The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted under the Paris Agreement propose a country’s contribution to global mitigation efforts and domestic adaptation initiatives. This paper provides a systematic analysis of NDCs submitted by South Asian nations, in order to assess how far their commitments might deliver meaningful contributions to the global 2°C target and to sustainable broad-based adaptation benefits. Though agriculture-related emissions are prominent in emission profiles of South Asian countries, their emission reduction commitments are less likely to include agriculture, partly because of a concern over food security. We find that income-enhancing mitigation technologies that do not jeopardize food security may significantly augment the region’s mitigation potential. In the case of adaptation, analysis shows that the greatest effort will be directed towards protecting the cornerstones of the ‘green revolution’ for ensuring food security. Development of efficient and climate-resilient agricultural value chains and integrated farming bodies will be important to ensuring adaptation investment. Potentially useful models of landscape level climate resilience actions and ecosystem-based adaptation are also presented, along with estimates of the aggregate costs of agricultural adaptation. Countries in the region propose different mixes of domestic and foreign, and public and private, adaptation finance to meet the substantial gaps.

The recommendations have been used to inform Vietnams AgNDC implementaion.

Non-denaturing fluorescence in situ hybridization (ND-FISH) has been used to distinguish wheat chromosomes and to detect alien chromosomes in the wheat genome. In this study, five different oligonucleotide probes were used with ND-FISH to examine 21 wheat cultivars and lines. These oligonucleotide probes distinguished 42 wheat chromosomes and also detected rye chromatin in the wheat genome. Moreover, the signal patterns of the oligonucleotide probes Oligo-pTa535-1 and Oligo-pSc119.2-1 showed high polymorphism in the wheat chromosomes. A total of 17.6% of the A group chromosomes, 25.9% of the B group chromosomes and 8.9% of the D group chromosomes showed obvious mutations when they were compared to the standard ND-FISH signal patterns, and most of them were Oligo-pSc119.2-1 mutants. The results suggested that these polymorphisms could be induced by the crossing of wheat cultivars. The results provided more information for the further application of oligonucleotide probes and ND-FISH.

Proxy-based reconstructions and modeling of Holocene spatiotemporal precipitation patterns for China and Mongolia have hitherto yielded contradictory results indicating that the basic mechanisms behind the East Asian Summer Monsoon and its interaction with the westerly jet stream remain poorly understood. We present quantitative reconstructions of Holocene precipitation derived from 101 fossil pollen records and analyse them with the help of a minimal empirical model. We show that the westerly jet-stream axis shifted gradually southward and became less tilted since the middle Holocene. This was tracked by the summer monsoon rain band resulting in an early-Holocene precipitation maximum over most of western China, a mid-Holocene maximum in north-central and northeastern China, and a late-Holocene maximum in southeastern China. Our results suggest that a correct simulation of the orientation and position of the westerly jet stream is crucial to the reliable prediction of precipitation patterns in China and Mongolia. | publishedVersion

Proxy-based reconstructions and modeling of Holocene spatiotemporal precipitation patterns for China and Mongolia have hitherto yielded contradictory results indicating that the basic mechanisms behind the East Asian Summer Monsoon and its interaction with the westerly jet stream remain poorly understood. We present quantitative reconstructions of Holocene precipitation derived from 101 fossil pollen records and analyse them with the help of a minimal empirical model. We show that the westerly jet-stream axis shifted gradually southward and became less tilted since the middle Holocene. This was tracked by the summer monsoon rain band resulting in an early-Holocene precipitation maximum over most of western China, a mid-Holocene maximum in north-central and northeastern China, and a late-Holocene maximum in southeastern China. Our results suggest that a correct simulation of the orientation and position of the westerly jet stream is crucial to the reliable prediction of precipitation patterns in China and Mongolia.

Proxy-based reconstructions and modeling of Holocene spatiotemporal precipitation patterns for China and Mongolia have hitherto yielded contradictory results indicating that the basic mechanisms behind the East Asian Summer Monsoon and its interaction with the westerly jet stream remain poorly understood. We present quantitative reconstructions of Holocene precipitation derived from 101 fossil pollen records and analyse them with the help of a minimal empirical model. We show that the westerly jet-stream axis shifted gradually southward and became less tilted since the middle Holocene. This was tracked by the summer monsoon rain band resulting in an early-Holocene precipitation maximum over most of western China, a mid-Holocene maximum in north-central and northeastern China, and a late-Holocene maximum in southeastern China. Our results suggest that a correct simulation of the orientation and position of the westerly jet stream is crucial to the reliable prediction of precipitation patterns in China and Mongolia.

