Growth Yield Research Articles

Soil Nitrogen Fertility Influences the Growth and Yield of American Elderberry but Is Less Impactful than Genotype and Environment on Other Horticultural Characteristics

A long-term horticultural experiment was conducted at two geographically distinct sites in southern Missouri in 2011–15 to study the response of American elderberry [Sambucus nigra (L.) subsp. canadensis (L.) Bolli] to various soil nitrogen (N) fertilizer levels. Three commercially available elderberry cultivars (‘Adams II’, ‘Bob Gordon’, and ‘Wyldewood’) were used. The three cultivars were each assigned to 16 of 48 four-plant plots in a completely randomized manner at each site. Four replications of four N fertilizer treatments (0, 56, 112, 169 kg⋅ha−1 N) were randomly assigned to each cultivar’s plots and applied for 4 years (2012–15). Fruit yields, plant growth, phenology, and pest incidence were determined each year. Fruit quality was assessed by analyzing basic juice characteristics as well as organic acids, carbohydrates, anthocyanins, and polyphenols from 2012–14 samples. Leaf tissue analysis determined the plants’ mineral contents in 2012–14. Most factors evaluated were significantly affected by site, year, and cultivar, whereas the effects of N fertilizer treatment were less definitive. Fruit yields and plant growth increased with increasing N levels. For example, plants fertilized with 0, 56, 112, and 169 kg⋅ha−1 N produced 123, 137, 155, and 161 fruiting cymes per plot (5.8 m2), respectively. The eriophyid mite incidence was higher on fertilized plants, but other pests were not influenced by the N treatment. Basic fruit juice characteristics (soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, polyphenols) were not influenced by the N treatment, whereas total anthocyanins were statistically higher in unfertilized plants. Levels of organic acids and carbohydrates in juice varied statistically among N treatments, but patterns were difficult to discern. Leaf N concentrations were correlated with N fertilizer levels—2.75% N with the highest fertilizer level compared with 2.55% N in unfertilized plants. Leaf levels of most other macronutrients varied, but consistent patterns did not emerge, and none of the micronutrients was different among N treatments. Although elderberry plants responded positively to increased N fertilizer levels in terms of plant growth and fruit yield, genetics (cultivar) and environment (site, year) were more influential on most other experimental factors evaluated.

Stochastic Optimization of the Management Schedule of Korean Pine Plantations

Korean pine is one of the most important tree species in northeastern China, where Korean pine plantations produce timber and edible seeds. Often, seeds create more income than timber. Predicting the timber and cone yields of alternative management schedules of the plantations involves uncertainty because the future climatic conditions for tree growth and cone production are unknown. This study developed a simulation model that generates stochastic variation around the predictions of tree growth and cone yield models, allowing the forest manager to seek cutting schedules that maximize the expected amounts of timber or cones, or the expected economic profit, under uncertain future states of nature. Stochastic analysis also facilitates management optimizations for different risk attitudes. The differential evolution algorithm and the developed stochastic simulation model were used to optimize the management of planted Korean pine. Timber and cone yields of a management schedule were calculated under 100 different scenarios for tree growth and cone production. When the growth and cone yield scenarios were stationary (no temporal trends), the optimal management schedules were similar to those of deterministic optimization. The benefits of stochastic optimization increased when it was assumed that the tree growth scenarios may contain climate-change-induced trends. Non-stationary growth variation led to shorter optimal rotation lengths than stationary growth variation. Increasing risk tolerance shortened optimal rotations.

Isolation of the inorganic phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria Lysinibacillus sphaericus and assessing its role in promoting rice growth.

