Statistical Assessment of Sustainability of Finger Millet Yield through Rainfall and Soil Fertility Variables using Regression and Principal Component Models in Rainfed Semi-Arid Alfisol

Field experiments were conducted in farmyard manure (FYM) and maize-residue (MR) blocks during 1984–2011 with the objective of identifying a superior treatment for attaining maximum finger millet yield and soil fertility at Bangalore. The treatments tested in the FYM block were Control; FYM@10tha^?1; FYM@10tha^?1 + 50% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK); FYM@10tha^?1 + 100%NPK; 100%NPK; and in the MR block, Control; MR@5tha^?1; MR@5t ha^?1 + 50%NPK; MR@5tha^?1 + 100%NPK; 100%NPK. FYM@10t/ha + 100%NPK gave a maximum mean yield of 3207 kg/ha in the FYM block, while MR@5t/ha + 100%NPK gave 2548 kg/ha in the MR block. Regression and principal component (PC) models of yield were developed through soil fertility and rainfall variables to assess the treatments. Maximum yield predictability of 60% and 65% under regression, and 76% and 75% under the PC model were observed for the FYM and MR blocks, respectively. FYM@10t/ha + 50%NPK was superior, with maximum gross returns of Rs.41286/ha and benefit–cost ratio (BCR) of 2.27 in the FYM block compared to MR@5t/ha + 100%NPK (gross returns of Rs.34530/ha and BCR of 2.09) in the MR block with maximum soil fertility, and are recommended for adoption under semi-arid Alfisols.     

Boron Deficiency in Mango (Mangifera indica L.): A Cause Delineation Study in Acidic Soils of Maharashtra, India

Boron deficiency is a major production constraint of Mango cv Alphonso in western coast, Maharashtra, India. The soils are sandy-loam, light, acidic in reaction and receive high annual precipitation of above 2,500 mm. The leaf and soil B status was low with an average of 23 and 0.25 mg kg⁻¹ respectively. About 60% of the orchards were found to be deficient in B. The B adsorption study using Langmuir adsorption isotherm revealed that the adsorption capacity of B by these soils was low with an average adsorption maxima (b) of 16.62 μg g⁻¹ and bonding energy constant ( K ) of 0.09 mL μg⁻¹ making soil B susceptible to leaching. The Mango leaf N status was in excess range, which aggravated B deficiency through growth dilution. A significant negative correlation was observed between leaf B and leaf N (statistically significant at 1% level (p=0.01)). The free Al status of the soils was found to be fairly high, and its detrimental effect on root growth was observed which led to inefficient absorption of limited soil B by roots. The climatic conditions of Konkan like high humidity, high temperature and long sunshine hours also favored widespread incidence of B deficiency, low yield and poor quality. The response of Mango cv Alphonso to the B application was found to be more in foliar than in soil application.     

Effect of Cotton leaf curl virus infected plants on the biology of the whitefly,Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae): Vector–virus mutualism

Cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) (Geminiviridae : Begomovirus), the causative agent of leaf curl disease in cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum), is exclusively transmitted by whitefly species Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). CLCuV transmission occurs in Sriganganagar (Rajasthan), an area endemic with cotton leaf curl disease. The relationships between plant viruses, their herbivore vectors and host plants can be beneficial, neutral, or antagonistic, depending on the species involved. To further understand these relationships, fecundity and life history parameters of an indigenous non- b (Asia II genetic group) biotype whitefly, B. tabaci, were compared on 10, 25, and 40 days post-inoculation (DPI), in CLCuV-infected and healthy cotton plants to determine the effect of virus on its vector. The development time of the immature stages of whiteflies was significantly reduced on CLCuV-infected plants. The development time of the immature stages did not change with severity of symptoms at 25 and 40 DPI (45- and 60-d-old plants). Cotton leaf curl virus infection increased percent egg viability of B. tabaci. Whiteflies deposited significantly fewer eggs on virus-infected plants than on healthy plants. Whiteflies had better egg viability on younger plants than older plants, whereas plant age did not affect the fecundity. Male and female whiteflies had shorter longevity on CLCuV-infected plants than on healthy plants.     

