Studies on minimizing quality and quantity losses in stale cane

The existing cane harvesting and supply management system in sub tropical cane growing belt is a serious impediment in obtaining higher sugar recovery. The time lag between harvesting to milling of cane generally ranges between 3-7 days which entails losses in recoverable sugar (Solomon et al., 2007). The sugarcane varieties although varies for such losses but altogether each and every variety loses its cane weight and sugar after harvesting (Siddhant et al., 2008). Studies have indicated decline in sucrose per cent in cane to the extent of 2.0 units within period of 72 hours of harvest, depending upon the sugarcane genotype and milling season (Solomon, 2000). Previously, Srivastava and co-workers (2006) have attempted to assess the quality and quantity losses in different genotypes under varied staling duration. The present communication highlights the strategies to minimizing the quality and quantity losses in three elite sugarcane varieties under sub-tropical condition.  
The experiment was conducted at Sugarcane Research Farm (U.P. Council of Sugarcane research) shahjahanpur in spring planting season in the year 2007-2008. Three elite sugarcane vareities, viz., CoSe 92423, CoS 8432 (Mid late maturing) and CoS8436 (Early maturing) were taken for the study. Two buds setts of each varieties were planted in Randomize Block Design (RBD) in three replicates. Nitrogen was given in the form of urea @ 150kg N/ha, half basal and rest half in two equal splits before onset of mansoon. The agronomical and irrigational practices were followed as per local recommendations. Sample were harvested in the month of march and April for experimental purposes. The physical and chemical methods were employed to minimize the cane weight and sugar losses from 0-120 hours after harvesting the canes. Physical methods include, cane under shade, water spray, cane with trash cover, cane with trash cover + water spray while chemical methods include solution of Mercuric Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Bifluoride, Zinc Sulphate and Sodium Azide (1% conc.).The chemicals were sprayed over freshly harvested canes and was kept for 0-120 hours for further studies. The physical method was also employed after harvesting of cane varieties. In each treatment of physical method, the cane weight loss and pol per cent cane were observed while in the treatment of chemical method only pol per cent cane was taken at from 0-120 hours at 24 hours intervals. The sugar analysis was done by following Meade and Chen (1977) method. The data were recorded in three replicates and were statistically analyzed. 
The physical method showed their effectiveness in minimizing sugar and cane weight losses in stale sugarcane being more in covering the harvested cane with the trash + water spray. In chemical method, Sodium Azide was found relatively more effective in minimizing sugar losses as compared to other chemicals. On the basis of results obtained it may be suggested to the farmers and sugar factories that if, there is a big time lag between kill to mill, the harvested cane should be sprayed with aqueous solution of Sodium azide and covered with trash to minimize quality and quantity losses. (See Original)  

References:
1) Meade GP and Chen JGP (1977): Cane Sugar Handbook. Edn 10. A Wiley Inter science Publication, john Wiley and Sons, New York.
2) Siddhant, Srivastava RP, Singh SB, Sharma ML (2008): assessment of sugar losses during staling in different varieties of sugarcane under subtropical condition. Sugar tech 10(4):350-354.
3) Solomon s (2000): Post harvest cane deterioration and its milling consequences. Sugar Tech 2(1&2): 1-18.
4) Solomon S, Srivastava AK, Yadav RL (2007): Strategies to minimizing post harvest sucrose losses in sugarcane. An overview Proc Annual Conv STAI 68:112-121.
5)Srivastava RP, Singh SP, lal K, Singh SB (2006): Cane staling losses- An emerging challenge to Indian sugar industry. All India seminar on efficient practices in sugarcane at U.P. Council of Sugarcane Research Shahjhanpur (U.P.). March 25, 2006. pp. 91-97. 

Cite this as: Srivastava, R.P., Siddhant and Sharma, M.L. (2009): Studies on minimizing quantity and quality losses in staled cane. Sugar Tech 11(2): 176-180. (PDF file)

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मेरी कलम 00:41  No comment

Assessment of sugar loses during staling in different varieties of sugarcane under subtropical condition

