Higher Water Loss Research Articles

On-farm water energy food carbon-footprint nexus index for quantitative assessment of integrated resources management for wheat farming in Egypt

To improve the farming efficiency, Egypt has been struggling to narrow the water, energy, and yield gaps owing to exacerbated water shortage. For quantitative diagnosis of farming performance, the paper presented an on-farm water, energy, food, and carbon-footprint (WEFC) nexus index made up of four equally pillars. The arithmetic average preserved the multi-centric approach and equal importance of the four pillars. The index was applied to test and rank 2,042 wheat-based farmer fields in Egypt representing diverse inputs, agronomic and irrigation practices, soil types, and agroecological conditions. The water metric was the ratio of saved water, difference between maximum water consumption recorded in the country and actual water consumption, to the maximum water consumption. Likewise, the energy metric was obtained. The food metric was the ratio of actual yield to maximum yield in the country. The carbon-footprint metric was the ratio of difference between maximum CO2 emission in the country and actual emission to the maximum emission. The index values showed a wide range from 18.69% to 87.33% with a high standard deviation emphasizing the diversity of farming practices, soil types, and agroecological conditions. The highest ten values were recorded in fields with sandy soils, relatively large area, drip irrigation, recommended seeding and fertilization rates, well drainage, weeds removal, and tillage. The drip irrigation system in 51 out of 52 fields had above average value. The lowest ten values were in fields with clay soils and flood irrigation, where 18.7% of 1,780 fields exceeded the above average value. Raised beds with furrow irrigation in 83.15% of 184 fields exceeded the above average value. Fertilization rates of nitrogen and phosphorus in 61% and 53% of fields respectively exceeded the recommended rates with no significant reflection on the food metric. The low index values in fields with flood irrigation were attributed to high water losses causing high water consumption, energy consumption, and CO2 emission. The index was a good indicative of input resources consumption and output production as it varied inversely with water and energy consumption and CO2 emission and proportionally with yield. Since the high-water consumption was the main entry point for low index values in fields with flood irrigation, changing the irrigation to drip system or revisiting the irrigation scheduling and the estimated applied irrigation water amount were recommended. The index can be utilized to quantify the effectiveness of both recommendations and further new site-specific interventions and to assess their impact at scale. The index also recommended land use consolidation where farmers retain ownership of their lands but with cooperative farming.

Effect of DMA characteristics on risk and asset analysis of the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority pipe network

AbstractThis study examines the District Metering Area (DMA) characteristics in the pipe networks of Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA), with a specific focus on risk and asset analysis, including water loss rate, water usage, and pipe density. The objective is to classify the DMA types based on these characteristics and to determine the influence of area characteristics on water distribution infrastructure. This is achieved by employing risk assessment and asset valuation techniques to identify pipes that require replacement. Initially, the Area Characteristic Index (ACI) for all 64 DMAs within the Ladprao service office branch was evaluated using a fuzzy inference system. Subsequently, six selected DMAs from three distinct area types were analyzed by the fuzzy logic model to figure out the Risk Index (RI) values. Concurrently, the Infrastructure Value Index (IVI) contributed to the asset valuation. These indices pinpointed both the high‐risk pipe routes and the poor‐condition infrastructure. Moreover, the Modified Risk‐Value Index (MRVI) was adopted to prioritize these pipe routes within a constrained budget. The main conclusion drawn is that while DMA characteristics do not directly influence the identification of deteriorated pipes through risk assessment and asset analysis methods, the characteristic of a high water loss rate does impact the number of pipe routes identified by the RI.

