Wood Cuttings Research Articles

Response of guava (Psidium guajava L.) softwood cuttings to paclobutrazol application in different rooting media

The scope of clonal propagation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) by soft wood cuttings collected from mature plant is described. The most successful media among those traditionally used and to identify promising alternatives was determined. Soft wood cuttings were done to determine the most successful medium and Paclobutrazol (PBZ) hormone concentration. Guava soft wood cuttings were treated with 0, 200, 400 and 600 mg/l PBZ solution and planted in three different rooting media (sand, silt and top soil) and rooted in low-tunnel. The cuttings were allowed to grow under low-tunnel for three months to assess the rooting capability and shooting competency. The study revealed that the species has a great potential for clonal propagation through soft wood cuttings.

Micropropagation of ‘Chester thornless’ Blackberry Cultivar using Axillary Bud Explants

Sexual propagation is not suitable for production of true to type plants for commercial cultivation of selected cultivars due to the having heterozygous characteristics. Rubus species are highly heterozygous and therefore when they are propagated by seeds the high plant variability is obtained. Micropropagation methods became very important and have many advantages compared to the classical propagation methods. In Turkey, blackberries are commonly propagated by hard and soft wood cuttings, by layering and bush division. Propagation by layers requires rather large area for a layered, and weed control among the layers is a problem. However, propagation by cuttings is connected with important problem in inadequate rooting, especially in ‘Chester Thornless’ cultivar, which is one of the most commercially grown cultivar. In addition, limited number of plants can be propagated using classical propagation method and thus demand of growers for the plants can not be satisfied. Optimized and highly efficient regeneration protocols are also important for genetic transformation for improving of new cultivars. In this study we focused on optimization of protocol for in vitro propagation of ‘Chester Thornless’ blackberry cultivar using nodal segments. For this purpose, explants were cultured on Woody Plant Medium (WPM) supplemented with combination of plant growth regulators BAP (1.5, 2, 3 mg/l) with NAA (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 mg/l) to detect the best multiplication medium. According to the obtained results, the highest proliferation rate was obtained for cultivar ‘Chester Thornless’ that produced 9.66 shoots on a medium containing 2 mg/I BAP+0.2 mg/I IBA combination. GA3 effects on multiplication rates were also studied and generally the highest rates obtained by while GA3 were not used. For the rooting, different concentrations of IBA and NAA (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/I) were compared. A concentration of 0.4 mg/l NAA gave the greatest number of roots and maximum root length.

Clonal propagation technique for mass multiplication of Noni (Morinda citrifolia) seedlings

A study was under taken to standardize the type of cutting, concentration of growth hormone and suitable rooting media to produce elite seedlings in Morinda citrifolia at Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam. Investigation was carried out to standardize the treatments to induce root and shoot growth in different types of cuttings of Morinda citrifolia L. using two growth regulators (IAA, IBA) used in different concentrations (1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500 ppm) in two kinds growth medium (Sand and Coir) for different type of cuttings, 2500 ppm IBA treatment recorded its superiority in terms of maximum sprouting (85%), rooting (79%) and survival (70%) percentage, number of roots (15.83), root length (8.51 cm), number of shoots (4.00) and shoot length (9.43 cm) in leafy shoot cuttings, irrespective of rooting media used. From this current study it is concluded that, for macro clonal propagation of noni ( Morinda citrifolia L.), either leafy shoot cuttings or hard wood cuttings could be treated with 2500 ppm IBA or semi hard wood cuttings could be treated with 1500 ppm IAA and could be planted in coir pith medium for the production of elite planting materials.

