Design and implementation of an electronic mobile poultry production documentation system

Documentation is a major component of any traceability system where traceability is defined in the ISO Regulation 8402:1994 as the ability to trace the history, application and location of what is under consideration. Traceability systems are record keeping systems designed to track the flow of product or product attributes through the production process or supply chain. All international supply chains are forced to comply with traceability requirements. In this paper, we develop and implement an end-to-end mobile application prototype that traces the poultry production. This application consists of front-end and back-end systems. At the front-end, the worker uses a GPRS enabled handheld device (cell phone, PDA, etc.) to capture information on poultry operations collected at a remote chicken farm and transmit it to a back-end server in the main office. Through customized application the back-end server analyses all information received from the front-end and based on a built-in business process and business rules, intelligently updates various stakeholders of any breach of bio-security measures that requires immediate attention. The proposed system administrators can also access this application via Internet for management decision making. The back-end system consists of web server, defined business application logic and database server.     

Genetic model analysis on seedling and maturity traits in wheat under rainfed conditions

An experiment was conducted to access the genetic variability among early vigour and quantitative traits under limited moisture in F₂ generation of a 5 × 5 diallel cross of bread wheat. The results indicated that there was significant genotypic variation among the genotypes. Additive dominance model revealed full fitness of the data for RL, DSW, FRW, DRW, spike length, and 1000-grain weight but was partially fit for SL, FSW, R/S, tillers per seedling, plant height, tillers per plant, spikelets per spike, and grain yield per plant. The partially adequate models for these plant characters might be due to the presence of non-allelic interaction, linkage, and non-independent distribution of the genes in the parents. Additive genes coupled with moderate to high narrow sense heritability were involved in the heritage of all the traits, which indicated a higher scope of selection in early generations.     

Solvent crystallization of palm based dihydroxystearic acid with isopropyl alcohol: Effects of solvent quantity and concentration on particle size distribution, crystal habit and morphology, and resultant crystal purity

Crude dihydroxystearic acid was prepared from palm based oleic acid and was then solvent purified with isopropyl alcohol in a custom fabricated simultaneous batch crystallizer unit. The crystallized dihydroxystearic acid was a functional ingredient that acted as multipurpose intermediate for synthesis of various fine chemicals, cosmetics and personal care products. The effects of solvent quantity and concentration on particle size distribution, crystal habit and morphology, and resultant crystal purity were studied. The crystals were purer but smaller and the span of the distribution curve was wider at higher solvent quantity and concentration. Through scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, it was observed that the crystals agglomerated into plate-like (flaky) habit with triclinic crystal structure. Solvent crystallization with 80% IPA at 20 °C and solute:solvent ratio of 1.0:1.0 was the most optimized and efficient, producing β-DHSA crystals that has high resistance against fat exudation during vacuum filtration process.     

Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic N-Doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> for Degradation of Bisphenol A (BPA) and Reactive Black 5 (RB5) Dye

Bisphenol A (BPA) and reactive black 5 (RB5) dye are among the most persistent and non-biodegradable contaminants in water which require an urgent need for the development of effective removal method. The ubiquitous existence of both contaminants could interfere with the human health and aquatic environmental balance. Photocatalytic process as one of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) has shown high performance for degradation of organic compounds to the harmless materials under sensible condition. Therefore, this study aims to develop a visible-light-driven photocatalyst that can efficiently degrade BPA and RB5 present in household water. N-doped TiO₂ were successfully synthesized via simple and direct sol–gel method. The prepared TiO₂ nanoparticles were characterized by field emission scanning microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Brunauere Emmette Teller (BET) analysis. The incorporation of nitrogen in TiO₂ lattice exhibited excellent optical responses to visible region as revealed by UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy absorption capability at 400–600 nm. The photocatalytic activity of the N-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles was measured by photocatalytic degradation of BPA and RB5 in an aqueous solution under visible-light irradiations. Degradation of BPA and RB5 was 91.3% and 89.1%, respectively after 360 min illumination. The degradation of BPA and RB5 by N-doped TiO₂ was increased up to 89.8% and 88.4%, respectively under visible-light irradiation as compared to commercial TiO₂ P25. This finding clearly shows that N-doped TiO₂ exhibits excellent photocatalytic degradation of BPA and RB5 under visible irradiation, hence have a promising potential in removing various recalcitrant contaminants for water treatment to fulfill the public need to consume clean water.

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Assessment of Yield and Yield Component of Soybean Genotypes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycine Max</Emphasis> L.) in North of Khuzestan

18 soybean genotypes were examined to investigate the relationships between some principal attributions of morphology with seed yield per soybean, by Random Complete Block Design (RCBD) study. This study was also carried out three replicates to gain reliable results. The results of variance analysis indicated that, there were significance differences among all soybean genotypes. Moreover, the results of correlated analysis revealed that biological yield (0.96), harvest index (0.92), and number of branches (0.92) had the uttermost correlation with seed yield. To data factor analysis, four independent variables justified 99 percent of all data. The first variable, seed yield, justified 96 percent of entire variance. Multiple-Regression Model with method Analytical Regression Model (step-by-step) was utilized to examine soybean seed yield. This model proved that biological yield, thousand seed weight, and harvest index entered into model respectively and justified 98.85 percent of variation of seed yield. Correlated coefficients of considered attributions were equal to 0.96, 0.78, and 0.92, respectively. All of these indexes had significant at 1% in statistical process. Therefore, these traits can be notability used in soybean breeding programs. Also, accordance to cluster analysis, the sample was divided into three groups.     

Heavy metals in vegetables and their impact on the nutrient quality of vegetables: A review

Vegetables are vital to the human diet, and in particular provide the well-known nutrients to maintain normal physiological functions. The prolonged application of large amount of fertilizers and pesticides has resulted in heavy metal accumulation in vegetable gardens. Exposure to heavy metals by the consumption of contaminated vegetables and its toxicity is a serious concern. This article reviews the presence of heavy metals in different vegetables, their mechanism of absorption, impact of heavy metals on physiology, and nutrient reduction and associated impact on humans with emphasis on pregnant women based on the existing scientific literature. However, a limited number of studies was found in the data base that examined the reduction of nutrients in the vegetables due to heavy metal contamination. The heavy metals were found in 36 vegetables in 61 regions of the world and were above permissible limits in most of the vegetables. Specific study to human toxicity due to the contamination of heavy metals may be conducted with emphasis on pregnant women, children, and elderly people. Furthermore, strategy and policy should be devised to control the heavy metals in vegetables and those vegetables that are hyper-accumulators of heavy metals should be identified for awareness purposes.     

Molecular and biologic characterization of a phytoplasma associated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica campestris</Emphasis> phyllody disease in Punjab province,Pakistan

A phytoplasma-associated disease was identified in Brassica campestris (sarson) plants during a survey conducted in Punjab province of Pakistan in 2014–2016. The symptomatic plants showed characteristic symptoms of phyllody and witches’ broom. Phytoplasma presence was detected by polymerase chain reaction on 16S ribosomal and tuf DNAs, followed by RFLP analysis and sequence comparison of the 16S rRNA and tuf genes. The phytoplasma detected was classified in a new ribosomal subgroup designed 16SrIX-H. The phytoplasma presence in phloem tissues of symptomatic sarson samples was also confirmed through light microscopy and transmission studies to healthy plants through dodder and the leafhopper Orosius albicinctus. This is the first report of identification of 16SrIX-H subgroup phytoplasma associated with sarson and its natural vector in Pakistan.     

Biochar-induced changes in soil properties affected immobilization/mobilization of metals/metalloids in contaminated soils

Purpose

Remediation of metal contaminated soil with biochar is attracting extensive interest in recent years. Understanding the significance of variable biochar properties and soil types helps elucidating the meticulous roles of biochar in immobilizing/mobilizing metals/metalloids in contaminated soils.

Materials and methods

Six biochars were produced from widely available agricultural wastes (i.e., soybean stover, peanut shells and pine needles) at two pyrolysis temperatures of 300 and 700 °C, respectively. The Pb-, Cu-, and Sb-contaminated shooting range soils and Pb-, Zn-, and As-contaminated agricultural soils were amended with the produced biochars. The mobility of metals/metalloids was assessed by the standard batch leaching test, principal component analysis and speciation modeling.

Results and discussion

The changes in soil properties were correlated to feedstock types and pyrolysis temperatures of biochars based on the principal component analysis. Biochars produced at 300 °C were more efficient in decreasing Pb and Cu mobility (>93 %) in alkaline shooting range soil via surface complexation with carboxyl groups and Fe-/Al-minerals of biochars as well as metal-phosphates precipitation. By contrast, biochars produced at 700 °C outperformed their counterparts in decreasing Pb and Zn mobility (100 %) in acidic agricultural soil by metal-hydroxides precipitation due to biochar-induced pH increase. However, Sb and As mobility in both soils was unfavorably increased by biochar amendment, possibly due to the enhanced electrostatic repulsion and competition with phosphate.

Conclusions

It is noteworthy that the application of biochars is not equally effective in immobilizing metals or mobilizing metalloids in different soils. We should apply biochar to multi-metal contaminated soil with great caution and tailor biochar production for achieving desired outcome and avoiding adverse impact on soil ecosystem.

     

Isolation and identification of effective cellulolytic bacteria in composting process from different sources

Cellulolytic bacteria have a bio-activating role in the composting process. A study was carried out to isolate and identify cellulolytic bacteria from various sources. The isolates were cultured in the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) agar medium and incubated at 30°C for 3–7 days. Based on morphological characteristics of the isolates, maximum diameter of a clear zone around the colony and maximum cellulolytic activity, eight isolate were selected for further studies regarding composting experiments.

Molecular tests based on PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA gene of isolates showed the closest phylogenetic similarity with the species of Stenotrophomonas rhizophila DSM14405 (99.8%), Brevibacterium halotolerans DSM8802 (99.6%), Achromobacter marplatensis B2 (99.8%), Bacillus methylotrophicus CBMB205 (100%), Pseudomonas azotoformans IAM 1603 (99.7%), Bacillus sonorensis NBRC 101234 (99.8%), Bacillus subtilis KCTC 13429 (100%) and Ochrobactrum thiophenivorans DSM 7216 (99.3%). The study of the isolates impact on the composting of palm wastes in a randomized complete block design with 11 treatments in 3 replications showed that strain IB (B. methylotrophicus) caused a significant decrease in C:N ratio (58%). The increasing of microbial respiration compared with control after 30 days incubation at 37°C showed that the B. methylotrophicus strain IB with cellulolytic characteristics can be applied to hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass in the composting processes.     

Nutrients management strategies to improve yield and quality of sugar beet in semi-arid regions

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the yield and quality of sugar beet genotypes (Beta vulgaris L.). Therefore, a field trial was carried out in Peshawar, Pakistan, during the winters in 2012–2013. The field experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with split plots, having three replications. Fertilizer treatments (control, composted manure Higo Organic Plus at 5 t ha^?1, Maxicrop Sea Gold seaweed extract at 5 L ha^?1, farm yard manure at 10 t ha^?1, inorganic nitrogen–phosphorus (NP) at 90:60 kg ha^?1, NP at 120:90 kg ha^?1 and NP at 150:120 kg ha^?1) were allotted to main plots, while genotypes (Sandrina, Serenada and Kawe Terma) were allotted to the sub-plots. Plots treated with the application of NP at 120:90 kg ha^?1 produced the highest beet yield (76.4 t ha^?1) and sugar yield (11.1 t ha^?1), and had the second highest polarizable sugar content (14.52%) and more economic return (Rs. 553,000 per hectare) as compared to control plots. Sugar beet genotype Serenada had significantly higher beet yield (55.5 t ha^?1) and sugar yield (7.9 t ha^?1) and a higher economic return (Rs. 380,000 per hectare) than the other genotypes. Sugar beet genotype Serenada supplied with NP at 120:90 kg ha^?1is recommended for the general cultivation in the agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar valley.