Resource allocation tradeoffs in Manila’s peri-urban vegetable production systems: An application of multiple objective programming

This paper designed and developed a multi-objective programming (MOP) model to illustrate the dynamic relationship among technologies, productive activities, constraints and farmers’ objectives in the peri-urban vegetable production system and use the model as an economic tool in analysing probable consequences of a given action or innovation on the farm. The best compromise solution was generated using four analytical steps, as follows: single-objective optimization (to determine the ideal and anti-ideal values of the objective functions); constrained optimization (to generate the set of Pareto non-dominated solutions); cluster analysis (to trim down efficient set into smaller homogeneous groups); and compromise programming (to determine where the best compromise solution lies).     

Aurasperone A Inhibits SARS CoV-2 In Vitro: An Integrated In Vitro and In Silico Study

Several natural products recovered from a marine-derived Aspergillus niger were tested for their inhibitory activity against SARS CoV-2 in vitro. Aurasperone A (3) was found to inhibit SARS CoV-2 efficiently (IC₅₀ = 12.25 µM) with comparable activity with the positive control remdesivir (IC₅₀ = 10.11 µM). Aurasperone A exerted minimal cytotoxicity on Vero E6 cells (CC₅₀ = 32.36 mM, SI = 2641.5) and it was found to be much safer than remdesivir (CC₅₀ = 415.22 µM, SI = 41.07). To putatively highlight its molecular target, aurasperone A was subjected to molecular docking against several key-viral protein targets followed by a series of molecular dynamics-based in silico experiments that suggested M^pro to be its primary viral protein target. More potent anti-SARS CoV-2 M^pro inhibitors can be developed according to our findings presented in the present investigation.     

Simulating the Production of Rice Genotypes by Flood Management and End-Season Water Stress Conditions Using AquaCrop Model

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted to assess the ability of AquaCrop model in predicting of grain and biological yield of rice genotypes in water management. A two-year field experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of the Iranian Rice Research Institute in Rasht, Iran from 2016 to 2017. The experiment was established in a split-plot design with two irrigation management (continuous submergence and end season water stress) as the main plot, fourth rice genotypes as the sub-plot and three replications. The goodness-of-fit between observed and simulated grain yield and final biomass was assessed by means of the coefficient of determination (R ²), the absolute and normalized root mean square errors (RMSE). The RMSE_n of predicting grain yield at calibration and evaluation stages was in the range of 6–12% and 6–8% for biological yield. The results indicated that AquaCrop model is suitable to predict grain yield and biological yield of rice genotypes in northern Iran. AquaCrop model can be used to determine optimization strategies to improve the water consumption of rice genotypes.     

Biological Degradation of Common Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Soils with High Water Content

Biological degradation rates of six pharmaceuticals and personal care products were examined in soil from a land application site and in adjacent soil with no prior history of effluent exposure. Microbial degradation rates were compared over 2 weeks under standing water or saturated conditions and draining conditions after having been saturated for 3 days. Biological degradation of 17??-estradiol exhibited rapid rates of biological degradation under both saturated and draining conditions. Half-lives for 17??-estradiol ranged from 1.5 to 4 days; 66?C97% was lost from the soils. Estriol showed a pattern of biological degradation in both saturated and draining conditions though the half-lives were longer (8.7?C25.9 days) than those observed for 17??-estradiol. Twenty-eight percent to 73% of estriol was lost over the 14 days treatment period. Estrone and 17??-ethinylestradiol exhibited slower rates of biological transformation under saturated and draining conditions. Half-lives for estrone ranged between 27.5 and 56.8 days with loss of at most 21%. 17??-ethinylestradiol exhibited half-lives of 22.6?C207 days. Half-life data for ibuprofen ranged from 30.4 to 1,706.4 days in this experiment. Losses of up to 17% were observed in draining soils. Triclosan loss was at most 10%, and half-lives were 70.9?C398.8 days. In all cases, soils that were draining from saturated conditions exhibited faster degradation rates than soils that remained saturated. Prior exposure of the soil to effluent did not always result in higher biological degradation rates.     

