Reduced Water Content Research Articles

Reducing geogenic arsenic leaching from excavated sedimentary soil using zero-valent iron amendment followed by dry magnetic separation: A case study

Although the deep-layer sedimentary soils excavated from construction sites contain low level of geogenic arsenic (As), remediation is necessary when the As leachability exceeds the environmental standard (10 μg/L) in Japan. In this study, the zero-valent iron (ZVI) amendment followed by dry magnetic separation (ZVI-DMS) was implemented for the treatment of a geogenic As-contaminated alkaline sedimentary soil (pH 8.9; 7.5 mg/kg of total As; 0.33 mg/kg of water-extractable As). This technology involves pH adjustment (adding H2SO4), ZVI addition, water content reduction (adding water adsorbent CaSO4·0.5H2O), and dry magnetic separation. The short-term and long-term As leachability before and after treatment was compared using sequential water leaching tests (SWLT). The results illustrated that As could be removed from the bulk soil through the magnetic separation of As-ZVI complexes, although the amount was limited (about 2% of total As). Moreover, immobilization played a dominant role in suppressing As leaching. The H2SO4 addition decreased pH to a circumneutral range and thereby suppress As release. The CaSO4·0.5H2O addition also contributed to the pH decrease and reduced As leachability. Besides, CaSO4·0.5H2O-dissolution released Ca2+ that favored As adsorption, and enhanced dissolved organic carbon (DOC) coagulation that decelerated As dissolution. SWLT results indicated that As leachability from remediated soil satisfied the environmental standard (10 μg/L) in both short-term and long-term perspective. However, the secular stability of treated soil deserves more attention due to the easy re-release of As caused by As-bearing framboidal pyrite oxidation. Additionally, during ZVI-DMS process, there is a need to scientifically decide the dosage of ZVI to avoid excessive addition. Our results demonstrated that ZVI-DMS technology could be a promising remediation strategy for geogenic As contaminated sedimentary soils/rocks.

Freezing stress survival mechanisms in Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. terminal buds.

Plants' mechanisms for surviving freezing stresses are essential adaptations that allow their existence in environments with extreme winter temperatures. Although it is known that Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. buds can acclimate in fall and survive very cold temperatures during the winter, the mechanism for survival of these buds is not known. The main objective of this study was to determine which of the two major mechanisms of freezing stress survival, namely, deep supercooling or freeze-induced dehydration, are employed by V. macrocarpon terminal buds. In the present study, no low-temperature exotherms (LTEs) were detected by differential thermal analysis. Furthermore, a gradual reduction of relative liquid water content in the inner portions of buds during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans performed between 0 and -20°C (where no damage was detected in controlled freezing tests (CFT)) indicates these buds may not deep supercool. The higher ice nucleation activity of outer bud scales and the appearance of large voids in this structure in early winter, in conjunction with the MRI observations, are evidence supportive of a freeze-induced dehydration process. In addition, the presence of tissue browning in acclimated buds as a result of freezing stress was only observed in CFT at temperatures below -20°C, and this damage gradually increased as test temperatures decreased and at different rates depending on the bud structure. Ours is the first study to collect multiple lines of evidence to suggest that V. macrocarpon terminal buds survive long periods of freezing stress by freeze-induced dehydration. Our results provide a framework for future studies of cold hardiness dynamics for V. macrocarpon and other woody perennial species and for the screening of breeding populations for freezing stress tolerance traits.

Stalk length should be considered for storage quality of broccoli heads based on the investigation of endogenous hormones metabolism

Endogenous hormones play significant roles in the storage quality of horticultural products. In the present study, the influence of diverse stalk lengths on hormones and storage quality of broccoli heads was investigated. Broccoli heads accompanied with stalk lengths (1, 3, 6, and 9 cm) were selected and stored at 10 °C and 85–90 % relative humidity. The results showed that the metabolism center was transferred from broccoli florets to stalk in broccoli heads with 9-cm stalks after 6 days. Compared to other treatments, the florets of broccoli heads with 6-cm stalks maintained the metabolism center via regulation of the consumption and distribution of endogenous hormones throughout the storage time, suppressing the reduction of water and protein content and hue angle H. Shorter stalk lengths accelerated the broccoli floret’s degradation during storage. The present results suggest that stalk/stem length should be considered for horticultural products during storage, especially for products with long stalk/stem.

The crucial effect of water and co-solvent on Liqui-Pellet pharmaceutical performance

Liqui-Pellet is considered to be the next generation oral dosage form. It is highly commercially feasible unlike its predecessor, liquisolid formulation. Liqui-Pellet uses Liqui-Mass system, allowing the formulation to overcome some of the critical drawbacks in liquisolid technology, which persisted more than two decades. These drawbacks include poor flowability, poor compressibility and inability for high dose without product being too heavy and bulky for swallowing. The investigation is an extension of the previous work on the Liqui-Pellet. In order to make this novel oral delivery system a commercial product, it is prudent to further understand the parameters affecting its drug release rate. Two major parameters affecting the dissolution rate that is investigated are water and liquid vehicle (Tween 80) contents. It is found out that reducing water content (from 8.62 ml to 4.76 ml which is 1.9 ml/0.95 ml per 20 g of API and excipients) and increasing Tween 80 concentration (from 28% w/w to 32 or 36% w/w) in naproxen Liqui-Pellet results to an increase in drug release rate; however, there is a limit of how much water and Tween 80 can be employed. Outside of this range limit, the formulation would fail to produce Liqui-Pellet due to agglomeration. The range limit of granulation liquid and liquid vehicle content are dependent on one another. In the successful formulation where Liqui-Pellets are formed, the excellent-good flow properties, resistant to friability and narrow size distribution makes it ideal for commercial production. SEM of the Liqui-Pellet shows a smooth surface which is ideal for coating. The solid state analysis via XRPD and DSC indicated reduced crystallinity of the drug which is expected.

Reduction in the Radiocesium in Meats of the Sika Deer and Wild Boar by Cooking

The behavior of radiocesium in wild animal meats upon cooking was investigated. The ratio of the concentration change (processing factor, Pf), remaining ratio (food processing retention factor, Fr), and removal ratio of radiocesium in the meats by grilling, boiling, and steaming were determined. Differences in cooking methods, rather than differences in meat parts or animal species, clearly influenced the Pf, Fr, and removal ratios. The mean Fr values were 0.9 (range, 0.7 to 1.0) for grilling, 0.6 (range, 0.4 to 0.7) for boiling, and 0.5 (range, 0.4 to 0.7) for steaming. The removal effect of grilling (11%) was lower than that of boiling (41%) or steaming (47%). The mean value of Pf was 1.2 (range, 1.1 to 1.6) for grilling, 0.8 (range, 0.6 to 0.9) for boiling, and 0.8 (range, 0.7 to 1.0) for steaming. The radiocesium concentration in the meats increased only upon grilling, but not by boiling or steaming. This difference is due to the lower removal effect of grilling than that of boiling and steaming. Therefore, boiling and steaming were more effective than grilling for removing radiocesium and reducing its concentration in wild animal meats. Furthermore, the ratio of water content fluctuations due to boiling was negatively correlated with Pf and Fr. It was evident that greater reductions in water content resulted in lower concentrations and improved radiocesium removal in the meats. These results suggest that some of the radiocesium naturally present in the meats is soluble in water and that the radiocesium dissolved in water can be removed from the meat with the release of water from the tissue.

