Water Limitation Research Articles

Intra-annual dynamics of stem circumference variation and water status of four coniferous tree species (Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies, Larix decidua and Abies alba) under warmer and water-limited conditions

AbstractIn the paper, the intra-annual growth patterns and tree water balance of four different tree species (Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies, Larix decidua and Abies alba) were examined. Seasonal radial increment, tree water deficit (ΔW) and maximum daily shrinkage (MDS) were derived from the records obtained using high-resolution digital band dendrometers. The study area was located in Arboretum Borová hora (350 m a. s. l., Zvolen valley, Central Slovakia) characterised by a warmer climate (Picea abies) and warmer and drier climate (Abies alba, Larix decidua, Pinus sylvestris) compared to the sites of tree origins. Monitored species exhibited remarkably distinct growth and water balance patterns over the 2015 growing season characterised with the highly above normal temperature and uneven precipitation distribution. A. alba exhibited smooth continuous growth least affected by varying environmental conditions. Of all analysed species, only A. alba showed significant positive correlations of radial growth and ΔW with temperature and global radiation, despite environmental water limitations. The lowest cumulative growth, lower negative values of ΔW and greater MDS of L. decidua indicate a higher water limitation of this species. The results showed more pronounced sensitivity of P. sylvestris to increased temperature and drought. All monitored variables of environmental conditions, except precipitation, significantly influenced MDS values of all studied tree species. Based on 30 variables describing radial stem growth patterns and water status we identified large inter-species variability and discrete species-specific groups, while the indicators of growth and water status of L. decidua and P. sylvestris were similar and the most different patterns were observed between A. alba and L. decidua. The behaviour of P. abies was closer to A. alba than to the other two species.

Geophysical and physicochemical assessment of groundwater and the implication on the public health in rural and semi-urban areas of Northern Nigeria

Groundwater resource plays a central role in every sector of life globally. Unfortunately, the roles of groundwater are often unappreciated in many parts of the world, especially in developing nations. The paper applied a combined geo-electrical method and hydrochemical analysis alongside physical surveys to investigate aquifer promising zones, the quality and the source of water supply in the selected regions. The geo-electric resistivity data were used to select the most aquifer-promising zone for groundwater development with a key interest in groundwater potential and aquifer overburden protective capacity overlying the water-bearing unit. Seventeen (17) vertical electrical sounding (VES) acquired in four regions reveals that the regional weathered/fractured unit which constitutes the aquifer unity extends from 13.4 m to 41.3 m in depth with the subsurface resistivity value varying between 53 Ωm–1013 Ωm in terms of resistivity values. The overburdened thickness (protective soil layers) stretches from 2.5 m to 13 m with a resistive layer of resistivity values ranging from 111 Ωm to 2877 Ωm, which could provide high aquifer protective cover for the regional groundwater systems. The computed aquifer transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity range from 0.54 m2/h\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${m}^{2}/h$$\\end{document}–15.85 m2/h\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${m}^{2}/h$$\\end{document}, and 0.95 m/day–9.19 m/day, respectively. The estimated average longitudinal conductance (0.2 moh) reveals that the regional groundwater systems are moderately protective against surface contaminants. In addition, the physicochemical water analysis was examined, which exposes the level of heavy metals (HMs) compositions in the regional groundwater systems and the possible public health risks compared to WHO permissible drinking water limits. The sample water from the Rivers had the highest concentration of HMs (0.089 mg/I–2.012 mg/l), followed by the hand-dug wells (HWDs) (0.033 mg/l–1.555 mg/l) and the lowest in the borehole (0.011 mg/l–0.511 mg/l). In contrast, the borehole water sample shows a moderation where the HMs presence falls within the WHO standard for drinking water. The outcomes of the study show that 63% of the investigated region consumed water with a high concentration of HMs above the WHO permissible standard allowance for drinking water, while only 37% took water that falls within the WHO permissible standard. In conclusion, the study showed significant impacts of anthropogenic activities on the regional water quality, which provides vital information about the regional groundwater systems and the quality of water supply for adequate groundwater development and sustainability.

