Effects of Humic Acid and Crop Residues on Soil and Wheat Nitrogen Contents

This study was conducted with the aim of finding humic acid and crop residues effects on soil and wheat nitrogen at New Development Farm, University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan during winter 2009-2010. The experiment was laid out in RCB design having four replications. Different levels (1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 kg ha-1) of Humic acid were applied at sowing time. Mungbean (5 tons ha-1), wheat straw (10 tons ha-1) and mungbean (2.5 tons ha-1) + wheat straw (5 tons ha-1) were incorporated 30 days before sowing. Our results showed higher mineral and total nitrogen (7.32 and 0.43, respectively) mg kg-1 in soil and also higher nitrogen in stem, leaves and grains (2.3, 4.6 and 21.1, respectively) mg kg-1 at maturity in those plots in which 2.5 kg ha-1 of humic acid was applied. Higher mineral and total nitrogen (7.04 and 0.5, respectively) mg kg-1 in soil and also higher nitrogen in leaves (5.5) mg kg-1 at pre-anthesis, while at maturity stage in stem, leaves and grain (5.5, 2.1, 4.2 and 20.8) g kg-1 was recorded in those plots in which 5 tons ha-1 mung bean was incorporated. Our experimental results suggest the use of 5 tons ha-1 of mungbean residues with 2.5 kg ha-1 of humic acid to improve soil fertility availability of more nitrogen in wheat plants to increase the crop yield and grains quality.

Lead isotope signatures of Pb-Zn sulfide mineralization in the Reshian-Lamnian area of Azad Jammu and Kashmir,Pakistan

The Reshian-Lamnian area within the Hazara-Kashmir syntaxis in Pakistan is composed mainly of the rocks of the Salkhala,Panjal and Murree formations.Base metal sulfide mineralization in the form of sphalerite and galena with lesser amounts of chalcopyrite and pyrite is present within the Salkhala Formation of the study area.Chemically all these ore phases are homogeneous in composition.The Pb isotopic composition of galena from the area suggests that there is very little or negligible variation in the ratios of 206Pb/204Pb,207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb.Modal ages ranging from 509 to 562 Ma and the μ values of 10.71 to 10.93 have been calculated for the studied Pb-Zn mineralization.On the basis of field features,mineralogy and Pb-isotope signatures,it is concluded that the Pb-Zn sulfide mineralization in the Reshian-Lamnia area is pre-Himalayan in age and can be correlated with the Cambro-Ordovician(Pan-African) orogenic event.

Landsat based distribution mapping of high-altitude peatlands in Hindu Kush Himalayas–a case study of Broghil Valley, Pakistan

In the alpine regions of Hindu Kush,Himalayas and Karakorum, climatic and topographic conditions can support the formation of peat,important for the livelihood of the local communities,and ecological services alike. These peatlands are a source of fuel for the local community, habitat for nesting birds, and water regulation at source for rivers.Ground-based surveys of high-altitude peatlands are not only difficult, but also expensive and time consuming. Therefore, a method using cost-effective remote sensing technology is required. In this article we assessed the distribution and extent of highaltitude peatlands in a 2000 ha area of Broghil Valley using Landsat 8 data. The composite image was trained using a priori knowledge of the area, and classified into peatland and non-peatland land covers using a supervised decision tree algorithm. The Landsat-based classification map was compared with field data collected with a differential GPS. This comparison suggests 82% overall accuracy, which is fairly high for high altitude areas. The method was successfully applied and has the potential to be replicated for other areas in Pakistan and the highaltitude regions of the neighbouring Asian countries.

Water Consumption Processes of Different Planting Models in Rice Production of Northeast China

Different irrigation schemes have different effects on water consumption in rice production.However,few studies have been conducted on the water consumption processes between dry direct seeding rice and transplanting rice under different irrigation schemes.Water consumption process,water use efficiency and correlation effect of water consumption on yield under different planting models in rice production were investigated in northeast China in 2018.Seven treatments were implemented:drip irrigation dry direct seeding rice(DDSR),wet irrigation dry direct seeding rice(WDSR),flooded irrigation dry direct seeding rice(FDSR),transplanting flooded rice(TFR),controlled irrigation transplanting rice(CTR),intermittent irrigation transplanting rice(ITR)and wet irrigation transplanting rice(WTR).Among them,TFR was the control.The results showed that the peaks of the water consumption amount,intensity and its modulus coefficient of the seven treatments all appeared in the middle tillering and the jointing booting stages.The total water consumption amount(ET)and average water consumption intensity of DDSR,WDSR,FDSR and WTR were lower than those of TFR,CTR and ITR.The maximum water use efficiency of yield(WUEy)occurred in DDSR with a value of 3.8 kg·m^(-3).WUEy of DDSR,WDSR and FDSR were significantly higher than those of TFR,CTR and ITR.In the middle tillering and the heading and flowering stages,the water consumption amount of each treatment had a positive effect on yield formation,and the water consumption amount in the late tillering stage had a negative effect on yield formation.The relationship between ET and yield(Y)of dry direct seeding and transplanting planting models showed a quadratic function curve.ET of transplanting planting model had a significant positive impact on Y,and ET of dry direct seeding planting model had no impact on Y.DDSR had the least total water consumption of 199.8 mm·m^(-2),the lowest water consumption intensity of 2.0 mm·d^(-1) and the greatest water use efficiency of 3.8 kg·m^(-3),which suggested that DDSR had the most significant water saving effect.The combination of dry direct seeding planting model and drip irrigation scheme would be a good option for determining a water-saving rice planting model in northeast China.

