Micronutrient Mixture Research Articles

Potential of diatom consortium developed by nutrient enrichment for biodiesel production and simultaneous nutrient removal from waste water

Because of the decreasing fossil fuel supply and increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, microalgae have been identified as a viable and sustainable feedstock for biofuel production. The major effect of the release of wastewater rich in organic compounds has led to the eutrophication of freshwater ecosystems. A combined approach of freshwater diatom cultivation with urban sewage water treatment is a promising solution for nutrient removal and biofuel production. In this study, urban wastewater from eutrophic Hussain Sagar Lake was used to cultivate a diatom algae consortium, and the effects of silica and trace metal enrichment on growth, nutrient removal, and lipid production were evaluated. The nano-silica-based micronutrient mixture Nualgi containing Si, Fe, and metal ions was used to optimize diatom growth. Respectively, N and P reductions of 95.1% and 88.9%, COD and BOD reductions of 91% and 51% with a biomass yield of 122.5 mg L−1 day−1 and lipid productivity of 37 mg L−1 day−1 were observed for cultures grown in waste water using Nualgi. Fatty acid profiles revealed 13 different fatty acids with slight differences in their percentage of dry cell weight (DCW) depending on enrichment level. These results demonstrate the potential of diatom algae grown in wastewater to produce feedstock for renewable biodiesel production. Enhanced carbon and excess nutrient utilization makes diatoms ideal candidates for co-processes such as CO2 sequestration, biodiesel production, and wastewater phycoremediation.

Which dietary components modulate longitudinal growth?

Linear growth in children is sensitive to nutritional status; the growth of the human skeleton requires many different nutritional factors for energy and building blocks: proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and micronutrients. However, what are the specific nutritional factors that are required for proper growth and what is the composition that will be most beneficial is still not known. Recent findings indicate that macro and micronutrients are required as building blocks and as cofactors for important enzymes. In addition, they stimulate linear growth by acting as regulatory factors and also affect gut microbiome. Some interesting studies regarding the effect of proteins and amino acids are presented. Most studies investigated the effect of replacing a single micronutrient that was deficient; however, in real life, deficiency of one nutritional element is commonly associated with other deficiencies. Therefore, it is a reasonable clinical approach, both in developing and developed countries, to use a mixture of both macro and micronutrients to support growth. How much of each of the components and what is the best composition are still open questions that require more research.

A novel growth method for diatom algae in aquaculture waste water for natural food development and nutrient removal.

Diatom algae are known to play an important role as primary producers in many diverse ecosystems, including artificial aquaculture ponds where they also aid in maintaining water quality by consuming excess nutrients. But factors influencing their growth are still poorly understood. In the present study the effect of micronutrients, N:P ratio and silica concentration on benthic diatom Synedra sp. grown in fish pond waste water was studied along with nutrient removal efficiency. We have studied nine different treatments, of which addition of micronutrient mixture Nualgi along with adjusted N:P to 6:1 resulted in highest cell density, followed by silicate enrichment, whereas only N:P adjustment and Nualgi addition had no significant effect on diatom growth. At the end of the growth experiment, the N removal efficiencies of treatment groups (50.23%-65.44%) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of the control group (43.56%), whereas phosphate removal efficiency was significantly higher (P < 0.05) with Nualgi and N:P adjustment (53.37%-68.98%). The silicate consumption was significantly higher in the control group, at 63.87%, than in other experimental groups. These results will give us a new insight into important factors influencing beneficial algae growth and simultaneous nutrient removal from aquaculture waste water.

IMPACT OF ANTIOXIDANTS AND MICRONUTRIENTS AS FUNGICIDES ALTERNATIVES IN IMPROVEMENT OF ANTAGONISM OF TRICHODERMA spp. AGAINST SCLEROTINIA SCLEROTIORUM

S. sclerotiorum is a strong and resident soil pathogen with high resistance to synthetic fungicides. The biocontrol agent Trichoderma spp. alone provides moderate control of this fungus. In present study, potassium tartrate, ascorbic acid, folic acid, thiamine and micronutrients mixture were used to improve the number of spores, fresh and dry weights, crude extracts, volatile compounds, and secondary metabolites produced by four isolates of Trichoderma against pathogen. A onetime amendment of thiamine (0.1%) or micronutrients mixture improve the antagonism efficacy of most Trichoderma isolates showing complete prevention of pathogen growth and inhibition of sclerotia formation.

