Effects of naphthaleneacetic acid, indole-3-butyric acid and zinc sulfate on the rooting and growth of mulberry cuttings

The mulberry tree (Morus alba) is a perennial and fast-growing tree distributed worldwide under different climatic conditions. Most of the world’s silk production (>90%) is facilitated by the feeding of silkworm larvae on the leaves of mulberry (Morus alba L.) varieties. Therefore, exploration of the protocol for improving the propagation efficiency and increasing the reproductive capacity of M. alba varieties could be of great significance. This study aimed to determine the effect of four concentrations (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg L−1) each of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and zinc sulfate (0, 100 and 200 mg L−1), supplied separately or combined, on the rooting and growth of mulberry cuttings. M. alba cuttings were immersed for 5 s in each solution using the quick-dip method and subsequently, the cuttings were dried and planted in plastic pots and maintained in a greenhouse for 60 days. The number of leaves (NL), longest root size (LRS), longest stem size (LSS), number of rooted cuttings (NRC), number of stems per tree (NSP), rooting percentage (RP), wet root weight (WRW), dry root weight (DRW), wet stem weight (WSW), dry stem weight (DSW), wet leaf weight (WLW) and dry leaf weight (DLW) were evaluated. The results obtained showed an increase in all growth parameters of the mulberry cuttings. Treatments of hormones (IBA and NAA) and Zn sulfate were effective on LSS, LRS and WSW. The highest values of LSS were obtained for the treatments T5, T6, T14, T15, T16 and T18. Moreover, T5, T12 and T10 showed the highest values of LRS. The highest value of WSW was observed for T18, T5, T14, T15 and T16. The highest values of WLW and DLW were observed in T20 and T14. Dry stem weight (DSW) was high in T18 and T14. The application of NAA (at 200 mg L−1), IBA (200 and 400 mg L−1) and Zn sulfate (200 and 400 mg L−1), either alone or in double combination, can be a suitable and reliable method for mulberry propagation

Relationship between LAI of Quercus persica and Pistacia atlantica with Field Spectroscopy

Leaf area index (LAI) is a key variable in primary production and carbon cycling in ecosystems. It is used as an important predictor to explain the processes of forest ecology, forest management, and remote sensing studies. Most of the remote sensing instruments such as LAI-2000 and Fisheye photography are based on three-dimensional space and they consider the geometry of the crown to estimate LAI. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between spectral behaviour of Quercus persica and Pistacia atlantica with two-dimensional and three-dimensional LAI. To estimate LAI, a box (0.5× 0.5× 0.5 meters) was placed in the four directions of the crown and all the leaves were harvested. In situ spectral measurements of leaves were done with ASD Fieldspec spectroradiometer. The results of partial least squares regression to model LAI form spectral data of Quercus persica showed maximum regression coefficient at visible and near infrared wavelengths for both LAI3D and LAI2D. The coefficient of determination (R2) between the measured and estimated LAI2D and LAI3D values for Quercus persica was 0.16 and 0.23 respectively, and for Pistacia atlantica was 0.15 and to 0.42, respectively. Generally, LAI3D showed better relationship with spectral reflectance for both species

An optimum level of nano-selenium supplementation of a broiler diet according to the performance, economical parameters, plasma constituents and immunity

An optimum nano-Se content in a diet of highly productive broilers has not been defined yet. Meanwhile, there are contradictory reports regarding effects of nano-Se on production traits and the etiology of possible positive effects. The aims of the present study were to test the hypothesis that low levels of nano-Se can improve productivity and metabolic functions during a 42-day-long broiler production cycle, to determine an optimum nano-Selenium (nano-Se) concentration of the diet, and finally to explore the etiology of these effects. One-hundred-eighty 1-day-old, male, Ross 308 broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized experiment, where the birds were placed in experimental pens, in three replicate pens of 10 chicks each, making a total of 18 experimental units. They were assigned diets with different nano-Selenium levels. All birds were fed an almost identical diet from 1 until 42 d, different only in the nano-Se content, namely: 1) control (CON) group 0.0 nano-Se, 2) NS1 group 0.1 mg kg-1 dietary nano-Se, 3) NS2 group 0.2 mg kg-1 dietary nano-Se, 4) NS3 group 0.3 mg kg-1 dietary nano-Se, 5) NS4 group 0.4 mg kg-1 dietary nano-Se, 6) NS5 group 0.5 mg kg-1 dietary nano-Se, supplied from 1 to 42 day of life. The significance level was declared at P<0.05. The final bird weight was higher and production cost was lower in NS3 and NS4 groups compared to CON, NS1 and NS5. The weight of an eviscerated carcass was lower in CON group compared to the other groups. The serum blood parameters as well as the weight of organs related with the immune system were not significantly different between groups. Nano-Se supplementation positively affected body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Higher BWG was achieved owing to better FCR rather than higher feed intake. The supplementation of 0.3-0.4 mg nano-Se kg-1 is the optimum level to be added as a feed additive in broiler diets, increasing animal productivity and diminishing environmental impac

