ABSTRACT Integrated nutrient management (INM) is an environment friendly and ecologically adoptable approach of plant nutrition to sustain crop productivity and maintain soil fertility of fragile agricultural ecosystems. A three-year field experiment on saffron was conducted involving 12 fertilization regimes: control; urea (UN) = 100 kg·ha-1; poultry manure (PM) = 100 kg·ha-1; farmyard manure (FYM) = 100 kg·ha-1; PM50 + FYM50; UN75 + PM25; UN50 + PM50; UN25 + PM75; UN75 + FYM25; UN50 + FYM50; UN25 + FYM75; and UN50 + PM25+ FYM25. Results showed that PM alone and combined with 50% UN (UN50 + PM50) were effective compared to the controls in increasing the number of flowers (58%), flower dry weight (59%), stigma length (70%), dry weight of stigma (40%), number of daughter corms plant-1 (35%), and corm diameter (71%) of saffron over years. In addition, the same treatment combination increased corm weight (96%), corm yield (96%), and stigma yield (35%) over controls across the years. This treatment combination was followed by UN50 + PM25 + FYM25, while UN50 alone did not perform at par to the rest of the fertilization regimes. These results showed that UN50 + PM50 might be developed as potent strategy for boosting the growth and yield (stigma and daughter corms yield) of saffron in temperate climatic conditions.

Abstract Osteoporosis is a chronic disease of bone that increases risk of low-trauma fracture. Chronic treatment may lead to lower adherence with medication. The current study aims are to determine adherence rate of antiosteoporotic medication by Medication Possession Ratio. Data has been collected from outpatient settings registering cases of postmenopausal osteoporotic women taking medications for an average duration of one year in Karachi. These patients were classified in lower, middle, and affluent socioeconomic classes. Collected data were analyzed by the standardized formula of Medication Possession Ratio and SPSS. Average Medication Possession Ratio ≥80% achieved by Risedronate Brands in the middle class (80.28%±4.41), the affluent class (82.50%±5.09), Raloxifen Brands in affluent class (93.62%±1.57), Gonadotropics in the middle class (81.36%±6.02), affluent class (91.09%±2.05), Alendronate Brands in affluent class (85.42%±5.46). Average Medication Possession Ratio is <80% with all antiosteoporotic medication in the lower class, while the average Medication Possession Ratio of Calcium and Vitamin D is ≥80% in all groups except lower class. Adherence rate was significantly higher among Alendronate group compare to Risedronate (p=0.044). Medication Possession Ratio is greater than 80% among all classes of low-cost antiosteoporotic medications. In addition, patients on once weekly oral medications are more adherent and compliant compare to oral daily or intranasal medications.

Abstract Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria increase plant growth and give protection against insect pests and pathogens. Due to the negative impact of chemical pesticides on environment, alternatives to these chemicals are needed. In this scenario, the biological methods of pest control offer an eco-friendly and an attractive option. In this study, the effect of two plant growth promoting rhizobacterial strains (Bacillus sp. strain 6 and Pseudomonas sp. strain 6K) on aphid population and wheat productivity was evaluated in an aphid susceptible (Pasban-90) and resistant (Inqlab-91) wheat cultivar. The seeds were inoculated with each PGPR strain, separately or the combination of both. The lowest aphid population (2.1 tiller−1), and highest plant height (85.8 cm), number of spikelets per spike (18), grains per spike (44), productive tillers (320 m−2), straw yield (8.6 Mg ha−1), and grain yield (4.8 Mg ha−1) were achieved when seeds were inoculated with Bacillus sp. strain 6 + Pseudomonas sp. strain 6K. The grain yield of both varieties was enhanced by 35.5–38.9% with seed inoculation with both bacterial strains. Thus, the combine use of both PGPR strains viz. Bacillus sp. strain 6 + Pseudomonas sp. strain 6K offers an attractive option to reduce aphid population tied with better wheat productivity.

Weed control program should be environmentally benign and cost-effective so that reduced herbicide use can help meet these goals. Field trials were conducted to assess the bio-economic and qualitative impact of reduced doses (25 and 50% of label dose) of a postemergence pyrimidinyloxybenzoic acid herbicide (bispyribac-sodium) applied alone or in combination with multipurpose tree (eucalyptus Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh., mango Mangifera indica L., and mulberry Morus alba L.) water extracts in direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields. The label dose of bispyribac-sodium and penoxsulam along with weed control were included for comparison. Tank mixing of multipurpose tree water extracts with reduced herbicide doses accounted for > 55% suppression in weed density and > 75% in dry weight; they were quite higher than those recorded for the same herbicide doses used alone. A combination of these extracts with 50% reduced dose of bispyribac-sodium improved rice yield and quality attributes similar to the label dose of this herbicide. Despite the higher net benefits associated with label herbicide dose, the maximum marginal rate of return was achieved with a tank mix of 25% label herbicide dose with multipurpose tree water extracts.