Soluble phosphorus scarcity severely limits plant growth and crop yield. In this study, a strain of inorganic phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria, Lysinibacillus sphaericus, was isolated from rice rhizosphere soil. The available phosphorus content in liquid inorganic phosphorus identification medium and in L. sphaericus-inoculated soil increased from 204.28mg/L to 1124.68mg/L and from 4.75mg/kg to 7.04mg/kg, respectively. The pH decreased significantly from 6.87 to 6.14. Incubation with L. sphaericus significantly increased malic and succinic acid content in the liquid inorganic phosphorus identification medium and increased acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activity in the soil. Inoculation with L. sphaericus significantly increased rice growth, chlorophyll a/b content, and photosynthesis by increasing the soluble phosphorus content in the rice rhizosphere soil under phosphorus-deficient conditions. Further analysis revealed that L. sphaericus improved soil phosphorus release by decreasing soil pH and promoting acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activity. This study supports the production of microbial fertilizers to improve rice yield in phosphorus-deficient conditions.

Elevated Temperature Effects on Protein Turnover Dynamics in Arabidopsis thaliana Seedlings Revealed by 15N-Stable Isotope Labeling and ProteinTurnover Algorithm

Global warming poses a threat to plant survival, impacting growth and agricultural yield. Protein turnover, a critical regulatory mechanism balancing protein synthesis and degradation, is crucial for the cellular response to environmental changes. We investigated the effects of elevated temperature on proteome dynamics in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings using 15N-stable isotope labeling and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry, coupled with the ProteinTurnover algorithm. Analyzing different cellular fractions from plants grown under 22 °C and 30 °C growth conditions, we found significant changes in the turnover rates of 571 proteins, with a median 1.4-fold increase, indicating accelerated protein dynamics under thermal stress. Notably, soluble root fraction proteins exhibited smaller turnover changes, suggesting tissue-specific adaptations. Significant turnover alterations occurred with redox signaling, stress response, protein folding, secondary metabolism, and photorespiration, indicating complex responses enhancing plant thermal resilience. Conversely, proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism and mitochondrial ATP synthesis showed minimal changes, highlighting their stability. This analysis highlights the intricate balance between proteome stability and adaptability, advancing our understanding of plant responses to heat stress and supporting the development of improved thermotolerant crops.

Polymeric Nanoparticles for Wound Healing.

Skin injury is one of the most prevalent lesions in humans, and many such wounds, including deep burns and chronic skin wounds, are notoriously difficult to heal. It has been established by medical practitioners that current wound therapies are not perfectly effective and are far from satisfactory. Meanwhile, nanotechnologies have made it possible to develop pharmaceutical formulations that can elevate the effectiveness of conventional pharmacotherapies to entirely new heights. Most nanostructured biomaterials used to treat wounds, including those that have helped establish this fascinating subject, have been polymeric. The bibliographic analysis presented here shows a steady growth in the research output of studies on the use of polymeric nanoparticles in wound healing therapies. This article provides an overview of polymeric nanoparticles for the treatment of wounds with an emphasis on different chemistries and polymer-drug combinations that have been proven the most effective. The wound age, pathophysiology, wound healing treatments of the present and past, as well as the physicochemical nature and methods for the synthesis of polymeric nanoparticles, are all covered in the opening parts of the review. The existing polymeric nano-drug delivery systems with the greatest promise for wound healing and skin regeneration are subsequently addressed and their potentials summarized.

Phenotypical and biochemical characterization of tomato plants treated with triacontanol.

Biostimulants are heterogeneous products designed to support plant development and to improve the yield and quality of crops. Here, we focused on the effects of triacontanol, a promising biostimulant found in cuticle waxes, on tomato growth and productivity. We examined various phenological traits related to vegetative growth, flowering and fruit yield, the metabolic profile of fruits, and the response of triacontanol-treated plants to salt stress. Additionally, a proteomic analysis was conducted to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying triacontanol action. Triacontanol application induced advanced and increased blooming without affecting plant growth. Biochemical analyses of fruits showed minimal changes in nutritional properties. The treatment also increased the germination rate of seeds by altering hormone homeostasis and reduced salt stress-induced damage. Proteomics analysis of leaves revealed that triacontanol increased the abundance of proteins related to development and abiotic stress, while down-regulating proteins involved in biotic stress resistance. The proteome of the fruits was not significantly affected by triacontanol, confirming that biostimulation did not alter the nutritional properties of fruits. Overall, our findings provide evidence of the effects of triacontanol on growth, development, and stress tolerance, shedding light on its mechanism of action and providing new insights into its potential in agricultural practices.

