Morphological and biochemical traits in chickpea resistance against Helicoverpa armigera Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Investigation undertaken with eight chickpea genotypes (Vallabh Kallar Channa 1, Ankur (CSJ 140), JGK-2, Ganguar (GNG 1581), Jawahar Gram-1 (JGK 1), WCG-10 (Pant G-10), Avrodhi and ICC 506-EB as resistant check) for their morphological and biochemical traits of resistance to Helicoverpa armigera, indicated trichome number, length and density, and nitrogen, total chlorophyll and potassium content as influencing the resistance/ susceptibility levels in chick pea.

ESTIMATION OF POTASSIUM CONTENT OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF BANANA FRUIT IN AN INDIAN DELTA IS THERE A CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Banana fruit is one of the commonly taken foods in many parts of the world. The fruit is known for its high potassium content. We wished to study the potassium content of eleven types of ripe banana fruit available in the cauvery delta region of South India. We measured two values in each of the eleven types of banana fruit. We found the mean varied from 460.75mg/100gm in the Rasthali variety to 921.75 in the karpura valli variety. The potassium binding capacity of the soil and the fertilizers pumped may influence the values. The literature which presently describes the values between 200 to 400mg/100g cautions the use of bananas in patients taking antihypertensive medications like enalapril and in patients with renal dysfunction. Our study which shows the values to be double the described ones, will throw light on additional caution in such cases. We admit that there was no soil study in this work which can influence the potassium content. Before any dietetic advice on the intake of potassium, the bananas of the concerned geographical area and such high potassium values should be taken into account. When the needs to cater the patients of potassium arise in uncomplicated hypertension, the varieties karpuravalli and peyampalam can be considered.

INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT PREPARATS ON PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITATIVE INDICATORS OF SPRING BARLEY

In this study we analyzed the influence of the pre-sowing treatment of spring barley seeds with the biological preparat Rizoagrin and the micronutrient fertilizer Tenso Cocktail against the background of the mineral fertilizer diammofosk on the germination of seeds, the quality of the grain yield and biomass of barley straw, the structure of the crop, the chemical composition of grain and straw under the conditions of the Republic of Tatarstan on gray forest soil. It was found that the use of Rhizoagrin and Tenso Cocktail in combination with diammophos increases the grain yield up to 4.05 t / ha, which is 117 % more than the control. We noted an increase in the productivity of plants, the number of ears, grain per ear and the weight of 1000 grains in relation to the control in the same variant. The fourth option has the highest indicators in terms of nitrogen content in grain and straw – by 5.40 and 8.62% more than in the control. In the second variant, the nitrogen content in the grain is 3.24 % higher than the control, and in the straw – by 5.17 %. In the third variant, the nitrogen content in grain and straw is 2.70 and 6.89 % higher than the control. In terms of the phosphorus content in grain and straw, the increase in the third and fourth variants is at the same level – 3.06 and 5.26 % in relation to the control. The second option does not have an increase in the phosphorus content. There was a decrease in the content of potassium in grain and straw in all variants compared to the control. In the fourth variant, the potassium content in grain is lower than the control by 8.45 %, in straw – by 5.69 %. In the second variant, the potassium content in the grain is lower in comparison with the control by 4.22 %, in the third variant – by 1.40 %. In straw, the potassium content in the second and third variants is reduced by 1.62 %.

KARAKTERISTIK TEPUNG KULIT KENTANG (Solanum tuberosum) SEBAGAI BAHAN PANGAN SUMBER KALIUM

Potato peel flour (Solanum tuberosum) is a flour that has a potential to be developed as a food source of potassium. This research was conducted to determine the chemical properties of potato peel flour. Potato peel flour is carried out in several stages: peeling potatoes; soaking in 0.3% sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3) solution for 60, 90 and 120 minutes; drying; milling; and sifting. Parameters observed were water content, ash content, protein, fat, carbohydrates and potassium (K). Potato peel flour with various immersions produced has the characteristics of water content (7.84 – 9.03%), ash content (4.15 – 4.67%), protein (11.35 – 11.60 %), fat ( 0.74 – 0.87%), carbohydrates (74.63 – 75.26%), and potassium (1231.32 – 1671.86 mg/100 g). Based on the potassium content, potato skin flour with the highest potassium content was soaked for 120 minutes.

Potential of Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO) from cow manure, elephant grass, Aloe vera, pineapple skin to the N, P and K content of organic cow manure

The manufacture of organic fertilizers can be accelerated by adding indigenous microorganisms (IMO) which function as decomposers. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of adding several types of IMO to the N, P, and K content of organic cow manure. This research used animal MOL, namely cow manure IMO and vegetable IMO, namely elephant grass IMO, Aloe vera IMO, pineapple skin IMO and dry cow manures. This study used an experimental method with a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications. The treatments were A: addition of cow manure IMO, B : elephant grass IMO, C : Aloe vera IMO, D : pineapple skin IMO, E : combination IMO (A, B, C, D). The parameters were measured; the N, P and K content. The results showed that the addition of several types of IMO had a significant effect (P<0.05) on phosphorus content of organic cow manure but had no significant effect (P>0.05) on nitrogen and potassium content. The manufacture of organic cow manure with the addition of several types of IMO for 21 days gave the best results in the combination IMO treatment with 1.70% nitrogen, 0.65% phosphorus, and 1.78% potassium content.

Geological and geochemical specialization of ore-bearing formations

The geochemical and metallogenic specialization and zoning of structural-material complexes are analyzed. In the general systematic operational circuit of metallogenic forecasting and geological prospecting, processing the data on the geochemical specialization of geological formations and their constituents make it possible to perform a formational interpretation of anomalous geochemical fields revealed in the course of multipurpose geological and geochemical mapping; to subdivide the explored areas by the types of geological formations differing by their ore-bearing potential, with allocation of the most productive subformations, phases, and facies; and to provide quantitative estimates of the forecasted resources. Geochemical criteria of the ore-bearing potential of geological formations consist, first of all, in stable correlations between petrochemical features of ore-bearing rocks and their corresponding fluctuations of the ore composition (for example, the correlation of the potassium content of ore-hosting silicic volcanic rocks of the ore-bearing volcanogenic geological formations with the Cu/Pb ratio in ores of various types of deposits of the VMSD formational family). These criteria are to be taken into account in regional and local assessments of the perspective ore-bearing potential of geological formations.

Combining Remote Sensing and Meteorological Data for Improved Rice Plant Potassium Content Estimation

Potassium (K) plays a significant role in the formation of crop quality and yield. Accurate estimation of plant potassium content using remote sensing (RS) techniques is therefore of great interest to better manage crop K nutrition. To improve RS of crop K, meteorological information might prove useful, as it is well established that weather conditions affect crop K uptake. We aimed to determine whether including meteorological data into RS-based models can improve K estimation accuracy in rice (Oryza sativa L.). We conducted field experiments throughout three growing seasons (2017–2019). During each year, different treatments (i.e., nitrogen, potassium levels and plant varieties) were applied and spectra were taken at different growth stages throughout the growing season. Firstly, we conducted a correlation analysis between rice plant potassium content and transformed spectra (reflectance spectra (R), first derivative spectra (FD) and reciprocal logarithm-transformed spectra (log [1/R])) to select correlation bands. Then, we performed the genetic algorithms partial least-squares and linear mixed effects model to select important bands (IBs) and important meteorological factors (IFs) from correlation bands and meteorological data (daily average temperature, humidity, etc.), respectively. Finally, we used the spectral index and machine learning methods (partial least-squares regression (PLSR) and random forest (RF)) to construct rice plant potassium content estimation models based on transformed spectra, transformed spectra + IFs and IBs, and IBs + IFs, respectively. Results showed that normalized difference spectral index (NDSI (R1210, R1105)) had a moderate estimation accuracy for rice plant potassium content (R2 = 0.51; RMSE = 0.49%) and PLSR (FD-IBs) (R2 = 0.69; RMSE = 0.37%) and RF (FD-IBs) (R2 = 0.71; RMSE = 0.40%) models based on FD could improve the prediction accuracy. Among the meteorological factors, daily average temperature contributed the most to estimating rice plant potassium content, followed by daily average humidity. The estimation accuracy of the optimal rice plant potassium content models was improved by adding meteorological factors into the three RS models, with model R2 increasing to 0.65, 0.74, and 0.76, and RMSEs decreasing to 0.42%, 0.35%, and 0.37%, respectively, suggesting that including meteorological data can improve our ability to remotely sense plant potassium content in rice.

