Rich Soils Research Articles

Preserving Zibo Cultural Heritage Exploring the Symbolism, Visual Identity, and Conservation Efforts of the Fish Motif Pattern Design

As the intangible cultural heritage of Shandong Province, Zibo fish plate is deeply rooted in the rich soil of Chinese traditional culture with rich folk culture connotation and symbolic significance. For thousands of years, the local folk culture and art condensed and expressed in the fish motif pattern decoration of Zibo fish plate, making Zibo fish plate unique in aesthetic performance of a mellow and rough charm. As an artistic work with national characteristics and the spirit of the times gradually formed in the evolution of society and history, this paper will start with the development process and characteristics of Zibo fish plate, in-depth analysis of the symbolic meaning and expression of Zibo fish motif pattern. In view of the current difficulties facing the inheritance of fish mother patterns in Zibo, the corresponding solutions are put forward. Relevant research has deeply revealed the relationship between the Zibo fish motif pattern and Chinese traditional culture and has solid theoretical and historical research value.

Сосновые (Pinus sylvestris) леса и редколесья Северо-Западного Приладожья

Сосновые (Pinus sylvestris) леса и редколесья Северо-Западного Приладожья

Isolation of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria from the agricultural fields of Tattiannaram, Telangana

BackgroundPlant probiotics bacteria are live microbes that promote soil health and plant growth and build the stress-tolerant capacity to the plants. They benefit the plants by increasing nutrient absorption and release of stress-related phytohormones. These plant probiotic bacteria serve a better purpose to the plant when compared to chemical fertilizers. Use of chemical fertilizers such as arsenic and cadmium can lead to soil acidification and even release of harmful gases such as methane which further pollutes the environment. ResultsDifferent bacterial species were isolated from the agricultural fields of Tattiannaram, Telangana, and identified as the efficient rhizosphere bacteria with the essential qualities of plant growth promotion by evaluating the nitrogen-fixing ability on a selective media and various other methods. Upon the molecular characterization of the isolates, they were identified as Corynebacterium spp., Bacillus spp., Lactobacillus spp., and Cytobacillus spp. The results were also examined using various bioinformatics tools for accuracy in their phylogenetic pattern. ConclusionThe recognized species of plant probiotics have established roles in promoting plant growth and strengthening plant immunity. This research introduces an innovative methodology for evaluating and investigating recently identified bacterial isolates, focusing on their distinctive plant probiotic attributes. Through harnessing the potential of advantageous microorganisms and comprehending their interaction with plants and soil, our objective is to formulate inventive approaches to elevate crop productivity, enhance soil richness, and foster environmentally sustainable and robust agricultural methodologies. These characteristics exhibit promising potential for future incorporation into plant systems, fortifying growth and development, and underscoring their distinctive significance within the realm of agriculture.

Effects of microbial agent and microbial fertilizer input on soil microbial community structure and diversity in a peanut continuous cropping system

IntroductionThe soil harbors a diverse array of microorganisms, and these are essential components of terrestrial ecosystems. The presence of microorganisms in the soil, particularly in the rhizosphere, is closely linked to plant growth and soil fertility. ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study is to assess the potential advantages of integrating microbial inoculants with compound fertilizer in enhancing peanut yield. MethodsWe utilized Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technology to conduct our investigation. The experimental design consists of four treatment groups: compound fertilizers (CF), compound fertilizers supplemented with microbial agents (CF + MA), compound fertilizers supplemented with microbial fertilizers (CF + MF), and compound fertilizers supplemented with both microbial agents and microbial fertilizers (CF + MM). ResultsThe experimental results demonstrated a significant increase in peanut yield upon application of CF + MA, CF + MF, and CF + MM treatments. During the blossom stage and pod-setting stage, the soil's catalase, urease, and acid phosphatase activities were significantly increased in the CF + MA, and CF + MM treatments compared to the CF treatment. The application of CF + MA resulted in an increase in bacterial richness in the rhizosphere soil of peanuts, as indicated by the sequencing results. The application of CF + MA, CF + MF, and CF + MM resulted in a reduction of fungal diversity. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria were the dominant bacterial phyla, while Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant phyla in the fungal component of the rhizosphere soil microbiome across all experimental treatments. ConclusionMicrobial agents and fertilizers modify the peanut rhizosphere soil's microbial community structure, as per our findings. The abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria (Bradyrhizobium, Rhizobium, and Burkholderia) and fungi (Trichoderma and Cladophialophora) could increase, while pathogenic fungi (Penicillium and Fusarium) decreased, thereby significantly promoting plant growth and yield of peanut.

