Plant Performance Research Articles

Analysis of the effect of high falling water on the performance of hydroelectric power plants using whirpool type turbines

A hydroelectric power plant (PLTA) uses the flow of water as a source of energy. Evaluating the output of hydropower facilities, including the optimal height of the waterfall, turbine torque, electrical power, generator power, and generated efficiency, was the aim of the study. This study intends to investigate the power, torque, and efficiency that may be produced by a hydroelectric power plant with a whirlpool-type turbine, as well as how the height of falling water influences the operation of the plant. The experiment in this study measures three different waterfall heights with five different blade configurations. The study on the hydropower prototype involved three trials that collected data on torque, power, efficiency, waterfall height, and water discharge. The PLTA Prototype's best potential head in Test 3 was determined to be 0.01143, with a height of 0.67 meters, no sluice, and a diameter of 0.0625 meters. The lowest water outflow was discovered at a head of 0.55 meters with a water debit of 0.01036. The third attempt, which featured a sluice opening with a diameter of 0.0625 meters and a height of 0.67 meters (head), used the most water power in the experiment. The testing yielded the following results: 75.13 watts of water power, 5.16 watts of generator power, 0.233 N.m. of torque, 2.63 watts of turbine power with a generator load 3.73 watts without one, and 6.87% efficiency. Data gathered from the hydropower prototype's operation can be used to construct testing instruments for use in laboratories

Evaluation of the Performance of Wastewater Treatment Plant at Steel Mill Karachi, Pakistan

The purpose of this study is to evaluate how well Steel Mill Karachi's wastewater treatment system works. Wastewater treatment facilities employ the activated sludge technique. Several influent and effluent locations allowed for the collection of influent and effluent samples. A number of physicochemical parameters, such as total dissolved solids (TDS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), electric conductivity (EC), pH, and other metals, such as potassium (K), iron (Fe), sulphate (SO4-2), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), zinc (Zn), and magnesium (Mg), were measured in order to evaluate the effectiveness of wastewater treatment plants. In a lab environment, the sample's analysis findings were compared to Sindh Environmental Quality Standards (SEQS) for Pakistan. EC, BOD5, COD, SO4-2, Ca, Mg, Na, K, TDS, TSS, EC, BOD5, COD, SO4-2, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, and Zn were removed to different degrees: 42.93%, 60.33%, 43.63%, 51.53%, 40.5%, 35.56%, 26.33%, 22.12%, 34.09%, 20.75%, 55.87%, 22.12%, and 76.10%. Only two metrics, the COD and Zn concentrations, were over the SEQS limits, keeping other effluent results parameters within the limits. Additionally, it is advised that proper maintenance be carried out to increase the effectiveness of wastewater treatment plants.

Using leaf economic spectrum and photosynthetic acclimation to evaluate the potential performance of wintersweet under future climate conditions.

The function of landscape plants on the ecosystem can alleviate environmental issues of urbanization and global change. Global changes due to elevated CO2 affect plant growth and survival, but there is a lack of quantitative methods to evaluate the adaptability of landscape plants to future climate conditions. Leaf traits characterized by leaf economic spectrum (LES) are the universal currency for predicting the impact on plant ecosystem functions. Elevated CO2 usually leads to photosynthetic acclimation (PC), characterised by decreased photosynthetic capacity. Here, we proposed a theoretical and practical framework for the use of LES and PC to project the potential performance of landscape plants under future climatic conditions through principal component analysis, structural equation modelling, photosynthetic restriction analysis and nitrogen allocation analysis. We used wintersweet (an important landscaping species) to test the feasibility of this framework under elevated CO2 and different nitrogen (N) supplies. We found that elevated CO2 decreased the specific leaf area but increased leaf N concentration. The results suggest wintersweet may be characterized by an LES with high leaf construction costs, low photosynthetic return, and robust stress resistance. Elevated CO2 reduced photosynthetic capacity and stomatal conductance but increased photosynthetic rate and leaf area. These positive physio-ecological traits, e.g., larger leaf area (canopy), higher water use efficiency and stress resistance, may lead to improved performance of wintersweet under the predicted future climatic conditions. The results suggest planting more wintersweet in urban landscaping may be an effective adaptive strategy to climate change.

