Value Of Grain Research Articles

Optimizing Plant Spacing to Enhance Maize Yield

The impact of plant spacing on maize yield is crucial for optimizing agronomic practices and improving productivity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different plant spacings on the yield attributes of maize (Zea mays L.) variety BARI Maize-5. This study evaluates four plant spacings: 75 cm × 25 cm, 75 cm × 20 cm, 60 cm × 25 cm, and 60 cm × 20 cm. in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results demonstrated that plant spacing significantly affects maize yield attributes and overall yield. The 75 cm × 25 cm spacing produced the highest number of cobs plant-1 (1.44), grains cob-1 (530.39), thousand-grain weight (131.85 g), grain yield (5.18 t ha-1), and harvest index (41.14%). In contrast, the 60 cm × 20 cm spacing resulted in the lowest values for grains per cob, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield. It may be recommended that optimizing plant spacing is vital for maximizing maize yield, with the 75 cm × 25 cm spacing being most effective for cultivating maize cv. BARI Maize-5.

302 Microgreen and sprouted sorghum as ingredients in raw meat diets for healthy adult cats

Abstract Germination has the potential to naturally enhance the nutritional value of grains, enabling its inclusion in raw diets without compromising their raw status. Germinated sorghum may offer additional value compared with other grains as a sustainable, gluten-free and non-genetically modified option. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of incorporating two forms of germinated sorghum, sprouted and microgreens, into raw diets on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of macronutrients and energy, and fecal characteristics of adult cats. Four complete and balanced raw diets were formulated based on a basal ration (70%), comprised of whole raw chicken, vitamins and minerals, with the addition of sorghum (30%) in four different forms: raw (SR), cooked (boiled; SC), sprouted (SS), and microgreens (SM). Diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isonutritive; however, they were found to be slightly different in energy and protein content due to changes in nutrient composition during processing of the sorghum grain. Healthy adult shorthair cats [n = 11; 5.1 ± 1.0 kg, average body weight (BW)] were enrolled in an incomplete 4×4 Latin square design. Each experimental period consisted of a 5-d adaptation phase followed by a 5-d collection phase, during which total fecal collection and assessment of fecal score were performed. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with diet as fixed effect, and cat(square), square and period as random effects. One cat was removed from the study due to reasons unrelated to the treatments, while two cats refused to eat the SM diet. Cats fed the SM and SC diets exhibited less (P < 0.05) wet fecal output compared to those fed the SS and SR. Fecal score was affected by diet (P < 0.05), with loose stools (16.37%) observed in cats fed SS and both diarrhea (11.6%) and loose stools (20%) observed in those fed SR, which were absent in those fed the other treatments. Protein ATTD (average 90%) did not differ (P > 0.05) among dietary treatments. Dry matter, organic matter, and gross energy ATTD were 3 to 6% greater (P < 0.05) in cats fed the SC diet compared with those fed the other treatments; but digestibility coefficients remained within acceptable ranges (> 80%). Fat ATTD was affected P < 0.05) by diet, with cats fed SS having the greatest value and those fed the SC the least; however, the numerical differences (< 2%) were unlikely to have biological relevance. In conclusion, the inclusion of microgreen and sprouted sorghum at 30% in raw meat cat diets did not improve the ATTD of energy and macronutrients compared with when sorghum was added in its raw form. Nevertheless, microgreen sorghum led to an improvement in fecal quality in cats compared with when sorghum was provided in its raw form.

Quantitative assessment of Cd sources in rice grains through Cd isotopes and MixSIAR model in a typical e-waste dismantling area of Southeast China

Identification of Cd sources and quantification of their contribution to rice grain Cd is crucial for controlling accumulation of this toxic metal in rice grains. However, accurate assessment of the contribution of different Cd sources to grain Cd concentration in rice under actual field conditions is a challenge. In this study, we determined Cd concentration and their isotopic compositions in rice grains with respect to three potential Cd sources around an e-waste dismantling area in Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, China. Results demonstrated that average Cd concentrations in grains, surface soils, atmospheric deposition and surface water were 0.32, 0.91, 1.99 mg kg−1 and 2.02 μg L−1, respectively. The δ114/110Cd values of grains, surface soils, surface water and atmospheric deposition ranged from 0.00 ‰ to 0.31 ‰, −0.21 ‰ to 0.14 ‰, −0.04 ‰ to 0.47 ‰, and − 0.25 ‰ to −0.18 ‰, respectively. The MixSIAR model indicated that contribution of soils, irrigation water and atmospheric deposition to grain Cd was 56.8 %, 24.8 % and 18.4 %, respectively, demonstrating soils as the major source of grain Cd in the study area. This study also highlighted significant contribution of irrigation water and atmospheric deposition to Cd concentration in rice grains. The Cd isotopic analysis provides a practical approach for source apportionment of grain Cd and data support for controlling Cd accumulation in rice around the e-waste dismantling area.

Combination of fermentation and enzymolysis enhances bioactive components and function of de-oiled rice bran.

De-oiled rice bran (DORB), a substantial yet underutilized byproduct of rice processing, boasts a rich composition of active ingredients but suffers from limited application. Previous studies have indicated that enzymatic or fermentation treatments enhanced these active components. In this study, lactobacilli and complex enzymes were employed to co-treat DORB, involving the determination of the changes in active components and functionalities of DORB extract (DORBE) before and after this treatment. Following fermentation-enzymolysis, the total phenol and total flavonoid contents in DORBE were significantly increased by 43.59% and 55.10%, reaching 19.66 and 34.34 g kg-1, respectively. Antioxidant tests in vitro demonstrated that the co-treatment enhanced the scavenging activities of DPPH, hydroxyl and ABTS radicals. Porcine intestinal epithelial cell experiments revealed that, compared to DORBE, the fermentation and enzymolysis DORBE (FDORBE) exhibited significantly improved cell viability and catalase activity as well as scavenging capacity for reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde after induction by H2O2. Furthermore, FDORBE restored the decreased mRNA expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 in the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway stimulated by H2O2. Fermentation-enzymolysis co-treatment increases the contents of bioactive components of DORBE and enhances its antioxidant capacity, leading to a better protection against intestinal disorders induced by oxidative stress, suggesting that this co-treatment is a rational and effective strategy to increase the value of grains and promotes the use of DORB as a functional feed in animal production. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Market Participation and Farmers’ Adoption of Green Control Techniques: Evidence from China

As a standard clean production technology, the wide use of green control techniques (GCT) helps improve the quality of agricultural products and protect the environment. However, the level of application of GCT by Chinese farmers is not high. The market, as the ultimate place to realize the value of grain and the returns of grain farmers, plays an essential part in promoting GCT. Based on survey data from grain farmers in Sichuan Province, China, this study used a conditional mixed process (CMP) model to examine the effect of farmers’ market participation on their GCT adoption behavior and a mediated effects model to test the impact mechanism. The study further explored the effect of farmers’ market participation capability on their GCT adoption behavior. The results showed that (1) farmers’ market participation could significantly increase the likelihood of adopting GCT. (2) Market participation could influence farmers’ adoption behavior through agricultural income, market information, and green cognition. (3) Further research found that farmers were more likely to adopt GCT if their market participation capability was strong. These findings highlight the fact that developing countries have increased their efforts to encourage farmers to participate in markets and to enhance their market participation capability, thereby facilitating the adoption of GCT by farmers.

Research on Grain Moisture Model Based on Improved SSA-SVR Algorithm

Water control of grain has always been a crucial link in storage and transportation. The resistance method is considered an effective technique for quickly detecting moisture in grains, making it particularly valuable in practical applications at drying processing sites. In this study, a machine learning method, combining the improved Sparrow Search Algorithm (SSA) and Support Vector Regression (SVR), was adopted for the characteristics of grain resistance. An efficient water content training model was constructed. After comparative validation against three other algorithms, it was found that this model demonstrates superior performance in terms of precision and stability. After a lot of training and taking the average, the correlation coefficient reached 0.987, the coefficient of determination was 0.992, the root mean square error was reduced to 0.64, and the Best accuracy was 0.584. Using the data obtained by the model, the resistance value of grain can be directly measured in the field, and the corresponding moisture value can be found, which can significantly improve the operation efficiency of the grain drying processing site, thereby reducing other interference factors in the detection of grain moisture.

Determination Methods and Influencing Factors of Grain Mechanical Properties

Grain is extremely vulnerable to external loads during production and processing, resulting in the deterioration of grain quality. Deteriorated grain not only affects the economic value of grain but also affects the safety of storage. This has a very important relationship with the biomechanical properties of grains. It is of great significance to explore the mechanical properties of grain under different conditions and analyze the relationship between its physical and chemical properties and mechanical properties for improving its processing and eating quality. In this paper, the research methods of the mechanical properties of grains are reviewed. Various factors influencing the mechanical properties of cereals were analyzed. The relationship between the internal organizational structure of grain and its mechanical properties was discussed. This paper puts forward the shortcomings in the current research on the mechanical properties of grains and puts forward the prospect and analysis of its importance in future development in order to provide a reference for reducing crushing in the grain processing process.

Biofortified Rice Provides Rich Sakuranetin in Endosperm

Sakuranetin plays a key role as a phytoalexin in plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and possesses diverse health-promoting benefits. However, mature rice seeds do not contain detectable levels of sakuranetin. In the present study, a transgenic rice plant was developed in which the promoter of an endosperm-specific glutelin gene OsGluD-1 drives the expression of a specific enzyme naringenin 7-O-methyltransferase (NOMT) for sakuranetin biosynthesis. The presence of naringenin, which serves as the biosynthetic precursor of sakuranetin made this modification feasible in theory. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) validated that the seeds of transgenic rice accumulated remarkable sakuranetin at the mature stage, and higher at the filling stage. In addition, the panicle blast resistance of transgenic rice was significantly higher than that of the wild type. Specially, the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) imaging was performed to detect the content and spatial distribution of sakuranetin and other nutritional metabolites in transgenic rice seeds. Notably, this genetic modification also did not change the nutritional and quality indicators such as soluble sugars, total amino acids, total flavonoids, amylose, total protein, and free amino acid content in rice. Meanwhile, the phenotypes of the transgenic plant during the whole growth and developmental periods and agricultural traits such as grain width, grain length, and 1000-grain weight exhibited no significant differences from the wild type. Collectively, the study provides a conceptual advance on cultivating sakuranetin-rich biofortified rice by metabolic engineering. This new breeding idea may not only enhance the disease resistance of cereal crop seeds but also improve the nutritional value of grains for human health benefits.

Mitigation of water stress by compost and arginine application and its impacts on barley production

BackgroundWater-scarce locations necessitate the deployment of creative and sustainable techniques for managing water for agricultural production. Field experiment was conducted at the Experimental Research Farm of National Research Centre, Nubaria region, Egypt to alleviate the harmful effect of water stress on the yield of Mediterranean barley varieties (Giza 125, Tombari, Ksar Megrine and Tamellat) by compost (0.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0-ton fed−1) and arginine application (0.00 and 1000 ppm) under deficit irrigation. The amounts of irrigation water applied were “900 and 450” m3 fed−1 to sufficient irrigation and deficit irrigation, respectively.ResultsThe greatest and most significant values of the chlorophyll values and relative water content values obtained at the treatment supplied with 6.0-ton compost fed−1 and sprayed with Arginine. There was a significant dramatic decrease in proline content with increasing compost application rates and treated barley plants by Arginine for all the studied barley varieties under both studied irrigation treatments. Increasing compost application rate is associated with significant increase in number of spike m−2 without or with arginine. Barley Tombari variety received 6.0-ton compost fed−1 gained changes to give a greatest significant value of grain (ton fed−1) under sufficient irrigation and Tamellat under deficit irrigation situation. The significant maximum values of the grain yield (1.96- and 2.09-ton fed−1) were attained at Tombari and Tamellat varieties which received 6.0-ton fed−1 compost with or without arginine under sufficient irrigation. The increases in compost rate increment changes to incremented grain yield values with arginine application more than untreated one. The greatest and significant grain yield was found at the treatment received 6.0-ton compost fed−1 with arginine foliar application.ConclusionCompost application has an important role in maintaining greatest water use efficiency for plant and arginine application reported to contribute in reduction in destructive effects of a biotic stress thus their importance in increasing the barley production under water stress.

Manifestation of agronomically valuable traits in the progeny of a sorghum mutant carrying the genetic construct for RNA silencing of the γ-kafirin gene.

