Effect of Adding Potassium and Organic Fertilizers on some Physical and Chemical Soil Properties and Vegetative Growth of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Adding potassium and organic fertilizers increases the vitality of agricultural soil. The research was carried out in Deir Ezzor Governorate during the two agricultural seasons 2022/2023 with the aim of studying the effect of adding potassium and organic fertilizers and their interaction on some soil properties and vegetative growth of maize (Ghouta 82 variety). A factorial experiment was conducted according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The experiment included two factors: the first was potassium fertilizer (potassium sulphate: K0:0- K1:100- K2:150- K3:200) kg K.ha-1 and the second was organic fertilizer (sheep manure: OM0:0- OM1:15- OM2: 20- OM3:25) tons. ha-1. The results showed: There were no significant differences in bulk density at all levels of potassium fertilizer, while the total porosity of the soil increased for the first and second seasons, and the electrical conductivity also increased for both seasons, and the increase was significant at K3 of potassium fertilizer compared to the rest of the treatments and the control. While the degree of soil interaction decreased at K3 for both seasons. Adding organic fertilizer to both seasons led to a significant decrease at OM3 in the values ​​of bulk density, degree of soil interaction, and electrical conductivity compared to the rest of the treatments and the control, while there was a significant increase in porosity for both seasons. As for the K3 and OM3 interference, the values ​​of both the bulk density and the degree of soil interaction decreased, and the porosity values ​​increased compared to the rest of the interactions and the control for the first and second seasons. While the electrical conductivity decreased when OM3 of organic fertilizer was mixed with K0 of potassium fertilizer. The results also show the positive effect of potassium and organic fertilizers separately on the studied plant characteristics (number of leaves, dry weight of shoots). As for the combined effect of both fertilizers, the best results were when K3 and K2 of potassium fertilizer were mixed with OM3 of organic fertilizer, as it increased (number of leaves, dry weight of shoots)

Performance Evaluation of the Enset Decorticator Machine and comparison of the end product with manual decortication method

Enset is perennial herbaceous root crop and about twenty percent of Ethiopia’s population used Enset for human food, fiber, animal forage, construction materials, and medicines. Decortication of this crop was mostly by traditional methods. This traditional method is inefficient, unhygienic, gender based, less productive and time consuming. To alleviate this problem, the way aimed for developing engine driven Enset decorticator. Therefore the objective this study was to determine the performance of the constructed enset decorticated machine in Wolkite University. The decorticating machine consists of cylindrical shaped drum, blade, inclined plate, storage device, output holes and 6.5 horsepower diesel engine. The developed diesel engine motor driven decorticator was tested in the laboratory and field. In laboratory test machine checked its specification and operational test. The result revealed that, at drum speed 1200 rpm the machine had maximum decorticating efficiency, fiber cleaning efficiency and lower un-decorticated sheath which was 95.35%, 93.16% and 6.15% respectively. When compared with traditional methods, the end product of the manual decorticated kocho can ferment faster than machine decorticated due to high value of PH, which had mean result of 5.69 and 5.01 respectively. And the time required to finish single sheath machine consume less time than manual method of decortication which has mean value of 0.25 sec and 1.14 sec respectively Keywords: Decortication, Enset, Performance, spee

Development of Heat Storage-based Greenhouse Dryer - A Comprehensive Assessment of the Dryer

Different agricultural produce is dried using various drying sources and processes. Fossil fuel based dryers are more efficient but polluting and costly. In third world countries primary processing systems are scarce in all production catchment. Present study develops heat storage-based greenhouse solar bulk drying system for process standardization and value addition of produce.Among several cost-effective bulk drying systems, the Poly-house heat storage-based greenhouse dryer stands out because it considers meteorological conditions and physico-chemical characteristics of harvested agricultural produce. This dryer is suitable for spices like ginger and turmeric and minor fruit like elephant apple and Indian gooseberry. Structural design dimensions are improvised and the system is smart to achieve improved hot air circulation, thermal efficiency, and economic return.The structural system of the dryer is standardized into hemi-cylindrical section ofspan 10.2m and radius 2m of capacity 1000 kg (with racks), flat plate collectors in inlets, insulated heat storage base and improvised forced convection system.Under no load test, the system generates hot air ranging from 42.70 to 54.32˚C at an ambient temperature of 28.50 to 34.60˚C.The primary drying is predominantly natural convection with an air residence time of 36 seconds, supplemented by humidity sensor-induced forced convection. Initial and final moisture content of 640 kg turmeric dried in one batch range from 85 - 89% to below 11% respectively. At average solar radiation 521.46 watt/m2, thermal efficiency of the dryer is 28.49%