The harvesting of sugarcane, in Indian subtropics generally starts from the month of November and continues till April or in certain cases extends upto May and June as per recommendations of the government and availability of raw materials. After harvesting of cane, the stored sugar is extracted in sugar mills. In between the harvesting and milling, the time lag is generally one to three days during which the extraction of maximum sugar is feasible. The ambient temperature affects adversely on stored sugar after harvesting. Therefore, the raw materials should be crushed as early as possible to avoid the sugar loses due to staling. Staling losses  are virtually most detrimental to sugar industry. These losses affect the cane tonnage which have to bear to the cane growers. In these lines several work has already been done in India and abroad (Batta and Singh, 1991; Boneta-Garcia and Lugo-Lopez, 1962; Egan, 1968, Sharma and Sunita, 1993; Solomon et al., 1997; Uppal and Sharma, 1999; Uppal et al., 2000). In this context, it has been observed by previous workers that beside being the ambient temperature, the varieties play vital role in a varied behavior. This study was undertaken to asses the sugar losses during staling at Shahjahanpur condition in elite varieties for selection of less prone in sugar losses and cane weight reduction.
The experiment was planned at Sugarcane Research Institute farm (U.P. council of Sugarcane Research) Shahjahanpur with ten elite sugarcane varieties namely CoS 95255, CoS 96268, CoS 97261, CoS 96275, CoS 97264, CoS 8432, CoS 8436, CoSe 98231, CoS 767 and CoSe 92423 in spring planting season of the year 2006-07. Two budded setts of each variety were planted in Randomized Block Design (RBD) replicated thrice. The recommended practices like fertilizers, irrigation and cultural operations were carried out as per schedule. Samples were collected in the month of February to June for staling purposes. Each variety was kept from 0-120 h in open field condition for staling after harvest. The cane weight and sugar analysis was carried out at 24 h interval. The data collected during study was statistically analysed. The sugr analysis was done by following the method of Meade and Chen (1977).
The results revealed that the fibrous varieties of late maturing group such as CoSe 92423, CoS 97261 and CoS 8432 showed less reduction in cane weight and higher reduction in pol% whereas the less fibrous type of early maturing group like CoS 95255, CoS 96268 and CoS 8436 showed less reduction in pol % and higher loss in cane weight. (See link)

Reference:

1) Batta SK, Singh R (1991): Post harvest deterioration in quality of sugarcane. Bhartiya Sugar. 16(4): 49-50.

2) Boneta-Garcia, E Lugo-Lopez, MA (1962): Losses of sucrose in cut cane kept under shade or sun for different periods. J. Agric. Univ. P.R., 46(3): 189-194.

3) Egan BT (1968): Post -harvest deterioration losses in sugarcane in Queensland. Proc. Int. Soc. Sugarcane Technol., 13:32.

4) Meade GP, Chen JGP (1977): Cane Sugar Handbook. Edn 10. A Wile Inter Science Publication, John Wiley and Sons, New York.

5) Sharma KP, Sunita, S (1993): Post harvest losses in sugarcane on staling. National Symposium on improvement in sugarcane quality for increasing sugar production. September 21-23, 1993, IISR-Lucknow.

6): Solomon S, Shrivastava AK, Srivastava BL, Madan VK (1997): Pre-milling sugar losses and their management in sugarcane. Technical Bulletin No. 37. Indian institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, pp.1-217.

7) Uppal SK, Sharma S (1999): Relative performance of sugarcane genotype to post harvest inversion in subtropical region. Indian Sugar, 49(5): 345-348.

8) Uppal SK, Sharma S, Sindhu GS, (2000): Response of sugarcane genotypes to post-harvest deterioration under natural field conditions exposed to sun vs. shade. Crop Research. 19(1): 13-16.

Cite this as: Siddhant, Srivastava, R.P. Singh, S.B. and Sharma, M.L. (2008): Assessment of sugar loses during staling in different varieties of sugarcane under subtropical condition. Sugar Tech 10(4):350-354. (PDF file)

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मेरी कलम 00:29  No comment

Cultivation of Pleurotus flabellatus (Berk. Et Br.) Sacc. using different waste substrate

The lignocellulosic biomass constitutes a major portion of the total carbon fixed by photosynthesis. It consist of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin that are closely associated with each other constituting cellular complex of the vegetal biomass. However, only a small fraction of this biomass is utilized; most of it is considered waste material. The abundant availability of wastes pose a problem of disposal. Bio-conversion of these renewable wastes would solve pollution problems, and also these organic wastes may become available for soil enrichment. Biodegradation of various agro and agro-industrial wastes could be accomplished through several microorganisms to degrade the lignocellulosic complex. Among these microbes, oyster mushrooms are known to produce extracellular enzymes, such as manganese peroxidase, laccase, lignin peroxidase, and aryl alcohol oxidase, which are capable of degrading this biomass. Hence, biological pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass with this mushrooms become economically and environmentally attractive. 

