Average Phosphorus Research Articles

Using Hybrid Modeling to Examine the Input Flux of Phosphorus and Its Reduction in the Terrestrial Area of Dongting Lake Area

The study of terrestrial phosphorus inflow （hereafter referred to as phosphorus inflow） fluxes is essential for controlling non-point source （NPS） pollution. The SWAT model was successfully used to simulate phosphorus inflow fluxes in the Dongting Lake area, while a hybrid model （LSTM and SWAT） was developed and validated for predicting the reduction in phosphorus inflow fluxes among rivers based on three typical reduction scenarios： agricultural control, livestock and poultry reduction, and soil and water conservation measures. The results showed that the inflow flux of TP was 3.9×104 t·a-1, with a TP load of 14.4 kg·（hm2·a）-1. The flux exhibited notable seasonal variation, peaking during the flood season and decreasing during the non-flood season, which was strongly correlated with runoff, soil erosion, and cropping density. The Sankou area, with an annual average phosphorus inflow flux of 1.87×104 t, provided the highest risk and required specific regulation for its phosphorus levels, with the river system area and agricultural land emerging as the principal factors contributing to this risk. The LSTM model, using multi-feature input, effectively simulated phosphorus input fluxes at the sub-basin scale, achieving NSE > 0.6. Additionally, the hybrid model demonstrated better performance at the river system scale, with NSE > 0.8, RPE < 10%, and reduced data feature requirements. The study identified soil inflow reduction as a relatively effective approach for reducing phosphorus flux in the Sankou area, highlighting soil as the primary carrier of phosphorus and emphasizing its significance in non-point source pollution control, in addition to the fact that attention should be paid to the problem of livestock and poultry pollution. These findings offer valuable scientific insights and data support for understanding the spatial and temporal patterns of phosphorus input fluxes and devising phosphorus reduction strategies in the Dongting Lake area.

Connecting the liquid fragility to the average weakest metal–oxygen bond of its crystal in oxides

Glass and crystal are inherently different material states in terms of their structural and physical features; consequently, the direct quantitative connection between crystal and glass is lacking. Herein, we first show that the liquid fragility m, which is featured by the negative departure degree of viscosity with the temperature at the glass transition temperature (Tg), has a direct exponential correlation with the ratio of the average longest metal–oxygen and the average phosphorus, silicon, or boron–oxygen bond lengths of the crystal in various oxides including phosphates, silicates, and borates. Such a result can be rationalized by the fact that the fragility m in these glass-formers is associated with the total network rigidity determined by the weakest bond due to the “bucket effect” and the bond pair inheritance of glass from that of the crystal. Our work connects direct features between glass and crystal with identical composition, providing a new viewpoint bridging glass and crystal.

Oxidation states and structural role of iron in sodium iron aluminophosphate glass: A combined study of XAFS experiments and MD simulations

Vitrification has gained global recognition as one of the most mature techniques for solidification of high-level nuclear waste, and borosilicate glass has been widely used in various countries as the base material. However, iron aluminophosphate glass also found advantages in solidify waste forms containing high concentrations of Zr, Mo and rare earth elements. In this work, oxidation states of Fe and its structural role of sodium iron aluminophosphate glass have been investigated using X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy experiments and molecular dynamic simulations. Results show that both the Fe2+ concentration and the average phosphorus number around Fe increase with the replacement of Na by Fe; whereas, the average oxygen number around Fe decreases. Fe2+ ions are mainly four-coordinated, and Fe3+ ions are mainly five-coordinated. Moreover, additional Fe content leads to the gradual replacement of Al/P–O–P linkages by Fe2+–O–P linkages, resulting in the enhancement of the chemical durability of the glass.