Vitamin-C and Mineral Composition Analysis of Some Fresh Vegetables in Patuakhali, Bangladesh

Aims: This comparative study was carried out to evaluate the vitamin-C and mineral content of twenty-two different sorts of nutritious and low-cost fresh vegetables. Methodology: The study was conducted in the agricultural chemistry laboratory, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali during the period of January to June 2019. Vitamin C, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), phosphorus (P) contents were determined with the flame emission spectrophotometer. Results: Vitamin-C was higher in Momordica charantia (87.0 mg/100 g) and lower in Vigna unguiculata (0.10 mg/100g). Calcium and magnesium of the green leafy vegetables were in the range of 191.0 - 12.0 mg/100g and 210.1- 9.0 mg/100g respectively. Sodium content largely varied from 58.1- 2.1 mg/100g in which Amaranthus cruentus content higher and Cucumis sativus had the lower content. The highest potassium content was recorded in Cucurbita pepo (384.0 mg/100g) and the lowest potassium content was found in Cucumis sativus (144.20 mg / 100g). Phosphorus content was ranged between 108.0 -13.0 mg /100 g in all the green leafy vegetables. There were significant correlations between mineral contents. Conclusion: These results revealed that selected vegetables contain an appreciable amount of vitamin C and minerals and should be included in diets as a supplement of daily allowance needed by the body.

Sodium and Potassium Content of Foods Consumed in an Italian Population and the Impact of Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet on Their Intake

High sodium and low potassium intakes are associated with increased levels of blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular diseases. Assessment of habitual dietary habits are helpful to evaluate their intake and adherence to healthy dietary recommendations. In this study, we determined sodium and potassium food-specific content and intake in a Northern Italy community, focusing on the role and contribution of adherence to Mediterranean diet patterns. We collected a total of 908 food samples and measured sodium and potassium content using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, we assessed habitual dietary intake of 719 adult individuals of the Emilia-Romagna region. We then estimated sodium and potassium daily intake for each food based on their relative contribution to the overall diet, and their link to Mediterranean diet patterns. The estimated mean sodium intake was 2.15 g/day, while potassium mean intake was 3.37 g/day. The foods contributing most to sodium intake were cereals (33.2%), meat products (24.5%, especially processed meat), and dairy products (13.6%), and for potassium they were meat (17.1%, especially red and white meat), fresh fruits (15.7%), and vegetables (15.1%). Adherence to a Mediterranean diet had little influence on sodium intake, whereas potassium intake was greatly increased in subjects with higher scores, resulting in a lower sodium/potassium ratio. Although we may have underestimated dietary sodium intake by not including discretionary salt use and there may be some degree of exposure misclassification as a result of changes in food sodium content and dietary habits over time, our study provides an overview of the contribution of a wide range of foods to the sodium and potassium intake in a Northern Italy community and of the impact of a Mediterranean diet on intake. The mean sodium intake was above the dietary recommendations for adults of 1.5–2 g/day, whilst potassium intake was only slightly lower than the recommended 3.5 g/day. Our findings suggest that higher adherence to Mediterranean diet patterns has limited effect on restricting sodium intake, but may facilitate a higher potassium intake, thereby aiding the achievement of healthy dietary recommendations.