EFFECT OF ARSENIC TOXICITY ON PHYTATE DEGRADATION OF RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.) SEED DURING GERMINATION

A hydroponic experiment was conducted in Directorate of Research, B.C.K.V., Mohanpur to the study of changes during germination in
chemical composition phytate phosphorus (P) and phytate of rice genotype (IET-4786) under arsenic toxicity. IET-4786 genotype was germinated for 2 to 6 days. Proximate content of phytate P and phytate were determined
during germination. Phytate P and phytate decreased continuously from 2 to 6 days. Phytate P and phytate degradation decreased significantly with increase in germination time. Germination resulted in a decrease in total
Phytate P and phytate degradation with correspondingly marked increase in As-V and As-III toxicity. As-III was highly toxic for reducing the degradation of Phytate P and phytate content of rice seed. In order to obtain rice seed with high phytase activity for Phytate P and phytate degradation up to 4 days, after 4 days phytase activity reduced for degradation of phytate P and phytate.

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT HYDROPONICS SYSTEMS AND GROWING MEDIA ON PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF SPINACH

The experiment was conducted during rainy season of the year 2018 at M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha. This study attempted to investigate the potential of growing spinach using different hydroponics systems. For the cultivation of leafy vegetables, two different Hydroponic structures were designed like A-Frame hydroponics system and elevated trays hydroponics system. Three different types of growing media were used i.e. sawdust, coco peat and sterilized absorbent cotton. Modified Hoagland solution was used as a liquid medium. Data were collected on growth parameters like survival rate of seedlings, leaf length,
leaf width, leaf area and fresh weight of foliage. The result showed that all
physiological parameter values were recorded highest from plants grown in
sawdust in the A frame hydroponics structure. Plants grown in coco peat media were at par to sawdust media in most of the cases while the lowest values were obtained in plants grown in sterilized absorbent cotton in the elevated tray hydroponics system.

Effect of arsenate and arsenite on early seedling growth of rice

Abstract Presence of arsenic in ground water is a grave concern now as it is used for drinking and crop irrigation. Arsenic load of soil in the areas of arsenic contaminated ground water is gradually increasing as more than 95% of such contaminated ground water is used for crop irrigation. An experiment was conducted to study effect of arsenate and arsenite on germination and early seedling growth of the popular rice variety shatabdi. Rice seeds were exposed to water contaminated with different concentrations (Control, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 ppm) of arsenate and arsenite during germination and seedling growth. Observations were taken on germination at every 24 hour interval up to seven days. Seedling length (cm) and dry weight (g) recorded after seven days and plant height stress index (PHSI) and tolerance index (TI) was calculated. The speed of germination under arsenate at 2 ppm and 4 ppm was at par with the control treatment and under further higher concentration of arsenate and in all concentrations of arsenite it was lower than the control treatment. Length of seedlings, dry weight of seedlings was found to decrease with increase in concentration of arsenic. Such decrease was higher in arsenite than arsenate. The results indicate that arsenate beyond 4 ppm and arsenite beyond 2 ppm only affected germination. But seedling growth was very sensitive to arsenic and was affected at all concentrations of arsenate and arsenite. Arsenite appeared to be more toxic than arsenate.

Effect of Arsenic Toxicity on Chlorophyll Content and Antioxidative Enzymes Activities in Rice Seedlings

