Order Of T2 Research Articles

Effects of mixed substrates of different agricultural and forestry residues on the cutting seedlings of Thuja sutchuenensis.

To screen environment-friendly seedling cultivation substrates which could replace peat and with less cost, we compared the effects of different agricultural and forestry residue mixed substrates on cutting propagation of Thuja sutchuenensis, in an experiment following randomized block design. There were five types of mixed substrates, including peat + vermiculite + perlite (T1), edible mushroom residue (EMR) + vermiculite + perlite (T2), carbo-nized rice husk (CRH) + vermiculite + perlite (T3), EMR + slag + sawdust (T4) and CRH + EMR + slag (T5). The results showed that the bulk density of T3 was the lowest, followed by T2, which significantly differed from other mixed substrates. The non-capillary porosity of T2 was significantly greater than that of T1, while the capillary porosity and the total porosity of T2 was lower than T1 and T3, respectively. T2 had the highest contents of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen, available phosphorus, substrate moisture and the highest pH, which differed significantly from other mixed substrates in most chemical indicators. The membership function values of rooting rate and growth indicators of cuttings with different mixed substrates were in order of T2 > T3 > T1> T5 > T4. Most indicators with larger grey relation values were physical indicators. The top five indicators were capillary water capacity, total potassium, field water capacity, maximum water capacity, and total porosity, with both capillary water capacity and total potassium content ranking first. In general, the physicochemical properties, rooting rate, and growth characteristics of cuttings under T2 were better than those of other mixed substrates. The capillary water capacity and total potassium were the main factors affecting rooting and growth of cuttings. At the early stage of cutting, the physical properties of mixed substrate had greater effect on rooting rate and growth of cuttings than the chemical properties. Overall, our results suggested that T2 should be preferred in the cutting propagation of T. sutchuenensis.

A Comprehensive Study on Redox Behavior and Halogen Exchange in Telluropyran Derivatives

AbstractIncorporation of tellurium into polycyclic compounds may endow them with unique chemical and optoelectronic properties which are not observed in their lighter chalcogen analogues. Herein, a telluropyran‐containing polycyclic compound (T1) synthesized through a ring‐expansion reaction from the corresponding tellurophene analogue can be reversibly oxidized into halogen adducts T1•X2 (X=Cl, Br, I) with the formation of two Te−X bonds. Their chemical structures have been verified by two‐dimensional 1H‐1H correlation spectroscopy and single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The halogen oxidations of T1 and the reverse thermal eliminations as well as the halogen exchange in halogen adducts T1•X2 have been systematically investigated and compared by UV‐vis absorption titration, electrochemical measurements, thermogravimetric analysis, and density functional calculations (DFT). The oxidation of Te(II) in T1 to Te(IV) in T1•X2 results in the switch from aromaticity to nonaromaticity for the six‐membered telluropyran ring, as revealed by nucleus‐independent chemical shift calculations. It is also found that the halides in the halogen adducts can be exchanged by lighter ones, but not vice versa. The stabilities of the oxidized products are in the order of T1•Cl2>T1•Br2>T1•I2, which are consistent with the calculated rate constants and energy barriers of the elimination reactions.

Protein supplement potential of Dodonaea angustifolia leaves by replacing atella on nutrient utilization and performance of Farta sheep fed natural pasture hay basal diet.

BackgroundProtein feed resources for ruminant animal productions are deficit in Ethiopia.ObjectivesTo evaluate the supplementation effects of dried Dodonaea angustifolia leaves (DDL), dried traditional brewery by‐product locally called atella and their mixtures on nutrient utilization and growth performance of Farta sheep fed natural pasture hay (NPH) as basal diet.MethodsTwenty‐five yearling intact male Farta sheep with average initial body weight of 14.53 ± 1.35 kg (mean ± SD) were used for the study. The experimental sheep were allocated into five blocks of five animals based on their initial body weight. The experiment lasted for 90 days of feeding trial followed by 7 days of digestibility trial. The experimental feeds were NPH ad libitum + 100% DDL + 100 g wheat bran (WB; T1), NPH ad libitum + 75% DDL + 25% dried atella + 100 g WB(T2), NPH ad libitum + 50% DDL + 50% deried atella + 100 g WB (T3), NPH ad libitum + 25% DDL +75% dried atella +100 g WB (T4) and NPH ad libitum + 100% dried atella + 100 g WB (T5).ResultsNPH, DDL and dried atella contained 7.42, 15.39, 21.13% crude protein (CP) and 66, 36, 34% neutral detergent fiber, respectively. Sheep supplemented with increasing level of atella had more dry matter intake (DMI) and crude protein intake (CPI) and the highest of these DMI and CPI were in T5 (868 g/d for dry matter and 113 g/d for CP). This progressive increased CPI from T1 up to T5 was reflected in a significant (p < 0.001) fibers and estimated metabolizable energy intake in the order of T5 > T4 > T3 > T2 > T1. Significant difference (p < 0.001) was recorded on nutrient utilization and the highest was for T5 and lowest for T1. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) were significantly (p < 0.001) increased as the atella inclusion level increased. Sheep in T4 and T5 had the highest ADG and FCE with the order of T5 = T4 > T3 > T2 > T1. ADG was correlated positively and highly significant with nutrients intake and digestibility.Conclusion Atella supplementation better than DDL and then their mixture (T2–T4) supplementation could be recommended in sheep fattening in the study area.

