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Relevance. Anthocyanin pigments can be synthesised in the stem, leaves, calyx, peel and pulp of tomato fruit. These compounds protect the photosynthetic apparatus of the plant, neutralise free radicals, increase the efficiency of phosphorus and nitrogen assimilation, have an osmoregulatory function, antimicrobial activity and increase the level of adaptation to unfavourable environmental conditions. In addition, anthocyanins from plant foods play an important role in the prevention of type II diabetes, neurodegenerative processes, cardiovascular and infectious diseases. Therefore, the cultivation of tomatoes with anthocyanin-coloured fruits is a perspective area for the vegetable industry in Russia. Vegetable products containing antioxidant substances belong to the functional products and conform to the concept of a healthy diet. As one of the most popular and frequently consumed vegetable crops, the anthocyanin content of tomato is advisable to increase in the fruit (peel and pulp).Material and methods. In this work we studied breeding samples of FSBSI FSVC: L-Ch-365, L-IR-2080, L-Zemba, hybrid combination F1 Zemba x L-Ch-365, variety of Siberian Botanical Garden Bosare blue. The aim of our research was to determine the quantitative composition of phenolic compounds - anthocyanins in different tomato samples, and on this basis to determine the objectives of breeding to improve the content of phenolic compounds.Results. As a result of the research, the quantitative content of anthocyanins in fruits of dif- ferent tomato specimens has been studied, on which the dietary and medicinal quality of the fruits depends. The sources of high content of anthocyanins (L-Zemba, L-IR-2080) have been obtained, which will make possible to conduct directed breeding work for high content of phenolic compounds. It has been shown that anthocyanin-rich tomato samples can be rich in carotenoids, which gives an opportunity to create new varieties and hybrids with high content of water- and fat-soluble antioxidants. Potential samples for breeding according to the complex of biochemical indicators have been identified: L-Zemba, L-IR-2080, Bosare blue. It has been shown that selection for high content of anthocyanins can be performed at various stages of fruit ripening (large ripe fruit, blangetongue, biological ripeness), selecting the most intense colouring. The Zemba tomato variety developed at FSBSI FSVC has a sufficiently high anthocyanin content and is recommended for cultivation in production.

Census of the bezoar goat Capra aegagrus and Asiatic mouflon Ovis gmelinii populations was carried out in July and December 2018 in the Leopard’s Panthera pardus range in south-eastern part of Nakhchivan (Azerbaijan). Dynamics of numbers, population densities and distribution for both species is positive since 2006. Study results indicate that effective protection significantly improved status of the bezoar goat and mouflon, even under circumstances of intensive livestock grazing in habitats of wild ungulates. Reproduction and juvenile survival rates for both species were significantly lower than in other parts of their range and lower than in the same areas in 2012–2013, but the factor that might have caused this was not established. Low indices of reproduction and juvenile survival can hardly be caused by high population densities, press of predators, leopard in particular, and bad weather, and their reasons remain unknown.

This study aims to investigate the effects of polyacrylamide (PAM) alone or integrated with other soil amendments on soil fertility and Teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) yield. A field experiment was carried out for 2 years in three contrasting agroecological zones of the Upper Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia, using a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. The amendments applied were PAM (40 kg ha−1), biochar (B, 8 t ha−1), lime (L, 4 t ha−1), gypsum (G, 5 t ha−1), farmyard manure (FYM, 5 t ha−1), PAM + B, PAM + L, and PAM + G, and control. The results showed that PAM + L, PAM + B, and L treatments noticeably improved pH, available phosphorus (Pav), total nitrogen (TN), organic carbon, and water infiltration in the Aba Gerima and Guder soils, whereas the PAM + B, B, and FYM treatments expressively increased soil water content, Pav, and TN in the Dibatie soil. Likewise, compared with the control, teff yield significantly (p

