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With the rising awareness of microbial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) application in various fields, microorganisms which produce EPSs have received broad attention. The study has utilized central composite design and response surface methodology to derive a statistical model for optimizing the conditions for maximum production of EPS. The experimental design was used with four independent variables i.e., temp, pH, time and conc. of carbon source for responses as EPS (mg/L), optical density, total plate count and dry cell weight. The results showed that EPS production is dependent on the selected variables. The conditions optimized for EPS production were sucrose concentration of 15%, pH 6, temperature of 32.5°C and time duration of 72 hours.

Keywords: exopolysaccharides, Lactobacillus, RSM, optimization.

The unprecedented economic growth and the increasing incomes of households have not been accompanied by a corresponding reduction in poverty hunger and malnutrition in many poor economies. The inadequate calorie intake is further hampered by rising food prices in developing economies. This paper analyses the relationship between income and calorie intake from cereals, as cereals are the core of the Indian food system and the effect of food prices on calorie shares of cereals among the poor and non-poor households in Tamil Nadu. In the empirical analysis, parametric TSLS-IV and non-parametric LOWESS methods have been applied to the 68th round (July 2011-June 2012) of NSO data of rural and urban Tamil Nadu. Both methods of estimation show a significant positive relationship between the per capita calorie share of cereals in total calorie intake and monthly per capita expenditure. Rising prices of cereals and other food items reduce the calorie consumption from cereals. There is not much difference in cereal consumption between poor and non-poor in Tamil Nadu.

Keywords: Income, nutrition, cereals, calorie intake, LOWESS, TSLS-IV estimation

The path coefficient analysis and correlation were studied in twenty different wheat genotypes to understand the contribution and correlation of yield-attributing characteristics to grain yield. The research was conducted on late sowing conditions in alpha lattice design with two replications at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Paklihawa campus, Bhairahawa, Nepal in 2021. Random ten plants were selected from each genotype provided by National Wheat Research Program (NWRP), Bhairahawa separately to record the measurements on eleven characters. The result revealed highly significant positive and negative relationships among the genotypes for all the traits studied. The grain yield of the wheat has a significant and positive correlation with plant height (0.540), spike length (0.457), spike weight (0.630), and thousand grain weight (0.510). These traits also have a direct positive effect on the grain yield. Wheat genotypes with tall lengths and higher spike weight should be promoted in breeding programs to increase the yield of wheat in heat stress environment conditions.

Keywords: Correlation, Path analysis, Grain Yield, Yield-attributes

Microwave heating has emerged as a new processing treatment for a variety of materials in recent years, especially for food materials. This article provides insight on the effect of microwave heating on quality characteristics of various cereal grains and flours and emphasizes the impact on nutritional composition such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, color, vitamins, minerals and anti-nutritional components. Microwaves have the potential to be used for various operations like blanching, sterilization, pasteurization etc. Microwave processing power and time has a significant effect on various nutritional and anti-nutritional components; hence, processing treatment needs to be carefully studied for effective applications on cereal grains.

Keywords: Microwave heating, cereal grains, starch, protein and lipids.

Castor is the main non-edible oilseeds crop of semiarid and arid regions of India and worldwide commercially grown in nearly more than 30 countries. Castor is a nutrient-demanding crop and responsive to higher nutrient application. Under irrigated conditions, removal of N, P, K and S kg per tonne of castor production was 30.3, 9.8, 15.6 and 3.1, respectively. Castor leaves are large, about 15-45 cm long, with long petioles. The number of leaves vary among different hybrids and growth stages. The number of leaves increases until harvesting of the first spike and then decreases subsequently. Stomata are found on both the surfaces of leaves (amphistomatic) and are almost equal in size. The principal type of stomata is paracytic type. The foliar fertilizers are also performed mostly by the transcuticular pores ‘cuticles’ as well as through stomata on foliage, which are open virtually all the time compared to stomata. Nutrient solution can stay for longer time on castor leaf, this feature makes castor leaf suitable for foliar application of nutrients. Castor leaves can absorb inorganic and organic nitrogen (urea, ammonium, nitrate and others) through stomata and cuticle openings. In the case of foliar application of phosphorus nutrient, it was found that phosphoric acid was more effective than mono potassium phosphate. Foliar application improves seed yield and quality of oil. Young leaves have been found to absorb nutrients more effectively than the old and mature ones. However, over dose of foliar plant nutrients like urea may cause leaf injury and frequent application of right fertilizer are needed to be used for obtaining maximum benefit of foliar fertilization.

Keywords: Castor, Foliar application, plant nutrients, Ricinus communis, spray