Performance of blackhead Ogaden sheep fed different grasses (Chloris gayana, Pennisetum purpureum, Panicum maximum and Cynodon dactylon) basal diets and the same concentrate mixture

A study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding Rhodes grass (RG; Chloris gayana) as treatment 1 (T1), elephant grass (EG; Pennisetum purpureum as T2), guinea grass (GG; Panicum maximum as T3) and bermuda grass (BG; Cynodon dactylon as T4) supplemented with a similar amount of concentrate mixture (CM; wheat bran (WB) and Noug seed cake (NSC) at 67:33 ratio) on performance and economy of fattening of Blackhead Ogaden sheep. The study consisted of a feeding and digestibility trials of 90 and 7 days long, respectively. Twenty-four intact yearling Blackhead Ogaden sheep with an initial body weight (BW) of 15.83±0.04 kg (mean±SD) were used in a randomized complete block design based on their initial BW with four treatments and six replications. All animals received 300 g dry matter (DM) of CM. Nutrient concentration of RG, EG, GG, BG, NSC and WB were 5.5, 8.8, 7.6, 7.9, 24.3 and 14.0% crude protein (CP), and 83.3, 74.5, 75.4, 81.5, 39.0 and 45% neutral detergent fiber, respectively on DM basis. Intake of DM was 696, 700, 719 and 716 g/day (SEM = 0.004) for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively and was lowest for T1 and highest for T3. The CP intake was also lowest for T1 (89 g/day), and similar among the other 3 treatments (99-103 g/day). Digestibility of CP and organic matter were highest for T2, intermediate for T3 and T4 and lowest for T1. Average daily gain was in the order of T2 &gt; T3 = T4 &gt; T1 (27, 63, 50 and 45 g/day (SEM = 13.1) for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively); whereas hot carcass weight did not significantly differ among treatments (5.7, 6.4, 6.1 and 6.3 kg (SEM = 0.36) for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively). Total return, net income and marginal rate of return were all in the order of T2 &gt; T4 &gt; T3 &gt; T1. Therefore, based on biological performance as well as economic return, sheep fed elephant grass perform better. However, variations in performance and economic return among the four grass species needs to be taken cautiously as part of the difference might have attributed to differences in the stage of maturity of the grasses up on harvest for feeding the lambs. Keywords: Blackhead Ogaden sheep, Digestibility, Feed intake, Performance, Weight gain.

Synthesis of phenanthroline-based ligand and its UV activable tetracarbonyl photoCORMs based on chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten as cytotoxic and antimicrobial agents

A phenanthroline-based ligand L1 ((((1,10-phenanthrolin-5-yl)imino)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol) was synthesized and reacted with chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten hexacarbonyl to form ultraviolet (UV) activable photoCORMs C1, M1, and T1, respectively. All compounds were characterized via IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and CHN elemental analyses, and the X-ray crystal structures of L1 and M1 were determined. The half-life of the photoCORMs decreased with an increasing concentration and the rate of CO release increased in the order of T1 < M1 < C1, with C1 having the shortest half-life (7.4 seconds at 60 µM). Both M1 and T1 displayed remarkable stability in 10% DMSO-PBS solution over 48 hours in the dark, whereas C1 showed signs of decomposition. In the absence of UV, all compounds exhibited appreciable cytotoxicity against human-derived colorectal adenocarcinoma HCT 116, with T1 being the most cytotoxic (IC50 5.49 µM). The cytotoxicity of the photoCORMs were elevated substantially after brief exposure to UV light (365 nm), with that of C1 having the most drastic improvement (IC50 from 9.98 to 1.24 µM). Moreover, all compounds were selective towards HCT 116 while being relatively less toxic against normal human colon fibroblast CCD-18Co. Furthermore, all compounds were generally not active in the bactericidal and growth inhibitory effects against the tested bacteria and fungi when UV light is absent, except for L1 that exhibited notable activity against B. cereus, B. subtilis, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and S. flexneri (MIC ≤ 12.5 mg/ml). In contrast, the photoCORMs showed significant improvement in the growth inhibitory effect against several microbes in the presence of UV light, viz., B. cereus, B. subtilis, methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (ATCC 29213 and 33591 strain), and S. flexneri, while no notable improvement in the bactericidal effect was shown.

