humour

Weekend storms kill 10 in US

2012-03-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

Seven people were killed in Tennessee and three in northern Mississippi by a line of storms that brought heavy flooding and tornados to the region over the weekend. More rain and storms loomed Sunday as emergency officials in Tennessee sought help from the state's Army National Guard, and urged people to stay off roads and interstate highways turned into raging rivers.

At a Sunday news conference, Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen said it will likely be days before floodwaters recede enough to thoroughly assess the …

Activists assemble to blast free trade Bush wants to expand NAFTA south

2012-03-15T05:03:00.000-07:00

QUEBEC As President Bush called for an expansion of NAFTA to SouthAmerica, critics of the Summit of the Americas gathered Tuesday inCanada to demand a voice at this weekend's meeting of WesternHemisphere leaders.

More than 3,000 politicians and activists registered for the five-day "people's summit" that will culminate in a march in old QuebecCity Saturday to express displeasure with the summit talks.

Starting Friday, the leaders of 34 countries-including Bush-are todiscuss expanding the North American Free Trade Agreement to Centraland South America.

Protesters, however, say the Summit of the Americas only seeks toextend harmful trade practices to already …

Munger gives $25M of Berkshire stock to his kids

2012-03-15T02:41:00.000-07:00

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Berkshire Hathaway Inc.'s Vice Chairman Charlie Munger has given stock worth $25 million to his eight children.

Munger told The Associated Press Friday that the gifts made earlier this week were simply a sad consequence of his wife's death in February.

Each of Munger's children received 25 Class A shares of Berkshire stock on Monday when they were selling for $125,150 …

California borrowing $5B ahead of US debt crisis

2012-03-15T00:18:00.000-07:00

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California was scheduled Tuesday to borrow about $5 billion from private investors as a hedge against a possible default by the federal government.

State Treasurer Bill Lockyer planned to ask a group of banks, credit unions and investment funds for short-term loans so the state can avoid a potential cash shortage if the federal government fails to extend its debt ceiling. If that happens, the government could shortchange states on health care and education funding.

Lockyer, a Democrat, has said he is taking the step as a precaution if the federal government can't meet all its obligations.

California typically borrows money in the late summer to …

U.S. announces new arms sales to Taiwan

2012-03-14T21:57:00.000-07:00

The Pentagon on August 23 announced a $420 million arms transfer agreement with Taiwan that includes 1,299 vehiclemounted Stinger missiles, 74 standard vehicle-mounted guidedmissile launchers, 96 High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles and an additional 74 trainer missiles.

Some U.S. officials feared the sale, which was approved in May, could aggravate US-Sino relations. During National Security Adviser Anthony Lake's July trip to China, Lake assured Chinese officials that the United States would not approve any new arms sales to Taiwan this year. His visit followed the deterioration in Sino-U.S. relations in March over China's military exercises in the …

Safarova Upsets Mauresmo at French Open

2012-03-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

PARIS - Two-time Grand Slam champion Amelie Mauresmo was upset in the third round of the French Open on Saturday, losing to Lucie Safarova 6-3, 7-6 (3).

The fifth-seeded Mauresmo, who won Wimbledon and the Australian Open in 2006, also lost to Safarova while trying to defend her title at Melbourne in January.

"I was fighting for each point," said Safarova, seeded 25th in Paris. "I never give up."

Maria Sharapova reached the fourth round of the French Open for the fourth time in her career, rallying from 4-1 down in the second set to beat Alla Kudryavtseva 6-1, 6-4 despite a bothersome right shoulder.

Mauresmo led 3-0 in each set. But she double-faulted …

Filipino militants behead kidnapped farmer: police

2012-03-14T17:16:00.000-07:00

Philippine police recovered the severed head of a farm owner kidnapped by Muslim militants and authorities said Monday he was likely beheaded because his family failed to pay ransom.

Doroteo Gonzales, 61, was snatched by gunmen April 25 from his house in southern Zamboanga city and brought to nearby Basilan Island, where al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf rebels are holding at least five other people in a surge of ransom kidnappings.

At least three gunmen believed to be involved in Gonzales' abduction have been arrested, regional military spokesman Capt. Neil Estrella said, without elaborating.

Police found Gonzales' severed head in Basilan's Akbar town …

Irish host USC, hope to snap 6-game slump

2012-03-14T14:56:00.000-07:00

SOUTH BEND, Ind. The last time Notre Dame had a six-game losingstreak in basketball was in 1971-72, Digger Phelps's first year ascoach. The Irish finished with a 6-20 record.

Tonight, after a back-breaking start against some of thenation's top teams, Notre Dame is back home looking to break anothersix-game losing streak against Southern Cal and somebody called "BabyJordan."

The Irish (2-6) take on the Trojans (4-1) at the Joyce Center(7 p.m., SportsChannel) just four days after losing at UCLA 99-91.

"Right now for us the most important thing is to get a winagainst a good team," Phelps said.

Even a victory against a bad team wouldn't hurt, …

Barnes shoots 63 for lead at Asia Pacific Classic

2012-03-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

SELANGOR, Malaysia (AP) — Ricky Barnes shot an 8-under 63 Thursday to take the lead after the first round of the inaugural Asia Pacific Classic, the first PGA Tour-sanctioned event in Southeast Asia.

The 29-year-old American, seeking his first professional victory, had what he called a "stress-free" round sprinkled with eight birdies.

"I got off to a good start by making some good swings and had a 10-foot look at eagle on three which kind of got my round started," Barnes said.

Ryan Moore (64) trails by one stroke, while Canadian Open winner Carl Pettersson (65) was two back along with Brian Davis and Charlie Wi.

Moore, who arrived in Malaysia on …

Oil up near $71 despite signs of weak US demand

2012-03-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

Oil prices rose above $71 a barrel Thursday as investors weighed evidence of weak U.S. crude demand against the effects of a falling dollar.

By early afternoon in Europe, benchmark crude for January delivery was up 36 cents to $71.03 in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract dropped $1.95 to settle at $70.67 on Wednesday.

Oil has fallen about 13 percent since reaching its 2009 high of $82 a barrel in October as traders mull evidence that U.S. demand for crude and its products remains weak despite an overall economic recovery.

"The latest oil consumption figures in large parts of the world are still far off from …

Racing plan a winner

2012-03-14T07:55:00.000-07:00

Horse racing is set to get a lift from the horseless carriage.We are talking, of course, about the plans to add auto racing atSportsman's Park in Cicero.

Horse racing is losing business to riverboats. The state willnot allow racetracks to install slot machines. So it is good newsthat Sportsman's Park, Target/Chip …

Blackpool wins 2-0 at Sunderland in Premier League

2012-03-14T05:34:00.000-07:00

SUNDERLAND, England (AP) — D.J. Campbell's two second-half goals gave Blackpool a 2-0 win on Tuesday to end Sunderland's undefeated home record in the Premier League this season.

It was Blackpool's fifth away league victory since being promoted this season, having won only twice at home by comparison.

