In animal studies where experimental units are influenced by two sources of variation, row-column designs are commonly employed. When there is a large number of treatments but limited experimental resources, Generalized Row-Column (GRC) designs become useful. These designs enable multiple experimental units at each row-column intersection, optimizing resource use. Historically, GRC designs have been focused on supporting all possible pairwise comparisons among treatments. However, in many biomedical or pharmaceutical experiments, the main goal is not to compare all treatments, but rather to evaluate new (test) treatments against a standard (control) treatment. In such situations, the emphasis is placed on estimating the treatment-control contrast as precisely as possible. To meet this need, we introduce a balanced version of GRC designs specifically for treatment-control comparisons, and we propose a class of partially balanced GRC designs. These modifications aim to improve the precision of contrast estimation between test and control treatments, while still ensuring structural balance within rows and columns.

Granulated citrus has shriveled juice sacs with less flowable juice that significantly decreases their acceptability. Moreover, the juice tends to be low in nutritional and functional quality. This study was designed to examine the impact of microfluidization on the biochemical and functional qualities of citrus juice extracted from granulated “Dancy” tangerine. The extracted juice was processed at five different pressures (6000, 9000, 12,000, 15,000, and 18,000 psi) for three different passes (1, 2, and 3). The effect of microfluidization on soluble solid content, titratable acidity, total and reducing sugars, flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content (TPC), and ascorbic acid content were evaluated. Results showed that TPC was significantly ( p < 0.05) enhanced by more than 50% in juice processed through 18,000 psi with three passes compared to the control. Flavonoids, antioxidant activity, and soluble solid content also increased significantly as pressure and pass number increased. TPC, total flavonoids and total antioxidant potential showed a strong positive correlation. Heat map grouped microfluidized samples into four clusters based on their common quality attributes. This study demonstrated that microfluidization could serve as an effective method for enhancing the biochemical properties of juice extracted from partially granulated citrus, which is typically considered of lower quality.

The present study carried out at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, during 2021–2023, investigated the impact of gamma irradiation and chitosan coating on the quality of healthy and partially granulated ‘Dancy’ tangerine fruits stored under ambient conditions (25 ± 5 °C and 65–70

Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is most effectively applied in scenarios involving multiple input factors that influence a specific performance measure or quality characteristic of a product or process. Agricultural experiments often present cases where both qualitative and quantitative factors are critical. For instance, in fertilizer studies, crop yield is affected not only by the amount of fertilizer applied (a quantitative factor) but also by the method of application, such as broadcasting, placement behind the plough, or foliar spraying (a qualitative factor). This paper presents a systematic approach to developing response surface designs (RSDs) that integrate both symmetric and asymmetric levels in quantitative factors. We provide a list of designs for 3–10 factors, along with evaluations of G- and D-efficiency, highlighting the high efficiency of the proposed designs. Additionally, the methodology for constructing a third-order design with v-1 quantitative factors and one qualitative factor is outlined. Using SAS IML, macro was developed to facilitate generation of moment matrices, calculating unique variances of estimated responses, and determining D- and G-efficiency for the proposed designs. Furthermore, an R package, MixedLevelRSD, has been developed to generate efficient response surface designs accommodating mixed levels of qualitative and quantitative factors, along with other asymmetrical designs.

In this study, the Fedorov algorithm has been modified to obtain locally D-optimal saturated designs for mixture experiments with and without restrictions on the factor space. The benefit of obtaining a saturated design is in having the least number of runs required to estimate the parameter of interest and, at the same time, it also helps in simplifying the computation procedure. An algebraic solution is very hard to work due to model and mathematical complexity. Algorithmic approaches provide a much better alternative but are tricky to work with. Fedorov algorithm is simple but is restricted by the size of solution space. A smaller solution space may not include the most optimal solution points however, a larger solution space will be very expensive to find the optimal solution. Here, a two-stage algorithm is used where the basic intuition is to generate a smaller solution space to find a near optimal solution and then a new solution space is generated in the vicinity of solution found in first stage to find the final solution. The algorithm iterates and terminates at the point at which no further gain in the solution optimality is achieved. The advantage of using the algorithm is that it provides greater flexibility in terms of the models to be fitted and deciding upon the number of runs required for the design. The optimality of the designs obtained has been substantiated in accordance with the General Equivalence Theorem. The algorithm modified for the construction of D-optimal designs for mixture experiments has been enacted by suitably developing codes in the R software.

The hepatoprotective activity of the grape pomace (GP) from ‘Pusa Navrang’ (PNGP) and ‘Bangalore Purple’ (BPGP) was investigated against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. GP, a reservoir of antioxidants, aided in managing and restoring the hepatic cell damage. It optimized the serum liver enzymes like alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Serum glucose, total bilirubin, and total protein levels were also optimized. Paracetamol elevated lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduced glutathione (GSH). The administration of the standard drug (silymarin) and test compounds PNGP and BPGP normalized the levels of LPO and GSH. Effective restoration of the liver’s antioxidant enzymes, like superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) was also observed. Study results revealed that PNGP and BPGP at 400 mg/kg showed better hepatoprotective activity close to the standard drug silymarin, while better results were obtained in the PNGP-treated groups. Multivariate analysis confirmed grape pomace potential in mitigating liver injury.

