Informatics Publishing Limited

O. Shaila ¹, H. C. Sharma ², T. Ramesh Babu ³, S. P. Sharma ⁴

Affiliations
1 Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Hyderabad - 500030, Telangana, IN
2 Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan - 173230, Himachal Pradesh, IN
3 Acharya N.G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Bapatla, Guntur - 522509, Andhra Pradesh, IN
4 International Crop Research for Semiarid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Hyderabad, Telangana - 502324, IN

Abstract

Studies were conducted to evaluate transgenic chickpea lines encoding Cry IIa for resistance to Helicoverpa armigera. Significantly lower leaf damage was noticed in transgenic chickpea lines when compared to non-transgenic lines. Significant reduction in larval survival and weight gain were observed when H. armigera were fed on transgenic lines under laboratory conditions. Across the seasons (2011-12 and 2012-13), the transgenic chickpea lines BS5A.2(T2) 19-1P2 and BS5A.2(T2) 19-2P1 showed enhanced levels of resistance to H. armigera.

Keywords

Cry IIa, Detached Leaf Assay, Helicoverpa armigera, Transgenic Chickpea.

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E. Sree Latha ¹, H. C. Sharma ², C. L. L. Gowda ³

Affiliations
1 National Institute of Plant Health Management, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad (Telangana), IN
2 Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (H.P.), IN
3 International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru (Telangana), IN

Abstract

To study the antibiosis component of resistance, neonate H. armigera were fed on 18 test genotypes of chickpea. Chickpea leaves, pods, artificial diet of H. armigera impregnated with freeze dried powder of leaves and pods of chickpea was used to conduct the study. Differences in duration of larval and pupal development of insects reared on leaves, pods and lyophilized leaf and pod powder of different genotypes were significant. Reduced larval and pupal weights and prolonged larval and pupal periods (ICC 12475, ICC 12476, ICC 12477, ICC 12478, ICC 12479, ICC 14876, ICC 12490, ICC 12491 and ICC 12495) compared to susceptible genotypes (ICC 12426, ICC 3137, ICC 4973 and ICC 4962) indicated that antibiosis is one of the component of resistance to H. armigera in chickpea. These results suggested that a growth inhibitor or antifeedent substance or both existed in the resistant genotypes.

Keywords

Chickpea, Antibiosis, Resistance, Helicoverpa armigera, Artificial Diet.

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Pankaj Kumar ¹, Pawan Sharma ², Tilak Ranjan Kumar ¹, H. C. Sharma ², R. C. Dubey ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Dolphin (PG) College of Science and Agriculture Chunnikalan, Fatehgarh Sahib 140 307, IN
2 ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chandigarh 160 019, IN
3 Department of Botany and Microbiology, Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar 249 404, IN

Abstract

To study the effects of storage conditions on vermicompost, an experiment was conducted with freshly prepared, un-dried fresh vermicompost (60% moisture), and pre-air dried vermicompost (30% moisture) stored in polythene bags for a period of four weeks under different moisture and aeration conditions. Three different storage conditions were tested by placing fresh and pre-dried vermicompost in: (1) open bags, (2) holed bags and (3) sealed bags. Vermicompost properties were analysed weekly for four weeks after storage. The moisture content declined in both fresh and pre-dried vermicompost, with a maximum decline under open bag condition, followed by holed and sealed bags. In the sealed airtight bags with fresh vermicompost, a rapid decline in total organic carbon, nitrogen and electrical conductivity was observed during the first and second week of storage, possibly due to microbially-triggered volatilization losses. However, such decline was lacking in pre-dried vermicompost. In open and holed bags, the carbon and nitrogen were retained and rather increased during storage, possibly due to ongoing aerobic decomposition and no volatilization losses. The highest nutrient quality was observed under predried holed bag conditions, possibly due to optimal microbial activity releasing nutrients, combined with no volatilization losses. It was concluded that fresh vermicompost must be air-dried before its storage in bags. Storage of air-dried vermicompost under aerobic conditions using open/ holed bags appears to be the best option for retaining nutrients and quality of vermicompost.

Keywords

Carbon, Electrical Conductivity, Nitrogen, Quality, Storage Conditions, Vermicompost.

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Sanjeev Atri ¹, Ravindra Bhanage ¹, H. C. Sharma ¹, Aashish Agrawal ²

Affiliations
1 Tata Power- Delhi Distribution Ltd, Delhi, IN
2 3M E&C India Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru – 560100, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Tata Power-DDL worked in collaboration with 3M on a pilot project for making the medium voltage distribution network smart and efficient. This project aimed at enabling real-time monitoring of electrical parameters such as voltage, current and reactive-power-flow. While enabling these features, it was vital to make the solution compact and retrofit-to-existinginfrastructure for saving cost in terms of reduced equipment’s footprint. In this pilot project, electrical parameters and direction of power flow were accurately captured using sensor-based technology. Captured parameters and corresponding benefits are analyzed in detail in this paper. Further, the availability of real-time captured data can be potentially used through analytical tools for enabling many features such as predictive maintenance and identifying faulted-segments in underground cabling networks. Power-flow-direction can potentially be used for advanced protection coordination in the looped distribution network. Thus, enabling reliable integration of existing grid with distributed energy generation source.

Keywords

Grid Automation, Grid Modernization, Smart Grid, MV Distribution Network, Sensored Cable Termination.

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