Water and nitrogen availability define emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides from desert soil differently

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and water, together and individually, limit soil biological processes in dryland ecosystems and therefore, the availability of each nutrient is a key determinant of ecosystem processes and functions. To assess the importance of each limiting factor for microbial activity in desert soil, we manipulated water, N, and P availability separately and combined. N, P, and NP were added at rates of 10 N or/and P g m−2 under two water regimes: one wetting event, and bi-weekly wetting–drying cycles in addition to natural rainfall. We measured soil respiration, nitrous (N2O) and nitric oxides (NOx) emissions in situ, and potential nitrification and mineralization in laboratory. Soil respiration increased by ∼30% with raised water availability but wasn’t affected by nutrients availability. NOx and to a smaller extent N2O emissions, however, increased with nutrient availability but not with water. Average soil NOx flux increased up to ∼19 folds from 0.03±0.01 μg N m-2 min-1 to 0.52±0.10 μg N m-2 min-1 with the addition of N and N+P but only slightly with addition of P alone (p = 0.06). The removal of both water and NP limitation accelerated only NOx, but nor CO2 neither N2O emissions pointed on other than N and P limitation of soil heterotrophic processes in this alkali desert soil. The potential soil microbial activity was unaffected by the removal of neither water nor NP limitations. Our findings suggest that water primarily influences soil respiration and N availability soil NOx emissions while desert soil is a minor source of N2O. We conclude that heterotrophic and autotrophic microbial activities in desert soils are influenced differently by water and nutrients. Increasing precipitation would likely boost soil respiration and N mineralization rates, leading to decreased soil nutrient organic carbon stocks, while increased N deposition would accelerate gaseous N loss.

Dye-assisted analysis of fluoride in water using UV–visible spectrophotometry: a preliminary study

Abstract Dye-assisted method for the analysis of fluoride content of water has been developed in this study using dyes obtained from some flowering plants. This was done to evaluate the potentials of locally accessible dyes in spectrophotometrically detecting F– levels in fluoride-containing water samples. Dye solutions obtained from scarlet jungle flame, Hibiscus flower, Peacock flower or Barbados pride, Royal poinciana, Pink bauhinia, Barbados lily, or Easter lily were adopted to monitor absorbance and corresponding concentrations of serially prepared F− concentrations in a range of 0.001–0.012 ppm. Dye from the Hibiscus flower gave an optimal performance with R2 = 0.9792. Using this dye, the F– content in water samples obtained from tap waters from Moremi Estate, Modomo, Asherifa, Postgraduate Hall of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and a well water sample from Modomo gave 0.052, 0.053, 0.053, 0.058, and 0.061 ppm, respectively. A comparison of these values indicated that all the water samples monitored were safe for human consumption without experiencing health challenges as the maximum F– limit for potable water recommended by WHO was not exceeded. This study concluded that dye from Hibiscus flower could satisfactorily assist in monitoring F– content in water where ion-selective electrodes are not readily accessible.

Lethal combination for seedlings: extreme heat drives mortality of drought-exposed high-elevation pine seedlings.

Hotter drought- and biotically-driven tree mortality are expected to increase with climate change in much of the western United States, and species persistence will depend upon ongoing establishment under novel conditions or migration to track ecological niche requirements. High-elevation tree species may be particularly vulnerable to increasing water stress as snowpack declines, increasing the potential for adult mortality and simultaneous regeneration failures. Seedling survival will be determined by ecophysiological limitations in response to changing water availability and temperature. We exposed seedlings from populations of Pinus longaeva, Pinus flexilis, and Pinus albicaulis to severe drought and concurrent temperature stress in common gardens testing timing of drought onset under two different temperature regimes. We monitored seedling functional traits, physiological function, and survival. The combined stressors of water limitation and extreme heat led to conservative water use strategies and declines in physiological function, with these joint stressors ultimately exceeding species' tolerances and leading to complete episodic mortality across all species. Growing conditions were the primary determinant of seedling trait expression, with seedlings exhibiting more drought-resistant traits such as lower specific leaf area in the hottest, driest treatment conditions. Water stress-induced stomatal closure was also widely apparent. Under adequate soil moisture, seedlings endured prolonged exposure to high air and surface temperatures, suggesting broad margins for survival. The critical interaction between soil moisture and temperature suggests that rising temperatures will exacerbate growing season moisture stress. Our results highlight the importance of local conditions over population- and species-level influences in shaping strategies for stress tolerance and resistance to desiccation at this early life stage. By quantifying some of the physiological consequences of drought and heat that lead to seedling mortality, we can better understand the future effects of global change on the composition and distribution of high-elevation conifer forests.

