In the present investigation, nanoscale zinc oxide particulates (ZnO-nanoparticulates) were prepared using a modified oxalate decomposition method. Prepared ZnO-nanoparticulates (mean size = 25 nm) were characterized using techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and zeta potential analyzer. Different concentrations (50, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, and 2000 ppm) of ZnO-nanoparticulates were examined to reveal their effects on maize crop on overall growth and translocation of zinc along with bulk ZnSO4 and control. Highest germination percentage (80%) and seedling vigor index (1923.20) were observed at 1500 ppm of ZnO-nanoparticulates. The yield was 42% more compared to control and 15% higher compared to 2000 ppm of ZnSO4. Higher accumulation of zinc (35.96 ppm) in grains was recorded with application of 100 ppm followed by 400 ppm (31.05 ppm) of ZnO-nanoparticulates. These results indicate that ZnO-nanoparticulates have significant effects on growth, yield, and zinc content of maize grains, which is an important feature in terms of human health.

Synthesis of metal nanoparticles using biological systems is an expanding research area in nanotechnology. Moreover, search for new nanoscale antimicrobials is been always attractive as they find numerous avenues for application in medicine. Biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles is cost effective and eco-friendly compared to those of conventional methods of nanoparticles synthesis. Herein, we present the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using the stem bark extract of Boswellia ovalifoliolata, and evaluation of their antimicrobial efficacy. Stable ZnO nanoparticles were formed by treating 90 ml of 1 mM zinc nitrate aqueous solution with 10 ml of 10 % bark extract. The formation of B. ovalifoliolata barkextract-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles (BZnNPs) was confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopic analysis and recorded the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) at 230 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FT-IR) analysis revealed that primary and secondary amine groups in combination with the proteins present in the bark extract are responsible for the reduction and stabilization of the BZnNPs. The morphology and crystalline phase of the nanocrystals were determined by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The hydrodynamic diameter (20.3 nm) and a positive zeta potential (4.8 mV) were measured using the dynamic light scattering technique. The antimicrobial activity of BZnNPs was evaluated (in vitro) against fungi, Gram-negative, and Gram-positive bacteria using disk diffusion method which were isolated from the scales formed in drinking water PVC pipelines.

Nanoscale materials, whose size typically falls below 100 nm, exhibit novel chemical, physical and biological properties which are different from their bulk counterparts. In the present investigation, we demonstrated that nanoscale calcium oxide particles (n-CaO) could transport through phloem tissue of groundnut unlike the corresponding bulk materials. n-CaO particles are prepared using sol-gel method. The size of the as prepared n-CaO measured (69.9 nm) using transmission electron microscopic technique (TEM). Results of the hydroponics experiment using solution culture technique revealed that foliar application of n-CaO at different concentrations (10, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 ppm) on groundnut plants confirmed the entry of calcium into leaves and stems through phloem compared to bulk source of calcium sprayed (CaO and CaNO 3 ). After spraying of n-CaO, calcium content in roots, shoots and leaves significantly increased. Based on visual scoring of calcium deficiency correction and calcium content in plant parts, we may establish the fact that nanoscale calcium oxide particles (size 69.9 nm) could move through phloem tissue in groundnut. This is the first report on phloem transport of nanoscale calcium oxide particles in plants and this result points to the use of nanoscale calcium oxide particles as calcium source to the plants through foliar application, agricultural crops in particular, as bulk calcium application through foliar nutrition is restricted due to its non-mobility in phloem.

No abstract

Key words:Optimum Land allocation, Multiobjective LPP, Uncertain profits, Solver in Excel. I. IntroductionThe quantities of yield produced from agriculture farms and demand for that commodity influence the market prices significantly. Generally farmers follow a traditional method for a cropping pattern or allocation of land to various crops varies depending onthe available resources. Over the decade it has been observed that the net profit per acre is greater in vegetable crops (cash crops) than that of food crops. Thus for each cultivation pattern of vegetable crops, maximization of the profit will be the major objective of any farmer. These problems of allocation of land for different crops, maximization of production of crops, maximization of profit, minimization of production cost are addressed in agricultural management system with the help of Operations Research approach particularly with Linear programming Problem (LPP), Integer Programming problem(IPP), Assignment problem(AP) and Transportation Problem (TP). Initially, these problems of agriculture sector were modeled as single objective linear programming problem by dealing with one objective at a time. But with changing scenario of multifaceted real time problems, several objectives need to be handled simultaneously subject to the same set of constraints. Thus, the situation demands for new methodologies which are capable in handling the complex problem of decision making, as the maximization of crop production can"t guarantee the maximization of profit. In the agriculture sector, profit or loss also depend on fluctuating demand, supply and pricing of a particular crop with minimization of cost of cultivation needed for that crop. Thus the maximization of profit turns out to be a multiobjective decision making problem.The success of aneconomic model depends on the fact that how effectively it can sustain for volatility of market prices. Thus, a good model must accommodate the conditions of uncertainty and complexity, while handling imprecise information. For example, in financial engineering, the stock market prices aretreated as random variable and the efforts are provided for optimal plans with guaranteed return. Similarly, management of agribusiness plans at farmer"s level are very much needed to achieve the guaranteed returns despite the price fluctuations. In general food grains prices are not much volatile in nature and give almost guaranteed return, as in many countries (India) food grains have government support prices, whereas vegetable prices are mostly random variables and its cropping is also highly cost effective. In fact the vegetable cropping needs to manage the several costs viz., capital investment in insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, frequent irrigation, labours and transportation cost. Sometimesunexpected production of same crops from local areas will also influence the market prices due lack of storagefacility. Surprisingly vegetable prices also vary on day to day basis even in the same season. By keeping in view of volatility ...