Soil Biological Activity Contributing to Phosphorus Availability in Vertisols under Long-Term Organic and Conventional Agricultural Management

Mobilization of unavailable phosphorus (P) to plant available P is a prerequisite to sustain crop productivity. Although most of the agricultural soils have sufficient amounts of phosphorus, low availability of native soil P remains a key limiting factor to increasing crop productivity. Solubilization and mineralization of applied and native P to plant available form is mediated through a number of biological and biochemical processes that are strongly influenced by soil carbon/organic matter, besides other biotic and abiotic factors. Soils rich in organic matter are expected to have higher P availability potentially due to higher biological activity. In conventional agricultural systems mineral fertilizers are used to supply P for plant growth, whereas organic systems largely rely on inputs of organic origin. The soils under organic management are supposed to be biologically more active and thus possess a higher capability to mobilize native or applied P. In this study we compared biological activity in soil of a long-term farming systems comparison field trial in vertisols under a subtropical (semi-arid) environment. Soil samples were collected from plots under 7 years of organic and conventional management at five different time points in soybean (Glycine max) -wheat (Triticum aestivum) crop sequence including the crop growth stages of reproductive significance. Upon analysis of various soil biological properties such as dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities, microbial respiration, substrate induced respiration, soil microbial biomass carbon, organically managed soils were found to be biologically more active particularly at R2 stage in soybean and panicle initiation stage in wheat. We also determined the synergies between these biological parameters by using the methodology of principle component analysis. At all sampling points, P availability in organic and conventional systems was comparable. Our findings clearly indicate that owing to higher biological activity, organic systems possess equal capabilities of supplying P for crop growth as are conventional systems with inputs of mineral P fertilizers

Participatory rural appraisal and farmers’ perception about common bean varieties in temperate Kashmir

Present investigation was undertaken during 2012 to 2014 in which 54 genotypes, both pole and bush type of Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were selected among a number of germplasm lines, land races and research material in order to generate information on the farmer’s’ perception about the Common bean varieties. Participatory rural appraisal was conducted in 32 villages of Kashmir through a broad questionnaires comprising of questions pertaining to the socio-economic conditions, farming systems, production constraints and varietal preferences of the common bean. The Participatory Rural Appraisal results revealed that common bean is generally grown as a rainfed crop (70 %) and is intercropped with maize/ potato/vegetable and merely as sole crop (20.66 %). Low yielding varieties and diseases (68.27 %) are considered as major challenges in the success of common bean crop, while as red colour with kidney shaped types (50 %) are highly being preferred as a pulse crop. The exercise of Participatory Rural Appraisal was carried out to generate basic information by assessing the need based constraints and devise the target breeding approach, by taking into consideration all constraints and also devise future breeding programme. A successful PRA provides the information needed to specify the characteristic in a new variety regarding its physical environment and the existing varietal diversity. For a breeding program, well applied Participatory Rural Appraisal techniques or customer profiling results in better client orientation and makes possible efficient goal setting or product design. Successful PRA provides everything that could be included in the full design specification of a new crop variety

LpL_{p} inequalities for the growth of polynomials with restricted zeros

summary:Let $P(z)=\sum _{\nu =0}^{n}a_{\nu }z^{\nu }$ be a polynomial of degree at most $n$ which does not vanish in the disk $|z|1$, Boas and Rahman proved $$\left\Vert P(Rz)\right\Vert _{p}\le \big (\left\Vert R^{n}+z\right\Vert_{p}/\left\Vert1+z\right\Vert_{p}\big )\left\Vert P\right\Vert _{p}.$$ In this paper, we improve the above inequality for $0\le p 1$ is also given

Choledochal Cyst (CDC)

Choledochal cysts are congenital bile duct anomalies. These cystic dilatations of the biliary tree can involve the extrahepatic biliary radicles, the intrahepatic biliary radicles, or both. The etiology remains unknown, but choledochal cysts are likely to be congenital in nature. Cyst excision is the definitive treatment of choice for choledochal cyst because of the high morbidity and high risk of carcinoma after internal drainage, a commonly used treatment in the past. CDC is a congenital anomaly involving cystic dilatation of various ducts of biliary tree. The precise etiology of extrahepatic cysts continues to remain unclear. The most commonly accepted theory is an anomalous pancreatobiliary duct junction (APBDJ) and abnormal function of the sphincter of Oddi. Proper imaging plays an essential role in preoperative planning. Proper diagnosis evaluation and management is essential for optimal management. Type I cysts are the most frequently encountered. Choledochal cysts can have variable presentations. Hepatobiliary ultrasound and MRCP are the present day standards for imaging; early diagnosis should be the norm to avoid possible late complications of cholangitis, cirrhosis, hepaticolithiasis and spontaneous perforation. Excision of the cyst with hepaticojejunostomy is the best approach

MANAGEMENT OF YELLOW RUST (PUCCINIA STRIIFORMIS. WEST) OF WHEAT AND ITS IMPACT ON YIELD UNDER JAMMU SUB-TROPICS OF INDIA

The experiment was conducted during 2009-10 at the Research Farm of SKUAST-J.Foliar application of fungicideQuadris proved most effective in reducing the Final Rust Severity (FRS) in all the varieties viz., PBW-343 (15.00%), RSP-561 (5.67%), PBW-550 (9.67%) and Agra local (16.33%). Seed treatment by Raxil also resulted in significant decrease in the disease severity in all the varieties tested.Qadris also proved more effective in increasing the yield susceptible varieties Agra local (45.83%) and PBW-343 (42.56%) as compared to moderately resistant varieties, RSP-561 (27.93%) and PBW-550 (31.64%)

MORPHOLOGY AND STATUS OF OCCURRENCE OF ANTHRACNOSE OF BEAN (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.) CAUSED BY COLLETOTRICHUM LINDEMUTHIANUM (SACC. AND MAGN.) SCRIB. IN KASHMIR VALLEY

Survey of important bean growing areas of Kashmir Valley was carried out to assess the disease incidence and intensity of anthracnose of beans. The disease was prevalent in all the potential bean growing pockets of the valley surveyed during the course of survey. The incidence ranged from 23.51% to 82.14% with disease intensity ranging from 8.75 to 33.38%. Highest disease incidence (34.81% and 51.11%) and intensity (13.73 and 21.91%) on leaves and pods was recorded in district Anantnag, with least in district Shopian (24.80% and 28.99%; 9.66% and 11.93%). The pathogen associated with the disease was isolated and identified as Colletotrichum lindemuthianum(Sacc and Magn.) Scrib. Morphological studies of the fungus revealed that conidia are hyaline, single celled dumbbell shaped born in acervuli bearing setae. The dimensions of the conidia on culture and host varied from 9.5-11.5 x 3.5-4.5(10.5x 4) and 12-22.0 x 4-6 (17.25 x 4.25), respectively. The fungus produces acervuli with its dimensions ranging from 140-320 (204.14) and 175- 285 (270) on culture and host respectively. It was also observed that the acervulibearing characteristic appendages on its surfaces that measure 64-108 x 2- 4 (84.22 x 3) and 60- 120 x 5-6 (90 x 5.55)on culture and host respectively

MORPHOLOGY AND STATUS OF OCCURRENCE OF ANTHRACNOSE OF BEAN (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.) CAUSED BY COLLETOTRICHUM LINDEMUTHIANUM (SACC. AND MAGN.) SCRIB. IN KASHMIR VALLEY

Survey of important bean growing areas of Kashmir Valley was carried out to assess the disease incidence and intensity of anthracnose of beans. The disease was prevalent in all the potential bean growing pockets of the valley surveyed during the course of survey. The incidence ranged from 23.51% to 82.14% with disease intensity ranging from 8.75 to 33.38%. Highest disease incidence (34.81% and 51.11%) and intensity (13.73 and 21.91%) on leaves and pods was recorded in district Anantnag, with least in district Shopian (24.80% and 28.99%; 9.66% and 11.93%). The pathogen associated with the disease was isolated and identified as Colletotrichum lindemuthianum(Sacc and Magn.) Scrib. Morphological studies of the fungus revealed that conidia are hyaline, single celled dumbbell shaped born in acervuli bearing setae. The dimensions of the conidia on culture and host varied from 9.5-11.5 x 3.5-4.5(10.5x 4) and 12-22.0 x 4-6 (17.25 x 4.25), respectively. The fungus produces acervuli with its dimensions ranging from 140-320 (204.14) and 175- 285 (270) on culture and host respectively. It was also observed that the acervulibearing characteristic appendages on its surfaces that measure 64-108 x 2- 4 (84.22 x 3) and 60- 120 x 5-6 (90 x 5.55)on culture and host respectively

Therapeutic outcome of saroglitazar, a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α/γ agonist in diabetic and non-diabetic metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease

Background: Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease (CLD)and its consequences throughout the world, more so in developed countries. It is more concerning in view of the lack of a definitive treatment. Aside from lifestyle changes and vitamin E, we are still looking for a drug that can improve outcome in this group of patients. Methods: Authors evaluated the safety and effectiveness of saroglitazar in MASLD/MASH patients in this 48-week prospective observational study, with the primary goal of evaluating the therapeutic outcome of saroglitazar on the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) in both diabetics and non-diabetics. After receiving written informed consent from each patient, a total of 292 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. However, only 257 individuals completed the study. Eligible patients were put on saroglitazar 4 mg per day for 24 weeks and followed on an OPD basis for 48 weeks with special emphasis on NFS, BMI, HbA1c, lipid levels, and liver biochemistry. Authors observed a male dominance (61.9%), a significant improvement in lipid profile, liver biochemistry, HbA1c, NFS, and liver stiffness measurement (LSM), and also an improvement in BMI though not statistically significant. Authors did not observe any significant drug related adverse events during the treatment with saroglitazar. Conclusion: In our study, saroglitazar at a dose of 4 mg per day for 24 weeks resulted in marked improvements in liver biochemistry, lipid profile, HbA1c, NFS, and LSM, in patients of MASLD/MASH in both diabetics and non-diabetics

P66shc and its downstream Eps8 and Rac1 proteins are upregulated in esophageal cancers

Members of Shc (src homology and collagen homology) family, p46shc, p52shc, p66shc have known to be related to cell proliferation and carcinogenesis. Whereas p46shc and p52shc drive the reaction forward, the role of p66shc in cancers remains to be understood clearly. Hence, their expression in cancers needs to be evaluated carefully so that Shc analysis may provide prognostic information in the development of carcinogenesis. In the present study, the expression of p66shc and its associate targets namely Eps8 (epidermal pathway substrate 8), Rac1 (ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate1) and Grb2 (growth factor receptor bound protein 2) were examined in fresh tissue specimens from patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal adenocarcinoma using western blot analysis. A thorough analysis of both esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma showed p66shc expression to be significantly higher in both types of carcinomas as compared to the controls. The controls of adenocarcinoma show a higher basal expression level of p66shc as compared to the controls of squamous cell carcinoma. The expression level of downstream targets of p66shc i.e., eps8 and rac1 was also found to be consistently higher in human esophageal carcinomas, and hence correlated positively with p66shc expression. However the expression of grb2 was found to be equal in both esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The above results suggest that the pathway operated by p66shc in cancers does not involve the participation of Ras and Grb2 as downstream targets instead it operates the pathway involving Eps8 and Rac1 proteins. From the results it is also suggestive that p66shc may have a role in the regulation of esophageal carcinomas and represents a possible mechanism of signaling for the development of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of esophagus