Flat Configuration Research Articles

Powder X-ray diffraction as a powerful tool to exploit in organic electronics: shedding light on the first N,N',N''-trialkyldiindolocarbazole.

The first crystal structure of a fully N-alkylated diindolocarbazole derivative, namely, 5,8,14-tributyldiindolo[3,2-b;2',3'-h]carbazole (1, C36H39N3), has been determined from laboratory powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) data. A complex trigonal structure with a high-volume unit cell of 12987 Å3 was found, with a very long a(=b) [52.8790 (14) Å] and a very short c [5.36308 (13) Å] unit-cell parameter (hexagonal setting). The detailed analysis of the intermolecular interactions observed in the crystal structure of 1 highlights its potential towards the implementation of this core as a semiconductor in organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) devices. Since the molecule has a flat configuration reflecting its π-conjugated system, neighbouring molecules are found to stack atop each other in a slipped parallel fashion via π-π stacking interactions between planes of ca 3.30 Å, with a centroid-centroid distance between the aromatic rings corresponding to the shortest axis of the unit cell (i.e. c). The alkylation of the three N atoms proves to be a decisive feature since it favours the presence of C-H...π interactions in all directions, which strengthens the crystal packing. As a whole, PXRD proves to be a valuable option for the resolution of otherwise inaccessible organic crystal structures of interest in different areas.

Molecular insights into human taste perception and umami tastants: A review.

Understanding taste is key for optimizing the palatability of seaweeds and other non‐animal‐based foods rich in protein. The lingual papillae in the mouth hold taste buds with taste receptors for the five gustatory taste qualities. Each taste bud contains three distinct cell types, of which Type II cells carry various G protein‐coupled receptors that can detect sweet, bitter, or umami tastants, while type III cells detect sour, and likely salty stimuli. Upon ligand binding, receptor‐linked intracellular heterotrimeric G proteins initiate a cascade of downstream events which activate the afferent nerve fibers for taste perception in the brain. The taste of amino acids depends on the hydrophobicity, size, charge, isoelectric point, chirality of the alpha carbon, and the functional groups on their side chains. The principal umami ingredient monosodium l‐glutamate, broadly known as MSG, loses umami taste upon acetylation, esterification, or methylation, but is able to form flat configurations that bind well to the umami taste receptor. Ribonucleotides such as guanosine monophosphate and inosine monophosphate strongly enhance umami taste when l‐glutamate is present. Ribonucleotides bind to the outer section of the venus flytrap domain of the receptor dimer and stabilize the closed conformation. Concentrations of glutamate, aspartate, arginate, and other compounds in food products may enhance saltiness and overall flavor. Umami ingredients may help to reduce the consumption of salts and fats in the general population and increase food consumption in the elderly.

A 60 MeV proton beam-line dedicated to research and development programs

A new proton beam-line dedicated to R&D programs has been developed at CentreAntoine Lacassagne (CAL), in Nice (France), in collaboration with the Centrenational d'études spatiales (CNES). This is the second beam-line of the MEDICYC 65 MeV cyclotron that is currently in operation, the first being the clinical ‘eye-line’ used for ocular proton therapy. The R&D beam-line is proposed with two configurations, the first producing a Gaussian narrow beam of a few mm width, the second a 100 mm diameter flat beam with a homogeneity better than ±3%. The energy range is (20 - ∼60) MeV, where the exact upper limit depends on the beam configuration being used. The energy spread of the non-degraded beam is (0.3 ± 0.1) MeV. A beam current between 10 pA and 10 μA can be produced with a stability better than 0.2% above 100 pA, and 2% below. The beam can be monitored online at a precision better than 5% in the flux range 1E5 (1E6) – 1E9 (1E10) p/cm2/s for a flat (Gaussian) configuration, although work is in progress to extend this range. Targeted applications for the R&D beam-line are instrumentation research, radiation tolerance tests of components and radiobiology.

