Spray Time Research Articles

Atrazine application shapes white leaf spot (Neopseudocercosporella capsellae) development on triazine-resistant canola

Studies were undertaken on two atrazine-tolerant canola (Brassica napus) cultivars (moderately resistant Crusher TT and highly susceptible Thunder TT) to white leaf spot (WLS) (Neopseudocercosporella capsellae), to determine how atrazine application affects WLS development. There were significant main treatment effects in relation to percent leaf disease incidence (%LDI), percent leaf area diseased (%LAD) and percent leaf area collapsed (%LAC) for canola cultivar, disease development period (days-post-inoculation), atrazine spray (before or after inoculation), and %LDI for atrazine spray timing (0, 1, 3, 7 days), along with significant two- and three-way interactions between treatments. For %LDI across a 21-day period, Crusher TT showed greatest disease suppression from atrazine application 0 or 7 days before inoculation, and Thunder TT from application 0 days before and 7 days after inoculation. In terms of %LAD, Crusher TT showed greatest suppression from application at 0 and 7 days before inoculation, and Thunder TT from application 0 days before or 1 day after inoculation. In relation to %LAC, Crusher TT showed greatest suppression from application 7 days before inoculation and Thunder from application 0 days before or 1 day after inoculation. That the extent of suppression of WLS by atrazine application was substantial and that it varied with cultivar susceptibility, application timing, and that there was a strong interaction of cultivar x application timing, highlights potential opportunities for farmers to exploit better cultivar choices in conjunction with manipulating the timing of atrazine application to maximize WLS suppression and consequent canola yield.

Facile Formation of Metallic Surface with Microroughness via Spray-Coating of Copper Nanoparticles for Enhanced Liquid Metal Wetting

This paper presents a simple, fast, and cost-effective method for creating metallic microstructured surfaces by spray-coating a dispersion of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) onto polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) substrates, enabling the imbibition-induced wetting of liquid metal. The formation of these microstructured patterns is crucial for the spontaneous wetting of gallium-based liquid metals. Traditional techniques for producing such microstructures often involve complex and costly lithography and vacuum deposition methods. In contrast, this study demonstrates that liquid metal wetting can occur with metal microstructures formed through a straightforward spray-coating process. To immobilize the CuNPs on the polymer substrate, an organic solvent that dissolves the polymer surface was employed as the dispersion medium. The effects of various spray-coating parameters, including distance and time, on the uniformity and immobilization of CuNP films were systematically investigated. Under optimal conditions (120 s of spray time and 10 cm spray distance), CuNPs dispersed in dichloromethane (DCM) yielded uniform and stable microstructured surfaces. The spontaneous wetting of gallium-based liquid metal was observed on the fabricated CuNP film. Additionally, liquid metal selectively wet the CuNP patterns formed by stencil techniques, establishing electrical connections between electrodes. These findings underscore the potential of spray-coating for fabricating metallic surfaces to drive the formation of liquid metal patterns in flexible electronics applications.

Effects of different cold-resistant agents and application methods on yield and cold-resistance of machine-transplanted early rice.

Cold stress is a critical factor affecting rice production worldwide. The application of cold-resistant agents may improve the cold resistance and yield of crops. To screen for suitable cold-resistant agents for machine-transplanted early rice, the effects of uniconazole, abscisic acid, and zinc-amino acids chelate and their spraying times (seed soaking stage, one leaf and one heart stage, two leaves and one heart stage, 7 days before the transplanting stage, and regreening stage) on the yield and cold resistance of machine-transplanted early rice were investigated. Moreover, the application method (spraying amount: 750 and 1125g ha-1; spraying time: 7 days before the transplanting stage, transplanting stage, regreening stage, and transplanting stage and regreening stage) for the most suitable cold-resistant agent was optimized. The zinc-amino acids chelate was better than the other two cold-resistant agents for promoting rice tillering and increasing the leaf area index, dry matter weight, antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD, POD) and yield (i.e., 9.22% and 7.14% higher than uniconazole and abscisic acid, respectively), especially when it was applied in the regreening stage. The examination of spraying amounts and times indicated that the zinc-amino acids chelate dosage had no significant effect on the yield and cold resistance of early rice. However, the rice yield and antioxidant enzyme activities were highest when samples were sprayed once in the transplanting stage and the regreening stage. On the basis of the study results, 750g ha-1 zinc-amino acids chelate applications in the transplanting and regreening stages of machine-transplanted early rice plants may be ideal for increasing cold stress resistance and yield.

FBcastS: An Information System Leveraging the K-Maryblyt Forecasting Model

We have developed FBcastS (Fire Blight Forecasting System), a cloud-based information system that leverages the K-Maryblyt forecasting model. The FBcastS provides an optimal timing for spraying antibiotics to prevent flower infection caused by <i>Erwinia amylovora</i> and forecasts the onset of disease symptoms to assist in scheduling field scouting activities. FBcastS comprises four discrete subsystems tailored to specific functionalities: meteorological data acquisition and processing, execution of the K-Maryblyt model, distribution of web-based information, and dissemination of spray timing notifications. The meteorological data acquisition subsystem gathers both observed and forecasted weather data from 1,583 sites across South Korea, including 761 apple or pear orchards where automated weather stations are installed for fire blight forecast. This subsystem also performs post-processing tasks such as quality control and data conversion. The model execution subsystem operates the K-Maryblyt model and stores its results in a database. The web-based service subsystem offers an array of internet-based services, including weather monitoring, mobile services for forecasting fire blight infection and symptoms, and nationwide fire blight monitoring. The final subsystem issues timely notifications of fire blight spray timing alert to growers based on forecasts from the K-Maryblyt model, blossom status, pesticide types, and field conditions, following guidelines set by the Rural Development Administration. FBcastS epitomizes a smart agriculture internet of things (IoT) by utilizing densely collected data with a spatial resolution of approximately 4.25 km to improve the accuracy of fire blight forecasts. The system’s internet-based services ensure high accessibility and utility, making it a vital tool in data-driven smart agricultural practices.

Evaluation of unmanned aerial vehicle for effective spraying application in coconut plantations

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) pesticide application in recent years owing to its importance such as time saving, reduction in human drudgery and also reduction in pesticides application rate. UAV has a great potential to address the problem involved in manual chemicals spraying in tall crops like coconut plantation where at present operation performed by manual climbing involves lots of drudgery and life risk. The current study aimed to understand the most influencing spraying parameters, such as spray height and spray time of the UAV sprayer on droplet characteristics such as spray droplet size, spray coverage and spray deposition at different layers (spindle, middle and bottom) of coconut tree canopy. The selected spray height (1, 2 and 3 m) and spray time (5, 8 and 11 s) significantly affects (p < 0.05) the droplet size (μm), spray coverage (%) and spray deposition (μl cm−2). In spray droplet size, the treatment T4, T5, T7 and T8 were recorded recommended droplet size of 50–400 μm in all layer of the coconut tree canopy. In spray coverage, the nearest value for recommended spray coverage of 10–20 % was observed for T1 and T5 treatment in all layer of the coconut tree canopy. The maximum penetration efficiency of 34.41 % had achieved at spray height of 2m and spray time of 8s (treatment T5). Based on performance of selected parameter, the spray height of 2 m and spray time of 8 s (treatment T5) was found best for spraying operation using UAV in coconut tree. The results showed the performance of the UAV offers best alternative for spraying operation on coconut tree and also this system will drastically reduce application time, labour requirement and improved the safety of coconut farmers.

A multistage biogas slurry reflux and spray anaerobic digestion reactor for high solid anaerobic digestion: Performance and application evaluation

In this study, a new vertical plug-flow continuous dry anaerobic digestion reactor equipped with a spray percolation system was designed for rice straw and cow manure in dry AD. The findings indicated that the methane yield was 290.63 ± 19.16 mL/g VS when the optimal spray time (9 times/d) was used in batch AD. In addition, the results of continuous experiments under optimal spray time conditions showed that the volumetric methane production rate of the system was 1.55 L/(L·d) when the organic loading rate was 20 g VS/(L·d). In addition, hydrolysis and acidification steps were enhanced. This study demonstrated the potential of the new reactor for stable operation of high OLR dry AD. Digestate is already used as a substitute for synthetic fertilizers precisely because of the environmental benefits associated with its agronomic use.

Examining the Optimization of Spray Cleaning Performance for LiDAR Sensor

Pollutants degrade the performance of LiDAR sensors used in autonomous vehicles. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop cleaning technology for these sensors. In this study, a solid-state LiDAR sensor was selected as a target and sprayed/dried with 2.5 g of a mixture of Arizona dust and Kaolin. To achieve optimal LiDAR cleaning performance, the washer pressure, spray time, spray angle, and target point were selected as major variables. Additionally, an optimal cleaning solution for each spray was formed via the design of experiments and optimization techniques. Model suitability was observed for the second spray through to the fourth. The cleaning rate increased with the washer pressure and spray time. The influence of these variables decreased as the number of sprays increased. The spray angle and target point exhibited no significant influence, but excellent cleaning was observed in some central areas. Verification test results were within 3% for the second through fourth sprays, indicating reliability. This study used a designed experiment with 30 scenarios to reveal optimized conditions for protecting the sensor performance from external visibility obstructions. Disclosing the optimization method lowers the barrier for sensor cleaning manufacturers to develop their own technology, which ultimately enhances safer and more efficient autonomous driving.

Experimental study on single-cylinder two-stroke piston expander based on in-cylinder spray heat transfer

Compressed air energy storage stands as a highly promising technology within the realm of energy retention. The piston expander finds applicability in smaller-scale compressed air energy storage systems. In compressed air energy storage systems, the expansion process is critical in energy discharge and significantly impacts overall performance. Isothermal expansion techniques are effective in enhancing the operational efficiency of piston expanders, in contrast to adiabatic expansion methodologies. Previous simulations by our research group show that the isothermal expansion model has a lower power output than the adiabatic expansion model due to its higher exhaust pressure. To further validate the accuracy of the simulation results, an experimental platform was constructed and the uncertainty of the experimental system as well as the measured data was evaluated. This study conducted experimental research using the single-variable method, focusing on different load conditions and spray parameters. The study findings indicate that the exhaust pressure during isothermal expansion consistently exceeds that of adiabatic expansion. The exhaust pressure of isothermal expansion increased by 3.85 % to 14.9 %. Under varying load conditions, the average rotational speed and output power of isothermal expansion were noted to be inferior to those of adiabatic expansion. Despite changes in nozzle diameter or spray temperature when the spray timing is set at 0°-180°, the average rotational speed and output power of isothermal expansion remain lower than that of adiabatic expansion. The average output power of isothermal expansion decreased by 1.29 % to 5.24 %. Nevertheless, if the spray timing is set between 0°-120°, the average output power of the isothermal expansion surpasses the adiabatic expansion with an improvement of 1.84 %.

Evidence-based food serving size labelling: Survey and laboratory analyses of consumer cooking spray usage.

Nutrition label serving sizes are determined primarily based on typical consumption when such data are available. However, such data are not available for certain foods such as spray cooking oil (cooking spray). Our study assessed cooking spray use by the United States (US) adults compared to the 0.25-s serving size used on US-sold cooking spray labels. Adults (n = 1041, aged 33 ± 16.7 years) completed a 13-question survey on cooking spray use and perceptions. In the survey, participants reported using cooking spray for 1.9 ± 0.9 s per use, and 42.3%-43.1% of participants reported being more likely to purchase products if they were labelled calorie- or fat-free. Next, 30 adults (aged 29.7 ± 11.0 years) completed a laboratory-based study which assessed cooking spray durations for seven cookware items. Spray times ranged from 1.0 ± 0.5 (smallest pan) to 2.5 ± 1.3 s (largest baking sheet), with 100% of sprays (210/210) exceeding the 0.25-s US serving size. Our results suggest that cooking spray serving size should be increased to 1 s to better reflect actual consumption, and this would have the added benefit of aligning better with cooking spray serving sizes in other developed countries (0.5-1.0 s). A 1-s serving size would also preclude cooking spray advertised as calorie- or fat-free, allowing consumers to make more informed choices on the dietary implications of using cooking spray.

Study on the synergistic control of nitrogenous emissions and greenhouse gas of ammonia/diesel dual direct injection two-stroke engine

This study developed a numerical model for an ammonia/diesel dual direct-injection two-stroke engine and validated it based on engine bench test results. The engine combustion and emission characteristics were discussed under the cases of different injection parameters, intake temperatures, and exhaust gas re-circulation (EGR) rates. The findings indicate that altering the injection angle of ammonia and diesel sprays impacts the in-cylinder swirl and the ignition timing of the ammonia spray, consequently affecting the heat release phase of ammonia combustion. A suitable arrangement spray plumes can effectively reduce the emissions of unburned ammonia and greenhouse gas (GHG), while increase the emissions of NOx. On the other hand, higher intake temperatures can increase the average in-cylinder temperature, reducing unburned ammonia, N2O and GHG emissions. However, it also results in greater NO emissions, which can affect fuel economy negatively. Furthermore, the use of EGR technology can reduce the combustion temperature, thereby lowering the emission of nitrogen-based pollutants, but it also reduces ammonia combustion efficiency. By simultaneously applying the three aforementioned technologies within a certain range of conditions, it is possible to effectively synergize and control nitrogenous emissions and GHG while maintaining high thermal efficiency of ammonia/diesel dual direct injection engines.

An innovative spray method to enrich feed mixture for hens with micronutrients

A modern approach to animal nutrition involves the use of sustainable and environmentally safe solutions with maximum efficiency and the provision of all required nutrients. It is necessary to search for new methods of animal feed formulation and enrichment to meet these requirements. This paper presents an innovative spray biosorption method fortification of feeds for laying hens with valuable micronutrients (Cu, Mn, Zn, and Fe). The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the method in vitro (extraction in water and ammonium citrate) and in vivo tests on laying hens. Experiments were conducted on a laboratory scale (up to 1 kg of feed was enriched), semi-technical scales (up to 1000 kg of feed was enriched), and the possibility of enriching feed in a spouted bed column was also investigated to test this method for an industrial scale. The influence of process conditions on biosorption efficiency (total concentration of micronutrients in solution 5000–15,000 g/L, the low rate of enrichment liquid 3.33·10–8 to 1.33·10–7 m3/s, material spraying time 68–720 s) was also investigated. A group of 108 Lohmann Brown laying hens was randomly divided into six experimental groups (including a control group). Each group of hens was fed a compound feed in which all or part of their micronutrient requirements were replaced with material enriched by the innovative method for 90 days. Egg characteristics, sensory evaluation, and micronutrient content were analysed, and in most cases, better results were obtained than with feeds enriched by standard methods. High-quality eggs were obtained, and egg production reached 95–96 %. The amount of micronutrients in the egg content was higher than the standard value for conventional farming for all research groups. A significant improvement in eggshell quality was also observed. The results are promising, and micronutrient-enriched eggs can be functional foods with higher micronutrient content.

Susceptibility of pESI positive Salmonella to treatment with biocide chemicals approved for use in poultry meat processing as compared to Salmonella without the pESI plasmid.

Salmonella is a common cause of human foodborne illness, which is frequently associated with consumption of contaminated or undercooked poultry meat. Serotype Infantis is among the most common serotypes isolated from poultry meat products globally. Isolates of serotype Infantis carrying the pESI plasmid, the most dominant strain of Infantis, have been shown to exhibit oxidizer tolerance. Therefore, 16 strains of Salmonella with and without pESI carriage were investigated for susceptibility to biocide chemical processing aids approved for use in US poultry meat processing: peracetic acid (PAA), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), calcium hypochlorite, and sodium hypochlorite. Strains were exposed for 15 s to simulate spray application and 90 min to simulate application in an immersion chiller. All strains tested were susceptible to all concentrations of PAA, CPC, and sodium hypochlorite when applied for 90 min. When CPC, calcium hypochlorite, and sodium hypochlorite were applied for 15 s to simulate spray time, strains responded similarly to each other. However, strains responded variably to exposure to PAA. The variation was not statistically significant and appears unrelated to pESI carriage. Results highlight the necessity of testing biocide susceptibility in the presence of organic material and in relevant in situ applications.

Защита деталей горного оборудования, работающих в условиях подземных выработок от биокоррозии

Introduction. Biological corrosion of mining equipment parts is an important problem. Ti-Cu-based coatings provide effective protection against such corrosion. A significant number of mining equipment parts operate under conditions of intense wear. These are parts such as pins, rollers, gears, racks, drive stars, etc. When applying a coating to such parts, it is important not only to increase the anti-corrosion properties, but also to maintain or improve the tribological properties of the parts being processed. The use of coatings based on metal oxides is an effective tool to combat bio corrosion. Among such metal oxides, nanocomposites that include a combination of TiO2 and Cu2O have performed best. These composites have a narrow bandgap, chemical stability and low toxicity. However, the issue of their influence on the tribological properties of parts remains incompletely studied. The purpose of this work is to analyze the structural features, mechanical properties and wear resistance of the Ti-TiO2-Cu-Cu2O coating applied by detonation spraying. Materials and methods. In this work, Ti-TiO2-Cu-Cu2O composite coatings were formed on a steel substrate. Sputtering was carried out using a multi-chamber detonation accelerator system. The coating process was carried out layer by layer using a device that moved back and forth with a lateral displacement. Titanium (PTN-8VT10) and copper (PMS-1) powders were used as raw materials. Wear tests were carried out using a disk-pin design. X-ray structural analysis was carried out for the obtained samples, and the microstructure of the coatings was studied. The micro hardness of the applied coating was also determined. Results. In the resulting coatings between the two elements Ti and Cu of the deposited powders, no chemical reaction or intermetallic compounds were detected. Ti-TiO2-Cu-Cu2O composite coatings mainly consisted of TiO2 and Cu2O, with titanium and copper acting as a binder, providing a high density of the composite material. Distinct formations of metallic Ti and Cu particles are observed in various regions of the microstructure, with many formations of metallic Ti retaining their spherical shape. The Ti-TiO2-Cu-Cu2O coating has a high average hardness of 640 HV0.2. The coefficient of friction when the Al2O3 counter body slides over the coating after a short running-in cycle did not change and amounted to 0.38. Discussion. The analysis of the cross section revealed that the coating material has a dense structure, characterized by strong inter lamellar-type connections, and has no signs of destruction or cracks. The absence of cracks and delamination along the boundary between the substrate and the coating indicates the high quality of adhesion to the base. The thickness of this composite coating is approximately 340 ± 20 micrometers. The increased hardness of this coating can be explained by the partial melting and rapid solidification of powder particles during spraying, as well as its lamella-type compositional structure. The micro hardness profile inside the Ti-TiO2-Cu-Cu2O coating remains uniform. During tribo-technical tests with a 100Cr6 counter body, the friction coefficient of the tribo couple after running-in decreased as the sliding cycles increased. This effect is due to the formation of a tribo layer on the worn surface of the coating, which serves as protection against severe wear. These conditions prevent the counter body from sticking to the coating surface, which reduces the likelihood of adhesive wear. The main composition of the sealing tribo layer is iron oxide, formed as a result of an increase in temperature on the sliding surface and wear of the steel counter body during dry sliding, which prevents adhesion in contact. Conclusions. The authors conclude that during the spraying of a Ti-Cu powder mixture, ceramic reinforcement is formed, where titanium and copper, interacting with atmospheric components at the time of spraying, are capable of forming new oxide phases. Due to the absorption of oxygen by titanium and copper during the deposition process, the resulting composite acquires an average micro hardness of 640 HV0.2. The analysis of the cross-section of the coating revealed that the coating has a thickness of about 300 microns, has a dense structure characterized by strong interlamellar-type connections, and has no signs of destruction or cracks. Resume. The results obtained show that Ti-TiO2-Cu-Cu2O coatings applied to critical parts of mining equipment not only protect them from bio-corrosion, but also increase tribological properties. This allows you to increase the maintenance-free service life of equipment in mining operations. Suggestions for practical applications and future research directions. Ti-Cu composite coatings obtained by detonation thermal spraying can be used for such parts of mining equipment as pins, rollers, gears, racks, drive stars, etc. These coatings can be used not only to protect mechanisms and structural elements in mining conditions, but also for equipment elements operating in humid climates.

Structural and Optical Characterization of Porous NiV2O6 Films Synthesized by Nebulizer Spray Pyrolysis for Photodetector Applications.

NiV2O6 thin films were grown on glass slides with varying thicknesses using nebulizer spray pyrolysis. The impact of thickness on the thin films' optical, structural, morphological, and electrical characteristics was systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman analysis confirmed the formation of the triclinic NiV2O6 system. Surface morphology and roughness variations in the as-deposited NiV2O6 films were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a profilometer. Optical properties, including optical band gap (Eg), extinction coefficient (k), absorption coefficient (α), and refractive index (n), were determined through optical reflectance and transmittance measurements. The optical energy gap of the as-deposited NiV2O6 films decreased from 2.02 eV to 1.58 eV with increased layer thickness. Furthermore, the photo-detectivity of the films demonstrated an enhancement corresponding to the prolonged spray time. The sensitivity values obtained for visible irradiation were 328, 511, and 433 for samples S1, S2, and S3, respectively. The obtained results can be imputed to the specific porous microstructure.

Study on plant protection unmanned aerial vehicle spraying technology based on the thrips population activity patterns during the cotton flowering period.

Over the years, thrips have transitioned from a minor nuisance to a major problem, significantly impacting the yield and quality of cotton. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for plant protection have emerged as an effective alternative to traditional pesticide spraying equipment. UAVs offer advantages such as avoiding crop damage and enhancing pesticide deposition on the plants and have become the primary choice for pesticide application in cotton fields. In this study, a 2-year field experiment found that the thrips population in a cotton field in Xinjiang, China, exhibited gradual growth during the early flowering phase, peaking in late July. The thrips population gradually shifted from the lower canopy to the upper canopy as the cotton flowers opened layer by layer. From 09:00 to 11:00 (GMT+8) and 19:00 to 21:00 (GMT+8), thrips mainly flew outside the flowers, while from 17:00 to 19:00 (GMT+8), they mostly inhabited the inner whorls of flowers. The insecticides 10% cyantraniliprole oil dispersion and 10% spinetoram suspension concentrate, sprayed by UAV, had the best control effect on thrips, with 80.51% and 79.22% control effect after 7 days of spraying, respectively. The optimal spraying time for 10% cyantraniliprole oil dispersion was 19:00 (GMT+8), and the control effect on thrips reached 91.16% at 7 days of spraying. During the cotton flowering period, thrips inhabited flowers in the evening and flew outside during the day. The best control effect on thrips was achieved with UAV-sprayed 10% cyantraniliprole oil dispersion at 19:00 (GMT+8).

Characterization of the structure, morphology, and optical properties of titanium dioxide thin film deposited by spray pyrolysis technique for self-cleaning glass

Abstract The research in material science has actively pursued the creation of self-cleaning materials, especially for windows. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is considered a promising substance for developing hydrophilic self-cleaning surfaces due to its photocatalytic activity. In this research, TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using TiCl3 as the precursor and co-precipitation as the experimental method in order to obtain anatase phase. The nanoparticles, then, was deposited by spray pyrolysis technique with different spraying time; 1, 2, 3, and 4 minutes and different types of TiO2 nanoparticles—synthesis and commercial—as the primary variations. TiO2 thin film was formed using ethyl cellulose as binder and isopropyl alcohol as solvent. The synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles and deposited thin film were, then, characterized using XRD, Maud software, UV-Visible Spectrophotometer, optical microscope, and SEM. The higher band gap energy value of TiO2 thin films was obtained with the average of 3.746 eV and 3.744 eV for TI(S) and TI(C), respectively, as a result of ethyl cellulose composition on the thin film. The thin film was categorized as hydrophilic.

Enhancing interlayer bonding strength of 3D printed ternary geopolymer using calcium carbonate whiskers spray

Weak interlayer bonding, especially induced by a long period of printing interruption, is one of the major concerns for 3D printing concrete. The effect of CaCO3 whiskers suspension (CWS) spray and printing time interval on the interlayer bonding of 3D printing fly ash-granulated blast furnace slag-steel slag based geopolymer was investigated with splitting tensile strength and direct shear strength tests. The underlying mechanisms were explored based on the characterization of micromorphology, porosity, surface roughness and reaction kinetics of interlayer area. It was revealed that the CWS spray at appropriate concentrations can significantly improve the interlayer bonding of geopolymer printed at extended printing intervals, with 0.05 g/mL of CWS increasing the shear strength up to 71% at 60 min and 0.10 g/mL of CWS increasing the splitting tensile strength by 40% at 40 min. The CWS at proper concentrations could replenish the interlayer moisture, fill the interlayer voids and provide nucleation sites for geopolymerization and hydration products, i.e., N(C)-A-S-H and C-S-H gels. However, excessive CaCO3 whiskers or water content was harmful to the interlayer bonding. As the reaction process and microstructure of 3D printed ternary geopolymer were synergistically impacted by the printing time interval, residual water content, compensated moisture and CaCO3 whisker reinforcement, the mix of CWS spray should be carefully designed to optimize its effectiveness on the interlayer strengthening.

From economic threshold to economic injury level: Modeling the residual effect and delayed response of pesticide application

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) poses a challenge in determining the optimal timing of pesticide sprays to ensure that pest populations remain below the Economic Injury Level (EIL), due to the long-term residual effects of many pesticides and the delayed responses of pest populations to pesticide sprays. To address this issue, a specific pesticide kill-rate function is incorporated into a deterministic exponential growth model and a subsequent stochastic model. The findings suggest the existence of an optimal pesticide spraying cycle that can periodically control pests below the EIL. The results regarding stochasticity indicate that random fluctuations promote pest extinction and ensure that the pest population, under the optimal cycle, does not exceed the EIL on average, even with a finite number of IPM strategies. All those confirm that the modeling approach can accurately reveal the intrinsic relationship between the two key indicators Economic Threshold and EIL in the IPM strategy, and further realize the precise characterization of the residual effect and delayed response of pesticide application.

Vertical and temporal flight patterns of coffee berry borer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Hawaii.

Coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is the most damaging insect pest of coffee worldwide, causing significant losses in coffee yields and quality. Knowledge of vertical and temporal flight patterns in coffee berry borer could be used to optimize spray timing and precision targeting of areas within the coffee tree, which may be more susceptible. In the present study, we estimated the vertical distribution of coffee berry borer females using traps set at 1-m intervals up to 5 m in height. We also quantified coffee berry borer infestation in the low, mid, and high canopy and documented fruit availability. Temporal flight patterns were estimated using timer traps, and correlation analyses were conducted to determine the relationship between the timing of daily flight and weather variables. Across the 4 study sites, we observed that 77%-84% of the trap catch was at 1 m, 11%-20% was at 2 m, and 1%-4% was at 3-5 m in height. Fruit infestation was significantly higher in the low branches (35%) relative to the high branches (17%). Flight height remained the same year-round, regardless of fruit availability. Coffee berry borer flew in low numbers during the day and night but peaked from 12 to 4 PM. Daily flight was positively correlated with an increase in air temperature and wind speed and negatively correlated with relative humidity. Findings from this study suggest that pesticide sprays should target low- to mid-level branches at 1-2 m in height and aim to be conducted in the early afternoon when coffee berry borer are actively flying and most vulnerable to chemical controls.

Assessing the Impacts of Mulching-Induced Warming Effects on Machine-Picked Cotton Zones

The 20th century saw notable fluctuations in global temperatures, which significantly impacted agricultural climate zones across the Earth. Focusing on Xinjiang, China, a leading region in machine-picked cotton production, we identified several key thermal indicators influencing the yield, including the sum of active temperatures ≥ 10 °C, the mean temperature in July, the climatological growing season length, the April–May sum of active temperatures, the last frost day, and the defoliant spray time. Using meteorological data from 58 weather stations in Xinjiang, we examined the spatiotemporal trends of these indicators during the 1981–2020 period. Additionally, we attempted to determine the effects of plastic mulching on the sowing area and the zoning area of machine-picked cotton in different suitable zones based on these indicators. In conclusion, the overall thermal resources in Xinjiang are exhibiting an upward trend and show a distribution pattern of “more in the south of Xinjiang than in the north of Xinjiang, and more in the plains and basins than in the mountains”. Under the plastic-mulching mechanism, the zoning area of the suitable zone has increased by 15.7% (2.15 × 103 km2), suggesting that climate warming and the widespread application of mulching technology provide unexplored potential for the most suitable regions for machine-picked cotton in Xinjiang, while the 14.5% (0.26 × 103 km2) and 7.8% (0.17 × 103 km2) reductions in the unsuitable and less suitable zones, respectively, suggest that the planting areas of machine-picked cotton in both the less suitable and unsuitable zones, particularly with the existing regional planning, continue to demonstrate an irrational expansion. Therefore, to sustain Xinjiang’s cotton industry’s resilience and productivity, policymakers need to prioritize proactive land management and sustainable land allocation practices in response to changing climate patterns to optimize cotton production.