Foliar Application of Seaweed Extract and Micronutrients on Plant Growth and Yield of Strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa Duch) CV. Winter Dawn

The review summarizes the findings from recent studies, assessing the impact of foliar application of seaweed extracts and micronutrients on strawberry plants. Improvements in growth parameters, nutrient uptake, TSS, and yield attributes were observed. The study also determines whether adding seaweed extracts and micronutrients to strawberry growth methods can improve plant performance in general and fruit yield in particular. Minerals, amino acids, and plant growth regulators are among the bioactive substances found in seaweed extracts that have been shown to have a positive impact on a number of plant physiological functions. Furthermore, vitamin shortages might result in decreased growth and yield because they are essential to the plant's metabolic processes. The combination of micronutrients and seaweed extract has synergistic effects that offer a promising way to boost the general health and yield of strawberry crops.

Output Growth Volatility, Remittances, and Financial Development in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Region: A System Generalized Method of Moments Approach

Output Growth Volatility, Remittances, and Financial Development in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Region: A System Generalized Method of Moments Approach

Performance of Halo-Alkali-Tolerant Endophytic Bacteria on Hybrid Pennisetum and Bacterial Community under Varying Soil Conditions

Halo-alkali soil threatens agriculture, reducing growth and crop yield worldwide. In this study, physicochemical and molecular techniques were employed to explore the potential of halo-alkali-tolerant endophytic bacteria strains Sphingomonas sp. pp01, Bacillus sp. pp02, Pantoea sp. pp04, and Enterobacter sp. pp06 to enhance the growth of hybrid Pennisetum under varying saline conditions. The strains exhibited tolerance to high salt concentrations, alkaline pH, and high temperatures. Under controlled conditions, all four strains showed significant growth-promoting effects on hybrid Pennisetum inoculated individually or in combination. However, the effects were significantly reduced in coastal saline soil. The best growth-promoting effect was achieved under greenhouse conditions, increasing shoot fresh and dry weights of hybrid Pennisetum by up to 457.7% and 374.7%, respectively, using irrigating trials. Metagenomic sequencing analysis revealed that the diversity and composition of rhizosphere microbiota underwent significant changes after inoculation with endophytic bacteria. Specifically, pp02 and co-inoculation significantly increased the Dyella and Pseudomonas population. Firmicutes, Mycobacteria, and Proteobacteria phyla were enriched in Bacillus PP02 samples. These may explain the best growth-promoting effects of pp02 and co-inoculation on hybrid Pennisetum under greenhouse conditions. Our findings reveal the performance of endophytic bacterial inoculants in enhancing beneficial microbiota, salt stress tolerance, and hybrid Pennisetum growth.

Effect of INM on Growth Indices, Yield Attributes, Yield and Economics of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.)