A novel flexible plasma array for large-area uniform treatment of an irregular surface

In this work, we demonstrate a flexible multi-pin plasma generator with movable electrodes, which can change the shape of the electrode array freely, and then provide a large-area uniform plasma for the treatment of surfaces of different shapes. Discharge characteristics including U–I waveforms and discharge images and sterilization performance under three different electrode configurations (flat–flat, flat–curve, curve–curve) are investigated. Very similar results are acquired between the flat–flat configuration and the curve–curve configuration, which is much better than that under flat–curve configuration. This flexible multi-pin plasma generator offers a simple method to treat different irregularly shaped surfaces uniformly with a single device. Moreover, this device provides a foundation for developing a self-adaption large-scale uniform plasma generator by further introducing automatic adjustment of the position of every electrode driven by motors with discharge current feedback in the following study. Thus it will promote the applications of atmospheric-pressure cold plasmas significantly.

Compact and Highly Sensitive Bended Microwave Liquid Sensor Based on a Metamaterial Complementary Split-Ring Resonator

In this paper, we present the design of a compact and highly sensitive microwave sensor based on a metamaterial complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR), for liquid characterization at microwave frequencies. The design consists of a two-port microstrip-fed rectangular patch resonating structure printed on a 20 × 28 mm2 Roger RO3035 substrate with a thickness of 0.75 mm, a relative permittivity of 3.5, and a loss tangent of 0.0015. A CSRR is etched on the ground plane for the purpose of sensor miniaturization. The investigated liquid sample is put in a capillary glass tube lying parallel to the surface of the sensor. The parallel placement of the liquid test tube makes the design twice as efficient as a normal one in terms of sensitivity and Q factor. By bending the proposed structure, further enhancements of the sensor design can be obtained. These changes result in a shift in the resonant frequency and Q factor of the sensor. Hence, we could improve the sensitivity 10-fold compared to the flat structure. Subsequently, two configurations of sensors were designed and tested using CST simulation software, validated using HFSS simulation software, and compared to structures available in the literature, obtaining good agreement. A prototype of the flat configuration was fabricated and experimentally tested. Simulation results were found to be in good agreement with the experiments. The proposed devices exhibit the advantage of exploring multiple rapid and easy measurements using different test tubes, making the measurement faster, easier, and more cost-effective; therefore, the proposed high-sensitivity sensors are ideal candidates for various sensing applications.

Vertically Aligned Micropillar Arrays Coated with a Conductive Polymer for Advanced Pseudocapacitance Energy Storage.

With the development of high-performance supercapacitors, a conductive polymer (CP)-based pseudocapacitance electrode with good electrical conductivity and low processing costs holds a promising application prospect. As the core component of supercapacitors, the CP electrode with adjustable spacing, a high specific surface area, and a faster ion diffusion path has been extensively investigated. Herein, based on accurate top-down photolithography and electropolymerization approaches, we fabricate a CP-coated vertically aligned micropillar array (MPA) electrode. The electrode presents an overwhelming enhanced areal specific capacitance compared with that of a flat configuration, which is partially ascribed to an increased electroactive surface area, two rapid channels for ion diffusion and electron transfer, and enhanced electric field intensity that is provided by the MPA structure. Based on the fabricated CP-based MPA electrode, an asymmetric supercapacitor is assembled with two thiophene derivatives, presenting a high energy density and excellent cycling stability. A supercapacitor system cascading with three asymmetric supercapacitor devices further demonstrates the practical applications by driving the light-emitting diodes. This work provides a good reference for the further development of CP-based energy storage devices with high energy density and superior cycling stability.

From GO to rGO: An analysis of the progressive rippling induced by energetic ion irradiation

Ion irradiation reduces oxidized graphene but causes morphological and structural changes in individual sheets. Graphene oxide (GO) films were irradiated under vacuum with ion beams having different atomic numbers and energies in the range (2–16) MeV. The structural and morphological changes undergone by the individual sheets of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. In particular, the electron diffraction highlights the deformations of the sheets through the deformation of the diffraction spots. A quantitative structural evaluation of such features was carried out using a new method based on the analysis of the radial and azimuth profiles extracted from the electron diffraction pattern. The spots deformation involves both the direction normal to the reciprocal lattice vectors and the parallel one. The former deformation is related to the non-planarity of the surface, the latter to the rearrangement of the deformed lattice. Experimental evidence indicates that there are many different orientations present within the electron beam with a diameter of less than one micron and that the surface normal of the sheet must vary in all directions. This is the result of a microscopic roughness inside the sheets. The progressive deformation of the spots depends on the absorbed ion dose. The morphological analysis, carried out at high resolution on rGO sheets, confirms structural results: the rGO sheets take on a static not flat but rippled configuration. Accentuated ripples are dose dependent.

