Ameliorative Measures Research Articles

Rising levels of soil acidity in Meghalaya: Evidences and Imperatives

In order to examine the current status of soil acidity in Meghalaya, representative soil samples (n= 497) were collected (during 2015-2016) from across the state and analyzed for soil acidity and associated parameters. Averaged across the samples, pH of the soils was found to be very strongly acidic (4.94). Nearly 20 % of the soils had pH below 4.50, 59% below pH 5.0 and 80% below pH 5.50. Only 3.4% of the samples recorded pH more than 6.0. East Khasi Hills District had the maximum percentage (95.1%) of strongly acidic soils (pH ≤ 5.50) while Garo Hills had the least (50.2%). All other districts recorded more than 85% of the strongly acidic soils. Average exchangeable acidity, exchangeable Al and effective CEC were found to be 1.60, 1.27 and 3.86 meq/100g soil, respectively. Mean base saturation was recorded below 60%. Aluminium saturation (percentage of effective CEC being occupied by exch. Al) ranged from 1.5 to 79.7% with its mean value being as high as 33%. Principal component analysis provided three PCs with Eigen values >1 and together they explained 83.2 % of the variance in total dataset. The soil acidity in Meghalaya is on rise, with 80.2% of its soils being strongly acidic (pH ≤ 5.50) in contrast to the previous reports of 53% soils being strongly acidic. This calls for widespread adoption of soil acidity ameliorative measures in agriculture of Meghalaya, Northeast India.

Probing the Crisis of Regional Connectivity Instigated by the Natural Disasters, Mizoram, India

Mizoram, in eastern Himalayas of India, is educated but thinly populous young state of area 21081sq km with hilly forest cover of (≈90.68%) The major connectivity is by roads of length 8912km (2019) that connects India’s mainland, Myanmar and Bangladesh and about no rail tracks. The state is housed in various folds and faults over Indo-Burmese tectonic zone (Indo Eurasian plate tectonics), and housed adjacent to 950 Ridges. The booming craggy state is combatting with its road network progress due to frequent low magnitude tremors, landslides, floods, and heavy rainfalls.
 The data of earthquakes, landslides, rainfall, and road progress were collected, and analyzed. The connectivity growth is reported tough and challenging within forests, broken relief, frequent ghats roads, and deep gorges, in topography that hinders the progress in pavement growth. Present study focuses on the ameliorative measures of hill road construction in Mizoram by adhering to the IRC: 52-2019, changing modus operandi of national contract bids, amateurish engineering design, procurement policies, bidder’s expertise and commitment for execution.
 The non-availability menial labours and technocrats have stemmed many legal issues & disputes between the government and the contractors. Faulty planning, engineering design, executant’s approach, procurement policies and the contractor’s skill, contract administration and construction management, road safety challenges, contract documentation, and inability of deployed bidders needs to be improved in Mizoram. To cater the needs of up-gradation/ new constructions, the hurdles warrant cutting edge impulses through EIA, EMP, DPR, amateurish design, and updating procurement policies that should supersede the orthodox practices.

Consequences of gas pipeline hauling on changes in soil properties over 3 years

The manifold requirements of arable soils e.g. as construction sites for gas pipes or electricity cable hauling can result in extensive stress and deformation processes. It is therefore hypothesized, that external impacts as the load applications by the used construction machinery, the excavation and following refilling activities cause a loss of important soil functions and changes in soil strength. The recovery of soil functions requires efficient amelioration methods in order to re-achieve the site-specific crop yield potential.In course of the gas pipe installation in Eutric Cambisols in the Weichselian glacial till region of Mecklenburg West Pommerania (North Eastern Germany), undisturbed soil samples were taken below the plowed A-horizon in 50 and 80 cm depth in the traffic lanes and refilled pipeline trenches in the construction area as well as in the adjacent arable soils (which were used as references) directly and 3 years after the construction process.Analyses of soil porosity characteristics, air and saturated hydraulic conductivity as well as of soil strength (precompression stress value) indicate a severe loss of soil functions (especially air capacity and hydraulic conductivity) directly after the construction process (refilling of the material) compared to the reference soil. A harmful soil degradation could be verified down to 80 cm depth in the traffic lanes as a consequence of much too heavy machines used for the transportation and hauling of the pipes. After the refilling and leveling process together with the amelioration measures like the application of in total 5 Mg CaO ha−1 and the following cultivation of alfalfa seeded at the surface after the refilling and leveling, the air capacity and air conductivity was improved, but the precompression stress and the saturated hydraulic conductivity only slightly increased during the following 3 years. We conclude that such intense impacts require a longer time period to regain more rigid soil functions in spite of all the supportive amelioration approaches.

