Nanobiochar Associated Ammonia Emission Mitigation and Toxicity to Soil Microbial Biomass and Corn Nutrient Uptake from Farmyard Manure.

The unique properties of NB, such as its nano-size effect and greater adsorption capacity, have the potential to mitigate ammonia (NH3) emission, but may also pose threats to soil life and their associated processes, which are not well understood. We studied the influence of different NB concentrations on NH3 emission, soil microbial biomass, nutrient mineralization, and corn nutrient uptake from farmyard manure (FM). Three different NB concentrations i.e., 12.5 (NB1), 25 (NB2), and 50% (NB3), alone and in a fertilizer mixture with FM, were applied to corn. NB1 alone increased microbial biomass in soil more than control, but other high NB concentrations did not influence these parameters. In fertilizer mixtures, NB2 and NB3 decreased NH3 emission by 25% and 38%, respectively, compared with FM alone. Additionally, NB3 significantly decreased microbial biomass carbon, N, and soil potassium by 34%, 36%, and 14%, respectively, compared with FM. This toxicity to soil parameters resulted in a 21% decrease in corn K uptake from FM. Hence, a high NB concentration causes toxicity to soil microbes, nutrient mineralization, and crop nutrient uptake from the FM. Therefore, this concentration-dependent toxicity of NB to soil microbes and their associated processes should be considered before endorsing NB use in agroecosystems.

Nanobiochar and Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Mixture Synergistically Increases Soil Nutrient Availability and Improves Wheat Production.

Recently, nanomaterials have received considerable attention in the agricultural sector, due to their distinctive characteristics such as small size, high surface area to volume ratio, and charged surface. These properties allow nanomaterials to be utilized as nanofertilizers, that can improve crop nutrient management and reduce environmental nutrient losses. However, after soil application, metallic nanoparticles have been shown to be toxic to soil biota and their associated ecosystem services. The organic nature of nanobiochar (nanoB) may help to overcome this toxicity while maintaining all the beneficial effects of nanomaterials. We aimed to synthesize nanoB from goat manure and utilize it with CuO nanoparticles (nanoCu) to influence soil microbes, nutrient content, and wheat productivity. An X-ray diffractogram (XRD) confirmed nanoB synthesis (crystal size = 20 nm). The XRD spectrum showed a distinct carbon peak at 2θ = 42.9°. Fourier-transform spectroscopy of nanoB's surface indicated the presence of C=O, C≡N-R, and C=C bonds, and other functional groups. The electron microscopic micrographs of nanoB showed cubical, pentagonal, needle, and spherical shapes. NanoB and nanoCu were applied alone and as a mixture at the rate of 1000 mg kg-1 soil, to pots where wheat crop was grown. NanoCu did not influence any soil or plant parameters except soil Cu content and plant Cu uptake. The soil and wheat Cu content in the nanoCu treatment were 146 and 91% higher, respectively, than in the control. NanoB increased microbial biomass N, mineral N, and plant available P by 57, 28, and 64%, respectively, compared to the control. The mixture of nanoB and nanoCu further increased these parameters, by 61, 18, and 38%, compared to nanoB or nanoCu alone. Consequently, wheat biological, grain yields, and N uptake were 35, 62 and 80% higher in the nanoB+nanoCu treatment compared to the control. NanoB further increased wheat Cu uptake by 37% in the nanoB+nanoCu treatment compared to the nanoCu alone. Hence, nanoB alone, or in a mixture with nanoCu, enhanced soil microbial activity, nutrient content, and wheat production. NanoB also increased wheat Cu uptake when mixed with nanoCu, a micronutrient essential for seed and chlorophyll production. Therefore, a mixture of nanobiochar and nanoCu would be recommended to farmers for improving their clayey loam soil quality and increasing Cu uptake and crop productivity in such agroecosystems.

