Impact of osmotic stress on seed germination and seedling growth in black gram (Phaseolus mungo)

An experiment was conducted to see the impact of osmotic stress as it is one of the main cause in various soil and water disorders in agricultural field crops, speciallythe seed germination and seedling growth. The osmotic stress was generated using PEG-6000 and the seed germination, seedling growth were evaluated including the status of pigments i.e. chlorophyll (a, b and total), total carotenoids, pheophytin (a, b and total) and different enzymes like amylase, peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase. The various osmotic potentials generated (-2, -5 and -10 bars) showed significant decrease in germination percentage as at the osmotic potential of -10 bars it was observed 70 in comparison to 90% of control. All the seedling growth parameter also showed inhibition with increase in osmotic potential. Increase in osmotic stress decreased Chlorophyll 'a', while Chlorophyll 'b' was increased in -5 bars while total chlorophyll showed decrease in -5 bars osmotic potential. Total carotenoids and pheophytin (a, b and total) were highly increased in -5 bars and decreased in -10 bars osmotic concentration. Enzymatic activity was found to be decreased in amylase while peroixidase, catalase and SOD were increased at different osmotic gradients in comparison to control. The data observed in the experiment can be helpful to assess the impact of any kind of osmotic stress on plant growth and development in crops.     

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticle Capped with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Allium cepa</Emphasis> and Their Catalytic Reduction of Textile Dyes: An Ecofriendly Approach

Today, environment pollution control is a matter of concern, everybody is willing to make a product that should be ecofriendly. Nowadays, water resources are full of untreated waste materials, discharge of hazardous and toxic dyes coming from textile and other chemical industries. These environmental hazards are difficult to remove by commercial water treatment plans, thus we need something that would present an efficient means for removal of these hazards. In this research paper, we have synthesize silver nanoparticle in a green way by using aqueous extract of Allium cepa (onion), and further these silver nanoparticle were tested for the catalytic degradation of various dyes by UV/Visible spectroscopy and silver nanoparticle showed reduction in dyes intensity after a particular period of incubation time. SEM and TEM, Particle size and Zeta potential analysis was done to analyze the surface morphology, particle size range and stability of the silver nanoparticle. Greenly synthesized silver nanoparticle was found to be spherical in shape, having particle size value ranged from 50 to 100 nm with a zeta potential value of ?29 mV. An EDX spectroscopy method was used to confirm the presence of silver nanoparticle in the synthesized material. An X-ray crystallography was done to ensure the crystallinity of the silver nanoparticle. Further an ATR-FTIR was performed to confirm the capping of the silver nanoparticle with the phenolic group of the onion. All these study emphasized that silver nanoparticle capped with onion (AgNPs@Ac) is the excellent catalyst for the reduction of hazardous and toxic dyes as well as they serve best purpose of the eco-friendly approach.     

Fabrication of Biodegradable Superabsorbent Using RSM Design for Controlled Release of KNO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Present study envisaged the sequential experimental design approach for the development of biodegradable Gelatin-Tapoica/polyacrylamide superabsorbent. Percentage water uptake efficacy of candidate sample was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) design under microwave irradiation. Different process variables such as potassium persulphate and ammonium persulphate (KPS:APS) ratio, pH, reaction time concentration of acrylamide and N,N-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) were investigated as a function of percentage swelling using sequential experimental design. Maximum liquid efficacy of 1550% was obtained at KPS:APS?=?1.0:0.5; acrylamide?=?7.67?×?10^?1 mol L^?1; MBA?=?1.76?×?10^?2 mol L^?1; pH 10 and time?=?110 s. The 3D crosslinked network formed was characterized using Fourier Transformation Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) techniques and thermal stability was ensured by Thermal gravimetric Analysis/Differential Thermal Analysis/Differential Thermal Gravimetric (TGA/DTA/DTG) studies. Superabsorbent synthesized could increase the moisture content in different type of soils and was found to enhance the water-holding capability of the soil upto 60 days in clayey, 40 days in sandy and 51 days in mixture of two soils under controlled conditions. Further, candidate polymer was investigated for the in-vitro controlled release of the KNO₃ with diffusion exponent ‘n’ was found to be 0.4326 indicating Fickian type diffusion. Also, initial diffusion coefficient (D_I?=?3.49?×?10^?5 m² h^?1) was found to be greater than the lateral diffusion coefficient (D_L?=?3.76?×?10^?6 m² h^?1) indicated rapid release of KNO₃ during initial hours with slow release afterwards. The ecofriendly nature of the synthesized polymer was also tested by conducting biodegradation studies and it was found to degrade upto 94% and 88.1% within 70 days with degradation rate of 1.34 and 1.26% per day using composting method and vermicomposting method respectively. So, the synthesized candidate polymer was found to be boon for agriculture-horticulture sector with wide applicability.     