Improving the nutritional value of grain sorghum, a drought- and heat-tolerant grain crop, is an important task in the context of global warming. One of the reasons for the low nutritional value of sorghum grain is the resistance of its storage proteins (kafirins) to proteolytic digestion, which is due, among other things, to the structural organization of protein bodies, in which γ-kafirin, the most resistant to proteases, is located on the periphery, encapsulating more easily digested α-kafirins. The introduction of genetic constructs capable of inducing RNA silencing of the γ-kafirin (gKAF1) gene opens up prospects for solving this problem. Using Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of immature embryos of the grain sorghum cv. Avans we have obtained a mutant with improved digestibility of endosperm proteins (up to 92 %) carrying a genetic construct for RNA silencing of the gKAF1 gene. The goal of this work was to study the stability of inheritance of the introduced genetic construct in T2-T4 generations, to identify the number of its copies, as well as to trace the manifestation of agronomically valuable traits in the offspring of the mutant. The mutant lines were grown in experimental plots in three randomized blocks. The studied lines were characterized by improved digestibility of kafirins, a modified type of endosperm, completely or partially devoid of the vitreous layer, an increased percentage of lysine (by 75 %), reduced plant height, peduncle length, 1000-grains weight, and grain yield from the panicle. In T2, a line with monogenic control of GA resistance was selected. qPCR analysis showed that in different T3 and T4 plants, the genetic construct was present in 2-4 copies. In T3, a line with a high digestibility of endosperm proteins (81 %) and a minimal decrease in agronomically valuable traits (by 5-7 %) was selected.

Impact of cold plasma on pearl and barnyard millets' microbial quality, antioxidant status, and nutritional composition

In the quest for sustainable and innovative food processing technologies, cold plasma treatment has emerged as a promising approach with the potential to enhance grains' nutritional and functional properties. This study investigates the impact of cold plasma treatment on two millet varieties, namely pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and barnyard millet (Echinochloa spp.). This study analyzed the effect of Cold plasma on the proximate composition, vitamin content, physiochemical property, anti-nutrient factor, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity and microbial count of millets. Pearl millet (RP) and Barnyard millet (RB) (native), cold plasma treated Pearl (CP) and Barnyard (CB) (2 kV, 5 min) were characterized. A noticeable change was found in fat, vitamin B-complex content and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the microbial count analysis revealed that cold plasma treatment induced substantial reductions in bacterial and yeast populations, underscoring the technology's effectiveness in enhancing the safety and extending the shelf-life of millet grains. Treatments of samples led to a reduction of phytic acid and tannin. In pearl millet, tannin content decreased by 18%, and phytic acid content was reduced by 57%. In barnyard millet, there was a substantial (24%) reduction in tannin content and a 61% decrease in phytic acid. Total Flavonoid content (TFC) and Total Phenolic content (TPC) also decreased after treatment. But this treatment led to an increase in fat content by 43% and 87% in CP and CB, respectively. These alterations offer new insights into the potential of cold plasma treatment as a means to enhance the nutritional quality and safety of millets. The results of this study contribute to the growing body of knowledge on innovative food processing techniques for improving the nutritional value of grains.

Wheat landraces as sources of high grain quality and nutritional properties

Background. Improving the grain quality of modern spring bread wheat cultivars is a highly relevant task of breeding. To solve this problem, old and local wheat varieties (landraces) are of considerable interest. A rich collection of them is available among the plant genetic resources preserved at VIR. With this in view, the aim of this research was to identify sources of high protein, gluten, macro- and micronutrient content out of the landraces from the VIR collection for improvement of wheat grain quality through breeding.Materials and methods. Field and laboratory research were conducted in the experimental field of Omsk State Agrarian University under the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia in 2020–2021. Sowing was carried out on fallow on conventional sowing dates. Mineral composition in the grain of the studied landraces was analyzed at the Kurchatov Genomic Center, Novosibirsk, using atomic absorption spectrometry techniques.Results. The research results showed that landraces from different regions of Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan were characterized by high levels of protein (18.4–18.8%) and gluten (35.9–36.0%) in grain. Landraces from Kazakhstan had low Zn content (on average 38.3 mg/kg), while those from Kyrgyzstan, on the contrary, had high content of Zn (41.9 mg/kg) and Fe (55.1 mg/kg), and landraces from Tajikistan had high K content (3820 mg/kg). A positive relationship between the concentrations of Mg, Mn, Fe, and Zn was found in the grain of wheat landraces.Conclusion. Wheat landraces are of interest as genetic resources for the development of high-protein cultivars with improved nutritional value of grain for the milling and breadmaking industries.

Кормовая ценность зерна яровой тритикале сортов Ботаническая 4 и Тимирязевская 42

Laboratory analysis of raw materials (grains) is an important stage for the production of feed. The wider the range of data obtained as a result of research, the more effective the work on compiling the diet of animals, which is reflected in the conversion of feed and the economic component of livestock production. The use of near infrared radiation (NIRS) technology to determine the nutritional value of feed allows us to obtain data on the content of dry matter, crude protein, crude ash, crude fat, sugar and starch in feed, as well as data on protein absorption in the intestines of many animal species, including lactating cows. With the help of such a study conducted in the laboratory of Eurofins Agro (Wageningen, the Netherlands), data on the nutritional value of grain of two varieties of spring triticale obtained in the conditions of the Moscow region were obtained. The crude protein content in the grain of the Timiryazevskaya 42 variety was 119 g/kg of dry matter, in the grain of the Botanicheskaya 4 variety 125 g/kg of dry matter. In terms of starch content, Timiryazevskaya 42 grain exceeded Botanicheskaya 4 grain by 27 g/kg of dry matter. At the same time, studies have shown similar values in terms of the content of feed units for milk production (VEM) at the level of 1192–1189 g/kg of dry matter, the amount of protein absorbed in the intestine (DVE) — 95–96 g/kg of dry matter and organic matter fermented in the rumen (FOS) — 771–769 g/kg of dry matter.

Investigation of electrical, dielectric, and relaxation phenomenon of Co–Cr substituted SrM hexaferrite: Validation of measured and simulated parameters

Chromium (Cr) and Cobalt (Co) substituted hexaferrite with composition Sr(CoCr)xFe(12−2x)O19 (x=0.0to 0.6) has been synthesized via the Sol-gel combustion technique. The phase purity, morphology, and electrical characteristics of all sintered hexaferrite have been analyzed. XRD measurements showed that all sintered hexaferrite exhibit a magnetoplumbite structure. The substitution of Cr–Co ions in a crystal lattice resulted in a meager decrease in lattice constant value ‘a’ and a considerable decrease in lattice constant value ‘c’. FTIR spectra revealed the existence of three precise absorption bands at 419.59, 539.71, and 580.37 cm−1 which were predicted to be due to Fe–O vibrations. Impedance spectroscopy has been carried out on a wide range of frequencies (20 Hz–2 MHz). The investigated parameters have been considerably affected by dopant-tuned morphology through a decrease in grain size and the formation of grain clusters. The loss tangent and dielectric constant of the Cr–Co substituted SrM hexaferrite is found to be increased with substitution. Substitution causes a decrease in the AC conductivity value in the high-frequency region from 9.57 × 10−4 to 3.05 × 10−4 Ω−1m−1. The non-Debye behavior is observed in the material by analyzing the dielectric and electric modulus spectra. The simultaneous contribution of grain/grain boundaries demonstrated by Cole-Cole plots (M″ vs M′) in the x = 0.4 sample is consistent with SEM micrographs. The charge transport mechanism that occurs in the synthesized samples can be explained with SEM/FESEM micrographs as well as with calculated values of grain and grain boundary resistance/capacitance from EIS software. The two incomplete semicircular arcs have been observed in the x = 0.6 sample in Z″ vs Z′ plots. The conductivity relaxation is significantly improved with Cr–Co substitution.

Development of technology for centrifugal hulling of grain seeds

The working operation of peeling wheat grain is the main one to increase the value of grain in the production of flour, because when processing grain into flour, flour of the highest and first grades is mainly used only endosperm, and fruit and seed shells, aleurone and subaleiron layers, the embryo go into bran, therefore 60-90% of B vitamins, groups of E, folic acid, niacin, as well as a large group of trace elements concentrated in the aleurone and subaleurone layers and the embryo. Modern flour mills do not carry out an effective wheat grain peeling process, in which only the fruit and seed shells would be removed, and the high-value aleurone and subaleiron layers, the embryo and endosperm would be completely left in the flour. The article presents materials on the development of technology for centrifugal peeling of grain seeds based on a new design of a centrifugal husker, the copyright of which is protected by the patent of the Russian Federation for utility model No. 114622 "Centrifugal husker". A new technical task solved in the design of the patented centrifugal husker is to make the working body oval, the inner surface of which is lined with elastic material, and the flexible chamber located inside the oval body is mounted on the drive shaft and on the outer surface is also covered with a textured elastic material. To ensure the efficiency of the grain peeling process, the necessary working gap is established in the developed design, due to the change in the number of revolutions of the electric motor and the calibrated grain divided into fractions, after washing and cooling, goes to peeling, in which only the fruit and seed shells are removed. Thus, the developed new technological equipment provides an increase in the efficiency of the peeling process by 90-92% by reducing the losses of the aleurone and subaleurone layers, the embryo and part of the endosperm, and also increases the yield of whole unbroken grain.

Effect of nitrogen levels and weed management on weed flora and yield of direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa) in southern part of Punjab

An experiment was conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ferozepur, Punjab during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2018 and 2019 to study the effects of nitrogen levels and weed management in direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) (DSR). The results indicated that pendimethalin + bispyribac (W1) (5.25 and 2.95 m2) and oxadiargyl + bispyribac (W2) (6.05 and 3.95 m2) application reduced the density of narrow-leaved weeds (NLW) and broad-leaf weeds (BLW) followed by oxadiargyl + fenoxaprop (W3) (7.0 and 4.55 m2) during both the years. Application of W1 decreased the total weed biomass by 84–98.2%, respectively compared to weedy check (W5) (80.1 and 94.8 g/m2) in both years. Treatment W1 and W2 recorded at par values of grain and straw yield followed by W3. An increase (48.6–72.0%) in grain yield was registered with weed practices compared to weedy check in DSR. W1 and W2 significantly recorded higher N uptake in grain (61.45 and 60.85 kg/ha) and total (100.8 and 99.45 kg/ha) followed by W3 (53.85 and 90.35 kg/ha, respectively). The high infestation of BLW with W3 resulted in the lowest weed control efficiency (WCE) (46.2–53.9%) among the weed control practices. N at 120 and 150 kg/ha recorded the low density and biomass of NLW and BLW. Application of 120 and 150 kg N/ha enhanced the grain yield (4.89 and 5.25 t/ha) and net returns (55.1 and 60.5 × 103 ₹/ha) in both years. No N application recorded lowest N uptake in grain (87.71 kg/ha) and total (80.26 kg/ha) compared to 150 kg N/ha in both years. N levels at 120 and 150 kg/ha recorded higher values of water control efficiency (WCE). Based on the findings, it may be concluded that pendimethalin + bispyribac and oxadiargyl + bispyribac with N 120 kg/ha application can reduce weed flora diversity with higher grain yield of direct-seeded rice in Punjab.

Composite nanostructured growth of (CdS)0.75 (PbS)0.25/Si solar cell and its characterization

By using vacuum evaporation, thin films of the (CdS)0.75-(PbS)0.25 alloy have been deposited to form a nanocrystalline composite. Investigations were made into the morphology, electrical, optical and I-V characteristics of (CdS)0.75-(PbS)0.25 films asdeposited and after annealing at various temperatures. According to AFM measurements, the values of grain sizes rise as annealing temperatures rise, showing that the films' crystallinity has been increased through heat treatment. In addition, heat treatment results in an increase in surface roughness values, suggesting rougher films that could be employed in more applications. The prepared films have direct energy band gaps, and these band gaps increase with the increase in the degrees of annealing temperature. Additionally, Urbach energy values decrease with an increase in annealing temperature degrees, indicating a reduction in the tail defects and an enhancement in crystal structure through annealing. The produced films' conductivity raise when temperature in the range (RT-473)K increased, demonstrating that they are semiconducting films. At comparatively lower temperature degrees, the conduction is caused by carriers that are stimulated into localized states at the band edges. At relatively higher temperatures, the conductivity appears to be substantially temperature-dependent. As a result, the conduction mechanism results from carriers being excited into extended states beyond mobility edges. The photovoltaic measurement (I–V) properties, open circuit voltage, short circuit current, efficiency and fill factor of (CdS)0.75-(PbS)0.25 heterostructure cells have been examined under 100mW/cm2 . Interestingly, rising annealing had enhanced photovoltaic cell performances; the solar cell had shown its highest efficiency (0.42%) at 573K. From XRD the structures are polycrystalline with cubic and hexagonal structures indicating that there’s a mix of phases of PbS and CdS, the grain size and intensity raise with annealing temperatures.

