Landuse impacts on soil organic carbon fractions in different rainfall areas of a subtropical dryland

Landuse can alter soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions by affecting carbon inflows and outflows. This study evaluated changes in SOC fractions in response to different landuses under variable rainfalls. We compared cropland, grassland and forest soils in high rainfall (Islamabad ~1142 mm) and low rainfall (Chakwal ~667 mm) areas of Pothwar dryland, Pakistan. Forest soils in both rainfall areas had highest SOC (11.32 g kg^?1), particulate organic carbon (POC, 1.70 g kg^?1), mineral-associated organic carbon (MOC, 7.17 g kg^?1) and aggregate-associated organic carbon (AOC, 7.86 g kg^?1). However, in rangeland and cropland soils, these varied with rainfall. Under high rainfall, SOC and MOC were 12% and 17% higher in rangeland than in cropland while POC and AOC were equal. Under low rainfall, SOC and MOC were higher in rangeland than in cropland by 7.21 and 1.79 g kg^?1 at 0–15 cm and equal at 15–30 cm depth. POC and AOC were higher in rangeland than in cropland, in both depths. Averagely, SOC, POC, MOC and AOC were 26%, 68%, 76% and 30% higher in high rainfall than in low rainfall soils. Sensitivity of SOC fractions to landuses observed under different rainfalls could provide useful information for soil management in subtropical drylands.     

Effect of Tillage Implements and Weed Management Techniques On Nutritive Values of Wheat Grains

Field experiments were conducted on wheat during 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 under rainfed conditions. The statistical significance between treatment means was determined at 5% significance level. Data were recorded on weed density, protein, fat and ash contents of wheat grains. Weed density in shallow tillage was highest (20.67?m^?2) while it was lowest (14.23?m^?2) in deep tillage. In weed control factor, weed density was highest in weedy check (33.10?m^?2), followed by parthenium aqueous extract (21.50?m^?2), and lowest (6.79?m^?2) in plots treated with Affinity (isoproturon?+?carfentrazone). Results showed that the highest crude protein content (10.88%) was recorded in deep tillage, while lowest (10.45%) in shallow tillage, indicating that tillage depths have an impact on wheat grains protein content. For weed control factor, the crude protein content was highest (11.98%) in Affinity treated plots, followed by herbicides, Buctril super (bromoxynil?+?MCPA) (11.44%) and Puma super (fenoxaprop-p-ethyl) (11.12%). Hence, the control measures also affected crude protein content of wheat grains, which is also obvious from the weedy check where wheat grains crude protein content was lowest (9.73%). The two years combined data analysis also showed the highest crude fat content (1.75%) in deep tillage treatments followed by normal tillage (1.67%) and lowest fat content (1.53%) in shallow tillage. For ash content, the highest content (3.03%) was with Affinity herbicide treatments, followed by Buctril super (2.74%) and Puma super (2.48%) herbicides. In conclusion, both the tillage and herbicides indicated positive effects on the nutritive status of wheat grains.

     

Transformations of Phosphorus and Other Plant Nutrients in Poultry Litter Composted with Sugarcane and Cabbage Wastes

Poultry litter (PL) is a significant source of nutrients, but a suitable amount of carbon needs to be added as a bulking agent during its composting to a stable nutrient source. Here, we characterized the transformation of phosphorus and other plant nutrients during aerobic composting of PL with sugarcane (SW) and cabbage waste (CW) for 120 d. Periodic samples were collected during composting and analyzed for total C, P (and its fractions), K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, EC and pH. At the initial stage of composting (20 d), the P fractions varied in the order: water soluble P > NaHCO₃-P (readily plant-available) > HCl-P (Ca+Mg-bound) > residual-P > NaOH-P (Fe+Al-bound). After 120 d, the order was HCl-P > residual-P > water-P > NaHCO₃-P > NaOH-P. These variations suggested a transformation of labile Pi to more recalcitrant forms during composting. Water soluble P was the dominant fraction during the initial composting period. This declined progressively with time of composting, while the HCl-P increased, confirming the transformation of the more vulnerable water soluble P to the more recalcitrant HCl-extractable P. This indicated that the composting could be a useful way of managing manure for P stabilization and reducing its losses in runoff water following land application. The total C varied directly with the ratio of sugarcane and cabbage wastes in the manure but was inversely related to the duration of composting. Extractable K, Ca, Mg, and Na increased whereas trace elements concentrations decreased with time of composting. The higher availability of basic plant nutrients and reduced availability of heavy metals in the mature compost are valuable attributes for safe use in sustainable agricultural production.     