The experiment was conducted at farmers field in Haridwar district of Uttarakhand during 2019-20 and 2020-21. The experiment consisted of eleven treatments viz. control (T1), 100 % RDF (T2), FYM @ 10 t/ha (T3), VC @ 5t/ha (T4), 75 % RDF + FYM @ 10t/ha (T5), 75 % RDF + VC @ 5 t/ha (T6), 50 % RDF + FYM @ 10 t/ha (T7), 50 % RDF + VC @ 5 t/ha (T8), 50 % RDF + FYM @ 10 t/ha + VC @ 5t/ha (T9), 75 % RDF + FYM @ 10 t/ha+ Azotobacter + PSB (T10), 75 % RDF + VC @ 5 t/ha+ Azotobacter + PSB (T11). The treatments were replicated thrice and were laid out in randomized block design (RBD). Wheat variety used for the experimentation was PBW 343. The net plot size was 5 m X 5 m and crop spacing was 20cm between rows. The results reported that wheat crop with the application of 75 % RDF + VC @ 5 t/ha+ Azotobacter + PSB (T11) performed better in terms of growth parameters and yield under field condition compared to some of the treatments. Significantly higher B: C (2.9) ratio was calculated for 75 % RDF + FYM @ 10 t/ha+ Azotobacter + PSB (T11). Percent increase of 5.5 % and 3.6 % was recorded during 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively in grain yield with the application of 75 % RDF + VC @ 5 t/ha+ Azotobacter + PSB (T11) over 100 % RDF (T2). Maximum net returns were estimated in treatment T10 (75 % RDF + FYM @ 10 t/ha+ Azotobacter + PSB) of Rs. 97288 and Rs. 102005 followed by treatment T11 (75 % RDF + VC@ 5 t/ha+ Azotobacter + PSB) during both the years. Sowing on 20th November with GW 451 produced the highest returns and benefit-cost ratio. These results suggest that combined application of 75 % RDF + vermicompost @ 5 t/ha+ Azospirillum + PSB or 75 % RDF + FYM @ 10 t/ha+ Azotobacter + PSB is effective to get higher yield net return in wheat cultivation, providing valuable insights for farmers and researchers.

Comparison of the Effect of Pruning on Plant Growth and Transcriptome Profiles in Different Tea Varieties

Although pruning contributes to the growth and development of new shoots, it is important to note that the growth potential and yield of tea varieties may differ after pruning due to genetic and environmental factors. In this experiment, 20 different varieties of tea plants were used to observe their potential for growth, shoot development, and other phenotypic indexes after pruning. The study aimed to determine the suitability of each variety for heavy pruning. It was concluded that there were obvious differences in tree strength and new growth after pruning of the different varieties, with ‘Zhongcha 302’ exhibiting the strongest growth and ‘Emei Wenchun’ showing the weakest growth. In order to understand the molecular mechanisms involved, a transcriptomic analysis was carried out on the two tea varieties. The results of the data indicate that the expression of CYP450 family was high in ‘Zhongcha 302’. In ‘Emei Wenchun’, the expression of NCED was higher than that in ‘Zhongcha 302’. The KEGG results indicate that pruning stimulates the expression of genes involved in phytohormone signalling and plant–pathogen interaction pathways in tea plants. The study offered scientific guidance for tea plant pruning suitability and preliminarily revealed the regulatory mechanism of new shoot growth in different tea plant varieties at the transcriptome level.

Growth, productivity and quality of colored capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) as influenced by hybrids and plant growth regulators under controlled environment conditions

In developing countries like India, rapid urbanisation was under way and the diet habits of the people have been changing day to day. Under this transformation, a section of the population is focused on nutritional security where vegetables play a major role in daily diet. Among different vegetables coloured bell pepper which is commonly known as capsicum, has importance due to its nutritional quality and market demand. The quality and productivity of coloured capsicum can be improved by choosing the best performing hybrids and exogenous application of plant growth regulators. Considering the above, the present study was conducted from November to April of 2020-21 and 2021-22 at the Protected Cultivation Unit of Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha under controlled environment conditions. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design consisting of two hybrids, namely, Orobelle (yellow colored) and Bomby (red colored); and eight treatments of growth regulators which were GA3 @ 25 ppm, GA3 @ 50 ppm, GA3 @ 75 ppm, GA3 @ 100 ppm, NAA @ 20 ppm, NAA @ 40 ppm, NAA @ 60 ppm and NAA @ 80 ppm. A total of 16 treatment combinations were worked out in the experiment which were replicated thrice. The results of the experiment revealed that there was no significant variation among the hybrids cultivated with respect to yield attributes, yield, quality parameters and growth attributes excluding plant height and number of leaves per plant at 60 DAS and 90 DAS. However, there was a significant impact of plant growth regulators on growth attributes, yield attributes, yield and quality parameters. The application of NAA @ 80 ppm resulted in early flowering (43.8 days after planting). Moreover, the maximum number of flowers per plant (32.5 flowers/plant), flower to fruit ratio (52.9), fruits per plant (19.5) and weight of the fruit (133.6 g) recorded in GA3 @ 100 ppm application. There was a significant interaction effect among treatment combinations in fruit yield where the highest value was recorded in Bomby hybrid with GA3 @ 100 PPM application. From the study it may be concluded that cultivation of both the hybrids can be considered as per the fruit colour and market demand along with the application of GA3 @ 100 ppm under controlled environment conditions.

