Ethnomedicinal plants used in the treatment of skin diseases in Hyderabad Karnataka region,Karnataka,India

Objective:To document traditional medicinal plants knowledge used in treating skin diseases at Hyderabad Karnataka Region.Methods:The information on the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of skin diseases was gathered from traditional herbal healers and other villagers through interviews.Results:A total of 60 plants species belonging to 57 genera and 34 families were found useful and herewith described them along with the method of drug preparation,mode of administration,probable dosage and duration of treatment.Several new findings on the traditional rural practices were reported.Conclusions:The present study revealed that the Hyderabad Kamataka rural people is primarily dependent on medicinal plants for treating skin diseases.

Malaria Outbreaks in Villages in North Karnataka, India, and Role of Sibling Species of <i>Anopheles culicifacies</i>Complex

Investigations on malaria outbreaks and role of sibling species complex of principal rural malaria vector Anopheles culicifacies were carried out in villages in north Karnataka, India from 1997 through 2014. Information regarding densities, resting and breeding habitats of malaria vectors prevalent in the area was also generated so as to formulate an appropriate vector control strategy. The Slide Positivity Rate (SPR), Slide Falciparum Rate (SFR) and Pf proportion was 43.1%, 35.9% and 83.3%, respectively. Three sibling species A, B, and C of An. culicifacies were found sympatric with cumulative percent composition of 63.7, 28.2 and 8.1, respectively. Per man hour and per structure densities of An. culicifacies, An. culicifacies and An. culicifacies varied from 0 to 27.5 and 0 to 56.0, 0 to 0.5 and 0 to 7.0 and, 0 to 2.5 and 0 to 7.5, respectively. The proportion of semi-gravid and gravid females was more as compared to fully fed and unfed females which indicated that most of the females rested indoor. Streams/river, wells, seepages and irrigation tanks are the major habitats supporting breeding of An. culicifacies. Integrated vector managements by indoor residual spraying of effective insecticide as per national guidelines along with biological control methods especially use of larvivorous fish Gambusia affinis and Poecilia reticulate are suggested to control malaria in the area.

Lamprophyres from Southern Karnataka, Dharwar Craton, India: Insight on the Rodinia Break-up and Addition of Juvenile Crust

The late Archean Dharwar Craton is an important part of the Archean and Proterozoic terrains in Peninsular India.Dharwar Craton consists of Western and Eastern Blocks,separated by the Chitradurga Shear Zone.Eastern

Solar PV Energy Generation Map of Karnataka, India

A massive plan has been drawn by the Karnataka state of India to initiate several solar power plants at different locations. In view of this, it is of great help to have reliable estimation on solar PV energy generation. Four solar PV power plants in Karnataka state are fully operational installed by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL). They are located at Kolar, Belgaum and Raichur with 3 MW capacity each and at Mandya with 5 MW capacity. In the present study, using ground mounted weather station data solar power generation has been estimated and compared with actual generation for two consecutive years of 2012 and 2013 for one location initially, namely 3 MW Kolar Solar PV Plant. The procedure is repeated for rest of the plants. The simulated results have been corrected with ground mounted weather data. After such corrections, the simulated results have been compared with the actual energy generation of the four plants. Results showed a close match with a small deviation of about 5%. The model then applied throughout the state for every 0.25 degree station intervals in a grid manner. The annual energy generation obtained for the state varies from 1.53 to 1.73 MUs/MW. Central and south eastern part of the state are found to yield significantly higher solar power generation as compared to the northern part and south western part of Karnataka. Interestingly, north western part of Kodagu district has shown the least potential of 1.53 MUs/MW as compared to other parts. This can be attributed mainly due to low irradiation and high temperature condition at this location. The energy generated map from our study will be useful and helpful for both solar developers and decision makers of Karnataka state.

