Balakrishna Gowda

Detection of diseased rubber plantations using satellite remote sensing

ABSTRACTThe study evaluates the potential of satellite remote sensing technology for detection, mapping and monitoring of diseased rubber plantation affected by Corynespora and Gloeosporium fungi, which causes leaf spot and leaf fall. Multi-date satellite data of IRS-1C have been analyzed adopting enhancement and classification techniques to identify and extract information on the spatial extent and distribution of healthy and diseased rubber plants with an accuracy of 90%. The diseased rubber plantations have shown considerable reduction in the near-infrared reflectance followed by a rise in the reflectance in red and short wave infrared. Vegetation index images generated for different periods have shown the progress of disease incidence, severity and recovery of rubber plantations after fungicidal spraying. The study has demonstrated the use of remote sensing technology in identifying and delineating diseased rubber plantations. Early detection of the disease would be of immense value for taking up necessary control measures and minimize the loss.

Influence of Different Growth Regulators on In Vitro Multiplication of Mixed Diploid Banana (Musa AB)

AbstractThe commercial scale banana multiplication through micropropagation is concentrated mainly on the Cavendish group of bananas. Other varieties, though possess a wide array of desirable characters, have been conveniently neglected owing to their inherent problems such as difficult aseptic establishment, low multiplication rate, culture browning, difficult hardening, etc. The mixed diploid bananas including the Ney Poovan are among the choicest of bananas relished in many parts of the world. To promote its cultivation, systematic studies were undertaken and the lines possessing superior attributes have been identified. In order to multiply the clones in large number, a viable multiplication protocol is a must. The present study dealt with optimizing the plant growth regulator requirements of the growing cultures for obtaining superior multiplication and in vitro rooting. Out of the different cytokinins as benzyl aminopurine, 2-isopentenyl adenine, meta topolin (mT), and thidiazuron (TDZ) tested, only TDZ was found to promote shoot multiplication in both types of propagules i.e. single and double bud explants, although shorter plantlets were noticed in the treatment. In vitro root induction parameters were found to be superior when indole butyric acid was used as auxin source. This report could help in improving the multiplication rate of this least attempted group of bananas. As per the present knowledge it is the first report on the use of TDZ and mT in mixed diploid banana.

In Vitro Shoot Multiplication and Root Induction in Silk Banana Variety Nanjanagud Rasabale as Influenced by Monochromatic Light Spectra

Abstract A number of factors are known to influence the aseptic culture multiplication, rooting and subsequent hardening in banana. Study of these factors would not only improve the in vitro response but also help in increasing the understanding of its basis. During present investigation, in vitro culture proliferation and root induction response in Silk banana as affected by different monochromatic lights (red, white, green and blue) was studied. In multiplication stage, cultures were grown on media with or without supplemental cytokinins. Results revealed that white light promoted shoot multiplication and growth on cytokinin rich media, when compared with other lights studied. Shoot multiplication was also improved in red light as compared to blue and green, but noticeable reduction in the quality of shoots was reported. Incubation of shoots under blue lights improved the quality of the shoots, and the regenerants were uniform in growth. White and blue lights also supported root induction and growth related parameters during in vitro root induction phase. Considering the growth response and uniformity of the cultures, blue light could be effectively used as an option in the slow growth culture in banana, however further investigations could help in optimizing the culture conditions.

Callus culture and plant regeneration from seedling explants in ‘Poshita’ indian ginseng

The study was conducted to establish callus culture and plant regeneration in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. cv. Poshita with different explants and different auxin types and concentrations. Nodal explant showed better callusing response irrespective of auxin concentrations supplemented in the media, as compared to epicotyls, hypocotyls, leaves, and root tips. Maximum callusing score of 4.28 was recorded when nodes were cultured on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) media containing 2 mg · L−1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Root tip and hypocotyls explants, which were found poor in inducing callus, showed highest proliferation of 6.57 and 6.00, respectively, on media with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) for subculture. Highest number of shoots (16.0) per explant was obtained from epicotyls and nodes cultured on 1 and 2 mg · L−1 benzyladenine (BA), respectively. Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) was found to be superior source of auxin for all rooting parameters, except percent rooting. Number of primary roots was found maximum (24.8) with 2.0 mg · L−1 IBA. Irrespective of auxin used, the length of primary root decreased with increase in concentration, maximum (6.18 cm) being in media with 0.5 mg · L−1 IBA. Plantlets were best hardened when agropeat was used as a substrate.

Sustainable biofuel strategy in Karnataka state a review

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a review of strategy developed by University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore in Biofuel Park, Hassan (Government of Karnataka, initiative to develop biofuel programme in India) for promoting sustainable biodiesel production using oil extracted from tree borne oil species. The main aim of this study was to analyse the current strategy, identify the limitations and propose sustainable biodiesel production strategies for rural Karnataka. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents critical analysis of current Biofuel Park strategy using strength weakness opportunities and threat (SWOT) method. The data for SWOT analysis were collected from Biofuel Park log books, followed by interviews with around 50 associations of biofuel feed stock growers. Further, to evolve sustainable strategies, a case study was carried out at a local village assessing sustainability of biodiesel production and use from four local tree species oil namely; Pongamia pinnata, Aza...

