Life cycle and morphometry of Rugose spiraling whitefly, Aleyrodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on coconut

The present study investigated the biology and morphometric analysis of rugose spiralling whitefly (RSW), Aleyrodicus rugioperculatus on coconut under mini net house condition at Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University-Coimbatore during 2019-2020. The biology of rugose spiralling whitefly was studied by clip cage method and morphometrics were done using Leica image analyser. Total lifecycle of rugose spiraling whitefly was 56.23 ± 2.20 days. Developmental period of egg, nymphal, pupal and adult period was 8.47 ± 0.26, 17.46 ± 0.76, 10.30 ± 0.29 and 20.00 ± 1.00 days, respectively. In morphometrics, Length and width of egg (0.31 ± 0.01 mm and 0.11± 0.02 mm), nymphal (0.94 ± 0.01 mm and 0.82 ± 0.01 mm), pupal (1.23 ± 0.01 mm and 1.00 ± 0.01 mm) was recorded. A nymphal parasitoid, Encarsia guadeloupae can be potential natural enemy for effective management of rugose spiraling whitefly.

Use of an image analyser to study the imbibition process of Melia dubia seeds

An image analyser system was used to study the process of imbibition in Melia dubia seeds, and in comparison with the conventional method of measuring seed weight by an electronic balance. Melia dudia drupes were divided into three groups and treated accordingly: drupes with intact pericarp, drupes with punctured pericarp and naked seeds without pericarp. Using seed weight and perimeter as parameters, the imbibition process in the seed samples were described by a series of imbibition curves illustrative of the triphasic pattern of water uptake during germination. The image analyser captured small variation in seed parameters between the groups. The sensitivity and feasibility of the advanced method of using an image analyser to investigate individual seeds within a population imply that the image analyser has high potential in advancing seed biology studies.

Use of Software for Image Analysis and Calibration of Automated Rain Simulator

Aims: To calibrate and evaluate a rain simulator, with automatic operation, as well as determine the average size, the effect of the height of the equipment (2.12; 2.42 and 2.72 m) and of the oscillations of the spray nozzle of the rain simulator (21, 29 and 40 oscillations min-1). Finally, to test and to compare the results of the count of drops by the software of analysis and processing of images Able Image Analyser, ImageJ and Safira. Study Design: The experimental design was completely randomized, with 3 x 3 x 3 factorial scheme, with three repetitions (81 units). Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted in a greenhouse, in the municipality of Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso, located geographically at latitude 16°27'49 "S, longitude 550°34'47" W. Methodology: For the calibration tests, the rainfall simulator was adjusted according to the heights (2.12; 2.42 and 2.72 m) and oscillations (21, 29 and 40 oscillations min-1), followed by trays with a uniform layer of wheat flour, 2 cm thick, where the simulated raindrops were sprayed for a period of 4 seconds. From this procedure, the drops were dried, sifted, weighed and counted. Droplet analysis was performed using three image analysis software Able Image Analyser, ImageJ and Safira. Results: The softwares Able Image Analyzer, ImageJ and Safira did not show any significant difference in counting of the number of drops. It was observed that in the oscillation factor in setting that if gets drops of larger size (21 oscillations min-1) the terminal velocity is also greater. In the height factor of the equipment, the drops presented larger sizes at the lower height (2.12 m). There are larger drops, higher terminal velocity as the height of the spray nozzle decreases, and higher kinetic energy value per unit area as the height of the spray nozzle increases. The range of drop sizes observed was 1.2 mm to 3.1 mm. Conclusion: Although the software does not present significant differences, the ImageJ software proved to be more suitable as a research tool, since it has the license of free use and greater ease of use. Satisfactory results were obtained compared to natural rains in more than one combination of height and swings.

The Effect of Magnesium on the Modifying Efficiency of Strontium in A356 Alloy

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of different concentrations of magnesium (0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4%) on the modifying efficiency of Sr in aluminium alloy A356. Both sand casting and gravity die castings were taken for the same composition. Modifying efficiency was studied quantitatively by measuring the size and shape of Si eutectic particles by using ImageJ image analyser and giving a Modification Rating (MR), developed by American Foundrymen’s Society (AFS), for each microstructure ranging from 1 to 6, 1 being unmodified and 6 being completely modified very fine structures. Characterisation was done with optical microscope and SEM equipped with EDS and XRD. Mechanical testing involved hardness test in both as cast and standard T6 condition.