Fixation of soluble forms of fertilizer phosphorus in salt affected soils of Ramanathapuram and Trichy districts and acid soil of Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu

Soluble phosphorus (P) applied through phosphatic fertilizers is quickly converted into low soluble P compounds in soil.  For evaluating fixation ability of P fertilizers laboratory incubation experiments were conducted with saline, sodic and acid soils. Phosphatic fertilizers selected were single super phosphate (SSP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), monopotassium phosphate (MPP) and 19:19:19 N, P2O5, K2O % (All-19). Fixation of P was computed based on the amount of P recovered after addition of P in the soil in increasing levels. At a typical P addition at 16 kg ha-1 the results were compared in all soils. In saline soil, high fixation of P occurred when DAP (12.18 kg ha-1) and MPP (11.28 kg ha-1) were applied. In sodic soil, high fixation of P resulted when SSP (7.10 kg ha-1) was applied. In acid soil, high fixation of P occurred when All -19 (12.64 kg ha-1), MAP (12.40 kg ha-1), SSP (12.22 kg ha-1), and DAP (11.74 kg ha-1) were applied. With all forms of phosphatic fertilizers fixation of added P occurred to the extent of 57.9 to 79.0 per cent in acid soil, 55.0 to 70.5 per cent in saline soil and 25.5 to 44.4 per cent in sodic soil. In saline soil availability of P might be higher for SSP and All-19 compared to ammonium/ potassium phosphate fertilizers. On the other hand, MPP, MAP and All-19 may be preferably applied in sodic/ acid soils alternative to SSP or DAP for realizing higher P release in soils from added fertilizers for the benefit of crop utilization

Effectiveness of Life Style Modification Strategies in Lowering Blood Pressure among Newly Diagnosed Hypertensive patients

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of life style modification strategies in lowering Blood Pressure among newly diagnosed hypertensive patients at sample areas of Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu, India. OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the pre and post test Blood Pressure (BP) of newly diagnosed hypertensive patients in control and experimental groups. 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of Life Style Modification Strategies (LSMS) in lowering BP by comparing the pre and post test BP within and between the control and experimental groups among newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. 3. To find out the associationbetween the blood pressure level and selected socio demographic and clinical variables among newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. METHODS: The research design used for the study was quasi experimental pretest/ posttest control group design. Conceptual framework of this current research was based upon the Wiedenbach’s prescriptive theory (1964).The study was conducted among 275 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients in the age group of 31 to 60 years of both genders, residing in two community areas, namely, Vazuthareddy and Vikkaravandi of Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu. These areas were selected conveniently and randomly assigned for the control group and the experimental group using lottery method respectively. The patients were selected through purposive sampling technique. The instruments used for the study consisted of proforma to assess socio demographic and clinical data, assessment of BP, teaching module on Life Style Modification Strategies (LSMS) and Observational checklist to assess the practice on Life Style Modification Strategies. Descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and range) and inferential statistics (Chi square, paired and independent t-test, RMANOVA, were used for summarizing the data and to test the study hypotheses. MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: * A majority of the patient’s participants were, in the age group of 31-40 years (38%) in experimental group and 51-60 years (39%) in the control group with the mean age of 50 years. Predominant among were women (72%,64%), had higher secondary education (36,34%), were married (96,98%), homemakers44% and laborers 47%, had income up to Rs.10000/month (51%, 58%), non vegetarian(92%,99%), Hindus (93,97%), living in nuclear families(81%,77%), no history of smoking in the past (93%,92%) and present (96%,94%), had no history of alcoholism in the past (92%,94%) and present (91%,92%), had no family history of paternal and maternal hypertension (92%,94%), had been diagnosed through master health check(60%,40%), got prescribed lifestyle modification strategies (68%,57%) and compliant to drugs (32%, 43%) respectively in the experimental and the control groups. * There is a significant difference between the pretest and the posttest II mean systolic BP in the experimental groupwith the mean difference of 23.19 mmHg and ‘t’-value being19.68 whichis statistically significant at 0.001 level. * Similarly the mean difference between the pretest and the posttest II mean diastolic BP in the experimental group was10mmHg and the t-value was 9.45 which is significant at 0.001 level of significance. * The F value of RMANOVA was 47.05 and 25.11 respectively for systolic and diastolic BP which reveals the effectiveness of LSMS in lowering BP across the periods. CONCLUSION: LSMS is an effective and easy method to practice and it can be incorporated in day today life not only to lower BP but also to improve general health

Responses of mixed light-emitting diode ratios on vegetative, flower regulation, and stalk elongation of cut chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev)

A Greenhouse experiment on the study of responses of mixed light-emitting diode ratios in cut chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) was conducted at the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2019-20. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The treatment comprises of seven varied light-emitting diode irradiance levels viz., L1 – 100% White; L2 – 100% Red; L3 -  80% Red + 20% Blue; L4 – 80% Red + 20% Far-red; L5 – 75% Blue + 25% Far-red; L6 – 60% Red + 20% Blue + 20% Far-red; L7 - High pressure sodium vapour lamp (as check) in Salvador and Pusa Centenary varieties. The results revealed that the growth in terms of height of the chrysanthemum at critical stages was maximum (48.88 cm in Salvador and 41.92 cm in Pusa Centenary) under the light irradiance of B75FR25 (L5) during the peak vegetative stage and registered maximum leaf area. Highest internodal length  up to 3rd leaf of 1.07 cm was registered in sodium vapour lamp irradiance (L7) and 1.39 cm in 100% Red irradiance (L2). The early flower bud emergence (39 days in Salvador and 50 days in Pusa Centenary) was observed in B75Fr25 spectral irradiance (L5). The highest total cut stem yield per square meter (42.65 in Salvador and 41.99 in Pusa Centenary) was registered in R80B20. The study revealed that blue LEDs combined with Far-red promoted early flowering and inhibited stem elongations. Red and Blue wavelength increased the total leaf area and registered improved flower yield.

Farmer’s Perception towards Mitigating Climate Change through Adoption of Soil Carbon Sequestration Practices: A Review Analysis

Climate change is one of the most severe global environmental issues. Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases (F) are the principal greenhouse gases (GHGs) whose atmospheric concentrations are escalating. According to [1], agricultural soils have the ability to mitigate GHG emissions by 89% through the sequestration of carbon and an additional 2% and 9% through the mitigation of N2O and CH4, respectively. The process of capturing and long-term stabilisation of CO2 in the soil is known as soil carbon sequestration. Increased food production, better soil health, diversified ecosystem services, and reduced environmental footprints are all the benefits of practices increasing soil organic carbon (SOC). These techniques include planting woods, managing nutrients by using compost, sludge and green manure, and mulching [2]. Additionally, they have the ability to reduce GHG emissions by up to 8% by mitigating around 18 Mg C ha-1 C year -1 (0-15 cm soil layer). Farmers and society as a whole may benefit from this approach [3]. Supporting campaigns and initiatives to boost soil C sequestration is crucial, both on a policy level and through programmes. Additional studies needs to be done to determine the benefits of C sequestration on soil quality precisely, which encourages farmers to adopt more C-positive agricultural practices that improve productivity, as well as water and air quality [4]

Effect of feeding high fat diet on reproductive parameters in male mice

The present study attempts to chronicle the series of changes starting from the consumption of high fat diet till reproductive activity in male mice. A marginal increase in body weight was observed in male mice fed with high fat diet with 3-fold increase in total body fat and 1.4-fold increase in adipose tissue. A significant reduction in number and diameter of seminiferous tubules were observed in high fat diet fed mice compared to control mice. FACS analysis of testicular germ cells revealed very high percentage of apoptotic cells (84%) compared to control animals (2-3 %) indicative of reduced spermatogenic activity. In addition, a significant decrease in litter size (11.6%-Control to 3.66%-HFD) indicates that reproductive efficiency in high fat diet fed mice reduced to a great extent. The present study revealed high fat diet alters the fertility in male mice significantly and the first in this process appears to be apoptosis of testicular cells due to increase in ROS

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