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This research evaluates how treating sisal fibers with expanded polystyrene (EPS) and rice husk silica (RHS) affects their absorption capacity, tensile strength, and adhesion when used in Portland cement matrices. The study on sisal fibers treated with EPS and RHS polymers found that the treatment significantly reduced water absorption by 70%, from 84.67% for untreated fibers to 15.18% for treated ones, due to the hydrophobic nature of EPS. Optical microscopy revealed an irregular polymer layer on the fibers, which, while improving dimensional stability, could impair fiber-matrix interaction. Despite these improvements, the treatment did not notably enhance the mechanical properties of the fibers, as the breaking strength remained similar to untreated fibers, and the rupture displacement slightly decreased.

This study utilized the DRASTIC approach combined with GIS technology to assess groundwater vulnerability and contamination risks in a research area. The DRASTIC simulation generated a risk assessment map, categorizing locations based on vulnerability levels. The analysis revealed varying vulnerability levels, with areas of significant industrial activity and high population density exhibiting elevated nitrate levels in nearby wells. The model’s outcomes were validated against field measurements of nitrate concentrations, demonstrating a high degree of consistency. The R-index technique was employed to assess sensitivity to nitrate contamination, identifying areas at greater risk. The study highlights the importance of considering hydrogeological characteristics and agricultural practices for groundwater protection and management. Overall, the DRASTIC approach proves valuable in assessing groundwater risks and informs decision-making for sustainable resource management.

Pigeon pea is an important legume infested by a plethora of insect pests amongst which gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera is very prominent. Imparting resistance to this insect herbivore is of global importance in attaining food security. Expression of insecticidal crystal proteins (ICP) in diverse crops has led to increased resistance to several pests. We report in this paper, expression of Cry2Aa in transgenic pigeon pea and its effectiveness towards H . armigera by employing Agrobacterium -mediated in planta transformation approach. Approximately 0.8% of T 1 generation plants were identified as putative transformants based on screening in the presence of 70 ppm kanamycin as the selection agent. Promising events were further recognized in advanced generations based on integration, expression and bioefficacy of the transgenes. Seven T 3 lines (11.8% of the selected T1 events) were categorized as superior as these events demonstrated 80–100% mortality of the challenged larvae and improved ability to prevent damage caused by the larvae. The selected transgenic plants accumulated Cry2Aa in the range of 25–80 µg/g FW. The transgenic events developed in the study can be used in pigeon pea improvement programmes for pod borer resistance.

Groundwater quality includes the physical, chemical, and biological qualities of well water. Temperature, turbidity, color, taste, and odor structure the list of physical water quality parameters. Since most well water is colorless, odorless, and while not specific style, we tend to are generally most involved with its chemical and biological qualities. though spring water or groundwater product are usually oversubscribed as \"pure,\" their water quality is totally different from that of pure water. The current work is geared towards assessing the water quality index (WQI) for the groundwater of Perundurai taluk and the tested parameter are mapped with the help of GIS. This has been decided by using aggregation groundwater samples and subjecting the samples to a complete chemical science analysis and to produce groundwater exceptional map of Perundurai Taluk using GIS.

Background The pink bollworm,  Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), is a devastating global pest of cotton that has caused substantial economic damage to Bt Bollgard-II ® cotton plants in recent years due to the evolution of Bt resistance. The associated fitness cost is assumed to be one of the factors delaying the development of resistance against Bt transgenic crops. Hence, the present study was undertaken to assess the biological performance of pink bollworms by comparing the life history and demographic parameters of a resistant (Field-R) and susceptible (Lab-S) population. Results Prolonged larval duration (23.40 days in Field-R vs 18.80 days in Lab-S population), total life cycle (male = 50.00 vs 42.80 days; female = 53.60 vs 46.20 days), reduced fecundity (100.60 vs 154.20 eggs/female) and fertility (88.00 vs 138.00 fertile eggs/female) was observed. The demographic parameters indicated a significant reduction in the net reproductive rate (184.27 vs 276.72), innate capacity for increase in number (0.11 vs 0.15), finite rate of increase in number (1.12 vs 1.16 female progenies produced/female/day), weekly multiplication rate (2.16 vs 2.86), potential fecundity (545.06 vs 634.11 eggs), number of hypothetical F 2 females (33 955.65 vs 76 572.41), but longer mean length of generation (47.54 vs 37.74 days) and population doubling time (6.30 vs 4.62 days) in Field-R compared with Lab-S population. A stage-specific life table demonstrated the differences in survival rates between susceptible and resistant populations at various life stages, with the resistant population having higher generation mortality (0.22 vs 0.19). Conclusions The study confirms the involvement of fitness costs associated with Bt resistance in P. gossypiella . Despite reduced reproductive fitness, the resistant population tried prolonging the larval stage as a compensatory mechanism to repair the damaged host tissues due to Bt intoxication and for accumulation of enough nutrient reserves for normal pupation and adult emergence. Presence of a high proportion of double Bt-resistant larvae in the field coupled with continued noncompliance with refug planting certainly favours the flaring up of this monophagous pest despite the observed fitness costs. The resistance cannot be effectively reversed unless suitable alternative management strategies are deployed.