Sufficient Moisture Research Articles

THE STUDY OF SOME APPLE GENOTYPES WITH RESISTANCE TO DISEASES CANDIDATE FOR OBTAINING NEW VARIETIES

The researches performed at Voineşti Research and Development Station for Fruit Growing in the apple breeding program for obtaining varieties with resistance to diseases highlights the biological characteristics of some existing genotypes in the competition microculture established in 2019. In the 11 apple genotypes taken in the study, compared to the 'Florina' variety taken as a reference, it is analysed the evolution of the flowering phenophases, the period of fruit ripening and storage, as well as the quality determined by biomass, dry matter content and firmness of the pulp during 2022-2024. Some of the apple genotypes in the competition microculture meet the requirements imposed for the approval of new varieties with resistance to diseases, which can meet the market requirements and the expansion in modern orchards from the established orchards. From the recording of the flowering phenophases, it is noted that they are advanced by about two weeks in the year 2024, compared to the years 2022 - 2023, due to the increase in temperatures in March, against a background of sufficient moisture, being a signal for the study of phenology in the face of climate change. The apple genotypes with disease resistance present fruits intended for fresh consumption, most with winter ripening, with a compact, consistent firmness and an appreciable dry matter content, characteristics that promote them for the approval of new varieties. Three of the apple genotypes were registered for homologation, one becoming the 'George' variety, being appropriate to the demands of the producer, sensitive to economic efficiency, with quality fruits, which will certainly meet the ever-increasing consumer demands.

The North China record-breaking rainfall in July 2021: The atmospheric influential factors and precursory signal

Abstract In July 2021, the southeastern part of North China (SENC) suffered a record-breaking extreme rainfall event that caused devastating flooding and enormous losses. In this study, the major atmospheric influential factors and the precursory signal of heavy rainfall in 2021 are investigated using the correlation, regression, power spectrum, and filtering methods, the quasi-geostrophic velocity equation, observational data and numerical simulation of a linear baroclinic model (LBM). The results show that the extremity of a quasi-barotropic high anomaly over Northeast Asia (NEA) contributes to the deep anomalous upward motion within SENC by inducing positive vorticity and temperature advections. On the other hand, the anomalous southeasterly flow at the southwestern flank of the NEA high anomaly transports sufficient moisture to SENC in the lower troposphere. The local deep upward motion combined with the lower-tropospheric moisture convergence directly leads to the occurrence of this extreme rainfall event. Further analysis shows that the intensification of the NEA high in July 2021 is closely tied to the westward migration of atmospheric disturbance originating from the vicinity of Northeast Pacific-North America, which could be supported by numerical simulation in LBM. The variation of the geopotential height anomaly over Northeast Pacific-North America precedes that of the NEA high by two weeks, which is likely to provide a potential source of predictability for the extreme rainfall in SENC.

Alternariosis or brown spot of pomegranate bushes in the western part of Azerbaijan

Abstract Alternariosis or brown spot (Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl.) is a widespread disease of pomegranate bushes in Azerbaijan. The disease occurs mainly in the western part of the country. Alternariosis or brown spot on pomegranate bushes (Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl.) is found mainly on leaves and fruits. On ripening pomegranate fruits, the lesion begins with small brown or black spots that increase in size and become round or oval. The causative agents of alternariosis or brown spot on pomegranate bushes (Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl.) are imperfect fungi of the genus Alternaria, from the order Hyphomycetales; Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl is more common in the conditions of the western part of Azerbaijan. Alternariosis or brown spot (Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl.) causes the greatest harm in conditions of sufficient moisture. The aim of the article is to present the results of studies on the distribution, intensity of development and harmfulness of alternariosis or brown spot of pomegranate bushes (Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl.), as well as biological effectiveness of fungicides used to control alternariosis, in the western part of Azerbaijan. Research methods used are generally accepted in phytopathology and plant protection to identify and record the infectious potential of the causative agent of alternariosis or brown spot of pomegranate bushes (Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl.) as well as to disease monitoring. During field studies, the fungicides used were 0.4% Selphate (37.5% copper oxychloride + 16% zineb), 0.05% Azoxifene (20% azoxystrobin + 12.5% difenoconazole), 0.05% Conazole (25% difenoconazole) and 0.3% P-oxiride (50% copper oxychloride) and determined their biological effectiveness accordingly. In the last 5 years, there has been a trend of increasing harmfulness of alternariosis or brown spot of pomegranate bushes (Alter-naria alternata (Fr.) Keissl.) in the western part of Azerbaijan. As our research results show, brown spot mainly affected the leaves of pomegranate bushes. Damage to pomegranate fruits differed only in certain years in the studied gardens. During field studies, it was found that the 0.4% fungicide Selphate gives the best results.