Addition of Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) to the Bio-drying Process and the Effects of Variation in Air Discharge on Temperature Parameters and Urban Waste Water Content

Bio-drying is a technology used to reduce water content in waste using microorganisms that naturally increase the temperature in the decomposition process. With this process, the water content can drop more within a month. Bio-drying produces a product in the form of Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) which is produced from partially degraded waste. To obtain a waste that is not fully stabilized and maintains a high biomass content, degradation of organic compounds is carried out partially. During the bio drying process, temperature affects the degradation process. Temperature affects the bio drying, which will also affect the bio drying product that is indicated by the value of water content. Therefore, in this study, the change of process parameters will be explained, which is in the form of temperature and water content, that is caused by the difference in the air discharge entering the reactor (0, 2, 4, and 6 l/m) with the initial water content of 60%-65%. After 30 days, the optimum airflow is 4 l/m with a decrease in water content of 58.29%; on the last day of the bio drying process (30th day).

Biodrying of the Light Fraction from Anaerobic Digestion Pretreatment in Order to Increase the Total Recovery Rate

Two pilot-scale tests were carried out to assess if biodrying could be an effective process for the treatment of light fraction produced by an hydromechanical pre-treatment in an anaerobic digestion plant. The trials were performed using two pilot-scale stainless steel cylindrical reactors of 750 L capacity. Two tests were performed: in Test 1, only the light fraction was used; in Test 2, the light fraction was mixed with a bulking agent composed of garden and pruning waste. In Test 2, the highest temperature (71 °C) in a short time (8 days) was reached. An average water content reduction of 78% in Test 1 and 61% in Test 2 was measured, leading to similar reductions of weight (47–48%) and volume (27–29%). A high biological stability was measured on the final light fraction samples collected from both the tests. Furthermore, the lower heating value obtained after the biodrying treatment complies with the quality specification of the European standard on refuse-derived fuels.

PH-Sensitive Mechanical Properties of Elastin-Based Hydrogels.

Ionizable amino acids in protein-based hydrogels can confer pH-responsive behavior. Because elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) have an established sequence and can crosslink to form hydrogels, they are an ideal system for creating pH-sensitive materials. This study examines different parameters that might affect pH-sensitive behavior and characterizes the mechanical and physical properties between pH 3 and 11 of three ELP-based crosslinked hydrogels. The first finding is that varying the amount of crosslinker affects the overall stiffness and resilience of the hydrogels but does not strongly affect water content, swelling ratio, or pH sensitivity. Second, the choice of two popular tag sequences, which vary in histidine and aspartic acid content, does not have a strong effect on pH-sensitive properties. Last, selectively blocking lysine and tyrosine residues through acetylation significantly decreases the pH-sensitive zeta potential. Acetylated hydrogels also demonstrate different behavior at low pH values with reduced swelling, reduced water content, and higher stiffness. Overall, this work demonstrates that ELP hydrogels with ionizable groups are promising materials for environmentally-responsive applications such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and microfluidics.

Does pre-culture in sugar-rich media affect carbohydrate content and post-thawing recovery rate of cryopreserved potato (Solanum phureja) shoot tips?

Shoot tips of Potato (Solanum phureja) were cryopreserved with the encapsulation-dehydration method, including: coating of shoot tips in calcium alginate beads, pre-culture in a solution containing 0.75 M of sugar (0.1 M of sucrose +0.65 M of another cryoprotectant sugar), and dehydration (for 4.5 h) on silica gel to reduce water content to 21–27%. Regrowth of shoot tips was assessed after freezing in liquid nitrogen. After cryopreservation, coated shoot tips were cultivated on a medium enriched with growth substances to measure concentrations of soluble carbohydrates. Maltose and trehalose ensured a better cryopreservation (88% and 91% of regrowth, respectively). Regrowth rates of potato shoot tips in the presence of polyols were very low and no recovery was obtained after freezing of shoot tips that were pre-cultivated in monosaccharides. Concentration of soluble carbohydrates increased in shoot tips pre-cultivated in sucrose, trehalose or glucose, especially when sucrose was applied as the cryoprotectant. The application of sucrose helped potato shoot-tips to acquire a certain tolerance to dehydration and cryofreezing. The analysis of soluble carbohydrates in potato shoot tips confirmed the accumulation of sugars during the pre-culture process, principally in the form of sucrose. The statistical analysis showed that soluble carbohydrate contents in shoot tips increased when total carbohydrates increased in the cultivation medium. The modelling approach indicated that the contents of soluble carbohydrates increased when pre-cultivation of potato shoot-tips was conducted in sucrose media compared to the control and other sugars.

Enrichment of Soft Ice Cream with Different Fibrous Fruit Puree: Physicochemical, Textural Characteristics and Sensory Properties

The objective of this study was to improve nutritional, physical, chemical, and sensory properties of soft ice cream with the addition of fibrous fruit puree. The research design was carried out with 2 factors, namely the different types of fruit puree (durian, melon, guava, and jackfruit) and the concentration of the addition of different puree (15% and 25%). Data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA with Duncan Multiple Range Test at a 95% confidence level. Results of the study shows that the addition of durian, melon, guava and jackfruit puree can increase overrun, melt rate, viscosity, dietary fiber, protein, total solids, fat content, but reduce water content in soft ice cream products. Sensory acceptance test shows that ice cream with 25% melon puree has the highest preference score of aroma, taste, texture, and overall. Soft ice cream with the addition of 25% guava puree has the highest preference score of aftertaste while ice cream with 25% of jackfruit puree has the highest preference score of texture.

Effects of acid, acid-ZVI/PMS, Fe(II)/PMS and ZVI/PMS conditioning on the wastewater activated sludge (WAS) dewaterability and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)

The effects of four conditioning approaches: Acid, Acid-zero-valent iron (ZVI)/peroxydisulfate (PMS), Fe(II)/PMS and ZVI/PMS, on wastewater activated sludge (WAS) dewatering and organics distribution in supernatant and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) layers were investigated. The highest reduction in bound water and the most WAS destruction was achieved by Acid-ZVI/PMS, and the optimum conditions were pH 3, ZVI dosage 0.15 g/g dry solid (DS), oxone dosage 0.07 g/g DS and reaction time 10.6 min with the reductions in capillary suction time (CST) and water content (Wc) as 19.67% and 8.49%, respectively. Four conditioning approaches could result in TOC increase in EPS layers and supernatant, and protein (PN) content in tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS). After conditioning, organics in EPS layers could migrate to supernatant. Polysaccharide (PS) was easier to migrate to supernatant than PN. In addition, Acid, Acid-ZVI/PMS or Fe(II)/PMS conditioning promoted the release of some polysaccharides containing ring vibrations v PO, v C-O-C, v C-O-P functional groups from TB-EPS. ESR spectra proved that both radicals of SO4-· and ·OH contributed to dewatering and organics transformation and migration. CST value of WAS positively correlated with the ratios of PN/PS in LB-EPS and total EPS, while it negatively correlated with TOC, PN content and PS content in TB-EPS, as well as PS content in supernatant and LB-EPS. BWC negatively correlated to zeta potential and TOC value, PN content, and HA content in supernatant.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ КОМПЛЕКСНОГО НЕСТАЦИОНАРНОГО ВОЗДЕЙСТВИЯ НА ЗАЛЕЖЬ С ВЫСОКОВЯЗКОЙ НЕФТЬЮ

Актуальность. При стационарной закачке воды для поддержания пластового давления наблюдается опережающее обводнение добывающих скважин. Преждевременное обводнение связано с высокой послойной и зональной неоднородностью коллекторов, высокой вязкостью нефти, подошвенной водой, интенсивной закачкой воды. Использование циклического заводнения позволяет увеличить охват пласта воздействием и текущий коэффициент извлечения нефти. Прирост в добыче нефти от использования метода достигает 4 %, снижается отбор воды из залежи. Цель: исследовать эффективность использования циклического заводнения на залежи с высоковязкой нефтью, оценить наиболее эффективную длительность периодов работы и остановки нагнетательных и добывающих скважин для достижения наибольших приростов в добыче нефти. Объект: участок турнейской карбонатной залежи с высоковязкой нефтью. Средняя обводненность продукции скважин на залежи составляет 77,1 %, при отборе от начальных извлекаемых запасов – 49 %. Участок эксплуатируется одной нагнетательной скважиной, расположенной в центре, и девятью добывающими скважинами по периметру водонефтяного контакта. В рассматриваемых условиях необходимо внедрять методы увеличения охвата паста воздействием и снижения обводненности. Методы: определение оптимальных технологий циклической закачки воды и комплексного нестационарного воздействия, гидродинамическое моделирование циклического воздействия на участке нефтяного месторождения. Результаты. Рассмотрены различные варианты работы нагнетательной скважины при реализации циклического заводнения. Получено, что соотношение продолжительности работы и остановки скважины, при условии 100 % компенсации, практически не влияет на результат моделирования. При циклической работе нагнетательной скважины увеличение добычи нефти происходит на 3,6 % по сравнению с базовым вариантом. Больший технологический эффект возможен при комплексном воздействии – периодической остановке как нагнетательных, так и добывающих скважин. В случае комплексного воздействия накопленная добыча нефти на участке залежи увеличивается на 10,6 % по сравнению с базовым вариантом.

Assessment of malathion toxicity on cytophysiological activity, DNA damage and antioxidant enzymes in root of Allium cepa model

The current study was emphasized to assess the effect of malathion on root system (cell division and kinetics of the root elongation) and stress related parameters in Allium cepa L. The roots were exposed to different concentrations (0.05, 0.13, 0.26, 0.39 and 0.52 g/L) of malathion for different treatment periods (4, 8 and 18 h). The results revealed that malathion application affected the growth rate and cell division in root tips. The root elongation kinetics were impaired at 0.13 to 0.52 g/L concentrations. Reduction in tissue water content (TWC) indicated the limited osmotic adjustment due to membrane damage. Further, a decrease in sucrose content was observed in contrast to the accumulation of proline (upto 0.39 g/L). Moreover, malathion exposure elevated the levels of lipid peroxidation followed by changes in antioxidant enzymes status. The activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were down-regulated whereas the activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were up-regulated except in 0.52 g/L malathion. The molecular docking study of malathion with CAT, GST, SOD, APX and GR also supported of above results for their activity. All these physiological responses varied with increasing malathion concentration and duration of treatment. The single cell gel electrophoresis results showed that all concentrations of malathion induced DNA damage in root cells. The findings depicted that malathion application induces cytotoxic and phytotoxic effects mediated through oxidative stress and subsequent injuries.

Impacts of a partial rainfall exclusion in the field on growth and transpiration: consequences for leaf-level and whole-plant water-use efficiency compared to controlled conditions

• Water use efficiency (WUE), oftentimes estimated as transpiration efficiency (TE): the amount of biomass produced with regard to the water used, has not yet been used as a breeding trait to select poplar genotypes with simultaneously high productivity and conservation of water. Before its application as a selection target, evidence must be presented showing that WUE or its estimators remain constant with age and across environmental conditions.• We conducted a rainfall exclusion experiment in the field on two Populus euramericana (Moench.) and two Populus nigra (L.) genotypes, and assessed leaf-level (A/gs) and whole-plant WUE (DMT/WU as well as their components and related traits. Then, we aimed to compare these results with the same poplar genotypes grown in a glasshouse under contrasting water availability.• Despite a reduction of soil water content and whole-plant transpiration, growth was stimulated in the rainfall exclusion plot, likely as a result of an increased nitrogen assimilation. However, TE values between the glasshouse and the field were similar, and genotype ranking remained fairly constant for transpiration, carbon isotopic discrimination (∆, as a proxy for Wi) and TE. Moreover, even though the drivers of WUE in both experiments were different, increases of WUE measured as ∆ or TE was not associated with lower biomass production. Relatively good agreement was found between ∆ and TE in the field, absence of a similar correlation in the glasshouse is discussed.• These results suggest that ∆ may be a good proxy for TE, and could be used, both as a breeding target for genotype selection in glasshouses without impacting biomass production when planted in the field. However, reduced water availability modified the genotype ranking more significantly than between the field/glasshouse experiments, suggesting a diversity of poplar response to drought that should be considered in breeding strategies.

Study of PID control implementation in the process of cheap breaking using Peltier cooling elements

Methods of the processing dairy products other than pasteurization and reducing water content (condensed milk), milk can also be processed into cheese. Namely with the cheese maturation method. Maturation is the final process of the cheese making process. Maturation (ripening) is a process that converts fresh curds (raw cheese) into cheese full of flavour. The research of the method of cheese ripening process is used Proportional Derivative Integral (PID) controller to control the parameters of temperature and humidity in the cooling room. Embedded through ATMEGA 16 devices as controllers, the sensing process is used by temperature sensors, humidity sensors and Peltier devices as coolants for the ripening process. The desired temperature setting is 16-20°C with a% humidity level. After the room temperature is reached 16-20°C with% humidity then the cheese material is inserted into the cooler for the ripening process. The working principle of this system is to stabilize temperature and humidity. Test of the results obtained by the value of the parameter controller Kp = 5.53, Ki = 8, Kd = 2, for the 16-200C temperature setting and% humidity. Changes in time from room temperature to set-point temperatures are relatively fast with the overshoot percentage of 11.11% and the rise time of 9 minutes.

Stress Ameliorative Effects of Indole Acetic Acid on Hordeum vulgare L. Seedlings Subjected to Zinc Toxicity

The heavy metals present in the environment accumulate in the plants and affect their productivity and yield. By entering the food chain, metals cause several serious health problems in human beings as well as in other organisms. Indole acetic acid (IAA) is known to act as a signaling molecule between symbiotic association of metal accumulating plants and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Present study demonstrated a protective role of IAA against surplus Zinc (Zn)-induced toxicity to Hordeum vulgare seedlings. Elevated Zn concentrations suppressed the plant growth, caused a reduction in leaf relative water contents (RWC) and elevated free proline and non-protein thiols (NPT) accumulation. Zinc treatment also led to enhanced lipid peroxidation (MDA contents) as well as the activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), showing the involvement of antioxidative defense mechanism to reduce Zn induced toxicity. IAA oxidase activity was also observed to increase due to Zn treatment. IAA pretreatment of H. vulgare caryopsis could partly revert the Zn-induced toxicity in seedlings.

Variations in the water potential of stem xylem in Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) seedlings treated with mycorrhizal fungi under drought conditions

Measures must be taken to reduce the stress caused by water scarcity, which is the greatest obstacle to increasing the success of afforestation in arid areas. Precautions such as site preparation and species change do not ensure sufficient benefits. For this, it is necessary to try alternative methods such as using mycorrhization of seedlings for afforestation. The aim of the present study was to obtain Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) seedlings with high resistance to water stress and ascertain the effects of mycorrhizae on the water potential of water- stressed seedlings. Accordingly, we determined the water potentials of seedlings inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Reduction in soil water content caused a reduction in the water potential of seedlings in all treatment variants. Mycorrhization reduced stress by increasing the water potential of seedlings in drought conditions, thereby enhancing their resistance to water stress.

Aplicação de processos combinados osmótico e secagem em air fryer em berinjelas condimentadas com hibisco

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a influência da incorporação da solução obtida com hibisco, sacarose e cloreto de sódio no processo de desidratação osmótica e estudo da cinética de secagem em Air fryer nas características físicas e físico-químicas. A berinjela foi cortada em cubos medindo 1,0 × 1,0 × 1,0 cm e foram submetidos ao processo de desidratação osmótica em solução hipertônica com infusão de hibisco, durante 30 minutos na temperatura de 25 ± 2 °C, após esta etapa foi determinado o percentual de perda de água (PA) e ganho de sólidos (GS). O estudo da cinética de secagem foi realizado em um equipamento doméstico Air fryer nas temperaturas de 70, 80 e 90 °C e velocidade de ar do próprio equipamento (não ajustável) e modelos matemáticos empíricos foram ajustados aos dados experimentais. Os cubos de berinjelas in natura e após o processo de secagem nas temperaturas indicadas anteriormente foram caracterizada quantos aos seguintes parâmetros: pH, acidez total titulável (ATT), teor de água, sólidos totais, sólidos solúveis totais (SST), ratio (SST/ATT) e cor (L*, a*, b*, C* e h°). O processo de desidratação osmótica ocasionou uma redução do teor de água inicial da fruta e um ganho de sólidos de 16,34%. Com relação a cinética de secagem o modelo de Page foi o que apresentou os maiores coeficientes de determinação (R2) e os menores valores da função qui-quadrado em todas as temperaturas analisadas; o aumento da temperatura de secagem proporcionou maior diferença de cor, indicando eficiência no processo de impregnação da infusão de hibisco na berinjela. Portanto, a temperatura de 90 °C é a mais indicada para a secagem dos cubos de berinjela, uma vez que apresentou o menor teor de água e boas características físicas e físico-químicas.

Application of pulp and paper sludge compost on Anthocephalus cadamba seedlings in ultisol and peat media

Pulp and paper sludge contains cellulose which has a possitive potential as compost material. This study aims to examine responses of jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) seedlings planted in Ultisol and peat media with addition of pulp and paper sludge compost. Before composting, the sludge was air drained to reduce water content from 80.92% to around 60-70%. Bio decomposers consist of a combination of P. citrinum and P. oxalicum with a density of 107 ml/spores were inoculated to the sludge and incubated for six months. Compost of sludge was added to grow media (ultisol and peat) with doses equal with 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 (ton/ha). Control treatment consists of fertile soil as a negative control, and Ultisol and peat soil with chicken manure compost addition as a positive control. Seedlings height and diameter measurement were held for six months. Both in ultisol and peat media, the addition of chicken manure compost was better in raising seedlings height and diameter. However, the sludge compost addition in peat media was better in raising the seedlings biomass than those added with the chicken manure compost.

Studying of the resistance to winter stresses of grapevine varieties of different ecological and geographical origin

In terms of climate change researches about adaptation mechanism of perennial crop plant to summer and winter stresses are actual. Physiological-biochemical assessment of grapevine varieties allows to clarify the mechanisms of protective and adaptive reaction on stresses and identify perspective genotypes for cultivation in stressful terms. Ecological and geographical origin are important in this case. Winterhardiness of following grapevine varieties: ‘Kristal’, ‘Aligote’, ‘Dostoyniy’ ‘Krasnostop AZOS’, ‘Zarif’ and ‘Vostorg’, are studied in conditions of Anapa-Taman region of the Russian Federation. At the beginning of winter reduced water content of vine tissue are noted for ‘Kristal’, ‘Krasnostop AZOS’ and ‘Dostoyniy’ (41,4-45,3 %). Also, for this varieties are found elevated accumulation of sucrose (2 times more) which means high resistance to low temperature. Intensification of antioxidative protective system’s functioning in response on stress are discovered for varieties ‘Kristal’, ‘Krasnostop AZOS’, ‘Dostoyniy’ and ‘Vostorg’. High containing of anthocyanins and chalcones in varieties ‘Kristal’, ‘Dostoyniy’, ‘Krasnostop AZOS’ and ascorbic acid in varieties ‘Krasnostop AZOS’, ‘Dostoyniy’ are revealed. According to generalized assessment of physiological-biochemical research results in conditions of climate change in Anapa-Taman region of Russia more winterhardiness were varieties ‘Krasnostop AZOS’, ‘Dostoyniy’, ‘Kristal’ than varieties ‘Aligote’, ‘Vostorg’, ‘Zarif’.