                                    Cultivation methodology
 Various lignocellulosic wastes like sugarcane trash (ST), corn cob (CC), mango sawdust (MSD), paddy straw (PS), waste paper (WP) and wheat straw (WS) were used alone and in combination with wheat straw substrate (1:1) for the cultivation of Pleurotus flabellatus. Among these, traditionally used wheat straw was considered as control. First of all, big sized substrates were chopped into small pieces of about 1 cm length. Thereafter,  these were filled separately and in combination in 42×30 cm sized polypropylene bags. These were then washed throughly in fresh water, and pasteurized in a solution of formaldehyde (500 ppm ) and Bavistin (75 ppm ) for 18 h. Under aseptic conditions, these were inoculated with mushroom spawn (@ 5% w/w on dry weight basis) and incubated at 25-30°C for mycelial growth. Once mycelium has completely colonized the substrate, several cuts (1.0-1.5 cm diameter) are made on the mushroom bags. The humidity of room is maintained 80-95% with the help of humidifier. Completely randomized design (CRD) were employed for this study. Yield data were statistically analysed. The critical difference was worked out at five percent probability level.

                      Effect of substrates on mushroom yield
Mushroom has utilized all substrates and their combinations for their mycelial growth and fruit body development although their magnitude varies among themselves. All the substrate combinations showed quick substrate colonization and early fruit body maturation than individual substrates (Table 1&2). The mycelial growth of mushroom on diverse range of waste indicates that the substrate materials meet all the nutritional requirements desired for fungal growth. It is well established that mushroom growth directly depends upon the amount of nutrients present in the substrate and their availability to fungus.

Table.1 Effect of substrates on mushroom production

Table.2 Effect of substrate combination on mushroom production
*Average of three replications

  Likewise, time taken by mycelia to start pinning also depends on the substrate used. Material with high quality of lignin and cellulose contents take a longer time to initiate the pinning compared to the substrate with low content of lignin and cellulose. Due to presence of very low amount of lignin in straw substrate (about 16 %), they took shorter period for primordial development than high lignin containing substrate.  
 The mushrooms which grow on waste material are also capable of degrading various substrate components but all of them are not similar in their enzymatic activities and therefore, they show preference for specific substrate. Due to this, yield and biological efficiency varies among the substrates and their combinations. Every substrate mixed with wheat straw showed better response than individual form (Table 1&2). It illustrates that better yield can be achieved from low yielding substrates by using substrate combination strategy. In our investigation, paddy straw was proved high yielding substrate in both the form. It was due to high cellulose content in straw substrate that would result in enhancing cellulase enzyme production. This enzyme is positively correlated with yield of mushroom.

Fruiting of Pleurotus flabellatus on various wastes -Sugarcane trash (ST), Corn cob (CC), paddy straw (PS), Waste paper (WP), CC+WS, MSD+WS, PS+WS, WP+WS and Wheat straw(WS)

Cite this as: Siddhant, Ruchira Singh and R.S. Kanaujia (2009): Cultivation of Pleurotus flabellatus (Berk. Et Br.) Sacc. using different waste substrate. Journal of the Indian Botanical Society. 88(1&2): 137-139.

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मेरी कलम 00:27  No comment

तुम्हारे लिए

अभी कल ही की बात है
जब मैंने बोये थे
कुछ आखिरी शब्द
कागजों पर
सिलसिलेवार क्रम में,
और अब मेरे पास
तुम्हें देने को
कवितायेँ नहीं।
वैसे भी,
तुम पर कुछ लिखना
कितना कठिन है न,
जब कि तुम
इतने भी सुन्दर नहीं
कि बन न सके
तुम पर एक कविता।
और अब
सोचता हूँ कि
तुम पर
कुछ न कुछ
गढ़ने को
चुनने हैं अभी
कितने और शब्द,
इसी उहापोह  में
कविता जैसी ही ये कविता
केवल तुम्हारे लिए।।

                                  - सिद्धान्त
                                  नवम्बर 10,2012

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मेरी कलम 22:42  1 comment

SPAWN MANIPULATION FOR PLEUROTUS EOUS

The spawn is nothing but the seeds of mushroom. Its making has been primary concern in mushroom industry which is achieved by developing mushroom mycelia on supporting medium under controlled environmental conditions. In almost all cases the supporting matrix is sterilized grain which is preferred due to its bio-chemical properties and practical performance over others. Traditionally, wheat grains are used as spawn substrate. Unfortunately, the ever increasing demand of this grains for human consumption leaves little scope for its use in spawn making. A number of less popular grains can be used to prepare mushroom spawn. Keeping this in mind, we have screened various cereals viz., Barley (Hordeum vulgare), Maize (Zea mays), Oat (Avena sativa) and millets, viz., Italian millet (Setaria italica), Pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides), Little millet (Panicum miliare) and Sorghum (Sorghum vulgaris) against traditionally used wheat grain  (Triticum aestivum) for making efficient planting spawn of pink oyster mushroom Pleurotus eous.

