Balance Index Research Articles

(N.P.K) fertilizer application levels in Onion Crops and Using the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System – DRIS

Fertilizations is one the efforts done to increase the production and quality of crops. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers rate used in the production of Onion are excessive, so the essential elements present in the soil can be imbalanced ,nutrient balance determines crop yield and quality. This research aimed to evaluate Onion productivity subjected to various ratios of(NPK) to establish the DRIS-Norms and indexes, by using leaf nutrient analysis. The Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System-DRIS depended on interrelation between elements, compares crop mineral nutrient proportions with DRIS-norms (Optimal values) and we can know imbalances, deficiencies and excesses in nutrient of plants .The research was conducted in the experimental farm of college of agriculture ,university of Salahaddin in Grdarash field Erbil-Iraq,3.5Km to the south of Erbil city, (36° ON, 44° 01 E), (0411359, 03997002 UTM) ,planting date 30/1/2020 and harvesting at 30/6/2020 so the research period 5 months. We used spilt – spilt design in the experiment, first factor was Nitrogen (0, 40, 80, 160 Kg.ha-1), second factor was Phosphorus (0, 80, 160 Kg.ha-1) and the third factor was Potassium (0, 50, 100 Kg .ha-1) .The results indicated that the best fertilizer combinations that recorded highest Onion-Yield (18.36 Mg. ha-1) was(K 50 Kg. ha-1, P 160 Kg. ha-1, N 40 Kg. ha-1) which had lowest Nutrient Balance Index-(NBI), its values was (9.04) but the highest value was (73.18) for (K0P0N0) treatment.

Improving land-cover-based expert matrices to quantify the dynamics of ecosystem service supply, demand, and budget: Optimization of weight distribution

Although the land-cover-based expert matrices have been widely used for ecosystem service assessment, criticisms about the accuracy and reliability of this method have never ceased. In this study, we introduced a weight distribution approach called Full Permutation Polygon Synthetic Indicator (FPPSI) into the land-cover-based expert matrices, trying to reduce the systemic flaws caused by the default weight assignment and accumulative calculation form of general matrices method. Taking Hangzhou, a representative city in the rapid urbanization process of China as an example, we used the weight optimization expert matrices to quantify the dynamics of ecosystem service supply, demand, and budget during the period of dramatic land cover change from 1990 to 2020. An indicator named supply–demand balanced index (SDBI) was formulated to describe the supply–demand situation among ecosystem services. The results indicated that with the continuous encroachment of the artificial surface on suburban cultivated land, the supply and demand of the 12 selected ecosystem services had experienced a decreasing trend in varying degrees. The evaluation results derived from the general method indicated that the ecosystem service budget of the study area had dropped by an average of 11.1% in the past 30 years, while the percentage was only 5.7% through the weight optimization method. Through literature review and discussion, we note that ecosystem services assessment is a process fraught with uncertainty. The weight optimization method has the advantage of being convenient, intuitive, and adjustable. It can also export more conservative evaluation results compared with the general method, which can better reflect the dynamic and non-linear process between land use types and ecosystem services to a certain extent. The above findings provide new insights for reducing uncertainty in land-cover-based expert matrices assessments, which can be applied to the practical assessment of ecosystem supply and demand with dramatic land use/land cover changes.

Foliar application of methyl jasmonate affects impatiens walleriana growth and leaf physiology under drought stress

ABSTRACT In this study, the effects of foliar applied methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on drought-stressed Impatiens walleriana growth and leaf physiology parameters: stomatal conductance, chlorophyll, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and nitrogen balance index (NBI), were evaluated. These parameters could serve as indicators of drought tolerance of I. walleriana, a popular horticultural plant worldwide that is very sensitive to drought. The experiment included four treatments: control, drought-stressed plants sprayed with distilled water, drought-stressed plants sprayed with 5 µM MeJA, and drought-stressed plants sprayed with 50 µM MeJA. Foliar spraying with MeJA was performed twice: seven days before and on the day of drought induction. The stressed plant groups were non-irrigated to achieve soil water contents (SWC) of 15 and 5%, while control plants were well-watered throughout the experiment (35–37% SWC). The results of this study showed that drought significantly reduced I. walleriana fresh and dry shoot weight, as well as total leaf area, but did not impact on dry matter content. The foliar application of MeJA improved growth parameters of I. walleriana, depending on the elicitor concentration and drought intensity. Stomatal conductance was slightly reduced at 5% SWC, and foliar applied MeJA at both concentrations. The flavonoid index was slightly reduced at 15 and 5% SWC when 50 µM MeJA was foliar applied, while there were no observed changes in the anthocyanin index in any treatments. The foliar application of 50 µM MeJA increased the chlorophyll index and NBI of I. walleriana at 5% SWC, indicating a contribution of the elicitor to plant drought tolerance at the physiological level.

Implication of Jasmonic Acid on Physiological Alterations on Salt Stressed Fodder Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)

One of the main environmental factors that restricts the growth and productivity of sorghum is salt stress, which interferes with physiological processes including relative water content, NBI (nitrogen balance index), photosynthetic rate, etc. Agricultural land affected by soil salinity is growing significantly worldwide, therefore, strategies are needed to improve the salinity tolerance and most efficient one can be opted by studying the response of sorghum against salinity. Salt stress can be reduced by plant stress hormones such jasmonates, ABA, brassinosteroids, etc. In order to assess the effects of jasmonic acid (JA) (4.5, 6.5 & 8.5 mM) on the physiological properties of sorghum (HJ 541 and CSV 21F) grown in saline soil (4, 6 & 8 dS/m), green house experiment was executed on a complete randomized design (CRD), with three replications. The results shows that the salinity adversely effected photosynthetic efficiency, chlorophyll content, antioxidants (anthocyanin and flavonoids), nitrogen balance index, ash content which can be used as the most suitable parameter for determining tolerance to salinity stress. While, foliar application of jasmonic acid significantly improved the relative water content, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, etc. Jasmonic acid concentrations of 8.5 mM had more noticeable effects. Percent enhancement in chlorophyll index, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, was 14.5% and 13.4%, 16.7% and 19.9%, 42.0% and 58.0% in HJ 541 and CSV 21F, respectively at 8 dS/m as compared to control. CSV 21F performed better as compared to HJ 541 at all levels of salt stress after application of jasmonic acid.

Personalized approach with combined application of physiotherapeutic factors in patients with metabolic syndrome

The article analyzes the existing approaches to the implementation of personalized application of corrective actions. In relation to the factors of combined physiotherapy, the information value of the search and selection of predictor biomarkers from among the parameters reflecting the initial hormonal, metabolic, and hemodynamic characteristics of patients is considered. It has been found that a cluster of variables, including body mass index, catalase activity, vegetative balance index, and tissue microcirculation index, has a predictive information value in relation to the combined use of transcranial magnetic therapy and a pulsed low-frequency electrostatic field. The performed verification of the obtained information model of multiple regression convincingly proves its adequacy and objectively confirms compliance with the specified requirements.

Towards the development of an improved mass balance and water quality index based grey water footprint model

With the increasing pressure on water resources, there is a need to better understand water use throughout the supply chain of goods and services to identify opportunities to alleviate this stress. Therefore, a proper assessment of the water footprint is necessary. The grey water footprint (GWF), defined as the freshwater required to dilute excess pollutants discharged into the environment, is an important indicator and has various models, which are disputed on their ability to effectively capture the extent of water pollution. This study suggests an improved model based on two stages. The first stage consists of a mass balance used to amend the concentrations of the pollutants. As for the second stage, it consists of calculating the GWF based on the Water Quality Index (WQI) which is the most popular water assessment tool used by researchers. The suggested model allows a better breakdown of the GWF required to assimilate the pollution to achieve different levels of water quality as it outputs 5 different ranges based on the water quality sought as opposed to a single value or range traditionally obtained using existing models. In addition, the comparison between the improved model and the existing ones demonstrates that the existing models underestimate the GWF if a medium to excellent water quality is to be sought.

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) in combination provide greater suppression of mile-a-minute (Mikania micrantha) than either crop alone.

In natural systems, diverse plant communities tend to prevent a single species from dominating. Similarly, management of invasive alien plants may be achieved through various combinations of competing species. We used a de Wit replacement series to compare different combinations of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam), hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet) and mile-a-minute (Mikania micrantha Kunth) through measures of photosynthesis, plant growth, nutrient levels in plant tissue and soil, and competitive ability. Cultured alone sweet potato and hyacinth beans exhibited higher total biomass, leafstalk length, and leaf area than mile-a-minute. In mixed culture, either sweet potato or hyacinth bean or both together significantly suppressed the mile-a-minute parameters, i.e., plant height, branch, leaf, adventitious root, and biomass (P<0.05). Based on a significantly lower than 1.0 relative yield of the three plant species in mixed culture, we showed intraspecific competition to be less than interspecific competition. Calculated indices (relative yield, relative yield total, competitive balance index, and change in contribution) demonstrated a higher competitive ability and higher influence of either crop compared to mile-a-minute. The presence of sweet potato and hyacinth bean, especially with both species in combination, significantly reduced (P<0.05) mile-a-minute's net photosynthetic rate (Pn), antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and malondialdehyde), chlorophyll content, and nutrient content (N, P, and K). In soil with mile-a-minute in monoculture soil organic matter, total and available N, total and available K, and available P were significantly greater (P<0.05) than in soil with sweet potato grown in monoculture, but less than in soil with hyacinth bean grown in monoculture soil. Nutrient soil content was comparatively reduced for plant mixtures. Plant height, leaf, biomass, Pn, antioxidant enzyme activities, and plant and soil nutrient contents of sweet potato and hyacinth bean tended to be much greater when grown with two crops compared to in mixture with just sweet potato or hyacinth bean. Our results suggest that the competitive abilities of both sweet potato and hyacinth bean were greater than that of mile-a-minute, and also that mile-a-minute suppression was significantly improved via a combination of the two crops compared to either sweet potato or hyacinth bean alone.

Soil nutrient deficiency assessment under soybean cropping systems using the DRIS system in northern and central Benin

Soybean is one of the promising crops in the Benin agro-industrial sector, but its production is carried out at the expense of the inherent soil fertility. The present study aims to apply the DRIS (Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System) for nutrient status assessment in farmers’ soybean fields in northern and central Benin. Sixty-two plant leaf samples were collected during a survey carried out in 2019 in farmers’ fields. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in the leaf samples were analysed. DRIS norms were used to calculate the various paired nutrient ratios in the high-yielding population. Nutrient balance indices (NBI) were also determined. Nutrient requirements based on NBI were ranked according Zn > N > P > Ca > K > Mg, highlighting the importance of Zn and N in soybean nutrition. Paired nutrient ratios (N/P, N/K, Mg/N, N/Ca, Ca/P, K/Ca, Mg/Ca, Zn/Mg) were either significantly (p = 0.0001) higher or lower than those in the literature, excluding Mg/P, Mg/K, P/Zn, Ca/Zn, N/Zn K/Zn and P/K paired ratios. This observation indicates the necessity of calibrating DRIS norms taking into account local conditions and cropping systems. The DRIS model could be an important tool for refining soybean nutrient needs in a cropping system. Zinc and N levels limited soybean cultivation in farmers’ fields and must be included in the soybean fertiliser formulations to ensure optimal yield of soybean in Benin.

International Competitiveness Analysis of Turkish Pasta Industry in Framework of Some Indexes and Product Mapping: A Research on the years 2001-2020

In the globalizing world, international trade is reaching advanced dimensions every passing day. Exporting companies had to make a competition both in local and international markets. Therefore, countries should have competitiveness both in the domestic and global markets. Nowadays, Turkey is leading pasta producer and exporter. In this study, the situation of the pasta industry in the world and in Turkey and the developments in its foreign trade were examined. This study aims to determine and analyze the international competitiveness of Turkey's pasta industry. Accordingly, pasta export and import data from Turkey and the world between 2001-2020 were used to calculate international competitiveness indices. Within the scope analysis, Balassa's RCA index, Vollrath’s indices (RXA, RMP, RTA, RC), Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage Index (RSCA), Trade Balance Index (TBI) were used and The Product Mapping Method developed by Tri Widodo was applied. As a result of the calculation of all indices, it has been revealed that Turkey has a competitive advantage in the pasta industry and specializes in its export. Turkey has the position of a net exporter (Group A) with a comparative advantage in this industry.

Modelling and optimisation of energy consumption and profit-oriented multi-parallel partial disassembly line balancing problem

Based on the actual requirements of recycling enterprises, this study proposes a multi-parallel partial disassembly line balancing problem (MPPDLBP). Four objectives, the number of shared workstations, workstation load balancing index, energy consumption, and profit, need to be optimised in MPPDLBP. To address the MPPDLBP, this study further constructs a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model and designs a suitable mechanism of encoding and decoding. Meanwhile, partial disassembly is adopted in this study because recycling enterprises aim for low energy consumption and high profits. In addition, the positions of the best values for each objective are defined as the best disassembly levels. Furthermore, this study proposes a genetic and tabu search algorithm (GATS) for optimising the MPPDLBP effectively. The superior performance of the proposed GATS is verified by comparing it with other effective algorithms in existing literature. Finally, this study optimises a hybrid instance and provides decision-makers with multiple low-energy and high-profit disassembly schemes.

Association of maternal dietary patterns derived by multiple approaches with gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study

We used two a priori diet scores [Mediterranean diet (aMed) and Diet Balance Index (DBI)] and two a posteriori approaches [principal components analysis (PCA) and reduced-rank regression (RRR)] to examine the association of maternal dietary patterns with risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and blood glucose among 2202 pregnant women in the Tongji Birth Cohort. Compared to the highest quartile of the aMed and legumes-vegetables-fruits (derived by PCA) scores, the fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were higher in the lower quartiles (p-trend < 0.05). Lower scores of the meats-eggs-dairy (derived by PCA) and eggs-fish patterns (derived by RRR; characterised by higher intakes of freshwater fish, eggs, and lower intakes of leafy and cruciferous vegetables and fruits) were associated with decreased FBG levels (p-trend < 0.05). Similarities were found across approaches that some dietary patterns were associated with FBG, but not with postprandial glucose and GDM risk.

Indonesian Coconut Oil Export Opportunities with Main Trade Partner Countries in the International Market

This study examines the opportunities for trade administration of Indonesian coconut oil in major trading partner countries in terms of the development of area size, production and productivity of coconuts, competition in the marketing of coconut oil, and demand for coconut oil in the international market. The purpose of this research is to (1) develop of area, production, and productivity of coconut in Indonesia, (2) analysis of the competitiveness of Indonesian coconut oil in major trading partner countries, and (3) analysis of trend analysis of demand for Indonesian coconut oil in the international market. The data used in this research is secondary data from UN Comtrade for 25 years (1997-2021) and FAO for 61 years (1961-2001). The method used is to describe the development of a land area, production, and production of coconut in Indonesia and the development of demand for coconut oil in Indonesia in the international market. Revealed Comparative Trade Advantage (RCTA), Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA), and Trade Balance Index (TBI) analysis methods are used to determine the competitiveness of Indonesian coconut oil in the major trading countries. In addition, a product map is created based on changes in the competitiveness of Indonesian coconut oil products among the main trading partners. The results showed an increase in area, production, and production of coconuts annually. Indonesia has intense competition for coconut oil in its major trading countries. In addition, the demand for coconut oil in the international market will continue to increase due to the ever-increasing industrial needs. This is an opportunity to expand the coconut market share internationally.

Effects of exercise treatment on functional outcome parameters in mid-portion achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review.

Exercise interventions are evident in the treatment of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (AT). However, there is still a lack of knowledge concerning the effect of different exercise treatments on improving a specific function (e.g., strength) in this population. Thus, this study aimed to systematically review the effect of exercise treatments on different functional outcomes in mid-portion AT. An electronic database of Pubmed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to 21 February 2023. Studies that investigated changes in plantar flexor function with exercise treatments were considered in mid-portion AT. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical controlled trials (CCTs) were included. Functional outcomes were classified by kinetic (e.g., strength), kinematic [e.g., ankle range of motion (ROM)], and sensorimotor (e.g., balance index) parameters. The types of exercise treatments were classified into eccentric, concentric, and combined (eccentric plus concentric) training modes. Quality assessment was appraised using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale for RCTs, and the Joanna Briggs Institute scale for CCTs. The search yielded 2,260 records, and a total of ten studies were included. Due to the heterogeneity of the included studies, a qualitative synthesis was performed. Eccentric training led to improvements in power outcomes (e.g., height of countermovement jump), and in strength outcomes (e.g., peak torque). Concentric training regimens showed moderate enhanced power outcomes. Moreover, one high-quality study showed an improvement in the balance index by eccentric training, whereas the application of concentric training did not. Combined training modalities did not lead to improvements in strength and power outcomes. Plantarflexion and dorsiflexion ROM measures did not show relevant changes by the exercise treatments. In conclusion, eccentric training is evident in improving strength outcomes in AT patients. Moreover, it shows moderate evidence improvements in power and the sensorimotor parameter "balance index". Concentric training presents moderate evidence in the power outcomes and can therefore be considered as an alternative to improve this function. Kinematic analysis of plantarflexion and dorsiflexion ROM might not be useful in AT people. This study expands the knowledge what types of exercise regimes should be considered to improve the functional outcomes in AT.

Construction of carbon budget balance index and its application in the lake area

The imbalance of the carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems exacerbates global warming. Identifying the spatial–temporal characteristics and drivers of the carbon budget is important for the effective management of complex ecosystems and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Based on the complex ecosystem theory, this article constructs two carbon indicators, carbon carrying capacity–carbon footprint matching degree (Carbon-MD), and carbon carrying capacity–carbon footprint coupling coordination degree (Carbon-CCD). Taking a typical lake region—urban agglomeration around Poyang Lake as an example, the spatial–temporal characteristics and driving factors of the carbon budget from 2000 to 2020 are revealed by GIS technology and geographically–temporally weighted regression model. The results show that there is a significant spatial and temporal variability of carbon budget in Poyang Lake city agglomerations from 2000 to 2020, the Carbon-MD shows a gradually decreasing trend, and the Carbon-CCD shows a gradually increasing characteristic from moderate disorder to basic coordination development. From the spatial pattern, the Carbon-MD of the study area showed an increasing character from the core area to the peripheral area of the lake, and the low-value area of Carbon-MD shows the trend of spreading from point to surface and the Carbon-CCD changes from scattered to group type. In addition, land use type always has a significant effect on the carbon budget, while there is a spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the effects of natural and socioeconomic factors on the carbon budget. The research results show that it is reasonable and scientific to construct carbon budget indicators from the perspective of matching supply and demand and coupling and coordination, which provides a quantitative carbon budget analysis tool for local policymakers.

Bidding Evaluation and Contractor Selection Using Balance Index Model and Comprehensive Input Efficiency Based on Data Envelopment Analysis

In order to ensure a smooth construction project, it is necessary to select an appropriate contractor. However, traditional bid evaluation methods are highly subjective in determining weights. Data envelopment analysis (DEA), a comprehensive bid evaluation method that considers multiple factors, was introduced to reduce subjectivity and provide a simple yet comprehensive method for evaluating bids. Based on the existing cross-evaluation and balance index models, this research proposed a new DEA ranking model—the comprehensive input efficiency model, as well as its specific application steps. Additionally, a case study on selecting contractors for a water engineering project was presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of this model. The results indicated that the comprehensive input efficiency model could achieve the same ranking function as the balance index and was suitable for assessing bidders’ relative efficiency. Moreover, the comprehensive input efficiency model proposed in this research is more simplified. Thus, this research compensates for the drawbacks of the existing comprehensive evaluation models in that the bid evaluation process is cumbersome, thereby extending the research on DEA methods in bid evaluation. Additionally, the model provides tenderers with a more efficient and effective bid evaluation method to select the most appropriate contractor. In the future, research may be conducted to apply DEA to other types of projects, including service projects, real estate, and consulting services.