An Acceptance Analysis of Subsoil Amelioration Amongst Agricultural Actors in Two Regions in Germany

The subsoil, commonly defined as horizons below the working depth of 30 cm, often receives little attention in farming practice. Yet plants extract between 10 and 80% of their nutrient and water requirements from the subsoil. Recent research indicates that subsoil amelioration measures, which enhance water storage capacity, root penetration and microbial activity, could contribute to stabilizing yields in times of drought. Therefore, we investigated farmers' and other soil experts' perceptions of subsoil amelioration as an approach to adapt to climate change as well as the factors that influence their willingness to adopt specific measures to improve the subsoil. We applied the Q-method combined with focus groups in two case study regions in Germany. Two subsoil amelioration techniques were considered: (1) Deep loosening combined with the incorporation of compost into deep soil layers (30–60 cm) and (2) the cultivation of alfalfa as deep-rooting pre-crop. Our results show three distinct views on subsoil amelioration, which we termed as the “pioneers,” the “skeptics,” and the “ecologists.” While the pioneers were open toward applying deep loosening combined with incorporation of compost into the subsoil, the skeptics had concerns about the method and perceived it as hardly feasible in practice, and the ecologists clearly preferred biological approaches such as alfalfa cultivation. Despite the different views, all three perspectives view subsoil amelioration as a useful approach to adapt to changing climate conditions. In conclusion, we identified a number of factors that influence the willingness to implement specific techniques to improve the subsoil: economic and farm-level considerations, awareness of subsoil functions, environmental awareness, individual norms and beliefs as well as risk perception. We recommend considering these factors in the design of a policy framework that promotes subsoil amelioration in Germany. Our findings could be of relevance for agricultural systems around the world, which are prone to drought risk.

Multivariate Interaction Analysis of Winter Wheat Grown in Environment of Limited Soil Conditions.

The less productive soils present one of the major problems in wheat production. Because of unfavorable conditions, halomorphic soils could be intensively utilized using ameliorative measures and by selecting suitable stress tolerant wheat genotypes. This study examined the responses of ten winter wheat cultivars on stressful conditions of halomorphic soil, solonetz type in Banat, Serbia. The wheat genotypes were grown in field trails of control and treatments with two soil amelioration levels using phosphor gypsum, in amounts of 25 and 50 tha−1. Across two vegetation seasons, phenotypic variability and genotype by environment interaction (GEI) for yield traits of wheat were studied. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) models were used to study the GEI. AMMI analyses revealed significant genotype and environmental effects, as well as GEI effect. Analysis of GEI using the IPCA (Interaction Principal Components) analysis showed a statistical significance of the first two main components, IPCA1 and IPCA2 for yield, which jointly explained 70% of GEI variation. First source of variation IPCA1 explained 41.15% of the GEI for the grain weight per plant and 78.54% for the harvest index. The results revealed that wheat genotypes responded differently to stressful conditions and ameliorative measures.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Arsenic-Induced Hepatotoxicity: Pathogenic and Therapeutic Implications.

Mitochondria are vital cellular organelles associated with energy production as well as cell signaling pathways. These organelles, responsible for metabolism, are highly abundant in hepatocytes that make them key players in hepatotoxicity. The literature suggests that mitochondria are targeted by various environmental pollutants. Arsenic, a toxic metalloid known as an environmental pollutant, readily contaminates drinking water and exerts toxic effects. It is toxic to various cellular organs; among them, the liver seems to be most affected. A growing body of evidence suggests that within cells, arsenic is highly toxic to mitochondria and reported to cause oxidative stress and alter an array of signaling pathways and functions. Hence, it is imperative to highlight the mechanisms associated with altered mitochondrial functions and integrity in arsenic-induced liver toxicity. This review provides the details of mechanistic aspects of mitochondrial dysfunction in arsenic-induced hepatotoxicity as well as various ameliorative measures undertaken concerning mitochondrial functions.

Tissue Bioaccumulation and Toxicopathological Effects of Cadmium and Its Dietary Amelioration in Poultry-a Review.

Cadmium (Cd) has been recognized as one of the most toxic heavy metals, which is continuously discharged into environments through anthropogenic (industrial activities, fertilizer production, and waste disposal) and natural sources with anthropogenic sources contributing greater than the natural sources. Therefore, Cd concentration sometimes increases in feeds, fodders, water bodies, and tissues of livestock including poultry in the vicinity of the industrial areas, which causes metabolic, structural, and functional changes of different organs of all animals. In poultry, bioaccumulation of Cd occurs in several organs mainly in the liver, kidney, lung, and reproductive organs due to its continuous exposure. Intake of Cd reduces growth and egg laying performance and feed conversion efficiency in poultry. Chronic exposure of Cd at low doses can also alter the microscopic structures of tissues, particularly in the liver, kidney, brain, pancreas, intestine, and reproductive organs due to increased content of Cd in these tissues. Continuous Cd exposure causes increased oxidative stress at cellular levels due to over-production of reactive oxygen species, exhausting antioxidant defense mechanisms. This leads to disruption of biologically relevant molecules, particularly nucleic acid, protein and lipid, and subsequently apoptosis, cell damage, and necrotic cell death. The histopatholocal changes in the liver, kidneys, and other organs are adversely reflected in hemogram and serum biochemical and enzyme activities. The present review discusses about Cd bioaccumulation and histopathological alterations in different tissues, pathogenesis of Cd toxicity, blood-biochemical changes, and its different ameliorative measures in poultry.

Uticaj meliorativnih mera na produktivnost lucerke na kiselom zemljištu tipa vertisol

Alfalfa is the most important forage legume in our agroecological conditions for feeding cattle. In the area of Jablanica district, alfalfa occupies a considerable place in the total plant production. The restrictive factor in the establishment and short durability of alfalfa stand is the low pH of arable agricultural soil. Within the three-year field trial on Vertisol soil type (pH in KCl 4.9), from 2016 to 2018, alfalfa plot yield has been analyzed with different fertilization variants. The research results indicate that alfalfa provides a significantly higher yield on the plot where amelioration measures were applied, through the application of limestone and manure, with the addition of mineral fertilizer. A barely lower yield was achieved on the calcified and manured plot, while the lowest yield was on the control plot, where a generous amount of mineral fertilizer was added, which is a common practice of agricultural producers in the area of Jablanica district.

Adaptation of food legumes to problem soils using integrated approaches

Problem soils impose various stresses on plants and significantly reduce crop yield. As a sizable area sown in food legume crops falls under the designation of problem soils, the development of tolerant varieties and appropriate agronomic practices to ameliorate problem soils is required to increase food legume production. With respect to food legume cultivation, research efforts focusing on the development of cultivars tolerant to problem soils and on integrated management practices for soil amelioration have been limited to date. Here we review the various types of problematic soils and recent efforts in the development of appropriate technologies, including high-throughput plant phenotyping, breeding of tolerant varieties, and innovations in agronomy, that are contributing to or potentially will contribute to the adaptation of food legume crops to problem soils. The significant points are: (1) recent advances in plant phenotyping platforms offer new suites of technologies that facilitate the rapid identification of new genes related to tolerance mechanisms and the rapid development of improved cultivars better adapted to adverse soil conditions; (2) advances in plant genomics and recent developments in plant phenomics contribute towards more precise measurements of plant traits of interest; and (3) improved agronomic practices with appropriate amelioration measures would help to bring about changes in the soil conditions, improving them for cultivation and also providing a practical solution for problem soils. Integrated approaches, including tolerant varieties, amelioration measures, and improved agronomic practices suitable for the region, have the potential to be a sustainable approach by which food legumes could be adapted to problem soils.

