest hardness achieved is 98 BHN for 12% Weld Slag MMC. Furthermore, the microstructural results reflect significant grain refinement with stir casting process with good interface characteristics in the matrix and uniform dispersion of agro reinforcement's particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]