Effects of heat treatment on some properties of MDF (medium-density fiberboard)

This work investigated some mechanical, physical and free formaldehyde emission properties of heat-treated MDF. For this purpose, MDF panels were subjected to varying heat treatment temperatures (155°C, 165°C and 175°C), durations (2.5?h., 3.5?h. and 4.5?h.) and waiting times after hot pressing (30?min., 120?min. and 600?min). Thickness swelling (TS), water absorption (WA), free formaldehyde emission (FFE), bending strength (BS), modulus of elasticity (MOE), tensile strength perpendicular to fibers (TSPF) for treated and untreated samples were tested and evaluated statistically. Consequently, after the heat treatment values of tensile strength, bending strength and modulus of elasticity were almost negatively affected relatively, but the thickness swelling and water absorption and quantities of free formaldehyde were improved positively of MDF samples.     

Begünstigung von Erdnuß-Spinnmilben durch Anbau von Erdnüssen in Obst-Plantagen sowie Ergebnisse von Bekämpfungsversuchen

Favouring Tetranychid mites by intercropping peanut plants on citrus plants and results of chemical control measures The mite populations ofT. cucurbitacearum (Sayed) andT. arabicus (Attiah) reached noxious levels on the peanut plants intercropped on orange trees, during July and August, when the increasing in temperature was accompanied with increasing in humidity. It seems that intercropping the peanut plants on fruit trees and cultural practices may affect as well peanut plant condition as the mortality of mites and consequently increase mite infestation.Regarding, the control experiments, it had been found that 5 acaricides used were very effective in decreasing Tetranychid populations on peanut plants.     

Über die molluscizide Wirkung vonBacillus thuringiensis-Präparaten zur biologischen Bekämpfung vonBiomphalaria alexandrina-Schnecken,den Zwischenwirten des Bilharziose-SaugwurmsSchistosoma mansoni in Saudi Arabia

The comparative molluscicidal activity of different preparations ofBacillus thuringiensis as Thuricide, SAN 401, SAN 402 and SAN 415, onB. alexandrina snails was studied. The results showed that different preparations ofBac. thuring. have a remarkable molluscicidal activity onB. alexandrina snails. However, the obtained results proved thatBac. thuring. with its preparation SAN 415 was the most effective in killing the snails comparing with the other preparations at the same experimental condition. Prolonged exposure ofB. alexandrina to subletal concentration (250 ppm) of SAN 415 delayed its ovipositary activity. Increasing the dose to 500 ppm resulted in a complete loss of egg production. Comparatively exposure of snail groups to the same doses of Thuricide, SAN 401 and SAN 402 resulted only in decreasing its egg laying capacity. These results proved the high potentially effectiveness ofBac. thuring. in its preparation SAN 415 as a biological control agent forB. alexandrina snails. The wayes by which this biological agent acts on the reproductive system of the snails were discussed.     

Phenotypic diversity and evolution of farmer varieties of bread wheat on organic farms in Europe

The contribution of farmers to the creation and maintenance of genetic diversity is beginning to receive more recognition in developed countries. Although the use of landraces and historic varieties has largely disappeared in countries with industrialized agricultural systems and formal seed markets, certain varieties with particular cultural significance have been continuously cultivated by farmers and other varieties have been preserved ex situ in genebanks. Recently, associations of organic farmers have become involved in the conservation and use of landraces and historic varieties (called farmer varieties in this article) because these varieties possess agronomic and quality traits that they have not found in modern varieties. In this study, eight farmer varieties of bread wheat from Europe selected by participating farmers were evaluated in on-farm trials during 3 years of cultivation. Each variety was grown on each farm, and phenotypic changes in each variety were measured the third year in a replicated split-plot trial on each farm comparing the version of each variety the farmer had multiplied to a sample of each variety from the region of origin. All varieties, including the two modern pureline varieties used as checks, showed statistically significant phenotypic changes over 3 years of multiplication. However, the magnitude of these changes was moderate and did not call into question varietal identity or distinctness. In addition, some traits of putative agronomic and adaptive importance, such as grain weight per spike and thousand kernel weight, did not respond positively to natural selection (environmental conditions and management practices) which suggests the necessity of farmer selection to maintain and improve varietal performance.     

