Browsing by Author "S. Dixit"

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A review on positive and negative impacts of nanotechnology in agriculture
(Center for Environmental and Energy Research and Studies, 2019) A. Kumar; K. Gupta; S. Dixit; K. Mishra; S. Srivastava
Nanotechnology holds huge potentials in several fields and is envisaged as a technology to lead the way toward sustainable environment-friendly development in the coming years. The basic theme of nanotechnology is to use particles having size in nanometer range for various applications in medical fields, cosmetics industry, and agriculture and food technologies. The benefits associated with nanotechnology include among others increase in yield and quality of produce in agriculture, improved cosmetic products, directed delivery of medicines and sensor applications. Advancement in the development of nanosensors has made recognition of disease causing elements, toxins and nutrients in foods, and elements in environmental samples, easier and cost effective. However, immense focus on nanotechnology in past few decades has led to its unrestricted development and consequently enormous use of nanoparticles (NPs). It is considered that NPs may pose risks to the environment and biological systems. It is also becoming evident that the size, structure and type of nanomaterials, such as graphene/graphene oxide with gold NPs, carbon and carbon nitride nanotubes, have different effects on plants and environment. Hence, long-term life cycle analyses are needed to assess impacts of NPs. This review presents a brief overview of applications of nanomaterials in agriculture and discusses its positive and negative aspects in agricultural field. The review emphasizes that future development of nanotechnology must be based on scientific evaluations of benefits and risks associated to it in long term. © 2018, Islamic Azad University (IAU).
An interdisciplinary framework for using archaeology, history and collective action to enhance India's agricultural resilience and sustainability
(IOP Publishing Ltd, 2020) A.S. Green; S. Dixit; K.K. Garg; N.R. Sandya; G. Singh; K. Vatta; A.M. Whitbread; M.K. Jones; R.N. Singh; C.A. Petrie
South Asia has a deep history of agriculture that includes a range of past farming systems in different climatic zones. Many of these farming systems were resilient to changes in climate and sustainable over long periods of time. India's present agricultural systems are facing serious challenges, as they have become increasingly reliant on the unsustainable extraction of groundwater for irrigation. This paper outlines an interdisciplinary framework for drawing on patterns from the past to guide interventions in the present. It compares past and present strategies for water management and use in semi-arid and temperate Punjab with equatorial Telangana. Structural differences in water use in these two regions suggest that a range of interventions should be adopted to expand the overall availability of surface water for agricultural systems in India, in combination with empowering local communities to create their own water management rules. Active interventions focus on the efficient use of water supplies, and increasing surface water availability through renovation of collective ponds and reservoirs. We argue that this conceptual framework has significant potential for guiding agronomic and economic interventions in the future. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd.