Genetic diversity for drought and low-phosphorus tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties and donors adapted to rainfed drought-prone ecologies

Drought and phosphate availability are two major abiotic factors limiting productivity of rice in rainfed upland areas. There has been a constant need for new improved donor with tolerance to multiple abiotic stress conditions for rainfed rice breeding. In the present study, a set of 32 popular rice varieties and landraces were evaluated for drought and low-phosphorus (P) tolerance, and also characterized using grain yield under reproductive drought QTLs (DTY QTLs) and Pup1 linked/specific molecular markers. Twenty-seven genotypes were identified as tolerant to moderately tolerant to drought. The SSR markers linked to ten DTY QTLs classified the genotypes into two groups corresponding to aus and indica. The tolerant genotypes were distributed under both groups. Based on the core markers of Pup1 locus, complete tolerant haplotype was recorded in nine genotypes other than the tolerant check Dular. Nine more genotypes showed the incomplete tolerant haplotypes. The rice genotypes showed significantly high genetic variability for low-P tolerance in hydroponic study. A few genotypes revealed non-Pup1 type tolerance which needs further confirmation.

Characterization of biochar obtained from weeds and its effect on soil properties of North Eastern Region of India

In the global climate change scenario, application of biochar in soil has become one of the important management practices for carbon sequestration, soil health improvement and climate change mitigation. In this study, an attempt was made to see the effect of biochar prepared from weed biomass on soil properties in subtropical northeast India. Biochar were prepared from seven locally available weed biomass viz. Ageratum conyzoides, Lantana camera, Gynura sp., Setaria sp., Avena fatua, Maize stalk, Pine needles and were characterised. Apot experiment was conducted with maize, where biochar was applied alone and in combination with fertilizers. Results revealed that biochar had significant impact on soil pH, SOC, and available nutrients like N, P and K. It also had significant impact on maize biomass yield. All biochar contained more than 50% stable carbon. Increase in soil pH was in the range of 0.26 to 0.3 and that of SOC from 1.62% in control to 1.74% in biochar added treatments. Biochars alone improved the available nitrogen ranging from 4.5 to 21.3 mg kg(-1), available P from 3.32 to 3.68 mg kg(-1) and increased K content by 20% above control. Weed biomass can be potential alternative to enhance soil and crop productivity through conversion into biochar.

Labile and stabilised fractions of soil organic carbon in some intensively cultivated alluvial soils

The present investigation was undertaken in view of the limited information on the relative proportion of labile and stabilized fractions of soil organic carbon (SOC) in intensively cultivated lands, particularly under tropics. The specific objectives were i) to study the comparative recovery of SOC by different methods of labile carbon estimation under intensively cultivated lands and ii) to evaluate the impact of agricultural practices on carbon management index. For this purpose, in all, 105 surface soil samples were collected from intensively cultivated tube well and sewage irrigated agricultural lands. These samples were analysed for total as well as labile pools of SOC. Results indicated that Walkley and Black, KMnO4-oxidizable and microbial biomass carbon constituted the total SOC to the extent of 10.2 to 47.4, 1.66 to 23.2 and 0.30 to 5.49%, respectively with the corresponding mean values of 26.2, 9.16 and 2.15%. Lability of SOC was considerably higher in sewage irrigated soils than tube well irrigated soils under intensive cropping. Under soybean-wheat, the higher values of carbon management index (CMI) (279 and 286) were associated with the treatments where entire amount of nitrogen was supplied through FYM. Similar results were obtained under rice-wheat, whereas in case of maize-wheat the highest value of CMI was recorded under treatment receiving NPK through chemical fertilizer along with green manure. There was also a significant improvement in CMI under integrated (chemical fertilizer + organics) and chemical fertilizer-treated plots. The values of CMI ranged from 220 to 272 under cultivated lands receiving irrigation through sewage and industrial effluents.

A new spectrophotometric method for the determination of dithianon in commercial formulations and its residues in foodstuffs

A new, simple, and rapid spectrophotometric method for the microdetermination of dithianon, on the basis of its reaction with a dithiocarbamate, is described. The red color, which develops instantaneously when mixing the fungicide with the reagent in acetonitrile, is stable for at least 1 h and is measured at 520 nm. Beer's law is applicable up to 12 micrograms/mL dithianon concentration. The method has been successfully adapted to the analysis of the fungicide in commercial formulations and its residues on grains and apple (fruit and leaves). A photometric titration method for formulation analysis of the fungicide has also been developed.

Colorimetric method for the determination of captafol (difolatan) in commercial formulations and residues on grains and apples

A simple and rapid colorimetric method for the microdetermination of captafol (difolatan), based on its reaction with a dithiocarbamate, has been developed. The bright yellow colour which develops instantaneously on mixing the fungicide with the reagent is stable for at least 12 h. The method has been successfully adapted to the determination of captafol in its formulated products and residues on grains and apples.