Soil organic matter is considered as a key attribute of soil fertility and productivity because of its importance in physical, chemical as well as biological properties of soil. Most of the soil organic matter or organic carbon is formed by the biological transformation of plant and animal residues into humic substances (humic acid, fulvic acid and humin). The objective of this study was to quantify the extractable fractions of humic acid, fulvic acid and humin (humic substances) from tea soils of south India and to determine the distribution of organic carbon among them. Soil samples were collected from seven tea growing regions of south India based on different organic matter status. Humic acid, fulvic acid and humin were extracted by adopting classical method with certain modifications and organic carbon was determined in the above fractions as per standard method. The results showed that the yield of humic acid fraction was higher compared to fulvic acid fraction. Organic carbon had a positive correlation with humic acid fraction. The carbon content of humic acid fraction was higher when compared to fulvic and humin fractions. The Pearson correlation coefficient worked out between carbon content soil and humic acid fraction showed positive and significant correlation. It can be concluded from this study that the yield of humic acid fraction is positively correlated with soil organic matter and the distribution of organic carbon was higher in humic acid fraction compared to other fractions such as fulvic acid and humin which revealed that humic acid fraction plays a vital role in balancing the carbon content of tea soils in south India.

Corona virus is a virulent virus capable of producing respiratory disease. A recently identified strain (SARS-CoV-2) of coronavirus, has caused a worldwide pandemic of respiratory illness, called COVID-19. The objective of this study was to identify the clinical features of coronavirus disease 2019 in confirmed cases. This project was designed for retrospective analysis of COVID-19 patients, these patients were admitted in Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan during April 24 to august 24, 2020. The mean age of COVID-19 patients was 55 years. The male patients accounted for 68%. None of the patient was asymptomatic while Common symptoms at onset of illness were low grade fever (72%), Cough, Malaise, Chest Pain, Tightness, Sore throat without any warning sign (28%), Shortness of Breath with respiratory Rate > 25/min (50%) while (20%) patients developed Respiratory Rate > 30/Min, SpO 2 levels < 93 % were presented in (50%) patients; less common symptoms were High Grade Fever> 100 degree Centigrade (10%). In critically ill patients respiratory Failure (where mechanical ventilation required) developed in (28%) patients and (4%) developed septic shock. Co-morbid conditions presented with the covid-19 were cardiovascular disease (22%), Diabetes Mellitus (24%), asthma (2%), COPD (52%) and kidney disease (4%). There was increase in C-reactive protein (CRP) level (28%), D-Dimer (28%), LDH level (28%), ferritin (30%). None of the patient had developed Confusion, Lethargy, Agitation, Restlessness, and Multi Organ Disfunction Syndrome. Five (10%) of 50 patients expired while others had shown significant improvement in health. The most common symptoms of covid-19 patient at onset of illness were low grade fever, Shortness of Breath, low SpO2 levels, Cough, Malaise, Chest Pain, Tightness leading to respiratory failure and increased levels in C-reactive protein, D-Dimer, LDH and ferritin. Co-morbid conditions presented with the covid-19 were cardiovascular disease and Diabetes Mellitus.