Kinetics of 15N -labelled nitrogen from co-compost made from cattle manure and chemical fertilizer in a paddy field

In order to produce an effective organic fertilizer, cattle manure was cocomposted with chemical fertilizer. And the kinetics of nitrogen uptake by rice plants from the co-compost was investigated using the ¹⁵N labelled co-composts on either cattle manure or chemical fertilizer. As a control, nitrogen kinetics from the mixture of cattle manure and chemical fertilizer without co-composting was investigated. At the early stage, rice growth may have been promoted by co-composting, while, it may have been promoted by the larger N-content of cattle manure at the harvesting stage. The ratios of nitrogen uptake by rice plants and residual nitrogen in soil from the cattle manure and chemical fertilizer were determined by measuring ¹⁵N -atom%. The N -uptake ratios by rice plants from the cattle manure in the co-composted plot were about 2–4 times higher than those from the cattle manure without co-composting. However, the N -uptake ratios from the chemical fertilizer in the co-composted plot were lower than those from the chemical fertilizer without co-composting. The N -content of the rice plants derived from chemical fertilizer without co-composting decreased consistently after 28 d. The nitrogen from chemical fertilizer in the co-compost was absorbed again in the latter period of rice growth. The total nitrogen uptake by rice plants from cattle manure and chemical fertilizer was similar regardless of co-composting. However, co-composting would be advantageous at least· in terms of the following aspects: increase of the N -uptake by rice plants from cattle manure, slow-release ability of nitrogen from chemical fertilizer, decrease of nitrogen loss by denitrification.     

GROWTH AND FRUIT QUALITY RESPONSES OF HYDROPONICALLY CULTIVATED EGGPLANTS TO MINERAL CONTROLLED DEEP SEA WATER

A suitable application of the deep seawater for high quality eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) production was examined on vegetative growth and fruit yield with special reference to qualities of fruits. Mineral controlled deep sea water was prepared by electrodialyzing deep sea water with a selective membrane cartridge for the exchange of monovalent ions. Eggplant plants variety ‘Ryoma’ were grown in the NFT system with the applications of 2% mineral controlled deep sea water to the standard nutrient solution (mineral controlled deep sea water treatment-MDST) under greenhouse condition with four replications. With the treatment eggplant had larger vegetative growth rate than with the control. Furthermore, MDST showed that total fruit yield and marketable fruit yield was 14% and 23% higher than the control. In this study, a new methodology to produce high quality eggplants enriched in sugar, minerals, and dry matter was demonstrated by applying the natural resource.     

长沙东郊第四纪红土红壤粘土矿物组成X射线衍射法分析

通过X射线衍射分析湖南长沙东郊第四纪红色粘土发育的红壤,结果表明:该地红壤粘土矿物成分以水云母,高岭石,蛭石、蛭石-蒙脱石1.4×10~(-9)m 过渡矿物等3种粘土矿物群为主.     

PH—Postharvest Technology: Surface Gloss and Weight of Eggplant during Storage

Surface gloss and weight loss are two important parameters to judge the freshness of eggplant. Data were collected in order to develop some quick and reliable instrumental methods to determine these. Surface gloss and weight loss of eggplant stored for 0–96 h at 80–84% relative humidity and 20°C temperature were determined using a computerized spectral radiometer and a precision electronic balance, respectively. The surface gloss was quantified in terms of gloss index, and a relationship between weight and gloss index during storage of eggplant was established. Gloss index and weight both decreased quadratically with storage period. Major changes were observed in the first 48 h of storage. Weight and gloss index of eggplant during storage were found to be correlated linearly.     

Dominant bacteria in soils of Marble Point and Wright Valley, Victoria Land, Antarctica

A combination of culture-independent and culturing methods was used to assess the diversity of soil bacterial communities from four locations along 77 °S in Victoria Land, Antarctica. Soil samples were from the coast at Marble Point, in the Wright Valley from Bull Pass and near Lake Vanda, and from Mt. Fleming near the polar plateau. Total carbon and nitrogen, and water content of the soils were low, whereas total P was very high. The pH of the soils varied from extremely alkaline to slightly acid and electrical conductivity was medium to high on the coast and very high in inland soils from Bull Pass and Mt. Fleming. The average monthly air temperature was similar (−18 °C to −24 °C) at all the sites; however, in summer surface soil temperatures were >0 °C at Marble Point and in the Wright Valley for a total of 1100 and 1700 h, respectively. Marble Point soil had the most potential to support bacterial growth and activity with a mean total of 310 h per year when surface soils had a liquid volumetric soil moisture content >5%. Highest counts of culturable heterotrophs occurred in soil from Marble Point, whereas Mt. Fleming soil contained few organisms and had no liquid soil moisture recorded. Seven hundred and twenty-eight clones and 71 bacterial isolates were screened by restriction fragment length polymorphisms, and representatives of those dominant ribotypes that occurred more than 3 times were sequenced. The dominant ribotypes grouped within the bacterial divisions Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Thermus-Deinococcus, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria. The closest relatives of the amplicon library clones or cultured bacteria include the genera Hymenobacter, Gillisia, Arthrobacter, Rubrobacter, Friedmanniella, Deinococcus and Leptolyngbya. Many of the clones and bacteria were most similar to others from Antarctic sources, in particular a cyanobacterium-dominated cryptoendolithic community in Beacon sandstone. Some ribotypes were more prevalent in drier soils of the Wright Valley, including relatives of Deinococcus, Rubrobacter and clone FBP460 from Beacon sandstone. Bacterial communities from Marble Point soils were more diverse than those of the Wright Valley. Very few bacteria were isolated from Mt. Fleming soil.     

Preparation of synthetic wood composites using ionic liquids

Synthetic wood composite films containing cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin, the three major components of natural wood, were prepared in a room temperature ionic liquid solvent, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, [EMIM][Ac]. Various synthetic wood composites were obtained by dissolution of individual wood components together with additives, including polyethylene glycol (PEG), chitosan, and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in [EMIM][Ac]. The addition of water affords a gel that was dried in either a low humidity environment or under vacuum. Synthetic wood films showed smoother surface textures, higher water resistance, and higher tensile strengths than cellulose films formed by the same methods. Tailor-made synthetic wood composites were also prepared having a variety of desirable properties, including antimicrobial activities, controlled hydro-phobicity/philicity, high relative dielectric constant, and a high degree of cohesiveness.