Efficient Culture Research Articles

Intensification of cultivation of seedlings of Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.) in the Southern Urals

The study underscores the vital demand for efficient cultivation of Siberian spruce seedlings in reforestation and land reclamation. It delves into diverse peat substrate types, densities, and nutrient additives, providing insights for optimizing growth. The comprehensive approach involves microbiological preparations and mycorrhiza to enhance seedling development. The recommendation is to use high-density peat, introducing microbiological preparations post-emergence for fostering robust Siberian spruce seedlings. The relevance of the research stems from the high demand for large quantities of planting material in reforestation efforts. Siberian spruce, known for shade tolerance and cold resistance, is a significant carbon accumulator. The paper reports 2023 experiments on peat substrates with varying densities and nutrient additives, emphasizing pre-sowing seed treatment with growth stimulants. Results show increased germination energy and germination on denser and more acidic peat substrates. However, superior biometric indicators at the season's end are observed in seedlings grown on substrates with lower density and additives like a complex of humic acids, salts, mineral fertilizers, trace elements, soil microflora, and mycorrhiza. The proposal advocates using high-density peat (at least 0.6 g/cm3) for growing Siberian spruce seedlings, introducing microbiological preparations post-emergence, and regular fertilizing for enhanced first-year development.

Hydroponics agriculture as a modern agriculture technique

Hydroponics, also known as controlled environment agriculture, is a method of cultivating plants and herbs without soil using mineral-supplemented solutions. Agriculture biotechnology enhances its wings on developing genetically modified plants for expanding crop yield and introducing characteristic features such as growing seasonal crops throughout the year, weather-resistant, and pest resistance. Compared to traditional agriculture, hydroponic cultivation yields high-quality crops with 90% more efficient use of water. Therefore, hydroponic cultivation could be considered a succeeding future of agriculture. In this context, understanding agriculture through the hydroponic route is vital for the efficient cultivation of crops. This review elaborates on the different classes of hydroponic systems and the factors that enable the systematic elements of the frame-up.The significant intent of this review is to provide information on distinct hydroponic systems.The present review reports a comprehensive discussion about the significance of the hydroponics system, its mechanism, nutrient solution preparation, types of hydroponic setup, and the challenges faced and would light up the knowledge in the same.This review focus on the current feasible hydroponic method of crop cultivation.

DETERMINANTS OF THE LACK OF INTEREST IN CULTIVATING MEDICINAL PLANTS IN WONOGIRI, CENTRAL JAVA

Indonesia is among the countries producing medicinal plants (TO) for domestic and foreign demand. Nevertheless, Indonesia keeps importing a variety of TO kinds. One reason for this is farmer's lack of interest in cultivating medicinal plants, which is interesting to observe considering that, in terms of market share, ecology, and geography, all of them support the development of medicinal plant cultivation. This cross-sectional study with observations and interviews aims to get primary data to identify the factors causing the lacking interest of farmers in cultivating medicinal plants. In October 2018, we conducted our data collection. Statistics Indonesia (BPS) provided secondary data on the production and trade of medicinal plants from 2009 to 2020. We did descriptive data analysis. The results showed several factors caused farmers to be less interested in cultivating medicinal plants. Expense fluctuations, the length of the planting period, technology, and access to marketing, until the government's attention has not been optimized are the contributing factors. It should make efforts to increase the interest of farmers in cultivating medicinal plants. There are ways to encourage people to grow medicinal plants as their primary source of income, including stable prices, market accessibility, efficient cultivation, and post-harvest technology.