Hydrothermally Derived Hydrochar from Waste Sawdust for Solar Vapor Generation

Herein, hydrochar is derived from abundant and low‐cost waste sawdust using hydrothermal carbonization in distilled water with a series of temperatures (150, 200, and 250 °C) and time (2 and 3 h), where the hydrochar characteristics are evaluated toward its application as a solar absorber. The hydrochar‐based solar absorber is fabricated and tested using outdoor solar vapor generation under direct solar radiation with an average solar intensity of 1.26 kW m−2. The solar absorber incorporated with hydrochar is derived at 250 °C for 3 h and displays the best average efficiency (71.35 ± 0.90%) and evaporation rate (1.30 ± 0.04 kg m−2 h−1). The collected clean water salinity (below 300 ppm) and pH (6.72–7.23) from the solar absorber is within the safe drinking water limit by the World Health Organization. Therefore, the hydrochar‐based solar absorber can be used to generate clean water from seawater desalination using solar vapor generation.

Hydroponics Monitoring and Control System

This paper presents the design and construction of a hydroponics monitoring system that can collect parameters of hydroponic systems, such as temperature, water limit, pH level, and nutrient levels. The monitoring system was developed using an ESP32 microcontroller and several sensors, including total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, water level, and temperature sensors. The ESP32 microcontroller gathers and processes data from the sensors to automatically activate the water or salt pump and drain the necessary materials into the hydroponic system's plant basin. The user can then view the hydroponic parameters through the Blynk application on a smart phone. The user can also activate the pumps for water, nutrients, or salt using the application's interface on a smart phone, or the ESP32 microcontroller can activate them automatically if the parameter values deviate from the required values

THE EFFECT OF USING EPOXY RESIN VARIATIONS ON THE VALUE OF COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH, SPLIT STRENGTH, AND ELASTIC MODULUS OF POLYMER MORTARS USING RIVER SAND

The rapid development of physical and infrastructure projects in Indonesia necessitates efficient building materials. Mortar, a standard construction material comprising fine aggregate, water, and cement, has strength, environmental resistance, and flexibility limitations. This study investigates using epoxy resin as a substitute for cement in mortar production. Epoxy resin, a liquid material that hardens into a strong binder, offers potential benefits such as accelerated setting time and increased strength. The research uses river sand as the fine aggregate and varies the epoxy resin content from 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% of the material volume. Tests will measure compressive strength, split tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity across different epoxy resin compositions. Results from Tanjung Pura University's Materials and Construction Laboratory in Pontianak indicate that adding epoxy resin significantly improves compressive strength (up to 35.92 MPa at 25% resin) and tensile strength (up to 3.82 MPa at 25% resin). However, adding epoxy resin leads to a decreased modulus of elasticity, indicating increased deformability. This research sheds light on epoxy resin's impact on mortar strength and informs potential applications in concrete repair and construction.

Satellite hyperspectral imagery reveals scale dependence of functional diversity patterns in a Qinghai-Tibetan alpine meadow

Knowing how functional diversity varies across environmental gradients is crucial in investigating biodiversity formation and community assembly processes. The majority of studies concerning functional diversity are based on one fixed plot size, resulting in weakened sensitivity of the spatial patterns to sampling resolution. This weakness may obscure the true mechanisms behind community assemblage. In this study, we utilized hyperspectral imagery collected by Orbita hyperspectral satellites (OHS) to explore the spatial distribution patterns of functional traits and diversity in alpine meadows at four sampling radii (25 m, 50 m, 100 m, 200 m). We examined how functional traits and their diversity responded to variations in climatic and soil conditions at different sampling resolutions. Our findings revealed a significant influence of solar radiation and soil depth on the patterns of functional traits in alpine meadows. Scale dependency was evident in the functional richness (FRic), functional evenness (FEve), and functional dispersion (FDis) of different traits, indicated by a notable difference from the null model. In the presence of stronger soil nutrient and water limitation, chlorophyll a content (CAC), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf thickness (LT), and plant height (Height) exhibited increased clustering and convergence at larger sampling resolutions, illustrating environmental filtering in habitat patch assembly in the alpine meadow. For the first time, this study explores scale dependency in functional diversity patterns in alpine meadows using satellite-based hyperspectral imagery. It unveils the environmental filtering effect of soil nutrient limitation on shaping vegetation patch structures at a landscape level from a remote sensing perspective. The study underscores the significance of accounting for sampling resolution in future related research.

Physico-Chemical Characteristics of pH-Driven Active Film Loading with Curcumin Based on the Egg White Protein and Sodium Alginate Matrices.

