Response of Maize to Application of Sulfurea

To find out the effect of sulfurea on maize crop, an experiment was conducted at ARI Tarnab during Kharif, 2011. The experiment consisted of six treatments with three replications in RCB design. N, P and K were applied in the form of urea, Diammonium phosphate (DAP) and muriate of potash (MOP), respectively. The recommended dose of the sulfurea at the rate of 16L per hectare was applied in the first irrigation (half of the recommended i.e. 8L) and on the fourth irrigation (another half of the recommended i.e. 8L) when crop was at silking stage. The application of sulfur in the form of sulfurea significantly increased the yield of maize crop. The highest grain yield of 6090 kg ha-1 was obtained by the treatment where sulfurea was applied along with NPK fertilizers; whereas lowest grain yield was recorded in plots where no fertilizer was applied. Maximum dry matter yield was obtained when sulfurea was applied with NPK while minimum was obtained in control plots. The effect of sulfurea on the chemical properties of the soil was not very obvious and non-significant effect was observed. No effect on soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter and lime was observed which revealed that sulfurea has no effect on these chemical properties of soil. The post harvest soil analysis showed that nitrogen content was not significantly affected while phosphorus and sulfur content was significantly affected by the application of sulfur as sulfurea. Leaf analysis indicated the sulfur content was increased significantly also the uptake was increased significantly. These results indicated that the application of sulfur in the form of sulfurea should be encouraged to apply to the crops like maize, because it increased the yield and improved the soil nutrient content

Use of Various Chelates as Soil Extractants

Four chelating agents—DTPA, EDTA, AB-DTPA and six molarities of sodium gluconate (0.005M, 0.01M, 0.015M, 0.02M, 0.025M and 0.03M) were compared as extractants for Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, Ni, Cr and Cd in 5 diverse soils collected at different locations surrounding Peshawar from 0-30cm depth. Soil samples were also analyzed for soil chemical properties. The data of chemical analysis showed that soil pH was alkaline in nature. Electrical conductivity values of soil samples showed that the samples were non saline. Organic matter was found deficient and medium in 40 and 40 % samples respectively. AB-DTPA was the most effective extractant for Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, and Cr whereas EDTA was the most effective extractant for Cd and Zn. An increasing trend in extractability of the nutrient was observed with an increase in the molarities of sodium gluconate. Keywords: DTPA, EDTA, AB-DTPA, soil pH, Electrical conductivity, mineral nutrient

Study of Nursery Business in Harbin Region

A project on study of nursery business in Harbin region, Heilongjiang (china) was initiated during the 2013. About 64 % of the nurseries deals with the plants of mix categories, 28 % of them recorded that flowering plants species were in high demand and ornamental plants, 80 % of them obtained seed from Beijing, Wuhan and Xian , 52 % of them used plastic tubes and pots for growing of seed, 48 % of them used garden soil, manures and silt as a major component of plant growing media, 64 % of them recorded no application of any fertilizer, 72 % of the respondents recorded that there is only insect attack in their nurseries, 92 % of them apply insecticide at their nurseries, 64 % of them reported that there is great demand for imported plants, 100 % of the respondents reported that there is no availability of green house facility in the majority of nurseries, 60 % of them recorded high sale in spring season, 68 % of them reported that they used green cloth and plant shed as a type of shed at their nurseries, 76 % of them recorded that they pay rent to the government, 76 % of them used both type of propagation methods, 84 % of the respondents reported that they have nursery grower association, Furthermore most of them demanded training about recent research/mythology, certified seed and stuff, easy water availability, low priced fertilizers, pesticides and Bank loans with easy installments and procedure from the Government