Campbell, who had previously played under …

REGULATORY

2012-03-14T03:02:00.000-07:00

EPA Removes MEK from HAP List

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA; www.epa.gov) is removing the compound methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) also known as 2-butanone, CAS No. 78-93-3, from the list of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) contained in the Clean Air Act (Section 112). This action is in response to a petition submitted by the Ketones Panel of the American Chemistry Council on behalf of MEK producers and consumers. EPA has determined that there are "adequate data on the health and environmental effects [of MEK]" to determine that emissions, ambient concentrations, bioaccumulation, or deposition of the substance do not have adverse effects on human health or the environment.

State teachers group endorses Blagojevich

2012-03-14T00:11:00.000-07:00

The Illinois Federation of Teachers announced its endorsement Monday of U.S. Rep. Rod Blagojevich (5th) in next month's Democratic gubernatorial primary election.

Speaking for leaders of the teachers group at a press conference, spokesman Mitchell Vogel, President of University Professionals of Illinois, said Blagojevich's campaign plan for education sets him apart from his Democrat opponents.

"Quality teachers, more money for education and education as his top priority, if there's a state budget crunch or not," are the reasons for IFT's backing, Vogel said of Blagojevich's uniqueness.

"The difference between Rod and the other candidates is his commitment to funding for education even if there is a budget crisis," Vogel said.

"We've never had a candidate talk this extensively about the importance of education in his life. His whole career has been helped by teachers in public schools, then at Northwestern and Pepperdine Law School," Vogel said.

IFT President Jim Dougherty said leaders of the 85,000-member federation gave Blagojevich the nod because in July 2002, he was the first candidate to address the state's teacher shortage.

The teachers union also likes the idea that the candidate said he would do a better job of holding on to newly state certified teachers by using the media and head-hunters to keep the best and brightest new teachers in Illinois.

Vogel said Blagojevich is the best choice for governor because the candidate wants to make changes in the structure of schools, not just spend money.

"Like a baseball team, he wants to recruit the best and create higher standards in teaching education at the college level," Vogel said.

Blagojevich said he is committed to helping students from poor families.

"For low-income kids to have a chance at the American dream, they have to have an opportunity to go to a good public school where they can get a better education," he said.

"We have to put our resources there. It begins with teachers," he said, citing his $45 million plan to hire teachers, train them and retain them amid the national teacher shortage and competition from other states for qualified educators.

Blagojevich said he would not speak ill of fellow candidate Paul Vallas, who as chief of the Chicago Public School System, improved student test scores, increased graduation rates and stayed the dropout rate.

"Sixty-four percent of Chicago Public School 3rd graders read behind grade level. The key to solving the problem is more teachers, smaller class sizes and more resources for our schools," Blagojevich said.

In addition to that, he said, the Chicago school system must stop the practice of "teaching to the test" to try to improve overall reading skills.

"There has not been enough focus on teachers and classrooms. Hence, two-thirds of 3rd graders can't read at grade level. The results speak for themselves," he said.

To end what he sees as failures in the public school system, Blagojevich would create what he called the economic defense budget for the future, through which "kids get jobs and help the economy grow."

As for money, the candidate would find $45 million immediately from the state's current $130 million in line items that he calls sheer pork barrel spending.

He said recent expenditure of $1.5 million for bathroom renovations in the state House and Senate and "$38 million for horse racing" should instead have been appropriated to statewide education projects and needs.

"Thirty-eight cents of every Illinois budget dollar is spent on education. The rest of it comes from federal sources. My education priorities would cause no property tax increase in the $53 billion state budget because we can reach my goals without increases. What we need is accountability," he said.

To stabilize expenditures on education and to ensure appropriate education-budget a Blagojevich administration would simply require it, by a law specifying how much of state income would be spent on education.

He said he supports charter schools as long as they operate "in the context of public education", and he opposes schoolvouchers. "The problem with vouchers is that they seem more a political wedge to undermine public education and take away needed resources for public schools," he said.

Blagojevich said he stands out among Democratic candidates in his respect for the importance of teachers.

"Without pointing fingers, there are school administrators who all too often pass the buck and blame teachers" for poor student performance," he said.

"I'm going to work closely with teachers, to empower them more, support them more and remind people of how important teachers are," he said.

"We lionize athletes and demonize politicians, and we don't give teachers enough credit or recognize how important teachers really are," he said, making it plain whom he thinks should be wearing the dunce cap.

"I'm not running for governor to manage a state in decline. We've had enough mediocre leadership in the last generation," he said.

Then, Blagojevich turned generous, if not witty.

He thanked the IFT for "its wonderful endorsement" and paid homage to its members.

"Had I known teachers were going to treat me so well, I would have worked harder on my homework," he said.

Article copyright REAL TIMES Inc.

Application of boron and zinc in the tropical soils and its effect on maize (Zea mays) growth and soil microbial environment

2012-03-13T21:18:00.000-07:00

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at glasshouse of Universiti Putra Malaysia with boron (B) and zinc (Zn) deficient soil (Serdang series) to evaluate the effect of B and Zn on maize crop and the behavior of soil microbial communities with various levels of boron and zinc. Among the six tested soil series, Malawi soil was found the most deficient in boron (0.06 ppm). Four levels of B from Borax as 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kg ha^sup -1^ and two levels of Zn from Zinc Sulphate, 0 and 5 kg ha^sup -1^ were applied. The highest plant height (109 cm), root length (30.67 cm), leaf area index, chlorophyll content, shoot (5.38 g) and root dry weight (0.23 g) were obtained at B ^sub 0.5^ + Zn ^sub 5.0^ kg ha^sup -1^ treatment. The interaction effect between boron × zinc in the soil was significant. Antagonistic effect occurred for B uptake at higher rates of B with 5 kg ha^sup -1^ of Zn application. The addition of B at lower level alone or in combination with Zn significantly increased soil bacterial population. The highest rhizosphere bacterial population was found at B ^sub 0.5^ + Zn ^sub 5^ kg ha ^sup -1^ treatment. The addition of B^sub 1.0^ kg ha ^sup -1^ with zinc Zn^sub 5^ kg ha ^sup -1^ showed a toxic effect on soil bacterial population. Although B produced substantial biomass yield increment with extended rates, the excess amount caused toxicity in the soil bacterial environment. It can be concluded that 0.5 kg ha^sup -1^ of B in combination with 5 kg ha^sup -1^ Zn can exhibit higher yield of maize and is friendly to this particular soil environment.

Keywords: bacterial population, micronutrients, rhizosphere, toxic environment.

Abbreviations: ICP-Inductivity Coupled Plasma; LAI-Leaf area index; MOP-Murate of potash; SPAD-soil plant analysis division; TSP-Triple superphosphate; YEL-youngest expanded leaf.

(ProQuest: ... denotes formula omitted.)

Introduction

Maize (Zea mays) is widely cultivated grain crop throughout the world. In the tropics, more than 8 million hectares of acid soils are planted with maize. This crop is not acid soiltolerant (Pandey and Gardner, 1992), but increases in the demand for cereals in developing countries have led to an increase in maize acreage on acid soils. Acidic soils, therefore, generally have a low pH, contain toxic levels of Al and Mn, and are deficient in Ca, Mg, P, K, and in micronutrients. The characteristics limit the fertility of acid soils and inhibit root development, leading to low water and nutrient uptake and low maize yields (Duque-Vargas et al., 1994). In addition severe boron and zinc deficiency is one of these incidences that also causes low yield of maize. The use of acid soil-tolerant maize cultivars and with appropriate fertilizer management practices can provide an environmental friendly, inexpensive, and permanent solution, of maize production on these soils. Micronutrients are those trace elements which are necessary for the normal healthy growth and reproduction of plants and animals. Among the micronutrients boron (B) deficiency is the second most widespread micronutrient problem (Alloway, 2008). Boron is important for crop production from the both point of view, its effects in deficiency and excess. When B is deficient plant root systems are often stunted and less effective. Deficiencies of B occur in a wider range of crops and climatic conditions than deficiencies of any other trace elements. Boron regulates metabolism of carbohydrates, activates certain dehydrogenase enzymes, aids in formation of pollen tube and feeder roots, involved in translocation of Ca, sugars, and plant hormones, it also facilitates the synthesis of nucleic acids which is essential for cell division and development (Reisenauer et al.,1973). At the opposite end of the biological spectrum, B essentially has been established for the growth of specific types of soil bacteria, such as heterocystous cyonobacteria (Bonilla et al., 1990). Microorganisms require B for the stability of the envelopes that prevent access of nitrogenase- poisoning oxygen (Bolanos et al., 2004). On the other hand a wide range of crops are affected by zinc deficiency, including cereals. When crops have a deficient supply of Zn, yield reduced and quality of the crop product may also suffer. Losses up to 30% in the yield of cereal grains in crops such as maize, wheat and rice have been observed (Alloway, 2001). Zinc is required in small but critical concentrations to allow several key plant physiological functions in plants. The soil fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes populations increased by the application of zinc (Reddy, 1968). However the toxic effects of zinc and boron in plants and soil are now well documented. In the recent years, several reports have been also documented for the harmful effects of zinc and boron toxicity on soil microorganisms and microbial activities (Takkar and Mann, 1978). In addition, application of additional quantities of N, P and micronutrients deficiencies can be maintained in maize, besides this can be increased the productivity, profitability and maintained sustainable soil resource base (Rajashekhara Rao, 2010).

However, there has been little research done on the effects of micronutrients such as B and Zn on the maize crop, especially under acidic conditions in tropical regions. On the other hand, the soil microbial community is a sensitive indicator of metal effects on bioavailability and biochemical process. Hence, present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of different levels of boron and zinc on maize crop and the behavior of soil microbial communities at various rates of boron.

Results

Fertility status of soil series

Six soil series were selected for the fertility status before experiment and belong with different soil orders. The soils were low in fertility status and sandy to silty caly, and clay loam in texture with an electric conductivity that ranges from 0.5-2.81 dSm-1 (Table 1). Malawi and Saujana soil series were sandy in texture and contain very low amount of organic carbon. In general soils of the series were acidic to slightly acidic in nature and pH lies within 4.2- 5.1. The lowest soil pH (4.2) was recorded in Selangor soil series. Among the tested six series Bakau soil contains higher amount of phosphorus, zinc and boron compared to others (Table 2). For the present study Selangor soil series was selected which contain 0.51 ppm B and 1.54 ppm Zn which was considerably low in fertility status.

Effect of boron and zinc on the seed germination, leaf area index and leaf chlorophyll content of maize

The germination of maize seed was significantly influenced by the different rates of B and Zn fertilizers. The highest germination (80%) was observed at B0.5 + Zn0 kg ha -1 and B1.0 + Zn0 kg ha -1 followed by the B0.5 + Zn5.0 kg ha-1 (76 %) respectively (Table 3). The leaf area index was affected by the rates of the fertilizers also. Significantly highest leaf area index (0.31 cm2) was found at B0.5 + Zn5.0 kg ha -1, while leaf area index was decreasing with the increases rates of B. The interaction effect between B × Zn highly significant (P = 0.001). The leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD values) was taken at different times and it was varied with the time and treatments. Generally higher values were observed at 15 days and lower values were found after 45 days of sowing. The chlorophyll content was observed with wide range varied from 23.41 to 32.98 during the planting period. The significantly high value was recorded at B0.5 + Zn5.0 kg ha-1 treatment.

Plant uptake of boron, zinc, plant height and biomass yield of maize

The concentration of B and Zn in plant tissues and its uptake were higher at the higher rates of applied fertilizers. An antagonistic effect found for B uptake with higher levels of B and 5 kg ha-1 of Zn. On the other hand a synergistic effect was found for Zn uptake at 0.5 kg ha-1 of boron. Significantly high uptakes values of B (1.09 mg plant-1) and Zn (3.37 mg plant-1) were obtained from the B1.5 + Zn0 kg ha-1 and B0.5 + Zn5 kg ha-1 treatments (Table 4). While the lowest values obtained in control treatments. Plant tissue Zn uptake affected with different levels of boron application. The The concentration of B and Zn in plant tissues and its uptake were higher at the higher rates of applied fertilizers. An antagonistic effect found for B uptake with higher levels of B and 5 kg ha-1 of Zn. On the other hand a synergistic effect was found for Zn uptake at 0.5 kg ha-1 of boron. Significantly high uptakes values of B (1.09 mg plant-1) and Zn (3.37 mg plant-1) were obtained from the B1.5 + Zn0 kg ha-1 and B0.5 + Zn5 kg ha-1 treatments (Table 4). While the lowest values obtained in control treatments. Plant tissue Zn uptake affected with different levels of boron application. The highest plant shoot, root length (Fig. 2) and total biomass obtained at B0.5 +Zn5 kg ha-1 treatment (Table 3). Plant dry biomass weights were decreased with the increased rate of B and Zn applications. The highest biomass yield increment (127.13%) was observed by B0.5 + Zn5 kg ha -1 over control treatment.

Effect of boron and zinc on total bacterial population in maize

The total bacterial population was fluctuated with the B and Zn applications. The rhizosphere population was significantly higher than non-rhizosphere population. The highest rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere population found in B0.5 + Zn5 kg ha-1 treatment followed by control and B1.5 kg ha-1 treatment, respectively (Fig. 3). The addition of B alone or in combination with boron and zinc significantly increased soil bacterial population at B 0.5 kg ha-1 and Zn 5 kg ha-1 treatments. The addition of B1.5 kg ha-1 with zinc showed reverse or toxic effect on soil bacterial population.

Discussion

Results of this study proved a positive effect of B (0.5 kg ha- 1) and Zn (5 kg ha-1) application along with other macro nutrients for maize crop growth in the acidic soil. The evidences of increased plant biomass, leaf chlorophyll content and plant height showed beneficial effect of addition of paramount dose of B and Zn in such soil. A synergism effect for Zn uptake observed between the two nutrients when boron was applied up to 0.5 kg ha-1. However, the plant uptake of boron induced by 1.5 kg ha-1 B with decrease of plant biomass, showing a reverse effect. While the lowest total N % and plant biomass were found for the control plot while higher values were found in fertilized treatments. Application of B plays an important role to increase maize biomass as it has an important role for storage of assimilates. Kanwal et al. (2009) found a significant constant increase in shoot dry matter production of the four maize cultivars by adding Ca and B to the root medium. In the present study higher root and shoot biomass obtained at B0.5 kg ha -1 +Zn5.0 kg ha -1 treatment. The addition of B increased tissue B uptake up to 1.5 kg ha-1 applied boron while, Zn uptake affected. Similarly, the shoot dry matter yield of maize plant declined with higher rates of B application, where as increased with Zn application alone. Aref (2010) found a synergistic effect between B and Zn and increased in plant uptake with high soil concentration of these elements. This might be more B uptake of plants in B deficient soils, hence B toxicity is uncovered and the plant growth was affected negatively (Shaaban et al., 2004). On the other hand, application of 5 kg ha-1 Zn increased tissue Zn concentration as well as plant biomass in this deficient soil. Zn deficiency and B toxicity are elements concentration of maize plant and the interactions of nutrient are significant for plant nutrition (Alkan et al., 1998). Although there was an antagonistic effect for nutrient uptake found between B and Zn at higher levels of B with 5 kg ha-1 Zn. Zinc play important role in leaf chlorophyll synthesis (Cakmak, 2008). In the present study application of Zn increased leaf chlorophyll content while at the higher rates of B alone or with combination of Zn chlorophyll values decreased, this might due to toxicity effect. Similar findings were reported by Akta et al. (2004) who conducted wheat experiment in pots under greenhouse conditions and found that with the increase of B rates, the chlorophyll amount of leaf samples decreased. Soil microbes need micronutrient for their growth

and activity but in trace amount. Excess amount causes toxicity. There were significant adverse (P ≤ 0.01) impact of bacterial population found at higher rates of B and Zn fertilizer application. The study with micronutrients on rice rhizosphere bacterial population also showed similar effects (Reddy, 1968). In the present study it was found that highest rhizospheric bacterial population occurred only when 0.5 kg ha-1 B applied. A negative impact obtained at 1.0 kg ha-1of B. Another evidence of an incubation study with increased zinc concentration from 50 to 150 mg kg-1 showed significantly decreases the total bacterial population (Cevik and Karaca, 2007). Higher rates of B alone and with Zn significantly reduced the soil and rhizosphere bacterial population.

Materials and methods

Sample collection from different soil series

Before experiment, a field survey was conducted to determine the status of boron (B) and Zinc (Zn) deficient soils. Soil samples were collected from six different soil series (Fig 1) as (1) Munchong series, (2) Serdang series from the UPM uncultivated field, (3) Bakau series from Tanjong Karang Selangor, (4) Selangor series from Banting Talok Datok Oil palm field, (5) Malawi series from Bachok, Kelantan and (6) Saujana series from Besut, Terenggana at the surface horizon (0-15 cm) of the soil. Samples were air dried and prepared for the laboratory analysis. After analysis Serdang series was selected for the experiment due to its low boron status and medium status of zinc and other nutrients with appropriate soil texture. Plants were grown for 45 days.

Soil chemical analysis

Soil pH was measured in soil; water (1:2.5) extract using PHM210 Standard pH meter at 300C (Benton, 2001). Total N in soil was determined by Kjeldahl digestion method (Bremner and Mulvaney, 1982). Phosphorus was extracted using Bray and Kurtz No. 2 extractants (Bray and Kurtz, 1945). Samples were analyzed for organic carbon using Carbon Analyzer (Benton, 2001). Soil texture was determined using the pipette method (Gee and Bauder, 1986).Available B was analyzed determined by hot water extraction method and was measured colorimetrically using azomethine-H (Bingham, 1982). Boron in plant tissue was determined by dry ashing followed by azomethine-H colorimetric (Benton, 2001). While, other micronutrients were determined by Double acid method on the Inductivity Coupled Plasma (ICP).

Seed surface sterilization

The seed surface sterilization method was modified from Amin et al. (2004). Maize seeds were soaked in 70 percent ethanol for 5 min. The ethanol was discarded and the seeds were agitated in hypochlorite solution comprising 3 percent of Chlorox TM (2.6 % NaOCl) and washed with sterilized distilled water. Surface sterilized seeds were grown in Petri dishes lined with filter paper. Sterile distilled water was added to wet the seed. The efficacy of sterilization was checked by germinating seeds on nutrient agar plates.

Soil preparation, planting and fertilizer application

The experiment was conducted in pots at glasshouse of Universiti Putra Malaysia. About 5 kg of soil (Serdang soil series) was used in each pot. Ten seeds of maize variety 'Sweet corn Mardi' were sowed in each pot for germination. Boron and zinc were applied at different levels, as 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kg ha-1 B from Borax and 0, 5 kg Zn ha-1 from Zinc sulphate, respectively. A basal dose of nitrogen 120 kg ha-1 (Urea), phosphorus 80 kg ha-1 (TSP), and potassium 60 kg ha- 1 (MOP) were applied before planting.

Estimation of population of bacteria from rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil

About 10 gm of soil was transferred to a conical flask containing 95 ml of sterilized distilled water. In case of rhizosphere 1 g of fresh root was transferred to the conical flask containing 99 ml of sterilized distilled water. The content was shacked on a shaker for 10 min. A series of 10 fold dilutions were prepared up to 10-10 of rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil and the bacterial populations were determined using total plate count method in nutrient agar (NA) medium.

Chlorophyll content and leaf area index

The leaf chlorophyll content was determined three times (15, 30 and 45 days after planting) using portable chlorophyll meter (MINOLTATM SPAD-502) (Peterson et al., 1993). The SPAD reading was taken from the youngest expanded leaf (YEL) of each plant. Each value was the mean of 4 replications. The leaf area index (LAI) of the plants was determined at 45 days when the plants were harvested. After harvest random leaf samples per treatment replicate were carried into the laboratory in plastic bags and leaf areas measured using leaf area meter model LI-3100 Area meter, LI-COR. Inc. Lincoln, Nebraska USA. Leaf area index were calculated using the following formulae:

...

Plant tissue analysis and plant biomass

The plant tissue B was determined by dry ashing followed by azomethine-H colorimetric (Benton, 2001). The zinc amount was determined by wet ashing method (Ryan et al., 2001). After harvest the plant samples were carefully washed to remove all soil particles and dried in oven at 70 0C for 3 days until constant weight was achieved. The experiment was conducted in factorial using completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 replications. Data were analyzed using SAS statistical program version 9.1. Treatments means were compared using Tukey's test (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that the balanced mineral nutrition (through B and Zn fertilization) in the acidic soil for maize crop enhance growth of maize. Application of 0.5 kg ha-1 of B along with 5 kg ha-1 Zn, showed synergism effect and significantly increased maize plant height, leaf chlorophyll content, microbial population and plant biomass in Serdang soil series. The excess amount of the B and Zn application causes toxicity in the crop and soil environment.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Universiti Putra Malaysia, and the Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation for providing the financial support for the project.

[Reference]

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Bremner JM, Mulvaney CS (1982) Nitrogen-Total. In: Methods of soil analysis. Agron. No. 9, Part 2: Chemical and microbiological properties, 2nd edition, J Am Soc Agron. Madison, WI, USA, pp 595-624.

Bray RH, Kurtz LT (1945) Determination of total, organic, and available forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Sci. 59: 39- 45.

Cakmak I (2008) Enrichment of cereal grains with zinc: agronomic or genetic biofortification? Plant Soil. 302: 1- 17.

Cevik N, Karaca A (2007) Effect of cadmium, zinc, copper and Fluorranthene on soil bacteria. Fresenius Environ Bull 15 (1): 55-60.

