Geo-informatics based Morphometric Analysis of a Reservoir Catchment in Shivalik Foothills of North-West India

The present study examined 35 morphometric parameters related to stream/drainage network, catchment geometry, and relief aspects for hydrological characterization of the Thana Dam catchment using geospatial tools and techniques. The dam catchment was delineated using the high-resolution Advanced Land Observing Satellite Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (ALOS PALSAR) Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data in ArcGIS 10.4.1 software using the Arc Hydro tools. The catchment is comprised of 4th order stream, obtained using a stream threshold value of 100 m length. The lower values of elongation ratio (0.61), circularity ratio (0.22), and form factor (0.29) indicated higher soil erosion potential, mainly due to their inverse relationship with land erodibility. Moreover, the higher values of stream frequency (15.7), drainage density (>5.0), drainage texture (7.48 km-1), and mean bifurcation ratio (4.08-6.33) indicated higher runoff potential, which would intensify the soil erosion, mainly due to their direct relationship with erodibility. Bifurcation ratio, elongation ratio, circulatory ratio, form factor, altogether indicated an elongated shape of the catchment with a fine drainage texture. The higher values of bifurcation ratio and texture ratio of the catchment also indicated severe overland flow (low infiltration rate) with a limited scope for groundwater recharge in the area, which in turn might significantly encourage the soil erosion. Overall, it was concluded that the catchment has a huge runoff potential resulting in high soil erosion due to its fine texture, impermeable subsurface material, steep slope, low infiltration rate, limited vegetation, longer duration of overland flow, and higher surface runoff. The morphometric analysis was found to be suitable for identifying catchment shape and the factors affecting hydrologic conditions and erodibility of the catchment. Thus, Geo-informatics based morphometric analysis of a reservoir catchment can be useful to study the erosion potential in relation to hydrologic (rainfall-runoff relationship) and other related land characteristics (e.g., relief, slope, infiltration rate, etc.).

Estimation of Evapotranspiration using Remote Sensing and Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) in Canal Command

Remote sensing based various land surface and bio-physical variables like Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Land Surface Temperature (LST), surface albedo, transmittance and surface emissivity are useful for the estimation of spatio-temporal variations in evapotranspiration (ET) using Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) method. These variables were estimated under the present study for Ozat-II canal command in Junagadh district, Gujarat, India, using Landsat-7 and Landsat-8 images of summer season of years 2014 and 2015. The derived parameters were used in SEBAL to estimate the Actual Evapotranspiration (AET) of groundnut and sesame crops. The lower values NDVI observed during initial (March) and end (May) stages of crop growth indicated low vegetation cover during these periods. With full canopy coverage of the crops, higher value of NDVI (0.90) was observed during the mid-crop growth stage. The remote sensing-based LST was lower for agricultural areas and the area near banks of the canal and Ozat River, while higher surface temperatures were observed for rural settlements, road and areas with exposed dry soil. The maximum surface temperatures in the cropland were observed as 311.0 K during March 25, 2014 and 315.8 K during May 31, 2015. The AET of summer groundnut increased from 3.75 to 7.38 mm.day-1, and then decreased to 3.99 mm.day-1 towards the end stage of crop growth. The daily AET of summer sesame ranged from 1.06 to 7.72 mm.day-1 over different crop growth stages. The seasonal AET of groundnut and sesame worked out to 358.19 mm and 346.31 mm, respectively. The estimated AET would be helpful to schedule irrigation in the large canal command.

Energy Budgeting of Paddy-Pulse Cropping System in Bhadrak District of Odisha and Assessment of Emission from Paddy Straw Burning

Energy auditing of an existing production system helps to assess its energy-use and energy efficiency. The average input energy of paddy-black gram (PB) cropping system (19,862.01 MJ.ha-1) was higher than paddy-green gram (PG) (18,972.34 MJ.ha-1) cropping system in Bhadrak, Odisha. Harvesting and transport operation required highest operational energy for PG (35.57%) and PB (41.20%) farms; while, threshing and winnowing consumed the second highest input energy with 21.34% and 22.71% for PG and PB farms, followed by land preparation with 21.87% and 20.10% respectively. Linear regression data of PG and PB systems showed significant effect (p<0.05) of predictors with R2 values of 87.70% and 82.20% for total output energy and grain energy, respectively; confirming a good fit among the data. The output energy of PB cropping system was 13.91% higher than that of PG cropping system. The PB cropping system, with energy utilisation efficiency (EUE) of 10.31 and 11.82, was more energy-efficient than PG system with EUE of 9.32 and 11.01 for “NC” and “C” farms, respectively. The net energy return of PBC farm was highest with 2,04,505.31 MJ.ha-1. Amongst various pollutants emitted from paddy straw burning in Odisha; CO2 (5,51,296.0 Mg.yr-1), CO (13,102.72 Mg.yr-1), and TPM (4,908.80 Mg.yr-1) had highest share. The quantity of major GHGs (N2 O, CH4 ) released into the atmosphere through paddy straw burning was estimated as 26.43 Mg.yr-1 and 453.12 Mg.yr-1, respectively. Use of straw baler can prevent straw burning, and reduce emission from paddy fields by 2805.54 kg.ha-1 of CO2 and 66.69 kg.ha-1 of CO, 5.96 kg.ha-1 of NOx , 24.98 kg.ha-1 of TPM. Alternatively, use of mulcher can also reduce emission from paddy fields by 2924.44 kg.ha-1 of CO2 and 69.51 kg.ha-1 of CO, 6.21 kg.ha-1 of NOx , 26.04 kg.ha-1 of TPM. The cost of operation of a baler and mulcher were 8,617.0 ₹ ha-1 and 2,543.0 ₹ ha-1, respectively. Input energy and energy saved in paddy fields by baler were 820.0 MJ.ha-1 and 16,928.0 MJ.ha-1; and 266.0 MJ.ha-1 and 24,458.0 MJ.ha-1 by mulcher, respectively

