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ThesisItem Open Access Studies on conventional and improved tillage practices for sowing wheat in paddy harvested field(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2009-09) Rathod, Sunil Laxman; Pateriya, R.N.ThesisItem Open Access Land use suitability and impact assessment of soil conservation and water resources development measures in Garhkundar-Dabar Watershed(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2009-07) Raundal, Yogesh Ashok; Sharma, H.C.Land evaluation is important for the successful crop production. The impacts of soil and water resource development measures have been reviewed. Water stored in the checkdam and the sediment load per annum is needed for management of the reservoir water allocation and thus, required to be assessed. Soil conservation measures decreases the sediment load on check dam, substantially. Keeping these facts in view, present study was conducted to study the land use suitability on the basis of the proximity of land to various resources, viz. water availability, distance from sustainable water resource, village and road proximity and the present land use. The constructed surface water resources, i.e. check dams, were measured for their storage capacity and sediment deposited in their bed for two years. The effectiveness of soil conservation measures in sediment transport reduction was studied. Effect of the construction of the water resources development measures i.e. check dam on ground water level build up in the wells located in nearby fields from the check dams. The watershed selected for the study was Garhkundar-Dabar watershed, Madhya Pradesh. Land suitability analysis showed that the, 5.5 ha area was having highest suitability rank, whereas, 327.78 ha was having least suitability which was about 38.23 percent of the watershed area. The total water storage capacity of nine check dams was found whopping amount of 24102.28 m3, which was substantially higher in the area. This water can be successfully used for irrigation purpose. The sediment load of check dams was estimated and it was found that, three check dams out of nine were found critical for their high sediment load. Most critical checkdam was in the control watershed, where no soil conservation measures were adopted. Two check dams in the Garhkundar-Dabar watershed were found critical for loss of capacity due to silting. The sediment load in checkdam, constructed in the control watershed was about 1.9 times higher, equal to 190.25 m3, than the highest sediment load in soil conservation measures adopted watersheds. The water level in the wells, located in nearby areas of checkdam increased by an average of 2.94 m and maximum up to 6.57 m, over a period of one year, at the end of successful rabi crop in the area. Number of dried up wells was reduced to 13, which was 29 last year, out of 50 wells under consideration.ThesisItem Open Access Modeling and optimization of process parameters for hot air drying of banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) slices(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2009-08) Dinkar, Vairat Amita; Pandey, R.K.The Banana (Musa paradisiacal L.) is a crop of tropical climate and is grown for its fruit, fiber or foliage. Green banana is perishable and deteriorates after harvesting. Drying prolongs the shelf life of banana. The hot air drying characteristics of green banana slices were studied at drying temperature (40-800C), air velocity (1.5-5.5 m/s) and slice thickness (2-6 mm) in the laboratory scale hot air dryer. Drying was found to occur in the falling rate period only. Higher drying rate were observed with the higher temperature level and minimum level of slice thickness. Drying rate increases with increase in air velocity upto 3.5 m/s after that there was no profound effect on drying rate. The drying behavior of the banana slices was mathematically analyzed using models namely page’s, exponential and logarithmic model. The experimental validity of models were done on the basis of maximum R2 and minimum SEE, and RMSE. The page’s model described the drying behaviour of banana slices better as compared to exponential and logarithmic model. The results reveled that, the temperature, air velocity, slice thickness had significant effect on various quality parameters of dried banana slices viz. rehydration ratio, hardness, shrinkage, ascorbic acid and color whereas carbohydrate and ash content had non-significant effect. The optimum level of independent variables for banana drying obtained by using numerical optimization of multiple responses viz. drying time, rehydration ratio, shrinkage, hardness, ascorbic acid and L and b value were temperature-600C, air velocity- 3.5 m/s and slice thickness- 2mm. These optimum values are recommended for hot air drying of banana.ThesisItem Open Access Drying characteristics and process optimization of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) using response surface methodology(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2009-07) Asaram, Padvi Chandrarekha; Pandey, J.P.ThesisItem Open Access Modification of a CI engine into SI mode and its performance evaluation on biogas(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2007-07) Nagaraja, G.; Bhattacharya, T.K.In agriculture sector biogas is used in low horse power CI engines in dual fuel mode where about 30 percent diesel and 70 percent biogas are burnt in an engine to develop power. However, biogas has octane rating of 130 which is greater than the petrol (96) and therefore, there lies a potential to run such engines on 100 percent biogas by converting these engine into gas engines operating in SI mode. A constant speed, low bhp (7.4 kW), single cylinder, four stroke, direct injection, Kirlosker make engine having compression ratio of 16.5:1 was converted into SI mode. Major modifications include the removal of diesel fuel supply system, reduction of compression