Initial Plant Research Articles

Growth and quality of 16-year-old sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) planted in traditional and alternative row planting patterns

Abstract Traditional oak silviculture is costly due to high initial planting density required to obtain management goals of producing high quality timber. New methods therefore reduce the initial planting density and use a planting pattern that allows the inclusion of naturally regenerated trees of other species. The study presents the results of a 13-year experiment on the growth and quality of sessile oak planted in traditional and three alternative planting patterns. We hypothesized that increasing of initial spacing and use of natural regeneration to compensate for lower intra-specific competition does not deteriorate growth and quality parameters of oak. Breast height diameter, height, slenderness, height of the first live branch, diameter of the thickest branch, stem shape and potential future crop oak trees (PFCT) were measured and analysed. The local competition of admixture species was estimated on the basis of the relationship between the height of the oak and the height of admixture trees in its close proximity. The type of planting pattern had no significant effect on oak diameter, but oak height was greater in the traditional pattern than in alternative patterns. Height of the first live branch was the only qualitative trait that differed significantly between the compared planting patterns. The probability of an oak being selected as a PFCT was similar in traditional and alternative patterns, but PFCT absolute number was increasing with an increase of oak planting density. Analysis of competition of admixture species in alternative methods shows that it can reduce height, diameter and stability of oaks. On the other hand, the probability of trees being selected as a PFCT increases significantly with increasing interspecific competition. We conclude that, with controlled competition and at least moderate natural regeneration, the alternative planting patterns can produce oaks with similar growth and quality to those in the traditional pattern.

An Ejector and Flashbox-Integrated Approach to Flue Gas Waste Heat Recovery: A Novel Systematic Study

In this study, a comprehensive examination was conducted to explore the technology involved in the recovery of waste heat from flue gas emitted by a 1000 MW unit. Traditional methods are constrained in their ability to harness waste heat from flue gas solely for the purpose of generating medium-temperature water. The system being examined not only recovers waste heat but also utilizes it to generate steam, thereby greatly improving resource efficiency. The process entails utilizing the flue gas to heat water to a certain temperature, followed by subjecting it to flash evaporation. This process leads to the generation of low-pressure waste heat steam. Within the steam ejector, the waste heat steam combines with high-pressure motive steam extracted from the source, resulting in the formation of medium-pressure steam. Within the steam ejector, the waste heat steam blends with high-pressure motive steam drawn from the source, forming medium-pressure steam that eventually feeds into the A8 steam extraction pipe (low-pressure turbine pumping pipe). The present study examines the fluctuation patterns in motive steam flow, suction coefficient, waste heat steam volume, and outlet temperature of the flue water heat exchanger when different motive steam sources are used. Additionally, the research calculates the reduction in CO2 emissions, the coal consumption for power supply, and the cost savings in fuel for the retrofitted system. The findings indicate that maximizing energy utilization can be achieved by operating the retrofitted unit at the lowest feasible waste heat steam pressure. The implementation of the new system has resulted in a substantial decrease in coal consumption for power supply. When employing main steam as the extraction steam source, the consumption of coal for power generation decreases in proportion to the decrease in waste heat steam pressure while maintaining a constant unit load. When the waste heat steam pressure reaches 0.0312 MPa, the recorded coal consumption for power generation varies between 289.43 g/kWh at 100% turbine heat acceptance (THA) and 326.94 g/kWh at 30%THA. When comparing this performance with the initial thermal power plant (TPP) unit, it demonstrates reductions of 2.26 g/kWh and 1.52 g/kWh, respectively. After implementing modifications to this 1000 MW unit, it is projected that the annual CO2 emissions can be effectively reduced by 6333.97 tons, resulting in significant cost savings of approximately USD 0.23 million in fuel expenses. This system exhibits considerable potential in terms of emission reduction and provides valuable insights for thermal power plants aiming to decrease unit energy consumption.

