Soil Medium Research Articles

Biodegradable pot from oil palm fronds waste: production process, physical properties, and biodegradability study

This research investigated the potential use of oil palm frond waste as a new raw material for developing biodegradable pots (biopot), which could substitute planting containers made from petroleum-based materials such as pots or plastic polybags. This study was aimed, in particular, at examining the physical characteristics and biodegradability of biopot products. This objective was essential for ensuring that the functionality, characteristics, and biodegradability of biopots were technically acceptable for their agricultural application. Production of biopot was done by cold pressing method, which started by mixing the frond fibers as reinforcement with tapioca as a matrix and molding it using the cold pressing method. Furthermore, testing of physical characteristics includes density, moisture content, water absorption, and biodegradability in soil media. The research shows that the biopot from oil palm fronds has a density of 0.27-0.44 g / cm3, moisture content of 1.28-4.71%, and water absorption of 179.88-285.74%. The degradability of biodegradable pots ranged from 11.07-34.22%. Based on the above characteristics, the biodegradable pot from oil palm fronds has the potential to be used for planting containers. Biopot from oil palm fronds was interesting to develop since it performed suitable characteristics, compared to the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) of the similar composites product and the characteristics of biodegradable pot from other previous reliable research

The effect of mycorrhiza on the growth of Ylang-Ylang seedlings

Abstract Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata forma genuina Steenis) is a plant with high economic value and many benefits. Mycorrhizal application is necessary to obtain a quality mother plant. Therefore, a study on the mycorrhiza effect on ylang-ylang growth was needed, especially in the seedling stage. This study aimed to analyse the impact of mycorrhiza infection on the development of ylang-ylang seedlings. The method used in this study was the isolation of Claroideoglomus etunicatum spores. Ten of each spore was inoculated onto the sterilised roots (using 5% Natrium hypochlorite) of the three-month-old ylang-ylang seedlings and then planted on zeolite media and soil in a 6 x 10 cm pottery, which was then transferred to each pot 13 cm in diameter and 16 cm in height. For comparison, zeolite and soil media were used without the addition of mycorrhiza. The result of this study showed that the application of mycorrhizae using soil media had the highest increase in height (4.19 cm), diameter (0.72 mm), number of leaves (2.6 strands), and number of buds (0.8 leaf buds) compared to other treatments.

Effect of high resistivity soil under high impulse currents

In this paper, experimental test results of several ground electrodes surrounded with gravelly soil medium subjected to high impulse currents were studied, to investigate the effect of confined soil surround electrodes. Ground resistance measurements were performed at low magnitude of voltage and current, where the results are compared to the impulse characteristics of ground electrodes. This paper shows a significant difference in the RDC values and impulse characteristics of ground electrodes when gravelly soil medium surrounded the ground electrode in comparison to the electrodes installed in natural soil. This indicates that the confined soil around the electrode has a major effect on the performance of ground electrodes, whether at steady state or under high impulse conditions. Equivalent circuit for each tested electrode was developed with personal simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis (PSPICE), where the effect of inductance was seen in the electrodes surrounded with gravelly soil.

Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment—Case Study: Tirana–Ishmi Aquifer, Albania

This paper discusses the groundwater vulnerability to pollution assessment for the Tirana–Ishmi alluvium aquifer, Albania. Economic activities, municipal wastewater discharged into rivers and groundwater overexploitation threaten to pollute the groundwater. Based on the aquifer characteristics and the available data, SINTACS was selected as the most realistic assessment model. The SINTACS parameters’ rates assigned to the aquifer’s characteristics (water table depth, infiltration, unsaturated zone, soil media, aquifer media, hydraulic conductivity, topography) were adapted to the local features, followed by GIS vulnerability mapping. Statistical analysis indicates that the unsaturated zone, hydraulic conductivity and aquifer media have the highest influence on groundwater vulnerability, whereas topography has the lowest influence. Validation through sensitivity analysis and nitrates content confirms the rational selection of the SINTACS model and the reliability of the study’s outputs. The most vulnerable areas to pollution are the recharge zones, followed by the highly urbanized Tirana City area, characterized by high levels of groundwater extraction rate and wastewater discharged into the rivers. The paper, being the first completed groundwater vulnerability assessment of the study area, could serve as a basis for a scientific–based groundwater management that should be considered in local territory planning.

Эффективность комплексного применения минеральных удобрений и биопрепарата Мизорин на посевах люцерны сорта Айслу в почвенно-климатических условиях Республики Татарстан

Field experiments on alfalfa crops of the Aisylu variety were conducted in 2020-2022 on the basis of the Agrobiotechnopark of the Kazan State Agrarian University (Narmonka village of the Laishevsky municipal district of the Republic of Tatarstan). The soils of the experimental site are gray forest with the following agrochemical indicators: the content of humus according to Tyurin is 3.0%, mobile phosphorus is very high (> 250 mg/kg) and exchangeable potassium is increased (145 mg/kg according to Kirsanov). The reaction of the soil medium was close to neutral (pH 6.6). The aim of the research was to develop methods to increase the yield and quality of the green mass of alfalfa on the basis of the use of various types of mineral fertilizers and the biological preparation Mizorin. The scheme of the experiment included the following options: control (without fertilizers and biologics); root dressing in spring and after the first mowing with ammonium nitrate of 100 kg/ha; root dressing in spring and after the first mowing with nitrogen strip of 100 kg/ha; root dressing in spring and after the first mowing with ammonium nitrate of 100 kg/ha in combination with leaf dressing with the biopreparation Mizorin 2 l/ha; root dressing in spring and after the first mowing with a 100 kg/ha nitrogen strip in combination with a leaf dressing with the biopreparation Mizorin 2 l/ha. Early spring feeding of alfalfa and after the first mowing with ammonium nitrate at the rate of 100 kg / ha provided additional 4.7 t/ha of green mass. In the variant of azofoska top dressing, the yield increase increases to 29.8 t/ha of the green mass of the research object. The maximum yield of the studied crop was obtained in variants of combining root and leaf fertilization, the increase in green mass increased to 64.4 and 92%, respectively.

Approximate settlement influence factors for bucket foundations

ABSTRACT The response of bucket foundations for offshore structures has received significant attention from researchers but most of the reported studies focused on ultimate capacity. In this study, a comprehensive series of finite element analyses have been performed to investigate directly how the skirt geometry affects the elastic settlement of bucket foundations of arbitrary rigidity embedded in either a homogeneous or heterogeneous soil medium with finite layer thickness. The effect of soil drainage conditions is also explored. The results are graphically presented in the familiar form of settlement influence factors which can be used in hand calculations to predict the settlement of bucket foundations for a wide range of practical cases. Approximating expressions that capture the settlement influence factors well are developed. A worked example is given to illustrate the use of the graphical and approximating solutions.

Pengaruh Iklim Mikro dan Penggunaan Media Tanam yang Berbeda pada Pertumbuan Tanaman Melon Varietas Sweet Net

Melon are plants that are sensitive to environmental changes. Currently, developing technology for cultivating melons in greenhouses is used to modify the microclimate for the growth of melon plants. This research aims to determine the effect of microclimate and different types of planting media on growth response of sweet net variety melon plants that planted in the Politeknik Negeri Jember smart green house. The research was carried out in January – May 2024. The treatments tested consisted of two treatments, namely: the use of soil media+compos and cocopeat media which would be repeated 15 times. The parameters observed include microclimate (temperature and humidity) and also plant growth indicators including plant length and number of leaves, number of flowers, and potential weight of melon. The data obtained were analyzed using the T-test. The research results show that the microclimate inside the Politeknik Negeri Jember smart green house is still classified as an optimal microclimate to support the growth of melon plants. Apart from that, the use of cocopeat planting media was able to provide the best results for the length of the melon plants in the 4th to 6th week of observation, but there was no significant difference in the parameters of the number of leaves, number of flowers and potential weight of melon of. The use of cocopeat media and soil media are both good media in supporting the growth of melon plants in a greenhouse.

Xanthan gum modification to surface and interfacial properties between soil‐based matrixes and petroleum oils to minimize soil pollution

AbstractA novel approach exploiting surfaces and interfaces between liquid oils and porous soil media was used to investigate the role of xanthan gum (XG) in minimizing the spread of petroleum oil spills on land. 1.6 wt% XG added to soil‐based mixture matrixes (topsoil, sand, clay, and moisture) resulted in a 50% reduction in oil spreading area at 0 and 5 wt% moisture content, at 1.3 cm depth of soil matrix. Also recorded was a 45% increase in time taken for the low‐ and medium‐viscosity oils to penetrate this soil depth. XG alters the surface energy and roughness of the soil matrixes, which additionally contributes to a reduction in oil spreading capabilities. Interfacial phenomena between individual oil droplets and soil matrixes demonstrated variable findings of droplet spreading and penetration with XG, depending upon the heterogeneity of the soil matrix itself. XG assisted a reduced lateral spread in heterogeneous soil matrixes and a reduced vertical penetration in clay‐based matrixes. These interfacial results highlighted the often‐observed differing transport phenomena at the interface compared with the bulk. This initial study demonstrates a novel approach to incorporate surface energy phenomena into the suite of soil remediation efforts by introducing natural biopolymers in high‐risk land oil‐spill areas to slow oil contaminant spread. Future studies will further characterize the benefits of XG in containing oil flow.

An adiabatic boundary condition with cylindrical perfect conductors for improved approximations from heat-pulse measurement near the soil-atmosphere interface

The cylindrical-perfect-conductors (CPC) theory, which assumes an infinite and homogeneous soil medium, can be used to analyze heat pulse (HP) measurements to estimate soil thermal property values. However, when a HP sensor is positioned near the soil surface, the CPC theory is not valid because of the change in media properties at the soil-atmosphere interface. In this study, a CPC solution considering an adiabatic boundary condition (CPC-ABC) is presented to account for the soil-atmosphere interface effect. Compared with the results from numerical simulations, the CPC-ABC solution gave more accurate soil temperature values at the sensing probe than did a CPC model. When a HP sensor was positioned horizontally at a depth of 1 mm below a sand soil surface, the relative errors (RE) of CPC estimated thermal property values were as large as 52%, while the RE values based on the CPC-ABC solution were about 8%. Results from numerical simulations and laboratory experiments both showed that the CPC model worked well for horizontally positioned HP sensors with probe lengths of 70-mm at burial depths greater than 15 mm. Soil-atmosphere interface effect was largely dependent on HP sensor dimensions and measurement volumes. Overall, the extended CPC-ABC theory provided accurate soil thermal property estimates by considering the effects of finite probe properties and the presence of the soil-atmosphere interface.

Aquifer vulnerability valorization via DRASTIC index-based assessment within litho-facies of a coastal environment

Determining the degree of an aquifer’s susceptibility to pollutants is an important tool for policy planning in subterranean water administration and conservation. In this work, subterranean water vulnerability was appraised with the use of DRASTIC methodology, which employs seven parameters: depth to groundwater (D); net groundwater recharge (R); aquifer media (A); soil media (S); topography (T); influence of vadose zone (I); and hydraulic conductivity (C). Different ratings were given to each parameter based on the hydro-geological and geo-electrical information obtained from the study area. Geo-electrostratigraphic data was acquired with vertical electrical soundings and electrical resistivity tomography surveys. The results demonstrated the existence of geoelectrical layers with variable resistivities ranging from high to low, with variable curve types. Longitudinal conductance measures indicated moderate subterranean water protective capacity. Analysis of DRASTIC vulnerability indices showed that the aquifer indicated moderate to high vulnerability to contamination. Vulnerability maps were generated to indicate locations of high vulnerability, the goal being to prevent indiscriminate haphazard and wildcat abstraction of groundwater in such locations. The quality category index (QCI) generated for the DRASTIC model indicated that underground water susceptivity is dependent on all 7 parameters employed in the model, with the most critical determinants being the depth to aquifer (D), net recharge (R), aquifer media (A), and impact of the vadose zone (I). The work recommends that anthropogenic activities that could contaminate groundwater resource be halted as the resource is indicated by DRASTIC models as being vulnerable.

Green Infrastructure Microbial Community Response to Simulated Pulse Precipitation Events in the Semi-Arid Western United States

Processes driving nutrient retention in stormwater green infrastructure (SGI) are not well quantified in water-limited biomes. We examined the role of plant diversity and physiochemistry as drivers of microbial community physiology and soil N dynamics post precipitation pulses in a semi-arid region experiencing drought. We conducted our study in bioswales receiving experimental water additions and a montane meadow intercepting natural rainfall. Pulses of water generally elevated soil moisture and pH, stimulated ecoenzyme activity (EEA), and increased the concentration of organic matter, proteins, and N pools in both bioswale and meadow soils. Microbial community growth was static, and N assimilation into biomass was limited across pulse events. Unvegetated plots had greater soil moisture than vegetated plots at the bioswale site, yet we detected no clear effect of plant diversity on microbial C:N ratios, EEAs, organic matter content, and N pools. Differences in soil N concentrations in bioswales and the meadow were most directly correlated to changes in organic matter content mediated by ecoenzyme expression and the balance of C, N, and P resources available to microbial communities. Our results add to growing evidence that SGI ecological function is largely comparable to neighboring natural vegetated systems, particularly when soil media and water availability are similar.

An approach to characterize cyclic deflection of piles in cohesion less soil media under 1-way and 2-way cyclic loading on sloping ground

An approach to characterize cyclic deflection of piles in cohesion less soil media under 1-way and 2-way cyclic loading on sloping ground

Enriched Ameliorant and Readily Available Nutrients for Enhancing the Rhizobacterial Population, Nutrient Uptake, and Yield of Pepper Grown in Inceptisol Soil Media: A Review

Enriched Ameliorant and Readily Available Nutrients for Enhancing the Rhizobacterial Population, Nutrient Uptake, and Yield of Pepper Grown in Inceptisol Soil Media: A Review

Unveiling the salinity tolerance potential of Armenian Dandur (Portulaca oleracea L.) genotypes: Enhancing sustainable agriculture and food security

This study examines the adaptation of an undocumented halophyte, Dandur, to salt stress in different soil mediums. The Dandur plant physiological, morphological, and biochemical analyses show that it can withstand salinity stress. Dandur plants grown in clay and clay loam soil experienced significant decreases in height and stem diameter under extreme salinity conditions compared to non-saline soil. The fresh weight of root and shoot decreased by 70.4% and 84.8%, respectively, and dry weight by 48.5% and 79.7%. These findings underscore the importance of maintaining saline soil conditions for plant growth. Dandur unique ability to avoid dehydration and maintain growth traits, particularly in clay soil, holds promise for further exploration in agricultural research and food security-related issues caused by climate change in saline areas of Armenia and other European countries.

Geospatial based groundwater resources susceptibility and contamination risk mapping for Yeşilköy aquifer, Cyprus

In rural areas where the goals of sustainable agriculture are intertwined with the availability and supply of groundwater resources, it becomes imperative to perceive and search the status of groundwater resource’s susceptibility to contamination. A well-known overlay & index method, the DRASTIC model that assesses the state of susceptibility to contamination using vulnerability index map has been applied to the Yeşilköy aquifer. The seven different hydro-geologic parameters; aquifer media, vadose zone, and soil media, surface topography, recharge capacity, water table depth, and the hydraulic conductivity maps were overlaid to find the vulnerability of the aquifer. Results depicted that the aquifer is categorized into two vulnerability zones; low and moderate. The available susceptibility of the aquifer due to ongoing anthropogenic activities like agriculture was also studied by implementing the Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WQI) method. The aquifer’s overall water quality was “poor water quality”. Hence, there was no significant relationship between WQI and the vulnerability of the aquifer. A modification of the DRASTIC to enhance the relationship with WQI is proposed by utilizing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), as one of the successful multi-criteria decision-making models. The modification of the DRASTIC model with AHP revealed that the performance of the DRASTIC model was improved and the correlation between WQI and the DRASTIC vulnerability index was significantly enhanced. The results also show that the effective contributing parameters for groundwater vulnerability in the Yeşilköy aquifer were the aquifer media and the vadose zone. On the other hand, the water table’s depth and topography were almost independent of the aquifer’s vulnerability.

Investigation of Aquifer Vulnerability under some Protective Measures in Ehime Mbano, South-Eastern Nigeria for Sustainable Groundwater Development

This study focuses on assessing aquifer vulnerability to contamination in Ehime Mbano South-Eastern Nigeria by applying the DRASTIC model. The data was obtained using (VES) vertical electrical sounding technique by applying Schlumberger configurations with AB/2 = 400 m. The VES data were interpreted using state of the art soft wares e.g. IP12WIN and Surfer 12 to obtain the final model for each VES, groundwater vulnerability map was also developed while aquifer media was gotten by taking into account, the depth at which water was struck and correlating those depths with the lithological description of the VES results obtained. The hydraulic conductivity was calculated from apparent resistivity of the aquifer. However, the net recharge, soil media, and topography was obtained from research documentaries. Aquifer vulnerability assessment carried out revealed areas with high, low and moderate vulnerability based on the DRASTIC Index. Locations with high vulnerability rating of 126 -165 includes: Umuokiri Umunumo and Ikperejere. Locations with moderate vulnerability rating of 86-125 includes: Ikpem, Ikweii Nzerem while locations with low vulnerability rating of 70-85 includes: Umuokara Uzinomi and areas close to Umueze II. The findings of the study can be used to identify regions of contamination of groundwater in the study area.

Propagasi In Vitro Kaliandra Merah (Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn.) II: Induksi Perakaran Tunas dan Aklimatisasi Planlet

Red calliandra is one of woody plants that has been extensively developed as biofuel. Tissue culture techniques are employed to produce a large and uniform quantity of seedlings in a relatively short period. Previous stages of in vitro initiation and multiplication of shoot from calliandra explants have shown promising results. The shoots that were multiplied by in vitro technique need to be induced for rooting process to produce plantlets. These plantlets are then prepared for the subsequent acclimatization process. This research was conducted in two stages; root induction of shoots using a modification of MS half-strength media (MS ½) supplemented with 1-4 mg/L 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and acclimatization of the plantlets into soil media. The results shown that MS ½ medium and media supplemented with 1 mg/L NAA were suitable for root induction, particularly to induce the root length. Furthermore, MS ½ media supplemented with 1-2 mg/L NAA stimulates the increment of plantlet height and leaves numbers. Plantlets which were transferred into soil exhibit robust growth during 3-weeks of acclimatization process, up to 100% plantlets survived during this stage. These results underscore the potential of tissue culture techniques in providing large scale calliandra seedlings production for future biofuel development.

The Effect of Composition of Sub Soil Media and Cow Manure on the Growth of Areca Betara in Nurseries

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh berbagai komposisi media sub soil dan pupuk kandang terhadap pertumbuhan bibit pinang Betara di persemaian. Percobaan dilaksanakan pada bulan Januari sampai Mei 2022 di Pos Pembibitan BPDAS Ketahun, Jalan Jati No. 39 Kelurahan Sawah Lebar, Kecamatan Ratu Agung, Kota Bengkulu. Percobaan menggunakan rancangan acak kelompok (RAK) yang terdiri dari lima (5) perlakuan yaitu Komposisi Media (M) dengan 5 ulangan. Tiap perlakuan terdiri dari 10 benih sehingga total menjadi 250 benih. Perlakuan komposisi Media (M) adalah sebagai berikut: M1 : Tanah Subsoil 100%; M2: Tanah Subsoil + Pupuk Kandang Sapi (3:1); M3 : Tanah Subsoil + Pupuk Kandang Sapi (2:1); M4: Tanah Subsoil + Pupuk Kandang Sapi (1:1); dan M5: Tanah Topsoil 100%. Data hasil pengamatan dianalisis dengan analisis keragaman pada tingkat kepercayaan 5%, apabila mempunyai pengaruh nyata atau sangat nyata diuji lebih lanjut dengan uji Jarak Berganda Duncan (DMRT) pada tingkat kepercayaan 5%. Hasil penelitian menyimpulkan: (1) Perlakuan komposisi media tidak berpengaruh nyata terhadap tinggi tanaman umur 2 mst sampai 8 mst, jumlah daun, panjang akar, jumlah akar, berat basah akar, berat kering akar dan bibit pinang. bobot basah, namun berpengaruh nyata dan sangat nyata terhadap tinggi tanaman 10 s/d 16 mst, bobot basah tajuk, dan bobot kering tajuk; (2) Komposisi media yang terbaik untuk persemaian pinang Betara adalah komposisi lapisan tanah bawah yang dicampur pupuk kandang sapi dengan perbandingan 1:1.

