Co-application of sugarcane bagasse biochar,farmyard manure and mineral nitrogen improved growth indices of corn grown in alkaline calcareous soil

Abstract

Soil quality and crop productivity can be improved by the combined soil application of organic amendments and synthetic fertilizers. We evaluated the sole and combined effects of sugarcane-bagasse biochar (SBB), farmyard manure (FYM) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer on soil properties and corn yield traits. Three N fertilizer rates (0, 50 and 100% of recommended) were used with or without the organic amendments. We observed significant increases in soil nitrate-N (at vegetative and reproductive phases), ammonical-N and microbial-biomass-N contents in responses to a co-application of 0.5% SBB, 0.5% FYM and 100% N fertilizer (p?≤?0.05). While the same co-application also resulted in the most significant soil organic carbon value, the maximum soil microbial biomass carbon was observed when 0.5% SBB and 0.5% FYM combination was applied along with 50% N fertilizer (p?≤?0.05). Plant growth indices—shoot length and, fresh and dry weights of shoot and root were also recorded to be the highest where the same organic amendments were applied in addition to a 50% or 100% mineral N fertilizer (p?≤?0.05). Combined application of the organic amendments effectively improved soil CEC compared to those in responses to individual applications of SBB and FYM (p?≤?0.05). Conclusively, for increasing the corn yield and improving the soil quality, the co-application of 0.5% SBB and 0.5% FYM was more effective than any of the individual 1% applications; Additions of 50% and 100% mineral N to the organic combination were equally useful for increasing the grain yield.     

Evaluation of the fluorescent antibody test for diagnosis of paratuberculosis

Results of indirect fluorescent-antibody microscopy did not differ significantly from complement-fixation test results in diagnosing paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) in cattle. Neither test had acceptable sensitivity or specificity for detecting subclinical cases.     

利用几何遗传方法优化前缘翼根延伸的外形以增强飞行器升力系数和机动性

为了提高所选定飞行器模型的机动性,采用了一种标准遗传算法设计前缘翼根延伸(LEX).同时使用一种由三维低阶板方法结合DATCOM方法半经验公式的改进方法预测复杂外形飞行器(机身 机翼 尾翼)的空气动力载荷和最大升力系数.结果表明,在前缘翼根存在的情况下,升力系数在马赫数为0.4～0.8时提升了20.5%～15.3%,在马赫数为1.2时提升了6.8%,在马赫数为0.2～0.95之间升力系数最大值提升了9.5%～15%.在1～5 km的高度亚音速飞行时,其回转率得到了6.6%～8.0%的提升.     

Trace elements accumulation in soil and rice plants irrigated with the contaminated water

We carried out a study to see the effect of contaminated water of Nullah Dek on fine rice paddy and straw yields and trace elements accumulation in different parts of rice plants and soil. A site was selected near the bank of Nullah Dek at Kot Pindi Das in the District of Sheikhupura, Pakistan. The water of this nullah is contaminated by industrial effluents carrying different micronutrients. This water was employed to grow rice crop. Water samples were collected before transplanting and during the season with 15 days interval for analysis from 20 July to 1 November 2002 from a spot near village Shamke. Three fine rice varieties, viz. Super Basmati, Shaheen Basmati and Basmati 2000 were transplanted. These rice varieties were grown up to maturity. Paddy and straw yields data were recorded. Six composite soil samples from three random spots were collected from the experimental site before the start of the study to see the status of trace elements in soil. After the harvest of rice crop, soil, paddy and straw samples were analysed for Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn. The chemical analysis of Nullah Dek water showed that total salts concentration was greater than the safe limit, i.e. electric conductance (EC) > 1.0 dS m⁻¹. Even sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) was very high, but there was no problem of high residual sodium carbonate (RSC). Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn were present but within safe limits. The water of Nullah Dek remained within permissible limits of irrigation from onset of rainy season till 15 October. There was an increase in EC, SAR and trace elements concentrations after 15 October but within safe limits. Soil analysis revealed its saline nature, devoid of sodicity. Among trace elements, the zinc ranged between deficiency (<0.5 mg kg⁻¹) and adequate limits (>1.0 mg kg⁻¹). Copper, Mn and Fe were present in adequate amounts. After the harvest of rice crop there was a slight decrease in pH, EC_e and SAR at both the depths, while the concentrations of all trace elements were slightly increased with more in upper layer than the lower layer. Shaheen Basmati produced the maximum paddy yield followed by Basmati 2000 and then Super Basmati. The chemical analysis of paddy samples indicated a sufficient accumulation of zinc (1.68–1.78 mg kg⁻¹), copper (1.38–1.45 mg kg⁻¹), iron (6.12–6.37 mg kg⁻¹) and manganese (2.22–2.42 mg kg⁻¹). Analysis of rice straw also showed sufficient accumulation of zinc (27.50–28.50 mg kg⁻¹), copper (20.0–20.50 mg kg⁻¹), iron (270–280 mg kg⁻¹) and manganese (2.38–2.41 mg kg⁻¹).     