Influence of soil microplastic contamination on maize (Zea mays) development and microbial dynamics

BackgroundMicroplastics are contaminants in soil ecosystems that alter biophysical processes, affect plant growth, ecosystems and humans in the long run. This study was conducted to investigate the influence of soil microplastic contamination on the growth, development, and microbial dynamics of maize (Zea mays).Composite soil samples were collected from the farm from 0 to 10 cm depth. Physicochemical properties were assessed before maize seed sowing. Three soil weight categories were treated with 30 g, 20 g and 10 g microplastics. Soil physicochemical properties and heavy metal content in maize plants were analyzed. Morphological parameters, microbial counts, and microorganism identification were conducted. FTIR analysis was carried out in selected plant parts.ResultsThe study revealed a pH range of 5.00–6.70, electrical conductivity of 70–158 µS/cm, organic carbon and organic matter, total nitrogen, average phosphorus content, clay and silt content. The concentrations of heavy metals in plant parts were within WHO standard limits of 425.5 and 500 mg/kg for iron and manganese, but above the limits of 40, 60, and 350 mg/kg for copper, zinc and magnesium. The plant had various leaf sizes and heights, with chlorosis and necrotic activity ranging from 0.33 to 2.67, and a range of 1.33 to 6.33, respectively. Soil samples showed a total bacterial count (TBC) of 2.00 × 103 cfu/g to 7.60 × 104 cfu/g and a total fungal count (TFC) of 4.00 × 103 cfu/g to 2.20 × 104 cfu/g. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus mirabilis and Bacillus cereus had percentage occurrences of 44.31, 21.17, 9.12, and 3.26%, respectively. Penicillium notatum was the most prevalent, while Fusarium spp. was the least prevalent. The FTIR analysis of maize seeds from soil samples A, B, and C revealed various organic compounds, with opium powder and streptomycin sulphate being the most abundant. The study revealed that pot B had the highest microplastic concentration at 1 WAS, while pot C had the lowest at 0.10 mg/kg, indicating a differential soil microplastic accumulation.ConclusionMicroplastics impact soil health, plant growth, and nutrient cycling, necessitating sustainable agriculture. Long-term research is needed to understand ecological and physiological impacts and explore remediation techniques.

Growth promotion and modulation of the soybean microbiome INTACTA RR PRO with the application of the fungi Trichoderma harzianum and Purpureocillum lilacinum

Soybean is an economically important crop for animal and human nutrition. Currently, there is a lack of information on the effects of Trichoderma harzianum and Purpureocillum lilacinum on INTACTA RR PRO transgenic soybean plants. The present study evaluated the application of T. harzianum and P. lilacinum under field conditions. The results revealed a significant increase in soybean yield at 423 kg ha−1 in response to the application of P. lilacinum compared with the control treatment. In addition, the application of P. lilacinum promoted a significant increase in phosphorus levels in the plant leaves, and there were significant correlations between the increase in taxon abundance for the genus Erwinia and productivity and the average phosphorus and nitrogen content for the plant leaves, for the taxon Bacillus and nitrogen content and productivity, and for the taxon Sphingomonas and nitrogen content. The Bradyrhizobium taxon was identified in the P. lilacinum treatment as a taxon linking two different networks of taxa and is an important taxon in the microbiota. The results show that the application of the fungus P. lilacinum can increase the productivity of soybean INTACTA RR PRO and that this increase in productivity may be a function of the modulation of the microbiota composition of the plant leaves by the P. lilacinum effect.

Soil Physical and Chemical Properties under Shea Tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) at Different Stages of Growth

Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa), is one of the dominant agro-forestry species in Otuke district of Northern Uganda. Due to its economic importance and, in line with the numerous threats the tree is faced with, there is an urgent need for measures to conserve this species, for example, through incorporating annual food crops in the Shea tree parkland. This, however, requires a better understanding of tree-soil-food crop interactions. A number of studies of this aspect either considered only the mature Shea tree gardens or did not provide a clear distinction between the physiological states of the Shea tree. This was the motivation for this study where we compare variation in soil properties under mature and young Shea tree gardens with sites not having trees in Okwang sub-county, Otuke district. Five soil samples (up to 15 cm deep for top soil and 15-30 cm for sub-soil) were obtained per treatment using a soil auger. Our results show that in the top soil, only percent sand varied among the treatments, while, in the sub-soil, only percentage nitrogen and average phosphorus varied among the treatments. We also found that percentage top soil organic matter and percentage of sub-soil sand had negative strong correlations with maize and soybean yields, while percentage sub-soil clay had a strong positive correlation with maize and soybean yield. We conclude that variations in soil physical and chemical properties under Mature and Young Shea gardens only occur for those properties that have a direct link to tree residues

