Higher Macro Research Articles

Effect of enriched composts and establishment methods on crop growth and nutrient concentration of rice (Oryza sativa) in trans-Gangetic plains of India

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 2018 and 2019 at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, to study the effect of crop-establishment methods and enriched organic nutrient sources on growth and productivity of ‘Pusa Basmati 1509’ rice (Oryza sativa L.). The experiment was laid out in splitplot design with 3 replications. The treatments comprised 2 main plot treatments, viz. aerobic rice (AR) and conventional transplanted (CT) rice, and 5 subplot treatments, viz. control (no fertilizer), 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF)–100% mineral fertilization), 50% P through P enriched compost + 50% P through diammonium phosphate (DAP), 50% N through N-enriched compost + 50% N through urea and DAP and 100% organic (through N-enriched compost and P-enriched compost). The transplanted rice gave significantly higher grain yield (4.3 and 4.5 t/ha), straw yield (7.2 and 7.5 t/ha), plant height (97.8 and 99.1 cm), number of tillers (369.4 and 375.1), macro (1.4 and 1.3%-N, 0.14 and 0.15% -P, 0.27 and 0.28% K) and micro-nutrient concentration (70.5 and 76.8 ppm-Fe 22.2 and 22.9 ppm-Mn 24.1 and 24.7 ppm-Zn 10.1 and 10.5 ppm-Cu) in grain compared to aerobic rice. Enriched N compost having 50% N through N-enriched compost + 50% N through urea and DAP resulted in significantly higher grain yield (4.85 and 5.13 t/ha) than the other treatments except enriched P compost including 50% P through P-enriched compost + 50% P through DAP and these 2 treatments were at par in both the years. The 100% RDF resulted in more grain yield than 100% organic treatment, though differences were nonsignificant in both the years. Treatment of 50% N through N-enriched compost + 50% N through urea and DAP also resulted in taller plants, more tillers/m2 , higher macro and micro-nutrient concentration in grain than the other treatments. Hence, conventional transplanting of rice along with integrated application of enriched compost and inorganic fertilizer may be recommended to farmers for getting higher growth, productivity and better nutritional security.

Composition and Structure of NiCoFeCr and NiCoFeCrMn High-Entropy Alloys Irradiated by Helium Ions.

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have prospects for use as nuclear structural materials. Helium irradiation can form bubbles deteriorating the structure of structural materials. The structure and composition of NiCoFeCr and NiCoFeCrMn HEAs formed by arc melting and irradiated with low-energy 40 keV He2+ ions and a fluence of 2 × 1017 cm-2 have been studied. Helium irradiation of two HEAs does not change the elemental and phase composition, and does not erode the surface. Irradiation of NiCoFeCr and NiCoFeCrMn with a fluence of 5 × 1016 cm-2 forms compressive stresses (-90 … -160 MPa) and the stresses grow over -650 MPa as fluence increases to 2 × 1017 cm-2. Compressive microstresses grow up to 2.7 GPa at a fluence of 5 × 1016 cm-2, and up to 6.8 GPa at 2 × 1017 cm-2. The dislocation density rises by a factor of 5-12 for a fluence of 5 × 1016 cm-2, and by 30-60 for a fluence of 2 × 1017 cm-2. Stresses and dislocation density in the HEAs change the most in the region of the maximal damage dose. NiCoFeCrMn has higher macro- and microstresses, dislocation density, and a larger increase in their values, with an increasing helium ion fluence compared to NiCoFeCr. NiCoFeCrMn a showed higher radiation resistance compared to NiCoFeCr.

Stability, labile organic carbon, and glomalin of biogenic aggregates in sandy soils under management systems in the subtropical region of Brazil

Soil aggregates and their stability affect a wide range of soil properties. This study aimed to (a) verify whether biogenic aggregation provides higher macro- and microaggregate stabilization, and (b) evaluate whether biogenic aggregates are associated with higher labile organic carbon and glomalin contents. Three management systems were evaluated (permanent pasture, PP; no-tillage system, NT; and no-tillage + Brachiaria system, NT+B) as well as a reference area (Atlantic Forest biome vegetation, NF). According to their origin or formation pathway, the [...]

