Application Of Different Levels Research Articles

Application of different levels of NPK along with soil and foliar application of zinc and boron on yield, quality and nutrient content of cashew nut for increasing quality parameter, in lateritic soil of Konkan

Application of different levels of NPK along with soil and foliar application of zinc and boron on yield, quality and nutrient content of cashew nut for increasing quality parameter, in lateritic soil of Konkan

Effect of Potassium and Zinc on Soil Properties and Fraction of Potassium and Zinc in Soil

A field experiment was carried out on Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during rabi season of the year 2020-21. The experiment comprising nine treatment combinations consisted of three levels of potassium (0, 20 and 40 kg/ha) and three levels of zinc (0, 2.5 and 5.0 kg/ha). These treatments were evaluated in Randomized Block Design (factorial) with four replications. The soil of the experimental plot was loamy sand in texture, alkaline in reaction, low in organic carbon and available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Results of the experiment revealed that the available K2O in soil was significantly increased due to application of 40 kg K2O/ha (K2) and was found to be at par with application of 20 kg K2O/ha (K1). All other chemical properties of soil (pH, EC, organic carbon, available N, P2O5, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) were not differ significantly due to application of different levels of potassium. Levels of zinc also failed to produce its significant effect on chemical properties of soil except available Zn in soil as it was significantly increased with the treatment of Z2 (5.0 kg Zn/ha) than control but was found to be at par with treatment Z1 (2.5 kg Zn/ha). Moreover, no any chemical property of soil differ due to the interaction of different levels of potassium and zinc. The water soluble K and exchangeable K fractions in soil significantly increased with the treatment of K2 (40 kg K2O/ha) otherwise non-exchangeable K, total K and different zinc fractions in soil did not differ significantly by the different levels of potassium. Different potassium fractions and total Zn fraction in soil were found to be non-significant under the different zinc levels but all the zinc fractions in soil (water soluble plus exchangeable Zn, carbonate bound Zn, Fe/Mn oxide bound Zn, organically bound Zn and residual Zn) significantly increased with the treatment of Z2 (5.0 kg Zn/ha) and was remained at par with treatment Z1 (2.5 kg Zn/ha). The interaction between potassium and zinc failed to influence significantly on potassium and zinc factions in soil.

Impacts of Calcium Cyanamide Application as a Nitrogen Source on Growth, Yield, Quality, and Storage Durability of Short-day Onion

Rapid leaching of soluble nitrogen (N) sources in soil poses a significant challenge in agricultural practices. Therefore, gaining a comprehensive understanding of crop responses to slow-release N application rates has become crucial to contributing valuable insights to optimize N management strategies in agriculture. A field study was conducted to investigate the influence of preplant calcium cyanamide fertilizer on the growth, yield, quality, and shelf life of short-day onion. Six levels of calcium cyanamide (CaCN2, 19.8% N), 0, 90, 120, 200, 400, and 600 kg⋅ha−1 CaCN2, which are equivalent to 0, 17.82, 23.76, 39.6, 79.2, and 118.8 kg⋅ha−1 N, respectively, replicated four times were broadcasted and incorporated into the top 5 to 10 cm of soil. Using 400 kg⋅ha−1 of CaCN2 yielded noteworthy improvements in various parameters of onion growth, such as plant height, leaf count, bulb weight per plant, bulb diameter, bulb length, and overall plant weight, as indicated by the study results. The application of different levels of CaCN2 as an N source exerted a significant influence on these growth factors. Moreover, the study revealed a direct correlation between CaCN2 application levels and the storage life of onions. Specifically, the findings demonstrated that the application of 400 kg⋅ha−1 CaCN2 resulted in enhanced yield and overall onion plant growth. However, the application of 600 kg⋅ha−1 CaCN2 increased the incidences of bulb weight loss, rots, and sprouting during the 8-week storage period at room temperature. These findings provide valuable insights for onion investors and farmers in the region and offer practical recommendations for optimizing fertilizer use and storage practices to improve onion production and minimize postharvest losses.