Effect of Potash Levels and Row Spacings on Onion Yield

The research study the effect of potassium and row spacing on yield of onion was conducted at Dargai Malakand during summer 2012. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design with split plot arrangement having three replications. Potassium levels (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1) were applied to main plot while row spacing (15, 20 and 25 cm) were kept in sub plot. Recommended doses of nitrogen were applied at two split doses and phosphorus and potassium were applied at time of planting. The studied perimeters were plant height, number of leaves plant-1, bulb diameter, average bulb weight, numbers of bulb kg-1 and yield (t ha-1). The maximum plant height (51.6 cm), number of leaves plant-1 (9.89), bulb diameter (5.93), average bulb weight (64.89 g), leaf width (1.33 cm) and yield (22.91 t ha-1) were observed with the application of 120 kg K2O ha-1. The maximum number of bulb kg-1 (15.78) was observed in control. On the other hand the maximum plant height (47.1 cm), number of leaves plant-1 (8.67), bulb diameter (5.64 cm) and average blub weight (54.92 g) were recorded at 25 cm row spacing. And maximum leaf width (1.26 cm) and yield (22.45 t ha-1) was observed at 20 cm row spacing. The maximum bulb kg-1 (16.92) was observed at 15 cm row spacing. The highest yield were observed with the application of 120 kg ha- 1potash application and at 20 cm row spacing. Based on the above result it is recommended that 20 cm row spacing with 120 kg K2O ha-1 should be used for best growth and maximum yield of onion under the agro climatic condition of Dargai at Malakand

Tele-rehabilitation versus Face To Face Rehabilitation after Knee Joint Replacement

Background: Joint substitution of lower limbs like hip and knee replacements are viewed as a high volume surgery with great achievement rates and physical restoration assumes a significant role in recovery of these patients. However, access to recovery and follow up is restricted. Post joint substitution patients living in remote territories and those with the danger of joint dislocation find difficulty to recovery benefits once they are released from emergency clinic. Access issues produce extra burden. The purpose of current study was to evaluate whether telerehabilitation performed from a health center to patient’s place after discharge from hospital among knee replacement was practically effective as alternative treatment. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 50 post total knee replacement patients for a period of 6 months at Ghurki hospital. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A received telerehabilitation. Group B received face to face rehabilitation for 2 months. Ranges, muscle strength and functional status were measured through goniometer, manual muscle testing and timed get up and go test. Assessment was done using Fischer exact test at baseline, after 2 weeks and followed up after 2 months. Results: p-value for knee flexion came out to be 0.03 where as for quadriceps it was 0.02 after 2 weeks, which was found to be statistically significant. After 2 months, p-value for knee flexion was 0.016 and 0.000 for functional status. Conclusion: Use of telerehabilitation is found to be equally effective as compared to face to face rehabilitation among knee replacement patients

Post-Treatment of Synthetic Polyphenolic 1,3,4 Oxadiazole Compound A3, Attenuated Ischemic Stroke-Induced Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration

Ischemic stroke is categorized by either permanent or transient blood flow obstruction, impeding the distribution of oxygen and essential nutrients to the brain. In this study, we examined the neuroprotective effects of compound A3, a synthetic polyphenolic drug product, against ischemic brain injury by employing an animal model of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (p-MCAO). Ischemic stroke induced significant elevation in the levels of reactive oxygen species and, ultimately, provoked inflammatory cascade. Here, we demonstrated that A3 upregulated the endogenous antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione s-transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH), and reversed the ischemic-stroke-induced nitric oxide (NO) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) elevation in the peri-infarct cortical and striatal tissue, through the activation of endogenous antioxidant nuclear factor E2-related factor or nuclear factor erythroid 2 (Nrf2). In addition, A3 attenuated neuroinflammatory markers such as ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrotic factor-α (TNF-α), toll-like receptors (TLR4), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) by down-regulating p-JNK as evidenced by immunohistochemical results. Moreover, treatment with A3 reduced the infarction area and neurobehavioral deficits. We employed ATRA to antagonize Nrf2, which abrogated the neuroprotective effects of A3 to further assess the possible involvement of the Nrf2 pathway, as demonstrated by increased infarction and hyperexpression of inflammatory markers. Together, our findings suggested that A3 could activate Nrf2, which in turn regulates the downstream antioxidants, eventually mitigating MCAO-induced neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration