Nitrogen management of wheat cultivars for higher productivity - A review

The increased population pressure has led to the maximum use of chemical fertilizers especially in the major crops such as rice, wheat and maize production. India has an ever growing population needing food and also the growing urban middle class with higher standards of living is on the lookout for better quality product. The introduction of improved seeds increases the utility of traditional inputs and their consumption as well. Because of genetic variation, BVC 223, Qingnong 8, IPA99, CT 01217, Luomai 8, Seher 06, Sistan, Punjab 2011, Rasco 2005, PBW 343, Halna, HP 1744, VL Gehun 892, WH 1022, PBW 621, and PBW 550 cultivars of wheat crop differ in growth and development behaviour and respond higher to different nitrogen management practices. However, ever increasing prices of Nitrogen (N) fertilizers and possibilities of environmental pollution and groundwater contamination warn for their judicious and efficient use. The application of essential plant nutrients particularly N nutrient in optimum quantity (120-150 kg/ha) and right proportion (3-4 splits) through correct methods and time of application (LCC and green seeker based) is the key to increased and sustained crop production. The increase in quality due to nitrogen fertilization (120-330 kg/ha) may be due to its role in activation of cells division, metabolic and photosynthesis process and nutritive status of wheat plant. Keeping in view above all facts in mind, performance of wheat cultivars as influenced by different nitrogen rates will be discussed in this review

Clinical evaluation of Nirgundi Taila and Dashmoola Ghrita in the management of Sandhigata Vata (Osteoarthritis)

Though Sandhigata Vata is described under the broad heading of Vatavyadhi in most of the Samhita and Sangraha Granthas, it is not included under 80 types of “Nanatmaja Vatavyadhi”, Charaka was first, who described separately Sandhigata Vata as - “Sandhigata Anila” in Vatavyadhi chapter. The clinical presentation of Sandhigata Vata resembles to Osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of arthritis. It begins asymptomatically in middle age with progressive symptoms in advancing age. It increases in prevalence with age especially in weight bearing joints. Female are prone with 25% prevalence were 16% in male. In present study 21 patients fulfilling diagnostic criteria of Sandhigata Vata were selected. Patients were treated with Nirgundi Taila locally 8ml on affected joints, with Dashmoola Ghrita 12g. with meal internally twice a day with luke warm water. After a course of therapy of 2 month symptomatic improvement was observed at various levels with better results in the patients treated with Nirgundi Taila and Dashmoola Ghrita

Gelatinous transformation of bone marrow: rare or underdiagnosed?

Gelatinous transformation of the bone marrow (GTBM) is a rare hematologic entity, which was first described by Paul Michael in 1930. GTBM is mostly associated with caloric intake/anorexia nervosa, although it also has been described accompanying other pathologic conditions, such as malignancy, systemic lupus erythematosus and HIV infections. Even though the diagnostic features of the hematopoietic tissue, such as hypoplasia, adipose cell atrophy, and deposition of a gelatinous substance in the bone marrow (which stains with Alcian blue at pH 2.5) are quite specific, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. Considering the evidence of reversibility—notably in cases of malnutrition and anorexia—this entity should be kept high on cards as a possible differential diagnosis of patients presenting with cytopenias and associated weight loss or starvation, especially in developing countries with nutritionally deprived populations. On an extensive review of the literature aimed at comprehensively addressing the evolution of the GTBM from the past century until now, we conclude that the lack of clinical suspicion and awareness regarding this pathologic entity has led to misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis

Symbiotic characters, thermal requirement, growth, yield and economics of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) genotypes sown at different dates under Punjab conditions

A field experiment was conducted during kharif (rainy season) 2008 and 2009 at research farm of the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, to study the effect of four/three sowing dates (1 May, 15 May, 1 June and 15 June in 2008 and 15 May, 1 June and 15 June in 2009) on the symbiotic characters, thermal requirement, growth, productivity and economics of four pigeonpea genotypes (AL 201, AL 1507, AL 1578 and AL 1593). Days taken to 50% flowering, physiological maturity, and various agroclimatic indices i.e. AGDD, AHTU, APTU and HUE decreased with delay in sowing. The crop sown on 15 May recorded the highest nodule dry weight plant -1. The grain yield was significantly higher for the 15 May sowing compared to the 15 June sowing. During the two years, the crop sown on 15 May registered on average 6.7 and 48.0 percent higher grain yield than the1 June and 15 June sowings, respectively. The crop sown on 15 May gave the maximum gross returns, net returns and benefit-cost (B:C) ratio. Among the genotypes, AL 1507 recorded the highest nodule number plant-1 and AL 1578 recorded the maximum nodule dry weight plant-1.Genotypes AL 1507, AL 1578 and AL 1593 registered on average 19.4, 19.2 and 20.0 percent higher grain yield relative to AL 201, respectively. The genotype AL 1507 in 2008 and AL 1593 in 2009 performed better in terms of heat use efficiency for grain yield

