Production Constraints Research Articles

Transcriptome sequence reveal the roles of MaGME777 and MabHLH770 in drought tolerance in Musa acuminata.

Transcriptome sequence reveal the roles of MaGME777 and MabHLH770 in drought tolerance in Musa acuminata.

Liquid formulation of halo-alkali-thermo-tolerant rhizobacteria for enhanced growth of mung bean crops under abiotic stresses

The saline rhizosphere of arid regions harbors diverse microbial communities that play a crucial role in plant growth and abiotic stress mitigation. Salinity is a major constraint for crop productivity, particularly affecting salt-sensitive crops like mung bean (Vigna radiata L.). In this study, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) such as Streptomyces sp. KhEc 44, Bacillus paralicheniformis KhEc 68, and Priestia filamentosa KhEc 69 were isolated from the rhizospheric soil of Euphorbia caducifolia L. growing in the saline-alkaline soils of Kharaghoda, Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat (India). These strains were evaluated for key PGPR traits including indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis, siderophore production, and phosphate solubilization. These isolates exhibited growth at 2 M NaCl (w/v), pH 10, and 60 °C, confirming their halo-, alkali-, and thermo-tolerant nature. Additionally, the strains demonstrated extracellular amylase production up to 17% NaCl (w/v). Greenhouse experiments showed that inoculation with these stress-tolerant PGPR significantly enhanced mung bean growth parameters even under 120 mM NaCl stress. Plants treated with the formulated liquid biofertilizer exhibited improved growth, biomass, and tolerance compared to untreated controls. This study demonstrates the potential of using a liquid biofertilizer composed of multi-stress-tolerant PGPR to improve mung bean productivity under both normal and saline-alkaline field conditions.

Identification and optimization of production bottleneck in a deviated oil well: a case study using nodal analysis

Hydrocarbons play a substantial role in the energy industry; however, maintaining a steady and optimal production rate in deviated wells remains a significant challenge, especially due to flow bottlenecks that reduce output efficiency. This study focuses on identifying and resolving production constraints in a deviated well located in the TK oil field in North Iraq with a total measured depth of 9639.5 ft. The true vertical depth is at 8137 ft. at an inclination angle of 39.90o. The well failed to meet the pre-evaluated rate of 1044 STB/D based on the current conditions. To accomplish the optimum rate, the deviated well S17 is subjected to nodal analysis and various possible alterations in the well geometry and production system. The nodal analysis through the Inflow Performance Relationship and Vertical Lift Performance characteristics is addressed utilizing IPM suites Prosper to replicate the flow in the tubing through integrated correlations, the fluid behavior, and the phase envelope. The saturation pressure is tuned with the correlations in the PVTp program. Different scenarios were set, such as the change in wellhead pressure, tubing internal diameter, reservoir pressure, skin factor, and the introduction of artificial lift. Following the simulation, as referred to previously, the detailed analysis of the variables provides an exhaustive insight for the field operators. The key finding of this well is that reducing skin factor and alongside the use of Electrical submersible pump (ESP) installation, significantly enhance production feasibility and the well will be able to produce when the reservoir pressure drops to 1500 psi These results provide actionable insides for field operators to improve production performance in similar well conditions.

Socio-economic and Biophysical Resource Characterization in Gur Watershed, Girar Jarso District, North Shewa Zone, Oromia

Socio-economic and biophysical resource characterization builds necessary foundation for the plan and obtains proper information for elective planning, implementation and monitoring of the research in the field of natural resources. The objective of the study was to identify and characterize existing socio-economic and biophysical resources and document baseline information on socio-economic and biophysical aspects used as benchmark for planning and impact monitoring in the watershed. The site was selected depending on agro-ecological representation, prevalence of resource management and land degradation problems. The data were collected through field observations, HH survey, FGD and KII’s and the collected data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results of study indicated that, decline of soil fertility, soil erosion, and shortage of agricultural inputs are the major crop production constraints in the watershed. According to the results, the farmers majorly implemented physical SWC measures such as stone bund, stone faced soil bund, water ways. About 97.7%, of the sample farmers in the Gur watershed were participating in construction of SWC measures by their own interest respectively. Analysis of the result shows that the major constraints in practicing of physical SWC structures were serves as breed and hiding places of rodents, it requires large number of labors and lack of training to construct. According to the field measurement data of implemented stone bund in most sample sites of the study watershed failed to meet the standards. Based on the above findings, enhancing the farmers’ awareness on the importance of SWC structures and based on their agro-ecologies promotion different introduced physical, biological and agronomic SWC measures were recommended.

Characterization and Analysis of Farming System in Buno Bedele and Ilu Ababor Zones of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Farming system characterization and analysis is a roadmap for dynamic agricultural production constraints and opportunities identification and prioritization. Hence, this activity was initiated to identify and characterize the existing farming system, its constraints and opportunities in Buno Bedele and Ilu Ababor zones. A cross sectional research design with two-stage sampling was employed. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources. A total of 386 household heads were selected for quantitative data whereas qualitative data were collected from focus group discussion and key informants via face to face interviews. Secondary data were collected from relevant published and unpublished documents. In SPSS version 20 software, simple descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation, percentage and pair-wise ranking were used for data analysis. The result revealed that, there was a diverse crop-livestock mixed farming system where crop farming system was the dominant and characterized as rain fed and irrigation-based farming system. Cereal, horticulture, and coffee-khat-based farming systems were common in rain fed whereas few cereal and horticultural crops under irrigation farming systems were practiced in the study areas. The types of livestock reared in the areas were cattle, poultry, sheep, goats, and equines. Even though, there were numerous development supporting government and non-governmental organizations including research centers, universities, agricultural offices, climate action through landscape management (CALM) program for results project, sustainable land management (SLM) project, more young entrepreneurs in silk honey (MOYESH) project and private sectors that are contributing in crop and livestock improvement, natural resource management and job creation; high price of agricultural inputs, lack of improved seed and breeds, delay of fertilizers supply, low production and productivity, lack of capital, shortage of land, crop and livestock diseases, feed shortage, poor soil fertility, soil erosion and lack of common understanding on lime application were the major agricultural production constraints in the study areas. Therefore, all government and non-government development practitioners in the areas should consider the existing agricultural production systems, constraints and opportunities for fruitful interventions.

Unraveling the Constraints Influencing the Marketing Behaviour of Dairy Farmers in Chhattisgarh, India

Dairy farming in Chhattisgarh plays a crucial role in rural livelihoods, yet farmers face multiple constraints that vary across the state’s three Agro-climatic zones: Chhattisgarh Plains, Northern Hills, and Bastar Plateau. A study of 360 dairy farmers using the Rank Based Quotient (RBQ) method revealed that the most critical production constraints include limited availability of high-yielding dairy animals (RBQ: Plains 84.17, Northern Hills 83.65, Bastar 83.85) and lack of Artificial Insemination (A.I.) facilities, particularly severe in Northern Hills (87.50) and Bastar Plateau (87.71). Marketing challenges such as unorganized markets (RBQ up to 93.20) and lack of accessible marketing facilities (RBQ: Northern Hills 94.21, Bastar 94.04) were prominent. Technical issues, especially declining crossbred animal performance due to heat stress, had RBQ values near 89 across zones. Economic constraints were highlighted by high capital investment for animal housing (Northern Hills 95.60, Bastar 94.76) and expensive insurance premiums (Plains 93.69). Infrastructural deficits such as lack of timely medical aid (Bastar 84.86) and socio-psychological barriers like selective veterinary support (RBQ over 82) further impede sector growth. The findings emphasize the need for zone-specific interventions to improve genetics, veterinary services, market infrastructure, financial support, and farmer education to promote sustainable dairy farming in Chhattisgarh.

Delineating the source of resistance to bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV) in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) cultivars of Jammu and Kashmir, a North-Western Himalayan region

Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV) are among the most challenging constraints for common bean production in Northern states of India due to their easy transmission through aphids and seeds. Highly valuable Indian common bean varieties and landraces are more susceptible to BCMV and BCMNV and very few varieties exhibit resistance to these viruses. Resistance towards these viruses is governed by a single dominant (I) gene and a few recessive genes (bc-1, bc-2, bc-3, bc-4, bc-ud, and bc-ur). This study aims to identify common bean genotypes bearing multiple resistant genes, each working with a different mode of action. A total of 123 genotypes of common beans were mechanically inoculated with BCMV and BCMNV isolates and molecular markers (SW13, ROC11, BCMV-CAPS, ENM-FWe/Rve) were used to identify the presence of two major resistant genes (I and bc-3). Out of these, 23 genotypes were found phenotypically resistant to both viruses. Furthermore, molecular screening was performed in which 13 hypersensitive resistant genotypes bearing a single dominant gene (I) were confirmed through SW13 and BCMV-CAPS markers. Additionally, ROC11/420, ENMF/R markers identified 4 genotypes bearing the recessive (bc-3) gene conferring complete resistance to the virus without executing hypersensitive response (HR). A valuable gene combination of both I, bc-3 (Ibc-3, Host group-12) genes in 3 genotypes was also established in the screened germplasm. However, in 3 phenotypically resistant genotypes, neither the I gene nor bc-3 gene was identified. The virus accumulation in the resistant genotypes was also understood properly through a time course experiment in a qPCR assay. This extensive identification of resistant common bean genotypes against BCMV and BCMNV can be readily included in the common bean breeding program of the Northern states of India for virus resistance.

Glutathione promotes aluminum tolerance in rice through cell wall remodeling and nitrogen metabolic regulation.

Glutathione promotes aluminum tolerance in rice through cell wall remodeling and nitrogen metabolic regulation.

Targeted Delivery Strategies for Hydrophilic Phytochemicals

Hydrophilic phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, possess important biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. However, their application is hindered by low membrane permeability, poor chemical stability, and limited skin penetration. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of advanced delivery strategies aimed at enhancing the solubility, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy of selected hydrophilic compounds. Specifically, it focuses on the encapsulation of flavonoids such as quercetin, luteolin, and apigenin, as well as phenolic acids including ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid. The review discusses various nanocarrier systems: liposomes, niosomes, exosomes, and polymeric nanoparticles (e.g., nanocapsules, nanospheres) and compares their structural characteristics, preparation methods, and functional benefits. These delivery systems improve the physicochemical stability of active compounds, enable controlled and targeted release, and enhance skin and cellular absorption. Despite certain challenges related to large-scale production and regulatory constraints, such approaches offer promising solutions for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic application of hydrophilic plant-derived compounds.

Analysing Resource Use Efficiency and Determinants of Catfish Output in Ondo State, Nigeria

This study evaluated resource use efficiency in catfish production in Ondo East Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 150 catfish farmers across five purposively chosen communities. Structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data, which were analysed using descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis, and multiple regression models. Findings indicate that the average age of respondents was 45 years, with most being male (80%), married (80%), and formally educated (97.3%). The mean household size was five, and the average farming experience was 11 years. The majority (87.3%) sourced fingerlings through purchase, and over half (51.3%) relied on personal savings as their main capital source. The mean farm size was 6.17 units. Profitability analysis revealed that for every ₦1.00 invested, farmers earned ₦3.90, confirming the viability of catfish farming in the area. Regression analysis identified fingerlings, feed, labour, and pesticides as significant inputs influencing output (p < 0.05), while farm size and fertiliser had no significant effect. Efficiency analysis showed underutilization of fingerlings (12.6) and pesticides (1.2), while inputs such as feed, labour, fertiliser, and farm size were overutilized. Major production constraints included limited access to credit (98.7%), high feed costs (97.3%), and pollution (83.3%). The study concludes that while catfish farming is profitable, inefficiencies and structural challenges persist. It recommends improving farmers’ access to credit, promoting investment in fingerlings, and encouraging youth participation to enhance productivity and reduce rural unemployment.

A Heuristic Mutation Based Genetic Algorithm for Fast Parallel Scheduling of Steel Cold Rolling

A well-designed production schedule for cold rolling can enhance steel enterprises' operational efficiency and profitability. Nevertheless, the intricate constraints and numerous steps involved in cold rolling pose challenges to devising a rational scheduling plan. Therefore, considering the practical production constraints, this paper investigates a cold rolling scheduling problem for processing jobs with specific due dates and batch attributions on parallel heterogeneous machines with continuous production requirements. Firstly, the scheduling problem is formulated as a mixed integer linear program (MILP) model with an economic objective. Then, a modified genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed to search for the optimal solution to the MILP problem. Specifically, this method includes a heuristic initialization mechanism to generate feasible initial solutions, three heuristic mutation operators to generate promising candidate solutions, and a parallel computing mechanism to accelerate the evaluation process of the GA. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method can be effectively implemented to generate optimized scheduling schemes in the cold rolling process.

