Physical Properties of Vetch Seed

The physical properties of vetch seed were evaluated as a function of moisture content. The average length, width and thickness were 5·19, 4·33 and 3·63 mm, respectively, at 10·57% dry basis (d.b.) moisture content. In the moisture range from 10·57 to 20·63% d.b., studies on rewetted vetch seed showed that the thousand seed mass increased from 55·47 to 59·03 g, the projected area from 23·52 to 29·05 mm², the sphericity from 0·837 to 0·859, the true density from 1286·2 to 1369·9 kg m⁻³, the porosity from 33·08% to 39·68% and the terminal velocity from 9·94 to 10·33 m s⁻¹. The static coefficient of friction of vetch seed increased the linearly against surfaces of four structural materials, namely, rubber (0·350–0·387), aluminium (0·319–0·367), stainless steel (0·202–0·328) and galvanised iron (0·312–0·361) as the moisture content increased from 10·57 to 20·63% d.b. The bulk density and the shelling resistance decreased from 860·8 to 826·2 kg m⁻³ and from 148·73 to 62·68 N, respectively, with an increase in moisture content from 10·57 to 20·63% d.b.     

PH—Postharvest Technology: Physical Properties of Okra Seed

The physical properties of okra seed were evaluated as a function of moisture content (m.c.). The average length, breadth and thickness of the seed varied from 5·92 to 7·30, 4·71 to 5·40 and 4·59 to 5·36 mm, respectively, as the moisture content increased from 8·16 to 87·57% d.b. The roundness and sphericity increased from 77·76 to 79·35% and 74·48 to 76·52%, respectively, with increase in moisture content from 8·16 to 19·56% d.b. and then decreased to 72·39 and 70·63%, respectively, with further increase of moisture content. In the moisture range of 8·16–87·57%, the seed volume increased from 0·067 to 0·124 cm³, 1000 seed weight, W₁₀₀₀ from 65·78 to 129·75 g and the angle of repose from 27·60 to 39·47°. The bulk density, true density and porosity decreased from 0·592 to 0·558 g cm⁻³, 1·107 to 0·986 g cm⁻³ and 46·34 to 43·20%, respectively, in the moisture range from 8·16 to 87·57% d.b. The static coefficient of friction increased on four structural surfaces namely, aluminium (0·390–0·484), bakelite (0·345–0·480), galvanised iron (0·368–0·493) and mild steel (0·389–0·480) as the moisture content increased from 8·16 to 87·57% d.b.     

SE—Structures and Environment: Biofiltration of Odour and Ammonia from a Pig Unit—Biofiltration of Odour and Ammonia from a Pig Unit—a pilot-scale Study

A pilot-scale biofiltration unit was constructed at a pig finishing building on the University College Dublin research farm. The biofiltration system was investigated over three trial periods. Exhaust air from a single pen was extracted by a variable speed centrifugal fan and passed through a humidifier and biofilter. A 0·5 m depth of woodchips of over 20 mm screen size was used as the biofilter medium. The moisture content of the medium was maintained at 64±4% (wet weight basis) for trial one and 69±4% (wet weight basis) for trials two and three using a load cell method. The volumetric loading rate varied from 769 to 1898 m³ [air] m⁻³ [medium] h⁻¹ during the three trial periods. Odour and ammonia removal efficiencies ranged from 77 to 95% and 54 to 93%, respectively. The pH of the biofilter leachate remained between 6 and 8 throughout the experimental periods. The pressure drop across the biofilter ranged from 14 to 64 Pa. It is concluded that a wood chip media particle size >20 mm is suitable for use in biofiltration systems on intensive pig production facilities. This will minimize the pressure drop on the system fans to reduce overall operation costs. It is recommended that a filter bed moisture content (wet weight basis) of greater than 63% be used to maintain overall efficiency. An efficient air moisturizing system (humidification and bed sprinkling) along with a properly designed air distribution system must be incorporated in the overall design when operating at such high volumetric loading rates.     