The low solubility and stability of fat-soluble curcumin in water limit its application in active packaging. This study explored the use of a pH-driven method to investigate the preparation and enhancement of the performance of films loaded with curcumin in a matrix of sodium alginate (Alg) and egg white protein (EWP). In this study, the EWP, Alg, and curcumin primarily bind through hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and hydrophobic interactions. Compared to EWP films, the films loaded with curcumin through the pH-driven method exhibited enhanced extensibility and water resistance, with an elongation at break (EB) of 103.56 ± 3.13% and a water vapor permeability (WVP) of 1.67 ± 0.03 × 10-10 g·m/m2·Pa·s. The addition of Alg improved the encapsulation efficiency and thermal stability of curcumin, thereby enhancing the antioxidant activity of the film through the addition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, which resulted in 106.95 ± 2.61 μg TE/g and 144.44 ± 8.89 μg TE/g, respectively. It is noteworthy that the detrimental effect of Alg on the color responsiveness of films containing curcumin has also been observed. This study provides a potential strategy and consideration for the loading of low water-soluble active substances and the preparation of active packaging.

Morpho-physiological adaptations to drought stress in nitrogen-fixing and non-nitrogen-fixing plants

Drought profoundly affects the morpho-physiological responses of desert plants in dryland. To scrutinize the morpho-physiological responses of nitrogen (N)-fixing legumes (Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, Caragana korshinskii), N-fixing non-legumes (Elaeagnus angustifolia, Hippophae rhamnoides), and non-N-fixing plants (Nitraria tangutorum, Haloxylon ammodendron) under varied drought stress levels (75%, 50%, 25% and 5% of soil water holding capacity), a pot experiment was conducted in greenhouse. Following prolonged water deficit, carbon (C) and N stoichiometry, metabolic rates, plant growth, and biomass distribution of unstressed and stressed plants were recorded. Intensified drought significantly reduced stem, root and whole-plant biomass, with no significant changes observed in leaf dry-fresh mass ratio, specific leaf area, intrinsic water use efficiency and root to shoot ratio. However, other traits were impacted differently, reflecting distinct adaptive strategies to drought among three plant functional types (PFTs). Patterns of trait-soil water content (SWC) relationships varied across different PFTs, with N-fixing non-legumes followed by N-fixing legumes displayed greater sensitivity to SWC variations than non-N-fixing plants. This resulted in a shift from a stronger trait-SWC relationship in N-fixing non-legumes and N-fixing legumes to a less correlated relationship in non-N-fixing plants. The diverse responses to drought among PFTs suggest a shift from N limitation to water limitation as SWC decreases.

Global peak water limit of future groundwater withdrawals

Global peak water limit of future groundwater withdrawals

Transcriptomic and metabolomic insights into drought response strategies of two Astragalus species

Drought is a major environmental constraint to plant productivity, and plants cope with water limitation using drought avoidance and/or tolerance strategies. Mesoxerophyte Astragalus mongholicus displayed better drought resistance than the mesophyte A. membranaceus. However, the underlying response mechanisms are still elusive. In this study, we characterized the morphological, physiological, molecular, and metabolic responses to drought stress to reveal the different response strategies in the two Astragalus species. The susceptible A. membranaceus, with a larger leaf area, showed significant stomatal closure at moderate drought stress, indicating drought avoidance strategy to minimize transpiration. A. mongholicus, with a smaller leaf area, was better in maintaining photosynthesis and activating antioxidant enzymes than A. membranaceus towards the drought tolerance strategy. Drought has greater disturbance on gene expression in A. membranaceus, compared to A. mongholicus, indicating that A. membranaceus was more sensitive in the face of drought. Meanwhile, highly conserved osmotic stress signal transduction pathways were discovered in two Astragalus species under drought treatment. The up-regulation of dehydration-responsive element-binding gene (DREB) expression in A. mongholicus, initiating a series of stress response pathways to help plants adapt and cope with water limitation, showed better “tolerance” than in A. membranaceus. An increase of compatible solutes in A. membranaceus indicates a positive response in regulating osmotic homeostasis in response to drought. The greater investment in antioxidant supplementation phenolic compounds of A. mongholicus suggests the “Tolerance” strategy. Furthermore, the greater antioxidant investment of A. mongholicus is evidenced by higher antioxidant efficacies in terms of antiradical activity. In summary, we conclude that the “Tolerance” strategy of A. mongholicus and the “Avoidance” strategy of A. membranaceus in the face of drought stress can be established.

An SNP based genotyping assay for genes associated with drought tolerance in bread wheat.