Biochemical implication of administration ofmethanol extract of <i>Ocimum gratissimum</i> leaf on haematological profile of Wistar rats

In the search for medicinal plants that will provide ameliorative measure to patients with anaemic disorders. The methanol extract of O. gratissimum leaf was administered to Wistar rats for its effect on haematological profile. Twenty-eight (28) male Wistar rats ranging from 180-200g was randomly picked and placed into plastic cages labeled A-D. Group A served as the control group while groups B-D was the test groups. The animals in group A was administered with distilled water orally by gavage. Group B were administered 50mg/ kg body weight of methanol extract of O. gratissimum, group C were administered with 100mg/kg bodyweight while group D were administered with 200mg/body of methanol extract of O. gratissimum for 14 days. Blood was collected from all the test rats and control by cardiac puncture using disposable syringe and needle then dispensed into tubes containing EDTA. The extract displayed a significant increase (p<0.05) in RBCs, Hb, PCV and platelet counts. More so, the extract produced no significant (p>0.05)difference in MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW WBC counts when compared with the normal control .Therefore, it will be logical to conclude that the extract of O. gratissimum might be a panacea in the management of anaemic conditions when properly harnessed due to its erythropoietic, haematopoietic and thrombopoietic effect.
 Keywords: Anaemia, erythropoietic, haematopoietic, thrombopoietic and phytochemicals.

Soil-Site suitability evaluation for soybean and sunflower crops in the soils of north-west Gir Madhuvanti toposequence of South Saurashtra Region of Gujarat

Six representative pedons were evaluated for their suitability of two oilseed crops (Soybean and Sunflower) in the soils of different land slope of north-west Gir Madhuvanti toposequence of south Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The land slopes, lower piedmont belong to Vertic Haplusterts (P3) were marginally suitable (S3) for Soybean and Sunflower. The soils plain area belongs to Typic Haplusterts (P4) and depression area belong to Sodic Haplusterts (P5) were marginally suitable (S3) for Sunflower and currently not suitable (N1) for Soybean. Upper piedmont belongs to Lithic Ustorthents (P2) were marginally suitable (S3) for Soybean and permanently not suitable (N2) for Sunflower. The soils upper coast belong to Fluventic Calciustepts (P6) were marginally suitable (S3) for Sunflower and permanently not suitable (N2) for soybean. The hill slopes belong to Lithic Ustorthents (P1) were currently not suitable (N1) for Soybean and permanently not suitable (N2) for Sunflower. Topography, drainage, shallow soil depth, high CaCO3, poor soil fertility (low O.C. and high soil pH) soil salinity and sodicity are the major limitations in most soils of north-west Gir Madhuvanti toposequence of south Saurashtra. Results showed that the suitability classes can be improved if the correctable limitations (soil fertility characteristics) are altered through soil amelioration measures.

Soil - site suitability evaluation for major crops in Jammalamadugu - Proddutur tract of Pennar river basin in YSR Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh

A reconnaissance soil survey was undertaken in Jammalamadugu - Proddutur tract of Pennar river basin in YSR Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh to evaluate the suitability of soils for growing rice, cotton, bengalgram and sunflower crops. The soil belongs to Inceptisols, Entisols and Vertisols. All the pedons (P1 to P11) were marginally suitable for growing crops suchas rice, cotton, sunflower and bengalgram except P1 which is moderately suitable for growing cotton. Soil texture, pH and organic carbon, CaCO3 and drainage are the major limitations for crop growth in all the pedons. In general, the limitation levels of the land characteristics varied from crop to crop. The suitability classes for major crops can be improved if soil fertility characteristics are altered through soil amelioration measures. The actual and potential suitability classes of the soils also varied depending upon kind of limitations. If the limitation is due to properties like slope, erosion etc., it can be rectified or improved by adopting suitable soil and water conservation measures and introducing lifesaving irrigations but if the limitations are of permanent type like soil depth it is impossible to convert those lands into better suitability classes than the prevailing one.

Automated Monitoring of Panting for Feedlot Cattle: Sensor System Accuracy and Individual Variability.