Mass transfer analysis and kinetic modeling of ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration of kiwifruit slices

Ultrasound treatments (sonication) in combination with osmotic dehydration process accelerate the rate of moisture removal from the fruits or vegetables pieces and decrease the dehydration duration. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration (UAOD) on mass transfer kinetic (soluble solids gain and moisture loss) of kiwifruit slices. The UAOD process was performed using 20, 30, and 40% sucrose solutions in ultrasonic bath (40 kHz, 75 and 150 W) for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 min. After treatments, processed kiwifruit slices were dried at 70 °C using hot air oven. UAOD process reveals that mass reduction, soluble solid gain, moisture loss and rehydration capacity affected by treatments time, sucrose solution concentration and sonication power. The results showed that the UAOD treatment increased moisture loss and soluble solids gain. Furthermore, kiwifruit slices treated with higher ultrasound intensity (150 W) showed reduced dehydration duration (higher water loss), improved dehydration rate, and increased effective moisture diffusivity (Deff). The Deff determined by Fick's second law was varied from 9.05 × 10–11 to 29.28 × 10–11 m2s-1. The experimental data of dehydration curve of kiwifruit slices were fitted to different thin-layer equations and the Page equation with empirical constants was the best describing the of kiwifruit slices dehydration.

Investigations of Three‐Layer Systems Intended for Protective Clothing for Prematurely Born Babies

AbstractOne of the most significant problems occurring among premature babies is high transepidermal water loss and associated heat loss. To prevent this problem protective clothing for premature babies is developed which consists of a membrane that allows partial transmission of water vapor, combined with other textile materials. The purpose of this work is to characterize two pre‐selected three‐layer systems in terms of biophysical properties that fulfill their requirements for premature infants. Samples of materials are investigated to determine biophysical comfort (tests of thermal resistance, water vapor resistance and air permeability), mass per unit area and thickness. In order to visualize the structure and chemical composition of the tested materials, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were performed. The mechanical properties of the investigated materials and the evaluation of the total hand value were also characterized; the samples were tested on a Kawabata Evaluation System (KES) device. Protective garments designed for premature babies should be characterized by high thermal insulation and moisture barrier properties. In addition, it should have optimal air permeability properties and fairly low surface weight in order not to burden the baby's delicate skin.

Hydric effects on thermal tolerances influence climate vulnerability in a high-latitude beetle.

Species' thermal tolerances are used to estimate climate vulnerability, but few studies consider the role of the hydric environment in shaping thermal tolerances. As environments become hotter and drier, organisms often respond by limiting water loss to lower the risk of desiccation; however, reducing water loss may produce trade-offs that lower thermal tolerances if respiration becomes inhibited. Here, we measured the sensitivity of water loss rate and critical thermal maximum (CTmax ) to precipitation in nature and laboratory experiments that exposed click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae) to acute- and long-term humidity treatments. We also took advantage of their unique clicking behavior to characterize subcritical thermal tolerances. We found higher water loss rates in the dry acclimation treatment compared to the humid, and water loss rates were 3.2-fold higher for individuals that had experienced a recent precipitation event compared to individuals that had not. Acute humidity treatments did not affect CTmax , but precipitation indirectly affected CTmax through its effect on water loss rates. Contrary to our prediction, we found that CTmax was negatively associated with water loss rate, such that individuals with high water loss rate exhibited a lower CTmax . We then incorporated the observed variation of CTmax into a mechanistic niche model that coupled leaf and click beetle temperatures to predict climate vulnerability. The simulations indicated that indices of climate vulnerability can be sensitive to the effects of water loss physiology on thermal tolerances; moreover, exposure to temperatures above subcritical thermal thresholds is expected to increase by as much as 3.3-fold under future warming scenarios. The correlation between water loss rate and CTmax identifies the need to study thermal tolerances from a "whole-organism" perspective that considers relationships between physiological traits, and the population-level variation in CTmax driven by water loss rate complicates using this metric as a straightforward proxy of climate vulnerability.

Higher water loss on Earth-like exoplanets in eccentric orbits

ABSTRACT The climate of a terrestrial exoplanet is controlled by the type of host star, the orbital configuration, and the characteristics of the atmosphere and the surface. Many rocky exoplanets have higher eccentricities than those in the Solar system, and about 18 per cent of planets with masses <10 M⊕ have e > 0.1. Underexplored are the implications of such high eccentricities on the atmosphere, climate, and potential habitability on such planets. We use WACCM6, a state-of-the-art fully coupled Earth-system model, to simulate the climates of two Earth-like planets: one in a circular orbit (e = 0), and one in an eccentric orbit (e = 0.4) with the same mean insolation. We quantify the effects of eccentricity on the atmospheric water abundance and loss given the importance of liquid water for habitability. The asymmetric temperature response in the eccentric orbit results in a water vapour mixing ratio in the stratosphere (>20 ppmv) that is approximately five times greater than that for circular orbit (∼4 ppmv). This leads to at most ∼3 times increases in both the atmospheric hydrogen loss rate and the ocean loss rate compared with the circular case. Using the Planetary Spectrum Generator, we simulate the idealized transmission spectra for both cases. We find that the water absorption features are stronger at all wavelengths for the e = 0.4 spectrum than for the circular case. Hence, highly eccentric Earth-like exoplanets may be prime targets for future transmission spectroscopy observations to confirm, or otherwise, the presence of atmospheric water vapour.

Optimization of osmotic pretreatment of tomato slices using response surface methodology and further hot-air drying

Tomato is one of the most cultivated vegetables, playing important role in the human feed. Due to its characteristics and composition, tomatoes present reduced shelf life, and preservative techniques are required. In this study, response surface methodology was used to optimize process conditions during the osmotic dehydration (OD) of tomato slices, through the desirability function. Optimization factors were absolute pressure (21-89 kPa), vacuum application period (7-15 min), and osmotic solution water activity (0.893-0.943), while investigated responses were sodium incorporation (NaI), water loss (WL), solid gain (SG), weight reduction (WR), and osmodehydrated product water activity (ODaw). The optimized conditions were achieved, and a further hot-air drying (HAD) was conducted at different temperatures and air velocities. During the OD, lower absolute pressure, and osmotic solution water activity led to lower NaI and higher WL and WR. Shorter drying time and higher diffusivity were obtained at higher temperature and air velocity, during the HAD. The dried tomato slices with sodium incorporation reduction were evaluated with regard to the final water activity, rehydration and color, in which no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed between the treatments.

A multi-functional nature-based solution (NBS) for greywater treatment and reuse at the same plot

Water stress is destined to worsen due to rapid urbanization, high population growth as well as huge water demand and climate change in the upcoming days. To make the cities more water resilient, greywater treatment and reuse can be a sustainable solution to prevent discharge of greywater into the environment and reduce the import of freshwater into the cities. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of implementing a multi-functional nature-based solution (NBS) for decentralized greywater treatment and reuse at the same plot. Therefore, an aerated vertical-flow constructed wetland (AVFCW) with a design capacity of 8 PE (population equivalent) was combined with an innovative cover layer on top, so that the wetland surface can be used wisely (saving space) for irrigation with the treated effluent as well as protect the constructed wetland from high water loss due to evapotranspiration (EVT). In the first investigation phase, the results showed that applying such a cover layer on the wetland surface did not have any influence on the treatment performance of the AVFCW operating at the BDZ-Research and Demonstration Centre for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment in Leipzig, Germany. The results from the second investigation phase showed a highly efficient treatment performance of the AVFCW system (BOD5 > 90%, COD>93%, TSS > 93%, TN > 60% and log-removal for E.coli of 0.81 ± 0.45) when feeding with synthetic greywater at the site. In the effluent from the AVFCW, the mean concentrations of BOD5, TSS and E.coli were found to be as 9 ± 5 mg/L, 4 ± 2 mg/L and 7.0 ± 5.4 MPN/100 mL, respectively, and the achieved results were in compliance with the EU recommended limits for the most restrictive Class A standard treated water quality (BOD5 < 10 mg/L; TSS < 10 mg/L; E.coli < 10 MPN/100 mL) for agricultural irrigation. Soil characteristics data at the depth of 10, 15 and 20 cm within the cover layer showed no remarkable effect of irrigation with treated effluent on the soil properties. Overall, this study demonstrated that the integrated and multi-functional NBS can be implemented as a more practical and attractive technology for greywater treatment and reuse (via sub-surface irrigation) at the same plot and can improve the aesthetic in urban settlements (e.g. backyard garden of the urban households, public park, roadside and touristic areas) as well as in warm climatic conditions of arid/semi-arid regions worldwide.

