Vulnerability of Indian mustard (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica juncea</Emphasis> (L.) Czernj. Cosson) to climate variability and future adaptation strategies

A simulation study has been carried out using the InfoCrop mustard model to assess the impact of climate change and adaptation gains and to delineate the vulnerable regions for mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. Cosson) production in India. On an all India basis, climate change is projected to reduce mustard grain yield by ～2 % in 2020 (2010–2039), ～7.9 % in 2050 (2040–2069) and ～15 % in 2080 (2070–2099) climate scenarios of MIROC3.2.HI (a global climate model) and Providing Regional Climates for Impact Studies (PRECIS, a regional climate model) models, if no adaptation is followed. However, spatiotemporal variations exist for the magnitude of impacts. Yield is projected to reduce in regions with current mean seasonal temperature regimes above 25/10 °C during crop growth. Adapting to climate change through a combination of improved input efficiency, additional fertilizers and adjusting the sowing time of current varieties can increase yield by ～17 %. With improved varieties, yield can be enhanced by ～25 % in 2020 climate scenario. But, projected benefits may reduce thereafter. Development of short-duration varieties and improved crop husbandry becomes essential for sustaining mustard yield in future climates. As climatically suitable period for mustard cultivation may reduce in future, short-duration (<130 days) cultivars with 63 % pod filling period will become more adaptable. There is a need to look beyond the suggested adaptation strategy to minimize the yield reduction in net vulnerable regions.     

Soil carbon sequestration and associated economic costs for farming systems of the Indo-Gangetic Plain: A meta-analysis

Soil organic carbon sequestration rates over 20 years based on the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) methodology were combined with local economic data to determine the potential for soil C sequestration in wheat-based production systems on the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). The C sequestration potential of rice-wheat systems of India on conversion to no-tillage is estimated to be 44.1 Mt C over 20 years. Implementing no-tillage practices in maize-wheat and cotton-wheat production systems would yield an additional 6.6 Mt C. This offset is equivalent to 9.6% of India's annual greenhouse gas emissions (519 Mt C) from all sectors (excluding land use change and forestry), or less than one percent per annum. The economic analysis was summarized as carbon supply curves expressing the total additional C accumulated over 20 year for a price per tonne of carbon sequestered ranging from zero to USD 200. At a carbon price of USD 25 Mg C⁻¹, 3 Mt C (7% of the soil C sequestration potential) could be sequestered over 20 years through the implementation of no-till cropping practices in rice-wheat systems of the Indian States of the IGP, increasing to 7.3 Mt C (17% of the soil C sequestration potential) at USD 50 Mg C⁻¹. Maximum levels of sequestration could be attained with carbon prices approaching USD 200 Mg C⁻¹ for the States of Bihar and Punjab. At this carbon price, a total of 34.7 Mt C (79% of the estimated C sequestration potential) could be sequestered over 20 years across the rice-wheat region of India, with Uttar Pradesh contributing 13.9 Mt C.     

Development of a novel myconanomining approach for the recovery of agriculturally important elements from jarosite waste

In this study, an ecofriendly and economically viable waste management approach have been attempted towards the biosynthesis of agriculturally important nanoparticles from jarosite waste. Aspergillus terreus strain J4 isolated from jarosite(waste from Debari Zinc Smelter,Udaipur, India), showed good leaching efficiency along with nanoparticles(NPs) formation under ambient conditions. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM) confirmed the formation of NPs. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX analysis) showed strong signals for zinc, iron, calcium and magnesium,with these materials being leached out. TEM analysis and high resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM) showed semi-quasi spherical particles having average size of 10‐50 nm. Thus, a novel biomethodology was developed using fungal cell-free extract for bioleaching and subsequently nanoconversion of the waste materials into nanostructured form. These biosynthesized nanoparticles were tested for their efficacy on seed emergence activity of wheat(Triticum aestivum) seeds and showed enhanced growth at concentration of 20 ppm. These nanomaterials are expected to enhance plant growth properties and being targeted as additives in soil fertility and crop productivity enhancement.     

Quality of water obtained by tapping shallow seepages in the Almota Hills,India

We studied the quality of water obtained using a new method of tapping underground water seepages by digging shallow water collection chambers in the Almora Hills of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India; quality of this water was compared with that of water obtained using traditional water sources in this region, namely naulas (surface seepages) and springs.Water from both the new and the traditional water sources had an excess of chromium and, in some samples, of iron and lead. Microbiological analysis showed that water from new water sources was safer than that obtained from tradional sources; however, only 40% of the shallow seepages provided water conforming to WHO standards on water quality.We conclude that tapping of underground water seepages may be a useful method of providing potable water to populations living in the hills. However, further improvement is necessary in the maintenance of the clean catchment area and in disposal of waste water from these water sources to ensure water quality.     