Simple SummaryPanting is considered a robust animal response indicator of heat stress; however, continuous visual monitoring is impractical on a commercial scale. Current thermal indices are good predictors of heat stress at a herd level but have limited application at the individual level. The automated monitoring of heat stress responses of individual cattle based on animal response and environmental parameters are required for strategic management and genetic selection. We validated an ear tag-based sensor for the monitoring of panting in cattle and determined the individual variability in panting duration for heat stress events, comparing with existing thermal indices. Sensors were able to monitor differences in cattle panting due to breed, coat colour, and individual variability. High variation in panting responses between and within genotype and coat category highlights the opportunity for targeted heat amelioration based on breed and coat colour grouping of animals, and selection within breeds and types for heat resilience.Heat stress causes significant economic losses by reducing the productivity and welfare of cattle whilst requiring a significant investment in resource for amelioration. Panting score (PS) is considered a robust indicator of cattle heat stress; however, individualised visual monitoring is impractical. Thermal index-based monitoring and mitigation decisions are applied at the herd level, but they have limited application for the individual animal. As such, an automated system to monitor the real-time animal response to heat stress is required for strategic mitigation. Our objectives were to validate an accelerometer-based ear tag sensor to monitor cattle panting and to determine individual variability in heat stress responses with reference to thermal indices. Two experiments were conducted: Experiment 1 validated the sensors, and Experiment 2 determined individual variability comparing sensor data against thermal indices. Ear tag sensors were fitted at feedlot entry to continuously monitor the behaviour of 100 steers of mixed breed in Experiment 1 and 200 steers and heifers of mixed breed in Experiment 2. Sensor-derived ‘heavy breathing’ was validated against visually observed PS. Sensor-derived behaviour bouts were analysed as ‘raw’, and single behaviour states were also converted to the preceding bout of ≥2 min, which was referred to as ‘fill’ data for the validation study. Our results demonstrate the sensors’ ability to accurately monitor panting in feedlot cattle. Sensor-recorded ‘heavy breathing’ duration per animal was highly correlated to observed panting duration for both raw (r = 0.89) and fill (r = 0.90) data; however, the concordance correlation co-efficient was lower for raw (0.45) as compared with fill (0.76). Predicted agreement for raw data were 75%, 45%, and 68% and predicted agreement for fill data were 65%, 54%, and 83% for PS0, PS1, and PS2, respectively. Sensitivity for raw data were 39%, 37%, and 45% and for fill data, they were 59%, 54% and 82% for all PS data, PS1 and PS2, respectively. Specificity and positive predictive values for both raw (77% and 79%, respectively) and fill (65% and 77%, respectively) data show the probability of reporting false positives by sensors to be low. Experiment 2 revealed that the duration of panting increased from 0800 to 1700 h alongside changes in thermal indices with significant differences between and within breed and coat colour categories of cattle, suggesting that grouping and allocating heat amelioration measures by breed and coat colour can be effective in commercial feedlots. However, there was high variability (CV > 80%) in the duration of panting between individuals within the same breed and same coat colour, revealing the potential for strategic management at an individual level, and with the same data, genetic selection for heat resilience.

Plant growth and dynamics of green mass and dry matter accumulation in crop rotations and monocrops on irrigation

Introduction. In intensive farming, soil fertility is enhanced via sufficient amounts of organic and mineral fertilizers, appropriate ameliorative measures, and providing effective biodiversity in agricultural lands. Crop rotations play an important role in preserving and restoring soil fertility as well as in increasing crop yields.Along with cereals, high potential soybean plays a special role in crop rotations. This crop is important for providing food, improving soil fertility and, as green fodder, for livestock development.Material and methods. Crop rotations were compared with monocrops by the Department of Sustainable Agriculture and Plant Diversification of the Absheron Subsidiary Research Farm in 2015–2017. Weighty results have been obtained with the effective use of organic matter from root and top residues by other plants.Result and discussion. In the bean formation phase, the green mass of soybean increased by 2.15 t/ha, and the dry matter - by 0.69 t ha in the crop rotation compared to the monocrop.The results showed that in the crop rotation the amount of plant residues per hectare collected from the 0-40 cmlayer of soil increased from 2.38 t to 2.68 t in soybean, from 4.38 t to 4.76 t in winter wheat, and from 3.95 t to 4.21 t in barleyConclusions. The results demonstrated that the plant growth and development in monocrops was slowed down. The highest values of height, green mass, dry matter, root weight and yield were recorded in the crop rotation.