                                     Methodology

This work was carried out in Mushroom Research laboratory, K.S.S. P.G. College, Ayodhya, Faizabad (U.P.), India. The mother spawn was purchased from the Mushroom section of Plant Pathology Department, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (U.P.) India. The planting spawn was developed by the method given below. 

Grains for making spawn

One kilogram of cereals and millets is washed separately and water soaked overnight. On the following day, these were washed again and in water for at least 10-15 minutes until they expanded and not broken. The water was then drained out and boiled grains were allowed to cool. Two per cent gypsum and four per cent calcium carbonate was added to grains thoroughly. The mixture obtained was loosely packed in spawn containers and autoclaved at 15 lbs (121°C) for 1-1½ hour. After autoclaving, the containers were removed from autoclave. Next day these were inoculated with the 10-15gm of mother spawn of fungus within aseptic conditions and incubated at 24-25 °C until mushroom mycelium covered the grain substrate.   

Spawn developed on different grain substrate

 Once spawn was prepared, the pastuerized wheat straw was seeded with it @ 5% w/w on dry wt basis in  multilayered  manner (3). The bags was then incubated in cultivation room at 22-30°C for mycelial growth. Once the mycelia has completely colonized the wheat straw substrate, the polythene covering is turned off and relative humidity is maintained 85-95 per cent with the help of humidifier. The mushrooms are harvested by gently twisting and pulling them from the bags. Completely randomized design (CRD) was employed for this experiment. Yield data was statistically analysed. The critical difference (CD) was worked out at five per cent probability level.
                                         Results
For making of planting spawn, the basal medium (grain) is inoculated with mother spawn of mushroom.  The grains act as a reservoir of carbohydrates which offer sufficient nutrition for mycelial growth and provide vehicle for the eventual even distribution of mushroom inoculant. The major disadvantage of small grains like Italian and little millet is presence of less food material in their endosperm and greater surface area in a given amount as compared to larger grains. Thus, mushroom mycelium  took more time to establish and run over the surface of grains resulting delayed spawn development. (Table) 

Table.  Efficiency of different grain spawn on yield performance of Pleurotus eous

 After seeding the  growing mediums, grain spawn allows a quick spreading of mycelium from a small propagation center because small grains like Italian and little millets provide more point of inoculum per gram of spawn, they covers the substrate sooner and gives early fruiting than larger grains i.e. maize. Medium sized grain also seems better in aforesaid terms. 
The yield variation shows that fruiting of mushroom is greatly influenced by spawn substrate. In our investigation, oat, barley and sorghum grains were found more productive than others. Statistically, they were at par to each other. (See original)

Cite this as: Siddhant, Swapnil Yadav and C.S. Singh (2013). Spawn and Spawning Strategies for the Cultivation of Pleurotus eous (Berkeley) Saccardo. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and chemical sciences. 2(3):1494-1500 

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मेरी कलम 02:29  No comment

आओ करें समय में सैर

समय  में यात्रा करना हमेशा से ही मानव की अभिलाषा रही है। पर क्या आप जानते है कि तारों और ग्रहों को देखने हेतु काम आने वाला दूरदर्शी एक ऐसा प्रकाशिक  यन्त्र है जो हमारी इस अभिलाषा को पूरी कर सकता है। दूरदर्शी उन  खगोलीय पिंडों को देखने के काम आता है जिन्हें नंगी आँखों से देखना संभव नहीं होता। मानो , इसके द्वारा जब हम कोई 100 करोड़ प्रकाश वर्ष दूर की आकाशगंगा को देखते हैं तो वास्तव में हम उस आकाशगंगा को उसके 100 करोड़ वर्ष पूर्व के रूप में देखते हैं जब उस आकाशगंगा से वह प्रकाश निकला था। उस समय हम मानवों का इस पृथ्वी पर अस्तित्व भी न था। दूरस्थ आकाशगंगाओं के अध्ययन  द्वारा, हम उनके उस रूप को देख सकते है जब ब्रम्हाण्ड युवा था और आकाशगंगाओं का निर्माण हो रहा था। इस प्रकार  दूरदर्शी  हमें समय में पीछे की यात्रा कराता  है।  