Pathological cardiolipin-promoted membrane hemifusion stiffens pulmonary surfactant membranes

Lower tract respiratory diseases such as pneumonia are pervasive, affecting millions of people every year. The stability of the air/water interface in alveoli and the mechanical performance during the breathing cycle are regulated by the structural and elastic properties of pulmonary surfactant membranes (PSMs). Respiratory dysfunctions and pathologies often result in, or are caused by, impairment of the PSMs. However, a gap remains between our knowledge of the etiology of lung diseases and the fundamental properties of PSMs. For example, bacterial pneumonia in humans and mice has been associated with aberrant levels of cardiolipin, a mitochondrial-specific, highly unsaturated 4-tailed anionic phospholipid, in lung fluid, which likely disrupts the structural and mechanical integrity of PSMs. Specifically, cardiolipin is expected to significantly alter PSM elasticity due to its intrinsic molecular properties favoring membrane folding away from a flat configuration. In this paper, we investigate the structural and mechanical properties of the lipidic components of PSMs using lipid-based models as well as bovine extracts affected by the addition of pathological cardiolipin levels. Specifically, using a combination of optical and atomic force microscopy with a surface force apparatus, we demonstrate that cardiolipin strongly promotes hemifusion of PSMs and that these local membrane contacts propagate at larger scales, resulting in global stiffening of lung membranes.

Combined effects of bifurcation and magnetic field on the performance of phase change material installed cylinder with small inlet temperature perturbations during nanofluid convection

In the present study, effects of bifurcation, magnetic field and perturbations in the inlet temperature on the phase change process dynamics are explored during hybrid nanofluid convection in a phase change material (PCM) filled cylinder. The study is conducted for different values of Reynolds number (Re number between 250 and 500), magnetic field strength (Ha number between 0 and 15), bifurcation location (yb between 0.1H2 and 0.3H2) and nanoparticle loading in the base fluid (between 0.02% and 0.1%). The analysis are also performed for flat channel configurations. The perturbation levels for the inlet temperature are considered between 1% and 5%. The presence of bifurcation affects the main flow features while phase change become very slower as compared to flat channel case. At higher Re numbers phase change become fast for both channels while complete phase transition time (t-PC) reduces by about 73% and 26% for bifurcating and flat channels. The effect of magnetic field on the phase change dynamics behavior becomes opposite for flat and bifurcation channels. A 20% reduction of t-PC is achieved for flat channel while it increases by about 146% for bifurcating channel at the highest strength. The variation of t-PC becomes 6% for nanoparticle loading at the highest amount and when varying the location of the bifurcation. The effects of inlet temperature perturbations on the phase change become significant for higher perturbations levels and lower inlet temperatures. A dynamic model is obtained using numerical experiments with different inlet temperatures and perturbation levels.

Novel organoselenium-based N-mealanilic acids as efficacious corrosion inhibitors for 6061 aluminum alloy in molar HCl: In-silico modeling, electrochemical, and surface morphology studies

BackgroundDespite the exciting activities of organoselenium compounds, their anticorrosive efficiency was scarcely valued in the literature. Herein, two novel organoselenium-based N-mealanilic acids Namely: (E)-4-((2-(methoxycarbonyl)-4-selenocyanatophenyl)amino)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid (NMSeCN) and (2E,2′E)-4,4′-((diselanediylbis(2-(methoxycarbonyl)-4,1-phenylene))bis(azanediyl))bis(4-oxobut-2-enoic acid) (NMSe2) were synthesized. MethodsTheir corrosion inhibition was examined towards 6061 aluminum alloy in 1.0 mol L − 1 HCl utilizing potentiodynamic polarization (PP), impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Density Functional Theory (DFT), and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. FindingsElectrochemical findings revealed the inhibition efficiency enhance in the order: NMSe2 > NMSeCN with extreme protection efficacy (98.2%) obtained at 6.4 × 10−3 mol L − 1 of NMSe2. Both cathodic (βc) and anodic (βa) Tafel constants were appreciably influenced by the insertion of the additives into the corrosion solution suggesting a mixed type reduces both anodic and cathodic reaction. The adsorption of the NMSeCN and NMSe2 on the aluminum surface is spontaneous and followed the isotherm of Langmuir. The annealing adsorption simulations showed a nearly flat configuration of NMSeCN and NMSe2 molecules on Al (1 1 1) surface which endorses optimal surface coverage. DFT calculations showed that the donation ability of NMSe2 inhibitor to the Al alloy interface is higher than the NMSeCN which in turn was in good agreement with the electrochemical experiments. According to the experimental and theoretical outcomes, the inhibition mechanism was suggested.