Essential recycling and repurposing of food waste for environment and sustainability

Food waste valorization by recycling and repurposing is critical for lowering the environmental and economic burden of discarded food and facilitating the transition to a circular economy. Several research have focused on recycling technology and end-use products; nonetheless, their economic, environmental, and social impacts are limited. This study employs an integrative review approach to analyze global challenges related to food waste and develop a comprehensive single-source reference on this critical issue. Food supply chain activities, including retail and consumption, microbial and food safety concerns, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the context of food waste, were evaluated. Despite significant efforts to overcome these challenges, approximately 1.3 billion tons of edible food are lost or wasted annually, leading to the emission of around 3.3 billion tons of greenhouse gases. The environmental impact, ranging from 347 to 2,969 kg CO₂ equivalent per ton of food waste, depends on multiple factors within food supply chains and waste management systems. This review focuses on the following challenges: (1) stress on croplands related to food production and its consequential impacts; (2) limitations of croplands, food production constraints, and waste generation trends at various stages of supply chains; (3) existing strategies for controlling waste by sources and categories, along with the detrimental economic impacts of food waste; and (4) currently available technologies for waste treatment and conversion into value-added products. Overall, food waste is primarily used for energy recovery, biofertilizers, and biomaterials. However, innovative food waste conversion strategies have the potential to create high-value products, foster industrial collaboration, and further support the circular economy.

Session 7. Oral Presentation for: A novel way to achieve early commercialisation of tight-sand and shale gas fields: small-scale modularised liquefied natural gas

Presented on 27 May 2025: Session 7 Based upon published reports, tight-sand and shale gas are one of the largest sources of natural gas under development globally, with annual production increasing dramatically from 2008 to 2023. This was particularly so in China, driven by advancements in drilling and completion technology such as multi-stage hydraulic fracturing in long horizontal wells. Given Australia’s geological setting and industrial environment, which have some similarities with USA and Canada, the country has potential to become a major player in commercially viable tight sand/shale gas production. An estimated 12.93 TCF of 2C contingent gas resources have been identified in Australia, primarily located in the Beetaloo Sub-basin within the greater McArthur Basin, as well as in the Cooper Basin, Canning Basin and Bowen-Surat Basins. However, developing tight-sand and shale gas resources in Australia presents numerous challenges, including their remote location, lack of existing gas export infrastructure, and well productivity constraints due to restrictions on the use of hydraulic fracturing. Additionally, a high-cost environment further hinders the path to commercial production. In China, a small-scale modularised LNG production approach has been successfully applied to tight sand/shale gas developments in the Sichuan Basin, demonstrating how early cash flow and extended production information can provide key support for an operator’s financial position in the market, increasing the chance of development. Lessons from these case studies could be instrumental in overcoming the challenges faced by Australia’s operators for development of this resource type, potentially paving the way to successful commercialisation. To access the Oral Presentation click the link on the right. To read the full paper click here

Temporal-spatial interplay in metadiscourse: mapping organizational patterns in research article rhetoric

This study investigates interactive metadiscourse in quantitative Economics research articles across L1 Chinese, Chinese ESL, and L1 English scholars through a tripartite corpus analysis grounded in Hyland’s (2005) framework. By synthesizing the cognitive discourse analysis with the contrastive rhetoric theory, the investigation uncovers how L1-based conceptual transfer mediates spatiotemporal organization in academic texts. Results demonstrate systematic rhetorical preferences and marked frequency divergences across sub-corpora, particularly in Chinese ESL writers’ blending of pro-spatial discourse patterns with English pro-temporal sequencing norms. The conceptual duality of Chinese ESL writers’ emerges as figure-ground alignment shifts that restructure argumentative logic in L2 texts. The research advances metadiscourse scholarship by modeling L1 cognitive imprinting on disciplinary writing and refining methodologies for the multilingual rhetoric analysis. These insights clarify cognitive constraints in the cross-linguistic knowledge production and equip researchers with diagnostic tools to trace L1 interference in the international academic communication.

