Agriculture models for restoring degraded land to enhance CO2 biosequestration and carbon credits in the Vindhyan region of India.

The study's objective was to evaluate the status of converted degraded land into productive agricultural models by improving the physicochemical properties of the soil, soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions (active and passive), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC), while also generating carbon (C) credit for additional farmers' income. Six models were analyzed, namely: (1) Arjun forest-based agroecosystems (AFBAE); (2) Lemon grass-based agroecosystems (LGBAE); (3) Legume-cereal-moong-based agroecosystems (LCMBAE); (4) Bael-black mustard-based agroecosystems (BMBAE); (5) Guava-wheat-based agroecosystems (GWBAE), and (6) Custard apple -lentil -based agroecosystems (CALBAE). These models were replicated three times in a randomized block design (RBD). Soil samples were collected from the study area at two depths (0-0.30 and 0.30-0.60 m). At a 0-0.30 m depth, the highest bulk density (ρb) of 1.50 Mg m-3 was observed in LCMBAE, while the lowest ρb of 1.43 Mg m-3 was recorded in BMBAE. The soil organic carbon (SOC) and SOC stock values exhibited a range of 4.2-7.7 g kg-1 and 19.0-33.4 Mg ha-1, respectively. In the AFBAE, the highest levels of 163.1 % MBC were found over LCMBAE. At a 0-0.30 m depth, the recalcitrant index (RI) and lability index (LI) ranged from 0.35-0.46 to 1.97-2.11, respectively. Additionally, the AFBAE exhibited the highest total biomass accumulation (39.23 Mg ha-1), carbon dioxide (CO2) biosequestration (287.9 Mg ha-1), and the total social cost of CO2 at US$ 277 ha-1. Furthermore, in the AFBAE, there was a 198.1 % increase in total C credit (US$ 161 ha-1) compared to LCMBAE (US$ 54 ha-1). However, at 0.30-0.60 m depths, GWBAE and CALBAE were statistically equivalent (p ≤ 0.05) in total C stocks. Principal component analysis (PCA) reveals that component-1 accounts for 77.4 % of the variability, while component-2 contributes 18.6 %. This article aimed to convert the degraded land into a sustainable agricultural module by increasing SOC and CO2 biosequestration and producing more C-credit, or climate currency, on underutilized land.

Biochar modulating soil biological health: A review.

Biochar can be used for multifunctional applications including the improvement of soil health and carbon storage, remediation of contaminated soil and water resources, mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and odorous compounds, and feed supplementation to improve animal health. A healthy soil preserves microbial biodiversity that is effective in supressing plant pathogens and pests, recycling nutrients for plant growth, promoting positive symbiotic associations with plant roots, improving soil structure to supply water and nutrients, and ultimately enhancing soil productivity and plant growth. As a soil amendment, biochar assures soil biological health through different processes. First, biochar supports habitats for microorganisms due to its porous nature and by promoting the formation of stable soil micro-aggregates. Biochar also serves as a carbon and nutrient source. Biochar alters soil physical and chemical properties, creating optimum soil conditions for microbial diversity. Biochar can also immobilize soil pollutants and reduce their bioavailability that would otherwise inhibit microbial growth. However, depending on the pyrolysis settings and feedstock resources, biochar can be comprised of contaminants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and potentially toxic elements that can inhibit microbial activity, thereby impacting soil health.

Soil bacterial community structure and functioning in a long-term conservation agriculture experiment under semi-arid rainfed production system.