This paper describes the response surface methodology for mixed-level factors of the form S1n1 x S2n2 when experimental units are affected by the adjacent neighbouring units. Conditions have been derived for the orthogonal estimation of the parameters of the model. A method of construction has been developed and the developed designs satisfy the rotatability conditions. Some particular cases of S1n1 x S2n2 are described. An R package named rsdNE developed for the generation of these designs has also been discussed.

A large amount of residual waste biomass is generated from medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) sector that needs to be utilized through effective recycling as resources and to reduce environmental load. In this study, identification of functional groups, surface morphology, nature of crystallinity, thermal property, biochemical (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin), and elemental profiling (macro and micro nutrients) was carried out in residual biomasses of six aromatic and two medicinal plants to understand their best alternate use as different bio-refinery potential such as bioethanol, biochar, compost, bioactive rich extract, and growth medium. The biochemical and elemental profile provided quantitative data for primary grouping of the biomasses based on their possible usage that was supported by qualitative (or semi-quantitative) data from functional, morphological characterization, analysis of crystallinity and thermal behaviour. The biomass of MAPs like lemongrass, palmarosa, java citronella, isabgol and ashwagandha had higher cellulose and hemicellulose content (structural, crystalline and biochemical information), make them useful for preparing bioethanol. On the other hand, biomasses with high aromaticity and thermal stability in their structure like- holy basil, sweet basil, menthol mint and isabgol, found suitable towards development of biochar. Elemental profile showed suitability of holy basil, sweet basil, menthol mint and isabgol biomass for their composting potential. All biomasses seemed to be useful for growth medium preparation based on biochemical, functional and morphological analysis. Amalgamation of different characterization techniques were found rational to understand the best alternative(s) for residual biomasses. Thus, this study helps to develop a strategy for complete recycling of biomasses under model bio-refinery, which also advocate circular economy.

An investigation was carried out from November, 2020 to April, 2021 at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, employing a split-split plot layout with two cropping systems (rice-wheat and maize-wheat), four long-term crop residue management strategies including burning (CRB), removal (CRR), incorporation (CRI), and biochar (BC), and two nitrogen management: neem-coated urea (NCU) and Urea+dual (urease+nitrification) inhibitor (UUINI). Soil DNA was extracted and quantified for 16S bacteria, 16S archaea, nifH, ureC and anammox abundances using quantitative PCR. Additionally, Soil samples were analysed for available nitrogen (urea, NH4+, NO3-) and water-soluble carbon. Rice-wheat rotations favoured higher 16S bacterial abundance while maize-wheat elevated 16S archaea. Notably, CRI and BC exhibited higher bacterial abundance compared to CRR and CRB, while minimal impact was noticed for archaea. The nifH gene abundance was influenced by all treatments along with their interactions. UreC gene copies exhibited a direct relationship with 16S archaea and an inverse relationship with 16S bacteria; UUINI showed a higher abundance of ureC under CRI and BC in both cropping systems. Moreover, anammox abundance correlated positively with NH4+ and NO3- but negatively with unhydrolyzed urea, indicating the inhibitory effect of UUINI. These findings underscore the complex relationships among inhibitors, residue management, cropping systems and soil microbial communities, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to optimise nutrient cycling and soil health in agricultural systems.

A new series of four-associate class partially balanced incomplete block designs in two replications has been proposed. The blocks of these designs are of two different sizes. The blocks can be divided into two groups such that every treatment appears in each group exactly once, and any two blocks belonging to two different groups have a constant number of treatments in common, i.e., these designs are affine resolvable.

General Efficiency Balance (GEB) is an important property of designs. Variance balance and efficiency balance are special cases of GEB. Here, GEB block designs for comparing treatments belonging to two disjoint sets in the presence of systematic trend have been discussed. Methods of constructing Trend Resistant General Efficiency Balanced Bipartite Block Designs (TR-GEBBPB) designs have been presented. The block designs so obtained are trend resistant, general efficiency balanced and are more efficient for estimating the contrasts pertaining to two treatments from two different sets.