Effects of dietary forage to concentrate ratio and wildrye length on nutrient intake,digestibility, plasma metabolites,ruminal fermentation and fecal microflora of male Chinese Holstein calves

Twenty-eight male, weaned Chinese Holstein calves((156.8±33.4) kg) were used to investigate the effects of dietary forage to concentrate ratio(F:C) and forage length on nutrient digestibility, plasma metabolites, ruminal fermentation, and fecal microflora. Animals were randomly allocated to four treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement: whole-length forage(WL) with low F:C(50:50); WL with high F:C(65:35); short-length forage(SL) with high F:C(65:35); and SL with low F:C(50:50). Chinese wildrye was used as the only forage source in this trial. The grass in the SL treatments was chopped using a chaff cutter to achieve small particle size(~50% particles 19 mm). Dry matter intake(DMI) and organic matter(OM) intake was increased by increasing both F:C(P0.01) and forage length(FL)(P0.05), while acid detergent fiber(ADF) and neutral detergent fiber(NDF) intakes were only increased by increasing the F:C(P0.01). The digestibility of NDF was increased as the FL increased(P0.01), and it was also affected by interaction between F:C and FL(P0.05). Cholesterol(CHO)(P0.01), leptin(LP)(P0.05), and growth hormone(GH)(P0.01) concentrations in plasma were increased as dietary F:C increased. A significant increase in plasma triglyceride(TG)(P0.01), insulin(INS)(P0.05), and GH(P0.01) levels was observed with decreasing dietary FL. Ruminal p H values of calves fed with low F:C diets were significantly lower than those in high F:C treatment(P0.05). Increasing the F:C enhanced ruminal acetic acid(P0.05) and acetic acid/propionic acid(P0.01). Fecal Lactobacillus content was significantly higher, while Escherichia coli and Salmonella contents were significantly lower in WL and high F:C groups(P0.05). Lower fecal scores(higher diarrhea rate) were observed in calves fed with SL hay compared to WL hay(P0.05). Denatured gradient gel electrophoresis(DGGE) bands and richness index(S) were significantly affected by the interaction between F:C and FL(P0.05), under high F:C, band numbers and richness index from WL group were higher than that from SL group(P0.05), whereas there were no differences between WL andSL groups under low F:C(P0.05). Microflora similarity was 50–73% among the different treatments. It is concluded that the WL with high F:C(65:35) diet is suitable for weaned calves.     

地下LoRa无线传感器网络的传输测试系统研究

【目的】以智能手机为核心,研制成本低、使用简单的面向LoRa地下无线数据传输的测试系统。【方法】该测试系统由安装了测试用的App智能手机和与之匹配的地下测试节点组成。利用该系统进行场景测试,测定影响土壤中LoRa无线数据传输效果的因素并讨论对应的数据传输方法。【结果】测试结果表明,该系统运行可靠、使用方便灵活,LoRa低功耗广域网技术亦可以较为可靠地满足土壤介质中的无线传感器网络数据传输需求。【结论】本系统可为未来地下LoRa无线传感器网络的工程应用提供相应的测试手段。     

Influence of organic and inorganic passivators on Cd and Pb stabilization and microbial biomass in a contaminated paddy soil

Purpose

Soil contamination with heavy metals, such as Cd and Pb, has caused severe health and environmental risks all over the world. Possible eco-friendly solutions for Cd and Pb immobilization were required to reduce its mobility through various cost-effective amendments.

Materials and methods

A laboratory incubation study was conducted to assess the efficiency of biochar (BC), zeolite (ZE), and rock phosphate (RP) as passivators for the stabilization of Cd and Pb in paddy soil as well as soil microbial biomass. Various extraction techniques were carried out: a sequential extraction procedure, the European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR), toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test, and single extraction with CaCl₂. The impact of passivators on soil pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and microbial biomass (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) was examined in the metal contaminated soil.

Results and discussion

The results showed that the exchangeable portion of Cd in soil was significantly reduced by 34.8, 21.6, and 18.8% with ZE, RP, and BC at a 3% application rate, respectively. A similar tendency of reduction in Pb soluble portion was observed by ZE (9.6%), RP (20%), and BC (21.4%) at a 3% application rate. Moreover, the TCLP leachate of Cd and Pb was apparently reduced by 17 and 30.3% with BC at a 3% application dose, respectively, when compared to the control. Soil pH, nutrients, and microbial biomass C, N, and P were significantly increased with the addition of BC, RP, and ZE passivators.

Conclusions

The results showed that the incorporation of BC, ZE, and RP significantly reduced the Cd and Pb mobility in paddy soil as well as enhanced soil nutrients and microbial biomass. Overall, among all the amendments, rice straw derived-BC performed better for Cd and Pb immobilization in paddy soil.