Optimization of the on-power refueling strategy for the slightly enriched uranium core of Atucha-II NPP

The development of an on-power refueling strategy requires meticulous consideration due to its impact on relevant reactor parameters during operation. The rapid increase in computational power promotes the use of heuristic (or metaheuristic) methods for optimizing systems with numerous core calculations, such as designing a refueling strategy. Building on the previous success of optimizing the on-power refueling strategy for the Atucha-I core using the Simulated Annealing algorithm, the approach was extended to design an enhanced refueling strategy for the future use of slightly enriched uranium fuel in Atucha-II. Previous efforts manually achieved an acceptable refueling strategy, consistent with 3 irradiation paths, each having 3 burnup zones. The primary goal of the optimization was to reduce the usage of the refueling machine, a critical component for plant availability and performance. To achieve this, the number of burnup zones for the optimization was set at 2 per irradiation path. An acceptable optimized refueling strategy was obtained and, subsequently, manual refinements were introduced to improve the time-average channel power distribution. To assess the feasibility of the obtained 2-burnup-zones per path refueling strategy, a simulation of the reactor operation including on-power refueling consistent with this refueling strategy was conducted for 4 years at full power. The simulation predicts a 25.6 % reduction in the refueling machine’s use at full power and savings of 2.9 fuel assemblies per year compared to operation with the 3-burnup-zones per path refueling strategy. The compelling advantages in the performance of the 2-burnup-zones per path refueling strategy have led to its formal adoption as the new official refueling strategy for the design phase of the use of slightly enriched uranium fuel in the Atucha-II core.

Interplay between green-synthesized nanoparticles and plant performance is mediated by the microbial community in the rhizocompartments

Numerous green-synthesized nanoparticles are being evaluated for their potential application in soil, yet understanding their influence on plant performance and their rhizocompartments associated microbes is a gap that needs to be addressed. In this study, we investigated how applying iron oxide nanoparticles (control 0, low 25 and high 50 mg/kg) impacted the rhizocompartments associated microbial communities and plant secondary metabolites grown in natural soil microcosm. The transcriptional analysis showed that the majority of artemisinin and flavonoid biosynthetic pathway genes were significantly upregulated in plants with the application of low concentration of green-synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO.NPs) when compared with control plants, suggesting a fine collaboration between these metabolites’ pathways, as indicated by a remarkable increase in artemisinin content (2-fold), ferulic acid (7.6-fold), luteolin (4.3-fold) and syringic acid (6.2-fold). The response of rhizocompartments microbial communities and associated soil enzymes was investigated using high-throughput sequencing and profiler test kits, respectively. The soil microbial community structure was altered upon FeO.NPs exposure in both low and high treated soils as indicated by multivariate analysis. For instance, bacterial phyla Bacteroidetes and Gemmatimonadetes and fungal phyla Ascomycota demonstrated a significant rise in relative abundance in both the rhizosphere and rhizoplane in low and high treatments relative to the control. Moreover, genera level analysis revealed that Cupriavidus, Vibrionimonas, and Burkholderia displayed higher relative abundance (p < 0.05) in low FeO.NPs concentration while Giaella and Nonomuraea didn't show any noticeable response to FeO.NPs. In terms of fungal genera, Oidiodendron and Cryptococcus showed high relative abundance under low treatment. The altered microbiome profile is possibly associated with soil enzymes, for instance, urease and catalase activities were increased by 1.76 and 1.71-fold, respectively in low FeO.NPs. Thus, this study demonstrates the effects of FeO.NPs gradients on plant secondary metabolites and soil enzyme activities, while contributing new insights into their specific impacts on the microbial community composition in the rhizocompartments of plant root system.

