Modeling of Soil-Plant-Fertilizer Relationships for Optimizing Fertilizer Doses for Different Levels of Finger Millet Yield under Semi-Arid Alfisols

Experiments were conducted to test the superiority of treatment combinations of nitrogen (N; 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 kg ha^?1), phosphorus (0, 30, 60, 90 kg ha^?1) and potassium (0, 30, 60 kg ha^?1) for finger millet during 2005–2007. Application of 200-90-60 kg ha^?1 gave maximum yield of 1666, 1426 and 1640 kg ha^?1 in 3 years, respectively. The yield regression model through soil and fertilizer nutrients gave predictability of 0.98, 0.97 and 0.98, with sustainability yield index (SYI) of 50.4, 49.4 and 52.5 in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. Optimum nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) doses for attaining yields of 800 and 1200 kg ha^?1 were derived at soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium of 75–400, 10–70 and 150–750 kg ha^?1. Fertilizer nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium ranged from 30–128, 3–19, 13–25 kg ha^?1 and 105–203, 4–32, 27–39 kg ha^?1 for attaining 800 and 1200 kg ha^?1 yield, respectively. The doses could be adopted for attaining sustainable yields under semiarid Alfisols.     

Organic amendments decomposability influences microbial activity in saline soils

Organic amendments with contrasting biochemical properties were investigated by conducting an incubation experiment in soils irrigated with different levels of saline water. Soil samples were taken from a long-term experimental field plots irrigated with normal water and saline water having electrical conductivity (EC) 6 and 12 dS m^?1, respectively. Finely ground biochar, rice straw (RS), farm yard manure (FYM) and glucose were added at two rates (1% and 2.5% carbon basis) and incubated for 8 weeks at 25°C. Cumulative respiration (CR), microbial biomass carbon and available nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) were negatively correlated with EC, irrespective of the source and amount of added carbon (C). Compared with non-saline soil, at EC 12, relative decrease in CR was lowest with glucose (21.0%) followed by RS (32.0%), FYM (46.0%) and biochar (55.0%). Dissolved organic carbon was positively correlated with salinity and its concentration was higher in treatments with higher rate of C addition (2.5% C). This study showed decomposability of organic amendments and their rate of addition determines microbial activity in saline soils. Further, lower nitrogen (N) release from amendments under saline conditions limits microbial ability to utilize available C for satisfying their energy needs.     

Genetic appraisal of serological response post vaccination against enterotoxaemia (ET) in Malpura and Avikalin sheep

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Enterotoxaemia (ET) is a fatal enteric disease of small ruminants attributable to a toxigenic type of Clostridium perfringens. The key strategy for...     

Temporal changes in endogenous estrogens and expression of behaviors associated with estrus during the periovulaory period in Murrah buffaloes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bubalus bubalis</Emphasis>)

The objective of this study were (1) to establish the duration of behavioral estrus signs and timing of ovulation in Murrah buffaloes (n = 10) and (2) to determine relationship between behavioral estrus signs with change in plasma estrogen concentrations. Estrus and its behavioral signs were detected at hourly intervals by visual observations, per recta examination of genitalia and bull parading four times in a day for 30 minutes each. Among the behavioral signs of estrus, swollen vulva (80%) was the best indicator of estrus followed by excitement (70%). Among the duration of behavioral estrus signs the first and longest duration of estrus signs was swollen vulva which was seen upto 19.8 ± 0.8 h after onset of estrus. The mean total duration of estrus symptoms from appearance to disappearance of all the behavioral estrus symptoms was 23.5 ± 1.7 h. All the behavioral estrus symptoms were observed during the period of estrogen surge. Endocrine profile during the periestrus period showed that the mean peak concentrations of total estrogen 23.9 ± 3.9 pg/ml occurred at 8.8 ± 1.7 h after onset of estrus. The average number of estrus symptoms observed per animal during onset of spontaneous estrus was 5.7. Ovulation occurred after 37.4 ± 1.7 h after onset of estrus and 13.4 ± 1.0 h after end of total estrogen surge respectively. In conclusion, our results suggest that all signs of behavioral estrus occurred during the preovulatory rise in estrogens. The first sign of estrus to be observed was a swollen vulva and this symptom persisted the longest.     

Management of Tibial Fractures Using a Circular External Fixator in Two Calves

Objectives: To report the repair of tibial diaphyseal fractures in 2 calves using a circular external skeletal fixator (CEF). Study Design: Clinical report. Animals: Crossbred calves (n=2; age: 6 months; weight: 55 and 60 kg). Methods: Mid‐diaphyseal tibial fractures were repaired by the use of a 4‐ring CEF (made of aluminum rings with 2 mm K‐wires) alone in 1 calf and in combination with hemicerclage wiring in 1 calf. Results: Both calves had good weight bearing with moderate lameness postoperatively. Fracture healing occurred by day 60 in 1 calf and by day 30 in calf 2. The CEF was well maintained and tolerated by both calves through fracture healing. Joint mobility and limb usage improved gradually after CEF removal. Conclusions: CEF provided a stable fixation of tibial fractures and healing within 60 days and functional recovery within 90 days. Clinical Relevance: CEF can be safely and successfully used for the management of selected tibial fractures in calves.     

