Dry Fruit Horticulture and Production Patterns in Highland Ecosystems: A Case of Almond and Walnut Cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Jammu and Kashmir state is located in north-western part of India. The region shows predominantly mountainous topography with an average elevation of more than 5700 meters above sea level. With fragile climatic regime and interconnected physiographic characteristics, the region forms a typical case of the highland ecosystem. This highland nature of the state forms the suitable characteristics for the cultivation of different agricultural products especially saffron, dry fruits, apple and basmati rice. Over the years, both dry and fresh fruits have emerged as the important contributors to the state economy and the government has come up with various schemes and programmes for the development and growth of the fruit industry. Jammu and Kashmir besides attaining prominence in fresh fruit cultivation have also emerged as a favourite destination for the cultivation of dry fruits especially almonds and walnuts. These crops occupy a significant place and are an important contributor to the state economy as the bulk of their production is exported not only to different parts of India but the world over. The present study is an attempt to study the growth patterns in the dry fruit industry of the state especially almond and walnut. Keywords: Horticulture, Production, Temperate climate, Dry Fruits, Floods, Precipitation.  

Effect of grafting time on graft success of walnut (Juglans regia) in zero energy polyhouses

This study was carried out during three successive seasons (2009, 2010 and 2011) on walnut (Juglans regia L.) seedlings. Grafting was done by wedge methods on nine dates (5 January, 15 January, 25 January, 5 February, 15 February, 25 February, 5 March, 15 March and 25 March). The pooled data showed that, highest success percentage of grafting was obtained on 25 January and lowest was recorded on 25 March. The maximum number of shoots/scion and leaves/scion was observed on 25 January. The highest value for scion diameter (0.94cm) was found on seedlings grafted on 25 January while as lowest scion diameter of 0.45cm from grafts, grafted on 25 March. The highest proportion of salable plants was observed on 15 January and lowest proportion was found on 25 March. Our results also suggest that January grafting produces better bud-take, number of leaves and scion growth as compared with February and March grafting. Therefore, the best time for grafting is January under polyhouse conditions

Biosynthesis and Degradation of Carotenoids in Ornamental Crops with specific reference to Chrysanthemum

Carotenoids are lipophilic secondary metabolites derived from the isoprenoid pathway, accumulated in most plant organs and widely used as an antioxidant. Carotenoids synthesized in chloroplasts are essential for protecting tissues against photo-oxidative damage in the green tissues of higher plants. The importance of carotenoids for plant growth and development is evident since at least two major phytohormones, strigolactones and abscisic acid, are derived from carotenoid precursors. In flowers, carotenoids synthesized in the chromoplasts provide colour to the petals, ranging from yellow to red, in order to attract pollinators and determines the commercial value of ornamental plants. On analysis in chrysanthemum, β, ɛ-carotenoids, lutein and its derivatives, reflecting the high expression levels of lycopene ɛ-cyclase (LCYE) were found in yellow petals compared to the ratio of β, β-carotenoids to total carotenoids found in leaves reflecting the high expression levels of lycopene β-cyclase (LCYB). Petals of the yellow-flowered cultivar Yellow Paragon showed increased accumulation and drastic componential changes of carotenoids as they mature, compared to petals of the white-flowered cultivar Paragon that showed drastically decreased carotenoid content during petal development.The white petals of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) contain a factor that inhibits the accumulation of carotenoids. All the white-flowered chrysanthemum cultivars tested showed high levels of CmCCD4a transcript in their petals, whereas most of the yellow flowered cultivars showed extremely low levels indicating that in white petals of chrysanthemums, carotenoids are synthesized but subsequently degraded into colourless compounds, which results in the white colour. Studying the regulatory mechanisms underlying carotenoid accumulation in ornamental plants at the molecular level will help in producing novel coloured cultivars by plant transformation

Effect of split application of ammoniacal and nitrate sources of nitrogen on lilium growth and yield: Article Retracted by the Authors

The aim of experiment was to evaluate the effect of split application of urea and calcium nitrate nitrogen sources on plant growth and yield in Asiatic lilies. Significant differences were observed in growth parameters and behavior of two cultivars viz., Serreda and Navona. Calcium nitrate significantly improved plant height, leaf area (LA) and LA index (LAI) recorded at 50, 75, 90, and 105 days after planting. Bulb yield parameters varied significantly between two cultivars. Calcium nitrate significantly improved bulb weight, bulb circumference, the number of bulbs plant−1 and propagation coefficient. However, the effect of three and four split nitrogen application on plant height; LA and LAI was significant at 90-105 day interval