Antibacterial and Drug Elution Performance of Thermoplastic Blends

Food preservatives or drug compounds can be eluted from polymer substrates to prevent the occurrence of hospital-acquired infections and food spoilage. We investigated the antimicrobial and drug-elution properties of the albumin and zein thermoplastic blends plasticized with glycerol and mixed with varying amounts of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), food preservatives (sodium benzoate or sodium nitrite), and drugs (ampicillin or ciprofloxacin). Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli were utilized as Gram (+) and Gram (?) species, respectively, for antimicrobial and drug-elution analyses, since these species are common in the human body and in food environments. The amount of contamination occurring in food and medical applications could be limited with usage of plastic blends made from thermomechanical molding of proteins (albumin from hen egg white and zein from corn), drug eluting compounds, and low-density polyethylene.     

Advances and perspective in bioremediation of polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated soils

In recent years, microbial degradation and bioremediation approaches of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been studied extensively considering their toxicity, carcinogenicity and persistency potential in the environment. In this direction, different catabolic enzymes have been identified and reported for biodegradation of different PCB congeners along with optimization of biological processes. A genome analysis of PCB-degrading bacteria has led in an improved understanding of their metabolic potential and adaptation to stressful conditions. However, many stones in this area are left unturned. For example, the role and diversity of uncultivable microbes in PCB degradation are still not fully understood. Improved knowledge and understanding on this front will open up new avenues for improved bioremediation technologies which will bring economic, environmental and societal benefits. This article highlights on recent advances in bioremediation of PCBs in soil. It is demonstrated that bioremediation is the most effective and innovative technology which includes biostimulation, bioaugmentation, phytoremediation and rhizoremediation and acts as a model solution for pollution abatement. More recently, transgenic plants and genetically modified microorganisms have proved to be revolutionary in the bioremediation of PCBs. Additionally, other important aspects such as pretreatment using chemical/physical agents for enhanced biodegradation are also addressed. Efforts have been made to identify challenges, research gaps and necessary approaches which in future, can be harnessed for successful use of bioremediation under field conditions. Emphases have been given on the quality/efficiency of bioremediation technology and its related cost which determines its ultimate acceptability.     

Residual behavior and risk assessment of flubendiamide on tomato at different agro-climatic conditions in India

Supervised field trials were conducted at four different agro-climatic zones in India to evaluate the dissipation pattern and risk assessment of flubendiamide on tomato. Flubendiamide 480 SC was sprayed on tomato at 48 and 96 g active ingredient (a.i.) ha^?1. Samples of tomato fruits were drawn at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 days after treatment. Quantification of residues was done on a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) device with a photo diode array detector. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of this method was found to be 0.01 mg kg^?1 while limit of detection (LOD) being 0.003 mg kg^?1. Residues of flubendiamide were found below the determination limit of 0.01 mg kg^?1 in 20 days at both the dosages in all the locations. The half-life of flubendiamide at an application rate of 48 g a.i.?ha^?1 varied from 0.33 to 3.28 days and at 48-g a.i. ranged from 1.21 to 3.00 days. On the basis of data generated under the All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues, a preharvest interval (PHI) of 1 day has been recommended, and the flubendiamide 480 SC has been registered for its use on tomato by the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. The maximum residue limit (MRL) of flubendiamide on tomato has been fixed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India under Food Safety Standard Authority of India, as 0.07 μg g^?1 after its risk assessment.     

Study of chemical composition and morphology of airborne particles in Chandigarh, India using EDXRF and SEM techniques

The elemental composition and morphology of aerosols, collected from March 95 to February 96 and March 96 to August 96 respectively in the city of Chandigarh, India is determined using Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopic techniques. The elemental concentration levels are found to be higher by a factor of 2-7 in the spring season as compared to the rainy season. The concentration of spherical and non-spherical (i.e. elongated) aerosols is more in the spring season and is reduced drastically in the rainy season due to the prominent wash out effect of rains. More accurate particle classification and source identification is obtained when based on combination of chemical composition and particle morphology. Possible sources identified from this analysis are soil dust, Industrial activity, Agricultural and Garbage burning, Maritime aerosols and Automobile exhaust.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in some grounded coffee brands

Potentially toxic 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in four brands of grounded coffee. Four to 13 PAHs were detected. Concentrations of total PAHs in different brands of coffee samples were in the range of 831.7–1,589.7 μg/kg. Benzo[a]pyrene (2A: probable human carcinogen) was found in Nescafe Premium whereas naphthalene (2B: possible human carcinogen) was found in all the samples of coffee.     

Development of Noise Simulation Model for Stationary and Mobile Sources: A GIS-Based Approach

In the rapidly urbanizing country like India, the transportation sector is growing rapidly, which lead to overcrowded roads producing air and noise pollution. Noise of a particular region is influenced by the volume of traffic on the highway, in addition to other causative factors like existing infrastructure and industrial setup etc. In the present paper, a geographical information system (GIS)-based noise simulation model has been developed to generate noise levels in Versova region of Mumbai, India. The study area comprises effect of infrastructure, road network, traffic volume, and various mechanical components like sewage pumping station and wastewater treatment facility. Various meteorological parameters and effect of land use and land cover on noise attenuation are also considered in the model. In this way, commutative noise prediction for point as well as mobile sources has been presented in the study. GIS-based noise simulation has been calibrated with observed noise levels during day and night time with correlation of 0.84 and 0.74, respectively.