KOMPARASI SISTEM PINDAH TANAM DAN TANAM BENIH LANGSUNG BUDIDAYA TANAMAN PADI (Oryza sativa L.) DI DESA RANTEWARINGIN-KEBUMEN, JAWA TENGAH

Rice is a strategic commodity for Indonesia and needs to increase its production with an efficient cultivation system to face limited water and labor in the future. The transplanting system (TPR) was a popular method for rice cultivation in Indonesia, and it needed too much input. On another side, direct seeding (DSR) has long been known and considered more efficient in labor and water used. This study aims to determine the comparison of cultivation methods of TPR and DSR, which are more profitable among farmers in Rantewringin village, and to determine an efficient cultivation system. This research was carried out in August-September 2020. The methods used were qualitative and quantitative, sampling was purposive sampling, and the analysis tools used farm analysis and SWOT. The results of the feasibility analysis that has been carried out, the acceptance value of the Tapin system is greater than the Tabela system, but the profit of the Tabela system is higher than the Tapin system. The results of the farming analysis show that the feasibility of farming, the Tapin system, and the Tabela system are feasible (R/C ratio > 1). Analysis of the IFAS and EFAS shows that the Tapin system has the power to produce better growth in water-sufficient conditions but is threatened in a water- and labor-constrained position. Meanwhile, Tabe cultivation has the power to be carried out in limited water conditions and is efficient in using labor. The analysis results indicate that Tabela cultivation can be an efficient and profitable alternative technology in conditions of lack of water. The development of the Tabela system is still needed for broader application.

Cost Reduction in the Production of Spirulina Biomass and Biomolecules from Indole-3-Acetic Acid Supplementation in Different Growth Phases.

Despite the great potential for the industrial application of microalgae, production costs are still too high to make them a competitive raw material for commodities. Therefore, studying more efficient cultivation strategies in biomass production and economic viability is necessary. In this sense, this work aimed to reduce the production costs of biomass and biomolecules using phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid in different phases of Spirulina sp. LEB 18 cultivation. The experiments were conducted on bench scale indoor for 30days. In each couple of experiments, the phytohormone was added on different days. The supplementation of indole-3-acetic acid on half of the growth deceleration phase of the microalga showed a cost reduction of 27%, 34%, and 75% for biomass, proteins, and carbohydrates, respectively. In addition, the strategy increased the final biomass concentration and carbohydrate content at 31.2 and 33.8%, respectively, compared to the condition without phytohormone. This study is the starting point for implementing phytohormone supplementation in industrial microalgal cultures.

A review of the adaptive capacity of sweet sorghum to improve food security and poverty alleviation in sub-Saharan Africa

• Sweet sorghum can address socioeconomic challenges for African smallholder farmers. • A neglected multiuse crop, it is utilised for food, fuel, fibre, and fodder. • This grain crop can grow under water limited- and low nutrient input conditions. • Adoption of sweet sorghum in smallholder farming requires investment in research. Current challenges facing smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) require holistic adoption of crops that have diverse socioeconomic and agronomic significance. Sweet sorghum, an underutilised grain crop, has such potential, especially for bioethanol production, due to its adaptation to harsh conditions. Despite being native to SSA, its neglect and underuse is a concern given its wide potential to improve socioeconomic conditions of farmers in this region. This review highlights sweet sorghum's potential by discussing its adaptive capability against major production constraints such as water availability, soil nutrition, plant population, planting date, and harvest time. The review highlights sweet sorghum as a crop that maximises its growth and development under water stress conditions due to its high-water use efficiency. Furthermore, sweet sorghum can be cultivated under marginal soils compared to its biofuel counterparts (e.g., maize, sugarcane, and sugar beet) and can still be high yielding (grain) at high plant densities, with early planting dates also resulting in high yields. These attributes are significant in smallholder farming systems due to their susceptibility to socioeconomical and agronomic challenges. In addition, it was identified that there is lack of research relating to pests and diseases that plague sweet sorghum, with some measures and recommendations being based on grain sorghum. Therefore, the need for research and development on sweet sorghum in SSA may not only intensify its benefits to farmers but can also improve efficient cultivation under local environmental conditions.