Public finance instruments and output growth in Nigeria

This study investigates the empirical relationship between the aggregated and disaggregated components of fiscal policy variables and output growth in Nigeria using the vector error correction mechanism for the period of 1981 to 2021. This formulation was an improvement over previous empirical studies of the impact of public finance instruments on output growth in Nigeria. Our findings suggest that fiscal policy instruments (total expenditure, capital expenditure, recurrent expenditure, total revenue, primary fiscal balance, domestic debt, external debt, oil tax revenue, and non-oil tax revenue) exert significant impacts on output growth and most of the empirical results obtained support the hypothesised relationships between public finance instruments and output growth in Nigeria. However, aggregate federal government expenditure exerts a significant negative impact on output growth, while on the disaggregated scale, capital expenditure exerts a significant positive influence on output growth whereas recurrent expenditure exerts a significant negative impact on output growth. Given these findings, we recommend that the government of Nigeria, through its fiscal authorities, should adopt growth-enhancing fiscal policies that would engender macroeconomic stability and will be potent in refocusing recurrent expenditure towards ensuring productivity growth.

Influence of Zinc and Humic Acid Application on Growth Parameter, Yield and Yield Components and Quality Traits of Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.)

A field experiment was conducted in kharif season during 2021-22 on the field at village Ap-Sonalagi Tq-Jath Dist- Sangli of Maharashtra through Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry College of Agriculture, Badnapur, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, with objectives, to study the influence of zinc and humic acid application on growth parameter, yield and yield components and quality traits of black gram (Vigna mungo L.) The field trial was conducted in Randomized Block Design with five treatments (T1): RDF (25:50:00 N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1), (T2): RDF+ ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-¹, (T3): RDF+ ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-¹ + Humic Acid @ 5 kg ha-¹, (T4): RDF+ ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-¹ + Humic Acid @ 10 kg ha-¹, (T5) RDF+ ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-¹ + Humic Acid @ 15 kg ha-¹ with four replications.According to the results obtained by the field investigation clearly indicated that the significantly higher plant height (44.50 cm), maximum number of branches plant-1 (9.10), number of pods plant-1 (26.15) and grain and straw yield (1305.00 and 2190.00 kg ha-1) at harvest stage were observed in treatment (T5) RDF+ ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-¹ + Humic Acid @ 15 kg ha-¹. In grain quality the results revealed that higher protein content (22.15%) and test weight (43.05 g) was also found in the same treatment i.e., (T5) RDF+ ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-¹ + Humic Acid @ 15 kg ha- ¹ (22.15%).

Impacts of Vermicompost and Farmyard Manure as Organic Fertilizer with Biochar Amendment on Soil Quality, Growth and Yield of Sunflower

Background: Sunflower is an economically important and the fourth most valuable oil seed crop. The study aimed to investigate organic fertilizers as an alternative method of enhancing soil quality and to determine the optimal combination of organic fertilizer treatments for sunflower growth performance and yield. Methods: The sunflower variety BARI Surjamukhi-2 was used in this study. The treatments were applied as T1= Control; T2= Farmyard Manure @ 2 t ha-1; T3= Vermicompost @2 t ha-1; T4= Biochar @2 t ha-1; T5= Farmyard Manure @1 t ha-1+Vermicompost @ 1 t ha-1; T6= Farmyard Manure @1 t ha-1+Biochar @1 t ha-1 and T7= Vermicompost @ 1 t ha-1+Biochar @1 t ha-1. Result: The data showed that application of different organic fertilizer treatments improves soil quality. Organic fertilizer addition had a positive effect on the growth traits like plant height, leaves number plant-1, stem diameter, chlorophyll content, head diameter, fresh and dry seed number head-1, 1,000-seed weight and seed yield. The correlation results strongly agreed that chlorophyll content, fresh seed number, head diameter plant-1 and 1,000-seed weight could be considered as selection indices for high yield of sunflower. This demonstrates the organic fertilizer’s capacity to improve sunflower growth and yield, as well as its significant potential to replace chemical fertilizers in the perspective of crop sustainability.

