An Overview of Precision Farming

With respect to conventional farming precision agriculture increases average yields by limiting the wastage by calculating the exact required quantities of inputs. One major issue in India is the relatively small and scattered landholdings. In India 58% of the cultivable land is less than 1ha under single owner. The agricultural production system is the result of a complex interplay between seed, soil, water, and agrochemicals (including fertilizers). As a result, judicious control of all inputs is critical for the long-term viability of such a complex system. Precision agriculture is the use of technology and techniques to control the geographical and temporal variability associated with all aspects of agricultural production to improve output and environmental quality. Precision agricultural success is dependent on an accurate assessment of variability, its management, and evaluation in the space-time continuum of crop production. Precision agriculture's agronomic performance has been highly impressive in sugar beet, sugarcane, tea, and coffee crops. Due to lack of knowledge of space-time continuum the economic benefits environmental and social advantages are not explored yet. Precision agriculture is a relatively new field that integrates cutting-edge geographic technology with farming scenarios to optimize inputs, eliminate waste, and maximize returns. Precision farming systems are intended for use in many sorts of agricultural systems, ranging from row crops to dairy, and the technology has experienced extensive acceptance in the United States and across the globe.

Genetic Diversity Studies in Rice Landraces (Oryza sativa L.) Based on Mahalanobis D2 Distance

The present investigation was carried out to assess the genetic diversity present among 66 rice landraces along with 4 checks for 14 different quantitative traits. All the genotypes were grouped into 5 clusters by performing Tocher’s clustering method using Mahalanobis D2 distance. Cluster I was the largest, comprising of 34 genotypes, followed by Cluster II with 28 genotypes. The maximum genetic distance (D2) was observed between cluster V an III (6243.98), followed by clusters II and III (6166.44), clusters IV and II (6022.47), clusters I and IV (4544.26) and clusters IV and III (4161.67). The results revealed the highest contribution of plant height (25.50%) towards total diversity, followed by days to 50% flowering kernel (3.18%), grain yield per plant (2.42 %) and days to maturity (2.06). The rice genotypes belonging to the clusters III , IV and V were found to be the most divergent, and hence can be utilised in the recombination breeding programmes to exploit maximum heterosis.

Neurofibroma arising from phrenic nerve.

We report a case of neurofibroma arising from the left phrenic nerve and not associated with neurofibromatosis in a 46-year-old male. The patient presented with gradually progressive breathlessness and pain in chest for six months. Radiological investigations revealed a posterior mediastinal mass on the left side of the chest. On postero-lateral thoracotomy, the resected tumour was found to be arising from the phrenic nerve. Histopathological examination confirmed it to be a neurofibroma. Absence of any other distinctive lesions of neurofibromatosis makes this an unusual presentation.

Carbonated Drinks - Can of Poison.

In 2007 the worldwide annual consumption of soft drinks reached 552 billion litres, the equivalent of just under 83 litres per person per year, and this is projected to increase to 95 litres per person per year by 2012. Undernutrition and infections had been the major causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries like India. But today's scenario suggests the emergence of degenerative diseases is likely to be due to overnutrition or obesity. Youngsters consume soft drinks at a breath taking speed. Long term consumption of soft drinks has lead to a number of health issues that have already been, identified including tooth problems, bone demineralization and the development of metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. There was a noticeable preference among the youth for junk foods, aerated beverages and ice creams, as evident from the food frequency pattern. One of the channels used by industry to encourage greater consumption and preferences for soft drinks is schools, fast food centers, etc. But governments around the world are taking action to limit the availability of soft drinks in such places. Policies vary in ways too, presenting an opportunity to study the effects of different policy approaches on short- and long-term consumption and attitudes towards these soft drinks