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Introduction Establishment and research of progeny tests are a part of forest tree improvement programmes in many countries around the world (Bogdan et al. 2004, Review 2011, North Carolina 2018, Hayda 2019, Hossain et al. 2020, Oweviev 2020, Plus tree 2020). The main aim of such testing is to select elite trees to establish clonal seed orchards of the second and higher levels. The testing assesses, first of all, the intensity of growth, but a need for an integrated approach is emphasized (Methods 2019, Overview 2020). The oak progeny tests in different regions in Ukraine by growth rate, health and stem quality have shown that about 20 % of the trees are promising (Hayda et al. 2010, Los 2016, Los et al. 2009, 2012, 2017). However, the analysis of test results of the plus trees progenies of different geographical origin provides an opportunity to identify certain patterns (Hayda et al. 2010, 2011). The aim of the study was to compare the growth rate, quality and condition of 62-year-old offspring of plus and the best English oak trees of Trostyanets origin in Kharkiv and Sumy Regions. Materials and Methods The study was carried out in the oldest in Ukraine progeny test of English oak in Kharkiv and Sumy Regions, where in 1958 the seeds of 20 the best English oak trees selected in the forests of Trostyanets State Forest Enterprise were sown. At the end of the growing season in 2019, when the biological age of plants was 62 years, an observation of both plots was carried out. The diameter, height, stem straightness, condition of the tree were determined as well as the presence of defects and damage. The obtained data were processed by the methods of variation statistics and the significance of differences between the variants and the control was determined. The final conclusion on the selection value of plus and the best trees was made following the comprehensive assessment. Results In the test plot in Kharkiv Forest Research Station the average diameter of the progenies at the age of 62 ranged from 15.9 (Tr-5) to 37.5 cm (Tr-2). The last variant significantly exceeded the control by 51.7%. Variants Tr-3 and Tr-5 significantly fell behind the control by an average of 25.1%. The average height of the progenies was in the range from 21.2 to 25.8 m. The progenies of trees Tr-2, Tr-15, Tr-16, and Tr-18 significantly exceeded the control by an average of 6.9%. The rest of the progenies grew at the level of the control. The average diameters of the progenies at Trostyanets State Forest Enterprise ranged from 22.0 to 44.0 cm. Only the Tr-1 variant significantly exceeded the control by 9.1%, and Tr-6 was significantly inferior by 9.1%. The average height of the progenies ranged from 25.0 m (Tr-18) to 30.5 m (Tr-2). The progenies Tr-1 and Tr-15 significantly exceeded the control in height by 4.1%. The variants Tr-4, Tr-11, Tr-16, and Tr-18 fell significantly behind the control by 3.3%. The rest of the progenies grew at the level of the control. The advantages of the most intensively growing variant (Tr-2) proved to be insignificant due to a small number of survived trees. In almost all cases, both the average diameter and height of the variants were larger in the plot in Trostyanets State Forest Enterprise. The difference in average heights ranged from 0.6 to 6.0 m. The average diameter was greater by 2.7–15.6 cm. Thus, the volume of the average tree was higher by 0.3 m3 to 1.0 m3 and ranged from 0.45 m3 to 2.12 m3 (in Trostyanets State Forest Enterprise it was from 0.25 m3 to 1.38 m3). This can be explained by higher precipitation level and, consequently, better humidification conditions. The average annual precipitation in Kharkiv is 528 mm, and it is 330 mm during the growing season, while in Trostyanets these figures are 631 mm and 417mm, respectively. The average annual temperature of the regions is the same: +7.5°C, and during the growing season differs by 0.7°C (14.9°C and 14.2°C). The calculations show that a decrease in annual precipitation by 10 mm resulted in a decrease in the average height of oak plantations by 2.2%, the average diameter by 3.5 % and the volume of the average tree by 3.2 %. Reducing the amount of precipitation during the growing season by 10 mm will reduce the average height of the oak by 2.6 %, the average diameter by 4.1 % and the volume of the average tree by 15.7 %. It should be noted that such calculations are only preliminary and cannot be extrapolated to other regions or other species. The variants condition index ranged from 2.0 (Tr-17) to 3.2 (Tr-5) in Sumy Region and from 2.0 (Tr-2) to 3.3 (Tr-3, Tr-15) in Kharkiv Region. There were no variants with unsatisfactory condition. Variants Tr-2, Tr-6, Tr-12, Tr-13, Tr-16, and Tr-18 turned out to be the most drought-resistant in drier conditions of Kharkiv Region. According to the results of the complex assessment, the progenies in Kharkiv Forest Research Station scored from 8 (Tr-5) to 16 (Tr-2) points and in Trostyanets State Forest Enterprise from 6 (Tr-18) to 17 (Tr-2) points. The promising variants were Tr-2, Tr-6, Tr-13, and Tr-18 in the progeny tests in Kharkiv Forest Research Station and Tr-2, Tr-3, Tr-6, Tr -11, and Tr-13 in Trostyanets State Forest Enterprise. Three variants were the leaders in both test plots. Conclusions At the progeny test in Kharkiv Forest Research Station, the best variant (Tr-2) among the progenies of plus and best trees of Trostyanets origin significantly exceeded the control by 51.7% in diameter and by 12.4% in height. According to the comprehensive assessment, four promising variants were identified in progeny tests in Kharkiv Forest Research Station and five variants were recognized in Trostyanets State Forest Enterprise. The mother trees of these progenies can be recommended for vegetative propagation and establishment of clonal seed orchards of the second level in relevant regions. Higher precipitation level and, accordingly, better humidification conditions in Sumy region had a positive effect on the growth of the plus trees progeny in Trostyanets State Forest Enterprise. According to the preliminary calculations, a decrease in annual precipitation by 10 mm reduces the height of oak by 2.2%, its diameter by 3.5% and the volume of the average tree by 3.2% on average. A decrease in the amount of precipitation during the growing season by 10 mm results in a decrease in height by 2.6%, in diameter by 4.1%, and in volume of the average tree by 15.7% on average. 4 Figs., 2 Tables, 16 Refs. Key words: English oak, progeny test, breeding category, complex assessment.

