Continuous Row Research Articles

Lossless compression for laser additive manufacturing using continuous rows compressed storage

PurposeThe layer section of laser additive manufacturing (AM) can be rasterized. Subsequently, the rasterized layer section can be converted into sparse matrix. However, large storage space is occupied due to the high manufacturing resolution. In order to reduce the storage space, the purpose of this research is to propose a lossless compression method to compress the sparse matrix.Design/methodology/approachA lossless compression method for additive manufacturing is proposed. According to manifold and irregularity feature of the object of laser AM, a lossless compression method called continuous rows compressed storage (CRCS) based on continuous rows is innovatively proposed. In particular, the better direction strategy of compression method is selected based on the side-projected area per layer.FindingsTake human teeth as an example, compared with compressed sparse row (CSR), the CRCS has advantage up to 98.88% in storage space. Compared with block compressed sparse row (BCSR), the CRCS has advantage up to 60.04% in storage space.Originality/valueThe proposed CRCS could be employed to compress the sparse matrixes of rasterized layer sections of laser AM. Compared with common lossless compression method of sparse matrix, the compression ratio of CRCS is greater. CRCS is propitious to reduce the storage space usage, thereby improving transmission efficiency.

Оптимальная норма высева и междурядье для повышения урожайности и качества семян сорта сои Персона

The need for research is due to the use by farmers of the region of continuous row soybean crops with high seeding rates, without taking into account the characteristics of the variety. The purpose of the work is to establish the optimal method and rate of sowing seeds of the Persona soybean variety to obtain a high yield of high-quality seeds. A two-factor field experiment was carried out on the experimental field of the Far Eastern State Agrarian University of the Amur Region in 2017-2019. Options: factor A – seeding rate: 1. 250; 2. 400 (control); 3. 550; 4. 700; 5. 850 thousand pieces per hectare; factor B – row spacing: 1. 15 cm (control); 2. 30; 3. 45; 4. 60 cm. Each row spacing corresponded to five seed sowing rates. The Persona soybean variety produces the highest yield with wide-row sowing with a row spacing of 45 cm and a seeding rate of 550 thousand units/ha – 2,6 t/ha. Not significantly by 0,1 t/ha inferior to him sowing the same row spacing with a seeding rate of 400 thousand pcs./ha and row sowing at 30 cm with a seeding rate of 550 thousand pcs. for 1 hectare. Such crops provide the yield of high-quality seeds with a high fat content and are practically not inferior to the control in protein content. In the Amur region conditions for obtain the largest number of high-quality seeds, it is advisable to sow soybeans of the Persona variety with row spacing of 30 or 45 cm and a seeding rate of 550 thousand pieces per 1 ha. Keywords: SOYBEAN, PERSONA VARIETY, SEEDING RATE, GERMINATION, QUALITY, WEIGHT, YIELD, SEEDS

Рост и состояние дуба черешчатого в смешанных древостоях полезащитных лесных полос

An analysis of the creation and operation of protective forest plantations at agricultural enterprises of the Central Chernozem Region allows us to assert that positive ameliorative functions are performed by those forest plantations that have good growth, high stability and longevity. Russian forestry scientists have recognized that the main species in the steppe conditions for all types of protective forest plantations is the English oak. The aim of the research has been to assess the current state of the stands in forest shelterbelts planted via different methods with the English oak as the main species. Taxation works and forest pathology research were carried out in 1997–2021 in the forest shelterbelt no. 9, established in the spring of 1989 by 2-year-old seedlings in the land-use territory of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Experimental Production Farm “Znamya Oktyabrya” of the Talovskiy District of the Voronezh Region. It has been established that the influence of combinations of tree species in forest belts on the growth of the English oak at the age of 32 years is quite significant. As a result of competitive relations for environmental resources by fast-growing and associate species, the number of live oak trees in a continuous row planting option is 35.6...52.1 % less than in intermittent forest belt options, of their number during planting. The remaining sharply oppressed oak trees in the plantation sown in the continuous row planting way are far behind in height and stem diameter (by 0.8...7.6 m and 4.1...12.7 cm, respectively) compared to the oaks growing in the intermittent forest belts sown in a block planting way. The absence of improvement felling in the experimental plantations during their growth and formation has led to a significant number of dead oak wood and non-viable trees of this species. Moreover, the proportion of dead oak wood and non-viable trees in the forest belt sown via continuous row planting exceeds the indicator in the intermittent forest belts by 36.6...40.6 %. The number of viable oak trees in the intermittent belt options is 17.7...27.3 % higher than in the continuous row planting option, and the number of limitedly viable trees is 11.5...18.9 % higher.

Effects of street tree configuration and placement on roadside thermal environment within a tropical urban canyon.

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect increases surface and air temperatures, affecting urban health and well-being. A well-known UHI mitigation measure is the increased roadside tree vegetation facilitating evapotranspiration and shade. In its implementation, the identification of thermally optimal street tree configurations and a quantitative assessment of how various street tree configurations impact the roadside thermal environment were deemed essential and were chosen as the main aims of the study. Twelve tropical urban canyons were categorized into three clusters representative of different street tree placement and configuration scenarios. A control cluster devoid of any roadside trees was also selected. The CFD-based 3-D microclimate model 'ENVI-met' was used to identify suitable roadside urban tree planting scenarios for better microclimate regulation. From a tree planting scenario analysis done as part of the study, the greening scenario of using a 'Continuous tree row (Densely foliated - high Leaf Area Density - LAD)' tree configuration was recognized with the highest ambient temperature reduction of 1.41°C. The study outcomes reveal that tree configuration of high LAD street trees placed in closer spacing contributes towards the better cooling effect of roadside environments and thus improves thermal comfort for warmer tropical climates of higher humidity levels. The study's findings offer valuable insights for urban planning professionals and policymakers involved in designing future cities and urban developments. They emphasize the importance of strategic tree-planting designs and configurations to enhance thermal comfort and livability in urban areas. This highlights the need to avoid ad-hoc procedures and instead prioritize well-planned roadside tree configurations within urban canyons.

Structural specific features of Mn5Si3-type quasibinary Gd-, Tb- and Dy-based compounds and magnetic structure of quasibinary Tb5Sb2Bi

Owing to the fascinating structural and physical properties of Mn5Si3 type quasibinary compounds, in this work a set of quasibinary Mn5Si3-type Gd5{Si, Ge}3-x{Al, Ga}x, Gd5Sb2{Si, Bi}, Gd5Bi2Ga, Gd5Bi1.8Sn1.2, Tb5Bi2Sn, Tb5Sb2Bi, Dy5Sb1.6-1.7{Si, Ge}1.4-1.3, Dy5{Sb, Bi}2In, Dy5Sb1.5Bi1.5, Dy5Sb1.3Te1.7 compounds (P63/mcm, N 193, hP16) have been synthesized by arc melting under argon atmosphere followed by annealing between 870 and 1070 K. These compounds belong to the continuous or limited solid solutions rows of initial Mn5Si3-type binary compounds with corresponding change/distortion of initial unit cells.Neutron diffraction study in zero applied magnetic field shows sine modulated antiferromagnetic ordening of quasibinary Tb5Sb2Bi with wave vector Kxx = [±Kx, ±Kx, 0] (Kx = 0.0869–0.1356) below ∼90 K and non-collinear antiferromagnetic ordering with additional Kz = [0, 0, 1/2] wave vector below ∼50 K as a representative of magnetic ordering of Tb sublattice in the Mn5Si3-type compounds.

Open-Format Prescription Maps for Variable Rate Spraying in Orchard Farming

Highlights Straightforward procedure to code prescription maps independent of manufacturers. Methodology suitable for orchard crops and vineyards including pressures up to 10 bar and flowrates up to 100 L/min. Algorithm validated for both trellis-based continuous rows and traditional orchard rows of discrete trees. Method scalable to other agricultural operations, such as fertilizing or data registration for auditing purposes. Abstract. The implementation of crop protection solutions contributing to significant reductions in the use and risk of chemical pesticides has motivated the interest of site-specific systems, such as variable rate technologies based on user-set prescriptions. However, the practical implementation of variable rates has been dissuasive for many growers who are not familiar with digital solutions, as proprietary firmware is often difficult to grasp. This paper presents a method for formatting prescription maps that is independent of manufacturers, can be easily and freely implemented by industry and can be adopted by growers not familiar with advanced software tools. The methodology was successfully demonstrated for perennial specialty crops, in particular for trellised vineyards in vertical shoot position and for traditional olive groves. Results showed that the variations within user prescription maps were translated to the fields, but flow errors appeared due to the challenge of measuring flow and pressure in the highly pulsating actuation of pulse-width-modulated (PWM) valves. Such errors diminished with the use of low-volume rates and the optimal selection of the nozzles when adjusted to the real pressure measured in the field. The use cases validated in the field showed the consistency of the method for highly populated prescription maps of 1,221 points/ha accessible to advanced farmers, as well as for modest maps of 80 points/ha within reach of the majority of growers. Keywords: Automated map building, Local tangent plane coordinates, Orchard crop operations, Precision farming, Prescription maps, User-centered approach, Variable rate spraying.

Characterization of light intensity and quality, vegetative, flowering and fruiting traits in high and super-high density olive hedgerows

Orchard design (intra- and inter-row distance) defines the space allotted to each tree and the light environment for growth in olive hedgerows. Shading between neighboring trees affects the light intensity and quality, modifying the tree vegetative, flowering and fruiting characteristics. In this study, the incident photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was simulated and the red-to-far-red ratio (R/FR) reflected by neighboring hedgerows down the canopy walls was measured. An analysis is presented of the response of olive vegetative, flowering, fruiting and productive traits to hedgerows of high (HD) and super-high density (SHD) orchards. The study was carried out during the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 seasons in two 10-year-old olive cv. Genovesa orchards, one in HD (7 x 3.5 m) and the other in SHD (4 x 1.5 m). In both systems, continuous rows were used for measurements of light environment and vegetative, flowering and fruiting characteristics. The R/FR ratio and mean daily horizontal incident PAR were significantly higher in HD than in SHD. One-year-old shoots of HD hedgerows had shorter internodes in L position than U, M and L positions of SHD. Inflorescence number per shoot in the M and L positions of HD were triple than those of corresponding positions of SHD hedgerows. The mean yield per ha for both seasons was similar between HD and SHD hedgerows (average 9.3 and 9.4 t/ha, respectively). A greater planting density in olive hedgerows reduces the R/FR ratio reflected by neighboring trees while reducing incident PAR with increases in the hedgerow height. As a result, more illuminate HD hedgerows have greater specific leaf mass, higher leaf area density and higher axis-order angle compared to SHD hedgerows. This study seeks a new way to understand and measure the suitability of an olive cultivar trained in hedgerows at different planting densities.

Redescription of Lepidodactylus flaviocularis (Squamata: Gekkonidae), with the description of a new species from Makira Island, Solomon Islands.

Several species of geckos of the genus Lepidodactylus are endemic to the Solomon Islands and very poorly known. I redescribe one of these, L. flaviocularis, from Guadalcanal, based on examination of a second, newly obtained specimen and quantification of diagnostically useful features of the digits. I also describe a closely related new species from nearby Makira Island in the southern Solomon Islands. Both species are distinguished by their large number of undivided subdigital lamellae, extensive toe webbing, and a continuous row of enlarged precloacal/femoral scales. The new species is distinguished from L. flaviocularis by a number of scalational features and the color of the circumorbial scales. Both species are inhabitants of interior forest, and it remains uncertain whether they are naturally rare, rare due to interactions with invasive species, or simply have cryptic ecological habits, though the last seems most likely. Current evidence for both species is consistent with the taxon-cycle hypothesis, which posits ecological displacement to inland habitats of ancient island inhabitants by newer colonizers, but this remains to be critically tested. The limited pool of specimens available for both species necessitates assessing the IUCN conservation status of each as Data Deficient.

ЭЛЕКТРОГИДРОМЕХАНИЧЕСКАЯ МОБИЛЬНАЯ ПЛАТФОРМА

Vaulting when setting up dosing organs worsens the quality of the feed dispenser, especially when issuing small doses. The use of a mobile electrohydromechanical platform as part of the feed dispenser allows you to reduce the cost of materials in the feed distribution line and expand the functionality of the feeding equipment. The amount of feed mixture dispensed to the feeder by such feed dispensers can be changed by controlling the speed of movement of the electrohydromechanical platform along a continuous row of feeders, which makes it possible to neutralize the violation of the performance of dosing organs when issuing small doses of feed. The analytical dependence of determining the effect on the norm of the feed delivery rate on the performance of the dosing organ and the parameters of the electrohydromechanical mobile platform (the performance of the dosing device, the parameters of the chassis and a number of others) was obtained. The pneumatic tire of the electrohydromechanical mobile platform is subject to deformation. The rolling radius of the pneumatic wheel must be taken into account when determining the actual speed of movement of the mobile electrohydromechanical platform. The changing mass of feed in the feed dispenser during distribution changes the rolling radius of the wheel, as well as the amount of feed dispensed into a group or continuous feeder. A methodology and experimental setup for studying the change in the rolling radius of a wheel from a vertical load consisting of an electrohydromechanical platform supported by a wheel on a lever connected to a weighing device have been developed. The levels of variation and factors (pressure in the pneumatic tire and the amount of vertical load), as well as the evaluation criterion (the amount of deformation of the pneumatic tire, determined by the rolling radius of the pneumatic tire) are given. The experimental dependences obtained are nonlinear in nature. Studies have shown that when the pressure in the tire of the wheel is more than 1.5 MPa, with an increase in the vertical load of more than 150 kg per wheel, the change in the translational speed of the feed dispenser and the rolling radius of the wheel are within the permissible repartitions and do not exceed 5%.

Forage productivity of combined crops of seed oats, maize, and Sudanese sorghum with white lupine

Research aimed at the accumulation and effective use of nitrogen, its symbiotic fixation from the air by white lupine plants, by selecting the best cereal components, optimizing their ratio and methods of placement when growing in compatible crops under different fertilization systems in the Forest Steppe is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to establish the best cereal components, their ratio and methods of placement with white lupine when sowing in joint crops under different fertilizer systems to produce grass fodder in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. The following methods were used: field, laboratory, mathematical-statistical, calculation-comparative. It was established that the highest productivity on the background without fertilizers (4.21-4.86 t∙ha–1 of dry matter) was provided by single-species crops of maize and white lupine, as well as their combined crops, which were formed by continuous row and strip methods, which by 2.60-3.17 t∙ha–1 of dry matter or 1.8-2.6 times more compared to crops of oats and its mixture with white lupine and by 1.13-1.58 t·ha-1 or 1.4-1.5 times more compared to crops of Sudanese sorghum and its mixture with white lupine. Through the accumulation and use of symbiotic nitrogen fixation, the productivity of lupine-oat mixtures increased from 1.90 to 2.70-3.21 t∙ha–1 of dry mass or 1.4-1.7 times, and that of lupine-sorghum – from 3.17 to 3.43-3.47 or 1.1 times. The most effective ratio of each cereal component to legume in binary intercropping was 25:75% of the sowing rate in single-species agrocenoses when dry biomass productivity was the greatest. Compared to the variant without fertilizers, the most significant (by 1.3-2.0 times) increase in the productivity of all fodder agrocenoses under study was ensured by the application of N45Р30K50, while the application of P30K50 or humigran organic fertilizer at a dose of 250 kg·ha–1 – only by 1.2-1.3 times. The research results can be used in the development of scientific and methodological recommendations and the education about the formation of highly productive agrophytocenoses for conveyor production of high-quality grass fodder for animal feeding

Yield structure of crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst.) under the effect of seeding rate and varietal characteristics