चित्र 1. स्वनिर्मित दूरदर्शी 

प्रकाशिक  दूरदर्शी  मुख्यता दो प्रकार के होते हैं - 1) अपवर्तक   तथा 2) परावर्तक  दूरदर्शी 

मेरे द्वारा बनाया गया दूरदर्शी एक अपवर्तक दूरदर्शी है (चित्र.1.)। जिसे आसानी से घर में बनाया और समायोजित किया जा सकता है। इस   दूरदर्शी   के दो प्रमुख अंग होते है  -

1) ऑब्जेक्टिव लेंस 

2) आई पीस 

ये दोनों  धातु या प्लास्टिक के बने खोखले पाइप के दो विभिन्न  सिरों पर व्यवस्थित  होते हैं। इस समायोजन को चित्र 2 के द्वारा समझा जा सकता है। किसी दूरदर्शी  की मूलभूत रचना जैसे उसकी लम्बाई,व्यास इत्यादि इन्हीं पर निर्भर करते हैं। एक शक्तिशाली अपवर्तक  दूरदर्शी  बनाने के लिए  निम्न बातें ध्यान में रखनी जरूरी हैं-

1) ऑब्जेक्टिव लेंस का चयन करते  समय इस बात का ध्यान रखना चाहिए की वह बड़ी फोकल क्षमता का हो  ताकि वह किसी वस्तु का बड़े से बड़ा प्रतिबिम्ब बना सके। हंलाकि, बाजार में बड़ी फोकल  क्षमता  वाले ऑब्जेक्टिव लेंस की खोज करना एक दुष्कर कार्य जरूर है। ऐसे में धनात्मक क्षमता वाले चश्मे के लेंस  (+0.50 अथवा +0.25)  एक अच्छे विकल्प हो सकते हैं। 

2) बड़ी फोकल क्षमता के साथ ही ऑब्जेक्टिव लेंस का  व्यास भी अधिक होना  चाहिए ताकि उससे होकर अधिक से अधिक प्रकाश गुजरे और चमकीला प्रतिबिम्ब प्राप्त हो सके।

चित्र 2. दूरदर्शी का समायोजन 

3) आई पीस की  फोकल क्षमता एवं  व्यास दोनों ही कम होने चाहिए। आई पीस का कार्य  ऑब्जेक्टिव लेंस के द्वारा बने  प्रतिबिम्ब को आवर्धित करके प्रकाश आँखों तक पहुचना है । इसके लिए  5X , 10X  तथा 15X  पावर  की आई पीस  उपयोग में लायी जा सकती हैं जो बाजार में आसानी से उपलब्ध है।

तो देर किस बात की। आइये जल्दी से जल्दी अपना दूरदर्शी तैयार करके भूतकाल में सैर करें।

                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                          - सिद्धान्त 

                                                                                                                   अक्टूबर 28, 2012 

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मेरी कलम 04:17  No comment

SPAWNING STRATEGY FOR THE CULTIVATION OF PLEUROTUS EOUS (BERKELEY) SACCARDO

Mushroom is unique horticultural crop. In contrast to cultivation of higher plants, which started in pre-historical times, the culture of fungi is relatively recent innovation. Historically, mushroom were gathered from the wild for consumption and for medicinal use. The first commercial cultivation of edible mushrooms was developed in France in the 18th century since then it has traveled far a head. The pink coloured oyster mushroom, Pleurotus eous is one of the edible mushrooms that can be cultivated on a wide range of agro-waste using different methods of spawning. It is relatively less documented species, therefore, there is a vast scope of study on its cultivation.   

Cultivation methodology

 Cultivation of Pleurotus eous is easy with relatively less complicated procedures than other mushroom species. Wheat straw is used as a growing medium for this purpose. It is washed in fresh water and then pasteurized in the solution of Formaldehyde (500ppm) and Bavistin (75ppm) for 18 hours. Under aseptic conditions, it is  inoculated with planting spawn of P. eous (@ 5% w/w on dry wt basis)following the methods given below. 

a)Top spawning: In this method, spawn is planted just above the surface of substrate. It is then covered with a thin layer of substrate.

b)Thorough spawning: It is achieved by thoroughly mixing of spawn with the substrate while filling the bags.

c)Layer spawning: The spawn is planted in the substrate in multilayered (3) manner. 

Spawned substrates can be filled in perforated polythene bags and incubated in cultivation room at 22-30°C temperature for mycelial growth. Once the mycelia has completely colonized the wheat straw substrate, the polythene covering is turned off and relative humidity is maintained 85-95 per cent with the help of humidifier. Approximately 2 to 4 days after opening the bags, mushroom primordia will begin to appear. To harvest the mushrooms, they should be grasped by the stalk and gently twisted and pulled. After harvesting lower portion of the stalk with adhering debris should be cutoff using a knife.