The article presents data on the study of the radiation regime and photosynthesis net productivity in the crown of an apple tree in connection with the regenerative pruning of old-aged trees. The object of the research was an apple tree of the Antonovka obyknovennaya variety, a seed stock (seedlings of cultivated varieties), planted in 1987. The test plot soil is leached chernozem. Options: 1. Established pruning (control); 2. Pruning for 5-6 year-old wood; 3. Pruning for 7-8 year-old wood. The experiment was arranged inrandomized blocks of 6 accounting trees in 3 replicates. The regenerative pruning was carried out in spring 2016. Every year damaged branches were removed in the control variant, while “wolf-like” shoots were thinned in other variants. The solar output was accounted within the daytime with the 2-hour interval from the northern and southern sides of the apple tree crown in its center, as well as under the crown at a distance of 1, 2 and 3 meters from the periphery to the center of the crown. The measurements were carried out after the growth activity cessation in the fine weather in August with a universal albedometer M-69 coming with a galvanometer GSA-1. The net productivity of leaves was determined by the method of A. S. Ovsyannikov in parallel, taking into account solar radiation. It is revealed that the regenerative pruning has a considerable impact on the performance of the solar output. The greatest arrival of solar radiation is noted on the periphery of the crown. In the treatment with pruning branches for 5-6 year-old wood, this parameter was 10.5-13.5 % higher than in the control variant. Pruning branches for 7-8 year-old wood improved lighting conditions by 27.6-31.7 % compared to the control. In the lower part of the crown, the radiation regime is less favorable for the photosynthesis process relative to the central part of the crown. Regenerative pruning increased the photosynthesis productivity significantly. In the central part of the crown, the highest parameters of the net photosynthesis productivity were observed on the periphery on the southern side when pruning for 7-8 year-old wood - 7.81 g of dry basis/m2 *day.

The article is devoted to the bird communities in individual linden consortia (Tilia cordata Mill.) of the linden-ash oak forests. This work material was collected during different seasons of the 2009–2017 years in a linden-ash oak grove on the test plot No. 209 of the ecological profile of the NSC «Bel'gard Prisamar`e International Biospheric stationary», Novomoskovsk district, Dnepropetrovsk region. The individual consortia of 145 examples of three age conditions oak trees (virgins – virg, young generative – gl, mature and old generative individuals – g2-g3) has been investigated. Studies have shown that birds are actively involved in consortia of linden for most of the year. Meroconsortia of linden generative organs are attractive to birds during the growing season and in the cold season. In summer, the consortia of linden in terms of species composition of birds is inferior to the consortia of oak about 2 times. The same trend is observed in DTB and DMB. Only 2 species of birds participate in the consortia of the virgin linden. The consortia of young generative linden consists of only 4 species of birds, but DTB increases almost 30 times. The consortia of mature and old generative linden acquires a sufficient species composition – 14 species of birds. Interactions of birds with virginal linden are stochastic in autumn. Only 2 species of birds participate in the consortia of virgin linden in autumn. The consortia of young generative linden consists of 5 species (more than in summer). The old generative linden has a depression of consortia interactions of birds. Their volume is reduced by half compared to summer. Specialized consumers of linden nuts remain in the consortia of old generative linden mainly. Birds have very low DTB and DMB rates in consortia of all linden age groups in winter. Instead, the species composition of birds increases in the consortia of generative groups of linden in winter. The system of consortia interactions of birds is not intensive, but stable on the linden tree in winter. The volume of interactions of birds with a linden tree essentially increases in the spring. This trend is typical for trees with a dense crown. The number of consort birds is higher than in summer in consortia of virgin and young generative linden. DTB is five times higher in virgin linden than in summer. The participation of birds in the consortia of young generative linden is also greater than in summer. We believe that this is due to the fact that linden begins to grow earlier than other trees in the upper tier. The old generative linden is one of the main feeding grounds for birds in the spring. Linden, like common oak, is much more interesting for birds in spring and summer in contrast to field maple and ash. Linden first supports the system of trophic connections, and then topical in most seasons of the year. Linden forms stable groups of birds at a young generative stage during the year. Linden creates an environment for birds to live in the middle tier and complements the field maple.

According to the results of continuous long-term seismic-ecological monitoring at the Caucasian Mineral Waters test plot (the seismic zone in the Cis-Elbrus region), data on the seismic velocity distribution pattern were obtained for the test plot territory. The high-speed structure is revealed, the horizontal dimensions of which do not allow predicting local earthquakes with a very high magnitude in this territory. Three-dimensional models of anisotropy index γ were obtained and the indexes of stress state S were estimated for different depths according to the interpretation results of converted PS waves from distant earthquakes. It is found that the distribution of the anisotropy index γ varies continuously by the depth, by the laterals and in time. The cyclic changes in the index S with time are noted for all depths.

The purpose. To determine influence of complex application of doses of nitric fertilizers and growth regulating substances on display of character of formation of photosynthetic and grain efficiency of different varieties of summer barley in conditions of Forest-steppe Right-bank. Methods. Applied general scientific methods (dialectics, experiment, analysis and synthesis, method of hypotheses), and special: field - for studying interaction of subject of researches with weather conditions and receptions of technology of cultivation; visual; measuring and weight; quantitative; physiological; laboratory — for establishment of qualitative characteristics of soil of test plot; dispersive, correlation and regression — for determination of reliability of distinctions between factors, pair and plural dependences. Results. Influence of complex application of doses of nitric fertilizers and regulators of growth of plants on formation of photosynthetic and seed efficiency of summer barley of varieties Nabat and Vinnitskiy 28 is investigated. It is noted that in variants of experiment with maximal parameters of photosynthetic efficiency, in particular accumulation of organic substance (1045,9–1035,1 g/m2), pure efficiency of photosynthesis (5,5–5,9 g/m2), content of chlorophylls «a+b» (2,29–2,14 mg/g of crude weight), it is observed the maximal productivity of grain of culture. The highest productivity of grain for varieties Nabat (6,39 t/hectare) and Vinnitskiy 28 (5,78 t/hectare) was gained in variants of experiment where on phosphoric-potash background P45K45 they entered nitric fertilizers in doze of N90 and morpho-regulator Terpal in a phase of the beginning of tubing. That was more accordingly on 2,21 t/hectare, or 52,8% and 1,97 t/hectare, or 51,7% in comparison with the control (on plots without fertilizers and growth regulators). Conclusions. Optimization of technology of cultivation of summer barley due to the balanced system of fertilizer, namely entering of nitric fertilizers in doze of N90P45K45 and application of growth regulators (Binom or Terpal), provides realization of genetic potential of varieties Nabat and Vinnitskiy 28 on 60–70% and level of productivity of grain — 6,39 and 5,78 t/hectare accordingly.

Estimation of the change point of a process may be the most important result and application of control charts in the literature of statistical process control. The time to the change point...

Consideration was given to the results of proof tests of varieties of original potato seed by soil control. The practical experience of soil control of varieties of original potato seed on the test plot of the Russian Potato Research Center is presented. Description of laboratory diagnosis of phytopathogens is given. Sampling rates for laboratory testing are presented. The authors specified the requirements for marking of potato seed intended for sale.

Tree structure parameters of mangrove forests are hard to measure in the field and therefore inventories of this type of forests are impossible to keep up to date. In this article, we tested a structured pointcloud segmentation method for extracting individual mangrove trees. Structure parameters of individual trees were estimated from the segmented pointcloud and its 3d geometry was generated using revolution surfaces. Estimated parameters were then assessed at both plot and tree levels using field data. It was observed that the number of segments in each test plot agreed well with the number of trees observed in the field. Nonetheless, the estimated parameters exhibited mixed accuracy with top height being the most accurate.