Soil microbial communities are important drivers of biogeochemical cycling of nutrients, organic matter decomposition, soil organic carbon, and Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs: CO2, N2O, and CH4) and are influenced by crop and soil management practices. The knowledge on the impact of conservation agriculture (CA) on soil bacterial diversity, nutrient availability, and GHG emissions in semi-arid regions under rainfed conditions is vital to develop sustainable agricultural practices, but such information has not been systemically documented. Hence, studies were conducted for 10 years in rainfed pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.)-castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) cropping system under semi-arid conditions to assess the effects of tillage and crop residue levels on the soil bacterial diversity, enzyme activity (Dehydrogenase, urease, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase), GHG emissions, and soil available nutrients (Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). Sequencing of soil DNA through Illumina HiSeq-based 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing technology has revealed that bacterial community responded to both tillage and residue levels. The relative abundance of Actinobacteria in terms of Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTUs) at phyla, class as well as genera level was higher in CA (NTR1: No Tillage + 10 cm anchored residue and NTR2 NT + 30 cm anchored residue) over CT (conventional tillage without crop residues). CA resulted in higher enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, urease, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase) and reduction in GHG emissions over CT. CA recorded 34% higher and 3% lower OC, as compared to CT, and CTR1, respectively. CA recorded 10, 34, and 26% higher available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium over CT and CTR1, respectively. NTR1 recorded 25 and 38% lower N2O emissions as compared to CTR1 and CTR2, respectively. Whereas only NT recorded 12% higher N2O emissions as compared to CT. Overall, the results of the study indicate that CA improves the relative abundance of soil bacterial communities, nutrient availability, and enzyme activities, and may help to contribute to the mitigation of climate change, and sustainability in rainfed areas.

Influence of multi valent states of vanadium ions in ZnO doped novel calcium fluoro phosphate bio glasses.

ZnO-CaF2-P2O5 glasses doped with different concentrations of V2O5 (ranging from 0 to 1.0 mol %) were prepared. The prepared bio glasses are soaked in SBF for duration of 2, 3, 7 and 10 days in separate plastic containers and then kept in incubator maintained at body temperature 36.5 °C. The influence of valence states of vanadium ions (V4+/V5+) with respect to the structural aspects by means of FTIR and Raman Spectra, elastic properties by means of relevant parameters, the thermal stability by means of DTA studies and other spectroscopic properties by using OA and ESR studies are studied. The raise in wavenumber and comparative areas of the two absorption bands corresponding to electronic transitions 2B2g → E2g, 2B2g → 2B1g respectively in optical absorption spectra of these CZPV glasses clearly indicate that vanadium ions have octahedral co-ordination with tetragonal compression due to modifier action of V2O5in the glass network. The optical absorption and ESR studies have revealed that vanadium ions exist in V4+ states. The characteristic temperatures of these prepared glasses obtained from DTA curves explain modifications taking place in the structure of glass network. The structural changes are explained with the aid of FTIR and Raman studies. The bio active nature of the titled glasses is evident from dissociation and pH studies by SEM &EDS of these glasses before and after immersion into SBF.

Deficiency of phyto-available sulphur, zinc, boron, iron, copper and manganese in soils of India.