Діяльність агромеліоратора М.О. Тюленєва (1889-1969 рр.) на болотних дослідних станціях

У статті охарактеризовано внесок вітчизняного агромеліоратора, член-кореспондента АН УРСР, професора Миколи Олександровича Тюленєва (1889-1969 рр.) у розвиток болотних дослідних станцій країни, зокрема, Мінської болотної дослідної станції, Казаровицької науково-дослідної меліораційної станції, Рудня-Радовельської болотно-меліоративної дослідної станції, Панфило-Яготинського центрального болотного опорного пункту Українського НДІ с.-г. меліорації. Учений пройшов шлях від простого спеціаліста-агрохіміка до директора Рудня-Радовельської болотної дослідної станції та керівника й організатора наукових досліджень Панфило-Яготинського центрального болотного опорного пункту. М.О. Тюленєв є автором більше 200 наукових робіт з агромеліоративної дослідної справи. Ученого по праву називають визнаним класиком меліоративно-дослідної справи країни радянського періоду.

Hematological and serum biochemical profile in cattle experimentally infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus.

Background and Aim:Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an acute viral infection affecting cloven-hoofed animals causing vesicular erosions in the oral cavity and interdigital space. The present study was undertaken to ascertain the time-dependent changes in clinical, hematological, and biochemical profiles in different breeds of cattle following experimental infection.Materials and Methods:The animals were inoculated with 1.0×104 50% bovine tongue infectious dose (BTID50) by intradermolingual route. Clinical signs were observed, and blood/serum samples were collected at different time intervals.Results:The white blood cell count declined sharply on days 7-13 and recovered on day 14 post-FMD infection. Biochemical analysis of serum markers for vital organ profile revealed no marked damage. However, a significant increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) value indicated pre-renal azotemia. Transient hyperthyroidism was indicated by the rise in T3 and T4 that can be correlated with a decrease in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. In the cardiac damage assessment study, a distinct breed difference was observed wherein Malnad Gidda calves showed no cardiac damage.Conclusion:Except thyroid profile, BUN, and creatine kinase-myocardial band, all other serum biochemical parameters showed no significant abnormalities, whereas lymphopenia is the only hematological change and it is suggested that effective ameliorative measures should be targeted mainly on the feed/water intake, thyroid gland, and the level of lymphocytes.

SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF DETERMINATION OF THE GROWING AREAS OF THE MAIN AGRICULTURAL CULTURES OF UKRAINE

The article is devoted to research of problems and substantiation of definition of zones of cultivation of the basic crops in Ukraine. The basic basis for determining the areas of cultivation of basic agricultural crops is recommended natural-agricultural zoning (the allocation of zones, provinces, districts, natural-agricultural areas), which is a consequence of agri-environmental heterogeneity of the territories of Ukraine. But the scheme of natural-agricultural zoning can be considered only as a frame when it comes to thematic in this case agri-environmental differences of the territory of Ukraine. An attempt to understand them and to distinguish them is necessary in the classification of arable land for the suitability of soils for the cultivation of basic crops. If we consider at least briefly the methodological sequence of determining suitability, the first question arises about the allocation of areas of cultivation of these crops, namely: winter wheat, winter rye, barley, oats, corn for grain, sugar beet, sunflower, potatoes, flax.For this purpose, according to published data, it is necessary to study, analyze the requirements of individual crops for heat, moisture, light at different phases of development, determine the quantitative need of each factor during the critical periods of plant growth and development, and accordingly, supporting tables for these crops should be drawn up. On the basis of these data, they form a complex characteristic of arable land of Ukraine in relation to the agro-ecological requirements of these crops. The characteristics include, firstly, the total area of the crop cultivation area in Ukraine and the affiliation of certain parts of it to taxa (units) of natural agricultural areas; secondly, each individual zoning taxon has areas that are subject to the suitability of arable land of a particular crop and a score of that area for yield. The area of the first, second and third subclasses of suitability for the area of all cereals, the first and the second — for other named crops, that is, the area on which the cultivation of crops is not accompanied by radical amelioration measures is related to the suitability of the area. This is information that allows us to identify areas with a relative environmental optimum for each crop. It is very important that having suitable acreage and yield estimation, it is possible to determine the production volumes of individual crops under conditions close to the ecological optimum, which is also one of the decisive factors in creating real prerequisites for environmentally friendly land use.