Stability, labile organic carbon, and glomalin of biogenic aggregates in sandy soils under management systems in the subtropical region of Brazil

Soil aggregates and their stability affect a wide range of soil properties. This study aimed to (a) verify whether biogenic aggregation provides higher macro- and microaggregate stabilization, and (b) evaluate whether biogenic aggregates are associated with higher labile organic carbon and glomalin contents. Three management systems were evaluated (permanent pasture, PP; no-tillage system, NT; and no-tillage + Brachiaria system, NT+B) as well as a reference area (Atlantic Forest biome vegetation, NF). According to their origin or formation pathway, the [...]

Effect of arbuscular myccorhizal fungi on soil properties, mineral nutrition and antioxidant enzymes of olive plants under treated wastewater irrigation

The present study aimed to determine the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on soil and young olive plants irrigated for one year with saline treated wastewater (TWW). One-year-old olive plants were inoculated with different AMF: (i) Glomus deserticola; (ii) Gigaspora margarita and (iii) combination of G. deserticola and G. margarita. Changes were observed in the soil chemical characteristics, in particular a significant increase in the electrical conductivity and an accumulation of Na+ and Cl−. Consequently, compared to the control treatment, the Na+ and Cl− contents of young olive plants irrigated with TWW increased by 12 and 133% in the leaves and by 98 and 106% in the roots, respectively. Moreover, an increase in the antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde and H2O2 contents, and electrolyte leakage rate was observed. Interestingly, roots and leaves of olive plants inoculated with AMF and irrigated with TWW showed a lower Na+ and Cl−content, and a higher macro- and micro-nutrient content, compared to uninoculated plants. The decrease of Na+ and Cl− contents in olive plants inoculated with both G. deserticola and G. margarita was about 24 and 43% in the leaves, and about 30 and 39% in the roots, respectively. Furthermore, the AMF symbiosis enhanced the antioxidant enzymes activities (CAT and APX) and reduced the malondialdehyde and H2O2 contents.

Process and electrolyte effects on the nitrogen-doped anodic plasma electrolytic saturation coating electrochemical performance: Simultaneous participation of the applied and breakdown voltages

Anodic plasma electrolytic saturation (APES) is an eco-friendly method to deposit a composite coating for improving the performance of metal substrates. This study had investigated the corrosion behaviour of the nitrogen-doped Al2O3 layers deposited in alkaline-nitrite electrolytes at constant VAPES of 500 and 450 V. The results indicated that the coatings prepared at a lower VAPES had higher macro and microscopic qualities and electrochemical resistance than the higher VAPES. At the VAPES = 500 V, the best APES coating just had electrochemical resistance with 1.030 MΩ.cm2 values after 48 h of immersion in the 3.5 wt% sodium chloride medium. Based on this study's results, the vital ∆V parameter is the coating driving force that depends on changes in the breakdown voltage (VB.D.) and applied voltage value (VAPEP). This participation dependent parameter (∆V) significantly affects the macro and micro-quality of this nitrogen-doped composite coating and its corrosion behaviour. The APES coating deposited at a lower NaNO2 amount (1 g/L) and VAPEP of 450 V had the highest spinel and cubic nitrogenous phases and more closed pores than the best layer deposited at 500 V due to removing KOH and decreasing VAPEP and consequently declining the participation dependent parameter (∆V) value. Accordingly, this nitrogen-doped APEP coating with the best chemical-physical properties experienced the remarkably highest electrochemical resistance with the 353.500 MΩ.cm2 value compared to all studied samples and uncoated aluminium substrate after 48 h immersion time.