Effect of spawning technique

  The methods of spawning have prime importance in mushroom cultivation. The proper and homogeneous mixing of spawn enhances growth of mushroom mycelium through the substrate and resulted early fructification. Thorough spawning fulfills these criteria and hence prove better over other spawning techniques (Table). 

Effect of various spawning methods on yield performance of Pleurotus eous

  The yield of mushroom is greatly influenced on cultural conditions e.g. quality and quantity of spawn, amount and nature of substrate used, cultivation method (Bag culture), environmental conditions and number of harvest(3). 

(A) Thorough spawning

(B) Layer spawning

(C) Top spawning

                       Effect of spawning techniques on cropping of P. eous
                         

If the similar cultural conditions are provided, spawning techniques does't show significant difference in mushroom yield (Table). However, the overall scenario can be changed if harvesting period takes priority over number of harvest (Figures.1&2).(See Original)

      Figure1. Yield of P. eous in different flushes

                                                             Figure2. Yield of P. eous on 22th day of harvest     

Cite this as: Siddhant, Swapnil Yadav and C.S. Singh (2013). Spawn and Spawning Strategies for the Cultivation of Pleurotus eous (Berkeley) Saccardo. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and chemical sciences. 2(3):1494-1500 

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मेरी कलम 04:06  1 comment

जिराफ

सुदूर
वर्षा वन में
खिलते हैं
चटकीले रंगों वाले
मशरूम,
और बहती है
एक लच्छेदार नदी,
वहीँ
चौड़े पत्तों वाले
पेड़ों तले
पलती है,
ऊँचें जिराफों की
नयी प्रजाति।
डार्विन  के
जिराफों से उलट
पेचीदे विकास पथ  वाले
वो..............
नहीं मानते
योग्यतम की  उत्तरजीविता
भत्तों  पर पोषित
ये जिराफ
अब और ऊँचे
हो चले हैं ।।
                                           
                                     - सिद्धांत
                                   23 सितंबर , 2012

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मेरी कलम 09:03  2 comments

तुम्हारी यादें

राइनोसोरस  की तरह ही ,

अब तुम्हारी यादें भी

संरक्षित हैं.............

ताख पर रखे 

एक पुराने से 

संदूक मे।

कमरे का वह कोना 

आज भी
तुम्हारे ही नाम से  

आरक्षित है  ।  

उन्हीं यादों की 

लाल आंकड़े वाली 

किताब में 

दर्ज है अब भी 

मेरे कई सपने 

गीत और कुछ

अधूरी कविताये,

और वही 

सहेज रखी हैं मैंने 

तुम्हारी कांच की चूड़ियाँ 

मेहदी, टिकली, पायल,

और आँखों का काजल.....................

कई दिन हो गये 

गया नहीं वहां।

                                        - सिद्धांत 
                                          जून 20, 2012  

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मेरी कलम 00:20  No comment

ट्रांजिट ऑफ़ वीनस

           

जब शुक्र ग्रह पृथ्वी और सूर्य के बीच से गुजरता है, तब वह सूर्य की डिस्क पर एक काले बिंदु के रूप मेंदिखाई देता है इसे ही ट्रांजिट ऑफ़ वीनस कहते है। दूरबीन का आविष्कार के बाद अब तक  इस तरह की केवल आठ घटनाये (1631, 1639, 1761, 1769, 1874, 1882, 2004 तथा 2012) ही हुई है जो इसे दुर्लभ बनाती  है। इस खगोलीय घटना का दूसरा महत्वपूर्ण पक्ष  यह भी है कि इसी आधार पर पहली बार प्रमाणिक तौर पर पृथ्वी से शुक्र सहित सूर्य से पृथ्वी तथा अन्य ग्रहों कि दूरियों का शुद्धता से आकलन किया गया और सौर-मंडल के विस्तार को समझा जा सका। 06 जून, 2012 के बाद यह खगोलीय घटना अब 105 वर्षो के बाद 11 दिसम्बर, 2117 में ही देखने को मिलेगी।