SnRK2 plays vital role in responding to adverse abiotic stimuli. The applicability of TaSnRK2.4 and TaSnRK2.9 was investigated to leverage the potential of these genes in indigenous wheat breeding programs. Genetic diversity was assessed using pre-existing markers for TaSnRK2.4 and TaSnRK2.9. Furthermore, new markers were also developed to enhance their broader applicability. KASP markers were designed for TaSnRK2.4, while CAPS-based markers were tailored for TaSnRK2.9. Analysis revealed lack of polymorphism in TaSnRK2.4 among Pakistani wheat germplasm under study. To validate this finding, available gel-based markers for TaSnRK2.4 were employed, producing consistent results and offering limited potential for application in marker-assisted wheat breeding with Pakistani wheat material. For TaSnRK2.9-5A, CAPS2.9-5A-1 and CAPS2.9-5A-2 markers were designed to target SNP positions at 308 nt and 1700 nt revealing four distinct haplotypes. Association analysis highlighted the significance of Hap-5A-1 of TaSnRK2.9-5A, which exhibited association with an increased number of productive tillers (NPT), grains per spike (GPS), and reduced plant height (PH) under well-watered (WW) conditions. Moreover, it showed positive influence on NPT under WW conditions, GPS under water-limited (WL) conditions, and PH under both WW and WL conditions. High selection intensity observed for Hap-5A-1 underscores the valuable role it has played in Pakistani wheat breeding programs. Gene expression studies of TaSnRK2.9-5A revealed the involvement of this gene in response to PEG, NaCl, low temperature and ABA treatments. These findings propose that TaSnRK2.9 can be effectively employed for improving wheat through marker-assisted selection in wheat breeding efforts.

A REVIEW PAPER ON FIRE FIGHTING ROBOT

Firefighting robots are becoming increasingly important tools for combatting fires, particularly in hazardous environments. This paper reviews the latest advancements in real-time wireless firefighting robots. We explore the design considerations, functionalities, and sensor technologies employed in these robots. The paper highlights the importance of autonomous navigation, fire source detection and localization, and fire suppression mechanisms for effective firefighting. We discuss various fire extinguisher options beyond traditional water-based systems to address the limitations of water in extinguishing specific fires. Additionally, the paper examines the role of real-time communication for remote control and data transmission, enabling firefighters to make informed decisions and ensure their safety during operations. Finally, the review concludes by emphasizing the potential of real-time wireless firefighting robots to revolutionize fire response strategies and improve firefighter safety. · Key Words: Firefighting robots, localization, fire suppression mechanisms

Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis modulates nitrogen uptake and assimilation to enhance drought tolerance of Populus cathayana

This study aims to investigate effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on nitrogen (N) uptake and assimilation in Populus cathayana under drought stress (DS). Herein, we measured photosynthetic performance, antioxidant enzyme system, N level and N assimilation enzymes, proteins content and distribution, transcripts of genes associated with N uptake or transport in P. cathayana with AMF (AM) or without AMF (NM) under soil water limitation and adequate irrigation. Compared with NM-DS P. cathayana, the growth, gas exchange properties, antioxidant enzyme activities, total N content and the proportion of water-soluble and membrane-bound proteins in AM-DS P. cathayana were increased. Meanwhile, nitrate reductase (NR) activity, NO3− and NO2− concentrations in AM-DS P. cathayana were reduced, while NH4+ concentration, glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate synthetase (GOGAT) activities were elevated, indicating that AM symbiosis reduces NO3− assimilation while promoting NH4+ assimilation. Furthermore, the transcriptional levels of NH4+ transporter genes (PcAMT1-4 and PcAMT2-1) and NO3− transporter genes (PcNRT2-1 and PcNRT3-1) in AM-DS P. cathayana roots were significantly down-regulated, as well as NH4+ transporter genes (PcAMT1-6 and PcAMT4-3) in leaves. In AM P. cathayana roots, DS significantly up-regulated the transcriptional levels of RiCPSI and RiURE, the key N transport regulatory genes in AMF compared with adequate irrigation. These results indicated that AM N transport pathway play an essential role on N uptake and utilization in AM P. cathayana to cope with DS. Therefore, this research offers a novel perspective on how AM symbiosis enhances plant resilience to drought at aspect of N acquisition and assimilation.

Contrasting shrub and grass hydraulic responses to experimental drought.