The Significance of Groundwater Table Inclination for Nature-Based Replenishment of Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems by Managed Aquifer Recharge

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is an increasingly popular technique; however, the significance of groundwater flow dynamics is rarely examined in detail regarding MAR systems. In general, a high hydraulic gradient is not favoured for MAR implementation, as it causes higher water loss and mixing of recharge water with native groundwater. However, during groundwater-dependent ecosystem (GDE) rehabilitation, these hydraulic gradient-driven flow processes can be taken advantage of. The aim of this research is to test this hypothesis by evaluating the effect of groundwater table inclination, topography, and other local characteristics on MAR efficiency from the perspective of GDE restoration. MAR efficiency was examined from recharge to discharge area in a simple half-basin based on theoretical flow simulations, using GeoStudio SEEP/W software. Different scenarios were compared to analyse the groundwater level increase and the infiltrated water volumes and to assess the efficiency of MAR based on these parameters in each scenario. The theoretical results were applied to a close-to-real situation of Lake Kondor, a GDE of the Danube-Tisza Interfluve (Hungary), which dried up in the past decades due to groundwater decline in the area. Based on the results, initial hydraulic head difference, model length, and hydraulic conductivity are the most critical parameters regarding water level increase at the discharge area. The water amount needed for increasing the water table is mainly influenced by the thickness of the unsaturated zone and the material properties of the aquifer. The findings can help better understand MAR efficiency in light of local groundwater flow processes and contribute to optimising MAR systems. The results of the study suggest that, if water is infiltrated at the local recharge area, the water table will also increase at the corresponding discharge area, which positively effects the connected GDEs. This approach can serve as a nature-based solution (NBS) to sustain sensitive ecosystems in changing climatic conditions.

Setting a Baseline Residential Water Demand Management Solution in Urban Towns of Ethiopia

Due to the country’s expanding population, inadequate urban water management practices, limited community knowledge of water management, and urbanization, urban water management in Ethiopia is of great importance to the administration of the country. This study draws on a qualitative and quantitative research approach to evaluate the available water supply resources and management techniques in three Ethiopian metropolitan districts, factor in the sustainability of the urban water supply services, and then recommend a workable plan for a sustainable urban water management system. Open-ended and semi-structured questionnaires were used to interview urban water utility officials to reveal important information on water demand management and current water supply services. Documented secondary data analysis and field observations are also used to identify the existing problem in order to draw future suggestions. The findings of this study indicate that some of the common issues with urban water supply systems in towns include outdated water supply infrastructures, rapid population growth and corresponding water demand, high water losses in the distribution system, poor water management practices, and a lack of appropriate institutional framework. The assessments of the three study regions demonstrate that while the percentage of water supply coverage hasn’t changed significantly over the previous 10 years, both the number of customers and the overall population growth have increased by nearly 50%. In order to address this, the Ethiopian government would need to put up a lot of effort into developing water use policies and raising consumer understanding of water demand management techniques.

A Simple Design of Water-based Broadband Metamaterial Absorber for THz Applications

A simple water-based broadband metamaterial absorber has been proposed for the terahertz region. The absorption bandwidth is extended based on large frequency dispersive permittivity and high relative dielectric loss of water. The simulated result indicates that the absorption of the proposed structure achieves over 90% in the frequency range from 0.6 to 10 THz at a normal incident angle. Moreover, the performance maintains high over 80% with a wide incident angle up to 60o for transverse electronic (TE) mode and over 90% up to 700 transverse magnetic (TM) mode in the entire operating frequency range. Therefore, the designed absorber has a potential candidate for broadband THz applications.

