bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pandemias y aglomeraciones
Authors: Bernal Villegas Jaime
Published: October 2022

El 5 de marzo de 2020 se reportó el primer caso de infección por COVID 19 en Colombia. Hoy, 473 días más tarde, el país registra, según datos de la Universidad de Johns Hopkins, 3.997.021 casos y 101.302 muertes. A nadie son ajenos los serios trastornos médicos y sociales a que hemos sido sometidos, en razón a la pandemia, en estos largos meses. Las cuarentenas, el distanciamiento social, el impacto en la economía, el uso de las mascarillas, la sistemática desinformación, la politización de la enfermedad, el contagio, la enfermedad y la muerte nos han sometido, colectivamente, a situaciones de estrés raramente vistas. Sin duda, todos estos elementos (y otros que vienen de atrás) han jugado un papel en la gestación de las manifestaciones, paros y bloqueos que hemos presenciado en los últimos meses. Dado que las herramientas más poderosas que hemos tenido para tratar de contener el desarrollo de la pandemia, además de las recientes vacunas, han sido el lavado de las manos, el uso de la mascarilla y el distanciamiento social y estas no han sido debidamente respetadas durante las manifestaciones populares, vale la pena analizar, entonces, qué tanto pueden haber influido en el comportamiento de la pandemia en los últimos meses. Si bien es muy complejo cuantificar este y otros elementos que intervienen en el desarrollo de la pandemia, hay varias formas de averiguar algo al respecto. Por ejemplo, el trabajo de Chu y colaboradores (1) identificó 172 estudios observacionales en 16 países y seis continentes, mostrando que la transmisión del virus es menor cuando la distancia física es de un metro o más, que la protección aumenta a medida que aumenta la distancia y que el uso de la mascarilla puede llevar a una notable reducción del riesgo de infección, todos ellos hallazgos estadísticamente significativos; mas aun, Setti y colaboradores (2) han sugerido que la distancia mínima para disminuir el riesgo de infección no es de uno sino de dos metros, siempre y cuando se use la mascarilla masivamente en las actividades diarias. Pero hay aún más datos que dan luces sobre los efectos de las aglomeraciones humanas en el COVID 19. En octubre del año pasado, Bernheim y colaboradores (3), del prestigioso Instituto para la Investigación de Políticas Económicas de la universidad de Stanford, publicaron su documento de trabajo No 20-043 en el cual analizan los efectos de los rallies del entonces presidente Trump en la dispersión del virus COVID 19. El estudio es complejísimo, pues utiliza las más robustas herramientas estadísticas y analiza 21 rallies llevados a cabo entre junio 20 y septiembre 22 de 2020. Las conclusiones son muy claras: “Nuestro análisis soporta fuertemente las alarmas y recomendaciones de los oficiales de salud pública concernientes al riesgo de transmisión de COVID-19 en reuniones de grupos grandes, particularmente cuando no se siguen cuidadosamente las guías sobre el distanciamiento y el uso de mascarillas.
Dietas cetogénicas y su papel en la nutrición clínica
Authors: Savino Lloreda Patricia
Published: October 2022

Propósito de la revisión: La terapia médica nutricional con dieta cetogénica se ha empleado para el tratamiento de la epilepsia por casi un siglo. En la actualidad, resurge para la reducción rápida de peso y su empleo en atletas; también se ha estudiado en enfermedades como las neurológicas, el cáncer, la obesidad y la diabetes de tipo II. En esta revisión se definen los diferentes tipos de dietas cetogénicas, se explican los fundamentos metabólicos, se exploran nuevos conocimientos sobre los mecanismos relacionados en las diferentes enfermedades, y se alerta sobre sus riesgos y consecuencias. Hallazgos recientes: Se ha sugerido que las dietas cetogénicas no solo mejoran el control de las convulsiones, sino que también causan un impacto en diferentes afecciones neurológicas, pueden controlar el crecimiento tumoral y contribuyen al control de la obesidad; además, se han observado resultados diversos cuando se usan para mejorar el rendimiento en atletas y en voluntarios sanos. Discusión: Se han encontrado resultados positivos con el empleo de las dietas cetogénicas en diferentes enfermedades. Existen dificultades en la estandarización de los datos, debido a la inexactitud de la información con respecto al consumo de alimentos y al cumplimiento de la dieta a largo plazo. El número limitado de pacientes y su deserción hacen difícil la reproducción y generalización de los resultados de este tratamiento nutricional. Conclusiones: La dieta cetogénica no es inocua. Se necesita que su indicación, implementación y seguimiento estén a cargo de profesionales de la salud idóneos, quienes pueden prever los riesgos y los beneficios que se pueden obtener en cada una de las indicaciones.
¿Qué leía el doctor Juvenal Urbino en El amor en los tiempos del cólera?
Authors: Roselli Pablo
Published: October 2022