Duque-vargas J, Pandey S, Gardner G, Ceballaos G, Knappe H (1994) Inheritance to soil acidity in tropical maize. Crop Sci. 34: 50-54.

Gee GW, Bauder JW (1986) Particle size analysis. In Klute, A. (ed). Methods of soil analysis. Part 1. Physical and mineralogical methods. 2nd. Edn. ASA- SSSA, Wisconsin, pp 383-411.

Kanwal S, Rahmatullah MA, Maqsood HF, Bakhat SG (2009) Zinc requirement of maize hybrids and indigenous varieties on Udic Haplustalf. J Plant Nutr. 32: 470-478.

Pandey S, Gardner G (1992) Recurrent selection for population, variety and hybrid improvement in tropical maize. Adv Agron. 48: 1-87.

Peterson TA, Blackmer TM, Francis DD, Schepers, JS (1993) Using a chlorophyll meter to improve N management. Nebguide G93-1171A. Coop. Ext. Ser., Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Rajashekhara Rao BK, Sahrawat KL, Wani SP, Pardhasaradhy G (2010) Integrated nutrient management to enhance on-farm productivity of rain fed maize in India. Int J Soil Sci. 5 (4): 216-225.

Reddy TKR (1968) Plant treatment in relation to the rhizosphere effect. III. Foliar application of certain trace elements and metallic chelates in relation to rhizosphere microflora of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Plant Soil. 19 (1): 114- 118.

Reisenauer HM, Walsh LM, Hoeft RG (1973) Testing soils for sulfur, boron, molybdenum and chlorine. In: L.M. Walsh and J.D. Beaton, Editors, Soil Testing and Plant Analysis, Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI (1973), pp 173-200.

Ryan J, Georgge E, Rashid A (2001) Soil and Plant Analysis Laboratory Manual. Second Edition. Jointly published by ICARDA and NARC. Allepo, Syria.

Shaaban MM, El-Fouly MM, Abdel- Maguid AWA (2004) Zinc-boron relationship in wheat plants grown under low or high levels of calcium carbonate in the soil. Pakistan J Biol Sci. 7 (4): 633- 639.

Takkar PN, Mann MS (1978) Toxic levels of soil and plant zinc for maize and wheat. Plant Soil. 49: 667-669.

[Author Affiliation]

Panhwar Q.A1, Radziah O 1,2,*, Khanif Y.M 1, Naher, U.A2

1 Department of Land Management, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor DE. Malaysia

2 Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor DE. Malaysia

* Corresponding author: radziah@agri.upm.edu.my

Contra backer creates complex funding empire

2012-03-13T18:28:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON Sometime last year, conservative fund-raiser Carl R."Spitz" Channell had a great idea. To further promote the cause ofthe contra rebels in Nicaragua, he would sponsor tours to CentralAmerica for high-powered legislators, educators, journalists and thelike.

That part wasn't new. Other organizations had done that, boththose supporting the contras and those opposed to their efforts tooverthrow the Sandinista government in Managua. What was new,perhaps even inspired, was his choice of tour guide:

Marine Lt. Col. Oliver L. North.

Channell, according to a source familiar with his operation,hoped to persuade the powerful and charismatic National SecurityCouncil aide to conduct the tours in his spare time, something he didnot have in abundance.

At the time, North was running two of the nation's most highlysensitive covert operations - the secret arms sales to Iran and aReagan administration effort to provide arms and other militarysupplies to the contras.

Even so, the source said, Channell was confident enough that hecould get North to take on the job that he earmarked $90,000 for thetour operation in the budget of the American Conservative Foundation,one of at least 10 organizations he heads.

The source said that the plan never got off the ground and that,as far as he knew, North was never even asked to take on the task.Still, the episode reinforces how well-established was therelationship that yesterday resulted in the first criminal charge andconviction in the Iran-contra scandal. Channell pleaded guilty inU.S. District Court here to to one count of conspiracy for illegallyclaiming that his effort to raise funds to arm the contras was taxexempt. He named North as his co-conspirator.

Channell, 41, presides over a bewildering array of organizationsfrom a glittering suite of offices in downtown Washington. Hisoperations include four political action committees, three or moretax-exempt foundations, one lobbying group and one for-profit firm,the Channell Corp. Little is known about a 10th organization, theHill-Potomac Group.

The organizations are linked not only by a common headquartersbut, in some cases, by a nearly identical set of officers anddirectors, all close Channell associates, and similar organizationalnames.

The American Conservative Foundation, for example, is associatedwith, but different from, the American Conservative Trust, apolitical action committee created to support candidates for federaloffice - the presidency, the House and the Senate.

The American Conservative Trust, moreover, should not beconfused with Channell's American Conservative Trust-State ElectionFund, a PAC supposedly created to support candidates in gubernatorialand other state races around the country.

Its stated purpose notwithstanding, however, the election fundmay be less involved in state races than in helping to provide thefinancial underpinnings for Channell's network of organizations.

Public records relating to Channell's organizations are limitedand do not begin to give a complete picture of his operations.

In many cases the most recent reports are for 1985, while mostof his contra-related activities were in 1986.

But interviews with sources and a review of available documentsstrongly suggests that Channell's operation is anchored financiallyby two groups - the election fund and the National Endowment for thePreservation of Liberty.

The "liberty" fund appears to be the major action arm ofChannell's pro-contra efforts. It is the organization named in thecriminal information against Channell yesterday. Last year the groupraised slightly more than $7 million, said a source close toChannell, with about $3 million going to the contras.

If the fund's efforts going back to 1985 are included, theamount of money directed toward the contras could go as high as $5million, the source said. This figure coincides with the amount asecond source familiar with Channell's operation said he sent to thecontras.

The first source insisted that the money was earmarked forhumanitarian, not military, aid, but said the labeling amounted to adistinction without a difference.

"All you've got to do is juggle your books," he said, referringto the contras, not Channell. "To me, the whole concept of givingmoney to an army to buy shoes so they can use the shoe money to buyweapons is silly."

The role of ACT-SEF, the state PAC, is also murky, but there areindications that, along with the "liberty" fund, it may have helpedshoulder the burden of overhead expenses for other elements in theChannell empire.

ACT-SEF has become a vast repository for funds collected inlarge chunks from wealthy, often elderly donors. Since its creationin late 1983, it raised $691,184, spending all but $76 of it, whereasChannell's two federal PACs together have raised less than half thatamount.

ACT-SEF fund-raising has relied heavily on two widows who havebeen major supporters of other Channell groups, according to recordson file in Virginia. Barbara Newington, of Greenwich, Conn., gave$323,800 in that period; Ellen St. John Garwood, of Austin, Tex.,gave at least $97,700.

A source familiar with Channell's organization said Garwood gavea total of $2.5 million in 1985 and 1986.

Apparently unchallenged by Virginia election officials was$55,712, including one $38,000 gift, from donors identified only as"unknown."

Such donations dramatize the difference between federal andstate PACs. The former are regulated by the Federal ElectionCommission and are sharply restricted. They cannot accept corporateor labor union contributions, and individuals may give no more than$5,000 per year.

State PACs are not regulated at the national level. Theirfilings are scattered at local election offices throughout thenation.

And, critically, many states permit corporate and laborcontributions and have no contribution limits whatsoever.

They have thus become fountainheads for "soft money," that is,funds from sources not permitted in federal elections but which,through a variety of activities supposedly tied to state races, freeup other funds from sources permitted by the election commission tobe used in federal elections.

Channell's two federal PACs, the Anti-Terrorism AmericanCommittee and the American Conservative Trust, meanwhile, show astrange pattern of spending, especially on overhead costs.

In 1986, these two groups made contributions or independentexpenditures on behalf of federal candidates totaling $39,000 fromthe anti-terrorism group and $61,000 from the conservative trust.

During this period, however, the anti-terrorism group, createdlast year, spent only $4,371 on overhead, a seemingly commendable 9percent of its gross receipts of $48,871. But it did not spend apenny for rent, telephone and other utilities, mailing costs,fund-raising and travel, and spent only $2,500 on salaries.

Old soda sold to blacks

2012-03-13T15:33:00.000-07:00

Several employees of Coca-Cola Co. have accused the soft drink maker of repackaging nearly out-of-date soda cans and bottles and then reselling them at stores in minority neighborhoods.

Coca-Cola officials deny the allegations, which they said were not brought to their attention internally.

One worker who made deliveries to stores in predominantly white and black Dallas neighborhoods said the practice was widespread and well-known when he started working as a Coca-Cola merchandiser in 1993.

Llewellyn Hamilton, 49, said so-called "near-dated" items were shipped from white neighborhood stores and sold at a discount in predominantly black and Hispanic stores.

"They'd lower the price and ship them to the black and Hispanic area stores," Hamilton told The Associated Press on Sunday. "It was common knowledge that we'd recycle it to that neighborhood."

For example, he said about-to-expire 2-liter containers of Coke that sold for $1.19 were marked down to about 69 cents.

"I thought it was strange," he said. "They (customers) knew it was something they had to drink right away."

Rick Gillis, division vice president and general manager for Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of North Texas, located in Dallas, said that after a newspaper reporter brought the allegations to their attention about two weeks ago, company officials conducted an internal investigation and spoke with everyone involved in the supply chain.

"We believe without a doubt that these allegations are totally without merit," Gillis said.

But Hamilton said company officials knew of the repackaging and did nothing to stop it. "You'd get those `don't ask no questions,'" he said.

Kenneth Newsome, a dairy manager at a Sack-N-Save in Oak Cliff, said Coke merchandisers took near-dated soda off the store shelves and repackaged it in the store's back room.

The old soda also was put into the store's vending machines, said Newsome, who has worked at the store for 16 years and first noticed the repackaging about five years ago.

Hamilton now works a new route, delivering drinks to five grocery stores in Garland and Mesquite, both predominantly white suburbs of Dallas. There, the policy on about-to-expire soft drinks is much different, he said.

"If it gets within a month of going out of date, we ship it out," he said. The aging soda is then returned to the bottler, he said.

Bob Lydia, president of the Dallas branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said the organization is still investigating the allegations.

"To this date we have not come up with a final (determination) on this," Lydia said. "We need some hard fast evidence before we make that claim."

(Associated Press)

Ryan Gander

2012-03-13T12:37:00.000-07:00

ST. GALLEN, SWITZERLAND

KUNSTHALLE ST. GALLEN

June 7-August 10

Curated by Giovanni Carmine

Who says Conceptual art is dead? On the heels of Ryan Gander's one-man show jointly held at London's Ikon Gallery and the South London Gallery earlier this year, a second major exhibition opens this June. Frequently examining doubt and boredom in studio life, Gander's quiet practice also mines history and memory, and his reworkings of found items-from crossword puzzles and city maps to children's books and PlayStation games-often contradict the spirit of the original: Milestone, 2006, for example, is a Roman-looking marker built from concrete that had fallen from Le Corbusier's midcentury modernist icon Unit� d'Habitation. For the artist's first Swiss solo outing, the kunsthalle will present some fifteen sculptures, videos, and installations from the past two years. Perhaps now Gander's considerable reputation in Britain will spread among international audiences. Travels to the Kunstverein Bonn, Aug. 30-Nov. 2. -Gilda Williams

Feuz takes lead in World Cup super-combined

2012-03-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

CHAMONIX, France (AP) — Beat Feuz of Switzerland took the lead in a men's World Cup super combined on Sunday by setting the fastest time in the downhill leg.

The 23-year-old Feuz sped down the 3.37-kilometer (2.09-mile) Verte course in 1 minute, 59.97 seconds, beating second-place Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway by 0.08 seconds.

Frenchman Johan Clarey was third in 2:00.39.

Svindal finished third in the Wengen super combined earlier this month and is in good position heading to the slalom leg later in the afternoon.

Overall World Cup leader Ivica Kostelic of Croatia struggled on a course favoring gliding abilities and was a full 2.50 back.

Several top skiers including Benjamin Raich, Bode Miller and Carlo Janka skipped the Chamonix races.

Indictment is biggest test for Sudanese leader

2012-03-13T05:53:00.000-07:00

President Omar al-Bashir's indictment on Darfur genocide charges presents the Sudanese leader with the most serious challenge to his 19-year rule, raising questions about his legitimacy that could weaken his grip on power.

Al-Bashir is not new to threats to his Islamist regime, which has over the years built a reputation for dealing with disputes with a deft mix of brutality and political acumen.

But analysts say the danger this time is personal as he faces an international bid to remove him from power.

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo's July 14 indictment _ the first against a sitting head of state _ already has rattled the soldier-turned-political leader with a reputation as a survivor.

Unless a compromise is found, the indictment could lead to political instability that will be exploited by the president's rivals, analysts say.

Moreno-Ocampo filed 10 charges against al-Bashir for masterminding a campaign of extermination and rape specifically targeting three Darfur tribes. The U.N. says about 300,000 people have died and 2.5 million have been uprooted over the past five years.

The charges include three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of war crimes.

Hassan Haj Ali, a political scientist at Khartoum University, says the charges pose a threat to the entire country, not just al-Bashir's government, and may eventually create a dangerous power vacuum at the top of Sudan's political hierarchy.

"This vacuum may prove to be too tempting for some to take advantage of and move to seize power," Ali said.

Other analysts say the impact of the indictment has compounded al-Bashir's recent woes, such as the security lapses that were exposed two months ago during a highly symbolic attack on a Khartoum suburb by Darfur rebels. There is also a growing fear that the country could break up when the mainly animist and Christian south votes in 2011 on whether to remain part of Africa's largest nation.

Since seizing power in a 1989 military coup, al-Bashir's regime has been driven repeatedly to the brink of collapse. At least two coup attempts, a civil war in the south, cross-border attacks by armies from neighboring countries, a U.S. cruise missile attack in 1998 and U.N. sanctions are among the threats he has faced.

Al-Bashir's troubles in the remote, western Darfur region began in 2003 when ethnic African rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated government, which is accused of backing Arab militia fighters known as the janjaweed. The janjaweed responded with a punishing campaign that wiped out entire villages.

U.S. President George W. Bush last year accused al-Bashir's regime of complicity in genocide in Darfur.

Moreno-Ocampo's indictment was coupled with a request to the court to issue an arrest warrant for al-Bashir. But it will be months before a panel of judges decides on that request.

The fallout from last week's indictment already is being felt in Khartoum, where a series of pro-government demonstrations were mostly organized by al-Bashir's ruling party and loyalists.