Feed‐based common carp farming and eutrophication: is there a reason for concern?

AbstractMetadata from 70 research articles on Cyprinus carpio digestibility published between 1973 and 2017, covering 71 feed ingredients, were analysed. Interquartile range (IR) of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content in feedstuffs was 5–8% and 0.7–1.2% of dry matter, respectively, with digestible N:P 7.2:1–44.1:1. IR of N digestibility (79–99%) was high, whereas IR of P digestibility (27–47%) was rather poor. Dietary energy digestibility (gross energy and non‐protein energy) was >76%. Higher P in feedstuffs caused significant negative interferences for N digestibility. IR of nutrient content in carp faeces was estimated at 0.5–1.7% N and 0.4–0.9% P. Considering the metabolic losses, the carp excreta have an ‘eutrophic’ N:P ratio (2.1:1–5.8:1). Eutrophication potential from feeding seems linked to P digestibility followed by bad protein profile of diets. While brewery wastes, microbial protein and natural prey offer high P digestibility (75–90%), large knowledge gaps still exist in P digestibility of various ingredients. Thermal processing does not always improve P digestibility; acidic pre‐incubation with phytases (optimum: 1500–2000 IU kg−1 feed) is worth exploring. Under semi‐intensive system, digestible ‘supplementary’ nutrients (N: 3.3–4.9%, P: 0.2–0.5%; even lower) can support at least 0.6–1.2 thermal growth coefficient (reasonable growth) and be ecologically relevant. We further considered validity of data within experimental conditions; effects on N/P utilization; non‐faecal losses (IRs 17–59% of N intake; 9–18% of P intake); and controversies over eutrophication. Recent eutrophication of carp fishponds might have been rather ‘management‐driven’ than carp's biological limitations. Ameliorative measures are outlined.

Hierarchical Clustering to Determine the Toxicity Levels of Factory Workers

Miners, explorers, energy station workers, artisans, factory workers, school pupils and even mere roadside pedestrians and hawkers are exposed to one harmful chemical element or the other. These may be solid, liquid or gaseous in their natural states. A prudent individual will obviously want to determine the pollutants he/she is often exposed to in the course of executing his/her routine daily activities and check, amongst other things, his/her degree of exposure, the resultant toxicity level and consequently determine ameliorative measures that will help reduce the pollution before it causes serious ailments. This work purports to provide a very cheap and simple procedure (i.e. before or after the placement of safety gargets) that can be used to monitor toxicity levels of individual factory workers with a view to determining those (i.e. the highest toxicity level cluster) workers that the company must provide additional intensive medical care for now or even retire before things get even worst (i.e. their toxicity levels become lethal). A data on Artisans or factory workers is used to demonstrate the functionality of the technique as well as its simplicity.

Assessment of Runoff and Drainage Conditions in a North Banat Sub-Catchment, North-Eastern Serbia

Abstract The lowland area of the southeastern part of the Carpathian Basin is exposed to extreme hydrological conditions. The monitoring and analysis of the excess inland water are necessary in order to understand the scope and direction of the development of this type of flooding. When solving the problem of the drainage of an area and dimensioning drainage systems, one of the most important steps is to calculate the rate of runoff. Before calculating the rate of runoff, it is necessary to perform various analysis such as: hydrological, hydrogeological, pedological and land use analysis. The use of empirical formulas by different authors is one of the methods for determining the rate of runoff. These formulas can be of regional character, while some are applicable in different parts of the world. In this paper, the runoff coefficient and rate of runoff were calculated as indicators of the efficiency of the area drainage, employing the formulas by Nemet and Turazzo. The emphasis was put on the usage of modern tools and databases of soil characteristics while using a “traditional” method to determine rate of runoff. The obtained results demonstrate that the rate of runoff which reflects the current state of the drainage basin is very similar to the rate of runoff used for dimensioning of drainage system. The problem of retaining smaller amounts of water that remains even after the anticipated drainage deadlines can be solved with the regular maintenance of amelioration canals and additional ameliorative measures.