Effect of organic fortified zinc on growth and yield of green gram (Vigna radiata (L). Wilczek) in typic chromustert

Zinc is a crucial micronutrient for crop growth and enzymatic regulations. The present study was formulated to reveal the effect of organic fortified Zn composite on growth and yield parameters of green gram in Typic chromustert at Vellakulam village, Kalligudi block, Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. A total of eight treatments with three replications were designed to grow in Randomized Block Design (RBD). The treatments consisted of recommend dose fertilizers (25:50:25 Kg ha-1 N: P2O5: K2O) + various sources organics applied such as vermicompost (1:5), poultry manure (1:5), biochar (1:5), FYM (1:10) incubated with ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University micronutrient mixture enriched with FYM (1:10) for 30 days. Among the treatments, application of RDF (25:50:25 Kg ha-1 N: P2O5: K2O) + soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 incubated with 125 kg Vermicompost (1:5) recorded maximum plant height (64 cm), leaf area index (LAI) (3.11), dry matter production (16.33 g plant-1), pods plant-1 (28.46), grains pod-1 (13.5), test weight (3.48 g), seed yield (950 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (1520 kg ha-1) followed by biochar and TNAU MNM shown on par results with each other. The lowest yield parameters were spotted in absolute control. A considerable increase in yield (25 %) was detected when the crop was supplemented with organically fortified Zinc than the commercial ZnSO4. The study concluded that the application of biofortified Zn will deliver higher growth and yield in green gram

Combined administration of taurine and monoisoamyl DMSA protects arsenic induced oxidative injury in rats

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that is ubiquitously present in the environment. High concentration of naturally occurring arsenic in drinking water is a major health problem in different parts of the world. Despite arsenic being a health hazard and a well documented carcinogen, no safe, effective and specific preventive or therapeutic measures are available. Among various recent strategies adopted, administration of an antioxidant has been reported to be the most effective. The present study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of monoisoamyl dimercaptosuccinic acid (MiADMSA), administered either individually or in combination with taurine post chronic arsenic exposure in rats. Arsenic exposed male rats (25 ppm, sodium arsenite in drinking water for 24 weeks) were treated with taurine (100 mg/kg, i.p., once daily), monoisoamyl dimercaptosuccinic acid (MiADMSA) (50 mg/kg, oral, once daily) either individually or in combination for 5 consecutive days. Biochemical variables indicative of oxidative stress along-with arsenic concentration in blood, liver and kidney were measured. Arsenic exposure significantly reduced blood δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, a key enzyme involved in the heme biosynthesis and enhanced zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) level. Clinical hematological variables like white blood cells (WBC), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) showed significant decrease with a significant elevation in platelet (PLT) count. These changes were accompanied by significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and increased catalase activity. Arsenic exposure caused a significant decrease in hepatic and renal glutathione (GSH) level and an increase in oxidized glutathione (GSSG). These biochemical changes were correlated with an increased uptake of arsenic in blood, liver and kidney. Administration of taurine significantly reduced hepatic oxidative stress however co-administration of a higher dose of taurine (100 mg/kg) and MiADMSA provided more pronounced effects in improving the antioxidant status of liver and kidney and reducing body arsenic burden compared to the individual treatment of MiADMSA or taurine. The results suggest that in order to achieve better effects of chelation therapy, co-administration of taurine with MiADMSA might be preferred

Assessment of Soil Fertility and Creation of Thematic Mapping in the Coastal Soils of Ramanathapuram Block, Ramanathapuram District in Tamil Nadu, India

Aims:  A view of the current analysis used GPS and GIS techniques to evaluate and map the soil fertility status of the Ramanathapuram block in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, India. Study Design: In this study, a systematic set of 100 georeferenced soil samples were collected from 100 selected villages and analyzed for 10 chemical parameters and the data along with GPS readings were used for the preparation of soil fertility maps using GIS. Methodology: Hundred soil samples were collected from the sixteen revenue villages of Ramanathapuram block, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu during the pre-monsoon season with lat-long coordinates by using GPS to evaluate the soil fertility. Ramanathapuram block is the middle- coastal block of Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu.  Results: In the present study, the mean soil values of pH (8.16), EC (0.74 dSm-1), organic carbon content (2.52 g/kg), Available N (159.36kgha-1), Available P (30.83 kgha-1), Available K (355.39kgha-1) and (Di- Ethylene Triamine Penta Acidic Acid DTPA) extractable micronutrients viz., Fe (7.21), Zn (0.16), Mn (6.46) and Cu (1.36) ppm were recorded respectively in Ramanathapuram block of Ramanathapuram district. Thematic maps pertaining to soil fertility were prepared using Arc GIS software 10.1. Conclusion: The georeferenced sampling sites can be revisited with the help of GPS, which helps in monitoring the soil fertility changes over long run. Further, it will be useful to the researchers, planners, policymakers, extension workers of the State Department of Agriculture, fertilizer industries, and farmers

Enhancing Zn and Fe Content in Blackgram Seeds by Adapting Drip Fertigation for Nutritional Security

Aims: To study the influence of Zn and Fe content in black gram seeds by adapting drip fertigation. Study Design: Randomized Block design. Place and Duration of Study: Research block, Department of Agronomy, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai; March – May 2023. Methodology: A Field experiment was conducted with black gram var.VBN 8 under drip irrigation on sandy clay textured soil. The treatments comprised of control measures, seed treatment, soil application, foliar spraying of Zn and Fe, a combination of seed and foliar spraying, and fertigation with ZnSO4 and FeSO4. Fertigation with the 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK was given as water-soluble fertilizer for all treatments. A field-based study was executed to explore the impact of zinc sulphate and ferrous sulphate on the growth, yield, and grain quality of micronutrient uptake was recorded. The economics and Water Use Efficiency of different treatments were also calculated. Results: Among the different treatments, the application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1and FeSO4 @ 10 kg ha-1 through drip fertigation at 15, 30 & 45 DAS recorded the highest plant growth and yield of black gram and it also enhanced the zinc content 17.72 per cent and iron content 23.82 per cent in black gram seeds compared to the control seeds. Conclusion: Drip fertigation of zinc sulphate and ferrous sulphate improved grain quality, and it was also used to alleviate malnutrition in humans