Effect of Mulching, Shading, Spacing and Cutting Thickness on Propagation of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) by Cuttings

<p>The effect of plastic mulching, coloured shade netting, spacing and cutting thickness on rooting success and growth of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) through hard wood cuttings is addressed. Use of silver black plastic mulching film resulted in 10 per cent higher rooting success and significant plant growth. Suppression of weed emergence by the plastic mulch resulted in 75.8 per cent time saving in manual weeding by farm workers. No significant gender difference in rooting success was observed. Reduction in light intensity by 66 per cent using green shade net resulted in significant reduction in rooting and growth of nursery plants. Three different spacing between cuttings did not show significant difference in rooting and growth related parameters suggesting that cuttings can be planted denser (3"×3") under mulching to get higher number of nursery stock per unit area. Cutting thickness showed significant effect on rooting success. Highest rooting percentage was observed in pencil thickness cuttings (7.5 ± 1.6 mm dia) followed by cuttings with 2.9 ± 0.8 mm and 11.3 ± 1.7 mm basal diameter. The result of the present study could facilitate establishment of a vegetative propagation method wherein faster growth and larger number of cuttings can be propagated with higher rooting success rate.</p>

Determination of mutagenic sensitivity of hardwood cuttings of grapes ‘Red Globe’ and ‘Muscat’ ( Vitis vinifera L.) to gamma rays

Abstract In a mutation breeding experiment, LD 50 gives an indication of the response of different types of plant materials of a species to mutagen, so that the optimal dose(s) can be fixed to obtain higher recovery mutants with minimal population loss. In the present investigation hard wood cuttings of grape cv . ‘Red Globe’ and ‘Muscat’ were treated with ten different dosages of gamma rays ranging from 5 to 50 Gy and compared along with an untreated set of control. The results revealed a gradual and significant reduction in survival of cuttings, shoot length, leaf length and leaf width with increase in dosage of gamma rays. There was a complete inhibition of survival (100%) over control in the treatments above 35 Gy of gamma rays. The probit curve analysis based on the survival percentage and growth rate of treated cuttings revealed that, LD 50 dosage of gamma rays to be 15–20 Gy for ‘Red Globe’ and 15–25 Gy for ‘Muscat’.

Современные лесные дисковые плуги-рыхлители

The article is devoted to problems of forest regeneration and promote natural regeneration in conditions of wood cuttings down, in particular, the designs of tillage tools for primary soil preparation. Tillage equipment operated under such conditions, must possess high permeability and strength, while providing acceptable quality. These requirements correspond to the most ploughs-rippers with disk working bodies. It uses both passive and active working bodies, which brings the first disc plows and heavy harrows, and the second milling tillage. On the basis of the spent constructive analysis of existing tools their classification by drive type (with an active mechanical drive, with an active hydraulic drive, with a passive drive), method of aggregation (rear-mounted mounted, mounted on lateral faces) and to type of the safety mechanism (spring, hydraulic, without safety locks) is resulted.The tools representing various constructive types are in more details considered. Given their technical characteristics: variants of aggregation, type of drive, quantity of working bodies, the width, the diameter of the disk working bodies, depth of processing, type of safety mechanism, weight. The short description of designs and appointment disk rippers is given.On each tool the critical analysis is carried out and conclusions are drawn on possibility of its application in conditions not cleared cuttings down. Based on the analysis formulated the main requirements to prospective disk rippers that will effectively carry out basic preparation of the soil in conditions not cleared cuttings down at height of stubs to 50 sm in various conditions of the Russian Federation.

Effect of different growing media on the rooting of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. 'Phulearakta' cuttings

To identify the most efficient growing medium for root and shoot development in stem cuttings of pomegranate cv. ‘Phulearakta’ under arid conditions, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications during 2014-15 at ICAR-CIAH, Bikaner. About 15-20 cm long hard wood cuttings, 0.5-1.0 cm diameter and having three to four buds were separated from the healthy trees and planted in mid-January. Detached cuttings were treated with 2500 ppm of IBA (3- Indole butyric acid) using quick dip technique (for 5 seconds) and planted in five rooting substrates i.e.sand, vermiculite, perlite, cocopeat and garden soil (control) alone and in combination at 1:1 (v/v). The response of perlite + vermiculite medium was best in terms of rooting (82.33 per cent), number of roots (32.67 per cutting), fresh and dry weight of roots (0.61 mg and 2.08 mg), shoots per cutting (80.33) and survival (76.0 per cent) than the other medium used. Vermiculite + Coco peat 1:1 (v/v) combination also resulted in rooting in more than 80 per cent of cuttings whereas cuttings raised in garden soil and sand showed very low rooting. Based on the findings, it appears that Perlite + vermiculite 1:1 (v/v) and vermiculite + cocopeat may be appropriate alternatives to the conventially used substrate, i.e., garden soil for the better rooting and establishment of pomegranate cultivar 'PhuleArakta' cuttings.

