D.S. Mishra

Impact of biochar amendment on enzymatic resilience properties of mine spoils.

Soil enzymes are crucial for soil nutrient cycling function. Understanding of the factors that control their response to major disturbances such as dumping of environmentally toxic acidic waste remains limited. We evaluated the effect of dumping of overburden (OB) and their amendments using biochar, on the resistance and resilience of soil enzyme activities involved in phosphorus, nitrogen, sulphur and carbon cycling (acid & alkaline phosphatase, urease, arylsulphatase, dehydrogenase, phenol oxidases, cellulase and β-glucosidase). For investigation the soils treated with OB and with the mixture of OB and biochar were used for the cultivation of bacopa were used. We assessed 0 day, 45 day and 90 days activities of the target soil enzymes, available phosphorus, nitrogen, sulphur, soil organic carbon and microbial identification. The resilience and resistance index of all the treatments were calculated. We found that phyto-remediated OB-contaminated soil has its own resilience power. However, biochar addition enhanced the enzyme resistance and resilience of OB contaminated soil. In silico study indicates that biochar-Fe complex play a significant role in enzymatic activities. Overall, the results indicate a significant influence of phytoremediation and biochar addition on soil enzymatic activity that is extremely resistant to OB. This study provides insight on how biochar addition modulates soil biochemical and microbiological response to OB affected soils.

Development of Crystalline Cellulosic Fibres for Sustained Release of Drug

Natural quinoline alkaloid camptothecin (CPT) is used for the treatment of colon, lung, breast and ovarian cancers still facing challenges due to low solubility in aqueous and biological fluids. Its lactone form easily converts into a toxic carboxylic form at slightly basic pH, typical in blood and tissue fluid has rapid clearance from systemic administration. We report a new approach based on micro crystalline cellulose (MCC) and nano crystalline cellulose (NCC) isolated from natural sources such as Cymbopogan flexuosus to stabilize and regulate the release kinetics of CPT in physiological solution. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm studies approve that degree of crystallinity i.e. ratio of amorphous and crystalline cellulose regulate the adsorption of CPT. The freeze dried celluloses of Cymbopogan flexuosus origin (MCC and NCC) further were optimized for drug delivery with a mimicked physiologically relevant solution. Both carriers can significantly extend the release of drug as compared to reported values, however, NCC showed better results. Not only the crystallinity but crystal size and hydrogen bonding play critical role in drug release. Free diffusion of drug into physiological solution follows the Ritger- Peppes kinetic model. The coefficient of the model signifies the Fickian diffusion mechanism of release. The investigation indicates that NCC cellulosic matrix can act as a better carrier of CPT for its sustained release formulation.

Recent Advances in Green Sustainable Nanocellulosic Fiber: An Overview

The current scenario of economic and social aspects led to the development of smart and new biomaterials. Sustainable bio nano approaches are focusing on environmentally friendly biomaterials from renewable resources. The renewable bio nano materials are often produced directly from natural or recycled products. The natural products are biodegradable and mostly consist of cellulose, chitosan, starch, collagen, soy protein, and casein. The cellulose is a grade one biomaterial with appealing features including biocompatibility and biodegradability. These renewable materials play an important role in reducing global warming by preventing the release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. The cellulose microfibrils are made up of a linear chain of nanofibrils of amorphous and crystalline character. Natural cellulose represents the cellulose I type polymorph which is thermodynamically metastable. The isolation of nanocellulose from the cellulose involves several methods. Nanocellulose possesses unique propensities such as high surface area-to-volume ratio, young modulus, high tensile strength, and coefficient of thermal expansion. Nanocellulose is mainly of two types, nanofiber and nanocrystals. Nanocellulose could be altered in long fibers, suspension, and film through various processes and modifications.

