ABSTRACT
Kharif sorghum is an important crop of the northern transition zone (NTZ) of Karnataka. Historically this zone was characterized by the assured and uniform distribution of rainfall during the southwest monsoon. The last decade has witnessed increased erraticity in the onset, progress and distribution of rainfall, but days without rain also remain cloudy for weeks during Kharif season, thus lower the crop canopy, which affects the yield, interrupts solar radiation. Solar radiation, rainfall are the two important climatic factors affecting crop performance, but it is logistically difficult, and resource demanding to artificially create study-growing environment under field conditions. Alternately, Crop Simulation Models can be effectively used for such studies by creating customized weather scenarios within the model. Four rainfall scenarios (±10 and ±20 % over observed) and four solar radiation scenarios (±10 and ±20 % over observed) were created by using 32 years’ observed weather data (1985-2016) within the calibrated and validated DSSAT-CERES-Sorghum model [1].Simulations were run across all the above scenarios for 32 years' seasonal analysis with the best four kharif sorghum cultivars sown across three dates of sowing under the standard package of practices followed for NTZ. Model simulated annual outputs for grain yield over 32 years were averaged and presented. The model simulated results revealed that for NTZ changes in solar radiation was found to have more effect on yield than rainfall. Any reduction in solar radiation over observed drastically reduces the yield. Across cultivars and dates of sowing under observed weather (1985-2016), on average, 1720 kg ha-1 yield was simulated. When solar radiation was reduced by 10 % across rainfall scenarios the average yield was reduced to 1424 kg ha-1 which further reduced to 670 kg ha-1 (61% reduction) when solar radiation was reduced by 20 %. In contrast, when solar radiation was increased by 10 % and 20 %, the model simulated 2967 kg ha-1 and 3181 kg ha-1 yield, respectively which is 42 and 46 % more over the yield of observed weather. This study showed that for NTZ of Karnataka during the Kharif season increased cloudy period will have a more adverse effect on yield than changes to rainfall.
ABSTRACT
The field experiment was conducted at the Crop Research Centre, Chiraodi farm of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P.) in order to study the effect of different natural farming treatments on growth, yield and quality of pigeon pea in inter-cropping system in western U.P. during the year 2018. The experiment was laid out in Randomized complete block design with 16 treatments comprising of different combinations of natural farming components (Beejamrutha, Jeevamrutha, Mulching and Green manure) which were replicated thrice. The results revealed that application of Beejamrutha + Jeevamrutha + Mulching + Green manure recorded significantly higher growth parameters viz., higher plant height (165.70 cm), No. of primary branches per plant (25.81), no. of secondary branches per plant (30.81) and leaf area index (2.40) and yield attributing characters namely number of pods/plant (468.60), number of grains/pod (6.62), Pod weight per plant (277.68) and 100 seed weight (12.88) as compared to other treatment combinations. Application of Beejamrutha + Jeevamrutha + Mulching + Green manure recorded significantly higher grain yield (2286 kg ha-1) as compared to rest of the treatments. However, treatments with Beejamrutha + Mulching + Green manure and Jeevamrutha Jeevamrutha + Mulching + Green manure recorded similar growth, yield parameters and yield.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of mouthwash containing essential oils and curcumin (MEC) as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal therapy on the disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among RA patients with chronic periodontitis (CP). Materials and Methods: A triple-blinded controlled trial was conducted among 45 female RA patients with CP randomized into three treatment groups as follows: Group A: scaling and root planing (SRP) with 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash as an adjunct (n = 15), Group B: SRP with MEC as an adjunct (n = 15), and Group C: SRP alone (n = 15). RA disease activity was assessed using erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum C-reactive protein, serum anti-citrullinated protein antibody, and serum rheumatoid factor. Periodontal disease activity was assessed using plaque index, clinical attachment level (CAL), and pocket depth (PD). All parameters were recorded at baseline and 6 weeks thereafter. Data were assessed using one-way ANOVA and paired t-test. Results: A significant reduction in periodontal and RA disease activity parameters was observed from baseline to 6 weeks following intervention (P < 0.05). The highest percentage of mean reduction in plaque index and RA parameters from baseline to 6 weeks was observed in Group B followed by Groups A and C. The highest percentage of mean reduction in PD and CAL was observed in Group A followed by Groups B and C (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study reveals that MEC as an adjunct to SRP is effective in reducing the disease activity of RA and CP, thereby warranting the use of the same.