Statistical analysis on the effect of premixed ratio, EGR, and diesel fuel injection parameters on the performance and emissions of a NG/Diesel RCCI engine using a DOE method

In reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) engines, the ignition and combustion of premixed low reactive fuel (LRF) such as natural gas (NG) is controlled by the injection of high reactive fuel (HRF) such as diesel fuel during the compression stroke. In this study, the effects of six different input parameters on the performance and emissions of the natural gas/diesel fueled RCCI engine are studied using fractional factorial design (FFD) method, which is one of the design of experiment (DOE) methods. In this method, the effects of the interactions of input parameters, referred to as “factors,” on the outputs, referred to as “responses,” are investigated. The factors include premixed ratio (PR), start of first injection (SOI1), spray angle (SA), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), start of second injection (SOI2), and mass fraction of first injection. Sixteen runs were conducted to evaluate the effects of the interaction between input factors on performance and emissions of a RCCI engine using a validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. DOE results indicate that in order to increase gross indicated efficiency (GIE), higher premixed ratio, 85%, with wider spray angle, 150°, is an effective way. Meanwhile, carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbons (UHC) emissions as well as ringing intensity (RI) are decreased at this condition. To reduce NO emissions, it is beneficial to raise premixed ratio from 55% to 85% or to use 40% EGR, independently

A numerical investigation on combustion and emission characteristics of a dual fuel engine at part load condition

\u3cp\u3eDual fuel engines are more attractive due to lower emission levels in comparison with conventional diesel engines particularly at full loads. But it is required to study dual fuel combustion process with more details at part loads due to the poor performance and high CO and UHC emissions at these conditions. In the present study, numerical modeling of OM-355 dual fuel (injection of diesel pilot fuel to premixed mixture of air and methane) engine has been performed by using KIVA-3V code at part and full loads. Sub-models of the code were modified to simulate the fuel spray atomization, combustion and pollutants emissions processes, accurately. Results indicate that in-cylinder pressure, heat release rate and exhaust emissions predictions are in good agreement with experiments at all loads. Results show that a lean premixed natural gas mixture is ignited slowly. The slow progress of combustion process at part load, leads the heat release to be drawn more toward the expansion stroke which causes incomplete combustion, and consequently high amounts of UHC and CO will be emitted. It is found that at part loads, areas that are influenced by diesel diffusion flames are ignited and premixed natural gas flame could not be propagated properly. Hence development of diesel diffusion flame is required to burn lean natural gas mixture. But at full load, in addition to the diesel diffusion flames, premixed natural gas flame could be propagated suitably. Also, at part load because of low gas temperature in the environment of diesel spray and low diesel fuel temperature, diesel liquid droplets evaporate lately which are far from injector nozzles. Hence, it causes diesel diffusion flame from spray of each injector nozzles to be developed distinctly. It can be deduced that the flame structure is affected by operating conditions. Finally the effect of increasing the diesel fuel quantity on improving methane combustion is studied. The studied strategy could help to improving natural gas combustion due to enlarge the size of diesel combustion region.\u3c/p\u3

Efficiency and emissions mapping of a light duty diesel - natural gas engine operating in conventional diesel and RCCI modes

Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) is a promising dual-fuel Low Temperature Combustion (LTC) mode with significant potential for reducing NOx and particulate emissions while improving or maintaining thermal efficiency compared to Conventional Diesel Combustion (CDC) engines. The large reactivity difference between diesel and Natural Gas (NG) fuels provides a strong control variable for phasing and shaping combustion heat release. In this work, the Brake Thermal Efficiencies (BTE), emissions and combustion characteristics of a light duty 1.9L, four-cylinder diesel engine operating in single fuel diesel mode and in Diesel-NG RCCI mode are investigated and compared. The engine was operated at speeds of 1300 to 2500 RPM and loads of 1 to 7 bar BMEP. Operation was limited to 10 bar/deg Maximum Pressure Rise Rate (MPRR) and 6% Coefficient of Variation (COV) of IMEP. The engine performance was investigated using a combination of RCCI control variables including NG/diesel Blend Ratio (BR), diesel injection fuel split, and Start of Injection (SOI) timing for diesel injections. The RCCI map was generated using different injection strategies (single and double injections) and up to 20% EGR Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) at higher loads to obtain the best brake thermal efficiency. In addition, the majority of the required energy (more than 80%) in RCCI operating points was provided from NG. The results showed a maximum of 5% increase in brake thermal efficiency and 92% reduction in NOx in RCCI combustion mode compared to the CDC mode