bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender differences in submission behavior exacerbate publication disparities in elite journals
Authors: Basson Isabel , Ni Chaoqun , Badia Giovanna , Tufenkji Nathalie , Sugimoto Cassidy R. , Larivière Vincent
Published: September 2023

Women are particularly underrepresented in journals of the highest scientific impact, with substantial consequences for their careers. While a large body of research has focused on the outcome and the process of peer review, fewer articles have explicitly focused on gendered submission behavior and the explanations for these differences. In our study of nearly five thousand active authors, we find that women are less likely to report having submitted papers and, when they have, to submit fewer manuscripts, on average, than men. Women were more likely to indicate that they did not submit their papers (in general and their subsequently most cited papers) to
Science, Nature
, or
PNAS
because they were advised not to. In the aggregate, no statistically significant difference was observed between men and women in how they rated the quality of their work. Nevertheless, regardless of discipline, women were more likely than men to indicate that their “
work was not ground-breaking or sufficiently novel”
as a rationale for not submitting to one of the listed prestigious journals. Men were more likely than women to indicate that the “
work would fit better in a more specialized journal
.” We discuss the implications of these findings and interventions that can serve to mitigate the disparities caused by gendered differences in submission behavior.Publishing in high-impact scholarly journals has a significant effect on researchers’ careers. Our findings identify factors that affect submission to
Science, Nature
, and the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
(
PNAS
) and explore whether there is a relationship between gender and desk rejections or submission rates. We found no relationship between gender and reported desk rejection and a relationship between gender and reported submissions. Women were more likely than men to indicate that their “
work was not ground-breaking or sufficiently novel
” for the listed prestigious journals and that they were advised against submitting to these venues. Men were more likely to indicate that the “
work would fit better in a more specialized journal
.”
Dynamic landscape of the intracellular termini of acid-sensing ion channel 1a
Authors: Cullinan Megan M. , Klipp Robert C. , Camenisch Abigail , Bankston John R.
Published: September 2023

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are trimeric proton-gated sodium channels. Recently it has been shown that these channels play a role in necroptosis following prolonged acidic exposure like occurs in stroke. The C-terminus of the channel is thought to mediate necroptotic cell death through interaction with receptor interacting serine threonine kinase 1 (RIPK1). This interaction is suggested to be inhibited at rest via an interaction between the C-terminus and the N-terminus which blocks the RIPK1 binding site. Here, we use a combination of two transition metal ion FRET (tmFRET) methods to investigate the conformational dynamics of the termini while the channel is closed and desensitized. We do not find evidence that the termini are close enough to be bound while the channel is at rest and find that the termini may modestly move closer together when desensitized. At rest, the N-terminus adopts a conformation parallel to the membrane about 10 Å away. The C-terminus, including the distal end, may also spend time close to the membrane at rest. After prolonged acidification, the proximal portion of the N-terminus moves marginally closer to the membrane whereas the distal portion of the C-terminus swings away from the membrane. Together these data suggest that a new hypothesis for RIPK1 binding during stroke is needed.
The Hippo kinase cascade regulates a contractile cell behavior and cell density in a close unicellular relative of animals
Authors: Phillips Jonathan E , Pan Duojia
Published: September 2023

The genomes of close unicellular relatives of animals encode orthologs of many genes that regulate animal development. However, little is known about the function of such genes in unicellular organisms or the evolutionary process by which these genes came to function in multicellular development. The Hippo pathway, which regulates cell proliferation and tissue size in animals, is present in some of the closest unicellular relatives of animals, including the amoeboid organism Capsaspora owczarzaki. We previously showed that the Capsaspora ortholog of the Hippo pathway nuclear effector Yorkie/YAP/TAZ (coYki) regulates actin dynamics and the three-dimensional morphology of Capsaspora cell aggregates, but is dispensable for cell proliferation control (Phillips et al., 2022). However, the function of upstream Hippo pathway components, and whether and how they regulate coYki in Capsaspora, remained unknown. Here, we analyze the function of the upstream Hippo pathway kinases coHpo and coWts in Capsaspora by generating mutant lines for each gene. Loss of either kinase results in increased nuclear localization of coYki, indicating an ancient, premetazoan origin of this Hippo pathway regulatory mechanism. Strikingly, we find that loss of either kinase causes a contractile cell behavior and increased density of cell packing within Capsaspora aggregates. We further show that this increased cell density is not due to differences in proliferation, but rather actomyosin-dependent changes in the multicellular architecture of aggregates. Given its well-established role in cell density-regulated proliferation in animals, the increased density of cell packing in coHpo and coWts mutants suggests a shared and possibly ancient and conserved function of the Hippo pathway in cell density control. Together, these results implicate cytoskeletal regulation but not proliferation as an ancestral function of the Hippo pathway kinase cascade and uncover a novel role for Hippo signaling in regulating cell density in a proliferation-independent manner.
Genetic structure and relatedness of brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations in the drainage basin of the Ölfusá river, South-Western Iceland
Authors: Lagunas Marcos , Pálsson Arnar , Jónsson Benóný , Jóhannsson Magnús , Jónsson Zophonías O. , Snorrason Sigurður S.
Published: September 2023

Background

Lake Þingvallavatn in Iceland, a part of the river Ölfusá drainage basin, was presumably populated by brown trout soon after it formed at the end of the last Ice Age. The genetic relatedness of the brown trout in Þingvallavatn to other populations in the Ölfusá drainage basin is unknown. After the building of a dam at the outlet of the lake in 1959 brown trout catches declined, though numbers have now increased. The aim of this study was to assess effects of geographic isolation and potential downstream gene flow on the genetic structure and diversity in brown trout sampled in several locations in the western side of the watershed of River Ölfusá. We hypothesized that brown trout in Lake Þingvallavatn constituted several local spawning populations connected by occasional gene flow before the damming of the lake. We also estimated the effective population size (NE) of some of these populations and tested for signs of a recent population bottleneck in Lake Þingvallavatn.

Methods

We sampled brown trout inhabiting four lakes and 12 rivers within and near the watershed of River Ölfusá by means of electro- and net- fishing. After stringent data filtering, 2,597 polymorphic loci obtained from ddRADseq data from 317 individuals were ascertained as putative neutral markers.

Results

Overall, the genetic relatedness of brown trout in the Ölfusá watershed reflected the connectivity and topography of the waterways. Ancestry proportion analyses and a phylogenetic tree revealed seven distinct clusters, some of which corresponded to small populations with reduced genetic diversity. There was no evidence of downstream gene flow from Lake Þingvallavatn, although gene flow was observed from much smaller mountain populations. Most locations showed low NE values (i.e., ~14.6 on average) while the putative anadromous trout from River Sog and the spawning population from River Öxará, that flows into Lake Þingvallavatn, showed notably higher NE values (i.e., 71.2 and 56.5, respectively). No signals of recent population bottlenecks were detected in the brown trout of Lake Þingvallavatn.

Discussion

This is the first time that the genetic structure and diversity of brown trout in the watershed of River Ölfusá have been assessed. Our results point towards the presence of a metapopulation in the watershed of Lake Þingvallavatn, which has been influenced by restoration efforts and is now dominated by a genetic component originated in River Öxará. Many of the locations studied represent different populations. Those that are isolated in headwater streams and lakes are genetically distinct presenting low genetic diversity, yet they can be important in increasing the genetic variation in downstream populations. These populations should be considered for conservation and direct management.
A review of local-scale agricultural sustainability in the coffee regions of Mexico
Authors:   Instituto Politécnico Nacional Mexico, Gómez-Velázquez Jesús , Vásquez-López Alfonso ,   Instituto Politécnico Nacional Mexico, Regino-Maldonado Juan ,   Instituto Politécnico Nacional Mexico, Jurado-Celis Silvia N. ,   Instituto Politécnico Nacional Mexico
Published: September 2023

The concept of sustainability aims to integrate diverse aspects of human needs through the analysis of the environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Although there is a marked consensus on the concept of sustainability, there are local conditions that define the production patterns and their actual sustainability conditions. This paper aims to integrate a research review of sustainability in the agriculture systems of Mexico with a localscale approach, highlighting the local perspectives of each region to provide a clear view of the whole country’s agriculture systems and to find the thresholds of sustainability research in the coffee regions of Mexico. To integrate the review, several databases and quotes from selected papers were used from 2012, with some baseline references from 2002, and the paper structure was developed under a narrative technique. As a result, we show a view of the sustainability research approaches at different local scales in the agriculture systems of Mexico, emphasizing coffee systems and showing the thresholds of sustainability research with these approaches.
Validation of a new method for the rapid determination of free sulfur dioxide in wine
Authors:   FAIF, Bordeu Edmundo , Macarena Villalobos Lorena ,   FAIF. Laboratorio Agroanálisis, Brossard Natalia ,   FAIF
Published: September 2023

Sulfur dioxide is widely used in most wines around the world. The determination of free SO2 is probably the most frequently conducted analysis in the wine industry used to assure wine conservation. The most frequently used methods of analysis are the aeration-oxidation method and the Ripper method. Both methods are relatively long and require specialized technicians. A new methodology based on voltammetry has been developed. It is based on a specialized hand-held automatic and fast analyzer that uses analytical stripes. This study compared this new method with the traditional aeration-oxidation and Ripper methods in a wide range of red and white wines. The results showed a good correlation of the voltametric method with the aeration-oxidation method as a standard and very similar results were observed with the Ripper method. Variability and precision were also high, validating the use of the proposed method for daily use in cellar work.
Air Pollution in Medium-Sized Mexican Cities
Authors: Ramírez-Sánchez Hermes Ulises , Fajardo-Montiel Aida Lucia
Published: September 2023

Medium-sized cities are in the population range of between 500,000 and one million inhabitants. Despite the importance of large cities, the greatest urban growth occurs in medium and small cities. During the last century these cities enjoyed acceptable air quality, however from the last years of the last century and the two decades of this century the atmospheric health has deteriorated, generating problems. The dynamics of population growth faced by these cities represent a serious threat to the environment, as well as to the health and quality of life of its inhabitants, since it generates new economic processes, accompanied by an increase in industrial activities, motorization rates, greater fuel consumption and higher emissions of air pollutants.