Effects of post-heat treatment on microstructure, tensile properties, and bending properties of extruded AZ80 alloy

This study investigates the effects of post-heat treatments on microstructural characteristics, uniaxial tensile properties, and three-point bending properties of an extruded AZ80 alloy. The as-extruded material (no heat treatment) has a fine recrystallized grain structure containing Mg17Al12 precipitates formed along grain boundaries. During the 10-h 400 °C treatment in Ar–SF6 (treatment T4), precipitates fully dissolved into the matrix and grain coarsening occurred with a decrease in the dislocation density. Since the as-extruded material has a higher dislocation density, it exhibited accelerated precipitation behavior during aging; consequently, its peak aging time was shorter than that of the T4 material. The peak-aged, as-extruded material (15-h at 200 °C, treatment T5) and peak-aged T4 material (30-h at 200 °C, treatment T6), i.e., T5 and T6 materials, respectively, have higher tensile strengths and lower elongations than the as-extruded and T4 materials owing to the presence of more abundant Mg17Al12 precipitates in the former two materials. The tensile yield strengths of the materials are on the order of T5 > T6 > as-extruded > T4. This order is related to the differences in grain size and precipitate amount. The bending yield strengths of the as-extruded, T4, T5, and T6 materials are linearly proportional to their tensile yield strengths and their bending formability linearly increased with the tensile elongation. The relations between the tensile and bending properties of the materials are attributed to the occurrence of macrocracking in the outer region of the bending specimen, where the tensile stress along the longitudinal direction is dominant.

Effect of different biochar application rates on soil organic carbon in the semi-arid Loess Plateau, China

ABSTRACT Biochar plays an important role in improving soil quality and carbon (C) sequestration. However, the effects of different biochar application rates on soil organic C content and its fractions in the Loess Plateau of northwest China are still unclear. In this work, six biochar treatments were studied, with application rates of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 t·ha−1 (CK, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively). Soil total organic C (TOC), readily oxidizable C (ROC), water-soluble organic C (WSOC), microbial biomass C (MBC), light fraction organic C (LFOC), heavy fraction organic C (HFOC) and the Carbon pool management index (CPMI) in the 0–30 cm layer were analyzed after 3 years of wheat field trials. The content of soil TOC and its fractions decreased with soil depth but was significantly (p < .05) increased by biochar. TOC, ROC and HFOC showed significant (p < .05) positive correlations with the rate of biochar application, with the highest content of these components in T5. MBC, WSOC and LFOC first increased and then decreased with the increasing rate of biochar application. MBC and WSOC of T3 and LFOC of T4 were the highest of all treatments. When compared with CK, the CPMI of all biochar treatments was >100% in the order of T5 > T4 > T3 > T2 > T1. This study provides scientific support for large-scale biochar application on the Loess Plateau to significantly improve soil quality via increasing the soil organic C fractions and enhancing the inert soil C pool.

Effects of different integration of water and fertilizer modes on the absorption and utilization of nitrogen fertilizer and fruit yield and quality of apple trees

We examined nitrogen use efficiency of 15N-urea of 15-year-old 'Gala' apple trees by broadcast fertilization (T1), nitrogen fertilization with drip irrigation (T2) and nitrogen fertilization with subsurface irrigation (T3), to further improve the water and fertilizer integration technology for apple orchard and to improve nitrogen utilization efficiency. The results showed that leaf area, chlorophyll, and leaf nitrogen content of leaves were significantly higher in T3 treatment than those in T1 and T2 treatments. Soil mineral nitrogen content (20-40 cm) in each period followed the order of T3>T2>T1, while that in 0-20 cm followed an order of T2>T3>T1. The Ndff value at organ level (the contribution rate of the 15N amount absorbed by various organs of the tree to the total nitrogen content of the organ) was the highest in T3 treatment in each period, followed by T2 and T1 treatments. The utilization rate of 15N in the fruit ripening period followed an order of T3>T2>T1. The 15N utilization rate of T3 reached 24.2%, being 1.19 and 1.65 times of T2 and T1, respectively. The 15N distribution rate in the fruits during the fruit maturity stage was the highest in T1 treatment, while that in the storage organs was the highest in T2 treatment and that in the reproduction organs was the highest in T3 treatment. The single fruit weight, yield, soluble solids, hardness, soluble sugar and sugar-acid ratio were the highest in T3 treatment, followed by T2 and T1 treatments. In summary, nitrogen application by percolation irrigation (subsurface application) significantly promoted leaf growth and nitrogen utilization of apple tree, and improved fruit yield and quality.

Impact of post fermentation cooling patterns on fatty acid profile, lipid oxidation and antioxidant features of cow and buffalo milk set yoghurt

In the manufacturing of set yoghurt, after reaching 4.6 pH, post fermentation cooling is applied to stop the bacterial activity. Depending upon the required textural and flavor attributes, one phase and two phase cooling patterns are accordingly selected. In one phase cooling, temperature of the yoghurt is rapidly decreased below 10 °C using blast freezing and then it is gradually dropped to 4-5 °C. In two phase cooling, temperature of yogurt is rapidly decreased to less than 20 °C and then it is gradually decreased to 4-5 °C. These cooling phases have a significant impact on textural and flavor perspectives of yoghurt. It is necessary to study the impact of industrially adopted cooling patterns on fatty acid profile, antioxidant characteristics, lipid oxidation and sensory characteristics of cow and buffalo milk set yoghurt. This experiment was organized in a completely randomized design and every treatment was replicated five times to minimize the variation. Whole cow and buffalo milk without any standardization were converted to set yoghurt (400 g cups) using Strepotococcus thermophillus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus as starter bacteria. After reaching 4.6 pH, cow and buffalo yoghurt samples were exposed to three different cooling patterns. In first trial, samples of cow and buffalo yoghurt were cooled from 43 °C to 25 °C in 1 h and finally cooled to 4-5 °C in another hr. (T1). In second trial, samples were cooled from 43 °C to 18 °C in 1 hr. and finally cooled down to 4-5 °C in another 1 h. (T2). In third trial, samples were cooled from 43 °C to 4-5 °C in 2 h (T1). Alteration in fatty acid profile, total antioxidant capacity, reducing power, free fatty acids, peroxide value, conjugated dienes, vitamin A, E, color and flavor of cow and buffalo yoghurt samples were assessed for 20 days at the frequency of 10 days. All the three cooling patterns had a non-significant effect on compositional attributes of yoghurt. Buffalo milk yogurt had higher percentage of fat, protein and total solids than yoghurt prepared from cow milk (p T2 > T3 with no difference in color and flavor score till 10 days of storage. Results of current investigation indicated that milk type and post fermentation cooling patterns had a pronounced effect on antioxidant characteristics, fatty acid profile, lipid oxidation and textural characteristics of yoghurt. Buffalo milk based yoghurt had more fat, protein, higher antioxidant capacity and vitamin content. Antioxidant and sensory characteristics of T1 were optimum till 10 days of storage.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Forage Production and Nutritive Nalue of Geukdong 6, Teosinte Hybrid 〔&lt;i&gt;Zea mays&lt;/i&gt; L. subsp. &lt;i&gt;mexicana&lt;/i&gt; (Schrad.) H. H. Iltis〕

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different nitrogen levels on the yield and nutrient quality of a newly developed domestic hybrid of Teosinte, Geukdong 6〔Zea mays L. subsp. mexicana (Schrad.) H. H. Iltis〕. The field experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replicates and consisted of four nitrogen (N) application rates, T1 (200 kg/ha), T2 (300 kg/ha), T3 (400 kg/ha), and T4 (500 kg/ha). No differences were found in plant length, leaf length, leaf width, leaf number, dead leaves, stem hardness, tiller number, and fresh yield (p>0.05). The T3 showed significantly greater dry matter yield at harvest (heading stage) compared to the other treatments (p 0.05). The sugar content was higher in the T2 treatment than the other treatments (p 0.05). Na content was higher in order of T2 > T4 > T3 > T1 (p 0.05). Given these results, we recommend the amount of nitrogen fertilization necessary for “Geukdong 6” to be around 400 kg per ha (T3), when considering, high fresh yield, dry matter yield, number of leaves and content of crude protein.

Effect of Commercial and Non-conventional Feeds, Leaves of Indigenous and Improved Multipurpose Tree Supplementation on Feed Intake, Digestibility and Growth Performance of Sheep

Background: Acute shortage of feed and very poor quality of the available feeds during the dry season are the prime limiting factors for increasing the production and productivity of small ruminants in most agroecological zones of Ethiopia. Thus, the study evaluated the effect of concentrate mixture of wheat bran and Sesame seed cake (T1), Atella (T2), Faidherbia albida (T3) and Sesbania sesban leaves (T4) on feed intake, digestibility, body weight change and economical profitability of local sheep. Methods: Twenty-four yearling intact local male sheep with mean Initial Body Weight (IBW) of 18 ±1.55 kg (mean ± SD) were used for the experiment. The study was conducted using randomized complete block design and sheep were blocked into six based on their IBW. Sheep within a block were randomly assigned to treatments. The experiment had 90 days feeding trial and 7 days digestibility trial after 15 and 3 days acclimatization period, respectively. The amount of supplements offered was 300 (T1), 330 (T2), 360 (T3) and 280 (T4) g/day on DM basis, each calculated to supply 73.6 g/day Crude Protein (CP). Results: Hay intake in T1, T2 and T4 (397˗400 ±1.44g/day) were significantly (P &lt; 0.001) higher than T3 (375±1.44 g/day). Total DM intake was in the order of T2 = T3&gt;T1&gt; T4 (p&lt;0.001) (698, 730, 735 and 677 g/day for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Digestibility of CP was in the order of T1 &gt; T2&gt;T4 &gt; T3 (p&lt;0.001), while the value in T2 differed only with T3 (75.6, 73.4, 60.2 and 67.9 for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively). Average Daily Gain (ADG) was 50, 45, 38 and 42 g/day for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively and differed only between T1 and T3. The partial budget analysis indicated that, sheep supplemented with Atella returned higher net income (5.46 US$) than T1 (1.93 US$), T3 (2.56 US$) and T4 (3.2 US$); similarly, MRR was also higher in T2 (93.7%) compared to T3 (56.1%) and T4 (50.4%). Conclusion: Sheep producers can use the supplement feeds in the order of T2, T4 and T3, respectively, based on their availability.

Assessment of Anaerobic Co-Digestion Effects of Maize Cob and Poultry Manure on Biogas Yields and Their Digestate Characteristics

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the effects of anaerobic co-digestion of maize cob and poultry manure on biogas yields and their digestate characteristics.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Department of Forestry Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Jos between March and April, 2018.&#x0D; Methodology: Slurries of five co-substrate treatment ratios viz 0:1(T1), 1:3(T2), 1:1(T3), 3:1(T4) and 1:0(T5) of these wastes (in three replicates) were separately fed to 13.6L locally made batch-digesters. The anaerobic reactors were monitored for a 56 day retention period. Weekly biogas yields and some digestate characteristics were measured by standard methods.&#x0D; Results: The cumulative biogas yields was in the order of T3(2481.3 mL/kg) &gt;TI(2197.9 mL/kg) &gt; T4(2163.0 mL/kg) &gt; T2(2116.3 mL/kg) &gt;T5(1713.2 mL/kg), in favor of the mixed substrates. While the percentage C:N reductions ranged from (12.94% - 81.80%), with T5 and T1 recording the highest and lowest values respectively. The chemical oxygen demand removal was in the order of T3(80.70%) &gt; T4(58.00%) &gt;T5(46.81%) &gt;T1(34.15%) &gt;T2(13.16%). The anaerobic digestion (AD) effected reductions in Mg, C, Ca, P, Mn, Zn, Fe, Pb and increase in Cu contents of the digestates across treatments. While the K contents increased in T2(36.72%), T3(229.79%) and T4(220.51%); %N in T3(9.94%), T4(113.19%) and T5(291.84%) and Na increased only in T4(4.55%). The Cu contents indicated % increase in the order of T5(487.5%) &gt;T3(270.97%) &gt;T2(268.10%) &gt;T4(43.66%) &gt;T1(35.82%).&#x0D; Conclusion: The anaerobic co-digestion of these organic wastes had unlocked the alternative energy potentials, enhanced the bioremediation tendency, while promoting sustainable public health and environmental management.

English

The study was conducted with the objective of determining the carcass characteristics of Begait sheep fed hay basal diet and supplemented with different levels of Tsara (Pterocarpus lucens) leaves, pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) leaves and concentrate mixture on iso-nitrogenous basis to supply 66.60 g/day crude protein on dry matter (DM) basis. Twenty five yearling male Begait sheep with initial body weight (BW) of 24.2&plusmn;1.1 kg (Mean&plusmn;SD) were used in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) based on their initial BW. The hay was fed on ad libitum basis to all sheep. Treatments were hay alone (T1) or supplemented with 400 g DM Tsara leaf (T2), 320 g DM pigeon pea leaf (T3), 360 g DM&nbsp; mixtures of Tsara and pigeon pea leaves (T4) and 300 g DM concentrate mixture (75% rice bran and 25% sesame seed cake; T5). The study consisted of 90 days feeding trial and carcass evaluation at the end. The average final body weight was 32.2, 31.6, 27.76, 28 and 26.88 kg (standard error of mean, SEM = 0.38) in the order of T5 &gt; T2 &gt; T3 = T4 &gt; T1. Hot carcass weight of 14.9, 14.3, 11.3, 11.2 and 9.5 (SEM = 0.33) followed almost a similar trend to that of the final body weight except that values for T2 and T5 were similar. In conclusion, based on the biological performance results supplementation of concentrate mixture (T5) and Tsara (T2) induced a comparable response and were better than the supplemental regimes that contained pigeon pea and are therefore recommended. Key words: Begait sheep, dressing percentage, edible offal components, empty body weight hot carcass weight, non-edible offal components, rib eye muscle area, slaughter weight. &nbsp

English

The study was conducted with the objective of measuring feed intake, digestibility, and growth performance of Begait sheep fed hay basal diet and supplemented with different levels of Tsara (Pterocarpus lucens) leaves, Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) leaves and concentrate mixture on iso-nitrogenous basis to supply 66.60 g/day crude protein (CP) on dry matter (DM) basis. Twenty five yearling male Begait sheep with initial body weight (BW) of 24.2±1.1 kg (Mean±standard deviation, SD) were used in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) based on their initial BW. The hay was fed to all sheep on ad libitum basis. Treatments were hay alone (T1), or supplemented with 400 g DM Tsara (P. lucens) leaf (T2), 320 g DM pigeon pea (C. cajan) leaf (T3), 360 g DM mixtures of Tsara (P. lucens) and pigeon pea (C. cajan) leaves (T4) and 300 g DM concentrate mixture (75% rice bran and 25% sesame seed cake; T5). The study consisted of 90 days feeding and 7 days of digestibility trials. Hay DM intake ranged from 850 to 985 g/day and was the highest for T1, while total DM intake was the highest for T2 (1299 g/day), lowest for T1 (985 g/day) and intermediate for the other three treatments (1143-1202 g/day). The CP intake was higher (P T2 (72%) > T4 (65%) while the value for T3 (66.4%) was similar with that of T2 and T4. The average daily gain (ADG) was 31, 85, 52, 54 and 107 g/day (SEM = 1.83) in the order of T5 > T2 > T3 = T4 > T1. In conclusion, based on the biological performance results supplementation of concentrate mixture (T5) and Tsara (T2) (P. lucens) leaf induced a comparable response of feed intake, digestibility and body weight gain and were better than the supplemental feeds that contained Pigeon pea and are therefore recommended. Key words: Average daily gain, feed conversion efficiency, nutrient intake.

Phytoremediation of nickel polluted ecosystem through selected ornamental plant species in the presence of bacterium Kocuria rhizophila

The present study was conducted to find out the role of Consolida ambigua and Calendula officinalis L. ornamental plants along with Kocuria rhizophila bacterium in phytoremediation of the nickel contaminated soil. One group of ornamental plants was grown in control environment (C), while the other groups were subjected to stress conditions i.e., Treatment with Bacteria (T1), Treatment with Bacteria + Chelator (T2) and Treatment with Chelator (T3). Nickel Chloride (100 mg/kg) and citric acid (5 mM) were applied when the plant species started its normal photosynthetic activity. Preliminary results showed that plant biomass i.e., plant height (cm), fresh and dry weights (g), proline content (µg/g) and photosynthetic pigments (mg/g) were significantly increased with co-application of bacteria and citric acid as compared to non-inoculated and inoculated plant species. The growth pattern observed in order of T2 > T1 > T3 > C. The statistical significant growth with T2 at p ≤ 0.05 suggested the role of Consolida ambigua and Calendula officinalis L. ornamental plants in association with Kocuria rhizophila bacterium were beneficial for phyto-extraction purposes. It was concluded that the aforementioned plants can safely be grown for phytoremediation purposes to reduce soil pollution in term of heavy metal accumulation.

Mechanism and outcome of aerobic composting of poultry excreta using sawdust during summers

To understand the mechanism of aerobic composting of poultry excreta due to C: N ratio, under Indian conditions, meshed iron wire made bins (1.2 × 1.2 × 1.2 cum) were used. The initial C: N ratio was adjusted by using saw dust at 15: 1 (T1); 20: 1 (T2); 25: 1 (T3) and 30: 1 (T4). The moisture content was 45–50%. Crude poultry excreta without sawdust acted as control (T0) whose initial C: N ratio was 10: 1. Parameters recorded were bin temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), proximate composition, C: N ratio, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, microbial profile, germination potential, input-output costs, etc. Thermophilic phase and bin temperature were significantly higher (P<0.01) in all treated groups than control. pH and EC were significantly higher (P<0.01) in T0 than treated groups. Significantly (P<0.01) lower ash and higher organic matter were estimated in T2, T3 and T4 groups than T0 and T1. C: N ratio, N and P content was significantly higher in T3 and T4 than the remaining groups. E. coli was not detected in the finished compost of all treated groups. Gram seed germination (%) was better in treated groups than control. Value addition was in order of T1, T3, T2 and T4. It was concluded that composting poultry excreta with 1: 25 to 1: 30 C: N ratio resulted in better manure production and bio-safety along with higher income generation from invaluable excreta.

Effects of Real-time Location-specific Drip Irrigation Scheduling on Water Use, Plant Growth, Nutrient Accumulation, and Yield of Florida Fresh-market Tomato

Florida is the largest fresh-market tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)–producing state in the United States. Although vegetable production requires frequent water supply throughout the crop production cycle to produce maximum yield and ensure high-quality produce, overirrigation can reduce crop yield and increase negative environmental consequences. This study was conducted to evaluate and compare irrigation schedules by a real-time and location-specific evapotranspiration (ET)-based SmartIrrigation Vegetable App (SI) with a historic ET-based schedule (HI). A field study was conducted on drip-irrigated, fresh-market tomato during the Fall of 2015 and Spring of 2016 on a Florida sandy soil. The two scheduling methods (SI and HI) were evaluated for irrigation water application, plant biomass accumulation, nutrient uptake and partitioning, and yield in open-field tomato production. Treatments included 100% HI (T1); 66% SI (T2); 100% SI (T3); and 150% SI (T4). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates per treatment during the two production seasons. In both seasons, depth of irrigation water applied increased in the order of T2 &lt; T3 &lt; T1 &lt; T4. Total water savings was greater for T3 schedule compared with T1 schedule at 22% and 16% for fall and spring seasons, respectively. No differences were observed among treatments for tomato biomass accumulation at all sampling periods during both seasons. However, T3 resulted in significantly greater total marketable yield compared with other treatments in both seasons. The impact of irrigation application rate was greater in fruit and leaf nitrogen accumulation compared with that of stem and root biomass. Based on the plant performance and water savings, this study concludes that under a sandy soil condition, a real-time location-specific irrigation scheduler improves irrigation scheduling accuracy in relation to actual crop water requirement in open-field tomato production.

Response of Growth and Yield of Potato to Neb-26 as a Source of Nitrogen

This Urea is a vital source of nitrogen (N) to be supplied for plants but most of it is lost through processes including volatilization, denitrification, leaching and run-off. So, it is timely to find out an alternative source of nitrogen fertilizer. A field experiment was, therefore, carried out at Soil Science Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during 2016-2017 with a view to investigating the effectiveness of NEB-26 (a liquid N fertilizer introduced by Advanced Chemical Industries (ACI) Limited) in combination with urea on the growth and yield of potato. The soil was silt loam in texture having a pH 6.4, organic matter 1.55%, total N 0.091%, available P 3.30 mg kg-1, available K 0.08 me 100-1 g soil, available S 6.46 mg kg-1 and available Zn 0.86 mg kg-1. The experiment consisted of five treatments laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. The treatments were T1: Control (no N fertilizer), T2: 100% N from urea, T3: 50% N from urea, T4: 50% N from urea + 500 ml ha-1 NEB-26 and T5: 50% N from urea + 750 ml ha-1 NEB-26. The potato variety used in the experiment was ‘Diamant’. The recommended doses of N (140 kg ha-1), P (25 kg ha-1), K (135 kg ha-1) and S (15 kg ha-1) were supplied from urea, TSP, MoP and gypsum, respectively. All the fertilizers except urea were applied as basal dose. Urea was applied in three installments and the NEB-26 was applied as per treatment at the time of second installment of urea application. The crop was harvested at maturity and the yield components and yields were recorded. The results indicate that the yield attributes, tuber yield and haulm yield of potato were significantly influenced by N supplied from urea and NEB-26. The tuber yield varied from 10.83 t ha-1 in T1 (Control) to 23.20 t ha-1 in T2 (100% N from urea). The maximum tuber yield (23.20 t ha-1) was recorded in T2 (100% N from urea) which was statistically similar to T4: 50% N from urea + 500 ml ha-1 NEB-26. Based on tuber yield, the treatments can be ranked in the order of T2 >T4 > T3 >T5 >T1. The N content and uptake by both potato tuber and haulm were also influenced significantly by N supplied from urea and NEB-26. From the overall results, it can be concluded that the NEB-26 can be used in combination with urea for potato production and the use of NEB-26 can reduce about 30% N without reducing potato tuber yield.