Whole-plant hydraulics provide important information about responses to water limitation and can be used to understand how plant communities may change in a drier climate when measured on multiple species. Here, we measured above- and belowground hydraulic traits in Cornus drummondii, an encroaching shrub within North American tallgrass prairies, and Andropogon gerardii, a dominant C4 grass, to assess the potential hydraulic responses to future drought as this region undergoes woody expansion. Shelters that reduced precipitation by 50% and 0% were built over shrubs and grasses growing in sites that are burned at 1-year and 4-year frequencies. We then measured aboveground (Kshoot), belowground (Kroot), and whole-plant maximum hydraulic conductance (Kplant) in C. drummondii and Kroot in A. gerardii. We also measured vulnerability to embolism (P50) in C. drummondii stems. Overall, we show that: (1) A. gerardii had substantially greater Kroot than C. drummondii; (2) belowground hydraulic functioning was linked with aboveground processes; (3) above- and belowground C. drummondii hydraulics were not negatively impacted by the rainfall reductions imposed here. These results suggest that a multi-year drought will not ameliorate rates of woody expansion and highlight key differences in aboveground and belowground hydraulics for dominant species within the same ecosystem.

Variation in oxidative defense system and physiological traits in Maize under drought stress

The study included the role of key metabolites involved in oxidative defense, and osmotic adjustment under water stress is still undiscovered. We have evaluated whether antioxidant potential could be nominated as a potential marker of drought resistance in three maize hybrids (SC01, SC703, and SC720). Underwater deficiency in all maize hybrids decreased significantly compared to control samples in grain yield, photosynthetic pigments, and phenolic compounds. In contrast, proline and glycine betaine (GB) significantly increased. In contrast, a significant increase (p<?0.05) was detected in the lipid peroxidation indicator of malondialdehyde (MDA). The hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and total soluble proteins remained unaffected under drought stress in the three maize hybrids. Electrophoretic investigations attributed three, two, and one isoforms, respectively, to peroxidase (POX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). In the studied maize hybrids, SOD isoforms, including Fe-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD, and Mn-SOD, appeared on the 8% slab polyacrylamide gels. The water stress decreases Mn-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD, and Fe-SOD activities in all three hybrids. Further, POX1, POX2, and CAT activities decreased in SC01 and SC703, while they increased in SC720 under water deficit stress. In all maize hybrids, oxidative stress from water limitation leads to significant changes in the enzymatic/non-enzymatic antioxidants and main organic osmolytes. Based on the current study's findings, we believe that Cu/Zn-SOD activity, proline, and photosynthetic pigments might be used as biochemical indicators of water stress tolerance.

Evaluating the quality and nutritional content of bottled waters in Algeria

Abstract The present study offers a quality assessment of the mineral and spring waters marketed in Algeria within the national and international legislations, examines the potential contribution of bottled waters to essential elements intake and effects on public health based on empirical, graphical tools, multivariate statistical techniques and (DRI) system. The study covered a dataset of 30 mineral and 33 spring brands. The parameters included, from bottle labels, were of physicochemical nature. All brands comply with National WHO norms for the bottled waters, except for (Brand#63) in which NO2− exceeded the maximum permissible limit for mineral water and (Brands#4 and #21) in which TH and TDS exceeded the Algerian recommended guidelines for spring water. Nearly 5% of the total brands were of bicarbonate nature belonging to mineral water, while 25% of all brands were suitable for low-sodium-diet. PCA and HCA showed that bottled waters could be classified into two distinct groups, according to degree of mineralization. The DRI system revealed that Algerian bottled waters contributed substantially to the daily intake for Mg2+ with up to (63%), Na+ (40.36%) and Ca2+ (36%) for spring water for different ages and genders, whereas mineral water exceeded the maximum recommended daily intake for Ca2+ (128%) and Na+ (148.36%) for adults.

FORMULASI SEDIAAN SABUN PADAT EKSTRAK ETANOL KULIT BUAH PEPAYA (CARICA PAPAYA L.)

Papaya skin (Carica papaya L.) has antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and Escherichia coli bacteria. This research aims to find out whether papaya peel extract can be formulated into solid soap. Solid soap preparations were made in 4 formulas with F0 (formula 0) as the base and the addition of papaya peel extract at Fl (formula 1) 3.5 g, FII (formula 2) 7 g, and FIII (formula 3) 10.5 g. The formulated solid soap preparation is subjected to physical evaluation including organoleptic, pH, foam height tests, water and free alkali content. The research results showed that all formulas met the requirements except for the water and free alkali content tests which did not meet the requirements because they still exceeded the maximum limit for free water & alkali content set by SNI 2016.