Still analysts say it would be premature to start a countdown for al-Bashir's departure.

The Movement for Justice and Equality, or JEM, the Darfur rebel group that staged the May 10 attack on Khartoum, already is talking about the government's "erosion of legitimacy" and is calling on the country's political forces to act to prevent a slide into chaos.

"It is a duty of all to act courageously in order to preserve national, regional and international agreements that are crucial for maintaining peace and stability in the country," JEM said this weekend in statement posted on its Web site that called for the immediate formation of a national unity government.

The JEM is a well-armed group linked to neighboring Chad _ for decades an off-and-on enemy of Sudan. It took government forces by surprise in May, attacking a Khartoum suburb in daylight after driving all night undetected across the barren desert of central Sudan.

The attack was doomed from the start given the large number of government forces deployed in and around the capital, but it seriously embarrassed a regime whose strength has traditionally come from its military capabilities.

"The psychological impact of that attack has been deep," said Haidar Ibrahim, who heads the Center for Sudanese Studies, a Khartoum-based independent think tank. "It dented the prestige of the regime and the perception of it as being the protector of the people."

Al-Bashir had for years looked to the army as his most reliable power base. More recently, however, that base has partly shifted to paramilitary forces in charge of internal security and loyal militias.

His market reforms, which revived Sudan's moribund economy but have hit middle-class Sudanese hard, handed him another source of support _ a new but powerful class of businessmen that many Sudanese complain are mostly Islamists loyal to al-Bashir or relatives of senior officials.

It is difficult to gauge how much popular support al-Bashir enjoys in Sudan _ the government reintroduced media censorship this year. But the tidal wave of condemnations against the indictment and the ICC by top regime officials and the pro-government media mirrors the regime's deep concern over the charges.

"A warrant for al-Bashir's arrest will create much confusion, both politically and on the streets," said Mohammed al-Abbas, a retired army major-general. "But this is still a tribal society. So, forget about anyone handing him over."

Standing strong in the wind

2012-03-13T02:23:00.000-07:00

Fall 2003

The picture is of our team of six (the 6th is taking the picture!) who summited Mount Baker at the end of June this year. After 2 days of challenging climbing, we stood on the summit for this picture in 80 kph winds. I turn 50 this fall, and in a moment of borderline insanity, thought it would be a great personal achievement and symbolic goal of my life's journey. Dealing with such strong winds on top of Mt. Baker was not anticipated. We literally had to hang on to each other for this picture - or were they all hanging on to me?!

Strong winds blow in many ways. They are most often unanticipated and deeply challenge our ability to stand. There have been times in pastoral leadership when I felt like the cause of Christ was losing ground. Recent personal and world events are blowing strong winds around me even as I write this. Close personal friends are choosing to live together rather than marry; our Canadian government's decision to redefine marriage; the video game like production of war in Iraq complete with 'embedded' reporters; the relatively obscure reality of AIDS in Africa; the lack of hope for peace between Israel and Palestine. The list goes on. We could each add the pain within our own extended families.

[Graph Not Transcribed]

In Jesus' day, they too were seeking to redefine marriage. Herod had seduced and married his brother's wife. He executed John the Baptist who challenged his right. Seeking to silence Jesus, a group approached him (Matthew 19:1-6). 'Haven't you read, he replied, that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female...".

So what do you do when the winds blow so strong they are frightening? The other morning I was reading the verse in Isaiah given below.

One day Jesus stood up, with difficulty, in a boat that was almost swamped by a raging wind and stormy sea. With a voice that spoke through the roar, He silenced the storm until all that was heard was the quiet dripping of water off the mast.

We do well to listen to His voice. Jesus' Word is the sure foundation for our times. I am deeply committed to imbedding that truth in the lives of emerging leaders. The winds in culture will continue to blow. Our commitment at Columbia is to grow a life long confidence in our students that the Word of the Lord shall endure. Beyond that - to base their life decision on His Word. I believe Columbia is worthy of our support and investment. I need you to stand with me when the winds blow.

Paul Wartman

President

US Senate runoff could decide balance of power

2012-03-12T23:23:00.000-07:00

Georgia voters returned to the polls Tuesday to decide one of two unresolved U.S. Senate races that Democrats need to win for a large enough majority to quash any Republican attempts to stall legislation.

Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss faces Democrat Jim Martin in the runoff after a monthlong spurt of campaigning highlighted by visits from national political heavyweights from both parties.

In Minnesota, a recount that could take weeks is under way in the tight race between Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken.

If the Democrats win the two undecided races, they would have 60 of the 100 Senate seats. That would give them enough votes in the Senate to stop a filibuster, a procedural tactic to delay a vote on legislation.

No problems were reported after Georgia polls opened at 7 a.m. (1200 GMT), Secretary of State spokesman Matt Carrothers said. A few precincts reported short lines. Polls were scheduled to close at 7 p.m. (0000GMT).

In last month's general election, Chambliss fell short of crossing the 50 percent threshold in a three-way race against Martin and a Libertarian candidate, Allen Buckley, who drew 3.4 percent of the vote. It's Georgia's first Senate runoff since 1992, when Democratic Sen. Wyche Fowler was upset by Republican Paul Coverdell.

Chambliss is seeking a second term after winning a longshot bid in 2002 against Democratic Sen. Max Cleland. That campaign infuriated Democrats with a TV ad that questioned Cleland's commitment to national security and flashed a photo of Osama bin Laden.

Martin has aligned himself with President-elect Barack Obama's message of change, and has vowed to provide economic relief for the middle class. Chambliss has played to his base by promising to be a firewall against a Democratic-dominated Washington getting a "blank check."

So far, early voting statistics are encouraging for the Chambliss camp. Of the nearly 500,000 early voters who returned to the polls, turnout among black voters, who favor Democrats, is down and turnout among white males, who lean Republican in Georgia, is up compared with advance voting before the general election.

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel did not predict turnout for the contest, but the 1992 runoff attracted about 1.2 million voters _ roughly half the turnout in that year's general election.

Roughly 4 million people cast ballots in this year's general election, and both sides have since tried to keep voters' attention with a barrage of ads and visits by political heavy-hitters.

Former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore both stumped for Martin. President-elect Barack Obama recorded a radio ad for Martin and sent the campaign 100 field operatives to boost turnout. But he didn't campaign in the state, despite a request from Martin to do so.

Several ex-Republican presidential candidates made appearances for Chambliss, including Republican presidential nominee John McCain, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain's vice presidential pick, held four raucous rallies for Chambliss that drew thousands of party faithful on the eve of the election.

___

On the Net:

Saxby Chambliss: http://www.saxby.org

Jim Martin: http://www.martinforsenate.com

Duncan says furor over Obama speech 'silly'

2012-03-12T20:28:00.000-07:00

The furor surrounding President Barack Obama's plans to address the nation's school children is "just silly," Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Sunday.

Duncan's department has taken heat for proposed lesson plans distributed to accompany Tuesday's speech, and he acknowledged that a section on writing to the president about how students can help him meet education goals was poorly written. It has been changed.

Debate about conservative objections to the speech has dominated cable television and talk radio for several days, signaling again the stark divisions in the country both over politics and social issues.

