Assessment of Influence and Inter-Relationships of Soil Properties in Irrigated Rice Fields of Bangladesh by GIS and Factor Analysis

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 9 (2007): Assessment of Influence and Inter-Relationships of Soil Properties in Irrigated Rice Fields of Bangladesh by GIS and Factor Analysis. Manuscript LW 07 022. Vol. IX. November, 2007

Toxic Metals (Pb and Cd) and Their Respective Antagonists (Ca and Zn) in Infant Formulas and Milk Marketed in Brasilia, Brazil

In non-ideal scenarios involving partial or non-breastfeeding, cow’s milk-based dairy products are mainstream in infant feeding. Therefore, it is important to study the concentrations of potentially neurotoxic contaminants (Pb and Cd) and their respective counteracting elements (Ca and Zn) in infant dairy products. Fifty-five brands of infant formulas and milk sold in Brasilia, Brazil were analyzed. The dairy products came from areas in the central-west (26%), southeast (29%) and south of Brazil (36%) extending as far as Argentina (7%) and the Netherlands (2%). For toxic Pb and Cd, median concentrations in powdered samples were 0.109 mg/kg and 0.033 mg/kg, respectively; in fluid samples median Pb concentration was 0.084 mg/kg, but median Cd concentration was below the limit of detection and overall values were below reference safety levels. However, 62% of these samples presented higher Pb concentration values than those established by FAO/WHO. Although the inverse correlation between Cd and Zn (Spearman r = −0.116; P = 0.590) was not statistically significant, the positive correlation between Ca and Pb was (Spearman r = 0.619; P < 0.0001). Additionally, there was a significant correlation between Pb and Cd. Furthermore, the study also revealed that provision of the essential trace element Zn in infant formulas can provide adequate amounts of the recommended daily requirements. Infant formulas and milk sold for consumption by infants and children can be an efficient tool to monitor neurotoxic metal risk exposure among young children

Iron deficiency in peanut on black calcareous soils

Black calcareous soils of Thailand (Rendzinas or Calciustolls) occupy 500 000 ha and are located mostly on the highlands of central and northern areas of the country. These soils are considered quite fertile, but leaf chlorosis resembling iron deficiency occurs quite commonly in peanuts, although patchy in distribution

Iron nutrition of field crops in black calcareous soils of Thailand: A review

Iron (Fe) deficiency limits crop production on black calcareous soils (Typic Calciustolls) of Thailand with reports of Fe deficiency becoming more common. Much of the Fe in these soils occurs as free crystalline and amorphous Fe oxides and DTPA extractable Fe is low averaging 6. 4 mg/kg in 20 soils examined. Field studies showed that Fe deficiency could be alleviated by soil amendments such as elemental sulfur or by soil and foliar Fe fertilizer, provided rates of application were high enough. However, since soil amendment and Fe fertilizer use is costly, preliminary research into cultivar selection for Fe efficiency has begun with peanuts. Kernel yields in 20 cultivars were inversely related to Fe chlorosis scores. Standards for diagnosis and prediction of Fe deficiency in field crops are being developed for soil and plant analyses using DTPA and o‐phenanthroline, respectively