Wheat growth and nutrient uptake after phosphorus and potassium applications in saline-sodic field of semi-arid region / Crescimento do trigo e absorção de nutrientes após aplicações de fósforo e potássio em campo salino-sódico do semi-árido

Nutrient deficiency is a limiting factor in saline-sodic soils resulting in low crop production. The study investigated wheat response to P and K added to soils. The K was applied at 0 (K0), 75 (K1), 150 (K2) kg K2O ha-1 as K2S04 and at (0 (P0), 60 (P1), 120 (P2) kg P2O5 ha-1 as (NH4)2HPO4 in three replications under two-factorial randomized complete block (RCB) design. Both treatments significantly enhanced wheat grain (118%) and dry matter yield (60%) at P2K2 compared to control. The P treatments significantly affected leaf P, Mg, SO4, Ca:P, SO4:P ratios and soil P, Ca:P, Cl:P and SO4:P ratios, while K on leaf K, Na, Ca, SO4 concentration, K:Na, K:Ca, SO4:P,Ca:P ratios and soil pH, Na, K, Ca, SO4 concentrations, SAR, Na:K, Ca:K and Na:Ca ratios. Leaf Na was decreased to 85.3 mmol (+) kg-1 at K2 compared to 105.3 mmol (+) kg-1at P2K0. Negative correlation (R2=0.906) of leaf K:Na was found with leaf Na concentration. The correlation of dry matter was higher (R2=0.851) with leaf K:Na ratio than grain yield (R2=0.392). It is concluded that the addition of K and P addition shows beneficial effects in improving crop nutrition and wheat yield in the saline-sodic soil environment.

A deficiência de nutrientes é um fator limitante em solos salino-sódicos, resultando em baixa produção agrícola. O estudo investigou a resposta do trigo ao P e K adicionados ao solo. O K foi aplicado em 0 (K0), 75 (K1), 150 (K2) kg K2O ha-1 como K2S04 e em (0 (P0), 60 (P1), 120 (P2) kg P2O5 ha-1 como (NH4)2HPO4 em três repetições sob delineamento de blocos completos casualizados (RCB) de dois fatores. Ambos os tratamentos aumentaram significativamente o rendimento de grãos de trigo (118%) e de matéria seca (60%) em P2K2 em comparação com o controle. Os tratamentos com P afetaram significativamente o P foliar, Mg, SO4, as razões Ca:P, SO4:P e o P do solo, e as razões Ca:P, Cl:P e SO4:P, enquanto K no K foliar, Na, Ca, concentração de SO4, razões K:Na, K:Ca, SO4:P, Ca:P e pH do solo, Na, K, Ca, concentrações de SO4, SAR, razões Na:K, Ca:K e Na:Ca. O Na da folha foi reduzido para 85,3 mmol (+) kg-1 em K2 em comparação com 105,3 mmol (+) kg-1 em P2K0. Correlação negativa (R2 = 0,906) do K:Na na folha foi encontrada com a concentração de Na na folha. A correlação da matéria seca foi maior (R2 = 0,851) com a relação K:Na da folha do que rendimento de grãos (R2 = 0,392). Conclui-se que a adição de K e P apresenta efeitos benéficos na melhoria da nutrição da cultura e na produtividade do trigo em solo salino-sódico

Fractionation of phosphorus in soils amended with poultry manure co-composted with sugarcane and cabbage wastes / Fracionamento de fósforo em solos corrigidos com esterco de aves co-compostado com resíduos de cana de açúcar e repolho

Organic waste recycling is a viable option for reducing energy usage, volume of landfills, air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and preserving natural resources for future use. Composting is an easy and natural bio-degradation process that converts organic wastes into available nutrients for plants. We studied the changes in phosphorus (P) fractions in soils amended with poultry manure co-composted with sugarcane and cabbage wastes. The compost was applied to sandy clay and silt loam soils at 10 and 20 t ha-1. Soils were then incubated at room temperature for 8 weeks when mineralization was expected and analyzed for extractable P fractions. The P fractions in the soils varied in the order HCl-P (Ca+Mg-bound) > H2O-P (water soluble) > NaHCO3-P (readily plant-available P) > NaOH-P (Fe+Albound) and the fractions increased significantly as compost application rates increased and decreased as the amount of sugarcane and cabbage wastes in the compost increased. Phosphorus was less concentrated in the compost containing CW than that containing SW and was higher in sandy clay than silty loam soil. The overall results showed that composting reduced the bio-availability of P from poultry litter and would be beneficial for optimizing P fertility in soil and minimizing losses to the environment.

A reciclagem de resíduos orgânicos é uma opção viável para reduzir o uso de energia, o volume de aterros sanitários, a poluição do ar e da água, as emissões de gases de efeito estufa e a preservação dos recursos naturais para uso futuro. A compostagem é um processo fácil e natural de biodegradação que converte resíduos orgânicos em nutrientes disponíveis para plantas. Estudamos as alterações nas frações de fósforo (P) em solos alterados com esterco de aves de capoeira co-compostada com resíduos de cana de açúcar e repolho. O composto foi aplicado em solos arenosos, argilosos e limosos com 10 e 20 t ha-1. Os solos foram então incubados à temperatura ambiente durante 8 semanas quando a mineralização era esperada e analisada para as frações de P extraíveis. As frações de P nos solos variaram na ordem HCl- P (Ca + Mg-bound) > H2O-P (solúvel em água) > NaHCO3-P ( P prontamente disponível para a planta) > NaOH-P (Fe + Al-bound) e as frações aumentaram significativamente à medida que as taxas de aplicação de composto aumentaram e diminuíram à medida que aumentou a quantidade de resíduos de cana de açúcar e de repolho na compostagem. O fósforo estava menos concentrado no composto contendo CW do que o que continha SW e era mais alto em argila arenosa do que o solo limoso. Os resultados globais mostraram que a compostagem reduziu a biodisponibilidade do P vindo do lixo de aves de capoeira e seria benéfica para otimizar a fertilidade do P no solo e minimizar as perdas para o meio ambiente.

Role of the dentist in tobacco cessation: a cross-sectional survey

Tobacco use is considered to be one of the five greatest risk factors for mortality worldwide. Visit to a dentist provides an opportunity during which the patient may be willing to accept tobacco cessation advice. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients visiting dental hospitals are provided with tobacco cessation counseling by the dentists. A cross-sectional survey was conducted and the participants were interviewed according to a self-developed closed questionnaire. The study population comprised of tobacco users reporting to the dental hospitals of Peshawar. 152 tobacco users were interviewed. Data analyses were performed using SPSS version 16. Most of the study participants [64.5%] were never advised by their dentist to quit tobacco use. Only 19.1% of the subjects considered it a duty of the dentist to play a role in tobacco cessation. Twenty four percent of the participants believed that tobacco cessation counseling from a dentist may be more successful than general physicians. Only 23% believed that advice or assistance by dentist may be helpful in tobacco cessation. Among the subjects who were advised to quit tobacco, 93% made an attempt to quit but only 20% were able to successfully quit. It was concluded that dentists can play an influential role in tobacco cessation provided they are properly educated and trained in tobacco cessation counseling and interventions