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SUMMARYA field experiment was conducted to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of poultry manure, urea N and the integrated use of both in changing soil properties, nutrient uptake, yield and yield attributes of maize grown at Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Treatments include control without any amendment (N0); urea N (UN) = 120 kg N ha−1 (N120U); UN = 150 kg N ha−1(N150U); poultry manure (PM) = 120 kg N ha−1(N120PM); PM = 150 kg N ha−1(N150PM); UN = 90 kg N ha−1+ PM = 30 kg N ha−1(N90U+30PM); UN = 60 kg N ha−1+ PM = 60 kg N ha−1(N60U+60PM); UN = 30 kg N ha−1+ PM = 90 kg N ha−1(N30U+90PM). N fertilization from different sources and combinations increased dry matter yield from 5206 kg ha−1 in the control to 5605–5783 kg ha−1 and grain yield increased from 1911 kg ha−1 to 2065–3763 kg ha−1. Application of the highest rate of urea N recorded the highest grain yields of 3763 kg ha−1, double the control. The proportional increase for N90U+30PM and N60U+60PM was 85 and 83% while PM alone gave lower yields (41 and 44%) than the respective urea N treatments. Integrated use of urea + PM proved superior to other treatments in enhancing the uptake of N, P and K in plants. Averaged across two years, uptake of N, P and K in N90U+30PM and N60U+60PM was 88 and 85, 16.5 and 17.5, and 48.5 and 53.5 kg ha−1, respectively compared to 52.5, 11.5 and 33.5 kg ha−1 in the control. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) varied from 29% in PM treatments to 30–39% in combined treatments while NUE of 40% was recorded for urea N treatments. Application of PM lowered soil bulk density from 1.19 t m−3 in the control to 1.10 and 1.05 t m−3 in N120PM and N150U, enhanced pH from 7.39 to 7.65 and 7.78 and increased soil organic matter (22 and 32%), total N (21 and 26%), available P (44 and 55%) and available K (10 and 15%) compared with the control. Economic analysis suggested the use of 50% recommended mineral N (60 kg N ha−1) with PM saves the mineral N fertilizer by almost 50% compared to a system with only mineral N application. In addition, increase in N efficiency, plant nutrition and soil fertility associated with combined treatment would help to minimize the use of high cost synthetic mineral fertilizers and represents an environmentally and agronomically sound management strategy.

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Effect of Rhizobium inoculation and NP fertilization on growth, yield and nodulation of soybean (Glycine max L.) in the sub-humid hilly region of Rawalakot Azad This research experiment was conducted to examine the effect of Rhizobium inoculation (RI) and P fertilization (P) on nodulation, growth and yield characteristics of soybean grown in the presence of starter N fertilizer (N). Treatments included: i) 02 levels of RI (RI 0, RI 1 ), ii) 02 levels of P (P 0 , P 1 that is, P 2 O 5 @ 90 kg ha -1 ) iii) 03 levels of N (N 0 , N 1 and N 2 that is, N at of 25 and 50 kg N ha -1 ) iv) 03 replication. Results of the experiment revealed that total number of nodules increased from 73 in the un-inoculated control to 125 and 95 following the application of RI and P representing 70 and 30% increase over control. N supply did not affect the number of nodules; however, combination of RI and P with 25 kg N ha -1 (RI 1 P 1 N 1 ) produced the highest number of nodules (152). RI, P, N and their combinations increased shoot and root biomass. Seed yield in the control was 767 kg ha -1 that significantly increased to 1081, 907 and 940 kg ha -1 following the application of RI, P and N demonstrating a 41, 18 and 23% increase over control. The highest seed yield of 1208 kg ha -1 was recorded in the combine treatment of RI 1 P 1 N 1 indicating 57% increase over control. Relative increase in dry matter yield due to RI, P and N was 63, 46 and 49%. Seed protein content in different treatments ranged between 33 -40% while oil content ranged between 13 -18%. Application of RI, P and their combinations increased protein content by 6 -22% while increase in oil content was 12 -35%. Concentrations of N and P in plants and their uptake was significantly increased and relative increase in N uptake due to RI, P and K was 77, 21 and 31% , respectively, while the corresponding increase in P uptake was 79, 92 and 56%. It was found that the efficiency of RI and P fertilization increased substantially with the application of 25 kg N ha -1 but the efficiency decreased when N supply increased from 25 kg N ha -1 to 50 kg N ha -1 . The results demonstrate the potential benefits of using Rhizobium inoculation and P fertilization with reduced level of N as starter fertilizer in order to achieve plant-growth promotion, increased nodulation and seed yield of soybean.

The recent amendments notified by the Government of India, for conducting clinical trial, is greatly appreciable as promoting safety and well-being of human subjects. These rules clearly state that medical management of injuries in clinical trials is mandatory, and clinical trial-related injury or death needs to be compensated over and above the medical management. These rules need to be reconsidered for simplification and better understanding of issues regarding compensation. There is a need of clarity at some points which should be discussed with all stakeholders for better understanding of current regulations. In our view, attention must also be given to academic investigators, during discussion to promote availability of cost-effective treatment in India.

Unani System of Medicine (USM) is being practised as traditional, alternative and complementary medicine in India and other countries. In this system of medicine, medicinal plants are extensively used in the treatment of various kind of diseases since time immemorial. Herbo-mineral origin drugs are the main components of Unani Pharmacopoeia. Jamun (Syzygium cumini Linn) is one of the medicinal plants used for therapeutic purposes in Dhayābīṭus Ḥārr (diabetes mellitus),  Ishāl-e- Damwī (haemorrhagic diarrhoea), Is’haal-i-Safrāwī (bilious diarrhoea), Ḍu‘f al-Ishtihā’(loss of appetite), Zaḥīr (dysentery) and Qulā (oral ulcer). In recent past its fruits, seeds, leaves, stem bark and its secondary metabolites have shown medicinal properties in various experimental and clinical studies. In this review we have tried to explore its ethno-botanical uses and pharmacological actions described in classical literature and scientific publications based on experimental studies. It is found that this plant plays an important role in prevention and management of non-communicable diseases such as Dhayābīṭus Ḥārr (diabetes mellitus), Sarṭān (cancer), Niqris (gout), ischaemic heart disease etc. Several preclinical studies have revealed that it has Muḥallil-i- Awrām (anti-inflammatory), Muḥāfiẓ-i- Qalb (cardio protective), Dafi‘-i-Ḥummā (anti-pyretic) and Muqawwī-i-Jigar (hepatotonic) properties. It also possesses anti-diabetic potential activity and considered as a potent anti-diabetic plant. Keywords: Unani, Jamun, Syzygium, Antidiabetic, Anti-inflammatory, Hepatoprotective