Effect of pollination methods on fruit set and physical characteristics of litchi fruits

An experiment was conducted in tarai region of Uttarakhand, to study the effect of different parent combinations in four commercial litchi cultivars (‘Rose Scented’, ‘Calcuttia’, ‘Early Seedless’ and ‘Late Seedless’) as a result of self, cross and open-pollination methods during two successive years (2013 & 2014). The two-year pooled data indicated the initial fruit set (%) was significantly lower in all cross pollination methods, i.e., 38.55% (Early Seedless × Calcuttia) compared to self-pollination method, i.e., 72.78% in Rose Scented × Rose Scented. However, final fruit retention was significantly higher in all cross-pollinated flowers, i.e., 24.68% (Rose Scented × Early Seedless) compared to self-pollinated flowers, i.e., 8.65% (Early Seedless × Early Seedless). Fruit weight (24.33 g) in Late Seedless × Early Seedless, Fruit length (3.66 cm) in Late Seedless × Early Seedless, peel weight (5.19 g) in Early Seedless × Late Seedless, aril weight (18.66 g) in Late Seedless × Early Seedless and seed weight (3.81 g) in Calcuttia × Rose Scented were significantly increased in cross-pollination methods. However, the maximum fruit width (3.00 cm) was recorded in open-pollinated Late Seedless. Overall, increased fruit retention and fruit physical characteristics under the cross pollination suggests that the inclusion of crosspollinators in litchi orchards may have beneficial effects on production.

Effect of Pre-Harvest Bagging on Fruit Quality of Litchi (Litchi Chinensis Sonn) CV. Rose Scented

An experiment on pre-harvest bagging of litchi fruits was conducted at Department of Horticulture Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. Litchi fruits cv. Rose Scented were bagged by perforated transparent polyethylene bag, green polyethylene bag, white polyethylene bag, yellow polyethylene bag, black polyethylene bag, blue polyethylene bag, butter paper bag and brown paper bag, whereas, non-bagged fruit was used as control. Fruits were bagged two months prior to harvest. Bagged and non-bagged (control) fruits were harvested at commercial maturity. After harvest, postharvest quality characteristics were determined such as, fruit Retention, fruit cracking, pericarp sun-burn, weight and size of whole fruit, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, sugar content and sensory evaluation. Results showed that brown paper bag and butter paper bag were found effective in increasing days to maturity, fruit retention, reducing fruit cracking, pericarp sun-burn as well as showed maximum fruit weight and size. Minimum acidity (0.51%) while TSS (19.5o B), ascorbic acid (21.56 mg/100gm), reducing sugar (11.31%) and total sugar (13.13%) were found maximum in fruits bagged in green polyethylene bag. Hence, brown and butter paper bags and green polyethylene bag were found effecive in improving fruit colour and maintaining fruit quality at harvest.

Studies on integrated nutrient management on yield and quality of guava cv. Pant Prabhat

An investigation was carried out during on five-year-old guava cv. Pant Prabhat to evaluate the effect of different organic (farm-yard-manure and vermicompost) and inorganic fertilizers (macro- and micro-nutrients) as well as bio-fertilizers (Trichoderma, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Pseudomonas fluorescence and Aspergillus niger) with organic mulches in different combinations on yield and fruit quality. In the above experiment, trees applied with half dose of recommended fertilizers (225 g N2O: 195 g P2O5: 150 g K2O) + 50 kg FYM inoculated with 250 g Azospirillum tree−1 year−1 found most effective to increase the vegetative growth, yield as well as quality of fruits in both the seasons during both the year. Maximum fruit set and yield in rainy (83.33%, and 72.16 kg tree−1) and winter (34.32% and 6.53 kg tree−1) were recorded with the application of 225g N2O, 195 g P2O5 and 150 g K2O along with 50 kg FYM enriched with 250 g Azospirillum tree−1year−1. Fruit quality (total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, per cent reducing sugars, total sugar, TSS:acid ratio and pectin content) in both rainy and winter seasons were found better in fruits from the plants receiving 500 g: 200 g: 500 g NPK tree−1 + Zn (0.5%) + B (0.2%) + Mn (1%) as foliar spray twice (August and October) along with organic mulching 10 cm thick. Therefore, it is suggested to incorporate bio-fertilizers enriched FYM along with half dose of recommended fertilizers for sustainable production of quality guava fruits.