ratio (13:1), installation of spark plug, mounting of ignition system and provision of mixing device for supply of air-biogas mixture. The studies were conducted to assess the performance of modified CI engine on 100 percent biogas with particular emphasis on operational issues and efficiency of converted engine. Observation on suitability from ease of installation and operation as well as care and maintenance using both battery and magneto ignition system were also evaluated. The engine was operated with ignition timing of 250 BTDC. A long duration test of a converted CI engine coupled with an alternator (7.5 kVA) was conducted to evaluate the crank case oil quality when operating on 100 percent biogas. The performance of converted CI engine in respect of generator load, brake specific biogas consumption, thermal efficiency and emission of HC and NOX on biogas was evaluated. The fuel properties of biogas were also studied. The observed results of the experiment indicated that the CI engine converted to SI mode could develop maximum brake power of 4.5 kW on 100 percent biogas but at this output there was significant drop in engine speed. The drop in power is due to low heating value of biogas. It is therefore, suggested that the engine be operated at 1352 rpm developing 3 kW brake power for satisfactory operation of electrical devices through the coupled alternator and corresponding brake thermal efficiency was found to be 15.5 percent. The magneto ignition system found satisfactory for installation and operation than battery ignition system. The hydrocarbon and NOX emissions were observed lower on 100 percent biogas as compared to diesel and petrol. The long duration test of the converted engine on 100 percent biogas indicated no deterioration in crankcase oil quality however the engine should be operated for 500 hours for thorough evaluation of crankcase oil quality.ThesisItem Open Access Variable cost analysis of different agricultural tractors(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2007-07) Sanchavat, Hitesh; Verma, R.B.Tractor power is major source of energy input in the farm mechanization. Improving the performance the agricultural tractor has gained a unique importance due to increasing cost of farm inputs and low prices received for agricultural produce. Study was conducted on the effect of power range and make of tractor on the maintenance, repair and fuel cost of tractor. Tractors were classified into three power ranges .i.e. 16-26 kW, 26-36 kW and 36-46 kW and in each power range four make (M1, M2, M3 and M4) were selected for study. The basic data for maintenance and repair cost analysis of tractors were collected from the University Farms, Crop Research Centre, Instructional Dairy Farm and the farms in the near by area of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agricultural and Technology, Pantnagar. Field experiment was conducted to evaluate fuel and specific fuel consumption of various make and power range of tractors at Crop Research Centre, Pantnagar, during the year 2006-2007. Variable cost in 16-26 kW tractors was Rs. 110.73, 114.46, 130.39 and 112.96 per hour for M1, M2, M3 and M4 make tractor respectively. Variable cost for 26-36 kW tractors was Rs. 146.29, 151, 170.89 and 176.89 per hour for M1, M2, M3 and M4 make tractor respectively. For 36-46 kW tractors variable cost was Rs. 197.22, 206.92, 217.19 and 270.72 per hour for M1, M2, M3 and M4 make tractor respectively. There was variation in maintenance, repair and fuel costs among the power ranges and make of tractors. Variable cost was minimum for M1 make tractors. Variable cost was maximum for M3 make tractors in 16-26 kW power range and it was maximum for M4 make tractors in 26-36 and 36-46 kW power ranges. Make of tractor and power have significant effect on specific fuel consumption. Variable cost and specific fuel consumption were increased with the power of tractor. Based on the variable cost and specific fuel consumption it was concluded that M1 make tractors have least expenditure under variable costs as compared to other make of tractors during initial 4000 hours of work.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of cyclic irrigation and fertigation on off season production of Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) under protected environment(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2007-05) Negera, Gonfa Bayissa; Singh, K.K.The present study was undertaken to investigate the ―Effect of Cyclic irrigation and Fertigation on Off –Season production of Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.)Under protected environment. The site is located at experimental field of Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, College of Technology, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. Soil solarization in polyhouses, studying of the various metrological parameters inside and out side the polyhouses, the response of different levels of irrigation and cyclic irrigation on the biometric observation of capsicum and studying economic feasibility of production of capsicum under polyhouses were some of the methods employed during the study. The result revealed that the general trend of the temperature of solarized soil has been higher near the soil surface and became cooler with increasing soil depth. The mean maximum temperature was higher in naturally ventilated polyhouse (NVPH)(33.06 0C) followed by open field condition (25.04 0C) than environmentally controlled polyhouse (ECPH)(24.66 0C) while the minimum temperature was also higher in the NVPH (13.05 0C) but followed by ECPH (12.85 0C)than the open field condition (11.46 0C). The mean daily variation of temperature at 9:00am was higher in NVPH (22.20 0C), followed by ECPH (20.12 0C) than the open field condition (19.67 0C). At the same time at 12:00hrs and 4:00pm it was higher in NVPH but followed by open field condition than in ECPH. The mean daily variation of relative humidity