Total Dry Research Articles

Consumptive Use of Water, Yield, and Total Dry Matter of Drip-Irrigated Cabbage Grown under Different Levels of Applied Water

The productivity of cabbage during the dry season in the coastal savannah environment of Ghana is constrained by inadequate availability of water. Two cabbage varieties, K-K Cross and Oxylus were grown in a Coastal Savannah environment using a small-scale drip irrigation system and irrigated at water application levels of 40, 55, 70, 85 and 100 % of required water. The experiment was executed using the split-plot design in three replicates with the main plot being the levels of applied water and the two cabbage varieties assigned to the sub-plots. The aims of the study were to estimate consumptive use actual evapotranspiration (AET) for two cabbage cultivars grown at different levels of applied water using the family drip irrigation technology and to determine total fresh, marketable fresh and total dry matter yields of two drip-irrigated cabbage cultivars at different levels of applied water. Generally, the productivity and consumptive use of water of K-K Cross and Oxylus decreased in response to decreasing levels of applied water with consumptive use, total fresh yield and total dry matter at 100% level of applied water being highest and significantly (P≤0.01) different from corresponding values at 40%, 55%,70% and 85% levels of applied water. Results of the study, therefore, emphasized the need to maintain adequate soil moisture to enhance effective use of water and productivity.

Effects of Compound Biochar Substrate Coupled with Water and Nitrogen on the Growth of Cucumber Plug Seedlings

Since plug seedlings play a key role in automatic transplanting, this work aimed to explore the interaction between the biochar rate, water content, and N–fertilization in the substrate on the cultivation of cucumber seedlings before and after transplanting. The research showed that most of the factors obtained significant individual and interaction effects by measuring and analyzing the growth parameters of seedlings before transplanting. Most growth parameters significantly decreased with the increase in biochar rate except Water Use Efficiency which obtained the highest value of 2.06 g/L when the biochar rate was 10%. Furthermore, some growth parameters increased significantly with the increase in water content, while the Total Dry Matter and Water Use Efficiency reached their highest values, 0.778 g and 1.94 g/L, respectively, when the water content was 65%. All growth parameters reached their highest values when the N–fertilization was 50%; too high or too low of N–fertilization was not conducive to the growth of seedlings. The growth parameters and photosynthesis indices of seedlings cultivated after transplanting indicated that the seedlings with superior growth before transplanting performed better than other treatments in regard to growth and photosynthesis after transplanting. The interactions were in general optimal when the biochar rate was 5%, water content was 80%, and N–fertilization was 50% in the substrate, and seedlings cultivated under this treatment could not only meet the requirements of automatic transplanting, but also ensure rapid growth after transplanting. This study thus provides some guidance for the effective cultivation of vegetable plug seedlings.

DEVELOPMENT OF SUNFLOWER AND CORIANDER GROWN IN HUMAN URINE

Most of the nutrients that are essential for crops, mainly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, are found in human urine in sufficient quantities, and in most cases, they are more adequate and sustainable even when compared to commercial chemical fertilizers. This work evaluated the growth of sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L .) and coriander ( Coriandrum sativum ) submitted to the use of human urine as a biofertilizer. A treatment was carried out in the urine using the storage method, as a way to decontaminate pathogens. The experimental design used was a randomized block, with 5 treatments and 4 replicates, which were: T1 – only water; T2 – water + 15% urine; T3 – water + 30% urine; T4 – water + 45% urine; and T5 – water + 60% urine for sunflower cultivation. In relation to coriander, it was used in T1 – only water; T2 – water + 5% urine; T3 – water + 10% urine; T4 – water + 15% urine; and T5 – water + 20% urine. The experiment evaluated for sunflower and coriander the following: stem diameter (SD); Plant Height (PH); Leaf number (LN), Root length (RL) and Total Dry Mass of the Plant (PDM). The T1 and T2 treatments in sunflower cultivation showed higher mean values of SD, PH, LN and PDM. The T2 treatment in the cultivation of coriander showed greater development in relation to the variables SD, PH, LN and PDM. Thus, the results indicate that the crops were able to absorb the nutrients contained in human urine, demonstrating that it is possible to replace chemical fertilizers, causing a reduction in their consumption.