मेरे टेलिस्कोप द्वारा ली गई वीनस ट्रांजिट का पहली तस्वीर 

           इस अनूठी खगोलीय  घटना को देखने के लिए मैंने सबसे पहले पर्याप्त क्षमता का एक टेलिस्कोप तैयार किया। इस टेलिस्कोप  की सहायता से  कई खगोलीय पिंड जैसे बुद्ध, शुक्र की कलाएं, मंगल, ब्रहस्पति ग्रह समेत उसके उपग्रह, शनि के वलय, चन्द्रमा के क्रेटर एवं पहाड़ समेत कई अन्य तारे देखे जा सकते थे।  वीनस ट्रांसिट को देखने के लिए अब मेरे पास दो रास्ते थे। पहला ये कि मैं टेलिस्कोप द्वारा सूर्य का एक प्रतिबिम्ब किसी पर्दे पर प्रक्षेपित करूँ या फिर किसी कैमरे (नोकिया-7230 मोबाइल कैमरा) को टेलिस्कोप की आई -पीस से जोड़कर ट्रांसिट के प्रतिबिम्ब हासिल  करूँ । अंततः मैंने  दोनों ही उपायों को अपनाने का निश्चय किया।                       

अयोध्या में वीनस ट्रांजिट का अदभुत नज़ारा

06 जून की सुबह 4 बजकर 45 मिनट से ही मैंने अपने सभी उपकरणों को भली प्रकार समायोजित करना शुरू किया। तकरीबन 5:00 बजते-बजते  मेरे कुछ मित्र (अलकेश, दिलीप तथा कामेश) भी मेरे साथ जुड़ गये। हालांकि अयोध्या में सूर्य उदय तो 05:26 पर ही हो गया था परन्तु नीम के पेड़ों की वजह से हम सभी ट्रांजिट के  प्रारंभिक क्षणों को नहीं देख पाये। लेकिन कोई 02 मिनट के बाद 5 बजकर 28 मिनट पर हमने पेड़ों के पीछे से झांकते सूर्य की ट्रांजिट के साथ पहली तस्वीरे हासिल कीं। परन्तु लम्बे समय तक हम ऐसा नहीं कर सके। जैसे -जैसे दिन चढ़ता गया सूर्य की चमक में वृद्धि होती गई। चूंकि हमारे पास इस चमक कों कम करने के लिए कोई भी फिल्टर मौजूद नहीं था नतीजतन 5 बजकर 40 मिनट के बाद हमारे द्वारा खींची गई किसी भी तस्वीर में  हम शुक्र ग्रह की छवि नहीं  देख पाए। ऐसे में परदे पर सूर्य के प्रतिबिम्ब को प्रक्षेपित करने की हमारी युक्ति काम आई जिसके फलस्वरूप हमने ना सिर्फ वीनस ट्रांजिट को अंत तक देखा बल्कि उसकी तस्वीरें उतारने में कामयाब भी रहे। यह हम सब के  लिए एक कभी न भूलने वाला अनुभव था।

                                                                                                                         

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मेरी कलम 11:42  No comment

Mushroom ornaments: A photo gallery

The present gallery  illustrates me and my father's creation on mushroom ornaments. Here, we have used  tough and leathery mushrooms of class Basidiomycetes for decorating purposes . Let all of you  should enjoy this section.

Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) as a Banyan tree
Photo © Dr. Siddhant Oys

Mushrooms in  shell-centerpiece
Photo © Dr. Siddhant Oys

Mushroom as a flowering plant
Photo © Dr. Siddhant Oys

Polypore fungus wall hanging showpiece 
Photo © Dr. Siddhant Oys

                                                                               

Polypore fungus as a throne
 Photo © Dr. Siddhant Oys

                                                                                                        ....more updates will come soon            

                                                                                   

                                                                                                          -Siddhant and R.S. Kanaujia                                                         

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मेरी कलम 06:44  No comment

Waste paper: An alternative substrate for growing oyster mushrooms

Most of the edible fungi are saprophyte in nature. They utilize lignocellulosic complex as an energy source and for making their carbon skeleton. The oyster mushroom has strong enzyme profile that breakdown these complex organic macromolecule to simple form and help them to grow on a wide range of agricultural waste like cereal and millet waste, pulses and oil crop waste, vegetable and fruit waste, cotton and palm waste, sugar crop waste and wood and wood by-products etc. 

              These agro-wastes are scarce in the big cities, the people are unable to grow their own mushroom. Waste paper, on other hand, is an accessible cellulosic waste that provides carbon source to mushroom and  promotes their cultivation in such circumstances. 