Objective: To carry out an analysis of the air quality condition and to show the trends of the criteria pollutants for 10 medium-sized Mexican cities with the highest population growth.

Materials and Methods: The data for the analysis of air quality of medium-sized cities were downloaded from the consultation system of Air Quality Indicators-SCICA through the http://scica.inecc.gob.mx/exec/addl website. The downloaded data are hourly concentrations of the six criteria pollutants PM10, PM2.5, O3, SO2, NO2 and CO for the monitoring stations of the cities of Aguascalientes (863 893 h), Mexicali (854 186 h), Ciudad Juárez (1 501 551 h), Chihuahua (925 762 h), León (1 579 803 h), Morelia (743 275 h), Puebla (1 542 232 h), Querétaro (794 789 h)), San Luis Potosí (854 186 h) and Torreón (690 193 h), indicators were calculated of the daily, monthly and annual trend, averages, percentages of days with concentrations above the norm and number of days per year in which any of the norms is exceeded during the period 2000-2020. Compliance with environmental health NOMs (at one hour, 8 h, 24 h and annually) was evaluated depending on the pollutant criterion.

Results and Discussion: Medium-sized cities have grown between 21 and 55% in the last 20 years, some surpassing the category of medium cities. The concentrations of PM10, PM2.5 and O3 in all medium-sized cities are almost always above the normativity which represents a risk to the health of the population. The concentrations of CO, NO2 and SO2 are below the limits of the regulations, so these pollutants currently do not represent a risk to the population of medium-sized cities. Most cities present less than a third of the year with days out of the norm, only Torreón, Puebla and León present values of one third to two thirds of the year above the norm.

Conclusions: The pollutants PM10, PM2.5 and O3 represent a risk to the health of the population of medium cities in Mexico, while the concentrations of CO, NO2 and SO2 currently do not represent a risk for the population of medium cities.
Close-Knit-Regression: An Efficient Technique in Estimating Missing Completely at Random Data
Authors: Abdulkadir Ahmed , Zachary Bannister Jerry , Yusuf Nafisat , Musa Kabiru
Published: September 2023

The study aimed at using the Close-Knit Regression (CKR) technique to approximate values absent because of the missing completely at random mechanism. Bivariate datasets were generated and simulated for MCAR mechanism at low (10%) and high (60%) rates. The CKR method was used and compared alongside other single imputation techniques like mean imputation, simple regression and K- Nearest Neighbors (K-NN). The difference between parameter estimates like mean, correlation coefficient (r), maximum, minimum and standard deviation which were gotten using predicted data and those using the original data as well as assessment of error rates like mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) were used as metrics in deciding the efficiency of the techniques. Results showed that the CKR technique was the best from those considered, with its estimated data having parameter estimates closer to that of the original whilst having the least error rates at 10% (MAE of 0.01 and RMSE of 0.047) and 60% (MAE of 0.021 and RMSE of 0.073) in comparison to other methods, CKR technique is a suitable single imputation technique which produces estimates close to the original data and parameters with low error rates when data are MCAR.
“Watch them Young – Treat them Grow”: Management of Developing Anterior Cross Bite in Mixed Dentition Period Using Versatile 2x4 Appliance
Authors: Kumar K. Sudheer , Reddy B. V. Thimma , Chowdary B. Uday Kumar , Kumar R. Hemanth , Kumar J. Raghavendra , Grace E. Lilly
Published: September 2023

The primary care of the Paediatric dentist is guidance of the child’s developing dentition, in accordance with the stage of orofacial growth and development . Anterior dental crossbite results from the lingual position of the maxillary anterior teeth in relationship with mandibular anterior teeth. In any type of crossbite correction, the practitioner must be able to delineate whether crossbite is of dental origin or skeletal origin . Dental Crossbite involves the localized tipping of a tooth or teeth, does not involve the basal bone . In case of simple anterior dental crossbite, the patient presents a normal skeletal pattern with abnormalities presenting in the axial inclination of the affected teeth. According to Profitt, first adequate space needs to be opened to bring the displaced tooth or teeth across the occlusion into its proper position for anterior dental crossbite correction. Certain malocclusions should be corrected during the mixed dentition period which aids in the normal growth of jaws and surrounding structures. This article describes successful management of anterior segmental cross bite case treated using 2 x 4 appliance. The 2 x 4 appliance is a partially fixed orthodontic appliance that is used in children in a mixed dentition period to correct simple malocclusions associated with permanent anterior teeth.
Contribution of Sustainable Cocoa Production to Poverty Reduction in Nigeria
Authors: Oginni Oluwaseun Clement , Oseni Joseph Olumide , Awolala David Olufemi
Published: September 2023