An Appraisal of Fluoride Distribution and Ionic Balance in Ground Water of Mundaragi Taluk, Gadag District, Karnataka, India: A Case Study

A total, 25 different ground-water samples collected in Mundaragi taluk in of Gadag district, Karnataka, India to appraise the distribution of Fluoride. pH of collected groundwater is shown alkaline in nature and ranged between 7.18 and 9.32 with a mean value of 8.36. Fluoride content ranged between 0.86 to 4.63 mg/L in ground water samples, with minimum value 0.86 mg/L (MGK24) and maximum value 4.63 mg/L (MGK20). 48% of samples indicated fluoride content below 1.4 mg/L and 32% samples indicated fluoride content in between 2.0 and 3.0 mg/L. Followed by 8% of the samples showed fluoride content ranges above 3.1. The public from villagers have been used high fluoride-bearing groundwater for drinking prolonged period and suffering from fluorosis. Analytical values also predict that occurrence of minerals like apatite, fluorspar, topaz and mica gets processed naturally and releases fluoride into the lithosphere and percolates into ground water. The present study also helps find out a suitable adsorbent for removal of Fluoride in ground water. However, with respect to chemistry of water, the cation and anion balance of all the 25 groundwater samples were inside the recognized limit of ±10%. The fluoride content is maximum in Na+- type and low in Ca2+- type groundwater in the Mundaragi Taluk. Furthermore, shown a significant positive correlation with pH, EC, TDS, Ca2+, and negative correlation with Mg2+ and , which shows that the alkaline condition of water is the key role for leachate forming of fluoride-bearing minerals. Gibbs chart shows all groundwater values are fall under dominance of rock weathering group with a tendency towards the evaporation dominance class. Hence, interaction of rock-water is the pioneer cause of raised fluoride in the groundwater of the study area. Furthermore, the study showed no such substantial relation present between and , these variables are further process to groundwater from different sources, from geological minerals and from manmade activities.

Spatio-temporal variation and relationship between agricultural efficiency and irrigation intensity in a semi-arid region of India

A surging population in Karnataka State,a semi-arid region in India,poses a threat to both food security and livelihood sustainability,necessitating a concentrated effort to bolster agricultural efficiency and achieve United Naton’s Sustainable Development Goal 2(zero hunger).Therefore,in order to address the pressing issue of food scarcity in Karnataka,this study meticulously examined the spatio-temporal variation of agricultural efficiency and irrigation intensity in Karnataka,uncovering its significant dependence of agricultural efficiency on irrigation intensity.Specifically,this study used a one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA)to ascertain significant differences in the means of agricultural efficiency and irrigation intensity during 2004-2005 and 2018-2019.This study showed that the maximum improvement in agricultural efficiency index was recorded in Belgaum(40.24),Gulbarga(24.77),and Yadgir districts(22.92)between 2004-2005 and 2018-2019,which indicated the progressing trend and better scope for agriculture extension.On the contrary,some districts expressed threat(a decline of above 20.00 of agricultural efficiency index)and needed special care for the improvement of agricultural efficiency in four northern districts(Bagalkot,Bidar,Raichur,and Bijapur),three southern districts(Chitradurga,Chikballapur and Hassan),and two southern districts(Koppal and Gadag)in Karnataka.During 2004-2005,irrigation intensity varied from 3.19%to 56.39%,with the lowest irrigation intensity in Kodagu District and the highest irrigation intensity in Shimoga District.During 2018-2019,irrigation intensity changed from 0.77%to 72.77%,with the lowest irrigation intensity in Kodagu District and the highest in Dakshin Kannad District.Moreover,the research scrutinized the complex relationship between agricultural efficiency and irrigation intensity,with the correlation coefficient increased from 0.162 during 2004-2005 to 0.255 during 2018-2019.It implies that in both periods,a low positive correlation existed between these two variables.Over time,several factors(high-yield seeds and chemical fertilizers)other than irrigation intensity gradually became essential for agricultural efficiency.This research offers a wealth of valuable insights for regional planners and policy-makers contending with comparable challenges in various regions of India and other developing countries.

Xylaria oxyacanthae(Xylariaceae),a new record on Diospyros melanoxylon from India

Xylaria is the largest genus in Xylariaceae with wide range of hosts,and highly diversified species.In this study,Xylaria samples were collected from buried fruits of Diospyros melanoxylon in India.Morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer(ITS)data recovered supports our stain is Xylaria oxyacanthae,a new record to India.A detailed morphological description and comparison of closely related taxa are provided in this study.

First report of lichens from St.Mary’s Islands,the south west coast,India

The paper presents the first ever report on lichens of St.Mary’s Island with a total of 20 species belonging to 13 genera.Two species,Pertusaria dehiscens var.sekikaica A.W.Archer&Elix and Porina howeana P.M.McCarthy are reported as new records for India.Rhizocarpon obscuratum(Ach.)A.Massal.is recorded after a gap of 52 years.