Effect of ultrasound assisted vacuum osmotic dehydration on the mass transfer kinetics and qualities of orange slices

This research aimed to explore the effects of combined ultrasound and vacuum assisted osmotic dehydration on the mass transfer kinetics and qualities of fresh-cut orange slices. The experiments were carried out under four different conditions, i.e., osmotic dehydration (OD), vacuum osmotic dehydration (VOD), ultrasound assisted osmotic dehydration (UOD) and ultrasound assisted vacuum osmotic dehydration (UVOD). Aqueous solutions of the four osmotic agents – sucrose, xylitol, sorbitol, and maltitol at a concentration of 50°Brix were used in each condition. The results showed that UVOD had the highest (p < 0.05) water loss (WL) and solid gain (SG). The high regression coefficient (R2 > 0.99) and low χ2 and RMSE values revealed the applicability of Peleg model for fitting mass transfer of orange slice during osmotic dehydration. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) spectra revealed the water distribution in orange cells. Electronic nose data indicated that osmotic dehydration did not significantly (p > 0.05) change the flavor of orange slices. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra indicated osmotic dehydration could preserve internal chemical composition of orange slice. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images illustrated the mechanisms of VOD, UOD and UVOD. The results of mass transfer kinetics and qualities showed that sugar alcohols were good alternative osmotic agents to sucrose. Although UVOD led to the largest loss of vitamin C due to its highest WL, UVOD exhibited better hardness and could combine the advantages of VOD and UOD in water activity and color, respectively.

Faidherbia albida trees form a natural buffer against millet water stress in agroforestry parklands in Senegal

Description of the subject. In central-west Senegal, agroforestry parklands dominated by Faidherbia albida trees might protect the millet crop against drought and increase agricultural production. Only few studies examined the water relations between the trees and the crop in farmers’ field conditions. Objectives. Our aim was to explore the effect of F. albida trees on millet water potential and the implications for millet yield in F. albida parklands. Method. Sixty-eight F. albida plots scattered in five villages were selected in the 2019 rainy season. In each plot, a pair of millet subplots, “close-to-tree subplot” and “open subplot”, was monitored. We measured millet predawn and midday leaf water potential (Ψp, Ψm), top soil bulk density, water content and temperature, and grain and straw yields at harvest. Results. Pairwise comparisons of Ψp and Ψm of millet indicated better and more stable water status and lower soil temperature and bulk density in close-to-tree subplots. Soil water was sometimes lower in close-to-tree subplots, perhaps because the higher crop biomass in this location resulted in higher water loss through crop transpiration. Tree effects on millet grain and straw yield were positive or null. Correlations between millet yield and Ψp, Ψm measured around flowering were weak. Conclusions. Given their common positive effects on millet water status and yield, F. albida trees could play a key role in promoting sustainable agriculture under the changing climate conditions. Millet yield increase due to the tree proximity was likely due to changes induced by the tree on multiple environmental resources. The interactions of micro-pedoclimatic conditions, livestock and tree management (e.g. density, pruning intensity) on the tree effects should be the focus of future studies.

Skin Barrier Function and Infant Tidal Flow-Volume Loops-A Population-Based Observational Study.

The relationship between the skin barrier- and lung function in infancy is largely unexplored. We aimed to explore if reduced skin barrier function by high transepidermal water loss (TEWL), or manifestations of eczema or Filaggrin (FLG) mutations, were associated with lower lung function in three-month-old infants. From the population-based PreventADALL cohort, 899 infants with lung function measurements and information on either TEWL, eczema at three months of age and/or FLG mutations were included. Lower lung function by tidal flow-volume loops was defined as a ratio of time to peak tidal expiratory flow to expiratory time (tPTEF/tE) &lt;0.25 and a tPTEF &lt;0.17 s (&lt;25th percentile). A high TEWL &gt;8.83 g/m2/h (&gt;75th percentile) denoted reduced skin barrier function, and DNA was genotyped for FLG mutations (R501X, 2282del4 and R2447X). Neither a high TEWL, nor eczema or FLG mutations, were associated with a lower tPTEF/tE. While a high TEWL was associated with a lower tPTEF; adjusted OR (95% CI) 1.61 (1.08, 2.42), the presence of eczema or FLG mutations were not. Overall, a high TEWL, eczema or FLG mutations were not associated with lower lung function in healthy three-month-old infants. However, an inverse association between high TEWL and tPTEF was observed, indicating a possible link between the skin barrier- and lung function in early infancy.