Effect of Temperature on Absorption Efficiency of NO2 in Arsenite Method

The sodium arsenite method developed by Jacobs andHochheiser is one of the most widely used manualmethods for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) monitoring inambient air, particularly in developing countries. Asreported, the method gives 82% NO₂ absorptionefficiency (NAE) in the concentration range from 40 to750 g/m³, when only one impinger tube isemployed in the sampling train at a flow rate of 0.2lpm and for 24 h sampling duration. Accordingly,a uniform correction factor (0.82) is used indenominator to calculate the ultimate concentration ofNO₂ in ambient air.In the present investigation, the effect oftemperature on absorption efficiency of NO₂ isstudied employing four impinger tubes in series tocollect the maximum NO₂ generated in the gasstream. The study conducted at 16, 26 and 36 °Ctemperatures shows maximum absorption efficiency(average) of 87.8% at 26°C in 1st impingertube. At lower and higher temperatures, it is foundconsiderably less. A suitable correction factor,therefore, must be applied to estimate actual NO₂concentration in ambient air using arsenite method, intropical countries like India, where atmospherictemperature variations are large (less than 5°Cin winter and more than 45°C in summer).     

Investigation into the genetics of fetal congenital lymphatic anomalies

Objective

Congenital lymphatic anomalies (LAs) arise due to defects in lymphatic development and often present in utero as pleural effusion, chylothorax, nuchal and soft tissue edema, ascites, or hydrops. Many LAs are caused by single nucleotide variants, which are not detected on routine prenatal testing.

Methods

Demographic data were compared between two subcohorts, those with clinically significant fetal edema (CSFE) and isolated fetal edema. A targeted variant analysis of LA genes was performed using American College of Medical Genetics criteria on whole exome sequencing (WES) data generated for 71 fetal edema cases who remained undiagnosed after standard workup.

Results

CSFE cases had poor outcomes, including preterm delivery, demise, and maternal preeclampsia. Pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants were identified in 7% (5/71) of cases, including variants in RASopathy genes, RASA1, SOS1, PTPN11, and a novel PIEZO1 variant. Variants of uncertain significance (VOUS) were identified in 45% (32/71) of cases. In CSFEs, VOUS were found in CELSR1, EPHB4, TIE1, PIEZO1, ITGA9, RASopathy genes, SOS1, SOS2, and RAF1.

Conclusions

WES identified pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants and VOUS in LA genes in 51% of fetal edema cases, supporting WES and expanded hydrops panels in cases of idiopathic fetal hydrops and fluid collections.     

Development and validation of a spectrophotometric method for soil adsorption study of malathion on three Indian soils

In view of the widespread use of pesticides in agriculture and its associated toxic effects on environment and human beings, the fate of these chemicals in soil is of major concern. The pesticide adsorption process is one of the major factors affecting its persistence and movement in the soil. With a view of studying the fate of malathion in soil, the adsorption of this insecticide was studied on three Indian soils by using batch equilibrium method. To carry out the adsorption study, a new simple, sensitive, and rapid method was developed, based on microwave-assisted alkaline hydrolysis of insecticide to the dimethyl dithiophosphate and its subsequent reaction with copper(I) perchlorate in acetonitrile. On mixing the reagents, a yellow color developed, which was stable for 120?min and was measured at 419?nm. The adsorption of malathion was studied by using Freundlich's adsorption equation and n _f values were observed less than 1 in all the soils. The leaching behavior of the insecticide was studied in terms of ground ubiquity score, which was below 1.8, classifying malathion as non-leacher pesticide, and hence it is not hazardous.     

Inorganic acid emission factors of semiconductor manufacturing processes

A huge amount of inorganic acids can be produced and emitted with waste gases from integrated circuit manufacturing processes such as cleaning and etching. Emission of inorganic acids from selected semiconductor factories was measured in this study. The sampling of the inorganic acids was based on the porous metal denuders, and samples were then analyzed by ion chromatography. The amount of chemical usage was adopted from the data that were reported to the Environmental Protection Bureau in Hsin-chu County according to the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency regulation. The emission factor is defined as the emission rate (kg/month) divided by the amount of chemical usage (L/month). Emission factors of three inorganic acids (i.e., hydrofluoric acid [HF], hydrochloric acid [HCl], and sulfuric acid [H2SO4]) were estimated by the same method. The emission factors of HF and HCl were determined to be 0.0075 kg/L (coefficient of variation [CV] = 60.7%, n = 80) and 0.0096 kg/L (CV = 68.2%, n = 91), respectively. Linear regression equations are proposed to fit the data with correlation coefficient square (R2) = 0.82 and 0.9, respectively. The emission factor of H2SO4, which is in the droplet form, was determined to be 0.0016 kg/L (CV = 99.2%, n = 107), and its R2 was 0.84. The emission profiles of gaseous inorganic acids show that HF is the dominant chemical in most of the fabricators.