Impact of Antioxidants and Micronutrients as Fungicides Alternatives in Improvment the Antagonism of Trichoderma spp. Against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

S. sclerotiorum is a strong and resting soil pathogen with high resistance to synthetic fungicides. The biocontrol agent Trichoderma spp.alone provides moderate control of this fungus. In present study, Potassium tartrate, ascorbic acid, folic acid, thiamine and micronutrients mixture were used to improve the number of spores, fresh and dry weights, crude extracts, volatile compounds, and secondary metabolites produced by four isolates of Trichoderma against pathogen. A onetime amendment of thiamine (0.1%) or micronutrients mixture improves the antagonism efficacy of the most Trichoderma isolates showing complete prevention of pathogen growth and inhibition of sclerotia formation.

Effect of Different Levels of NPK Fertilizers with the Foliar Application of Iron, Zinc and Boron on Vegetative Growth and Yield of Cowpea

Two experimental trials were carried out in the two successive seasons of 2014and 2015 to investigate the effect of five NPK fertilizers levels and foliar spraying with some micronutrients on cowpea plant. The experiment consisted of five treatments of fertilizers levels (50%, 75%, 100%, 125%, and 150% RDF) of NPK and three rates of mixtures of (6%Fe, 5% Zn and 1% B)beside a control. A split plot in a randomized complete blocks design with three replicates was used. Results can be summarized as follows: increasing applied fertilizer NPK at rate from (50% to 150 % RDF) lead to significantly increase in plant height, plant fresh and dry weight, leaf area/plant chlorophyll b content as well as seed yield and its components, i.e., seed yield/plant, seed yield/fed, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, pod length and weight of 100-seeds weight and some chemical content of plant and seeds of cowpea. But the higher values were recorded after application with use applied fertilizers at rate 100%RDF in the two seasons. On the other hand spraying cowpea plant with(6% Fe, 5% Zn and 1% B)mixture significantly increased all the previous traits in all experiment investigated compared with control (without foliar).The foliar mixture(6% Fe, 5% Zn and 1% B) gave a superior value in both seasons. Since; it produced the highest values of plant height, number of leaves/plant, number of branches/plant, leaf area/plant, seed yield and its components and percentage of crud protein of seeds content. According to the mentioned results, the recommendation is application of NPK at rate 100%RDF with foliar mixture of micronutrients at rate 3g/l three times so as to give the highest cowpea seed yield and its quality.

Randomised clinical trial: a Lactobacillus GG and micronutrient‐containing mixture is effective in reducing nosocomial infections in children, vs. placebo

Nosocomial infections are a major public health issue and preventative strategies using probiotics and micronutrients are being evaluated. To investigate the efficacy of a mixture of Lactobacillus GG and micronutrients in preventing nosocomial infections in children. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in hospitalised children. Children (6 months to 5 years of age) received Lactobacillus GG (6 × 10(9) CFU/day) together with vitamins B and C and zinc or placebo, for 15 days, starting on the first day of hospitalisation. The incidence of gastrointestinal and respiratory nosocomial infections after discharge was determined by follow-up telephone call at 7 days. After 3 months, another telephone call estimated the incidence of further infections during follow-up. Ninety children completed the follow-up. Of 19/90 children with a nosocomial infection (20%), 4/45 children (9%) were in the treatment group and 15/45 (33%) in the placebo group (P = 0.016). Specifically, 2/45 (4%) children in the treatment group vs. 11/45 (24%) children in the placebo group (P = 0.007) presented with diarrhoea. The duration of hospitalisation was significantly shorter in the treatment group (3.9 days ± 1.7 vs. 4.9 ± 1.2; P = 0.003). At the follow-up, a total of 11/45 (24.4%) children in the treatment group had at least one episode of infection compared to 22/45 (48.9%) in the placebo group (P = 0.016). A mixture containing Lactobacillus GG and micronutrients may reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections, supporting the hypothesis that this may represent a valid strategy to prevent nosocomial infections.