English

The present investigation on clonal multiplication of guava (Psidium guajava L.) soft wood cuttings was done with the aim to determine the most successful media and rooting hormone (IBA) concentration. Guava soft wood cuttings were treated with 0, 200, 400 and 600 mg kg -1 IBA solution when planted in three different rooting media (sand, silt and top soil) under low-plastic tunnel. The cuttings were allowed to grow under low-plastic tunnel for 90 day to evaluate the rooting capability and shooting competency. The study showed that the species has a great potential for clonal multiplication through soft wood cuttings. The highest number of roots and root length were observed in the cutting treated with 400 mg kg -1 IBA solution in sand, and the lowest in the cuttings without IBA treatment in sand media. In general 400 mg kg -1 IBA treatment with silt as rooting media performed better as compared to the other treatments. However, the highest survival percentage (50%) was observed in the cuttings rooted in silt media and treated with 200 mg kg -1 IBA solution. Experimental results showed the potential of clonal propagation of guava through soft wood cuttings treated with auxin under simpler and cheaper low-plastic tunnel. © 2016 Friends Science Publishers

Impact of Auxin and Rooting Media on Root Formation in Semi - Hard Wood Cuttings of Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Neem)

INFLUENCIA DA AUXINA E TIPOS DE SUBSTRATOS NA FORMACAO DE RAIZES EM ESTACAS DE NIM INDIANO (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) Azadirachta indica e uma planta lenhosa perene da familia Meliaceae, nativa do subcontinente indiano e com distribuicao nas regioes tropicais e subtropicais do mundo. Para a multiplicacao eficiente e a conservacao dos recursos geneticos do nim indiano, avaliou-se os efeitos de diferenes concentracoes de auxina e de diferentes meios de enraizamento (substratos) na formacao de raizes adventicias (ARF) em estacas de madeira semi-dura de Azadirachta indica . Foram avaliados tres meios de enraizamento diferentes (areia, vermiculita e solo), tres tipos de auxina (IBA, IAA e NAA) e 6 concentracoes (100, 250, 500, 750, 1000 e 1500 mg L-1), em delineamento completo de blocos causalizados (DBC). Foram observados efeitos significativos do tipo de auxina, da concentracao e dos meios de enraizamento na formacao de raizes adventicias de estacas semi-duras de nim indiano. As estacas foram avaliadas quanto ao percentual de enraizamento, numero de brotos, numero de raizes, comprimento da raiz e numero de folhas. Os dados revelaram que houve efeito significativo (p < 0,05) de auxina-vermiculita em todas as variaveis analisadas. Os dados mostraram que foi obtido um maximo de 65% de enraizamento com medias de 3.00 brotos, 32.38 raizes com comprimento medio de 5.77 cm e 4.92 numeros de folhas, quando as estacas foram tratadas com 500 ppm de IBA. A determinacao de protocolos de enraizamento adequados e o uso de estacas de madeira semi-duras foram comprovados como as melhores opcoes para a multiplicacao de A. indica. As plântulas enraizadas foram aclimatadas em estufas de polietileno de baixa densidade e em telados com sombreamento agricola. Estas plantas mostraram boa taxa de sobrevivencia de 80% em condicoes de campo. Palavras-chave : estacas de madeira semi-dura, hormonios vegetais, substratos, nim indiano. ABSTRACT: Azadirachta indica is an evergreen woody plant of Meliaceae family, native to Indian subcontinent and distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. For efficient multiplication and conservation of the genetic resources of neem, the effect auxin, their different concentration in different rooting media on adventitious root formation (ARF) in semi - hard wood cuttings of Azadirachta indica was studied. Three different rooting media (sand, vermiculite and soil) were used and the experiment was established using three types of auxin (IBA, IAA and NAA) and 6 concentration (100, 250, 500, 750, 1000 and 1500 mg L-1), in a complete randomized block design (CRBD). Significant effects of auxin, their concentration and rooting media on adventitious root formation of neem semi hard wood cuttings were observed. Semi hard wood cuttings were assessed for rooting percentage, number of sprouts, number of roots, root length and number of leaves. Data revealed that there was significant effect (p < 0.05) of auxin - vermiculite on rooting percentage, number of sprouts, number of root, length of root and number of leaves. The data showed that a maximum of 65% rooting with 3.00 numbers of sprout, 32.38 number of roots with 5.77 cm root length and 4.92 numbers of leaves was obtained, when these cuttings were treated with 500 ppm IBA. The determination of proper rooting protocols and the use of semi hard wood cuttings were proved important for multiplication of A. indica. The rooted plantlets were successfully hardened and acclimatized in poly house and agro shade house. These plants showed a good survival rate of 80% under field conditions. Keywords : semi - hard wood cutting, vegetable hormone, rooting media. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/2318-7670.v05n04a10