Carbon dioxide exchange in an idealized valley

On a global scale the budget of carbon dioxide (CO2) bears a substantial uncertainty, which is commonly understood to be mainly due to land-surface exchange processes. In this paper it is examined to what extent mountainous model topography can amplify these land-surface exchange processes. The underlying hypothesis is that, on the meso-scale, topography adds additional atmospheric mechanisms that drive the exchange of CO2 at the surface.This model sensitivity study represents an advancement in model development through the implementation of a pioneering combination of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, coupled with the Community Land Model (CLM4) to account for photosynthesis, and the semi-empirical TPGPP-LAI model to address ecosystem respiration. An idealized sine-shaped valley is investigated to examine the effect of complex topography on the CO2 budget compared to flat terrain. The systematic variation of meteorological initial conditions and plant functional types create an ensemble that unveils the fundamental factors which dominate the differences of CO2 fluxes between simulations with topography compared to a flat reference surface.During daytime, when there is photosynthesis, the vegetation temperature of the hypothetical sub-grid scale valley is on average 0.7 K colder and its vapor pressure deficit is 0.8 hPa lower which results in stronger net ecosystem exchange. During nighttime the valley is 0.6 K warmer than the plain, which increases ecosystem respiration compared to the plain. Over 24 h the valley is 0.1 K colder, but it acts as a sink of CO2 as the two opposing processes, during daytime and at night, result in 0.2 gC m−2 d−1 stronger net ecosystem exchange in the valley. During daytime differences are caused implicitly by meso-scale circulations through a secondary effect, as slope-winds shape the vertical temperature and humidity profiles, whereas at night the larger surface area of the valley is the prime cause for the differences. In contrast, the effect of differences in ambient CO2 on the ecosystem exchange is negligible.

Effects of Pesticides on Red Rot of Planted Sugarcane.

Red rot, caused by Colletotrichum falcatum, is an important constraint to sugarcane production. In Louisiana, red rot primarily affects planted seed-cane and is more severe when billets (stalk sections) are planted rather than whole stalks. At planting, application of seed-treatment pesticides, particularly a combination of a fungicide and the insecticide thiamethoxam, has improved stand establishment and increased yields in billet plantings in Louisiana. However, information on the effect of chemicals on disease development is lacking. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate stalk rot symptom severity and initial plant growth for billets dip-treated with a combination of the fungicides azoxystrobin and propiconazole, thiamethoxam, a combination of both fungicides and the insecticide, and, as a control, untreated billets. Reductions in disease severity recorded for different treatments were similar for billets inoculated with the fungus or exposed to natural inoculum. Disease severity was consistently reduced by the combination treatment, while reductions resulting from treatment with fungicides and insecticide alone were variable. Reductions occurred for both internode and node rot severity. The effects of pesticide treatments on plant growth after 6 weeks were minor; however, there was evidence of disease adversely affecting germination, particularly for nontreated billets exposed to natural inoculum, where germination was reduced by one third. The treatments that reduced disease severity prevented this reduction. The results provide evidence that reduction in disease severity is an important contributor to the stand establishment and yield improvements observed for treated billets in field experiments.

Response of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nitrogen Application in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Crop

An experiment conducted at Agriculture Research Farm, Shri Durga Ji Post Graduate College, Chandeshwar, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh during winter session of 2019-20. Among the initial plant population per square meter was not influenced significantly due to various treatments. All the growth characters viz. plant height (cm), no. of shoots per meter row length and accumulation of dry matter, increased significantly at all the stages of crop growth with the application of 100% nitrogen through inorganic source except 30 DAS regarding to number of shoots.

Alleviation of Salinity Stress in Garden PEA Using Hydro- and Osmopriming

Summary Salinity is one of the greatest challenges of successful agricultural production worldwide. However, seed priming might be efficient practice for enhancing seed germination and initial plant growth and development. This experiment was undertaken with the aim of assessing the impact of different priming methods on seed quality parameters and early growth of garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivars under salinity stress. Pea seeds of three different cultivars were primed with water (hydropriming), KNO3 solution (0.5%), and PEG 6000 solution (-0.5 MPa) for 24h in the dark. Unprimed and primed seeds were germinated between filter papers saturated with 120 mM NaCl using the germination test. The results clearly showed that the examined parameters of primed pea seeds were substantially greater than the parameters of unprimed seeds under saline stress. Moreover, seed priming with KNO3 and PEG solutions were more effective in improving seed quality and initial growth in garden peas than hydropriming.

