Row Spacing Research Articles

Effect of row spacing and weed management practices on dry direct-seeded spring rice

Weeds are the major burden for rice-growing farmers in the case of direct-seeded rice due to the preemptive competition of weed in the species early seedling stage. A field experiment was carried out during the spring season in 2021 to evaluate the effect of different weed management practices and row spacing on dry directed-seeded spring rice under the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project (PMAMP) at Rice Super Zone, Kanchanpur, Nepal. The experiment was laid out in a two-factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with twelve treatments and three replications. The highest number of effective tillers per m2 was obtained in weed-free plots (531.67), which is statistically similar to Pretilachlor fb 1HW (505.42). Row spacing of 10 cm showed a significantly higher number of effective tillers per square meter (521.94). A higher grain yield was observed in weed-free plots (6397.87 kg.ha-1), which is followed by Pretilachlor fb 1HW, which is statistically similar to other management practices except for weed check. All the management practices were found effective in reducing weed parameters such as weed density, weed dry weight, and weed index as compared to weed checks. A positive relation was recorded between plant height at 90 DAS and grain yield, thousand-grain weight, and grain yield, and a negative relation was recorded between weed density, weed dry biomass, and grain yield. It is recommended to apply Pretilachlor fb 1HW with 10 cm row spacing for effective weed control and to increase the yield of dry direct-seeded rice.

Stress-Relief–Anchor-Grouting, a Collaborative Control Technology for Severe Extrusion Floor Heave in a Deep Roadway: A Case Study

Severe extrusion floor heave is the most common type of failure of floors in deep roadways, and it is also a major problem restricting the safe and efficient mining of deep coal resources. In deep roadways, reducing floor stress is an effective means to control floor heave. In this study, the method of creating directional stress-relief zones by constructing stress-relief boreholes is applied; while the stress is released, the path of stress from the ribs transferred to the floor and to the extrusion failure path is cut off, and floor heave control is achieved. Therefore, based on the stress-boundary and rock-mass parameters of the roadway, the control effects of the borehole angle, length, diameter, and row spacing on the extrusion floor heave were studied, and the reasonable thresholds of borehole parameters were shown to ensure the stress-relief effect on the roadway. In addition, the bolt-grouting technology was used to strengthen the floor of the roadway, the broken surrounding rock was modified via grouting consolidation, the support strength of the floor was increased using high-tension bolts (cable), and there was a good floor heave control effect in the field application. On the basis of traditional floor reinforcement, the control effect of stress regulation on floor heave is fully considered in this study, and stress-relief–anchor-grouting, a collaborative control technology for floor heave in deep roadways, is developed. Based on the three factors affecting the stability of deep roadways (stress, lithology, and support), the collaborative prevention and control of severe extrusion floor heave were realized, which provides a new method for deep roadway floor heave control and has good application value.

Cultivation system influenced the critical period for weed control in cotton field

BackgroundThe critical period of weed control (CPWC) refers to the period of time during the crop growth cycle when weeds must be controlled to prevent yield losses. Ultra-narrow row (UNR) is a method of planting of cotton in rows that are 25 cm or less apart. Amongst cultural techniques for weed control, the use of narrow row spacing is considered to be a most promising approach that can effectively suppress weed growth and provide greater yields in cotton. This cultivation system can shorten the length of the critical weed-crop interference duration and results in greater yield. The current research aimed to determination of critical time of weed control in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under conventional and ultra-narrow row spacing conditions. Field experiments were arranged as factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Factors were cultivation system (conventional (50 cm row spacing) and ultra narrow row (25 cm row spacing and weed treatment including 30, 45, 60, and 75 days weeding after emergence during the growing season (weed free), and 30, 45, 60, and 75 without weeding (weed infested) in the growing season along with weedy and weed-free from sowing to harvesting. A four-parameter log-logistic model was fit to the two sets of relating relative crop yield to data obtained from increasing durations of weed interference and lengths of weed-free period.ResultsIn both years and cultivation systems, the relative yield of cotton decreased with the increasing duration of weed-interference but increased with the increasing duration of weed-free period. Ultra-narrow row cultivation delayed the beginning of the CPWC in cotton. Under ultra-narrow row condition, the CPWC ranged from 21 to 99 days after germination in 2021 and 23 to 91 days in 2022 based on the 5% acceptable yield loss. Under conventional cultivation CPWC ranged from 17 to 102 days after emergence in 2021 and 18 to 95 days after emergence in 2022.ConclusionsUnder both conventional and Ultra-narrow row conditions, weed interference reduces seed yield. Under ultra-narrow row condition, weed interference until 21.1–23.5 days after cotton emergence and under conventional condition, weed interference until 16.9–18.5 days after cotton emergence had not significant reduction on cotton yield.

Quadrat misuse: Confessions of a cover crop researcher's biomass sampling journey

AbstractRectangular quadrats (1 m2 or less) are commonly used in cover crop research to sample shoot biomass in fields where the cover crops are planted in narrow rows. However, in drilled cover crops, quadrats do not accurately estimate cover crop biomass unless the width dimension of the quadrat, that runs perpendicular to the rows, is a multiple of the cover crop row spacing. Illustrations are provided with correctly sized and placed quadrats for sampling drilled cover crops along with calculations to convert sampled biomass to field‐scale units. Examples with various quadrat sizes, row spacings, and quadrat placements are used to illustrate how researchers can inadvertently underestimate or overestimate biomass by up to 49% and 27%, respectively. A survey of 92 articles with cover crop biomass data published in the Agronomy Journal and Weed Technology from 2017 to 2021 found that many studies used an incorrect quadrat size, which suggests that they may have inaccurately estimated cover crop biomass. However, assumptions were made to reach this conclusion because only a few papers provided the dimensions, orientation, and shape of the quadrat used. These results (1) raise important questions about possible errors made in papers reporting cover crop biomass data and associated metrics (nitrogen uptake, weed biomass, etc.), and (2) highlight the need for describing sampling methods in greater detail to ensure that accurate data and analysis are published in the literature. Approaches to correct possible errors in published research are described along with biomass sampling suggestions for future cover crop research.

Modification of canola cultivation conditions in a waterlogging-susceptible subtropical environment

Waterlogging directly interferes with the production capacity of agricultural crops in response to the morphophysiological changes caused to plants. Since the cultivation of poorly drained soils is traditionally avoided, this study aimed to evaluate the possibility of expanding canola cultivation into waterlogged soils using soil surface drainage and different row spacings in lowland areas of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Treatments consisted of the presence and absence of surface drains at 0.25 m depth and row spacings of 0.17, 0.34, 0.51, and 0.68 m arranged in two-factorial randomized blocks with four replications, in 2018 and 2019. In this study, growth traits, yield components, and the final grain yield of canola were evaluated. The increase in lateral branching in canola plants was found to be directly related to waterlogging and negatively affected yield. The use of drains positively impacted the number of pods per plant, seeds per pod, the 1,000 seeds weight, and grain yield. The more intense waterlogging conditions in 2018 resulted in the highest grain yield and superior production traits were obtained with row spacings between 0.41 and 0.48 m. In the absence of waterlogging, the 0.17 m row spacing was more productive. Canola cultivation can occur in waterlogged soils in the presence of surface drainage and at row spacings ranging from 0.40 to 0.50 m.

Response of organic black gram to botanical seed pelleting and row spacing

The field trial was carried in Zaid season of 2021 at SHUATS Model of Organic Farm (SMOF), Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P.). The objective was to study the growth and yield of Black gram as influenced by crop geometry and seed pelleting with botanicals under certified organic production system. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design to study the effect of seed pelleting with leaf powders of three botanicals, viz., Pongamia pinnata, Prosopis juliflora, and Albizia lebbeck, and sown in three different row spacings of 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm, on the growth and yield of black gram. The results revealed that black gram seeds pelleted with Albizia leaf powder and sown at row spacing of 30 cm reported maximum plant height (43 cm), dry weight (12.49 g/plant), number nodules per plant (27.50), seeds per pod (7.07), test weight (42.19 g), grain yield (872.96 kg/ha), and haulm yield (2511.11 kg/ha) which was significantly superior to other treatments.

CFD simulation of effect spacing between lithium-ion batteries by using flow air inside the cooling pack

The CFD simulation of this study shows the impact of airflow with varying Reynolds numbers on heat transfer improvement with cooling lithium-ion batteries at varied battery row spacing. Air was used as a cooling fluid to remove heat from lithium-ion batteries by flowing within the cooling pack during testing of four different spacing ranges (S = 1–4 mm). The Reynolds numbers vary from15,000 to 30,000 in the current analysis. The average Nu numbers are augmented through increasing Reynolds numbers for all types of cooling fluids. The CFD results show that the Nu number increases as spacing increases. The temperature of the single cell drops with increasing the Re or the flow rate since the liquid in the pack exchange with a new cold HTF at a faster rate. The average Nu number is directly proportional to the Re number and the spacing between the neighbor cells. Further, the temperature of the cells located closer to the inlet section is always lower than those closer to the outlet section because of the temperature differences between the cells and the HTF. This study has confirmed that the flowing air with high Re and highest spacing S = 4 mm has a major impact on thermal dissipation and rapid heat transfer improvement from lithium-ion batteries in the cooling pack, which leads to improved electrical performance and increase the life of lithium-ion batteries.

Parametric Study on Stone Column for improving Seismic Response of Foundation

Nowadays, due to higher rate of construction activities, useful and effective lands are harder to find for construction purposes. So, the lands which are problematic are now used for construction purposes. The techniques used for improving these problematic lands are called ground improvement techniques. Among all the ground improvement techniques, stone columns are most effective and economical to improve the shear strength and bearing capacity of soil and thus, to reduce the settlement phenomenon. The main objective of the present study is to determine the total displacement of the soil foundation. For this purpose, parametric analysis was carried out to study the effect of two parameters namely stone column diameter and stone column spacing on the total displacement values. Finite element analysis was used to evaluate the displacement of soil strata reinforced with stone column using PlAXIS-2D software. The analysis was carried out for static load applied from top and Bhuj earthquake prescribed as dynamic loading. From present study, it was found that by decreasing the column spacing at a constant diameter of 1m, the maximum total displacement reduction was 36.73% and by increasing the column diameter at constant column spacing of 2m, the maximum total displacement reduction was 39.75%. Thus, it was concluded that by decreasing the column spacing at constant diameter and by increasing the column diameter at constant spacing respectively, there is a tremendous decrease in total displacement of the soil foundation which increases the load bearing capacity of the soils.

Effect of plant distance and cultivation methods on the growth and yield of three sesame cultivars

A field experiment was carried out in Al-Saqlawiyah region, west of Baghdad, during the 2020 agricultural season in silty clay soil to study the effect of planting pattern and the Row spacing on the growth and yield of three sesame cultivars. The experiment was carried out in a split-split plot design according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, where the planting pattern occupied the main plots (seed prose, seedling pattern). The cultivars occupied the subplot (Haad, Sumer, Rafidain,), while the row distance occupied the sub-sub plot (40, 60, 80 cm). The statistical analysis results indicated a significant effect of the cultivation pattern, as the cultivation pattern with seeds prose recorded the highest values in all the studied traits. The seed prose method recorded the highest seed yield (364.5 gm plant-1 ) compared to the seedling method (290.2 gm plant-1 ). There was also a significant genetic variance (P<0.05) in the response of the studied sesame cultivars to the planting pattern treatments and the between-row spacing. The cultivar Haad scored the highest values in most of the studied traits and thus gave the highest seed yield (452.1 g plant-1 ) compared with the rest of the studied cultivars. The row spacing of 80 cm between the lines gave the highest yield (350.4 g plant-1 ). Keywords: plant distance, cultivation methods, growth, sesame cultivars

Push-out behavior of GFRP bolts shear connectors in FRP-concrete hybrid beam

GFRP bolt has emerged as a promising shear connector in FRP-concrete hybrid beams due to flexible arrangement and ease of installation. Shear connectors are critical to maintaining the composite action and are key to the design of hybrid beams. 30 push-out tests were conducted to investigate failure mode, ultimate strength, and shear load-slip (P-S) relationship of GFRP bolts. Test parameters included bolt types, layout of bolts, longitudinal row spacing of bolts (Sl), bolt diameter (d), and bolt embedment depth (he). Results revealed that specimens with GFRP bolts exhibited bolt shank shear failure, pry-out failure of bolts, and splitting failure of concrete. In contrast, specimens with stainless-steel bolts suffered bearing failure of bolt holes in the FRP flange. Typical P-S curves of GFRP bolt specimens consisted of micro-slipping and significant-slipping phases, showing non-linear response, while P-S curves of stainless-steel bolts exhibited a linear response till failure. The effect of layout of bolts was found negligible if the longitudinal row spacing and horizontal spacing was not less than 6d and 4d, respectively. Specimens with a larger d and he demonstrated greater shear capacity. Based on the test results, prediction equations associated with failure modes were introduced to predict the capacity of GFRP bolt, which yielded results in accordance with experiments. Additionally, a refined description of P-S relationship was proposed by curving fitting, and the results correlated well with the experiments.

Artificial intelligence assisted optimization of rammed aggregate pier supported raft foundation systems based on parametric three-dimensional finite element analysis

The increased usage of rammed aggregate piers has demanded optimizing the design parameters of this technique. In this study, numerous parametric three-dimensional finite element analyses were conducted to optimize the parameters of the rammed aggregate pier-supported raft foundation with novel methods. Three-dimensional finite element simulations were validated using a field loading test for a single rammed aggregate pier at Neola, Iowa (USA). After the validation, elasticity modules of the rammed aggregate piers, raft foundation thicknesses, and column spacings were varied. The raft foundation-rammed aggregate pier groups system in 81 different combinations was subjected to parametric three-dimensional finite element analyses to provide data for the optimization study. The effect of the changes in the elasticity modulus of the rammed aggregate piers, the raft foundation thickness, and column spacing on the settlement was investigated. Optimization analyses were performed using the artificial intelligence-supported novel Goal Attainment Method and the Response Surface Method. The novel coding developed in this study, which automatically selects the most reasonable prediction function with the support of artificial intelligence, created a prediction function with a high correlation coefficient used in the optimization analyses. Two different optimization methods specified in the optimization study performed as multi-objectives were compared, and the solution system with the highest desirability value was selected. Therefore, optimum design parameters were reached by using novel methods for general raft foundation-rammed aggregate pier group systems to guide researchers.

Mid-season adjustment of nitrogen fertilizer for rice with two plant spacings

ContextFertilizer recommendations for rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Asia often split a predetermined amount of N into several applications to match N supply with anticipated crop demand for N. Within-season deviations from anticipated N demand could necessitate mid-season adjustments in N applications to ensure closure of exploitable yield gaps. ObjectiveWe hypothesized that application of additional fertilizer N to satisfy an underestimated crop demand for N could be delayed until two weeks after panicle initiation without a yield penalty. We additionally examined whether effects of mid-season N adjustments on rice differed between two plant spacings with different plant populations. MethodsField experiments with irrigated, transplanted rice were conducted at two sites in two seasons in North Sumatra, Indonesia. The experimental design was a factorial combination of two rice cultivars, two plant spacings, and seven N treatments. ResultsRice growth and yield components sometimes differed between equally spaced rows (square planting) and alternating narrow and wide rows (legowo), but grain yield with legowo consistently matched and sometimes exceeded yield with square planting. Effects of N treatments — with varying rates and split applications of N — on yield were comparable across the two plant spacings and two cultivars. A predetermined fertilizer recommendation with three split applications of N underestimated the N needed for high yield in all experiments. Application of 30 kg ha−1 more N than the recommended 155 kg ha−1 in dry season (DS) and 125 kg ha−1 in wet season (WS) increased yield by up to 0.5 Mg ha−1 in DS and 0.7 Mg ha−1 in WS and consistently increased net income in both seasons. Additional N at tillering in DS increased vegetative biomass but not yield. Additional N in both seasons could be delayed until 12–14 days after panicle initiation for highest yield. ConclusionsOur study represented circumstances where a fertilizer recommendation provided to farmers before a growing season merited an upward mid-season adjustment in N rate to achieve higher yield. The upward mid-season N adjustment of 30 kg ha−1 in our study could be delayed until two weeks after panicle initiation with no yield penalty in both seasons, for both cultivars, and for both equally spaced rows and alternating narrow and wide rows of transplanted rice. ImplicationsFarmers and advisory services using crop and/or weather monitoring to identify fields meriting additional mid-season N can delay the application of additional N until panicle initiation or two weeks after panicle initiation.

A Bandwidth-Efficient High-Performance RTL-Microarchitecture of 2D-Convolution for Deep Neural Networks

The computation complexity and huge memory access bandwidth of the convolutional layers in convolutional neural networks (CNNs) require specialized hardware architectures to accelerate CNN’s computations while keeping hardware costs reasonable for area-constrained embedded applications. This paper presents an RTL (Register Transfer Logic) level microarchitecture of hardware- and bandwidth-efficient high-performance 2D convolution unit for CNN in deep learning. The 2D convolution unit is made up of three main components including a dedicated Loader, a Circle Buffer, and a MAC (Multiplier-Accumulator) unit. The 2D convolution unit has a 2-stage pipeline structure that reduces latency, increases processing throughput, and reduces power consumption. The architecture proposed in the paper eliminates the reloading of both the weights as well as the input image data. The 2D convolution unit is configurable to support 2D convolution operations with different sizes of input image matrix and kernel filter. The architecture can reduce memory access time and power as well as execution time thanks to the efficient reuse of the preloaded input data, while simplifying hardware implementation. The 2D convolution unit has been simulated and implemented on Xilinx's FPGA platform to evaluate its superiority. Experimental results show that our design is 1.54× and 13.6× faster in performance than the design in [7] and [8], respectively, at lower hardware cost without using any FPGA’s dedicated hardware blocks. By reusing preloaded data, our design achieves a bandwidth reduction ratio between 66.4% and 90.5%.

Validation and Evaluation of the Existing Agronomic Practices for Chickpea Productivity around West Arsi Zone of Shashemene Wereda

The activity was conducted around Shashemene wereda of selected kebele in 2022/23 main cropping season, to validate and evaluate crop management (agronomic) practices for adopting chickpea production on the small holder farmer’s field. The study was conducted on selected farmer’s field, then training and awareness were created about the experiment before we established on selected host farmer’s field. The farmers handled all activities by their own local chickpea agronomic management practice on their own farm. However, the research recommended agronomic practice were carried out by the researchers. We already organized the field day two times i.e., at the time of sowing and while harvesting of chickpea. The participants were actively and seriously evaluated the difference between treatments (local farmers practice and research recommended agronomic practice). Producing of chickpea by row planting, NPS fertilizer application, apron star seed treatment and on time fungicide or insecticide application is much better than their local management practice. So, chickpea sown by recommended management practice has showed better performance. The recommended agronomic practice enables to obtained the maximum grain yield (2,030 kg ha-1 and 1,552 kg ha-1) from both Teketay and Natoli varieties respectively. The result of our economic analysis forced to conclude that, planting of chickpea with row spacing, fertilizer application, apron star seed treatment is more economical and advantageous than farmer’s local practice.

Determination of Weed Control Efficiency of Pre-Rice Cropping Cassava/Legume Intercrops and Different Weed Management Practices in Low Land Rice at Badeggi Central Nigeria

The experiment was conducted at the lowland experimental field of National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi. (90 45N, 600 7E, Alt, 70.57 m) in the Southern Guinea Savannah Agro-ecological zone of Nigeria in 2020-2022 cropping seasons The study was to evaluate the effect of pre-rice cropping cassava/legume intercrops and different weed management practices on weed control efficiency, growth and productivity of low land rice. The trial was conducted in two stages. The first (preceding intercropping) The treatments consisted of Mucuna puriens, Cowpea, Soybean, Lablab purpureus and Aeschynomene histrix that were intercropped with cassava (IIT 427 variety), sole cassava and natural fallow were also included as treatments. These were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design and replicated three times. Cassava/legume intercropping was carried out in January using residual moisture on raised beds that were prepared manually. Plot size used was 12.5 x 5 m with alley way of 0.5 m. Beds were constructed at 2.5 m long, 0.5 m wide and 0.75 m high. Planting of Cassava was done on the top sides of beds in two rows with the intra-row spacing of 0.5 (ten stands per bed) and planting of legumes were 0.5 m x 9.25 inter and intra-row spacing respectively except for soybean which was planted drilled at 5 cm intra row spacing immediately the beds were constructed. The cassava/legume cropping was harvested in August The second trial was the planting of rice on the plots previously cropped with cassava/legume intercrops. The trial was laid out in split plot design. Cassava/legume intercrop systems were allocated to the main plot, while weed management practices:- (i) Application of 4. 0 (propanil at 1.44 kg a.i. ha-1 plus 2,4 D at 0.80 kg a.i ha-1 ( Orizo plusR, at the rate of 2.24 kg a.i ha-1 at 3 weeks after transplanting (WAT) followed by hand weeding at 6 WAT (ii) two hand weedings at 3 and 6 WAT (iii) one hand weeding at 3 WAT, and (iv) weedy check were put into the sub plots with size of 12.5 x 5 m for main plots while and sub plot size was 3 x 5 m three replications. The results of treatments indicated that rice planted after cassava/Mucuna, cassava/Aeschynomene intercrops under two hand weeding and herbicide followed by one hand weeding produced lower density and dry matter. Weed control efficiency was higher in rice planted after cassava/mucuna intercrop. Weed reduction percentage range from 25-45 %, 30-50 % and 45-65 % in rice grown after cassava/legume intercrop compared to rice after fallow in 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively. Higher rice plant height, higher number of rice tiller/stand were recorded in rice grown after cassava/Mucuna, cassava/Aeschynomene. Rice panicles per m2 and rice grain yield were increased by 72.9%, 83.6% and 84.1% in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, with two hand weeding when compared with zero weeding. Rice planted after natural fallow under zero weeding produced higher weed density which resulted in poor rice performances. Rice planted after cassava Mucuna consistently controlled weed growth while cassava/cowpea and cassava Aeschynomene performed much better in rice production hence should be adopted as cropping systems for farmers

Adaptation of multipurpose tractors to row spaces of cotton crops

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, cotton cultivation is carried out on row spacings of 60; 76 and 90 cm. The machine-tractor parks of cotton-growing farms are equipped with agricultural machines designed for these inter-row spacings and they are aggregated by tractors with gauges designed for them. Such a variety of tractor gauges creates the problem of mismatch between the gauge and row spacing when moving from one row spacing to another, increases the variety of spare parts and narrows the scope of their use only within one type of row spacing. The discrepancy between the gauge of serial universal row-crop tractors and the cultivated row spacing leads to damage to the plant and compaction of the soil in the area where its root system is located. Overconsolidation of the soil by more than 1.1 g/cm3 leads to a slowdown in plant growth and development, an increase in soil resistivity during subsequent tillage operations and, most importantly, a decrease in crop yield. Studies have established that, despite the variety of designs of known devices used to adjust the track, they change the track stepwise and in an insufficient range, as a result of which the tractor does not fit into the row spacing. To eliminate the shortcomings of the known methods for adjusting the track, a device has been developed for adapting the tractor running system to work on different row spacings. The developed device allows, without the use of attachments or interchangeable axle shafts and their casings, to accurately adapt the tractor’s running system to the aisle of crops cultivated by it, thereby eliminating the existing shortcomings of serial universal row-cultivator tractors. The article provides a description of the proposed technical solution and the method of its application.

