Soil Organic Carbon and Soil Physical Characteristics as Affected by Land Uses under Semiarid Irrigated Conditions

ABSTRACT

Rice-Wheat rotation is the dominant land use in the state of Punjab, resulting in over exploitation of ground water resources. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate other land uses that requires less water and are sustainable. The present investigation was planned with four land uses viz., fallow (FLU), rice-wheat (ALU), grasses (GLU) and pear (PLU) with respect to their effect on soil organic carbon and soil physical characteristics in surface and subsurface depth in district Ludhiana, Punjab. The soil organic carbon (SOC) content was higher by 10, 30.9 and 24.9% under rice-wheat, grasses, and pear than that under fallow. The grasses showed higher soil moisture characteristics curve (SMCC) and lower bulk density (Db) than that under rice-wheat. The larger mean weight diameter (MWD) were observed under pear, grasses and fallow than that under rice-wheat by 0.21, 0.51 and 0.41 mm, respectively. The saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) was higher in magnitude by 56.1, 55.4 and 28%, respectively under PLU, GLU and FLU over ALU. Of the evaluated land uses, pear and grasses proved to be more sustainable by retaining more moisture, maintaining better soil physical characteristics and SOC under semiarid irrigated conditions in the state on long term gradual response.     

Assessment of Genetic Diversity for Grain Yield and Yield Component Traits in Some Genotypes of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Even though there are abundant rice genetic resources, only a fraction is used in breeding programs leading to a narrow genetic base for improved...     

Digestion of soybean meal proteinin the equine small and large intestine at various levels of intake

Four mature pony geldings weighing an average of 134 kg and fitted with ileal cannulas were used in a 4×4 Latin square experiment to determine the digestibility of soybean meal (SBM) protein in different segments of the equine digestive tract at various levels of protein intake. A complete basal corn-based diet was supplemented with SBM to formulate four diets with increasing crude protein. The diets, labeled A (basal), B, C and D, contained 4.9%, 9.5%, 14% and 16.5% crude protein (as fed), and provided nitrogen, per feeding, at approximately 44.8, 84.3, 123.9 and 146.3 mg/kg of body weight, respectively. Chromic oxide was fed to measure ileal flow and fecal excretion. Digestion and absorption of nitrogen was determined from changes in nitrogen: chromium ratios, and true digestion of nitrogen was computed by regression analysis. True total tract digestion of nitrogen was 95.7%. True digestibility of nitrogen in the small intestine over the range of linearity was 72.2%, while true digestibility of nitrogen reaching the large intestine was 89.8%. These data indicate that the protein in SBM was almost completely digested in the equine digestive tract. Furthermore, approximately 75% of the digestible protein was digested prececally when nitrogen intake was less than approximately 125 mg/kg of body weight per feeding.     

Clinical observations on changes in concentrations of hormones in plasma of two stallions with thermally-induced testicular degeneration

To investigate effects of thermally-induced testicular degeneration on hormonal and seminal parameters in stallions, the scrotum was insulated for 36 hours in two mature (5-year-old mixed breed and 11-year-old Throughbred) stallions. Semen was collected daily for 10 days (DSO) prior to, and at intervals after, scrotal insulation. When DSO determinations were not being made, semen was collected 3 times weekly. Jugular blood samples were collected at 15-minute intervals for 6 hours from each stallion prior to, and at intervals after, scrotal insulation. A mouse interstitial cell testosterone assay was modified to quantify biologic activity of equine luteinizing hormone (BLH) in plasma samples. Immunoactive luteinizing hormone (ILH) and testosterone (T) concentrations were determined in plasma samples by routine RIA procedures. Percentages of progressively motile and morphologically normal spermatozoa began to decrease by 1 to 2 weeks postinsulation, reached nadir values at 3 to 3-1/2 weeks postinsulation, and returned to preinsulation values by 7 weeks postinsulation. Total number of spermatozoa and total number of progressively motile, morphologically normal spermatozoa in ejaculates at DSO returned to normal by 8 weeks postinsulation in stallion 2 and 12 weeks postinsulation in stallion 1. Concentrations of BLH and ILH increased, and while T concentrations decreased, immediately postinsulation. The increase in ILH concentrations was greater than the increase in BLH concentrations, resulting in a decrease in the BLH:ILH (B:I) ratio. Following the peak in LH secretion immediately postinsulation, LH concentrations gradually decreased while T concentrations increased. The B:I ratio was elevated from 1 to 13 weeks postinsulation compared to immediately postinsulation. In addition to changes in spermatozoal quality in ejaculates, stallion response to scrotal insulation included increased secretion of luteinizing hormone and impaired Leydig cell function (as determined by reduced testosterone concentration in circulating plasma). The proportion of biologically active LH secreted in response to thermal testicular injury increased during the recovery phase.     

Hypocalcemia in a critically ill patient

Objective: To present a case of clinical hypocalcemia in a critically ill septic dog. Case summary: A 12‐year old, female spayed English sheepdog presented in septic shock 5 days following hemilaminectomy surgery. Streptococcus canis was cultured from the incision site. Seven days after surgery, muscle tremors were noted and a subsequent low serum ionized calcium level was measured and treated. Intensive monitoring, fluid therapy, and antibiotic treatment were continued because of the sepsis and hypocalcemia, but the dog was euthanized 2 weeks after surgery. New or unique information provided: Low serum ionized calcium levels are a common finding in critically ill human patients, especially in cases of sepsis, pancreatitis, and rhabdomyolysis. In veterinary patients, sepsis or streptococcal infections are not commonly thought of as a contributing factor for hypocalcemia. Potential mechanisms of low serum ionized calcium levels in critically ill patients include intracellular accumulation of calcium ions, altered sensitivity and function of the parathyroid gland, alterations in Vitamin D levels or activity, renal loss of calcium, and severe hypomagnesemia. Pro‐inflammatory cytokines and calcitonin have also been proposed to contribute to low ionized calcium in the critically ill. Many veterinarians rely on total calcium levels instead of serum ionized calcium levels to assess critical patients and may be missing the development of hypocalcemia. Serum ionized calcium levels are recommended over total calcium levels to evaluate critically ill veterinary patients.