Manejo da irrigação para o cultivo de sorgo granífero com água salina

ABSTRACT In order to obtain an efficient cultivation of grain sorghum in production systems that use saline water, an adequate management becomes necessary for maximizing its production. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the application of leaching fractions in the saline water irrigation management on the production of sorghum varieties and on the distribution of water and salts in the soil profile, under semiarid conditions. The study was carried out in the municipality of Petrolina, semiarid region of Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with four replicates, in split-split plots; four leaching fractions (LF): 0, 5, 10, and 15% with saline water from artesian well in the plots, three varieties of grain sorghum: 1011-IPA, 2502-IPA and Ponta Negra in the subplots, and two crop cycles (1st and 2nd cut) in the sub-subplots. The evaluated variables were distribution of water and salts in the soil profile, biometric variables, fresh biomass, dry biomass, and grain yield. Application of leaching fractions of up 15% in saline water irrigation promotes better distribution of salts in the soil profile, with increments of up to 60% in the grain yield of the sorghum varieties evaluated. The production of the varieties 1011-IPA and Ponta Negra is a feasible alternative in systems irrigated with saline water with average electrical conductivity of 4.19 dS m-1, in Ultisol, under semiarid conditions.

The Role of Histo-Blood Group Antigens and Microbiota in Human Norovirus Replication in Zebrafish Larvae.

Human norovirus (HuNoV) is the major agent for viral gastroenteritis, causing >700 million infections yearly. Fucose-containing carbohydrates named histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) are known (co)receptors for HuNoV. Moreover, bacteria of the gut microbiota expressing HBGA-like structures have shown an enhancing effect on HuNoV replication in an in vitro model. Here, we studied the role of HBGAs and the host microbiota during HuNoV infection in zebrafish larvae. Using whole-mount immunohistochemistry, we visualized the fucose expression in the zebrafish gut for the HBGA Lewis X [LeX, α(1,3)-fucose] and core fucose [α(1,6)-fucose]. Costaining of HuNoV-infected larvae proved colocalization of LeX and to a lower extent core fucose with the viral capsid protein VP1, indicating the presence of fucose residues on infected cells. Upon blocking of fucose expression by a fluorinated fucose analogue, HuNoV replication was strongly reduced. Furthermore, by comparing HuNoV replication in conventional and germfree zebrafish larvae, we found that the natural zebrafish microbiome does not have an effect on HuNoV replication, contrary to earlier reports about the human gut microbiome. Interestingly, monoassociation with the HBGA-expressing Enterobacter cloacae resulted in a minor decrease in HuNoV replication, which was not triggered by a stronger innate immune response. Overall, we show here that fucose has an essential role for HuNoV infection in zebrafish larvae, as in the human host, but their natural gut microbiome does not affect viral replication. IMPORTANCE Despite causing over 700 million infections yearly, many gaps remain in the knowledge of human norovirus (HuNoV) biology due to an historical lack of efficient cultivation systems. Fucose-containing carbohydrate structures, named histo-blood group antigens, are known to be important (co)receptors for viral entry in humans, while the natural gut microbiota is suggested to enhance viral replication. This study shows a conserved mechanism of entry for HuNoV in the novel zebrafish infection model, highlighting the pivotal opportunity this model represents to study entry mechanisms and identify the cellular receptor of HuNoV. Our results shed light on the interaction of HuNoV with the zebrafish microbiota, contributing to the understanding of the interplay between gut microbiota and enteric viruses. The ease of generating germfree animals that can be colonized with human gut bacteria is an additional advantage of using zebrafish larvae in virology. This small animal model constitutes an innovative alternative to high-severity animal models.