Nutrient deficiencies in soil-crop contexts and inappropriate managements are the important reasons for low crop productivity, reduced nutritional quality of agricultural produce and animal/human malnutrition, across the world. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate nutrient deficiencies of sulphur (S) and micronutrients [zinc (Zn), boron (B), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn)] in agricultural soils of India for devising effective management strategies to achieve sustainable crop production, improved nutritional quality in crops and better animal/human health. A total of 2,42,827 surface (0-15 cm depth) soil samples were collected from agriculture fields of 615 districts lying in 28 states of India and were analysed for available S and micronutrients concentration. The study was carried out under the aegis of All India Coordinated Research Project on Micro- and Secondary-Nutrients and Pollutant Elements in Soils and Plants. The mean concentrations were 27.0 ± 29.9 mg kg-1 for available S, 1.40 ± 1.60 mg kg-1 for available Zn and 1.40 ± 4.70 mg kg-1 for available B, 31.0 ± 52.2 mg kg-1 for available Fe, 2.30 ± 3.50 mg kg-1 for available Cu and 17.5 ± 21.4 mg kg-1 for available Mn. There were variable and widespread deficiencies of S and micronutrients in different states. The deficiencies (acute deficient + deficient + latent deficiency) of S (58.6% of soils), Zn (51.2% of soils) and B (44.7% of soils) were higher compared to the deficiencies of Fe (19.2% of soils), Cu (11.4% of soils) and Mn (17.4% of soils). Out of 615 districts, > 50% of soils in 101, 131 and 86 districts were deficient in available S, available Zn and available B, respectively. Whereas, > 25% of soils in 83, 5 and 41 districts had deficiencies of available Fe, available Cu and available Mn, respectively. There were occurrences of 2-nutrients deficiencies such S + Zn (9.30% of soils), Zn + B (8.70% of soils), S + B (7.00% of soils) and Zn + Fe (5.80% of soils) to a greater extent compared to the deficiencies of Zn + Mn (3.40% of soils), S + Fe (3.30% of soils), Zn + Cu (2.80% of soils) and Fe + B (2.70% of soils). Relatively lower % of soils were deficient in 3-nutrients (namely S + Zn + B, S + Zn + B and Zn + Fe + B), 4-nutrients (namely Zn + Fe + Cu + Mn) and 5-nutrients (namely Zn + Fe + Cu + Mn + B) simultaneously. The information regarding the distribution of deficiencies of S and micronutrients (both single and multi-nutrients) could be used by various stakeholders for production, supply and application of right kind of fertilizers in different districts, states and agro-ecological regions of India for better crop production, crop nutritional quality, nutrient use efficiency, soil health and for tackling human and animal malnutrition.

ZrxCa30-xP70 thermoluminescent bio glass, structure and elasticity.

Phosphate glasses of calcium oxide have been well proved materials for various bio bones and dental implants. However, still there is a lot of scope and demand to produce efficient elastic bio implants and resource. In view of this, ZrxCa30-xP70 phosphate materials are prepared by using melt quenching method. Bio, physical, thermoluminescence and elastic techniques are used to characterize the samples. Additionally, simulated body fluid was prepared and it is used especially for bio techniques. Further, the glasses are taken for different dose (~0, 10, 20 & 50 kGy) of gamma irradiation around half an hour. And again similar techniques are used to characterize the samples. All the findings from bio, physical, thermoluminescence and elastic characterization results are analysed and took for better comparison with previous studies to develop various bio bone (or) bio dental resource. Structural reports suggests that the ZrxCa30-xP70 materials were glassy before immersion in SBF solution and immersed (~720 h) samples are showing partial ceramic nature. The weight loss and pH reports suggests them for alternative bio resource as a bio bones and dental implants. Observed thermal stability, microhardness and elastic modulus evaluations of ZrxCa30-xP70 materials in required standards are also additional advantage. Furthermore, thermoluminiscence (TL) under different γ-irradiation doses is reported for glasses with and without immersing in a simulated body fluid. The glasses lose TL intensity when immersed in simulated body fluid for nearly 720 h. This is useful to modulate bio-behaviour in terms of hydroxyapatite layer growth on the glass surface.

Spatial and temporal estimation of runoff in a semi-arid microwatershed of Southern India.

