Protected Environment Research Articles

Symbionts of Ciliates and Ciliates as Symbionts.

Endosymbiotic relationships between ciliates and others are critical for their ecological roles, physiological adaptations, and evolutionary implications. These can be obligate and facultative. Symbionts often provide essential nutrients, contribute to the ciliate's metabolism, aid in digestion, and offer protection against predators or environmental stressors. In turn, ciliates provide a protected environment and resources for their symbionts, facilitating their survival and proliferation. Ultrastructural and full-cycle rRNA approaches are utilized to identify these endosymbionts. Fluorescence in situ hybridization using "species- and group-specific probes" which are complementary to the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of a particular species or group of interest represent convenient tools for their detection directly in the environment. A systematic survey of these endosymbionts has been conducted using both traditional and metagenomic approaches. Ciliophora and other protists have a wide range of prokaryotic symbionts, which may contain potentially pathogenic bacteria. Ciliates can establish symbiotic relationships with a variety of hosts also, ranging from protists to metazoans. Understanding ciliate symbiosis can provide useful insights into the complex relationships that drive microbial communities and ecosystems in general.

Wave, light, and dissolved oxygen exposures drive novel coastal eelgrass (Zostera pacifica) transplant performance

The high ecological and economic value of seagrass has been long recognized, with these foundational habitats providing myriad ecosystem services. Yet through cumulative anthropogenic impacts, seagrasses are exhibiting extensive declines globally. A litany of studies and active restoration trials have demonstrated practical methodologies to restore seagrass habitats and effectively return critical habitat functions to degraded coastal zone systems worldwide. Seagrass loss along the U.S. West Coast has precipitated decades of seagrass protection, conservation, and restoration efforts. Yet, mitigation transplanting efforts have prioritized Zostera marina (narrow-leaved eelgrass) in shallow, protected environments, while a dearth of information is available on species inhabiting offshore islands and exposed mainland coasts. In this study, we conducted a novel transplant of Zostera pacifica, a wide-leaved species found in depths of 7 – 20 m along the offshore islands and mainland coast of California. Transplants were conducted at three geographically distinct sites in Santa Monica Bay, coupled with continuous monitoring of biophysical parameters providing insight into physical drivers at transplant and donor sites. Utilizing in situ data, and environmental thresholds adapted from the literature for Z. marina, we performed exposure analyses to evaluate factors influencing Z. pacifica transplant performance. Exceedances of threshold values for environmental parameters, specifically, wave exposure and near-bed flow speeds (Hrms > 0.59 m and Urms > 0.1 m s-1), photosynthetically active radiation (< 3 and > 5 mol m-2 day-1) and dissolved oxygen (< 3 mg O2 L-1) exposure impacted transplant survivorship. These results suggest Z. pacifica persist in biophysically dynamic conditions and are sensitive to exceedances of thresholds, underlining the importance of pre-transplant site-selection processes to this species. These data represent the first holistic study of Z. pacifica transplanting on an exposed mainland coast, which provides a view into the baseline environmental envelopes within existing Z. pacifica habitat, and further, may serve as a model for investigating scalable open coast seagrass restoration for temperate regions.

"Metabolight": how light spectra shape plant growth, development and metabolism.

Innovations in light technologies (i.e. Light Emitting Diodes; LED) and cover films with specific optical features (e.g. photo-selective, light-extracting) have revolutionized crop production in both protected environments and open fields. The possibility to modulate the light spectra, thereby enriching/depleting cultivated plants with targeted wavebands has attracted increasing interest from both basic and applicative research. Indeed, the light environment not only influences plant biomass production but is also a pivotal factor in shaping plant size, development and metabolism. In the last decade, the strict interdependence between specific wavebands and the accumulation of targeted secondary metabolites has been exploited to improve the quality of horticultural products. Innovation in LED lighting has also marked the improvement of streetlamp illumination, thereby posing new questions about the possible influence of light pollution on urban tree metabolism. In this case, it is urgent and challenging to propose new, less-impacting solutions by modulating streetlamp spectra in order to preserve the ecosystem services provided by urban trees. The present review critically summarizes the main recent findings related to the morpho-anatomical, physiological, and biochemical changes induced by light spectra management via different techniques in crops as well as in non-cultivated species. This review explores the following topics: (1) plant growth in monochromatic environments, (2) the use of greenhouse light supplementation, (3) the application of covering films with different properties, and (4) the drawbacks of streetlamp illumination on urban trees. Additionally, it proposes new perspectives offered by in planta photomodulation.