A new steelmaking process using red mud as a fluorine-free flux: Promoting phosphorus removal and iron recovery

Bayer red mud, one of the most challenging solid wastes in the aluminum industry, is anticipated to be suitable for large-scale disposal in alignment with the specific requirements of the steelmaking process. This study determined the melting characteristics of various red mud-based fluxes using a high-temperature in-situ analysis system. Furthermore, the feasibility of large-scale application and the potential for substituting CaF2 in the iron and steelmaking process were investigated through a 10-kg induction furnace test and a 160-ton converter industrial test. The results indicate that the hot metal temperature during the pre-phosphorus removal stage ranged from 1254°C to 1430°C. Initial slag formation occurred within 2–4 minutes of oxygen blowing. The average slag basicity was between 1.5 and 2.1. Early dephosphorization and the average phosphorus distribution ratios were 41.4 %-63.4 % and 30, respectively. The mechanism of red mud-based fluxes in the early stage of steelmaking was further elucidated, and the application process was designed. The new process reduces the cost of slag materials, realizes the large-scale disposal of red mud, establishes the connection for the sustainable development of the steel and aluminum industries.

Phosphorus Knowledge and Dietary Intake of Phosphorus of US Adults Undergoing Dialysis.

Abnormal serum phosphorus is a concern for adults undergoing dialysis due to the risk for mortality and morbidity. General recommendations for maintaining serum phosphorus within normal limits is monitoring dietary intake of phosphorus and taking phosphate binders, as prescribed. However, limited research is available about adults' phosphorus knowledge and dietary intake of phosphorus. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the association between phosphorus knowledge and dietary intake of phosphorus of adults on dialysis. An online Qualtrics survey was conducted during February-September 2023. Participants (n = 107) responded to the 74-item questionnaire (30-day food frequency questionnaire, phosphorus knowledge questionnaire, and demographic questions). Analysis included frequencies, descriptive statistics, t-tests, and Spearman correlations. JMP SAS v16 was used with a statistical significance of p < 0.05. Of the participants, 57.0% (n = 61) were on peritoneal dialysis and 43.0% (n = 46) were on hemodialysis. Average phosphorus knowledge score was 10.6 ± 3.0 out of 19 or 55.8%, with those on peritoneal dialysis having lower scores (54.7%) compared to participants on hemodialysis (58.1%) (p < 0.05). The daily average dietary phosphorus intake was 605 ± 297 mg. Participants on peritoneal dialysis consumed more phosphorus (625 mg) compared to participants on hemodialysis (576 mg) (p < 0.05). There was no association with phosphorus knowledge scores and dietary intake of phosphorus. There were positive correlations between discussing about phosphorus, knowing serum phosphorus concentration, and phosphorus knowledge scores. These results can aid practitioners in providing tailored nutrition education among adults on dialysis.

Wear Resistance Behavior of Low-, Mid-, and High-Phosphorus Electroless Ni-P Coatings Heat-Treated in the Air Environment

The high-temperature heat treatment of electroless nickel–phosphorus (Ni-P) coatings in an air environment, and its consequences have scarcely been investigated. This work investigated tribological characteristics of the high-temperature, heat-treated, electroless Ni-P coatings on steel substrates with low-, mid-, and high-phosphorus content for which the average phosphorus content was 2.4 wt.%, 7.1 wt.%, and 10.3 wt.%, respectively. X-ray fluorescence and energy dispersive spectroscopy were implemented to determine the phosphorus content of the coatings. The oxidation of Ni and the formation of the NiO layer on the coating surface was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction technique. A reciprocating sliding method on a ball-on-flat system was utilized to evaluate the coating’s friction and wear behavior. Among the coatings with varying phosphorus content, a high hardness of 1086 HV was found for high-phosphorus coating when heat-treated at 400 °C in an air environment, and that was decreased to 691 HV when heat-treated at 650 °C. The oxidation of nickel in the electroless Ni-P coating occurred when heat-treated at 400 °C in an air environment, and this phenomenon was increased more when the temperature was increased to 650 °C. The characteristics of the NiO layer that formed on the surface of the heat-treated electroless Ni-P coating were influenced by the concentration of phosphorus, which caused different colors of NiO to be seen on the Ni-P coating surface. A greenish black NiO layer on the low-phosphorus and black NiO layer on the mid- and high-phosphorus Ni-P coating was developed during heat treatment at 650 °C in an air atmosphere. The adhesion and tribological characteristics of the Ni-P coatings were affected by the NiO layer developed on the heat-treated Ni-P coating surfaces. The Ni-P coatings with mid- and high-phosphorus content showed enhanced wear-resistance characteristics when they underwent heat treatment in an air atmosphere at the high temperature of 650 °C. The wear volume obtained for as-plated mid-phosphorus and high-phosphorus Ni-P coatings was 0.111 mm3 and 0.128 mm3, respectively, and that was reduced to 0.031 mm3 and 0.051 mm3, respectively, after the high-temperature heat treatment.

Examining characteristics and sampling methods of phosphor dynamics in lowland catchments

Despite over two decades since the EU Water Framework Directive have passed, achieving the desired water quality in German surface waters remains challenging, regardless of efforts to reduce phosphorus inputs and associated environmental impacts. This study aims at analyzing the characteristics governing the concentrations of four key water quality parameters (total phosphorus, orthophosphate, particulate phosphate, and suspended solids) in two lowland catchments: the 50 km2 catchment of the Kielstau, Germany, and its 7 km2 tributary, the Moorau, which are dominated by agricultural land use. To this end, different sampling methods, particularly high-resolution precipitation event-based sampling and daily mixed samples, are conducted and evaluated, and their effectiveness is compared. The identification of sources and characteristics that affect phosphorus and suspended sediment dynamics, both in general and specifically during heavy precipitation events, is one focus of the study. Over a 15-year period, increasing concentrations of these parameters were observed in daily mixed samples, exhibiting distinct seasonal patterns—higher in summer and lower in winter—consistent with lowland catchment behavior. Particularly during heavy precipitation events, the smaller catchment exhibits a more complex and less predictable response to chemical concentrations compared with the dilution effect observed in the larger catchment. The results underline the complexity of phosphorus dynamics in small catchments and emphasize the importance of event-based sampling for capturing short-term concentration peaks for all four parameters, particularly beneficial regarding measuring suspended solids. While daily mixed samples capture average phosphorus concentrations, event-based sampling is crucial for detecting short-term spikes, providing a more comprehensive understanding of phosphorus dynamics.

Analysis of the Physico-Chemical Properties of Bean Seeds after Three Years of Digestate Use

Taking into consideration its physico-chemical properties, digestate should be used primarily as a fertiliser. The possible ways of using digestate as a fertiliser in agriculture were identified, and digestate collected from an agricultural biogas plant was tested for its macroelement and heavy metal content. The research was conducted on Haplic LUVISOLS soil according FAO classification. The area of the land plots was 75 m2. All measurements were carried out in ten replicates. Seed yield was determined at 2.6 t ha−1. The thousand-seed weight was similar in the three growing seasons, and averaged 171.49 g to 184.44 g for the three years under analysis. For the control object, the average thousand-seed weight from the three years of the experiment was 168.56 g. This parameter was significantly influenced by the year of analysis. The highest protein content was obtained in 2022 (an average of 20.3%), which was significantly higher than in 2021 (20.13%) and 2020 (20.12%). The analysis showed an increase in the average value for the three harvest years regarding the fat content of the multiflora bean seeds depending on the post-harvest digestate dose, ranging from 0.47% to 0.61%. In the control object, the average fat content for the three harvest years under analysis was 0.41%. The year under analysis had no significant impact on fat content. A positive correlation was found between the digestate dose and protein, fat, and carbohydrate contents per 100 g of beans. Increasing the dose resulted in statistically significant differences from the lower dose. The obtained results show an increase in macroelement content depending on the digestate dose applied. The average carbohydrate content per 100 g of beans for the three years under analysis ranged from 49.78 g to 54.01 g, while the calcium content per 100 g of beans ranged from 109.23 mg to 124.00 mg. In contrast, the magnesium content in 100 g of bean ranged from 129.91 g to 137.01 mg, the phosphorus content in 100 g of bean from 366.99 mg to 387.00 mg, and the potassium content in 100 g of bean from 1341.20 mg to 1394.06 mg. Statistical analysis revealed statistically significant differences except for potassium, where no differences were found for the two highest doses. In addition, no differences were found in the average phosphorus and potassium content between the years under analysis. The study showed an increase in yield depending on the amount of digestate applied. The highest dose used in the experiment provided the most nitrogen and macronutrients, with a positive effect on yield velocity, protein and fat content, micronutrients, and macronutrients in beans.

Phosphorus distribution in the water and sediments of the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers, Uttar Pradesh, India: insights into pollution sources, bioavailability, and eutrophication implications.

River nutrient enrichment is a significant issue, and researchers worldwide are concerned about phosphorus. The physicochemical characteristics and phosphorus (P) fractions of 36 sediment and water samples from the Ganga (Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi) and Yamuna (Mathura, Agra, Prayagraj) rivers were examined. Among the physicochemical parameters, pH exceeded the permissible limit in Ganga and Yamuna River water and sediment samples. Electrical conductivity (EC) and alkalinity were within the permissible limits, whereas total nitrogen (TN) exceeded the limit in Yamuna water. The analysis of phosphorus fractions indicated the dominance of inorganic phosphorus (IP) (76% in Ganga and 96% in Yamuna) over organic phosphorus in both rivers, suggesting the mineralization and microbial degradation as major processes responsible for transforming OP to IP. The positive correlation of pH with IP, AP (apatite phosphorus), and NAIP (non-apatite inorganic phosphorus) explains the release of inorganic phosphorus under alkaline conditions. The correlation between total organic carbon (TOC), TN, and organic phosphorus (OP) indicated the organic load in the rivers from allochthonous and autochthonous sources. Phosphorus released from river sediments and the concentration of phosphate in overlying river water show a positive correlation, suggesting that river sediments may serve as phosphorus reservoirs. The average phosphorus pollution index (PPI) was above one in both rivers, with relatively higher PPI values observed in the Yamuna River, indicating the contamination of sediment with phosphorus, indicating the contamination of sediment with phosphorus. This study revealed variations in the P fractionation of the sediment in both rivers, primarily as a result of contributions from different P sources. This information will be useful for applying different mitigation techniques to lower the phosphorus load in both river systems.

Micro-Catchments, Macro Effects: Natural Water Retention Measures in the Kylldal Catchment, Germany

Floods are among the most devastating and financially burdensome natural disasters in Europe. The combined impact of climate change and land use change is expected to exacerbate and intensify the destructive consequences of river floods. In this study, we analysed the effects of wetland restoration on peak and base flows and on water quality in the Kylldal catchment of the Kyll River in the German Middle Mountains using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool+ (SWAT+). Monthly median daily discharge increases varied between 3% and 33% in the studied (micro)catchments. The higher median flow rates show that discharge peaks were attenuated and distributed over a longer period, making both extreme peak flows and low flows less common. Peak flows tended to decrease, with the largest effects between late fall and early spring when peak flow values decreased by up to 18%. The annual maximum peak flows in each of the three micro-catchments decreased by 12–24% on average. The occurrence of daily average flow rates larger than 1 m3 s−1 was up to 45% lower after wetland restoration. Low flows increased by up to 21% and 13% in the summer and fall, respectively, which suggests that drought risk also decreases after wetland restoration. Average nitrogen exports decreased by 38–50% in the project areas and by 20% at the catchment level. Average phosphorus exports decreased by 52–67% in the project areas and by 25% at the catchment level. The study highlights the potential of wetland restoration for improving hydrological services, mitigating flood risks, and enhancing water quality. Restoring and maintaining freshwater ecosystems and their natural sponge functions is crucial for effectively managing water resources and addressing the challenges posed by climate change and land use changes.

Integrating pastured meat chickens into organic vegetable production increased nitrogen and microbial biomass with variability in presence of E. coli and Salmonella spp

Abstract Integrating animals into a farm supports a closed or semi-closed production system where nutrients are recycled and off-farm inputs are reduced. In comparison to other livestock, chickens can be a low-investment option for animal-crop integration of small-scale, diversified, vegetable farms. Although crop-animal integration poses many potential benefits to farms, soils, and the environment, there are significant food safety risks when considering the production of vegetables in close proximity to raw manure. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of poultry integration with meat chickens (broilers) in two different seasons on soil health, food safety, vegetable yield, and poultry feed efficiency in organic vegetable cropping systems. We explored these effects in an open field study with three rotation treatments (two that integrated chickens and a no-chicken control): vegetables-cover crop (V-CC; control treatment), vegetables-cover crop-poultry (V-CC-P), and vegetables-poultry-cover crop (V-P-CC). In response to crop rotation, over three years, we monitored soil nutrient status, soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), and microbial catabolic potential and diversity using Biolog® microplates. The presence or absence of foodborne pathogens in soil and vegetables was also measured. Nitrate–nitrogen (NO3–N) was higher in V-P-CC in year 2 as compared to both V-CC and V-CC-P (P = 0.001 and &lt;0.001, respectively). After poultry removal in the summer of year 2 and year 3 V-P-CC was on average two times higher in NO3–N as compared to V-CC and V-CC-P, respectively. After chicken removal in the autumn of year 3 V-CC-P was 2.1 and 1.8 times higher in NO3–N as compared to V-CC and V-P-CC, respectively. On average phosphorus (P) increased by 45% in year 2 and by 13.2% in year 3. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) increased from after harvest (summer) in year 1 to the end of the season (autumn) of year 2 from 219.75 to 303.23 mg carbon (C) kg−1. Integrating poultry increased MBC by 25%, on average between both treatments across all sampling dates, compared to the V-CC (P = 0.042). The vegetable-cover crop control (V-CC) preferentially used carbohydrates, compared to V-P-CC which corresponded to greater amino acid usage. Escherichia coli O157:H7 was detected in all plots in the spring of year 3 and select replications of plots in the autumn of year 3. Salmonella spp. was found in one plot in year 2. No pathogens were detected on the spinach crop when leaf surfaces were tested. Integrating chickens into organic vegetable crop rotations increases NO3–N and has the potential for off-farm fertilizer reductions if time and stocking density are further examined. However, poultry feed is often an off-farm input and should be considered when determining the true N input of this system. Soil health may be improved, but MBC and other soil health indicators should be monitored with longer-term rotations. There are food safety risks that come with the integration of chickens into vegetable production and fields should be treated as if raw manure has been applied. Despite the potential benefits of integrating poultry into vegetable crop rotations, more research on these systems is required to determine optimum integration strategies that provide maximum benefit to the producer, the animals, and the environment.

Evaluation of mineralization balance in patients with hypoparathyroidism

Aims: Surgical complications play a major role in the etiology of hypoparathyroidism. Calcium and phosphorus metabolisms are disrupted by hypoparathyroidism. As a result, bone mineralization is impaired and may cause many pathologies. In clinical practice, parathyroid transplantation is not possible in every patient. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether it would be possible to prevent the complications caused by hypoparathyroidism with mineral-supplemented medical therapy, even if we could not replace the lost parathyroid tissue. Methods: A total of 79 individuals with hypoparathyroidism (parathormone levels below the reference range for more than one year) secondary to thyroidectomy admitted to our hospital were included in the study. Calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), vitamin D, and creatinine levels were recorded in the last three controls. The relationship between parathormone levels, mineral levels, and ALP, which is an indicator of bone turnover, was analyzed. Results: The mean calcium value was 8.57±0.90 and the mean phosphorus value was 4.46±0.99 in individuals diagnosed as hypoparathyroid with biochemical data. When the relationship between parathormone and the average of the last three calcium values, the relationship between the average phosphorus value, and the relationship between ALP and vitamin D were examined, no significant difference was found (p&lt;0.05). When the relationship between the calcium phosphorus product and its effect on bone mineralization was examined, the mean calcium phosphorus product was 37.64±7.37, and no statistically significant difference was found with parathormone level (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Preservation of parathyroid tissue is important for calcium-phosphorus metabolism. Although loss of parathyroid tissue is irreversible, it may be possible to prevent complications with mineral supplementation. As long as calcium and phosphorus balance are maintained externally, bone turnover will be preserved, along with many pathologies caused by hypocalcemia. No matter how low the parathormone level is, the bone mineralization problem caused by hypoparathyroidism can be reduced or even eliminated with mineral levels normalized with medical treatment.

Analysis of leaf forage value and screening of different populations of Pteroceltis tatarinowii, a rare and endemic species in China.

To fully exploit the economic value of the Chinese endemic species Pteroceltis tatarinowii and provide new resources for forage production, the forage nutritional value of P. tatarinowii leaves from different populations was analyzed and evaluated. The results were as follows: 1) There were significant differences in the forage nutrient indices of leaves from different populations. The crude protein content was 10.77%-18.65%, with an average of 14.58%, and the SDJN population had the highest crude protein content. The average crude fat, crude fiber content was 7.62%; the average neutral detergent fiber content was 25.33%; and the average acid detergent fiber contents were 6.79%, 7.62%, 25.33%, and 17.52%, respectively. The average phosphorus and calcium content in the leaves was 0.785 g·kg-1 and 58.01 g·kg-1, respectively. The tannin content was much lower than the antifeedant standard, at an average of 4.97 g·kg-1. The average total amounts of hydrolyzed and free amino acids in the leaves were 108.20 mg·g-1 and 47.87 mg·g-1, respectively. Thus, P. tatarinowii leaves have high crude protein, crude fat, and calcium contents, and low fiber, tannin contents, and are protein-rich. These results provide evidence that this species can be developed into an excellent woody forage tree. 2) There were significant differences in the forage quality evaluation indices among the populations. The forage indices of NDP, ADP, DMI, DDM, and RFV of 21 populations all met the super standard of the American Grass and Grassland Association (AFGC) for hay, two crude protein indices met the grade 1 standard, and 12 crude protein indices met the grade 2 standard. Four high-protein and high-RFV forage populations (SDJN, SDZZ, SXLQ, and AHXX) were selected. 3) The results of the correlation analysis showed that there was no significant correlation between the forage characteristics of P. tatarinowii leaves and latitude and longitude, indicating no significant geographical variation. However, the forage characteristics were strongly correlated with elevation, average annual temperature, and annual precipitation. Thus, high elevation, low temperatures, and rainy weather can improve the forage value of the leaves. P. tatarinowii can be planted to provide leaf forage in cold and wet areas at a specific elevation. Moreover, the forage value of P. tatarinowii leaves can be further improved by increasing nitrogen fertilizer and reducing K and Ca fertilizers during cultivation. 4) Cluster analysis revealed obvious regionalism. Taking the Yangtze River Basin as the limit, cluster analysis divided the species into four population groups: the Yangtze River Basin and northern, southwestern, and eastern coastal populations.

Phosphorus diffusion and deactivation during SiGe oxidation

Dopant profiles near the semiconductor–oxide interface are critical for microelectronic device performance. As the incorporation of Si1−xGex into transistors continues to increase, it is necessary to understand the behavior of dopants in Si1−xGex. In this paper, the diffusion and electrical activation of phosphorus within a strained, single-crystal Si0.7Ge0.3 layer on Si during oxidation are reported. Both layers were uniformly doped, in situ, with an average phosphorus concentration of 4 × 1019 atoms/cm3. After high-temperature oxidation, secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements revealed that the bulk of the phosphorus diffuses out of only the SiGe layer and segregates at the oxidizing SiGe–SiO2 interface. Hall effect measurements corroborate the observed phosphorus loss and show that the phosphorus diffusing to the oxidizing interface is electrically inactive. Through density functional theory (DFT) calculations, it is shown that phosphorus interstitials prefer sites near the SiGe–SiO2 interface. Finally, based on a combination of experimental data and DFT calculations, we propose that the phosphorus atoms are displaced from their lattice sites by Ge interstitials that are generated during SiGe oxidation. The phosphorus atoms then migrate toward the SiGe–SiO2 interface through a novel mechanism of hopping between Ge sites as P–Ge split interstitials. Once they reach the interface, they are electrically inactive, potentially in the form of interstitial clusters or as part of the reconstructed interface or oxide.

Drought and Competition Mediate Mycorrhizal Colonization, Growth Rate, and Nutrient Uptake in Three Artemisia Species.

The genus Artemisia includes several keystone shrub species that dominate the North American sagebrush steppe. Their growth, survival, and establishment are negatively affected by exotic invasive grasses such as Taeniatherum caput-medusae. While the outcomes of symbiotic relationships between Artemisia spp. and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are ambiguous, the benefits of ameliorated nutrient and drought stress may be cryptic and better revealed under competition. We evaluated the effects of a commercial AMF inoculum on ameliorating biotic (competition with T. caput-medusae) and abiotic (drought) stress of Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Artemisia arbuscula, and Artemisia nova when grown in sterile and microbially active field soil. Stress amelioration was measured as an increase in biomass production and nutrient acquisition. Mycorrhizal colonization of roots was lower in Artemisia plants grown in competition, while T. caput-medusae colonization was higher in plants with greater moisture. Both types of stress negatively affected plant biomass. Commercial AMF inoculation did not increase biomass. Colonization from field soil increased average phosphorous concentration under drought for A. tridentata ssp. wyomingensis by 36% and A. nova by 125%. While commercial inoculum and live soil led to AMF colonization of T. caput-medusae, only the commercial inoculum increased average phosphorus uptake by 71%.

Effect of Agricultural Inputs on the Water-soil Couple in Cocoa-growing Area in the Department of Soubré, Southwestern of Côte d’Ivoire

Background: The cocoa crisis in the 1970s decade in Côte d’Ivoire was manifested by the proliferation of crops pests, reduced production and decreased rainfall. To cope with all these constraints, the producers adopted various strategies, including the use of agricultural inputs to improve the production. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the effects of these inputs on water-soil couple. Methods: First, 12 soil and surface water samples were taken for analysis. Second, determination of trace metal content was done using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Also chemical elements were analyzed using a HACH DR 6000 spectrophotometer. Results: Soil concentrations of exchangeable base Ca2+, K+ and Mg2+ are low with average values of 5.71 cmol/kg, 0.35 and 1.66 cmol/kg, respectively. The soils of cocoa orchards are quite rich in assimilable phosphorus (P). The average phosphorus content is 24.31 cmol/kg with a minimum of 3.92 cmol/kg and a maximum of 78.4 cmol/kg. The study of surface water quality showed that the average values of biochemical oxygen demand for 5 days (BOD5) (18.64 mg/L) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) (15.49 mg/L) are lower than the respective standards of 25 and 125 mg/L of the world health organization (WHO) standard. These surface waters have average concentrations of 0.015 mg/L for cadmium (Cd), 0.042 mg/L for zinc (Zn) and 0.062 mg/L for manganese (Mn), below the respective standards of 0.003, 3 and 0.4 mg/L. Conclusion: This study shows that surface waters are not yet very polluted by these inputs.

THE EFFECT OF MIXED CROPPING OF Brachiaria decumbens WITH THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LEGUMES IN ULTISOL SOILS ON CP, CFib, Ca AND P CONTENT OF GRASS

Research on mixed cultivation of Brachiaria decumbens grass with three different types of legumes on ultisol soils on the PK, SK, Ca, and P content of grass was carried out from April to July 2022 at the Experimental Garden of Animal Food Crops Laboratory, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Padjadjaran University. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mixed cultivation of Brachiaria decumbens grass with three different types of legumes on ultisol soils on the PK, SK, Ca, and P content of grass. The study was conducted for 3 months with an experimental method using a randomized block design (RAK) with 4 treatments and 6 replications. This experiment consisted of P0 = Brachiaria decumbens grass, P1 = Brachiaria decumbens grass + Arachis pintoi grass, P2 = Brachiaria decumbens grass + Canavalia gladiata legume, P3 = Brachiaria decumbens grass + Centrosema pubescens legume. The results showed that the mixed cropping treatment of Brachiaria decumbens grass with three types of legumes significantly affected the PK, SK, and P content of the grass, but did not significantly differ on the Ca content of the grass. Mixed cultivation of Brachiaria decumbens grass with sword koro beans (Canavalia gladiata) resulted in the highest average crude protein content and the lowest crude fiber, namely 12% and 23.32%, respectively. Planting a mixture of Brachiaria decumbens grass with Arachis pintoi produced the highest average phosphorus content of 0.57%.