Deciphering heat stress tolerance indices for identifying terminal heat-tolerant bread wheat genotypes

High temperatures during the grain-filling period are a significant constraint in wheat production. Effective selection criteria help plant breeders utilize genetic variation more efficiently, improving stress tolerance in wheat. This study intends to investigate bread wheat genotypes' heat stress tolerance indices to identify and select heat stress-tolerant wheat genotypes. This study assessed 48 bread wheat genotypes during the wheat growing seasons 2021 and 2022 under both optimum and heat stress conditions. Twelve different stress indices were calculated, followed by correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis and Multi-Trait Genotype-Ideotype Distance Index (MGIDI) analysis, all performed using the stress indices. Analysis of variance results showed that genotypes differed significantly for each stress index examined in the study. The significant drop in average grain yield across all genotypes under stress compared to optimal conditions indicates a considerable effect of heat stress on grain production. The results of the correlation, PCA and MGIDI analyses revealed that mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), harmonic mean (HM) and mean relative performance (MRP) were key discriminating indices in explaining heat stress tolerance among 48 wheat genotypes. Principal component, cluster analysis and MGIDI results were used to draw the inference that GS/2019-20/6046, GS-2018- 19/1007, HPYT-2019-20/416, SAWYT-2018-19/309 and GS/2019-20/5042 show high yielding indices and are suitable under heat stress environment. Thus, the mentioned genotypes hold promise for cultivation in high-temperature environments or as genetic reservoirs for integrating genetic variants into wheat genotypes, enhancing their resilience to heat stress.

The Competitive Car Production Game: Teaching Theory of Constraints and Linear Programming

Having observed many students struggling with the topics of theory of constraints (TOC) and modeling optimization problems, we developed the competitive car production game. It is a tangible interactive in-class educational game, in which student teams compete for the highest profit by managing their own production line of (toy) cars. The objective of the game is to teach topics such as TOC, linear programming (LP), production scheduling, and game theory. Our game is flexible in its application: Students can play a basic version (Module 1) and/or an extended version (Module 2). In both modules, students determine the optimal product mix, deciding how many of each type of car to manufacture while considering production and demand constraints. In Module 2, students also have the opportunity to bid in an auction event for extra capacity and must compete for total market demand. Since September 2023, this game has been successfully implemented in various operations management–related courses taught to Bachelor, Master, and MBA students. Our positive experience with teaching the game, combined with students’ evaluations, confirms its value. Supplemental Material: Additional material for Modules 1 and 2 is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ited.2024.0125 . The Teaching Note is available at https://www.informs.org/Publications/Subscribe/Access-Restricted-Materials .

Dual tolerance to soil drought and excess moisture stresses in cowpea genetic resources assessed using multiple indicators

IntroductionClimate change poses significant challenges to agriculture, particularly for upland crops in vulnerable regions. Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata), a vital protein source in the dry savannah of West Africa, face production constraints due to yield variability from inconsistent rainfall patterns. Projections indicate an increase in extreme rainfall events, exacerbating excess moisture stress and complicating cultivation. This study evaluated the dual tolerance of cowpeas to both drought and excessive moisture by examining 99 genetic accessions, including both cultivated varieties and wild ancestors.MethodsA total of 99 cowpea accessions, comprising 54 cultivated accessions (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) and 45 wild ancestor accessions, were analyzed. Combinations of multiple indices with large genotypic variation—such as chlorophyll fluorescence, SPAD readings, and shoot biomass—were used to assess stress tolerance.ResultsWhile most accessions showed tolerance to only one stress or neither, ten accessions exhibited dual tolerance. Of the ten, nine were wild ancestors, underscoring the potential of wild genetic resources for crop improvement. As a factor underlying dual tolerance, we focused on the root morphological plasticity, allowing dynamic structural adjustments to different soil water conditions. Under excess moisture, a dual-tolerant accession formed lysigenous aerenchyma, facilitating oxygen diffusion and nitrogen fixation, while under drought conditions, it increased stele proportion. In contrast, a cultivar sensitive to both stressors exhibited lower plasticity, limiting its adaptability.ConclusionThis study highlights the importance of using multiple indices to assess stress tolerance, as different parameters reflect distinct physiological responses. The findings provide valuable insights for breeding climate-resilient cowpea varieties that can adapt to fluctuating soil water conditions.