Gastric Cancer in Young Patients

Aim. The aim of this study was to see the clinical, pathological, and demographic profile of young patients with stomach carcinoma besides association with p53. Patients and Methods. Prospective study of young patients with stomach carcinoma from January 2005 to December 2009. A total of 50 patients with age less than 40 years were studied. Results. Male female ratio was 1 : 1.08 in young patients and 2.5 : 1 in older patients. A positive family history of stomach cancer in the first degree relatives was present in 10% of young patients. Resection was possible only in 50% young patients. 26% young patients underwent only palliative gastrojejunostomy. The most common operation was lower partial gastrectomy in 68%. Amongst the intraoperative findings peritoneal metastasis was seen in 17.4% in young patients. 50% young patients presented in stage IV as per AJCC classification (P value .004; sig.). None of the patients presented as stage 1 disease in young group. Conclusion. Early detection of stomach carcinoma is very important in all patients but in young patients it is of paramount importance

Original Article - Role of methylprednisolone in acute cervical cord injuries

BACKGROUND: Management of acute cervical cord injury with neurodeficit continues to evoke debate. Glucocorticoid steroid methylprednisolone has been found to be effective in preventing secondary cord injury. Aims: This study was done to evaluate the role of methylprednisolone in acute cervical cord injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients of acute cervical cord injury with demonstrable neurological deficit were administered methylprednisolone within 8 hours of acute cervical cord injury while eighteen others were not administered this drug. The patients were assessed for neurological recovery. RESULTS: Patients who received methylprednisolone within 8 hours of injury had more motor recovery (P<0.001) than those who were not given the drug. Improvement in the pinprick scores and light touch scores were also greater at 6 weeks (P<0.001). Similar effect was also seen after 6 months. CONCLUSION: Methylprednisolone prevents secondary cord injury to a great extent and hence its administration in the immediate post injury period results in a better functional (motor and sensory) outcome

Original Article - Role of methylprednisolone in acute cervical cord injuries

BACKGROUND: Management of acute cervical cord injury with neurodeficit continues to evoke debate. Glucocorticoid steroid methylprednisolone has been found to be effective in preventing secondary cord injury. Aims: This study was done to evaluate the role of methylprednisolone in acute cervical cord injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients of acute cervical cord injury with demonstrable neurological deficit were administered methylprednisolone within 8 hours of acute cervical cord injury while eighteen others were not administered this drug. The patients were assessed for neurological recovery. RESULTS: Patients who received methylprednisolone within 8 hours of injury had more motor recovery (P<0.001) than those who were not given the drug. Improvement in the pinprick scores and light touch scores were also greater at 6 weeks (P<0.001). Similar effect was also seen after 6 months. CONCLUSION: Methylprednisolone prevents secondary cord injury to a great extent and hence its administration in the immediate post injury period results in a better functional (motor and sensory) outcom

Etiological and clinical profile of acute renal failure in children attending SKIMS Srinagar

Background: Acute renal failure is an important problem in childhood in hospital practice. It is a catastrophic and life threatening event. Objectives: The present study focuses on the “etiological and clinical profile of ARF in children attending SKIMS”. Study designed: Prospective study. Material & Methods: This study was conducted over a period of 2 ½ years from 2006 – 08. 100 cases of children upto the age 18 years with ARF who were admitted in SKIMS were studied. Results: Out of 100 cases of ARF, 51 (51%) were girls and 49 (49%) were boys; 36% of patients were 10 years of age. Sepsis was the commonest cause of ARF (18%) followed by acute gastroenteritis (15%) and post streptococcal glomerulonephritis (12%). The commonest clinical presentation was oliguria (60%) followed by edema (45%), vomiting (39%), and breathlessness (26%). Anuria was present in 13% of patients. Convulsions were the most common major systemic complications. The treatment modality was conservative in 80%, renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the form of peritoneal and hemodialysis was performed in 20% of the patients. The overall mortality rate was 20%. Mortality was highest in patients with sepsis and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Outcome data at 3 months showed normal renal function in 72 (90%), and CKD in 5 (6.3%). Three (3.8%) patients lost followup. Conclusions: ARF is fairly common in children with a mortality rate of 20% in our study. Even today, sepsis is the most common cause of ARF followed by acute gastroenteritis. If these conditions are treated early and promptly, the occurrence of ARF can be prevented. If the patient develops ARF, an early referral to a specialized center with dialysis facilities can significantly improve the final outcome

Profile of acute kidney injury after open heart surgeries in a tertiary care hospital

Our objective is to determine the incidence, etiology, risk factors and outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI) after open heart surgery. A prospective study was conducted on 62 patients who underwent open heart surgery and were followed-up for the development of AKI and to determine its incidence, etiology and outcome. Post-operative AKI was considered when the post-operative serum creatinine was >1.5 mg/dL or there was doubling of serum creatinine above the baseline (pre-operative) with a prior normal renal function. The incidence of AKI in the post-operative period in our study was 17.7%. The common etiological factors for AKI in our study were sepsis, hypotension, prolonged need for ventilator and inotropic support and drugs given in the post-operative period. The important risk factors for the development of AKI in the post-operative period were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, gout, prolonged total bypass time and prolonged aortic cross-clamp time. The overall mortality in our study subjects was 11.3% (seven of 62 died) and the mortality in the patients who developed post-operative AKI was 71.4%