The extent of genetic variability for nutritional traits in the 78 genotypes of foxtail millet were studied.The parameters were analyzed using both NIR and AAS. When all the nutritional parameters were studied it was found that there was no single genotype which was superior for all the parameters so we should select the genotype which is best for maximum number of characters. For protein content Ise 1468, GS 1000, Ise 375, GS 2099 and DHF 30, for crude fibre DHF 27,GS 2109 and DHF 2, for zinc DHF 6, DHF 7, DHF 3 and DHF 17, for iron PratapKagni, DHF 14, DHF 27, Ise 931 and DHF 26 recorded the highest nutrients composition compared to checks. The most promising genotypes for nutritional characters are DHF 2, DHF 5 and DHF 1. These three genotypes can be used as donors in a further plant breeding programme for the improvement of most of the characters.

PURPOSE: The present study was conducted to understand the pedogenesis of soils developed on basalts and reveal the impact of Asian dust on soils in subtropical China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Soils developed on basalts in Xinchang-Shengzhou Basin are classified as ultisol and sampled by genetic horizon. For grain size analysis, organic matter was removed from soil samples, and then soil samples were dispersed overnight and followed by ultrasonic treatment. Grain size was measured by a Laser Grain size Analyzer. For isotopic analysis, soil samples were first dried at room temperature and then combusted at 700 °C, digested using an HNO₃ + HF mixture and dissolved in a 2 N HCl solution. Sr and Nd isotopes measured on a GV Isoprobe-T thermal ionization mass spectrometer (TIMS). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The grain size distribution with a significantly high content of the “basic dust fraction” (10–50 μm fraction) in the upper profiles (0–40 cm) indicates atmospheric deposition onto the surface layers of soils. The patterns of the grain size frequency curves in the upper layer imply that Asian dust has a great impact on soils. The grain size parameters also reflected the influence of Eolian deposits on soils. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and εNd values for soils show that the near-surface horizons are substantially impacted by dust. CONCLUSIONS: The grain size, its parameters, and Sr-Nd isotopes have been marked by Eolian characteristics for the upper layers of soil, while showing a dominant basaltic signature in the lower layers. Besides parent material, accumulation of Asian dust has played an important role in pedogenesis of soils in Southeast China.

AIMS: This study assessed intraspecific variation in morphological traits of the fine root branch orders of Cryptomeria japonica, and identified variation in the diameter of the first three-order roots among species types with mycorrhiza, and the diameter of first-order roots at the family level. METHODS: Diameter, length, and specific root length of branch order roots (up to the fourth-order) were measured in intact fine root systems collected in four C. japonica stands. Relationships between soil chemical properties and morphological traits of the first- to fourth-order roots were investigated. The diameter of roots of 52 tree species reported in previous studies was compared at species types with mycorrhiza and at family level. RESULTS: The diameter of first-order roots in C. japonica varied by 1.2 times among stands. Negative correlations between soil NH₄⁺ content and specific root length of the second- and third-order roots were observed in C. japonica. The diameter of first- and second-order roots forming arbuscular mycorrhiza in coniferous trees were significantly higher than those of roots forming ectomycorrhiza in coniferous and broadleaf trees. The diameter of first-order roots in Cupressaceae were significantly larger than those of Pinaceae, Sapindaceae, Betulaceae, and Fagaceae. CONCLUSIONS: Clarifying intraspecific variation in morphological traits of C. japonica lower-order roots may contribute to understanding their responses to different site conditions such as soil inorganic nitrogen contents.

The continuous submission and scaling-up of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) constitutes a key feature of the Paris Agreement. In their NDCs, states propose governance mechanisms for implementation of climate action, in turn distinguishing appropriate roles for the state in climate governance. Clarity on Parties’ suggested roles for the state makes explicit assumptions on the premise of climate policy, in turn contributing to enhanced transparency in negotiations on the scaling-up of NDCs. This also speaks to ongoing debates on roles for the state in climate governance literature. This article identifies the governance mechanisms proposed by states in their NDCs and the roles for the state envisioned by those governance mechanisms, and also examines how cross-national patterns of roles for the state break or converge with conventional patterns of international politics. The analysis shows that states propose a plurality of roles, which to different extents may be complementary or conflictual. We conclude that income, region, and the Annexes under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are important for understanding suggested roles for the state, but that there are nuances to be further explored. We argue that this paper has three key findings: i) a majority of states rely on market mechanisms to implement their NDCs while rules on implementation and assessment of market mechanisms are still an outstanding issue in the negotiations, meaning that resolving this issue will be essential; ii) the process for evaluating and assessing qualitative governance mechanisms needs to be specified; and iii) increased awareness of differing views on the state’s roles makes explicit different perspectives on what constitutes an ambitious and legitimate contribution to combating climate change. Key policy insights A majority of states (> 75%) envision the state as regulator (creating and strengthening legislation), market facilitator (creating and maintaining market structures), or facilitator (creating more favourable material conditions for climate-friendly behaviour). Greater awareness of differing views on roles for the state can increase understanding of different perspectives on ambition and legitimacy of contributions, in turn facilitating trust in negotiations. A distinction between substantive and procedural qualitative governance mechanisms and their function and interaction would facilitate the stocktaking dialogues.