Controlling Soil Fertility Essay -- Agriculture Farming Essays

Controlling Soil Fertility Approximately 2 billion hectares of land, 17% of the total vegetated area of the earth has been degraded for agricultural purposes since 1945 (Oldeman et al., 1990). Oldeman et al. (1990) classify about half of this degraded area as still permitting agricultural use, but with greatly reduced productivity, and in the rest no agriculture is deemed possible. The causes of this degradation are overgrazing (35%), agricultural activities (28%), deforestation (30%), over exploitation (7%) and industrialization (1%). Wind and water erosion are the principal mechanisms of this soil degradation, accounting for about 56% and 28% respectively of the total; 12% is attributable to chemical degradation (due to insufficient manure and fertilizer returned to cropped areas, salinization by unwise irrigation or drainage, soil acidification not corrected by liming, and pollution caused by industrial and other urban uses) and the remaining 4% is physical degradation from compaction or flooding. (Oldeman et al., 1990) Moreover, it has become increasingly evident that although crop yields seem to be increasing, they are increasing at a decreasing rate. Krauss and Allmaras (1982) argue that this is largely due to the fact that in many areas, poor soil management is leading to soil degradation which is ignored as long as crop yields continue to rise. Technological advances such as improved cultivation systems, irrigation and pest control mask the negative effects of poor soil management on crop yields (Krauss and Allmaras, 1982, p85). What are the factors that contribute to the suitability of a soil for agricultural purposes? To what extent can people control these factors to halt soil degradation and maintain, enha... ..., L.R., V.W.P van Engelen, and J.H.M. Pulles. 1990. The extent of human induced soil degradation. Annex 5 of World Man of the Status of Human-Induced Soil Degradation: An Explanatory Note, rev. 2nd edn., International Soil Reference and Information Center, Wageningen, Netherlands as cited by J.Schnoor and V. Thomas, 1994, Soil as a Vulnerable Environmental System pp233-44 in R. Socolow, C. Andrews, F. Berkhour and V. Thomas (eds.), Industrial Ecology and Global Change: Cambridge University Press. Robinson, C.A., R.M. Cruse, and K.A. Kohler, 1994, Soil Management, pp 109-134 in J.L. Hatfield and D.L. Karlen (eds.) Sustainable Agricultural Systems: Boca Raton, Florida, Lewis Publishers, 316pp. USGS, 1988, Essential Elements and Soil Amendments for Plants: Sources and use for agriculture: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1017, U.S. Government Printing Office, 48pp

Food security Essay

Agriculture, with its allied sectors, is unques? onably the largest livelihood provider in India, more so in the vast rural areas. It also contributes a signi? cant ? gure to the Gross Domes? c Product (GDP). Sustainable agriculture, in terms of food security, rural employment, and environmentally sustainable technologies such as soil conserva? on, sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity protec? on, are essen? al for holis? c rural development. Indian agriculture and allied ac? vi? es have witnessed a green revolu? on, a white revolu? on, a yellow revolu?on and a blue revolu? on Food security is a condition related to the ongoing availability of food. Concerns over food security have existed throughout history. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), food security â€Å"exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life†. Ensuring food security ought to be an issue of great importance for a country like India where more than one-third of the population is estimated to be absolutely poor and one-half of all children malnourished in one way or another. There have been many emerging issues in the context of food security in India in the last two decades. These are: (i) economic liberalization in the 1990s and its impact on agriculture and food security; (ii) establishment of WTO: particularly the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) under it; (iii) challenges of climate change; crisis of the three Fs, viz. , food prices, fuel prices, and financial crisis; (iv) the phenomenon of hunger amidst plenty, i. e. , accumulation of stocks in the early years of this decade and in 2008-09 along with high levels of poverty; (v)introduction of targeting in the Public Distribution System (PDS) for the first time in the 1990s; (vi). ‘Right to Food’ campaign for improving food security in the country and the Supreme Court Orders on mid-day meal schemes; (vii) proposal for National Food Security Law (Right to Food); These developments in the last two decades have provided both opportunities and challenges for food and nutrition security of the country. It may be noted that the slowdown in agriculture growth could be attributed to structural factors on the supply side, such as public investment, credit, technology, land and water management, etc., rather than globalization and trade reforms per se. There are six deficits in Indian agriculture. These are: (i) investment, credit, and infrastructure deficit; (ii) land and water management deficit; (iii) research and extension (technology) deficit; (iv) market deficit; (v) diversification deficit; and (vi) institutions deficit. Reforms are needed to reduce these deficits in order to achieve the following goals of agriculture: (i) 4 per cent growth in agriculture; (ii) equity in terms of higher growth in lagging regions, small and marginal farmers, and women; and (iii) sustainability. India has government programmes such as TPDS including AAY, nutrition programmes like mid-day meals, ICDS, etc. to improve food and nutrition security. NREGS and self-employment programmes can also increase access to food and nutrition. Social protection programmes in India have helped in improving incomes as well as I providing protection to the population, especially to the poor, from shocks in the economy. However, there are lots of gaps and inefficiencies in the social protection programmes. India has many policies and programmes. However, food insecurity and malnutrition continue to be high. The problem is with both design and implementation of the programmes. The focus of reforms can now be shifted to more efficient delivery systems of public services. It has been recognized that better governance is very important for effective functioning of food-based programmes. Social mobilization, community participation and decentralized approach are necessary in this context. It may, however, to be noted that governance has to be contextualized in relation to the socio-economic environment. Appropriate institutions are needed for better implementation of policies and programmes.