Fragmento

Curiosear lo que otros leen para luego hacer conjeturas sobre el carácter del lector es una manía de muchos amantes de la literatura. Esta costumbre puede ser asertiva en algunas ocasiones, pero en otras, una ligereza. Tan ligera, como tratar de descifrar la personalidad de un individuo por su forma de caminar, de vestir, de llevar el sombrero, o como lo sugirió Franz Joseph Gall, fisiólogo y anatomista alemán, quien a mediados del siglo XVIII decía conocer las habilidades de un individuo con el estudio de su morfología cefálica. Según Gall, con examinar el cráneo de un individuo, se podía saber si era un genio musical, un oligofrénico o un psicópata. Por fortuna, sus ideas no pasaron el examen de la historia y se olvidaron al poco tiempo. Pero, a propósito de la lectura de los otros, en El amor en los tiempos del cólera, el doctor Juvenal Urbino tenía dos libros al alcance de su mano antes de morir durante el rescate del loro esquivo en el patio de su casa. Eran La incógnita del hombre, de Alexis Carrell, y La historia de San Michele, de Axel Munthe. “Este último no estaba todavía abierto, y le pidió a Digna Pardo, la cocinera, que le llevara el cortapapeles de marfil que había olvidado en el dormitorio. Pero cuando se lo llevaron ya estaba leyendo La incógnita del hombre, en la página marcada con el sobre de una carta: le faltaban muy pocas para terminarlo. Leyó despacio, abriéndose camino a través de los meandros de una punta de dolor de cabeza que atribuyó a la media copita de brandy del brindis final. En las pausas de la lectura tomaba un sorbo de limonada, o se demoraba ronzando un pedazo de hielo. Tenía las medias puestas, la camisa sin el cuello postizo y los tirantes elásticos de rayas verdes colgando a los lados de la cintura, y le molestaba la sola idea de tener que cambiarse para el entierro. Muy pronto dejó de leer, puso el libro sobre el otro, y empezó a balancearse muy despacio sobre el mecedor de mimbre, contemplando a través de la pesadumbre las matas de guineo en el pantano del patio, el mango desplumado, las hormigas voladoras de después de la lluvia, el esplendor efímero de otra tarde de menos que se iba para siempre.”
La forja del silencio
Authors: Sánchez Medina Guillermo
Published: October 2022

Fragmento

Quiero expresarte ante todo mis efusivas felicitaciones por tu libro “LA FORJA DEL SILENCIO”, un libro bien escrito y de excelente contenido. Quiero además dejar consignadas a tu buen juicio algunas consideraciones mías que me parecen de interés en relación a la obra de tu autoría. Son, como lo podrás apreciar en su lectura atenta, meros comentarios personales a algunas de las ideas que expresas en tu estupendo escrito.

Hace ya varias décadas ingresaste al mundo del arte de la escultura dibujando un punto. Un punto, que, por analogía con la física cuántica, se podría considerar como una singularidad a partir de la cual te sería factible dar comienzo a la formación de un universo. En tu caso, el universo de un nuevo e importante quehacer diferente del ejercicio de la medicina, el psicoanálisis y la docencia de tu especialidad: el universo de tu creación artística ligado por supuesto a la psicología profunda de la cual eres cultor reconocido.
Académico correspondiente Edgar Montoya Ángel
Authors: Gamarra Hernández Germán
Published: October 2022

Fragmento

El doctor Edgar Montoya Ángel nació en la ciudad de Bogotá el 8 de febrero de 1948. Sus padres, Josué y Olga, tuvieron un hogar conformado por cuatro hermanos. Estudió su bachillerato en el Gimnasio “Germán Peña” de Bogotá y posteriormente ingresó a la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana en donde recibió su título de Médico y Cirujano en el año de 1974.

Después de realizar su medicatura rural, realizó el programa de especialización en Pediatría en el Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Señora del Rosario y en el Hospital Infantil “Lorencita Villegas de Santos”.
Promoting Equity and Inclusion: The Dire State of Out-of-School-Children in African Commonwealth Countries
Authors: Aluko Folake Ruth , Mays, Tony Mays, Tony
Published: October 2022

As part of Commonwealth of Learning’s (COL) strategic plan from 2021 to 2027, its open schooling portfolio focuses on children/youths in need of schooling opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa. This category of children is referred to as Out-of-School-Children (OOSC), depicting children/youth excluded from education, which makes up about one-sixth of the global population of this age group. This study reports on COL's commissioned project in the African Commonwealth countries, with a special emphasis on girls to help it to better focus its efforts. The study was undertaken in two phases. Data analysis involved simple descriptive statistics and transcription of recorded interviews, the identification of themes and sub-themes and coding. Both findings were triangulated. Generally, the findings show common threads, for instance, gender inequality that pervades the data, with the female gender being at a disadvantage in most of the countries. Given the multi-layered challenge of OOSC, recommendations were made on school enrolments and persistence among primary and secondary school children, ICT-in-education, disabilities, the marginalised, teenage pregnancy, and climate change education. In collaboration with education experts, COL looks forward to developing interventions to address the matter of OOSC in member countries.
Promoting Lifelong Learning through Capacity Development in Open Educational Resources
Authors: Inegbedion Obhajajie Juliet
Published: October 2022

Job pattern and strategies keep changing along with changes in technology. The same changes are observed in employability skills whereby the skills obtained in the formal school can only serve as basic skills. Therefore, to meet with daily skill demand calls for capacity building in lifelong learning using open educational resources. This need became more obvious in the era of Covid-19 where some people lost their jobs or could not earn money because of the lack of the new skill demand. Three research questions were raised to find out the level of knowledge gained in the use of OER, willingness to integrate OER, and techniques of impacting knowledge using OER. To answer the research questions, MOOC on Open Educational Resources for Online Learning was organised for four weeks. 2,647 participants were drawn from different continents. Three surveys were conducted – pre-survey before the course start date, mid-survey, and post-survey. The survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and from the findings, there is a high level of willingness to learn and integrate OER in online learning; mixed mode of delivery – asynchronous and synchronous was solicited for by participants; and lifelong skills are best learned through self-paced, self-directed, and through short courses.
Cognification in Education: Emerging Trends
Authors: Kumar Vivekanandan , Ally Mohamed , Tsinakos Avgoustos , Norman Helmi
Published: October 2022

Over the past decade, opportunities for online learning have dramatically increased. Learners around the world now have digital access to a wide array of corporate trainings, certifications, comprehensive academic degree programs, and other educational and training options. Some organizations are blending traditional instruction methods with online technologies. Blended learning generates large volumes of data about both the content (quality and usage) and the learners (study habits and learning outcomes). Correspondingly, the need to properly process voluminous, continuous, and often disparate data has prompted the advent of cognification. Cognification techniques design complex data analytic models that allow natural intelligence to engage artificial smartness in ways that can enhance the learning experience. Cognification is the approach to make something increasingly, ethically, and regulatably smarter. This paper highlights how emerging trends in cognification could disrupt online education.
Learners' Perception on the Quality of Learners' Support Services for Improved Academic Performance
Authors: Ebabhi Abosede , Adewara Johnson
Published: October 2022

Most dual mode institutions are faced with issues of quality characteristics when dealing with Learners' Support Services (LSS). Hence, this study investigated learners' perception on the quality of LSS in an Open and Distance Learning Institute, Southwest, Nigeria. Four research questions and one hypotheses guided this study. Descriptive research design was adopted for this research. The population for this study was 16,821 learners of the Institute. Simple random sampling technique was used to randomize 250 learners based on their years of study. A validated structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection which was physically administered and retrieved from the learners. The research questions were tested using mean and standard deviation. A mean criterion of 2.50 and above was accepted while a mean below 2.50 criterion was rejected. The study revealed that learners rated learners’ support services very low in providing cognitive, affective and systemic support. Also, the LSS provided is not adequate and not readily available for their academic needs and so they rarely utilize the LSS. The study recommends that relevant and easily accessible library services should be made available to the learners. Support services should be made flexible for learners to utilize at their convenience.
Innovative Pedagogies: The Impact of Blended Learning in Higher Education during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Tabo Geoffrey Olok , Dirckinck-Holmfeld Lone , Bygholm Anne
Published: October 2022

We explore the impact of blended learning in higher education as as innovative pedagogy integrating problem-based learning and student-centred learning in teaching and learning, during the Covid-19 pandemic. New information technology tools and applications were experimented in teaching and learning at Gulu University between 2020 and 2021 at the peak of the pandemic. The study used qualitative methods and drew on constructivism where knowledge is co-constructed through interacting systems and actors in higher education environment. It is motivating and inspirational to deploy various methods of teaching and learning during the lockdowns. Inspiring innovation such as zero-rating, MEET tool and blended learning were used to address gaps in teaching and learning in university programmes. Preferences for blended learning grew even if institutions operate in resource constrained settings. // We used online training workshops to train teachers on basic ICT tools for content development and digitisation of teachers’ teaching and learning materials. Our findings indicate that lecturers progressively develop ICT skills, attitudes, and knowledge and innovative practices to teaching and learning using available free online applications and ICT resources at their disposal. Students’ attendance was low because of lack of access to the internet and ownership of computers for blended learning.
Fostering Lifelong Learning through Professional Development and Recognition at the Open University UK
Authors: Bossu Carina
Published: October 2022

Professional development has long been recognised as key to effective organisational change and to improve student learning. This is even more the case today as the need to upskill, build capacity and recognise expertise in online learning across the higher education sector has increased due to the pandemic. // This paper reports on the findings of the evaluation of the Open University’s Advance HE accredited fellowship scheme, called Applaud. Applaud is an online scheme and offers OU colleagues the opportunity to gain recognition for their excellence in teaching and support their learning. Since Applaud started in 2016, the scheme has recognised over 700 fellows. As an attempt to continue improving the scheme and understand participants’ experiences, an evaluation of the scheme was conducted through an online survey and then follow up online interviews. // In this paper, the research, including the impact of a reflective process that underpins HEA fellowship on teaching practices and on students’ experiences, will be shared. By providing teachers the opportunity to reflect on their practice, and to be recognised for their efforts in enhancing students’ experiences, Applaud helps to promote lifelong learning and quality education, which is aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4.
VALIDATION OF POTENCY TEST OF NEW GENERATION JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS VACCINE IMOJEV BY PLAQUE FORMING UNIT (PFU) METHOD
Authors: Anh Nguyen Viet , Anh Do Thi Hong , Ha Nguyen Thi , Phuong Tran Thi , Ly Nguyen Thi
Published: October 2022

Implementation of potency test for new generation Japanese Encephalitis vaccine (IMOJEV) is one of the functions of National Institute for Vaccines and Biologicals (NICVB) prior to market release. Potency test of IMOJEV was carried out by using Plaque Forming Unit (PFU) method for both standard and testing samples, the results was in the approved range of manufacturer. The process of validation of potency test for Japanese Encephalitis vaccine IMOJEV was built and implemented by practical validation method with following parameters: accuracy, repeatability, and intermediate precision of the potency method for Japanese encephalitis vaccine