Investigation of Garcinia kola Exudates as Corrosion Inhibitor for Mild Steel in Acidic Environment

This study investigated the performance of Garcinia kola exudates in preventing mild steel exposed to acid concentrated water and soil. The study was performed in order to find an alternative coating substance that can reduce the corrosion of mild steel pipes exposed to corrosive water and soil media. Various mild steel specimens were cut into portions and coated with the exudates at 25 - 50µm thickness. To accelerate the rate of corrosion, 0.5M hydrochloric acid (HCl) was added to tap water in a container. Also, the same concentration of HCl was equally added to soil samples. Uncoated mild steel specimens were immersed in the acid concentrated water and soil, servicing as control sample. The rate of corrosion was monitored for 30 days (720 hours). The inhibition efficiency of the exudates for both corrosive media was compared. Results showed that the weight loss and corrosion rate of mild steel decreased with increase in coating thickness. Comparatively, weight loss and corrosion rate in the uncoated specimens were higher than the coated specimens. For uncoated specimens, the corrosion rate was 0.2793mm/yr and 0.4150mm/yr for specimen immersed in water and soil respectively, but at 25µm coating thickness, it decreased to 0.01369mm/yr and 0.2870mm/yr for specimens in water and soil. Also, at 50µm coating thickness, corrosion rate decreased to 0.0052mm/yr and 0.0318mm/yr for specimens in water and soil, respectively. The inhibition efficiency increased with coating thickness, ranging from 51.00 – 98.15% for specimens immersed in water and 30.84 – 92.33% for specimens buried in soil at 25µm – 50µm coating thickness. The results demonstrated that Garcinia kola exudates can be used as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel exposed to corrosive media.

Application of Celtis Zenkeri Exudates as Corrosion Inhibition for Galvanised Steel Exposed to Acidic Media

This study investigated the performance of Celtis zenkeri exudates in preventing galvanised steel exposed to acid concentrated water and soil. The study was performed in order to find an alternative coating substance that can reduce the corrosion of galvanised steel pipes exposed to corrosive water and soil media. Various steel specimens were cut into portions and coated with the exudates at 25 - 50µm thickness. To accelerate the rate of corrosion, 0.5M hydrochloric acid (HCl) was added to tap water in a container. Also, the same concentration of HCl was equally added to soil samples. Uncoated steel specimens were immersed in the acid concentrated water and soil, servicing as control sample. The rate of corrosion was monitored for 30 days (720 hours). The inhibition efficiency of the exudates for both corrosive media was compared. Results showed that the weight loss and corrosion rate of galvanised steel decreased with increase in coating thickness. Comparatively, the weight loss and corrosion rate in the uncoated specimens were higher than the coated specimens. With 25 - 50µm coating thickness, the decrease in corrosion rate ranged from 0.01272 to 0.0027mm/yr for specimens immersed in water and from 0.2226 to 0.0185mm/yr for specimens buried in soil, while for uncoated specimens, the corrosion rate was 0.2793mm/yr and 0.4150mm/yr for specimen immersed in water and soil respectively. The inhibition efficiency of Celtis zenkeri exudates increased with coating thickness, which ranged from 54.46 – 99.03% for specimens immersed in water and 46.36 – 95.54% for specimens buried in soil at 25µm – 50µm coating thickness. The results demonstrated that Celtis zenkeri exudates can be used as corrosion inhibitor for steel exposed to corrosive media.