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Little is known regarding effects of azo-dyes on soil organic matter cycling in soil. Therefore, this lab study was carried out in Government College University Faisalabad to understand effects of varying concentrations (100, 200, 400 mg kg-1 ) of reactive black (RB5), direct red (DR) and, acid yellow (AY) on soil organic matter cycling in a sandy loam, a clay loam, and a loam. Soils were mixed with the aforementioned dyes and incubated in lab for 636 hrs. Results revealed that DR induced change of -52 to +53%, -8 to -58%, and -50 to +8% on soil respiration rate in sandy loam, loam and clay loam soils respectively in first 160 h of incubation. RB5 induced a change of -52 to +49%, -38 to +9%, and -67 to -15% whereas, the AY induced a change of -54 to +36%, -34 to +24%, and -75 to -6% in respiration rate in sandy loam, loam and clay loam soils respectively during the same incubation time. The microbial biomass C (MBC) did not show any significant change in response to any azo dye in loam soil. Metabolic quotient indicated that the clay loam soil experienced the highest toxicity in response to DR and RB5 among the three soils. Overall, our study shows that not all the dyes are toxic to SOM cycling and that is dependent on the type of the azo dye as well as the intrinsic characteristics of the soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was carried out in order to assess the effects of micronutrients (B, Fe, Zn) on the yield and quality of Kinnow (Citrus reticulata Blanco). Citrus is an important fruit crop of Pakistan and micronutrients are not only important for yield and quality of citrus but also for the human health. This experiment consisted of different soil treatments and foliar applications of B, Zn and Fe either alone or in combinations. The results revealed that the highest concentrations of these three micronutrients in soil were found where 20 g B, 40 g Zn and 100 g Fe were applied per plant, respectively through soil application. The highest concentrations of these micronutrients in the leaves of Kinnow were found in the individual treatments of foliar spray of 0.03 % B, 0.1 % Zn and 0.25 % Fe, respectively, followed by the combined application of B, Zn and Fe with concentration of 0.03%, 0.1% and 0.25%. Soil that had combined treatment, B: 10 g plant-1, Zn: 20 g plant-1, Fe: 50 g plant-1 gave the highest yield of fruit and juice content. Fruit drop was the highest in control and the lowest for 20 g B soil application. Total sugars, reducing sugars and TSS were the highest for 40 g Zn as soil application, followed by the combined treatment of B:10 g plant-1, Zn:20 g plant-1, Fe:50 g plant-1 . The non-reducing sugars were the highest in the case of combined soil application of B, Zn and Fe. It is concluded that the micronutrients application is a suitable approach for increasing the quality and yield of Kinnow [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]