Release from aboveground enemies increases seedling survival in grasslands

Abstract Plant enemies can influence plant community assembly and structure. However, it is unclear how insect herbivores and fungal pathogens affect seedling recruitment. Complex interactions with competition and resource availability make it difficult to isolate the effect of enemies. This uncertainty can impede understanding of community assembly drivers, species coexistence and trophic interactions; and limits hypothesis testing such as of the enemy release hypothesis, a key hypothesis in invasion biology. Using a novel species‐specific approach, we examine how enemies affect seedling survival and recruitment of 16 grassland species. We planted seedlings of 16 native species from two functional groups (C4 grasses and non‐legume forbs) into two grassland sites (early and mid‐succession). We hand‐painted 1512 individual seedlings with pesticides (insecticide and fungicide) over the course of one growing season to enforce aboveground species‐specific release from enemies and tested whether it enhanced survival relative to untreated controls. Applying treatments to individuals allowed us to test for the effect of enemies on plant performance while controlling for contexts such as competition from the resident community and resource levels. Release from insects increased seedling survival by 56% on average, with no additional benefit of release from fungal pathogens. This effect was observed for both forbs and C4 grasses across both sites and was strongest in resource‐acquisitive species. There was no effect of the mean phylogenetic distance between our target species and the resident plant community, or of light availability or soil moisture. Synthesis. The significant positive effect of release from insect herbivores on survival early in colonisation—a trend that held across functional groups and types of resident community—suggests insects play an important regulatory role in community assembly, especially for resource‐acquisitive species. As variation between species could be explained by traits but not by phylogeny, we emphasise the importance of trait‐based approaches to plant community ecology. Our results also support the key mechanism (increased performance following release from enemies) underlying the enemy release hypothesis. Enemy release may therefore aid initial recruitment of plants during the invasion process.

Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi May Improve Soil Fertility and the Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Physiological Performance of Batavia Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia) Plants

A greenhouse experiment was realized to investigate the effects of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on soil quality and the growth, nutrient uptake, and physiological performance of Batavia lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia). For this purpose, six fertilization treatments were applied: (i) inorganic fertilization (I.F.—control, i.e., usual/conventional fertilization), (ii) I.F. + PGPR, (iii) I.F. + PGPR + AMF, (iv) manure (MAN), (v) MAN + PGPR, and (vi) MAN + PGPR + AMF. Soil fertility was influenced by the treatments, and soil respiration (CO2 flux) was significantly increased after applications of PGPR and AMF. Following MAN fertilization in particular, an approximately sixfold higher soil respiration value was recorded following the MAN + PGPR + AMF treatment compared to the control (I.F.). Root, leaf, and total biomass dry weights were significantly affected by the PGPR and AMF applications, mainly following the I.F. treatment. In contrast, K, Mg, and Fe uptake was significantly influenced by PGPR and AMF application following the MAN treatment. The SPAD value, performance index (PI), photosynthetic rate, and stomatal conductance were significantly higher in the I.F. + PGPR + AMF-treated plants compared to the control plants. Overall, these data prove the beneficial roles of PGPR and AMF in soil quality and fertility and the nutrient uptake and physiological performance of lettuce plants. However, further clarification is needed in the near future to test the interaction effects between PGPR, AMF, and the type of fertilizer used (organic or inorganic).

IMPACT OF SOIL STERILIZATION FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, WHEAT SEEDS CLEANING AND THEIR INTERACTIONS ON WEED CONTROL, AND YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS

IMPACT OF SOIL STERILIZATION FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, WHEAT SEEDS CLEANING AND THEIR INTERACTIONS ON WEED CONTROL, AND YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS

Elevated osmolytes accumulation helps in combating NaCl stress causing negative impacts on growth and metabolism of Vigna radiata (L.)

Salinity stress is one of the main abiotic stresses that have a negative impact on the growth performance of green gram. The current study was carried out as a result to find out growth, and morpho-biochemical changes in Vigna radiata CO7 variety cultivated under NaCl stress treatments. The V. radiata CO7 variety was selected and the experiment was carried out in pot culture under varying NaCl concentrations viz., 0, 50, 75, 100, and 125 mM respectively to assess maximum tolerance range of the CO7 variety. The salt stress was given on 15th days after sowing and sampling was done after 10 days of treatment on the 25th, 35th, and 45th day respectively. Salt stress results in a steep decline in shoot length, biomass, chlorophyll contents a and b, and soluble protein contents with increased NaCl treatments on all sampling days. However, carotenoid contents, and compatible solutes including proline, Glycine-betaine, Amino acids and total soluble sugars contents were found to be upregulated under varying NaCl concentrations in V. radiata CO7 variety on all sampling days. Thus, increased carotenoid contents, and osmolytes, provide stress tolerance to V. radiata CO7 variety by maintaining the turgor pressure of cells and preventing further water loss under varying NaCl concentrations. Hence, this variety shows maximum surveillance at 75 mM and beyond this plant performance is restricted and further study is needed to access CO7 variety for a breeding program to enhance salt stress tolerance.

