Effect of enriched municipal solid waste compost application on soil available macronutrients in the rice field

Abstract

A study was conducted in the Department of Environmental Sciences, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India, to transform the normal compost into bioactive compost, which has multiple benefits to the crop system. The key players in this transformation process were Azotobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp., Phosphobacteria sp. and the waste materials like poultry litter and spent wash. This enrichment process increases both the quality and nutrient content of the municipal solid waste compost significantly. A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of application of different levels of enriched municipal solid waste compost on the availability of the macronutrient content to the rice field soil. The effect of enriched compost on soil available nutrients was significant. The soil ammonium nitrogen and soil nitrate nitrogen content was found to be high in the plots where the enriched compost was applied along with inorganic fertilizer with the values of 38.87 mg kg^?1 and 32.87 mg kg^?1, respectively. In addition, the availability decreased towards crop growth. The soil available P and K were also increased with enriched compost application to about 22.46 kg ha^?1 and 647 kg ha^?1 compared with control values of 19.44 kg ha^?1 and 518 kg ha^?1, respectively. Both phosphorus and potassium content decreased towards advancement of crop growth.     

Influence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tribulus terrestris</Emphasis> on testicular enzyme in fresh water ornamental fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Poecilia latipinna</Emphasis>

The influence of Tribulus terrestris on the activities of testicular enzyme in Poecilia latipinna was assessed in lieu of reproductive manipulation. Different concentrations of (100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 mg) Tribulus terrestris extract and of a control were tested for testicular activity of enzymes in Poecilia latipinna for 2 months. The testis and liver were homogenized separately in 0.1 mol/l potassium phosphate buffer (0.1 mol/l, pH 7.2). The crude homogenate was centrifuged, and supernatant obtained was used as an enzyme extract for determination of activities. The activities of testicular functional enzyme ALP, ACP, SDH, LDH, and G6PDH levels were changed to different extent in treated groups compared with that of the control. The total body weight and testis weight were increased with the Tribulus terrestris-treated fish (Poecilia latipinna). These results suggest that Tribulus terrestris induced the testicular enzyme activity that may aid in the male reproductive functions. It is discernible from the present study that Tribulus terrestris has the inducing effect on reproductive system of Poecilia latipinna.     

Ultrasonographic and Endocrine Characterization of Follicular Waves in Llamas with a Special Reference to the Overlapping Phenomenon During Successive Waves

Ovarian follicular growth in non‐mated llamas occurs in successive waves that generally superimpose their origin on the regression of the preceding wave (overlapping), originating prolonged sexual receptivity in the species. The aim of this study was to perform an ultrasonographic and endocrine characterization of individual and successive waves in non‐mated llamas with a special interest on the overlapping phenomenon. Twelve llamas were examined daily by transrectal ultrasonography for at least two consecutive waves. In six females, blood samples were collected daily at the end of each examination. The development of the largest follicle (F) showed a wavelike pattern with a mean duration of 25 days. All waves evaluated were partially overlapped on the preceding wave and emerged at a mean interval of 15.8 ± 0.5 days. This interwave interval determines a mean overlapping degree of 32% of the wave length. Similarly, mean plasma oestradiol‐17β (E₂) concentrations followed a wavelike pattern. However, E₂ concentrations started to decline before the structural regression of the F was observed. Mean basal E₂ concentrations remain higher than 10.9 ± 0.6 pmol/l. In conclusion, follicular activity in non‐mated llamas is characterized by continuous emergence of successive waves that always overlap the preceding wave with variable degrees. E₂ production during the follicular wave is shorter in duration than the morphological development of the F. Finally, the overlapping phenomenon maintains increased plasma E₂ concentrations persistently and this could explain the prolonged periods of sexual receptivity registered in llamas.     

In situ observation of the electrochemical lithiation of a single SnO₂ nanowire electrode

We report the creation of a nanoscale electrochemical device inside a transmission electron microscope--consisting of a single tin dioxide (SnO(2)) nanowire anode, an ionic liquid electrolyte, and a bulk lithium cobalt dioxide (LiCoO(2)) cathode--and the in situ observation of the lithiation of the SnO(2) nanowire during electrochemical charging. Upon charging, a reaction front propagated progressively along the nanowire, causing the nanowire to swell, elongate, and spiral. The reaction front is a "Medusa zone" containing a high density of mobile dislocations, which are continuously nucleated and absorbed at the moving front. This dislocation cloud indicates large in-plane misfit stresses and is a structural precursor to electrochemically driven solid-state amorphization. Because lithiation-induced volume expansion, plasticity, and pulverization of electrode materials are the major mechanical effects that plague the performance and lifetime of high-capacity anodes in lithium-ion batteries, our observations provide important mechanistic insight for the design of advanced batteries.     

Indian Herbal Medications to Replace Antibiotics for Shrimp Penaeus monodon Post Larvae

Herbs with known antibacterial characteristics were chosen and extracted with different polar and non-polar solvents and screened against five different shrimp pathogens: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibrio harveyi, and V. parahaemolyticus. Five different diets were prepared by incorporating equal proportions of these five herbal extracts at increasing concentrations: Control (0), HD1 (200), HD2 (400), HD3 (600), and HD4 (800 mg/kg of diet). Diets were individually fed to the Penaeus monodon post larvae (PL 25) for 30 days. At 10-day intervals, post larvae were bath challenged with V. harveyi and observed for pathological signs. Post larvae fed the HD 4 diet enjoyed a 75% improvement in survival over the control group and significantly improved final weights and SGR (P < 0.05). The herbal diets HD1 to HD4 helped to decrease the Vibrio load in P. monodon post-larvae after challenging.     