Results of study showed that the parameters of accuracy, repeatability and intermediate precision of potency test for Japanese Encephalitis IMOJEV were all qualified and in the approved range of manufacturer: titer of standard sample was about 4.25-5.09 log PFU/0.5 ml and titer of IMOJEV was between 4.0-5.8 log PFU/0.5ml

Based on our study conclussion the the potency test for Japanese Encephalitis IMOJEV after validation was qualified for accuracy, repeatability and intermediate precision with coefficient of variation CV ≤ 25% so it is suitable with laboratory condition of NICVB.
Comparing cell block diagnostic results with histopathological results and some factors affecting the quality of cell blocks in the diagnosis of body cavity fluid cells at Viet Tiep Hospital
Authors: Trinh Nguyen Thi , Huong Nguyen Thuy , Tram Tran Hong , Kieu Nguyen Thi
Published: October 2022

Background/Purpose: To contrast the results of cell block diagnosis with histopathological results and describe some factors that affect the quality of cell blocks.

Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted based on the anatomical results of 106 patients of Viet Tiep Hospital

Results: The cell block technique had a sensitivity of 84.4% significantly higher than the sensitivity of the cell smear of 57.8%. The specificity of both tests is above 80%. Cellblock test results were less accurate in yellow fluid samples (13.3%). Blood fluid and pink fluid samples both have over 90% accuracy. The difference was statistically significant with p<0.05. Cellblock test results were less accurate in samples with a sample count of ≤150 ml (52.9%). Samples with a greater number of specimens were over 80% accurate. The difference was statistically significant with p<0.05. There was no difference in the accuracy of cell block test results between specimens at different sites, cancer types, cancer origins, age groups, and sex of the subjects studied.

Conclusion: The cell block technique improves the number of malignant diagnoses compared to histopathology, and has higher sensitivity and lower specificity than the cell smear technique. Factors related to the accuracy of cell block test results include the color of the test fluid and the number of fluids. There was no difference in the accuracy of CB test results on different specimens, different cancer types, different cancer origins, different ages, and genders.
Standardizing irrigation and planting schedule of salt tolerant rice (Oryza sativa) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties for higher water productivity and yield in reclaimed sodic soils of Indo-Gangetic plains of India
Authors: KUMAR PARVEEN , SINGH AJAY , CHAUDHARI S K , SHARMA P C , SHARMA D K
Published: October 2022

Rice (Oryza sativa L.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system (RWS) grown on 10 m ha in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), is essential for food security of India. In IGP soil sodicity is very common and reclamation with gypsum is very expensive, so adoption of salt tolerant varieties of rice and wheat could be a better option. A field experiment was, therefore conducted for three years (2012-2015) in RWS to evaluate the performance of salt tolerant varieties under different dates of transplanting/sowing and irrigation scheduling. In kharif season, three irrigation scheduling, i.e. complete submergence/farmers practice (CS/FP), 3 days after disappearance of ponded water (DAD), and 5 DAD as horizontal factor and four transplanting dates (21 June, 1 July, 11 July, 21 July) as vertical factor conducted in strip plot design replicated thrice. In rabi season, three irrigation schedules, i.e. IW/CPE = 1.0, 0.8, and 0.6 as horizontal factor and four dates of sowing, i.e. 10 November, 20 November, 30 November, 10 December, as vertical factor and two salt tolerant wheat varieties, viz. KRL 210 and KRL 213 in subplots was conducted in strip split plot design, replicated thrice. Results indicated that salt tolerant rice variety Basmati CSR-30 can be transplanted on 1 July to get better yield attributes, highest grain yield (3.63 t/ha) and water saving (32.5%) by adopting irrigation scheduling of 5 DAD with highest irrigation water productivity (0.522 kg/m3). In rabi season, salt tolerant wheat varieties can be sown on 20 November following irrigation schedule of IW/CPE=1.0 (KRL-210: 6.76 t/ha and KRL-213: 6.88 t/ha) to get highest grain yield.
Effect of time of planting and mulching on weed intensity in the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) crop
Authors: TOMAR SAURABH , BENIWAL DEEPA , RAJIV RAJIV , SOURABH SOURABH , KUMAR PUSPENDRA
Published: October 2022

Field experiment was carried out in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 to determine the effect of time of planting and mulching on weed intensity in the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crop under field condition at Vegetable Farm, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur. The different time of planting and application of mulch significantly influenced the weed intensity in the tomato crop. The maximum number of weeds per square metre were found with planting on 30th November and without mulching (control), whereas minimum population of weeds were recorded with planting on 30th October and application of bio-mulch (Paddy straw). The planting on 30th November and without mulching (control) recorded maximum weed bio-mass (fresh and dry weight) at harvest stage. The minimum weed biomass were recorded with planting on 30th October and application of bio-mulch (Paddy straw) during both the years of experiments.
Molecular characterization of heat tolerance in eggplant (Solanum melongena) lines using SSR markers
Authors: S SANTHIYA , P SAHA , S TOMAR B , D SAHA N , GHOSHAL CHANDRIKA , LATA SUMAN
Published: October 2022

High temperature is one of the most important environmental stresses causing heavy reduction in yield of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) in India. Therefore, development of heat tolerant eggplant variety is an important breeding objective. The present investigation was conducted to assess genetic variation among 62 eggplant lines including heat tolerant and susceptible lines in order to identify novel heat tolerant lines in changing climate in India. We employed 15 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to study polymorphisms among eggplant lines obtained from eggplant breeding program. The observations were analyzed using Power Marker version 3.5. The range of amplified number of bands was from 2 to 3 in each of 15 markers. The allele frequency was ranged from 0.5 to 0.7931 with an average of 2.067 alleles per locus. Among the 15 polymorphic SSR markers, 67% markers had PIC value higher than 0.3 with heterozygosity of individual loci was ranged from 0.00 to 0.1667. The marker emf01C03 had higher number of allele (3) and the marker emd03C01 had maximum PIC value and gene diversity. The NJ dendrogram obtained by 15 SSR markers divides 62 lines into 7 clusters where the cluster VII comprised of most heat tolerant lines (DBL-21, Guhala Chatua Local). The amplification pattern of heat tolerant lines also differ which implies different genetic architecture of heat tolerant lines. The research work will be very useful to combine these diverse sources of genetic variability to develop heat tolerant variety (s) in eggplant.
hAssembler: A hybrid de novo genome assembly approach for large genomes
Authors: KAIRI AMIT , MAJUMDAR PRIYANKA GUHA , RAO ATMAKURI RAMAKRISHNA
Published: October 2022

Genome assembly is a process where large contigs and scaffolds are constructed from raw reads generated by sequencing machines. Based on the size of the generated reads they can be primarily categorized into short reads and long reads. Modern genome assemblers follow De Bruijn Graph (DBG) approach for assembly of short reads, whereas Overlap Layout Consensus (OLC) approach for assembly of long reads. For de novo genome assembly, DBG based assemblers are very efficient at repeat resolution but are computation intensive and sensitive to sequencing errors. On the other hand, OLC based assemblers are intuitive and very time efficient but not efficient at resolving repeat regions. Here, we developed an hAssembler, which leverages the advantages of both DBG and OLC approaches and compared its performance with the existing hybrid assemblers. It uses both long reads and short reads and run OLC and DBG in parallel. By using both the long and short reads, the time complexity of hAssembler was reduced considerably. The results showed that hAssembler outperformed the existing hybrid assemblers in terms of time and performance (N50) while assembling the large genomes.
Multiple agroecosystem services of forage legumes towards agriculture sustainability: An overview
Authors: Kumar Rakesh , Yadav M R , Arif Mohd , Mahala D M , Kumar Dinesh , Ghasal P C , Yadav K C , Verma R K
Published: October 2022

Forage legumes are contributing in sustainable crop production apart from nutritional security to the livestock. Forage legumes are crucial for the nutritional security for mankind as they are integral component for increased availability of animal protein and product which has higher biological value compared to plant proteins. The inclusion of forage legumes in crop production systems is more useful as these can not only provide food and feed to animals but also improves soil productivity and act as soil-conserving components of agricultural and agroforestry systems. Production system as a whole and tremendous deficit of forage nutritious resources demand in particular to give some importance to the forage crops especially leguminous forages. Therefore, critical assessment is necessary for determining the direction and magnitude of change in agricultural management practice with inclusions of forage legume. Forage legumes have good capacity as a feed to promote sufficient quantities and qualities required for different productive animals. Therefore, these crops can contribute to achieving the objectives of sustainable food/ fodder and environmental security. Hence, inclusion of legumes forages in cropping system is inevitable in advancing soil sustainability and food and nutritional security without compromising the long-term soil fertility base of the soil resources. Rational soil management practices must involve forage legume-based rotations and intercropping considerations for restoring soil health, and soil sustainability should be given due emphasis. Besides, forage legumes can also provide a wide range of benefits such as restoration of soil fertility, nitrogen fixation and fertilizer saving, enhancement of soil biology and biodiversity, improving soil carbon sequestration and by neutralizing negative impact of climate change. This review summarizes the potential role of forage legume in animal nutrition, soil fertility building, nitrogen fixation, soil biology and biodiversity, carbon sequestration, climate change and other ecological services provided.
Integrated farming system approach for enhanced farm productivity, climate resilience and doubling farmers’ income
Authors: SINGH V K , RATHORE S S , SINGH R K , UPADHYAY PRAVIN K , SHEKHAWAT KAPILA
Published: October 2022

Indian agriculture is plagued by several complex challenges like declining factor productivity, poor resource use efficiency, lesser share in Indian economy (14.4%); high dependence of population on agriculture and allied sectors (52%); more thrust on annual cereal crop production etc. Nearly, 86% of the Indian farmers are small and marginal (<1.0 ha) for whom agriculture has become cost-intensive due to escalating prices of agro-inputs, labour and energy. The decreasing land holding size poses another serious challenge to the profitability and sustainability of Indian agriculture. Achieving economic sustainability in such agricultural production system necessitates coherent linkage of climate-smart agriculture with the farmer’s needs. In this context, integration of cropping with other farming enterprises under integrated farming system (IFS) can ensure enhanced system productivity, resource-use efficiency and more employment opportunities. Research evidences across the country clearly reveals that the complementary co-existence of farm enterprises under IFS can provide an array of benefits in meeting out the growing demands for food and nutrition rich dietary, income stabilization and livelihood upliftment while conserving ecological balance and environmental, particularly for small holders with limited resources. The present review is a synthesis of studies made in different agro-ecologies to explore the potentialities for resource integration in a systems perspective, the implementation feasibility and potential barriers in adoption of a more productive, competitive, diversified and sustainable IFS.
Molecular marker based estimates of genetic distance and prediction of heterosis in rice (Oryza sativa)
Authors: KUMAR AMIT , SINGH VIKRAM JEET , S GOPALA KRISHNAN , BHOWMICK PROLAY K , VINOD K K , SETH RAKESH , NAGARAJAN M , ELLUR R K , BOLLINEDI HARITHA , SINGH ASHOK KUMAR
Published: October 2022