Ecosystem services balance and its influencing factors detection in China: A case study in Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomerations

Rapid urbanization in China’s urban agglomerations has severely disrupted the relationship between supply and demand for ecosystem services (ESs). Exploring the spatial and temporal variation characteristics of ESs balance and its driving mechanisms is crucial for the high-quality development of urban agglomerations. However, few studies have explored the pattern of ESs balance and its driving mechanisms at multiple scales in urban agglomerations, which constrains the formulation of regional ecological protection and land use policies. In this study, we attempted to characterize the ESs balance pattern and its spatio-temporal variation from 2000 to 2020 at multiple scales in the Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomerations (CCUA), using ESs matrix and hotspot analysis tools. We then introduced the optimal parametric geographic detector to detect the formation mechanism of the spatial differentiation pattern of ESs balance. The results show that the overall ESs supply index for CCUA was greater than the demand index. The ESs were in short supply in Chengdu and Chongqing. The pattern of ESs balance had significant scale dependence. The hot spots of the ESs balance index were mainly in the western, southern, and eastern mountainous regions, while the cold spots were concentrated in urban areas of Chengdu and Chongqing, with significant differences in characteristics at different scales. The spatial distribution of the ESs balance was mainly affected by the forest land proportion, slope, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), elevation, cultivated land proportion, and temperature. The interaction of natural, land use, and socio-economic factors significantly enhanced the spatial differentiation of ESs balance. The interaction of different types of factors highlights the importance of topography, NDVI, cultivated land, forest land, and population. The results of this study can provide scientific references for the sustainable management of ESs and the construction of ecological civilization in CCUA.

Estimate provincial-level effectiveness of the arable land requisition-compensation balance policy in mainland China in the last 20 years

The “requisition-compensation balance policy” is a basic arable land protection policy promulgated by the Chinese government to maintain the dynamic balance of the total arable land. Since the implementation of the “requisition-compensation balance policy”, its important role in the conservation of arable land has been widely noted. Multiple studies indicate the effectiveness of the policy by estimating the quantity and quality change of arable land. In addition, the defects and negative externalities of the policy are disputed. The overall goal of this study is to estimate the provincial-level effectiveness of the “requisition-compensation balance policy” in mainland China in two periods (i.e., 2000—2010; 2010—2020) from four perspectives: arable land quantity dynamic balance; arable land productivity balance; farming distance; and sustainability of arable land use. The results showed that, first, the arable land quantity balance was achieved during 2000–2020 from a national perspective. There are still 19–23% of provinces have failed to reach the quantity balance. Second, the decrease in China’s total arable land productivity was exacerbated from 9612.1 thousand tons. to 31254.6 thousand ton. The average potential yield balance index was less than 1 for nearly all provinces during 2000–2010 and became even worse in the next decade because of occupying superior arable land while compensating for inferior arable land. The conservation of arable land productivity has become more important than the conservation of quantity. Third, due to the lack of constraints on the farming distance changes in the “requisition-compensation balance policy”, most provinces convert arable land around urban and rural areas to built-up land while replenishing land far from residential areas without providing adequate agricultural infrastructure, which leads to an increase in the cost of farming and consequently to an increase in the marginalization of arable land. During 2010–2020, the average farming distance of compensated arable land at the provincial level reached 2–7 times that of occupied arable land. However, the average farming distance of the whole arable land at the provincial level decreased by 3.82–63.88% during the same period. This contradiction is mainly due to increasing marginalization and opportunity costs resulting in arable land with high farming distance (including arable land that was compensated in the past) to be used with low intensity or even abandoned and thus identified as other land use types by remote sensing classification models. This factor outweighed that of “occupy nearby arable land while compensating farther one”, resulting in a reduction in the provincial average farming distance. Fourth, the percentage of sustainable compensated arable land in most provinces was lower than 70%. This indicated that the utilization and protection of arable land in these provinces was insufficiently implemented and monitored. Challenges along optimization of the “requisition-compensation balance policy” were discussed from two respects: data, theory and methodology and policy design and implementation. The authors argue that a more comprehensive “requisition-compensation balance policy” should be designed considering not only the quantity and productivity of arable land but also the farming distance, sustainability and ecological protection. A differentiated regulation mechanism of arable land requisition compensation in trans-provincial areas should be formulated. This study can provide guidance for optimizing the implementation of regional arable land protection and can also provide a reference for other countries to protect arable land.