Evaluation of Wheat Varietal Performance under Different Nitrogen Sources

Nitrogen fertilization plays a very important role for crop productivity. New developed wheat varieties need proper fertilization for improved crop productivity. The present study was carried out to quantify, the effects of nitrogen derived from urea and FYM on the four newly developed wheat varieties i.e. Siran-2009, Ata Habib, Janbaz-2009 and Pirsabak-2008 for yield improvement, quality and soil fertility status. The N treatments were control, 100% of the recommended nitrogen from urea as well as FYM, and 50% from each source. The experiment was carried out at New Developmental Farm, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar Pakistan, during Rabi 2011-2012. Results of the data showed that Janbaz-2009 was more responsive to biological yield (11,011 kg·ha-1), grain yield (4339 kg·ha-1), and nitrogen use efficiency (14.8%), whereas Siran-2010 performed better for grain N contents (2.31%). Plots having both urea and FYM had improved biological yield (11,958 kg·ha-1), and grain yield (4901 kg·ha-1). Urea application had improved straw N contents (0.92%) in addition to Mix application of urea and FYM (0.93%). Mix application of both sources and sole FYM had higher grains N content (2.25%), whereas control plots in addition to mix application had improved nitrogen use efficiency (14.8%). Siran-2010 and Janbaz-2009 performed better in FYM and mix FYM and urea plots for most of the parameters. It was concluded from the experiment that Janbaz-2009 had improved yield and yield components, whereas Siran-2010 had improved the grain N content. Similarly, Mix application of FYM and urea had improved crop productivity, soil fertility and grains as well as straw N content. Thus wheat varieties Janbaz-2009 sown in mix FYM and urea is recommended for general cultivation in agro-climatic condition of Peshawar.

Conservation Status and Therapeutic Potential of <i>Saussurea lappa</i>: An Overview

Plants from the start are being used for the welfare of human and animals. About 25,000 biological active compounds are reported by different scientists. Plants itself are a complete treatment bioagent. People are still using plants and their decoction for different diseases. Saussurea lappa Clarke is the member of family Compositae. This plant is famous due to its high medical importance. The plant is commonly named as Kuth root or costus and has wide use for anticancer, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, anti-viral, anticonvulsant, antiarthritic, activities. Biologically active substance of in this plant is lactone cynaropicrin, dehydrocostus, germacrene,?lappadilactone. This plant can be used to extract such bioactive compounds which can help the scientist to discover new and potential drugs. Due to such chemical composition and medicinal importance this review has been prepared for the awareness of the people to conserve their medicinal plants which can be used for potential drug discovery.

A retrospective study on use of palliative care for patients with alcohol related end stage liver disease in United States

BACKGROUND Palliative care(PC)has been shown to be beneficial in end stage liver disease(ESLD),yet the hospitalization data for PC utilization is unknown.AIM To identify the trend of PC utilization for the special population of alcoholassociated ESLD patients,factors affecting its use and ascertain its impact on healthcare utilization.METHODS We analyzed around 78 million discharges from the 2007-2014 national inpatient sample and 2010-2014 national readmission database including adult patients admitted for decompensated alcohol-associated cirrhosis.We identified patients with PC consultation as a secondary diagnosis.Odds ratios(OR)and means were adjusted for confounders using multivariate regression analysis models.RESULTS Out of the total 1421849 hospitalizations for decompensated liver cirrhosis,62782(4.4%)hospitalizations had a PC consult,which increased from 0.8%(1258)of all alcohol-associated ESLD hospitalizations in 2007 to 6.6%in 2014(P<0.01).Patient and hospital characteristics associated with increased odds of PC utilization were advanced age,lower income,Medicaid coverage,teaching institution,urban location,length of stay>3 d,prolonged ventilation,and administration of total parenteral nutrition(all P<0.01).Palliative encounters in alcohol-associated ESLD and acute-onchronic liver failure(ACLF)score were associated with increased odds of discharge to a rehabilitation facility,but significantly lower odds of 30-d readmissions(aOR:0.35,95%CI:0.31-0.41),lower total hospitalization charges and lower mean hospitalization days(all P<0.01).CONCLUSION Inpatient PC is sparingly used for patients with decompensated alcohol related liver disease,however it has increased over the past decade.PC consultation is associated with lower 30-d readmission rates on multivariate analysis,and lower hospitalization cost and length of stay in patients with ACLF score≥2.

Impact of index admission cholecystectomy vs interval cholecystectomy on readmission rate in acute cholangitis: National Readmission Database survey

BACKGROUND Elective cholecystectomy(CCY)is recommended for patients with gallstone-related acute cholangitis(AC)following endoscopic decompression to prevent recurrent biliary events.However,the optimal timing and implications of CCY remain unclear.AIM To examine the impact of same-admission CCY compared to interval CCY on patients with gallstone-related AC using the National Readmission Database(NRD).METHODS We queried the NRD to identify all gallstone-related AC hospitalizations in adult patients with and without the same admission CCY between 2016 and 2020.Our primary outcome was all-cause 30-d readmission rates,and secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality,length of stay(LOS),and hospitalization cost.RESULTS Among the 124964 gallstone-related AC hospitalizations,only 14.67%underwent the same admission CCY.The all-cause 30-d readmissions in the same admission CCY group were almost half that of the non-CCY group(5.56%vs 11.50%).Patients in the same admission CCY group had a longer mean LOS and higher hospitalization costs attrib-utable to surgery.Although the most common reason for readmission was sepsis in both groups,the second most common reason was AC in the interval CCY group.CONCLUSION Our study suggests that patients with gallstone-related AC who do not undergo the same admission CCY have twice the risk of readmission compared to those who undergo CCY during the same admission.These readmis-sions can potentially be prevented by performing same-admission CCY in appropriate patients,which may reduce subsequent hospitalization costs secondary to readmissions.