The study examined the contribution of sustainable cocoa certification programme to poverty reduction in Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 360 cocoa farmers (certified and non-certified farmers) from 3 major cocoa-producing states in the country. The Alkire-Foster method of multidimensional poverty index was used along with descriptive statistics to analyze the data collected. The study revealed that the annual average cocoa income of certified farmers and non-certified farmers is ₦954,791.7 and ₦663,742.4 respectively. More than half (63%) of the cocoa farmers are multidimensionally poor and the majority (80%) of them are non-certified cocoa farmers. Therefore, policymakers should develop programme that address multidimensional poverty among cocoa farmers, such as providing access to electricity, drinking water, health care, and sanitation. In addition, more awareness should be created on cocoa certification programme to encourage more participation among cocoa farmers.
On Heterodox Non-KL Generalized Divergence Metric with Characteristics in Fuzzy Environment
Authors: Verma Rohit Kumar , Chandrakar Jharana
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we suggest a novel divergence metric on a fuzzy set. Some scholars have used the fuzzy set extension and one that integrated with other theories. Axioms are proven in order to demonstrate the viability of measure. We create a way about decision-making criteria using the suggested measure and provide a workable method. We discuss the divergence metric metric for fuzzy sets in this post. The discussed properties of the proposed proposal. Multicriteria decision making is a very useful technique with a wide range of applications in the real world.
Evaluation of Suitability of Tomato Solids as a Preservative in Flavoured Paneer
Authors: Patel Zenith , Pinto Suneeta
Published: September 2023

Aims: In this study paneer was prepared incorporating tomato solids in the form of tomato puree in paneer.  As a result, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant actions are anticipated. Therefore, this investigation was done to compare the shelf life of the tomato flavoured paneer with control. The present study was conducted to compare the shelf life of tomato flavoured paneer (TFP) and control paneer (CP) i.e. prepared without addition of tomato solids.

Study Design: TFP was prepared incorporating tomato puree @10% w/w of milk from standardized milk. CP was prepared without incorporation of tomato puree. Two factorial Completely Randomized Design model was used to compare both product during storage. The data presented in table is a mean ± SD of 3 replicate experiments.

Place and Duration of Study: Dairy Technology Department, SMC College of Dairy Science, Kamdhenu University, Anand, Gujarat, India, between July 2022 and July 2023.

Methodology: Control paneer (CP) was prepared from standardized milk (4.5% fat/8.5% MSNF). TFP and CP were packed in laminated pouches and stored at 7±1°C. The sensory attributes, acidity, free fatty acid, tyrosine content, peroxide value, aerobic plate count, yeast and mold count and coliform count of stored samples were monitored at an interval of every 3rd day.

Results: Throughout the storage period there was a greater increase in free fatty acid and tyrosine value of TFP compared to CP while peroxide value of TFP remained lesser than CP. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in APC while coliform, yeast and mold count was found to be absent throughout the storage period. TFP had lower initial sensory scores compared to CP, however it retained all flavour, body and texture, colour and appearance and overall acceptability score better throughout storage in comparison to CP.

Conclusion: The shelf-life of TFP and CP was 15 d when stored at 7±1°C in 12 μ polyester + 50 μ LD/LLDPE laminated pouches.
Antimicrobial Activity of Dill Seeds and Celery Seeds on Beef Burger
Authors: Ghoname Eman Sh. A. , Hassan Dalia M. A. , Hammad Eman M.
Published: September 2023

Medicinal plants possess compounds that can replace the conventional chemical preservatives utilized to preserve meat, which have adverse health effects on consumers. Many biochemical properties of dill and celery seeds as antimicrobial agents have been stated; thus, the present research aimed to determine the effect of employing dill and celery seed extracts as antimicrobial agents in beef burgers. In this study, dill and celery seed were extracted with methanol, ethanol, and acetone. Results showed that maximum yield was obtained from dill and celery seed extracts using methanol (58.4% and 55%). Total phenolic compound (TPC), total flavonoid (TF), total tannin contents (TTC), antioxidant activity, and the fraction of phenolic substances were identified in different extracts. Results showed that dill seed extract has the highest scores of TPC (8.22 mg/GAE/g), TFC (4.99 mgQE/g), and TTC (0.91%). The scavenging effects of dill and celery seed extracts on DPPH radicals were recorded (91.84%) in dill seed extract and (84.12%) in celery seed extracts. Additionally, antibacterial results showed that dill and celery seed extracts inhibited all tested microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Listeria monocytogenes). At concentrations of 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%, dill, and celery seed extracts were individually added to beef burgers as antimicrobials. Furthermore, by reducing the growth of bacteria throughout the preservation period, the treated burger had a substantially longer shelf life than the control sample. However, (TVN) Total volatile nitrogen, (TBA) Thiobarbituric acid, and total plate count in each sample containing dill and celery seed extracts were smaller than the control at zero time and rose over time in every specimen. However, beef burger samples containing extracts of dill and celery revealed a slower rate of increase relative to the control. All the parameters of sensory evaluation of cooked beef burger samples prepared by adding 0.5, 1, and 1.5 % of dill and celery seed extracts were acceptable. Results showed a slightly decreasing taste and flavor value obtained by 1.5 dill and celery seed extracts. Finally, extracts of dill and celery seed could be used as functional ingredients in meat-based foods.
Assessment of Maize Crop Evapotranspiration Using Eddy Covariance Flux Tower Weather Data
Authors: A. Charan Babu , Neelima T. L. , Kumar K. Avil , K. Chandrasekar
Published: September 2023

The study conducted at the Maize Research Centre, Agriculture Research Institute, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, from November, 2022 to March, 2023 aimed to compute the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) of maize crop under two different irrigation treatments using the weather data generated from the Eddy Covariance (EC) flux tower. The two treatments comprise of scheduling irrigation at certain Depletion of Available Soil Moisture (DASM) viz., T1:  20% DASM and T2: 40% DASM.  The maize crop was sown and cultivated as per the recommended practices.  The bio-physical parameters like plant height and LAI were recorded at 15 days interval.  These parameters were statistically analysed by two sample T-test with equal variance. The plant height increased from 35 to 198 cm in 20% DASM and 36 to 180 cm in 40% DASM during the crop growth period (30 to 100 DAS). Similarly, LAI increased from 0.72 to 3.9 and 0.77 to 3.2 in 20 and 40 % DASM treatments till 90 DAS, respectively and later on decreased till harvest.  The findings emphasize a positive influence of optimum moisture availability in the root zone on plant growth parameters. The amount of irrigation given was measured to compute ETc using Soil Water Balance (SWB) method and the crop parameters like plant height, LAI, stomatal resistance values etc., were used for computing the Penman-Monteith equation using the weather parameters generated from the EC flux tower.  Seasonal ETc estimated from the Soil Water Balance (SWB) method (340 & 280 mm) and FAO Penman-Monteith method (350 & 295 mm) in 20 and 40% DASM treatments showed a deviation of +10 and +15 mm, respectively. Furthermore, the study concludes that FAO Penman-Monteith method can accurately estimate ET by using EC flux tower measured weather data, with minor deviations from the SWB method.
Effect of Rhizobium Coating on Physical and Engineering Properties of Chickpea Seed
Authors: Veerammanavara Raghavendra , K. V. Prakash , Manjunath H. , Marihonnappanavara Siddesh , H. Mareppa , M. Murali , Santosh  , Niranjan Vinayaka
Published: September 2023

The Rhizobium bio fertilizer coating may influence on the physical and engineering properties of chickpea seed. The metering mechanism, hopper design and hose pipes of seed drill was designed based up on the physical and engineering properties of Rhizobium coated   seeds.  The study was conducted to determine the physical and engineering properties viz., length, breadth, thickness, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, seed weight, bulk density, angle of repose and coefficient of static friction of uncoated, and bio-fertilizer coated chickpea seeds for design of Aqu-ferti seed drill. The hopper of seed drill was designed based up on the angle of repose and coefficient of static friction of biofertilizer coated chickpea seeds.  The physical properties of chickpea seeds plays very important role in design of hopper, hose pipe and metering mechanism of seed drill  The physical properties  viz., Length, breadth and thickness of the uncoated and bio-fertilizer coated chickpea seeds were 9.01±0.62 mm, 7.059±0.69 mm, 6.57±0.54 mm and 9.06±0.44 mm, 7.144±0.90 mm, 6.9±0.22 mm, respectively. Roundness and sphericity of uncoated and bio-fertilizers coated chickpea seeds were 87.23 ±2.13%, 87.36±2.72% and 81.6±3.07%, 82±4.15%, respectively. Bulk density of uncoated and bio fertilizer coated seeds were 0.629±0.02 g/cc and 0.641± 0.03 g/cc, respectively. Geometric mean diameters of uncoated and coated seeds were 7.32±0.45 mm and 7.33±.45 mm, respectively. The hopper of seed drill was designed based up on the angle of repose of mild steel which influences on free flow of sesds. The angle of repose for mild steel surface was observed as 26.9±5.61 and 29.51±4.23 degree for uncoated and bio-fertilizer coated chickpea seeds, respectively.
Nutrient Status and Oil Yield of Grain Amaranthus species
Authors: Maanchi S. , Praneetha S. , Parveen S. , Uma D. , Kavitha M.
Published: September 2023

Amaranth grain is an underutilized crop known for its vegetative parts as vegetable and grain as food. The grain of the crop contains high amount of iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium and other minerals. However, there are gaps in our understanding and technology on the nutritional diversity of different kinds of vegetables grown in India. The aim of this study was to analyse the nutritional value of amaranth grains from different genotypes (A. hypochondriacus, A. cruentus, and A. caudatus) and to select elite genotype for varietal development. Randomized block design with three replication was carried. Evaluation studies were carried out by planting different amaranthus genotypes in the orchard at Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore in the year 2022-23. The nutrient composition of the grains was determined using standard methods. The genotype EC- 198122 recorded highest nutritional quality followed by IC–37156. Among the thirty six genotypes EC- 198122 genotype were found to be rich in proteins (20.85%), fat (6.32%), carbohydrate (71.59%), fiber (5.65%), energy (426.64 Kcal), and sugar (1.12g). EC- 198122 genotype contain a high amount of iron (22.74 mg/100g), magnesium (157.3 mg/100g), calcium (199.67mg/100g), potassium (309.77 mg/100g) and other minerals. The anti-nutrients composition also found to be low in grains were oxalate (194mg/100g) and nitrate (87.34μg/g) which are within levels that can be tolerated by the body system. The genotype EC- 198122 (5.20%) posses high oil content. The oil extracted from amaranth grain contained mainly unsaturated fatty acids. The primary acids in the oil were oleic, linoleic and palmitic. Oil was a major component present in the grain amaranthus. This suggests that consuming amaranth grain could be an effective way for mitigating the macro- and micronutrient deficits in the diet.
Effect of Different Doses and Scheduling Time of Plant Growth Regulators and Defoliants on Growth and Yield of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under High Density Planting System
Authors: Priyadarshini M. , Kumar G. Santhosh , Nagabhushanam U. , Reddy K. Pavan Chandra
Published: September 2023

A field trial to determine the effect of different dosages, Scheduling time of plant growth regulators and defoliators on growth and yield of cotton under high density planting system was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Warangal during kharif-2022. The experiment consisted of eleven treatments laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The treatment details were T1: Application of Mepiquat chloride (M.C) 25 g a.i ha-1 @ 40 & 55 DAE + Ethereal 2000 ppm @ 40 % boll burst, T2: M.C 25 g a.i ha-1 @ 40 & 55 DAE + Ethereal 2000 ppm @ 60 % boll burst, T3: M.C 20, 30 g a.i ha-1 @ 40, 55 DAE respectively + Ethereal 2000 ppm @ 40% boll burst T4: M.C 20, 30 g a.i ha-1 @ 40, 55 DAE respectively + Ethereal 2000 ppm @ 60% boll burst T5: M.C 20 g a.i ha-1 @ 40,55 & 75 DAE+ Ethereal 2000ppm @ 40 % boll burst, T6: M.C 20 g a.i ha-1 @ 40, 55 & 70 DAE + Ethereal 2000 ppm @ 60 % boll burst, T7: M.C 25 g a.i ha-1 @ 40, 55 & 70 DAE + Ethereal 2000 ppm @ 40 % boll burst, T8: M.C 25 g a.i ha-1 @ 40, 55 & 75 DAE+ Ethereal 2000ppm @  60% boll burst, T9: M.C 20, 25, 30 g a.i ha-1 @ 40, 55 and 70 DAE respectively + Ethereal 2000 ppm @ 40 % boll burst, T10: M.C 20, 25, 30 g a.i ha-1 @ 40, 55 and 70 DAE respectively + Ethereal 2000 ppm @ 60 % boll burst and T11: Control .(Water spray at 40, 55 and 70 DAE). Results revealed that foliar application of M.C @ 20 g a.i ha-1 @ 40, 55 & 70 DAE in conjunction with Ethereal 2000 ppm @ 60% boll burst recorded higher seed cotton yield. Plant growth, dry matter accumulation and stalk yield were recorded highest in control plot and lowest with spraying of M.C 20, 25 and 30 g a.i ha-1 @ 40, 55 and 70 DAE respectively + Ethereal 2000 ppm @ 40 % boll burst. Among similar doses of Mepiquat chloride, all the agronomic traits of cotton crop are positively influenced with application of 2000 ppm Ethereal @ 60% boll burst. The spraying of M.C @ 20 g a.i ha-1 at 40, 55 and 70 DAE + Ethereal 2000 ppm @ 60% boll burst would be economically ideal to the farming community.
Integrated Disease Management (IDM) Modules against Karnal Bunt (Tilletia indica) of Wheat
Authors: S. K. Vishwakarma , R. Singh , K. Khilari , P. Mishra , H. Singh , M. K. Yadav
Published: September 2023

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) belonging to family “Gramineae” and genus “Triticum”, is one of the world’s most widely cultivated food grain crop, due to its wider adaptability to different agro-climatic and soil conditions. Karnal bunt (Tilletia indica) is an important wheat disease with implications for wheat grain quality and inflicts changes in chemical composition of infected grains. IDM modules evaluated under pot and field condition revealed that all the thirteen modules were significantly effective and observed lower disease incidence of karnal bunt. Module M11 andM8 recorded nil (0.00%) disease incidence in both condition. The maximum incidence was recorded (0.425%) and (0.81%) in M12 followed by M5 (0.395%) and (0.68%) whereas minimum incidence was observed in M9 (0.002%) and (0.05%) under pot and field respectively. However, in the field maximum yield (44.65 q/ha) and test weight (36.04 g) was recorded in module M11, followed by (44.30q/ha) and (35.91g) in M8, while, minimum yield (40.35q/ha) and test weight (35.30g) was observed in M12.
Effect of Nitrogen, Calcium and Nano Fertilizers on Growth Yield and Quality of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.): A Review
Authors: Gupta Shilpi , T. Anusree , Harini Korani , Kumar Dhanesh , Kumar Vimal , Kulshreshtha Shubham Kr. , Maurya Durgesh Kumar , Sonkar Satyarath
Published: September 2023