Definition of Exergetic Efficiency in the Main and Emerging Thermal Desalination Technologies: A Proposal

Increasing attention is being given to reduce the specific energy consumption in desalination processes, which translates into greater use of exergy analysis. An exergetic analysis provides relevant information related to the influence of the efficiency of a single component in the global plant performance and in the exergy cost of the product. Therefore, an exergy analysis identifies the main improvement potentials in a productive thermodynamic process. Related to desalination technologies, many previous papers deal with the calculation of the parameters involved in the exergy analysis, the exergetic efficiency of different processes, plants, and technologies among them. However, different approaches for formulating the exergetic efficiency have been suggested in the literature, often without sufficient understanding and consistency. In this work, these formulations, applied to the main desalination components and processes, are compared and critically reviewed. Two definitions of exergy efficiency are applied to the desalination components of the three main thermal desalination processes (multieffect distillation–thermal vapour compression, multistage flash distillation, and direct-contact membrane distillation). The results obtained for the exergy efficiency of the MED-TVC, MSF, and DCMD processes for the input–output approach are 21.35%, 17.08%, and 1.28%, respectively, compared to the consumed–produced approach that presented 3.1%, 1.58%, and 0.37%, respectively. The consumed–produced approach seems to better fit the thermodynamic behaviour of thermal desalination systems.

Initial experimental testing of a hybrid solar-dish Brayton cycle for combined heat and power (ST-CHP)

The Solar Turbo Combined Heat and Power (ST-CHP) project developed a novel solar-gas hybrid prototype for combined heat and power generation in Pretoria, South Africa. A vacuum-membrane faceted parabolic dish with a large-pipe open-cavity receiver was coupled to a counterflow recuperator, a combustion chamber, a micro gas turbine with air bearings and a phase change thermal energy storage unit containing solar salts. This study aimed to validate the electrical output of the full-scale dish-Brayton prototype, addressing the literature gap on micro-scale dish-Brayton plants' in-field power generation. Solar hybridization of micro gas turbine technology can significantly reduce combustion fuel consumption. A performance analysis under relevant conditions revealed a late afternoon micro gas turbine output intermittently peaking at 0.4kWe and subsequently stabilizing to a steady state of 0.145kWe at 130krpm. A SimuPact numerical model and an analytical model supplemented the telemetry data to reduce interference in the experimental setup and fully characterize the ST-CHP prototype performance, estimating a steady-state turbine isentropic efficiency of 57%, a compressor efficiency of 71% and a collector efficiency of 17% due to the late afternoon steady-state point. Analytical case studies revealed that fuel savings of between 12% and 33% at the combustion chamber were achievable from the solarized preheating. A subsequent test of the micro gas turbine without solar hybridization or a recuperator resulted in 1.05kWe being generated. The study confirms the dish-Brayton prototype's viability for combined heat and power generation, producing an initial full-scale performance characterisation during in-field testing, and highlighting the impact of solar hybridization on turbine electrical output. Optical efficiency, insulation effectiveness, pressure losses, and turbine operating conditions were identified as critical areas requiring optimization to improve electrical output. The lessons learned, and the calibrated numerical model may be used to optimize the performance of the dish-Brayton plant in future work. The successful in-field full-scale power generation of the ST-CHP prototype adds to the available literature on dish-Brayton technology and brings the technology closer to a commercial product.

