Effects of Irrigation Water in Different Salinity on Yield and Quality Parameters of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) Plant

Salinity affects many areas in our country and around the world, resulting in dramatic reductions in plant yields. In this study, the plant yield, some plant quality parameters, and soil salinity in the plant root area were investigated by irrigating tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.) with different salinity irrigation waters. The experiment was carried out in pots in 4 replicates according to the randomized plot design. Six different salinity of irrigation water applications were applied in the experiment (S0?=?0.38 dS m^?1, S1?=?2 dS m^?1, S2?=?5 dS m^?1, S3?=?8 dS m^?1, S4?=?11 dS m^?1, S5?=?15 dS m^?1). According to the data obtained at the end of the research, as the salinity of irrigation water increased, plant length, leaf width, leaf length, leaf dry weight and leaf number decreased. It was determined that there was a certain increase in nicotine content in the face of the decrease of all examined physical parameters in irrigation water increase. In addition, the salinity values in the plant root zone soils and the salinity values in the outlet (drainage) water have also increased. Salinity threshold value of the tobacco plant was determined to be 2.04 dS m^?1. With an increase in salinity by one unit, there was a 7.1% decrease in leaf dry weight. It was determined that the tobacco plant is vulnerable to salinity based on the data collected.

     

A new approach for neutron moisture meter calibration: artificial neural network

The neutron moisture meter (NMM) is a widely used device for sensing soil water content (SWC). Calibration accuracy and precision of the NMM are critical to obtain reliable results, and linear regression analysis of SWC against NMM count data is the most common method of calibration. In this study, artificial neural network (ANN) calibration models were developed and compared with linear regression. For this purposes, training and validation data were obtained from 2 calibration and 16 testing plots, respectively. Calibration plots consist of wet and dry soil water conditions separately. Data measured in dry beans and red pepper plots that have four different water levels were used to determine validity of regression and ANN-based calibration models. Volumetric SWC and NMM count ratio measurements were taken for depth intervals of 30 cm throughout a 120-cm-deep soil profile. Several neural network architectures were explored in order to determine the optimal network architecture. Data analyses were conducted for each soil layer and for the whole profile, separately, based on both linear regression and ANN. Linear regression calibration equation coefficients of determination (r ²) for the 0–30, 30–60, 60–90 and 90–120 cm depth ranges calculated by regression models were 0.85, 0.84, 0.72 and 0.82, respectively, and r ² values were 0.94, 0.95, 0.87 and 0.88 based on ANN models, respectively. Using the data set from the entire 120-cm soil profile for calibration by ANN, the r ² value was raised to 0.97.     

Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of subconjunctival injection of clindamycin in the treatment of naturally occurring infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical efficacy of subconjunctival injection of clindamycin in the treatment of naturally occurring infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK). ANIMALS STUDIED: Clinically, out of 81 animals examined, 46 were found to be suffering from IBK of variable severity. The ocular secretions were collected and cultured for Moraxella bovis. The study included 36 Holstein cattle from which M. Bovis was isolated. These animals ranged between 4 and 28 months of age. PROCEDURES: The severity of the clinical findings were scored as normal, mild, moderate, and severe. Clindamycin was injected subconjunctivally at a total dose of 150 mg (1 mL), once daily for 3 days to the test group (n = 18); isotonic saline solution (1 mL) was administered to the control group. After treatment, all cattle were re-examined and clinical response was evaluated on days 3, 7 and 15 post-treatment. RESULTS: Compared with the control group and prior to treatment, all active lesions such as blepharospasm, epiphora, photophobia, chemosis, corneal edema, and corneal ulceration were generally resolved by day 15 after subconjunctival injection of clindamycin. Severity of IBK lesions increased on days 3 and 7, compared to baseline in the control group administered isotonic saline solution. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that subconjunctival injection of clindamycin is effective in the treatment of naturally occurring infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis.     

Using empirical equations to determine appropriate furrow length under field condition

In this study, some of the empirical methods such as USDA-SCS and volume balance equations were used for determining furrow length. The main purpose was proving empirical equations application possibility. According to results, USDA-SCS and Volume Balance Equations can be used for determining furrow length at the Bafra Plain, Turkey. The field experiment and Volume Balance results are very close to each other. Experimental results are different from USDA-SCS equation results, but there is a relationship between both. There is a coefficient between field results and USDA-SCS equation result for furrow length. The coefficient (0.41) can multiply by UDSA-SCS result is 73 m which is very close to the field experimental result of 71 m.