Physical Properties of Raw and Parboiled Paddy

The physical properties namely, size and shape, bulk density, true density, and angle of repose at moisture contents ranging from 7·19 to 28·28% d.b. for raw paddy (IR-36) and from 12·24 to 43·53% d.b. for parboiled paddy were determined using standard techniques. In the case of raw paddy, the thousand grain weight increased from 23·04 to 27·16 g with an increase in moisture content from 10·45 to 32·13% d.b. Bulk density and angle of repose increased from 522 to 566 kg/m³ and 42·35 to 49·30°, respectively, with an increase in moisture content from 7·19 to 27·86% d.b. True density and porosity decreased from 1405 to 1348 kg/m³ and from 62·84 to 58·01% respectively, with an increase in moisture content from 7·19 to 27·86% (d.b.). In the case of parboiled paddy, bulk density and angle of repose increased from 507 to 564·8 kg/m³ and 39·90 to 43·89°, respectively, with an increase in moisture content from 12·24 to 43·53% d.b. True density and porosity decreased from 1411 to 1342 kg/m³ and from 64·08 to 57·91% respectively, with an increase in moisture content from 12·24 to 43·53%. The physical properties were linearly dependent upon moisture content.     

PH—Postharvest Technology: Thermodynamics of Moisture Sorption in Sesame Seed

Experimental data on the sorption isotherms of sesame seed were used to determine the thermodynamic functions (heat of vaporisation, spreading pressure, net integral enthalpy and entropy). The heat of vaporisation decreased with increase in moisture content and approached the latent heat of pure water at moisture content between 18 and 21% dry basis. The spreading pressure increased with increase in water activity and was not significantly affected by temperature. Net integral enthalpy decreased with increase in moisture content, and became asymptotic as the moisture content of 12% was approached. Net integral entropy decreased with increase in moisture content to a minimum value of 0·138 J kg⁻¹K⁻¹ at moisture content of about 3·7%. It then increased with moisture content to a maximum of about 0·63 J kg⁻¹K⁻¹ at about 12% moisture content and thereafter, remained nearly constant.     

SE—Structures and Environment: Compost Airflow Resistance

Four bulking agents, pine shavings, mixed (long and chopped) grass hay, chopped grass hay and long (whole) wheat straw, were each mixed with pig slurry and tap water to obtain three moisture contents (MC) of 60, 65 and 70%. Quadruplets of each treatment were placed in laboratory composting vessels with a capacity of 105 l and a composting depth of 0·95 m. Using the air plenum at the bottom of each vessel, air was forced at apparent velocities of 0–0·002 m s⁻¹ through each compost mass to measure the air static pressure drop across the compost mass as a function of apparent air velocity. Airflow resistance values were measured for compost depths ranging from 0·55 to 0·85 m. Following this test, all mixtures were aerated for 21 days of composting without overturning. The static pressure measurement procedure was then repeated on all quadruplet mixtures.The air static pressure drop was found with respect to a packed bed under laminar flow, defined using the particle size distribution, porosity, depth and airflow channel characteristics of the compost material. Although MC affected the value of the airflow channel characteristics of the compost material, both the hay and straw demonstrated similar values, while shavings demonstrated values more variable and wider values for MC between 60 and 70%.There was a significant increase in airflow resistance after 21 days of composting, which supports the need for compost overturning to reestablish the material's structure and to restore the airflow channels or pores.     

An Observational Method for the Assessment of Biogas Production from an Anaerobic Waste Stabilisation Pond treating Farm Dairy Wastewater

A biogas production assessment method based on the visual monitoring of biogas evolution events in an anaerobic waste stabilisation pond was developed and applied to an anaerobic pond treating farm dairy wastewater in New Zealand. Major biogas-induced perturbations at the pond surface were classified as either type 1 or 2 events and other observed biogas activities as small bubble events. Mean counts of types 1 and 2 events varied from 7·3 to 30·0 per hour and 4·3–34·0 per hour, respectively, over the pond surface and the frequency of events decreased as both organic loading and temperature increased. Preliminary estimates of areal gas production rates, obtained using the observational method, ranged from 0·002 to 0·015 m³ m⁻² day⁻¹ for major eruptions and 0·0004–0·024 m³ m⁻² day⁻¹ for small bubble events, giving a total range of 0·002–0·039 m³ m⁻² day⁻¹. Pond temperatures at 2·75 m depth showed relatively minor fluctuations on a diurnal basis and ranged between 13 and 15°C from days 1–60, reaching a maximum of 24°C at day 190. Refinements proposed for future method development include an increased number and range of event categories, the automatic recording of events and the use of an improved cover. Further work is required to assess the general applicability of the method to anaerobic ponds.     

