Cumulative Effect of Annual Additions of MSW Compost on the Yield of Field-Grown Tomatoes

For three years, source separated municipal solid waste (MSW) compost was applied in the field at two rates (25 and 50 T/A) and planted with tomatoes. Average yield (lbs/plant) from plots amended with 50 T/A MSW compost was significantly greater all three years than the unamended controls. Yield from plots amended with 25 T/A MSW compost was significantly greater than the unamended control only in 1993. The average number of tomatoes per plant and the average weight of each tomato were also greater from the compost-amended plots. The addition of 50 T/A MSW compost for three years raised the pH of the soil from 5.8 to 6.4 and raised the percent organic matter 84 percent. The concentration of nitrate in plots amended yearly with 50 T/A MSW compost was three fold greater than the unamended control.     

Evaluation of the Karras Spermdensimeter in Relation to the Neubauer Counting Chamber for Sperm Concentration Measurement in Boar Semen

The correct measurement of spermatic concentration in boar semen is one of the basic tasks routinely performed at the Swine Artificial Insemination Center (CIAS). This article explains two experiments whose objectives were: Experiment 1: This trial had two objectives: (1) to evaluate the precision of the spermdensimeter (SPM) with relation to the Neubauer count chamber (CN) which is considered the standard technique in the field and (2) to correct the scale on the SPM table. Experiment 2: This trial also had two objectives: (1) to evaluate the time and repetitions required in the SPM and (2) to compare the SPM adjusted table produced in Expt 1 with the SPM standard table. The methods in Expt 1 were used to measure total spermatic concentration in 141 boar ejaculates. The average spermatic concentrations (10(6) spermatozoids/ml) and average dose number were 229.1 and 22.6 for CN, and 283.6 and 28.0 for SPM. These results indicate that the SPM has a tendency to overestimate spermatic concentration with relation to the CN. The SPM produced a smaller coefficient of variation and needed lesser examination time than the CN (p < 0.05). The SPM adjusted table created in Expt 1 produced similar results as the SPM and CN standard tables (2.96 billion live spermatozoids/dose vs 2.36 billion live spermatozoids/dose). Incorporation and evaluation of supplemental data from other CIAS regarding the use of the SPM adjusted table in the field entitled 'Adjusted Table for Karras Spermdensimeter LPS-FMVZ-USP' would be valuable to prove its efficiency.     

Magnetic Collapse in Transition Metal Oxides at High Pressure: Implications for the Earth

Magnetic collapse in transition metal ions is predicted from first-principles computations at pressures reached in the Earth's lower mantle and core. Magnetic collapse would lead to marked changes in geophysically important properties, such as elasticity and conductivity, and also to different geochemical behavior, such as element partitioning, than estimated by extrapolating low-pressure data, and thus change the understanding of Earth's structure and evolution. Magnetic collapse results from band widening rather than from changes in crystal field splitting under pressure. Seismic anomalies in the outer core and the lowermost mantle may be due to magnetic collapse of ferrous iron, dissolved in iron liquid in the outer core, and in solution in magnesiowustite in the lowermost mantle.     

Sustained Vegetable Production for Three Years Using Composted Animal Manures

Intensive vegetable production trials were conducted for three years at Windsor (sandy terrace soil) and Mt. Carmel Connecticut (loamy upland soil) following yearly applications of spent mushroom compost (SMC) and chicken manure compost (CMC) applied at two rates (56 or 112 t/ha) as the sole source of nutrients. Yields of seven crops from these amended plots were compared to yields from control plots fertilized with NPK fertilizer. Yields of all vegetables increased as the rate of compost increased. Average yields of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), peppers (Capsicum annuum L.), and spring and fall broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) on all CMC-amended plots at both rates and sites in all years equaled or were greater than fertilized controls. Yields of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) from all compost-amended plots at both sites in all years equaled or were greater than fertilized controls. Cauliflower (spring and fall) (Brassica oleracea L.) yields from CMC-amended plots (both rates) equaled or exceeded the fertilized control in all years with one exception. Spent mushroom compost added to plots at 112 t/ha produced yields of eggplant, tomatoes, and spring cauliflower equal to the fertilized control at both sites in all years. After three consecutive years of application, there appears to be a negative cumulative effect to compost additions for eggplant and peppers and a modest positive effect for cauliflower at rates applied in this study.