Development of the Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) System in the World; Article Review

Aquaculture is a sector of activity in the world that has grown very rapidly in the last few decades. Aquaculture is a food activity sector that aims to provide human food needs, especially protein. However, currently, aquaculture is required not only to be able to meet the protein needs of humans but also to be environmentally friendly and sustainable. IMTA is a system that aims to answer these aquaculture challenges. Currently, fish farming using the IMTA system in the world continues to grow. Many studies have been carried out, such as the selection of suitable species, efficient cultivation design to economic value in fish farming activities using the İMTA system. Keywords: Aquaculture, challenges, IMTA system

Branch Growth, Leaf Canopies and Photosynthetic Responses of Zizyphus jujube cv. “Huizao” to Nutrient Addition in the Arid Areas of Northwest China

Jujube is one of the main tree species found in the arid areas of Xinjiang, China. However, the nutritional requirements of central leader jujube trees are not understood. Our aim was to explore the effects of different fertilization gradients on the growth, development, and canopy formation of jujube trees to provide a basis for efficient cultivation. We measured and compared various suitable indices of jujube trees under 16 different fertilization treatments, and we confirmed the treatments suitable for cultivation by correlation and principal component analyses. The jujube tree growth indices under different fertilization treatments significantly differed (p < 0.05). The application of nitrogen fertilizer promoted the growth of branches and leaves. The soil and plant analyzer development value, light, and other traits significantly differed (p < 0.05). The leaf area index and direct transmittance coefficient significantly differed (p < 0.05). Compared with single-fertilizer application, mixed-fertilizer application significantly increased the leaf area index. Correlation analysis showed that the net photosynthetic rate of jujube leaves significantly correlated with the stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and leaf SPAD content (p < 0.01). We obtained three principal components with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 82.192%. The final ranking showed that the mixed treatment (N 460.77 g/tree, P2O5 460.77 g/tree, and K2O 588.23 g/tree) performed better. To ensure branch and leaf growth, this treatment promoted photosynthesis, enabling the growth and development of fruit trees.

ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY IN CULTIVATION OF MAIZE HYBRIDS OF DIFFERENT GROUPS OF MATURITY IN CONDITIONS SRF «AHRONOMICHNE»

The article reflects the results of the research conducted with studies on the performance of maize hybrids and shows the economic efficiency of cultivation of different maize hybrids depending on mineral fertilizer. Mineral fertilisers are the most important element in the technology of growing new maize hybrids Therefore it is very important to study the effect of fertilizers. Therefore, it is very important to study the effect of fertilizers on grain productivity corn hybrids, which are most common in our region and important economic importance. The aim of the research was to analyze influence and interrelation of productivity and economic efficiency cultivation of maize hybrids. Ukrainian agrarians traditionally grow maize for grain, and it occupies a significant place in the structure of grain production. In recent years In recent years, all agricultural producers note a sharp increase in gross yield The crop has been appreciated as one of the most important high-yielding and versatile cereal crops Cereals with a versatile purpose, which are grown for food, fodder and technical purposes, Forage and technical uses In Ukraine maize is used for both food and feed purposes. both for food and technical purposes, as well as for the feed industry. fodder production. An important area of sustainable development of the global Farming is one of the most important areas of sustainable global economic development at the beginning of the 21st century. An important element of sustainable development in global economic development in the beginning of the 21st century, including in the agricultural sector, is the improvement and implementation of new resource-, energy-saving and environmentally friendly technologies. It is proved that use of mineral fertilizers has a positive impact on for formation of grain productivity indicators of maize hybrids. What can be noted with the following statement, the more nitrogen fertilizers were applied the more was the yield. When comparing to the variant without fertilizer corn hybrids yield increased by 83-90% and amounted to 12,18-12,88 t/ha. From this we can conclude that the most promising fertilization system for maize hybrids is the application of cultivation of N128P128K128 with a subsequent addition of nitrogen in a dose of N70 in the phase of 6- 7 leaves of maize providing a gross yield of 12.18-12.88 t/ha of grain with an level of profitability of production 219-232%. In addition it is indicated in the publication of the main aspects of the technology of growing maize on grain, which underlie the improvement of production efficiency indicators first of all, yield, profit and level of profitability.

