Abstract: In recent decades with the development of technology
and lack of food sources, sewage sludge in production of human
foods is inevitable. Various sources of municipal and industrial
sewage sludge that is produced can provide the requirement of plant
nutrients. Soils in arid, semi-arid climate of central Iran that most
affected by water drainage, iron and zinc deficiencies, using of
sewage sludge is helpful. Therefore, the aim of this study is
investigation of sewage sludge and manure application on Ni, Pb and
Cd uptake by Savory. An experiment in a randomized complete block
design with three replications was performed. Sewage sludge
treatments consisted of four levels, control, 15, 30, 80 tons per
hectares; the manure was used in four levels of control, 20, 40 and 80
tons per hectare. Results showed that the wet and dry weights was not
affected by sewage sludge using, while, manure has significant effect
on them. The effect of sewage sludge on the cadmium and lead
concentrations were significant. Interactions of sewage sludge and
manure on dry weight values were not significant. Compare mean
analysis showed that increasing the amount of sewage sludge had no
significant effect on cadmium concentration and it reduced when
sewage sludge usage increased. This is probably due to increased
plant growth and reduced concentrations of these elements in the
plant.
Abstract: Domestic goats (Capra hircus) are extremely diverse
species and principal animal genetic resource of the developing
world. These facilitate a persistent supply of meat, milk, fibre, and
skin and are considered as important revenue generators in small
pastoral environments. This study aimed to fingerprint β-LG gene at
PCR-RFLP level in native Saudi goat breeds (Ardi, Habsi and Harri)
in an attempt to have a preliminary image of β-LG genotypic patterns
in Saudi breeds as compared to other foreign breeds such as Indian
and Egyptian. Also, the Phylogenetic analysis was done to investigate
evolutionary trends and similarities among the caprine β-LG gene
with that of the other domestic specie, viz. cow, buffalo and sheep.
Blood samples were collected from 300 animals (100 for each breed)
and genomic DNA was extracted. A fragment of the β-LG gene
(427bp) was amplified using specific primers. Subsequent digestion
with Sac II restriction endonuclease revealed two alleles (A and B)
and three different banding patterns or genotypes i.e. AA, AB and
BB. The statistical analysis showed a general trend that β-LG AA
genotype had higher milk yield than β-LG AB and β-LG BB
genotypes. Nucleotide sequencing of the selected β-LG fragments
was done and submitted to GenBank NCBI (Accession No.
KJ544248, KJ588275, KJ588276, KJ783455, KJ783456 and
KJ874959). Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of nucleotide
sequences of native Saudi goats indicated evolutional similarity with
the GenBank reference sequences of goat, Bubalus bubalis and Bos
taurus. However, the origin of sheep which is the most closely
related from the evolutionary point of view, was located some
distance away.
Abstract: Aim of this work was to study the genetic basis for oil
accumulation in olive fruit via tracking DGAT2 (Diacylglycerol
acyltransferase type-2) gene in three Egyptian Origen Olive cultivars
namely Toffahi, Hamed and Maraki using molecular marker
techniques and bioinformatics tools. Results illustrate that, firstly:
specific genomic band of Maraki cultivars was identified as DGAT2
(Diacylglycerol acyltransferase type-2) and identical for this gene in
Olea europaea with 100% of similarity. Secondly, differential
genomic band of Maraki cultivars which produced from RAPD
fingerprinting technique reflected predicted distinguished sequence
which identified as DGAT2 (Diacylglycerol acyltransferase type-2)
in Fragaria vesca subsp. Vesca with 76% of sequential similarity.
Third and finally, specific genomic specific band of Hamed cultivars
was identified as two fragments, 1- Olea europaea cultivar Koroneiki
diacylglycerol acyltransferase type 2 mRNA, complete cds with two
matches regions with 99% or 2- Predicted: Fragaria vesca subsp.
vesca diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2-like (LOC101313050),
mRNA with 86 % of similarity.
Abstract: Carbon nanotube is one of the most attractive materials
for the potential applications of nanotechnology due to its excellent
mechanical, thermal, electrical and optical properties. In this paper we
report a supercapacitor made of nickel foil electrodes, coated with
multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) thin film using
electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method. Chemical vapor deposition
method was used for the growth of MWCNTs and ethanol was used as
a hydrocarbon source. High graphitic multiwall carbon nanotube was
found at 750oC analyzing by Raman spectroscopy. We observed the
electrochemical performance of supercapacitor by cyclic
voltammetry. The electrodes of supercapacitor fabricated from
MWCNTs exhibit considerably small equivalent series resistance
(ESR), and a high specific power density. Electrophoretic deposition
is an easy method in fabricating MWCNT electrodes for high
performance supercapacitor.
Abstract: Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has always been of
great interest in the food and agriculture industries. The development
of prediction models has facilitated the estimation process in recent
years. In this study, 110 crude palm oil (CPO) samples were used to
build a free fatty acid (FFA) prediction model. 60% of the collected
data were used for training purposes and the remaining 40% used for
testing. The visible peaks on the NIR spectrum were at 1725 nm and
1760 nm, indicating the existence of the first overtone of C-H bands.
Principal component regression (PCR) was applied to the data in
order to build this mathematical prediction model. The optimal
number of principal components was 10. The results showed
R2=0.7147 for the training set and R2=0.6404 for the testing set.
Abstract: The tomato is a very important crop, whose
cultivation in the Mediterranean basin is severely affected by the
phytoparasitic weed Phelipanche ramosa. The semiarid regions of
the world are considered the main areas where this parasitic weed is
established causing heavy infestation as it is able to produce high
numbers of seeds (up to 500,000 per plant), which remain viable for
extended period (more than 20 years). In this paper the results
obtained from eleven treatments in order to control this parasitic
weed including chemical, agronomic, biological and biotechnological
methods compared with the untreated test under two plowing depths
(30 and 50 cm) are reported. The split-plot design with 3 replicates
was adopted. In 2014 a trial was performed in Foggia province
(southern Italy) on processing tomato (cv Docet) grown in the field
infested by Phelipanche ramosa. Tomato seedlings were transplant
on May 5, on a clay-loam soil. During the growing cycle of the
tomato crop, at 56-78 and 92 days after transplantation, the number
of parasitic shoots emerged in each plot was detected. At tomato
harvesting, on August 18, the major quantity-quality yield parameters
were determined (marketable yield, mean weight, dry matter, pH,
soluble solids and color of fruits). All data were subjected to analysis
of variance (ANOVA) and the means were compared by Tukey's test.
Each treatment studied did not provide complete control against
Phelipanche ramosa. However, among the different methods tested,
some of them which Fusarium, gliphosate, radicon biostimulant and
Red Setter tomato cv (improved genotypes obtained by Tilling
technology) under deeper plowing (50 cm depth) proved to mitigate
the virulence of the Phelipanche ramose attacks. It is assumed that
these effects can be improved combining some of these treatments
each other, especially for a gradual and continuing reduction of the
“seed bank” of the parasite in the soil.
Abstract: A field experiment was carried out at Arab El-
Awammer Research Station, Agric. Res. Center. Assiut Governorate
during summer seasons of 2013 and 2014. The present study assessed
the effect of cowpea with maize intercropping on yield and its
components. The experiment comprised of three treatments (sole
cowpea, sole maize and cowpea-maize intercrop). The experimental
design was a randomized complete block with four replications.
Results indicated that intercropped maize plants with cowpea,
exhibited greater potentiality and resulted in higher values of most of
the studied criteria viz., plant height, number of ears/plant, number of
rows/ear, number of grains/row, grains weight/ear, 100–grain weight
and straw and grain yields. Fresh and dry forage yields of cowpea
were lower in intercropping with maize than sole. Furthermore, the
combined of the two seasons revealed that the total Land Equivalent
Ratio (LER) between cowpea and maize was 1.65. The Aggressivity
(A) maize was 0.45 and cowpea was -0.45. This showed that maize
was the dominant crop, whereas cowpea was the dominated. The
Competitive Ratio (CR) indicated that maize more competitive than
cowpea, maize was 1.75 and cowpea was 0.57. The Actual Yield
Loss (AYL) maize was 0.05 and cowpea was -0.40. The Monetary
Advantage Index (MAI) was 2360.80.
Abstract: In this paper, effect of marginal quality groundwater
on yield of cotton crop and soil salinity was studied. In this
connection, three irrigation treatments each with four replications
were applied. These treatments were i) use of canal water (T1), ii) use
of marginal quality groundwater from tubewell (T2), and iii)
conjunctive use by mixing with the ratio of 1:1 of canal water and
marginal quality tubewell water (T3).
Water was applied to the crop cultivated in Kharif season 2011; its
quantity has been measured using cut-throat flume. Total 11 watering
each of 50 mm depth have been applied from 20th April to 20th July,
2011. Further, irrigations were stopped due to monsoon rainfall up to
crop harvesting.
Maximum crop yield (seed cotton) was observed under T1 which
was 1,517 kg/ha followed by T3 (mixed canal and tubewell water)
having 1009 kg/ha and T2 i.e. marginal quality groundwater having
709 kg/ha. This concludes that crop yield in T2 and T3 in comparison
to T1was reduced by about 53 and 30% respectively.
It has been observed that yield of cotton crop is below potential
limit for three treatments due to unexpected rainfall at the time of full
flowering season; thus the yield was adversely affected.
However, salt deposition in soil profiles was not observed that is
due to leaching effect of heavy rainfall occurred during monsoon
season.
Abstract: The effect of the inclusion of thyme and rosemary
essential oils into chitosan films, as well as the microbiological and
physical properties when storing chitosan film with and without the
mentioned inclusion was studied. The film forming solution was
prepared by dissolving chitosan (2%, w/v), polysorbate 80 (4% w/w
CH) and glycerol (16% w/w CH) in aqueous lactic acid solutions
(control). The thyme (TEO) and rosemary (REO) essential oils (EOs)
were included 1:1 w/w (EOs:CH) on their combination 50/50
(TEO:REO). The films were stored at temperatures of 5, 20, 33°C
and a relative humidity of 75% during four weeks. The films with
essential oil inclusion did not show an antimicrobial activity against
strains. This behavior could be explained because the chitosan only
inhibits the growth of microorganisms in direct contact with the
active sites. However, the inhibition capacity of TEO was higher than
the REO and a synergic effect between TEO:REO was found for S.
enteritidis strains in the chitosan solution.
Some physical properties were modified by the inclusion of
essential oils. The addition of essential oils does not affect the
mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break, puncture
deformation), the water solubility, the swelling index nor the DSC
behavior. However, the essential oil inclusion can significantly
decrease the thickness, the moisture content, and the L* value of
films whereas the b* value increased due to molecular interactions
between the polymeric matrix, the loosing of the structure, and the
chemical modifications. On the other hand, the temperature and time
of storage changed some physical properties on the chitosan films.
This could have occurred because of chemical changes, such as
swelling in the presence of high humidity air and the reacetylation of
amino groups. In the majority of cases, properties such as moisture
content, tensile strength, elongation at break, puncture deformation,
a*, b*, chrome, 7E increased whereas water resistance, swelling
index, L*, and hue angle decreased.
Abstract: A collection of thirty cultivars/clones of a red pitaya
was used to investigate flowering response to lighting
supplementation in the winter season of 2013-2014 in southern
Taiwan. The night-breaking treatment was conducted during the
period of 10 Oct. 2013 to 5 Mar. 2014 with 4-continuous hours
(22.00 – 02.00 hrs) of additional lighting daily using incandescent
bulbs (100W). Among cultivars and clones tested, twenty-three
genotypes, most belonging to the red-magenta flesh type, were found
to have positively flowering response to the lighting treatment. The
duration of night-breaking treatment for successful flowering
initiation varied from 33- 48 days. The lighting-sensitive genotypes
bore 1-2 flowering flushes. Floral and fruiting stages took 21-26 and
46-59 days, respectively. Among sixteen fruiting genotypes, the
highest fruit set rates were found in Damao 9, D4, D13, Chaozou
large, Chaozhou 5, Small Nick and F22. Five cultivars and clones
(Orejona, D4, Chaozhou large, Chaozhou 5 and Small Nick) produced
fruits with an average weight of more than 300 g per fruit which were
higher than those of the fruits formed in the summer of 2013. Fruits
produced during off-season containing total soluble solids (TSS)
from 17.5 to 20.7oBrix, which were higher than those produced inseason.
Abstract: These days, the field of tissue engineering is getting
serious attention due to its usefulness. Bone tissue engineering helps
to address and sort-out the critical sized and non-healing orthopedic
problems by the creation of manmade bone tissue. We will design
and validate an efficient numerical model, which will simulate the
effective diffusivity in bone tissue engineering. Our numerical model
will be based on the finite element analysis of the diffusion-reaction
equations. It will have the ability to optimize the diffusivity, even
at multi-scale, with the variation of time. It will also have a special
feature “parametric sweep”, with which we will be able to predict
the oxygen, glucose and cell density dynamics, more accurately. We
will fix these problems by modifying the governing equations, by
selecting appropriate spatio-temporal finite element schemes and by
transient analysis.
