Integrated nutrient management and formulation of fertilizer prescription equation for recommendation of fertilizers for potato on alluvial soils of eastern India

Aim: To develop economically viable integrated fertilizer prescription equation for recommendation of fertilizers in potato on alluvial soils of Eastern India.Methodology: Soil test crop response (STCR) experiments on potato were conducted in alluvial soils of Eastern India during 2016-17 to assess the relationship between yield and availability of plant nutrients for developing fertilizer prescriptions of desired yield targets. The decision on optimum fertilizer doses for varying yield targets were made on the basis of crop nutrient requirement per quintal of potato production, soil efficiency, fertilizer efficiency, and FYM efficiency computed from field experimental data. The optimum fertilizer doses for different yield targets were validated in farmers’ field for economic and environmental benefits as compared to general recommended doses of fertilizers and farmers’ practice. Results: Targeted yield equation for potato for alluvial soil of Eastern India was developed based on soil test values, nutrient requirement and contribution of NPK from soil and fertilizer sources as well as FYM. The prescription based fertilizer application along with FYM increased tuber yield of potato in farmers’ field. Validity of the yield target for 22 and 24 t ha-1 was tested in farmer’s fields and variation in potato yield obtained from targeted yield was 7.6% to 9.8%. Interpretation: Fertilizer prescription equations and ready reckoner developed for potato will be useful in alluvial soils of Eastern India for large scale recommendations and in regions with similar soil and agro-climatic conditions. By following ready reckoner, a farmer can save 61 kg N, 55 kg P2O5 and 44 kg K2O ha-1 over general recommended dose, approximately equal to Rs. 4800/- per hectare.

Outer retinal tubulation and inner retinal pseudocysts in a patient with maternally inherited diabetes and deafness evaluated with optical coherence tomography angiogram

A 47-year-old lady (index case) with diabetes and deafness showed multiple oval circumferential areas of perifoveal atrophy in both eyes. Autofluorescence revealed areas of hypoautofluorescence. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed depression of inner retinal surface, inner retinal hyporeflective spaces (pseudocysts), disorganization/thinning of outer retina, outer retinal tubulation, loss of external limiting membrane, ellipsoid and interdigitation zone, and thinning of the retinal pigment epithelium and choriocapillaris. The patient was evaluated using OCT angiogram. Retinal lesions of her mother (68-year-old) were very obvious on autofluorescence imaging. The result of A3243G mutation in MTTL1 gene was positive in the index case confirming the diagnosis of maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD).

Use of bacterial endospore with longer shelf-life in improved retting of jute

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the retting of jute (Corchorus olitorius L. and C. capsularis L.) using the endospores of microbial consortium of three strains of Bacillus pumilus with extended shelf-life. Methodology: Endospore and vegetative cells of Bacillus pumilus were tested for viability by introducing them into different temperature, pH, UV radiation and antibiotics. Laboratory, as well as field-trials of jute retting was performed with 6 and 18-months-old endospores and vegetative cells of Bacillus pumilus with estimation of enzymatic activities for comparison of their retting efficiency. Results: Endospores of Bacillus pumilus recorded very high colony forming unit (109 to 108ml-1) compared to their vegetative cells (106 to 104ml-1) after 6 to 18 months of their preservation. Endospores also showed higher resistance to temperature, pH, UV irradiation and antibiotic than their vegetative forms. High colony forming unit and higher release of pectinolytic and xylanolytic enzymes during retting of jute by endospores resulted in complete of jute retting in 10 days with good quality jute fibre compared to talc based formulation. Interpretation: It can be concluded from the study that endospores remained highly efficient in rejuvenating higher CFU and quantitatively larger pool of enzymes to accelerate retting of jute after prolonged preservation. Therefore, the endospores of Bacillus pumilus can be used cost effectively in place of their talc based formulation for higher shelf life of the product, faster retting and better fibre quality of jute.

Central retinal arterial occlusion in a patient with pyoderma gangrenosum

A 74-year-old male presented to us with a history of vision loss for 36 hours in the right eye (RE). The RE had a visual acuity of hand movements. The fundus revealed a pale retina, cattle tracking in the retinal vessels, and a cherry-red spot at the macula. The patient was a known case of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) and had received intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide at the onset of visual symptoms. An emergency anterior chamber paracentesis was performed following unsuccessful attempts of ocular massage. The patient improved to 6/9 in the RE 4 months after paracentesis. The patient had an aggressive course of PG, for which he needed a combination of oral steroid, immunomodulator therapy and biologicals. An association between central retinal arterial occlusion and PG has not been reported before, according to the best of authors' knowledge.

Dielectric relaxation study of glycine and valine in water mixture using picosecond time domain reflectometry.

The complex permittivity of glycine and valine in water mixture for various temperatures and concentrations have been measured as a function of frequency between 10 MHz and 10 GHz using (TDR) time domain reflectometry technique. Dielectric parameters ie. static dielectric constant and relaxation time were obtained from the complex permittivity spectra using nonlinear least square fit method. From the values of relaxation time, thermodynamic parameters were determined.