Mathematical Modelling of Vacuum Pressure on a Precision Seeder

The purpose of this research was to determine the optimum vacuum pressure of a precision vacuum seeder and to develop mathematical models by using some physical properties of seeds such as one thousand kernel mass, projected area, sphericity and kernel density. Maize, cotton, soya bean, watermelon, melon, cucumber, sugarbeet and onion seeds were used in laboratory tests. One thousand kernel mass, projected area, sphericity and kernel density of seeds varied from 4·3 to 372·5 g, 5–77 mm², 38·4–85·8% and 440–1310 kg m⁻³, respectively. The optimum vacuum pressure was determined as 4·0 kPa for maize I and II; 3·0 kPa for cotton, soya bean and watermelon I; 2·5 kPa for watermelon II, melon and cucumber; 2·0 kPa for sugarbeet; and 1·5 kPa for onion seeds.The vacuum pressure was predicted by mathematical models. According to the results, the final model could satisfactorily describe the vacuum pressure of the precision vacuum seeder with a chi-square of 2·51×10⁻³, root mean square error of 2·74×10⁻² and modelling efficiency of 0·99.     

SE—Structures and Environment: Optimal Control Strategies for Carbon Dioxide Enrichment in Greenhouse Tomato Crops—Part 1: Using Pure Carbon Dioxide

Two optimal control strategies for carbon dioxide (CO₂) enrichment in greenhouse tomato crops have been developed. One uses pure CO₂ from a storage tank and the other uses CO₂ contained in the exhaust gases of boilers burning natural gas. The optimal strategies maximize the financial margin between crop value and the combined costs of the CO₂ used for enrichment and the natural gas used for heating. In this paper, the strategy for optimal control using pure CO₂ is presented and compared with strategies used by growers. The optimal strategy for enrichment with exhaust gas derived CO₂ is presented in an accompanying paper. Simulations show that at a cost of £0·09 kg⁻¹ for pure CO₂ and £0·10 m⁻³ for natural gas, the optimal enrichment strategy would increase the annual margin of crop value over CO₂ and heating costs by £4·6 m⁻² (27%) compared to a basic control strategy of enrichment to a concentration of 1000 v.p.m. (parts per million by volume) when ventilators are <5% open, otherwise enrichment to 350 v.p.m. The optimal CO₂ concentration was expressed as an algebraic function of solar radiation, wind speed and ventilator opening angle, and so enabled a quasi-optimal value to be obtained using variables measured by greenhouse environmental controllers. The quasi-optimal equation, with coefficients averaged from simulations over 4 years, gave an increased margin over the basic control strategy of £4·4 m⁻² (26%).     

Development and Performance Evaluation of a Water Hyacinth Chopper cum Crusher

A water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) chopper cum crusher was developed at College of Technology and Engineering, Udaipur, India to solve the problem of the bulk of freshly harvested water hyacinth during transportation. The performance of the chopper cum crusher was evaluated on the basis of its ability to reduce volume and weight of fresh water hyacinth. Two variables namely feed rate and knife speeds were studied. Relationships were developed between changes in specific volume, knife speed; percent weight loss and feed rates. Weight reduction studies showed that, with the increase in feed rate and knife speed, there was a decrease in weight loss. Maximum weight loss of 33·77% was achieved with the minimum feed rate of 1·0 t h⁻¹ and knife speed of 3·14 m s⁻¹. Regression models were developed to fit the data. The developed machine reduced the specific volume and weight of fresh water hyacinth by up to 64 and 31·54%, respectively, at the recommended feed rate of 1·0 t h⁻¹ and knife speed of 4·71 m s⁻¹.     

Seedbed compaction produced by traffic on four tillage regimes in the rolling Pampas of Argentina

