V. K. Mishra

Fluoride in the Environment and Its Metabolism in Humans

The presence of environmental fluoride and its impact on human health is well documented. When consumed in adequate quantity, fluoride prevents dental caries, assists in the formation of dental enamels, and prevents deficiencies in bone mineralization. At excessive exposure levels, ingestion of fluoride causes dental fluorosis skeletal fluorosis, and manifestations such as gastrointestinal, neurological, and urinary problems. The distribution of fluoride in the environment is uneven and largely is believed to derive from geogenic causes. The natural sources of fluoride are fluorite, fluorapatite, and cryolite, whereas anthropogenic sources include coal burning, oil refining, steel production, brick-making industries, and phosphatic fertilizer plants, among others. Among the various sources of fluoride in the environment, those of anthropogenic origin have occasionally been considered to be major ones. The gourndwater is more susceptible to fluoride accumulation and contamination than are other environmental media, primarily because of its contact with geological substrates underneath. The high fluoride concentration in water usually reflects the solubility of fluoride (CaF₂). High concentrations are also often associated with soft, alkaline, and calcium-deficient waters. The fluoride compounds that occur naturally in drinking water are almost totally bioavailable (90%) and are completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, drinking water is considered to be the potential source of fluoride that causes fluorosis. Because the bioavailability of fluoride is generally reduced in humans when consumed with milk or a calcium-rich diet, it is highly recommended that the inhabitants of fluoride-contaminated areas should incorporate calcium-rich foods in their routine diet. Guidelines for limiting the fluoride intake from drinking water have been postulated by various authorities. Such limits are designed to protect public health and should reflect all fluoride intake sources, including dietary fluoride. The toxicological risks posed by fluoride could be better understood if epidemiological surveillance for dental and skeletal fluorosis would be systematically conducted in fluoride-affected areas. Such input would greatly improve understanding of the human dose-response relationship. Such surveillance of potentially high fluoride areas is also important because it would help to delineate, much earlier, the remedial measures that are appropriate for those areas.

DIAGNOSIS AND RECOMMENDATION INTEGRATED SYSTEM APPROACH FOR NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS, POTASSIUM, AND ZINC FOLIAR DIAGNOSTIC NORMS FOR AONLA IN CENTRAL INDO-GANGETIC PLAINS

A survey was conducted for the nutritional status of aonla orchards in the state of Uttar Pradesh lying in Central Indo-Gangetic plains. Preliminary diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) norms were established for different nutrient ratios and used to compute the DRIS indices, which assessed the nutrient balance and order of limitations to yield. Maximum fruit yield of 40.2 kg plant−1 was recorded for the plants at the age group of 10–15 years and lowest yield was recorded 28.3 kg plant−1 in the age of above 20 years. Nutrient sufficiency ranges for aonla derived from DRIS norms were 1.30– 1.64, 0.054–0.092, 0.40–0.64%, and 32.4–45.9 ppm for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn), respectively. On the basis of these sufficiency ranges 33, 51, 47, and 46% of samples were found sufficient whereas 34, 22, 18 and 27% of samples were low and 26, 8, 1 and 17% deficient in N, P, K, and Zn, respectively. When compared age wise, a relative deficiency for N, P, and K corresponding to relative sufficiency for Zn was detected by DRIS technique for the plants above the age group of 15 onwards. For the younger orchards (5yrs old) a relative deficiency of N, Zn, and K corresponding to the relative sufficiency of P was detected. Nitrogen was found most limiting elements in all age group of plant. When the DRIS indices were compared on basis of soil pH, Zn and K was found to be relatively lesser in order of requirement than N and P.

Post tsunami changes in soil properties of Andaman Islands, India.

A post tsunami study was conducted to assess the changes in soil properties in the Andaman Island, in India. The present study reported tsunami led conversion of acid soils to saline acid soils and acid sodic soils to acid saline sodic soils in the areas South Andaman inundated during tsunami and permanently receded later and in the low-lying area submerged during high tides. Upon intense leaching acid saline soils and acid saline sodic may further develop typical characteristics of acidic soils and acidic sodic soil, respectively. The soil at Guptapara inundated almost due to tsunami with minimal pyrite oxidation has potential to develop into highly acidic soils upon drainage. The tsunami by and large has modified some depositional layer affecting the salt accumulation to a greater extent and iron to a lesser extent and least to sodicity.