ANALISIS SISTEM DISTRIBUSI AIR BERSIH MENGGUNAKAN EPANET 2.0 DI PDAM TIRTA LANGKISAU UNIT PELAYANAN LUMPO

Lumpo Service Unit is one of the clean water service units in PDAM Tirta Langkisau, Pesisir Selatan Regency, which serves parts of IV Jurai District. The Lumpo Service Unit currently has a production capacity of 3 l/sec or still 24% of the total served population and a fairly high water loss rate (35% or 2,671 m 3 ). This study aims to analyze the clean water needs of the community in the Lumpo Unit area from 2021 and 2025 and analyze the condition of the clean water distribution network system in the Lumpo Service Unit in 2021 and 2025. Analysis of the water distribution system network was carried out using Epanet 2.0. It was found that the water demand in 2021 was 5.45 l/s (22.51 l/s at a service level of 100%) and there was an increase in 2025, namely 28.23 l/s. Analysis of the piping distribution network in 2025 shows that 27 out of a total of 49 junctions have water pressure below the minimum limit for distribution pipe criteria from PERMEN PU No. 18/PRT/M/2007, as well as 13 out of 50 total pipes with water flow rates below the minimum limit of the same criteria of 0.3 m/s.

Water loss performance indicators in peripheral areas of a metropolitan region in Amazonia

This paper aims to quantify and compare the losses of two isolated water supply systems with similar characteristics (Canarinho e Benjamin Sodré), located in the Metropolitan Region of Belém, state of Pará, Amazonia-Brazil. The methods included diagnosis of systems, technical documental and commercial surveys from the water supply utility, outflow measurements (ultrasound portable outflow measurer and pitometer type equipment with transductor and data logger), statistical treatment of data and determination of the loss indexes of the water supply systems. The high Distribution Network Loss Index recorded of Canarinho and Benjamin Sodré with 81.98% and 70.04% respectively, jointly observed with Connection Losses Index values ​(3.2 and 7.3 times higher, respectively, compared to the national average) increased the Water Meter Index of the studied systems (Canarinho with 84.66% and Benjamin Sodré with 70.93%). The high water loss rates are a characteristic of the northern region of Brazil and are reflected in the data obtained from the studied systems. Losses of this magnitude make systems economically unsustainable due to frauds, lack of maintenece and a poor quality or degradation of infrastructure.

Flexible supercapacitor based on MXene cross-linked organic gel electrolyte with wide working temperature

Recently, hydrogel materials have been widely used in flexible energy storage devices due to their excellent electrical conductivity and nearly solid mechanical properties. But, due to the plenty of water in the traditional hydrogel electrolyte, the disadvantages of high temperature water loss and low temperature icing are inevitable. In order to solve this problem, we have fabricated an organic gel electrolyte (OGE) and assembled it with activated carbon electrode into flexible organic gel electrolyte supercapacitors (OGESCs). In terms of gel design, the MXene crosslinked polyacrylic acid-N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide (PAA-NHEA-MXene) hydrogel network is replaced by a mixture of lithium chloride and ethylene glycol solvent, showing excellent electrical conductivity (3 and 19.8 mS/cm at −20 and 25 °C, respectively) and good mechanical properties. Due to the replacement of the solvent, the operating temperature of OGESCs is extended (-20-80 °C) and meets the needs of flexible wearable devices. In addition, OGESCs exhibit cyclic stability at both low and high temperatures (capacitance decreases by 3.2% after 10,000 cycles), laying a solid foundation for its application in complex and varied environments.