Purpose. To establish an optimal seeding rate for different varieties of crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) based on its influence on the formation of the main elements of the yield structure in the conditions of the Right Bank Forest Steppe.
 Methods. Crambe varieties ‘Belenzian’ (USA) and ‘CRA 5/79’ (Germany) were studied in field conditions (Cherkasy region) in the years 2020–2022. The crop was sown at the beginning of May in a continuous row method at seeding rates from 1.0 to 3.5 m seeds per hectare to a depth of 3–5 cm. Before harvesting, the preservation and biometric indicators of the plants were recorded, after which the seed yield was determined. The harvest was harvested by the direct harvesting method at a seed moisture content of 15%.
 Results. Regardless of the seeding rate, the preservation of plants before harvesting (on average according to the experiment) was somewhat higher in the variety ‘Belenzian’ – 72.8 against 70.4% in ‘CRA 5/79’. The lowest indicators in both varieties (64.1–67.6%) were recorded for the lowest sowing rate (1.0 and 1.5 m seeds/ha) and the highest (74.3–78.1%) for the highest seeding rate (3.0 and 3.5 m seeds/ha); the height of the plants was 73–90 cm on average, reaching a maximum in both varieties at seed rates of 2.0 and 2.5 m seeds/ha. An increase in the seeding rate to 3.0–3.5 m seeds/ha led to a significant decrease in plant height. The longest pods (4.7 and 4.5 cm) in variety ‘Belenzian’ were noted for the seeding rate of 1.0 and 1.5 m seeds/ha, while in variety ‘CRA 5/79’, the longest pods (3.3 and 3.5 cm) were obtained for the seeding rate of 2.0 and 2.5 m seeds/ha, respectively. The highest number of pods (144 and 146 in ‘Belenzian’; 130 and 135 in ‘CRA 5/79’), the weight of seeds from one plant (8.51 and 878 g and 8.04 and 8.23 g respectively) and the weight of 1000 seeds (8.78 and 9.00 g and 7.89 and 8.01 g, respectively) were obtained for seeding rate of 2.0 and 2.5 million seeds/ha. At the same seeding rates, the highest seed yield of ‘Belenzian’ was obtained – 2.12 and 2.23 t/ha, respectively, while in ‘CRA 5/79’ 2.04 and 2.00 t/ha of seeds was obtained at the seeding rate of 2.5 and 3.0 m seeds/ha, respectively.
 Conclusions. Seeding rate has a significant impact on the formation of biometric indicators that are the elements of the yield structure and, ultimately, the yield of crambe seeds. The values of most indicators increase with an increase in the seeding rate, reaching a maximum at 2.5 m seeds/ha, and then gradually decreasing. The optimal seeding rate from the point of view of the formation of a high yield of seeds in both crambe varieties is 2.5 m seeds/ha. The research results can be used to improve the elements of cultivation technology for growing crambe in the Right Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine.

The Chirostyloidea of the Northeastern Pacific: Host Associations, Range Extensions and a New Species (Decapoda: Anomura).

Four species of chirostyloid squat lobsters, including a new species and a range extension are reported herein from California. Uroptychus nicoleae sp.nov. was collected on a black coral, Lillipathes sp. off San Clemente Island. It is characterized by a rostrum bearing 1 or 2 lateral teeth, the carapace having 5 lateral spines and a belt of 15 spinules on the anterior dorsal surface, and the dactyls of pereopods 2-5 are curved and bearing a continuous row of 6-8 teeth. The new species is morphologically similar to U. bellus of the southwestern Pacific. The color in life is red and pink. Uroptychus occidentalis is reported for the first time off California. The chirostyloids Sternostylus iaspis and S. perarmatus, which also occur off California, are shown in video still images from a remotely operated vehicle. They inhabit antipatharians and soft corals (Primnoidae) and are easily distinguished from species of Uroptychus by their elongate chelipeds and spinose carapaces. We provide northern range extensions for Uroptychus bellus, Sternostylus defensus and Heteroptychus galapagos collected off Costa Rica.