Effect of Spacing on Survival and Growth Performance of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden at Holeta Research Site, Central Ethiopia

Application of optimum initial plant spacing is one of the most important silvicultural practices to maximize the survival and growth performance of established plants at field. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different plant spacing on survival and growth parameters of E. grandis at the ages of 4, 17, 34, 56, 66, and 79 months after establishment at Holeta Research Site. The experimental trail was planted at the initial plant spacings of 1.5 m × 1.5 m, 2 m × 2 m, 2.5 m × 2.5 m, and 3 m × 3 m using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replicates. Other than regular management intervention including regular spot hoeing, weeding, and cleaning, the experiment did not receive any other treatment applications. Evaluation was made on survival and growth performance (plant RCD, height, and DBH) at different ages from 4 to 79 months after planting. Except survival percentage, all other variables (plant RCD, height, and DBH) were significantly affected by initial plant spacing. At the age of 56, 66, and 79 months after planting, the closer plant spacing (2 m × 2 m) was most promising in producing optimum plant height and DBH. Overall, our finding confirmed that initial plant spacing has a significant effect on growth performance of E. grandis at Holeta trail site. Evaluation of basic wood properties in relation with spacing or stand density management for quality wood and wood-based production and clear bole formation is suggested.

Improvement of the technological process of obtaining initial pear plants

The process of obtaining initial pear plants is considered. The technological process includes the selection of plants of a certain variety according to pomological, physiological qualities and productivity; diagnostics for the presence of viruses, phytoplasmas and other harmful organisms by ELISA, PCR and indicators testing; in the absence of healthy plants – release from pathogens by methods of thermotherapy, chemotherapy, in vitro culture, magnetotherapy with re-testing. After preliminary testing in greenhouse conditions, candidate plants for initial plants are obtained, which are then subjected to testing using a set of diagnostic methods. Plants free from the main harmful viruses and phytoplasma are transferred to the category of “initial plants”, and if all the tested plants are infected, they are subjected to recovery. Dry air thermotherapy in combination with grafting of apexes on virus-free rootstocks provides the possibility of obtaining healthy plants during one growing season. For chemotherapy, along with reference drugs (ribavirin), the use of phenolic compounds (salicylic, gallic acids) is promising, which can increase the efficiency of plant recovery from viruses by an average of 28–30%, reduce the cost of the recovery process and improve workplace safety. The use of magnetic pulse processing increases the environmental safety of the technology in the absence of the phytotoxic effect. After diagnosis by a complex of methods in the absence of viruses, pear plants receive the category “initial plant” and are further propagated by budding or grafting.

Artificial neural Network-Based LCOH estimation for concentrated solar power plants for industrial process heating applications

A study was condacted to assess the feasibility of a 5MWt solar-only parabolic trough concentrated solar power (CSP) for industrial process heat (IPH) in various locations across Morocco. Furthermore, the initial plant design has been optimized by considering the number of full-load storage hours and the size of the solar field. Additionally, this study employs a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) model, featuring five input parameters(storage hours, solar multiples,Direct Normal Irradiation, latitude, and longitude), two hidden layers, and one output parameter(levelized cost of heat (LCOH)). The model has been trained using Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) training algorithms. According to the study, the Errachidia site was found to be the most efficient location, generating 21983.56 MWhth at a LCOH of 3.31 ¢/kWth for the initial design. The optimal plant design was determined to have a solar multiple of 1.5 across all investigated sites. The statistical analysis revealed that the MLP model proposed in the study, which had 43 neurons in the hidden layer, demonstrates the lowest errors, including the root mean square error (0.0071) and the coefficient of variance (0.1852), and achieved the highest coefficient of determination value (0.99999) during the training process. Furthermore, the disparities in LCOH values between simulated data and the proposed MLP model across six different Moroccan cities, with errors ranging from 0.01% to −4.07%, confirm the reliability of the MLP model for predicting LCOH.