Some opponents to the speech claim Obama would try to indoctrinate school children with what they call his "socialist" agenda.

"That's just silly. They can go to school. They can not watch. It's just, you know, going an 18-minute speech," Duncan said.

He said Obama had no intention beyond talking "about personal responsibility and challenging students to take their education very, very seriously."

Duncan said the guides distributed to schools "were put out by teachers, for teachers. And there is one that wasn't worded quite correctly. It was talking about helping the president hit his goal of having the highest percent of college graduates by 2020. He's drawn a line in the sand in that.

"We just clarified that to say write a letter about your own goals and what you're going to do to achieve those goals. So again it's really about personal responsibility and being accountable, setting real goals and having the work ethic to see them through," the secretary said.

Declaring that viewing the speech is "purely voluntary," Duncan said the hubbub is something "I frankly don't pay any attention to." Rather, he said, he is focused "laser-like" on the big problems in the U.S. education system.

The secretary said the speech text will be posted on the White House Web site on Monday "and people can have a look. Again this is all about the president challenging our young people to take responsibility for their education."

Duncan spoke on CBS"s "Face the Nation."

Glover wins for 1st time since '09 US Open

2012-03-12T16:34:00.000-07:00

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (AP) — Lucas Glover had gone 41 tournaments and nearly two years since winning the U.S. Open for his last victory. His win Sunday in the Wells Fargo Championship was every bit as demanding.

Glover closed with three tough pars on the rugged finishing stretch at Quail Hollow for a 3-under 69. Then he faced a playoff with close friend and former Clemson teammate Jonathan Byrd, who made a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole to catch him.

Glover kept the tournament in suspense to the very end.

After Byrd took bogey with a poor chip from the hazard, Glover had two putts from 25 feet for the win. He left the first one 4 feet short and still above the hole, then knocked that in for his third career victory.

This one came out of nowhere.

Glover, who has been going through a divorce the last several months, missed the cut in his last three tournaments and had only one top 10 in the last year. But he found something in his game when he arrived at Quail Hollow, and he showed great nerves in a tight finish.

Glover became the first player in the nine-year history at Quail Hollow to win with four rounds in the 60s.

Byrd, who started the final round with a one-shot lead as he tried for his third win in seven months, closed with a 72. Even so, he finished with two clutch pars and one dramatic birdie to catch Glover and force the playoff.

They finished at 15-under 273.

Rory Sabbatini, who closed with a 65 and was 13-under 131 on the weekend, wound up alone in third and will move into the top 50 of the world. Now he has to stay there for two more weeks to be exempt for the U.S. Open.

Bill Haas had a 70 to finish alone in fourth. Pat Perez, who set a tournament record with 26 birdies, had an outside chance at winning until closing with three straight bogeys to tie for sixth.

Glover, who started the final round three shots behind, took the lead with a 30-foot eagle putt on the 10th.

Then came a wild ride — bogey-birdie-bogey-birdie — that brought him to what Quail Hollow refers to as the "Green Mile," a punishing stretch of three holes. He saved par from well behind the 16th green. He two-putted from just under 100 feet on the 17th, making a 6-footer for par.

On the 18th in regulation, he pulled his tee shot left of the tiny stream and into the gallery, the ball settling under a spectator. Glover got relief, but as set up over the shot, it tumbled down the hill into an even more awkward lie. Glover did well to get it onto and then over the green, chipped to 7 feet below the hole and slammed his fist when it fell for par.

Byrd was back on the tee when he heard the roar, knowing he needed birdie.

Glover all but predicted it. The close friends had joked before the third round that they would be paired together on Sunday late in the afternoon. They probably didn't have this late in mind, but when Glover walked off the 18th green, he recounted the story and figured Byrd would live up to his end of the bargain.

And he did. Byrd hit his approach to 15 feet right of the cup and made it for birdie. They embraced on the putting green as Byrd walked into sign his card, then headed back to the 18th tee.

Sabbatini was among five players atop the leaderboard in a wacky final round, and the action was relentless.

It started with the feisty South African, who had only been talked about this week over his profanity-filled argument with Sean O'Hair last week in New Orleans that could lead to a suspension.

Sabbatini posted at 14-under 274, and it looked as though it might be enough for a playoff as the Glover, Byrd, Haas and Perez kept finding trouble along the last five holes.

Glover had the most control over the outcome, but from the fairway on the 18th, he pulled a sand wedge just enough to spin left, catch the slope and go into the water. He did well to get up-and-down and escape with bogey, then hit a delicate chip to tap-in range for birdie on the par-5 15th to get back into the lead.

The final three holes were the biggest test, and he looked as solid as a U.S. Open champion.

Byrd looked to be in control until closing out the front nine with back-to-back bogeys, then making another one on the 14th when his shot from the right rough also found the water. But he followed with a birdie on the 15th, then punched out of the trees on the 16th and hit his shot from 167 yards to 2 feet for an unlikely par, and closed with a dramatic birdie.

Perez came undone early with two balls into the water for a double bogey at No. 7, but he rallied hard on the back nine. When his shot sailed over the 16th green and led to bogey, his chances were over.

Even those not in contention managed to add to the Sunday drama.

Padraig Harrington made a brief charge, and when his round was over, he was told that someone thought he had teed his ball just slightly ahead of the markers on the 13th. Harrington and Phil Mickelson went out to the tee, watched replays and decided there was no way to determine. Harrington typically takes a penalty if he feels there is a slight chance he did something wrong.

But not this time.

"There's just no way," he told a rules official on the 13th.

Harrington (68) and Mickelson (69) tied for the ninth, five shots behind the leaders.

It was the eighth playoff this year on the PGA Tour, and the third in a row. Glover earned $1.17 million and should move back into the top 50 in the world ranking.

Almost as unusual as two college teammates in a playoff was how they play. Neither player uses a glove.

Winter delighted with season's best display

2012-03-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

Glastonbury Town manager Roy Winter described his side's point ina 1-1 draw at Clevedon United on Saturday as their best performanceof the season, writes Merv Colenutt.

The Dollies have been in woeful form for much of the campaign buttheir weekend point ensured they claimed back-to-back SomersetCounty League Premier Division draws, following their stalemate atOdd Down Reserves a week earlier.

Glastonbury had looked likely to pick up just their third leaguewin of the season on Saturday when Alex Priddice gave them an earlylead.

Disaster then struck when goalkeeper Jordan Winter was dismissedbut the Dollies produced a resilient display and were only deniedall three points by an equaliser two minutes from time.

"We all got so much satisfaction from the result and it waswithout question our best display of the season over 90 minutes,"said Winter.

"We have been going through a tough time recently and have lostplayers because of the plight we were in.

"I could not have asked for any more from the players who haveremained at the club and the ones who have come in.

"We were on top until Jordan Winter got sent off but after that,I was over the moon with how well we responded and how well wedefended.

"Ali Gillies started off up front, went to centre half when BillWhittaker got injured and then finished in goal. It was certainly agame for him to remember.

"Despite playing with only ten men for nearly half the game, Idon't think anyone would deny us a point.

"I am beginning to see a few shining lights among the lads asthey battled so hard to take something from the game."

Glastonbury now take a break from league action and entertainPortishead Town Reserves in the Somerset Senior Cup on Saturday(1.45pm).