Experimental investigation of electrolytically treated and silane grafted carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane composites

In this study, the continuous fiber rowing of 12K carbon was electrolytically oxidized by incorporating three different types of electrolytes: Ammonium bicarbonate, Sulfuric acid, and Sodium hydroxide at various concentrations. Upon chemical treatment, the fibers were grafted with 3-Aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTS), a silane coupling agent, to achieve better interlocking and compatibility with the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix. Mechanical properties were analyzed by tensile tests, morphological analysis was carried out through Scanning Electron Microscopy, and spectral analysis was studied through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterizations. The results show that 10% sulfuric acid treatment plus APTS grafted carbon fiber/TPU composites showed an average tensile load capacity of 2528 N, about 39% higher than raw carbon/TPU. The morphological analysis provided compelling evidence for the increase in mechanical properties of modified fiber composites as the interfacial bonding between the electrolytically modified and silane coated fiber/TPU composites was much better than the raw fiber/TPU composites. Further, XPS results confirm that the atomic percentages of Carbon have been reduced, whereas the percentage of oxygen and nitrogen have increased. These compositional changes indicate that the overall interaction between the fiber and the matrix has been enhanced, accounting for improved compatibility between the two interacting phases.

АГРОБІОЛОГІЧНЕ ОБГРУНТУВАННЯ СІВАЛКИ ТОЧНОГО ВИСІВУ ЗЕРНОВИХ КУЛЬТУР

Abstract The purpose of research. To substantiate the agrotechnical requirements for the seeder for accurate (uniform in depth and placement on the area) sowing for grain ear crops of the continuous row method of sowing. The optimal area for plant nutrition and the depth of wrapping winter wheat seeds were determined. Research methods. A field method – to determine the interaction of the object of research with the elements of technology: depth of seed wrapping and feeding area; calculated and weighted – determining the yield of winter wheat. Results. The best conditions for realizing the biological ability of winter wheat plants of the Tobak variety to form the highest grain productivity were during sowing according to the scheme of 7х7 cm and a feeding area of 49 cm2. The yield increase compared to the control (row method of sowing with 15 cm between rows) is 1.05 t/ha, or 13.1%. On the variant with a feeding area of 36 cm2 with a 6х6 cm sowing scheme, the grain yield decreased by 0.15 t/ha, compared to the 7x7 cm scheme. On these two most productive variants, the sowing rate was only 130 kg/ha and 97 kg, respectively /Ha. It is important to note that even with the maximum feeding area (10x10 cm), where only 45 kg/ha of seeds (1.0 million/ha) were sown, the yield remained high and amounted to 7.40 t/ha. In the experiment to study the depth of sowing, the highest yield of the RZHT Reform variety of winter wheat was formed on variants with a 2 cm and 3 cm depth of wrapping, respectively 8.22 t/ha and 8.30 t/ha. Deepening of the seeds by 4 cm led to a yield decreasing by 0.22 t/ha. For sowing to a 5 cm depth the yield was decreased by 0.43 t/ha. Increasing of the sowing depth to 6 cm and 7 cm significantly reduced the yield. Conclusions. The need for uniform placement of seeds on the area and depth requires the creation of a seeder with precise sowing of grain crops seeds of continuous row method of sowing. However, precision sowing has no proper biological and technological grounds. As a result of the research, the optimal parameters of the area of winter wheat plant nutrition (6x6 cm and 7x7 cm) and the depth of seed sowing (2-3 cm) were substantiated. It was concluded that the application of the appropriate technology for growing grain crops with the use of precision seed drills will allow to reduce seed sowing rates by half and increase the field productivity of grain. Key words: winter wheat, feeding area, sowing depth, precision seed drill.

Effects of genotypes and sowing methods on growth, phenology and yield of fonio (Digitaria exilis) in Benin

AbstractFonio is an identity and orphan cereal of Africa whose production system has remained traditional. This work assessed the responses of selected genotypes of fonio to different sowing methods in Benin from 2018 to 2019. Split plot design with three replicates was used. Four genotypes from mass selection and two control varieties were randomly arranged in four planting modalities (ordinary broadcast sowing, continuous row sowing at inter-rows 20 cm (SLC20) and 25 cm (SLC25) and in seed hole sowing (SP25 × 20)). Agro-morphological data were collected and subjected to variance and multivariate analyses. On all traits, interaction (variety × sowing × year) was not significant. Other interactions (variety × sowing, variety × year, sowing × year) were significant on some morpho-phenological traits. Genotypes AS19-1-1, AS1 and ‘Yoro’ were the earliest, especially AS19-1-1 presenting sowing–heading cycle less of 65 days. Improved genotypes were the most grain yielding mainly AS15-1-1 (1056.5 kg/ha) showing an excess of 405.9 kg/ha compared to control ‘Yoro’ (650.9 kg/ha), the least performing. However, control ‘Iporawan’ was the most yielding in dry matter (>8000 kg/ha). Based on sowing methods, plant density was negatively correlated with tiller number. The best growth and grain yield performances were obtained in broadcast sowing and especially in SLC25 (911.4 kg/ha). Cropping systems in which the new genotypes (AS1, AS13-1, AS15-1-1, 19-6-1-1) sown in continuous rows at 20–25 cm apart, or by broadcasting, were better in terms of grain yield (971.7 kg/ha). These systems constitute cultivation innovation which will enable to optimize fonio production and bring added value.