Evaluation of maize fertilizer mixture performance on post harvest soil fertility

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of fertilizer mixture on soil available nutrient content. The experiment was conducted at Maize Research Station, Vagarai, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu in Randomized BlockDesign with seven treatments replicated thrice. The treatments included the application of 120 kg urea+ 50 kg DAP -Farmers' practice (T 1 ), Farmers' practice with Tamil Nadu state Dept. of Agriculture micronutrient mixture @ 25 kg ha -1 as straight chemical fertilizers (T 2 ) as well as EFYM (T 3 ), recommended dose of fertilizer (T 4 ), RDF with TNAU -micronutrient mixture @ 12.5 kg ha -1 as straight chemical fertilizers (T 5 ), RDF with TNAU - micronutrient mixture @25 kg ha -1 as straight chemical fertilizers (T 6 ) as well as EFYM (T 7 ). The availability of macro and micronutrients were recorded at different stages of maize crop growth like knee high stage, tasseling and at harvest stage. The experimental result has revealed that though the availability of nutrients decreased with the advancement of crop growth, application of recommended dose of fertilizer with 25 kg ha -1 of TNAU micronutrient mixture as enriched FYM has registered the increased availability of macro and micro nutrients even in post harvest soil.

Has a mixture of amino acids and micronutrients influence on glucose metabolism and dietary fatty acid pattern in chronic psychosocially stressed persons? A pilot study

Brain food, e.g. L-tryptophan, antioxidative substances, B vitamins and magnesium are thought to be beneficial for obesity, inflammation and insulin resistance. In the present pilot study we hypothesised that a specific amino acid mixture with micronutrients improves the cardiometabolic situation of chronically stressed persons. Cardiovascular and metabolic parameters were analysed as per protocol in 32 patients. Chronic stress disorders in the same patients were assessed by a psychological neurological questionnaire (PNF). After dietary intervention a reduction of the fasting serum insulin concentrations occurred in the treatment group. An association was found between PNF values, insulin concentrations at baseline and an insulin reduction after 12 weeks. The results support the use of our specific dietary supplement for improved stress management and a decrease in metabolic dysfunction.

RESPONSE OF SUGAR BEET YIALD AND QUALITY TO SOME MICRONUTRIENTS UNDER SANDY SOIL.

Four 2yr-field experiments were carried out at Kalabsho- El-Dakahlia Governorate, in 2012/13 and 2013/14 winter growing seasons to study the effect both individual and combined applications of B, Zn and Mn on juice quality and the content of some macro-and micronutrients of sugar beet, var. Sultan. The first experiment was devoted to B treatments (0 , 0.5 and 1kg fed-1),the second experiment was devoted to Zn treatments (0 , 1.5 and 3 kg fed-1) the third one to Mn levels (0, 1, 2 kg fed-1) while the fourth experiment was assigned to the mixture of the these nutrients at three levels, i.e 0 B+Zn+Mn, 0.5kg B+1.5kg Zn+1kg Mn fed-1 and 1kg B+3kg Zn+2kg Mn fed-1 at the same levels mentioned befor. Each of the four experiment included 9 treatments which were the combination of 3 micro nutrient levels and three times of soil application, i.e. interaction after sowing, 50 (DAS) or 75 (DAS). Micronurients were applied only once as soil application. The experiments were laid out in complete randomized block design with four replications. The results of the combined analysis of the two years could be summarized as follows: Boron application at 0.5 kg fed-1 reduced TSS% at harvest, whereas Zn, Mn and the mixture showed no significant effect on TSS%. All micronutrients had no significant effect on sucrose% at harvest. Manganese application at 2.0 kg fed-1 significantly raised purity% at harvest. Late application of all micronutrients mixture favorably affected purity% at harvest compared with early application. The results showed that all micronutrients at all levels and at three application times had significant effect on roots and sucrose yields in sugar beet juice at harvest, also, B, Zn,Mn and their mixture at the highest levels significantly increased roots and sucrose yields. The results indicated a significant increase in N% in leaves due to application of a mixture containing 0.5 kg B + 1.5 kg Zn + 1.0 kg Mn fed-1 compared with the check treatments and the highest level as well. Significant effect was observed for application time of Mn where application at 50 (DAS) from sowing or at sowing significantly surpassed the later application at 75 (DAS) in affecting N% in roots. The only significant effect was for Zn when it was applied at the higher level. This effect was also recorded in K% in sugar beet leaves. The interaction between levels and dates of applying micronutrients mixture had significant effect on Zn content in sugar beet root. Neither level of all micro nutrients nor application time had significant effect on B, Zn and Mn in sugar beet leaves and roots at harvest.

