Rakesh Kumar’s research while affiliated with Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology and other places

Melt extrusion process was followed in order to improve the high crystallinity and poor toughness of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) blend materials. It was achieved by the incorporation of epoxy‐terminated hyperbranched polyester (EHBP) elastomer into PHBV and polycaprolactone (PCL). EHBP cross‐links PHBV and PCL through ring‐opening polymerization of epoxy‐terminated and carboxyl groups. The mass percentages of EHBP in the PHBV/PCL blends are 1, 2, 3, and 4mass%, which are expressed as 1, 2, 3, and 4 phr in the following text. Therefore, when the EHBP content was 3 phr, the Young's modulus and tensile strength of the blends are increased to 750 and 15 MPa, respectively, which was comparable to the biodegradable polymers used for packaging. Simultaneously, compatibility between PHBV and PCL has been improved and the particle size reduction of blends can be obviously observed in scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) analysis revealed that PHBV and PCL showed improved compatibility with each other by the addition of EHBP. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that the decrease of crystallinity of the blend was consistent with the increase in mechanical properties. Additionally, all the bio‐blends show good thermal stability. Food overall migration studies showed that the amount of migration of composite materials in contact with food was also far lower than the national standard value. Therefore, PHBV/PCL/EHBP blends are expected to be used in the field of food packaging.

The experiment was conducted during 2017–18 and 2018–19 at instructional farm, College of Horticulture, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, Uttar Pradesh, to study the genetic variation, correlation and path analysis in gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus Hort.) in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. 14 varieties of gladiolus, viz. Black Star, Peter Pears, Gold Star, Trader Horn, Pink Rose, White Prosperity, Red White, Novalux, Yellow Gold, Candyman, Willas Pink, Jester, Nathan Red and Punjab Morning were planted in randomized block design (RBD). All parameters showed significant differences indicating that genotypes have a lot of variation. Length of the spike varied from 65.07 to 110.65 cm and size of the floret from 8.27 to 9.66 cm. Mean values for time to flowering, size of floret and vase life were 109.38 days, 8.95 cm and 8.95 days, respectively. Length of rachis (19.97 and 15.90), spike (18.49 and 14.40) and florets/spike (14.88 and 12.05) showed moderate values for PCV and GCV. Maximum heritability value was oberved in days to flowering (68.22) and minimal in floret size (35.63). Positive and significant correlations were found between plant height, length of spike and rachis, florets/spike and days to flowering. Path coefficient study revealed that length of spike (1.162), days to spike initiation (0.881) and blooming time (0.392) had biggest positive direct effects on plant height.

The experiment was conducted during 2017–18 and 2018–19 at instructional farm, College of Horticulture, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, Uttar Pradesh, to study the genetic variation, correlation and path analysis in gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus Hort.) in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. 14 varieties of gladiolus, viz. Black Star, Peter Pears, Gold Star, Trader Horn, Pink Rose, White Prosperity, Red White, Novalux, Yellow Gold, Candyman, Willas Pink, Jester, Nathan Red and Punjab Morning were planted in randomized block design (RBD). All parameters showed significant differences indicating that genotypes have a lot of variation. Length of the spike varied from 65.07 to 110.65 cm and size of the floret from 8.27 to 9.66 cm. Mean values for time to flowering, size of floret and vase life were 109.38 days, 8.95 cm and 8.95 days, respectively. Length of rachis (19.97 and 15.90), spike (18.49 and 14.40) and florets/spike (14.88 and 12.05) showed moderate values for PCV and GCV. Maximum heritability value was oberved in days to flowering (68.22) and minimal in floret size (35.63). Positive and significant correlations were found between plant height, length of spike and rachis, florets/spike and days to flowering. Path coefficient study revealed that length of spike (1.162), days to spike initiation (0.881) and blooming time (0.392) had biggest positive direct effects on plant height.

This study aimed to elucidate the potential of Pseudomonas species to degrade furfuryl alcohol (FA), a widely used furanic compound. FA-based resins and biopolymers have applications in various sectors, leading to the gradual discharge of FA into the environment through industrial wastewater. The objective was to find an eco-friendly solution for removing FA residues from industrial effluents, thereby eliminating the hazardous effects of FA. Pseudomonas species have emerged as potential bacterial genera for biodegradation of aromatic compounds; therefore, this study examined the effectiveness of Pseudomonas putida MTCC 1194 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 1034 for FA degradation. Significant shifts in the fingerprint regions were observed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, providing evidence of successful FA degradation. A more than 50% reduction in FA content was observed by both strains, even at high concentrations (500 mgl− 1), as determined by spectrophotometric and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) identified the metabolite as 2-furoic acid (113 m/z). Both bacterial cultures followed substrate inhibition kinetics, and the specific growth rate best fit the Aiba and Haldane models for P. putida and the Haldane and Edwards models for P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, immobilized bacterial cells maintained approximately 50% FA degradation (300 mgl− 1) over five degradation cycles, highlighting their stability and reusability. The phytotoxicity bioassay demonstrated the non-hazardous nature of the metabolites formed after FA biodegradation. These findings underscore the potential of these strains for effective FA bioremediation, paving the way for their use in industrial effluent treatment.

Melt extrusion process was followed in order to improve the high crystallinity and poor toughness of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) blend materials. It was achieved by the incorporation of epoxy-terminated hyperbranched polyester (EHBP) elastomer into PHBV and polycaprolactone (PCL). EHBP cross-links PHBV and PCL through ring-opening polymerization of epoxy-terminated and carboxyl groups. Therefore, when the EHBP content was 3phr, the Young's modulus and tensile strength of the blends are increased to 750MPa and 15MPa, respectively, which was comparable to the biodegradable polymers used for packaging. Simultaneously, compatibility between PHBV and PCL has been improved and the particle size reduction of blends can be obviously observed in scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) analysis revealed that PHBV and PCL showed improved compatibility with each other by the addition of EHBP. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that the decrease of crystallinity of the blend was consistent with the increase in mechanical properties. Additionally, all the bio-blends show good thermal stability. Food overall migration studies showed that the amount of migration of composite materials in contact with food was also far lower than the national standard value. Therefore, PHBV/PCL/EHBP blends are expected to be used in the field of food packaging.

An investigation was carried out to study the impact of boron on growth and flowering of African marigold (Tagetes erecta) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda in experimental field of the College of Agriculture, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha during November, 2018 to March, 2019. The study employed a randomized block design with eight treatments and three replications. The treatments included foliar and soil applications of boron at varying concentrations and frequencies and indicated significant variations in vegetative and flowering parameters across treatments. Notably, treatment T 7 (soil application of B @ 0.5 kg ha-1) exhibited the highest plant height (84.35 cm), length of primary branches (49.94 cm) and stem girth (4.5 cm). Treatment T 4 (foliar spray B @ 0.25% once) displayed the maximum number of primary branches (10.17 cm), while T 8 (soil application (0.25 kg ha-1 + foliar spray B @ 0.15%)) recorded the highest number of secondary branches (26.73). Flower characteristics also varied significantly among treatments, with T 5 (foliar spray B @ 0.25% twice) leading in flower diameter (6.51 cm). Also, the minimum (46.63 days) days to flowering, minimum (50.23 days) days to 50 per cent flowering, minimum (54.29 days) days to 100 per cent flowering and minimum (42.97 days) days to bud showing colour was recorded under T 4 (foliar spray B @ 0.25% once). Number of flowers per plant, yield of flowers per plant and yield per plot were found maximum (83.17, 195.44 g and 2.25 kg/m 2 respectively) with T 5 .