Soil Nutrient Evaluation and Crop Management for Sustainable Growth of PatiyaVillage Cluster in Almora, Uttarakhand

The present study deals with the assessment of soil nutrients at four adjacent villages, 15 km NE of Almora, to understand the soil fertility and suitability of crops to help rejuvenate the agricultural activities in the region which subsequently will be used as a testing ground to mitigate prevailing Human-Wildlife Conflict in the study area. Soil samples were analyzed for textural classification, power of hydrogen (pH), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Organic Carbon percentage (OC%), available Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K), Sulphur (S), Boron (B), Manganese (Mn), 0.1M Hydrochloric Acid (HCl), and Diethylene Triamine Pentaacetic Acid (DTPA) extractable, Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), and Copper (Cu) to examine the soil fertility of the area. The soils of the region vary from loam to sandy loam. The soil reaction varies from slight to extremely acidic whereas the salinity was varying from non-saline to slightly saline. Low soil fertility index of N, P, K, Zn, B, and Fe; and medium soil fertility index of S, Mn, and Cu were observed, which is suggestive of additional requirement of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) and fertilizers to make them suitable for plantation. Through this study, an attempt has been made to recommend the selection and cultivation of high yield indigenous cash crops with the support of bio-fertilizers to maximize the use and production of these fallow lands and enhance the agricultural activities in the region and provide better livelihood options. The shift from the traditional method of plowing and sowing to new basic techniques has brought about encouraging results to the extent that these fields have now become favorite destinations of wild boars and monkeys. Hence, allowing us to mitigate this problem through various means.

Statistical analyses of the physiochemical properties of derived savanna, rainforest landscapes of Delta State Nigeria

The derived savanna landscape of Delta state situated within the rainforest region are always considered with apathy as they are viewed as idle, marginalized or abandoned landscapes. The study therefore focused on statistical analysis of the physiochemical properties of the derived savanna, rainforest and fallow landscapes of Delta state. The statistical analysis gave impetus for the derivation of Soil Fertility Index (SFI). The hypothesis formulated to guide the study was tested using the one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). This was used to test the variation between soil physiochemical parameters of the various landscapes at 0.05 significance level. Specifically, the study found out that the physiochemical parameters of the landscapes studied are significantly correlated. Thus, implying basic similarities in soil fertility and soil constituent tendencies between the landscapes.

Experimental Study on Planting Soil Preparation by Improving River & Lake Silt with Plant Wastes

The physicochemical properties of river & lake silt are complex, and whether it can be directly used as planting soil is worth studying. The calliopsis pot experiment is carried out with planting soil prepared by amendment material, i.e. the organic matrix which is made by fermentation of high-nutrient sludge of a river in Nanjing, the dry excavating sludge in a lake and its flocculated and dewatered sludge together with plant wastes such as wood chips, to study the effects of different types of amendment materials and compounding ratio on plant growth. The results showed that the basic properties and fertility index of the planting soil could be adjusted directionally by adding wood chips or matrix. The overall growth of calliopsis in the planting soil formed by the high-nutrient silt in a river and its compound is the best, but some of the fertility indexes of the planting soil are too high and need to be further adjusted before use; the growth of calliopsis in the improved soil made of dry-excavation silt in a lake is better than that in the original silt, such situation is positively correlated with the amount of improved materials mixed; the difference between the growth of calliopsis in the flocculated silt in a lake and that in its improved planting soil is not significant, but some of the fertility indexes are higher than the standard indexes, and such silt can be slightly adjusted and improved into the planting soil. The field cultivation experiment study of calliopsis is carried out with the dry-excavation silt in a lake mixed with 4% wood chips and the original loess soil in the experimental field, and the growth of calliopsis planted in the dry-excavation silt in a lake is better compared with that of calliopsis planted in original loess soil. The research results can provide ideas and basis for the study on improving river & lake silt into planting soil with plant wastes.

Soil Fertility Index of organic, semi-organic, and conventional rice fields on 3 different soil types

In Indonesia, there are three management systems of rice fields, namely organic, semi-organic and conventional. The research aimed to determine the fertility index of rice fields with different management systems on different soil types (vertisol, ultisol, inceptisol). Each combination of the management system and soil type is taken three soil samples as a repetition. The soil parameters analyzed were pH H2O, total-Nitrogen, available-P, available-K, exchangeable-Ca, exchangeable-Mg, soil organic carbon, Exchangeable-Al, cation exchange capacity, and base saturation. The soil fertility index was determined based on the Minimum Soil Fertility Index (MSFI). Data analysis used was Pearson’s Correlation Analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to determine MSFI. The MSFI values were derived from indicators that have high scores on correlation analysis and PCA. The results showed that the fertility index of rice fields from 3 types of soil ranged from 0.46 to 0.57. Vertisol rice fields have the highest soil fertility index ranging from 0.52-0.57. Conventional management of inceptisol soil has the lowest soil fertility index of 0.46. Vertisol rice fields with organic management with a soil fertility index of 0.57 are the most ideal rice field management system.