Modeling of emissions characteristics of a diesel engine fueled by Jatropha Diestrol

The global reliance on fossil fuels for energy production has become increasingly apparent. However, the numerous drawbacks and diminishing reserves of fossil fuels have compelled the world to explore and utilize alternative and renewable fuel sources. Biofuels have emerged as a prominent contender among renewable energy options. Derived from animal and plant sources, biofuels obtained from non-edible plant resources have gained precedence to avoid compromising human food supplies. Biodiesel offers several advantages, including clean combustion and energy generation comparable to fossil fuels. One such non-edible plant-based biofuel is Jatropha biodiesel. While a blend of biodiesel and diesel can be directly used in diesel engines, the addition of ethanol can enhance the properties of the fuel blend, resulting in an improved alternative fuel. This advanced fuel blend, known as Jatropha Diesterol, has been developed and patented for the first time in Iran. The Jatropha Diesterol fuel blends (consisting of Jatropha biodiesel-diesel-ethanol) comprised 3% ethanol and 10%, 20%, and 30% biodiesel. These fuel blends underwent testing in a single-cylinder air-cooled diesel engine, operating at full load and four engine speeds (1600, 2000, 2400, and 2800 rpm). The emitted pollutants, namely CO, CO2, HC, O2, and HC, were analyzed and recorded. Subsequently, the data was modeled using the support vector machine (SVM) method, incorporating genetic algorithm (GA) optimization. Eighty percent of the data was assigned for training purposes, while the remaining 20% was allocated for testing. The modeling results were evaluated using parameters such as R2, MSE, MAE, and RSME. The outcomes demonstrated that the SVM+GA method accurately predicted the data from this experiment, achieving high accuracy and, in some cases, 100% accuracy. Therefore, this modeling approach can be utilized for future research in this field, obviating the need for costly and time-consuming experiments and evaluations of advanced alternative fuel blen

Preservation of Fresh Tomatoes using Biochemical Treatments: A Systematic Review

A wide range of biochemical treatments have been proposed to control microbial spoilage of tomatoes, but the relative efficacy of these treatments is unclear. This review examines the most commonly used biochemical treatments for tomatoes, intending to provide insights into their effectiveness and limitations. The review concludes that there is no single biochemical treatment that is universally effective for controlling microbial spoilage of tomatoes. The most effective treatment will vary depending on the specific conditions of storage and the variety of tomatoes being treated. However, the review provides valuable insights into the relative efficacy and limitations of the most commonly used biochemical treatments. This information can help researchers, growers, and handlers to make informed decisions about the best way to control microbial spoilage of tomatoes

EN Physical attributes of a Quartzarenic Neosol treated with hydrogel

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different doses of hydrogel on the physical attributes of sandy-textured soil in a semi-arid region. To this end, sandy-textured soil was mixed with hydrated hydrogel in a two-liter vase in the laboratory under normal temperature conditions between 25 and 27 °C. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks with five doses of hydrogel (0.0, 0.6, 1.2, 2.4, and 4.8 g L-1) with four replications over nine weeks. The polymer used was a commercial hydrogel based on cross-linked potassium polyacrylate. At the end of the experiment, soil density, particle density, total soil porosity, soil granulometric analysis, and water-dispersed clay were analyzed after nine weeks of applying the hydrogel doses to the soil. The results showed that the hydrogel altered the physical attributes of the soil, such as soil density and total porosity. The sand, silt, and clay fractions were impacted as well as the degree of flocculation. Therefore, there is evidence that the application of hydrogel to sandy soils contributes to an improvement in their physical attributes, especially in soil density, total porosity, and degree of flocculation of these soils, thus favoring a better permeability of agricultural soils and contributing to gas exchange occurring more efficiently in the soil system. Keywords: hydrogel, water storage, soil physical quality, semi-arid

Trafficking and loading behavior on soil and sub-soil

The threat of soil degradation due to compaction has increased due to increasing use of heavy machinery in agriculture. An experiment was conducted in soil bin at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to determine the extent of compaction in the sub soil layer due to five different passes of a half chassis simulator of tractor at four normal loads of 2.71, 3.69, 4.67 and 5.65 kN. The soil of bin was alluvial with sandy loam texture. The compaction parameters e.g. bulk density and cone penetration resistance was measured at different depths i.e. upto 50 cm at intervals of 5 cm. A statistical model was developed considering soil compaction at different soil depth due to varying normal load and number of passes the bulk density in 0-15cm layer increased up to 11 passes unceasingly. The bulk density obtained in 0-15cm, 15-30cm and 30-45 cm layer were 1.52, 1.55 and 1.49, respectively. The increase in bulk density was more due to increased number of passes than amount load. The effect of increase in load and passes had very marginal effect on compaction at soil depth below 45 cm. The R2 values of the developed models were 0.665, 0.864 and 0.78

