Calibration of GFS model by using real time weather data for water requirement forecasting of vegetables in Chtouka region

In the ultimate goal to forecast weather parameters in the agriculture field and precisely in predicting water requirements, a software was developed based on Global forecasting system. To assess its reliability, data of six weather stations were used in the Chtouka region to provide measured weather parameters and allow, thus, software calibration. Air temperature, air humidity, global radiation, evapotranspiration, precipitation and wind speed/direction are studied as weather parameters. Based on statistical comparisons using normalized root mean square error (NRSE), absolute percentage error (MAPE) and mean bias error (MBE), the software was revealed efficient to provide reliable temperature, global radiation and evapotranspiration forecasting but remains unable to predict relative humidity, wind speed/direction and precipitation in an accurate way

Effect of Partial Root Zone Drying on Growth, Yield and Biomass Partitioning of a Soilless Tomato Crop

The object of the present research was to assess the effects of partial root zone drying (PRD) as a water supply strategy on tomato growth, productivity, biomass allocation and water use efficiency (WUE). Plants were grown under greenhouse, on a sand substrate. Three treatments were applied: a control that was fully and conventionally irrigated, PRD-70 and PRD-50 in which, respectively, 70% and 50% of water requirements were supplied using PRD. At planting, the root volume was devided into two halves each half was irrigated separately. Alternation of irrigation between the two root halves took place each three days. The total yield statistically differed (P < 0.05) with control giving the highest total yield (252 tons/ha). Compared to PRD-70 and control, PRD-50 yield decrease rates were, respectively, 16% and 30%. In terms of fruit number, PRD-50 showed 23% and 16% less fruits than PRD-70 and control, respectively. Fruit size was affected by treatment with PRD-50 treatment producing 66% and 53% more class 3 fruits (small size) than, control and PRD-70 (P< 0.05), respectively. For plant growth, the difference was not significant when comparing control to PRD-70 but was significant when comparing PRD-70 and control to PRD-50 (P < 0.05). No effect was on total biomass but root biomass was higher for stressed plants compared to control (P<0.05). WUE was 66% and 27% higher for PRD-50 and PRD-70 respectively compared to control

Synthesis and characterization of calcium precursor for hydroxyapatite synthesis from blood clam shell (anadara antiquata) using planetary ball mill process

Calcium precursor for synthesizing of hydroxyapatite can be obtained from natural material like A. antiquata (blood clamshell). Calcium synthesis was carried out through ball mill and calcinations process with high purity residues. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used for characterization. Analysis for blood clam shell powders revealed a reduction of average size from 217μm to 76μm and size of powder crystal is 29,2nm. This powders contained calcium element about 49,67% as the effectiveness of calcination and ball mill process. In morphology, powders have fine needles-like shape but still in agglomerate that can be reduced with extended ball mill process. This powders had a reduction of weight powders from 35,5% to 17,7% and dominated Ca(OH)2 that could be used as calcium precursor in synthesishydroxyapatite

Social Control in Transnational Families: Somali Women and Dignity in Johannesburg

Transnational mobility often separates families and distances individuals from the kinship and social structures by which they organized their lives prior to migration. Myriad forms of insecurity have been the impetus for Somali movement into the diaspora, with people fleeing the realities of conflict that have marked Somalia for decades while physically dividing families as individuals settle in different countries around the world. Mobility has altered the dynamics of households, families, and communities post-migration, reshaping social constructions as individuals move on without the familial support that sustained them in Somalia. While outcomes of these hardships are variable and often uneven in different settlement spaces, migration can offer new opportunities for people to pursue avenues from which they were previously excluded, such as by assuming roles and responsibilities their relatives once filled. These changes precipitate shifting identities and are challenging for women who find themselves self-reliant in the diaspora, particularly in the absence of (supportive) husbands and close kin.Drawing on ethnographic research in Johannesburg’s Somali community, this chapter explores the assumption that migration provides an opening for women to challenge subordinating gender norms. Settlement often grants women greater freedom to make choices in their lives, such as in employment and personal relationships, and yet they remain constrained by networks that limit their autonomy. Even with transnational migration and protracted separation, women are family representatives who must uphold cultural notions of respectability despite realities that position them as guardians and family providers. Women remain under the watchful eye of their extended families through expansive networks and the ease of modern communication, which facilitate a new form of social control as women’s behavior is carefully monitored and reported to relatives afar. These actualities raise questions about the degree to which transnational movement is a liberating force for women or rather a reconfiguration of social control. I argue that despite women’s changing position in their households and families, they remain limited by social control within their extended families and communities

Sur quelques methodes d'estimation directe de la structure par terme des taux d'interet

SIGLEAvailable at INIST (FR), Document Supply Service, under shelf-number : DO 2335 (5) / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc

Cost–benefit analysis of tomato in soilless culture systems with saline water under greenhouse conditions

BACKGROUND: The current need to produce food for a growing population, from diminishing natural resources, such as water and energy, and with minimum environmental degradation, demands the optimization of production. We compare the economic feasibility of tomato production in an open system with a perlite substrate, a closed system with the nutrient film technique (NFT), and a hydroponic crop (deep flowtechnique,DFT) using three levels of salinity that are found within the normal range for irrigation water quality in southeastern Spain. RESULTS: Production with DFT resulted in an increase in the cost of phytosanitary treatments and the cost of maintenance. Production with perlite resulted in an increase in the cost of irrigation water and fertilization, and the use of NFT resulted in an increase in energy costs. The point of price equilibrium was exceeded in the three soilless systems when using low salinity water, and in perlite, with intermediate salinity water. CONCLUSION: Profitability was reduced in the following order: perlite > NFT>DFT. There were positive results when using irrigation water with low salinity, and in the case of perlite, with intermediate salinity. In every case, salinity reduced the profitability of the operation, and this was greater when NFT was employed. The analysis of these soilless systems should be continued to determine the possibility of reducing cultivation costs