Response of chickpea's yield and yield components to double inoculation with mycorrhiza and rhizobium under split application of nitrogen

AbstractThe utilization of advantageous microorganisms as a biofertilizer has gained significant importance in the agricultural industry due to their potential contribution to food safety and the sustainable cultivation of crops. To evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) fertilizer and co‐inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhiza and rhizobium on the yield and yield component of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), a 2‐year field experiment was conducted in 2020–2021 at the Agricultural Research Station of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. The experiment was designed as a randomized block trial in factorial design with three replicates. The treatments included two levels of inoculation (noninoculated and inoculated with rhizobium and mycorrhiza) and application of different levels of N fertilizer (0, 25, or 50 kg ha−1) at three growth stages (sowing, flowering, pod filling) as follows; F0 (0,0,0), F1 (25,0,0), F2 (25,25,0), F3 (25,25,25), F4 (50,0,0), F5 (50,50,0) and F6 (50,50,50), respectively. The results showed that seed inoculation and split N fertilization significantly increased yield and yield components in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Seed inoculation showed the highest values for all traits studied compared to the noninoculated treatments. Moreover, among the fertilizer treatments, the highest values for plant height (41.8 cm), number of branches (9.1), number of grains per plant (17.8) and 100‐grain weight (30.4 g) from F6 through the F3 treatment, were statistically similar. The results show that the effect of inoculation is more significant when a lower amount of N fertilizer is applied. Due to the health and environmental problems associated with chemical fertilizers, double inoculation and split application of N fertilizers at lower doses can be recommended.

The impact of two bacterial species and five aqueous plant extracts on yield and yield components of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and surof (Echinochloa crus-galli L.)

Chemical exudates from some plants to the environment have been reported as causative agents of adverse effect on growth of neighboring plants and thus affecting normal growth in their natural environment. The mode of action of Chemical exudates on plants is involves a large number of biochemical reactions. This research aimed to investigate the effect of foliar application of different levels of two bacterial species and five aqueous plant extracts on the yield and yield components of Oryza sativa L. and Echinochloa crus-galli L. This research was conducted as a factorial based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three factors with three replications during the 2017–2018 crop year. The main factor included aqueous extracts of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench), Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica), Nettle (Urtica dioica), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill), Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.), and Streptomyces sp-albos containing thaxtomin, Xanthomonas campestris, and control (without aqueous plant extracts and surfactant). The sub-factor includes foliar application treatment with different levels of zero (control), 5, 10, and 15% of extracts, and the third experimental factor included Oryza sativa L. and E. crus-galli L. The results indicated the plant height, leaf area index (LAI), grain yield, biological yield, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and grain protein content decreased, and the grain starch content increased with increasing the extract concentration; the highest effect was obtained at 15% of extracts. The lowest value of leaf area index (3.13) were found in higher concentration of X. campestris followed by Elderberry extract (5%, 10% and 15%) and Nettle (10%) extracts. It was also found that using extract reduced yield characteristics and components of Oryza sativa L., E. crus-galli L., and Elderberry extract showed the highest negative effect. According to the results, Oryza sativa L. had higher plant height, LAI, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, chlorophyll, grain protein content, and grain starch content than E. crus-galli L. In all extractions, control treatment had the highest number of panicles plant−1 in both plants (rice and E. crus-galli L., 260.1 and 117.1 mg g−1 FW). The results suggested that various extracts, especially Nettle, and 15% of Elderberry can control E. crus-galli L. at the germination stage under field conditions.

Nutrition regulates sex expression in a gender diphasy plant, Lilium concolor var. megalanthum.