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines for mercury

CCME Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines for mercury have been recommended or are under development for soil, water and sediments. These guidelines provide nationally consistent benchmarks for environmental quality across Canada and are intended as decision support tools in protecting and sustaining aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in Canada and the beneficial uses they support. A Canadian water quality guideline for protection of aquatic life was recommended in 1987 as 0.1 μg·L^?1. Currently, mercury guidelines for soils and sediments are under development. Preliminary calculations indicate that interim marine and freshwater sediment guidelines for the protection of aquatic life will both be 0.14 mg·kg^?1; and that soil quality guidelines will be 2.0 mg·kg^?1 (agricultural and residential land uses), and 30.0 mg·kg (commercial and industrial land uses). Final recommended values are subject to change pending final approval by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment.     

Shaped ceramics with tunable magnetic properties from metal-containing polymers

A shaped, magnetic ceramic was obtained from a metal-containing polymer network, which was synthesized by thermal polymerization of a metal-containing organosilicon monomer. Pyrolysis of a cylinder, shape, or film of the metal-containing polymer precursor produced a low-density magnetic ceramic replica in high yield. The magnetic properties of the shaped ceramic could be tuned between a superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic state by controlling the pyrolysis conditions, with the particular state dependent on the size of iron nanoclusters homogeneously dispersed throughout the carbosilane-graphitic-silicon nitride matrix. These results indicate that cross-linked metal-containing polymers may be useful precursors to ceramic monoliths with tailorable magnetic properties.     

Anti-inflammatory,cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, COX-1 inhibitory and antioxidant effects of Dysophylla stellata Benth.

The n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of whole plants of Dysophylla stellata significantly inhibited edema when applied topically at doses of 0.5 and 1 mg/ear in TPA-induced ear edema assay in mice. Further, both the extracts were evaluated for COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory activities and showed 85.42 and 57.38%; and 71.79 and 89.27% inhibition at 50 µg/ml, respectively. Chromones (1 and 2) present in these extracts could be responsible for their COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory and anti-inflammatory activities. The ethyl acetate extract showed antioxidant activity in DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assay where as n-hexane extract found to be inactive.     

Influence of growth hormones on adventitious root formation in semi-hardwood cuttings of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Celasturs paniculatus</Emphasis> Willd.: a contribution for rapid multiplication and conservation management

Celastrus paniculatus Willd. (Celastraceae) is an important medicinal tree valued for its seeds. Indiscriminate collection of this plant from the habitat zones has posed a serious threat to its existence in the wild, results in globally a threatened plant species. Ex situ conservation is a prioritized agenda of research for redlisted plant species. Semi-hardwood stem cuttings collected from 10 to 15 year old trees were treated with different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 g l⁻¹) of growth hormones; indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) for positive effect on root induction. After 90 days of treatment, results were analyzed for percentage of rooting, root number and average root length per rooted cuttings. The highest rooting (57%) response with highest number of roots (~77.2) was obtained in indole-3-acetic acid at 3.0 g l⁻¹. Overall, high significant (P ≤ 0.05) rooting response was noticed in IAA treatment comparative to hormones IBA and NAA. Rooted cuttings exhibited 100% survival in the experimental field. This study reveals the propagation of semi-hardwood cuttings derived from partially matured branches is possible and it provides a basis for conservation of this threatened plant species by reducing pressure on its natural populations.     

Pennyroyal oil toxicosis in a dog.

A dog was treated for fleas with the application of pennyroyal oil obtained by the owner at a health food store. Vomiting ensued within 2 hours, and despite emergency treatment, the dog died within 48 hours. At necropsy, pennyroyal oil was determined to be the cause of death.