Influence of methods of selection of fiber flax plants (<i>Linum usitatissimum L.</i>) on the quality of renewed seeds

Relevance. The efficiency of creating high-quality renewed fiber flax seeds depends on the methods of selection of initial plants. The development of more advanced methods for selecting the source material, which makes it possible to ensure less laborious creation of the original material, which has a complex of qualitative features and properties, at the initial stages of seed production is relevant and has practical significance.Methods. The experiments were carried out in accordance with the existing methods for laying and conducting experiments with fiber flax, guidelines for the primary seed production of the crop. The varietal quality of the created seed material was evaluated by the soil control method.Results. It is established that the method of selecting plants by the total length of the stem in combination with seeding 200 pcs. germinating seeds per 1 pоg. m row, compared with the selection according to the current method, provided the highest yield of updated flax seeds (91.8 g/m2), the highest uniformity in weight (82%) and density (92%) of the seed, as well as seed strength (2.9 g per 100 seedlings), the mass of 1 cm of the seedling (5.1 mg) while maintaining the required level of sowing and varietal quality of the original material. The advantage of the increased seeding rate (200 seeds/m) in the selection nursery compared to the sowing of 150 seeds with both methods of selecting the source material was revealed. In all variants of the experiment, seeds with a good level of varietal quality were formed. When conducting a production check, the advantage of the selection method for the total length of the stem was confirmed in comparison with the accepted analogue.

Native and non‐native mulch resulted in increased soil moisture and reduced plant recruitment in container plant restoration of coastal sage scrub

One challenge of habitat restoration is establishing healthy native plants that survive, grow, and reproduce. The addition of mulch after initial planting is thought to enhance native plant establishment. In our efforts to restore degraded sites at Crystal Cove State Park in Southern California, we compared two experimental mulch treatments made from native and non‐native plant material to unmulched plots. We planted four different native shrub species: Eriogonum fasciculatum, Malosma laurina, Isocoma menziesii, and Diplacus aurantiacus, and measured plant size, soil moisture, and plant density in the first year. In the second year, the same measurements were taken for I. menziesii and D. aurantiacus, which had greater survivorship in the first year. Our results showed significant differences in plant height, length, and width among the species but not between mulch treatments. However, soil moisture significantly varied between treatments, with native mulch plots having the greatest volumetric water content. In addition, mulch treatments had a significant effect on naturally recruiting plant density, with both mulch treatments having fewer native and non‐native seedling densities compared to control plots. Regarding survivorship, significant differences between species and treatment were observed only in the first year. Our results confirmed that mulch effectively helped retain higher soil moisture. Both locally sourced native and non‐native mulch had this benefit, although native mulch resulted in greater increases in soil moisture. While mulch reduced non‐native plant establishment, it also limited native recruitment, leading us to recommend that mulch be used only during the initial establishment of container plants.

Submergence tolerance and tolerance mechanism: A study on traditional and improved rice genotypes at the seedling stage under complete submergence stress in Sri Lanka