Salinity a significant environmental factor for Vibrio harveyi virulence in Fenneropenaeus indicus

The effect of ambient salinity on the haemolymph variables of Fenneropenaeus indicus and its susceptibility to Vibrio harveyi infection under salinity stress has been studied. Adult shrimps were acclimated to 5‰ (hypo osmotic), 25‰ (iso osmotic) and 35‰ (hyper osmotic) salinity levels and the animals were injected with a mid logarithmic culture of V. harveyi at sub lethal level and haemolymph parameters were analysed. Haemolymph proteins, intracellular superoxide anion production, phenoloxidase (PO), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activity were found to be at elevated level both at 5‰ and 35‰ post challenge. The haematological responses showed a progressive increase (P < 0.05) up to post challenge day 5 (PCD 5) followed by a considerable decline at all salinities with the lowest being at 35‰. The alterations in the variables were higher in shrimps held at 5‰. However, the V. harveyi infection was severe in animals held at 35‰. The reduction in the parameters could be correlated with the decrease in survival rate of shrimps at 35‰ with a concurrent increase in V. harveyi at this salinity. Multiple regression analysis revealed that ACP (P < 0.001), haemocyte protein HCP (P < 0.001) and PO (P < 0.05) could explain 91% variability in the shrimp survival. These parameters may be used as effective shrimp health indicators. It is evident from the study that ambient salinity alters the haemolymph variables, modulates the virulence in V. harveyi and makes the shrimps more vulnerable to infection at higher salinity. The virulence of V. harveyi is increased at 35‰ salinity as being evidenced from the high mortality at this salinity. The study emphasizes the importance of salinity as an important environmental factor both in terms of host susceptibility and virulence of the pathogen.     

Genetic and biological variations amongPlutella xylostella granulovirus isolates

Success of a baculovirus in the field depends on the selection and utilization of effective isolates of viruses with increased pathogenicity and virulence. Isolates ofPlutella xylostella granuloviruses collected from Kenya and India were compared for genetic variations by restriction endonuclease enzyme analysis and for biological activity based on their median lethal concentration and time-to-kill early- and late-third instars. TheP. xylostella granulovirus isolates in Kenya were more diverse than those in India and were considerably different from the latter, with only 53–61% similarity. The Kenyan and Indian isolates did not differ significantly for their median lethal concentration, but the Kenyan isolate collected from Kibwezi was significantly faster than other isolates in killing early- and late-third instarP. xylostella. Cluster analysis of restriction fragment marker profiles of theP. xylostella granulovirus with other granuloviruses revealed that it grouped into a cluster with Spodoptera litura granulovirus, whereasHelicoverpa armigera andChilo infuscatellus granuloviruses grouped into another cluster. Results of the present study indicate the existence of genetically and biologically diverse isolates ofP. xylostella granulovirus which could be further developed into effective biopesticides for the management of diamondback moth. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting May 21, 2008.     

Carbon footprint reduction in the textile process chain: Recycling of textile materials

It is an important task of people connected with the textiles and clothing sector to work on the feasible ways to trim down the carbon footprint in each phase of a textile product??s life cycle. One of the possible ways to decipher the reduction of carbon footprint of textiles and clothing sector is to recycle the textile process waste and also to recycle at the end-of-life of textile products and these aspects are exemplified in this paper in detail. Detailed investigation of the possibilities, barriers, challenges to recycle textile waste materials are discussed in this paper with relevant case studies. For recycling of process waste, an example was modelled by recycling the process waste and the carbon footprint results were demonstrated with the aid of 7.3 version of SIMAPRO LCA (Life cycle assessment) software. From the results of this case study, it was understood that recycling of process waste would contribute to the direct reduction of carbon footprint. For the second case of recycling at the end-of-life, there are many barriers and challenges to the textile products to be recycled, which are discussed in detail. For this case, two hypothetical situations were defined and the carbon footprint results of them were modeled and demonstrated with the aid of 7.3 version of SIMAPRO software to illustrate the benefits of recycling to reduce the carbon footprint. Designers need to conisder, ??Ecological Design?? in design phase to address most of the difficulties faced by recycling of textile products at the end-of-life, which will of certain help to reduce the carbon footprint of the textile products.     

Characterization of Shrimp Oil from Pandalus borealis by High Performance Liquid Chromatography and High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, was recovered from the cooking water of shrimp processing facilities. The oil contains significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in triglyceride form, along with substantial long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). It also features natural isomeric forms of astaxanthin, a nutritional carotenoid, which gives the oil a brilliant red color. As part of our efforts in developing value added products from waste streams of the seafood processing industry, we present in this paper a comprehensive characterization of the triacylglycerols (TAGs) and astaxanthin esters that predominate in the shrimp oil by using HPLC-HRMS and MS/MS, as well as ¹³C-NMR. This approach, in combination with FAME analysis, offers direct characterization of fatty acid molecules in their intact forms, including the distribution of regioisomers in TAGs. The information is important for the standardization and quality control, as well as for differentiation of composition features of shrimp oil, which could be sold as an ingredient in health supplements and functional foods.