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Deficiency of micronutrients in the soils of semi-arid tropical (SAT) environments is a major limiting factor for crop production. This study aims to model the spatial variability of soil micronutrients in croplands of Thimmajipet block, Mahabubnagar, Telangana, India. We collected 1508 georeferenced surface (0–15 cm) soil samples at a grid interval of 325 × 325 m and analysed them for DTPA extractable fractions of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and boron (B). Landform and topographic variables were derived from the digital elevation model of the study area. Results showed that all the micronutrients varied highly (CV > 35%) in the order of Zn > Fe > Cu > B > Mn. The Q–Q plots indicated non-normal frequency distribution for all the micronutrients, and log transformation improved them. We compared spherical, circular, exponential, and Gaussian models of ordinary kriging interpolation to define the spatial variability structure. The spherical model with the lowest RMSE and better r 2 values was selected to map the spatial distribution of the micronutrients. The nugget to sill ratio ( N : S  > 0.75) indicated that the micronutrients were weakly spatial dependent. Multiple regression analysis ( p  <  0.05 ) indicated that the micronutrient concentration and spatial distribution were controlled by (1) parent material; (2) CaCO 3 ; (3) OC; and (4) antagonistic nutrient interaction. Further, critical deficiency zones of Zn, Cu, B and Fe were delineated by integrating cadastral map on the spatial distribution maps. Our study demonstrates that the large scale spatial variability mapping of soil micronutrients is a prerequisite for implementing site-specific nutrient management in the SAT regions.

The sun burn and fruit cracking in litchi were high in 2019 (10.5% and 10.1%) when temperature was high with low rainfall during fruit growth while low in 2017 (1.9% and 3.7%) when temperature was low. Lack of soil moisture and high temperature reduced the fruit weight in Kasba cultivar by (26.2%) and rainfall induced cracking in the cultivars Bedana and Early Bedana. The cultivars having higher relative water content and cuticle thickness reflected in low fruit cracking and vice-versa. These results may be helpful to identify suitable cultivars for preventive measures to reduce sun burn and fruit cracking in litchi.

In this study, a quantitative assessment of spatial extent of arid and semi-arid climatic zones of India was performed for the period from 1988 to 2018 using potential evapo-transpiration (PET) calculated by Modified Penman Method, estimated from global climate data sets. Climatic water balances computed for 625 stations across the country are used for classifying to bio-climate types based on moisture index and areas falling under arid climatic zones in India are delineated using ArcGIS 10.5. It was noticed a considerable changes in the country’s arid and semi-arid climatic zones between the two periods; 1992 and 2018. Overall, there has been a net percent change in hyper arid, typic arid and semi arid (dry) areas is 5.62, 1.62 and 7.17 percent, respectively. Dryness and wetness are increasing in different parts of the country. There is also change in rainfall, PET and moisture index over a period of time which is vital to determine aridity pattern of any region. Thus, results are of great significance for studying the assessment of temporal and spatial dry climatic water balance of India, which can help immensely in the management of water resources and sustainability of crop production under changing climatic conditions.

Background The antituberculosis drugs (ATDs), isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol prompt extreme hepatic and renal damage during treatment of tuberculosis. The present study aimed to investigate protective potential of naringenin against ATDs induced hepato-renal injury. Methods Rats were administered with ATDs (pyrazinamide; 210, ethambutol; 170, isoniazid; 85, rifampicin; 65 mg/kg b.wt) orally for 8 weeks (3 days/week) followed by naringenin at three different doses (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg b.wt) conjointly for 8 weeks (3 days/week alternately to ATDs administration) and silymarin (50 mg/kg b.wt) as positive control. Results Exposure to ATDs caused significant increase in interleukin-6 (IL-6), triglycerides, cholesterol, bilirubin whereas depletion in insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), albumin and glucose in serum. Endogenous antioxidant enzymes glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) were diminished in liver and kidney tissues with parallel increase in triglycerides, cholesterol, microsomal LPO and aniline hydroxylase (CYP2E1 enzyme). Ultra-structural observations of liver and kidney showed marked deviation in plasma membranes of various cellular and sub-cellular organelles after 8 weeks of exposure to ATDs. Conclusions Conjoint treatment of naringenin counteracted ATDs induced toxic manifestations by regulating IL-6, IGF-1, CYP2E1, biochemical and ultra-structural integrity in a dose dependent manner. Naringenin has excellent potential to protect ATDs induced hepato-renal injury by altering oxidative stress, modulation of antioxidant enzymes, serum cytokines and ultra-structural changes.