Far from home: Bat activity and diversity in row crop agriculture decreases with distance to potential roost habitat

As demand for food increases, agricultural production is poised to increase dramatically. Pesticides are commonly used to maintain high crop yield, though they have several drawbacks, including reduced efficacy over time and harmful effects to human and ecosystem health. Bats are highly effective predators of crop pests and have great potential to reduce crop damage resulting from insects. However, few studies have investigated how pest control by bats might change over large expanses of continuous row crop agriculture, which is common in the midwestern USA. Agricultural landscapes offer few roosting opportunities and could be difficult for bats to traverse, which might affect the degree of ecosystem services provided by bats. We hypothesized that with increasing distance into uninterrupted row crop agriculture 1) bat activity would decrease and 2) bat species richness would decrease, but that these effects would be buffered when insect pest abundance is high. We deployed 50 acoustic bat detectors over 10 transects in east-central Illinois from July to September 2021. In each transect, we placed detectors on crop field edges at increasing distance from a large riparian corridor assumed to be frequented by bats. Bat activity was high across the landscape but declined by 56% from the forest edge to 4000 m into row crop agriculture, while bat diversity decreased by 34%. Pest abundance seemed to decrease overall bat activity but had no effect on bat diversity. These results indicate that bats, although able to have a large effect on crop pest reduction, might not be as efficient in suppressing crop pests in vast uninterrupted agricultural landscapes which offer scant roost availability. Our work will inform recommendations to landowners and private lands managers on ways to increase bat access to roosts and forest cover near agricultural areas, thereby enhancing the potential for bats to provide pest control services.

METHODS OF AGROCOENOSIS FORMATION OF DYEING SAFFLOWER (CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS)

The article presents results of study of the influence of individual technology elements on productivity of dyeing safflower. Field experiments were carried out in the period from 2018 to 2020 in the grain-grass crop rotation of the laboratory of perennial and medicinal herbs of Ulyanovsk Research Institute of Agriculture. The main purpose of the research is to develop theoretical and practical foundations for formation of highly productive, cost-effective agrophytocenoses of dyeing safflower of Ershovskiy -4variety, taking into account the agroclimatic conditions of the Middle Volga region, as well as to establish formation features of the harvest structure elements and seed productivity under the influence of agrochemical components. For comparison, sowing methods were used in combination with seeding amounts: continuous row (15 cm spacing), wide-row (30 cm spacing) and wide-row (70 cm spacing), each of which had four seeding amounts (from 200 thousand/ha to 700 thousand/ha). The seeding amount for wide-row (70 cm row spacing) sowing method is from 250 thousand / ha to 400 thousand / ha. Ammonium nitrate N30fertilizer was introduced as a background for presowing cultivation. Maximum seed yield of 9.0 dt/ha was formed by plants of wide-row sowing method. This practiceallowedto increase the yield on average by 25.5% in comparison with skip-row sowing, and by 29.2% with row sowing. Yield increase occurred both due to increase ofplant bushiness of wide-row sowing, and increase of the mass of seeds of productive heads. The mass of 1000 seeds of the wide-row sowing method increased by 3-3.6% in relation to other studied sowing methods.