Anthropometry of Tribal Farm Women to Improvise Hand Tool Designs for Bastar District of Chhattisgarh

Bastar district is a cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh and tribal dominated (66.3%) area. The population comprises of 42 tribes, the prominent tribes being Muria, Abhujmaria, Dandami, Gond, Maria, Dorla, Bhattra, Halba, Dhurwa, and Kawar. The economy of this region is primarily agriculture based, followed by forest-produces. Use of traditional tools like wooden mallet (khotla), indigenous plough and sickle are overwhelming while improved tools and equipment are negligible. Traditional equipment generates early fatigue, callus in hands, and drudgery for tribal women largely involved in farming. Anthropometric data of 100 tribal women between the age group of 18-45 years were measured. Statistically analysed data revealed that tribal women of Bastar had maximum stature of 1,870 mm and 1,400 mm as minimum with a mean of 1,523 mm. The standard deviation and CV were 80.6 mm and 5.29%, respectively. The maximum hand (right) pull strength for 5th and 95th percentile was 36.6 N and 117.6 N, respectively. Anthropometric data was utilized to improvise the design of khotla and indigenous plough. The maximum length of khotla handle was decided to be 2,105 mm, while that of minimum length was 1,620 mm. The total weight of khotla could be reduced by 23 per cent. Consequently, ΔHR reduced by 20-25 bpm from earlier value of 40 bpm. The weight of indigenous plough could also be reduced by 16% (3.8 kg) by shortening the length of the handle and the beam

Moisture Dependent Selected Engineering Properties of Deenanath Seeds in Relation to Development of Processing Machinery

Propagation of grasses through seeds is important in view of vigour and germination. Various grasses as Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin., Cenchrus ciliaris L., Chrysopogan fulvus have lower vigour and germination, due to which they need specific operations as defluffing, separation of true seeds, cleaning and grading by specific machines. In designing a machine for a specific use, physical properties and their behaviour with moisture play an important role. A study was conducted to assess the effect of moisture content at five levels [6.88 - 19.23 %, (d.b.)] on selected physical properties of defluffed Deenanath grass seed. The length, width, thickness, arithmetic mean diameter, and geometric mean diameter of defluffed Deenanath seed increased from 2.30 mm to 2.56 mm, 0.71 mm to 0.96 mm, 0.47 mm to 0.63 mm, 1.16 mm to 1.38 mm, and 0.90 mm to 1.15 mm, respectively, with increase in moisture content 6.88 % to 19.23 %. Bulk density, true density, and porosity decreased from 652.16 kg.m-3 to 585.78 kg.m-3, 852.63 kg.m-3 to 792.71 kg.m-3, and 25.62 % to 24.97 %, respectively, with increase in moisture content from 6.88 % to 19.23 per cent. The aspect ratio, sphericity, surface area, volume, and thousand-seed mass of the seed were in the range of 30.91 - 37.51 %, 0.39 - 0.45, 2.58 - 3.23 mm2 , 3.71 - 4.97 mm3 , and 0.480 - 0.523 g, respectively. Linear relationships with correlation coefficients higher than 0.90 were observed for the physical properties over the experimental range of moisture content.

Effect of Radio Frequency Low Pressure Cold Plasma on Total Phenol, Antioxidant Activity and Colour Degradation Kinetics of Red Chilli Pepper Powder

The study was aimed to analyse the effect of low pressure cold plasma treatment [operated at 60.8 kPa on the quality parameters of red chilli pepper powder (RCPP)]. The experiments were conducted at two radio frequency power levels (60 W, 120 W) over a time range from 0 to 10 min. Total phenols, antioxidant activity, colour, and moisture content were determined. Results showed that radio frequency operating power and treatment time had significant negative effects (p < 0.05) on the quality parameters analysed. Cold plasma treatment reduced the redness, total phenol content, moisture content, and increased the antioxidant activity of the RCPP. Changes in the quality of the treated samples, especially the colour degradation were significant after 4 min of treatment. Degradation kinetics was determined for parameters studied to ascertain their order of reaction during cold plasma treatment. The order of reaction was decided from best fit models with the highest R2 , minimum bias, and error sum of squares. Total phenol followed a zero-order, whereas antioxidant activity and colour followed first-order reactions. The study explored the possibilities and impact of using cold plasma for powdered food materials.