Comparative investigation on the thermodynamic performance of coal-fired power plant integrating with the molten salt thermal storage system

One of the most critical challenges facing China is enhancing the operational flexibility of coal-fired power plants (CFPPs), given the increasing reliance on renewable energy for power generation. This study focuses on analyzing and comparing the molten salt thermal storage systems integrated in CFPP in consideration of peak-shaving capacity, equivalent round-trip efficiency, heat consumption rate, and exergy efficiency. Five charging schemes integrating thermal energy storage (TES), power to heat (P2H) and combination of TES and P2H are proposed and tested via their thermodynamic models. Results show that all five integrated molten salt thermal storage systems can enhance the peak shaving capability of the CFPP. When integrating P2H system, CFPP has the potential to achieve a zero-power output. Furthermore, comparing to the other four schemes, P2H-only integrating scheme has the highest equivalent round-trip efficiency of 36.23 % and the lowest heat consumption rate of 8288.87 kJ·(kW·h)−1. However, its exergy efficiency decreases to 36.51 % due to the electric heater experiencing the highest exergy loss of 132.56 MW, in contrast to the TES-coupled system which shows a higher exergy efficiency of 39.58 %. The P2H-only scheme boasts the largest investment of $33,353,100 and the longest repayment time, while also earning the highest compensation for peak shaving. This study provides a promising approach for molten salt thermal storage system designs in enhancing flexibility for CFPPs.

Plants attacked above-ground by leaf-mining flies change below-ground microbiota to enhance plant defense.

Root-associated microbiomes play a crucial role in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Plants can enrich beneficial microbes to increase their stress-relieving ability. Above-ground insect herbivory is among the most detrimental stresses for plants, especially to crop production. However, few studies have explored how root-associated microbiomes respond to herbivores and influence plant-defense functions under herbivory stress. We investigate the changes and functional role of root-associated microbial communities under herbivory stress using leafminer (Liriomyza trifolii) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) as a focal system. We did this by using a combination of 16S ribosomal RNA gene profiling and metagenomic sequencing to test for differences in co-occurrence networks and functions between cowpea plants infested and noninfested with leafminers. The results demonstrated that leafminer infestation caused a shift in the rhizosphere microbiome, which was characterized by a significant variation in microbiome community structure and composition, the selection of hub microbes involved in nitrogen (N) metabolism, and functional enrichment related to N metabolism. Notably, nitrogen-fixing bacteria Bradyrhizobium species were actively enriched and selected to be hubs in the rhizosphere. Inoculation with Bradyrhizobium enhanced cowpea performance under leafminer stress and increased protease inhibitor levels to decrease leafminer fitness. Overall, our study characterized the changes of root-associated microbiota between leafminer-infested and noninfested cowpea plants and revealed the mechanisms underlying the rhizosphere microbiome shift that enhance plant performance and defense against herbivory. Our findings provide further support for the notion that plants enrich rhizosphere microbes to counteract aboveground insect herbivores.

Molecular mechanisms regulating GROWTH-REGULATING FACTORS activity in plant growth, development, and environmental responses.

Plants rely on complex regulatory mechanisms to ensure proper growth and development. As plants are sessile organisms, these mechanisms must be flexible enough to adapt to changes in the environment. GROWTH-REGULATING FACTORS (GRFs) are plant-specific transcription factors that act as a central hub controlling plant growth and development, which offer promising biotechnological applications to enhance plant performance. Here, we analyze the complex molecular mechanisms that regulate GRFs activity, and how their natural and synthetic variants can impact on plant growth and development. We describe the biological roles of the GRFs and examine how they regulate gene expression and contribute to the control of organ growth and plant responses to a changing environment. This review focuses on the premise that unlocking the full biotechnological potential of GRFs requires a thorough understanding of the various regulatory layers governing GRF activity, the functional divergence among GRF family members, and the gene networks that they regulate.

A performance evaluation method for energy storage systems adapted to new power system interaction requirements

In recent years, China’s new energy storage application on a large scale has shown a good development trend; a variety of energy storage technologies are widely used in renewable energy development, consumption, integrated intelligent energy systems, distribution grids, and microgrids; and substantial progress has been made in the research and development of technology and equipment, construction of demonstration projects, exploration of business models, and construction of standard systems. Up to now, a unified statistical index system and evaluation method standard for new energy storage has not yet been formed domestically or even internationally. The work takes the status quo of the new power system construction of the Hebei South Network as the research object and carries out research on the new energy storage statistical index system and evaluation method. It constructs a new energy storage power station statistical index system centered on five primary indexes: energy efficiency index, reliability index, regulation index, economic index, and environmental protection index; proposes Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)–coefficient of variation combination assignment method; and evaluates the development level of the new energy storage power station by adopting a comprehensive evaluation model based on the object element topology method. The new energy storage statistical index system and evaluation method are designed to provide a scientific index system and evaluation method for comprehensively monitoring, assessing and measuring the comprehensive performance and effect of new energy storage power plants in the process of operation and development, and optimizing the operation strategy of new energy storage power plants as well as the development and promotion of energy storage technology.

