Evaluation of micronutrient status of sandy clay loam as influenced by sulphur fertilization on blackgram

Secondary nutrient deficiency especially sulphur (S) in blackgram has imparted poor grain setting percentage and yield as well. Interest on S availability in soils has increased due to acute shortage production of quality blackgram. Therefore, an attempt was made to assess the three SO4-2- S sources (Gypsum, Ammonium sulphate and Potassium sulphate) and two S levels (10 and 20 kg S ha-1) under irrigated condition. This experimental trial was replicated three times along with randomized block design at farmer field of Thenamallur village, T. Kallikudi block, Madurai district. S treatments were also evaluated by two methods of fertilizer amendment such as, soil application (as basal dose) and foliar spray (0.5 % K2SO4) on 30th and 45th days after sowing and its combinations. Soil analysis is good method to assess the S nutritional status of soil under tropical areas. The results revealed that the S and micronutrient content was low in single soil application or foliar spray and irrespective of source and level. Foliar spray treatment plants recovered limited S concentration. We could found that the better higher S concentration among the combination treatments. Soil application of K2SO4 @ 20 kg ha-1 + foliar spray was increased the soil available S and DTPA - extractable Micronutrient (Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu) status. Our study explains that the treatment combinations had synergistic effect and it may be concluded that the combinations (soil + foliar spray) are increased soil available S and micronutrient status. Further, future studies are required to confirm the results of S fertilizers in alkaline soil

Perspectives of Neer-Nirakkuri (colour of the urine) and diagnosis according to Saint Therar

The bioactive compounds and pH of the urine are the reason for dip and spike of its surface appearance. The colour variations relate on its primary and secondary metabolites due to the presence of bacterial reaction. The urine analysis may show a light on serious medical condition lurking unnoticed by us. The time to evolve the nature of the urine with its thousands of unique chemicals drained by the kidneys is the future scenario for cost effective diagnosis. According to Siddha philosophy urine is made up of appu bhutham (water element) like blood, semen, fat and bone marrow. The food stuffs are pancha bhutha (five elements) in nature which nourish all ezhu udarkattugal (the seven body constituents) for the functioning of subtle principles vali (vaadham), azhal (pittham) and iyam (kabham). The functional change of seven body constituents due to the derangement of intrinsic and extrinsic factors like diet, work, environmental change etc. cause vitiation mukkutram viz. vali, azhal and iyam making them deranged to develop various diseases.  Siddha literatures explain five different colours of urine. Every colour has further variants. Yellow colour urine has six variants, red colour urine has four variants, green colour urine has five variants, black colour urine has four variants and white colour urine has two variants. Colour of the urine and its interpretation is only the beginning to assess the severity of problem alerting an individual that something is wrong in metabolism or renal function. The colour of the urine is further correlated with food already had. The taste, sediments, smell, froth, mass are the various factors certainly considered for further evaluation. The colour of the urine and its relation with humour disorder and five elements would explore scope for future research cost effectively. Keywords: Colour, Neerkuri, Nirakkuri, Therayar, Siddha marutthuva sudar, mukkutram, panchabhutha

Study on effect of different salinity on growth and morphological traits of nerium cultivars (Nerium oleander L.)

Six cultivars of Nerium (Single Pink, Single White, Single Red, Double Pink, Double White and Double Red) were evaluated to identify the salt tolerant cultivars on basis of growth and morphological parameters. This study was carried out in Department of Horticulture, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai. These cultivars were transplanted polybags with soils of four different salt levels includes control (S1 - 0.87 dS m-1), low saline (S2 - 3.94 dS m-1), medium saline (S3 - 5.78 dS m-1) and high saline (S4 - 7.85 dS m-1) along with 2 dS m-1 saline water (by dissolving NaCl, CaCl2 and MgCl2) was irrigated based on moisture availability. The parameter viz., plant height (84.53 cm), number of leaves per plant (1.09), leaf area (1773.32 cm2), stem thickness (3.12 cm), number of branches (1.09), root length (28.87 cm), root dry weight (25.59 g), internodal length (4.01 cm) and survival percentage (94.33%) was recorded. All parameters show significant decrease with increasing salinity. In cultivar Single Red plant height was high and low height was observed in Double Pink at high salinity. Double Red cultivar shows more tolerance to all salinity levels, but Double pink have more salinity symptoms and shows less tolerance