Extractive Titrimetric Determination of Hg(II), Cu(II) & Ag(I) Using Lead Diethyldithiocarbamate

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Laccase production by Coriolopsis caperata RCK2011: optimization under solid state fermentation by Taguchi DOE methodology

Laccase production by Coriolopsis caperata RCK2011 under solid state fermentation was optimized following Taguchi design of experiment. An orthogonal array layout of L(18) (2(1) × 3(7)) was constructed using Qualitek-4 software with eight most influensive factors on laccase production. At individual level pH contributed higher influence, whereas, corn steep liquor (CSL) accounted for more than 50% of the severity index with biotin and KH(2)PO(4) at the interactive level. The optimum conditions derived were; temperature 30°C, pH 5.0, wheat bran 5.0 g, inoculum size 0.5 ml (fungal cell mass = 0.015 g dry wt.), biotin 0.5% w/v, KH(2)PO(4) 0.013% w/v, CSL 0.1% v/v and 0.5 mM xylidine as an inducer. The validation experiments using optimized conditions confirmed an improvement in enzyme production by 58.01%. The laccase production to the level of 1623.55 Ugds(−1) indicates that the fungus C. caperata RCK2011 has the commercial potential for laccase

Impact Assessment of ‘Bhoochetana’ – A Soil Test-Based Nutrient Management Scaling-Out Initiative in Karnataka

A study was conducted during rabi 2014 to assess the impact of ‘Bhoochetana’, a soil test-based fertilizer management initiative in Karnataka, India. In selected six villages across Raichur, Deodurga, Manvi and Lingasugur blocks of Raichur district in Karnataka, India, soil samples and crop yield data were collected from farmers’ fields having farmer practice (FP) of blanket application of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), as well as improved practice (IP) of soil test-based application of N, P and K along with deficient sulphur (S), boron (B) and zinc (Zn) as recommended under ‘Bhoochetana’. After five years (since 2010) of ‘Bhoochetana’ in Raichur district, significant improvement in soil health is noted in IP adopted plots. In five out of six villages, soil organic carbon under IP increased to medium (0.50% to 0.71%) levels as compared with low (0.26% to 0.43%) levels observed under FP. Soil fertility under IP improved in terms of macro and micro nutrients like N, P, K, S, B and Zn. Increase in crop yield of all major crops like cotton (19%), groundnut (17%), pigeonpea (13%), sorghum (11%), and sunflower (11%) was observed under IP

Integrated nutrient management using deoiled Jatropha cake for sustained and economic food production

With growing environmental and energy concerns, Jatropha plantations are promoted in degraded/waste lands for the biodiesel production. Nutrient rich nonedible deoiled seed cake, a by-product of Jatropha left out after oil extraction was evaluated at the ICRISAT centre at Patancheru, India as an environment friendly source of nutrients for rainy season maize and soybean followed by postrainy chickpea in rainfed systems. Deoiled cake as partial (50%) or full replacement of recommended basal nitrogen (N) was found superior in terms of increased crop yield over the equivalent chemical fertilizers treatments. Highest yield and net returns under full replacement of basal N for maize, while under 50% basal N replacement in case of soybean and chickpea crops were recorded by 8 to 27% in grain yield and 10 to 28% in straw yield. Deoiled Jatropha cake as a full replacement of N dose in maize also recorded higher N uptake and use efficiency in maize than chemical N source treatment along with increased organic C and nutrient contents in post-harvest soil samples. This study revealed the benefits of Jatropha deoiled seed cake as a good source of plant nutrients and soil organic C in the semi-arid tropics in addition to enhanced C sequestration under Jatropha plantation on degraded waste land

The timing of death in patients with tuberculosis who die during anti-tuberculosis treatment in Andhra Pradesh, South India

Background: India has 2.0 million estimated tuberculosis (TB) cases per annum with an estimated 280,000 TBrelated deaths per year. Understanding when in the course of TB treatment patients die is important for determining the type of intervention to be offered and crucially when this intervention should be given. The objectives of the current study were to determine in a large cohort of TB patients in India:- i) treatment outcomes including the number who died while on treatment, ii) the month of death and iii) characteristics associated with “early” death, occurring in the initial 8 weeks of treatment. Methods: This was a retrospective study in 16 selected Designated Microscopy Centres (DMCs) in Hyderabad, Krishna and Adilabad districts of Andhra Pradesh, South India. A review was performed of treatment cards and medical records of all TB patients (adults and children) registered and placed on standardized anti-tuberculosis treatment from January 2005 to September 2009. Results: There were 8,240 TB patients (5183 males) of whom 492 (6%) were known to have died during treatment. Case-fatality was higher in those previously treated (12%) and lower in those with extra-pulmonary TB (2%). There was an even distribution of deaths during anti-tuberculosis treatment, with 28% of all patients dying in the first 8 weeks of treatment. Increasing age and new as compared to recurrent TB disease were significantly associated with “early death”. Conclusion: In this large cohort of TB patients, deaths occurred with an even frequency throughout anti-TB treatment. Reasons may relate to i) the treatment of the disease itself, raising concerns about drug adherence, quality of anti-tuberculosis drugs or the presence of undetected drug resistance and ii) co-morbidities, such as HIV/ AIDS and diabetes mellitus, which are known to influence mortality. More research in this area from prospective and retrospective studies is needed

Building Soil Health, Improving Carbon Footprint and Minimizing Greenhouse Gas Emissions through CSR

Unabated soil degradation due to low soil organic carbon (C) levels, multiple nutrient deficiencies including micro- and secondary nutrients, rising salinity and soil loos due to erosion jeopardizes food security of swiftly rising global population projected to be 9.7 billion by 2050. Soils also play a major role in global C cycling and huge C sequestration potential offers opportunities for mitigating carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions. The lessons learnt from CSR pilot and scaling-up initiatives indicated significant productivity benefits with soil health mapping based management..