Economic efficiency of growing winter barley in the Southern Steppe zone of Ukraine under the influence of variety and biological preparations

The relevance of the article lies in the determination of the most optimal varieties and biopreparations that ensure high yield and profitability of growing winter barley. The purpose of the research was to determine the main indicators of the economic efficiency of the elements of the technology of growing winter barley for foliar fertilizing of plants in the main periods of vegetation with biological preparations. When conducting research, generally accepted methods were used: systematic approach and systematic analysis, field and statistical. The article provides data on the economic efficiency of the elements of winter barley cultivation technology based on the results of research conducted with four varieties of the crop in the conditions of the Educational and Scientific Practical Center of the Mykolaiv National Agrarian University in 2016-2019. The impact of variety selection, foliar fertilizing with modern bacterial preparations on the main indicators of the economic efficiency of growing winter barley was analysed. It was established that the cost of the grown grain depended on and changed under the influence of the features of the variety, biological preparation and the number of fertilizing. Obtaining the maximum cost of grain ensured the cultivation of winter barley varieties Valkyrie and Oscar for carrying out foliar feeding in the phase of tillering and emergence of plants in the tube with the biological preparation Organic Balance: 26.5 and 26.3 thousand hryvnias/ha, respectively. The same varieties, in case of two-time fertilization with Azotophyt, formed the value of grain at 25 thousand UAH/ha, and in controls – 20.1 and 21.1 thousand UAH/ha, respectively. Indicators of conditional net profit and level of profitability also changed with a similar dependence. Values of the cost of growing a unit of production of winter barley had the opposite dependence. The obtained scientific research results and definitions will contribute to the cultivation of winter barley on the basis of resource conservation with the use of biological preparations to increase productivity and the main factors of economic efficiency

Ecological, morpho-agronomical, and bromatological assessment of sorghum ecotypes in Northern Morocco

Sorghum Bicolor is a cereal used for grains as feed and food, mainly cultivated in dry areas. To study the possibilities of increasing its cultivation for feed purposes, ecological, morpho-agronomical, and bromatological characterization of some local ecotypes was conducted as the first steps toward selecting better cultivars. Indeed, twenty-one ecotypes were collected from farms in Northern Morocco in 2018. The edapho-climatic parameters of the collection sites were evaluated. The ecotypes were cultivated in 2019 in an experimental field with a randomized complete block design with three replicates. At the maturity stage, plants were evaluated for agro-morphological parameters, and grains and straw (leaves and stems) were harvested and analyzed. The results indicated significant variations between ecotypes for almost all parameters and an interesting grain yield of 3.5 T/ha with a 176% yield variation. The nutritive value of grains was interesting compared to straw, especially for mean protein contents (10.5% DM) and organic matter digestibility (81.4%). The calculated genetic parameters emphasized the possibility of selecting highly productive and nutritive cultivars. Multivariate analysis clustered the ecotypes into five groups based on agro-morphological, bromatological, and antioxidant activity parameters; the third group was characterized by high grain-yielding ecotypes, and the fifth one by high nutritive ecotypes. The E21 ecotype, belonging to this last group, was a promising selection candidate as it combines both. No significant correlation link between agro-morphological and bromatological traits of grains and geographical distances was discerned. Sorghum bicolor could thus be improved only according to the researched agro-morphological and bromatological traits.

Magnetic susceptibility as an indication of reservoir properties of the Nubia Group in Aswan-Komombo, Southern Egypt

The magnetic susceptibility is a reflection of minerals like the iron oxide that affect the pore system. This work applied the magnetic susceptibility as an effective indicator of reservoir quality. A total of (38) sandstone samples were collected from the Nubia Group exposed in Northeast Aswan, representing the Sabaya, Abu Agag and Um Bramil Formations. The samples were petrophysically examined in terms of porosity, grain density, bulk density, permeability and magnetic susceptibility (κ). Reservoir quality index (RQI) and distribution of the sample within the Global Hydraulic Elements (GHEs) were determined. Several relations constructed between (κ) as a function of iron oxides and the measured properties. The results showed Sabaya and Abu Agag samples are characterized by the highest average values of κ, (287 & 219SI) respectively, matched with the lowest average values of porosity, permeability, RQI and the highest average values of grain & bulk density, hence most samples lie in the lower quality zones (GHE-1, 2, 3 and 4). On the contrary, the lowest average value of (κ) is (37.9 SI) for Um Bramil samples, matched with the highest average values of porosity, permeability, RQI and the lowest average values of grain & bulk density, hence most samples lie in the higher quality zones (GHE-6, 7 and 8). Petrographic description showed the tight and wide pore system relation to the magnetic susceptibility values. The novelty here is utilizing the magnetic susceptibility as an effective pointer for the reservoir quality expectation and classification into hydraulic units.