The evolution and maintenance of plant polymorphism have always received much attention. Gender diphasy is a rare sexual system. Plant individuals with gender diphasy can adjust the resource allocation of different functional organs according to the changes of environmental conditions to regulate the sex expression of individuals, and the sex expression can be converted between years. However, our understanding of sex expression in plants is still very insufficient. In this study, we explored whether the perennial plant Lilium concolor var. megalanthum has a gender diphasy system and whether environmental resource availability affects its resource allocation and sex expression. By collecting the bulbs of two sexual phenotypes (male and hermaphrodite) in the field and simulating the application of different levels of nutrients under the same habitat conditions, the growth and reproduction indexes and sex expression of plants in two years (2021 and 2022) were measured to evaluate the resource allocation strategy and sex expression pattern of Lilium concolor var. megalanthum. We found that the sex expression of Lilium concolor var. megalanthum was variable in continuous years. Under limited resources, Lilium concolor var. megalanthum increases the biomass resources of the leaves and has a longer flowering period. Resource availability regulates the growth, reproduction and sex expression of Lilium concolor var. megalanthum. Bulb size is the main factor affecting its growth, reproduction and sex expression after accumulating sufficient resources. This study confirms that Lilium concolor var. megalanthum has gender diphasy system. There is a strong trade-off between growth and reproduction under limited resources. Nutrient levels can regulate the reproduction and sex expression process of Lilium concolor var. megalanthum. With the growth of Lilium concolor var. megalanthum in consecutive years, the size dependence of bulbs may be the decisive factor in its sex expression.

Foliar Application of Different Levels of Zinc and Boron on the Growth and Yield of Mungbean (Vigna radiate L.)

An experiment was conducted during Kharif-1 of 2022 at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Substation, Satkhira to know the effect of foliar application of micronutrients (zinc and boron) on the growth and yield of mungbean. There were three levels of zinc (Zn) (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%) and boron (B) (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%) along with a blanket dose of urea (35 kg ha-1, triple super phosphate (TSP) (80 kg ha-1), murite of potash (MoP) (40 kg ha-1) and Sulphur (60 kg ha-1). The growth and yield of mungbean was significantly affected by foliar application of different levels of Zn and B. Results revealed that foliar application of Zn at the rate of 0.6% and at the rate of B 0.6% along with recommended dose at 45 days after sowing increases the branches/plant, fresh weight (g), dry weight (g), chlorophyll content, flower/plant, pod/plant, seed/pod thereby increase seed yield. Therefore, the foliar spray of 0.6% Zn significantly increased and influenced 1000 seed weight (g), decreased days to flowering, increased number of seed/pod and yield ton/ha along with blanket dose of Urea, TSP, MoP, gypsum might be considered as suitable dose for mungbean production in southern region of Bangladesh.

Evaluating the antioxidative defense response of selected indoor plants against benzene and formaldehyde.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene are among the key contributors to indoor air pollution. The current situation of environmental pollution is alarming, especially indoor air pollution is becoming a challenge as affecting plants and humans. VOCs are known to adversely affect indoor plants by causing necrosis and chlorosis. In order to withstand these organic pollutants, plants are naturally equipped with an antioxidative defense system. The current research study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of formaldehyde and benzene on the antioxidative response of selected indoor C3 plants including Chlorophytum comosum, Dracaena mysore, and Ficus longifolia. After the combined application of different levels (0, 0; 2, 2; 2, 4; 4, 2; and 4, 4ppm) of benzene and formaldehyde respectively, in an airtight glass chamber, the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were analyzed. Analysis of total phenolics showed a significant increase (10.72mg GAE/g) in F. longifolia; C. comosum (9.20mg GAE/g); and D. mysore (8.74mg GAE/g) compared to their respective controls as 3.76, 5.39, and 6.07mg GAE/g. Total flavonoids (724µg/g) were reported in control plants of F. longifolia which were increased to 1545.72µg/g from 724µg/g (in control) followed by 322.66µg/g in D. mysore (control having 167.11µg/g). Total carotenoid content also increased in D. mysore (0.67mg/g) followed by C. comosum (0.63mg/g) in response to increasing the combined dose compared to their control plants having 0.62 and 0.24mg/g content. The highest proline content was exhibited by D. mysore (3.66μg/g) as compared to its respective control plant (1.54μg/g) under a 4ppm dose of benzene and formaldehyde. A significant increase in enzymatic antioxidants including total antioxidants (87.89%), catalase (59.21 U/mg of protein), and guaiacol peroxidase (52.16 U/mg of protein) was observed in the D. mysore plant under a combined dose of benzene (2ppm) and formaldehyde (4ppm) with respect to their controls. Although experimental indoor plants have been reported to metabolize indoor pollutants, the current findings indicate that the combined application of benzene and formaldehyde is also affecting the physiology of indoor plants as well.

Comparative physiological and metabolomics analyses using Ag⎯NPs and HAS31 (PGPR) to alleviate Cr stress in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

In the current industrial scenario, chromium (Cr) as a metal is of great importance but poses a major threat to the ecosystem because of its toxicity, but fewer studies have been conducted on its effects and alleviation strategies by using nanoparticles (NPs) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Taking into consideration the positive effects of silver⎯nanoparticles (Ag⎯NPs) and (HAS31) rhizobacteria in reducing Cr toxicity in plants, the present study was conducted. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of single and/or combined application of different levels [0 (no Ag⎯NPS), 15 and 30 mM] of Ag⎯NPs and HAS31 [0 (no HAS31), 50 g and 100 g] on Cr accumulation, morpho-physiological and antioxidative defense attributes of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) exposed to severe Cr stress [0 (without Cr stress), 50 and 100 μM)]. Results from the present study showed that the increasing levels of Cr in the soil significantly (P < 0.05) decreased plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange attributes, sugars, and nutritional contents from the roots and shoots of the plants. In contrast, increasing levels of Cr in the soil significantly (P < 0.05) increased oxidative stress indicators in term of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and electrolyte leakage, and also increased organic acid exudation patter in the roots of H. vulgare. Although, the activities of enzymatic antioxidants and the response of their gene expressions in the roots and shoots of the plants and non-enzymatic such as phenolic, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, and anthocyanin contents were increased by increasing the Cr concentration in the soil. The negative impacts of Cr injury were reduced by the application of PGPR (HAS31) and Ag⎯NPs, which increased plant growth and biomass, improved photosynthetic apparatus, antioxidant enzymes, and mineral uptake, as well as diminished the exudation of organic acids and oxidative stress indicators in roots of H. vulgare by decreasing Cr toxicity. Research findings, therefore, suggest that the application of PGPR (HAS31) and Ag⎯NPs can ameliorate Cr toxicity in H. vulgare, resulting in improved plant growth and composition under metal stress, as depicted by balanced exudation of organic acids.

Nutrient Composition of Phosphorus Enriched Compost from Seafood Processing Unit Waste

Seafood is gaining in popularity because of its health benefits. At the same time, large amounts of fish waste are being generated, mostly from the industrial processing of fish. These large quantities of fish waste have not been utilized efficiently, and the disposal of fish waste can have large negative impacts on local environments. Unutilized fish waste is often disposed of by land fill or incineration, or by dumping into the sea. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find ecologically acceptable means for reutilization of fish waste. In this study, fish waste samples are collected and characterised. The fish waste was acidic in pH (6.1) with EC of 3.8 dSm-1. The total N, P, K of the fish waste was 10.17, 0.20 and 0.74 % respectively. It also had an appreciable amount of organic carbon content 46.22%. Fish waste was mixed with saw dust (2:1) and Rock Phosphate - Phosphorus (RP-P) at the rate of 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 % for enrichment of compost The results showed that the application of different levels of (RP-P) reduce the pH, slightly increased the EC, N,P,K and Organic carbon content. Thus, rock phosphate enriched fish waste compost could be an alternative and viable technology to manage the solid waste generated from the seafood industries as well as crop production.

Effect of Copper on Growth and Yield and Macro and Micro Nutrient Concentration of Rice (Oryza sativa. L) in Typic Haplustalf

A field experiment was conducted on soil application of different levels of copper (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 kg Cu ha-1) and foliar application (0.25% CuSO4 at tillering stage, 0.25% CuSO4 at tillering and flowering stage, 0.5% CuSO4 at tillering stage and 0.5% CuSO4 at tillering and flowering stage) to test the response of rice plants grown in a copperresponsive in Typic Haplustalfs of Tamil Nadu. The treatment plots were replicated three times in a randomized block design. The growth attributes like plant height, tillering, and dry matter yield enhanced with increasing Cu levels and was maximum at 1.5 mg kg-1 Cu. The grain yield at 1.5 mg kg-1 Cu was enhanced by 62.9% from the control. The outcomes uncovered that the Cu concentrations in leaves, grain, and straw enhanced with increasing levels of Cu application. Application of low Copper application (0.5 to 1.5 kg Cu ha-1) significantly increased the macro (total N, P, K) and micro nutrient (Fe, Mn, Zn) content in leaves, grain, and straw of rice, however, higher concentrations (2.0 to 3.0 kg Cu ha-1) drastically reduced the nutrient content of rice.

Proline-functionalized graphene oxide nanoparticles (GO-Pro NPs): A new engineered nanoparticle to ameliorate salinity stress on grape (Vitis vinifera L. cv Sultana)

Salinity stress is of the critical abiotic stress factors in many parts of the world, especially in arid and semi-arid regions and drastically decrease the growth and productivity of the crop. Therefore, in order to maintain the crop productivity and ensure food security in salt-stress suffered regions; in the last decade, novel engineered nanoparticles were synthesized and then assayed for their potential effects concerned with the plant protection against stress conditions. Herewith the present study, we synthesized proline-functionalized graphene oxide nanoparticles (GO-Pro NPs). Then, the interaction effects of either GO-Pro NPs (50 and 100 mg L−1) or graphene oxide nanoparticles (50 and 100 mg L−1) and salinity stress (50 and 100 mM NaCl) on Vitis vinifera L. cv Sultana were evaluated by assaying an array of parameters, viz. photosynthetic pigments, electrolyte leakage, relative leaf water content, protein, proline, antioxidant defense systems, and oxidative stress markers. Accordingly, salinity critically reduced chlorophyll index and content as well as leaf water content, whilst it caused significant increases in electrolyte leakage, the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as contents of proline, malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In stress-submitted plants, foliar application of proline-functionalized graphene oxide nanoparticles (100 mM) was effective against oxidative damage with increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, proline, and the relative water content of leaves and reducing electrolyte leakage (EL), H2O2, and MDA. The current findings revealed that the oxidative stress caused by salinity in Sultana cultivar grapes might be alleviated by foliar application of different levels of proline-functionalized graphene nanoparticles.

Response of Biochar on Growth and Yield of Aman Rice Under Salt Stress

A pot experiment was conducted in Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during aman season, 2018 to assess the effect of biochar on rice (BRRI dhan62) under salt stress conditions. The factorial experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Three levels of salinity were used viz. Control (S0), 1600 ppm NaCl (S1), and 2800 ppm NaCl (S2) under factor A and four levels of biochar were applied viz. 0 t ha−1 (B0), 2 t ha−1 (B1), 4 t ha−1 (B2) and 6 t ha−1 (B3) under factor B. The salt materials were added on pot in two installments at 20 and 30 days after transplanting (DAT). Exposure to salinity decreased growth and yield of rice including plant height, tillers hill-1, effective tillers hill-1, grains panicle-1, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and straw yield. The magnitude of growth and yield reduction increased with increasing the salinity level. Exposure of 1600 ppm and 2800 ppm NaCl declined the grain yield of rice by 28 and 100%, respectively. Straw yield (18 and 100%, respectively) and other yield contributing parameters declined by these two levels of salinity in the same way. Application of different levels of biochar ameliorated saltinduced damages to a certain extent. Under 2800 ppm NaCl stress, application of biochar extended life duration of rice plant upto 80 DAT, whereas without biochar application rice plant died after 60 DAT. Upon exposure to 1600 ppm NaCl stress, application of 2, 4 and 6 t ha−1 of biochar increased grain yield by 37, 42 and 30%, respectively, compared with the respective salt treatments (without biochar). Biochar enhanced yield of rice under saline conditions by enhancing yield contributing attributes including effective tillers and 1000-grain weight and by reducing salt-induced damages. However, response of 4 t ha−1 of biochar was best among the biochar levels (2, 4 and 6 t ha−1 of biochar) under both saline and non-saline conditions. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2022, 25(1): 105-113