Effect of different concentrations of IBA on rooting of Guava Psidium guava L. in low tunnel under shady situation

Softwood cuttings of gola variety of guava were successfully rooted by quick dip method of dipping the basal ends of the cuttings in mixture of indole-3-butyric acid in low tunnel under shady situation. The treated lots in every instance had a greater percentage of rooted cuttings with a higher number of roots per cutting as produced by control. Cuttings were dipped for 5 s in mixture of 0, 2000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 ppm of IBA. The data showed a significant positive effect of different IBA concentrations on the guava establishment. The rooted soft wood cuttings were assessed for days to sprout, sprouted cuttings, sprouting percent, average number of roots per cuttings, average root length and survival percent. In present studies among all the IBA concentration, IBA (4000 ppm) showed highest results in terms of days to sprout (22.00), sprouted cuttings (40.11), sprouting percent (68.22), average number of roots per cutting (31.65), average root length (31.65) and survival percent (57.82) respectively. In absence of indole-3-butyric acid treatment, cuttings had not rooted. We suggest that the use of softwood cuttings tested associated to indole-3-butyric acid as quick dip for 5s may be beneficial to commercial propagators with well-developed root system. The development of healthier plants after hardening under in vivo conditions showed that guava could be effectively propagated by this cheapest and soft wood cuttings technique.

Life traits of four Botryosphaeriaceae species and molecular responses of different grapevine cultivars or hybrids

Botryosphaeriaceae is a fungal family comprising many species involved in botryosphaeria dieback, a worldwide grapevine trunk disease. Currently, the interactions between Botryosphaeriaceae species and various grapevine cultivars are poorly understood and little data is available. This study investigated various life traits of five isolates belonging to four species of Botryosphaeriaceae found in French vineyards (Diplodia mutila, Diplodia seriata, Lasiodiplodia viticola and Neofusicoccum parvum). The two species N. parvum and L. viticola exhibited the highest optimal growth temperature and the best growth rates. They were also responsible for the most extensive necrosis and cankers in three Vitis vinifera cultivars (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Ugni‐Blanc) that differed in susceptibility to botryosphaeria dieback, and in two genotypes resistant to downy and powdery mildew (RV4 and RV5). Identification of the extracellular toxins produced by isolates in culture media showed that the N. parvum isolate had a different metabolite profile from the others, producing terremutin and salicylic acid derivatives, which are known to be compounds associated with virulence. In a second step, life traits were associated with nondestructive monitoring of gene expression involved in the defence mechanisms of five grapevine cultivars and genotypes after inoculation of wood cuttings with Botryosphaeriaceae. The transcript analyses were carried out at different times and were associated with principal component analysis (PCA). Each cultivar presented a specific transcript signature and several transcripts were correlated either with the size of necrosis/cankers or with symptom reduction, thus offering useful markers for breeding or estimating the defence status of plants.