Designing of carbon fiber cloth supported 3D porous nickel oxide composite as high-performance flexible anode for sodium- and lithium-ion batteries

Two-dimensional (2D) plate-like porous NiO–Ni2O3 nanostructure (NS) arrays are successfully deposited over the carbon fiber cloth (CF) via a hydrothermal method, followed by calcination. Hybridization of 2D plate-like porous NiO–Ni2O3 NS with CF created 3D porous CF@NiO–Ni2O3 hybrid composite (HC) (binder-free) which was investigated as an anode material for both lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The powder NiO–Ni2O3 NS (with binder) anode delivered discharge capacities of 15.56 and 21.6 mA h g−1 for SIBs and LIBs, respectively over 200 cycles at 100 mA g−1. After the hybridization with CF (i.e., 3D porous CF@NiO–Ni2O3 HC), its reversible capacities were further improved, exhibiting 594 and 1076 mA h g−1 for SIBs and LIBs, respectively at 100 mA g−1 over 200 cycles. The LIB coin-type full cell showed an excellent lithium storage performance, and the pouch-type full cell LIB was successfully operated, indicating its flexibility in flat, bending, rolling, and folding configurations. Benefiting from the porous 2D NS of binder-free NiO–Ni2O3 as well as the high conductivity of CF, the assembled battery revealed excellent electrochemical performance in terms of high reversible capacity and good rate capability. The excellent electrochemical characteristics of the 3D porous CF@NiO–Ni2O3 HC electrode make it a promising anode material for high-performance SIBs and LIBs.

Elliptical-Shaped Fresnel Lens Design through Gaussian Source Distribution

A novel three-dimensional elliptical-shaped Fresnel lens (ESFL) analytical model is presented to evaluate and maximize the solar energy concentration of Fresnel-lens-based solar concentrators. AutoCAD, Zemax and Ansys software were used for the ESFL design, performance evaluation and temperature calculation, respectively. Contrary to the previous modeling processes, based on the edge-ray principle with an acceptance half-angle of ±0.27° as the key defining parameter, the present model uses, instead, a Gaussian distribution to define the solar source in Zemax. The results were validated through the numerical analysis of published experimental data from a flat Fresnel lens. An in-depth study of the influence of several ESFL factors, such as focal length, arch height and aspect ratio, on its output performance is carried out. Moreover, the evaluation of the ESFL output performance as a function of the number/size of the grooves is also analyzed. Compared to the typical 1–16 grooves per millimeter reported in the previous literature, this mathematical parametric modeling allowed a substantial reduction in grooves/mm to 0.3–0.4, which may enable an easy mass production of ESFL. The concentrated solar distribution of the optimal ESFL configuration was then compared to that of the best flat Fresnel lens configuration, under the same focusing conditions. Due to the elliptical shape of the lens, the chromatic aberration effect was largely reduced, resulting in higher concentrated solar flux and temperature. Over 2360 K and 1360 K maximum temperatures were found for ESFL and flat Fresnel lenses, respectively, demonstrating the great potential of the three-dimensional curved-shaped Fresnel lens on renewable solar energy applications that require high concentrations of solar fluxes and temperatures.

A flat aperture antenna composed of a series fed H‐plane horn array excited by a ridge gap waveguide horn

This study presents a new structure for planar aperture antennas with a very simple configuration by making use of gap waveguide technology. Applying the concept of H-plane horn in both feeding network and radiating layer results in a flat configuration capable of providing a directive radiation with reasonable impedance bandwidth, high gain and low side lobes. The proposed structure introduces a very simple configuration, which does not face the enhancement of design and fabrication complexity for larger apertures and higher gains. The principle of operation and design procedure for both the radiating layer and feed network are fully discussed in detail. A sample is designed to operate at Ku band, which presents proper radiation performance with the maximum gain of 24.5 dBi, the maximum efficiency of 85% and the side lobe level (SLL) lower than −22 and −13 dB in H- & E-planes, respectively.

Flexible Patch Antenna Array Operating at Microwaves Based on Thin Composite Material

This paper presents an innovative route to fabricate conformal patch antenna arrays based on a flexible mesh-style conductive fabric / E-glass fiber composite laminate with improved performance at microwaves. On the one hand, the ohmic loss in the antenna array is restricted by integrating a highly conductive fabric into an E-glass fiber composite laminate and by using it as feeding lines and radiating elements after its precise machining by laser technology. On the other hand, the dielectric loss is restricted by inserting a foam layer (with dielectric characteristics close to those of the air) between the laminate substrate and the ground plane which is made of the highly conductive mesh-style fabric. The bending effect of the antenna array on its radiation pattern is minimized by applying a phase offset through phase shifters at the feeding lines of the most curved patches. The high radiation performance in gain and efficiency at 5.8 GHz (11.9 dBi and 75% in a flat configuration, and 8.7 dBi and 75% in a 50 mm-radius bending configuration, respectively), the seamless integration process, and the flexible mechanical properties of such composite antenna arrays pave the way for their promising and efficient integration into various devices, objects, and vehicles made of composite laminate materials.

Design and Fabrication of Shell Structures

Shell structures carry loads with their thin yet curved shapes. Being thin means shells require little material, which is desirable for minimizing embodied carbon footprints. However, the feature of being curved implies shells require immense effort to design and fabricate. To address the challenges, this dissertation consists of three parts: developing a design algorithm based on radial basis functions (RBFs), inventing a fabrication technique based on reconfigurable mechanisms, and producing prototypes based on the new algorithm and mechanism. The first part of this dissertation introduces a new algorithm based on RBFs for designing smooth membrane shells, which is more versatile than existing methods. The algorithm can generate membranes with both tensile and compressive stresses. It can also tweak an initial shape to meet free-edge conditions. It can also incorporate horizontal loads in the form-finding process. The second part of the dissertation presents a new system of flat-to-curved mechanisms, which allows a shell to be fabricated in a flat configuration and deployed into a double-curved state. Such a mechanism consists of panels connected by tilted hinges. The mechanism can contract non-homogeneously and change its Gaussian curvature. The last part of this dissertation demonstrates the integral application of the RBFs form-finding algorithm and the flat-to-curved mechanisms. The prototypes designed and produced deliver form-found shapes that have spans ranging from 0.2 to 4 meters. This dissertation contributes to the development and distribution of shell structures by developing computer algorithms and digital fabrication techniques to minimize the hurdles of designing and fabricating shell structures.

Simple Approximation of the Magnetic Induction Inside High Voltage Overhead Transmission Lines

With the development of electrical power transmission networks, are resulted the increase and continuous consumption of various power production sources, this is what requires the large quantities of energy construction. The increased demand in electric power employment has generated an raised of operating voltage for transmission lines (HV and VHV). The high voltage overhead transmission lines create electric and magnetic fields, and therefore have elevated serious concern questions about their possible potential effects in human body and environmental great associated with the resulting higher levels of electromagnetic fields strength around these power lines. The accurate evaluation of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields influences produced by the high voltage overhead power lines on human health and the environment are well very known and analysed in several research works and simulation study projects. In this paper we precise examine and present a methodology for plot the lateral profile of magnetic field distribution in close a three-phase overhead transmission line in single circuit flat horizontal configuration at height 1m above the ground level, In order show the essentials factors affecting in the magnetic fields intensity under and in the vicinity of high voltage overhead transmission line in any point of space surface and ground plane, the analytique calculation results of the lateral profile of magnetic flux density behaviour are obtained by program MATLAB software, which makes it possible better analyser and easy represent the transverse profile of the magnetic field around electric power transmission lines, the numerique simulation results are based in image method and the superposition theorem.

