Fertilizer Samples Research Articles

SOCIETY «FARMER» IN THE CAMP OF UKRAINIAN PRISONERS OF WAR WETZLAR (GERMANY), 1916-1917: TO THE HISTORY OF FOUNDATION AND ACTIVITY

The article recreates the history of creation and activity of the society «Farmer», which operated in the camp of Ukrainian prisoners of war Wetzlar (Germany) in 1916-1917, and identifies the contribution of its members to the cultural and educational life of the Ukrainian organization of the camp. Measures of the Union for the Liberation of Ukraine in the autumn of 1915 carried out the Ukrainization of the Wetzlar camp, after which it became possible to create a Ukrainian camp organization. The main content of her work was the establishment of cultural and educational life among the captive Ukrainians, which had a distinct national feature. In order to attract the apolitical part of Ukrainians to Ukrainians, the leadership of the camp community considered it expedient to establish the Farmer's Society, in which everyone had the opportunity to gain basic knowledge in the field of agronomic sciences beyond any «politics». To a large extent, the success of the society was ensured on the one hand by the attention paid to it by the members of the IED Education Department and the camp staff, and on the other hand, the German commandant's office provided significant assistance to the Farmer, handing over a separate barracks and a plot of land. In addition, the development of the society was facilitated by the Wetzlar Agricultural School (by borrowing visual aids and fertilizer samples). Due to this, the activities conducted by the society were practical and related to various fields of agricultural knowledge (horticulture, horticulture, animal husbandry, beekeeping, household chemicals, cooperation, etc.). The classes («seminars») involved not only professionals but also students from different regions of Ukraine, who prepared their own essays and introduced their colleagues to advanced management methods. It was also important that all lectures were given in Ukrainian, serving the cause of Ukrainization of some of the Russification prisoners. Gaining knowledge and receiving practical training, the members of the society at the same time diversified the diet of the rest of the camp, so the activities of the «Farmer» always met with general support of the entire camp community.

Determination of ammoniacal nitrogen in samples of food, soil, fertilizers and water based on the reaction with formaldehyde


 
 
 
 Ammonium ion of digested samples of food, soil, fertilizer and water was determined based on the reaction of the ammonium ion with formaldehyde, and then titrated with sodium hydroxide solution. The optimization of variables such as the amount of formaldehyde and EDTA concentration carried out through univariate analysis. Under optimized conditions, the method allowed ammonium determination with the achieved detection limit of 1.83 mg L-1, a quantification limit of 6.11 mg L-1 and precision of 6.0 - 0.5% for ammonium solutions of 0.400 - 3.773 mg L-1 concentration, respectively. The procedure was validated using the Kjeldahl method. The method was successfully applied to determinate ammonium in samples of water, soil, fertilizer and oat. The proposed procedure resulted in a simple, fast and cost effective method to the determination of ammonium in routine analysis.
 
 
 

Classification of Fertilizer Using OpenCV Based on Color Characteristic

The agricultural industry is one of the most important sectors for a country because its supports food production. One of the agricultural industries that can increase food productivity is the fertilizer industry. Fertilizers have many varieties. The variant of a fertilizer can be identified by its color. There are 3 types of fertilizers such as NPK fertilizer, Calcium fertilizer and Potassium fertilizer. These fertilizers have different colors. NPK fertilizer has blue color, Calcium fertilizer has yellow color and Potassium fertilizer has red color. Red, Green, Blue (RGB) color spaces and Hue, Saturation, Value (HSV) color spaces are used as extraction of color features on fertilizers which used as fertilizer color features. The color characteristic of the fertilizer is used to classify fertilizer. This paper aims to classify fertilizer based on its color. Fertilizers that have been successfully classified are displayed on the monitor screen. There are 75 fertilizer samples which consists of 3 types of fertilizers and 25 samples for each type of fertilizer used in this paper. Test results show that fertilizer can successfully identified 3 types of fertilizer based on its color. The value accuracy is obtained 100% in the RGB color with the range of RGB color are (40,60,70) to (120,160,170) for NPK fertilizer, (140,120,20) to (210,210,100) for Calcium fertilizer and (20,50,0) to (150,180.20) for Potassium fertilizer.

Surface Contamination and Dose Rate Verification of Fertilizers common in Iraqi Plantations using RadEye B20 Detector

Twenty three samples of granular chemical fertilizers and organic fertilizers commonly utilized in Iraqi ranches were collected. The samples were prepaid and stored in a Marinelli beaker to measure; dose rate, general count rate and surface contamination of the samples using the RadEye B20 detector, firstly with shield, secondly without the shield to estimate the effect of shielding on the measurements. The results showed that using shield made a significant decrease in the radiation measurements reached about 25%. However the mean value of surface contamination, dose rate and general count rate with shield were 0.54Bq/cm2, 0.65µsv/h, and 0.28Cps respectively, and without shield being 0.34Bq/cm2, 1.33µsv/h, and 1.52Cps respectively.

Genesis of Cretaceous igneous rocks and its related large scale porphyry Cu-Au mineralization in Chating, the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt: The geochemical constrains

The newly discovered large Chating porphyry Cu–Au deposit is associated with early Cretaceous intrusive rocks in the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Belt (MLYRB), eastern China. Two types of intrusive rocks in the Chating area have been identified, i.e., the quartz-diorite porphyry, related to the Cu–Au mineralization, and the diorite porphyry that is ore-barren. Zircon LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating yields 145–136 Ma for the Chating intrusions. They both belong to High-K calc-alkaline series, with enrichments of large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), depletions of high field-strength elements (HFSEs) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), and no or slightly negative Eu anomalies. The quartz-diorite porphyry shows high Sr contents and Sr/Y ratios; low MgO, Cr and Ni contents; medium (La/Yb)N and Mg# (34.6–54.6) and low K2O/Na2O (<1) values; decoupling of Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N; and low Th/U (3.49–6.08) values, thus exhibiting characteristics of slab-derived adakitic rocks. In addition, it has slightly enriched Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes ((87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.70655–0.70717, εNd(t) = −6.9 to −8.8, and εHf(t) = −7.6 to −10.6) and high radiogenic Pb isotopes ((206Pb/204Pb)i = 18.22–18.70, (207Pb/204Pb)i = 15.63–15.66 and (208Pb/204Pb)i = 38.49–38.97), reflecting the involvement of subducted sediments in the magma source. Therefore, the fertile quartz-diorite porphyry was most likely generated by the partial melting of the slab-derived, subducted sediments and a partial degree of metasomatized mantle-derived magma with crustal assimilation. As to the barren diorite porphyry, it has similar Sr–Nd–Pb isotope and trace element features as the fertile adakitic samples. However, it shows relatively lower SiO2 contents; high contents of MgO (3.89–4.06 wt%), Cr and Ni (avg. 47.6 ppm and avg. 15.01 ppm); high Mg# (51.2–69.8); and more enriched Hf isotope characteristics (−8.5 to −12.9), which imply that this barren diorite porphyry could be generated from the partial melting of enriched metasomatised lithospheric mantle assimilated with old continental crust materials. The δ34S values of the pyrite and chalcopyrite of the ores in Chating indicate a magmatic-derived source, resembling other porphyry-skarn Cu–Au deposits in the MLYRB. The fertile Qtz-diorite porphyry adakitic rocks are characterized by higher oxygen fugacities than the barren diorite porphyry, which are closely related with the partial melting of the subducted oceanic slab in an oxidizing environment, thus making them favorable for Cu–Au mineralization.

TEKNOLOGI PENGOLAHAN PUPUK ORGANIK PADA KELOMPOK TANI SUNGKAI PERMAI DI KELURAHAN LAMBUNG BUKIK KOTA PADANG

The people of Lambung Bukik Village, Pauh Subdistrict, Padang City, mostly work on horticultural crops, secondary crops, raising cattle, and chickens. Agriculture in this area uses mostly inorganic fertilizers and organic fertilizers. This results in the high need for farmers for inorganic fertilizers. The activity's objectives are 1. to obtain an organic production module by utilizing horticultural agricultural waste, secondary crops, and cow dung, 2. analyzing the organic fertilizer content, 3). obtain organic fertilizer containing high nutrient elements and 4. obtain organic fertilizer derived from organic fertilized waste material with EM4, MOL, and Trichoderma sp. Activities were carried out in the UPPO Sungkai Permai farming community through organic fertilizer processing technology. Participants in this activity are members of farmer groups, community leaders, and accompanied by Andalas University students. The activity methods applied are 1. training and demonstration on the manufacture of organic fertilizers from agricultural waste and cow dung using EM-4, Mol, Trichoderma sp, 2. demonstration of making local microorganisms (MOL), 3. analyzing nutrient elements of organic fertilizers, and 4. a demonstration plot of organic spinach and water spinach using organic fertilizers from three different organizer depupuk, namely: EM4, fruit mole, and a mixture of both. The results achieved were: organic fertilizer processing methods, and quality organic fertilizers with the highest average nutrient content of fruit mole samples (N = 1,823%, P = 1,717%, K = 0.757%, Mg = 0.742, C. organic 27,400 , Organic matter = 47.237, and the highest C / N = 39.645%. The demonstration plot of organic fertilizer from three organic fertilizer samples obtained that the use of fruit moles as organizer depupuk resulted in the best growth and yield of spinach and kale wet weight.

Alpha activity emitted from leaves and roots of beetroot plant planted in enhanced soil with fertilizers

This study is to assesses radioactive materials transported to the beetroot plants grow in different fertilized soil. Equivalent weights of fertilizers were added to the soil prior the plantation. The alpha track densities were estimated utilizing solid state nuclear track detector (SSNTDs), CR-39. The obtained results show that alpha track densities in Beetroot plants in the lower and upper sides of plant leaves were varied from 67.62 Tr.cm−2 to 101.83 Tr.cm−2 and from 45.35 Tr.cm−2 to 94.67 Tr.cm−2 with mean values of 89.96 Tr.cm−2 and 68.48 Tr.cm−2, respectively. Alpha track densities were also measured in the samples of the enhanced plantation soil with fertilizers and in the whole parts of the Beetroot plant which were planted in these soils. These values were compared with alpha track densities obtained from fertilizer samples in the previous studies. The lower face of leaves gives higher α-particles activity than that obtained from the upper face. As well as, the alpha activity from the plants planted in soils enhanced with phosphate compost was found greater as contrast with that planted in a soil enhanced with organic fertilizer. The utilization of organic fertilizer don't cause much risks like contrasted with phosphate fertilizers. Therefore, the alpha activity depends on the nature of fertilizers added to the soil.  Â

Leaching pattern of phosphate glass fertilizers with different compositions under Soxhlet distillation conditions

Abstract Glass fertilizers in the phosphate systems were melted at 900-950 °C with a soaking period of 1 h. Leaching study of these glasses with a maximum time period of 300 h was conducted under Soxhlet distillation condition with distilled water. Weight loss and the leach rates of the glass fertilizer samples were calculated from BET surface area measurements. They were in the range of 6.3x10-3 to 2.3x10-3 g.m-2.h-1 at 90 °C. The effect of different modifier ions like Na+, Fe3+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and K+ in the basic phosphate networks on melting and time of melting has been found to be evident. The pH determination ranging from 4.80 up to 7.50 of the leachate solution at ambient temperature under varying time intervals showed interesting and regular variations. The leaching study of such glasses under Soxhlet condition showed Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ to be good candidates as modifier towards faster leaching. The findings have been corroborated in terms of ionic size, ionic radius, and hence the ionic potential of the modifier ions incorporated into the glass structure. The application of glass fertilizers was made on kharif paddy.

Cashew Growth and Canopy Dynamics as Influenced by Manuring in a Guinea Savanna Agro-Ecology of Nigeria

A two-year experiment was conducted to study the response of manuring on growth and canopy development on three-year-old Cashew trees. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design, with three replications. Soil characteristics including the chemical and physical properties were analyzed before and after the experiments. Fecti-plus organic pelletized fertilizer was applied at different rates of 0,750.6 and 1,501.2 kg/ha-1 respectively around the circumference of the tree. Before the application, the fertilizer sample was also analyzed. Data collected were plant height, stem girth, canopy dynamics which includes: Canopy diameter, canopy radius, canopy spread (North-South and East-West directions), canopy volume, canopy ground cover and percentage ground cover. The results from the pre soil sample show a relatively low status but were significantly enhanced after the application of the pelletized organic fertilizer (Ferti-plus). The soil nutrient composition of Oc, Om, N, K, Na, Ca and Mg+ was significantly highest in the plots having 1,501.2 kg/ha-1 treatments. Generally, there was a significant increase in the soil nutrient with the addition of pelletized fertilizer in respective of the rate of application. Also the results on the canopy dynamic in terms of canopy volume, spread and diameter revealed better development with the use of 1501.2 kg/ha-1 pelletized fertilizer and significantly different to 750.6 kg/ha-1 and those in the no-manure (control)plots. Meanwhile, the use of pelletized organic fertilizer gave superior growth and canopy development. It also influenced the growth of the Cashew plants, as well as the physical and chemical properties of the soil status.

Improving growth properties and phytochemical compounds of Echinacea purpurea (L.) medicinal plant using novel nitrogen slow release fertilizer under greenhouse conditions

Medicinal plant production is most important than other agricultural plants due to their phytochemical compounds effects on human health. Paying attention to plant nutrition requirement is so important. In order to assess the effect of nitrate (NO3−) dosage supplies from two types of fertilizers on growth and phytochemical properties of Echinacea purpurea rhizomata cum radicibus, an experiment with completely simple design was carried out under greenhouse conditions. Two types of fertilizers (new invented nitrogen (N) slow release fertilizer and urea chemical fertilizer) at three dosages (50, 100, and 150 mM) were applied. Plant growth parameters and total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC), polysaccarides content, essential oil content, caffeic acid derivatives, and anti-radical scavenging activities of E. purpurea were assessed. The results showed the significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences among treatments, both in growth and phytochemical properties. Using of N slow release, especially in 150 mM dosage, significantly increased all the plant growth and phytochemical properties. The dried E. purpurea rhizomata cum radicibus contained more caftaric acid (max 12.56 mg g−1 DW) and chicoric acid (max 7.56 mg g−1 DW) than other derivatives. Despite the impact of heavy metals on yield and growth of E. purpurea, the concentration of all heavy metals and micronutrients (boron (B), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)) in studied soil and fertilizer samples was less than United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) limits of contamination. Based on the results, using of N slow release fertilizers can improve phytochemical properties of the plant due to its polymeric structure and can be a suitable substitution of chemical fertilizers, especially in medicinal plants growth.

Antibiotic resistance genes in different animal manures and their derived organic fertilizer

BackgroundThe prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in animal manure poses a threat to environmental safety. Organic fertilizers fermented by livestock and poultry manure are directly applied to farmland and have the potential to cause outbreaks of bacterial resistance in agricultural environments. This study investigated the composition of ARGs in different animal manures and their derived organic fertilizers.ResultsThe results showed that the abundance of several ARGs, such as sul2, TetB-01, TetG-01 and TetM-01, in organic fertilizer samples was 12–96% lower than that in animal manure. However, the abundance of TetK and ermC was higher in animal manure than in organic fertilizers. No correlation between ARGs and environmental factors such as pH, TN, and antibiotics was observed by redundancy analysis (RDA). Procrustes analysis revealed a significant correlation between bacterial community structures and ARG abundance (r = 0.799, p < 0.01). Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis suggested that microorganisms in organic fertilizer may be derived from animal manure. Additionally, the abundance of pathogenic bacteria (especially Actinomadura) would increase rather than decrease in manure compared to organic fertilizer.ConclusionThe diversity and abundance of most ARGs significantly decreased from animal manure to organic fertilizer. Microorganisms in the prepared organic fertilizer may mainly be inherited from the animal manure. The results also showed that the pathogens in the prepared organic fertilizer would significantly reduce, but would still cause partial pathogen proliferation.

Source of Cadmium (Cd) In Soils and Its Transfer to Rice and Vegetables: Karotia Union, Tangail

Cadmium is a trace element which is not essential for human being. High cadmium concentration in some rice samples in Bangladesh was reported than that of other countries. This study was carried out to find out the Cd concentration fertilizers, soils, rice and vegetables and along with other chemical properties of Karotia union, Tangail sadar upazila, Tangail. A total of 29 samples were collected among the 14 soils from 7 stations at 0-15 cm and 16-30 cm depth respectively, 5 vegetables, 5 rice and also 4 different countries TSP fertilizers from local market. The Cd concentration values of all soil samples were found between 0.97 to 1.73 mg/kg (0-15 cm) and 0.53 to 0.83 mg/kg (16-30 cm), respectively and the vegetable sample values were found between 0.053 mg/kg to 0.123 mg/kg (d.w.).The rice sample values were found between 0.05 mg/kg to 0.096 mg/kg (d.w.). The fertilizer sample values were found between 20.67 to 92.33 mg/kg. The soil pH values obtained 7.06 to 7.70 (0-15 cm) and 7.48 to 7.88 (16-30 cm) which indicated that the study area soils were neutral to moderately alkaline. The EC values of all soil samples were between 47.67 to 82.67dSm-1 (0-15cm) and 33.33 to 58.33dSm-1 (16-30 cm). The organic matter content of all soils ranged from 0.789 to 0.905% and 0.351 to 0.869% at (0-15 cm and 16-30 cm), respectively. The available sodium (Na) values of soils were found between 1.84 to 1.92 ppm (0-15 cm) and 1.83 to 1.90 ppm (16-30 cm), respectively. The available potassium values ranged from 1.81 to 1.96 ppm (0-15 cm) and 1.84 to 1.97 ppm (16-30cm), respectively. The available calcium values of all soil samples were 1.92 to 1.97 ppm (0-15 cm) and 1.91 to 1.96 ppm (16-30 cm), respectively.

Antibiotics in animal manure and manure-based fertilizers: Occurrence and ecological risk assessment

The extensive use of antibiotics globally and their residues in the environment has become a serious concern. Intensive animal farming is considered to be a major contributor to the increased environmental burden of antibiotics. Although some antibiotic investigations have been advancing around the world, as an important agricultural country, the information on these pollutants in animal farms are very limited in China. Previous studies have explored few antibiotic residues in livestock farms, whereas information on some antibiotics has remained unknown. The current study analyzed residues of 32 common veterinary antibiotics in manure and manure-based fertilizers collected from Jiangsu Province, China. In most of the manure and fertilizer samples, sulfamethazine and tetracycline were present, with high concentration up to 5650 and 1920 μg·kg-1, respectively. These detected antibiotics have weak relationships with physicochemical properties. Ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, sulfamethazine, and sulfachlorpyridazine, hence pose a high potential risk to crops based on the toxicological data of organisms and plants in the soil environment. However, soil invertebrate, such as earthworms, Planococcus Citri. and Folsomia fimeraria., had low ecological risks. Our results showed the presence of antibiotics in livestock and poultry farms plus the potential risks to the soil ecosystem. Therefore, the findings can provide guidelines for monitoring antibiotic residues in agroecosystems, as well as insights into the associated ecological risks of using the two products.

Mineral in crop residues and interaction with soil minerals contents in Ethiopia: review

This review aims is to explore different authors’ views about mineral contents of crop residues, aiming to demonstrate the benefit of supplementing minerals from soil with crop residue minerals, as well as point out effects on livestock productivity. Crop residue is the second main livestock feed resource, followed by natural pasture in Ethiopia, which has poor nutritive values. Nutrient composition of plant materials/crop residue depends on the nutrient availability of the soil, while nutrient availability of the soils depends on the nature of soils, season, climate, the topography of the land, interaction between animals and humans, time/period of sampling and application of inorganic fertilizers. Trace minerals deficiency of grazing land causes different effects on livestock and the plants themselves. Many incidences of mineral inadequacies in forages and soils have turned out the main causes of reproduction failure and low production rates by Ethiopian livestock.

Distribution of Pb isotopic signatures in a hydrographic sub-basin of the Poços de Caldas Plateau, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The Taquari River Basin, located in the Alkaline Complex of Poços de Caldas, in the south of Minas Gerais, Brazil, is situated in an old volcanic caldera. In the study area there are fields and pastures; agriculture with cultivation of vegetables; rose plantations; and native forest, in addition to the Mineral Treatment Unit of Caldas (UTM-Caldas), which is part of the Industrial Complex of Poços de Caldas (CIPC), a uranium mining and processing facility. The main objective of this work was to investigate the isotopic Pb signatures of river sediments, rocks, mining tailings and fertilizer samples collected in the region surrounding UTM-Caldas in order to identify environments with influences from geogenic and / or anthropogenic sources. The results showed that there is an anthropic contribution (fertilizers and mining tailings) in some sectors of the Taquari river basin, generating possible concerns about the amount of elements that can be transferred to the water bodies. In addition, there is a significant geogenic contribution of naturally enriched areas, which have distinct situations that also generate an increase in the concentration of chemical elements in water bodies.

Potential radiological impact of the phosphate industry in South Africa on the public and the environment (Paper 1)

Phosphate rock is mined on a large scale as a source material for fertilizers and other phosphorous containing products, such as phosphoric acid and gypsum. The potential problem of high concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides in the phosphate industry has been recognized for many years. The industry is responsible for the production of millions of tons of phosphogypsum waste, which is usually stockpiled and might impact the surrounding environment. The presented study aims to assess the natural radioactivity concentrations in raw and waste sub-products from phosphate mining and fertilizer production in South Africa and determine the potential radiological risk associated with the industry.Activity concentrations of 238U, 226Ra and 232Th in phosphate rock, phosphogypsum, tailings, fertilizer, soil and sediment were found to be similar to values reported in previous studies conducted in South Africa. Concentrations of the 232Th decay series were higher than those of the 238U series in rock and ore. The low concentrations of 238U and 226Ra in rock and ore, compared to other countries, makes it more suitable to be used for fertilizer production, and therefore increases the demand for export of rock phosphate and fertilizer from South Africa. 228Ra concentrations in phosphogypsum were higher than 226Ra. The activity of 228Ra was also enriched compared to 232Th, with a ratio of 0.45–19.8. Similar equilibria as described in literature were observed, with almost all the 228Ra and 226Ra present in the phosphate rock observed in the phosphogypsum. Only a low percentage of 232Th present in the original rock remained in the phosphogypsum, with more than 60% present in the fertilizer.The activity concentrations of all nuclides in the analysed samples from the phosphate industry were less than the 1000 Bq kg−1 exclusion value proposed internationally for regulation of NORM. With the exception of phosphate rock samples, concentrations in all solids were lower than the 500 Bq kg−1 limit proposed by the National Nuclear Regulator in South Africa. The obtained values of Raeq for all phosphogypsum, tailings and soil samples were less than the recommended limit of 370 Bq kg−1.The gamma index for the majority of samples was less than 0.5. The index exceeded the limit of unity only for phosphate rock and fertilizer samples, indicating some radiological risk to people living in the vicinity of the industry. The results suggested that members of the public were unlikely to receive any significant dose from the use of phosphate rocks and fertilizers, with an annual effective dose of less than 0.5 mSv.a−1. The highest external dose of 0.45 mSv a−1 is expected from phosphate rock.The suitability of use of phosphogypsum as building material was evaluated. Based on the calculated gamma index [Iγ = 0.52 ± 0.14] use of phosphogypsum as building material is permitted.

Occurrence and translocation of heavy metals in phosphate ores and fertilisers by GFAAS

ABSTRACT Bioavailability of toxic metals is usually found in crops and vegetables due to usage of fertilisers for their better production. Phosphate ores are used as a major source of phosphate fertiliser production. These fertilisers are eventually used as a nutrient source for better growth and development of crops and vegetables. Toxic heavy metals in phosphate ores are transferred to the fertiliser and ultimately from fertiliser to the food web and effects human health. These metals may cause severe disease such as cancer, liver failure, kidney failure, leukaemia, etc. In this article, toxic metal concentrations within some phosphate ores and phosphate fertilisers were identified. These samples were obtained from well-known fertiliser manufacturing companies of Pakistan usually available in commercial market. Heavy metal analysis was done with the help of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (GFAAS). The results indicate the concentration of heavy metals present in elevated amounts in some phosphate ores and fertilisers collected from local companies while some phosphate ore and fertiliser samples have a heavy metal concentration within permissible limits. Correlation coefficient analysis gives the metal mobility from phosphate ores to the respective fertiliser depending upon the amount of metal present. The onset of complex diseases can be minimised by using metal-free phosphate ores and fertiliser in the fields of crops and vegetables.

Comparative Study Among Lactophenol Blue, Lactophenol Solution and Proteinase-K Lytic Solution for Rostellar Hooks Morphometry of Echinococcus Granulosus Protoscolices.

SummaryEchinococcus granulosus is a tapeworm whose life cycle includes dogs and other canines as final hosts, while domestic and wild ungulates act as intermediate hosts for the tissue-invading larval stage (metacestode). E. granulosus has a worldwide geographical distribution. Protoscolices and rostellar hooks of E. granulosus are useful for diagnosis and rostellar hook morphometric features may be useful to discriminate E. granulosus and related species. The present study was aimed to determine a more suitable lytic solution and to obtain a clearest vision for performing morphometric studies on the rostellar hooks of E. granulosus protoscolices. Five fertile hydatid cyst samples were collected from sheep in Kirkuk slaughterhouse, Iraq, during June of 2015. According to the results of the present study, proteinase-K lytic solution is the best approach in morphometric analysis to get a clear vision of rostellar hooks and a safer usage in comparison with solutions containing lactophenol (lactophenol, lactophenol blue).

Evaluation of Pre-harvest Microbiological Safety of Blueberry Production With or Without Manure-Derived Fertilizer.

Blueberry is an important commodity in Washington State, which was one of the leading blueberry producers in the United States. As a ready-to-eat fruit, blueberry has no or limited post-harvest processing, highlighting an imperative need to evaluate its microbial safety during pre-harvest practice. This study accessed the microbiological safety of blueberry produced in a commercial blueberry field applied with or without manure-derived ammonium sulfate (AS) fertilizer in a 2-year study. Indicator microorganisms of total coliforms and generic E. coli, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes were monitored in fertilizer, soil, foliar, and blueberry fruit samples by culture methods for each production season. The population of total coliforms in soils was 3.17–3.82 Log10 CFU/g, which was stable throughout the production season and similar between two cropping seasons. Generic E. coli in soils remained at very low levels throughout the 2018 production season. Total coliforms or generic E. coli was not detected in fertilizer, foliar, and blueberry fruit samples collected in both 2017 and 2018 production seasons. STEC and L. monocytogenes were below the detection limit in fertilizer, soil, foliar, and blueberry fruit samples collected in both production seasons. Salmonella was not detected except for soil samples collected pre- and post-fertilizer application in the 2018 cropping season. Collectively, data indicated, under good agricultural practices, blueberry fruits produced in the field with or without manure-derived AS fertilizers had no microbiological safety concern.

Suitable unialgal strains of Gracilariopsis chorda and Gracilaria vermiculophylla for hemagglutinin production

The selection of unialgal culture strains suitable as sources of algal hemagglutinins is one of the important factors for success in algal component production. To obtain suitable unialgal culture strains, several Gracilariopsis chorda and Gracilaria vermiculophylla strains were surveyed for hemagglutinating activity, relative growth rates, and fertility difficulty. Fertile tetrasporophyte samples of naturally occurring G. chorda and G. vermiculophylla were collected at each of three different collection sites around Shikoku Island in southwest Japan. Unialgal culture strains were started from isolated tetraspores obtained from each naturally occurring plant. The hemagglutinating activities in algal extracts of the three G. chorda strains (3100–7000 units mg−1) were higher than those of the three G. vermiculophylla strains (920–980 units mg−1). The daily growth rates of the G. chorda strains (8.0–13.8% day−1 at 22 °C) were higher than those of the G. vermiculophylla strains (4.1–4.4% day−1 at 22 °C). Among the unialgal culture strains tested, the one started from isolated tetraspores from G. chorda growing in the Katsuura River had the highest hemagglutinating activity and relative growth rate. This strain also did not become fertile even after a period of 3 years of culture with aeration at 22 °C, in a 14-h light–10-h dark cycle at 60 μmol photons m−2 s−1. Thus, the unialgal culture strain started from isolated tetraspores from G. chorda growing in the Katsuura River seems to be a useful source for hemagglutinin production.