Quite extensive test sites are needed to provide remote sensing methods of the Earth with reliable information on the electrical characteristics of the surface layer and on their daily-seasonal changes. Observation is constantly made on them for the main indicators that determine the results of sensing. The paper discusses a set of tools using radiophysical and optical methods for long-term studies of the properties of the environment at the test station "Kaybasovo".

This paper reviews the main historical stages of the development and implementation of the largest environmental project of the late 20th century—the “General Plan to Combat Desertification of Black Lands and Kizlyar Pastures.” The goal of this project was to implement a scientifically grounded set of measures to stop desertification processes, improve the economic state of pastures, increase their fertility, and protect lands. The implementation of the general plan has led to the performance of agroforestry works in an area of more than 7000 km2, the fixing of more than 4000 km2 of mobile sands, and the restoration of more than 2500 km2 of pastures. According to the forecasts, if all of the measures stipulated by the general plan were observed, the area of the ecological disaster zone would decrease and then completely disappear. A study conducted with Landsat satellite images showed that this forecast has partially come true: the area of open sands that was recorded in the test plot in 2016 (27.3 km2) is only 1% of the open sands area recorded in 1975, which is a consequence of the implementation of the general plan, a number of environmental measures, and favorable climate fluctuations.

In an experiment, we demonstrated that the same outcome of a new corn variety was evaluated less positively if it was from gene technology (GT) compared with conventional breeding technology (CT). The participants (N = 205) were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions—GT or CT. In the first step, the participants’ affect associated with GT or CT plants was measured. Then, the participants read a hypothetical scenario about a new genetically modified (GT condition) or conventionally produced (CT condition) corn variety that was more resistant to the corn borer. They were presented with a matrix in which 1976 black (50%) and white (50%) cells were randomly scattered. The participants were informed that each cell represented a test plot and that the corn plants in the white test plots were not damaged by the corn borer. The participants were then asked to estimate the percentage of the plots infested by the corn borer and how effective they perceived the new corn variety was in resisting the pest. The results indicated that the participants assigned to the GT condition perceived the new corn variety as significantly less effective compared with the participants assigned to the CT condition. No significant difference was observed for estimated percentages. The results suggest that the difference in perceived effectiveness between genetically modified and conventionally bred corn can be explained by people’s reliance on the affect heuristic.

Trial research of teak clones was located in Wonogiri, Central Java. This research was conducted in order to evaluate the growth performance of teak clones that can be developed for forest plantation and private forest. Establishment of teak clones test was conducted in 2002 using 20 clones with Randomized Completely Block Design/RCBD consisting of 5 ramets and 5 replications with plant spacing of 2 m x 6 m . The second plot was established in 2005 using 100 clones with RCBD that consisted of 3 ramets and 5 replications with spacing of 2 m x 6 m. The observation and measurement on height and diameter at breast height/dbh were carried out periodically in every year to determine the level of plant growth The results showed that the average growth at the age of 5 years in two test plot clones are height from 8,73 to 9,97 m , tree diameter from 8.61 to 13.14 cm and tree volume estimated 0,046 - 0,103 m3. Estimated heritability clones of tree height and diameter were 0,18; 0,29 in plot 1 and 0,32; 0,38 in plot 2.

Data characterizing the distribution pattern of the main morphometric parameters of chernozems in the Kamennaya Steppe are given. Variable thickness of humus horizon within a flat test plot typical for the central part of the chernozemic zone of Russia is shown. It has been revealed that annually exerted strong anthropogenic impact causes a pronounced drop in the thickness of humus horizon. The investigated objects on the test plot—fallow land, plowed filed, and forest shelter belt—were situated side by side. The statistical parameters of the thickness of humus horizon in different subtypes of chernozems have been calculated. They mainly differ by the depth of continuous impregnation with calcium carbonate (effervescence depth varies from 1 to 95 cm). The deepest effervescence is seen in the soils of the fallow and under the forest belt (68 and 63 cm, respectively).

Picking cherries for industrial processing at ,,Diamant Agrar’’ Zrenjanin with production area of 22 hectars of orchards and 9 hectars of orchards at 'Smoljan Farm' Žabalj was performed manually until 2011. In recent years, mechanized harvesting of ’’Oblanačka’’ sort of cherry is implemented by using towed harvester and self-propelled harvester shaker. Tests for towed harvester 'Felix/Z 830' were in agricultural area called ,,Melenci – Zrenjanin’’. Yield of cherries on the test plot of 1 ha was about 15.882 kg. Combine’s productivity for one working hour was about 0.21 ha /h, or about 3,5 ha /day.Technical productivity was around 3.340 kg /h, or 54.210 kg /day, with a power of consumption of 1370 MJ /ha. Tests of self-popelled harvester ‘Samober S’ were done in Žabalj agricultural area called ,,Jaroš’’. Yield of cherries on this tested plot of size 1 ha was approximately 16.600 kg. Productivity of combine for one working hour was about 0.20 ha /h, or about 3.2 ha /day. Technical productivity was around 3 380 kg /h, or 53.120 kg /day, with a power of consumption of 540 MJ /ha.

Vegetation has been proven for establishing and implementing resistive measures against erosion and failure of slopes, river banks, removal of air pollution and reduced storm water runoff. Installation of cover crop involved soil element usage as growth medium which create several interaction between both strands. This study was carried out to investigate the soil strength performance by using Guinea grass at different construction period up to three months. Grass was planted in a 300 mm x 300 mm x 700 mm test plot with a suitable soil medium. Direct shear tests were conducted for each plot to determine the soil shear strength according to different construction period. Some basic geotechnical testing also were carried out. The results showed there is an increment in shear strength for soil sample over the time at various depths. During period of 1st, 2nd and 3rd month, the average shear stress of 100 mm depth was 50.56 kPa, 63.96 kPa, and 96.59 kPa respectively. Meanwhile, for 200 mm depth the result was 40.843 kPa, 53.91 kPa and 62.93 kPa respectively. Lastly, on 300 mm depth, shear stress was 37.21 kPa, 51.09 kPa, and 59.27 kPa respectively. Based on the result, the higher shear strength was obtained at different construction period and at varying depths. From the observation, roots mass increased for different construction period. In terms of tensile strength, the diameter of the root affects the rate of resistance against the tensile forces. This indicated that the roots structure growth affects the soil shear strength.

The study methods of soil erosion and main soil erosion prediction model are introduced in this paper. The soil erosion study methods include the erosion features survey procedure, test plot long-term monitoring, rainfall simulation experiment in laboratory, agrology method, river gauging, remote sensing method, nuclide traces method, soil erosion prediction model method et al. The soil erosion prediction model includes the USLE and RUSLE, CSLE, WEPP, YWYM et al. We introduced the relative merits about these soil erosion study methods and soil erosion prediction model in this paper.