Submergence-tolerant genotypes in rice are essential for flood-prone lands, and recent studies have focused on dissecting tolerance mechanisms considering morphological and physiological changes in the plants upon submergence. Thirty improved rice varieties and sixty-two traditional rice accessions were screened for submergence tolerance under complete 9-day and 14-day submergence stress at the two-week-old seedling stage. The submergence tolerance level of each rice genotype was evaluated according to IRRI guidelines based on survival rates. Accordingly, rice genotypes were categorized into four groups: tolerant, moderately tolerant, moderately susceptible, and highly susceptible. Two Mawee accessions (3704, 3618) were submergence tolerant at 14-day submergence stress. The traditional rice accessions Ratawee3466, Mawee (8552, 4145), and Heenati4935 and improved rice varieties Bw400 were moderately submergence tolerant at 14-day submergence stress. Survival rates of the rice genotypes, their initial plant height, and shoot elongation at 9-day and 14-day submergence stress showed that seedling elongation (escape strategy) or reduction of elongation compared to control plants (quiescence strategy) under submergence stress cannot be used as phenotypic markers for selecting rice genotypes for submergence tolerance in rice. Further, the escape strategy or the quiescence strategy was not unique to the genotype, and the survival strategy of some rice genotypes changed with prolonged submergence stress. The escape strategy tended to be an SOS (Save Our Souls) strategy under prolonged submergence stress from 9 days to 14 days. No correlations between initial plant height and survival rate or survival rate and the height gain or reduction at 9-day and 14-day submergence stress showed that the submergence tolerance mechanism in rice was genotype-specific. The submergence-tolerant and moderately tolerant rice genotypes could be further investigated in future studies.

Exploring the potential of concentrating solar power technologies for vertical farming in arid regions: The case of Western Iraq

Indoor vertical farming can address future food insecurity by reducing land use and environmental dependence positively mitigating the environmental impacts associated with conventional agriculture. However, its high energy consumption and environmental impact raise concerns. This paper explores the use of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) to power vertical farming in Iraq's arid regions, using abundant solar resources to reduce environmental impact and energy costs. The study evaluates the feasibility and benefits of integrating CSP technologies into sustainable agricultural practices, considering factors like implementation costs, energy production, and water usage. The study utilized the system advisor model (SAM) to carry out the techno-economic assessment by relocating existing commercial CSP plant in Seville, Spain to six Iraqi locations, following a comprehensive technical site assessment. The energy production level, capacity factor (CF), and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of the initial Spanish plant were lower than five of the six selected locations. Haditha and Ar Rutbha cities have the highest annual energy output, 123 GWh and 122 GWh, respectively, surpassing Seville's original plant output, which at 110 GWh performed less than Iraq locations. Next, comparisons are made between conventional farming and vertical farming (VF) cultivation. The study focuses on Romaine lettuce as the benchmark crop due to its prevalence in vertical farms and its suitability for arid climates. VF shows the potential to achieve yields between 41 and 68 kg/m2/y, 63 to 104 times higher than conventional farming in Western Iraq. VF's year-round cultivation with artificial lighting results in 83 times greater energy demands, requiring 25 kWh/kg/y. The findings emphasize the potential of CSP technologies to support sustainable agriculture in Iraq's arid regions. These findings demonstrate the possibility of utilizing solar power for sustainable agriculture in Iraq, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions.

DINAMIKA PERTUMBUHAN POHON DI HUTAN RESTORASI BODOGOL TAMAN NASIONAL GUNUNG GEDE PANGRANGO, JAWA BARAT

The Restored Forest (RF) in Bodogol, Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park (GGPNP) is located in the degraded lowland forest area. The Bodogol RF constituted the area of the ecosystem restoration program, where the initial tree planting was carried out by Mrs. Megawati Soekarnoputri the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia. In that restored forest area, a study was conducted by establishing one hektare plots. We recorded 26 tree species and 16 families, including 14 tree species that were used in the restoration, four cultivated species, and eight species that naturally enter the site as new arrival (recruitment). The total basal area was 7.47 m2/Ha and tree density was 256 trees/Ha. The mean diameter growth was 1.78 cm/year, and the highest diameter growth was Hibiscus tilliaceus (2.42 cm/year). The mean total height growth was 0.52 m/year, and the highest was Paraserianthes falcataria (0.85 m/year). The density of Toona sureni was very high (61 trees/Ha) and in the future it ay dominate the forest will, therefore other tree species native to Mt. Gede-Pangrango should be planted to enrich the present restored forest so as to encourage the development of mixed lowland or montane forests similar to the original climax forests with high species diversity. Structurally, about 50 % of the RF has been achieved, but species composition still needs further enrichment either by active intervention of planting native TNGGP species if deemed necessary or by allowing succession to take place naturally, although it will take a very long time.