Enhancing root traits and quality of sorghum and guar through mixed cropping and nutrient management

A field experiment was conducted at ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal during 2018-19 to study the effect of mixed cropping and nutrient management on root traits, nutritional quality and yield of sorghum and guar fodder crops. Experiment was laid out in factorial randomized complete block design with four seed rate combinations in different ratios of sorghum and guar along with six nutrient management treatments in three replications. Results showed that the root traits, viz. root length, volume and dry weight were higher under mixed cropping in comparison to sole crops however the difference was not significant, whereas the significant difference were observed in root traits under different nutrient management practices. Statistically higher green fodder yield was reported under sole sorghum but it was at par with 75% sorghum + 25% guar. Nutritionally enriched fodder with higher macro and micronutrients was also obtained under 75% sorghum + 25% guar treatment. Under mixed cropping nutrient uptake and soil nutrient status at crop harvest were higher in comparison to sole crops. Results pertaining to nutrient management practices revealed that higher supply of nutrients under 100% RDF, 100% RDF +PGPR, 100% RDF +seaweed extract and 75% RDF +seaweed extract treatments helped the crops to take up more nutrients besides leaving substantial balance in the soil at harvest. It was concluded that 75% sorghum + 25% guar mixed cropping with 75% RDF + seaweed extract was best combination to get higher and nutritionally enriched fodder and enriched soil at harvest.

The Comparison of Constant and Dynamic Red and Blue Light Irradiation Effects on Red and Green Leaf Lettuce

In this study, we sought to evaluate and compare the effects of constant and dynamic lighting on red and green leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. Red Cos and Lobjoits Green cos) cultivated in a controlled environment. Plants were illuminated with the combination of red 662 and 638 nm, blue 452 nm, and far-red 737 nm at 16 h photoperiod and constant daily light integral (DLI) of each component. Five constant or dynamic lighting treatments were performed: (BR) constant flux of both B452 and R662; (B*R) constant flux of R662, but the DLI of B452 condensed in 8 h in the middle of photoperiod doubling the PPFD of blue light; (BR*) constant flux of B452, but the DLI of R662 light condensed in the middle of photoperiod; (BdynR) constant flux of R662, but the flux of B452 varies in the sinusoidal profile during 16 h photoperiod, imitating diurnal increase and decrease in lighting intensity; and (BRdyn) constant flux of B452, but the flux of R662 varies in sinusoidal profile. The lettuce’s response to dynamic lighting strategies was cultivar specific. Dynamic lighting strategies, mimicking natural lighting fluctuations, did not have a remarkable effect on photosynthesis and antioxidative parameters, but the dynamic flux of blue light component had a pronounced effect on higher macro and microelement contents in lettuce leaves.

“Macaíba,” an emerging oil crop: Nutritional evaluation of the pulp and kernel fruits from semi‐arid and coastal zone of northeast Brazil

AbstractMany native species of the Brazilian flora are still little explored economically in the country. An example is Acrocomia intumescens, a palm tree that in recent studies has shown some industrial potential still unexplored. The present study evaluates the proximate composition, including minerals, and total carotenoid content of A. intumescens fruits from three different locations in Pernambuco State, north‐east Brazil, with distinct climatic characteristics. A. intumescens fruits showed that nutritional composition, mineral profile and total carotenoid content varied between fruit parts and between locations. A. intumescens pulp is rich in moisture (35.96%–40.97%), lipids (31.88%–43.22%), ashes (3.63%–4.95%) and total carotenoids (106.69–265.23 µg/g), while the kernel stands out for its high content of lipids (52.08%–56.67%) and proteins (16.49%–21.88%). The main A. intumescens minerals present in the pulp were K (max. 241 mg/100 g) and Mg (max. 153.38 mg/100 g), while P (max. 92.51 mg/100 g) predominated in the kernel. Multivariate analysis (PCA) indicates that location with higher rainfall and temperature produces fruits with higher macro‐ and micronutrient contents.

Variation in Chemicals and Growth Parameters of Taşköprü Garlic

Main goals of the present study were (1) to initially investigate the nutrient contents and bioactive compounds in the bulb and cloves of garlic, and (2) to study the growth parameter after planting. Garlic bulbs were firstly separated into three categories as pickled, big and small, while the big garlic cloves were also classified into three categories as big, small and central. Secondly, the garlic samples were analyzed before planting for their element profile, proline, soluble protein, free amino acid, β-carotene, lycopene, total phenolic, soluble sugars, SOD and α-amylase activities. Finally, the growth parameters were measured using the cultivated cloves and the pickled bulbs. According to the result, the highest soluble protein, N, phenolic, lycopene and α amylase activity (97.06 mg, 2.58%, 971 mg, 0.368 mg and 38.13 EU, respectively) were recorded in the biggest cloves. The highest proline, amino acid, glucose content (93.84 µmol, 23.54 mg, 230.89 mg, respectively) and K, P, S, Mg, Mn, Fe and Zn (21940 ppm, 7577 ppm, 12200 ppm, 504 ppm, 38.1ppm, 377,7ppm and 44.5 ppm, respectively) were found in the pickled bulb. The maximum level of β-carotene (0.282 mg), Ca, Cl and Sr (11260ppm, 818.7ppm and 47.9 ppm) were determined in the small bulbs. Based on the growth parameters of seedlings, the highest value of shoot and root length (39.12 cm and 24.11 cm respectively), the fresh weight of shoot and root (5.29 g and 4.54 g respectively) and dry weight of shoot and root (1.70 g and 1.24 g respectively) were noted with the big cloves. The results of the current study have indicated that the pickled cloves have higher macro and micro nutrients, proline, amino acid and glucose, while the big cloves of garlic have higher proline, phenolic, N%, lycopene and amylase activity. It can be said that the big cloves showed good value for the five bioactive compounds, but the pickled exhibited good value for the macro and micro element and glucose.

Microclimatic characterization of a conilon coffee plantation grown in an east-west orientation

Plant microclimate is seasonally influenced by the Earth’s rotation and the orientation of sun-exposed slopes. As such, understanding the system which constitutes the microenvironment is essential to create strategies to optimize plant performance in a changing environment. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of planting coffee in an east-west orientation on microclimatic aspects, plant growth and nutrient content. The experiment was conducted in a farm located in the northern region of the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Data collection was carried out on a 30-month old conilon coffee crop under full sun, with spacing of 3.0 m x 1.0 m and a plant height of ca. 1.6 m, from December 2016-September 2017. The irradiance, air temperature and vapor pressure deficit variables were reported by means of external data loggers. Leaf temperature (determined using thermal images), plant growth and leaf concentration on both sides of the plant were evaluated. Highest irradiance, air temperature and vapor pressure deficit values were observed on the north side, with the maximal difference reaching 4°C. This microclimate led to the highest leaf temperature on the north side, with a maximal difference of ca. 11°C around midday. Differences in macro- and micronutrient leaf concentrations were observed with a trend toward higher values on the north side probably associated with increased transpiration rates due to a high vapor pressure deficit. Higher macro- and micronutrient leaf content led to the better performance of coffee plants on the north side to some extent. There was no significant difference between the two sides of the plant for the growth variables.

Signal on the Margin: Behavior of Levered Investors and Future Economic Conditions*

Abstract Margin capacity, defined as the aggregate excess debt capacity of investors buying securities on margin, strongly predicts (i) lower S&P 500 returns, (ii) lower growth in aggregate earnings, dividends, employment, and overall economic activity, (iii) higher macro, financial, and policy uncertainty, (iv) lower interest rates, (v) tighter lending standards by banks, and (vi) lower intermediary equity capital. High margin capacity is a precursor, not a response, to borrowing and intermediary constraints and higher volatility. It typically arises when levered investors with profitable past positions limit their leverage. We interpret that it reflects informed investors’ conservatism ahead of bad times.

Managerial Macro-Cognition and the Speed of Leverage Adjustment

This study takes advantage of the concept of “Managerial Macro-Cognition” (MMC) to explore how does the different macro cognition of executives will affect their capital structure decision. Drawing on a sample of Chinese listed firms from 2002 to 2018, I find that under the same conditions, the enterprise has executives with higher macro cognition can adjust its capital structure faster, the promote effect on the speed of the leverage adjustment caused by the macro cognition of executive is more obvious when cognition is about future. Besides, when the company is faced with financing constraints, tight monetary policy and low equity concentration, the influence of executives’ macro cognition on the adjustment speed is more obvious.

