Comparing low rate copper formulations against Phythophthora infestans in potatoes

Between Dutch organic growers the late blight problems lead to discussions in which a temporary registration of copper products is also suggested. Some growers do not want any pesticides at all, while others see that biological potatoes from abroad are sold in the super markets in years when Dutch organic potatoes are scarce. Those potatoes come from countries, where copper products are allowed. They speak about competition falsification. In the research program to stimulate organic production the choice is made to also investigate the efficacy of copper and other products that are allowed in surrounding countries in organic farming. In the experiment of 2008 6 different copper containing products are tested

Control of Phytophthora infestans with low copper amounts in potatoes in 2010

Between Dutch organic growers the late blight problems led to discussions in which a temporary registration of copper products is also suggested. In the research program to stimulate organic production the choice was made also to investigate the efficacy of copper and other products that are allowed in neighbouring countries in organic farming. In the experiment of 2008 different copper containing products were tested. In 2009 this was repeated with the same products, but also other doses and combinations. In 2010 the most important objective of the experiment was to investigate the possibilities of a maximum of 300 gram copper per hectare, divided in different parts, in combination with a decision support system. 300 gram copper was based on the amount different crops need in a six year organic rotation. Except a standard copper product also a copper product used in organic farming in the Netherlands as a leaf fertilizer was used and some products financed by the industry

Low rate copper products to control Phytophthora infestans in potatoes in 2009

Between Dutch organic growers the late blight problems lead to discussions in which a temporary registration of copper products is also suggested. Some growers do not want any pesticides at all, while others see that biological potatoes from abroad are sold in the super markets in years when Dutch organic potatoes are scarce. Those potatoes come from countries, where copper products are allowed. They speak about competition falsification. In the research program to stimulate organic production the choice is made to also investigate the efficacy of copper and other products that are allowed in surrounding countries in organic farming. In the experiment of 2008 different copper containing products are tested. In 2009 this was repeated with the same products, but also other doses and combination

PlantyOrganic: Design and results 2012

Increasingly strict legislation about fertilizer inputs and developing organic regulations are a strong stimulation to optimize the internal nutrient dynamics of organic arable farms. In the project “PlantyOrganic” , initialized by Biowad and realized at SPNA location Kollumerwaard, a challenging arable system is developed and tested: 100% internal nitrogen supply without input of nutrients from outside. In this report the design of the rotation and fertilizer scheme is presented and discussed, and the starting conditions in spring 2012 are documented. The NDICEA nitrogen model is used to explore the nitrogen dynamics. It is concluded that a 100% farm-own nitrogen supply can be achieved with good production levels. The 2012 results gave no reason to reconsider the rotation and fertilizer design, but since this was the first year of this experiment none of the crops had the precrop as foreseen in the design and the fertilizer used was only partly cut-and-carry fertilizer

Bus Travel TIME in the Mixed Traffic Based on Statistica Neural Network

This paper presents the assessment of a number of factors affecting bus travel time and a relationship model between those factors and bus travel time. Statistica Neural Network (SNN) tool is used to solve this complex phenomenon. Data collected include bus travel time, distance, average speed, and number of bus stop. The results show that bus travel time is well predicted using variables of distance, average speed, and number of bus stops. The bus travel time increased due to the increase of distance and number of bus stops, while the higher the average speed from one stop to another, the lower bus travel time

School Bus Monitors in Western New York

The New York State Department of Education defines a “bus monitor” (also commonly referred to as a “bus aide”) as any person employed for the purpose of assisting children to safely embark and disembark from a school bus which is owned, leased or contracted for by a public school district or board of cooperative educational services, and for the purpose of assisting the school bus driver with maintaining proper student behavior on such school bus

Effects of an on line bypass oil recycler on emissions with oil age for a bus using in service testing

A method of cleaning lubricating oil on line was investigated using a fine bypass particulate filter followed by an infra red heater. Two bypass filter sizes of 6 and 1 micron were investigated, both filter sizes were effective but the one micron filter had the greatest benefit. This was tested on two nominally identical EURO 2 emissions compliance single decker buses, fitted with Cummins 6 cylinder 8.3 litre turbocharged intercooled engines and coded as Bus 4063 and 4070. These vehicles had emissions characteristics that were significantly different, in spite of their similar age and total mileage. Bus 4063 showed an apparent deterioration on emissions with time while Bus 4070 showed a stabilised trend on emissions with time for their baseline tests without the recycler fitted. Comparison was made with the emissions on the same vehicles and engines with and without the on-line bypass oil recycler. Engine exhaust emissions were measured about every 2000 miles. All tests started with an oil drain and fresh lubricating oil. The two buses were tested in a different sequence, Bus 4063 with the recycler fitted and then removed later in the test after an oil change and Bus 4070 with no recycler fitted at first and then fitted after 29,000 miles with no oil change. The Bus 4070 was also the one with the finer bypass filter. The test mileage was 45,000 miles for Bus 4063 and 48,000 miles for Bus 4070. The air/fuel ratio was worked out by the exhaust gas analysis. The correlation between air/fuel ratio and emission parameters was determined. The results showed that the on line oil recycler cleaning system reduced the rate of increase of the NOx from 5% to 1.6% for Bus 4063 and from 4.1% to 0% for Bus 4070 per 10,000 miles. Hydrocarbon emissions increased 30 ppm per 10,000 miles with the recycler removed compared to a stabilised level with the recycler fitted for Bus 4063. There was a small decrease in hydrocarbon emissions after fitting the recycler for Bus 4070. The particulate emissions were reduced by 35% for Bus 4063 and 24% for Bus 4070 on average. The reductions on total particulate mass were due to reductions on particulate carbon and lube oil VOF emissions. The black smoke was reduced by 56% for Bus 4063 in terms of rate of increase and 40% for Bus 4070 in terms of average value

The Determination of Bus Service Frequency Using Cost-benefit Approach

The determination of bus service frequency using cost-benefit approach is presented in this paper. This study was conducted in Malaysia where bus operators could provide feasible bus services using this method. The investment costs include all costs for vehicle, human resources, workshop, operational facilities, andsupporting facilities while the benefits are expected from ticket fare collected and fuel subsidy. The primary data consists of passenger number, ticket fare, travel time, number of vehicles, and route length. The secondary data, provided by bus operators, include vehicle investment and operation and maintenance costs. The results indicate that this method is applicable and can be used by bus operators to provide feasible bus services with adequate frequencies