Transcriptome-Based Analysis of the Co-Expression Network of Genes Related to Nitrogen Absorption in Rice Roots Under Nitrogen Fertilizer and Density

Nitrogen (N) management and planting density critically influence rice (Oryza sativa L.) N use efficiency (NUE) and yield stability, though excessive inputs risk ecological and productivity constraints. This study investigated molecular adaptations in japonica rice Hongyang 5 under three N density regimens: high N/low density (HNLD), medium N/medium density (MNMD), and low N/high density (LNHD). Our previous studies found that the N absorption efficiency, antioxidant enzyme activity, and energy metabolism-related phenotypes of rice roots showed significant differences under different treatments. In this study, we found that root morphology, such as root length, root surface area, root volume, and average root diameter, also showed significant differences among different treatments. Based on this, we further integrated transcriptome and co-expression network analysis, revealing 40,218 expressed genes with differential expression patterns across treatments. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified 13 modules, with the Turquoise and Blue modules notably demonstrating strong associations with N assimilation, antioxidant activity, and ATP metabolism. Ten hub genes emerged through intramodular connectivity analysis, including LOC_Os02g53130 (N metabolism), LOC_Os06g48240 (peroxidase activity), and LOC_Os01g48420 (energy transduction), with RT-qPCR validation confirming transcriptome-derived expression profiles. Functional characterization revealed synergistic coordination between Turquoise module N metabolic pathways and Blue module redox homeostasis, suggesting an integrated regulatory mechanism for root adaptation to N density interactions. These findings establish a gene-network framework that reveals the molecular regulatory network of crop responses to N nutrition and planting density and provides important theoretical support for N fertilizer management, population quality optimization, and variety breeding in precision agriculture.

Exploring the fertilizer value of vermicompost and poultry manure to enhance soil health and yield of sweet bitter-leaf Vernonia hymenolepis

Poor soil fertility is a major crop production constraint, which is commonly resolved using chemical fertilizers that may eventually cause deleterious effects on the environment. Alternatively, poultry manure and vermicompost can serve as sustainable options to improve soil and crop performance. This field study at the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Buea in Cameroon, aimed to evaluate the fertilizer value of poultry manure and vermicompost, their influence on earthworm population, and yield of sweet bitter-leaf (Vernonia hymenolepis). The trial was established as randomized complete block design with six treatments (untreated control, nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK), poultry manure (PM), vermicompost (VC), PM + NPK, and VC + NPK. The content of N, P and K in vermicompost was significantly (P < 0.05) higher by 82%, 50%, and 93%, respectively, compared to field soil, and 40%, 27% and 39% compared to poultry manure. Earthworm population was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in plots amended with vermicompost (575) compared to poultry manure (441), VC + NPK (356), PM + NPK (262), control (234), and NPK (121). Vermicompost exerted 160% and 200% additional nutrient value on sweet bitter-leaf yield compared to poultry manure and NPK, respectively, while poultry manure exerted 125% additional nutrient value compared to NPK fertilizer. Integrated application of VC + NPK increased sweet bitter-leaf yield significantly (P < 0.05), followed by PM + NPK, vermicompost, PM, NPK, and control. Sweet bitter-leaf yield correlated (P < 0.05) positively with soil nitrogen (r = 0.93) and plant available soil phosphorus (r = 0.96). These results highlight the fertilizer value of vermicompost, the ability to improve earthworm abundance, and boost crop productivity.

Register variations in homepage bios of humanities scholars at Chinese universities and those in English-speaking countries

Abstract The scholar’s homepage has become an indispensable genre in scholarly life. Previous studies have explored techniques for extracting specific details from scholars’ homepage biographies, such as their publication history and educational background. However, there is a lack of research investigating the linguistic properties of homepage bios. Register refers to the linguistic variations that configure the contextual factors constraining language use. To examine the register variations in the homepage bios of humanities scholars at ‘Project 985’ Chinese universities and those at QS Top-100 universities from English-speaking countries, Multi-Dimensional Analysis and Wmatrix are used to conduct a corpus-based analysis. The entire corpus consists of two sub-corpora: one for the English homepage bios of humanities scholars at Chinese universities and another for those at universities in English-speaking countries. Each sub-corpus comprises 288 texts. The results show that the former sub-corpus is closer to academic prose, whereas the latter is closer to broadcast discourse. The former exhibits a higher degree of narrativity, is more loosely tied to the situation, and refers less frequently to real-time production constraints, while the latter exhibits a higher level of interaction and personal involvement and tends more to persuade readers. Scholars in Chinese universities tend to emphasize social titles, the role of doctoral supervisors, and academic achievements, while those in English-speaking countries are inclined to highlight personal descriptions and relationships with others in their homepage bios. To some extent, this reflects the differences in working cultures between Chinese universities and those in English-speaking countries.