Selenium-enriched and ordinary green tea extracts prevent high blood pressure and alter gut microbiota composition of hypertensive rats caused by high-salt diet

High-salt diet is well recognized as a risk factor for hypertension,and dietary intervention plays a critical role in the prevention of hypertension.The current study investigated the effects of selenium-enriched green tea(Se-GT)and ordinary green tea(GT)on prevention of hypertension of rats induced by high-salt diet,as well as their potential regulatory and mechanism.Our results showed that GT and Se-GT supplementations significantly prevented the increase of blood pressure(BP),activated the phosphoinosmde-3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt)signaling pathway,and regulated the gene expression related to BP,as well as improved the tissue damage like heart,liver,and kidneys.Besides,the key parameters associated with oxidative stress,inflammation and endothelial dysfunction were also altered by GT and Se-GT treatments.Importantly,GT or Se-GT administration adjusted the diversity and composition of the intestinal flora.Moreover,GT and Se-GT supplementations increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria and reduced the abundance of harmful or conditional pathogenic bacteria.More specifically,GT intake specifically and significantly enriched the relative abundance of Paraprevotella and Bacteroides,whereas Se-GT was characterized by specific and significant enrichment for Allobaculum and Bifidobacterium.Our results proved that dietary supplement of GT and Se-GT remarkably improved the vascular functions and effectively prevented tissue damage by regulation of intestinal flora,and thus preventing hypertension induced by high-salt diet.

Research on Strategies for the Development of Selenium-enriched Tea in Ankang City of Shaanxi Province in the Context of Targeted Poverty Alleviation

As an important symbol of agricultural and sideline products in Ankang City,selenium-enriched tea affects the development of regional agricultural and sideline industries.In this paper,the development status and problems of the selenium-enriched tea products of Ankang were analyzed in terms of capital,technology,management and sales mode.This research is of positive significance to the development of selenium-enriched products and other agricultural and sideline products of health value,and plays a very important role in promoting the cultivation of village-level characteristic industries and the effective realization of targeted poverty alleviation.

Study on Extraction Method of Selenium-enriched Rice

[Objectives] The aims were to optimize the extraction process of selenoproteins from selenium-enriched rice in Guangxi and provide references for the intensive processing and comprehensive utilization of selenium protein resources. [Methods]Selenium-enriched rice was used as materials to extract selenoproteins by phosphate buffer extraction method and to optimize the extraction process of selenoproteins by using the orthogonal experiment. Proteins and selenium content was measured by Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 reagent and AFS（ atomic fluorescence spectrometry） respectively. [Results] The most significant factor affecting extraction of rice Selenoproteins was extraction NaO H concentration,followed by the ratio of solid-liquid,temperature and then extraction time. The optimum extraction conditions of selenoproteins from rice were extraction temperature of 50 ℃,NaO H concentration of 0. 14 mol/L,extraction time of 5 h,and solid-liquid ratio of 1∶ 30. [Conclusions]The alkali extraction process optimized by orthogonal test could effectively improve the extraction rate of selenoproteins,and the optimized process parameters could be popularized and applied in practical production.

Analysis of Influencing Factors in Production of Selenium-enriched Eggs

Selenium is an essential trace element for human health.Eating selenium-enriched eggs is conducive to easily and effectively solving the problem of selenium deficiency.In the production process of selenium-enriched eggs,different selenium sources,additive doses,feeding time,and the addition of other vitamins,trace elements,and methionine in the diet will influence the deposition of selenium in eggs.Through this review,it is intended to provide a reference for the practical,safe and economical production of selenium-enriched eggs.

Recommendations for Sustainable Development of Selenium-enriched Functional Agriculture in Guangxi under the New Normal

Taking Scientific Outlook on Development as the guiding principle,this paper introduced the principles of innovation,coordination,green,openness and sharing. Based on gifted advantages of selenium-enriched soil and selenium-enriched industry development in Guangxi,it discussed current practice,stressed green,ecological,characteristic demonstration,transformation and upgrading,and targeted poverty alleviation. Finally,it came up with perspective,practical,and operational strategies and recommendations for development of selenium-enriched industry,to provide reference for sustainable development of selenium-enriched functional industry in Guangxi.

Effect of Soil Selenium on Nutritional Quality of Vegetables in the Selenium-enriched Areas of Qinghai Plateau

In order to improve the added value of the main vegetable products in Qinghai Province,we researched the effect of soil selenium content on vegetable quality in selenium-enriched area of Qinghai. Through the analysis of Qinghai selenium-enriched soil selenium content and5 kinds of main vegetables corresponds to the total selenium,part of the mineral elements and soluble sugar and VC content,the effects of soil selenium levels on selenium absorption and nourishment quality of vegetables were researched. The results showed that he Qinghai selenium-enriched soil selenium content in the range of 100. 00-563. 00 μg/kg,among them,the soil samples with sufficient selenium and rich selenium accounted for 76. 53% and 18. 88%,respectively. Soil selenium content of garlic sampling area was relatively high,and soil selenium content of sugar beet sampling area was relatively low. Vegetable selenium content was in the range of 11. 00-340. 94 μg/kg,the average content of total selenium content of garlic was up to 170. 40 μg/kg,and the average content of the total selenium content of radish is 73. 00 μg/kg.90. 63% of the vegetables in the region reached the level of sufficient selenium,and 70. 31% reached the level of selenium enrichment. The average content of Ca and Mg was higher than the national average. There was no significant correlation between selenium content of soil and vegetable and nutritional quality.

Effects of Vermicompost on Agronomic Characters and Yield and Quality of Flue-cured Tobacco

The effects of vermicompost on the agronomic characters and yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco were investigated. The results showed that, the field growth periods of various treatments were 117-118 d, 1-2 days longer than that of the CK. The numbers of effective leaves of the treatments applied with vermicompost were 0.1-0.3 leaf more than the CK. The highest yield and the highest proportion of high-grade tobacco occurred in treatment 3 as 2 095.5 kg/m^2 and 49%, respectively, which were higher than those in the CK by 6.58 kg and 5.3%. In conclusion, the treatment with the application of vermicompost at 7 500-10 500 kg/hm^2 was the best.

Comparison of the Effect of Vermicompost and Inorganic Fertilizers on Vegetative Growth and Fruit Production of Tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>L.)

This study attempted to compare the effect of cow manure vermicompost and inorganic fertilizers on the vegetative growth and fruits of tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum L.). An air dried sandy loam soil was mixed with five rates of vermicompost equivalent to 0 (control), 5, 10, 15 and 20 t ha-1 and three rates of NPK fertilizer equivalent to 50% (N-P-K = 69-16-35 kg ha-1), 100% (N-P-K = 137-32-70 kg ha-1) and 200% (N-P-K = 274-64-140 kg ha-1). The treatments were replicated three times. The data revealed that shoot length, number of leaves, dry matter weight of shoots and roots, fruit number and fruit weight were influenced significantly (P < 0.05) by the application of vermicompost and NPK fertilizer in the growth media. The highest dose of vermicompost of 20 t ha-1 increased dry weight of shoot of 52 folds and root of 115 folds, number of fruit(s)/plant of 6 folds and mean fruit weight of 29 folds while the highest rate of NPK fertilizer of 200% increased dry weight of shoot of 35 folds and root of 80 folds, number of fruit(s)/plant of 4 folds and mean fruit weight of 18 folds over the control treatment. The growth performance of tomato was better in the vermicompost amended soil pots than the plants grown in the inorganic fertilizer amended soil pots. This study suggested that the vermicompost served as a potential source of nutrients for plant growth.

