Effect of Auxin and Cow Urine as Nutrient Source on Pineapple Propagation through Crown in Soilless Culture under Protected Condition

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of auxin and cow urine on rooting, survival and growth of pineapple through crown propagation with soilless culture under protected condition. The research was conducted in 2020 at the High-Tech Horticultural Park, College of Horticulture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, employing a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) as the experimental design. Eight treatments were implemented, including Control (T1), IBA 400 ppm (T2), IBA 600 ppm (T3), IBA 800 ppm (T4), NAA 600 ppm (T5), NAA 800 ppm (T6), NAA 1000 ppm (T7) and Cow urine 15 % (T8). The results of this experiment revealed that IBA 600 ppm had a notable impact on various growth parameters. It exhibited the highest percentage of rooted crowns (94.44 %), length of root (5.58, 8.26 and 11.08 cm) at 15, 25 and 35 days, respectively, length of leaf (13.35, 16.27 and 19.67 cm) at 15, 25 and 35 days, respectively, no. of leaves (70.58, 80.28 and 91.06) at 15, 25 and 35 days, respectively. Furthermore, IBA 600 ppm significantly influenced the fresh root weight (16.46 g), dry root weight (7.77 g), fresh shoot weight (136.33 g), and dry shoot weight (57.67 g). Additionally, IBA 600 ppm demonstrated the highest survival rate (65.91%) and the lowest mortality rate (24.09%). While T6 gave maximum no. of roots (70.58, 80.28 and 91.06) at 15, 25 and 35 days, respectively. T8 gave minimum days required for root initiation (2.67 days). The use of IBA at 600 ppm for a brief dipping period, along with the utilization of NAA at 800 ppm for enhancing root formation, and Cow urine at 15% for accelerated rooting, can be recommended for promoting successful pineapple crown propagation

The accomplishment of the Engineering Design Activities of IFMIF/EVEDA: The European-Japanese project towards a Li(d,xn) fusion relevant neutron source

The International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF), presently in its Engineering Validation and Engineering Design Activities (EVEDA) phase under the frame of the Broader Approach Agreement between Europe and Japan, accomplished in summer 2013, on schedule, its EDA phase with the release of the engineering design report of the IFMIF plant, which is here described. Many improvements of the design from former phases are implemented, particularly a reduction of beam losses and operational costs thanks to the superconducting accelerator concept, the re-location of the quench tank outside the test cell (TC) with a reduction of tritium inventory and a simplification on its replacement in case of failure, the separation of the irradiation modules from the shielding block gaining irradiation flexibility and enhancement of the remote handling equipment reliability and cost reduction, and the water cooling of the liner and biological shielding of the TC, enhancing the efficiency and economy of the related sub-systems. In addition, the maintenance strategy has been modified to allow a shorter yearly stop of the irradiation operations and a more careful management of the irradiated samples. The design of the IFMIF plant is intimately linked with the EVA phase carried out since the entry into force of IFMIF/EVEDA in June 2007. These last activities and their on-going accomplishment have been thoroughly described elsewhere (Knaster J et al [19]), which, combined with the present paper, allows a clear understanding of the maturity of the European-Japanese international efforts. This released IFMIF Intermediate Engineering Design Report (IIEDR), which could be complemented if required concurrently with the outcome of the on-going EVA, will allow decision making on its construction and/or serve as the basis for the definition of the next step, aligned with the evolving needs of our fusion community