The Taxonomic Composition Changes of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Residue Composts Induced by Biochar and Calcium Carbonate Application

Plant residues are the main source of humus and some nutrients in soils. The composting of organic waste using modifiers is a promising way to obtain high-quality organic fertilizers. Here, the effect of biochar and calcium carbonate on the abundance and taxonomic composition of bacteria and fungi in mature plant compost has been studied using metagenomic analysis. Plant materials with different initial C:N ratios—low (22, clover), medium (38, rye) and high (68, oats)—served as composting materials in the pot experiment. The plant material mixed with sterile sand was modified by the addition of biochar or calcium carbonate. Both ameliorants increased pH values and humic acid content in composts irrespective of plant material composition. Representatives of the phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota and Firmicutes dominated among bacteria and representatives of the division Ascomycota dominated among fungi in the mature composts, as in the initial plant samples. The abundances of bacteria and fungi in the cereal composts were higher than in the composts with clover. The effect of biochar and calcium carbonate on the number and taxonomic composition of bacteria and fungi in composts from the same plant material was similar, while the effect of reagents in composts from different raw materials was ambiguous. No one dominant group of bacteria was found to develop in response to biochar or calcium carbonate application in any of the types of composts studied. However, the structure of the fungal community both at the phylum and genus levels changed significantly under the influence of these additives. The addition of calcium carbonate and biochar led to an increase in the abundance of the same groups of fungi, but this increase was different for composts made from different plant materials.

Salicylic Acid Improves Cold Resistance of Solanum tuberosum Regenerants via Regulation of the Antioxidant System

Pretreatment of roots with salicylic acid (SA) and its role in control over morphophysiological parameters characterizing cold resistance of plant regenerants were examined in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). It was found that potato plants exposed to low above-zero temperatures (4°C, 3 days) failed to restore initial growth parameters (plant height, leaf surface area, number of stolons, and weight of the organs) and oxidative status (intensity of lipid peroxidation) of the roots and leaves after transfer to favorable conditions (22°C, 10 days). A short-term (4-h-long) pretreatment of the roots with 0.1 μM SA minimized the adverse effect of deferred chilling. SA treatment promoted restoration of the initial plant phenotype after hypothermia, which caused a rise in growth parameters (number and surface area of the leaves and number of stolons) as compared with plants exposed to chilling without SA treatment. It was shown that pretreatment with SA improves cold resistance of potato plants owing to changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and guaiacol-dependent peroxidase) and in the level of nonenzymatic antioxidants (ascorbic acid, anthocyans, total flavonoids and phenolic compounds). Depending on conditions, SA alters the ratio between individual flavonoids in the leaf. An ambiguous response to chilling and SA treatment was observed in two lines of potato regenerants produced by means of in vitro microcloning from the apical and middle part of the shoot, which is probably associated with their differing hormonal status.

Heat unit requirement of sweet corn under different planting methods and dates in temperate Kashmir, India

In order to investigate the "Effect of Establishment method and Planting date on phenology, yield, and agrometeorological indices for sweet corn," a field experiment was carried out at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir Wadura, Sopore experimental farm of the Division of Agronomy, over the course of two sessions in Kharif 2020 and 2021. The experiment had two components: a distinct sowing date with a 20-day interval and two establishment methods (direct seeding and transplanting). The initial planting day was (25th of April, 2nd was 15th of May and third was 5th of June during both the years) Three replications in RCBD were confirmed. Following transplanting with the first date of sowing, direct seeding required the most days to attain different phenological stages and accumulate the most heat units. Transplanting with the initial date of sowing resulted in noticeably greater HUE, HTUE, PTUE, and HyTUE, resulting in the largest green cob and biological yield as compared to other dates of sowing and direct seeding. As a result, given the weather in Kashmir It was discovered that planting on the first day of sowing increased sweet corn yields economically.