Vermicompost, the story of organic gold: A review

Earthworm has caught imagination of philosophers like Pascal and Thoreau. Yet its role in the nutrition of agricultural fields has attracted attention of researchers worldwide only in recent decades. Waste management is considered as an integral part of a sustainable society, thereby necessitating diversion of biodegradable fractions of the societal waste from landfill into alternative management processes such as vermicomposting. Earthworms excreta (vermicast) is a nutritive organic fertilizer rich in humus, NPK, micronutrients, beneficial soil microbes;nitrogen-fixing, phosphate solubilizing bacteria, actinomycets and growth hormones auxins, gibberlins & cytokinins. Both vermicompost & its body liquid (vermiwash) are proven as both growth promoters & protectors for crop plants. We discuss about the worms composting technology, its importance, use and some salient results obtained in the globe so far in this review update of vermicompost research.

The wonders of earthworms &its vermicompost in farm production: Charles Darwin’s ‘friends of farmers’, with potential to replace destructive chemical fertilizers

Earthworms and its excreta (vermicast) promises to usher in the ‘Second Green Revolution’ by completely replacing the destructive agro chemicals which did more harm than good to both the farmers and their farmland. Earthworms restore & improve soil fertility and significantly boost crop productivity. Earthworms excreta (vermicast) is a nutritive ‘organic fertilizer’ rich in humus, NKP, micronutrients, beneficial soil microbes—‘nitrogenfixing & phosphate solubilizing bacteria’ & ‘actinomycets’ and growth hormones ‘auxins’, ‘gibberlins’ & ‘cytokinins’. Both earthworms and its vermicast & body liquid (vermiwash) are scientifically proving as both ‘growth promoters & protectors’ for crop plants. In our experiments with corn & wheat crops, tomato and eggplants it displayed excellent growth performances in terms of height of plants, color & texture of leaves, appearance of flowers & fruits, seed ears etc. as compared to chemical fertilizers and the conventional compost. There is also less incidences of ‘pest & disease attack’ and ‘reduced demand of water’ for irrigation in plants grown on vermicompost. Presence of live earthworms in soil also makes significant difference in flower and fruit formation in vegetable crops. Composts work as a ‘slowrelease fertilizer’ whereas chemical fertilizers release their nutrients rather quickly in soil and soon get depleted. Significant amount of ‘chemical nitrogen’ is lost from soil due to oxidation in sunlight. However, with application of vermicompost the ‘organic nitro gen’ tends to be released much faster from the excreted ‘humus’ by worms and those mineralised by them and the net overall efficiency of nitrogen (N) is considerably greater than that of chemical fertilizers. Availability of phosphorus (P) is sometimes much greater. Our study sh ows that earthworms and vermicompost can promote growth from 50 to 100% over conventional compost & 30 to 40% over chemical fertilizers besides protecting the soil and the agro ecosystem while producing ‘nutritive and tasty food’ at a much economical cost (at least 50 75% less) as compared to the costly chemical fertilizers.

Influence of vermicomposting on solid wastes decomposition kinetics in soils

The effect of vermicomposting on kinetic behavior of the products is not well recognized. An incubation study was conducted to investigate C mineralization kinetics of cow manure, sugarcane filter cake and their vermicomposts. Two different soils were treated with the four solid wastes at a rate of 0.5 g solid waste C per kg soil with three replications. Soils were incubated for 56 d. The CO2-C respired was monitored periodically and a first-order kinetic model was used to calculate the kinetic pa-rameters of C mineralization. Results indicated that the percentage of C mineralized during the incubation period ranged from 31.9% to 41.8% and 55.9% to 73.4% in the calcareous and acidic soils, respectively. The potentially mineralizable C (C0) of the treated soils was lower in the solid waste composts compared to their starting materials. Overall, it can be concluded that de-composable fraction of solid wastes has decreased due to vermicomposting.

Vermicompost as an Alternative to Inorganic Fertilizer to Improve Okra Productivity in Côte d’Ivoire

Okra is one of the most popular vegetables in Côte d’Ivoire which is produced by heavy use of inorganic fertilizers. Vermicompost can be an alternative to inorganic fertilizers. This field study investigated the effect of vermicompost on growth and productivity of okra as compared to inorganic fertilizers. The respective treatments were arranged in a complete randomized block design, each at three replications, during three-season cycles on a ferralitic soil. Results showed that the highest rate of germination was obtained with the vermicompost. The tallest plants of Abelmoschus esculentus (1.88 m) and Abelmoschus caillei (1.78 m) were observed with inorganic fertilizer. The number of leaves per plant registered when using vermicompost was 34.5 and 30.74 with Abelmoschus esculentus and Abelmoschus cailli, respectively. With inorganic fertilizer, the number of leaves per plant was 34.21 (Abelmoschus esculentus) and 32.32 (Abelmoschus cailli). Plants took about 60 days to flower in the control plots and about 46 days in the plots fertilized with the vermicompost and the inorganic fertilizer. The highest pod yields of Abelmoschus esculentus and Abelmoschus cailli were 8.7 t⋅ha−1 and 10.58 t⋅ha−1 with vermicompost and 8.85 t⋅ha−1 and 10.7 t⋅ha−1 with inorganic fertilizer, respectively. Vermicompost could be recommended as an alternative to inorganic fertilizer to produce okra on ferralitic soil in Côte d’Ivoire.

Effects of Vermicompost Leach Liquor on Yield and Quality of Wheat

Medium gluten wheat cultivar Yangmai 21 was sprayed with vermicompost leach liquor after blooming stage to investigate the effects of verrnicompost leach liquor on grain number, yield and quality of wheat. According to the results, vermi- compost leach liquor reduced average grain number by 2.1%, significantly increased 1 000-grain weight by 15.2%, enhanced grain weight and grain yield by 6.4% and 4.3%, improved grain starch content, protein content and wet gluten content by 1.5%, 1.4% and 2.3%, respectively, and declined moisture content by 12.3%. Apply- ing vermicompost leach liquor after blooming stage is an effective method to im- prove varietal characteristics, grain weight, yield and quality of wheat.

Effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and vermicompost on groundnut yield in Babile District, eastern Ethiopia

Groundnut is a major cash crop for smallholder farmers in several districts of eastern Ethiopia with low yield. Little or no fertilizer was applied for the crop possibly because no generic or recommended fertilizer and technology were available. Therefore, field experiments were conducted for 2 consecutive cropping seasons in Babile District, to investigate effects of applying mineral N and P fertilizer and vermicompost (VC) on seed yield and oil content of groundnut using an improved variety ‘BaHa-Gudo’. Treatments consisted of nitrogen (0,23 and 46 kg N/ha), phosphorus (0,46 and 92 kg P2O5/ha) and VC (0,2.5 and 5 t VC/ha). Results revealed that yield attributes, seed yield and seed oil content were significantly (p < 0.01) affected by fertilizers. Seed yield after combined application of 46 kg N, 46 kg P2O5 and 2.5 t VC/ha increased by about 113% compared to seed yield without any fertilizers. Enhancement in seed oil content at the aforementioned rate was 7.0%. It could, thus, be concluded that applying the aforementioned fertilizers would enable farmers to increase seed yield and oil content of groundnut for enhancing their income and livelihoods in the study area.

An Experimental Study of Vermicomposting with Earthworm （Eisenia foetida） Growth in Edible Mushrooms Wastes

Every year mushroom wastes are produced in big volumes from edible mushroom production industries. Vermicomposting technology using earthworms as versatile natural bioreactors for effective recycling of organic wastes to the soil is an environmentally acceptable means of converting waste into nutritious composts for crop production. This study was undertaken to use earthworms （eisenia foetida） in vermicomposting on edible mushrooms wastes. The Randomized block design with three treatments in Kimia, Sabalan and Artashahr mushroom production industries were selected and four replications were applied for treatments. The total biomass of earthworms was estimated by counting the number of adults, juveniles and cocoons from each replication. The number of adult and mature worms, egg capsules and wet weight of earthworms were recorded in one month intervals （totally in five months）. Vermicomposting was carried out by these worms in four months in spite of delay in their establishment in mushroom wastes. The worms wet weight, their number and the number of capsules were increased up to fourth month and then decreased. The produced vermicompost had suitable properties for amending soil.

Vermicompost for Indigo Blue and Congo Red Removal

The data obtained through this work revealed that the vermicompost is a natural adsorbent able to removal two textile dyes from an aqueous medium. The values of maximum adsorption capacity for congo red (23.25 mg/g) and indigo blue (40.39 mg/g) obtained from the Mathematical Langmuir Model reveal it. The conditions of adsorbent mass, stirring time between adsorbent and dyes were optimized. Additionally, the values of Gibbs free energy demonstrate the predominance of physical interaction between both dyes and vermicompost. Through Langmuir constant values, it was possible to identify similar affinities between both dyes and vermicompost. The value of dimensionless constant indicates favorable adsorptions process. Finally, through physicochemical analysis from scanning electron microscopy and Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy, the characteristics of vermicompost were verified revealing essential aspects to efficient adsorbent.

Antifungal Activity of Compounds Isolated from Bamboo Vermicompost against <i>Rhizoctonia solani</i>AG1-IB

Vermicompost has become a promising alternative to chemical pesticide because of its disease suppression effect during these decades. However, the mechanisms by which vermicompost suppress plant disease are not well-understood. Antifungal compounds, which are released by beneficial organisms in the vermicompost, may play an important role in inhibiting plant pathogens;however, these mechanisms have not been widely examined. In this study, Sterilized Water Extracts of bamboo vermicompost (SWE), using a 0.22-μm cellulose acetate filter, significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the mycelium growth of Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IB on a Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) plate. This suggests that antifungal compounds are present in bamboo vermicompost. The ethanol acetate (EtOAc) crude extracts of bamboo vermicompost showing antifungal activity were further separated. Two compounds were isolated from the EtOAc fraction of bamboo vermicompost and characterized as ergosterol peroxide (1) and (22E, 24R)-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,9(11),22-trien-3β-ol (2). Their chemical structures and mass spectra were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry analyses. Ergosterol peroxide tested at 150, 300, 600, and 900 μg showed 13%, 22%, 34%, and 53% mycelial growth inhibition against R. solani AG1-IB, respectively. Because EtOAc crude extracts of the initial substrate materials of bamboo vermicompost did not inhibit mycelium growth of R. solani AG1-IB, antifungal compounds in the vermicompost may be released by microbes but not from the original substrates during vermicomposting.

Animal Manure, Neem Cake, Biochar, Vermicompost or Urea: Choosing the Better Option for <i>Spinacia oleracea</i>Growth and Soil Fertility

Production of safe food through organic farming while maintaining soil sustainability is the crucial challenge of recent time. As such a pot experiment was conducted using animal manure (TAM), neem-cake (TNC), vermicompost (TVC), biochar (TBC) and urea (TU) with control (TC) to assess their capacity to stimulate Spinacia oleracea growth under field condition and their impact on soil fertility. Six treatments: TC, TAM, TNC, TVC, TBC, TU with three replications were used in completely randomized design (CRD). All the plant growth parameters were measured at regular interval up to maturity. Complete chemical analysis of plant tissue, amendments and soil was carried out. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) under different treatments was calculated at 45 and 60 days. All the treatments showed statistically significant (P < 0.001) increase in yield over control and urea. The highest plant height (24 cm), leaf area index (0.154), and dry weight (1254 kg/ha) were found at TNC which increased respectively 132%, 258%, 450% over control and 125%, 431%, 448% over urea. TVC was the second best treatment followed by TBC for plant growth. NUE was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in treatment TVC than any other treatments and was higher at maturity than vegetative state. TNC had lower NUE than TVC and TBC but the inherent N content was higher in TNC than TVC and TBC. Uptake of certain macro nutrients showed significant (P < 0.05) positive correlation with plant growth parameters i.e., plant height with P (R = 0.887);leaf area with N (R = 0.957) and P (R = 0.985);dry weight with N (R = 0.996), P (R = 0.994) and K (R = 0.860). Significant (P < 0.001) increase in post-harvest soil C and CEC content was found with all the treatments. The highest availability of N, P and S was observed under treatment TNC. For short duration crop like spinach, TNC is the best option followed by TVC as they release nutrient quickly than TBC and TAM.

Effect of Application of Vermicompost and Conventional Compost Derived from Different Residues on Pea Crop Production and Soil Faunal Diversity in Agricultural System in Garhwal Himalayas India

Sedentary crop-livestock mixed farming is the predominant agricultural land use in Central Himalaya upland and largely rainfed;agrochemicals are not used at all. Farmers focus on increasing yields with poor soil fertility management practices resulted in sharp decline in production of pea crop in the study site. Therefore in present study options are being looked into devising some conservation strategies that increase yields of pea while reducing harm to soil biodiversity at a local scale here. The present study explores the efficiency of P. excavatus as endemic earthworm species for vermicomposting, the potential utilization of Conventional oak based farmyard manure (FM-O);Conventional pine based farmyard manure(FM-P);Earthworm fed ? Cow dung + oak leaves based vermicompost (VC-O);Earthworm fed ? Cow dung + pine leaves based vermicompost (VC-P);freshly fallen leaf litter (LM) on pea crop productivity and soil faunal diversity in agricultural system, and if the changed soil faunal biodiversity scenario in any way affected the crop production. The higher uptake of nitrogen, higher germination percentage enhanced seedling growth, early emergence flower, increase number of pods, seed, husk , and root biomass was significantly higher in plants which received VC-O followed by VC-P as manure input treatments. The change in the diversity of soil micro arthropods in relation to quality change in organic residues input in experimental plots and expressed as the Simpsons diversity index showed that the diversity of soil fauna is related to improvements in soil conditions resulting from nutrient manipulations through vermicompost and conventional compost treatments. This response of soil biota to increased production most likely represents an increase in the availability of resources through addition of vermicompost when compared to other compost treatments. Alternatively, an increase in predators and therefore predation, could, increase the diversity of its prey, thereby decreasing dominant competitors and reducing the possibility of competitive exclusion, but this needs further studies. Chronosequence study during cropping season indicated that the composition and abundance of soil fauna in agricultural fields changed considerably with time under cultivation. This technology has now been adopted by the farmers in the area once again for growing the pea crop.

Optimizing Yield and Nutrients Content in Tomato by Vermicompost Application under Greenhouse Conditions

Optimizing yield and nutrients content in crop production is the high time demand of arable farming. Vermicompost furnishes one of the most promising alternatives to costly chemical fertilizer. Therefore, a greenhouse experiment was conducted at NARC, Islamabad, to investigate the effect of different levels of vermicompost [having C/N=15/1 and 14 Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)] on growth, yield and nutrients content in hybrid tomato (National Tunnel Tomato-04-08) under greenhouse conditions during Rabi 2015. The data revealed that different rates (0.5 t·ha-1, 1 t·ha-1, 1.5 t·ha-1 and 2 t·ha-1) of vermicompost produced varied and significant (P -1) at the application of 2.0 t vermicompost ha-1 followed by 3.226 t·ha-1 where vermicompost was applied @ 1.5 t·ha-1. N, P and K content in tomato fruit and plant increased significantly with the application of increasing levels of vermicompost. The highest content of N (3.7%), P (0.67%), K (5.17%) in tomato fruit and N (3.4%), P (0.32%), K (3.2%) in tomato plant respectively were registered with soil application of vermicompost @ 2.0 t·ha-1. This study confirms that the vermicompost has a tremendous potential of plant nutrients supply for sustainable crop production.