Isolated saccular aneurysm of the external jugular vein

Venous aneurysm of the head and neck is a rare clinical entity due to its asymptomatic nature and tendency of clinicians to report only surgical results. Whereas the primary aneurysm of internal jugular vein (IJV) in children is being increasingly recognized, secondary aneurysms of veins of the head and neck in adults, notably the external jugular vein (EJV) aneurysm remains only in anecdotal case reports. We present the case of a 63-year-old previously healthy woman who presented with a gradually progressive right lateral neck swelling over the last 18 months. Following the evaluation, she was diagnosed as a case of isolated spontaneous right-sided EJV aneurysm and was managed by surgical excision of the aneurysm

Gelatinous transformation of bone marrow: rare or underdiagnosed?

Gelatinous transformation of the bone marrow (GTBM) is a rare hematologic entity, which was first described by Paul Michael in 1930. GTBM is mostly associated with caloric intake/anorexia nervosa, although it also has been described accompanying other pathologic conditions, such as malignancy, systemic lupus erythematosus and HIV infections. Even though the diagnostic features of the hematopoietic tissue, such as hypoplasia, adipose cell atrophy, and deposition of a gelatinous substance in the bone marrow (which stains with Alcian blue at pH 2.5) are quite specific, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. Considering the evidence of reversibility—notably in cases of malnutrition and anorexia—this entity should be kept high on cards as a possible differential diagnosis of patients presenting with cytopenias and associated weight loss or starvation, especially in developing countries with nutritionally deprived populations. On an extensive review of the literature aimed at comprehensively addressing the evolution of the GTBM from the past century until now, we conclude that the lack of clinical suspicion and awareness regarding this pathologic entity has led to misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis

Nutritional composition, bioactive compounds and free radical scavenging activity of wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) as influenced by harvesting stages and cultivation method

118-123Wheatgrass is a rich source of protein (24.08 to 30.40 g/100 g DM) when cultivated under indoor and outdoor conditions and harvested at different stages. The ash ranged being 7.68 to 8.46 g/100 g DM. The crude fibre content was high especially under indoor cultivation, the values were in the range of 19.06 to 27.68 g/100 g. Indoor cultivation was far better than outdoor cultivation in terms of higher protein and ash. Late harvesting stage was better for crude fibre but for proteins, the early stage i.e 7th day was superior. The early harvesting (7th day and indoor cultivation) was superior for obtaining maximum ascorbic acid from the wheatgrass. For maximum β-carotene in wheatgrass, the optimum stage of harvesting was the 10th day from the day of sowing during indoor conditions while 7th day was the right stage for harvesting wheatgrass during the outdoor cultivation. It has an abundant amount of chlorophyll and flavonoids, the content was varying between 4.14 to 17.72 g/100 g and 115.67 to 460.18 QE/g, respectively under different harvesting stages and cultivation conditions. The free radical scavenging activity of indoor-grown wheatgrass was significantly (P ≤0.05) higher in comparison to outdoor cultivated wheatgrass on 7th and 10th day of harvesting

Nutritional composition, bioactive compounds and free radical scavenging activity of wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) as influenced by harvesting stages and cultivation method

Wheatgrass is a rich source of protein (24.08 to 30.40 g/100 g DM) when cultivated under indoor and outdoor conditions and harvested at different stages. The ash ranged being 7.68 to 8.46 g/100 g DM. The crude fibre content was high especially under indoor cultivation, the values were in the range of 19.06 to 27.68 g/100 g. Indoor cultivation was far better than outdoor cultivation in terms of higher protein and ash. Late harvesting stage was better for crude fibre but for proteins, the early stage i.e 7th day was superior. The early harvesting (7th day and indoor cultivation) was superior for obtaining maximum ascorbic acid from the wheatgrass. For maximum β-carotene in wheatgrass, the optimum stage of harvesting was the 10th day from the day of sowing during indoor conditions while 7th day was the right stage for harvesting wheatgrass during the outdoor cultivation. It has an abundant amount of chlorophyll and flavonoids, the content was varying between 4.14 to 17.72 g/100 g and 115.67 to 460.18 QE/g, respectively under different harvesting stages and cultivation conditions. The free radical scavenging activity of indoor-grown wheatgrass was significantly (P ≤0.05) higher in comparison to outdoor cultivated wheatgrass on 7th and 10th day of harvesting