Effects of High Temperature Stress on Physiological and Yield Parameters of Mulberry Varieties

High temperature causes alteration in physiological and yield parameters of mulberry plant. The present study was conducted to examine the tolerance/ susceptibility of five popularly cultivated mulberry varieties viz., V1, G2, G4, MR2 and S36 exposed to high temperature stress. The varieties were maintained in Open Top Chambers (OTCs) at 40 ºC for two weeks. It is found that the variety V1 was tolerant to high temperature stress followed by MR2 and S36. After 14 days of high temperature stress, significant differences were observed among the varieties for leaf yield per plant under control and stress conditions compared to control and 7th day after stress. The variety G2 and G4 recorded highest reduction in Total Dry Matter Accumulation (TDMA) (55.60% and 55.96%) at 14th day after stress. Whereas, the lowest reduction percent of TDMA was recorded in V1 (23.06%) followed by MR2 (30.80%) and S36 (36.76%) compared over its control values at 14th day after stress.

EFFECT OF METHODS OF APPLICATION OF RHIZOBACTERIA AND PHOSPHATE FERTILIZER RATES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SOYBEAN [GLYCINE MAX (L). Merril] IN MAKURDI

Field experiment was carried out during the 2018 cropping season at the Teaching and Research Farm of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi to determine the effect of methods of application of rhizobacteria and phosphate fertilizer rates on the growth and yield of soybean. Treatments were four rates of phosphate fertilizer (0, 20, 40, and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1) and three rhizobacteria inoculant application methods (zero, seed and soil). The crop was grown to maturity and harvested. Data collected were number of leaves, Leaf Area, Leaf Area Index, Net Assimilation Rate, Crop Growth Rate, Days to 50% flowering, Total Dry Matter, number of nodules, nodules weight, seed yield and 100 seed weight. The collected data were subjected to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 5 % level of probability using GenStat 17th Edition. Significant differences in means were separated using Fischers Least Significant Difference [FLSD (0.05)]. The results from the study showed that combined application of rhizobacteria and phosphate fertilizer at 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 increased leaf area index and total dry matter yield of soybean significantly (P<0.05) with leaf area index of 10.19 and total dry matter of 72 g per plant as compared to leaf area index at 0 kg P2O5 ha-1, 20 kg P2O5 ha-1, 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 (7.97, 8.93 and 9.73) dry matter at 0 kg P2O5 ha-1, 20 kg P2O5 ha-1, 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 (16.6g, 59.4g and 65.2g) per plant. The result of this study showed combination application of rhizobacteria inoculation and phosphate significantly enhanced nodulation from 43 nodules in un-inoculated control to 156 and 175 nodules per plant in rhizobacteria inoculated and phosphate treatments. The result of the study showed that combined application method of seed inoculation of rhizobacteria at 100g per 15kg of seed at 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 phosphate was more economical and had more yield benefits than single application and therefore, stand recommended.

A STUDY INTO THE COATING THICKNESS OF SHIP BALLAST TANKS

Ballast tanks are expected to be coated according to the IMO Performance Standard for Protective Coating regulations (PSPC15), in addition to the paint application requirements of the paint producer. In general, a coating system should consist of minimum two spray coats of light-colored epoxy coating on flat surfaces with a Nominal total Dry Film Thickness (NDFT) of 320 μm and 90% of all thickness measurements greater than, or equal to the NDFT and none of the remaining measurements below 0.9 x NDFT (the “90/10 rule”). Allegedly, the value of 320 μm in this PSPC15 rule may be misconstrued as a benchmark for coating application on flat surfaces, eventually leading to a non-PSPC15 compliance due to the resulting variation in coating thickness violating this 90/10 rule. This study indicates that over the years, the arithmetic mean in-situ DFT appears to be 498±18 μm and that too high and low thicknesses, below 288 μm and above 800 μm, were noted in the field. Analysis of a survey of ballast tank coating performance of ships indicates that too low thicknesses appear to be negatively impacting the average theoretical ballast tank performance. However, when an application mean DFT benchmark of 525 μm is used, the coating will almost surely comply to the 90/10 rule and the risk of falling below the 288 μm threshold is small, less than 2% in most cases. Consequently, using 320 μm as a mean DFT benchmark could result in a non-PSPC15 compliance with the in-situ ascertained coating thickness variation as this does not exclude coating thicknesses below 288 μm, which may then result in a significantly less than average theoretical coating performance. If the coating application is performed very evenly, the benchmark may be reduced to 429 μm with a probability of falling below 288 μm reduced to 0.1%. It should therefore be emphasized that the PSPC15 requirement is a coating system framework description, and that the requirement should be broadened to include a mean DFT as a coating applicator benchmark together with a clearly specified minimum and maximum DFT, in order to avoid any misinterpretations.

Characterization of Maize Hybrids (Zea mays L.) for Detecting Salt Tolerance Based on Morpho-Physiological Characteristics, Ion Accumulation and Genetic Variability at Early Vegetative Stage.

Increasing soil salinity due to global warming severely restricts crop growth and yield. To select and recommend salt-tolerant cultivars, extensive genotypic screening and examination of plants’ morpho-physiological responses to salt stress are required. In this study, 18 prescreened maize hybrid cultivars were examined at the early growth stage under a hydroponic system using multivariate analysis to demonstrate the genotypic and phenotypic variations of the selected cultivars under salt stress. The seedlings of all maize cultivars were evaluated with two salt levels: control (without NaCl) and salt stress (12 dS m−1 simulated with NaCl) for 28 d. A total of 18 morpho-physiological and ion accumulation traits were dissected using multivariate analysis, and salt tolerance index (STI) values of the examined traits were evaluated for grouping of cultivars into salt-tolerant and -sensitive groups. Salt stress significantly declined all measured traits except root–shoot ratio (RSR), while the cultivars responded differently. The cultivars were grouped into three clusters and the cultivars in Cluster-1 such as Prabhat, UniGreen NK41, Bisco 51, UniGreen UB100, Bharati 981 and Star Beej 7Star exhibited salt tolerance to a greater extent, accounting for higher STI in comparison to other cultivars grouped in Cluster-2 and Cluster-3. The high heritability (h2bs, >60%) and genetic advance (GAM, >20%) were recorded in 13 measured traits, indicating considerable genetic variations present in these traits. Therefore, using multivariate analysis based on the measured traits, six hybrid maize cultivars were selected as salt-tolerant and some traits such as Total Fresh Weight (TFW), Total Dry Weight (TDW), Total Na+, Total K+ contents and K+–Na+ Ratio could be effectively used for the selection criteria evaluating salt-tolerant maize genotypes at the early seedling stage.

A Study into the Coating Thickness of Ship Ballast Tanks

Ballast tanks are expected to be coated according to the IMO Performance Standard for Protective Coating regulations (PSPC15), in addition to the paint application requirements of the paint producer. In general, a coating system should consist of minimum two spray coats of light-colored epoxy coating on flat surfaces with a Nominal total Dry Film Thickness (NDFT) of 320 μm and 90% of all thickness measurements greater than, or equal to the NDFT and none of the remaining measurements below 0.9 x NDFT (the “90/10 rule”). Allegedly, the value of 320 μm in this PSPC15 rule may be misconstrued as a benchmark for coating application on flat surfaces, eventually leading to a non-PSPC15 compliance due to the resulting variation in coating thickness violating this 90/10 rule. This study indicates that over the years, the arithmetic mean in-situ DFT appears to be 498±18 μm and that too high and low thicknesses, below 288 μm and above 800 μm, were noted in the field. Analysis of a survey of ballast tank coating performance of ships indicates that too low thicknesses appear to be negatively impacting the average theoretical ballast tank performance. However, when an application mean DFT benchmark of 525 μm is used, the coating will almost surely comply to the 90/10 rule and the risk of falling below the 288 μm threshold is small, less than 2% in most cases. Consequently, using 320 μm as a mean DFT benchmark could result in a non-PSPC15 compliance with the in-situ ascertained coating thickness variation as this does not exclude coating thicknesses below 288 μm, which may then result in a significantly less than average theoretical coating performance. If the coating application is performed very evenly, the benchmark may be reduced to 429 μm with a probability of falling below 288 μm reduced to 0.1%. It should therefore be emphasized that the PSPC15 requirement is a coating system framework description, and that the requirement should be broadened to include a mean DFT as a coating applicator benchmark together with a clearly specified minimum and maximum DFT, in order to avoid any misinterpretations.

Avaliação de teor de metais pesados em cultivo de jambu (Acmella oleracea [(L) R. K Jasen]) com sedimento de viveiro de Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum

A aquicultura tem se destacado nos últimos anos como fonte de proteína animal, porém, um de seus entraves é o descarte indevido de seus efluentes, que além de possuir resíduos orgânicos, apresenta nutrientes essenciais. O reaproveitamento desses rejeitos na agricultura pode ser uma provável saída para sanar tal problema, gerando aporte nutritivo para plantas e mitigando contaminações ao meio ambiente. O estudo objetivou avaliar a viabilidade do uso de sedimento de viveiro de produção de tambaqui para o cultivo de jambu na Região Amazônica. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação na Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia utilizando resíduo oriundo de tanques de piscicultura. Foi constituído de cinco tratamentos, variando as concentrações de Terra preta (TP) e Sedimento de viveiro de piscicultura (SP), e acondicionado com 1kg Casca de arroz queimado (CA) para cada concentração. As concentrações foram compostas por Tratamento 1 (100% TP), Tratamento 2 (75% TP + 25% SP), Tratamento 3 (50% TP + 50 % SP), Tratamento 4 (25% TP + 75% SP) e Tratamento 5 (100% SP). O sedimento foi coletado em um viveiro de produção semi-intensivo de tambaqui e as plantas de Jambu foram irrigadas diariamente em vasos de polietileno até 79 dias após germinadas para a realização da colheita. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com 5 tratamentos e 10 repetições, sendo uma planta por repetição ao final do cultivo. Foram obtidos dados de Altura (ALT), Diâmetro de coleto (D), Número de folhas (NF), Clorofila (C), Área foliar (AF), Massa fresca total (MFT), Massa fresca de folha (MFF), Massa fresca de caule (MFC), Massa fresca de flor (MFFL), Massa fresca de raiz (MFR), Massa seca total (MST), Massa seca de folha (MSF), Massa seca de caule (MSC), Massa seca de flor (MSFL) e Massa seca de raiz (MSR). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, sendo as equações escolhidas com base na significância dos coeficientes de regressão, a 5% de probabilidade, utilizando o software Sisvar, versão 5.6. Os tratamentos 2 (75% TP + 25% SP) e 4 (25% TP + 75% SP) foram os que apresentaram os maiores valores para a maioria dos fatores analisados. Quando analisado o comportamento linear da regressão, foi encontrado correlação positiva com as concentrações de sedimento para ALT, NF, AF, MFFL e MSFL, e os demais parâmetros apresentaram comportamento quadrático, tendo faixa ótima sempre próxima aos tratamentos 3 (50% TP + 50 % SP) e 4 (25% TP + 75% SP). A produção do jambu com resíduos de cultivo de peixe é viável haja vista o maior incremento de biomassa nas plantas submetidas a este tipo de substrato.

Understanding the biocalorimetric and respirometric behaviour of co-culture (R. eutropha, P. putida and A. vinelandii) in poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) batch production

Limiting nitrogen and excess carbon sources induce accumulation of the bioplastic, Poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) as inclusion bodies in microbes. Here, we designed a co-culture (R. eutropha, P.putida, A.vinelandii) that produced higher PHB yield than in monocultures or pairwise combination. PHB concentration of 8.3 ± 0.42 g/L, which is 63% of total Cell Dry Mass (CDM), was achieved using co-culture in batch mode of operation in biocalorimeter. Maximum total biomass based specific growth rate (μX: 0.49 h−1) was achieved in co-culture and bioenergetics profiles were compared for individual and co-culture. In this co-culture, P. putida and R. eutropha greatly contributed to PHB accumulation, while A. vinelandii induced faster growth. Aeration and agitation rates were optimized in the biocalorimeter, 1 liter per minute (lpm) and 150 rotations per minute (rpm) respectively for improved PHB yield. Oxygen uptake rate and carbon dioxide evolution rates correlated well with heat profiles, suggesting aerobic metabolism in consortia. Cellular accumulation of PHB granules in the co-culture was visualized using fluorescent microscopy.

English

English

PENGARUH BAHAN PENGEKSTRAK DAN TINGKAT KADAR AIR TERHADAP VIABILITAS DAN VIGOR BENIH KAKAO (Theobroma cacao L.)

This research is intended to determine the effect of extracting materials and appropriate levels of water content on cocoa seeds, and whether or not there are any differences between the viability and the vigor of cocoa beans. The research was conducted at the Laboratory of Seed Science and Technology of the Faculty of Agriculture of Syiah Kuala University. The experimental design used was Completely Randomized Design of 3 x 3 factorial pattern with 3 x replications, so there were 9 treatment combinations and 27 experimental units. The factors studied were extracts consisting of 3 levels, namely: husk ash, sawdust and whiting and three levels of air three levels, namely: 30%, 25%, and 15%. Measurable benchmarks include Growing Potential (PT), Growing Power (DB), Vigor Index (IV), Growth Rate (KCT), Growth Unity (KST), Time Required to Achieve 50% of Total Relative Germination (T50) and Normal Dry Sprout Weight (BKKN). The results of this study showed that extracting foods are very strong on the viability and strength of the cocoa seeds, which is balanced by the growth potential benchmarks (PT), power growth (DB), growth rate (KCT), growing lavency (KST), the time required to achieve 50% germination total (T50), vigor index (IV) and normal germination weight (BKKN). Meanwhile, fertility rate grew (KST), time needed to reach 50% total relative germination (T50), spirit index (IV) and normal dried germination (BKKN). The results of this study can be concluded that there is a very real interaction between the treatment of extracting materials with cocoa beans content levels. The interaction between sawdust and 30% moisture content is the best combination. Reproduction extracting materials to the effectiveness of increasing viability and vigor of cocoa seeds. The best extraction material is found in the sawdust extracting material. The degree of air hardness to the strength of increased viability and strength of cocoa seed. The best levels of cocoa seed air are found at 30%. Keywords: cocoa, extract, seed

Preliminary Results of Clover and Grass Coverage and Total Dry Matter Estimation in Clover-Grass Crops Using Image Analysis

The clover-grass ratio is an important factor in composing feed ratios for livestock. Cameras in the field allow the user to estimate the clover-grass ratio using image analysis; however, current methods assume the total dry matter is known. This paper presents the preliminary results of an image analysis method for non-destructively estimating the total dry matter of clover-grass. The presented method includes three steps: (1) classification of image illumination using a histogram of the difference in excess green and excess red; (2) segmentation of clover and grass using edge detection and morphology; and (3) estimation of total dry matter using grass coverage derived from the segmentation and climate parameters. The method was developed and evaluated on images captured in a clover-grass plot experiment during the spring growing season. The preliminary results are promising and show a high correlation between the image-based total dry matter estimate and the harvested dry matter ( R 2 = 0.93 ) with an RMSE of 210 kg ha − 1 .

Produção de mudas de <em>Anadenanthera peregrina</em> em resposta a substratos alternativos com bagaço de cana

Objetivou-se avaliar a influência de diferentes granulometrias do bagaço de cana para composição de substratos alternativos, constituídos a partir da mistura de um substrato comercial, na produção de mudas de angico-vermelho (Anadenanthera peregrina). O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, no esquema fatorial (5 x 2), sendo cinco substratos (100% Rohrbacher®; 75% Rohrbacher® + 25% Bagaço de Cana (75R+25BC); 50% Rohrbacher® + 50% Bagaço de Cana (50R+50BC); 25% Rohrbacher® + 75% Bagaço de Cana (25R+75BC); 100% Bagaço de Cana) e duas granulometrias (4 mm e 6 mm). Foram avaliados a altura da parte aérea (H), o Diâmetro de Coleto (DC), a Massa Seca da Parte Aérea (MSPA), a Massa Seca da Raiz (MSR) e a Massa Seca Total (MST); além das relações H/DC, H/MSPA MSPA/MSR e IQD (Índice de Qualidade de Dickson). Os substratos de granulometria 1 (passado em peneira de 4 mm), proporcionaram maior índice de germinação das sementes de angico-vermelho, ganho em altura e relação H/DC nas mudas da espécie. Os substratos alternativos 75R+25BC, 50R+50BC e 25R+75BC, além do substrato comercial Rohrbacher®, apresentaram potencial de uso na produção de mudas de angico-vermelho.

FLOWERING SYNDROME – HYBRID PERFORMANCE RELATIONSHIP IN MAIZE 1- Field traits and growth rates

In order to identify the role of selection for early and late silking on the inbred lines from Maize (Zea Mays L.) regarding the grain yield of the consequent hybrids. Filed experiment for four seasons (spring and full 2014 and 2015) was conducted in the experimental field of Field Crop Dept., Coll. of Agric., Univ. of Baghdad. Four inbred lines (Zm19, Zm32, Zm51 and Zm61) and two testers (Zm21 late and Zm60 early silking) were used. In the first two seasons, the seeds of the four inbred lines were planted, first 10 plants that flowered early and 10 plants that flowered late were selected and the seeds of the selected plants were multiplied. The seeds of the early and late selected inbred lines were planted in the third season and crossed with testers. Crosses from the early and late flowering were produced and their seeds were cultivated in the last season. Comparison in some field and growth traits were conducted among the crosses. The experiments laid out in completely randomized block design (RCBD) at three replicates. Selection for early and late flowering parents has induced significant differences in days to flowering for all crosses and ranged between 62 days for early parents and 66 days for late parents. Also, significant differences were shown in several traits, the most prominent were crop’s and seed’s growth rate (CGR and SGR ), that correlated with seed filling duration (SFD), which contributed to increase the deposition of the dry matter into the grain for a longer period, which gave a high grain yield (GY). CGR of outstanding crosses ranged from 3.18 to 6.21 g.m-2.day, SGR ranged between 2.3 to 7.3 g. m-2.day, and the SFD between 35-38 days. In parallel, the testers (Zm21 late and Zm60 early silking) have significantly differed in their effect on the traits of some derived crosses, where the results showed significant superiority of the crosses Zm32Zm60 resulted from crossing the tester Zm60 with early silking parents selected from inbred line Zm32 on the crosses Zm32Zm21 resulted from crossing the tester Zm21 with the same parents of Zm32 in the traits of Total Dry Matter (TDM) (1.85 kg.m-2), CGR (18.28 g.m-2.day), Harvest Index (HI) (0.56), and SGR (3.3 g.m-2.day). It can be conclude that selection for early and late silking inbred lines, as well as the effect of the early and late silking tester have a great importance in deriving hybrids of a high yield and distinct in several traits, which are all significantly contributing in increasing the GY.

Effect of Partial Root-Zone Drying Irrigation Technique (PRD) on the Total Dry Matter, Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Potato under Tunisian Semi-Arid Conditions

<p>Three field experiments were conducted in the plot of Technical Centre for Potato and Artichoke during three cropping season 2009, 2010 and 2011.The objective of this research is to evaluate the effect of the partial root-zone drying irrigation technique (PRD) on the dry matter, yield, water consumption and water use efficiency of potato (Spunta Variety). Four treatments were applied from the initiation of tuberisation stage to potato harvesting: FI treatment received 100% of Etc; PRD<sub>80</sub>, PRD<sub>70</sub>, and PRD<sub>60</sub> treatments received respectively: 80, 70 and 60% of FI at each irrigation event and it was shifted between the two sides of the plants every 2 to 10 days. The highest water consumption was observed in FI as 336.5, 376, and 341.8 mm in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively, and the lowest was found in PRD<sub>60</sub> as 280.4, 294.5, and 256.1 mm in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. The maximum tuber yield was obtained from the FI as 25.6, 42.9 and 39.1 tha<sup>-1</sup>, in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. There was no significant difference between FI and PRD<sub>60</sub> with respect to tuber yields (LSD 5%).The highest water use efficiency (WUE<sub>Y</sub>) was found in PRD<sub>60</sub> as 13.4 kg m<sup>-3</sup>, in the second experiment (2010) and the lowest was found in PRD<sub>80</sub> as 6.8 kg m<sup>-3</sup> in the first experiment (2009). In the other hand, a linear relation between the accumulated total dry matter and the accumulated water consumption was able to be revealed.</p>

Integration of remote sensing derived parameters in crop models: Application to the PILOTE model for hay production

The aim of this study is to assess the effects and interests of integrating remote-sensing-derived parameters (LAI, harvest and irrigation dates) in a crop model (PILOTE) that simulates vegetation growth for hay crops. The target variable is the prediction of Total Dry Matter (TDM) production in each of the three growth cycles.Two scenarios are employed to process the available remotely sensed LAI values, predicting TDM values when forcing in PILOTE either the initial and maximal optical LAI-values, or the initial, maximal and daily interpolated LAI values. The predictions show low deviations compared with the in situ TDM values (RMSE of 0.44t/ha, MAPE of 23%).The feasibility of using harvest dates that are derived from optical data is examined by feeding the model with randomly perturbed harvest dates. The magnitude of the perturbations is equal to the revisit times of the current optical sensors. Optical images with revisit times lower than 16days are adequate to feed PILOTE with remotely sensed harvest dates.Emphasis is placed on the forcing of “uncertain” irrigation dates, derived from Synthetic Aperture Radar images either replacing all true irrigation dates by randomly perturbed dates (using 3-day perturbation magnitudes) or hypothesizing one or several irrigations are “missed” (undetected). The results show negligible errors for the TDM predictions when noisy irrigation dates are used (RMSE of 0.17t/ha and MAPE of 4.2%). Disregarding one or two irrigations within a period with important rainfalls does not induce significant errors for the predicted TDM values; however, it causes noticeable underestimations in drier periods (maximum of 1.55t/ha, reference TDM of 3.43t/ha).This study enables the identification of a series of conditions in which remote-sensing-derived parameters are suitable to feed the PILOTE model without endangering the reliability of its predictions.