NMR and LC–MS-based metabolomics to investigate the efficacy of a commercial bio stimulant for the treatment of wheat (Triticum aestivum)

IntroductionBio stimulants are substances and/or microorganisms that are used to improve plant growth and crop yields by modulating physiological processes and metabolism of plants. While research has primarily focused on the broad effects of bio stimulants in crops, understanding their cellular and molecular influences in plants, using metabolomic analysis, could elucidate their effectiveness and offer possibilities for fine-tuning their application. One such bio stimulant containing galacturonic acid as elicitor is used in agriculture to improve wheat vigor and strengthen resistance to lodging.ObjectiveHowever, whether a metabolic response is evolved by plants treated with this bio stimulant and the manner in which the latter might regulate plant metabolism have not been studied.MethodTherefore, the present study used 1H-NMR and LC–MS to assess changes in primary and secondary metabolites in the roots, stems, and leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum) treated with the bio stimulant. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis effectively distinguished between treated and control samples, confirming a metabolic response to treatment in the roots, stems, and leaves of wheat.ResultsFold-change analysis indicated that treatment with the bio stimulation solution appeared to increase the levels of hydroxycinnamic acid amides, lignin, and flavonoid metabolism in different plant parts, potentially promoting root growth, implantation, and developmental cell wall maturation and lignification.ConclusionThese results demonstrate how non-targeted metabolomic approaches can be utilized to investigate and monitor the effects of new agroecological solutions based on systemic responses.

Firms’ economic growth expectations and reactions to micro and macro news in Japan

ABSTRACT This study investigates whether firms’ expectations of aggregate output growth overreact or underreact to micro and macro news by examining firm surveys conducted by a Japanese newspaper company, Nikkei. We capture micro news measured by forecast revisions and macro news measured by a new variable, the Japanese government’s growth forecast and that of professional forecasters’ consensus. We found that firms’ economic growth expectations overreact only to macro news. Our results indicate the heterogeneity of firm expectations formation across target variables and news types. Our findings suggest that firms excessively rely on government forecasts in turbulent times. The overreaction of firms’ output growth expectations to the government’s forecast may be associated with their lower performance, and that the government’s macroeconomic forecasts play a role in macroeconomic performance through firms’ expectation channels.

Significance of successive feeding of sources of n-3 fatty acids to broiler breeders and their progeny on growth performance, intestinal lesion scores, lymphoid organs weight and plasma immunoglobulin A in broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria

The study examined the effects of successive feeding of sources of n-3 PUFA to broiler breeders (BB) and their progeny in broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria. The BB were fed: 1) control (CON), corn-soybean meal diet, 2) CON + 1 % microalgae (DMA), as a source of DHA and 3) CON + 2.50% co-extruded full fat flaxseed (FFF), as a source of ALA. Eggs were hatched at 34, 44, and 54 wk of age. Posthatch treatments (BB-progeny) were: CON-CON, DMA-CON, FFF-CON, DMA-DMA and FFF-FFF with diets formulated for starter (d 1-10) and grower/finisher (d 11-42) phases. All chicks were orally challenged with Eimeria (E. acervulina and E. maxima) on d 10. Relative to CON, DMA and FFF increased concentration of n-3 PUFA by ≥ 2-fold in hatching eggs and progeny diets. There were no (P > 0.05) interactions between treatment and BB age on d 0 to 10 growth. In general, BB age affected (P < 0.05) growth performance throughout the study. In the starter phase, successive exposure to DHA and ALA improved FCR over CON-CON (P < 0.01). The interaction between treatment and BB age in grower/finisher was such that DHA exposure to younger BB resulted in poor growth performance (P < 0.05) relative to exposure to older BB. In contrast, exposure to ALA had similar (P > 0.05) growth performance irrespective of BB age. Moreover, successive exposure to ALA resulted in higher BWG, breast weight and lower FCR compared to successive exposure to DHA (P < 0.05). There were no (P > 0.05) interactions between treatment and BB age on the intestinal lesion scores, lymphoid organ weights and concentration of plasma immunoglobulin A (IgA). Successive exposure to DHA resulted in higher (P = 0.006) jejunal lesion scores than CON-CON birds. The results showed that successive exposure of DHA and ALA improved FCR relative to non-exposed birds in the starter phase. However, responses in the grower/finisher phase depended on n-3 PUFA type, with birds on successive ALA exposure supporting better growth and breast yield than birds on successive DHA exposure.