Growth Characteristics of Dracocephalum moldavica L. in Relation to Density for Sustainable Cropping Technology Development

Medicinal and aromatic plants hold a high share of interest in Romania. To offset the harvesting of spontaneous flora and ensure the sustainable conservation of natural resources, the cropping of highly valuable plants of interest represents a priority for the current agricultural system. This study was conducted due to the need for more balance in species exploitation. Therefore, it assessed the emergence dynamics, leaf appearance, growth and development of the plants depending on row spacing and plant distance. The research was conducted at the INCDCSZ Brașov, within the Technology Department, Laboratory of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. The density of planting is the most important factor. Plants sown in continuous rows showed the highest yields of fresh and dry herbs, especially when the distance between the rows was set to 25 cm. Row-by-row distances of 50 cm ensure average values for all growth and development parameters. An increase in the row-by-row distance up to 70 cm drastically reduced the dry biomass up to 7.89 t ha−1 in continuous rows, followed by a 2 and 2.5 t ha−1 decrease for 15 cm and 25 cm plant-by-plant distances, respectively. Continuous row planting and a 25 cm row-by-row distance negligibly reduce the climate impact on growth and development. Greater spaces between plants leads to an average increase in individual development, but with a decrease in the total potential yield.

Extent and Characteristics of a Newly Discovered Unique Bryozoan Biogenic Reef Complex

Using multibeam echosounding (R2Sonic, Austin, Texas) combined with underwater observation and imagery surveys, this study sought to estimate the size and describe the typology of newly discovered biogenic bryozoan reefs in Western Port (VIC, Australia). The bryozoan species forming the biogenic structure are Triphyllozoon moniliferum, T. munitum (both fenestrate forms and dominant on the reef) and Celleporaria (non-fenestrate form and sub-dominant). The bryozoan biogenic reefs occupy a total area of 1.74 km2. Their distribution appears to be geomorphically and depth-controlled, which might limit their maximum possible extent. The Western Port bryozoan reefs are unique and globally significant because they: (1) occur in shallow water (typically 5–10 m), (2) are dominated by delicate fenestrate colonies of T. moniliferum and T. munitum, (3) have two distinct morphologies (linear and patch-like), (4) form continuous rows of reef interspersed with fine sediment, and (5) the size and vertical relief (up to approximately 1.5 m) are among the largest recorded in the world. In Western Port, these bryozoan reefs are habitat-forming and may represent sites of enhanced biodiversity, which is currently being investigated in another separate study and are likely important habitat utilised by commercially and recreationally fished species. The bryozoan biogenic reefs are a previously unrecognised feature of conservation significance in this Ramsar site. The reefs are potentially vulnerable to physical damage from recreational fishing practices, sediment smothering and scouring, algal encroachment and hydrological alteration. Recommendations for monitoring and potential management of this unique biotope are made.

Databases on the history of local population migrations in Russia at the end of the XIX – XX centuries: information capabilities and processing methods. Part I.

In the first part of the proposed article, the information capabilities and methods of processing in electronic databases (EBD) of the first two groups of sources on local population migrations in Russia at the end of the XIX – XX centuries are analyzed and illustrated: 1) pre-revolutionary parish registers, Soviet statistics of registry offices for individual rural and urban settlements, materials of All-Russian censuses population and other census documents containing information about the movement of the population at the micro level of individual settlements; 2) replenished "author's" EBDS of student genealogies (48 information parameters; about 150 thousand personalities as of April 2022) and surveys of women who have completed prolific activities (40 information parameters; 11.5 thousand respondents as of April 2022) The scientific novelty of the proposed study of the information capabilities of the first two blocks of representative sources on local migrations of the Russian population of the history of the period under consideration is provided, first of all, by strict adherence to the principle of historicism, obliging to take what is being studied in motion, in the totality of all its aspects and as it was in the real past. The principle of historicism dictates, in turn, the methodology for creating EBDS of traditional and unique mass sources on social history. Records in metric books, materials of registry offices, population censuses, surveys of elderly women and student genealogies with a truly historical method of obtaining and processing data turn out to be necessary, mandatory and often irreplaceable sources of knowledge and tools for uncovering the mobile socio-natural synergy of domestic new and modern history on the longest and continuous rows of complex demographic and sociographic information. Local migrations are the most important, but part of this synergy.