The association of parental divergence based on simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers and heterosis in 96 rice (Oryza sativa L) hybrids was investigated for yield and component traits under four environments. Hybrids were derived from four cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines and 24 iso-cytoplasmic restorers (ICR). The genetic distance (GD) and heterosis were significantly correlated for the number of productive tillers per plant (0.537) and panicle length (0.386) in Delhi under early sowing. Under late sowing, negative correlations were also observed (-0.435, -0.401) with pollen fertility percentage. The GD and heterotic performance of hybrids were significantly correlated for panicle length (r=0.35) and number of effective tillers per plant (r=0.51). At Karnal, significant association between GD and hybrid grain yield (0.615) was observed. Besides, insignificant correlations were observed for some other traits at different locations. The non-significant correlations indicated the need of employing trait related functional/ gene based markers as well as using more abundant markers for accurately predicting the hybrid performance.
Maximizing growth, flowering and corm productivity of gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.) varieties under integrated nutrient management system
Authors: DHAKAR SUNITA , SWAROOP K , SINGH KANWARPAL , SHARMA V K , SINGH SURENDER , SINGH NAVEEN
Published: October 2022

Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.) is widely used in flower arrangement, bouquets, bunches, baskets and indoor decorations. The growth, flower spikes, number of florests and yield of corms can be improved by adopting proper nutrient management practices. Research experiments were conducted to maximize growth, flowering and corm productivity of gladiolus varieties under integrated nutrient management system at the research farm of the Division of Floriculture & Landscaping, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi for two consecutive winter seasons during 2016-17 and 2017-18.Two gladiolus varieties as Pusa Red Valentine and Jyotsna in split-plot design were used and replicated three times with 12 treatment combinations. The study revealed that application of organic, inorganic and biofertilizers under INM system had showed significant effect on vegetative, flowering and yield of corm parameters. Significantly the maximum sprouting (98.75%) at 30 DAP, number of florets per spike (17.75) and the minimum days required for 50% blooming (100.10 days) were recorded with the application of 75% RDF+Vermicompost @ 10 t/ha + Azospirillum + PSB (T10), whereas maximum plant height (119.90 cm), spike length (108.92 cm), number of corm per plant(2.83) and number of cormels per plant (27.17 were observed with the application of 75% RDF + FYM @ 5 t/ha + Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha + Azospirillum + PSB (T11).The integrated nutrient management had also significantly recorded maximum vegetative, flowering and yield of corm parameter in variety Pusa Jyotsna as compared to Pusa Red Valentine variety during the study.
Potential coconut (Cocos nucifera) hybrids developed using Gangabondam (GBGD) as maternal parent for yield and quality for southern dry tract of Karnataka (India)
Authors: SUMITHA S , MAHESWARAPPA H P , BASAVARAJU T B , PRASHANTH M , SWETHA SWETHA
Published: October 2022

A long term evaluation of nine coconut (Coconut nucifera L.) hybrids with a local check was conducted under irrigated conditions at All India Coordinated Research Project on Palms, Horticulture Research Station, Arsikere, Karnataka. The experimental material consisted of nine hybrids with different cross combinations, viz. Tall × Tall, Tall × Dwarf and Dwarf × Tall along with TPT (Tiptur Tall) as local check planted during 1987-1988 and evaluated for yield performance for a period of 18 years (till 2015-16). Among the nine coconut hybrids evaluated, the cross combinations involving dwarf as female parent (Gangabondam) and tall cultivars as male parent, viz. GBGD × LCOT, GBGD × PHOT and GBGD × FJT performed superior and recorded significantly higher nut yield (128.6, 124.3 and 110.3 nuts palm-1 year-1, copra yield 22.0, 19.8 and 16.3 copra kg palm-1 year-1), with oil yield ranged from 11.5 to 13.8 kg palm-1 year-1when compared to local check. Hybrids possessed higher quantity of organoleptically 'good' tender nut water (326 to 395.4 ml) with TSS of 5.6 to 6.2 °Brix , 26.0 to 31.6 ppm of sodium and 2025.1 to 2110.1 ppm of potassium.
Doubling farmers’ income: Its necessity and possibilities in Indian context
Authors: Roy Pinaki , Bhattacharyya Sangeeta
Published: October 2022