Facile coating of micronutrient zinc for slow release urea and its agronomic effects on field grown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Slow release urea has been widely tested in recent past as an effective method to enhance the crop productivity with fewer environmental concerns. However, very few research studies have been performed using micronutrients as a source of slow release of urea nitrogen. A laboratory and field study were carried out to check the agronomic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles and its bulk salt coatings on urea prills on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Different concentrations of zinc oxide nanoparticles (0.25, 0.5 and 4% elemental zinc) were coated on urea prills to slow down the release rate. Bulk zinc oxide salt (ZnO) with similar concentrations was also used in parallel to make a comparison between nano and bulk salt. The SEM of zinc oxide nanoparticles clearly depicted zinc oxide nanoparticles size within a range of 50-90 nm. The XRD and FTIR spectrums also showed its characteristics peak at designated positions. Field study revealed than 0.5% zinc oxide nanoparticles coated urea boosted the crop growth and yield in comparison to the bulk zinc oxide coated urea having similar zinc concentrations, i.e., 0.25%, 0.5% and 4% elemental zinc. The plant parameters like plant height, root length, root volume, grain yield and dry matter weight were significantly increased due to application of zinc oxide nanoparticles.

Nano agrochemical zinc oxide influences microbial activity, carbon, and nitrogen cycling of applied manures in the soil-plant system.

The widespread use of nano-enabled agrochemicals in agriculture for remediating soil and improving nutrient use efficiency of organic and chemical fertilizers is increasing continuously with limited understanding on their potential risks. Recent studies suggested that nanoparticles (NPs) are harmful to soil organisms and their stimulated nutrient cycling in agriculture. However, their toxic effects under natural input farming systems are just at its infancy. Here, we aimed to examine the harmful effects of nano-agrochemical zinc oxide (ZnONPs) to poultry (PM) and farmyard manure (FYM) C and N cycling in soil-plant systems. These manures enhanced microbial counts, CO2 emission, N mineralization, spinach yield and N recovery than control (unfertilized). Soil applied ZnONPs increased labile Zn in microbial biomass, conferring its consumption and thereby reduced the colony-forming bacterial and fungal units. Such effects resulted in decreasing CO2 emitted from PM and FYM by 39 and 43%, respectively. Further, mineralization of organic N was reduced from FYM by 32%, and PM by 26%. This process has considerably decreased the soil mineral N content from both manure types and thereby spinach yield and plant N recoveries. In the ZnONPs amended soil, only about 23% of the applied total N from FYM and 31% from PM was ended up in plants, whereas the respective fractions in the absence of ZnONPs were 33 and 53%. Hence, toxicity of ZnONPs should be taken into account when recommending its use in agriculture for enhancing nutrient utilization efficiency of fertilizers or soil remediation purposes.

Development and testing of zinc sulfate and zinc oxide nanoparticle-coated urea fertilizer to improve N and Zn use efficiency.

Nitrogen (N) losses from conventional fertilizers in agricultural systems are very high, which can lead to serious environmental pollution with economic loss. In this study, innovative slow-release fertilizers were prepared using zinc (Zn) [nanoparticles (NPs) or in bulk], using molasses as an environmentally friendly coating. Several treatments were prepared using Zn in different concentrations (i.e., 0.25%, 0.5%, and 4% elemental Zn). The zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were prepared from zinc sulfate heptahydrate (ZnSO4·7H2O), and were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Furthermore, the Zn-loaded urea samples were tested for urea N release rate, leaching of water from soil, and crushing strength to assess the impact of coating on the final finished product. Pot experiments were conducted simultaneously to check the agronomic effects of Zn-coated slow-release urea on the growth and development of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The laboratory and pot results confirmed that the ZnO-NP treatments boost wheat growth and yield as a result of reduced N and Zn release. UZnNPs2 (urea coated with 0.5% ZnO-NPs and 5% molasses) demonstrated the best results among all the treatments in terms of slow nutrient release, N and Zn uptake, and grain yield. The UZnNPs2 treatment increased plant yield by 34% (i.e., 4,515 vs. 3,345 kg ha-1) relative to the uncoated prill-treated crop because of the slower release of Zn and N.

Zinc Plus Biopolymer Coating Slows Nitrogen Release, Decreases Ammonia Volatilization from Urea and Improves Sunflower Productivity.

Currently, the global agriculture productivity is heavily relied on the use of chemical fertilizers. However, the low nutrient utilization efficiency (NUE) is the main obstacle for attaining higher crop productivity and reducing nutrients losses from these fertilizers to the environment. Coating fertilizer with micronutrients and biopolymer can offer an opportunity to overcome these fertilizers associated problems. Here, we coated urea with zinc sulphate (ZnS) and ZnS plus molasses (ZnSM) to control its N release, decrease the ammonia (NH3) volatilization and improve N utilization efficiency by sunflower. Morphological analysis confirmed a uniform coating layer formation of both formulations on urea granules. A slow release of N from ZnS and ZnSM was observed in water. After soil application, ZnSM decreased the NH3 emission by 38% compared to uncoated urea. Most of the soil parameters did not differ between ZnS and uncoated urea treatment. Microbial biomass N and Zn in ZnSM were 125 and 107% higher than uncoated urea, respectively. Soil mineral N in ZnSM was 21% higher than uncoated urea. Such controlled nutrient availability in the soil resulted in higher sunflower grain yield (53%), N (80%) and Zn (126%) uptakes from ZnSM than uncoated fertilizer. Hence, coating biopolymer with Zn on urea did not only increase the sunflower yield and N utilization efficiency but also meet the micronutrient Zn demand of sunflower. Therefore, coating urea with Zn plus biopolymer is recommended to fertilizer production companies for improving NUE, crop yield and reducing urea N losses to the environment in addition to fulfil crop micronutrient demand.

Toxicity of NiO nanoparticles to soil nutrient availability and herbage N uptake from poultry manure.

Recently, there is an increasing trend of using metallic nanoparticles (NPs) in agriculture due to their potential role in remediating soil pollution and improving nutrient utilization from fertilizers. However, evidence suggested that these NPs were toxic to the soil life and their associated functions, and this toxicity depended on their dose, type, and size. Here, a dose-dependent (5, 50, and 100 mg kg-1 soil) toxicity of NiO NPs on poultry manure (PM: 136 kg N ha-1) decomposition, nutrient mineralization, and herbage N uptake were studied in a standard pot experiment. The NPs doses were mixed with PM and applied in soil-filled pots where then ryegrass was sown. Results revealed that the lowest dose significantly increased microbial biomass (C and N) and respiration from PM, whereas a high dose reduced these parameters. This decrease in such parameters by the highest NPs dose resulted in 13 and 41% lower soil mineral N and plant available K from PM, respectively. Moreover, such effects resulted in 32 and 35% lower herbage shoot and root N uptakes from PM in this treatment. Both intermediate and high doses decreased herbage shoot Ni uptake from PM by 33 and 34%, respectively. However, all NPs doses did not influence soil Ni content from PM. Hence, our results indicated that high NPs dose (100 mg kg-1) was toxic to decomposition, nutrient mineralization, and herbage N uptake from PM. Therefore, such NiONPs toxicity should be considered before recommending their use in agriculture for soil remediation or optimizing nutrient use efficiency of fertilizers.

Exploring potential of copper and silver nano particles to establish efficient callogenesis and regeneration system for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

In vitro recalcitrance of wheat to regeneration is the major bottleneck for its improvement through callus-based genetic transformation. Nanotechnology is one of the most dynamic areas of research, which can transform agriculture and biotechnology to ensure food security on sustainable basis. Present study was designed to investigate effects of CuSO4, AgNO3 and their nanoparticles on tissue culture responses of mature embryo culture of wheat genotypes (AS-2002 and Wafaq-2001). Initially, MS-based callus induction and regeneration medium were optimized for both genotypes using various concentrations of auxin (2,4-D, IAA) and cytokinins (BAP, kinetin). The genotypes differed for embryogenic callus induction and regeneration potential. Genotype AS-2002 yielded maximum embryogenic calli in response to 3.0 mg/l 2,4-D, whereas Wafaq-2001 offered the highest embryogenic calli against 3.5 mg/l 2,4-D supplemented in the induction medium. Genotype AS-2002 showed maximum regeneration (59.33%) in response to regeneration protocol comprising 0.5 mg/l IAA, 0.3 mg/l BAP and 1.0 mg/l Kin, while Wafaq-2001 performed best in response to 0.5 mg/l IAA, 0.3 mg/l BAP and 1.5 mg/l Kin with 55.33% regeneration efficiency. The same optimized basal induction and regeneration medium for both genotypes were further used to study effects of CuSO4, AgNO3 and their nano-particles employing independent experiments. The optimized induction medium fortified with various concentrations of CuSO4 or CuNPs confirmed significant effects on frequency of embryogenic callus. Addition of either 0.020 mg/l or 0.025 mg/l CuSO4, or 0.015 mg/l CNPs showed comparable results for embryogenic callus induction and were statistically at par with embryogenic callus induction of 74.00%, 75.67% and 76.83%, respectively. Significantly higher regeneration was achieved from MS-based regeneration medium supplemented with 0.015 mg/l or 0.020 mg/l CuNPs than standard 0.025 mg/l CuSO4. In another study, the basal induction and regeneration medium were fortified with AgNO3 or AgNPs ranging from 1 to 7 mg/l along with basal regeneration media devoid of AgNO3 or AgNPs (control). The maximum embryogenic calli were witnessed from medium fortified with 3.0 mg/l or 4.0 mg/l AgNPs compared with control and rest of the treatments. The standardized regeneration medium fortified with 5.0 mg/l AgNO3 or 3.0 mg/l AgNPs showed pronounced effect on regeneration of wheat genotypes and offered maximum regeneration compared with control. The individual and combined effect of Cu and Ag nanoparticles along with control (basal regeneration media of each genotype) was also tested. Surprisingly, co-application of metallic NPs showed a significant increase in embryogenic callus formation of genotypes. Induction medium supplemented with 0.015 mg/l CuNPs + 4.0 mg/l AgNPs or 0.020 mg/l CuNPs + 2.0 mg/l AgNPs showed splendid results compared to control and other combination of Cu and Ag nanoparticles. The maximum regeneration was achieved by co-application of 0.015 mg/l CuNP and 4.0 mg/l AgNPs with 21% increment of regeneration over control. It is revealed that CuNPs and AgNPs are potential candidate to augment somatic embryogenesis and regeneration of mature embryo explants of wheat.Abbreviations: 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), BAP (6-benzylaminopurine), IAA (Indole-3-acetic acid), AgNPs (silver nanoparticles), CuNPs (copper nanoparticles).

Compact maize canopy improves radiation use efficiency and grain yield of maize/soybean relay intercropping system.

Maize/soybean relay intercropping system is a popular cultivation system to obtain high yields of both crops with reduced inputs. However, shading by maize decreases the photosynthetically active radiation, reaching the soybean canopy in maize/soybean relay intercropping system, which reduces soybean radiation use efficiency and competitiveness. Here, we reveal that compact maize in maize/soybean relay intercropping system enhances the photosynthetically active radiation transmittance, leaf area index, dry matter production, radiation use efficiency, and competitiveness of soybean and compensates the slight maize yield loss by substantially increasing soybean yield. In this experiment, soybean was relay intercropped with different maize types (SI, spreading maize; SII, semi-compact maize; and SIII, compact maize) in maize/soybean relay intercropping system, and all the relay intercropping treatments were compared with sole cropping systems of soybean and maize. Results revealed that SIII significantly enhanced the soybean radiation use efficiency (by 77%, from 0.35 g MJ-1 in SI to 0.61 g MJ-1 in SIII) and total radiation use efficiency (soybean radiation use efficiency + maize radiation use efficiency) of maize/soybean relay intercropping system (by 5%, from 3.53 g MJ-1 in SI to 3.73 g MJ-1 in SIII). Similarly, SIII improved the competitiveness (by 62%, from 0.58% in SI to 0.94% in SIII) of soybean but reduced the competitiveness (by 38%, from 1.73% in SI to 1.07% in SIII) of maize, which, in turn, considerably increased soybean yield by maintaining maize yield. On average, over the 2 years, in SIII, relay-intercropped soybean produced 89% of the sole soybean yield, and relay-intercropped maize produced 95% of the sole maize yield. Besides, treatment SIII achieved the mean highest land equivalent ratio value of 1.84 in both years. Thus, enhanced radiation use efficiency of soybean, especially during the co-growth period, was the primary factor responsible for the high productivity of the maize/soybean relay intercropping system.

Biodegradable Polymer Coated Granular Urea Slows Down N Release Kinetics and Improves Spinach Productivity.

Low nitrogen (N) utilization efficiency due to environmental N losses from fertilizers results in high-cost on-farm production. Urea coating with biodegradable polymers can prevent these losses by controlling the N release of fertilizers. We calculated N release kinetics of coated granular with various biodegradable polymeric materials and its impact on spinach yield and N uptake. Different formulations were used, (i) G-1: 10% starch + 5% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) + 5% molasses; (ii) G-2: 10% starch + 5% PVA + 5% paraffin wax (PW); (iii) G-3: 5% gelatin + 10% gum arabic + 5% PW; (iv) G-4: 5% molasses + 5% gelatin + 10% gum arabic, to coat urea using a fluidized bed coater. The morphological and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses indicated that a uniform coating layer with no new phase formation occurred. In the G-2 treatment, maximum crushing strength (72.9 N) was achieved with a slowed-down N release rate and increased efficiency of 31%. This resulted in increased spinach dry foliage yield (47%), N uptake (60%) and apparent N recovery (ANR: 130%) from G-2 compared to uncoated urea (G-0). Therefore, coating granular urea with biodegradable polymers is a good choice to slower down the N release rate and enhances the crop yield and N utilization efficiency from urea.

Amelioration of salt induced toxicity in pearl millet by seed priming with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs): The oxidative damage, antioxidant enzymes and ions uptake are major determinants of salt tolerant capacity.

Abiotic stresses in plants reduce crop growth and productivity. Nanoparticles (NPs) are effectively involved in the physiochemical processes of crop plants, especially under the abiotic stresses; whereas, less information is available regarding the role of AgNPs in salt-stressed plants. Therefore, in the current study, we investigated the effects of seed priming with commercially available silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) (size range between 50 and 100 nm) on plant morphology, physiology, and antioxidant defence system of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) under different concentrations of salt stress (0, 120 and 150 mM NaCl). The seed priming with AgNPs at different levels (0, 10, 20 and 30 mM) mitigated the adverse impacts of salt stress and improved plant growth and defence system. The results demonstrated that salt-stressed plants had restricted growth and a noticeable decline in fresh and dry weight. Salt stress enhanced the oxidative damage by excessive production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in pearl millet leaves. However, seed priming with AgNPs significantly improved the plant height growth related attributes, relative water content, proline contents and ultimately fresh and dry weight at 20 mM AgNPs alone or with salt stress. The AgNPs reduced the oxidative damage by improving antioxidant enzyme activities in the pearl millet leaves under salt stress. Furthermore, sodium (Na+) and Na+/K+ ratio was decreased and potassium (K+) increased by NPs, and the interactive effects between salt and AgNPs significantly impacted the total phenolic and flavonoid content in pearl millet. It was concluded that seed priming with AgNPs could enhance salinity tolerance in crop plants by enhancing physiological and biochemical responses. This might boost global crop production in salt-degraded lands.

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for physiological and biochemical attributes in a Pasban90/Frontana recombinant inbred lines (RILs) population of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under salt stress condition.

Salt stress causes nutritional imbalance and ion toxicity which affects wheat growth and production. A population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were developed by crossing Pasban90 (salt tolerant) and Frontana (salt suceptible) for identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for physiological traits including relative water content, membrane stability index, water potential, osmotic potential, total chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and biochemical traits including proline contents, superoxide dismutase, sodium content, potassium content, chloride content and sodium/potassium ratio by tagging 202 polymorphic simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers. Linkage map of RILs comprised of 21 linkage group covering A, B and D genome for tagging and maped a total of 60 QTLs with major and minor effect. B genome contributed to the highest number of QTLs under salt stress condition. Xgwm70 and Xbarc361 mapped on chromosome 6B was linked with Total chlorophyll, water potential and sodium content. The increasing allele for all these QTLs were advanced from parent Pasban90. Current study showed that Genome B and D had more potentially active genes conferring plant tolerance against salinity stress which may be exploited for marker assisted selection to breed salinity tolerant high yielding wheat varieties.

Manure storage operations mitigate nutrient losses and their products can sustain soil fertility and enhance wheat productivity.

Livestock manure is a valuable source of nutrients for plants. However, poor handling practices during storage resulted in nutrient losses from the manure and decrement in its nitrogen (N) fertilizer value. We explored the influence of divergent storage methods on manure chemical composition, carbon (C) and N losses to the environment as well as fertilizer value of storage products after their application to the wheat. Fresh buffalo manure (FM) was subjected to different storage operations for a period of ∼6 months, (i) fermentation by covering with a plastic sheet (CM) (ii) placed under the roof (RM) (iii) heap was unturned (SM) to remain stacked at an open space and (iv) manure heap turned monthly (TM) to make compost. During storage, 8, 24, 45 and 46% of the initial Ntotal was lost from CM, RM, SM, and TM, respectively. The respective C losses from these treatments were 16, 34, 47 and 44% of the initial C content. After stored manures application to the wheat crop, mineral N in the soil remained 27% higher in CM (14.1 vs. 11.1 kg ha-1) and 3% (10.8 vs. 11.1 kg ha-1) lower in SM compared to FM treatment. In contrast, microbial biomass C and N was 35 (509 vs.782 mg C kg-1 soil) and 25% (278 vs.370 mg N kg-1 soil) lower in CM than FM treatment, respectively indicating lower N immobilization of CM in the soil. These findings could result in the highest grain yield (5166 kg ha-1) and N uptake (117 kg ha-1) in CM and the lowest in SM treatments (3105 and 61 kg ha-1, respectively). Similarly, wheat crop recovered 44, 15 and 13% N from CM, TM and SM, respectively. Hence, management operations play a critical role in conserving N during storage phase and after stored manure application to the field. Among the studied operations, storing animal manure under an impermeable plastic sheet is a much better and cheaper option for decreasing N losses during storage and improving wheat yield when incorporated into the soil. Therefore, by adopting this manure storage technique, farmers can improve the agro-environmental value of animal manure in Pakistan.

ZnO nanoparticles and zeolite influence soil nutrient availability but do not affect herbage nitrogen uptake from biogas slurry.

Recently, there is a growing interest among agriculturists to use nanotechnology for the development of nutrient-use efficient fertilizers. However, its sustainable use for the synthesis of mineral or organic nano-fertilizers requires a thoughtful of the mechanism as well as the fate of nutrients and their interaction with soil-plant systems. Therefore, the aim of current study was to investigate the mixing of three different application rates of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNPs: 1.4, 2.8 and 3.6 mg kg-1 soil) as well as zeolite (141, 282 and 423 mg kg-1 soil) with biogas slurry (AS) on soil nutrient availability and herbage nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) uptake in a standard pot experiment. We found that both ZNPs and zeolite significantly increased mineral N content in soil compared to AS alone (P < 0.05). On the other hand, plant available phosphorus or potassium and microbial biomass carbon (C) in the soil were neither significantly affected by any application rate of ZNPs nor zeolite mixed AS. Soil microbial biomass N was significantly higher in second and third application rates of both ZNPs and zeolite amended AS treatments compared to AS alone. However, this increment in mineral N did not influence shoot uptake and herbage apparent recovery of this nutrient from AS. Similarly, co-mixing of both ZNPs and zeolite in AS did not influence shoot N uptake but Zn uptake was significantly higher in this treatment compared to AS alone. Therefore, this combination would be considered for improving crop Zn uptake under such fertilizer management regimes.

Bedding additives reduce ammonia emission and improve crop N uptake after soil application of solid cattle manure.

This study examined the influences of three potential additives, i.e., lava meal, sandy soil top-layer and zeolite (used in animal bedding) amended solid cattle manures on (i) ammonia (NH3), dinitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions and (ii) maize crop or grassland apparent N recovery (ANR). Diffusion samplers were installed at 20 cm height on grassland surface to measure the concentrations of NH3 from the manures. A photoacoustic gas monitor was used to quantitate the fluxes of N2O, CH4 and CO2 after manures' incorporation into the maize-field. Herbage ANR was calculated from dry matter yield and N uptake of three successive harvests, while maize crop ANR was determined at cusp of juvenile stage, outset of grain filling as well as physiological maturity stages. Use of additives decreased the NH3 emission rates by about two-third from the manures applied on grassland surface than control untreated-manure. Total herbage ANR was more than doubled in treated manures and was 25% from manure amended with farm soil, 26% and 28% from zeolite and lava meal, respectively compared to 11% from control manure. In maize experiment, mean N2O and CO2 emission rates were the highest from the latter treatment but these rates were not differed from zero control in case of manures amended with farm soil or zeolite. However, mean CH4 emissions was not differed among all treatments during the whole measuring period. The highest maize crop ANR was obtained at the beginning of grain filling stage (11-40%), however ample lower crop recoveries (8-14%) were achieved at the final physiological maturity stage. This phenomenon was occurred due to leaf senescence N losses from maize crop during the period of grains filling. The lowest losses were observed from control manure at this stage. Hence, all additives decreased the N losses from animal manure and enhanced crop N uptake thus improved the agro-environmental worth of animal manure.

Improvements in wheat productivity and soil quality can accomplish by co-application of biochars and chemical fertilizers.

The beneficial role of biochar is evident in most of infertile soils, however this is argued that increment in crop yield owing to biochar application does not always achieve in cultivated/fertile soils. The nutrient biochar believed to enhance crop yield and soil fertility than structural biochar that may offset the positive effect of chemical fertilizer on crop performance but improves soil structural properties. Therefore, we investigated the effect of biochars [produced from nutrient rich feedstocks like poultry manure (PMB) and farmyard manure (FMB) and structural feedstocks such as wood chips (WCB) and kitchen waste (KWB)], and chemical fertilizers (CF) when applied alone or in combination on soil chemical properties, wheat growth, yield and nitrogen uptake in a cultivated clay loam soil. Sole biochar treatments increased the total carbon and mineral nitrogen content that were 21 and 106% higher, respectively compared to control after 128days (P<0.001). Contrarily, sole biochars application did not increase wheat biological yield and N uptake compared to control (P>0.05) except PMB, the nutrient biochar (P<0.05). Compared to control, grain yield was 6 and 12% lower in WCB and FMB, respectively but not differed from KWB, PMB or WCB-CF. Conversely, co-application of biochars and CF treatments increased crop biological yield but the increment was the highest in nutrient biochars FMB or PMB (29 or 26%), than structural biochars WCB and KWB (15 and 13%), respectively (P<0.05). For N uptake, this increment varies between 16 and 27% and again nutrient biochar has significantly higher N uptake than structural biochars. Hence, nutrient biochars (i.e. PMB) benefited the soil fertility and crop productivity more than structural biochars. Therefore, for immediate crop benefits, it is recommended to use nutrient biochar alone or in combination with chemical fertilizer. Such practice will improve crop performance and the quality of cultivated soil.

Renal clearance and urinary excretion of omeprazole in healthy female volunteers in Pakistan.

Omeprazole is a widely prescribed proton pump inhibitor to treat various gastric acid hyper secretion disorders. The present study was designed to evaluate the renal clearance and urinary excretion of omeprazole in eight healthy female volunteers to increase the understanding of the contributing factors such as demographics variability in the renal clearance and urinary excretion of omeprazole under indigenous conditions. The urine and blood samples were collected 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 hours after oral administration of enteric coated omeprazole (20 mg) and drug concentration in the samples was determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with C18 column and UV detector. Urinary excretion and renal clearance of omeprazole was calculated and data was statistically analyzed by using regression/correlation technique. Endogenous creatinine was also measured by reagent kit available in the market. The results indicate that mean diuresis was 0.0172±0.0029 ml/min/kg. While the mean values of renal clearance of creatinine and omeprazole were 1.315±0.103 and 0.066±0.0042 ml/min. kg, respectively. Whereas, clearance ratio was 0.055±0.007 which indicates back diffusion. The cumulative percentage of dose excreted was 6.71±0.358. A significant (p<0.05) negative correlation (r= -0.457) between clearance ratio and urine pH of omeprazole reflecting glomerular filtration reabsorption of drug at kidney tubular level while significant (p<0.05) negative correlation (r= -0.681) between clearance ratio and plasma concentration of omeprazole indicates the involvement of active tubular secretion of drug. It can be concluded that during glomerular filtration, omeprazole diffuse back/reabsorption. Therefore, Urinary excretion of omeprazole in indigenous healthy female subjects was observed to be lower than given in the literature values.

Simulation of Long-Term Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in Grassland-Based Dairy Farming Systems to Evaluate Mitigation Strategies for Nutrient Losses.

Many measures have been proposed to mitigate gaseous emissions and other nutrient losses from agroecosystems, which can have large detrimental effects for the quality of soils, water and air, and contribute to eutrophication and global warming. Due to complexities in farm management, biological interactions and emission measurements, most experiments focus on analysis of short-term effects of isolated mitigation practices. Here we present a model that allows simulating long-term effects at the whole-farm level of combined measures related to grassland management, animal housing and manure handling after excretion, during storage and after field application. The model describes the dynamics of pools of organic carbon and nitrogen (N), and of inorganic N, as affected by farm management in grassland-based dairy systems. We assessed the long-term effects of delayed grass mowing, housing type (cubicle and sloping floor barns, resulting in production of slurry and solid cattle manure, respectively), manure additives, contrasting manure storage methods and irrigation after application of covered manure. Simulations demonstrated that individually applied practices often result in compensatory loss pathways. For instance, methods to reduce ammonia emissions during storage like roofing or covering of manure led to larger losses through ammonia volatilization, nitrate leaching or denitrification after application, unless extra measures like irrigation were used. A strategy of combined management practices of delayed mowing and fertilization with solid cattle manure that is treated with zeolite, stored under an impermeable sheet and irrigated after application was effective to increase soil carbon stocks, increase feed self-sufficiency and reduce losses by ammonia volatilization and soil N losses. Although long-term datasets (>25 years) of farm nutrient dynamics and loss flows are not available to validate the model, the model is firmly based on knowledge of processes and measured effects of individual practices, and allows the integrated exploration of effective emission mitigation strategies.