Remote Sensing to Characterize Stresses on Soybeans in Fields with High-pH Soils

Recent studies unexpectedly revealed that losses of fall-applied anhydrous ammonia tended to increase with increase in soil pH. The greatest losses occurred on calcareous soils , which have free carbonates and pH values in the range of7.5 to 8.4. The studies also revealed that the calcareous soils occur in spatial patterns that often are much more complex than indicated on soil survey maps. Studies were initiated during the 2000 growing season to evaluate the possibility that aerial photographs of soybean crops would provide a simple and effective way to map calcareous areas within fields

Edentulous Patient Satisfaction with Conventional Complete Dentures

Funding Information: In memory of our colleague Lija Laurin, a, thankfully for the work performed in obtaining the data. Special recognition to Anda Slaidina and Baiba Springe, colleagues of the Prosthetics Department, for their participation in the collection of VAS scales. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Background and Objectives: Edentulism is considered to be an impediment impacting both patients’ quality of life and their nutrition. Conventional complete dentures are still a preferred treatment. However, there is no consensus on the most important factors which could substantially reduce the risk of patient dissatisfaction. This study evaluated the following determinants concerning patient satisfaction with complete maxillary and mandibular dentures: sex, denture-related functional and aesthetic aspects, and the degree of bone resorption. Materials and Methods: This study included 70 patients aged 34–81 years of age. All complete dentures were made by following the same technology. Visual analogue scales were used to assess patients’ overall satisfaction with dentures, comfort, ability to speak and chew, denture aesthetics, stability, and ease of prosthesis cleaning. Satisfaction with upper and lower dentures was rated separately. The degree of bone resorption was classified by using the Kalk and de Baat (1989) method. Results: The mean (SD) age of the study participants was 67.3 (10.4) years; 65.7% (n = 46) were females and 34.3% (n = 24) were males. There were no significant sex-based differences in resorption of the maxilla or mandibula. There were significant differences between maxillary and mandibular dentures, with lower mean satisfaction scores concerning chewing and maxillary complete dentures, and in regard to stability and comfort for mandibular complete dentures. There was a non-significant overall lower satisfaction with increased age. In multivariate analysis for mandibular complete dentures, aesthetics and stability significantly predicted the patient’s comfort levels, and the patient’s comfort significantly predicted overall satisfaction. For maxillary complete dentures, patient comfort and aesthetics significantly predicted overall patient satisfaction. Conclusions: Age, sex, and degree of resorption were not associated with patient satisfaction with complete dentures. Overall, patient satisfaction with both maxillary and mandibular complete dentures was related to their comfort level and denture aesthetics, and patient comfort itself was associated with stability of the mandibular denture.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Soil and crop management and biomass removal effects on soil organic matter content in Hungary

Greater use of biomass for bioenergy has increased the need to evaluate above ground biomass removal (BR) effects on soil quality components, especially soil organic matter (SOM). A multifactor, 40 year field experiment was conducted in Kompolt, Hungary on a carbonate-free, slightly acidic chernozem brown forest soil (USDA: Ustolls) with the objective of determining the effect of different management systems with concurrent removal of the above ground biomass on the SOM content of the 0-320 mm layer. A multifactor experiment composed of treatments involving different crop rotation (CR), beef manure application, mineral fertiliser application, above ground BR (vs. biomass incorporation, BI) and lucerne management options for different rotations are the basis of this study. CR had no significant effect on SOM content. Management options that included a four year lucerne stand produced significantly higher SOM content in five out of six fertiliser and biomass management combinations. Continuous manure applications and manure + NPK fertiliser resulted in a significantly greater SOM content than management options that minimised or eliminated fertiliser or manure additions. SOM content for different soil amendments and biomass treatments ranked: BR < NPK + BR < BI < manure + BR = NPK + manure + BR with SOM contents of 2.75 < 2.82 < 2.87 < 2.92 per cent (w/w) respectively. Manure had the most profound effect because its significance was most consistent across a range of management combinations and years. The results suggest that agricultural management systems that include lucerne and manure application have the potential to sustain SOM content with concurrent above ground BR in continental climates on Ustolls with near level topography

Germination Tests for Assessing Biochar Quality

Definition, analysis, and certification of biochar quality are crucial to the agronomic acceptance of biochar. While most biochars have a positive impact on plant growth, some may have adverse effects due to the presence of phytotoxic compounds. Conversely, some biochars may have the ability to adsorb and neutralize natural phytotoxic compounds found in soil. We evaluated the effects of biochars on seedling growth and absorption of allelochemicals present in corn (Zea mays L.) residues. Corn seeds were germinated in aqueous extracts of six biochars produced from varied feedstocks, thermochemical processes, and temperatures. Percent germination and shoot and radicle lengths were evaluated at the end of the germination period. Extracts from the six biochars had no effect on percent germination; however, extracts from three biochars produced at high conversion temperatures significantly inhibited shoot growth by an average of 16% relative to deionized (DI) water. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons detected in the aqueous extracts are believed to be at least partly responsible for the reduction in seedling growth. Repeated leaching of biochars before extract preparation eliminated the negative effects on seedling growth. Biochars differ significantly in their capacity to adsorb allelochemicals present in corn residues. Germination of corn seeds in extracts of corn residue showed 94% suppression of radicle growth compared to those exposed to DI water; however, incubation of corn residue extracts with leached biochar for 24 h before initiating the germination test increased radicle length 6 to 12 times compared to the corn residue extract treatments. Germination tests appear to be a reliable procedure to differentiate between effects of different types of biochar on corn seedling growth

Climate Change Impacts on Iowa, 2010

Climate change is already affecting the way Iowans live and work. Without action to mitigate these effects, our future responses will become more complex and costly . The following policy recommendations are offered as initial steps to help safeguard our state’s economy, environment, and residents