Thursday 25 July 2013

Now Measure Photosynthesis from Space : NASA Scientists Use Satellites to Anticipate Plant Health

Seeing the above title you must have started recalling the different methods of measuring the rate of photosynthesis. Few methods used to measure the rate of photosynthesis conventionally are measuring the uptake of carbon dioxide, production of oxygen, production of carbohydrates and increase in dry mass. For these measurements certain devices and protocols are there through which rate of phtosynthesis can be obtained using some simple calculations. Infra-Red-Gas-Analyser is one device to measure the uptake of oxygen. All such methods one need to visit the plants to measure and observe photosynthesis. Health of plants is one factor which determines the rate of photosynthesis. But now NASA scientists have established a new way to use satellites to measure photosynthesis and have direct look at plant health.

Saturday 20 July 2013

Rice Husk may be used to manufacture lithium ion batteries for cellphone, laptop etc.

Yes! Very soon rice husk will be used to manufacture lithium ion batteries.

A group of scientists from different institutes from Korea has published their findings in PNAS. In their research paper they have reported that the silica layer present in the rice husk has developed an unique nanoporous structure naturally over a period of time. Taking advantage of this nanoporous structure they converted the silica to silicon and use it for high-capacity lithium battery anodes. The converted silicon exhibits excellent electrochemical performance as a lithium battery anode, suggesting that rice husks can be a massive resource for use in high-capacity lithium battery.

Saturday 13 July 2013

Traditianal Practice of Mango Plucking in Bihar, India


Rabish Chandra
@rabishchandra on twitter
Mango is considered as 'The King of all Fruits' in India. Mangifera indica (Linn.) (scientific name for mango) belongs to family Anacardiaceae of plant kingdom. It is found wildly as well as several  introduced and cultivated varities also occurs in different parts of India. India occupies top position among mango growing countries of the world and produces 40.48% of the total world mango production (APEDA, 2010).

Tuesday 9 July 2013

Death Before Life to Dalbergia Sissoo (Shisham) : Unfolding the Mysteries

Rabish Chandra
@rabishchandra on twitter

'What will be its life'?...I asked.
'You have to contact a wood expert for that', he said. 
Wood expert!
Yes, he can only tell the life. 
But, I am a botanist, I can also tell it's life. Provided if you can tell the name of the plant of which it is made.
Gentleman, as a botanist you may tell the life of a live plant, but not the dead one and the life of any timber plants is counted only after it dies.
Ok. Ok. But is not made up of Shisham? I mean Dalbergia sissoo.

Monday 8 July 2013