Effect of TNAU Customized Fertilizer on Sustaining Soil Fertility and Enhancing the Maize Yield

Customized fertilization for specific crops can provide the solutions to get the maximum yields and enhance the overall use efficiency of all the plant nutrients. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of TNAU customized fertilizer mixture on yield, nutrient uptake of maize and on soil fertility with 6 treatments in randomized block design. The treatments included the application of 120 kg Urea ha-1 + 50 kg DAP ha-1 as Farmers’ practice (T ), Farmers’ practice (T ) 1 1 with micronutrient mixture @ 15 kg ha-1 as EFYM (T ), Recommended dose of fertilizers (NPK alone) (T ), CF1 (Customized fertilizer) -RDF with TNAU micronutrient mixture @ 15 kg ha-1 as EFYM (T ), CF2- RDF with TNAU micronutrient mixture @ 30 kg ha-1 as straight chemical fertilizers (T ) and CF3- RDF with TNAU micronutrient mixture @ 30 kg ha-1 as EFYM (T ). The dry matter 5 6 production, yield parameters, grain and straw yield of maize recorded the highest in CF3- RDF with TNAU micronutrient mixture @ 30 kg ha-1 as EFYM (T ) and the grain yield was 32% higher than the farmers’ practice. The nutrient uptake of macro and micro nutrients recorded higher in the above mentioned treatment followed by application of RDF (NPK) with TNAU micronutrient mixture @ 15 kg ha-1 as EFYM (T ). The application of CF3- RDF with TNAU micronutrient mixture @ 30 kg ha-1 as EFYM (T ) has registered the increased the availability of macro and micro nutrients instead of depleting the soil fertility even after the harvest of crop. From the results, it is concluded that the application of CF3- RDF with TNAU micronutrient mixture @ 30 kg ha-1 as EFYM (T6) for maize can maximize the yield with higher net profit.

Simultaneous Activation of Nrf2, Elevation of Antioxidants and Reduction in Glutamate Level: An Essential Strategy for Prevention and Improved Management of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Despite extensive research on the biochemical and genetic defects in Alzhemier’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD) and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSDs), there are no effective preventive strategies; and the treatment methods remain unsatisfactory. The reviews of these studies suggested that enhanced production of free radicals, persistence inflammation were one of the earliest events in the development and progression of these diseases. Excess release of glutamate occurred in HD and PTSD earlier than in AD and PD. Glutamate together with excess free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines participate in the progression of these diseases. Thus, reducing simultaneously these biochemical defects may prevent, and together with standard therapy, enhance the care of neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies using primarily individual antioxidants produced variable outcomes ranging from transient benefits in the early phase of the disease to no effect. In order to optimally attenuate oxidative stress, persistence inflammation and glutamate, it is necessary to simultaneously increase the cellular levels of cytoprotective enzymes including antioxidant enzymes, antioxidant compounds that are derived from the diet and made in the body and reduce glutamate level. Enhancement of antioxidant compounds and attenuation of glutamate level are achieved by supplementation with antioxidants and B-vitamins; however, increasing the cellular levels of antioxidant enzymes needs an activation of Nr2 that is ROS-dependent and ROSindependent. In neurodegenerative diseases, Nrf2 is not activated by ROS; however, antioxidants activate ROSindependent Nrf2. This commentary briefly describes the genetic and epigenetic factors that regulate the activation of Nrf2, and proposes a micronutrient mixture that may simultaneously activate ROS-independent Nrf2, increase the cellular levels of antioxidants, and decrease the release and toxicity of glutamate. This micronutrient mixture may simultaneously and optimally reduce oxidative, chronic inflammation and glutamate, and thus, may prevent and together with standard therapy, enhance the care of these neurodegenerative diseases.