Effects of cutting types and hormonal concentration on vegetative propagation of Zanthoxylum armatum in Garhwal Himalaya, India

Experiments were carried out to define the effects of hormonal concentrations on semi-hard wood (SHW) and hard-wood (HW) branch cuttings of the Z. armatum. SHW and HW cuttings were collected in the month of March. The SHW and HW cuttings were treated with different concentration of indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-butyric acid (IAA and IBA) and placed in vermiculite rooting medium for 90 days under 1-min misting after 10 min. Sprouting, rooting percentage, sprout number, sprout length, root number, and length were measured. The highest rooting and sprouting rate, 64.0 %, was obtained at the 0.3 % IBA treatment in the SHW cuttings. Similarly sprout length and number of roots per cutting were also higher at the 0.3 % IBA treatment in the SHW cuttings. The number of shoots per cutting was higher at the 0.3 % IAA treatment in the SHW cuttings. Root length per cutting was higher in 0.4 % IBA treatment in the SHW cuttings. The results indicated that 0.3 and 0.4 % IBA treatment produce higher rooting percentages as well as the number of roots and their length in SHW cuttings. The HW cuttings produced maximum rate of 18.0 % rooting in 0.5 % IBA treatment. The control set and lower concentrations of IBA and IAA completely failed to root in the mist chamber.

A model for improving sustainable green waste recovery

Green waste, consisting of leaves, wood cuttings from pruning, and grass collected from parks and gardens, is a source of biomass that can be used for material and energy valorization. Until recently, the EU-Waste Directive 2009/28/EC allowed green waste to be used as feedstock only for compost. This paper presents a framework for examining the most sustainable processing options for green waste valorization in terms of the triple bottom line, People–Planet–Profit. A mathematical model is presented that optimizes profit, as well as environmental and social impact. Four processing options are compared and analyzed: composting, partial separation of wood cuttings prior to composting, partial separation of chopped wood cuttings in the sieve overflow after composting, and a combination of the last two options. Computational results for a Belgian case demonstrate that the optimal sustainable recovery solution is to separate a fraction of the wood cuttings in the sieve overflow for use as green energy feedstock. Additionally, if sufficiently large subsidies are available to separate wood cuttings prior to composting, the optimal solution shifts to one of partially separating the cuttings both prior to composting and in the sieve overflow, and then using the combined cuttings for energy valorization. Whenever cuttings are partially separated the remainder of the green waste is composted.

Seasonal Variation in Rooting Behaviour of Ginkgo biloba L. Cuttings

Propagation by cuttings is an effective method for ex-situ conservation of plants. In the present study, propagation of Ginkgo biloba L. was conducted using hardwood and semi hard wood cuttings. The cuttings from basal part of the tree were selected for the experiment and planted during rainy (i.e. July) and summer season (i.e. April) at Central Department of Botany, T.U. Cuttings beds were prepared using 3:1 sand and soil. Different concentration of auxins such as IAA, NAA and IBA were found effective in inducing rooting. During July, the stem cuttings treated with 1000 ppm IAA for 30 minutes induced highest percentage (90 %) and statistically signifi cant (P&lt; 0.05) rooting while those treated with same concentration and time induced only 40% rooting during April. Like wise other auxins NAA and IBA induced more rooting during July and less rooting during April. Cuttings planted as control, during July showed 10 % rooting while during April did not show any rooting. Among all the auxins studied, IAA hormone and rainy season was found to be the most effective for rooting of G. biloba cuttings. From the anatomical study it was revealed that vascular cambium, secondary phloem, cortical cells and pericycle cells took part on rooting. Successfully rooted cuttings were then transferred to the natural soil condition. J. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol. 26, 2012: 175-180

