Sustainable Biofuel Production from Agricultural Residues an Eco-Friendly Approach: A Review

Biofuel production from agricultural residues presents an innovative solution to the global energy challenge. This study delves into the potential of using such residues as a renewable feedstock, addressing the pressing need to transition from conventional fossil fuels. By evaluating various agricultural residues' types and characteristics, a comprehensive assessment of their worldwide availability and potential yield was undertaken. Emphasizing sustainable and eco-friendly approaches, the research underscores closed-loop systems, efficient utilization of co-products, and the imperative of a holistic life cycle assessment (LCA) for biofuel production. The LCA revealed a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizing water conservation and waste reduction during the process. Despite the evident potential, there are identifiable challenges, primarily technological research gaps, economic constraints, infrastructural limitations, and regulatory hurdles. Yet, the undeniable benefits include a notable reduction in carbon footprint, effective resource management, and a bolstered economy, especially for agrarian communities. Policies promoting sustainable farming practices, incentivizing research and development, and fostering collaborations are recommended. Such a framework can enhance biofuel infrastructure, necessitate regular monitoring, and optimize the biofuel production process. Conclusively, while challenges persist, with cohesive policy recommendations and technological innovations, agricultural residues can pivot as the linchpin in a sustainable energy future.

Effect of Growth Enhancer on Growth and Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.)

The experiment was conducted during Rabi 2021 at Zonal Agricultural Research. Station, GKVK, Bangalore to study the efficacy of a Growth Enhancer (GE) as a foliar nutrient source for enhancing maize growth and yield. The field investigation was carried out using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) having eleven. treatments viz., T1: GE 10.0 ml per litre + 50 % RDF, T2: GE 10.0 ml per litre + 75 % RDF, T3: GE 10.0 ml per litre + 100 % RDF, T4: GE 20.0 ml per litre + 50 % RDF, T5: GE 20.0 ml per litre + 75 % RDF, T6: GE 20.0 ml per litre + 100 % RDF, T7: Urea spray - 0.5 % + 100 % RDF, T8: Nano N two sprays at 30 and 60 DAS + 50% RDN and 100% P&K, T9: Nano N & P two sprays at 30 and 60 DAS + 50% RDNP and 100% K, T10: RDF with FYM, and T11: Only RDF with three replications. The results of the study revealed that among different treatments application of growth enhancer 20 ml per litre of water with 100 % RDF was recorded a significantly higher plant height, dry matter accumulation in leaves, stem, cob and total dry matter accumulation, cob length, cob girth,, number of kernels cob-1 and weight of kernels cob-1, kernel and stover yield in comparison to all other treatments. Similarly higher gross returns, net returns and benefit cost ratio were obtained with the application of GE 20.0 ml per litre + 100 % RDF.

Studies on Physical, Chemical and Amorphous Constituents of Associated Red and Black Soils: A Case Study in Hatti Schist Belt of North Karnataka.

Associated red and black soils of the transect from Hira region of Hatti schist belt were studied for their properties. Soils were moderately deep to deep, reddish brown (5YR 3/4) to dark black (10YR3/2), clay in texture. The pH ranged from 7.56 to 7.7, EC from 0.4 to 0.44dSm-1, low to medium in organic carbon, moderate in CEC (40.1 – 54.3 c mol (p+) kg-1). Free iron oxides ranges from (0.6-3.2%), Na2CO3 extractable free silicon ranges from (0.4-3.1%) and Na2CO3 extractable free aluminium ranges from (0.2 - 2.5%).

Pathogenicity Tests and Evaluation of Efficacy of Fungicides Against Rhizoctonia Bataticola, the Causal Agent of Dry Root Rot of Chickpea.

The pathogen was identified based on its mycelial and sclerotial characters and pathogenicity test was proved by soil inoculation method. Efficacy of two non systemic fungicides (copper oxychloride and captan), two systemic fungicides (hexaconazole and tebuconazole) and one antifungal antibiotic validamycin each at different concentrations were tested against Rhizoctonia bataticola, incitant of dry root rot of chickpea under in vitro conditions. The fungicides copper oxychloride, captan, hexaconazole and tebuconazole were found to be highly effective (100%) in inhibiting the mycelial growth of the highly virulent pathogen at all the concentrations tested.

Mycoparasitism of Trichoderma Spp. on Rhizoctonia Bataticola, the Causal Agent of Dry Root Rot of Chickpea.

Mode of parasitism between Trichoderma and Rhizoctonia bataticola was examined under a microscope. Formation of several loops and coiling around the hyphae of pathogen, forming a thick compact rope like structure followed by rupturing, twisting and leakage of hyphal protoplasm, air bubbling inside the cytoplasm, breaking of cytoplasmic continuity, aggregation of cytoplasm within cell leading to severe vacoulation were observed at later phase of interaction.