Obtaining microcrystalline cellulose based on biodamaged wood as a way to improve the sanitary and forest pathological state of forests

The paper-forming properties of the fibrous suspension and the physical and mechanical characteristics of the finished types of paper largely depend on the type of initial plant material. Depending on what purpose it is necessary to obtain paper, a composition is made from fibrous semi-finished products of plant origin in various proportions. Basically, paper is produced from two, three, or more fibrous semi-finished products, forming a paper composition according to the type of fibers, and sometimes from one fibrous semi-finished product, suitably prepared for this. The properties of the original fibrous semi-finished products to a large extent affect not only the properties of the finished paper, but also determine the technological mode of their processing. This paper shows the possibility of obtaining cellulose from biodamaged wood. The mechanical strength characteristics of the finished castings are analyzed after grinding the fibrous mass on a knifeless grinding plant of the “jet-barrier” type. The conditions for obtaining microcrystalline cellulose from biodamaged wood are determined.

Evaluation of hydrodynamic flows of cellular fluid in artificially formed continuums of plant material structure

Aim. The aim of the research is to evaluate hydrodynamic flows of cellular fluid in artificially formed channels of the structure of plant materials as a result of exposure to atmospheric spark discharge. The article presents some features of the flow of cellular fluid in artificially formed channels of plant materials after passing an atmospheric spark discharge. Expressions of hydrodynamics of idealized physical models are used to describe them. As a confirmation of the received data, the experimental part has been set.The Methods. The authors consider the case when the initial plant material is pre-treated with a spark discharge; its influence arises a new continuum in the structure of the material in the form of a throughinduced channel. Expressions of intracellular fluid outflow time and pressure power based on Poiseuille's law are given for electrically induced channels. The experimental part of the work includes spark discharge treatment of plant material – carrots cut into discs with a diameter of 24 mm and a thickness of 3 and 9 mm to determine the dependence of the amount of released cellular fluid on the duration of the experiment and the discharge current mode.The Results. It has been established that atmospheric spark discharge treatment contributes to the formation of new continuums in the structure of plant materials. With an increase in the intensity of treatment, the area of the moisture trace from the carrot disk increases and, as a result, the amount of released intracellular fluid. For the sake of clarity of the experiments, graphs of the dependence of the processing intensity on the amount of liquid released have been presented, corresponding expressions given.Conclusion. The obtained experimental data and dependencies will be useful when considering more complex mass transfer processes in capillary-porous bodies using preliminary electrophysical processing.

‘Dual Purpose’ Surface Flow Constructed Treatment Wetlands Support Native Biodiversity in Intensified Agricultural Landscapes

In agricultural landscapes, free-water surface flow wetlands (FWS) are constructed mainly to improve water quality; however, their contribution to biodiversity conservation is increasingly recognised. To inform biodiversity management in FWS treating agricultural runoff, we surveyed the vegetation and fauna assemblages in five established FWS in a lowland, pastoral landscape in the central North Island, New Zealand. The FWS had been established for between 3 and 19 years, planted with a restricted range of native plant species, and fenced to exclude livestock access. Larger wetlands hosted significantly more plant and mammal species. However, other than wetland size, we found few other significant relationships between wetland habitat, landscape characteristics, and measures of biodiversity (total species, proportion of native species, number of wetland specialists, or threatened species). We recorded one-hundred and thirteen plant, twenty bird, five mammal, eighty-five terrestrial invertebrates, forty-seven aquatic invertebrates, six fish, and two amphibian species inhabiting the FWS. Native species comprised 96% of the total aquatic invertebrate fauna identified. For other taxa, native flora and fauna accounted for half or less than half of all species identified: 53% terrestrial invertebrates, 50% fish, 45% birds, 32% plants, and 0% amphibian and mammal species. Few wetland specialists (aquatic or wetland-adapted) or threatened native species were detected, probably reflecting the limited range of wetland plant species in initial plantings and the difficulties native taxa face when colonising new habitat where potential reservoirs of colonist species are also depauperate or too distant. FWS support native biodiversity, but further enhancements may require active management of exotic and pest species to minimise competition or predation on native species.