Vegetative propagation of Karanja (Pongamia pinnata L. Pierre ) through stem cuttings

The present study on vegetative propagation of Karanja ( Pongamia pinnata L.Pierre ) through stem cuttings showed maximum sprouting (100%), rooting (90%), rooting length (28.33 cm), root number (24.66), fresh biomass (63.66 g), dry biomass (34.38 g) in semi hard wood cutting of 25 cm length treated with 1000 ppm IAA, hard wood cutting of 25 cm length treated with 800 ppm IBA, hard wood cuttings of 15 cm length treated with 1000 ppm IAA, hard wood cutting of 25 cm length treated with 2000 ppm IAA, semi hard wood cuttings of 25 cm length treated with 200 ppm IBA, and hard wood cutting of 25 cm length treated with 1000 ppm IAA, respectively. It showed that hard wood cuttings of 25 cm length treated with IBA promotes better sprouting, rooting percent, root number and biomass than IAA. For production of healthy seedlings the semi hard wood cutting of 25 cm length should be treated with 200 ppm IBA.

Cost and return analysis of phalsa (Grewia asiaticaL.) propagation by semi-hard wood cuttings

Phalsa (Grewia asiatica L.) belongs to family Tiliaceae and is native to the Indian sub-continent and South-East Asia. But there is hardly any work which has analysed its costs and returns.In order to evaluate the most profitable treatment, economic analysis of treatments was worked out in terms of net returns and benefit cost (B:C) ratio. The cost and analysis structure of production of 1000 plants through rooting of cuttings was worked out for 15th July, 30th July, 15th August and 30th August planting in combination with IBA (150 ppm, 300 ppm and 450 ppm), NAA (150 ppm, 300 ppm and 450 ppm) and untreated cuttings planted i.e., treatment seven on different dates of planting. The cost incurred on preparation of land (500.00), labour charges (515.00), Farm yard manure (180.00), planting material ( 1500.00), irrigation (560.00) and depreciation on assets ( 79.80) was found to be same in all the treatments. The cost incurred on the preparation of different solutions of IBA in various treatments was found to be 403.20 for 450 ppm IBA followed by 269.00 for 300 ppm IBA and 134.40 for 150 ppm IBA and in case of preparation of NAA it was found to be 378.00, 252.00 and 126.00, respectively. It was found that 30th July was best date of planting of phalsa cuttings and IBA treatment was best among growth regulators treatment. Also phalsa cuttings treated with IBA 300 ppm and planted on 30th July showed highest survival percentage (71%) and net returns ( 3496.20) Thus, planting of phalsa cuttings on 30th July and treated with IBA 300 ppm was found to be best treatment combination as evidenced by the cost: benefit ratio of 1:1.97.

Conservation status of Taxus floridana, a critically endangered evergreen coniferous plant

Taxus floridana Nutt. ex Chapm. is a slow growing, evergreen, coniferous plant restricted along the Apalachicola river in north-western Florida. Owing to its confinement to a small area and its declining population the specie is regarded as critically endangered plant according to IUCN. Besides its slow growth, many factors led to severe decline in the population of this species in past few decades. Ripened cones of T. Floridana are an important source of food for many bird species, beavers chew off the tops of young stems and white tailed-deer also rubs on these trees. Florida yew is also highly sensitive to fire. T. floridana also contains an important anticancer drug “Paclitaxel” which is also found in Taxus brevifolia and T. Canadensis. Paclitaxel is used in the treatment of various forms of cancer. These entire factors led to serious decline in the population of this species in past few decades. Florida yew is ideal to be used as hedge or in foundation planting but it seldom appears in nurseries. T. Floridana should be used in home landscapes in order to avoid its extinction. T. floridana can also be propagated through stem cuttings. It has been observed that mature wood cuttings taken in winter root well under mist. Several conservation studies and efforts were made to conserve it like other species of the same genus, but a more comprehensive and multipleapproach conservation strategy is required to ensure its conservation. Long term monitoring programs and propagation studies may prove fruitful in conserving such critically endangered species.