Fixation and Fixatives

ALCIAN BLUE RATIONALE FOR USE Alcian blue is a water soluble, amphoteric copper phthalocyanine, which is most often used as a basic dye. In general, alcian blue has an affinity for sulfated and carboxylated groups of acid mucopolysaccharides, but the specific group demonstrated is dependent on the dye solution pH. RECOMMENDED FIXATIVES 10% neutral buffered formalin and Bouin’s fixative. AVOID Chromate Fixatives MODE OF ACTION (1, 2, 3) Alcian blue binds electrostatically with the acidic groups in the mucopolysaccharide molecule.The components to be demonstrated are intensely stained if the dyer solution is used at the specific pH at which the reactive groups are fully ionized. To achieve full ionization of the reactive groups, some alcian blue methods begin with a rinsing of sections in the appropriate pH solution prior to staining with the dye solution. In general, strongly sulfated mucins react more consistently at low pH levels. Above a pH of 1. 0 their reactions are variab le. At a pH of 0. 2 only strongly sulfated mucosubstances will be demonstrated, while weak sulfated mucins stain well between a pH of 1. 0 – 2. 5, and often below 1. . Carboxylated mucins react with alcian blue at pH 2. 5. Alcian blue produces an intense greenish-blue or teal coloration. To ensure this colour is not lost during subsequent chemical and dye treatments, such as those found in the Alcian Blue-Verhoeff’s van Gieson procedure and Movat’s Pentachrome, alcian blue is converted to an insoluble pigment. By exposing alcian blue stained sections to a pre-heated 80Â °C alkaline alcohol solution, alcian blue is converted to the insoluble pigment, monastral fast blue. Further exposure of the sections to various decolorizers and dyes, fails to change the alcian blue intensity.QUALITY CONTROL AND CONTROL MATERIALS 1. Appropriate control tissues include colon and small intestine. If lung sections contain bronchi with mucous glands, are used as a control, the tec h should be aware that cartilage matrix will also stain at approximately pH 2. 5. 2. To avoid coloration of hyaluronic acid found in connective tissue matrix or amorphous ground substance, the tissue section can first be treated with a solution of testicular streptococcal hyaluronidase before staining with alcian blue. Testicular hyaluronidase requires only 2 hours of incubation versus 24 hours with streptococcal hyaluronidase. . Alcian blue powder solubility may decrease after storage of more than three years, but good staining results have been reported with dye lots older than three years (4). 4. The dye solution pH is critical to ensure demonstration of specific chemical groups. pH 0. 2 -only strongly sulfated mucins demonstrated pH1. 0 -strongly and weakly sulfated mucins pH 2. 5 -carboxylated and weakly sulfated mucins 5. To ensure the quality of staining at the appropriate pH, the section may be rinsed in the solvent solution prior to staining in the dye, i. e. , rinsing in p H 2. , 3% aqueous acetic acid solution prior to placing the sections in the pH 2. 5 alcian blue solution, which is prepared by combining alcian blue dye powder in a 3% aqueous acetic acid solution. 6. Some procedures indicate it is important to avoid rinsing the stained slides in water after treatment in alcian blue dye. Blotting the slides dry after staining is recommended. 7. It is important to avoid celloidinization of tissue sections because alcian blue has a strong affinity for celloidin. 8. A white haze may appear on the back of the glass slide after staining with nuclear fast red and contact with the air.Moistening a kimwipe or facial tissue with saliva and rubbing the back of the glass will remove the haze. Follow this with cleaning of the glass using a kimwipe moistened with 100% ethanol to remove the saliva. 9. Cut paraffin sections at 4-6 microns. REFERENCES 1. Bancroft J. D. and Stevens A. : Theory and Practice of Histological Techniques, 2nd edition. Churchhill Livingst one, 1982. 2. Kiernan J. A. : Histological and Histochemical Methods: Theory and Practice, Pergamon Press, 1981. 3. Sheehan D. C. and Hrapchak B. B. : Theory and Practice of Histotechnology, 2nd edition, C.V. Mosby Co. , 1980. 4. Shrenk E. : Note from the Biological Stain Commission-a newly certified dye-Alcian blue 8GX. Stain. Tech. 56(3), 129, 1981. ALCIAN BLUE pH 2. 5 SOLUTIONS a. 1% Alcian Blue Solution – pH 2. 5 Alcian Blue 8GX (C. I. 74240)1gm 3% Glacial acetic acid100ml (3 ml. glacial acetic acid to 97 ml. distilled water) Add a crystal of thymol to prevent mold growth. The solution can be filtered and reused. b. Nuclear Fast Red (Kernechtrot) Solution (pg. 19) PROCEDURES (1, 2) 1. Deparaffinize and hydrate slides to distilled water. (See Note 1) 2.Stain in alcian blue solution for 30 minutes. Filter solution back for reuse. (See Note 2) 3. Wash for 2 minutes in running tap water. 4. Rinse in distilled water. 5. Counterstain in nuclear fast red for 3 to 5 minutes. Quic kly transfer slides to distilled water. Filter solution back for reuse. 6. Rinse slides in distilled water. 7. Dehydrate, clear, and mount. If a cloudy haze appears on the side refer to quality control information, #8. COLOR RESULTS Carboxylated and weakly sulfated acid mucins – light blue to medium greenish blue Nuclei-reddish pink.NOTE 1. After step 1, the slides may be placed in a pH 2. 5, 3% aqueous acetic solution for 1 minute, then proceed to step 2. 2. After step 2, the slides can be blotted dry, instead of rinsing in running tap water and distilled water. Continue the procedure with step 5. REFERENCES 1. Lev R. and Spicer S. S. : Specific staining of sulphate groups, with Alcian blue at low pH. J. Histochem. Cytochem. , 12:309, 1964. 2. Sheenhan D. C. and Hrapchak B. B. : Theory and Practice of Histotechnology, 2nd edition. C. V. Mosby Co. , 1980

Motivation Tips For Students

Motivation Tips For Students Do you need motivation for doing your homework? Sometimes we all need a little prodding when it comes to getting our work done. If you ever feel like homework is pointless, you may find inspiration in the following tips. The problems below have been submitted by real students. Get Perspective! You’ve probably heard the old saying â€Å"I’ll never use this knowledge in the real world.† It’s time to set the record straight once and for all- that saying is completely false! When you start feeling like homework is a drag, it might help to start thinking about the reason you’re doing homework in the first place. The work you do now really is important, even though it’s probably hard to see sometimes. In truth, your nightly homework is work that will form the foundation for your future. Right now you are probably being forced to study topics that don’t interest you at all. It may seem cruel and unfair now, but it’s really an important and necessary â€Å"evil.† Why? Because a strong foundation must include a good mix of ingredients. You see, you may not believe that you’ll need your algebra skills later in life, but algebra sets the stage for understanding principles of science, economics, and business. It’s the same for English homework. You’ll need those skills desperately in college, and you’ll certainly need them to succeed in the world. Get an Attitude! Are you a math whiz? A great writer? Are you artistic- or maybe good at solving puzzles? Most students have a special talent in one particular area, so they enjoy doing homework on that topic. The problem comes when they avoid doing the other stuff. Sound familiar? The good news is that you don’t need to love everything. Just pick one area you love and become the self-appointed expert in your school. Get a serious attitude! Think of yourself as the very best on that one topic, and then make it a reality. For inspiration, you can create a web site or perhaps a series of podcasts about your topic. Become a star! Once you become an expert in your field, you will gain confidence in yourself and become more tolerant of the topics you don’t enjoy so much. You’ll start thinking of all your least favorite topics as â€Å"supporting† actors in your quest for a career in the area you love. Get Competitive! This problem could be real or imagined. Either way, this problem is the best kind! If you have a competitive spirit, you can have a lot of fun with this one. If you think you’re at a disadvantage to other students, you can turn things around by getting a competitive attitude. Think of every project as a challenge and set out to do your assignment better than anybody else. Try to surprise everyone- including the teacher- by doing outstanding work. If you feel like you are part of a misfit crowd, then it might help to team up with a friend or two. Put your heads together and plot to outdo the popular crowd. You’ll find that this can be very inspiring! Get Your Eye on the Prize! If you get bored just thinking about homework, then you may need to focus on setting and reaching goals. For instance, if you are having trouble getting started on a big science project, then divide your project into steps. Then, reward yourself each time you finish a step successfully. Your first step could be library research. Set a timeline for visiting the library and completing your research. Think of a good way to reward yourself, like a frothy iced coffee drink or another favorite treat. Then focus on the prize and make it happen! Your parents will probably support you in this endeavor. Just ask! There are many variations to the â€Å"eye on the prize† system. You may want to create a dream box or a bulletin board with pictures of big prizes, like the college of your dreams. Fill the box or board with the objects of your dreams and make a habit of looking at them often. In other words, keep your eyes on those prizes! Get Support! It’s unfortunate but true that some students don’t receive much encouragement or support when it comes to school work. Some students don’t have any encouragement from family or don’t even have any family at all. But that doesn’t mean nobody cares. There are lots of people who care very much that you succeed in school. Just think about it- this web site wouldn’t exist if somebody didn’t want you to succeed. There are many people who care. People in your school have a big stake in your success. They are judged on your performance. If you don’t do well, they don’t do well. Adults from all walks of life are concerned about education and the plight of students just like you. The state of education is a big topic of discussion and debate among adults. If you feel like you don’t get support at home, then find an education forum and talk about it. You’ll find that there are lots of people who are interested and willing to cheer you on!

How To Get Started Submitting Poems to Publications

How To Get Started Submitting Poems to Publications So you’ve begun a collection of poems, or you’ve been writing for years and hiding them away in a drawer, and you think some of them are worthy of publication, but you don’t quite know where to begin. Heres how to begin submitting your poems for publication. Get Started With Research Begin by reading all the poetry books and periodicals you can get your hands on - use the library, browse the poetry section of your local independent bookstore, go to readings.Keep a publication notebook: When you find poems you admire or a poetry magazine that publishes work similar to your own, write down the editor’s name and the name and address of the journal.Read the journal’s submission guidelines and write down any unusual requirements (double-spacing, more than one copy of submitted poems, whether they accept simultaneous multiple submissions or previously published poems).Read Poets Writers Magazine, Poetry Flash or your local poetry newsletter to find publications calling for submissions.Make up your mind that you are not going to pay reading fees in order to send out your poems for publication. Get Your Poems Publication-Ready Type or print clean copies of your poems on plain white paper, one to a page, and put your copyright date, name and return address at the end of each poem.When you have a good number of poems typed up (say, 20), put them into groups of four or five - either putting together sequences on similar themes, or making a diverse group to show your versatility - your choice.Do this when you are fresh and can keep your distance: read each group of poems as if you were an editor reading them for the first time. Try to understand the effect of your poems as if you had not written them yourself.When you’ve chosen a group of poems to send to a particular publication, reread them once more to be sure you’ve met all the submission requirements. Send Your Poems Out Into the World For most poetry journals, it’s fine to send a group of poems with a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) and without a cover letter.Before you seal the envelope, write the titles of each poem you’re submitting, the name of the journal you’re sending them to and the date in your publication notebook.Keep your poems out there being read. If a grouping of poems comes back to you with a rejection note (and many will), do not allow yourself to take it as a personal judgment: find another publication and send them out again within a few days.When a group of poems is returned and the editor has kept one or two for publication, pat yourself on the back and record the acceptance in your publication notebook - then combine the remaining poems with new ones and send them out again. Tips: Don’t try to do this all at once. Work a little on it every day or every other day, but save your time and mental energy for actually reading and writing poetry.If you do write a cover letter, make it a very brief note explaining why you chose their publication to submit your work. You want the editor to focus on your poems, not your publication credits.Don’t get too involved in trying to psych out a particular editor’s preferences. Inevitably, many of your poems will come back to you rejected- and you will occasionally be totally surprised by what a particular editor has chosen.Don’t expect detailed critiques from poetry magazine editors who have not accepted your work for publication.If you want specific responses to your poems, join a workshop, post in an online forum, or go to readings and gather a group of poet-friends to read and comment on each others work.Making this kind of connection in the poetry community may also lead you to publication, becau se lots of reading series and workshops end up publishing anthologies of their members’ poems. What You Need: Stamps#10 envelopesNice plain white paperClean copies of poems

MANAGEMENT & ORGANIS BEHAVIOUR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

MANAGEMENT & ORGANIS BEHAVIOUR - Essay Example a) Structure: The Company is faced with an issue of conflict management and there is a lack of good team work. Alpha has several excellent leaders like Mr. Ian Davidson. Captain Chubb, Mr. Ang, however due to the behavior of Mr. Ang and his hasty decisions the company has been faced with a very poor performance. The company also lacks a clear organizational structure and there is a confused organizational structure that is being followed within the company. This causes the performance to be reduced to a great extent and leads the overall team work to be overlooked. b) Leadership: Although Alpha has a strong set of leaders and a great management team all together the company still does not perform well. This is simply due to lack of qualities to lead the team as well as the time management issue by most leaders. The company also lacks a strong leader who can perform as per the needs of the company and in line with the needs of the employees as well. c) Strategies, Culture and Motivation: Alpha utilizes a very centralized approach of management within the organization currently. This also causes high levels of stress and leads to lowered motivation among the employees. The main cause of the stress that is being present in the company is due to the lack of a strong company structure. Also the lack of strong and well structured leadership leads to high levels of politics and confusions among the employees. There is also a clear cognitive dissonance among the leaders of the teams which in turn leads to the employees not being sure of the work they need to do and also causing a very stressful and uncooperative behavior among all the members of the teams. d) Rewards System and Job Satisfaction: The level of job satisfaction is relatively low and the reward systems that are in place at the current time require a great deal of change and improvements. The employees need to have a better reward system to help improve the motivation and also to focus on a

Timeline Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Timeline - Essay Example The American Revolution took place during 1775 and 1783 and was led by George Washington. The purpose of the American Revolution was to gain freedom and equality for every man and woman in the United States. They felt that since everyone was created equally, they should be treated equally as well. George Washington took it upon himself to make sure that the United States became the great country of equality that it is today. July 4, 1776 brought about the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a document that guaranteed the freedom of people living in America. Many important figures took place in this event, including John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Hancock, all of whom were among those to sign the Declaration. It was on this day that the United States gained its independence from other countries and powers that used to be stronger than the United States of America. The previously mentioned men helped to make it possible. Almost a decade later, on September 17, 1787, the Constitution of the United States was introduced to a land that was steadily becoming freer and more equal for all who lived there. The Constitution contains the basic freedoms of Americans, from being able to vote to being treated equally in society regardless of race, gender, nationality, or religion. George Washington and James Madison were among those present for the introduction of the Constitution, and played important roles in the adaptation of the new laws. On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln announced an end to slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation, an order introduced during the American Civil War. This order proclaimed freedom for more than three million slaves, five hundred thousand of which were immediately freed. The rest of the slaves were freed as the war become worse. Because of the Emancipation Proclamation, it is now illegal to own slaves in the United States, as well as in other countries