A two layer soil moisture model for estimating crop evapotranspiration and runoff

In the present study, a two layer model has been proposed to estimate evapotranspiration, soil moisture storage and runoff. For this purpose soil profile has been assumed to be composed of two layers : the top layer having a fixed field capacity of 100 mm and the underlying layer having field capacity depending on the soil texture. Normal values of rainfall and potential evapotranspiration have been used in the study. The model, applied to kharif and rabi seasons furnishes crop evapotranspiration period when soil in two layers reach wilting point and surface runoff and its duration. The model developed has been applied to 411ocations representing most of the soil types found in India. The analysis revealed that lowest ET is seen over Himalayan foothills and northeast India in kharif and rabi seasons. Enough residual soil moisture is available to the crops at the end of kharif season over NE India; most of it being in the top layer. Eastern India record largest runoff of 800-1000 mm. Arid to semi-arid region in NW India does not seem to experience much runoff.

An Allometric Model Based Approach For Estimating Biomass In Seven Indian Bamboo Species In Western Himalayan Foothills, India

The rapid growth rate, high biomass production, and annual harvesting, makes bamboo as suitable species for commercial production. Allometric equations for many broadleaf and conifer tree species are available. However, knowledge on biomass production and allometric equations of bamboos are limited. This study aims at developing species specific allometric models for predicting biomass and synthetic height values as a proxy variable for seven bamboo species in Himalayan foothills. Two power form based allometric models were used to predict above ground and culm biomass using Diameter at breast height (D) alone and D in combination with culm height (H) as independent variable. This study also extended to establishing H-D allometric model that can be used to generate synthetic H values as proxy to missing H. In the seven bamboo species studied, among three major biomass component (culm, branch and foliage), culm is the most important component with highest share (69.56 to 78.71%).Distribution of percentage (%) share of culm, branch and foliage to above ground fresh weight varies significantly between different bamboo species. D. hamiltonii has highest productivity for above ground biomass components. Ratio of dry to fresh weight of seven bamboo species was estimated for culm, branch, foliage and above ground biomass to convert fresh weight to dry weight.

Perineal Hygienic Practices in Patients of Himalayan Foothills - A Descriptive Study

BACKGROUND It has been said that health is wealth and when it comes to reproductive health of a women it has a significant value indeed. There is lot of loops and holes in perineal hygiene practices due to incomplete knowledge and various myth that is transferred from generation to generation in a family. The aim of the study was to study the perineal hygiene practices in women of Himalayan foothills. METHODS This is an observational study performed between March 2019 to February 2020 at AIIMS Rishikesh. Data was extracted from OPD records of patients which included details on perineal hygiene, routinely asked in one of the three units in department of obstetrics and gynaecology at AIIMS Rishikesh. RESULTS Total of 2400 women participated in the study. The mean age of subjects was 32± 6.9(Range 12 - 80 years). Maximum patients were married (92 %), mostly Hindus (48 %) belonging to upper lower class (37.5 %) according to modified Kuppuswamy socioeconomic scale. In this study we studied the routine perineal cleaning practices, Attention is being drawn to the fact that only 15 % of the subjects cleaned the genital area with water after urination, 5 % while changing pads during menstruation, only 1.5 % washed the genitalia immediately after sexual intercourse In present study the commonest method removal of perineal hair was shaving (38.4 %). While analysing menstrual hygiene, in present study, 42.5 % of study population was using sanitary pads from market and 35 % used homemade cloth pads. Ninety eight point seven percent of women avoided sexual intercourse during menstruation in present study. CONCLUSIONS Female genital hygiene is a vital topic. Awareness should be increased regarding maintenance of hygienic practices through health education programmes. More studies need to be performed in order to provide directions for proper female genital hygiene, as well as guidelines. KEY WORDS Perineal Hygiene, Pubic Hair Grooming, Menstrual Hygiene, Perineal Itching, Perineal Rashes, Long Mirror for Self Examination.