Polymer based membranes for propylene/propane separation: CMS, MOF and polymer electrolyte membranes

<abstract> <p>Propylene/propane separations are generally performed by distillation which are energy intensive and costly to build and operate. There is therefore high interest to develop new separation technologies like membrane modules. In our previous paper, we collected, analyzed and reported data for neat polymers and mixed matrix membranes (MMM) based on flat and hollow fiber configurations for propylene/propane separations. In this second part, we collected the data for carbon molecular sieving (CMS) membranes from polymer pyrolysis reaction and metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes from different fabrication methods, as well as data on facilitated transport membrane-polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM). CMS membranes show great potential for C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>6</sub>/C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub> separation with an optimum pyrolysis temperature around 500–600 ℃. However, physical aging is a concern as the micro-pores shrink over time leading to lower permeability. The performance of MOF membranes are above the 2020 upper bound of polymer-based membranes, but have limited commercial application because they are fragile and difficult to produce. Finally, facilitated transport membranes show excellent propylene/propane separation performance, but are less stable compared to commercial polymeric membranes limiting their long-term operation and practical applications. As usual, there is no universal membrane and the selection must be made based on the operating conditions.</p> </abstract>

Flatness of networks of two synaptically coupled excitatory-inhibitory neural modules

In this paper, we consider networks of two synaptically coupled excitatory-inhibitory neural modules. It has been shown that the connection strengths may slowly vary with respect to time and that they can actually be considered as inputs of the network. The problem that we are studying is which connection strengths should be modified (in other words, which connection strengths should be considered as inputs), in order to achieve flatness for the resulting control system. Flatness of the control network depends on the number of inputs and, for all possible values of the number of connection strengths acting as controls, we identify and geometrically describe all flat configurations of the system. In particular, for each case we study whether there are interactions between the two subnetworks or between the excitatory and inhibitory populations that are not allowed (translating into zero connection strengths) or, on the contrary, that necessarily have to take place (translating into nonzero connection strengths), and provide a geometric characterization of each case.

A Systematic Study of Ammonia Recovery from Anaerobic Digestate Using Membrane-Based Separation

Ammonia recovery from synthetic and real anaerobic digestates was accomplished using hydrophobic flat sheet membranes operated with H2SO4 solutions to convert ammonia into ammonium sulphate. The influence of the membrane material, flow rate (0.007, 0.015, 0.030 and 0.045 m3 h−1) and pH (7.6, 8.9, 10 and 11) of the digestate on ammonia recovery was investigated. The process was carried out with a flat sheet configuration at a temperature of 35 °C and with a 1 M, or 0.005 M, H2SO4 solution on the other side of the membrane. Polytetrafluoroethylene membranes with a nominal pore radius of 0.22 µm provided ammonia recoveries from synthetic and real digestates of 84.6% ± 1.0% and 71.6% ± 0.3%, respectively, for a membrane area of 8.6 × 10−4 m2 and a reservoir volume of 0.5 L, in 3.5 h with a 1 M H2SO4 solution and a recirculation flow on the feed side of the membrane of 0.030 m3 h−1. NH3 recovery followed first order kinetics and was faster at higher pHs of the H2SO4 solution and recirculation flow rate on the membrane feed side. Fouling resulted in changes in membrane surface morphology and pore size, which were confirmed by Atomic Force Microscopy and Air Displacement Porometry.

Influence of Land Configurations and Mulching on Plant Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Inadequate moisture supply and poor soil management are some of the major constraints for productivity in grain legumes like chickpea, present study was to focus on effect of land configurations and mulching in overcoming the constraints and their effect on growth and yield of chickpea. During rabi, 2019-20, the experiment was laid out in split plot design at College Farm, Agricultural College, Polasa, Jagtial with three land configurations (M1- Flat bed, M2- Ridge and furrow, M3- Broad bed and furrow) as main plots and four mulching treatments (S1- Control, S2- Sesamum mulch, S3- Gliricidia mulch, S4- Paddy straw mulch) as sub plots and are evaluated for growth and yield. Significant performance of the growth parameters was observed under broad bed and furrow land configuration and in contrast, flat bed land configuration recorded the least performance. Among the mulching treatments gliricidia recorded the better performance over other treatments.