Growth regulators efficiency in onion planting material preparataion

Winter onion culture compares favorably with spring production with early harvest dates. In the conditions of the Krasnodar Territory, the first products arrive at the end of May-the first decade of June. However, obtaining a guaranteed harvest largely depends on the plants winter hardiness, which is determined not only by the prevailing conditions of overwintering, but also by the elements of growing technology, which include pre-planting preparation of seed onion. The article presents the results of studies on the influence of growth regulators used for soaking the sowing before planting for winter hardiness, the timing of the phenological phases onset, the dynamics of the leaf surface and bulbs growth, the size and structure of the crop. Seed onion was soaked before planting in solutions of three growth regulators (Radix, Radipharm, Rostok) for 12 hours, the control was a variant with planting material soaking in water. The seed onion of the first group (0.8-1.5 cm in diameter) was planted in early November, with 45 cm row spacing and 444.4 thousand pieces / ha planting density. It was found that Radix and Radipharm preparations significantly increased onion plants winter hardiness, the percentage of overwintered plants was 88.2-88.7% (80.3% under control), accelerated the ripening time of the crop (by 5-7 days), contributed to the activation of the growth processes of the aboveground apparatus. The pre-planting preparation of the seed onion did not affect the shooting processes intensity, the percentage of shot plants in the experiment was 7.5-7.9. The highest total yield of onion (39.2 t/ha) and the yield of standard bulbs (36.8 t/ha) with an average bulb weight of 102.2 g was obtained with the use of Radix. The increase in the yield in this variant and the earlier products’ entering the market contributed to net income increase compared to the control by 79.9 thousand rubles. The use of growth regulators for seed soaking had no effect on the products’ standard, it varied between 93.5-93.9%..

Evaluation of vibratory shear-enhanced processing module-integrated three-dimensional printed spacers for enhanced wastewater ultrafiltration.

The article evaluates the effectiveness of two new designed module-integrated three-dimensional (3D) printed spacers in enhancing wastewater ultrafiltration efficiencies using vibratory shear-enhanced processing (VSEP). The study investigates the star-shaped spacer filled module channel (star spacer) and the column-shaped herringbone spacer filled module channel with the same position as the flow direction (column spacer) and with the opposite position as the flow direction (rev column spacer). It compares the VSEP module-integrated spacers with membrane module vibration (module vibration) and empty membrane module channel (control) configurations. The results show that the module integration of the 3D printed spacers can greatly improve the specific, average, and constant permeate fluxes and can contribute to reducing the total, reversible and irreversible resistance values, and specific energy consumption of the ultrafiltration membrane separation experiments. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into improving the performance of wastewater ultrafiltration systems and fouling mitigation through the module integration of 3D printed spacers and membrane module vibration. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Vibratory shear-enhanced processing (VSEP) ultrafiltration module-integrated 3D printed spacers were successfully fabricated and evaluated for improved wastewater treatment. Two spacer designs, a star-shaped and a column-shaped herringbone, were compared with an empty membrane module channel with and without vibration. Two configurations of the column-shaped spacer, in the same and reversed flow direction, were tested. Specific energy consumption was calculated and compared for all configurations. Significant improvements in ultrafiltration performance were observed with the use of spacers compared with an empty module channel, including enhanced permeate fluxes and reductions in both total and reversible, as well as irreversible, resistance.

Development of a New Approach to the Problem of Detecting the Integrity Violations of a Digital Image

The energy sector is an integral part of the critical infrastructure of any state and is particularly sensitive to the quality of information security systems. Due to the diversity of activities of various organizations in the energy industry, almost all threats to information security are relevant to them, in particular, unauthorized changes in information content. The aim of the work is to develop the new approach to the examination of the integrity of images, which will provide the possibility of building universal methods for detecting its violations, effective regardless of the strength and type of influences that change them. The aim was achieved by: introducing the concept of “frequency index” for the singular vector of the image matrix, and study of the properties of the dependence of the frequency index of a singular vector on its number. The most important result of the work is the almost constant rate of increase the trend of the studied function, which results in the linearity of the frequency index of singular vectors for digital images, the integrity of which is not violated. This characteristic is sensitive to any changes in the image matrix. The significance of the obtained result lies in the fact that the use of the established properties for the function of the dependence of the frequency index of singular vectors on its number makes it possible to develop universal integrity examination methods that are effective regardless of the strength and type of disturbances that violated the integrity of the image.

Research results on underground cotton irrigation through artificial pipes

The article presents the results of laboratory-field tests of a working body that creates an artificial pipe for irrigation of cotton with a row spacing of 60 cm from under the soil. As evaluation criteria, water flow distance and moisture dispersion were taken from inside the formed pipe without spilling onto the field surface. When using this working body, it was found that a pipe with dense walls was formed under the soil with low energy consumption, and water flow was observed for a long distance. Generated to the proximity of the constructed artificial pipes to the cotton roots, the water demand is met quickly and the irrigation time and water consumption are reduced.