At the crucial juncture of Indian economy trying hard to shoot up its way to the trillion dollar economy club, it is inevitable that agricultural sector needs to contribute a large part to it, considering the fact that India is an agrarian economy. But this dream is impossible without thinking of a way out to increase farmers’ income because ultimately the responsibility of food security of our nation rests on their shoulders and if they are feeble, then we can never expect any dream of economical growth to come true. With farmer suicide rate being 9.4 per cent and per capita income of farmer staggering low each year, it is difficult but not impossible to increase farmers’ income. The article is a discussion of what models can be followed to achieve to some extent if not possible to fulfill the Prime Minister’s call of Doubling Farmers’ Income by 2022. The authors elaborate on the CPRV Model and the points of intervention from farm to fork pathway of any agricultural produce.
Behavioural pattern of farmer entrepreneurs and success factors for establishment of agribusiness ventures under ACABC scheme
Authors: Burman R Roy , Goswami Amit Kumar , Sharma J P , Sahu Subhashree , Gills Reshma , Rani Anshu , Roy Pinaki
Published: October 2022

The study aimed at specifying the entrepreneurial behaviour and delineating the critical success factors of the farmer entrepreneurs for establishment of agribusiness ventures under ACABC scheme. There is need of a wellstructured training module which would not only inculcate the right entrepreneurial behaviour at training stage but can be used at later stages of enterprise expansion. Training about profitable enterprise selection, cognizance of loan procedure from institutional credit sources can be really helpful factors for successful enterprise creation. The study has been conducted with a sample of 30 trained farmer entrepreneurs, 15 each from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra from randomly selected 13 and 15 blocks of respective states, who underwent training under ACABC scheme. The data was collected through semi-structured interview schedule consisting of two parts: Entrepreneurial behaviour of farmers and factors for successful establishment of agribusiness ventures. The entrepreneurial behaviour of farmer-entrepreneurs was measured with the help of a scale developed by Technonet Asia (1981) in terms of four dimensions namely, Risk taking behaviour, Hope of success, Manageability and Persuasive ability. Against each dimension, responses were obtained in terms of Strongly Agree, Agree, Undecided, Disagree and Strongly disagree in frequency and percentage. Three factors namely Motivational factors, Social factors and Economic factors were studied for their contribution in successful establishment of agribusiness ventures. Against each Critical success factor, responses were obtained as frequency and percentage in terms of Strongly Agree, Agree, Undecided, Disagree and Strongly disagree. It was found that the farmer entrepreneurs of Uttar Pradesh had medium risk taking behaviour while Maharashtra farmers had high risk taking behaviour because of the abundance of the resources that the state had which supported them to take risk beyond capacity. Similarly, both the states had medium hope of success, high manageability and high persuasive ability that made these two states entrepreneurial hub for agriculture. Farmer entrepreneurs of Uttar Pradesh considered motivational factors to be moderately affecting while social and economic factors to be highly affecting the success of the agri-enterprise while respondents of Maharashtra perceived all the factors to be equally and highly affecting the success of the agri-enterprises.
Sucrose and light induced betalain biosynthesis in callus cultures of bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)
Authors: ANAND PRATIVA , SINGH KRISHAN PAL , SINGH S K , PRASAD K V
Published: October 2022

An attempt was made to substantiate the optimum sucrose level and light conditions for biosynthesis of betalain pigments (betaxanthins and betacyaninins) from callus cultures of bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.). A sucrose concentration of 50 g/l in MS medium resulted in maximum response coefficient with earliest pigment initiation and intensification. Sucrose at 50 g/l resulted in significant increase in production of betacyanin and betaxanthin as compared to control. Under high sucrose concentration callus growth was significantly decreased. Continuous blue light was most effective in enhancing the betacyanin and betaxanthin content in the callus cultures. Under complete darkness there was significant decrease in pigment content but the callus growth was increased.
Response of paddy (Oryza sativa) to exogenous application of bio-regulators in soils irrigated with alkali groundwater
Authors: BALI A , SINGH AWTAR , MINHAS P S , YADAV R K
Published: October 2022

Exogenous applications of plant bio-regulators (PBRs) were evaluated during kharif of 2017 and 2018 for their efficiency to facilitate growth and production processes in paddy (Oryza sativa L.) grown in loam soils undergoing sodification (pHs 8.5 & 8.3; ESP 37 & 13) with alkali groundwater irrigation (RSC 3.4 meq L-1 at site-I during both the years and RSC 4.4 & 3.7 meq l-1 at site-II during 2017 and 2018, respectively). The PBRs included gibberellic acid (GA, 25 ppm), potassium nitrate (PN, 15 g l-1), salicylic acid (SA, 10uM), sodium benzoate (SB, 150 mg l-1; 2017 only) and thio-urea (TU, 500 ppm). These were sprayed at three stages, i.e. seedling establishment and tillering (30-40 days after transplanting), booting and maximum growth (50-60 DAT) and flowering and grain formation (80-90 DAT). PBRs promoted growth and improved yields and contributing attributes like tillers, panicle length and filled grains. The increase in grain yield equaled 20, 16, 2, 16 and 24% with application of GA, PN, SA, SB and TU, respectively at Site-I during 2017 and the counter values at Site-II were 4, 24, 2, 17 and 21%. Similarly, during 2018, the improvements in yield equaled 3, 15, 4 and 20% with GA, PN, SA and TU at Site-I and nil, 14, 8 and 7% at Site- II, respectively. The Na:K ratio was lower especially with PN while grain quality monitored in terms of protein and gluten contents remained unaffected. On the basis of consistency, it emerges that the use of thio-urea and potassium nitrate is a viable option for alleviating sodicity stress in paddy under alkali groundwater irrigated conditions.
Predatory spider fauna in fruit crops of Punjab, India along with new records
Authors: SINGH SANDEEP , SEKHAR RESHMI , K SUNIL JOSE
Published: October 2022

