Corruption and innovation in private firms: Does gender matter?

In this study, we examine whether bribery impairs gender-based asymmetries in product/process innovation in developing economies. Based on firm-level data from Latin American countries, we reject the proposition that women behave differently with respect to bribing on the grounds of higher ethical/moral standards. After controlling for endogeneity and non-random treatment effects, we find that, in line with the Differential association and opportunity (DAO) theory, women in positions of influence (i.e., firm ownership and top management) are equally associated with firm-level bribing. Furthermore, the results indicate that women receive, on average, a greater payoff from bribing compared to male counterparts. At a practical level for firms wishing to innovate, the question of how to gain maximum advantage from each peso paid in bribes becomes an interesting amoral exercise. Our study reveals that promoting women into high-level positions on the basis of their superior morality is an ill-conceived presumption, which is not supported empirically

Effect of oil cakes and garlic aqueousbased formulations of trichoderma viride on management of meloidogyne incognita in chilli

Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) is a major threat to chilli (Capsicum annum) cultivation, by forming root galls and subsequent wilting. These nematodes live in soil, roots debris and reported surviving in other Solanaceae crops. Chemical application of nematicides cause impact on environment, therefore biocontrol using antagonistic fungi is desired to tackle this problem. This research is aimed to evaluate the effect of Trichoderma viride and its formulations on management of M. incognita. Oil cakes such as neem (Azadiracta indica), gingelly (Sesamum indicum), Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) and garlic (Allium sativum) extracts were used to evaluate the growth and sporulation of T. viride. Chilli variety MI-2 was used. Among the four preparations, neem oil cake recorded high spore yield of 1.75 ×107 spores/ml. Similarly gingelly oil cake and garlic produced the spore yields of 1.57 ×107 spores/ml and 1.368 ×107 spores/ml, respectively. Comparatively Mahua oil cake obtained low spore yield of 7.87×106 spores/ml. Plant growth was significant (P<0.05) in the application of neem oil cake formulation (30.42 cm). Extent of galling was significantly low with garlic (9.00) and neem (9.25). These results confirmed that the formulations of neem, gingelly oil cake extracts and garlic aqueous extract stimulated the chilli plant growth, productivity and reduced the nematode infestation. Above all, neem oil cake and garlic are the best formulations that can be used to manage M. incognit

Application of Soft Computing Algorithm for the Fertigation of Horticulture Crops

ABSTRACT: This paper reduces the soil pollutions and health effects in precision agriculture by introducing soft computing algorithm. Using the fuzzy based rule is used to provide the correct quantities of fertilizers (NPK) Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K) to the horticultural crops to improve the productivity. The proposed fuzzy system, will recommend the needed fertilizers (NPK) to accomplish best crop production. Effective application of the correct quantities of fertilizers (NPK) is an important portion of achieving cost-effective yields. This fuzzy system will be useful in two ways, Firstly receiving money-making crop is one main objective keeping in mind by applying fertilizers (NPK) in an effective manner without overdosing. Secondly applying ineffective fertilizers (NPK) to crop may affect yield of crop and soil respectively. So the earnings prospective for farmers depend on producing better yield per acre to keep production costs below the export price

Design of Filtration System for Aerated Sewage Water

The study investigated the potential of sand and activated charcoal filtration systems to enhance water quality for irrigation by treating aerated sewage effluent from. Setup involved a 60 cm deep sand filter connected as the inlet to another 30 cm deep sand filter and this filter linked as the inlet to a 30 cm deep charcoal filter. These filters were operated in series at hydraulic loading rates (HLR) of 60 m/h and 10 m/h. Notably, operating the filters in series at an HLR of 10 m/h yielded superior effluent water quality compared to an HLR of 60 m/h. System achieved significant removal efficiencies for turbidity, BOD5, COD, Total Nitrogen (Total-N), Total Phosphorous (Total-P) with 71.9%, 54.4%, 71.9%, 44.4%, 39.1%, and 42.9% with a 90 cm deep sand filter at an HLR of 10 m/h, and also with a combination of sand and charcoal filters at an HLR of 25 m/h system achieved 81.6%, 80.3%, 63.5%, 47.5%, and 64.3% respectively. We also examined the chemical characteristics of both untreated and treated sewage water samples, revealing a hierarchy of cation and anion prevalence as follows: Na+ &gt; Ca2+ &gt; Mg2+ &gt; K+ for cations, and Cl- &gt; HCO3- &gt; SO42- &gt; CO32- for anions. Our study demonstrates that the combination of aeration and sand filtration effectively ensures safety by preventing water body pollution and unpleasant odours with high-quality treated wastewater suitable for sustainable agricultural use

Effect of Different Sources of Sulphur on Sulphur Fractions in a Calcareous Soil

An incubation experiment was conducted to study the S release pattern by different S sources and grades. The bulk soils were collected from the Esanai village which has deficient in sulphur. The treatments were replicated thrice in completely randomized design. Treatment details are Ammonium sulphate, Single Super Phosphate, Gypsum were the three sources of sulphur applied at the intervals of 0, 20, 40 kg S ha-1 along with the recommended dose of N, P and K.&nbsp; Destructive soil sampling was carried out at 15, 30, 60, 90 days after incubation and analyzed for S fractions as per standard procedures to understand the effect of S sources and S dynamics in those areas. Soil samples were analysed for sulphur fraction i.e. Water soluble sulphur fraction, Exchangeable sulphur fraction, CaCl2extractable sulphur fraction, Occuled sulphur fraction, Organic sulphur fraction and Total sulphur fraction. The soil sulphur fractions were arranged in the order of occluded sulphur &gt; water soluble sulphur &gt; exchangeable sulphur &gt; CaCl2 extractable sulphur &gt; organic sulphur. The results emerged out in this experiment indicate that that application of sulphur in the form of Ammonium Sulphate @ 40 kg S ha-1 was found to be applied for better release of available sulphur. The zero fertilization led to decline in the levels of all the forms of sulphur as compared to rest of treatments