Emergence of irrigated cotton in flatland planting in relation to furrow opener type and crust-breaking treatments for Cambisols in central Iran

Emergence of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under flatland mechanized planting system with crust-forming soil and saline soil and irrigation water can be suboptimal in central Iran. A field experiment was conducted to determine furrow opener type and crust-breaking method effects on cotton emergence on a silty clay soil (Calcic Cambisols). The effects of five planters (equipped with runner, single- and double-disk type openers) and five crust-breaking methods (using rolling cultivator, rolling-type crust breaker, spike-tooth, chain-type harrows and no crust-breaking) on the seedling emergence were studied. The results showed that planter type significantly affected cotton seedling emergence. In non-crust-breaking method, the best emergence was produced with the double-disk opener planter that created crack lines along the seed rows. This phenomenon was not observed with the runner-type opener planter. However, some crack lines were observed on the outside edges of its smooth-crown zero-pressure press wheels tires, which resulted in large clod formation after crust-breaking and had therefore negative effect on seedling emergence. Crust-breaking had negative effect on final emergence for double-disk planter due to filling the crack lines with loosened soil. Crust-breaking improved emergence percentages for runner opener planters, when the depth of penetration of the crust breaker teeth was shallow. The conclusion is that irrigated cotton emergence on crust-forming soils in a flatland planting system might significantly be improved by selecting a double-disk planter with zero-pressure press wheel tires without any crust-breaking operation under the soil and climate of central Iran.     

Impacts of long-term application of buctril super (bromoxynil) herbicide on microbial population,enzymes activity,nitrate nitrogen,Olsen-P and total organic carbon in soil

Long-term impact of buctril super (bromoxynil) herbicide in the wheat fields on soil microbial population, nitrate-N, Olsen-P, total organic carbon (TOC) and enzyme activities was evaluated in 18 sites in Pakistan. Nine sites were randomly selected from those places where bromoxynil herbicide had been used for the last 10 years designated as soil ‘X’ and other nine where no herbicide was used in that period designated as soil ‘Y’. Very importantly, it was found that long-term application of this herbicide in wheat fields reduced the actinomycetes and fungi population up to 19.7 and 14.3%, respectively, urease and dehydrogenase activity by 17.5 and 28.2%, respectively, and reduced nitrate-N, Olsen-P and TOC up to 55, 17 and 28.57%, respectively. Presence of high clay and organic matter contents enhanced the detrimental effect of herbicide by prolonging its persistence as compared to light-textured soils with low organic matter. As in Pakistan this herbicide is being used most frequently in wheat fields, data are scarce on the long-term effect of this herbicide on soil microbial activities and soil health. These findings could give new insights about the use of alternate herbicide in wheat fields, particularly in clay-textured and high organic matter contained soils for maintaining soil health.     

Approaches for developing molecular markers associated with virus resistances in potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Potato, (Solanum tuberosum), is one of the most common and important food sources for humans. It is not only essential as a food source but also has many...     

Expression and Purification of Neurotoxin-Associated Protein HA-33/A from Clostridium botulinum and Evaluation of Its Antigenicity

Background: Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) complexes consist of neurotoxin and neurotoxin-associated proteins. Hemagglutinin-33 (HA-33) is a member of BoNT type A (BoNT/A) complex. Considering the protective role of HA-33 in preservation of BoNT/A in gastrointestinal harsh conditions and also its adjuvant role, recombinant production of this protein is favorable. Thus in this study, HA-33 was expressed and purified, and subsequently its antigenicity in mice was studied. Methods: Initially, ha-33 gene sequence of Clostridium botulinum serotype A was adopted from GenBank. The gene sequence was optimized and synthesized in pET28a (+) vector. E. coli BL21 (DE3) strain was transformed by the recombinant vector and the expression of HA-33 was optimized at 37°C and 5 h induction time. Results: The recombinant protein was purified by nickel nitrilotriacetic acid agarose affinity chromatography and confirmed by immunoblotting. Enzyme Linked Immunoassay showed a high titer antibody production in mice. Conclusion: The results indicated a highly expressed and purified recombinant protein, which is able to evoke high antibody titers in mice. Key Words: Botulinum neurotoxin, Expression, Purification     

Optimization of polymerization conditions and thermal degradation of conducting polypyrrole coated polyester fabrics

PET fabric is coated with conducting polypyrrole (PPy) by oxidative polymerization from an aqueous solution of Py using ferric chloride hexahydrate (FeCl₃) as oxidant and p-toluene sulphonate (pTSA) as dopant. The optimum concentrations for Py, FeCl₃ and pTSA were found to be 0.11, 0.857 and 0.077 mol/l respectively, which yielded a conductive fabrics with resistivity as low as 72 Ω/sq. PPy fabric gained resistivity less than one order of magnitude when aged for 18 months at room temperature. The stabilizing effect of the dopant pTSA against thermal degradation was demonstrated; the undoped samples reached resistivity of around 40 kΩ, whereas doped samples reached less than 2 kΩ at the same temperature and time.     

新疆天山一号冰川地衣地理区系与生态特征

初步整理了分布在天山一号冰川的地衣种类,共5目12科24属51种.地衣区系上包括世界广布种、环极北极高山种、环极低北极及北方种、环北方种、两极和大西洋种、温带种、东亚种、东亚-北美西部、北欧-巴基斯坦-北美种、中亚分布种、北半球大陆广布种、两半球广布种、中国特有种等.同时结合地衣的生长环境特征将该地区的地衣分藓丛生、土生、草地生、地面生、石浮土生、岩面生、荒漠风滚、树皮或树枝生、朽木生地衣种等9种生态类型.