塔里木盆地多种沙源类型沙通量异变特征研究

以塔里木盆地周边地区多种沙尘源地为研究区,通过塔中、肖塘、若羌、策勒四个风沙观测场获取的沙尘暴过程中贴地层风向、风速数据以及风蚀传感器实测的撞击颗粒数等数据计算出各地起沙临界摩擦速度,利用Gillette经典的垂直沙尘通量及Lettau水平沙尘通量公式对若羌、策勒、塔中、肖塘沙尘通量进行了估算,并通过各层实测的梯度风速作为背景值界定出塔里木盆地多种沙源类型沙通量变化比对特征,结果表明:垂直沙尘通量F量级为10-8kg/(m2.s),水平沙尘通量Q量级为10-4 kg/(m.s);风速相同情况下,F若羌最大,策勒次之,塔中、肖塘较小;Q若羌值最大,策勒次之,塔中第三,肖塘最小。垂直沙通量F与风速都表现出较好的线性相关,风速递增,垂直沙通量递增;风速递减,垂直沙通量递减。在风速递增幅度相同条件下,若羌Q值递增幅度最大,策勒次之,塔中、肖塘基本相同。     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improve the growth and phosphorus uptake of mung bean plants fertilized with composted rock phosphate fed dung in alkaline soil environment

Abstract

Inoculation effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on phosphorus (P) transfer from composted dung of cattle with a diet supplemented with powdered rock phosphate (RP) and their successive uptake by mung bean plants was assessed in alkaline soil. The efficacy of composted RP fed dung alone or/and in combination with AMF inoculums containing six different species were compared with SSP in six replicates per treatment in pots. The results showed that the association of AMF with composted RP fed dung had a positive effect on mung bean shoot (3.04?g) and root (2.62?g) biomass, chlorophyll (a, b), carotenoid contents and N (58.38?mg plant^?1) and P (4.61?mg plant^?1) uptake. Similarly, the percent roots colonization (56%) and nodulation of mung bean plant roots and their post-harvest soil properties were also improved by the inoculation of AMF together with composted RP fed dung. It is concluded that the combined application of AMF with composted RP fed dung has almost the same effect as SSP for improving mung bean plants growth and their nutrients uptake. Moreover, AMF inoculants can be used as a suitable biofertilizer in combination with locally available organic sources of fertilizers for improving P status and growth of plants in alkaline soils.     

Effects of ambient gaseous pollutants on photosynthesis,growth, yield and grain quality of selected crops grown at different sites varying in pollution levels

In recent decades, ambient gaseous pollution has increased due to anthropogenic activities worldwide. The studies to evaluate the adverse effects of ambient pollutants on commonly grown food crops are still limited, especially in Asian countries like Pakistan. The present study was conducted to measure the ambient pollutants in different sites of Faisalabad and their impact on growth and yield of wheat, mung bean and peas. Plants were grown in pots and placed at three sites named as control (Wire house of Government College University, Faisalabad), low pollution (LP) (Farm Area of Ayub Agricultural Research Institute) and high pollution (HP) (GT Chowk, Faisalabad) sites. Results showed that ambient ozone (O₃) concentration was highest at HP site followed by LP site and was below AOT40 in control site. Ambient pollutants caused foliar injury in crops and decreased plant height, leaf area, biomass and grain yield. Pollutants caused a reduction in photosynthetic pigments, stomatal conductance and net photosynthetic rate and grain protein contents in all three crops. In conclusion, the ambient O₃ level was highest at HP site, this current O₃ level and other pollutants decreased the growth and yield of important food crops.     

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.     

Acidulated activation of phosphate rock enhances release,lateral transport and uptake of phosphorus and trace metals upon direct-soil application

Phosphate rock (PR) was activated via acidulation with HCl, EDTA, and oxalic acid to enhance its reactivity. The release, lateral transport, and uptake of phosphorus (P) along with trace metals from pristine and activated PRs were investigated in a soil micro-block system over a period of 27 days, using wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher amounts of available soil P, Fe, Mn, and Zn were released from all the PRs after application to soil within first 9 days of seedling transplantation, while the release of other trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb) was minimal (<1.2 mg kg^?1). On cumulative basis, APR-O (oxalic acid activated PR) was the most efficient amendment releasing 164% more available P, followed by APR-E (EDTA activated PR) releasing 130% more available P, compared to the pristine PR. Similar results were also observed in the release of available Fe, Mn, Zn, and other trace metals. The highest diffusive mass fluxes for available P, Mn, Fe, and Zn in soil were observed after 3 days of seedling transplantation, which reduced subsequently. The uptake of P, Fe, Mn, and Zn by wheat plants was increased by 394%, 715%, 92%, and 91%, respectively, in APR-O application compared to the pristine PR, while it was increased by 280%, 188%, 16%, and 27%, respectively, in APR-E application compared to the pristine PR. Subsequently, APR-O and APR-E amendments resulted in enhanced shoot lengths, root lengths, shoot dry matter, and root dry matter contents of wheat plants. Hence, it was concluded that activation of PR with oxalic acid and EDTA prior to direct soil application may enhance the reactivity of PR and could serve as a cost-effect fertilization strategy for higher wheat crop production.