The impact of Artificial Intelligence on E-commerce supply chain sector in achieving cost efficiency and economic growth: A business and economics perspective

The study aims to find how much cost effectiveness is achieved when e-commerce supply chain operations use automation and AI technologies. therefore,ing technology of AI and its models have essentially proved to be impactful in making data driven decisions by the organisations gaining leverage in productivity and profit sustainability in a way that the companies achieve competitive advantage therefore creating sustainable value propositions from business and economics perspective. Aim/Purpose The aim of the paper is to explore the positive relationship between AI technologies and productivity levels in the e-commerce supply chain sector through achieving cost effectiveness and economic growth. Methodology/Approach The study focussed on reviewing literature on how Artificial Intelligence driven technology can optimise various supply chain functions within e-commerce sector. Solow-Swan growth model has been applied to investigate the value AI creates in utilising capital, labour input to achieve output growth. Positivist approach that allowed for objective observation and independent conclusions has been adopted. For primary data, quantitative methodology is used through survey questionnaires to gather data from a sample of 206 employees, managers, data analysts in e-commerce supply chain sectors. Findings The findings from the secondary sources inform that the use of AI and automation in the e-commerce industry leads to a high rate of productivity in terms of reducing costs and promoting economic growth. The primary research methods, through survey questionnaires collects real-time data that helps achieve quantifiable and measurable values to conclude that AI-led technology can increase productivity and competitive advantage as it saves cost while increasing productivity and overall economic input. Descriptive statistics of measures of central tendency were used to present findings in simpler, presentable way followed by interpretations of the data in percentages. Practical implications Managers and decision-making directorial board members have important lessons to learn from these findings as the quantifiable values may give them an insight into how much capital investment should be allocated for AI technologies and how predictive analytics and data analysis can accelerate their service towards becoming customer centric. Significant strategic planning and implementation of resource management can lead to higher rates of productivity profitability and eventually higher economic growth.

Box–Behnken modeling of biodiesel production from Botryococcus braunii microalgae

AbstractThis research aimed to model and optimize the growth factors and enhance the lipid yield from Botryococcus braunii microalgae, and to design a system for obtaining biodiesel from these lipids as this does not compromise food security. Botryococcus braunii, grown on a modified Chu‐13 medium, reached the stationary phase after 27 days with a maximum cell count of 265 × 104 cells mL−1 after 27 days and maximum biomass yield of 725 mg L−1 after 30 days on modified Chu‐13 medium, which was higher than growth on Basal SAG medium. The maximum lipid content (18.47%) and lipid yield (4.46 mg L−1day) were obtained when B. braunii was cultivated on modified Chu‐13 medium after 30 days. Gas chromatography (GC) analysis for the lipids indicated that the highest percentages of SFAs (51.03%) and lowest percentages of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) (36.47%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (12.49%) were obtained by culturing B. braunii on modified Chu‐13 medium. The effect of different growth parameters (N2 level, NaHCO3, and CO2 concentrations) on growth yield was modeled by using D‐optimal design response surface methodology (RSM).