Effect of magnesium fertilization on yield and leaf composition of tomato plants

Tomato plants were grown for 2 years at 4 different rates of Mg fertilization on a Princeton loamy sand at pH 4.8 with 29 kg exchangeable Mg/ha. Calcareous limestone was used to provide a pH treatment in the second year. Magnesium deficiency symptoms were observed on plants grown on plots having ≤ 38 kg/ha NH₄OAC‐extractable Mg. Application of 56 kg Mg/ha corrected Mg deficiency and produced a significant increase in yield. Application of calcitic limestone also produced significant yield increases, but did not affect the development of Mg deficiency symptoms. Tomato yield was increased 27.9% by Mg application and 17.7% by lime application. Highest tomato yield was obtained with application of 112 kg Mg/ha. Symptoms of Mg deficiency were observed when the Mg concentration in recently mature leaf tissue was in the 0.30 to 0.32% range. Magnesium concentration in leaf tissue increased linearly with increasing Mg rate. Leaf Mg concentration at various growth stages of the tomato plant was variable depending on Mg treatment. Magnesium fertilization rate bad little effect on Ca or K leaf concentrations. Application of Calcltic limestone increased leaf tissue Ca and reduced leaf tissue Mg and Mn concentrations.     

The use of machine learning methods in classification of pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo L.)

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Pumpkin seeds are frequently consumed as confection worldwide because of their adequate amount of protein, fat, carbohydrate, and mineral contents. This study...     

Rainfall variability and its influence on surface flow regimes examples from the central highlands of Ethiopia

The article shows results of an international and interdisciplinary project with the title ‘Rainfall and its Erosivity in Ethiopia’. Rainfall variability affects the water resource management of Ethiopia. The influence of rainfall variability on flow regimes was investigated using five gauging stations with data availability from 1982–1997. It was confirmed that the variability in rainfall has a direct implication for surface runoff. Surface runoff declined at most of the gauging stations investigated. Therefore, effective water resource management is recommended for the study area. Future research should focus on watershed management which includes land-use and land cover. The question posed here is whether the variability in rainfall significantly affected surface flow in the study area.     

Comparative Studies on the Green Algae Chlorella homosphaera and Chlorella vulgaris with Respect to Oil Pollution in the River Nile

The effect of oil pollution on growth and metabolic activitiesof the fresh water algae Chlorella homosphaera and C.vulgaris was studied. The study was conducted on two locationsin the river Nile, one is oil polluted and the other is notpolluted. The assemblage of the different algal groups wasmonitored in both locations. Chlorophyta was more dominant thanCyanophyta and Bacillariophyta in both locations during allseasons except in winter when Bacillariophyta is the mostdominant group. The presence of crude oil or its refineryproducts (solar and lubricating) in the culture media of algaemarkedly influenced their growth, proteins and nucleic acidcontents. The toxicity of oil was a concentration dependent. Thelow concentrations stimulated growth, protein content andnucleic acids, whereas high concentrations had an inhibitoryeffect. Although DNA and RNA responded similarly to crude oil inthe two tested organisms, DNA showed more sensitivity than RNAto solar oil. Lubricating oil had a little phytotoxic effect onnucleic acids. Different species of algae response differentiallyto oil pollution; Chlorella vulgaris can be referred to asoil-sensitive, while Chlorella homosphaera can toleraterelatively higher concentrations of oil.     

优质高品质陆地棉品种(系)数量性状因子分析及稳定性评价

[目的]为指导优质陆地棉常规育种提供科学参考.[方法]对63个高品质陆地棉资源(即纤维长度30 mm、以上比强度31 cN/tex以上、马克隆值3.7 ～4.2)的14个数量性状进行因子分析并聚类,对其纤维品质进行稳定性评价.[结果]前5个公因子的累积贡献率达到90.0;,分别代表籽指、铃重、比强度、铃数、纤维整齐度、纤维细度等陆地棉的主要特征,并根据这63个品种(系)的前5个公因子的得分值,采用离差平方和法将其聚为9类,其中大铃优质、早熟性、高衣分上表现好的分别是Ⅸ、Ⅷ、Ⅵ类.[结论]通过因子分析聚类以及稳定性评价后最终预测出12个较理想的亲本,即贝尔斯诺、Acala1517-77、Aca1a1 517-70、巴州5628、SI2、霍皮卡尔、MO-78-344、117169-6、新陆中9号、巴州6501、长绒67-12和新培育品系.     

Morphological and molecular characterization of garlic (Allium sativum L.) genotypes sampled from Turkey

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Garlic is a vegetable widely used both in food and as a pharmaceutical raw material in the world due to its contents. Although morphological differences are...