Simultaneous activation of Nrf2 and elevation of antioxidant compounds for reducing oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in human Alzheimer's disease

Despite extensive research, neither the incidence nor the rate of progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has significantly changed. Some biochemical and genetic defects that initiate and promote AD include: (a) increased oxidative stress, (b) chronic inflammation (c) mitochondrial dysfunction, (d) Aß1-42 peptides generated from the amyloid precursor protein (APP), (e) proteasome inhibition, and (f) mutations in APP, presenilin-1 and presenilin-2 genes. Increased oxidative stress appears to precede other biochemical and genetic defects. Oxidative damage induces chronic inflammation. Therefore, reducing these defects simultaneously may reduce the development and progression of AD. Previous studies with individual antioxidants produced consistent benefits in animal models of AD; however, a similar approach produced inconsistent results in human AD. This review proposes a hypothesis that simultaneous elevation of the levels of antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant compounds is necessary for optimally reducing oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in human AD. Supplementation can enhance the levels of antioxidant compounds; but elevation of antioxidant enzymes requires activation of Nrf2. This review discusses activation and regulation of Nrf2. The need for multi- antioxidants that can affect multi-targets has been proposed without specific recommendations. This review proposes a micronutrient mixture that would simultaneously enhance the levels of antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant compounds in human AD.

Growth, yield and economics of zero till maize as influenced by nutrient management practices in north coastal zone of Andhra Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2014–15 on sandy loam soils of Agricultural College, Naira to study the effect of N levels and micronutrient management practices on productivity and economics of maize under zero till conditions. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three nitrogen levels and seven micronutrient management practices, each replicated thrice. Application of 240 kg N/ha (S3) and supplemented withfoliar feeding of micronutrient mixture (F6) recorded the highest kernel yield, maximum net returns (Rs. 86773/ha) and B: C ratio (2.1), which, was, however, on a par with 180 kg N/ha and supplemented with foliar feeding of micronutrient mixture.

Infradian rhythm in hematology, cell mediated immunity and serum micronutrient concentration around peripartum periods in high yielding crossbred cows before and after micronutrient supplementation

Alteration in hematology and cell-mediated immunity around peripartum periods before and after micronutrient supplementation was studied in this investigation. Twelve (12) high-yielding cross-bred cows in advanced pregnancy were selected for the experiment and divided into two equal groups viz. supplemented (n = 6) and unsupplemented (n = 6). Supplemented animals were provided with a micronutrient mixture (@ 25 g per cow) as per the recommendation of NRC over the normal feeding. Unsupplemented group of cows were kept as control with standard farm feeding management. Blood samples (15 ml/cow) were collected from all the animals during days 30th, 15th, and 7th before calving, on the day of calving, and during days 7th, 15th, and 30th after calving and analyzed for hematology viz. hemoglobin (Hb), total erythrocyte counts (TEC), total leukocyte counts, and differential leukocyte counts. In vitro phagocytic index (PI) of neutrophils and lymphocyte proliferation response (LPR) were also evaluated. Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese, and selenium (Se) concentrations in serum were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The Hb concentration was found to be significantly (p < 0.01) higher in supplemented group compared to the unsupplemented group of cows. There were no significant differences in Hb concentration during different days of peripartum in both the group of cows. There was a significantly (p < 0.001) higher TEC in supplemented group compared to unsupplemented group of cows, though it did not vary significantly between different days of peripartum in both the group of cows. There was a significantly (p < 0.001) higher PI in supplemented group compared to the unsupplemented group of cows. In both the groups, the PI of blood neutrophils was significantly (p < 0.001) lower during calving. The LPR did not differ significantly between the groups, but it differed significantly (p < 0.01) between different days of peripartum and was lowest on the day of calving in both the groups. The Cu, Zn, and SE concentration was found to be significantly (p < 0.01) higher in supplemented group compared to the unsupplemented group of cows, but remained unaltered throughout the peripartum period. The study indicated that there was a marked immune depression around peripartum (15 days precalving to 15 days postcalving) in terms of in vitro phagocytic activity of blood neutrophils and in vitro LPR. Supplementation of micronutrients improves the hematological status as well as immune status, so it was recommended to supplement these micronutrients for better productivity and disease resistance in high-yielding cross-bred cows around peripartum.