In a semi-arid microwatershed of Warangal district in Southern India, daily runoff was estimated spatially using Soil Conservation Service (SCS)-curve number (CN) method coupled with GIS. The groundwater status in this region is over-exploited, and precise estimation of runoff is very essential to plan interventions for this ungauged microwatershed. Rainfall is the most important factor governing runoff, and 75.8% of the daily rainfall and 92.1% of the rainy days which occurred were below 25 mm/day. The declines in rainfall and rainy days observed in recent years were 9.8 and 8.4%, respectively. The surface runoff estimated from crop land for a period of 57 years varied from 0 to 365 mm with a mean annual runoff of 103.7 mm or 14.1% of the mean annual rainfall. The mean annual runoff showed a significant reduction from 108.7 to 82.9 mm in recent years. The decadal variation of annual runoff from crop land over the years varied from 49.2 to 89.0% which showed the caution needed while planning watershed management works in this microwatershed. Among the four land use land cover conditions prevailing in the area, the higher runoff (20% of the mean annual rainfall) was observed from current fallow in clayey soil and lower runoff of 8.7% from crop land in loamy soil due to the increased canopy coverage. The drought years which occurred during recent years (1991-2007) in crop land have increased by 3.5%, normal years have increased by 15.6%, and the above normal years have decreased by 19.1%. This methodology can be adopted for estimating the runoff potential from similar ungauged watersheds with deficient data. It is concluded that in order to ensure long-term and sustainable groundwater utilization in the region, proper estimation of runoff and implementation of suitable water harvesting measures are the need of the hour.

The effect of chronic tobacco smoking and chewing on the lipid profile.

BACKGROUND: A worldwide epidemic of cardio vascular diseases is evolving, out of which atherosclerosis appears to be the most frequent underlying cause. Cigarette smoking remains the most important cause of the preventable morbidity and the early mortality. Nicotine is highly addictive, it raises the brain levels of dopamine and it produces withdrawal symptoms on its discontinuation. AIM: To study the effect of tobacco smoking & chewing on serum lipid profile. METHODS: Although a genetic predis-position to atherosclerosis may be the cause, a vast majority of the atherosclerotic related diseases, which include coronary heart diseases, are acquired. Those which usually appear later in life are largely preventable. Tobacco is the major and the single most preventable risk factor for atherosclerotic related, clinical events like coronary heart disease. This study was conducted on three groups of male subjects, with each group containing 25 individuals of 25 to 35 years of age and who weighed 50-70 kgs.Group-I: non smokers and non chewers.Group-II: smokers and non chewersGroup-III: chewers and non smokers.To estimate the triglycerides, glycerol which is derived from the saponification of triglycerides is oxidized to formaldehyde, which in turn is made to react with ammonia and acetylacetone to give rise to a chromogen (3.5 diacetyle-1,4 dihydrolutidine). It is quantified spectro-photometrically (the HANTZSCH reaction). RESULTS: The mean serum total cholesterol level in the subjects of Group II was more by about 16.94 % (p< 0.001) and that in the subjects of Group -III was more by 23.21% (p< 0.001).The mean serum VLDL level in the subjects of Group II had an increase of about 27.54% (p< 0.01) and in Group -III, it had increased by11.82% (p< 0.01).The mean serum LDL level in the subjects of Group II showed an increase of about 34.64% (p< 0.001) and in Group -III, it had increased by16.27% (p< 0.001).The mean serum HDL level in the subjects of Group II showed a decrease in the mean serum HDL level by about 9.78 % (p< 0.01) and in Group -III, it had decreased by 22.12% (p< 0.01).The mean serum Triglyceride level in the subjects of Group II showed an increase of about 25.40% (p< 0.001) and in Group -III, it was more by33.35% (p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was a significant increase in total cholesterol and LDL-C in tobacco users ,as compared to non tobacco users.

White light generation in Dy(3+)-doped oxyfluoride glass and transparent glass-ceramics containing CaF2 nanocrystals.

The radiative emission properties of the Dy3+ ions in an oxyfluoride glass and glass-ceramics have been studied for the generation of white light. The x-ray diffraction pattern of the glass-ceramics shows the formation of CaF2 fluorite-type nanocrystals in the glass matrix after a suitable thermal treatment of the precursor glass, whereas time-resolved optical measurements show the incorporation of the Dy3+ ions in the CaF2 nanocrystals. Intense white light has been observed when the samples are excited with 451 nm laser light. From the visible emission spectra, yellow to blue intensity ratios and the chromaticity color coordinates have been determined. All the color coordinates are found to lie in the white light region of the chromaticity color diagram.