at 9:00am, 12:00hrs and 4:00pm was higher in NVPH followed by open field than the ECPH while the mean daily variation in solar intensity at 9:00am, 12:00hrs and 4:00pm was higher in open field followed by ECPH than NVPH. The crop evapotranspiration (ETc) was higher in open field, followed by NVPH than in ECPH. The average mean daily ETc in open field, NVPH, and ECPH were 2.40, 2.00 and 1.72mm/day respectively. During the six month off-season growing period the total water required at 100% level of irrigation in ECPH was 209.44mm and at 75% level 157.08mm and in NVPH at 100% level 243.98mm and at 75% 182.99mm while in open field 307.27mm depth. The yield of capsicum per plant and per square meter was maximum in ECPH (2.63kg/plant, 9.71 kg/m2) followed by NVPH (2.51kg/plant, 9.16kg/plant) and in open field (0.49kg/plant, 1.81kg/m2). In NVPH the mean value of yield per m2 was significantly higher in split fertigation treatment (10.63kg/m2) than normal fertigation, N (8.39 kg/m2). At the same time at 100% level of irrigation the mean maximum value of yield per m2 was 9.27kg/m2 than 75% level 9.04kg/m2. During Of-season production of Capsicum under different level of irrigation and cyclic irrigation and fertigation was more economically feasible in NVPH at the selling price above 15Rs/kg than ECPH and open field condition.ThesisItem Open Access An ANN based approach for assessment and improvement in voltage stability of power systems(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2007-02) Negi, Geeta; Swami, A.K.Use of new technologies and the growth in interconnections are continuously increasing the complexity of the system. These highly complex modern power systems are operating in severely stressed conditions due to economical and environmental considerations rendering them venerable to frequent failures. Voltage stability has become a major concern as the present system is operating near its maximum capacity level. To get information regarding voltage stability margin and its improvement, various methods has been used in past. This work deals with L-index and VCPI techniques to calculate the stability margin and give information about the weak areas of the network. By using L-index the settings of control strategies can be known and by making proper changes in these values the operator of ECC can avoid the unwanted situations. ANN is an intelligent tool with parallel computational capability. It can perform nonlinear mapping in short duration. Once neural network is trained, it provides acceptable recommendations in a short time, which is suitable for online application. Here ANN is used to predict the values of L-index, VCPI, and control Quantities (generator excitation and settings of SVCs), which become helpful to the operator for handling the unfavorable conditions. These methods are applied on IEEE-9 bus and IEEE-14 bus system. An attempt is made to find best results that the voltage stability margin can be assessed and improved.ThesisItem Open Access Optimization and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modeling of oil expression from enzyme treated Jatropha curcas L. (Ratanjot) on a hydraulic press(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2007-06) Durgesh Nandini; Pandey, R.K.Rapid urbanization, agricultural mechanization and increase in vehicular population enhance demand for fuel. So meeting the energy requirements in a sustainable manner is a major challenge. Among the many tree species which can yield oil as a source of energy in the form of bio-diesel, Jatropha curcas L. (Ratanjot) has been found most suitable due to its various favorable attributes like hardy nature, short gestation period, high oil recovery and quality of oil Study was conducted to optimize and to develop Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models for oil expression from Jatropha curcas L. (Ratanjot) on a hydraulic press. Experiments were planned using full factorial design in two phases. In the first phase of experimental design, three levels of husk percentage, five levels of pressure and five levels of holding time were taken as independent variables. In a similar way five levels of enzyme concentration, five levels of pressure and five levels of holding time were taken as independent parameters in the second phase of experiments. Line curves, surface plots and iso-oleum curves were developed to show the effect of independent parameters on oil expression. Empirical mathematical models representing oil expression in terms of single and multiple responses of process parameters were developed using SPSS software. Optimization of variables was performed by partial differentiation of multiple regression equation with respect to each variable and then solving the coefficient matrix on MATLAB software. In order to have a better prediction of unseen input conditions within the experimental range Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modeling of oil expression process was carried out using back propagation algorithm and MATLAB software. Enzymatic treatment substantially enhances oil expression from 87% with hydraulic pressing alone to 91% for hydraulic pressing with enzymatic treatment. The optimum conditions of husk percentage, pressure and holding time for maximum oil recovery were obtained as 87.40%, 45.63 MPa and 27.09 min respectively. Optimum conditions of enzyme concentration, pressure and holding time for maximum oil recovery were obtained as 110.73mg/100 g dry matter, 43.83 MPa and 17.42 min respectively. Optimum architecture of ANN for training at different husk percentages was found to be two hidden layers with 8 and 11 nodes in first and second hidden layer while that for samples at different enzyme concentrations was found to be two hidden layers with 9 and 11 nodes in first and second hidden layer respectively. Both in case of training and testing results of output predicted by ANN architecture shows good agreement with experimental values.