Usage Pattern of Glimepiride/Metformin Fixed-dose Combination in Type 2 Diabetes Patients with CVD or at Risk of CVD: An Experience in Indian Setting

Background: Diabetes is associated with almost twofold increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The present case-based questionnaire survey evaluated the treatment pattern and clinical experience of healthcare professionals in prescribing glimepiride/metformin fixed-dose combination (FDC) to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with CVD or those patients who are at risk of CVD in the Indian settings. Material and methods: A retrospective, multicenter, observational, case-based questionnaire survey was conducted in Indian healthcare centers using medical records of patients having T2DM, with CVD or are at risk of CVD, who were prescribed any strength of glimepiride/metformin FDC. Data was collected from the patients’ medical records and was analyzed using statistical tests. Results: A total of 680 patients with T2DM with CVD or at risk of CVD were included in this study. Mean duration of diabetes in the patients was 5.7 ± 4.8 years. About 68.5% patients had hypertension, 47.9% had dyslipidemia, 25.4% had coronary artery disease (CAD), 3.6% had transient ischemic attack (TIA), 4.8% had peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and 2.9% had heart failure. Around 18.1% patients had CVD after diabetes was diagnosed, while 81.9% presented with cardiovascular (CV) issues at the time of diabetes diagnosis. All patients received glimepiride/metformin FDC as first-line therapy. About 68.2% patients on glimepiride/metformin FDC had blood pressure within optimal limits. A large proportion of patients had improvement in glycemic parameters. Weight change was noted in 18.4% of the patients overall. Of these, 59.2% had reduction in weight. There were no major adverse events and treatment efficacy and tolerability were reported as good to excellent for 94.6% and 92.9% patients, respectively. Conclusion: This case-based questionnaire survey demonstrates the usage pattern of various strengths of glimepiride/metformin FDC and the clinicians’ practice approach regarding early initiation of this combination in Indian patients with diabetes who have or are at risk of CVD

Carbon sequestration and land rehabilitation through Jatropha curcas (L.) plantation in degraded lands

The effects of growing Jatropha in on-farm and on-station degraded lands were evaluated on carbon (C) sequestration and soil properties. Jatropha accumulated and added to soil significant amounts of C (305 kg ha−1 year−1) from the year one itself. Overall, a 3–5-year old plantation added per year around 4000 kg plant biomass equivalent to 1450 kg C ha−1 – 800 kg C through leaves, 150 kg C through pruned twigs, and 495 kg C as deoiled Jatropha cake. Biodiesel C replacement in the fossil fuel was 230 kg ha−1. Besides adding biomass to the soil, and C replacement in fossil fuel; the standing Jatropha rendered ecosystem service by fixing 5100–6100 kg ha−1 C as the aboveground plus belowground biomass. Carbon additions by Jatropha during 4 years increased C content in the degraded surface soil layer by 19%, resulting in about 2500 kg ha−1 C sequestered. Huge C additions and live root activity under Jatropha increased microbial population, respiration rate and microbial biomass C and N in soil. Along with C additions, 4000 kg ha−1 year−1 plant biomass recycled into the soil 85.5 kg nitrogen, 7.67 kg phosphorus, 43.9 kg potassium, 5.20 kg sulphur, 0.11 kg boron, 0.12 kg zinc and other nutrients. The C additions improved water holding capacity of the soil under Jatropha as compared with the adjacent control soil which increased by 35% at 30 kPa and 21% at 1500 kPa soil water potential

An assessment of soil fertility status of the rainfed regions of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh

There are large yield gaps between farmers’ current yields and achievable yields in the semi-arid regions of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Lack of awareness about soil health is leading to indiscriminate or imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers exposing farm based livelihoods to soil health related risks. Soil fertility assessment of crop fields in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh showed Madhya Pradesh soils relatively poor in terms of soil organic C and available P. All fields in both the states were sufficient in K; and majority of the fields in Madhya Pradesh had adequate N and P. Results showed scope to cut use and cost of current N, P and K fertilizers. However, widespread deficiencies were recorded for S (52 to 90% fields), B (67 to 100%) and Zn (20 to 52%) in the selected sites for the study. Results showed that the deficiencies of S, B and Zn are apparently the stumbling block for realizing higher yields, and declining response to N, P and K fertilizers. An assessment of soil fertility status of the rainfed regions of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh

Macro Benefits from Zinc, Boron and Sulphur Fertilization of Rainfed Systems in the Semi Arid Zone of India

Crop productivity in the rainfed semi arid tropics (SAT) of India is low due to water shortage and poor fertility status of the soils. Earlier research have shown that SAT soils are critically deficient in Zn, B and S in addition to N and P (Sahrawat et al., 2008; Wani et. al. 2009). For a sustainable increase in productivity and enhancing the resilience in rainfed systems, the issues related to soil fertility needs to be addressed. The objective of this communication is to show as to how balanced nutrition involving Zn, B and S can be used to enhance crop productivity on sustainable basis in the semi‐arid regions of India...