Microbial properties of soils as affected by cropping and nutrient management practices in several long-term manurial experiments in the semi-arid tropics of India

Microorganisms play a critical role in nutrient transformation, soil health and for sustaining the productivity of soils. Effects of long-term cropping, fertilization, manuring and their integration on microbial community were studied in soil samples from five long-term fertilizer experiments under various rainfed production systems in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) of India. Microbial population counts were analyzed by dilution plating and were in turn compared with different parameters such as soil treatments, soil type, soil microbial biomass C, soil organic C, rainfall and soil pH. The counts were high in treatments where combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers were applied compared to control. Vertisols showed larger organic carbon levels than Alfisols. Fungal population was higher in acidic soils and in treatments under continuous inorganic fertilization treatments whereas a high number of bacteria were found in integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers. At most of the locations soil organic C and microbial biomass C showed significant positive ( p � 0.05) correlation with microbial populations. Thus, results suggest that even under arid and semi-arid tropical conditions, regular addition of nutrients in an integrated manner could improve soil organic carbon and microbial population counts. For each production system, better carbon sequestration management practices were identifie

Bio-inoculated Nutrient Management Influence on Soil Nutrient Availability Pattern and Growth of Hybrid Pigeonpea (ICPH 2740) under Establishment Methods and Crop Geometry

Background A two-year field study was conducted at the ICRISAT research farm during the rainy seasons of 2021 and 2022 to investigate the impact of crop geometry, crop establishment method and sustainable nutrient management practices on nutrient availability pattern and growth of hybrid pigeon pea. Methods The experiment followed a split-split plot design. The collected data was analysed using radar graph and heat maps for nutrient availability and dry matter respectively. Result Data revealing that transplanted plots registered higher nutrient availability and proportionate root and total dry matter production at various growth stages. Among plant geometry the root and total dry matter production was higher with 100×100 cm. when considering planting methods, transplanting with a square system of 100×100 cm, combined with an integrated nutrient management approach consisting of 150% (or) 100% soil test based NPK, vermicompost at a rate of 5 t ha-1, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and seed treatment with Rhizobium, resulted in average of 31.5% higher dry matter production over alone inorganic nutrient management practices. Thus, a square geometry of 100×100 cm, along with sustainable integrated nutrient management (100% soil test based NPK, vermicompost at a rate of 5 t ha-1, PSB and seed treatment with Rhizobium), resulted in higher nutrient availability and dry matter production. These findings highlight the importance of careful selection of planting methods, crop geometry and nutrient management practices for maximizing the nutrient mining for production of high dry matter production of hybrid pigeonpea

Short-Lived Trace Gases in the Surface Ocean and the Atmosphere

The two-way exchange of trace gases between the ocean and the atmosphere is important for both the chemistry and physics of the atmosphere and the biogeochemistry of the oceans, including the global cycling of elements. Here we review these exchanges and their importance for a range of gases whose lifetimes are generally short compared to the main greenhouse gases and which are, in most cases, more reactive than them. Gases considered include sulphur and related compounds, organohalogens, non-methane hydrocarbons, ozone, ammonia and related compounds, hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Finally, we stress the interactivity of the system, the importance of process understanding for modeling, the need for more extensive field measurements and their better seasonal coverage, the importance of inter-calibration exercises and finally the need to show the importance of air-sea exchanges for global cycling and how the field fits into the broader context of Earth System Science

NK-CD11c+ Cell Crosstalk in Diabetes Enhances IL-6-Mediated Inflammation during Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection

In this study, we developed a mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using streptozotocin and nicotinamide and identified factors that increase susceptibility of T2DM mice to infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). All Mtb-infected T2DM mice and 40% of uninfected T2DM mice died within 10 months, whereas all control mice survived. In Mtb-infected mice, T2DM increased the bacterial burden and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production in the lungs relative to those in uninfected T2DM mice and infected control mice. Levels of IL-6 also increased. Anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody treatment of Mtb-infected acute- and chronic-T2DM mice increased survival (to 100%) and reduced pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression. CD11c+ cells were the major source of IL-6 in Mtb-infected T2DM mice. Pulmonary natural killer (NK) cells in Mtb-infected T2DM mice further increased IL-6 production by autologous CD11c+ cells through their activating receptors. Anti-NK1.1 antibody treatment of Mtb-infected acute-T2DM mice increased survival and reduced pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression. Furthermore, IL-6 increased inflammatory cytokine production by T lymphocytes in pulmonary tuberculosis patients with T2DM. Overall, the results suggest that NK-CD11c+ cell interactions increase IL-6 production, which in turn drives the pathological immune response and mortality associated with Mtb infection in diabetic mice

Spectral and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of (<i style="">E</i>)-4-chloro-<i style="">N</i><b>^′</b>(2-hydroxy­benzylidene)benzohydrazide

326-329(E)-4-Chloro-N′(2-hydroxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide is synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, DEPT and mass spectral studies. The structure and types of hydrogen bonding present in crystalline form of title compound are envisaged from single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The topological analysis of hydrogen bonds indicates both inter and intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The presence of water molecule in crystal structure indicates mono hydrated form of the title compound

Arogyavardhini Vati - A Boon for Liver Disorders from Ayurveda (Fatty Liver)

(NAFLD) or the Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is a global problem affecting a wide range of population associated with co-morbidities. Management of NAFLD is aimed both at managing the liver disease and also its co-morbidities. This is followed with an umbrella of therapeutic modules including lifestyle modifications, diet and the medications. Though both the modern medicine and Ayurvedic medicine follow the comprehensive approach in managing the disease, physicians will be very cautious with medications prescribed as those are associated with adverse effects. In this particular situation, Ayurvedic medicine such as Arogyavardhini vati plays a vital role in relieving the liver disorder, maintaining its health and also the health of digestive system thereby improving the overall health and the quality of life of the patient that is greatly disturbed with the liver disorders. Arogyavardhini vati that is considered one of the best for the liver disorders is critically reviewed in this study