An Analytical Study on Growth of Tea Industry in Assam

Abstract: Assam is a major tea-producing region in India. The tea industry of Assam is one of the largest in the world and plays a significant role in the state’s economy. Assam’s tea is known for its bold, brisk, and malty flavor, which makes it a popular choice for black tea lovers worldwide. Tea plantations in Assam cover vast areas, and the reign’s climate and geography are ideal for tea cultivation. Tea industry in Assam has experienced significant growth over the years, contributing substantially to India’s tea production. In estimation the annual average production of tea is about 630-700 million kg in Assam. Average productivity of Assam is around 1838.5 kg per hectare during the selected periods. Factors such as favorable climate, rich soil, and a long growing season have supported the cultivation of high-quality tea in the region. The industry has been advancement in cultivation practices, technology adoption, and export strategies, bolstering its overall growth and economic importance for the region. The tea industry in Assam had been facing both challenges and opportunities. Factors such as climate change, fluctuating market prices, and labor-related issues had posed challenges. However, efforts were being made to address these issues through technological advancements, sustainable practices and diversification of products. It would be advisable to check the latest reports or industry updates for the most current information on the growth of the tea industry in Assam in the last few years.

Optimizing Pre-emergence Herbicide Oxyfluorfen Dose based on Its Sorption and Desorption for Effective Weed Management under Different Soil Types

Background: Adsorption and subsequent release of pre-emergence herbicide into the soil solution decides the herbicide availability to kill the weeds. Herbicides applied on clay or organic rich soil type, absorb more results in lowering its availability in soil solution become sub lethal to kill the weeds, whereas sandy soil adsorb less and desorb more, sometime it increases the herbicide concentration to toxic level to crop. Effective weed control could be achieved by studying the variability of soil and deciding the dose based on the sorption and desorption properties of the soil. Methods: With this information on the background a laboratory experiment was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai, India during 2021 to study the optimum level of oxyflourfen concentration in soil solution required to kill the weeds effectively. The study on sorption and desorption was carried out with pre-emergence herbicide oxyflourfen with five different concentrations in five different soil types. Result: The highest sorption of 98.53 per cent was observed with clayey soils followed by sandy clay loam soils with high organic matter content (96.97 per cent). The lowest sorption (77.96 per cent) was recorded with sandy loam soils. The highest desorption of 57.44 per cent was recorded with sandy loam soil and the lowest desorption percentage (13.18 per cent) was obtained with sandy clay loam soil with higher organic matter. Based on the analytical results of sorption and desorption, oxyflourfen dose was optimized as 0.53 kg ha-1 for sandy clay loam soils with high organic matter, 0.34 kg ha-1 for clay soil, 0.29 kg ha-1 for sandy clay, 0.21 kg ha-1 for sandy clay loam soil and 0.12 kg ha-1 for sandy loam soils. In conclusion, the clay soil required more quantity of oxyflourfen compared to other types of soil for effective management of weeds under irrigated condition.

Site History’s Role in Urban Agriculture: A Case Study in Kisumu, Kenya, and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Urban agriculture (UA) is a widespread practice often considered low-profit, taking place on marginal lands. This is supported by the lack of quantitative data on UA’s contributions to food security and employment, yet contradicted by prevalence and high participation rates. This case study of six UA sites in Kisumu, Kenya and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso explores the relationship between prior land use and current management and soil quality. A soil survey is performed determining the soil macronutrient and soil mineral composition. Agricultural management, ownership, and prior land use are investigated through interviews, satellite imagery, and historic publications. Results show three UA sites predating surrounding urban development, and data on soil nutrient content show that sites likely were chosen for their soil. The three younger sites are smaller and less embedded in the local economy, but soil analysis shows medium-rich to rich agricultural soils. We conclude that one cannot assume that UA is practiced on marginalized soils. Consequently, both value attribution to and the sustainable agricultural management of UA soils must be based on their characteristics, such as mineralogy and nutrient status, to prevent valuable soil resources from being lost. Through this, the more accurate value attribution of UA can be achieved, lending weight to the value attributed to UA by local communities.

The Effect of Hydrocarbon Pollution on Niger Delta Root Crops: A Case Study of Cocoyam [Colocasia Esculenta

This paper investigates effects of re-occurring oil spillages on cocoyam, Colocasia esculenta (L.). It studies changes in petiole lengths, leaf blades, chlorophyll concentrations in leaves, and PAH and BTEX concentrations in tubers for three generations under diverse conditions. 8 10-gallon grow bags were used: Grow bags 5–8 were treated with a controlled quantity (4 L/cubic metre) of liquid crude hydrocarbon in the months of June 2019–2021; with 2 replications, after a 2-3-day interval within a week. In grow bags 3, 4, 7, and 8, poultry manure were applied once in 2 months after small seedlings emerged from soil surfaces. Grow bags 1 and 2, 3, and 4 served as “controls” for non-contaminated growth. Grow bags 7 and 8 were treated with hydrocarbons and poultry manure. In the first generation, coco yams planted in grow bags 7-8 showed growth responses (average values of 1.04 m, 51 cm, 4.45 mg/g for petiole length, leaf blade length, and chlorophyll concentration, respectively) very similar to coco yams planted in pristine soil with poultry manure with average values of 1.00 m, 50 cm, 3.45 mg/g. The cocoyams planted in pristine organic rich soils showed similar response with or without fertilizers (average values of 0.98 m, 48 cm 1.83mg/g and 1.00m, 50 cm, 3.45mg/g) with progressively smaller leaves as generation increases. The cocoyams in hydrocarbon impacted soils generally perform poorer than uncontaminated soil with or without poultry manure by the second and third generation. Poultry manure on soils with re-occurring hydrocarbon contamination exacerbates soil weakening. Mean PAH and mean BTEX concentrations in tubers were 0.001-0.0035 mg/kg and <0.001mg/kg respectively. Cocoyams are not strong BTEX bioactive scavenger but gradually became more concentrated in PAH.

Analysing the behaviour of 90Sr and stable Sr in highly weathered soils: Soil to plant transfer factor and geochemical partitioning

Public concerns over environmental protection have increased after Fukushima accident. The soil-plant transfer factor (Fv) is a critical parameter for environmental risk assessment. 137Cs Fv values determined in acid Brazilian soils could be two orders of magnitude higher than Fv values measured in soils affected by the Chernobyl accident. This paper studied the behaviour of 90Sr in Brazilian soils where very few 90Sr Fv data is available. All classes of studied soils (Ferralsol, Acrisol and Nitisol) showed that more than 80% of total 90Sr in soils remains potentially mobile, mainly at the bioavailable phase, more than 2 years after soil contamination in an experiment conducted in lysimeters. Higher 90Sr Fv for maize and cabbage was observed in the acid soils with low content of exchangeable Ca, lower Fv values occurred at Nitisol, the subtropical soil type. It seems that the behaviour of 90Sr in these soils are mainly controlled by ionic competition mechanisms occurring for root uptake and sorption sites, with stable Sr and major nutrients (Ca, Mg and K). The mineralogy also seems to play a relevant role, since goethite rich clay soil presented 90Sr Fv values higher one or two orders of magnitude than 90Sr Fv values observed at clayed soil goethite rich with trace of vermiculite, for all studied crops. The high rate of 90Sr migration down the soil profiles observed for the studied soils during the 2 first years after contamination suggests a high rate of transfer to groundwater, even transfer to leafy crop group can be also a relevant pathway. In the present study, maize, among other plant species, presented the lowest Fv values, even when compared with maize cultivated in temperate soil. Our results suggest that stable Sr may not be a very good analogue of 90Sr for determining plant Fv values: geometric mean of stable Sr Fv for maize was Fvmaize = 6.3E-1 ± 2.1E0 (n = 8) and for 90Sr was Fvmaize = 1.8E-2 ± 2.5E0 (n = 16), geometric mean of stable Sr Fv for cabbage was Fvcabbage = 1.4E0 ± 3.9E0 (n = 17) and for 90Sr was Fvcabbage = 7.9E-1 ± 4.4E0 (n = 18).

Rhizosphere Microbes and the Roles They Play in Crop Production and Soil Health

Each gram of rich soil can harbor 100 million to a billion microorganisms, meaning every inch of our soil is alive (Raynaud and Nunan 2014) (Fig. 1). These underground organisms keep soil healthy. Balancing the community of microbes can benefit plant yield, plant health, and soil sustainability. While it is recognized that many soil microbes perform key roles in crop productivity, the importance of these underground activities is easily overlooked because of their small size. By focusing on a specific group of microbes living on or near plant roots, this publication provides understanding for these questions: Who are these microbes and how do they improve plant and soil health?

Soil toposequences, soil erosion, and ancient Maya land use adaptations to pedodiversity in the tropical karstic landscapes of southern Mexico

The soil mantle of the tropical karst landscapes of southern Mexico was a key resource for ancient Maya agriculture and experienced deep transformation due to long-term human impacts under changing environmental conditions. We conducted a comparative analysis of three compound soil toposequences in mountainous (Sierra de Chiapas/Middle Usumacinta Valley, Busiljá, and Chinikihá archaeological sites) and platform (NE Yucatán Peninsula, Yalahau region) karst landscapes to reconstruct general tendencies and regional variations in pedodiversity development and soil–human interactions since the Early Preclassic Period. Toposequence characterization is based on macro- and micromorphological observations, accompanied by a suite of laboratory data. Calcareous upland geoforms of all toposequences have similar soil combinations consisting of shallow Rendzina and deep red clayey Terra Rossa types of profiles. We argue that Rendzinas, now dominant in the upland soil cover, in most cases, are not a product of incipient pedogenesis on limestone; they have developed from the residues of Terra Rossa soils after their advanced erosion. Pedosediments generated by ancient soil erosion have been found in the piedmont and depression positions in the mountainous landscapes of Chiapas, as a result of lateral downslope soil removal, and in the subsurface karstic cavities in the platform of NE Yucatán, indicating vertical “soil piping.” The soils of the lowland domains show contrasting differences between the toposequences: gleyic clay–rich soils and humic alluvial soils prevail in Chinikihá and Busiljá, whereas hydromorphic carbonate soils have formed in Yalahau karstic depressions. These differences in the lowland soil properties led to divergent ancient Maya land use strategies; in Chinikihá and Busiljá, the major agricultural domain was developed in the lowlands, implying largescale artificial drainage. On the contrary, in Yalahau, mostly upland Rendzinas were cultivated, implying “precision agriculture” and “container gardening.”

Environmental heterogeneity on landslide slopes affects the long-term recoveries of forest ecosystem components

Landslides are a common disturbance in mountainous areas of the world. Transporting and accumulating landslide debris, i.e., disturbance legacies, such as coarse woody debris (CWD), vegetation patches, and surface soils, generate a heterogeneous environment along slopes (zones), which are suggested to affect forest recovery. However, the long-term changes in forest ecosystems after landslides remain unknown, particularly zone-dependent change patterns. We aimed to reveal the differences in the changes in live trees, understory vegetation, CWD, and soils among zones by surveying forests with landslide ages (years since the landslide) ranging from 3 to 74 years and reference stands. The increase in live tree aboveground biomass occurred at a faster rate at the lower part of the slopes where the disturbance legacies were rich and surface soils were stabilized due to the smaller slope angle. Chronological patterns of understory vegetation amounts were determined by the differences in disturbance legacy richness and the timing of subsequent canopy closure. The amounts and decay-class diversity of CWD were determined by the differences in legacy richness and mortality through stand development. These zone-dependent chronological changes influenced litter production and determined the recovery rates of surface soil carbon and nitrogen stocks. The increase in the dominance rates of forest herbaceous species was faster in the lower part of the slopes due to the faster surface soil development and canopy closure. Our results illustrate that long-term forest ecosystem succession and recovery after landslides occurs more rapidly at the lower parts than at the upper parts of slopes.

Biochar effects on NTFP-enriched secondary forest growth and soil properties in Amazonian Ecuador

Deforestation in the Amazon has resulted in large areas of depleted soils on abandoned pastures and agricultural sites that present a restoration challenge central to protecting biodiversity and ecosystem function in the region. Biochar – charcoal made from waste materials – can improve soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, but the few tropical field trials to date do not give consistent results regarding tree growth. This study presents three years of soil performance and tree growth of a secondary forest shading nontimber forest product (NTFP) plantations of Ocotea quixos (Lauraceae), Myroxylon balsamum (Fabaceae), and their mixture. Open kiln and traditional mound biochars were added at 10 t ha−1 at two sites with contrasting soil types. Biochar additions resulted in pronounced effects on soil properties that varied over time and with depth in the soil profile. Biochar additions generally increased soil organic matter, electrical conductivity, and plant nutrients (in particular K, Ca, and N), but there were interactive effects of NTFP treatments, and stronger responses on the poorer soil type. Biochar amendments resulted in increased tree growth, with a 29 ± 12% increase in aboveground biomass (AGB) on plots amended with kiln biochar and a 23 ± 9% increase in plots with mound biochar compared to controls. Tree species also varied in growth responses to biochar additions, with the largest increases observed in Jaccaranda copaia and Piptocoma discolor. Significant interactions between biochar and NTFP treatments were also seen for tree growth responses, such as Cecropia spp., which only showed increased biomass on mound biochar plots planted with Ocotea quixos. Overall, our results demonstrate a stronger effect of biochar in less favorable soil conditions, and an overriding effect of the legume NTFP in richer soils, and suggest that additions of biochar and legumes are important options to increase productivity and ecological resilience in tropical forest restoration.

Combined effects of soil 3D spatial heterogeneity and biotic spatial heterogeneity (plant clumping) on ecosystem processes in grasslands.

Soil heterogeneity has been shown to enhance plant diversity, but its effect on grassland productivity is less clear. Even less is known about the effect of plant clumping (intraspecific aggregation) and its potential interaction with soil heterogeneity. The combined effects of soil 3D spatial heterogeneity and species clumping were experimentally studied in grassland mesocosms consisting of four grassland species. These species were planted in three patterns (i.e. completely mixed, clumped by 9 or 36 individuals of the same species) on soils with heterogeneous cells of alternating nutrient-poor and rich soil differing in size from 0 (mixed soil) to 12, 24, and 48 cm (complete poor or rich mesocosm). Moderate soil cell sizes (12-24 cm) consistently increased whole-mesocosm aboveground productivity by more than 20%, which mainly originated from the increased growth of the plants growing on the poor soil cells. In contrast, total mesocosm productivity was not affected by species clumping although there were some species-specific effects, both of clumping and of the interaction of clumping with soil heterogeneity. Our results show that intermediate soil heterogeneity promotes productivity. Clumping can improve the growth of inferior species, thus promoting coexistence, without affecting overall productivity. We found no interaction effect of clumping and soil heterogeneity on productivity at the community level and some minor species-specific effects.

Качество древесного опада как информативный индикатор функциональной классификации лесов

Relevance and goals. In the context of global climate change, the climate-regulating function of forests deserves special attention. There is still no functional classification of forests according to the effectiveness of carbon accumulation function. The aim of this paper is to discuss an approach to such classification based on the assessment of tree litter quality. Objects and methods. To test the approach to the identification of functional types of forests based on the quality of tree litter, taking into account the location in the geochemically linked landscape and the mechanical composition of soil-forming rocks, data on soils and vegetation obtained at 23 testing sites in the subzone of coniferous-broadleaf forests of the European part of Russia on the territory of Bryansk Polesie and Moskvoretsko-Okskaya plain were used. For indirect (Landolt’s ecological scales using the SpeDiv program) assessment of differences in the soil richness in forests belonging to different functional types, the species composition at 160 geobotanical plots in forest sites in the Moscow, Bryansk, Smolensk, Kostroma Regions, Krasnodar Territory, and the Republic of Adygea (Northwestern Caucasus) were analyzed. Results. Examples of functional forest types for coniferous — broad-leaved forests of the European part of Russia are given. The differences in soil carbon stock between forests belonging to different functional types were found, and a preliminary assessment of the influence of the location in the geochemically linked landscape and the mechanical composition of soils on the accumulation of carbon in soils in the same functional forest types is given. Conclusion. Based on the quality of the tree litter, 15 functional forest types were identified, which are confirmed by examples of forests in the subzone of coniferous-broad-leaved forests of the European part of Russia and in the belt of coniferous-broad-leaved forests of the Northwestern Caucasus. The validity of identification of functional forest types for the efficiency of carbon accumulation in soils based on the quality of tree litter, taking into account the influence of “external factors” (the location of forests in the geochemically linked landscape and the mechanical composition of soil-forming rocks), was confirmed by data obtained at 23 sites. Using this approach allowed us to reveal differences in the soil carbon stock and related characteristics of soil fertility estimated on an ecological scale between the functional forest types, identified on the base of tree litter in the mixed, coniferous-broad-leaved forests at the same location in the geochemically linked landscape. Differences in soil carbon stocks in forest ecosystems of the same functional forest types formed on clay loam and sandy loam soil-forming rocks were also revealed. Differences in soil carbon stocks in forests belonging to the same functional type, but formed at different locations in the geochemically linked landscape, have been confirmed: soil carbon stocks were higher in forests at the transit landscapes compared to those in autonomous ones.

Integrative risk assessment method via combining geostatistical analysis, random forest, and receptor models for potentially toxic elements in selenium-rich soil

Revealing the spatial features and source of associated potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is crucial for the safe use of selenium (Se)-rich soils. An integrative risk assessment (GRRRA) approach based on geostatistical analysis (GA), random forest (RF), and receptor models (RMs) was first established to investigate the spatial distribution, sources, and potential ecological risks (PER) of PTEs in 982 soils from Ziyang City, a typical natural Se-rich area in China. RF combined with multiple RMs supported the source apportionment derived from the RMs and provided accurate results for source identification. Then, quantified source contributions were introduced into the risk assessment. Eighty-three percent of the samples contain Cd at a high PER level in local Se-rich soils. GA based on spatial interpolation and spatial autocorrelation showed that soil PTEs have distinct spatial characteristics, and high values are primarily distributed in this research areas. Absolute principal component score/multiple line regression (APCS/MLR) is more suitable than positive matrix factorization (PMF) for source apportionment in this study. RF combined with RMs more accurately and scientifically extracted four sources of soil PTEs: parent material (48.91%), mining (17.93%), agriculture (8.54%), and atmospheric deposition (24.63%). Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) demonstrates a 47.73% probability of a non-negligible risk (RI > 150) caused by parent material and 3.6% from industrial sources, respectively. Parent material (64.20%, RI = 229.56) and mining (16.49%, RI = 58.96) sources contribute to the highest PER of PTEs. In conclusion, the GRRRA method can comprehensively analyze the distribution and sources of soil PTEs and effectively quantify the source contribution to PER, thus providing the theoretical foundation for the secure utilization of Se-rich soils and environmental management and decision making.

ACCd and PGPRs: increasing plant productivity for more sustainable agricultural practices

Our current world population is nearly 8 billion people, and it is expected to reach 10 billion by the year 2055 (Schultz, 2018). As the population continues to experience exponential growth patterns, we are faced with increasing concerns regarding food security. Indeed, as of 2020, millions of people are experiencing hunger or food insecurity, especially those in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia (FAO, 2021). A great deal of food insecurity is indirectly caused by climate change because product yield is not sufficient to reach increasing food demands (FAO, 2021). Climate change is causing warmer winters and unpredictable precipitation, resulting in poor growing conditions for crops (Wheaton & Kulshreshtha, 2017; Qian et al., 2011). In order to achieve high quality and quantity product yield, crops require rich soil conditions generated by sufficient periods of rainfall. This article discusses the effects of climate change on agriculture, with emphasis on aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase (ACCd), an enzyme that plays an important role in increasing drought and salinity tolerance in plants.

Comparative morpho-physiological and biochemical responses of maize (Zea maize L.) grown under chromium (VI) stress and its control by using plant extracts

In the present research work, the impact of plant extracts (orange and banana peels extract) on the growth of maize plant grown under the stress of Cr (VI) was studied in pot experiment. Different growth parameters such as plant height root and shoot length and biomass were studied after 45 days of seed germination. Moreover, various physiological attributes such as total chlorophyll content (CHL) and reducing sugar (SUG) were studied. While, biochemical traits i.e., total protein content (TPC), catalase (CAT) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity were also studied after 45th days. The results revealed that the soil amendments with orange peels extract at different concentration (2, 4, 6 and 8%) significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased the growth of the maize plant as compared to the respective positive control (300 and 500 mg kg-1). While, application of banana peels extract exhibited negative impact on the growth of maize plant over negative (no treatment) and positive control (300 and 500 mg kg1). Furthermore, physiological attributes was significantly enhanced by adding orange peels extract in Cr(VI) rich soil as compared to positive control. Whereas, biochemical activities were increased by hexavalent chromium stress, it was reduced significantly with the application of orange peels extract. Thus, orange peels extract could be used as soil amendments to control Cr(VI) stress in cultivating areas of maize. However, further studies were required in field to study the impact of orange peels extract on the growth and physiology of maize plant grown in Cr(VI) rich soil.

Nutrients richness in soil and in some common favourite food species of Cheetal deer (Axis axis) and Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) in Corbett National Park Uttarakhand India

Nutrients richness in soil and in some common favourite food species of Cheetal deer (Axis axis) and Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) in Corbett National Park Uttarakhand India

ADVOCACY JOURNALISM: CASE STUDY ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THADAGAM VALLEY, COIMBATORE

Journalists involved in environmental communication go beyond facts and figures to highlight their views on issues of conflict between man and nature. Propelled by the fluidic social media with audience as news makers, their advocacy sails into journalism rather than sticking to the basics of objectivity. Online media, once considered as clicktivism and impulsive, has evolved into a major mobilising force to fight against environmental degradation. Yet, it lacks the trust that traditional media upholds in India.Illegal mining of rich soil in the agricultural fields of Thadagam Valley in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu snowballed into an issue of exploitation of natural resource after South Zone’s National Green Tribunal registered a suo motto case against the clay brick manufacturers in 2021. Closure of the brick factories for over two years through interim orders of the courts was perceived as a big victory for the impleading activists. Advocacy campaigns run by the activists in the traditional and new media keep the cash rich business run for legal cover to restore their operations. At the same time, in-direct and external support from informed sources sustained the activists move further in their fight against pollution of environment and exploitation of natural resources. Wild elephants intruding into farmlands and villages also became an unbearable issue for the inhabitants as the regular paths also got disturbed by the dangerous developments created in the Valley.Influence of political economy, the difference in perspectives between the local and national media over an environmental issue, the stand of political and bureaucratic circles on development, episodic versus thematic coverage in the media, scientific and research back-ups on the issues communicated by the activists are discussed in this conflict-based campaign.