The effect of densification with alkali hydroxides on brown coal self-heating behaviour and physico-chemical properties

Victorian Morwell coal’s physico-chemical properties were modified through densification with Ca(OH)2, KOH, NH4OH and NaOH, in order to compare the effects of varying alkali metals addition on self-heating behaviour.The wire basket results showed that densification of brown coal with alkali hydroxides increased the critical ignition temperature in the order Ca(OH)2 < KOH < NaOH relative to densified sample with NH4OH and without additive. The surface area and pore volume of all coal products densified with alkalis reduced. In addition, results showed that the size and charge of the exchanged cations play an important role in their interaction with coal oxygen functional groups, the extent of cross-linking network and consequently on the reduction of surface area of densified products with alkalis. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results demonstrated a decrease in the proportion of the mass loss occurring at lower temperatures, and a shift to higher temperature in the main oxidation/decomposition stages, consistent with increasing the critical ignition temperature.Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results suggested a catalytic role for cations (K > NH4 > Na > Ca) in the formation of quinones during kneading of brown coal under alkaline conditions. The results revealed that the addition of alkalis to brown coal at basic pH improves the oxidation tolerance of the carboxylic/carboxylate groups and also enhances the polymerization and aromatization reactions during the thermal oxidation of coal, generating aromatic ether and/or ketone substituted polymers with higher thermal stability toward oxidation. Using NaCl as additive, at coal’s natural acidic pH, resulted in a very brittle densified product, with higher macro and mesopore volumes than the coal densified prepared without additive. However, the Tcr value increased, probably due to its lower micropore volume.

Unifying Macro Elasticities in International Economics

International trade studies have higher macro (Armington) elasticity measures compared to international finance studies. This observation has evoked not only mixed policy implications regarding tariffs and exchange rates but also mixed welfare gains from trade. Regarding the policy implications, this so-called international elasticity puzzle is solved in this paper by distinguishing between elasticities of substitution and price elasticities of demand that are connected to each other through expenditure shares. It is shown theoretically and confirmed empirically that the macro elasticity in international trade is a weighted average of the macro elasticity in international finance and the elasticity of substitution across products of foreign countries. It is implied that one can always find an elasticity of substitution across foreign countries that would be consistent with different macro elasticities in the two literatures; therefore, the puzzle is something artificial due to the way that the foreign products are aggregated at destination countries. Regarding the welfare gains from trade, the two literatures are shown to have the very same implications when international finance studies have a unitary macro elasticity of substitution between home and foreign products or unitary terms of trade. As opposed to the existing literature that has offered many supply-side solutions to the puzzle, the results in this paper are independent of the supply side and thus are consistent with any production structure.

Correlation of the Solidification Path with As-Cast Microstructure and Precipitation of Ti,Nb(C,N) on a High-Temperature Processed Steel

The solidification path of a high-temperature processed (HTP) X65 sour service steel with 0.039 wt pct C, 0.09 wt pct Nb, and 0.54 wt pct Mn and its effect on the segregation, microstructure, and precipitation distribution of Ti,Nb(C,N) was studied using optical and confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and computational simulation (Thermo-Calc and DICTRA). The results were compared with those obtained for another commercial microalloyed steel, containing 0.09 wt pct C, 0.04 wt pct Nb, and 0.97 wt pct Mn. The results indicate that the main parameter that influences microsegregation is the C content, which has a large influence on the solidification path. The difference in segregation between different positions in industrial continuous cast slabs of the steels was also observed, as expected. The larger solidification interval (TL-TS) of the commercial microalloyed steel indicates the formation of a solidification front that has higher solute concentration than the X65 HTP sour service steel, which concurs with the higher macro- and microsegregation observed.