Abstract: Waxapple (Syzygium samarngense Merr.et Perry) is an
important tropical fruit in Taiwan. The famous producing area is
located on the coast in Pingtung County. Land subsidence and climate
change will tend to soil alkalization more seriously. This study was to
evaluate the effects of NaCl in waxapple seedlings. NaCl salinity
reduced waxapple shoot growth; it may due to reducing relative water
content in leaf and new shoot. Leaf Cl and Na concentration were
increased but K, Ca, and Mg content had no significant difference after
irrigated with NaCl for six weeks. In roots, Na and Cl content increase
significantly with 90 mM NaCl treatment, but K, Ca, and Mg content
was reduced. 30-90mM Nacl treatment do not effect K/Na, Ca/Na and
Mg/Na ratio, but decrease significantly in 90mM treatment in roots.
The leaf and root electrolyte leakage were significantly affected by 90
mM NaCl treatment. Suggesting 90mM was optimum concentration
for sieve out other tolerance waxapples verities.
Abstract: Sound exposure effects have been investigated by
broadcasting a group of broilers with sound of Quran verses (Group
B) whereas the other group is the control broilers (Group C). The
growth rate comparisons in terms of weight and raw meat texture
measured by shear force have been investigated. Twenty-seven
broilers were randomly selected from each group on Day 24 and
weight measurement was carried out every week till the harvest day
(Day 39).Group B showed a higher mean weight on Day 24 (1.441 ±
0.013 kg) than Group C. Significant difference in the weight on Day
39 existed for Group B compared to Group C (p < 0.05). However,
there was no significant (p >0.05) difference of shear force in the
same muscles (breast and drumstick raw meat) of both groups but the
shear force of the breast meat for Group B and C broilers was lower
(p < 0.05) than that of their drumstick meat. Thus, broadcasting the
sound of Quran verses in the coop can be applied to improve the
growth rate of broilers for producing better quality poultry.
Abstract: Effect of biopesticide from wood vinegar and
extracted substances from 3 medicinal plants such as: non taai yak
(Stemona tuberosa Lour), boraphet (Tinospora crispa Mier) and
derris (Derris elliptica Roxb) were tested on the age five years of
pomelo. The selected pomelo was carried out for insects’ pest control
and its quality. The experimental site was located at farmer’s orchard
in Phichit Province, Thailand. This study was undertaken during the
drought season (December to March). The extracted from plants and
wood vinegar were evaluated in 6 treatments: 1) water as control; 2)
wood vinegar; 3) S. tuberosa Lour; 4) T. crispa Mier; 5) D. elliptica
Roxb; 6) mixed (wood vinegar + S. tuberosa Lour + T. crispa Mier +
D. elliptica Roxb). The experiment was RCB with 6 treatments and 3
replications per treatment. The results showed that T. crispa Mier was
the highest effectiveness for reduction population of thrips
(Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood) and citrus leaf miner (Phyllocnistis
citrella Stainton) at 14.10 and 15.37 respectively, followed by
treatment of mixed, D. elliptica Roxb, S. tuberosa Lour and wood
vinegar with significance different. Additionally, T. crispa Mier
promoted the high quality of harvested pomelo in term of thickness
of skin at 12.45 mm and S. tuberosa Lour gave the high quality of the
pomelo in term of firmness (276.5 kg/cm2) and brix (11.0%).
Abstract: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the major
vegetable crops that are grown world –wide because of its economic
importance. This experiment investigated the effect of local sands
(River Base, Al-Ekader and Karbala) on number and total weight of
minitubers. Statistical analysis revealed that there were no significant
differences among sand cultures in number of stem/plant, chlorophyll
index and tubers dry weight. River Base sand had the highest plant
height (74.9 cm), leaf number/plant number (39.3), leaf area (84.4
dcm2⁄plant), dry weight/plant (26.31), tubers number/plant (8.5),
tubers weight/plant (635.53 gm) and potato tuber yields/trove (28.60
kg), whereas the Karbala sand had lower performance. All the
characters had positive and significant correlation with yields except
the traits number of stem and tuber dry weight.
Abstract: Livestock is one of the fastest-growing sectors in
agriculture. If carefully managed, have potential opportunities for
economic growth, food sovereignty and food security. In this study
we mainly analyse and compare long-term i.e. for year 2030 climate
variability impact on predicted productivity of meat i.e. beef, mutton
and poultry for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia w.r.t three factors i.e. i)
climatic-change vulnerability ii) CO2 fertilization and iii) water
scarcity and compare the results with two countries of the region i.e.
Iraq and Yemen. We do the analysis using data from diverse sources,
which was extracted, transformed and integrated before usage. The
collective impact of the three factors had an overall negative effect on
the production of meat for all the three countries, with adverse impact
on Iraq. High similarity was found between CO2 fertilization
(effecting animal fodder) and water scarcity i.e. higher than that
between production of beef and mutton for the three countries
considered. Overall, the three factors do not seem to be favorable for
the three Middle-East countries considered. This points to possibility
of a vegetarian year 2030 based on dependency on indigenous livestock
population.