Evaluation of desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) hay as a basal diet for growing local sheep in Ethiopia

The study was conducted to determine feed intake, digestibility, and body weight (BW) change of Washera sheep fed on desho grass and natural pasture hay as a basal diet and supplemented with concentrate mixtures. Twenty-five intact male sheeps with body weight of 19.4 ± 1.89 kg (mean ± SD) were used in randomized complete block design. The dietary treatments were 100% natural pasture hay (NPH) (T1), 75% NPH + 25% desho grass hay (DGH) (T2), 50% NPH + 50% DGH (T3), 25% NPH + 75% DGH (T4), and 100% DGH (T5). Equal amount of concentrate mixture (CM) (300 g DM/day/h) was supplemented in all of the five treatments. The result of laboratory chemical analysis revealed that the CP content of the basal diets increased with increased proportion of desho grass hay inclusion in the treatments at the expense of natural pasture hay. Total DM, OM, CP, NDF, and ADF intake and digestibility was significant (P < 0.05) and in the increasing order of T1 < T2 < T3 < T4 < T5. The average daily body weight gain (ADG) of experimental sheep was significantly (P < 0.05) higher as proportion of desho grass increased from 0 to 100% in the basal diet. The result indicated that desho grass can be used as a basal diet for local sheep with better performance than natural pasture hay-based diets.

Enhancement of nitrate removal in constructed wetlands utilizing a combined autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrification technology for treating hydroponic wastewater containing high nitrate and low organic carbon concentrations

To enhance the nitrate removal in constructed wetlands (CWs) for treating hydroponic wastewater discharged from greenhouses, the effectiveness of HF (horizontal flow)-HF hybrid CWs utilizing a combined sulfur-based autotrophic (based on the optimum conditions from batch experiment) and heterotrophic denitrification was evaluated for treating hydroponic wastewater containing high nitrate and low organic carbon concentrations. The optimum ratio of sulfur: limestone:immobilized bead with Thiobacillus denitrificans (T. denitrificans) was found to be 3:1:4; the optimum initial cell density was above 1×106cells; the optimum temperature was 25–35°C; and the optimum sulfur sources were thiosulfate and elemental sulfur to effectively treat hydroponic wastewater utilizing autotrophic denitrification with T. denitrificans in batch experiments. In the HF–HF CWs utilizing the combined autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrification, the average removal efficiencies of nitrate were higher in the order of T2 (71.5%, thiosulfate treatment—combination of heterotrophic and autotrophic denitrification) >T3 (66.6%, element sulfur treatment—combination of heterotrophic and autotrophic denitrification) ≫T1 (43.0%, control—heterotrophic denitrification only). In the HF–HF CWs, the maximum nitrate removal efficiency by the thiosulfate treatment was slightly greater than that by the treatment with elemental sulfur, whereas the sulfate production influence on autotrophic denitrification by elemental sulfur (SO42−: 89.1mgL−1) was lower as compared to thiosulfate (SO42−: 38.3mgL−1). Because the sulfate production is an important factor to meet acceptable drinking water quality discharge standard (Sulfate concentration in the effluent was below 250 in US EPA, and 200mgL−1 in South Korea), elemental sulfur was a more suitable sulfur source in HF–HF hybrid CWs. Overall, a combined process of using E/L/B (element sulfur/limestone/immobilized bead with T. denitrificans) column in HF–HF hybrid CWs would promote autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrification. Therefore, a combined autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrification process in HF–HF CWs would be more suitable than the heterotrophic denitrification alone (conventional technology in CWs) for treating nitrate in hydroponic wastewater since hydroponic wastewater contains little organic carbon.