Performance Enhancement of LTE Underlay Cognitive Femtocells System Based on Macro Users Localization

LTE overlay cognitive femtocells system can provide a satisfied throughput for the macro and the femto users. On the other hand, the femto users can assign only the vacated subcarriers from the macro users. This assignment results in a reduced throughput for the femto users. Moreover, their throughput can have a zero value when the macro users operate on all subcarriers. In this paper, an underlay cognitive femtocells operation is proposed. The femtocells can share the subcarriers with the existing macrocells in such a way that their transmission cannot affect the macro users’ performance. The macro users’ positions can be determined, during their uplink transmission, using the received signal strength at the femto users. Then, the femtocells adapt their emitted power to guarantee a satisfied macro users’ performance. The performance of the proposed LTE underlay cognitive femtocells system is mathematically analyzed, simulated, and compared with the previous one which applies overlay cognitive femtocells. It can be observed that, the femto users’ throughput is existent and has a high value in comparison with the previous LTE overlay cognitive femtocells system. Furthermore, the proposed system has a higher macro and femto users’ throughput.

Margin Credit and Stock Return Predictability

Margin capacity, defined as the aggregate excess debt capacity of investors buying securities on margin, strongly predicts (a) lower S&P 500 returns, (b) lower growth in aggregate earnings, dividends, employment, and overall economic activity, (c) higher macro, financial, and policy uncertainty, (d) lower interest rates, (e) tighter lending standards by banks, and (f) lower intermediary equity capital. High margin capacity is a precursor, not a response, to borrowing and intermediary constraints and higher volatility. It typically arises when levered investors with profitable past positions limit their leverage. We interpret that it reflects informed investors' conservatism ahead of bad times.

Mineral composition of pods and seeds of wild and grafted carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) fruits

Wild and grafted carob fruits (61 different carob trees in the selected locations in total) grown in 2009 and 2010 in Antalya province of Turkey were evaluated for their mineral composition of different fruit parts, including the pods and seeds of wild (PW, SW) and grafted types (PG, SG). The highest mean values of total ash content (3.85%) and total nitrogen (%) were observed in the seeds of grafted carob fruits (SG). Among the macro minerals analyzed, the potassium content was very high in all samples (1.01–1.19%). Although the fruit type (wild or grafted) was not a significant parameter on mineral concentration of the samples (P>0.05), the seeds generally contained higher macro and micro minerals than the pods in both carob types.

Desenvolvimento inicial e estado nutricional de clones de eucalipto no nordeste do Pará

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o desenvolvimento inicial, nutrição e fertilidade do solo em plantio de clones de eucalipto no nordeste do Pará. Os tratamentos constaram de cinco clones (Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla - 03 e 09, E. urophylla x E. camaldulensis - 32, E. grandis x E. pellita - 07 e E. camaldulensis - 11), dispostos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Cinco meses após plantio foram avaliadas a altura e sobrevivência das plantas. Aos 18 meses, além dessas variáveis, foram avaliados o diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP), a fertilidade do solo (profundidades 0-10 e 10-20 cm) e os nutrientes foliares. A altura e o DAP das árvores não variaram entre clones nas épocas de avaliação. Houve diferença na porcentagem de sobrevivência apenas aos 18 meses, sendo do clone 07 a menor média apresentada. Na camada de 0-10 cm foram observados os menores valores de K trocável no solo sob os clones 09 e 07, nas parcelas deste último foram observado também a menor CTC. Na camada de 10-20 cm, o menor valor de N no solo esteve sob o clone 32, enquanto que o K e Ca trocáveis foram encontrados em maiores quantidades sob o clone 03. De maneira geral, foram observadas as maiores concentrações de todos os nutrientes, com exceção do N, nas folhas dos clones 11 e 32. Desta forma, os clones apresentaram respostas nutricionais diferentes na área de estudo, assim como o solo sob cada material genético apresentou valores variados de fertilidade. Essas variações, entretanto, pouco foram observadas no desenvolvimento inicial das árvores.