A microbiome survey of contrasting potato terroirs using 16S rRNA long-read sequencing

Abstract Aims As a consequence of the increasing impact of climate change on crop production and food security worldwide, the need to explore agricultural systems in a sustainable manner is also intensified. The improvement of long-read metagenomics approaches might give valuable information not only on soil microbial communities, but also on their potential effects on plant phenotypes. Soil properties, climate conditions, and agricultural techniques are the main factors shaping microbial communities found in the soil and on the surface of the potatoes, influencing plant health and performance. The objective of this study was to decipher the bacterial communities in contrasting potato terroirs using long-read sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Methods To do so, 18 soil samples were taken from different potato fields in the island of Naxos (Island Terroir) and Northern Greece (Continental Terroir). Differences in soil properties and climatic conditions were also regarded to explore the possible motif of microbial structure and diversity in each region. Results Our results highlighted that contrasting potato terroirs strongly affected microbial community composition and diversity. A richer microbial composition in the island terroir was evident. A wide range of soil bacteria were identified, including Vicinamibacter, Neobacillus, Povalibacter, Microvirga, Thermoanaerobaculum, Arenimonas, and Rubrobacter, with different distribution patterns that resulted in characteristic microbial footprints. Conclusions In combination with soil analysis, microbial mapping might be a valuable tool, not only for gaining a deeper knowledge of their impact on potato production, but also for developing biomarkers that would uniquely define and characterize each potato habitat.

Elevated [CO2] and temperature augment gas exchange and shift the fitness landscape in a montane forb.

Climate change is simultaneously increasing carbon dioxide concentrations ([CO2]) and temperature. These factors could interact to influence plant physiology and performance. Alternatively, increased [CO2] may offset costs associated with elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the interaction between elevated temperature and [CO2] may differentially affect populations from along an elevational gradient and disrupt local adaptation. We conducted a multifactorial growth chamber experiment to examine the interactive effects of temperature and [CO2] on fitness and ecophysiology of diverse accessions of Boechera stricta (Brassicaceae) sourced from a broad elevational gradient in Colorado. We tested whether increased [CO2] would enhance photosynthesis across accessions, andwhether warmer conditions would depress the fitness of high-elevation accessions owing to steep reductions in temperature with increasing elevation in this system. Elevational clines in [CO2] are not as evident, making it challenging to predict how locally adapted ecotypes will respond to elevated [CO2]. This experiment revealed that elevated [CO2] increased photosynthesis and intrinsic water use efficiency across all accessions. However, these instantaneous responses to treatments did not translate to changes in fitness. Instead, increased temperatures reduced the probability of reproduction for all accessions. Elevated [CO2] and increased temperatures interacted to shift the adaptive landscape, favoring lower elevation accessions for the probability of survival and fecundity. Our results suggest that elevated temperatures and [CO2] associated with climate change could have severe negative consequences, especially for high-elevation populations.

Time-Dependent and Coating Modulation of Tomato Response upon Sulfur Nanoparticle Internalization and Assimilation: An Orthogonal Mechanistic Investigation.