Abstract: Fungal mutant strains have produced cellulase and
xylanase enzymes, and have induced high hydrolysis with enhanced
of rice straw. The mutants were obtained by exposing Penicillium
strain to UV-light treatments. Screening and selection after treatment
with UV-light were carried out using cellulolytic and xylanolytic
clear zones method to select the hypercellulolytic and
hyperxylanolytic mutants. These mutants were evaluated for their
cellulase and xylanase enzyme production as well as their abilities for
biodegradation of rice straw. The mutant 12 UV/1 produced 306.21%
and 209.91% cellulase and xylanase, respectively, as compared with
the original wild type strain. This mutant showed high capacity of
rice straw degradation. The effectiveness of tested mutant strain and
that of wild strain was compared in relation to enhancing the
composting process of rice straw and animal manures mixture. The
results obtained showed that the compost product of inoculated
mixture with mutant strain (12 UV/1) was the best compared to the
wild strain and un-inoculated mixture. Analysis of the composted
materials showed that the characteristics of the produced compost
were close to those of the high quality standard compost. The results
obtained in the present work suggest that the combination between
rice straw and animal manure could be used for enhancing the
composting process of rice straw and particularly when applied with
fungal decomposer accelerating the composting process.
Abstract: Nitrogen fertilizer is the most used and often the most
mismanaged nutrient input. Nitrogen management has tremendous
implications on crop productivity, quality and environmental
stewardship. Sufficient nitrogen is needed to optimum yield and
quality. Soil and in-season plant tissue testing for nitrogen status are
a time consuming and expensive process. Real time sensing of plant
nitrogen status can be a useful tool in managing nitrogen inputs. The
objectives of this project were to assess the reliability of remotely
sensed non-destructive plant nitrogen measurements compared to wet
chemistry data from sampled plant tissue, develop in-season nitrogen
recommendations based on remotely sensed data for improved
nitrogen use efficiency and assess the potential for determining yield
and quality from remotely sensed data. Very good correlations were
observed between early-season remotely sensed crop nitrogen status
and plant nitrogen concentrations and subsequent in-season fertilizer
recommendations. The transmittance/absorbance type meters gave
the most accurate readings. Early in-season fertilizer recommendation
would be to apply 40 kg nitrogen per hectare plus 15 kg nitrogen per
hectare for each unit difference measured with the SPAD meter
between the crop and reference area or 25 kg plus 13 kg per hectare
for each unit difference measured with the CCM 200. Once the crop
was sufficiently fertilized meter readings became inconclusive and
were of no benefit for determining nitrogen status, silage yield and
quality and grain yield and protein.
Abstract: To study the effect of the cross direction in bead
wheat, three hybrid combinations (Babyle 113, Iratome), (Sawa,
Tamose2) and (Al Hashymya, Al Iraq) were tested for plant height,
spike and awn length, number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight,
number of tillers/m and grain yield. The results revealed that the
direction of the crosses significantly effect on the number of
grains/spike, number of tillers/m and grain yields. Grain yield was
positively and significantly correlated with 1000-grain weight,
number of grains per spike and tillers. Depend on the results of
heritability and genetic advance it was suggested that 1000-grain
weight, number of grains per spike and tillers should be given
emphasis for future wheat yield improvement programs.
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine whether
increasing molybdenum (Mo) concentration affects the growth and
Mo concentration of maize (Zea mays L. cv Norma SC) and
sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv Arena PR) seedlings within
laboratory conditions.
In this experiment, calcareous chernozem soil was used and Mo
was supplemented into the soil as ammonium molybdate
[(NH4)6Mo7O24.4H2O] in four different concentrations as follow: 0
(control), 30, 90 and 270 mg·kg-1.
In this study, we found that molybdenum in small amount (30
mg·kg-1) affects positively on growth of maize and sunflower
seedlings, however, higher concentration of Mo reduces the dry
weights of shoots and roots. In the case of maize the highest Mo
treatment (270 mg·kg-1) and in sunflower 90 mg·kg-1 treatment
caused significant reduction in plant growth.
In addition, we observed that molybdenum contents in the roots
and shoots were very low in case of control soil but were
significantly elevated with increasing concentration of Mo treatment.
Only in case of sunflower the highest 270 mg·kg-1 Mo treatment
caused decrease in Mo concentration.