Pod and seed traits in candidate plus trees of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre from southern peninsular India in relation to provenance variation and genetic variability

Provenance variation and genetic variability in pod and seed traits were carried out with 232 candidate plus trees of Pongamia pinnata collected from selected agro-ecological zones of southern peninsular India during February–March 2008 to 2010. Significant variation (P < 0.01) for pod and seed traits across zones and provenances within zones was recorded. The southern dry and transition zone of Karnataka showed the highest mean value for all the pod and seed traits. A significant negative (P < 0.05) correlation and positive correlation was recorded for latitude with 100-seed weight and seed germination, respectively. Altitude positively correlated with 100-pod weight and negatively correlated with oil content. Phenotypic co-efficient of variation was higher than the genotypic co-efficient of variation indicating the influence of environment. Central dry zone and eastern dry zone of Karnataka showed high heritability and genetic advance for 100-pod weight, 100-seed weight, and seed germination. Positive significant (P < 0.05) genotypic correlation of co-efficient was recorded between seed thickness and oil content (0.211). Germination percentage showed significant positive correlation with seed weight and oil content. Path analysis revealed that seed thickness contributed directly to oil content (0.272). Based on D2 analysis, pongamia accessions could be grouped into seven clusters. Maximum diverse Clusters I and VII were identified based on inter-cluster distance (40.19). Thus on the basis of the present findings, it might be suggested that accessions from these clusters could be most suitably used for hybridization and in situ germplasm conservation.

Evaluation of maize genotypes against downy mildew (Peronosclerospora sorghi (Weston and Uppal) and characterization of soluble seed proteins by SDS-PAGE

Abstract In this investigation, four local inbred maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes CM-500, NAI-127, NAI-129 and SKV-10 were evaluated in the field against Peronosclerospora sorghi during two seasons, i.e., Kharif and Rabi, 2005. The results indicate that genotype SKV-10 was found highly resistant to downy mildew recording 1.0% of disease during both seasons. Whereas NAI-129 had low incidence (10.2 and 13.0% respectively for Kharif and Rabi) of downy mildew compared to CM-500 (97.2 and 99.4% respectively for Kharif and Rabi). The characterization of soluble seed proteins by SDS-PAGE indicates CM-500 as highly susceptible to downy mildew and revealed considerable variation among the genotypes. It is evident from the dendrograms that CM-500 and NAI-127, as well as NAI-129 and SKV-10, were genetically closely related, consistent with the compatible and incompatible reaction of these genotypes to downy mildew.

Synthesis and Characterization of Biodiesel from Simarouba glauca

Biofuel is produced from biological resources such as plants and animal origin, rather than a fuel produced by geological processes. It is involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as coal and petroleum which is from prehistoric biological matter. Many researchers are working in the area of synthesis and characterization of biodiesels using non edible oils in the globe. In the present work an attempt is made to prepare the biodiesel from Simarouba glauca non-edible oil and its properties have been presented in this paper. Simarouba seeds contain 23% of oil with seed to kernel ratio of about 3:1. The oil containing FFA 7.85% was converted into biodiesel by two stage process. The first step, acid catalyzed esterification process to reduce FFA below 3%. In the second stage, transesterification process was carried out using NaOH and Methanol. During this experiment the maximum yield of biodiesel was obtained 6:1 molar ratio of methanol to the oil. The acid value of the biodiesel was found to be 0.28. The oxidation stability of the Simarouba biodiesel (SBD) was evaluated using Rancimat method EN 14112 was to be 3.5 h, cloud point of SBD was found to be 19 °C which may be due to the higher saturated fatty acids in the bio diesel. SBD obtained was found to be comparable with the ASTM and BIS specifications.

Co-Digestion of Biofuel Deoiled Cakes with Different Combinations of Cow Dung for Biogas Production and Nutrient Rich Manure

Owing to the scarcity of coal and petroleum products, there is a need to search for alternative renewable energy from wide variety of sources such as solar energy, wind energy, Biofuel, biogas as distinct sources of renewable energy. The rising crude oil prices and increasing concerns for the environment has especially renewed focus on biodiesel from vegetable oils and animal fats as alternative to petroleum fuels. India has an enormous potential of tree borne non-edible oil seeds with more than 300 tree species occurring in wild and along cultivated areas yielding oil in considerable quantities. In India, only non-edible oil can be used as a raw material for biodiesel production. These non-edible oil seed plants can be grown in non-fertile and waste lands. Non-edible oil seeds like jatropha, pongamia, mahua, and neem are found to be promising candidates to meet the alternative fuel needs of the country (Nina et al., 2011). International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 11 (2017) pp. 3066-3075 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com