Fruit bodies of Pleurotus flabellatus on waste-paper. 
Photo © Dr. Siddhant Oys

                  For this purpose, waste register paper is  dip over night in the solution of Formaldehyde (500ppm) and Bavistin (75ppm). Next morning, it is squeezed to drain off excess water and layer spawning is done under hygienic conditions using polythene bags. After inoculation, bags is incubated at 25^oC-30^oC. When mushroom mycelium fully colonized the substrate, several cuts (1.0-2.0cm diameter) are made on mushroom bags instead of complete removal of polythene film. The humidity of substrate is maintained at 85-95 per cent with the help of sprayer. The  mushroom appears about 33 days after spawning. However, waste paper doesn't show good response as compared to conventional substrate. It produces 70-75% of fresh mushrooms on dry weight basis of substrate. (See Table)

Source- Siddhant, Ruchira Singh and R.S. Kanaujia (2009): Cultivation of Pleurotus flabellatus (Berk. Et Br.) Sacc. using different waste substrate. Journal of the Indian Botanical Society. 88(1&2): 137-139. 

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मेरी कलम 19:10  2 comments

Bottle culture: A novel tool of mushroom cultivation in flatlets

Malnutrition in terms of deficiency of protein and micronutrients is not only a problem for the small towns. Many children in metro-cities are also under-nourished despite of taking fullest capacity of meal. In severe cases, it resulted higher incidence of disease, delayed mental development and even growth retardation. The nutritive value makes oyster mushrooms an ideal and balanced food for aforesaid children which can fulfill their minimum nutritional requirements. The mushrooms are  not only good source of dietary fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals but also have some  medicinal values. In addition, they have unique colour, taste, aroma and texture characteristics. 

The most common practice  of producing oyster mushrooms is the bag culture method, in which mushroom cultivation is carried out in the polythene bags. Unfortunately, nuisance caused by this technique leaves a little scope of mushroom production for flat let-dwellers. The bottle culture , on other hand, is the most suitable technique for flatlet-dwellers, where polypropylene bottle is used  instead of polythene bags. 
The procedure for bottle culture technique can be divided into following heads -
(a) Bottle selection - Empty cold drink  bottles (pepsi) of 2 litre capacity can be used for the mushroom production. To give uniform shape and place for primordial development, bottles are cut 13 cm below  the mouth while 5-6 pin holes are made in the bottom for exhaust of gases. 
(b) Substrate and its preparation - Any kind of  agro-waste available, is suitable for the mushroom cultivation. The paddy and wheat straw  is the most common substrate which is widely used  in different mushroom farm. In case agro-waste is not available, the waste paper can be utilized for this purpose. One should be remember that these substrates are attacked by various contaminants of fungal, bacterial and pest nature, resulted decrease in mushroom yield. To eliminate them, substrates is  boiled in the water for one hour at 100 ^oC. 
(c) Spawning - After cooling, soaked agro-waste is spread over clean and inclined cemented floor to drain off excess water and spawn is mixed @ 5% w/w on dry weight basis to this substrate. Now the bottle is filled with spawned agro-wastes and the mouth of bottle is then closed with a small piece of polythene ties with rubber band to protect substrate surfaces from airborne contaminants and pests. The film also prevents moisture losses from the substrate surface (Fig.1). 

Figure.1. Bottle culture. 
               Photo © Dr. Siddhant Oys

Figure.2 Fruiting bodies appeared on substrate. 
              Photo © Dr. Siddhant Oys

(d) Incubation and fruiting- The bottle is then incubated at natural condition (20-30^oC) for spawn run which is completed in about 8-10 days, depending upon the nature of substrate.  At this stage, substrate appears white, due to growth of cottony mycelium. After completion of spawn run, polythene covering was turned off and substrate was scratched mechanically to stimulate mycelium so that  fruiting are started uniformly on surface. The humidity of substrate is maintained at 85-95 per cent with the help of sprayer. 

Figure.3. Pleurotus eous and P. florida. 
                   Photo © Dr. Siddhant Oys

(e)Harvesting and  Yield- The first mushroom appear about 14-16 days after spawning (Fig.2&3). The fruit bodies should be harvested before spores released, by twisting of mushroom fruit body from the substrate. The yield of oyster mushroom depends upon several factors like  quality of spawn, nature of substrate, temperature, ventilation, moisture etc. Generally, It ranges from 100-150 % to the dry weight of substrate, used. 
The flat let-dwellers who has insufficient space for their accommodation and are facing the problem of malnutrition get the benefit of bottle culture technique for the production of protein rich food.    

Source- C.S. Singh, Siddhant, Ruchira Singh and R.S. Kanaujia (2006): Bottle culture: A suitable method for oyster mushroom cultivation. Environmental Biology and Conservation . 11:25-26

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मेरी कलम 04:27  No comment