Growth, Oil Yield, and Ion Partitioning in Basil Grown on Sodic Soils

Abstract A field experiment was conducted on sodic soil during its rainy seasons of 2004 and 2005 to evaluate five germplasms of Ocimum basilicum (viz. CSLT 5, CSLT 9, CSLT‐12, CSLT‐12‐1, and CSLT‐13) for their growth performance, their oil yield, chemical constituents of their oil, and ion‐partitioning characteristics in different parts of the plants. The highest shoot yield was recorded in CSLT‐12, followed by CSLT‐9 and CSLT‐13. The highest oil yield was recorded in CSLT‐13, followed by CSLT‐12‐1. This indicated that a high herbage yield does not always result in a high oil yield. Germplasm CSLT‐12 and CSLT‐12‐1 seemed to have better adaptation in sodic soil then other germplasms on the basis of root architecture and root density. Germplasm CSLT‐5 was of the linalool chemotype, yielding 62.36% linalool in oil, whereas CSLT‐13 and CSLT‐9 were methyl chavicol chemotypes, yielding 69.59% and 56.98% of methyl chavicol, respectively. Germplasms CSLT 12 and CSLT 12‐1 are intermediate types that yielded 48.86% of methyl chavicol and 43.37% of linalool. The root, stem (main branch), and laterals (primary branches) were better sodium (Na)+accumulators then leaves and inflorescences. On the other hand, leaves were better chloride (Cl−) accumulators than roots. A higher K+/Na+ ratio was found in the immature leaves than in the matured leaves.

Resource conservation strategies for rice-wheat cropping systems on partially reclaimed sodic soils of the Indo-Gangetic region, and their effects on soil carbon

The Indo‐Gangetic plain is characterized by intensive agriculture, largely by resource‐poor small and marginal farmers. Vast swathes of salt‐affected areas in the region provide both challenges and opportunities to bolster food security and sequester carbon after reclamation. Sustainable management of reclaimed soils via resource conservation strategies, such as residue retention, is key to the prosperity of the farmer, as well as increases the efficiency of expensive initiatives to further reclaim sodic land areas, which currently lay barren. After five years of experimentation on resource conservation strategies for rice‐wheat systems on partially reclaimed sodic soils of the Indo‐Gangetic region, we evaluated changes in different soil carbon pools and crop yield. Out of all resource conservation techniques which were tested, rice‐wheat crop residue addition (30% of total production) was most effective in increasing soil organic carbon (SOC). In rice, without crop residue addition (WCR), soils under zero‐tillage with transplanting, summer ploughing with transplanting and direct seeding with brown manuring showed a significant increase in SOC over the control (puddling in rice, conventional tillage in wheat). In these treatments relatively higher levels of carbon were attained in all aggregate fractions compared to the control. Soil aggregate sizes in meso (0.25‐2.0 mm) and macro (2‐8 mm) ranges increased, whereas micro (> 0.25 mm) fractions decreased in soils under zero‐till practices, both with and without crop residue addition. Direct seeding with brown manuring and zero tillage with transplanting also showed an increase of 135% and 95%, respectively, over the control in microbial biomass carbon, without crop residue incorporation. In zero tillage with transplanting treatment, both with and without crop residue showed significant increase in soil carbon sequestration potential. Though the changes in accrued soil carbon did not bring about significant differences in terms of grain yield, overall synthesis in terms of balance between yield and carbon sequestration indicated that summer ploughing with transplanting and zero tillage with transplanting sequestered significantly higher rates of carbon, yet yielded on par with conventional practices. These could be appropriate alternatives to immediately replace conventional tillage and planting practices for rice‐wheat cropping systems in the sodic soils of the Indo‐Gangetic region.

Changes in Soil Aggregate-Associated Organic Carbon and Nitrogen after Ten Years under Different Land-Use and Soil-Management Systems in Indo-Gangetic Sodic Soil

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different land uses and soil-management systems (LU and SMS) on key soil physicochemical indicators [aggregate stability, distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC), and nitrogen (N) in aggregate fractions] and to interpret significance of long-term cultivation of agroforestry plantations [Prosopis juliflora L. (AFP) and Casuarina equisetifolia L. (AFC)], horticultural plantations [(Tamarindus indica (HI) and Syzygium cumini (HJ)], and rice–wheat system (RW) in sodic soil of the Indo-Gangetic plain. Soil samples collected from the different LU and SMS plots were analyzed. The barren sodic soil (BSS) exhibited the least mean weight aggregate diameter (0.21), whereas AFP recorded the greatest (0.59). Total N content in surface soil under RW system was about the same as AFP, AFC, HI, and HJ and significantly greater than BSS. Across the LU and SMS except BSS, microaggregates recorded a narrower C/N ratio than macro- and mesoaggregates.

