A field experiment was conducted with tea cultivar UPASI-9 over a period of 9 years to evaluate the long-term effects of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilizers on yield, biochemical parameters, soil and leaf nutrient status. The yield increase was as high as 66% over the control for N application of 450 kg ha −1 year −1 . Polyphenol and amino acid contents increased with increase in K application rate. Positive and significant correlation was found between nitrate reductase activity and the amino acid content of the tea shoots. While ammoniacal nitrogen in the soil was not affected by the application of fertilizer, ammonium acetate extractable K increased. The failure to apply fertilizer resulted in depletion of the organic matter status of the soil. Although increased rate of nitrogen application increased the overall yield of made tea (kg ha −1 year −1 ), the specific yield (kg kg −1 N) declined. The soil tended to become acidic from frequent application of high doses of nitrogenous fertilizer. The leaf NK status was significantly influenced by the various treatments.

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Labelling of scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus concanesis Pocock) venom was successfully achieved with Tc 99m using direct tin reduction procedure. Biodistribution studies were carried out in Wistar rats at different time intervals after i.v. administration of the labelled venom. Scintiimages were obtained after scorpion envenoming using a large field of view gamma camera to ascertain the pharmacological action of venom in the body. Within 5 min of administration, labelled venom was found in the blood (27.7%), muscle (30.11%), bone (13.3%), kidneys (11.5%), liver (10.4%), and other organs. The level of venom in the kidneys was higher than in the liver. The labelled venom was excreted through renal and hepatobiliary pathways. An immunoreactivity study was carried out in rabbits after i.v. injection of labelled scorpion venom followed by the injection of the species specific antivenom. A threefold increase in uptake by the kidneys was observed compared with that seen with scorpion venom alone. The neutralisation of the venom in the kidneys was higher than in the liver

The quality aspects of CTC (crush, tear and curl) black teas were examined against different sources of potassium fertiliser. Potassium supplied as muriate of potash (MOP) improved the liquor components such as theaflavin (TF), thearubigin (TR) and TF/TR ratio at higher levels. The same effect was noticed at lower level itself when the source of K was changed to sulfate of potash (SOP). Termination of K application reduced the TF/TR ratio drastically. The entity responsible for strength, body and colour of tea brew, namely highly polymerised substances, attained its optimum proportion at an NK ratio of 1:0.21 using SOP. Generally, there was a good response from SOP-treated blocks to caffeine. The flavour index was a maximum at a 1:0.42 NK ratio, using SOP. A slight peak and trough were observed in the case of crude fibre content and water extract over control and MOP-treated blocks. The leaf K content was negatively correlated with CFC content of made tea. An antagonism was observed between leaf K and Mg.