The Effect of Change in Function from Paddy Field to Dry Land on Soil Fertility Index

This research studied the effect of the change in function from paddy field to dry land on the soil fertility index. The research was conducted in Girimarto Sub-district, Wonogiri District, in the Province of Central Java. The five stages of the research were: determination of Land Mapping Units in areas with a change in land use; field survey; laboratory analysis; determination of Minimum Data Sets (MDSs) or Minimum Soil Fertility Index (MSFI); analysis of Soil Fertility Index (SFI). The research results show that the change in function of 231 ha of land in Girimarto Sub-district is due to the topographical factor of the mountain region and the shortage of water. This change in land function has caused an increase in the soil fertility index. Soil fertility in paddy fields is classed as moderate but after undergoing a change in function to dry land, its classification increases to moderate-high. The increase in soil fertility index of dry land is due to the fact that farming patterns on dry land use more animal manure, which has a long-term residual effect on organic matter content. In order to maintain and improve the fertility of paddy field soil, it is necessary to add organic fertilizer as well as inorganic fertilizer.

Correlation Between Levels of Interleukin-6 in Peritoneal Fluid With Degree of Pain, Adhesion, and Endometriosis Fertility Index Score in Endometriosis

Introduction : Endometriosis is a benign gynecological disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue and stroma outside the uterine cavity. Several theories have been proposed to explain the occurrence of endometriosis, one of which is the theory of inflammation. Endometriosis lesions can produce inflammatory cytokines, resulting in their increased levels in the peritoneal fluid. This process causes disruption in pelvic anatomy, ovarian function, prostaglandin production and growth factor production that causes pain, adhesions and infertility. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important and potential inflammatory cytokine in assisting the diagnosis of endometriosis. These cytokines act as activating macrophages that can stimulate endometrial cell proliferation and modulate the secretion of other cytokines such as IL-10, IL-13 and TNF-α which augments the inflammatory process. High levels of IL-6 in the peritoneum are relatedto advanced endometriosis associated with pain, severe pelvic adhesions and embryotoxic effects leading to infertility. The effect of IL-6, both local and systemic, on the growth of endometriosis lesions and its associated symptoms is great that this cytokine is considered an important marker.Objective : This study aims to determine the relationship between local inflammatory factors (IL-6 in peritoneal fluid) obtained during laparoscopy with the degree of pain, the degree of adhesions and the correlation with the Endometriosis Fertility Index (EFI) score in endometriosis patients.Material and methods : This is a quantitative analytic research with a cross sectional study design which was conducted on 22 patients with endometriosis. Prior to the laparoscopy, historical factor (EFI score) was recorded and an assessment of the pain scale was performed by filling out a questionnaire. Intraoperatively, the peritoneal fluid was obtained. If the peritoneal fluid was found, it was taken directly with a volume of 3-5 cc using 10 cc syringe. If no fluid was found, peritoneal rinsing was performed using 0.9% NaCl fluid, then 3-5 cc fluid was aspirated using a 10 cc syringe. Subsequently, an examination was carried out using the RayBio Human IL-6 ELISA Kit. During the laparoscopy procedure, the degree of adhesion of the pelvic organs was assessed by looking at the shape and how the adhesions can be separated. Surgical factor (EFI score) was assessed intraoperatively to obtain data for the least function score, AFS endometriosis score and AFS total score. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t test and correlation test.Results : The mean age of the respondents was 34.86 ± 6.11 years, 81.8% were nulliparous, 100% were married, 100% experienced both primary and secondary infertility and 81.8% had no prior pregnancy history. In the study, it was found that IL-6 levels of peritoneal fluid were higher in patients with the degree of severe pain (P <0.05) compared to moderate with the results of 32.58 ± 7.31 pg/ml and 25.39 ± 2.70 pg/ml. IL-6 levels were found to be higher in grade three adhesions than grade two (P <0.05) with results of 32.78 ± 6.65 pg/ml and 23.86 ± 2.18 pg/ml. The mean peritoneal fluid IL-6 levels were 30.75 ± 7.01 pg/ml and the mean EFI score was 4.09 ± 2.09. The correlation of IL-6 levels in peritoneal fluid with EFI score showed a value of r = -0.448 which had moderate strength and a negative pattern, indicating that the higher the IL-6 level of peritoneal fluid, the lower the EFI score (P <0.05).Conclusion : There is a relationship between IL-6 levels of peritoneal fluid in endometriosis with the degree of pain and the degree of adhesion, where IL-6 levels were found to be higher in the degree of severe than moderate pain (P <0.05), higher in third degree adhesions than second degree ( P <0.05). There was a correlation between IL-6 levels of peritoneal fluid with EFI score (P <0.05) with a negative pattern of moderate strength analysis results (r = -0.448).Keywords: Endometriosis, Interleukin-6, Degree of Pain, Degree of Adhesion, Endometriosis Fertility Index Score