Bio-concentration of fluoride in Lady's finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) grown in contaminated alkaline soil and evaluation of exposure risk in human

A pot culture study was conducted to evaluate the bio-accumulation of fluoride (F) in terms of bio-concentration factor (BCF) in Ladys finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) when grown in sodium F (NaF) contaminated alkaline soil. Toxicological exposure risk on humans in terms of estimated daily intake was assessed. It was found that the maximal F accumulation took place in roots (16.64–106.2 mg kg−1), whereas in the edible part (fruit), it varied between 39.3 to 48.51 mg kg−1 in the treatment range of 0–600 mg NaF kg−1 soil. The order of F accumulation in plant tissues followed root > leaf > fruit > shoot. The BCF values in the fruit showed a decreasing trend (6.74–5.17 mg .plant mg−1  soil), whereas in root, it increased (6.69–12.27 mg  of plant per mg   soil) with the rise in added F (100 mg F per kg soil to 600 mg F per kg soil). The risk of F exposure due to the consumption of fruit was estimated for an adult (18–70 years), which were found to be 0.001 mg kg−1 day−1 at the minimum F concentration of 39.3 mg kg−1 (dwt.) and 0.0013 mg kg−1 day−1 at the maximum F concentration of 48.51 mg kg−1 (dwt.) of fruit.

Evaluation of cultivated and wild genotypes of Lens species under alkalinity stress and their molecular collocation using microsatellite markers

In this study, 285 lentil genotypes were phenotyped under hydroponic and alkaline field conditions. Significant genotypic variation for alkalinity stress was observed among the six Lens species screened hydroponically and in the field having pH up to 9.1. The crucial parameters, like whole Na+ and K+ contents and the Na+/K+ ratio at 40 mM NaHCO3 were found significantly correlated with seedling survivability under hydroponics (r = -0.95, r = 0.93 and -0.97). Genotypes, ranked on the bases of seed yield, restricted uptake of Na+ with thick pith area, increased vascular bundles, less H2O2 production and low Na+/K+ ratio, were found important physio-anatomical traits for alkalinity stress tolerance. The proper regulation of Na+ uptake was found for maintaining higher K+. This relationship is probably the main factor responsible for a better mechanism for tolerance to high pH up to 9.1 in tolerant breeding lines PDL-1 and PSL-9 (cultivars) and ILWL-15, ILWL-192 and ILWL-20 (wild accessions). Based on UPGMA dendrogram, all the genotypes were clustered into four diverse groups. DMRT was implied within the group to differentiate genotypes based on phenotypic response under alkalinity stress. These results can be utilized for selecting diverse parents for developing alkalinity tolerant genotypes.

Temperature induced changes in wheat (Triticum aestivum) growth and yield under salt affected environment of Indo-Gangetic Plains

ABSTRACT An attempt has been made in the field conditions to evaluate the effect of atmospheric temperature rise on yield, ionic ratio (Na:K), and accumulation of antioxidative pigments in wheat in different growth stages under different soils. Five planting windows (PW) were classified, based on date of wheat sowing where the average temperature difference between a particular PW and PW-I varied from 1.33–4.24°C. Plant leaf area and root length density showed decreasing trend with increasing temperature. A low flag leaf water potential (−1.14 MPa) in sodic soil and high solute potential (−1.34 MPa) in saline-sodic soil was observed under PW-V, where high temperature difference (4.24°C) was recorded. The Na:K ratio was found to be highest in both straw and grain which were 1.802 and 1.126%, respectively, under saline-sodic conditions in PW-V. Proline and malondialdehyde concentration was highest under sodic conditions which varied between 2.82–2.95 mg g−1 fresh weight (FW) and 18.38–30.18 nmol g−1 FW, respectively, under maximum temperature difference. An increase in temperature (>1°C) significantly reduced grain yield (>10%) that was negatively correlated with Na+ (r = −0.78) but positively with K+ (r = +0.62) concentrations under saline-sodic conditions, however under sodic conditions, it was positively correlated with K+ (r = +0.63) concentration. Therefore, looking in to the climate change scenario, shifting planting window of wheat sowing may be helpful in mitigating the negative effects of heat and salt stress on wheat crop.

Assessing seasonal variation of fluoride in groundwater for irrigation uses through hydro-geochemical and multivariate statistical approach

Since a considerable amount of fluoride (Fl) intake also takes place through the ingestion of foods that are grown in the contaminated soil and irrigated with elemental contaminated water, this may lead to higher risk from Fl-mediated toxicity. Therefore, in the present study, a systematic delineation and characterization of Fl in agricultural tube wells in Unnao District, India, were carried out to examine seasonal variations of this element using graphical and multivariate statistical approach. The results suggested that different natural hydro-geochemical processes such as weathering of silicates, carbonates, and various ion exchange processes are the key factors responsible for the geochemistry of the groundwater in addition to the alkalinity of water. Of the water sampled, 27.3% and 18.2% were contaminated with Fl exceeding the desirable limit of 1 mg/L as prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standards during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon season. Fluoride displayed a significant positive correlation during both seasons and the water type of the majority of the samples in both seasons was bicarbonate.