Recently, hydrothermal carbonization emerges as the most viable option for the management of solid waste with high moisture content. Sludge derived hydrochar is used as an adsorbent for emerging contaminants or micro-pollutants in the domain of sustainability. Current study demonstrates the KOH activation of hydrochar produced from paper board mill sludge and evaluates its removal potential of a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Diclofenac from aqueous solution. The activated hydrochars exhibited porous, spherical micro-structures with higher fraction of oxygenated functional groups paving way for the efficient adsorption of Diclofenac. The effect of initial Diclofenac concentration and contact time was ascertained using adsorption kinetics and isotherms. The adsorption kinetics exhibited second-order reaction for all adsorbents indicating higher coefficient of determination (R2 > 0.9). The Diclofenac adsorption on hydrochars followed Langmuir isotherm model with the post-activated hydrochar recording a highest adsorption capacity of 37.23 mg g−1 in 40 mg L−1 initial Diclofenac concentration at 15 h equilibrium time.

Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stress that affects the yield in most of the crops under cultivation. The area under black gram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) is decreasing in recent years due to soil salinity problem. Thirteen black gram genotypes viz., VBN1, VBN2, VBN3, VBN(Bg) 4, VBN(Bg ) 5, VBN(Bg) 6, VBN 7 and VBN 8, VBG 12-034, VBG 12-062, VBG 12-110, VBG 12-111, VBG 13-003 and VBG 14-016 were screened under three EC level (4.0 EC, 11.0 EC and 16.0 EC) and compared with 0.0 EC (control). The mean germination percentage of all the thirteen genotypes studied illustrated reduced level of germination percentage with increasing salinity level. At the highest salinity level (16.0 EC) the germination percentage was significantly affected compared to 4.0 EC and 11.0 EC. The grand mean of plumule length was more at 4.0 EC and was reduced to half (16.0 EC) as compared to control. The root grew longer at 11.0 EC (4.91 cm) as compared to 4.0 EC (4.83 cm) and 0.0 EC (3.02 cm), where ever showed drastic reduction at 16.0 EC (1.92 cm). The grand mean value of dry matter weight increased concomitantly with salinity. The radical length had positive and significant correlation with dry matter weight at 11.0 EC (0.657) where as positive and non-significant correlation with 4.0 and 16.0 EC suggested that radicle length is the most useful parameter to select salinity tolerant black gram genotypes. Based on grand mean performance of the thirteen genotypes evaluated, the genotype VBG-14-016 followed by Vamban 4, Vamban 8 and VBG-12-062 outperformed than all other genotypes, while VBG-13-003 was highly susceptible followed by VBG-12-034.

Field experiments were conducted at Coimbatore, India with four dates of sowings in each of three seasons to determine the duration of phenological phases, heat unit requirements and evaluation of heat units to predict the developmental phases of Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.). The variations in development of different phenological phases and maturity of Soybean due to season and sowing dates was manifested by varied accumulation of heat units calculated. There was a linear relationship between the number of days to flower initiation and cumulative day length. Growing degree days (GDD) were better predictors for development of phenological phases whereas maturity was controlled by Calender days and was closely followed by GDD. Photothermal units were the next best predictors for soybean developmental phases.

Background: Blackgram is one of the important grain legumes in India. Pulses are the important source of protein for the vegetarian people. To meet out the current demand of pulses, there is a crucial need to increase the blackgram production. Mostly this crop is cultivated in marginal lands where the abiotic stresses like drought and salinity are predominant. The area under salinity in India is 6.73 million hectares and in blackgram no variety was identified as suitable for saline areas.Methods: This experiment was carried out to study the salinity tolerance levels of balckgram genotypes at vegetative and reproductive stages during Rabi season of 2018-20. A total of six blackgram genotypes were used to screen its performance under saline environment at vegetative and reproductive stage. All the genotypes were raised in pot with the size of 20 cm height and 15 cm width with four replications and salinity were stimulated artificially viz., 4.0 EC, 11.0 EC and 16.0 EC ds/m, its growth habits were observed.Conclusion: Salinity impact adversely affects blackgram genotypes under study. The number of days to survival of the plant and plant height were decreased by increasing salinity level and number of irrigation with saline water and it was reduced to ½ at 16 EC ds/m as compared to control. Days to 50% flowering, chlorophyll content and single plant yield were severally affected by increasing salt concentration. Increasing salt concentration was found directly proportionate to increasing number of days taken for flower initiation and at high level of salinity (16.0 EC ds/m) the plants dried before flowering. The plant yield was much affected by slight increase in salt concentration. At 4.0 EC ds/m level the yield was reduced to ¼ as compared to control. The 100 grain weight was not much affected by increasing salt concentration; Chlorophyll content also reduced 2/3 by increasing salt concentration after 15 DAS. The genotypes VBG-14-016 performed better under 4.0 EC ds/m level and survived for more number of days followed by the variety VBN 8.

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