Strawberry cultivation represents a significant sector within the agriculture industry. The use of nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), and nano fertilizers has emerged as an essential practice to improve both the yield and quality of strawberries. This comprehensive review aims to explore the multifaceted influence of these fertilizers on Fragaria × ananassa Duch, encompassing growth, quality, and environmental considerations. The study begins with an examination of historical perspectives and existing research, identifying gaps in the literature. The methodology includes a rigorous selection process for studies, with data extraction, quality assessment, and statistical analysis. The effects of N, Ca, and nano fertilizers on growth yield are thoroughly examined, considering their combined and individual contributions. The quality of strawberries is assessed based on physical appearance, nutritional content, and sensory characteristics, highlighting the role of these nutrients in color development, size, texture, vitamin content, sugar-acid balance, flavor, and aroma. The environmental impact is another critical aspect, exploring the effect on soil quality, including nutrient leaching, soil structure, microbial activity, and long-term health. The impact on surrounding ecosystems considers aquatic and terrestrial effects, biodiversity considerations, and the associated sustainability considerations. These encompass resource efficiency, environmental compliance, life cycle analysis, and integration with sustainable agricultural practices. Findings indicate that while N, Ca, and nano fertilizers significantly enhance growth and quality, careful management is essential to mitigate potential environmental concerns. The application of nano fertilizers presents promising opportunities for precise nutrient delivery, promoting efficiency, and sustainability. The review concludes by emphasizing the importance of continued research, innovation, and responsible management of these fertilizers in achieving a harmonious balance between productivity, quality, and environmental stewardship. The insights provided in this review contribute valuable knowledge to both scientific and agricultural communities, offering guidance for future research and best practices in strawberry cultivation.
Improving Yield of Tomatoes Grown in Greenhouses Using IoT Based Nutrient Management System
Authors: Paradkar Vinayak , Ray Santosh Kumar , Bhat Adarsha Gopalakrishna , Hasan Murtaza , Kumar Love , S. V. Lakshminarayana
Published: September 2023

Aims: This paper discuss, a study conducted to evaluate the developed automated IoT based fertigation control system for greenhouse for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crop.

Study Design: Different nutrient and irrigation water levels were used to evaluate developed system using three replications in a factorial randomized block design (RBD).

Methodology: An automated fertigation scheduling system was implemented in a greenhouse with soil moisture sensors at three depths (15, 30, and 45 cm) within the tomato root zone. R2, RMSE, NSE and MAE values were used to establish the correlation between sensor values and actual soil moisture. Tomato crop biometric parameters were collected and analyzed to evaluate the system's performance.

Results: The results indicated strong correlation between sensor and observed soil moisture with R2 (0.8642 to 0.9528), RMSE (1.0786 to 1.8328), NSE (0.8438 to 0.9463), and MAE (0.9729 to 1.7043) values. Highest plant height (255 cm), girth (2.29 cm), number of leaves (21), number of flowers (23.1), fruit length (8.05 cm), fruit weight (110 g), yield/plant (2.75 kg), yield (68.77 t/ha) and sugar (5.1°Brix) were observed with drip irrigation at the rate of 100% ETc and 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), while minimum values of these parameters were noted in the control treatment.

Conclusion: Using sensor-based drip irrigation at 100% ETc and 100% RDF led to a 62.92% increase in tomato yield and water saving of 14.84% compared to the control treatment. For tomato crop, the system required 2.27 l/plant/day water at 100% ETc. The developed automated fertigation system found suitable for greenhouse vegetable crops with the use of sensor based drip irrigation at 100% ETc and 100% RDF.
Study on Genetic Variability for Quantitative and Quality Parameters in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Nikhil Alahari Sai , Lal Gaibriyal M. , Reddy Inturi Naga Bala , Raju E. Bala
Published: September 2023

Genetic variability is the prime and fundamental requirement for any crop breeding to develop superior varieties which yields more and fulfills the demanding requirements of increasing population.The current study investigates twenty genotypes of rice, including one check variety NDR-359, that were raised in the Field Experimentation Centre of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, SHUATS, Prayagraj during Kharif 2022 using a Randomized Block Design with three replications.The best genotypes for grain yield per plant were chosen based on the mean performance of genotypes RNR – 1446, followed by MTU - 1121, JGL – 24423, and Rango Komal. All of the qualities under examination had significant differences, according to the analysis of variance. The characters viz., Biological yield, Grain yield per hill, Number of spikelets per panicle exhibited high Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) and Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV). For all the features under study, there were very slight variations between GCV and PCV, indicating that the environment had little to no impact on these individuals. High heritability recorded in Biological yield (95.92%), Grain yield per hill (91.89%), Panicle length (91.80%), Plant height (91.00%) and Days to 50% flowering (87.81%), whereas moderate heritability observed in Flag leaf width (47.08%). High heritability coupled with genetic advance as percent mean is recorded in Biological yield (77.10), Grain yield per hill (59.72), Panicle length (24.65) and Plant height (34.50) indicating that simple selection could be effective for improving these characters. Correlation results shown that grain yield per hill exhibited highly and significantly correlation with biological yield and Number of spikelets per panicle. The results of the Path coefficient analysis revealed that both phenotypic and genotypic levels, had positive direct effects on grain yield while compare with parameters like Biological yield, Harvest index %, Number of panicles per hill and Days to 50% flowering. Quality characters i.e., hulling (%), cooking and eating characters i.e., kernel length and breadth before and after cooking, elongation ratio was taken for 19 genotypes. As per mean performance highest maximum grain length was observed in Kasturi, DRRH2, highest elongation ratio observed in MTU - 1121 and NLR - 40024.
Screening of Some Maize Cultivars for Charcoal Rot in Northern Region of Telangana, India
Authors: Sravya T. Laxmi , Seshu G. , Goud T. Yella , Kumar M. V. Nagesh
Published: September 2023