Spiders are important predatory organisms in the orchards. Keeping in view their role in the natural biological control, the present studies were conducted from May 2012 to October 2019 in orchards belonging to 21 fruit crops, viz. apple (Malus sp.), amla (Phyllanthus emblica), citrus (Citrus spp.), banana (Musa spp.), ber (Zizyphus mauritiana), fig (Ficus carica), grapes (Vitis vinifera), guava (Psidium guajava), jamun (Syzygium cumini), litchi (Litchi chinensis), loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), mango (Mangifera indica), olive (Olea europaea), papaya (Carica papaya), peach (Prunus persica), pear (Pyrus communis), plum (Prunus domestica), pomegranate (Punica granatum), phalsa (Grewia asiatica), rasbhari (Physalis peruviana) and sapota (Manilkara zapota) in 13 districts of the Punjab, India, with an objective to record the prevalence of different families of spider fauna. The study revealed the presence of several predatory spiders involved in controlling various insect-pests of fruit crops. The 43 species of spiders belonging to 23 genera and 13 families were recorded during the study. Families like Salticidae, Araneidae and Oxyopidae exhibited more diversity. Salticidae family showed maximum diversity. High genetic diversity was found in Salticidae, Araneidae, Oxyopidae and Tetragnathidae. Study highlights the importance of protecting natural predators in controlling the insect pests in orchards. Epeus flavobilineatus Doleschall, Epocilla calcarata (Karsch) (Family: Salticidae); Gasteracantha cancriformis (Linnaeus) and Neoscona punctigera (Doleschall) (Family Araneidae) are new species records for India.
Effect of crotonylidene diurea on soil enzyme activity and nutrient availability in a Vertisol
Authors: Pawar Atul Bhagawan , Chauhan M R , Kale K D , Chobhe Kapil Atmaram , Verma Anil Kumar , Trivedi Vivek Kumar , Louhar Ganpa t , Rekwar Rav indra Kumar
Published: October 2022

The release of nitrogen (N) from slow release N fertilizers (SRNF) is affected by soil microbial activity. However, several studies have shown variable results regarding the effect of microbial population size on the release of nutrient from slow release fertilizers. To understand this relationship clearly, changes in activities of two soil enzymes (urease and dehydrogenase), microbial population and available macronutrients viz nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were assessed in an incubation study conducted under ambient condition. The six treatments were used for present investigation as control, 100% urea and crotonylidene diurea (CDU) @ 100, 75, 50 and 25% of recommended dose. The results indicated that the addition of N through commercially available urea and CDU as per general recommended dose of nutrients (GRDN) showed an increase in soil enzyme activity, microbial population, available N, P and K. The urease enzyme activity was found to be highest of nutrients in GRDN treatment at 60 days after addition (DAA) (39.55 μg NH4+-N/g soil/hr) and in 100% N through CDU (37.45 μg NH4+-N/g soil/hr) at 90 DAA. The soil dehydrogenase enzyme activity was significantly higher in GRDN at 7, 14, 21 and 30 DAA (1.32, 1.44, 1.56 and 1.68 μg TPF/g soil/hr, respectively). However, at 60 and 90 DAA the dehydrogenase enzyme activity was significantly higher in 100% N through CDU (1.89 and 1.63 μg TPF/g soil/hr, respectively). The soil available N content increased up to 60 DAA in all the treatments and it was significantly higher in GRDN followed by 100% N through CDU. However, it was significantly higher at all the periods of incubation over 75, 50, 25 and 100% N through CDU.
Effect of organic rice (Oryza sativa) cultivation on greenhouse gas emission
Authors: Malav M K , Prasad S , Jain N , Kumar Dinesh , Kanojiya S
Published: October 2022

Organic cultivation of crops is important for improving and maintaining soil health and reducing environmental pollution. The organic sources of fertilizer also have impact on emission of greenhouse gases. A field experiment was conducted during 2015-16 and 2016-17 in organic rice (Oryza sativa L.) field to study the impact of organic farming on Global Warming Potential (GWP).Treatments consisted of eight combinations namely: (T1) non-amended control; (T2) Recommended dose of fertilizers; (T3) FYM; (T4) VC; (T5) FYM + CR; (T6) VC+CR; (T7) FYM + CR + B; and (T8) VC+CR+B. Experimental results revealed that Global Warming Potential (GWP) of various treatments varied from 569.95 kg to 1840.55 kg CO2 eq. ha-1 and 634.66 kg to 1899.20 kg CO2 eq. ha-1 during both years, respectively. Different organic treatment combinations led to about 3.0 to 29.4%reduction in GWP over the conventional system, while 67.78%reduction was observed in control.The order of GWP among different combination of treatments was as follows: Control < VC < FYM < FYM+CR < VC+CR < VC+CR+B < FYM+CR+B < Conventional. This study indicated that replacement of existing conventional systems with various organic practices could reduce GWP of the system and thus needs to be considered for development of sustainable farming systems.