Experiments Testing the Causes of Namibian Fairy Circles

The grasslands on the sandy soils of the eastern edge of the Namib Desert of Namibia are strikingly punctuated by millions of mostly regularly-spaced circular bare spots 2 to 10 m or more in diameter, generally with a margin of taller grasses. The causes of these so called fairy circles are unknown, but several hypotheses have been advanced. In October 2009, we set up experiments that specifically tested four hypothesized causes, and monitored these 5 times between 2009 and 2015. Grass exclusion in circles due to seepage of subterranean vapors or gases was tested by burying an impermeable barrier beneath fairy circles, but seedling density and growth did not differ from barrier-less controls. Plant germination and growth inhibition by allelochemicals or nutrient deficiencies in fairy circle soils were tested by transferring fairy circle soil to artificially cleared circles in the grassy matrix, and matrix soil to fairy circles (along with circle to circle and matrix to matrix controls). None of the transfers changed the seedling density and growth from the control reference conditions. Limitation of plant growth due to micronutrient depletion within fairy circles was tested by supplementing circles with a micronutrient mixture, but did not result in differences in plant seedling density and growth. Short-range vegetation competitive feedbacks were tested by creating artificially-cleared circles of 2 or 4 m diameter located 2 or 6 m from a natural fairy circle. The natural circles remained bare and the artificial circles revegetated. These four experiments provided evidence that fairy circles were not caused by subterranean vapors, that fairy circle soil per se did not inhibit plant growth, and that the circles were not caused by micronutrient deficiency. There was also no evidence that vegetative feedbacks affected fairy circles on a 2 to 10 m scale. Landscape-scale vegetative self-organization is discussed as a more likely cause of fairy circles.

Assessing the Nutrient Uptake and Fixing Up Appropriate Dose of INM for Bambusa vulgaris (S) Seedlings

An investigation was undertaken with Bambusa vulgaris (S.) as the test tree species to standardize ideal Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) techniques for assessing nutrient uptake and fixing appropriate dose of INM for growth of tissue cultured seedlings, so as to obtain the best quality seedling within a shortest nursery period. A nursery experiment was conducted by raising tissue culture B. vulgaris seedlings in polybags of size 25 cm x 15 cm filled with non-calcareous, red sandy loam soil (Typic Ustropept), sand and FYM with two levels of urea (500 and 1000 mg seedling-1), two levels of single super phosphate (1000 and 1500 mg seedling-1), two levels of muriate of potash (250 and 500 mg seedling-1) and micronutrient mixture (5g) along with Azospirillum (5g) seedling-1, phosphobacteria (5g) seedling-1 and VAM (10g) seedling-1.The results revealed that INM treatments were found to improve the N, P and K content of B. vulgaris seedlings. The significant increase in the total N, P and K uptake was noticed due to the incorporation of Urea, Single super phosphate and Muriate of potash (500: 1000: 250 mg) along with VAM (10g), Azospirillum (5g), phosphobacteria (5g) and micronutrient mixture (5g) seedling-1(T9) over the control at 120 DAP. The total N, P and K uptake was increased by 5.00, 1.89 and 3.19 mg seedling-1, more than the control by the same treatment. The available nutrient status was positively influenced by INM treatments compared to the application of organic, inorganic and biofertilizer alone and the control. Application of urea, single super phosphate and muriate of potash (1000: 1500: 500 mg seedling-1) along with VAM (10g), Azospirillum (5g), phosphobacteria (5g) and micronutrient mixture (5g) seedling-1(T10) recorded more available of N, P and K due to application of higher dose of fertilizers.