Tropical soils are often deeply weathered and vulnerable to degradation having low pH and unfavorable Al/Fe levels, which can constrain crop production. This study aims to examine nitrogen-enriched novel biochar co-composts prepared from rice straw, maize stover, and gram residue in various mixing ratios of the biochar and their feedstock materials for the amelioration of acidic tropical soil. Three pristine biochar and six co-composts were prepared, characterized, and evaluated for improving the chemical and biological quality of the soil against a conventional lime treatment. The pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), calcium carbonate equivalence (CCE) and nitrogen content of co-composts varied between 7.78-8.86, 25.3-30.5 cmol (p+) kg-1, 25.5-30.5%, and 0.81-1.05%, respectively. The co-compost prepared from gram residue biochar mixed with maize stover at a 1:7 dry-weight ratio showed the highest rise in soil pH and CEC, giving an identical performance with the lime treatment and significantly better effect (p < .05) than the unamended control. Agglomerates of calcite and dolomite in biochar co-composts, and surface functional groups contributed to pH neutralization and increased CEC of the amended soil. The co-composts also significantly (p < .05) increased the dehydrogenase (1.87 µg TPF g-1 soil h-1), β-glucosidase (90 µg PNP g-1 soil h-1), and leucine amino peptidase (3.22 µmol MUC g-1 soil h-1) enzyme activities in the soil, thereby improving the soil's biological quality. The results of this study are encouraging for small-scale farmers in tropical developing countries to sustainably reutilize crop residues via biochar-based co-composting technology.

In recent years biochar (BC) has gained importance for its huge carbon (C) sequestration potential and positive effects on various soil functions. However, there is a paucity of information on the long-term impact of BC on the priming effect and nutrient availability in soil with different properties. This study investigates the effects of BC prepared from rice husk (RBC4, RBC6), sugarcane bagasse (SBC4, SBC6) and mustard stalk (MBC4, MBC6) at 400 and 600 °C on soil C priming and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) availability in an Alfisol, Inceptisol, and Mollisol. BC properties were analyzed, and its decomposition in three soil orders was studied for 290 days in an incubation experiment. Post-incubation, available N, P, and K in soil were estimated. CO2 evolution from BC and soil alone was also studied to determine the direction of priming effect on native soil C. Increasing pyrolysis temperature enhanced pH and EC of most of the BC. The pyrolysis temperature did not show clear trend with respect to priming effect and nutrient availability across feedstock and soil type. MBC6 increased C mineralization in all the soil orders while RBC6 in Alfisol and SBC6 in both Inceptisol and Mollisol demonstrated high negative priming, making them potential amendments for preserving native soil C. Most of the BC showed negative priming of native SOC in long run (290 days) but all these BC enhanced the available N, P, and K in soil. SBC4 enhanced N availability in Alfisol and Inceptisol, RBC4 improved N and P availability in Mollisol and P in Alfisol and MBC6 increased K availability in all the soils. Thus, based on management goals, tailored BC or blending different BC can efficiently improve C sequestration and boost soil fertility.

SummaryGuava (Psidiumguajava L.), being highly nutritious possesses commercial importance in the tropical and subtropical region of the world. The climacteric guava, however, records highest postharvest loss and needs to be processed for higher shelf life and utility. This study entails evaluation of fruit maturity stage and prior freezing for development of calcium enriched guava crisps through atmospheric frying. The sliced fruits (of three maturity stages) were subjected to vacuum impregnation to infuse maltodextrin, salt, ascorbic acid and calcium lactate. Fracturability and crispness was significantly affected by fruit maturity, freezing pre‐treatment and calcium impregnation. Freezing pre‐treatment enhanced the texture, decreased toughness and gave superior crisps with crunchy mouthfeel. While browning increased due to freezing pre‐treatment, calcium impregnation led to decreased browning. More than 15‐fold increase in the calcium content of crisps was realised upon 1% calcium lactate impregnation. The average ascorbic acid and lycopene retention in the crisps was 36.18 and 37.58%, respectively. Mature guava showed highest lycopene retention (43.07%) in crisps. Based on MANOVA analysis, all the main effects, two factor interaction and three factor interaction were statistically significant at 1% level. The first three PCs could explain 73.64% variation in data. The highest ascorbic acid retention, crispiness and sensory scores were recorded for crisps from ripe stage of guava fruits given freezing and calcium infusion pre‐treatments. Thus, ripe guava fruits could be converted to shelf stable and attractive crisps, which would provide essential nutrients and potential health benefits, ensuring off‐season availability of perishable guava in the form of crisps.

This research paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the presence and levels of Carbendazim residues in post-harvest treated Red Delicious apples in two condition i.e. ambient stored condition and cold stored condition. Carbendazim, a benzimidazole fungicide, has gained prominence as an effective means of controlling fungal diseases in apple orchards, including the commonly encountered apple scab and powdery mildew. The residue levels of Carbendazim in post-harvest treated Red Delicious apples, however, raise concerns about consumer safety and environmental impact. The investigation encompasses residue analysis methodologies, factors influencing residue levels, and potential mitigation strategies to ensure food safety and sustainability. The study showed that Carbendazim residue persistence was more in cold stored apple compared to ambient stored apple and to reduce its concentration to less than 5ppm it took 60 days, if pesticide applied ate recommended dose. It indicates, that the apple can be produced residue free and safe for consumption if judicious use of pesticides with respect to concentration and time is followed. Pesticides applied properly and scientifically avoiding drift to environment can reduce the impact on human health.