There is limited understanding of the effects of rice residue biochar, particularly when applied in combination with nitrogen (N) fertilizer on soil fertility, soil C sequestration and crop productivity. A one-year pot experiment was established to examine effects of rice residue biochar (0, 10, 20 and 40 t ha -1 ) and N (0, 60, 90, 120 and 150 kg N ha -1 ) in soils with contrasting texture (loamy sand and sandy clay loam) in a wheat-maize cropping sequence. Biochar was only applied once before sowing wheat. Biochar alone or in combination with N did not significantly increase wheat biomass in both soils, whereas biomass of maize (next crop) was significantly increased from the residual effect of biochar, alone or in combination with N fertilizer. In both soils, electrical conductivity (EC) and pH, oxidisable organic carbon (OC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and available nutrients (NPK) increased with increasing rates of biochar addition. However, addition of N with biochar (cf. biochar alone) did not change pH and oxidisable OC values but increased EC significantly. After one year, the soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks increased beyond the input of biochar-C, that is, by 0.1-2.1 t ha -1 and 1.8-4.8 t ha -1 in loamy sand and sandy clay loam, respectively, across all treatments. It may be concluded that the potential benefits of rice residue biochar to soil functions and crop production may encourage growers to minimise open field burning of straw, which is a common practice in the region.

No abstract

No abstract

Tinospora is highly distributed in the tropical and subtropical region of India. This climbing deciduous shrub widely reported in China, Bangladesh and Srilanka. The plant is rich in many phytoconstituents that are useful in drug designing. It is highly used against cancer, tumour suppression, and act as an anti-allergic compound. It is commonly known as gudhuchi, belongs to the family Menispermeaceae. Tinospora is most valuable herb known for its medicinal properties from Vedic periods and cures various diseases such as malaria, asthma and urinary disorders. The genus Tinospora consists of many classes of chemicals such as alkaloids, diterpenoids lactones, steroids, aliphatic compounds and polysaccharides. It is the best remedy for both children as well as adults against respiratory tract diseases. The plant shows various antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-neoplastic and hepatoprotective properties. In this review article medicinal property, chemical constituents and full description have been explored.

No abstract

No abstract

Plantain or unripe banana is a starchy food that contains a high proportion of indigestible compounds, such as resistant starch, non-starch polysaccharides and is gluten free. The objective of this study was to analyze the functional and pasting properties of plantain flour (PF) for preparation of gluten free muffins. Plantain flour had more water absorption (2.62 g/g), oil absorption (1.92 g/g), swelling power(10.75) and better pasting properties as compared to wheat flour (WF). Muffins were prepared from whole plantain flour and compared with wheat flour muffins. Muffins were evaluated for specific volume, color and sensory parameters. PF muffins had more content of Ca (27.18 mg/Kg), Mg (17.21 mg/Kg), K (122.2 mg/Kg), specific volume (2 cc/g), lighter in color and liked more by sensory panel as compared to WF muffins. The possibility of developing gluten free products with PF can expand the product supply for people with celiac disease and contribute to a more diverse diet.

No abstract