High-altitude soils potentially store a large pool of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). The assessment of total C and N stocks in soils is vital to understanding the C and N dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, we examined effects of altitude and forest composition on soil C and N along a transect from 317 to 3300 m a.s.l. in the eastern Himalayas. We used meta-analysis to establish the context for our results on the effects of altitude on soil C, including variation with depth. Total C and N contents of soils significantly increased with altitude, but decreased with soil depth. Carbon and N were similarly correlated with altitude and temperature, and temperature was seemingly the main driver of soil C along the altitudinal gradient. Altitude accounted for 73% of the variation in C and 47% of the variation in N stocks. Soil pH and cation exchange capacity were correlated with both soil C and N stocks. Increases in soil C and N stocks were related to forest composition, forest basal area as well as quantity of leaf litter that were in turn influenced by altitude and temperature. Concentrations of C in foliage increased by 2.1% for every 1000 m rise in altitude, while that in leaf litter increased by 2.3%.

Organic agriculture can and should play an important role in solving future challenges in producing food. The low level of external inputs combined with knowledge on sustainablity minimizes environmental contamination and can help to produce more food for more people without negatively impacting our

Discovering the complexity of seed structure and function along with a number of vital processes such as seed growth and development, germination are important factors in unlocking the secrets of consistent crop yield.Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), a multi-purpose annual, dryland-adapted, forage, legume crop is cultivated in different parts of the world with great potential for introduction under suitable agro-climatic zones in subSaharan Africa and Latin America. Fenugreek seed is used extensively for its medicinal, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical properties. It is effective in the treatment of diabetes, hyperglycaemia (thyroxine-induced type) and hypercholesterolemia. This review discusses seed physiological processes and several important biochemical seed constituent, e.g., steroidal sapogenins (diosgenin), polysaccharide fiber (galactomannan), amino acid (4-hydroxyisoleucine), etc, with important medicinal and pharmacological characteristics impacting human and animal health. However, there are noticeable differences in the quality of several phytochemicals found in fenugreek seed possibly due to variations in plant genotypes and agroclimatic conditions under which the crop is grown. Hence, it is important to note that for consistent seed yield and quality of fenugreek cultivars there is an urgent need for Communicated by A.

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