Application of Different Levels of Advanced Modeling Iterative Reconstruction in Brain CT Scanning.

Advanced Modeling Iterative Reconstruction (ADMIRE) algorithm has five intensity levels; it is important to study which algorithm is better for brain CT scanning. The aim of the study is to compare the influence of different strength levels of ADMIRE and traditional Filtered Back Projection (FBP) on image quality in brain CT scanning. 60 patients were retrospectively selected, and the data from each of these patients' brains were reconstructed by four different reconstruction methods (FBP, ADMIRE1, ADMIRE3, and ADMIRE5). A five-point Likert Scale was implemented to evaluate the subjective image quality. Image noise, CT value of brain tissue , signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of gray white matter, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and beam hardening artifact index (AI) of the posterior fossa, were measured for evaluating the objective image quality. Finally, the differences between the subjective and objective evaluations were compared. There were no statistical differences observed in CT values of gray matter and white matter between the four groups (all P >0.05). The image noise gradually decreased with the increase of ADMIRE algorithm level. The AI exhibited no statistical difference between the four groups (F =0.793, P =0.499), but it tended to decrease slightly with the increase of ADMIRE algorithm level. Compared to other groups (all p <0.001), the ADMIRE5 group demonstrated the best objective image quality. Nevertheless, the highest subjective score was observed in the ADMIRE3 group, which exhibited significant differences with other images (all P <0.001). ADMIRE algorithm can clearly improve image quality, but it cannot significantly improve the linear sclerosis artifacts in the posterior cranial fossa. Based on the subjective evaluation of image quality, ADMIRE3 algorithm is recommended in brain CT scanning.

Immobilization of chromium bioavailability through application of organic waste to Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) under chromium-contaminated Indian soils.

Industrialization results in production of large volume of wastewaters, and disposing of them become a serious problem. The wastewaters may have range of heavy metals, which have an impact on soil and plant health. The objective was to evaluate the influence of farm yard manure (FYM) and pressmud (PM) applications on Indian mustard growth and chromium (Cr) uptake in tannery effluent irrigated Cr-contaminated soil. Soil was collected from the tannery effluent irrigated fields (chromium contaminated) of Shekhpura village of Kanpur, India. A pot culture experiment was carried out by growing Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) var. RH 749 on the Cr-contaminated soil with application of different levels and combinations of FYM and PM (at 0, 2.5, and 5gkg-1 each). Biomass yield, Cr uptake, bioconcentration factor (BCF), transfer factor (TF), transfer efficiency (TE), and Cr removal indices were examined. Higher doses of FYM and PM resulted in reduction of Cr concentrations in shoot (6.60 to 2.50µgg-1) and root (27.27 to 9.43µgg-1); and absorption in plant tissues and had improved total dry matter yield (14.56 to 30.94g pot-1). The use of FYM and PM had a substantial (p ≤ 0.05) impact on phytoremediation parameters like BCF (0.128 to 0.045), TE (59.61 to 64.51%), and Cr removal (0.65 to 0.51%). Combined application of FYM (5gkg-1) and PM (5gkg-1) had enhanced the dry matter yield of shoot (12.51 to 26.40g pot-1) and root (2.05 to 4.54g pot-1) and reduced the Cr uptake (138.54 to 108.79mg pot-1) than the individual amendment addition of FYM (138.52 to 135.89mg pot-1) and PM (126.02 to 130.52mg pot-1). Combined application of FYM (5gkg-1) and PM (5gkg-1) could be beneficial for remediation of Cr-contaminated areas for cultivation of crops.

Survival and Growth of Olive Tree (Olea africana) Seedlings Under Open Field Conditions is Enhanced in Hydrogel Amended Soils Media, Teso Subcounty, Kenya

The rapid decline of timber from natural forests against increasing domestic demand for wood products has caused a steady increase in timber prices in Kenya. Recently, research and development institutions have recognized the ecological and economic value of indigenous tree species and therefore have emphasized the importance of their future production on private smallholder farms rather than in large plantations. This situation has been worsened by climate changes such as the frequent high intensity of prolonged droughts and the nature of soils with poor water retention capacity. As a result, unplanted forest regeneration sites have increased hence a need for re-afforestation of these sites to meet the target for the plantation industry. Therefore, there is a need for mass production of Olea africana seedlings for reforestation programs. One such approach is the application of hydrogels or synthetic polymer organic combinations capable of improving the water and nutrient retention of the soil that can support seedling growth. This study sought to investigate the effects of hydrogel application on selected growth characteristics of O. africana. Seeds were germinated and transferred into two sets of tubes of the same size arranged in a complete randomized block design (CRBD) experiment. The sets were subjected to different levels of hydrogel concentration. Under (0gm as control) and 7gm, 14gm, and 21gm) concentration levels of hydrogel mixed with soil in open field conditions. The height and shoot collar diameter of germinated seedlings were measured every two weeks for two months. The survival of O. africana seedlings decreased with time for all treatments irrespective of the addition of hydrogels with the highest (85%) survival of seedlings on soils mixed with 21gm of hydrogel compared to 0gm hydrogel that recorded (15% survival) eight weeks after transplanting. Application of different levels of hydrogel on soils had a significant influence on the survival of transplanted O. africana seedlings (p˂0.05). Generally, the height of O. africana seedlings increased with time for all types of treatments (0, 7, 14 and 21gm of hydrogel); however, the rate of growth of seedlings was highest (0.667cm /week) on soils treated with 21gm of hydrogel and least (0.33cm/week) on 0gm hydrogel. The shoot collar diameter of O. africana seedlings increased with time for all types of treatments (0, 7, 14 and 21gm of hydrogel); however, the average shoot collar diameter of O. africana seedlings was highest (0.088mm/week) on soils inoculated with 21gm hydrogel and least (0.066mm/week) on soils not inoculated with hydrogel. These results imply that a higher dose of hydrogel significantly enhances the survival and growth characteristics (height and shoot collar diameter) of transplanted seedlings by improving the water-holding capacity of soil and making it available for plant uptake during dry conditions. Hydrogels can therefore be used to amend soils for a sustainable mass regeneration of tropical timber species for reforestation programs, increased forest cover and restoration of biodiversity in Kenya

Effect of Potassium Sulphate Fertilizer Doses on Sugarcane Growth Yield and Quality Grown in Sudan

Sugarcane is one of the most important crops in Sudan which played a leading role in the local and foreign trade. Research has been conducted in two sites in Sugarcane Research Center Farm in Guneid-Sudan from 5/7/2019 to 5/9/2020. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of potassium sulphate fertilizer doses on the growth, yield, and quality of sugarcane. The variety tested was Co 6806. The treatments consist of five doses of potassium sulphate (SOP) fertilizer which contains (50% K2O and 18% S); K1: 0.0, K2: 40, K3: 80, K4: 120, and K5: 160 kg SOP kg ha-1 arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. The results obtained showed that there was a significant effect on plant growth due to the application of different levels of potassium sulphate fertilizer in the two sites. Statistically, the treatment K3: (80 SOP kg ha-1) significantly recorded the highest cane and sugar yield values compared to the other potassium sulphate levels and the control in the two different experimental sites.