India are As contaminated. Present investigation is designed to study the better understanding of the physiological and biochemical mechanisms in the amount of chlorophyll change and antioxidative enzymes activity under arsenic stress on rice variety IET-4786 (Shatabdi). Study Design: Completely Randomized Design. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was carried out in the departmental laboratory of Plant Physiology, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV), Mohanpur, Nadia,West Bengal during the year 2017-18. Methodology: Two classes of inorganic arsenic- As(V) in the form of Sodium arsenate  (Na2HAsO4.7H2O, M. W. = 321.01) and As(III) in the form of Sodium arsenite (NaAsO2, M.W. =129.91) were added to the modified Hoagland nutrient solution@ 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5,15.0 mg L-1 concentration. After 20 days of treatment, rice seedlings under arsenate/arsenite treatments were analyzed for change in total chlorophyll content and antioxidative enzymes activity such as superoxide dismutase (SOD: EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT: EC 1.11.1.6), ascorbate peroxidase (APX: EC1.11.1.11) and peroxidase (POD: EC 1.11.1.7). Results: A noticeable decrease in total chlorophyll content was observed with arsenic treatments as compared to control. Various antioxidative enzymes showed significant variable response upon exposure to As(III) and As(V). SOD activities increased at low arsenic exposure up to 7.5 mg L-1 but decreased with further increase in arsenic treatments. APX and POD activities were increased with increase in arsenic concentrations while CAT activity displayed decreasing trend. Conclusion: The results are suggestive of differential metabolism of As(III) and As(V) in rice and could exert harmfulness in the early development stage of rice at inappropriate concentrations.

Organic Agriculture, Ecosystem Services and Sustainability: A Review

Intensive agriculture enhanced agricultural productivity to a large extent by using high energy inputs, improved seeds and cultivars, assured irrigation and mechanization. After some decades, the ill effects of mentioned technologies were pronounced on agro-ecosystem and these created hindrances in achieving agricultural sustainability. During the end part of the previous century, the thought of agricultural sustainability became an important concern. Organic agriculture was also started to flourish during the same period with some promises of ecofriendly concept as well as Ecosystem Services (ES). Greater Ecosystem Service (ES) is related to agricultural sustainability and thus organic agriculture has a huge potential to ensure agricultural sustainability by mitigating adverse impacts of intensive agriculture on agroecosystem. The article focuses on scope and positive effects of organic agriculture on ES vis-à-vis sustainable agriculture.

A Review on Productivity of Maize Intercropping Systems

The greatest challenge of the twenty first century in many developing countries is to maximize the production of basic necessities namely food, fodder, fuel and fiber to fulfill the needs of the increasing human and animal population. The availability of land for agriculture is shrinking day by day and it is converting for non-agricultural purposes. Under this situation, one of the important strategies to increase agricultural output is development of high intensity cropping systems by adopting intercropping. Inter cropping systems found to have more advantages than sole cropping as related to income and soil health and other environmental factors. Further, cereal-legume combination of intercropping mostly shows advantages in terms of more productivity, utilization of available resources and soil health improvement. Maize is widely spaced crop and chosen as cereal component to accommodate legumes in a better manner in the space between maize rows. The article focuses on enhancement of productivity of crops and advantages of maize-legume intercropping system.

Energetics Study on Integrated Nutrient Management of Summer Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under South Odisha Conditions

A field trial was carried outat Bagusala Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha during summer season of 2019-20 in sandy clay loam soil study the energetics of integrated
nutrient management (INM) of summer rice. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design
and replicated thrice. There were eight treatments, namely, 100% RDN (recommended dose of nitrogen),
75 % RDN+25% N through vermin compost, 75% RDN+25% N through FYM (farmyard manure), 50%
RDN+50%N through vermin compost, 50% RDN + 50%N through FYM, 50% RDN+25%N through vermin
compost + 25% N through FYM, 25% RDN+ 25% N through vermin compost + 50%N through FYM,
control (no fertilizer).The rice variety RNR 15048 was used. The treatments with 75% RDN along with
25% vermin compost recorded better results in terms of energy indices like energy output, energy
productivity and net energy of(167.16 GJ ha-1), (569.69Kg GJ-1)and (145.29 GJ ha-1). The practice of use of
75% RDN along with 25% vermin compost has recorded highest energy output (167.16 (GJ ha-1), energy
productivity (569.69Kg GJ-1).

An Overview of Geotextile in Agriculture

Geotextiles are lightly fabric made from jute, coco coir or any natural plant fbers. Geotextiles a natural product are eco-friendly and biodegradable in nature and act as useful ameliorative to eliminate the soil related constrains of crop production. Bio deterioration of cellulose fiber results from the reduction at die polymerization leading to loss textile strength. It also helps to protect the most vital natural resources of soil and water from various degradation processes by erosion of soil and runoff water. It plays a vital role in increasing moisture holding capacity in soil, improving water uptake and drainage capacity. Application of suitable ameliorative thus necessitates for improving various soil conditions towards increasing the crop productivity.

Hydroponics Cultivation of Crops

Hydroponics technology is possibly the most intensive and a versatile method of growing
crops production at present as it allows optimum utilization of nutrient solution, water
and space, as well as a better control of climate and plant protection factors. Hydroponic
technology can be an efficient mean for food production from extreme environmental
ecosystems such as deserts, mountainous regions, or arctic communities. Furthermore,
hydroponics production increases the quality of crops and its productivity, which results in
higher competitiveness and economic income. Several types of hydroponics systems can
be used to grow the crops. Commercially Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) has been used
across a globe for successful production of the leafy as well as other exotic vegetables
cultivation. Hydroponic systems use mineral nutrient solutions to feed the plants in
water of using several non-soil growing media. Despite of having few disadvantages,
Hydroponics technology provides variety of benefits when compared with conventional
farming methods.

Cultivation of Gerbera in Polyhouse

Protected cultivation of high-value cut flower is catching up in India. Among different
cut flowers grown under protected cultivation, gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) is important
because of its flower colour, long vase-life and market demand. In tropical and subtropical
climate, gerbera is grown in greenhouses to produce quality flower. To obtain
satisfactory yield and superior quality of flowers, standard package of practices should
be followed. In the chapter, suitable technologies of gerbera cultivation in greenhouse
including post-harvest care have been described.

Growing of Dendrobium Orchids in Greenhouse

Protected cultivation of high value cut-flowers has become attractive because of
more income from unit area. Orchids are attractive flowers with greater diversity and
commercial importance. Among different orchids, Dendrobiums can be grown under
different climatic conditions even in open ventilated greenhouses in tropics and subtropics.
For production of quality flowers of Dendrobium, suitable package of practices
should be adopted which includes choice of cultivars, providing congenial environment,
media preparation, planting and establishment, care of crops and harvest and post-harvest
technologies. The chapter focuses on suitable technologies for production of quality
flowers of Dendrobium in greenhouses.

PROTECTED CULTIVATION AND SMART AGRICULTURE

Protected Cultivation and Smart Agriculture book Edited by Sagar Maitra, Dinkar J Gaikwad and Tanmoy Shankar, New Delhi Publishers, New Delhi, India published in June 2020.

Book is having 37 chapters.

Hydroponics as a Future of Agriculture : An Overview

Cyanofix: Cyanobacterial Nitrogen Fixation

A Review on Molecular Mechanisms of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Abiotic Stresses with Special Reference to Drought and Heat

Silicon Mediated Tolerance to Stress in Plants

Silicon (Si) is not an essential nutrient, but has been found to play an important role in plants. Silicon is categorized as a beneficial nutrient and is commonly available in earth crust. Si absorption at the lateral roots is categorized into three types, namely, active, passive and rejective uptake. In the active uptake process Si-uptake is faster as compared to water uptake, whereas, in passive uptake Si is taken up at a rate equal rate to water. The role of silicon in improving biotic and abiotic stress is well established. The article focuses on uptake of Si and its role in alleviation of biotic and abiotic stress in plants.

Silicon (Si) is not an essential nutrient, but has been found to play an important role in plants. Silicon is categorized as a beneficial nutrient and is commonly available in earth crust. Si absorption at the lateral roots is categorized into three types, namely, active, passive and rejective uptake. In the active uptake process Si-uptake is faster as compared to water uptake, whereas, in passive uptake Si is taken up at a rate equal rate to water. The role of silicon in improving biotic and abiotic stress is well established. The article focuses on uptake of Si and its role in alleviation of biotic and abiotic stress in plants.