Biomass accumulated by Garcinia kola Heckel. seedlings under different light intensities

Garcinia kola is found to be extinction-threatened due to over-exploitation and its regeneration has not been encouraged. This study investigated the influence of light intensities on the biomass accumulation of G. kola seedlings. Seedlings of G. kola were monitored under five light intensities namely; under forest canopy (5% light intensity), 25%, 50%, 75% light intensities and control treatment was direct sunlight (100% light intensity). The study was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Seedlings Leaf Dry Weight (LDW) under light intensities were not significantly affected (α=0.05) by different light intensities but significantly affect (α=0.05) the seedlings Stem Dry Weight (SDW), Root Dry Weight (RDW) and Total Dry Weight (TDW). Seedlings LDW ranged from 1.87 to 5.07 g, SDW ranged from 0.83 to 3.04 g, RDW ranged from 1.60 to 9.90 g and TDW ranged from 4.30 to 15.63 g respectively (after 24 weeks) depending on light intensity. The biomass accumulated by G. kola seedlings under 5 % light intensity was very low compared to the biomass accumulated by seedlings under other light conditions. Seedlings under 25%, 50% and 75% light intensities gave the highest biomass accumulation. This implies that G. kola preferred low light intensities for optimum biomass production.Keywords: Garcinia kola, Light intensity, Biomass accumulation, Propagation, Nursery Stage

Life Cycle Assessment of Hydrogel Used in Hydroponics for the <i>Impatiens</i> New Guinea Production

The environmental impact on the planet leads to the search of new processes that are friendly with the environment and obtaining high quality products. In this sense, green chemistry is used in the generation of products through processes that do not affect the planet. In many of these processes and in general, the use of water has been depleted this resource of vital importance for the survival of living things. In Mexico, 77% of water is used in agriculture; 14% in the public supply; 5% in the thermoelectric plants and 4% in the industry. In research presented, hydroponics is essential in the process and is defined as a technique used to reduce excessive water consumption, by providing the necessary nutrients, in addition to preventing soil erosion by allowing the growth of plants without use of ground. The potassium polyacrylate is a super-absorbent polymer (Hydrogel) capable of absorbing water up to 500 times of its weight and has a life span of 10 years. When mixed with a substrate, the required nutrient solution potassium polyacrylate allows to lengthen the interval watering and thus reducing the consumption of water from plants. Morelos is the largest producer of ornamental plants in the country, due to its privileged climate and location. In the present work using the hydroponic methodology, we planted cuttings of Bethlehem New Guinea (Impatiens New Guinea) in a substrate made by 60% of coconut fiber, 20% tepojal, 20% ground sheet mixed with polymer of potassium (20 g per litre), 400 ml of Steiner nutrient solution in concentrations of 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%, varying the interval of 3-, 6-, 8- and 10-day watering. The variables considered are: concentration of chlorophyll, the plant height, leaf area, number of stems and weight dry total. The 12 principles of green chemistry applied to hydroponics using polyacrylate of potassium as part of the substrate in Bethlehem New Guinea (Impatiens New Guinea) to determine the analysis of life cycle (LCA), doing the balance of inputs and outputs of the system, and the stages of the LCA. Finally the SimaPro software was used to measure the environmental impact of the use of the polymer in hydroponics by varying the watering interval and the concentration of the Steiner solution, entering data for the concentration of Steiner, and the volume of water used. With the results obtained by measurement of weight dry total and concentration of Steiner solution and using the Software SimaPro, Steiner saw that the solution with the concentration of 60% using potassium polyacrylate as part of the hydroponic substrate in Bethlehem New Guinea and in the range of 10 days to water generated less environmental impact. On the other hand, in the same figure, it is determined that the Steiner solutions with concentrations of 80 and 100% generate a bigger environmental impact, due to the saturation of the solutions.

日本のトマトの品種には，CO<sub>2</sub> 施用と細霧の併用により，乾物生産は増加するが果実への乾物分配割合が 減少する品種がある

日本のトマトの品種には，CO<sub>2</sub> 施用と細霧の併用により，乾物生産は増加するが果実への乾物分配割合が 減少する品種がある