Los programas de control de malezas deben ser respetuosos del medio ambiente y rentables, y la reducción del uso de herbicidas puede ayudar a cumplir estas metas. Los ensayos de campo se llevaron a cabo para evaluar el impacto bioeconómico y cualitativo de dosis reducidas (25 y 50% de la dosis etiqueta) de un herbicida de post-emergencia pirimidiniloxi benzoico (bispiribac-sodio) aplicado solo o en combinación con extractos acuosos de árboles multipropósito eucalipto (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.), mango (Mangifera indica L.), morera (Morus alba L.) en campos de arroz (Oryza sativa L.) de siembra directa. Se incluyó dosis recomendada en la etiqueta de bispiribac-sodio y penoxsulam y un control de malezas para comparación. Mezcla de estanque de los extractos acuosos de árboles multipropósito con dosis de herbicida reducida causó supresión de > 55% en densidad de malezas y > 75% en peso seco, lo que fue superior cuando estas dosis de herbicida se utilizaron solas. La combinación de estos extractos con un 50% de reducción de la dosis de bispiribac-sodio registró granos por panícula, peso 1000 granos y rendimiento de grano similar a la dosis de etiqueta del herbicida superiores a la aplicación de dosis reducida de este herbicida. Este tratamiento también mejoró los atributos de calidad del grano sobre el control similar a la dosis de etiqueta del herbicida. A pesar de los mayores beneficios netos de la dosis de etiqueta del herbicida, la tasa máxima marginal de retorno se obtuvo con mezcla de estanque de 25% de la dosis herbicida sugerida con extractos acuosos vegetales multipropósito.

Weed suppression is one of the several benefits achieved by soil incorporation of crop residues and such suppression is believed to be allelopathic in nature. The allelopathic potential of different crop residues: viz. sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), brassica (Brassica campestris L.) was evaluated in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and jungle rice (Echinochloa colona [L.] Link). Chopped crop residues were soil-incorporated alone and mixed at 6 g kg-1 soil (12 t ha-1) and compared with a control without residues. Soil incorporation of residues substantially delayed germination of jungle rice. The time to start germination, time to 50% emergence, mean emergence time, emergence index, and final germination percentage were all depressed by residue incorporation. Final germination of rice and jungle rice dropped by 11 to 15% and 11 to 27% with residue application alone and by 18 to 22% and 8 to 34% with a combination of crop residues, respectively. Residues were more suppressive to germination dynamics of jungle rice than rice. Crop residues exerted a pronounced negative influence on the shoot (25 to 100% and 14 to 44%) and root lengths (22 to 100% and 10 to 43%) of rice and jungle rice, respectively. Shoot and root dry weight of both rice and jungle rice also decreased significantly. An appreciable quantity of phenolics was recorded in soil amended with sorghum+sunflower+brassica residues. Since soil incorporation of allelopathic crop residues was detrimental to both rice germination and seedling growth, it is suggested that the time of residue application for jungle rice suppression and rice seeding time need to be adjusted so as to minimize rice crop damage.

La represión de malezas es uno de los beneficios logrados por la incorporación de residuos de cosecha al suelo y se cree que es de naturaleza alelopática. Se evaluó el potencial alelopático de diversos residuos de cultivos: sorgo (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench), girasol (Helianthus annuus L.) y coles (Brassica Compestris L.) en arroz (Oryza sativa L.) y pasto arroz o pasto Shama (Echinochloa colona [L.] Link). Los residuos de cosecha picados se incorporaron solos y en mezcla a 6 g kg-1 de suelo (12 t ha-1) y se compararon con un testigo sin residuos. La incorporación de los residuos al suelo retrasó sustancialmente la germinación del pasto arroz o pasto Shama. El tiempo para empezar la germinación, el tiempo a 50% de emergencia, el tiempo medio de emergencia, el índice de emergencia, y el porcentaje de germinación final fueron influidos negativamente por la incorporación de residuos. La germinación final del arroz y del pasto arroz o pasto Shama se redujo en 11 a 15% y 11 a 27% con el uso exclusivo de residuos, y en 18 a 22% y 8 a 34% con la combinación de los residuos de cultivos, respectivamente. Los residuos de cultivos ejercieron una marcada influencia negativa en la longitud de brotes (25-100% y 14-44%) y la longitud de raíces (22-100% y 10-43%) de arroz y de pasto arroz o pasto Shama, respectivamente. Peso seco de brotes y raíces de arroz y pasto del arroz o pasto Shama también decrecieron significativamente. Una apreciable cantidad de fenoles fue registrada en el suelo enmendado con residuos de sorgo+girasol+coles. Desde que los residuos alelopáticos de cultivos se incorporaron al suelo también fueron perjudiciales para la germinación y crecimiento de las plántulas de arroz, así se sugiere que el momento de la aplicación de los residuos para la supresión de arroz de la selva y el tiempo de la siembra del arroz deben ser ajustados para reducir al mínimo el daño del cultivo de arroz.

Reduction in herbicide usage without compromising yields can lead to less environmental harm and lower production costs. Field trials were conducted to appraise the efficacy of reduced doses (25, 50, and 75% of the label dose) of a post emergence sulfonylurea herbicide [Atlantis 3.6WG (iodo+mesosulfuron)] to control weeds in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields of Punjab, Pakistan. Below-labeled-doses were quite effective in suppressing total weed density (72-95%) and biomass (83-94%), and wheat grain yield was increased by 22 to 48% over the weedy control, while label dose of iodo+mesosulfuron improved yield by 53%. Iodo+mesosulfuron at 25 and 50% of the label dose inhibited grass weeds by 43 to 64%, albeit their biomass was suppressed by > 80% over control. Wheat yields for reduced herbicide doses (50 and 75%) were not different with label dose. Economic analysis revealed that the maximum marginal rate of return was recorded for 50% of the label herbicide dose and was followed by that observed for 25% of the label dose. Reduced doses of herbicide can be an effective tool in minimizing herbicide inputs and lowering production costs in wheat production without compromising yields.

Reducción del uso de herbicidas sin comprometer el rendimiento puede dar lugar a menos riesgos ambientales y disminución de los costos de producción. Los ensayos de campo se llevaron a cabo para evaluar la eficacia de dosis reducidas (25, 50 y 75% de la dosis de etiqueta) de un herbicida sulfonilurea [Atlantis3.6WG (yodo + mesosulfurón)] de post emergencia para controlar las malezas en trigo (Triticum aestivum L.) en campos de Punjab, Pakistán. Las dosis por debajo de la recomendada en la etiqueta eran muy eficaces en la supresión de la densidad total de malezas (72-95%) y biomasa (83-94%), y rendimiento en grano de trigo se incrementó en un 22 a 48% por sobre el control, mientras que la dosis de etiqueta de yodo + mesosulfurón mejoró el rendimiento en un 53%. Yodo+mesosulfurón a 25 y 50% de la dosis de etiqueta inhibe las malezas gramíneas por 43 a 64%, aunque su biomasa fue suprimida > 80% respecto al control. Los rendimientos de trigo para las dosis de herbicidas reducidas (50 y 75%) no fueron diferentes de la dosis de etiqueta. El análisis económico reveló que la tasa máxima de retorno marginal se registró con el 50% de la dosis de etiqueta del herbicida, y fue seguido por 25% de la dosis de etiqueta. Dosis reducidas de herbicidas pueden ser una herramienta eficaz en la reducción del uso de herbicidas y disminución de los costos de producción en los campos de trigo sin comprometer los rendimientos.