Maize, a vital cereal globally, ranks alongside rice and wheat. Among the significant factors curbing maize yields, post-flowering stalk rot (PFSR) stands as a highly destructive ailment. PFSR leads to yield reductions in maize from 10% to 42%, occasionally and may reach upto 100% in specific regions. This emphasizes the potential for elevating India's corn production by developing and cultivating PFSR-resistant hybrids. In this study, 37 maize genotypes were evaluated for PFSR induced by Macrophomina phaseolina, using the toothpick inoculation method at Agricultural College, Polasa, Jagtial. These genotypes consisting of 24 single-cross hybrids, 10 parents (6 lines and 4 testers) and three checks. Screening outcomes showcased a spectrum of disease reactions, ranging from high resistance (score 1) to moderate susceptibility (score 7) against PFSR caused by M. phaseolina. Out of 37 maize genotypes, one inbred line (PFSR 135), three testers (CML 286, CML 451, and BML 7) and eight hybrids (PFSR 51 × BML 6, PFSR 132 × CML 286, PFSR 29 × CML 451, PFSR 70 × BML 6, PFSR 76 × CML 286, PFSR 135 × CML 286, PFSR 70 × BML 7, PFSR 76 × BML 7) exhibited resistant reaction to the disease. These parent lines and hybrids can be exploited further for development of potential maize hybrids with charcoal rot resistance.
Effect of Date of Sowing and Integrated Nitrogen Management on Growth and Yield of Summer Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: Nayak Ridhi Das , Singh Rajesh , Pradhan Akankhya , Thakur Indu
Published: September 2023

A Field experiment was conducted during Zaid 2022 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P) to find out the Effect of Date of Sowing and Integrated Nitrogen Management on Growth and Yield of Summer Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) The result showed that growth parameters of Groundnut viz., maximum plant height (72.00 cm), dry weight (41.54 g/plant), crop growth rate (15.05 g/m2/day), relative growth rate (0.014 g/g/day) and yield and yield attributes viz., number of pods/plant (48.00), number of seeds/pod (2.13), seed index (43.66 g), seed yield (3.14 t/ha), haulm yield (7.03 t/ha) and harvest index (30.62%) were recorded significantly higher with application of treatment 5 S1(1ST April) + 50% RDN (inorganic) + 50% RDN (Vermicompost). The maximum net returns (90,793 ₹/ha) and B:C ratio (2.73) was recorded with application of S1(1ST April) + 50% RDN (inorganic) + 50% RDN (Vermicompost).
Attitudes and Practices of Insecticide Treated Bed Nets Usage among Rural Dwellers in Oyo State, Nigeria
Authors: Ekeleme N. C. , Ijioma C. E. , Unachukwu N. A. , Ejikem P. I. , Areh J. E. , Ogwu C. I. , Jeffery E. O. , Esangbedo I. J. , Amuta A. C. , Ojiri P. C. , Amoji N. O. , Aminu-Ayinde O. E. , Amadi E. S. , Onyeukwu N. , Abali I. O. , Airaodion A. I.
Published: September 2023

Aim: Malaria, a life-threatening disease transmitted to humans by the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, continues to be a significant public health issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was aimed at understanding the attitudes and practices regarding the use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) among rural dwellers in Oyo state, Nigeria.

Methodology: The study adopted a cross-sectional design. The questionnaire was developed based on the objectives of the study. Sample size was calculated using the Fisher’s formula. The minimum sample size was 278 and was adjusted to 306 to account for non-response rate of 10%. A multi-stage cluster sampling technique was employed to select the participants.

Results: The primary understanding of the purpose of ITNs was prevention of mosquito bites (59.67%), and prevention of malaria (40.33%). However, only 74% believed that ITNs could effectively prevent malaria and just 66% considered ITNs safe for use. The practice of ITN usage was quite high, with 93% of respondents possessing ITNs in their households. ITNs were obtained predominantly through free distribution (49%) or purchase (29.67%). Use of ITNs varied among participants, with 28.67% always using it, 41% often using it, and 7% never using it. The reasons for not always using ITNs included discomfort sleeping under it (49%) and perceptions of heat (30%). An analysis of the factors affecting the usage of ITNs indicated a significant association with the age, marital status, level of education, knowledge of ITNs, and beliefs about ITN's effectiveness and safety. The usage of ITNs was particularly low among younger respondents, those who were single or widowed/divorced/separated, those with no formal education or primary education, and those who were unaware of ITNs or did not believe in their effectiveness or safety.

Conclusion: This study reveals a gap between knowledge and practice in ITN use, with significant barriers being discomfort and a lack of belief in the effectiveness of ITNs. While ownership rates are high, usage rates, especially consistent usage, is low. This was due to misconceptions, especially around the efficacy and safety of ITNs. Moreover, maintenance practices are suboptimal.