Comprehensive Facies Analysis and Depositional Environment Modeling of the Eocene Dammam Formation in Central to Southern Iraq

The Dammam Formation holds immense geological significance, as it spans across a substantial portion of southern Iraq, encompassing a vast area. This formation stands out as the primary aquifer source in the region. To gain a comprehensive understanding of its sedimentology, a comprehensive study was conducted using 310 samples extracted from various boreholes. These boreholes, including Kr-1, Kr-c.q., Nj-20, Ns-13, Ns-24, R-742, and Ru-509. The lithology of the Dammam Formation is limestone, dolomitic limestone, and dolomite rocks, which are also used as raw materials in the manufacture of cement. The microfacies analysis was carried out on Lower-Upper Eocene carbonate rocks along a center-south transect in Iraq. This analysis establishing larger benthic foraminifera enables to reconstruction of the paleoenvironmental model and to show the evolution of a platform along the depth gradient. The analysis revealed the presence of five primary microfacies within the Dammam Formation, each offering unique insights into its composition. These microfacies include Lime-mudstone, Wackestone, Packstone, Floatstone, and Rudstone, all of which contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the formation’s sedimentary makeup. Moreover, this in-depth examination uncovered an additional eight submicrofacies. The benthic foraminiferal assemblages within the Dammam Formation provide valuable insights into the progressive shifts along an ecological gradient, indicating a gradual transition from shallower, more protected (inner) shelf environments to deeper, more open (outer) shelf settings. Within the inner shelf, one can observe the prevalence of orbitolitids, alveolinids, and, to some extent, small miliolids, indicative of this relatively shallow and sheltered environment. Moving towards the inner ramp or shoal region, the foraminiferal composition is characterized by robust nummulitids, signifying the distinctive conditions of this particular zone. From a paleoenvironmental perspective, the Dammam Formation reflects deposition in a diverse range of environments, including peritidal inner ramp areas, lagoons, shoals, restricted-marine platforms, and open marine interior platforms. This variability underscores the complexity of the formation’s geological history and the diverse conditions under which its sediments accumulated over time.

Physiology and development of grafted dwarf cashew seedlings under different fertilization doses and irrigated with saline water

Salinity is one of the primary challenges faced by irrigated agriculture in semi-arid regions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of fertilization on the development of cashew seedlings irrigated with water of varying salinity levels. The research was conducted in a protected environment at Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical, Fortaleza, using grafted seedlings of the BRS 189 clone on CCP 06 rootstock. The treatments resulted from the combination of three levels of NPK fertilization (control - without fertilization, 50% less than conventional nutrition, and 100% of conventional nutrition used by the crop), which was incorporated into the substrate before sowing CCP 06, with four salinity levels (ECa of 0.8, 4.0, 7.0, and 10.0 dS m-1) of the irrigation water for the seedlings. Gas exchange, assimilate accumulation, growth, and nutrient content in the leaves, stems, and roots of the seedlings were evaluated 90 days after grafting. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, and when a significant effect was observed, the Tukey test was performed, while quantitative data were subjected to regression analysis. Overall, fertilization levels did not influence seedling growth. Fertilization did not interfere with photosynthate production, which performed better when the seedlings were subjected to a salinity of 7.0 dS m-1. The application of NPK to the substrate resulted in higher levels of nitrogen in the leaves, while phosphorus content decreased, and foliar potassium was not influenced by fertilization.

Performance of tomato grown under different water replacement depths and silicon application forms

Water management has a direct impact on plant development, and under deficit conditions, it often results in reduced yields. Silicon (Si), however, has the potential to alleviate stress and enhance plant performance under unfavorable conditions. This study aimed to analyze the performance of tomato plants cultivated under different water replacement depths and forms of silicon application. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement represented by two water replacement depths (60% and 100% of crop evapotranspiration - ETc) and four forms of silicon application (without application, soil application - full dose, soil application - split dose, and foliar applications). Four replications were used. The plants were cultivated in a protected environment using drip irrigation for water replacement, and silicon oxide served as the source of the element. The analyzed parameters included daily evapotranspiration, leaf spectral reflectance, mass accumulation (root, stem, and leaf), yield indices (fruit weight, plant yield, and defective fruits), water productivity, and post-harvest fruit weight loss. The imposition of water deficit (60% of ETc) in tomato leads to reduced crop development and yield, with the effects partially mitigated by the application of silicon. Conversely, under conditions of adequate water replacement (100% of ETc), silicon application contributes to increased development and yield of tomato. The application of silicon in the soil, whether in a full or split dose, demonstrates a more favorable response in vegetative indices and yield for tomato.

Yield performance and nutritional quality of tomato hybrids in response to protected environments during the Amazonian summer

This study evaluated the yield performance of the tomato hybrids 'DS0060', 'Thaise' and 'Trucker' in the open field and environments protected by agricultural film (F) and polycarbonate panels (P) during the Amazonian summer. In the protected environment, the crops produced significantly higher yields than in the open field. 'Thaise' has high thermotolerance and is adaptable to a wide temperature range, making it the best-performing hybrid in environment F. Highest yields were found for 'Thaise' in environment F or P (86.2 and 92.5 t ha-1) together with 'DS0060' and 'Trucker' in environment F (75.3 and 88.2 t ha-1), demonstrating the high yield potential in the interim growing season (January to April). In the open field, the fruit color was paler, fruit flesh firmer and ripening index lower. In environment F, the fruits contained highest levels of soluble solids, lycopene and β-carotene. 'Thaise' contained higher concentrations of these two compounds. Under environment P, the yield of the evaluated tomato hybrids increased considerably, indicating it as a promising possibility for tomato cultivation in tropical regions. 'Thaíse' stood out with high yield and good quality traits, when grown in an F or P environment. These results prove the viability of tomato production as interim crop in tropical regions, under high rainfall and heat, as well as the difference protected environments make for tomato cultivation, in particular the choice of the most suitable cover material for the crop, to ensure high yields coupled with desirable quality properties.

Suitability of containerized toxicant to control Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) threatening cave species in Bexar County, Texas.

Several protected troglobitic invertebrate species are known to occur in caves on Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Bexar County, Texas, United States. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) identified red-imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta (hereafter RIFA) (Buren 1972) as the primary threat to cave species' nutrient sources, cave crickets, Ceuthophilus secretus (Scudder 1894). Per the service's recommendations, Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis currently implements boiling water mound injections with digging for RIFA control. However, treatment effectiveness is highly variable and largely dependent on the time of day, weather, and personnel diligence. Toxicants have been used for RIFA treatment throughout the world, but concerns exist that traditional applications of toxicant bait around caves might be accessible and inadvertently affect nontarget arthropods, including cricket populations. To mitigate this accessibility, physically limiting access to the toxicant from crickets may be an option. Our objectives were to (i) compare and evaluate the effectiveness of Amdro (Hydramethylnon) and Advion (Indoxacarb) granular baits housed in Ants-No-More Bait Stations (Kness MFG. Inc., Albia, IA) and (ii) evaluate the distance of effectiveness of each bait within a bait station. Ultimately, we observed a 98% reduction in RIFA mound abundance from both baits. Additionally, RIFA mounds within 10 m of the containerized toxicant were reduced by 70%. Our pilot study suggested that Ants-No-More Bait Stations are an effective way to reduce RIFA mounds by 70% if placed 10 m from each other. In practice, this could include bait stations completely covering a particular distance to a cave entrance or fewer bait stations in a ring barrier at a single radial distance to a cave entrance. Containerized toxicants may be a cost-effective and safe RIFA control option around protected cave environments, but further studies are needed to determine potential effects on nontarget arthropods, optimal bait station configuration, and potential effects of biomagnification.

Effect of calcium-enriched microalgae extract on mitigating saline stress in papaya seedlings.

The papaya (Carica papaya L.) is among the mainly fruit species produced in tropical and subtropical climate. The salinity of water in agricultural areas is considered a limiting factor for the expansion of papaya. This study aimed to evaluate calcium-enriched microalgae extract (EMa-Ca) as an attenuator of saline stress in irrigation water on the growth and physiology of Formosa papaya seedlings, hybrid Tainung. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment, with treatments distributed in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme, comprising five electrical conductivities of irrigation water (0.50; 1.10; 2.50; 3.90 and 4.50 dSm-1) with the presence and absence of EMa-Ca in the substrate. Evaluated characteristics were: plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, leaf area, dry masses weight of roots, aboveground parts and total. Gas exchanges and chlorophyll indices (a, b and total) were also evaluated. The application of EMa-Ca resulted in an increase of 6.05% in height and 6.33% in trunk diameter. The number of leaves decreased with an increase in electrical conductivity, and the leaf area was reduced by 33%. All seedling dry masses showed greater declines in the absence of EM-Ca. The EMa-Ca increased net photosynthesis, CO2 concentration, transpiration and stomatal conductance by 39.13%, 30.43%, 38.88% and 42.85%, respectively. For chlorophyll without the use of EMa-Ca, a decrease rate of 1.21%, 0.41% and 1.62% was observed for Chla, Chlb and Chlt, respectively. Therefore, the EMa-Ca application (1.0 ml/L) significantly enhance the vegetative development, gas exchanges, and chlorophyll indices of papaya seedlings under saline stress conditions.

Mitigação do estresse salino em mudas de maracujá com aplicação de H2O2

ABSTRACT Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can be indicated as a strategy to mitigate salt stress in plants, so the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations and methods of application of H2O2 as a mitigator of salt stress on the growth, physiology, and quality of seedlings of yellow passion fruit. The experiment was carried out in a protected environment (screened) belonging to UFERSA, in Caraúbas - RN, Brazil, in a randomized block design and analyzed in a 2 × 4 × 3 factorial scheme, with four replications and one plant per plot. The treatments consisted of levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water - ECw (0.5 and 3.2 dS m-1), H2O2 concentrations (0, 12, 24, and 36 μM), and H2O2 application methods (M1 = seed soaking, M2 = foliar spraying, and M3 = seed soaking + foliar spraying). Increased levels of salinity in irrigation water negatively affect seedling quality. Hydrogen peroxide at an average concentration of 24 µM mitigates salt stress in passion fruit seedlings cv. BRS Gigante Amarelo. H2O2 application to seeds associated with foliar spraying mitigates the effects of salt stress on the absolute growth rate of the leaf area of passion fruit seedlings irrigated with an ECw of 3.2 dS m-1.

Molecular identification and antimicrobial potential of endophytic fungi against some grapevine pathogens.

Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that, exhibiting within the plant tissues without causing any apparent harm to the host, establish a symbiotic relationship with plants. Host plants provide endophytic fungi with essential nutrients and a protected environment. In exchange, the fungi can enhance the plant's ability to acquire nutrients. They can also play a crucial role in increasing the host plant's tolerance to various abiotic and biotic stresses. Endophytic fungi can produce a wide range of bioactive compounds, some similar to those found in the host plant. In Iraq's Duhok province of the Kurdistan region, the plant species Vitis vinifera has been explored as a habitat for diverse endophytic microorganisms across various ecological environments. During the period from 2021 to 2022, a total of 600 samples were collected from four distinct locations: Bagera, Besfke, Barebhar, and Atrush. From these samples, twelve endophytic fungal species were isolated, including Aspergillus flavipes, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium ruscicol, Fusarium venenatum, Chaetomium globosum, Clonostachys rosea, Mucor racemosus, Penicillium glabrum, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus nidulans, and Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata, Paecilomyces maximus, Curvularia buchloes. These fungi were introduced for their potential as biocontrol agents against grapevine trunk diseases and grape rotting fungi, which pose significant risks to grapevine health and productivity. Penicilium radiatolobatum, Botrysphaeria dothidea, Fusarium ruscicola, Fusarium venenatum, and Paecilomyces maximus represented the first record as endophytes on grapevine in Iraq. Based on ITS and SSU sequencing, molecular identification confirmed these fungi's presence with sequence identities ranging from 99% to 100%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these endophytes could be categorized into five main clusters (A, B, C, D, and E), showing high intra-group similarity. Utilizing the Dual Culture method, the endophyte Paecilomyces maximus demonstrated a 70.83% inhibition rate against Ilyonectria destructans. In the Food Poisoning method, A. flavipes and P. maximus emerged as the most effective inhibitors of Ilyonectria destructans, whereas A. terreus, M. racemosus, and P. maximus achieved complete inhibition (100%) of Botrytis cinerea. Additionally, M. racemosus was identified as the most effective biocontrol agent against Neoscytalidium dimidiatum. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the potential of endophytic fungi from Vitis vinifera as effective biocontrol agents against grapevine diseases, highlighting their role in sustainable vineyard management. These findings lead to further exploration and implementation of these fungi-inserted pest management strategies.

Water regimes and hydrogel applied on bell pepper grown in a protected environment

Water regimes and hydrogel applied on bell pepper grown in a protected environment

Effectiveness of a Competency-based Foundation Course in Enriching Medical Education: Insights from First year MBBS Students

Background: The medical profession requires extensive knowledge and skills, making it a demanding and challenging profession. To help 1st-year medical students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds transition from a highly protected school environment to a professional course, a 1-month orientation program has been introduced by the National Medical Council in India. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the feedback of 1st-year medical students on the competency-based medical education foundation course. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 525 1st-year MBBS students from the 2022 to 2023 batch in various medical colleges across different states. A predesigned, structured, and validated questionnaire was used to obtain feedback from students on a 5-point Likert scale. Results: The feedback of 525 students was obtained and analyzed. The majority of students in all states reported 75%–100% orientation on the role of doctors in society, family practice, and national health policies. Basic life support skills were highly appreciated by most students (>55%) in all states. Computer skills were also found to be useful by the majority of students (61%). Most students (100%) reported sensitization and awareness of medical ethics and the availability of student support systems after attending the course. Field visits were rated as extremely useful, and the majority of students (52.9%) had exposure to sports and extracurricular activities. Conclusion: The foundation course aims to develop the necessary skills and leadership qualities that are essential for the overall development of an individual and an efficient doctor. Majority of the students rated the foundation course as very useful, indicating it to be a useful teaching program aiding in a smooth transition and adaptation to the various challenges throughout their professional course.

The role of protected environment structures in Indian Agriculture

The role of protected environment structures in Indian Agriculture

Tectonics or rebound: Pleistocene fault reactivation in the highest mountains of the Carpathians

The steep morphology, highest elevation within the Carpathians, and distinct fault borders of the Tatra Mts. support the assumption of recent tectonic activity. However, for decades, the Quaternary tectonic activity of the Tatra Mts. has been poorly evidenced, and a late Pleistocene fault rupture was discovered recently. Using the protected environment of the caves, we have utilized 230Th/U dating of damaged speleothems to extend the record of Quaternary deformation of the Tatra Mts. up to 0.5 Ma. The results from ten caves reveal five periods of increased activity at 465–332, 280–260, 204.8–188.8, 127–86.6, and 29.5–10.11 ka ago. Three mechanisms of fault reactivation were identified through paleostress analysis of cave passage offsets: (1) gravitational sliding; (2) NNE–SSW transpression, likely associated with the Alps–Carpathians–Pannonian (ALCAPA) NNE motion; and (3) tectonic-driven SE-trending compression that reactivated the strike–slip and the gently dipping oblique lower-order faults. The geochronological data indicate that these three stress regimes operated during the late Pleistocene; however, our fault-slip data do not allow us to identify the dominant process. Herein, we suggest that the fault slip was caused by the isostatic response of the Tatra block to the unloading of mountain glaciers, coupled with sediment evacuation overlapping with regional-scale tectonic processes. These processes are locally obliterated by debuttressing. We also show that the distances between the caves and possible seismic sources (i.e., the Sub-Tatric and Ružbachy faults) are sufficiently short to break speleothems in response to oscillation. Given that for most caves an earthquake of >Mw6.5 would be destructive, it seems co-seismic deformations in caves are highly likely considering the Mw > 7 potential of the Sub-Tatric Fault.

The Use of the Ash from the Burning of Sugarcane Bagasse is Associated with Biosolid Application for Soil Fertility

The incorporation of agroindustrial wastes in the soil is an alternative practice for an adequate environmental destination, and it is a nutrient source. Purpose: This study evaluated the effects of incorporating biosolids associated with sugarcane ashes and their effect on bean crop production in a protected environment concerning nutritional chemical parameters. Methods: The experimental design was in randomised blocks in a 2x4+1 factorial scheme with four replications. The main factors consisted of two doses of ash (5 and 10 t ha-1) and four doses of biosolid (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 t ha-1) in two phenological stages, vegetative (V4) and reproductive (R7). Results: The results showed that adding both waste in the soil provided a better availability of secondary macronutrients and essential micronutrients for the bean crop but lower primary macronutrients. This way, the applied ash doses change the pH, considering its neutralising properties. Adding 10 t of SBA significantly reduced the pH compared to applying 5 t in the absence of biosolid. The soil organic matter content increased with the SBA application, mainly at the dose of 10 t ha-1 of the waste. Combining BS with the highest SBA dose ash (10 t ha -1) generally resulted in elevated P levels. About K contents, the 10 t SBA dose promoted the most significant increase in the content of this element. Conclusion: Regarding the effect of doses, considering the studied phenological stages (V4 and R7), the results were promising even at lower doses of applied waste. This result indicates a dose dependence to complement the crop's nutritional needs.

Impact of Nitrogen on Growth and Yield of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) under Open and Protected Environment

A field experiment was conducted at Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Agriculture, Khalsa College, Amritsar during the year 2020-21. Ten treatments with three replications were designed in a Factorial Randomized Block Design to conduct the research. The obtained results showed the significant synergistic effect of environmental conditions and nitrogen doses on the growth, yield and quality of broccoli as compared to the control. Better vegetative and yield characters were observed in the protected environment with a 125% nitrogen application, while the utmost quality was observed under the protected environment with a 100% nitrogen application, and control recorded the poorest result of all.

Varietal Evaluation And Assessment Of Plastic Mulches For Growth, Yield And Fruit Quality Of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) Under Protected Environment

Different genotypes and mulches are readily available in the market but Indian farmers are unaware about the performance of these genotypes and mulches in a particular region under protected environment. Therefore, considering the foregoing circumstances, the experiment was performed at Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Vegetable Science, Khalsa College, Amritsar in the spring-summer season 2022-2023 in Factorial Randomized Block Design comprising of 15 treatment combinations having five levels of mulches i.e. double shaded plastic mulch (M1), black plastic mulch (M2), red plastic mulch (M3), yellow plastic mulch (M4) and no mulch (M5) and three genotypes i.e. EZ-9003 (G1), NS-4266 (G2) and check PTH-1 (G3). The objective of the research was to study the effect of different plastic mulches on the growth, yield, and quality of tomato genotypes and to identify the most promising genotype(s) under the protected environment. The outcomes revealed that double-shaded plastic mulch surpassed other mulches for all the growth and yield-related parameters except days to first picking. Based on mean performance, significant variations have been observed in all the genotypes for various attributes which convey that PTH-1 (check) and NS-4266 are the best genotypes for growth, yield and its related traits taken under study. Biochemical analysis discovered that red and black plastic mulches surpass other treatments, whereas NS-4266 performed well for pericarp thickness and lycopene content, while check PTH-1 and EZ-9003 were best for processing purpose. The two-way interaction of Mulch (M) × Genotypes (G) was found non-significant for all the parameters omitting ascorbic acid content. The maximum net returns and B: C ratio were obtained in genotype NS-4266 and double-shaded plastic mulch under protected conditions for the agro-climatic region of Punjab. Therefore, double-shaded plastic mulch and genotypes PTH-1 (check) and NS-4266 are recommended to the farmers of Punjab to get maximum yield and returns from small holdings of land through protected cultivation.

The Impact of Spraying Marine Algae Extract, Arginine, and Brassinolide on Vegetative Growth Traits of Albion Strawberry Saplings

The study was done in two plastic greenhouses. The first location was the University of Anbar College of Agriculture research station. The second site was in Dolab village during the 2022-2023 growing season to study the effects of spraying Albion strawberry seedlings with marine algae extract, amino acid (arginine), and growth regulator (Brassinolide) in protected environments. The experiment looked at three things: spraying with marine algae extract at 2 and 4 ml L-1, the amino acid “arginine” at 100 and 200 mg L-1, and the growth regulator “Brassinolide” at 0.05 and 0.10 mg L-1, as well as just spraying with distilled water. A randomized full-block design was used for a three-factor factorial experiment. The experiment has 27 treatments in three blocks, with five plants per unit. The experiment utilized 405 plants per location. The means were compared using the least significant difference (LSD) test at 5% significance. The data was examined using Genstat. All growth characteristics were significantly affected by seaweed extract spraying. The characteristics (number of leaves, leaf area, crowns, dry weight of the vegetative system, leaf chlorophyll, and carbohydrate content) performed best at 4 ml/L. The results were 69.0 and 72.0 leaves plant-1, 59.16 and 56.79 cm2 plant-1, 7.02 and 6.64 crowns plant-1, 32.40 and 24.96 g, 13.15 and 12.67 g, 11.13 mg g-1, 13.82 and 12.83%). However, spraying with arginine affected all sapling development parameters. With the 200 mg L-1 treatment, the study sites had the most leaves, the most leaf area, the most crowns, and the most vegetative dry weight (68.1 and 70.7 leaves per plant, 59.39 and 57.61 cm2 per plant, 6.67 and 6.25 crowns per plant, 32.21 and 24.72 g). The best leaf chlorophyll and carbohydrate values were obtained with 100 mg L-1 arginine. The results for both research locations were 11.68 and 10.69 mg g-1, 13.91 and 12.53%). Spraying Brassinolide at 0.10 mg L-1 produced the greatest results for leaf number, leaf area, crowns, vegetative dry weight, leaf chlorophyll, and glucose content. The first and second sites had (68.1 and 70.7 leaves plant-1, 58.95 and 56.23 cm2 plant-1, 6.62 and 6.27 crowns plant-1, 31.20 and 24.20 g, 11.87 and 10.71 mg g-1, 13.30 and 12.10%).

Concrete with clinker‐efficient cements ‐ Robustness to variations in water content and temperature

AbstractThe use of multi‐component cements (CEM II‐CEM VI), which contain main constituents other than Portland cement clinker in significant quantities, can significantly help to reduce the CO2 footprint of the cement or concrete industry. Clinker‐efficient cements (CEM II/C‐M) have been standardized in the current version of DIN EN 197‐5. In a systematic experimental program, the influence of water content variations and temperature on the robustness of concrete with clinker‐efficient cements with high contents of granulated blast furnace slag or fly ash and limestone (CEM II/C‐M (S‐LL) and CEM II/C‐M (V‐LL)) was studied. As a reference, concretes representative for construction elements used indoor (XC1) or in protected outdoor environment (XC3) with standard Portland composite cement (CEM II/A‐M) and blast furnace slag cement (CEM III/A) were investigated. The influence of variations in water content and temperature on fresh (rheological properties, bleeding) and mechanical concrete properties (compressive strength, elastic modulus) were investigated. The results obtained show similar performance and robustness of such concretes with clinker‐efficient cements compared to the reference concretes.