Glutathione and cysteine biosynthesis in two varieties of Abelmoschus esculentus in response to mine spoil

The extent of accumulation of some heavy metals and glutathione and cysteine levels in the roots and aerial plant parts in two genotypically different varieties of A. esculentus (KS404 and BO2) exposed to mine spoil were investigated. Glutathione (GSH) level in both the varieties on control sites increased from basal level to 155.15 nmol g(-1) dry weight (d.wt.), almost 1.5 fold on 30 day and attained a plateau within 60 day Mine spoil exposure of both the varieties decreased glutathione 1.13 fold (89.2 nmol g(-1) dry weight) during 60 day from its basal level. GSH concentration in shoots of these varieties increased accompanying growth contrary to roots where it finally declined 2 fold. Cysteine content in control plants increased 2 fold (31.6 nmol g(-1) dry weight) on 30 day and finally declined 1.38 fold (22.35 nmol g(-1) dry weight, at 60 day). Both the varieties, when exposed to mine spoil, showed enhanced cysteine content almost 2 fold during 30 day (50.95 nmol g(-1) dry weight) but failed to increase further Forshoots in both the varieties challenged with mine spoil, cysteine maxima reached late (15.2 nmol g(-1) dry weight, at 40 day) relative to control but the levels declined subsequently (11.85 nmol g(-l) dry weight). Contrary to GSH, cysteine content in roots of both the varieties responded positively to mine spoil as apparent from the 2.23 fold increase during 30 d than basal level although it lowered to a level of 12.85 nmol g(-1) dry weight finally at 60 day. Both the varieties accumulated almost maximum level of selected cations (Fe > Mn> Zn> Cu > Ni) during 30 day, but BO2 variety was significantly superior in this regard. Invariably high accumulation of such cations in roots over shoots indicated accumulation, retention or restricted translocation from root to shoot. The metal share of the edible part was just 6% of the plant load. Thus, present work reflects a genotypic differences in metal accumulation and that affected the major non-enzymatic traits or synthesis of sulthydryl compounds as well. The present results also indicate that metal tolerance is in part associated with anti-oxidant system activity.     

Integrating Social Marketing into Sustainable Resource Management at Padre Island National Seashore: An Attitude-Based Segmentation Approach

High demand for outdoor recreation and increasing diversity in outdoor recreation participants have imposed a great challenge on the National Park Service (NPS), which is tasked with the mission to provide open access for quality outdoor recreation and maintain the ecological integrity of the park system. In addition to management practices of education and restrictions, building a sense of natural resource stewardship among visitors may also facilitate the NPS ability to react to this challenge. The purpose of our study is to suggest a segmentation approach that is built on the social marketing framework and aimed at influencing visitor behaviors to support conservation. Attitude toward natural resource management, an indicator of natural resource stewardship, is used as the basis for segmenting park visitors. This segmentation approach is examined based on a survey of 987 visitors to the Padre Island National Seashore (PAIS) in Texas in 2003. Results of the K-means cluster analysis identify three visitor segments: Conservation-Oriented, Development-Oriented, and Status Quo visitors. This segmentation solution is verified using respondents’ socio-demographic backgrounds, use patterns, experience preferences, and attitudes toward a proposed regulation. Suggestions are provided to better target the three visitor segments and facilitate a sense of natural resource stewardship among them.     

Assessment of flubendiamide residues in pigeon pea in different agro-climatic zones of India

Supervised field trials were conducted at the research farms of four agricultural universities located at different agro-climatic zones of India to find out the harvest time residues of flubendiamide and its des-iodo metabolite on pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) during the year 2006-2007. Two spray applications of flubendiamide 20 WDG at 50 g (T(1)) and 100 g (T(2)) a.i./ha were given to the crop at 15-days interval. The foliage samples at different time intervals were drawn at only one location, however, the harvest time samples of pigeon pea grain, shell, and straw were drawn at all the four locations. The residues were estimated by HPLC coupled with UV-VIS variable detector. No residues of flubendiamide and its des-iodo metabolite were found at harvest of the crop at or above the LOQ level of 0.05 μg/g. On the basis of the data generated, a pre-harvest interval (PHI) of 28 days has been recommended and the flubendiamide 20 WDG has been registered for use on pigeon pea by Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India and the MRL has been fixed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India under Prevention of Food and Adulteration as 0.05 μg/g on pigeon pea grains.     

Changing scenario of municipal solid waste management in Kanpur city,India

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) depends upon lifestyle, urbanization and income level of population. Solid waste management is one of the...     

Degradation Study of Biobased Polyester–Polyurethane and its Nanocomposite Under Natural Soil Burial,UV Radiation and Hydrolytic-Salt Water Circumstances

The current study focuses on the development of a formulation of polyester polyurethane (PEPU) samples using castor oil (CO) modified polyester polyol and partially biobased aliphatic isocyanate. The CO modified polyester polyol was synthesized employing transesterification reaction between CO and diethylene glycol in the presence litharge (PbO) catalyst. Subsequently, the modification of CO was confirmed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹HNMR) spectra analysis. In the next stage, the biobased polyester polyurethane nanocomposites (PEPUNC) were prepared by incorporating 3 wt% OMMT nanoclay within PEPU through in situ polymerization technique. The produced PEPU was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ¹HNMR spectra analysis. Further, the degradation properties of developed PEPU subjected to soil-burial, UV exposure and hydrolytic-salt water medium were noted by FTIR spectroscopy. Corresponding weight loss, mechanical measurements and morphological studies through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were studied. The results showed that the addition of OMMT nanoclay within the PEPU matrix produces significant improvement in the degradation rate which indicated the susceptibility of OMMT nanoclay to humidity upon exposure to soil burial. The produced microorganisms from the soil resulted in significant chemical and morphological changes in the entire structure of the PEPU. Additionally, the highest degradation and percentage of weight loss was observed under soil burial as compared to UV exposure and hydrolytic-salt water medium.     

Structural alterations in compound eye of Drosophila melanogaster in response to sodium fluoride treatment

Sodium fluoride, used as a pesticide in agriculture, is also an ingredient of toothpastes which help to fight dental problems. In this study, Drosophila melanogaster, a non-target organism, is used to explore morphological changes in the adult compound eye as a function of exposure to fluoride at 20, 40, 80, 100 and 150 mg L^?1, using scanning electron microscopy. The experimental concentrations were much lower than the ones used in the studies of the British Association of Community Dentistry. Distinct morphological alterations in the eye of the treated insects revealed ommatidial ridges and disoriented mechanosensory bristles which were most prominent in the 40 and 80 mg L^?1 treatment groups. Since humans and Drosophila share homology in many genes that are involved in developmental pathways, the present findings raise concern on the use of sodium fluoride as a pesticide.     

Distribution of heavy metals in sediment and water of river Gomti

Gomti river receives industrial as well as domestic wastes from various drains of Lucknow city. In the process the water and sediment of the river Gomti get contaminated with heavy metals and other pollutants. In the present study, impacts of domestic/industrial wastes on the water and sediment chemistry of river Gomti with special reference to heavy metals have been investigated in different seasons (summer, winter and rainy). For this, seven sampling sites: Gaughat, Mohan Meakin, Martyrs Memorial, Hanuman Setu, Nishatganj bridge, Pipraghat and Malhaur, in the river Gomti in Lucknow region were identified and samples of water and sediments were collected in all the three seasons. In the collected water and sediment samples, six metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were analyzed on ICP-AES (Inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy) Labtam Plasmalab 8440. High concentrations of all the metals were noticed in water and sediment in rainy season compared to summer and winter. Because in rainy season runoff from open contaminated sites, agricultural field and industries, directly comes into the river without any treatment. In both the cases, the concentration of zinc was maximum (0.091 g/ml in water and 182.13 g/g in sediment) and the concentration of cadmium (0.001 g/ml in water and 17.26 g/g in sediment) was minimum. Higher concentration of metal in water and sediment during rainy season could be due to the industrial/agricultural/domestic runoff coming into the river.     

Municipal landfills exhale newly formed organotins

For the first time we are able to report the identification and quantification of several unexpected alkylated tin compounds such as dimethyldiethyltin, trimethylethyltin and propyltrimethyltin in European municipal waste deposits, by using GC-ICP-MS. Future studies will reveal whether their origin is from the degradation of butyl-, or octyltin compounds or simply products of de novo synthesis within the landfill environment.     

Energy pricing and groundwater use

The current policy of many state governments in India to supply cheap and subsidized power to farmers for irrigation pumping is being increasingly questioned by many environmentalists and agriculturalists. States where power tariffs for irrigation are subsidized and cheap have seen a fall in their groundwater tables which could threaten the long-term sustainability of irrigated agriculture in these areas. This paper presents the results of a survey, undertaken to understand the effect of energy pricing on groundwater tables. The paper argues that current energy pricing policies are at cross purposes to groundwater conservation. Equity effects of energy pricing for irrigation pumping is also discussed .