The Investment Balance Index and its Role in Economic Diversity: Sultanate of Oman, North al Batinah Governorate: Sohar Province as an Example

Purpose: The study aimed to clarify the reflection of the disparity in the growth of the productive sectors on the degree of economic diversification in the Sultanate of Oman, and to propose work according to the standards of the Tawazun Investment Index as an attempt to reduce the disparity and achieve balance in the growth of the non-oil productive sectors, and to find out the extent to which investor segments are satisfied with working according to those standards in an environment investment. Theoretical Framework: Many studies that dealt with the issue of economic diversification agreed that despite the many and great efforts that the guardian authorities worked on translating to achieve the goal and strategy of economic diversification, they did not reach the desired level, and this reflects the lack of a specific theory in itself capable of resolving this problem and that it is necessary to focus On other aspects, to find out the extent to which economic diversification programs can succeed and reach the level of complete or required diversification. Design/Methodology/Approach: The descriptive and analytical methods were used to cover the theoretical aspect of the study, and the statistical method was used to address the analytical aspects of the subject of the study through a questionnaire designed specifically for this purpose, and the questionnaire was unpacked and analyzed through the statistical analysis program (SPSS). Findings: The results showed that the outputs represented in the growth of the non-oil productive sectors are a reflection of the inputs represented in the number of economic institutions and establishments and the number of workers in the non-oil productive sectors. The results of the statistical analysis showed that all forward-looking economic policies to enable the investment climate are important and serve the investment climate. Practical and Social Implications: This study proposes working according to the Tawazun Investment Index criteria as an attempt to maximize the economic diversification programs in the Sultanate of Oman. Originality/Value: This study provides researchers and decision-makers in the Sultanate of Oman with illumination for an attempt to address the problem of economic diversification and the use of practical solutions to maximize economic diversification programs by working according to the criteria of the proposed Tawazun Investment Index.

Diagnóstico nutricional de mangueiras na pós-colheita em antecipação ao pré-florescimento evita estresse nutricional

ABSTRACT The São Francisco Valley region of Brazil is a leading exporter of mango fruits. Previous nutritional diagnosis can identify stresses, provide adjustments for nutritional limitations, and promote more efficient fertilization and nutrient management. This study aimed to compare the nutritional diagnosis of mango trees in the post-harvest and pre-flowering phases and to correlate them with productivity. Norms and indices of the Integrated System of Diagnosis and Recommendation (DRIS), as well as the Nutritional Balance Index and the Potential of Response to Fertilization were generated for each phenological phase of the mango trees. Optimal concentrations and ranges of nutrients were established, classified as deficient, balanced, or excessive, and subsequently compared to each other and to values recommended in the literature. The indices were correlated with the productivity of the orchards in each phenological phase of the mango trees. When comparing the DRIS norms of post-harvest and pre-flowering phenological phases, 55% of the averages differed. The sufficiency ranges of the post-harvest and pre-flowering phases were generally different from those referenced in the literature. Nutritional diagnoses for P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, and Cl altered between phenological phases. The nutritional diagnosis performed in the post-harvest phase showed that nutritional imbalance affected productivity.

Estado nutricional e qualidade da uva de mesa cultivada no Vale do Submédio São Francisco

ABSTRACT The cultivation of fruit trees is influenced by abiotic factors such as nutritional management. However, fertilizers are used in large amounts in vineyards, resulting in excess nutrients that can cause stress and reduce fruit quality. Calcium (Ca) is one of the most used nutrients in vineyards due to its effects on fruit quality. However, excess of Ca interferes with the distribution of Ca compounds in fruits, being a form of abiotic stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the nutritional balance of table grape orchards on calcium nutrition and fruit quality. Nineteen table grape orchards were selected in the Submédio São Francisco Valley in 2019 and 2020 crops. The nutritional diagnosis was performed using the integrated diagnosis and recommendation system (DRIS) and the average nutritional balance index (NBIm) was calculated. The concentration of Ca-pectate, Ca-total, berry firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio and dry matter were determined in the fruits. The nutritional diagnosis identified excess Ca in the orchards. The correlation between Ca-pectate and the average NBIm was negative, indicating that the Ca-pectate concentration is higher in vines that are more nutritionally unbalanced. However, the Ca-total in the fruit was not correlated with Ca-pectate. Ca-total and Ca-pectate were not correlated with berry firmness. Calcium nutrition is complex and highlights the importance of associating the assessment of nutritional balance with Ca in fruit quality to optimize the nutritional management of the grapevine.