FUNDAMENTO: Ainda não foi claramente estabelecido se a resistência/deficiência insulínica leva diretamente à aterogênese ou através de sua associação com outros fatores de risco como os níveis de lipoproteína (a)[Lp(a)]. OBJETIVO: O objetivo do estudo foi estabelecer a relação entre os níveis basais de insulina, lípides e lipoproteína (a) em pacientes com diabetes mellitus (DM) tipo 2. MÉTODOS: Amostras de sangue foram colhidas em jejum e os níveis de insulina, lipoproteína (a), colesterol total (CT), triglicérides (TG), lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL-C), lipoproteína de alta densidade (LDL-C), glicose e hemoglobina glicada (HbA1c) foram medidos em 60 pacientes com DM tipo 2 e 28 indivíduos saudáveis. Nós dividimos os pacientes em dois grupos baseados nos níveis basais de insulina: > 10 µIU/ml e < 10 µIU/ml. RESULTADOS: Os níveis de insulina eram mais altos nos indivíduos diabéticos do que nos controles [p < 0,05]. Os níveis de CT (p< 0,01), LDL-C (p< 0,05), razão CT/HDL (p< 0,01), e TG (p< 0,05) eram mais altos e os níveis de HDL- C eram significantemente mais baixos em ambos os grupos de diabéticos, quando comparados aos controles. Os níveis de Lp(a) eram significantemente mais baixos em diabéticos com insulina basal > 10 µIU/ml comparados com aqueles que apresentavam insulina basal < 10 µIU/ml (p < 0.05). A análise de regressão mostrou uma relação significante da Lp(a) com os níveis de insulina (r = 0,262, p < 0,05) e razão Insulina/Glicose(r = 0,257, p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Os níveis de Lp(a) se correlacionam inversamente com os níveis de insulina em pacientes com DM tipo 2. Os níveis de Lp(a) podem ser um dos fatores de risco cardiovascular em pacientes com DM tipo 2 com maior duração da doença. (Arq Bras Cardiol 2009;93(1):28-33)

BACKGROUND: It has not been clearly established whether insulin resistance/deficiency leads directly to atherogenesis or through its association with other risk factors such as Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. OBJECTIVE: This project aimed at studying the association between basal Insulin, Lipids and Lipoprotein(a) levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. METHODS: Fasting blood samples were analyzed for Insulin, Lipoprotein(a), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in 60 patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and 28 healthy subjects. We divided patients into two groups based on basal insulin levels: > 10 µIU/ml and < 10 µIU/ml. RESULTS: Insulin levels were higher in diabetic versus control individuals [p < 0.05]. TC (p< 0.01), LDL-C (p< 0.05), TC/HDL ratio (p< 0.01) and TG levels (p< 0.05) were higher and HDL- C levels were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in both diabetic groups as compared to control. Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in both diabetic groups, when compared to the control group. Lp(a) levels were significantly lower in diabetics with basal insulin > 10 µIU/ml when compared to those with basal insulin < 10 µIU/ml (p < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed a significant relationship of Lp(a) with insulin levels (r = 0.262, p < 0.05) and Insulin Glucose ratio (r = 0.257, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Lp(a) levels correlate inversely with insulin levels in Type 2 diabetic patients. Lp(a) may be one of the cardiovascular risk factor in type 2 diabetic patients with longer duration of DM.

FUNDAMENTO: Todavía no se aclaró totalmente si la resistencia/deficiencia insulínica lleva directamente a la aterogénesis o a través de su asociación con otros factores de riesgo como los niveles de lipoproteína (a) [Lp(a)]. OBJETIVO: : El objetivo del estudio fue establecer la relación entre los niveles basales de insulina, lípidos y lipoproteína (a) en pacientes con diabetes mellitus (DM) tipo 2. MÉTODOS: Se extrajeron muestras de sangre en ayuno y se determinaron los niveles de insulina, lipoproteína (a), colesterol total (CT), triglicéridos (TG), lipoproteína de baja densidad (LDL-C), lipoproteína de alta densidad (LDL-C), glucosa y hemoglobina glicosilada (HbA1c) en 60 pacientes con DM tipo 2 y 28 individuos sanos. Dividimos a los pacientes en dos grupos basados en los niveles basales de insulina: > 10 µIU/ml y < 10 µIU/ml. RESULTADOS: : Los niveles de insulina eran más altos en los individuos diabéticos que en los controles [p < 0,05]. Los niveles de CT (p< 0,01), LDL-C (p< 0,05), razón CT/HDL (p< 0,01), y TG (p< 0,05) eran más altos y los niveles de HDL- C eran significantemente más bajos en ambos grupos de diabéticos, cuando comparados a los controles. Los niveles de Lp(a) eran significantemente más bajos en diabéticos con insulina basal > 10 µIU/ml comparados con aquellos que presentaban insulina basal < 10 µIU/ml (p < 0.05). El análisis de regresión evidenció una relación significante de la Lp(a) con los niveles de insulina (r = 0,262, p < 0,05) y razón insulina glucosa(r = 0,257, p < 0,05). CONCLUSIÓN: Los niveles de Lp(a) se correlacionan inversamente con los niveles de insulina en pacientes con DM tipo 2. Los niveles de Lp(a) pueden ser uno de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes con DM tipo 2 con mayor duración de la enfermedad.