Nanoenabled strategies have recently attracted attention as a sustainable platform for agricultural applications. Here, we present a mechanistic understanding of nanobiointeraction through an orthogonal investigation. Pristine (nS) and stearic acid surface-modified (cS) sulfur nanoparticles (NPs) as a multifunctional nanofertilizer were applied to tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) through soil. Both nS and cS increased root mass by 73% and 81% and increased shoot weight by 35% and 50%, respectively, compared to the untreated controls. Bulk sulfur (bS) and ionic sulfate (iS) had no such stimulatory effect. Notably, surface modification of S NPs had a positive impact, as cS yielded 38% and 51% greater shoot weight compared to nS at 100 and 200 mg/L, respectively. Moreover, nS and cS significantly improved leaf photosynthesis by promoting the linear electron flow, quantum yield of photosystem II, and relative chlorophyll content. The time-dependent gene expression related to two S bioassimilation and signaling pathways showed a specific role of NP surface physicochemical properties. Additionally, a time-dependent Global Test and machine learning strategy applied to understand the NP surface modification domain metabolomic profiling showed that cS increased the contents of IA, tryptophan, tomatidine, and scopoletin in plant leaves compared to the other treatments. These findings provide critical mechanistic insights into the use of nanoscale sulfur as a multifunctional soil amendment to enhance plant performance as part of nanoenabled agriculture.

Modeling the effects of sidestreams recycling on wastewater treatment plant performance operated by anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (A2/O) processes using GPS-X8 simulation

The water separated by sludge treatment processes is known as the sidestreams, such as the centrate, underflow belt thickener, and supernatant gravity thickener. The sidestreams have significant amounts of contaminants, particularly nutrients, and are returned to the wastewater treatment plant head. Returning the sidestreams to the head of the plant causes both technical and financial problems. This paper models the effect of sidestreams on the treatment of mainstream in full-scale conventional activated sludge systems operated with anaerobic/anoxic/oxic (A2/O). The effects of sidestreams nutrients and inert materials, the pollutants fate in the A2/O system, oxygen consumed, and energy required by sidestreams are modeled using GPS-X8 simulation. The results showed that the discharge ratio of the sidestreams to the mainstream is 4 %. The proportion of the pollutants present in the sidestream to the mainstream were 4.3 %, 4.7 %, 8.8 %, 21 %, 40 %, and 11 % for BOD, COD, TSS, NH4, PO4, and H2S, respectively. The GPS-X model showed that high orthophosphate and hydrogen sulfide concentrations were seen in the anaerobic zone. While all other pollutants begin to decay, phosphates and hydrogen sulfide gas also begin to decrease gradually in anoxic and oxic zones, noting the high concentrations of nitrates and sulfates in the oxic zone. An added 10 % of oxygen is needed for the sidestreams ammonia oxidation, which is more than the amount needed for the oxidation of BOD. The percentage of alkali used to improve the nitrification process due to the ammonia in the sidestreams was 30 % of the specified amount of ammonia in the mainstream. This study proved that the plant's sidestreams adversely increased oxygen, energy, and alkali consumption.

Effect of NPS Rates and Row Spacing on Production of Faba Bean (Viciafaba L.) at High-land of North Shewa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia

Plant density and poor soil fertility are among the major factors that limit faba bean production in the study areas. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to determine the optimum NPS (nitrogen, phosphate, and sulfur with the ratio of 19% N, 38% P2O5, and 7% S) rate and appropriate inter-row spacing for faba bean production in the highlands of the north Shewa zone of Oromia, Ethiopia. Factorial combination of four rates of NPS (0, 50, 100, 150 kg ha-1) and four inter-row spacing (30, 40, 50, 60cm) were laid out in a Randomized Compete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The result of the study indicated that the soil required amending with organic fertilizers to enhance soil fertility. Both the main and the interaction effects of NPS and inter-row spacing significantly influenced the faba bean phenological and growth parameters. However, NPS had more profound effects in enhancing the growth response of the crop than inter-row spacing. Increasing the rate of NPS from nil to 100 kg ha-1 resulted in a 30% increase in grain yield, with no further increases noted beyond this level. However, the result revealed that increased inter-row spacing from 30cm to 60cm decreased grain yield. Decreasing inter-row spacing implies high plant density, which consequently correlates with high yield. The total yield per unit area depends not only on the performance of individual plants but also on the density of plants per unit area, as confirmed in this study. The maximum net benefit of 91,639.5 ETB ha-1 with an acceptable marginal rate of return 486.3% was obtained from the application of 100 kg ha-1 NPS rate and 30 cm inter-row spacing. Thus, this rate and inter-row spacing are suggested for faba bean production in the north shewa zone.