Effect of nutrients and plant growth regulators on growth and yield of black gram in sandy loam soils of Cauvery new delta zone, India

AbstractPulse productivity is very low in some of the sandy soil areas where, soils are having poor water and nutrient holding capacity. To improve the pulse productivity, field experiments were conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu for two consecutive years to study the effect of phosphorus sources (mono- and diammonium phosphate) with brassinolide and salicylic acid on growth and yield of black gram in sandy loam soils. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design with three replications during kharif season. The treatments include 100% recommended dose of NPK along with foliar application of monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), brassinolide (0.25 ppm), and salicylic acid (100 ppm) along with the combination of these treatments. TNAU pulse wonder at 5.0 kg ha−1 and TNAU micronutrient mixture (MN) at 5 kg ha−1 were also tried. The results revealed that application of 100% recommended dose of NPK + DAP 2% + TNAU pulse wonder 5.0 kg ha−1 was statisticall...

Simultaneous Activation of Nrf2 and an Elevation of Dietary and Endogenous Antioxidants in Management of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders and Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract: Despite animal and human studies and improved understanding of the symptoms and cellular damage, current managements of post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSDs) and traumatic brain injury (mild TBI and severe TBI) remain unsatisfactory. We identified three common biochemical defects increased oxidative stress, chronic inflammation and glutamate release that contribute to the initiation and progression of these diseases. Therefore, attenuation of these biochemical abnormalities may reduce the progression, and in combination with standard care, may improve the management of these neurological disorders. This review proposes that an elevation of the levels of antioxidant enzymes and phase-2-detoxifying enzymes, and dietary and endogenous antioxidants simultaneously is essential for attenuating oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and glutamate release optimally. The levels of antioxidants can be increased by supplementation; however, an activation of a nuclear transcriptional factor Nrf2 and its binding with antioxidant response elements (AREs) is required for increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes and phase-2-detoxifying enzymes. This review briefly discusses the regulation of Nrf2 activation, and identifies agents that activate Nrf2 by reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent and-independent mechanisms. Studies on the effects of individual antioxidants in PTSD and TBI are presented to show that the use of a single agent cannot activate Nrf2 and enhance the levels of dietary and endogenous antioxidants at the same time. The proposed mixture of micronutrients can achieve the above goal, and thereby, may reduce the progression, and in combination with standard care, improve the management of PTSD and TBI.

Plant Growth, Yield, Macro and Micro-Nutrients Uptake of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) Positively Affected by N-Sources and Rates as well as Foliar Application of Micronutrients

This study was carried out in order to give some information that could improve fennel nutritional status andproductivity. We studied the effect of two N fertilizers [ammonium nitrate (AN) and ammonium sulphate (AS)], twonitrogen rates (60 and 90 kg N/fad.) and two levels of micronutrients (without and with FeEDTA, MnEDTA andZnEDTA) on growth, yield and nutrient (N, P, K, Fe, Mn and Zn) uptake on fennel plants cv. Florence. The resultsindicated that, ammonium sulphate at level of 90 kg/fad. enhanced plant growth, production of dry matter and improvedyield (foliage, bulb and total). Nutritional status of fennel plants was improved, whereas the ammonium sulphate atlevel of 90 kg/fad. and spraying of the micronutrient mixture increased the uptake of macronutrients (N, P and K) andmicronutrients (Fe, Mn and Zn). The present study suggests that foliar application of micronutrients could be aneffective strategy in bio-fortifying fennel plants with Fe, Mn and Zn to produce foliage and bulb yield with highnutritional quality.