TherMa-MiCs: Thermal-Aware Scheduling for Fault-Tolerant Mixed-Criticality Systems

Multicore platforms are becoming the dominant trend in designing Mixed-Criticality Systems (MCSs), which integrate applications of different levels of criticality into the same platform. A well-known MCS is the dual-criticality system that is composed of low-criticality and high-criticality tasks. The availability of multiple cores on a single chip provides opportunities to employ fault-tolerant techniques, such as N-Modular Redundancy (NMR), to ensure the reliability of MCSs. However, applying fault-tolerant techniques will increase the power consumption on the chip, and thereby on-chip temperatures might increase beyond safe limits. To prevent thermal emergencies, urgent countermeasures, like Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) or Dynamic Power Management (DPM) will be triggered to cool down the chip. Such countermeasures, however, might not only lead to suspending low-criticality tasks, but also it might lead to violating timing constraints of high-criticality tasks. In order to prevent such severe scenarios, it is indispensable to consider a temperature constraint within the scheduling process of fault-tolerant MCSs. Therefore, this paper presents, for the first time, a thermal-aware scheduling scheme for fault-tolerant MCSs, named TherMa-MiCs. In particular, TherMa-MiCs, satisfies the temperature constraint jointly with the timing constraints of the high-criticality tasks, while attempting to maximize the QoS of low-criticality tasks under the predefined constraints. At the same time, a reliability target is satisfied by employing the well-known N-Modular Redundancy (NMR) fault-tolerant technique. Experimental results show that our proposed scheme meets the temperature and timing constraints, while at the same time, improving the QoS of low-criticality tasks, with an average of 44%.

Effect of different levels and sizes of walnut seed residues on phosphorus availability and alkaline phosphatase activity in calcareous soil

A laboratory experiment has been carried out in the College of Science-University of Salahaddin to study the effect of different levels (0,5,10 and 15%) and sizes(250 and 1000µm) of walnut seeds residues and (160mg.kg-1) phosphorus fertilization on the concentration of phosphorus availability and alkaline phosphatase activity in calcareous soil during 15 and 30 days period of incubation, the experimental design in factorial complet randomize design (C.R.D) with three replications. The results indicated that the application of different levels of walnut seed residues decreases the concentration of phosphorus availability and alkaline phosphatase activity, however the results revealed that combination between levels and sizes of sieved walnut seed residues and phosphorus fertilizer significantly (p≤0.05) affected the alkaline phosphatase activity and the concentration of available phosphorus, the highest values (29.633 µgPNPg-1.hr-1and 6.442mg.kg-1) have been recorded in treatments combination received 1000µm, 15% walnut seed residues and phosphorus fertilizer, respectively.

Microencapsulation of hibiscus bioactives and its application in yogurt

The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of microparticles of anthocyanins from Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract, obtained by ionic gelation, to commercial natural yogurt. Two ionic gelation techniques were used as follows: atomization (Spray Dryer B-290) and dripping (Encapsulator B-390). Microparticles produced were evaluated for size, morphology, color, and encapsulation efficiency (total phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacity). Hibiscus extract (1.5%–4.5%) and 20% of hibiscus microparticles, obtained by atomization or dripping, were applied to whole sweetened natural yogurt and fat-free natural yogurt. Samples were evaluated for sensory acceptance and color changes under refrigerated conditions after the application of different levels of hibiscus extract (1.5%–4.5%). The atomization technique generated smaller particles with a greater encapsulation efficiency of bioactive compounds. Application of free hibiscus extract (4.5%) and hibiscus microparticles (20%) in yogurt matrix proved to be technically feasible, providing color and functional appeal to the product, with good sensory preference. Novelty Impact Statement The double emulsion followed by ionic gelation has allowed good retention of hibiscus anthocyanins. The atomization technique generated smaller particles with a greater encapsulation efficiency of bioactive compounds. Hibiscus extract combined with microencapsulated hibiscus promoted color and functional appeal to yogurt, with good sensory preference.