Surface modification via alginate-based edible coating for enhanced osmotic dehydration mass transfer of ginger slices

Ginger has a high moisture content, which makes it highly susceptible to spoilage. Therefore, the shelf life can be extended through drying. In the drying process, osmotic dehydration is applied as pre-treatment due to its simple operation and energy-saving process for removing moisture from food. However, large solute gain during the osmotic dehydration has become the major challenge of this process as it has a negative impact on the final product. The edible coating is the key step to circumventing this issue. Alginate is a potential candidate for the coating material to enhance the mass transfer kinetics of the osmotic dehydration process. This study investigated the surface modification of ginger slices caused by the cross-linker calcium chloride and plasticizer glycerol on alginate coating using a Scanning Electron Microscope. Furthermore, the kinetics of water loss and solute gain were evaluated and modelling aspects were conducted. It was observed that the surface roughness of ginger coated with a combination of alginate, glycerol and calcium ions has reduced. This facilitated the mass transfer process, which was observed to have a high water loss and a lower solute gain. The Peleg model presented the best fitting model of mass transfer kinetics during osmotic dehydration of ginger slices. From this work, it can be deduced that alginate-based coating can be a promising pre-treatment step in the osmotic dehydration process.

Influence of Irrigation Systems on the Plant Growth and Leaf Ratio Analyses of Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) Seedlings

The sprinkler irrigation system is the most widely used system for rubber irrigation in a nursery. However, the method is associated with high water loss during irrigation. In view of this, an experiment was conducted to assess the effect of different irrigation systems on the growth dynamics, leaf ratio analyses, water productivity, and water use efficiency of rubber seedlings. The treatments were the irrigation systems; soil + overhead sprinkler (CON), growing media (GM) + drip irrigation (DRP), GM + capillary wick system (WCK), and GM + overhead sprinkler (SPR). Each treatment was replicated three times, and the experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design. The results showed that the DRP and WCK had significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher seedlings’ growth parameters by 15–39% than obtained in the SPR and CON. However, the DRP, WCK, and SPR had statistically comparable seedlings’ root length and volume by 14–43% higher relative to the CON. Similar trends of plant growth dynamics, such as crop growth rate (CGR), leaf area index (LAI), and leaf ratio analyses, were observed for all treatments. However, the CON had lower CGR and LAI, which could be attributed to the lower water retention of the soil used in the treatment. The DRP and WCK had comparable water productivity with 56–60% higher than the SPR and CON treatments. The sprinkler irrigation treatments (SPR and CON) had 84% lower water use efficiency than the DRP and WCK. The DRP and WCK are the best treatments in this study because their higher water application uniformity led to higher seedlings’ growth dynamics and water productivity. The sprinkler system had higher water loss due to the lack of application uniformity, leading to lower plant growth than other irrigations. However, the SPR shows the potential to be more cost-effective due to its lower recurrent cost of labor than drip and wick irrigation.

EFFECT OF ULTRASOUND ASSISTED OSMOTIC DEHYDRATION PRE-TREATMENT ON DRYING KINETICS AND SOME FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF PUMPKIN (Cucurbita moschata)

Bu çalışmada balkabağının (Cucurbita moschata) kurutma kinetiği ve bazı fonksiyonel özellikleri üzerine ultrases destekli ozmotik dehidrasyon (US-OD) ön işleminin etkisi araştırılmıştır. Örnekler 3 farklı konsantrasyonda (%12.5, %25 ve %50) şeker çözeltisi içeren ultrasonik banyo içerisinde kavitasyon işlemi ile (45 kHz, 90 dakika) dehidre edilmiş ve ardından sıcak havada kurutma yöntemi kullanılarak 60oC sıcaklıkta kurutulmuştur. US-OD işlemi ile birlikte en yüksek su kaybı ve katı madde kazanımı %50’lik ozmotik çözelti kullanılarak dehidre edilen örnekte tespit edilmiştir. US-OD işlemi şeker çözeltisi konsantrasyonuna bağlı olarak kurutma süresini kontrol örneğine göre yaklaşık 180 dakika kısaltmıştır. Bununla birlikte ozmotik çözeltinin şeker konsantrasyonuna bağlı olarak rehidrasyon oranında azalma gözlenmiştir. En yüksek toplam fenolik madde miktarı (120.08 mg GAE/100 g kuru ağırlık) ve antioksidan kapasite (%38.21) %50’lik ozmotik çözeltide dehidre edilen ve kurutulan örnekte belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen çıktılar matematiksel modellere uyarlandığında US-OD ön işlemi uygulanmış balkabağının kurutulmasını en iyi tanımlayan modelin Page modeli olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır.