Abstract: Recent research on seeds of bio-diesel plants like
Jatropha curcas, constituting 40-50% bio-crude oil indicates its
potential as one of the most promising alternatives to conventional
sources of energy. Also, limited studies on utilization of de-oiled cake
have revealed that Jatropha bio-waste has good potential to be used as
organic fertilizers produced via aerobic and anaerobic treatment.
However, their commercial exploitation has not yet been possible. The
present study aims at developing appropriate bio-processes and
formulations utilizing Jatropha seed cake as organic fertilizer, for
improving the growth of Polianthes tuberose L. (Tuberose). Pot
experiments were carried out by growing tuberose plants on soil
treated with composted formulations of Jatropha de-oiled cake, Farm
Yard Manure (FYM) and inorganic fertilizers were also blended in
soil. The treatment was carried out through soil amendment as well as
foliar spray. The growth and morphological parameters were
monitored for entire crop cycle.
The growth Length and number of leaves, spike length, rachis
length, number of bulb per plant and earliness of sprouting of bulb and
yield enhancement were comparable to that achieved under inorganic
fertilizer. Furthermore, performance of inorganic fertilizer also showed
an improvement when blended with composted bio-waste. These
findings would open new avenues for Jatropha based bio-wastes to be
composted and used as organic fertilizers for commercial floriculture.
Abstract: Friction stir welding is a solid state joining process. High strength aluminum alloys are widely used in aircraft and marine industries. Generally, the mechanical properties of fusion welded aluminum joints are poor. As friction stir welding occurs in solid state, no solidification structures are created thereby eliminating the brittle and eutectic phases common in fusion welding of high strength aluminum alloys. In this review the process parameters, microstructural evolution, and effect of friction stir welding on the properties of weld specific to aluminum alloys have been discussed.