Superheater fouling in a BFB boiler firing wood-based fuel blends

Four different fuel blends have been fired in a 28MWel BFB. Wood pellets (test 0) were not problematic for about ten years, contrary to a mixture of demolition wood, wood cuttings, compost overflow, paper sludge and roadside grass (test 1) which caused excessive fouling at a superheater bundle after already a few weeks. Two week tests with the test 2 blend (wood chips and cuttings, compost overflow and paper sludge) and test 3 blend (wood chips, demolition wood and wood cuttings) showed that, based on air cooled probe tests, fouling was slightly higher with test 3 compared to test 2. The bulk of the deposits consisted of a mixture of CaSO4 and K2SO4 (with minor amounts of Na2SO4). The occurrence of alkali sulfates is explained by a combination of 4 different deposition mechanisms. Gaseous alkali chlorides that condense, either as chlorides or sulfates and form aerosols, that deposit, especially initially, by thermophoresis (1), and, in the more mature deposit, by eddy diffusion and Brownian diffusion (2). The gaseous alkalis can also condense directly on the tube surface or on, or in the deposit (3). Gaseous alkalis can also condense on larger particle surfaces that deposit by inertial impaction (4). Whether gaseous alkalis have sulfatized during transport or after deposition, or both, could not be determined. CaSO4 is formed by sulfation of Ca-containing particles (not being silicates or slag) that cause the deposits to be sintered modestly (tests 2 and 3) or to a large extent (test 1, matured deposit). A molten K–Na–SO4–Cl salt is thermodynamically stable at the temperature range of tube surface +40K to local flue gas temperature, and may also have contributed to sintering when reactive Ca is present locally in only low concentrations. Thermodynamic calculations predict fouling tendency as test 3>test 2>test 1>test 0. The total amount of molten salt seemed a better predictor for fouling than the amount of salt as a percentage of total ash.

Effects of the time of cuttings collection and IBA concentration on the rooting of softwood cuttings from elite trees of Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) in Belgrade area

In this study, the effect of concentration of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (powder dip), cutting type as well as the time of taking cuttings on the rooting of softwood cuttings of cornelian cherry was examined. Four types of cuttings were used: basal cuttings, terminal cuttings, basal cuttings with 2-year-old wood and terminal cuttings with 2-year-old wood. The obtained results showed that IBA concentration, cutting type and time of collecting have significant effect on rooting. The best results were obtained using 1% IBA and cuttings collected in the second term (in mid-July) had a higher rooting percentage. Terminal cuttings treated with 1% IBA (powder dip) should be used for optimum results. In that case the rooting percentage was very high (over 90%) in both terms of cuttings collection.

Urea Intercalated Biochar–a Slow Release Fertilizer Production and Characterisation

A laboratory study was undertaken to determine the N release pattern of Urea Intercalated Biochar derived from Prosopis juliflora. Biochar was produced by pyrolysing the wood cuttings excluding the bark at 350°C. The resultant biochar was characterized using XRD, FT-IR, Raman Spectroscopy and SEM. After characterization, different forms of nitrogen viz., NH 4 + , NO 3 − , NH 2 , Combined NH 4 + and NO 3 − were loaded at varying concentrations (20-200 mM) and sorption and desorption characteristics were examined. Among the forms tested, urea fortified with biochar showed lower desorption at levels of N loading concentration. A new biochar based formulation was evolved by intercalating biochar with urea at 1:1 ratio through hydrothermal method. The intercalated urea: biochar (1:1 ratio) fertilizer was characterised using the set of equipments and the total nitrogen was quantified as 30% as per the EDAX values which closely coincided with analytical values. The retention and release pattern of urea intercalated biochar depicts that the biochar derived PJ is a potential substrate that can be exploited to develop slow release N fertilizer with higher use efficiency and less environmental harzard.