China has been facing serious land degradation and desertification in its north and northwest arid and semi-arid areas. Monitoring the dynamics of percentage vegetation cover (PVC) using remote sensing imagery in these areas has become critical. However, because these areas are large, remote, and sparsely populated, and also because of the existence of mixed pixels, there have been no accurate and cost-effective methods available for this purpose. Spectral unmixing methods are a good alternative as they do not need field data and are low cost. However, traditional linear spectral unmixing (LSU) methods lack the ability to capture the characteristics of spectral reflectance and scattering from endmembers and their interactions within mixed pixels. Moreover, existing nonlinear spectral unmixing methods, such as random forest (RF) and radial basis function neural network (RBFNN), are often costly because they require field measurements of PVC from a large number of training samples. In this study, a cost-effective approach to mapping PVC in arid and semi-arid areas was proposed. A method for selection and purification of endmembers mainly based on Landsat imagery was first presented. A probability-based spectral unmixing analysis (PBSUA) and a probability-based optimized k nearest-neighbors (PBOkNN) approach were then developed to improve the mapping of PVC in Duolun County in Inner Mongolia, China, using Landsat 8 images and field data from 920 sample plots. The proposed PBSUA and PBOkNN methods were further validated in terms of accuracy and cost-effectiveness by comparison with two LSU methods, with and without purification of endmembers, and two nonlinear approaches, RF and RBFNN. The cost-effectiveness was defined as the reciprocal of cost timing relative root mean square error (RRMSE). The results showed that (1) Probability-based spectral unmixing analysis (PBSUA) was most cost-effective and increased the cost-effectiveness by 29.3% 29.3%, 33.5%, 50.8%, and 53.0% compared with two LSU methods, PBOkNN, RF, and RBFNN, respectively; (2) PBSUA, RF, and RBFNN gave RRMSE values of 22.9%, 21.8%, and 22.8%, respectively, which were not significantly different from each other at the significance level of 0.05. Compatibly, PBOkNN and LSU methods with and without purification of endmembers resulted in significantly greater RRMSE values of 27.5%, 32.4%, and 43.3%, respectively; (3) the average estimates of the sample plots and predicted maps from PBSUA, PBOkNN, RF, and RBFNN fell in the confidence interval of the test plot data, but those from two LSU methods did not, although the LSU with purification of endmembers improved the PVC estimation accuracy by 25.2% compared with the LSU without purification of endmembers. Thus, this study indicated that the proposed PBSUA had great potential for cost-effectively mapping PVC in arid and semi-arid areas.

This paper describes the setting and results of a real-time experiment of irrigation scheduling by a time series of optical satellite images under real conditions, which was carried out on durum wheat in the Haouz plain (Marrakech, Morocco), during the 2012/13 agricultural season. For the purpose of this experiment, the irrigation of a reference plot was driven by the farmer according to, mainly empirical, irrigation scheduling while test plot irrigations were being managed following the FAO-56 method, driven by remote sensing. Images were issued from the SPOT4 (Take5) data set, which aimed at delivering image time series at a decametric resolution with less than five-day satellite overpass similar to the time series ESA Sentinel-2 satellites will produce in the coming years. With a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.91mm per day, the comparison between daily actual evapotranspiration measured by eddy-covariance and the simulated one is satisfactory, but even better at a five-day integration (0.59mm per day). Finally, despite a chaotic beginning of the experiment—the experimental plot had not been irrigated to get rid of a slaking crust, which prevented good emergence—our plot caught up and yielded almost the same grain crop with 14% less irrigation water. This experiment opens up interesting opportunities for operational scheduling of flooding irrigation sectors that dominate in the semi-arid Mediterranean area.

Soil sampling was carried out on the experimental plot, and comprehensive analysis of characteristics of soil nutrient and physical and chemical environment based on the soil and water conservation monitoring site topography and vegetation etc., on the basis of present situation investigation. The plant selection analysis of different experiment plot was carried out combined with experiment village construction planning, and the plants by nature, on the basis of the different soil and water conservation monitoring sites have in common in Zhejiang province. Targeted put forward of the construction of the proposed plant and soil improvement measures, for each monitoring site experiment plot of provide the scientific basis for the establishment of soil and water conservation measures.

Growth is one of important and economic traits of jabon. Growth is not only determined by environment but also genetic factor. Seedling quality and suitable site would create well growing plants. This research is purposed to know growth characteristic of jabon from Sumbawa provenances in nursery and after plantation as well as the effect of genetic factor on growth characteristic of jabon. Research design used in nursery is Completely Randomized Design with 24 mother trees and 3 replications. Each replication comprises 10 seedlings. Totally, there are 720 seedlings. Experimental design used in progeny test plot of jabon is Randomized Complete Block Design. Breeding strategy used in this plot was subline system with single treeplot. Number of families used are 28 families. Each family comprises 20 blocks that were also functioned as replication. The results showed that there were significant differences in terms of height and diameter among the tested families at all observation ages. Family heritability estimates for height were high at at all observation ages. Family heritability estimates for diameter were high at nursery and moderate after plantation.

Despite the rapid producer adoption of hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) in recent years, the economic advantage of hybrid rice in the mid-southern United States remains disputed. This study compared the economic risk and return of three popularly sown hybrid rice cultivars: XL723, Clearfield (CL) XL729, and CL XL745; and eight conventional rice cultivars: Cheniere, CL 142-AR, CL 151, Francis, Roy J, Taggart, Templeton, and Wells, using University of Arkansas experimental test plot data from 2006 to 2010. Paddy and milling yield data on each cultivar were used to estimate a Just–Pope production function, allowing comparison of mean yields and mean yield variances across cultivars. A Monte Carlo simulation was used to compare net returns and net return variance (risk) across hybrid and conventional cultivars. Just–Pope estimation results indicated that hybrid cultivars exhibited mean paddy yield premiums of 1.6 to 2.4 Mg ha–1 relative to the best-performing conventional cultivar (Francis); furthermore, the hybrid yield advantage was not associated with increased yield risk. Among hybrid-CL and conventional-CL cultivars, hybrid milling quality was not statistically different. Among non-CL cultivars, the hybrid XL723 exhibited a mean head rice yield premium relative to conventional alternatives. Monte Carlo simulation results suggested that the net revenue advantage of hybrid cultivars makes them preferable to conventional alternatives in the CL and non-CL categories across the entire range of producer risk preferences considered in this study.

Level II intensive monitoring of forest vitality represents a multipurpose research system. Forest ecosystems are highly complex entities characterized by numerous different parameters subject to continuous variation due to constant and mutually inseparable effects of both biotic and abiotic factors. Evaluation criteria applied in intensive monitoring are compatible and defined in such a manner that, subsequent to their recording and statistical processing, data obtained on the condition of forests are easy to compare both analytically and logically, thus providing the basis for a variety of comparative studies. Dedicated test plot for intensive monitoring of trans-boundary air pollution impact on forest ecosystems in Serbia, a Level II test plot, was established in Kopaonik in 2010, with ten panels - from 10 separate forestry research areas, grouped according to the research subjects, which methodology is prescribed by ICP Forests Manual. This paper presents the results of intensive monitoring of parameters under review at Level II test plot Kopaonik in 2012.

This study estimates the proportion of rice yield increase in University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture's (UofA) released rice cultivars that are attributable to genetic improvements through the University's breeding program. Test plot data from eight UofA experiment stations were used to quantify the yield increases and potential yield growth decreases over time. In addition to quantifying the yield and yield variance evolution at the UofA, this study also calculates the economic benefits of the UofA rice breeding program. Results indicated that by releasing modern rice cultivars, the UofA rice breeding program increased average producer yield by 0.68 bu/ac annually. During the last decade, 1997-2007, the average annual economic benefits were 34.3 million (2007) dollars. When accounting for the spillover of UofA rice varieties to neighboring states the average annual economic benefit of the breeding program increases to 46.7 million (2007) dollars.

Out of 150 toilet paper rolls used in the test plot (600 m2), 131 rolls (87.3%) were attacked by Microcerotermes; 61 rolls being attacked by this species alone throughout the whole experimental period, and 70 rolls with other species. Similarly, 75 rolls (50%) were attacked by Microtermes, of which 12 rolls only were attacked by this species alone. Mixed cultures of termites were observed on 71 rolls: 44 rolls contained 2 species of termites, 26 rolls contained 3 species, and a single roll contained 4 species. To delineate the colony boundaries of each species, early attaked rolls were considered colony foci, and overlapping between species was neglected. It was neglected. It was possible to detect the presence of 16 1/2 colonies for Microcerotermes in the test plot (9 complete and 15 partial colonies), and same number of colonies for Microtermes (11 complete and 11 partial colonies). The estimated number of colonies per donum being 27.5 for each species. Colonies of the former species occupied 131 rolls distributed in 524 m2, with an average foraging area of 31.8 m2/colony. Those of the latter species occupied 75 rolls distributed in 300 m2, with an average foraging area of 18.2 m2/colony. Based on BOUDINE'S ratio, subsurface density: surface density = 114:1, the mean number of individuals per colony is expected to be approximately 19000 in Microcerotermes and 50000 in Microtermes. Zusammenfassung Die Verteilung von Frasterritorien und Dichte der Kolonien zweier unterirdisch lebender Termitenarten in der Al-Kharj-Oase, Zentralregion von Saudi-Arabien Von 150 Rollen Toilettenpapier, die auf einer Versuchsflache von 600 m2 verteilt waren, wurden 131 Rollen (87,3%) von Microcerotermes befallen. 61 Rollen enthielten nur diese Art wahrend der einjahrigen Untersuchungsperiode, und 70 Rollen teilte sie mit anderen Termitenarten. Von Microtermes waren 75 Rollen (50%) befallen, davon 12 Rollen nur von dieser Art. 71 der 150 Papierrollen waren von gemischten Kolonien besetzt, 44 Rollen mit 2, 26 Rollen mit 3 und 1 Rolle mit 4 Termitenarten. Zwecks Abgrenzung der Kolonie-Areale wurde die am fruhesten befallene Rolle jeweils als Kolonisationszentrum betrachtet; Uberlappungen verschiedener Termitenarten blieben unberucksichtigt. Auf diese Weise wurden von Microcerotermes 16 1/2 Kolonien (9 komplette und 15 partielle) und von Microtermes ebenfalls 16 1/2 Kolonien (11 komplette und 11 partielle) auf der Testflache festgestellt. Kolonien von Microcerotermes besetzten 131 Rollen auf einem Areal von 254 m2 mit einem mittleren Frasterritorium von 31,8 m2 pro Kolonie. Microtermes okkupierte 75 Rollen auf einem Areal von 300 m2 mit einem mittleren Frasterritorium von 18,2 m2 pro Kolonie. Auf der Grundlage des Boudine-Verhaltnisses Untergrund-Dichte: Oberflachen-Dichte = 114:1 ergaben sich fur Microcerotermes ca. 19 000 und fur Microtermes ca. 50 000 Individuen pro Kolonie.

Piled foundations for residential buildings have predominantly been used in areas where conventional trench footing foundations have not been possible. The reasons for this have included loose and unstable overburden and contaminated ground, which result in the use of concrete piles as an economically technical solution. More recent methods have enabled concrete pile foundations to become an economic option for ground conditions that would be otherwise considered for trench-fill. It is also realised that the heat load of modern residential buildings has reduced significantly in recent years, and will fall further in forthcoming years. It is now considered that the residential energy piles can not only be economically installed, but can also provide the necessary heat requirement, which is sustainable over the life of the building. A test plot has been produced with 21 concrete piles, 10 m deep, with a single U-tube pipe in each. A heat rejection facility was devised to simulate the heat load of a two-storey, modern residential building with ground floor area 72 m2. Testing of the energy piles has been conducted over the 2007–2008 heating season. The ground was monitored by thermocouples at depth along each pile, and also as an array at various depths and distances in the ground around the plot. The temperature variation of the ground and its effect upon the heat pump efficiency have been observed. Findings of the testing conducted over the 2007–2008 heating season are presented and analysed in this technical note.

The results of studying the dynamics of forest litter properties in the loci of a Siberian moth (Dendrolimus sibiricus) mass outbreak are considered. As a fir forest defoliated by this pest burns, the reserves and fractional composition of the forest litter, its actual acidity, and its chemical composition drastically change. Upon the burning out of such forests, the litter complex of invertebrates is fully destroyed and begins restoring only two years after the fire.

The soil diversity in the Terek-Kuma Lowland has been studied on the basis of detailed soil maps of several key sites. The role of multicomponent soil complexes in the formation of stable soil cover is shown. The main tendencies in the evolution of soil diversity in the area of the Terek-Kuma Lowland under natural and anthropogenic conditions are shown. Two types of development of soil diversity — development regulated by stable genetic, ameliorative, and ecological conditions and development regulated by the dynamic processes — are specified.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of genotype and environment on the total content and relative concentrations of simmondsin and its derivatives in the seeds and leaves of jojoba ( Simmondsia chinensis ). Simmondsin and simmondsin 2′-ferulate cause reduction in food intake and can thus serve as a dietary modifier. If the defatted meal or extracts of the purified compounds are to find commercial application as dietary modifiers, it is important to identify the genotypes and growing conditions providing the maximum concentrations of active compounds. The contents of simmondsins in the seeds and leaves of female genotypes growing in our varietal test plot at Hazerim (Western Negev, Israel) were thus determined. The genotypes differed significantly in the total concentrations and relative amounts of the two biologically active methylated compounds, i.e., simmondsin and simmondsin 2′-ferulate, and of the five demethylated derivatives, i.e., 5- and 4-demethyl simmondsin, didemethyl simmondsin, and simmondsin 4- and 5-demethyl ferulates. The effect of location on concentrations of simmondsins was compared for six genotypes growing at two locations in the Negev, Hazerim and Ramat Negev, differing in climatic conditions. The levels of simmondsins were almost universally lower for seeds harvested from the Ramat Negev plantation. A study of the effect of salinity of the irrigation water on eight female genotypes growing at Ramat Negev showed that salinity only slightly increased the amount of simmondsins in the seeds. Analysis of jojoba leaves showed that ferulates were not present; only simmondsin itself and the three-non-ferulated derivatives were found in the leaves.

The basic objective of this experiment was to evaluate organic-approved bioinsecticides against the caterpillar complex in Alabama. The overall goal was to determine the effectiveness of multiple applications of bioinsecticides specifically for fruit protection in tomatoes. Typical caterpillar pests of tomatoes in Alabama consist of THW, TFW, and BAW. In 2013, experiments were conducted at the Chilton Research and Extension Center (Clanton, AL) and the North Alabama Horticulture Research Center (Cullman, AL) to evaluate bioinsecticidal treatments as tank-mixes or as premixes (Table 1). At both locations, tomatoes were transplanted mid-Jun in 20 ft (6 m long) plots and bioinsecticide treatments were initiated at weekly intervals during August as shown in Table 1 to protect the developing fruits. Each test plot consisted of two tomato rows (20 plants per plot). Bioinsecticidal treatments and an untreated check were replicated four times in a RCB design. All foliar treatments were applied using standard CO2 backpack sprayers. Drench application of neem oil was done by pouring appropriate amount of dissolved formulation at the base of plants. Fruit damage assessment, involving counting of feeding holes on 10 random fruits per plot, was completed at 7DAT2 and 7DAT4. Data shown in table indicates the percent damaged or unmarketable fruit (at least one feeding hole). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and LSD procedures (LSD; P=0.05).

An infiltration test plot study has been initiated at the Questa mine, located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico. The objective of this study is to determine the key processes controlling infiltration into the mine rock piles. This study is part of a comprehensive site investigation carried out in support of the development of a closeout plan for the Molycorp Questa Mine. From 1965 to 1983 large-scale open pit mining at the Questa mine produced over 300 Mio tons of mine rock, which was end-dumped into various steep valleys adjacent to the open pit. As a result, the mine rock piles are typically at angle of repose and have long slope lengths (up to 2000 ft), and comparatively shallow depths (~100-200 ft). Initial analyses suggested that net infiltration may vary significantly across the site due to differences in the local micro-climate (caused by differences in elevation and aspect). In order to account for these differences, test plots were located on sites representative of low, mid and high elevation conditions. The test plots consist of 92” deep HDPE tanks (94” dia), which were backfilled with local mine rock material. The lysimeters are instrumented with suction and temperature sensors as well as access tubes for measuring volumetric moisture content at various depths. The lysimeters are free-draining and leachate from the test plot is monitored using a tipping bucket. An automated weather station was erected at each site to monitor all relevant climate parameters. This paper describes the design and installation of these test plots and summarizes monitoring results obtained to date. The results of this infiltration study will be used to assess the effectiveness of alternative closure measures.

Estimates made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Australian National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Committee (NGGIC) suggest that grazed pastures are substantial anthropogenic sources of nitrous oxide (N2O), contributing 28% of all anthropogenic N2O emissions globally and >43% for Australia. These estimates are based almost wholly on extrapolations of enclosure experiments to the field scale and uncertainty levels are high. Verification with direct field measurements is needed. This paper reports micrometeorological studies of N2O emissions from Australian grazed pastures made at the same location on a variety of space scales. They included a mass-balance study employing a small test plot approximately 0.05 ha in area in which 14 sheep were grazed, tower-based flux measurements representing areas between 25 ha and 5 km2 and convective boundary-layer budgets representing regions of order 100 km2. The mass-balance study, which was considered to be the most reliable micrometeorological approach, gave an average emission over 8 days of 1.87 g N2O–N head−1 d−1 corresponding to 11.5% of the nitrogen (N) voided by the animals in urine and dung. However, the data set included two days after rain on which emissions were an order of magnitude larger than on the other days in the study. For the latter, the emission of N2O accounted for 3.9% of the N excreted. Although uncertainty levels remain high due to large temporal and spatial variability, the micrometeorological measurements suggested that N2O emissions might be considerably larger than those predicted by NGGIC algorithms which use emission factors of 0.4% for urine and 1.25% for dung, but appear to be predicted more closely by IPCC algorithms which use 2% for both. The study has indicated ways to improve the precision of relevant micrometeorological approaches.

Two sister-samples of 400 tubers each were taken from seed potato lots of cultivars Atlantic, Hampton, and Russet Norkotah, all of which were grown in New York State during the summer of 1996. One sample of each cultivar was planted in Homestead, Florida in a winter test plot where plants were inspected for disease symptoms. Tubers in the other sample were directly tested for the presence of potato potyvirus Y (PVY) and potato leafroll luteovirus (PLRV) using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods. Hampton tubers appeared to have similar PVY infection rates in dormant tubers according to summer inspection, Florida winter inspection and RT-PCR, whereas Florida testing appeared to reveal a higher PVY infection rate in Atlantic tubers compared to RT-PCR and summer inspection. In contrast, higher rates of PVY infection in Russet Norkotah were observed by RT-PCR compared to Florida tests. In addition, RT-PCR appeared to detect PLRV at higher rates in all three cultivars compared to Florida test results. All tubers positive for virus by RT-PCR were sprouted in a greenhouse and ELISA results from leaves corroborated the PCR results in 85% of the positive cases, and 100% of the negative cases that were sprouted.

Interplot interference can occur in yield trials when genotypes vary for height. We investigated the possibility of adjusting yield for interplot interference by using height measurements in an analysis of covariance. Computer simulation showed that genetic correlation between height and yield would have no impact on analysis of covariance, as well as showing that analysis of covariance would reduce precision in the absence of interference due to height difference. Sixty-five data sets from yield trials conducted in Saskatchewan in 1992, 1993 and 1994 were analyzed to see if analysis of covariance would improve precision of yield estimates. Forty percent of the historical data sets showed evidence of significant interplot interference. In those trials in which interference occurred, yield decreased an average of 0.39% for every centimetre by which the average height of the flanking plots exceeded that of the test plot. Using final height to adjust for interplot interference is effective when genotypes vary for height and when the regression coefficient is significant. Key words: Interplot interference, yield adjustment, height difference, covariate

Looking through the prism of the history of pedagogy, the paper introduces the basic concepts and trends of vocational training, brought the J.A. Komensky, J.J. Rousseau, J.H. Pestalozzi, G. Kerschensteiner, J. Dewey, K. Marx, V.A. Lay, and others. Most of these trends have had some influence on the development of thought of vocational training in Lithuania. Lithuanian educators, discussing both general and specific issues of vocational training (e.g., manual work in primary grades, school work training – test plot, etc.), quite often relied on the works of aforementioned Western authors. The ideas of vocational training were developed and disseminated in Lithuania by A. Busilas, V. Ruzgas, J. Laužikas, A. Pigaga, A. Paurienė, A. Grabauskienė, and others.

The variation of soybean seed protein content has been investigated in performance trials of maturity group 000 to I genotypes at different locations in the eastern part of Austria between 1992 and 1994. In all experiments evaluated, significant portions of spatial variation were identified which affected seed protein content in the range of −25 to +30 g/kg. Lattice and neighbour analysis were more efficient than the randomized complete block design in reducing error variance in most experiments. Neighbour analysis was superior to the lattice design when soil trends were changing over short distances or in both longitudinal and latitudinal directions. In most instances, neighbour analysis based on two or three neighbouring plots at each side of a test plot was more efficient than an analysis using only the nearest neighbours. Residuals derived from neighbour analysis were also used to visualize spatial heterogeneity, and clear trends of protein content were identified for particular experimental sites. The ranking of genetic entries was considerably biased by spatial variations, which would have reduced the efficiency of selection for high protein content if genotype performance was not adjusted for field variation.

The potential applications of high-resolution (2-m) black-and-white space photographs in forest inventory work is evaluated for an area undergoing intensive forest valuation and other studies. Multiband air photographs are used as a basis for conducting forest inventory work, the compilation of interpretation maps, and the organization of a forest inventory data base. A discussion of interpretation keys (direct and indirect) precedes a more detailed description of the appearance on high-resolution space photographs of stands of the major forest-forming species in the mixed forest belt of central Russia—spruce, pine, birch, aspen, and black alder. A map showing dominant tree species for subdivisions of a test plot then is compiled from space photographs and interpretation accuracy is tested statistically. In addition, assessments are made of accuracy in age determination, stand fullness and crown closure, and stand height.

Green roof technology has been proven to provide potential environmental benefits including improved building thermal performance, removal of air pollution and reduced storm water runoff. Installation of green roof also involved soil element usage as a plant growth medium which creates several interactions between both strands. This study was carried out to investigate the soil-roots strength performance of green roof at different construction period up to 4 months. Axonopus compressus (pearl grass) was planted in a ExE test plot with a designated suitable soil medium. Direct shear test was conducted for each plot to determine the soil shear strength according to different construction period. In addition, some basic geotechnical testing also been carried out. The results showed that the shear strength of soil sample increased over different construction period of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th month with average result 3.81 kPa, 5.55 kPa, 6.05 kPa and 6.48 kPa respectively. Shear strength of rooted soil samples was higher than the soil samples without roots (control sample). In conclusion, increment of soil-roots shear strength was due to root growth over the time. The soil-roots shear strength development of Axonopus compressus can be expressed in a linear equation as: y = 0.851x + 3.345, where y = shear stress and x = time.

The paper deals with flux measurements in two contexts: small plots and plant canopies. Mass balance methods have been developed for small experimental plots with lateral dimensions of tens of metres rather than the 1 m typical of chambers or the hundreds of metres required for conventional micrometeorological estimates. The general method relies on the conservation of mass to equate the differences in horizontal fluxes across upwind and downwind boundaries of a test plot with the surface flux within the plot along the line of the wind. Applications to soil and animal experiments are discussed. Lagrangian descriptions of transport now supplant older, but inappropriate gradient-diffusion theory for inferring fluxes and source-sink distributions of scalars in plant canopies. An inverse Lagrangian theory due to M. R. Raupach provides a relatively simple observational and computational scheme for making such inferences from measurements of mean concentration profiles and canopy turbulence. The scheme and a range of applications are described.

Naproanilide behavior in water and herbicidal efficacy of a wettable powder containing floating carrier, hollow glass particles, packed in water soluble film was investigated. Naproanilide release from the formulation into water was dependent on the concentration of the floating carrier in the formulation. When the concentration of the carrier was high, the formulation floated on the water surface until the wettable powder completely diffused into water and naproanilide amount released from the formulation into water was large. If the concentration of the carrier was low, the entire body of the formulation sank soon after the film dissolved in water resulting in low release of naproanilide. In a greenhouse experiment, naproanilide diffusion in the water was sufficient to control Monochoria vaginalis growing throughout a test plot when the content of the floating carrier in the formulation was 20%. However, when carrier content was less than 14%, little amount of naproanilide diffused in the water and the herbicidal efficacy was extremely low.These results indicate that this wettable powder packed in water soluble film containing 20% floating carrier has potential as a formulation which could reduce the labor of herbicide application in paddy fields.

Background: To discover the relationship between different etiological factors of wind-hot cold and hot-wetness cold. Methods:We collected clinical data of patients in 5 provinces in china from 2010 to 2011 with wind-hot cold and hot-wetness cold at test plot. We design a questionnaire to find the possible EPFs that patients confronted, including environmental factors, meteorology factors, individual physiology, psychology, and habit factors. Construct database, evaluate the quality of the data, use the way of decision tree to data mining and analyzing. By calculate the information gain to determine the contribution of every factor in the process of invasion, get decision tree, and display the correlativity among the factors. Results:1.income and education levels affect the actions of patients of taking hospital treatment or not; 2.weather factors (average temperature, wetness and temperature) have obvious influence on wind-hot and hot-wetness cold caused by EPFs; 3.the relationship between the occurrence of hot-wetness type of cold and wind force is inverse correlation. Discussion: proper sports could reduce the occurrence of disease caused by exogenous evils; the occurrence of wind-hot and hot-wetness cold were caused by lots of factors; people in middle age are easily to suffer from the cold.

To this point, we have focused on learning about the land. By following the process and tasks in the previous steps, you should have some detailed understanding of the land including the ecological health of the component ecosystems. What and where are the stressors, how have they acted to change the ecological health of the ecosystems, and what kind of restoration work is needed to move these systems back to a healthier condition? The depth of your understanding of the land should have been increased through review of reference areas, larger landscape-scale historic events, and refined through consideration of the agents of change.

Farmers and land improvement contractors, especially in the Midwest U.S., need methods to not only locate buried agricultural drainage pipe, but also to determine if the pipes are functioning properly with respect to water delivery. Previous investigations have already demonstrated the feasibility of using ground penetrating radar (GPR) to find agricultural drainage pipes, so the primary focus of this research project was to determine if GPR can provide additional insight into the condition of subsurface drainage pipes. Ground penetrating radar surveys using 250 MHz transmitter/receiver antennas were conducted at a specially designed field test plot under drained, moderately wet soil conditions (water table below drain lines) and undrained, extremely wet soil conditions (water table above drain lines). The test plot contained four drain lines, one open to flow and comprised of clay tile along part of its length with the rest constructed of corrugated plastic tubing (CPT); one comprised of CPT with an isolated obstruction near the midpoint, preventing through-flow of water; one comprised of CPT but filled with soil; and one comprised of CPT but severed near its midpoint, producing a partial obstruction to water flow. Subsequent GPR computer simulations were employed to assist with interpretation of GPR data obtained from the test plot. Results of the GPR field surveys indicate that given suitable shallow hydrologic conditions, GPR can determine the position along a drain line where there is an isolated obstruction that completely blocks the flow of water. However, an obstruction that only partially limits water flow through the drain line will be difficult to locate using GPR. Surprisingly, the soil-filled drain line was clearly detectable under drained, moderately wet and undrained, extremely wet soil conditions. The GPR computer simulations indicate that soil had likely settled within the initially soil-filled pipe, and that the GPR responses obtained at the test plot for the soil-filled pipe were responses representative of a pipe that was in fact only partially filled with soil. Overall, these research results provide valuable information for those contemplating the use of GPR to locate agricultural drainage pipes and then determine their functionality.

Field trials in East Africa with methiocarb (3, 5-dimethyl-4-(methylthio) phenol methylcarbamate) on sorghum, millet, wheat, barley, triticale, and rice indicate that special problems need considerable evaluation before treatment of a cereal crop for protection from bird damage. Cereals with exposed seeds (sorghum, millet) may need two treatments for extended protection if bird damage begins shortly after flowering. Shielded seeds (wheat, triticale, barley, rice) may need only one treatment depending upon the period of vulnerability, the time at which bird damage begins, and the type of adhesive used. In dry windy climates, a good adhesive is needed. If damage begins after the glumes have begun to dry, an adhesive is essential indicating that early treatment of shielded seeds is the best practice. Milk has been used as a sticker with limited success when commercial adhesives were unavailable. Experiments with many different test plot sizes indicate that areas of approximately 1000 m 2 with 2 to 3 m spacing between repetitive plots work well. No single damage assessment technique is suitable for every trial. The assessment method will depend on time and manpower availability and the degree of precision required. A combination of visual and quantitative methods will often yield a more comprehensive assessment than either method alone. Following the evolution of damage and using good bird censusing techniques are essential to determine the necessity of retreatment.

To overcome certain deficiencies in field evaluation of chemical repellents used to protect corn seed from birds, a test procedure was developed in which half of each test plot was exposed to birds and half was protected by bird-tight wire mesh. This arrangement isolated the effects of bird attack from the effects of the chemical on germination and on insects and diseases of seeds and sprouts. Bird pressure was controlled by enclosing all plots with netting, and placing the birds inside. Repellency under the conditions set for a test was the "covered-minus-uncovered difference" in sprouts or sprout damage in treated plots compared with the "covered-minus-uncovered difference" in untreated plots. The results of several small-plot tests (both open and enclosed) with six candidate repellents indicated that reliable economical tests can be conducted under conditions of controlled soil and moisture and under various intensities of bird attack, to yield accurate information, heretofore unavailable, on the performance of bird repellents.

Tetra Tech EM Inc.(Tetra Tech) was engaged by the Region 6 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Response Action Contract (RAC) program to perform a geophysical survey at the Rockwool Industries Superfund site. The purpose of the survey was to delineate the lateral extent of an old cemetery adjacent to a gulley where, for remediation purposes, a culvert was to be constructed. The cemetery was known to have unmarked graves, and some of the wooden coffins had been exposed due to erosion on the steep bank of a river immediately to the north. The geophysical survey results, if successful, would be used to guide the crew in avoiding any grave sites while placing the culvert. The survey was performed on March 1 through March 3, 2005. The Tetra Tech field crew employed a GSSI SIR 3000 ground penetrating radar system with a 400 MHz antenna and a GEM 2 terrain conductivity meter. Tetra Tech ran transects spaced 2.5 feet apart in an area measuring 25 feet by 40 feet over known grave sites to test the effectiveness of the equipment. Both the GPR depth sections and time slice plots successfully identified six known grave sites and four unmarked graves, but the GEM 2 had only limited success. Upon evaluation of the test plot, Tetra Tech continued the investigation in the area of concern near the planned placement location of the culvert. The results of the GPR survey identified four marked graves, but no additional unmarked graves were located. The GEM 2 survey, while not specifically identify individual graves, did differentiate disturbed soil in the cemetery area from undisturbed soil, so was used to conservatively delineate the boundaries of the cemetery. The construction crew used the geophysical results to guide in the placement of the culvert, and there was no incident during construction.

Two acid rain experiments were conducted, one at Oulu using transplanted seedlings of Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris, and the other with adult pines at Kevo where test plots were designated in a natural mixed stand of Pinus sylvestris and Betula tortuosa. The acid solution was made by adding H2SO4 and HNO3 (vol:vol 2:1, pH adjusted to 3 and 4) to clean water. The Oulu experiment was carried out from 1986 to 1989, and Kevo from 1985 to 1989. No visible injuries related directly to the acid ram treatment could be observed after 3 yr of the experiments, but microscopic examination revealed significant changes in the structure and morphology of the needles. The conifer seedlings treated at pH 3 had significant amounts of scattered CaSO4 crystallites and characteristic piles and bows on the needle surfaces, as detected with EDS. The number of CaSO4 crystallites was higher on the surfaces of the spruce needles than those of the pine needles. The current needles had more crystallites than the previous year’s needles.

A key component in precision agriculture is exact delivery of liquid and solid materials to sitespecific locations. For Florida citrus, one major fertilizer component is nitrogen which typically is required at a maximum suggested yearly rate of 269 kg/hectare (240 lb-N/A) for orange trees >7 years old. However, over-fertilization can produce groundwater contamination through nitrate leaching. Addressing this concern, Florida growers are in the throes of implementing best management practices for various citrus growing areas. The application rates, as well as the frequency and seasonal timing are key components. A 16.2 ha (40 acre) field trial was initiated with a grower in the Ridge growing section of the state. As part of that project, prescription maps were developed for multiple applications throughout the season. A granular fertilizer unit with hydraulically powered split-chain outputs controlled from a MidTech Legacy 6000 controller was utilized. Data were collected on target and as-applied rates compensating for missing trees and resets. Additional mass balance data were obtained by weighing each load before spreader application. As small blocks of trees were involved, insight into the controller performance was obtained with respect to start-up, shut-off, and steady-state operations. Application rates for each of 43 blocks (42 test, 1 conventional) were compared for 4 tests conducted over the 2002-03 fruit season.

The U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) established four National Environmental Technology Test Sites (NETTS). The goal of the SERDP-funded test site program is to provide accessible, well-supported field locations for project proof-of-principle tests, applied research, and comparative demonstration, as well as to facilitate transfer of innovative environmental technologies from research to full-scale use. Since selection in 1994 as a NETTS, the Port Hueneme site on the Navy Base Ventura County (NBVC), Port Hueneme, California has supported demonstrations of over 15 innovative MTBE cleanup technologies. The technologies are designed to find, monitor, and remediate MTBE. Past and future demonstrations will benefit both the public and private sector, as well as have significant cleanup benefit for the plume at NBVC, Port Hueneme.

The Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center (WTFREC), located in Wenatchee, Washington, includes a former U.S. Public Health Service/EPA pesticide test plot area and a laboratory drain field, in addition to an active university tree fruit research and extension center. As a result of pesticide weathering experiments the test plot had been contaminated with organochlorine, organophosphorus, and other pesticides above known levels of concern for human health and the environment. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington State University (the current property owner), and Washington Department of Ecology determined that remediation of the test plot area was necessary. The EPA requested the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District (USACE), to propose, design, and implement the characterization and remediation.