Drying Kinetics of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Slices using Low-humidity Air-assisted Hybrid Solar Dryer

Onion slices were dried in a low-humidity air-assisted hybrid solar dryer. Drying occurred in the falling rate period, and the drying rate was attenuated with the initial moisture content of the samples. The effects of different drying air temperatures (50, 60, 70°C) and KMS pre-treatments (0.1, 0.3, 0.5%) on drying characteristics of onion slices were also studied. Eight thin layer drying mathematical models viz. Newton, Page, Modified Page, Exponential, Asymptotic, Logistic, Wang and Singh, and two-term exponential were investigated and the results were compared to their goodness of fit in terms of coefficient of correlation (r), standard error (es), and the mean square of the deviation ?2. Drying characteristics of onion slices were better delineated by Page’s regression model for hybrid solar drying with values for the coefficient of correlation (0.9962–0.9999), standard error (0.0048–0.0431), and ?² (5.98E-05 to 2.16E-03). Effective moisture diffusivity values of onion slices ranged between 1.33E-08 m2.s-1 to 2.49E-08 m2.s-1 for the drying conditions under investigation.

Conduction Roaster for Accelerated Roasting of Peanut

Roasting is one of the thermo-mechanical operation in cereals and oilseeds processing. Low-capacity machine for mechanisation of roasting is necessary for small-scale processing. A conduction-type motorised rotary roaster (8 kg per batch) was designed and developed for roasting of peanuts. Performance of the roaster was evaluated in terms of moisture loss, scorched kernels, and specific energy consumption for accelerated roasting of peanut. The effects of different roasting conditions were studied to determine the optimum operating conditions of the roaster. Quality indices of peanuts as moisture loss (kg.kg-1), scorched kernel (%), and specific energy consumption (kWh.kg-1) were dependent on the operating conditions. The optimum value of moisture loss (0.041± 0.003 kg.kg-1), scorched kernel (0.93± 0.0.004 % ), and specific energy consumption (0.185 ± 0.005 kWh.kg-1) were obtained at roasting temperature of 170°C, roasting time of 15 min, and rotational speed of 20 rpm for roasting peanut. The roasting characteristics of peanut decreased linearly with increase in the temperature and time; and decrease in the rotational speed. The inferior quality parameters were observed at higher temperatures, speed and medium time of roasting. The study indicated optimum roasting temperature of peanut to be 170°C, and further increase in the process temperature had undesirable effects on roasted peanut quality due to high loss of moisture.

Potential of Pine Needle Biomass as an Alternative Fuel to Mitigate Forest Fire in Uttarakhand Himalayas - A Review

Pine needle is a typical biomass which is abundantly available in Uttarakhand hills. This shredded biomass contributes significantly in forest fire occurring regularly in Uttarakhand. Different energy harnessing routes as direct combustion, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, gasification, and briquetting for pine needle were reviewed. These routes were further compared on the basis of energy consumption and energy efficiency of the processes as per the available literature. The review suggested that briquetting of pine needle and its anaerobic digestion are two most energy efficient methods having energy efficiency of 88% and 41.6%, respectively. The estimated energy required for briquetting of 1 ton pine needle was 1370.5 MJ, whereas for gasification it was 1170 MJ

Production Methodologies of Meat Analogues: A Review

Meat is a non-vegetarian food and is considered as a good source of quality nutrients. Though meat protein provide the required content of good quality protein for the body, they are also associated with higher cholesterol and fat content, which prove to be a leading cause of serious health issues. This became the primary reason for increase in a shift in demands for plant-based protein source foods. The other reason is environmental impact of animal derived products. Meat analogues are plant-based good quality protein source of food that tastes like meat protein, and texture resemble that of meat. These plant-based meat analogues have some amount of anti-nutrients and allergic compounds, but they can be successfully removed by employing certain processing methods and resemble meat in its functionality properties. This approach of mimicking the plantbased foods to resemble meat involves understanding of the biochemical composition and three-dimensional structure of meat, and replicating those qualities using plant-based ingredients. In the current scenario, the best suitable methods of manufacturing meat analogue are by extrusion and structuring techniques. The meat analogues satisfy the need of meat for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. This review attempts to outline the different manufacturing processes of meat analogue using plant-based foods, and to analyse the best suitable method.