Analysis and evaluation of paddy-upland rotation of Gastrodia elata- Oryza sativa in Dabie Mountains

Gastrodia elata, as the valuable Chinese medicinal material, has been used for more than 2 000 years in China. With the increasing market demand for G. elata, the traditional wild resources have been unable to transform into commodities. At present, local authorities give full play to the advantages of natural resources and vigorously cultivate G. elata to form the cultivation mode and technical system with local characteristics. Huanggang Comprehensive Experimental Station of National Technical System of Chinese Medicinal Materials Industry has optimized and summarized the paddy-upland rotation of G. elata-Oryza sativa in Dabie Mountains of Hubei province through field visits and guidance for four consecutive years. Based on the ecological adaptability and planting characteristics of G. elata and O. sativa, and the actual production experience of farmers, analyzed the principle of paddy-upland rotation from production environment selection and fungus treatment, and evaluated the paddy-upland rotation of G. elata-O. sativa from production status, ecological benefits, and economic benefits. The paddy-upland rotation of G. elata-O. sativa has achieved efficient cultivation of G. elata and produced considerable economic benefits. Through the summary, analysis, and evaluation of the paddy-upland rotation mode of G. elata-O. sativa in Dabie Mountains, the present study put forward the optimization strategy of cultivation technology for G. elata in low-altitude areas, i.e., to use artificial Armillaria sticks instead of traditional cut-log for substitute cultivation of G. elata, which can effectively alleviate the "bacteria-forest contradiction" arising from the cultivation of G. elata. It can also improve the ecological environment and production status of the Dabie Mountains and even the G. elata producing areas at the same altitude.

Efficient cultivation of Porphyridium purpureum integrated with swine wastewater treatment to produce phycoerythrin and polysaccharide

Efficient cultivation of Porphyridium purpureum integrated with swine wastewater treatment to produce phycoerythrin and polysaccharide

The possibility of introduction and cultivation of vegetable soybean in the Amur Region

Soybean as a valuable fodder and oilseed crop has taken the primary place in agriculture of the Amur region, occupying 75.4% of the total sown area in 2021. However, research and experimental data on the vegetable alternative of soybean for the region are insignificant. This study suggests that given complex economic, cultural, and climatic conditions changes, successful introduction and cultivation of vegetable soybean Edamame is timely and needs investigation. The climatic conditions analysis demonstrated that the mean annual temperatures increased in the observed period (1910-2021). Analysis of the similarities and differences in grain and vegetable soybean cultivation, including necessary agricultural machinery, suggested that partial re-equipment of the technical base for harvesting and postharvest processing of vegetable soybean could make it fully possible to cultivate Edamame. Given the high vulnerability of vegetable soybean to excess moisture and a tendency of the Amur region loamy soils to waterlogging, drainage amelioration measures were recommended. It is concluded that for the efficient cultivation of Edamame, further substantial research and longitudinal field studies of profitability, region-specific agrotechnology, and appropriate soybean varieties are necessary.

Design and test of a laser lighting device for plant growth.

Aiming at the problems of high energy consumption, complex wiring, high layout cost, limited use environment, and limited function of conventional plant lighting equipment such as fluorescent lamps, sodium lamps, etc., this paper develops a type of laser device for plant growth with nanometer lasers based on the design of an intelligent control system of an immune algorithm, constant current driving circuit of the laser, pulse power supply, and rotatable intelligent platform to make the device more stable, reliable, practical, and energy efficient, and provides a useful reference for the innovation and application of materials, processes, and methods of plant lighting. The effects of nanometer laser light supplementation on the growth of purple lettuce, romaine lettuce, Chinese cabbage, and you-mai vegetable have been studied with the vegetables mentioned above as experimental materials and with natural light as the control sample. The results show that the nanometer laser device significantly increases stem height, stem thickness, leaf area, leaf number, and chlorophyll content, effectively promotes plant growth, and achieves efficient cultivation. In the future, studies of the effects of laser treatment on plant physiology and biochemistry will be sped up to explore the molecular biological mechanism of lasers to promote application and technological innovation of lasers in lighting for plant growth and the laser device in productivity.