     

Determination of the role of salicylic acid and Benzothiadiazole on physico-chemical alterations caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumber mosaic virus</Emphasis> in tomato

Shoe-string disease caused by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is one of the major threats to tomato production worldwide. The alteration in some biochemical parameters in leaves of the susceptible tomato genotype (Nagina) associated with CMV infection and the effect of exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA) and benzothiadiazole (BTH) were studied in this paper. Results showed that exogenous treatment with SA and BTH not only led to plants which gave significantly more yield than diseased controls (DC), but also delayed symptom expression and reduced disease severity. Analysis of biochemical parameters indicated that exogenous application of elicitors and viral infection, significantly affected the activity of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Compared to the DC plants, minimum disease severity and maximum number of fruit were recorded after a single dose of SA + BTH. Maximum plant height was recorded after weekly application of SA and maximum fruit yield per plant was gained with single dose of SA. Moreover, the activity of POD was significantly elicited many-fold after weekly application of SA + BTH, while higher amount of SOD was recorded with single dose of SA. The activity of CAT was also significantly accelerated after weekly application of SA + BTH while increased level of APX was noticed with single dose of BTH. In conclusion, the combined application of SA and BTH played an important role in induction of defense mechanism against CMV infection and can be useful in tomato disease management programs.     

Artificial diet based investigation on the impact of purified Cry1Ac,Cry1Fa and Cry2Ab on the survival and reproductive performance of adult green lacewing, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysopa pallens</Emphasis> (Rambur) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

The green lacewing Chrysopa pallens (Rambur) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is a common and abundant predator in many cropping systems in palearctic realm and it’s conservation is helpful in sustainable pest management in agro-ecosystem. Prior to commercialization of Bt crops in any agro- ecosystem, it is necessary to evaluate the impact of Cry proteins upon non-target organisms especially biological control agents (BCA). In present study an artificial diet consisting of shrimp, beef, beef liver and egg yolk was developed to mass-rear C. pallens for its use as biological control agents in sustainable pest management. Moreover, an artificial diet based risk assessment protocol was developed to investigate the impact of Cry1Ac, Cry1Fa and Cry2Ab on the survival and reproductive performance of C. pallens adults. C. pallens was fed on diets incorporated with Cry proteins and without addition of Cry proteins (control). The same diet containing boric acid was served as a positive control. Temporal stability, bioactivity and intake of Cry proteins by C. pallens were confirmed using double-antibody sandwich, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and bioactivity verification bioassays. Survival and reproductive performance of C. pallens, e.g., pre-oviposition period, daily fecundity, total fecundity and 30-day old adults dry weights, exhibited non-significant differences (p?>?0.05) for the diets containing Cry1Ac, Cry1Fa and Cry2Ab (50 μg/g) against Control. However, significant reduction in survival and reproductive performance (p?<?0.05) was observed in positive control. Our findings reveal that artificial diet is a good source of nutritional requirement with enhanced survival and reproductive performance of C. pallens and can be used for mass rearing of predator in case of natural diet scarcity and Cry proteins are safe for adult C. pallens and Bt crops cultivation help in predators conservation in sustainable agriculture.     

Increasing Farm Productivity and Soil Fertility on Sustainable Basis Through “Summer Gap” Utilization with Biochar and Legumes

To reduce reliance on scientific fertilizer due to rapid increase of fertilizer prices and environmental constraint, it necessary to improve crop productivity and soil fertility on sustainable basses. Utilization of “summer gap” through biochar and legumes have pleasant effects on improving crop productivity and soil fertility on long term basses. Two years’ field experiments were conducted on wheat and maize crops with “summer gap” utilization with legumes and biochar at research farm of agronomy, the University of Agriculture Peshawar during 2011–2013. Wheat-maize-wheat cropping system was followed with the adjustment of legumes in “summer gap” (land available after wheat harvest till maize sowing). Legumes i.?e. mung bean, cowpea and Sesbania with a fallow were adjusted in the “summer gap” with and without biochar application. Biochar was included at the rate of 0 and 50?t?ha^-1 with four N levels of 0, 90, 120, 150 and 0, 60, 90, 120?kg?ha^-1 to subsequent maize and wheat crops, respectively. In legumes’ experiment, biochar increased fresh and dry fodder yield in cowpea and Sesbania, grain and biological yields in mung bean. In maize experiments, biochar improved grain yield. Nitrogen application increased grain and biological yields. In wheat experiments with increasing nitrogen level enhanced biological and grain yields. It is concluded that use of biochar and legumes in “summer gap” improve overall farm productivity and soil fertility on sustainable basses.