Hybrid membranes incorporating microencapsulated PCM for enhanced hygrothermal performance in enthalpy recovery ventilation systems

Advancements in building technologies are increasingly centered on improving energy efficiency, particularly within ventilation systems. Integrating Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials (MPCMs) into paper-based membranes enhances hygrothermal performance in enthalpy recovery ventilation systems. MPCMs, known for their latent heat storage capabilities, were incorporated at concentrations of 0 %, 5 %, 10 %, and 20 % by weight. The hybrid membranes exhibited a significant latent heat storage capacity, achieving up to 34.38 J/g at MPCM 20 wt% content. Although the latent heat decreased by approximately 10 % after 1000 cycles of extreme temperature fluctuations between 15 °C and 60 °C, the membranes still exhibited durability sufficient to endure a replacement cycle of over three years, maintaining their effectiveness in long-term applications. The addition of MPCMs also led to improvements in moisture resistance, with the moisture resistance coefficient increasing from 8.88 to 19.19 at MPCM 20 wt%, while still preserving sufficient moisture permeability for efficient enthalpy exchange. These improvements in thermal and hygrothermal properties underscore the potential of MPCM-integrated membranes to enhance energy efficiency and thermal comfort in HVAC systems, providing a sustainable solution for modern building designs. The findings suggest further exploration into optimizing MPCM content for varying climate conditions and assessing the long-term performance of these membranes in diverse practical applications.

Activity of photosynthetic pigments and the antioxidant system in sunflower under drought stress

Background. The study is of particular importance in view of the increasing pace of global climate aridization. The article highlights the results of an experiment on the effect of drought on the physiological status of seedlings of cv. ‘Poseidon 625’ representing an important food crop – sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Materials and methods. The experiment included a group of control samples grown with sufficient moisture and four impact groups subjected to osmotic stress. The intensity of accumulation of lipid peroxidation products (LPP) was measured by the reaction of malondialdehyde (MDA) with thiobarbeturic acid; catalase activity was assessed by a photocolorimetric method based on the interaction between hydrogen peroxide and potassium iodide; the content of pigments (Chl a, Chl b, Сar) was calculated spectrophotometrically in acetone extract. Results. The degree of POL accumulation in the impact groups of the experiment was found to be many times higher than the values in the control samples, which was confirmed by a rapid increase in the MDA concentration in response to a growing water shortage. The accumulation of oxygen free radicals triggered the mechanisms of antioxidant protection of seedlings by synthesizing catalase, the concentration of which increased proportionally to the accumulation of POL. At the same time, the rapid accumulation of POL in the absence of irrigation and under osmotic stress of 3 and 5 atm led to a suppression of low-molecular-weight components of protection (carotenoids) and activation of their synthesis only when critical values of osmotic stress were reached. Conclusion. As a result of the experiment, catalase was identified as the main component of antioxidant protection in sunflower seedlings. Due to the activation of its synthesis, the concentrations of Chl a and Chl b decreased, attesting to the activation of the mechanisms protecting the photosynthetic activity in seedlings, and their antioxidant status.

РОЛЬ КРОЮЩИХ ТРИХОМ В БИОХИМИЧЕСКОЙ АДАПТАЦИИ И ИНДИКАЦИИ ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ УСЛОВИЙ МЕСТООБИТАНИЙ РАСТЕНИЙ

Covering trichomes serve the functions of physical protection of plants (reduction of transpiration, protection against overheating, etc.). In connection with the weak knowledge of their participation in other mechanisms for the formation of stress-tolerance, the purpose of the study was to clarify the role of the leaf-ups on the example of the type of the Boraginaceae family ( Echium Vulossum Officinale, Symphytum Caucasicum, S. Asperum ) in biochemical adaptation in biochemical adaptation Indication of environmental growing conditions. The collection of plant material was produced in two experimental sites in the foothill and steppe zones of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, which are related respectively to the environmental optimum (moderate air temperature, sufficient soil moisture) and stress (elevated temperature, lack of moisture). The density of the tricho governing on both surfaces of the leaf plate E. vulgare and C. Officinale in the environmental optimum exceeds the similar indicator of S. asperum and S. caucasicum leaves by 1.3-4.2 times. With a decrease in the favorableness of the growing conditions, the density of the trichium protruding increases in E. vulgare and C. Officinale in 1.2-1.4, in S. Asperum and S. caucasicum -2.0-4.4 times. In favorable conditions, the specific weight of the Trich with peroxidase changes from 20-45 % ( Symphytum) to 67-71 % ( E. Vulgare and C. Officinale ). The activity of peroxidase in plant leaves decreases among: E. vulgare> C. Officinale> S. asperum> S. caucasicum . In favorable conditions of growth, a high correlation was noted between the activity of peroxidase, the content of the tannins and the number of tricho protruding, showing peroxidate activity; With the deterioration of thermal and water regimes, the correlation is moderate. The results obtained indicate an important role of the leaves protruding in biochemical adaptation, the indication of the environmental conditions of growth and the diagnosis of stability of the types of the Boraginaceae family to stress conditions according to the variability of peroxidious activity and the content of the tannins.

Residual Effect of Rice-fish Based Organic Nutrient Management Approaches on Rice Fallow Blackgram Productivity Enhancement in Cauvery Delta Zone of Tamil Nadu

Background: A field experiment was conducted during the rice fallow season of 2023 and 2024 (January to March) at Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute (TRRI), Aduthurai, Tamil Nadu to study the residual effect of rice-fish-based organic nutrient management practices adopted in rice on succeeding blackgram grown as rice fallow. Methods: The experiment was carried out using randomized block design (RBD) with eleven treatments viz., T1- No Green manure-Rice crop alone (RDF), T2-Green manure- Rice crop alone (PSB+KSB+ZSB), T3-T2+Nanourea, T4-Green manure- Rice crop (PSB+KSB+ZSB) + Fish, T5-T4 + Nano urea,T6- Green manure- Rice crop (PSB+KSB+ZSB) + Fish + Azolla, T7-T6 + Nano urea, T8-Green manure-Rice crop (PSB+KSB+ZSB) + Fish + Duck, T9- T8+Nano urea, T10- Green manure- Rice crop (PSB+KSB+ZSB)+ Fish + Azolla + Duck, T11- T10+Nano urea. The treatments were replicated thrice. The blackgram variety ADT 6 was used as a test crop. Result: The results revealed that among the different organic nutrient management approaches followed in the rice-fish based farming system, the residual effect of Green manure- Rice (solubilizing bacteria such as PSB, KSB and ZSB) + Fish + Azolla + Duck (T10) resulted in higher plant height, DMP, LAI and SPAD value in blackgram. Similarly, the highest root length (19.43 cm), root dry weight (1.10 g), root volume (10.68 g/cc), nodule plant-1at 20 DAS (13.82) and nodule plant-1at 40 DAS (22.97) were also obtained with the same treatment. By virtue of higher growth and yield parameters, more number of pods plant-1 (26.88) and seeds pod-1 (7.73), grain yield (789 kg ha-1) and Halum yield (2136 kg ha-1) of blackgram were obtained in the residual treatment of the residual effect of Green manure- Rice (solubilizing bacteria such as PSB, KSB and ZSB) + Fish + Azolla + Duck (T10). The available soil nutrients at 20 DAS of blackgram were higher in Green manure- Rice (solubilizing bacteria such as PSB, KSB and ZSB) + Fish + Azolla + Duck (T10). Due to higher blackgram yield, the same treatment achieved higher gross return (Rs.41561 ha-1), net return (Rs.30156 ha-1) and BCR (3.64). The study also indicated that the trench (300 m3) dug in rice fields for fish rearing provided sufficient moisture for rice fallow blackgram and thereby evaded the terminal stress.

Effect of Various Fertilizer Systems on the Productivity of Spring Wheat in a Long-Term Stationary Experiment

The results of observations of the reaction of plants to the use of 6 fertilizer systems tested for 24 years in repeated sowing of spring soft wheat after stubble are presented. Visual and phenological observations of plants revealed the features of their growth and development on unfertilized and fertilized backgrounds. The determination of the contamination of the crop revealed the effect of fertilizers on the proportion of wheat and weeds in the sheaf mass during the formation phase of the grain. In most of the years of this experience, fertilizers did not increase the contamination of crops, only for 5 out of 18 years such a negative effect was noted. The indicators of the structure of the wheat harvest (the number of ears per 1 m2, earliness, and the weight of 1000 grains) improved with the use of fertilizers, especially in years with sufficient moisture. The gluten content in grain and flour when fertilizing in doses of N40–60 without P20 and against its background increased significantly, increasing the frequency of years with grade 3 wheat quality. An agrotechnical and economic assessment of 6 permanent wheat fertilizer systems after stubble identified 4 options with a payback rate close to obtaining 10 kg of grain per 1 kg of the active ingredient of fertilizers.

Novel dry facial mask based on emulsion electrospinning

Facial masks have become omnipresent daily, providing the skin with sufficient moisture and activated nutrients. However, conventional wet facial masks use large amounts of preservatives and antimicrobials, which are not friendly to human health and ecological environment. Herein, emulsion electrospinning was innovatively used to prepare eco-friendly resveratrol (RES) and phenyl ethyl resorcinol (PR)-loaded polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) dry nanofiber facial mask, avoiding the usage of preservatives and antimicrobials. The SEM results showed that the dry PVA/RES/PR facial masks have a mean diameter of about 205 nm. When used, the active substances (RES and PR) inside the nanofiber facial mask are released by moisture spray, activating the active substances released in response to water, providing an in-situ moisturizing effect (improved 13 %), antioxidant performance (free radical scavenging rate, 86 %), and antibacterial performance (antimicrobial efficiency of 99.98 % and 99.99 % against E. coli and S. aureus). Moreover, the dry PVA/RES/PR facial mask can be sealed with biodegradable paper packaging instead of plastic packaging. The novel environmental dry facial mask prepared with emulsion electrospinning is a suitable material to study and apply in cosmetics.

Joint Impacts of the North African and the Western Pacific Subtropical Highs on Summer Precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau

Abstract Focusing on summer precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau (TP), this study mainly investigates the joint impacts of the North African subtropical high (NASH) and the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) by examining circulation and moisture anomalies. Results show that there are several boundary combination types of the two subtropical highs. The anomalous vertical motion with sufficient moisture transport under different boundary types plays a dominant role in TP precipitation anomaly. When the WPSH strengthens westward approaching the TP, it can transport water vapor northward from the northwest Pacific and north Indian Oceans to the south edge of the TP and induce ascending motion over the southeastern TP, contributing to more precipitation there. When the NASH enhances and extends eastward, it can transport water vapor eastward from the North Atlantic Ocean to the southwest eastern TP and give rise to ascending motion there, inducing positive precipitation anomaly over the southwest eastern TP. When the two subtropical highs simultaneously intensify and extend to the TP, water vapor can be transported to the TP widely from the North Atlantic Ocean, the north Indian Ocean, and the northwest Pacific Ocean with the strengthening of the westerly, resulting in the location of the ascending motion and rain belt shifting obviously northward. Further analyses indicate that the prewinter El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and summer North Atlantic air–sea interaction are two indispensable possible modulation factors for the joint impact of the two subtropical highs on TP precipitation. Significance Statement Under the thermal and topographic effects of the Tibetan Plateau (TP), the subtropical high belt breaks over the TP, forming the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) on its east and the North African subtropical high (NASH) on its west. As a permanent anticyclonic circulation over the northwest Pacific, the formation, impact, and prediction of WPSH have been fully revealed. However, few studies have been focused on the NASH. In this study, we examine the joint impacts of the two subtropical highs on TP summer precipitation based on various reanalysis datasets and phase 6 of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) historical simulations. The results show distinct precipitation features with several boundary combination types of the two subtropical highs. Besides, controlling water vapor transport and vertical motion is an important way for the two subtropical highs to affect TP precipitation in summer. Further study shows that the effect of the two subtropical highs on TP summer precipitation is generally modulated by the prewinter El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and summer North Atlantic air–sea interaction. The results from CMIP6 support the conclusions drawn from reanalysis. These findings could help deepen our understanding of the joint influencing factors on TP summer precipitation.

A Radar-Based 10-Year Climatology of Convective Snow Events in Central Pennsylvania

Abstract Convective snow (CS) presents a significant hazard to motorists and is one of the leading causes of weather-related fatalities on Pennsylvania roadways. Thus, understanding environmental factors promoting CS formation and organization is critical for providing relevant and accurate information to those impacted. Prior research has been limited, mainly focusing on frontal CS bands often called “snow squalls”; thus, these studies do not account for the diversity of CS organizational modes that is frequently observed, highlighting a need for a robust climatology of broader CS events. To identify such events, a novel, radar-based CS detection algorithm was developed and applied to WSR-88D radar data from 10 cold seasons in central Pennsylvania, during which 159 cases were identified. Distinct convective organization modes were identified: linear (frontal) snow squalls, single cells, multicells, and streamer bands. Each algorithm-flagged radar scan containing CS was manually classified as one of these modes. Interestingly, the most-studied frontal mode only occurred <5% of the time, whereas multicellular modes dominated CS occurrence. Using the times associated with each CS mode, synoptic and local environmental information from model analyses was investigated. Key characteristics of CS environments compared to null cases include a 500-hPa trough in the vicinity, lower-tropospheric conditional instability, and sufficient moisture. Environments favorable for the different CS modes featured statistically significant differences in the 500-hPa trough axis position, surface-based CAPE, and the unstable layer depth, among others. These results provide insights into forecasting CS mode, explicitly presented in a forecasting decision tree. Significance Statement Convective snow events such as snow squalls are a leading cause of weather-related deaths on Pennsylvania roads. Research into these events is limited, thus negatively impacting forecast skill. To better understand convective snow event frequency of occurrence, inter- and intra-annual variability, and their supporting environments, we performed a 10-yr radar-based climatology of these events. We report the results of this climatology and on the statistically significant differences in their supporting environments. The latter are used to propose a forecasting framework for convective snow, which may improve the predictability of convective snow in an operational setting.

Variations in the physical and mechanical behavior of basalt fiber reinforced NHL mortars exposed to different curing conditions

This paper investigates experimentally the short-term behavior of natural hydraulic lime (NHL) mortars reinforced with ballast fiber for use as structural repair mortars in historic and contemporary buildings. The physical and mechanical properties of mortar mixes reinforced with 0.143–0.215 mm equivalent thick and 12 mm long fibers in volumetric percentages of 1 %, as well as of unreinforced mortars, produced with different compaction methods and cured under different environmental conditions, have been evaluated. A cost-effectiveness analysis has also been carried out to determine the economic impact of these factors in their practical application. It is found that basalt fiber reinforcement provides lower water absorption coefficients and significantly improves the shore hardness, compressive strength, and post-critical flexural behavior of NHL mortars at early ages. Furthermore, it is observed that the compaction procedure can improve the packing density of the mortars providing higher densities, lower water absorption coefficients and higher mechanical strength values. Finally, it is verified that the curing parameters affect unevenly the basalt fiber reinforced NHL mortars and unreinforced NHL mortars, with greater deterioration being observed in the former when sufficient moisture is not ensured. Decreases in hardness, flexural and compressive strength, as well as increases in the water absorption coefficient are important. Consequently, the economic profitability of basalt fiber reinforcement depends on ensuring optimal moisture conditions during curing, especially when the mixes have already lost excess water after the first 2–3 days. The study provides quantitative and qualitative data to determine the appropriate curing parameters for basalt fiber reinforced NHL mortars that are viable in practice for their industrial performance.

Root Zone Water Management Effects on Soil Hydrothermal Properties and Sweet Potato Yield.

Sufficient soil moisture is required to ensure the successful transplantation of sweet potato seedlings. Thus, reasonable water management is essential for achieving high quality and yield in sweet potato production. We conducted field experiments in northern China, planted on 18 May and harvested on 18 October 2021, at the Nancun Experimental Base of Qingdao Agricultural University. Three water management treatments were tested for sweet potato seedlings after transplanting: hole irrigation (W1), optimized drip irrigation (W2), and traditional drip irrigation (W3). The variation characteristics of soil volumetric water content, soil temperature, and soil CO2 concentration in the root zone were monitored in situ for 0-50 days. The agronomy, root morphology, photosynthetic parameters, 13C accumulation, yield, and yield components of sweet potato were determined. The results showed that soil VWC was maintained at 22-25% and 27-32% in the hole irrigation and combined drip irrigation treatments, respectively, from 0 to 30 days after transplanting. However, there was no significant difference between the traditional (W3) and optimized (W2) drip irrigation systems. From 30 to 50 days after transplanting, the VWC decreased significantly in all treatments, with significant differences among all treatments. Soil CO2 concentrations were positively correlated with VWC from 0 to 30 days after transplanting but gradually increased from 30 to 50 days, with significant differences among treatments. Soil temperature varied with fluctuations in air temperature, with no significant differences among treatments. Sweet potato survival rates were significantly lower in the hole irrigation treatments than in the drip irrigation treatments, with no significant difference between W2 and W3. The aboveground biomass, photosynthetic parameters, and leaf area index were significantly higher under drip irrigation than under hole irrigation, and values were higher in W3 than in W2. However, the total root length, root volume, and 13C partitioning rate were higher in W2 than in W3. These findings suggest that excessive drip irrigation can lead to an imbalance in sweet potato reservoir sources. Compared with W1, the W2 and W3 treatments exhibited significant yield increases of 42.98% and 36.49%, respectively. The W2 treatment had the lowest sweet potato deformity rate.

Experimental study of aerosol behavior in ambient electric and magnetic fields at low indoor relative humidity

The tendency of aerosols to carry viral particles featured significantly in public discourse during the SARS Covid-19 pandemic. In this research, the potential significance of the aerosol electric charge, especially as it relates to indoor relative humidity (RH) is considered. While electrostatic interactions may occur at any level of humidity, the level of humidity has a strong influence on these interactions. Above 55 % RH, there is sufficient moisture in the air to facilitate neutralization of the electric charges of particles and surfaces, whereas, at lower humidity levels, less moisture and higher surface resistivities enable increasingly stronger electrostatic interactions. Experiments were designed and conducted to study the behavior of electrically charged aerosols in fields emanating from capacitive touchscreens and permanent magnets. These preliminary experimental results suggest that operating indoor environments closer to the 55–60 % RH range could reduce interactions between these charged aerosols and capacitive touchscreens. This relative humidity range is within the acceptable ranges of humidity recommended by ASHRAE standard 55 which defines thermal environmental conditions for human occupancy.

Organized precipitation and associated large‐scale circulation patterns over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

AbstractThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is characterized by a desert climate, with rainfall mainly occurring during the cooler months (November–April) and sometimes in conjunction with intense extratropical systems that can cause serious damage and casualties. Given the vast size of KSA, there are gaps in understanding the association between large‐scale atmospheric circulations and local organized rainfall events, and in characterizing the diversity of this association. To address these gaps, we analyse an in‐house 5‐km horizontal grid spacing regional atmospheric reanalysis that has been specifically generated for the Arabian Peninsula to explore the mechanisms behind the organized rainfall events over KSA. Nine major regions with distinct climate regimes were objectively selected to represent KSA rainfall climatology. The results demonstrate that organized thunderstorms over KSA only occur under sufficient moisture and environmental instabilities. Mesoscale convective systems responsible for organized rainfall generally develop and propagate with low‐level moisture flow from the nearby seas (the Red Sea to the west and Arabian Gulf to the east) toward the desert. In the central part of KSA, the most frequent physical mechanism responsible for rainfall is winter extratropical influence, followed by spring extratropical–tropical interactions, and spring tropical influence. The east coast is characterized by two rainfall modes: a continuous southwest–northeast rain corridor and concentrated southwestern rain. Large‐scale organized convection following three physically distinct mechanisms (extratropical, transition and tropical) is revealed along the west coast.

Influence of Lake Breezes on the Triggering of Moist Convection on the Tibetan Plateau: A Large-Eddy Simulation Study

Abstract Applying 1D surface heterogeneity and observed atmospheric vertical profiles as initial conditions, two sets of large-eddy simulation experiments provided insight into the influence of lake size and soil moisture (SM) on the development of lake breezes and moist convection over land beside the lake. When the lake diameter increased from 20 km to 50 and 70 km, the maximum precipitation increased by 71.4% and 1.29 times, respectively. There are two reasons for larger precipitation over land in large-lake simulations: 1) Stronger and broader updrafts were found near the lake-breeze front (LBF); 2) the air at 2–4 km was moister, probably because more water vapor below 2 km was advected by the lake breezes and transported upward through turbulent exchange. Moreover, when the lake diameter increased from 20 km to more than 50 km, the deep moist convection (DMC) occurred 20 min earlier. This may be related to broader shallow convective cloud and larger vertical velocity of cloud-initiating parcels in large-lake simulations. Shallow moist convection transitioned to DMC earlier with broader clouds under moderate and high soil moisture conditions. Notably, stronger and broader updrafts near the LBFs, along with the advection of moisture induced by the lake breezes, caused the shallow moist convection to reach its peak 1 h earlier in the driest soil moisture case. However, smaller evapotranspiration could not provide sufficient moisture for the development of DMC. Our simulation results show that lake-breeze circulations are essential for the development of moist convections in the lake region.

Open-pit post-blast dust cloud lightning

Lightning has been observed in dust clouds following open-pit blasting. It is proposed that the occurrence of this phenomenon is related to the physical composition and characterization of the mineral fines that comprise the bulk of the dust cloud. Silicate minerals, which are susceptible to fine fracturing during blasting, generate the initial charge. This is further enhanced by collisions and friction during the turbulent upcast in the post-blast dust cloud. Varying size fractions result in different rates at which these particles drop out of suspension and create a secondary temperature gradient. This results in the creation of two charged zones and increases the potential of developing a discharge in the form of lightning. The ideal prevailing meteorological conditions need to be windless to minimize the effect of particle dissipation and have sufficient moisture to enhance the potential of generating lightning.

The introduction of Paulownia (<i>Paulownia tomentosa</i> Steud.) and the prospects of its use in the conditions of Stavropol

Paulownia tree are one of the plants that have the property of extremely rapid accumulation of plant mass. In this regard, interest in this tree culture has increased significantly in recent years. The purpose of this work is to study the adaptive capabilities of P. tomentosa in the conditions of Stavropol and the prospects for its further use for economic purposes and landscaping of the region. The object of the study was the plants of the collection of the Stavropol Botanical Garden (SBG). Archival data and accounting documentation were used to review the history of the introduction of Paulownia. Biometric measurements of plants were performed according to N.P. Anuchin (1982). The integral assessment of the prospects for the introduction of Paulownia plants was carried out according to the scale of P.I. Lapin and S.V. Sidneva (1973), modified and supplemented by M.A. Koltsova (1983). P. tomentosa has been introduced into the SBG since 1984. Currently, there are several groups of adult Paulownia specimens of various origins in the SBG. The height of adult trees in them varies from 4.3 to 9.0 m, the trunk diameter is from 2.7 to 19.5 cm. The growth of annual shoots reaches 120 cm. The article presents the timing of flowering and fruiting of Paulownia, the peculiarities of the development of culture when grown under different conditions. The methods of reproduction are described: seed and vegetative. P. tomentosa belongs to thermophilic plants — it starts and ends the growing season late. The lignification of annual shoots does not take place fully, as a result of which they are damaged by frosts. Young plants need winter shelter, and in the summer they need sufficient moisture. According to the conducted integral assessment, P. tomentosa belongs to the group of less promising species in the conditions of the SBG, but can be grown as a solitare and in a little groups.

Особенности формирования высокопродуктивного посева нового гибрида подсолнечника Фогор

Influence of seed sowing rates (40, 60 as control and 80 thousand seeds/ha) on productivity of sunflower hybrid Fogor was studied on leached black soils of the Western Ciscaucasia (Korenovsk district, Kranodar region) in 2022–2023. It is established the highest seed (3.62 t/hа) and oil (1.46 t/hа) yields are reached at the seed-sowing rate of 80 thousand seeds/ha under sufficient moisture supply. Under weather conditions of 2022–2023, the less prevalence of bacteriosis (by 2 and 13%) and rust (by 6 and 8%, respectively) in the crops were observed. In 2023, population of fungal micoflore in rhizosphere was high enough (5.5 × 104 CFU/g), at the control level (5.7 × 104 CFU/g), the most was presented by saprophyte fungi from genera Penicillium (55.3% of the total fungi amount) and Aspergillus (25.4%). But the share of pathogenic fungi was less significantly: Fusarium spp. – 4.5%, Rizopus spp. – 0.8%. Consequently, the highly productive crops of the new sunflower hybrid Fogor is formed under sufficient water supply at the seed-sowing rate of 80 thousand seeds/ha.

Inheritance of signs of resistance to osmotic stresses in genetically modified wheat

Aim. To investigate the inheritance of transgenes and the preservation of increased resistance to drought in the seed generations of genetically modified wheat plants with a double-stranded RNA (dlRNA) suppressor of the proline dehydrogenase (pdh) gene. Methods. PCR, determination of free L-proline (Pro) content and yield structure indicators. Results. Under the influence of osmotic stress, T4 wheat plants were selected with elements that form dlRNA suppressor of the pdh gene of wheat, which retain the sign of increased resistance to water deficit. It was found that T4 plants had a higher content of Pro than their original forms under both normal cultivation conditions and water deficit. It is shown that during droughts, biotechnological plants were characterized by higher grain productivity compared to the original genotypes, while under conditions of sufficient moisture provision, the differences in the elements of the yield structure were insignificant. Conclusions. The analysis of seed generations of transgenic wheat showed variability in the manifestation of signs of increased resistance to osmotic stress, which is due to the instability of recombinant DNA in generations. Testing of T4 wheat under the effects of osmotic stress showed the fact of successful selection of plants with introduced elements that form dlRNA suppressor of the pdh gene and cause the sign of increased resistance to water deficit in seed generations.