Litchi is one of the emerging fruit crops and highly remunerative to growers. The relationship between litchi yield and weather parameters has shown that weather parameters have a significant effect on the yield of litchi. The was a significant positive correlation between yield and the weather variables maximum relative humidity (0.87*), minimum relative humidity (0.84*), and rainfall (0.63) and a negative correlation with evaporation (−085*), maximum temperature (−0.84*), and minimum temperature (−0.14). Stepwise regression analysis between different weather parameters and litchi yield showed significant differences. Maximum relative humidity and minimum relative humidity (Y = −124.85 + 1.94×1 + 0.57×5; R2 = 0.87**) explained approximately 87% of the variance. The maximum relative humidity, evaporation, and minimum relative humidity parameters explained 90% of the variance (Y = −63.81 + 1.65×1 − 6.60×3 + 0.32×5; R2 = 0.90**), while maximum relative humidity, evaporation, minimum relative humidity, and maximum temperature (Y = 1710.5 − 4.68×1 − 43.21×3 − 2.82×5 − 32.88×7; R2 = 0.98**) explained 98% of the variance in litchi yield. The prediction models were further validated using weather parameters and yield data collected in 2021. The root mean square error values varied between 0.203 and 0.518, which shows that the models are accurate and acceptable.

Heavy metals are potentially toxic to human life and the environment. In a greenhouse pot experiment, Typic Ustochrepts soil order (alluvial soil) with pH 5.7 was used. African marigold variety Pusa Narangi was used as a test crop. The soil was artificially spiked with different cadmium (Cd) levels (0, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg kg^sup -1^). Critical toxic concentrations of Cd resulting in 25 per cent reduction in dry matter yield were established for African marigold grown in alluvial soil. The corresponding values for non-inoculated, arbuscular mycorrhiza (Glomus moseae) and phosphorus solubilizing fungi (Aspergillus awamon) treated soils, respectively, were 28, 24 and 16 mg kg^sup -1^ Cd applied in soil; 12, 12 and 8 mg kg^sup -1^ AB-DTPA extractable Cd in soil; 6.4, 6.2 and 6 mg kg^sup -1^ Cd content in plant tissues.

The sun burn and fruit cracking in litchi were high in 2019 (10.5% and 10.1%) when temperature was high with low rainfall during fruit growth while low in 2017 (1.9% and 3.7%) when temperature was low. Lack of soil moisture and high temperature reduced the fruit weight in Kasba cultivar by (26.2%) and rainfall induced cracking in the cultivars Bedana and Early Bedana. The cultivars having higher relative water content and cuticle thickness reflected in low fruit cracking and vice-versa. These results may be helpful to identify suitable cultivars for preventive measures to reduce sun burn and fruit cracking in litchi.

Major ion geochemistry was used to characterise the chemical composition of groundwater in part of semi-arid Deccan plateau region to understand the geochemical evolution and to evaluate the groundwater quality for irrigation. The study area comprises peninsular gneissic complex of Archean age, younger granites and basaltic alluvium. Forty-nine georeferenced groundwater samples were collected and analysed for major ions. The ionic sequence based on relative proportions was Na +  > Mg 2+  > Ca 2+  > SO 4 2−  > HCO 3 −  > Cl −  > CO 3 2−  > BO 3 3−  > K + . High Na + , Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ were generally associated with basaltic alluvial formation, whereas pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved salts (TDS) were found to be higher in granitic formations. High standard deviation for EC, TDS, Na + , Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ indicated the dispersion of ionic concentration throughout the study area. Four major hydrochemical facies identified were Na-Mg-HCO 3 type; Mg-Na-HCO 3 type; Na-Mg-Ca-SO 4 and Mg-Na-Ca-SO 4 type. The graphical plots indicated that the groundwater chemistry was influenced by rock–water interaction, silicate weathering and reverse ion exchange. Sodium-dominated waters might have impeded the hydraulic properties of soils as a result of long-term irrigation.

Morphometric analysis is significant for investigation and management of the watershed. This study depicts the morphometric analysis of Miniwada Watershed in Nagpur district, Maharashtra, Central India using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques, which has been carried out through measurement of various aspects like linear, aerial and relief aspects of watershed. The drainage network of the watershed was generated from Cartosat-I DEM (10 m) using ESRI Software ArcGIS (ver.10.2). The analysis reveals that drainage pattern is dendritic and the stream order in the watershed varies from 1 to 4. The total number of stream segments of all orders counted as 37, out of which the majority of orders (70.27 %) was covered by 1st order streams and 4th order stream segments covers only 2.70 %. The bifurcation ratio reflects the geological and tectonic characteristics of the watershed and estimated as 3.08. The drainage density of the watershed is 3.63 km/sq km and it indicates the closeness of spacing of channels. The systematic analysis of various parameters in GIS helps in better understanding the soil resources distribution, watersheds prioritization, planning and management.

Recent trend in Banana processing, its medicinal values and by-products are reviewed for utilizing it in a better way. India is largest producer of banana in the world and it is grown almost all parts of the India. All the parts of banana are useful and it has great medicinal and tradition values in human health. Banana fruits are excellent food supplements and its leaf is used as vegetable in different parts of India in diverse form. Banana processing is a boon of science and technology with multiple benefits. It has made it possible to transport the fruit overseas in the form of products. It has made them all season available. In India the development of commodities of consumer interest by value addition of fruits is less than 2% of the annual agricultural produce. Hence there is a tremendous scope for enhancing its processing. In fact Banana processing can play vital role in Indian economy because not only banana fruits are processed but other parts are also used in processing. The present paper highlights the major products of banana processing, its medicinal and traditional values.