Optimization of nitrogen feeding strategies for improving polyhydroxybutyrate production from biogas by Methylocystis parvus str. OBBP in a stirred tank reactor

The design of efficient cultivation strategies to produce bioplastics from biogas is crucial for the implementation of this biorefinery process. In this work, biogas-based polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production and CH4 biodegradation performance was investigated for the first time in a stirred tank bioreactor inoculated with Methylocystis parvus str. OBBP. Decreasing nitrogen loading rates in continuous mode and alternating feast:famine regimes of 24 h-cycles, and alternating feast:famine regimes of 24 h:24 h and 24 h:48 h were tested. Continuous N feeding did not support an effective PHB production despite the occurrence of nitrogen limiting conditions. Feast-famine cycles of 24 h:24 h (with 50% stoichiometric nitrogen supply) supported the maximum PHB production (20 g-PHB m−3 d−1) without compromising the CH4-elimination capacity (25 g m−3 h−1) of the system. Feast:famine ratios ≤1:2 entailed the deterioration of process performance at stoichiometric nitrogen inputs ≤60%.

Emergence of Phenotypically Distinct Subpopulations Is a Factor in Adaptation of Recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae under Glucose-Limited Conditions.

Cells cultured in a nutrient-limited environment can undergo adaptation, which confers improved fitness under long-term energy limitation. We have shown previously how a recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain, producing a heterologous insulin product, under glucose-limited conditions adapts over time at the average population level. Here, we investigated this adaptation at the single-cell level by application of fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and showed that the following three apparent phenotypes underlie the adaptive response observed at the bulk level: (i) cells that drastically reduced insulin production (23%), (ii) cells with reduced enzymatic capacity in central carbon metabolism (46%), and (iii) cells that exhibited pseudohyphal growth (31%). We speculate that the phenotypic heterogeneity is a result of different mechanisms to increase fitness. Cells with reduced insulin productivity have increased fitness by reducing the burden of the heterologous insulin production, and the populations with reduced enzymatic capacity of the central carbon metabolism and pseudohyphal growth have increased fitness toward the glucose-limited conditions. The results highlight the importance of considering population heterogeneity when studying adaptation and evolution. IMPORTANCE The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an attractive microbial host for industrial production and is used widely for manufacturing, e.g., pharmaceuticals. Chemostat cultivation mode is an efficient cultivation strategy for industrial production processes as it ensures a constant, well-controlled cultivation environment. Nevertheless, both the production of a heterologous product and the constant cultivation environment in the chemostat impose a selective pressure on the production organism, which may result in adaptation and loss of productivity. The exact mechanisms behind the observed adaptation and loss of performance are often unidentified. We used a recombinant S. cerevisiae strain producing heterologous insulin and investigated the adaptation occurring during chemostat growth at the single-cell level. We showed that three apparent phenotypes underlie the adaptive response observed at the bulk level in the chemostat. These findings highlight the importance of considering population heterogeneity when studying adaptation in industrial bioprocesses.

Screening of composite substrates suitable for tissue-cultured plantlets growth of Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr

Abstract Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr is a medicinal, edible and horticulture plant. Seedling breeding relies on tissue-cultured technology, but the transplant from tissue-cultured seedlings to field cultivation poses a problem in the large-scale production of A. cochinchinensis. Tissue-cultured seedlings of A. cochinchinensis were used as materials, and they were transplanted into the substrates that were mixed with coconut bran, peat, vermiculite, perlite or garden soil. The analysis of the physical and chemical properties of the substrate, combined with the survival rate of seedlings, the aboveground parameters (plant height, stem diameter, fresh weight and dry weight), underground parameters (root fresh weight, root dry weight, root length, root diameter, root surface area and root volume) and physiological indexes (malondialdehyde, soluble protein, soluble sugar, proline, chlorophyll and root vigour), allow us to understand the effects of different combination substrates on the growth and physiology of A. cochinchinensis tissue-cultured seedlings. We concluded that the survival rate of seedlings was negatively correlated with the bulk density and conductivity and was positively correlated with the porosity in the substrate. The membership function was used to comprehensively evaluate the indexes of each combination substrate, and it was concluded that coconut bran:perlite:vermiculite = 33.33%:33.33%:33.33% (bulk density = 0.23 g · cm−3, total porosity = 65.07%, pH = 6.30, conductivity = 0.51 mS · cm−1) scored the highest, the survival rate of seedlings reached 87.10%, the aboveground and underground growth were vigorous and the quality was better than other substrates. This research provides technical support for the efficient cultivation of tissue-cultured seedlings of A. cochinchinensis and reduces the cost of raising seedlings.

Effects of organic amendments and ridge–furrow mulching system on soil properties and economic benefits of wolfberry orchards on the Tibetan Plateau

Water scarcity and low soil fertility severely constrain crop growth and sustainable agricultural productivity on the Tibetan Plateau. Organic amendments and ridge–furrow mulching system (RFMS) are widely used to improve soil moisture, soil structure, and crop production in arid and semi-arid areas. However, their combined effects on soil physicochemical properties and economic benefits of wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) on the Tibetan Plateau remain unclear. A two-year field experiment was undertaken to evaluate the combined effects of organic amendments and RFMS on soil water, soil structure, soil saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and economic benefits on wolfberry. Four cultivation practices were established: traditional flat plot with mulching (FP), traditional flat plot with mulching and organic amendment (FPOA), ridge–furrow planting with mulching (RF), and ridge–furrow planting with mulching and organic amendment (RFOA). The organic amendment and RFMS treatments had higher soil water storage (SWS) and soil desiccation index (SDI) than the FP treatment in both growing seasons, especially at 20–60 cm soil depth. In addition, organic amendment significantly decreased soil bulk density by 6.4% and increased soil saturated hydraulic conductivity by 16.8% in the 0–60 cm soil layer, respectively, and improved the proportion of larger soil aggregates (0.02–2 mm) by 10.8% in the 0–40 cm soil layer. Furthermore, the RFOA treatment significantly improved SOC and TN contents at 0–60 cm soil depth by 47.7% and 19.4%, respectively, relative to FP. The measured soil properties were highly correlated with wolfberry yield and water use efficiency over 2 years. In particular, the RFOA treatment had higher crop yield and economic benefit than the other treatments due to the more favorable soil environment. Therefore, the RFOA treatment could be a sustainable and efficient cultivation practice for alleviating drought stress, improving soil properties, and increasing economic benefit on the Tibetan Plateau.

Novel bioreactor with inclined baffles in cost-efficiently increasing algal biomass and carbon fixation

We assess the cultivation of microalgae and possible improvements of photobioreactor (PBR) design and operation. A systematic method based on numerical modeling and experiments was proposed to guide the study of reactor performance. Taking the novel flat plate photobioreactor (FPPBR) with inclined baffles (IBs) as an example, the method was applied to investigate an effective way to improve the cultivation potential of the reactor. To obtain good mass transfer and light utilization, the optimal ratio of baffle opening gap to bioreactor width was 0.25. The algal biomass in the FPPBR with IBs at 3% CO2 aeration and an aeration rate of 0.05 vessel volume per minute (vvm) was 27.08% and 48.34% higher than that of FPPBR without baffles under the same cultivation conditions and higher air aeration rate of 0.15 vvm. The maximum carbon fixation rate increased by 106% when using the IBs under the same 3% CO2 aeration condition. The installation of the optimal IBs made it possible to achieve highly efficient cultivation under low energy aeration input, and it is also a cost-efficient way to increase carbon fixation in the bioreactor.