The main function of primary tillage is to increase the soil's structural macro-porosity, but during secondary tillage operations over these freshly tilled soils, traffic causes significant soil compaction. In terms of soil conservation however, there is evidence that direct sowing is a more sustainable system, even though there is still insufficient information about the rheology of a non-tilled soil under traffic. The objective of this study was to compare the traffic intensity and soil compaction caused by four different tillage regimes currently used by Argentinean farmers (1 direct sowing with a tractor and planter weighing 127 kN and 3 conventional tillage systems with equipment weighing 55.2 kN). The work was performed in the east of the Rolling Pampa region, Buenos Aires State, Argentina at 34°25′S, 59°15′W. Variables measured were: (1) cone index in the 0–450 mm depth profile; (2) bulk density; (3) total soil porosity; and (4) rut depth. (a) Results indicated that in the depth range 0–150 mm with all tillage treatments, bulk density and cone index values generated by tractor traffic were greater than the 1.3 Mg m⁻³ and 1400 kPa respectively. Similarly in deeper layers these parameters were greater than 1.45 Mg m⁻³ and 2000 kPa respectively. Measurements revealed that traffic reduced topsoil porosity under direct sowing by an average of 7% and under conventional tillage by 7.6–14.8% confirming that both systems cause both topsoil and subsoil compaction.     

Channel incision, gravel mining and bedload transport in the Rhône river upstream of Lyon, France (“canal de Miribel”)

The Miribel canal is a former arm of the Rhône embanked between 1848 and 1857 over a length of 18 km to improve navigation at low discharges. The impact of this was a hydraulic tilting of the long profile characterised by 4 m of degradation upstream and 4-6 m of aggradation of bedload downstream. This phenomenon increased downstream flooding. Since 1937 a diversion dam has controlled upstream water input, thus reducing the transit of the pebble bedload. However, excessive harvesting of sands and gravels occurred between 1970 and 1980, resulting in a general lowering of the river bed and the accompanying water table with ecological consequences in the alluvial plain and for water supply. This development made it all the more necessary to obtain knowledge about the bedload discharges passing through the Miribel canal, and more broadly about the hydraulic conditions as functions of the varying discharge. Calculation of shear stresses and grain size measurements on the lateral bars after several floods in 1989-90 show that movement of bed-material is initiated at a discharge of 440 m³ · s⁻¹ (equalled or exceeded 40 days · year⁻¹), and becomes general at 550 m³ · s⁻¹ (equalled or exceeded 30 days · year⁻¹). Transport discharge is thus relatively frequent and involves distal fluvio-glacial deposits composed of fine-grained materials. Potential transport calculated by the Meyer-Peter formula is around 60,000 t · year⁻¹ for the range of discharges between 440 and 850 m³ · s⁻¹. For these discharge values, the canal experiences a loss of materials without replacement from upstream; for higher rates of discharge, the floodgates let through an unknown quantity of materials which partially make up the loss. Gravel harvesting ceased in 1991 but the diversion dam will have to be operated in a different way in order to increase the input of bedload into the canal.     

Burrow building in seabird colonies: a soil-forming process in island ecosystems

Soil modification via biopedturbation by burrow-building seabirds was examined in a Mediterranean, island ecosystem. Physical and chemical soil properties were compared between a colony of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus) and adjacent heath across a 14-month period. When compared to heath soil, the biopedturbated soil was 28% drier (6.04±5.40 vol%), had increased bulk density (by 29% to 1.30±0.11 g cm⁻³, 51% porosity), wetting capacity (by 83% to 0.55±0.83 molarity of ethanol droplet), hydraulic conductivity (by 266% to 398.91±252.04 mm h⁻¹), and a greater range in soil surface temperature (31.7±6.2 °C diurnally to 18.3±3.2 °C nocturnally). Soil penetration resistance was reduced by 26% at a depth of 0–100 mm (326.5±122.4 kPa) and by 55% at 500–600 mm (1116.8±465.0 kPa). Colony soil also had increased levels of nitrate (by 470%), phosphorous (118%), ammonium (102%), sulphur (69%), and potassium (34%), decreased levels of iron (by 50%) and organic carbon (61%), was more alkaline, and had a 78% greater conductivity. Shearwaters deposited guano at a rate of 234.4 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (dry mass). Chemical analysis of guano equated this to 50.9, 5.7, 5.5, and 3.6 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ of nitrogen, potassium, sulphur, and phosphorous, respectively. Experimentally constructed burrows demonstrated that digging alone can alter physical and chemical soil factors, but that changes in the nutrient profile of colony soils are predominantly guano-driven. We argue that the physical impact of seabirds on soil should not be overlooked as a soil-forming and ecosystem-shaping factor in island ecosystems, and that biopedturbation can exert major bottom-up influences on insular plant and animal communities.     