The Improvement and validation of two-wheel tractor operated potato planter for profitable potato production

Potato planting operation are carried out manually, which are time consuming, costly and labour intensive. To address the issue of potato planting, a power tiller operated potato planter was improved in Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI). Modifications were done on potato cup, seed hopper, bed shaper and furrow opener.  The performance of the planter was evaluated at BARI, Gazipur, Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Jashore; Tuber Crops Research Station (TCRS), Bogura and Breeders Seed Production Station (BSPS), Debiganj, Panchagarh during Rabi (dry winter) season of 2017-20. Effective field capacity and field efficiency of the planter were 0.11 ha/h and 78.57%, respectively. Yield of BARI Alu-36 at BARI, Gazipur were not varied with the planting methods. Potato planter saved 89% labour requirement and 81% planting cost, respectively compare to manual potato planting method. Though potato yield was not varied between planted with potato planter and manual methods at farmer’s field in Bogura but the statistically higher yield was found in machine planted field at TCRS, Bogura with BARI Alu-41. But yield of BARI Alu-41 in machine planted fields was not varied with planting methods at farmer’s field in Jashore. Yield of BARI Alu-36 at RARS, Jashore was not varied with the planting methods. But yields of BARI Alu-36 were higher in machine planted plot than the manual method at farmer’s field of Jashore Sadar and Jhikorgachha in Jashore. Net return from BARI potato planter was Taka 111693 per season. The payback period and benefit cost ratio (BCR)of the planter were 1.61 year and 1.17, respectively

The Suitability evaluation of circular economics models for sweet potato in Binh Tan district, Vinh Long province, Viet Nam

The study was conducted to assess the current production status and natural land potential for the development of circular sweet potato plants in Binh Tan district, Vinh Long province, to propose solutions to increase the economic, social, and environmental value of sweet potatoes. The following methods carry it out: collecting primary and secondary data; synthetic, descriptive statistics; analysis of variance T-test; adaptive assessment; and proposed methods. According to research findings, the sweet potato varieties of purple, white, milk, and red are distributed throughout most study areas. The low economic efficiency due to the complicated situation of the epidemic in the past year caused the price of sweet potatoes to drop significantly. The export of sweet potatoes to foreign countries was limited. Meanwhile, the district has suitable adaptive conditions for sweet potato plants, such as texture, pH, humidity, rainfall, irrigation capacity, etc. The recommended models increase income from growing sweet potatoes and raising livestock, bringing higher economic efficiency to people, more labor needed for people to have jobs, and making full use of agricultural and livestock by-products (unused animal manure, leaves, stems, and roots of sweet potato plants), which limiting environmental pollution when handling improper waste products. The study has proposed solutions to increase the circulation of products, thereby increasing the efficiency of sweet potato production. However, people need to learn the proper use and handling of plant by-products

Evaluation of Remote-Controlled spraying rover in high-density apple orchards

The study evaluates the performance, effectiveness and efficiency of the remote-controlled spraying rover in comparison to traditional sprayers for high-density apple orchards in Kashmir region of India. The analysis process involved spray pattern, Swath width, discharge rate, average droplet size, leaf coverage area, uniformity coefficient and field efficiency. It revealed that forward speed, boom height, and pump pressure significantly affect droplet characteristics in spraying. Higher pressure produced smaller droplets, while lower boom height and slower speed resulted in larger droplets. Optimal mean droplet sizes were found at 0.96 µm (top) and 29.47 µm (bottom). Droplet distribution and leaf coverage were influenced similarly, with the middle section having the highest droplet count and coverage. Uniformity coefficients varied from 0.5 to 0.94, showing optimal conditions at specific parameter combinations. Discharge rate responded to pressure changes, swath width and work rate increased with higher pressure and boom height. Field efficiency ranged from 82.12 to 82.73%. Optimized parameters of forward speed of 0.61 km.h-1, boom height of 135 cm, and pump pressure of 1.45 kg.cm-2, enhanced overall efficiency for agricultural spraying