Effects of copper rates and soil ph on growth and nutrient uptake by citrus seedlings

Abstract

Soil properties, primarily pH and organic matter, influence phytotoxicity of copper (Cu). A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of copper additions (0, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg kg^?1) to three different soils [Myakka fine sand (pH 5.7), Candler fine sand (pH 6.5), and Oldsmar fine sand (pH 8.2)] on growth, and uptake of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and copper (Cu) by Swingle Citrumelo (SC) seedlings. In unamended soils, the seedling growth was similar in the Myakka and Candler fine sands (pH 5.7 to 6.5), but was significantly greater in the Oldsmar fine sand (pH 8.2). Increasing the rate of Cu from 0 to 400 mg kg^?1 decreased the soil pH by 0.98 unit in the Candler fine sand, by 1.57 pH unit in the Myakka fine sand, and negligible effects on the pH of the Oldsmar fine sand. The growth of SC seedlings decreased significantly with an increase in Cu rates in the Myakka and Candler fine sands, but not in the Oldsmar fine sand. The Cu concentration in the leaves and roots increased substantially with an increase in the Cu rate applied to the Candler and Myakka fine sands while the effect was marginal in the Oldsmar fine sand. The above effect was more pronounced on the Cu concentration in the roots than in the leaves. Increased rate of Cu application decreased the uptake of P, Mg, Ca, and K in the roots and leaves of the seedlings grown in the Myakka and Candler fine sands but not in the Oldsmar fine sand.     

Some plants like it warmer: Increased growth of three selected invasive plant species in soils with a history of experimental warming

Soil warming can affect plant performance by increasing soil nutrient availability through accelerating microbial activity. Here, we test the effect of experimental soil warming on the growth of the three invasive plant species Trifolium pratense (legume), Phleum pratense (grass), and Plantago lanceolata (herb) in the temperate-boreal forest ecotone of Minnesota (USA). Plants were grown from seed mixtures in microcosms of soils with three different warming histories over four years: ambient, ambient +1.7 °C, and ambient +3.4 °C. Shoot biomass of P. pratense and P. lanceolata and plant community root biomass increased significantly in soils with +3.4 °C warming history, whereas T. pratense responded positively but not significantly. Soil microbial biomass and N concentration could not explain warming effects, although the latter correlated significantly with the shoot biomass of P. lanceolata. Our results indicate that soil with a warming history may benefit some invasive plants in the temperate-boreal ecotone with potential impacts on plant community composition. Future studies should investigate the impact of warming-induced differences in soil organisms and nutrients on plant invasion.     

Pretreatment of diesel-contaminated hydrophobic soil using surfactant and sodium hexa-metaphosphate (Na-HMP) to improve infiltration of aqueous phase remedial agents in unsaturated soil

Journal of Soils and Sediments - The remediation of diesel-contaminated hydrophobic soil is difficult due to the inability of aqueous phase remedial agents to infiltrate the soil. This novel...     

Rhizobacteria‐mediated resistance against the blackeye cowpea mosaic strain of bean common mosaic virus in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

BACKGROUND: The present study investigated the effect of seven Bacillus‐species plant‐growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) seed treatments on the induction of disease resistance in cowpea against mosaic disease caused by the blackeye cowpea mosaic strain of bean common mosaic virus (BCMV). RESULTS: Initially, although all PGPR strains recorded significant enhancement of seed germination and seedling vigour, GBO3 and T4 strains were very promising. In general, all strains gave reduced BCMV incidence compared with the non‐bacterised control, both under screen‐house and under field conditions. Cowpea seeds treated with Bacillus pumilus (T4) and Bacillus subtilis (GBO3) strains offered protection of 42 and 41% against BCMV under screen‐house conditions. Under field conditions, strain GBO3 offered 34% protection against BCMV. The protection offered by PGPR strains against BCMV was evaluated by indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), with lowest immunoreactive values recorded in cowpea seeds treated with strains GBO3 and T4 in comparison with the non‐bacterised control. In addition, it was observed that strain combination worked better in inducing resistance than individual strains. Cowpea seeds treated with a combination of strains GBO3 + T4 registered the highest protection against BCMV. CONCLUSION: PGPR strains were effective in protecting cowpea plants against BCMV under both screen‐house and field conditions by inducing resistance against the virus. Thus, it is proposed that PGPR strains, particularly GBO3, could be potential inducers against BCMV and growth enhancers in cowpea. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of Moisture Stress and Anti-transpirants on Leaf Chlorophyll,

Brinjal plants ( Solanum melongena L.) grown under moisture stress conditions in a glasshouse were treated with three anti-transpirants, namely cycocel, limewash and potassium chloride, to study their influence on chlorophyll content, soluble protein and photosynthetic rate. Moisture stress imposed at each of the three growth stages decreased chlorophyll content, soluble protein and photosynthetic rate. Of the anti-transpirants investigated, cycocel performed better than limewash and po-tassium chloride.