Impacts of different tillage practices on soil water infiltration for sustainable agriculture

Over the years, cultivation using sustainable tillage practices has gained significant importance, but the impact of tillage on soil water infiltration is still a concern for landowners due to the possible effects on crop yield. This study investigates the impact of different tillage managements on the infiltration rate of sandy clay loam soil under a semiarid environment. Field experiments were conducted in Chott Mariem Sousse, Tunisia. The tillage practices consisted of three treatments, including a tine cultivator (TC, 16 cm), moldboard plows (MP, 36 cm) and no-tillage (NT). Three infiltration models, Kostiakov, Philip and Horton, were applied to adjust the observed data and evaluate the infiltration characteristics of the studied soils. Comparison criteria, including the coefficient of determination (R2 ), along with the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE), were used to investigate the best-fit model. The results showed that moldboard plowing enhanced soil infiltration capacity relative to tine cultivation and no-tillage treatments. The mean saturated hydraulic conductivity was highest under MP, while it was lowest in NT, with 33.4% and 34.1% reduction compared to TC and MP, respectively. Based on the obtained results, Philip’s model showed better results with observed infiltration due to a higher R2 (0.981, 0.973 and 0.967), lower RMSE (3.36, 9.04 and 9.21) and lower MAE (1.46, 3.53 and 3.72) recorded, respectively, for NT, MP and TC. Horton’s model had a low regression coefficient between observed and predicted values. It was suggested that the Philip two-term model can adequately describe the infiltration process in the study area

Soil Salinity Assessment and Characterization in Abandoned Farmlands of Metouia Oasis, South Tunisia

In Tunisia, the phenomenon of abandonment of agricultural fields due to soil salinization is becoming common in oasis systems. However, little is known about the salinity level and the geochemical composition of abandoned oasis soils. A total of 156 soil samples were collected from abandoned plots in the Metouia Oasis, south-east of Tunisia, and characterized for electrical conductivity and cation and anion composition. In addition, a spatial analysis using spatial data and field verification was carried out. The results can be used to establish a management plan to address the problem of farmland abandonment associated with soil salinization and ensure the viability and sustainability of oasis systems

Detection of endoparasites and hematological parameters changes in Gallinula chloropus

Gastro-intestinal parasites and blood parameters were examined in thirty five Moorhen birds Gallinula chloropus that hunted in different areas in AL-Diwaniya city during April –August 2016. Endoparasites were examined and diagnosed according to classical standard parasitological methods which revealed 57.14% of moorhen bird were infected endoparasite Protozoal infection with higher infection rate 20% then Cestodal infection 14% and the infection by Nematoda spp and Trematoda spp was 11.42 % respectively. The blood indices related to these parasite intestinal showed significant decrease of RBC count,PCV and Hb concentration, While WBC count increased significantly due to endoparasite infection

Effects of excessive irrigation of date palm on soil salinization, shallow groundwater properties, and water use in a Saharan oasis

In arid oases, soil salinity and a rise in shallow groundwater are serious threats to long-term sustainability of irrigated agriculture. Understanding the impacts of irrigation practices on soil salinity and shallow groundwater dynamics is critical for improving soil conditions and water efficiency. In this study, the impacts of excessive irrigation of date palms with low-quality water on soil salinization and shallow groundwater properties (depth and electrical conductivity) were evaluated for a 10-year period (2005–2015) in a Saharan Tunisian oasis. The study included three phases: (1) assessment of the suitability of groundwater for irrigating date palms; (2) quantification of the long-term water use of date palm plantations; and (3) quantification of dynamic patterns of soil electrical conductivity and shallow saline groundwater in the studied oasis for a 10-year period (2005–2015). Results of this study indicated that under high evapotranspiration conditions, the identified low-quality water resources (leading to high soil salinization risk) coupled with rapidly rising shallow groundwater at critical depths (<1.5 m) (resulting from the high water use) were key factors of the rapid increase in soil salinization within the oasis. The soil electrical conductivity built up to levels that exceeded the salt tolerance of date palms, estimated at 4 dS m−1. Although the excessive use of irrigation water dilutes the groundwater, and its salinity decreases, the risk of increasing soil salinity is greater because of rising water table

Impact of Adjuvant Radiotherapy in Patients with Central Neurocytoma: A Multicentric International Analysis

Background: Central neurocytoma (CN) is a rare tumor accounting for <0.5% of all intracranial tumors. Surgery ± radiotherapy is the mainstay treatment. This international multicentric study aims to evaluate the outcomes of CNs patients after multimodal therapies and identify predictive factors. Patients and methods: We retrospectively identified 33 patients with CN treated between 2005 and 2019. Treatment characteristics and outcomes were assessed. Results: All patients with CN underwent surgical resection. Radiotherapy was delivered in 19 patients. The median radiation dose was 54 Gy (range, 50–60 Gy). The median follow-up time was 56 months. The 5-year OS and 5-year PFS were 90% and 76%, respectively. Patients who received radiotherapy had a significantly longer PFS than patients without RT (p = 0.004) and a trend towards longer OS. In addition, complete response after treatments was associated with longer PFS (p = 0.07). Conclusions: Using RT seems to be associated with longer survival rates with an acceptable toxicity profile