Eight years of carbon dioxide exchange above a mixed forest at Borden, Ontario

This paper summarizes results from 8 years (1996–2003) of eddy covariance-based ecosystem CO₂ exchange measurements at the Borden Forest Research Station (44°19′N, 79°56′W). The site represents a mid-latitude, 100-year-old, mixed deciduous and coniferous forest dominated by red maple, aspen and white pine. The years 1996 and 1997 were relatively cold, had a late spring and received below average photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). This contrasts with an early spring, warmer soil and air temperatures during 1998–1999, and with distinctly wet year of 2000 and dry years of 2001–2003. The combination of early spring, warmer air and soil temperature and relatively high level of PPFD was associated with higher net ecosystem productivity (NEP) that peaked during 1999. Photosynthetic capacity was reduced and NEP showed a mid-growing season depression during the dry years of 2001–2003. Annual average ecosystem respiration (R) determined from a light response model was 30% less than R derived from a logistic respiration equation, relating night time CO₂ flux and soil temperature. However these independently determined R values were well correlated indicating that the site is unaffected by fetch and spatial heterogeneity problems. Based on the combined 8 years of growing season daytime data, an air temperature of 20–25 °C and a vapor pressure deficit (VPD) of 1.3 kPa were found to be the optimal conditions for CO₂ uptake by the canopy. Over the 1996–2003 period, the forest sequestered carbon at an average rate of 140 ± 111 gC m⁻² y⁻¹. The corresponding gross ecosystem photosynthesis (GEP) and R over this period were 1116 ± 93 gC m⁻² y⁻¹ and 976 ± 68 gC m⁻² y⁻¹, respectively. The annual carbon sequestration ranged from 19 gC m⁻² in 1996 to 281 gC m⁻² in 1999. However, these estimates were sensitive to frictional velocity threshold () used for screening data associated with poor turbulent mixing at night. Increasing from 0.2 m s⁻¹ (based on the inflection point in the nighttime CO₂ flux vs. u_* relationship) to 0.35 m s⁻¹ (determined using a selection algorithm based on change-point detection) modified the 8-year mean NEP estimate from 140 ± 111 gC m⁻² y⁻¹ to 65 ± 120 gC m⁻² y⁻¹. Both approaches show that the Borden forest was a low to moderate sink of carbon over the 8-year period.     

Mechanical Behaviour of Hazelnut under Compression Loading

Aci Findik, Cakildak, Tombul, and Güney Karasi varieties of hazelnut were loaded between two parallel plates to determine the specific deformation, rupture force, and rupture energy required to initiate shell and kernel rupture. The tests were carried out at two deformation rates of 0·52, and 0·91 mm s⁻¹, four moisture contents of 6, 11, 15, and 18% w.b., and three axes (X,Y,Z). The X-axis is the longitudinal axis through the hilum, while the Y-axis is the transverse axis containing the major dimension at right angles to the longitudinal axis, and the Z-axis is the transverse axis containing the minimum dimension. Physical characteristics of nut and kernel such as mass, dimensions, geometric mean diameter and sphericity were determined. Specific deformation and rupture energy of the shell generally increased in magnitude with an increase in moisture content while rupture force decreased for compression along the X- and Y-axis. The highest nut shell specific deformation, rupture force and rupture energy among the four varieties were obtained for Aci Findik nuts loaded along the Z-axis at a deformation rate of 0·52 mm s⁻¹. The Tombul and Güney Karasi varieties had the highest kernel rupture force and rupture energy, respectively.     

Spatial patterns of soil biological and physical properties in a ridge tilled and a ploughed Luvisol

The present study was conducted to determine the spatial heterogeneity of bulk density, soil moisture, inorganic N, microbial biomass C, and microbial biomass N in the ridge tillage system of Turiel compared to conventional mouldboard ploughing on three sampling dates in May, July, and August. The soil sampling was carried out under vegetation representing the ridge in a high spatial resolution down the soil profile. Bulk density increased with depth and ranged from 1.3 g cm⁻³ at 10 cm depth to 1.6 g cm⁻³ at 35 cm in ploughed plots and from 1.0 g m⁻³ at 5 cm to 1.4 g m⁻³ at 35 cm in the ridges. In the ploughed plots, the contents of microbial biomass C and microbial biomass N remained roughly constant at 215 and 33 μg g⁻¹ soil, respectively, throughout the experimental period. The microbial biomass C/N ratio varied in a small range around 6.4. In the ridged plots, the contents of microbial biomass C and microbial biomass N were 5% and 6% higher compared to the ploughed plots. Highest microbial biomass C contents of roughly 300 μg g⁻¹ soil were always measured in the crowns in July. The lowest contents of microbial biomass C of 85–137 μg g⁻¹ soil were measured in the furrows. The ridges showed strong spatial heterogeneity in bulk density, soil water content, inorganic nitrogen and microbial biomass.     

Interacting effects of temperature, soil moisture and plant biomass production on ecosystem respiration in a northern temperate grassland

Chamber measurements of total ecosystem respiration (TER) in a native Canadian grassland ecosystem were made during two study years with different precipitation. The growing season (April–September) precipitation during 2001 was less than one-half of the 30-year mean (1971–2000), while 2002 received almost double the normal growing season precipitation. As a consequence soil moisture remained higher in 2002 than 2001 during most of the growing season and peak aboveground biomass production (253.9 g m⁻²) in 2002 was 60% higher than in 2001. Maximum respiration rates were approximately 9 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ in 2002 while only approximately 5 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ in 2001. Large diurnal variation in TER, which occurred during times of peak biomass and adequate soil moisture, was primarily controlled by changes in temperature. The temperature sensitivity coefficient (Q₁₀) for ecosystem respiration was on average 1.83 ± 0.08, and it declined in association with reductions in soil moisture. Approximately 94% of the seasonal and interannual variation in R₁₀ (standardized rate of respiration at 10 °C) data was explained by the interaction of changes in soil moisture and aboveground biomass, which suggested that plant aboveground biomass was good proxy for accounting for variations in both autotrophic and heterotrophic capacity for respiration. Soil moisture was the dominant environmental factor that controlled seasonal and interannual variation in TER in this grassland, when variation in temperature was held constant. We compared respiration rates measured with chambers and that determined from nighttime eddy covariance (EC) measurements. Respiration rates measured by both techniques showed very similar seasonal patterns of variation in both years. When TER was integrated over the entire growing season period, the chamber method produced slightly higher values than the EC method by approximately 4.5% and 13.6% during 2001 and 2002, respectively, much less than the estimated uncertainty for both measurement techniques. The two methods for calculating respiration had only minor effects on the seasonal-integrated estimates of net ecosystem CO₂ exchange and ecosystem gross photosynthesis.     

Real-time Measures of Canopy Size as a Basis for Spatially Varying Nitrogen Applications to Winter Wheat sown at Different Seed Rates

Experiments at two sites growing winter wheat show that in order to manage a wheat canopy more effectively, the use of specific remote sensing techniques both to monitor crop canopy expansion, and to determine variable nitrogen applications at key timings is required. Variations in seed rate were used to achieve a range of initial crop structures, and treatments were compared to standard farm practice. In the first year, the effect of varying seed rate (250, 350 and 450 seeds m⁻²) on crop structure, yield components and grain yield, was compared to the effects of underlying spatial variation. Plant populations increased up to the highest rate, but shoot and ear populations peaked at 350 seeds m⁻². Compensation through an increased number of grains per ear and thousand grain weight resulted in the highest yield and gross margin at the lowest seed rate. In later experiments, the range of seed rates was extended to include 150 seeds m⁻², each sown in 24 m wide strips split into 12 m wide halves. One half received a standard nitrogen dose of 200 kg [N] ha⁻¹, the other a variable treatment based on near ‘real-time’ maps of crop growth. Both were split into three applications, targeted at mid-late tillering (early March), growth stages GS30-31 (mid April) and GS33 (mid May). At each timing, calibrated aerial digital photography was used to assess crop growth in terms of shoot population at tillering, and canopy green area index at GS30-31 and GS33. These were compared to current agronomic guidelines. Application rates were then varied below or above the planned amount where growth was above- or below-target, respectively. In the first field, total nitrogen doses in the variable treatments ranged from 188 to 243 kg [N] ha⁻¹, which gave higher yields than the standards at all seed rates in the range 0·36–0·78 t ha⁻¹ and gross margins of £17 to £60 ha⁻¹. In the second field, variable treatments ranged from 135 to 197 kg [N] ha⁻¹ that resulted in lower yields of −0·32 to +0·30 t ha⁻¹. However, in three out of the four seed rates, variable treatments produced higher gross margins than the standard, which ranged from £2 to £20 ha⁻¹. In both fields, the greatest benefits were obtained where the total amount of applied nitrogen was similar to the standard, but was applied variably rather than uniformly along the strips. Simple nitrogen balance calculations have shown that variable application of nitrogen can have an overall effect on reducing the nitrogen surplus by one-third.     

Reduced tillage effects on physical properties of silt loam soils growing root crops

In the scope of the increasing concern for soil conservation, reduced tillage (RT) agriculture is growing more important in today's agriculture in Western Europe. However, crop rotations often include beets and potatoes, crops that are generally assumed to be less suitable under RT agriculture because they result in a high disturbance of the soil at the formation of the ridges and at harvest. Therefore, the short- and long-term effect of RT agriculture on bulk density (BD), water retention curve (WRC), aggregate stability and field-saturated hydraulic conductivity of silt loam soils with crop rotations including root crops was evaluated. Ten fields at seven locations representing the important RT types, applied for a different number of years, and eight fields under conventional tillage (CT) agriculture with similar soil type and crop rotation were selected. At each location, BD of the 5–10 cm layer was mostly lower in the RT fields (1.42 ± 0.05 Mg m⁻³ [average with standard deviation]) compared to the CT fields (1.44 ± 0.09 Mg m⁻³) and the water content at saturation was mostly higher (0.394 ± 0.027 m³ m⁻³ and 0.382 ± 0.021 m³ m⁻³ for RT and CT fields, respectively). No differences in BD (1.53 ± 0.03 Mg m⁻³) or WRC could be found in the 25–30 cm soil layer when comparing the RT with the CT fields. The stability index of the 0–10 cm layer measured by ‘dry and wet sieving’ [De Leenheer, L., De Boodt, M., 1959. Determination of aggregate stability by the change in mean weight diameter. Mededelingen van landbouwhogeschool en de opzoekingstations van de staat te Gent 24, 290–300] was 40% higher under RT than CT agriculture. The mean weight diameter (MWD) [Le Bissonnais, Y., 1996. Aggregate stability and assessment of soil crustability and erodibility: I. Theory and methodology. Eur. J. Soil Sci. 47, 425–437] was significantly higher even after short-term RT compared to CT agriculture. The MWD after a heavy shower, a slow wetting of the soil and stirring the soil after prewetting was 19%, 38% and 34% higher for RT than CT fields, respectively. The field-saturated hydraulic conductivity tended to be higher under RT compared to the CT fields. Despite the high disturbance of the soil every 2 or 3 years of crop rotations including sugar beets or potatoes, RT agriculture had a positive effect on the investigated physical soil properties.     

Analysis of the Thermal Energy Requirements for the Extraction of Leaf Protein Concentrate from some Green Plants

Extraction of protein from the leaves of green plants is very important because of the high cost of conventional forms of protein such as meat, milk and fish. In order to design machinery for this extraction, and also to embark on leaf protein concentrate extraction, it is necessary to measure and analyse the energy requirements to carry out each process involved in the extraction, using different plant species.Experiments were carried out to determine the amount of crude protein, and the thermal energy required to extract leaf protein concentrate, from juices obtained from the leaves of some plant species. Leaves from the following plants were selected: cassava (Manihot esculanta), Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), gliricidia (Gliricidia maculata) and thorny tree (Hura crepetans). The leaves from the plant species were macerated in a laboratory pulper. Juice was obtained from the samples using perforated cylinders and a hydraulic press. The specific heat capacity of the juices was determined using the cooling curve method. The values of the heat capacities were used to calculate the amount of thermal energy required to raise the temperature of each juice from its normal temperature of about 25°C to a total protein coagulation temperature of about 80°C. The crude protein content of the extract was determined using the Kjeldal method.Results indicate that the green coagulum extracted from all the juices all have a protein content of at least 37%. The thermal energy required to coagulate protein from the juices ranges from 1·59 kJ kg⁻¹ for Hura crepetans to 2·7 kJ kg⁻¹ for Vernonia amygdalina. The energy requirement to obtain crude protein (CP) ranges from 8 kJ kg⁻¹ [CP] with Hura crepetans to 182 kJ kg⁻¹ [CP] with Vernonia amygdalina. Both results are statistically significant at the 0·01 confidence interval. It is concluded that the choice of plant species can significantly lower the thermal energy requirement for the extraction of leaf protein concentrate.