В работе приведен краткий обзор за последние 10-15 лет по имеющимся методам модификации пектиновых полисахаридов (алкилирование, амидирование, тиолирование, сульфатирование). Дана краткая характеристика структурных особенностей различных пектиновых полисахаридов (гомогалактуронана, рамногалактуронана, ксилогалактуронана). Каждый метод содержит информацию по соответствующим химическим реакциям взаимодействия пектиновых полисахаридов с модифицирующими реагентами, а также сведения о применении модифицированных пектинов в медицине, пищевой и фармацевтической промышленности. Например, ацетилированные пектины могут быть использованы как стабилизаторы и эмульгаторы пищевых систем, а также влиять на механизм высвобождения ибупрофена (слабокислого препарата) по всему желудочно-кишечному тракту. Высокожелирующие свойства амидированных пектинов позволяют изготавливать гидрогелевые шарики, которые могут быть использованы при доставке лекарственных препаратов, специфических для толстой кишки (таких как индометацин и сульфаметоксазол) и предназначаться для перорального приема инсулина. Тиолированные пектины перспективны в применении их в качестве мукоадгезивных полимеров. Данное свойство позволяет обеспечить значительно более глубокое проникновение лекарственного препарата (малеата тимолола) через роговицу глаза, что открывает возможность использования модифицированного таким образом пектинов в офтальмологии. Сульфатированные пектины интересны в силу своего значительного влияния на физиологические функции полисахаридов, таких как антиоксидантная, противовоспалительная, противоопухолевая, противомикробная и противовирусная (анти-ВИЧ-инфекционная активность). Одним из характеристик сульфата пектина является его антикоагулянтная активность и антитромботическое действие. Исследования показали, что замена карбоксильной группы на сульфатную в цитрусовом пектине увеличивает оба вышеупомянутых эффекта, не влияя на геморрагический. Кроме того, данное производное пектина также проявляет улучшенное антимикробное действие против Bacillus cereus и Vibrio fischeri. Имеющиеся методы модификации пектиновых полисахаридов раскрывают возможность более эффективного практического использования природных биополимеров углеводной природы не только в пищевой и косметической промышленности, но и для медицинских целей. Поиск новых путей изменения химической структуры гликанов способствует получению веществ с заданными свойствами, которые еще только предстоит исследовать в более широком масштабе.

Degenerative changes in the discs begin already in childhood, as evidenced by histological studies. Purpose – to compare the diagnostic capabilities of US and MRI in identifying and determining the localization of protrusion of the lumbar intervertebral discs in adolescents. Materials and methods. The study involved 74 patients with protrusion of the lumbar intervertebral discs aged 17-21 years: 25 (33.8 %) girls and 39 (66.2 %) boys. All patients complained of pain in the lower back, and when examined by a neuropathologist, some clinical signs of osteochondrosis were revealed. USG of the lumbar spine was performed with a convex transducer with a frequency of 2-5 MHz at levels from L1-L2 to L5-S1 in sagittal and axial projections. MRI was performed on a Magnetom Aera 1.5T apparatus with standard research protocols. Results. According to the results of MRI at the L4-L5 level, protrusion was localized in 27 (36.5 ± 5.6%) cases, at the level of L5-S1 – in 26 (35.1 ± 5.5 %) cases – significantly (P

In homogeneous space ( $$\mathbb {R}^N, d, \mu $$ ) we explore Poincare’s type inequality $$\begin{aligned} \Vert f-\overline{f}_{\Omega , v}\Vert _{q, v}\le C \Vert \nabla _\lambda f \Vert _{p}, \,\,\,\, q \ge p\ge 1 \end{aligned}$$ on estimation of weighted Lebesgue norm of a Lipschitz continuous function $$f: \Omega \rightarrow \mathbb {R}$$ over the bounded convex domain $$\Omega \subset \mathbb {R}^N$$ via such a norm of its non-uniformly degenerating gradient $$\nabla _\lambda f=\left\{ \lambda _1\frac{\partial f}{\partial x_1}, \lambda _2 \frac{\partial f}{\partial x_2}, \dots , \lambda _N \frac{\partial f}{\partial x_N} \right\} $$ where $$\lambda _i/\lambda _j, \, i,j=1,2,\dots N$$ may approach to zero and infinity when x varies in domain. For that, it is assumed that $$\lambda _i=\omega _i^{1/p}$$ and $$\omega _i\in A_p \, (i=1,2,\dots N)$$ -Muckenhoupt’s class and some compatibility condition is satisfied for the pares $$(\omega _i,\, v), \, i=1,2,\dots N.$$ Using this general result, useful inequalities is asserted for study the equations having in its part Grushin’s type operator.

Since 2006, with the support of WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action), remote research of leopards (Panthera pardus saxicolor, Pocock, 1927 = P. p. ciscaucasica, Satunin, 1924). The main research is carried out on the eastern slopes of the Zangezur Mountains in the Aliyev Zangezur National Park of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. To study the leopard, photographic traps of the Cudde Back (17 pieces), Panthera (5 pieces) and Bushnel (64 pieces) brands in the amount of 86 pieces are used. In 2019 alone, 373,622 photos and 45,553 videos were taken. On 340 photos and 71 video materials, adult leopards were recorded, and on 20 photos and 5 video materials, a female leopard with cubs was filmed, and a photo of a female and a male was found on 7 photos and 4 video materials. During this period, 12 adults and 3 calves were identified.

The article provides a bioecological analysis of 106 species belonging to 23 genera of the Fabaceae Lindl. Family growing on the summer pastures of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Each species is assigned to a certain life form according to the system of K. Raunkier and I. G. Serebryakov, the classification of the life forms of legumes in relation to water and substrate is given, as well as the distribution along the belts, geographical elements and types of areas.

In the course of additional exploration of the lower horizons of the unique Sangaredi deposit in West Africa, nonlaterized deposits of the Sangaredi series of all major lithological types were found. The lithological composition of redeposited bauxitized deposits of the Sangaredi series varies from conglomerate- and gritstone–bauxites to sandstone-like and clayey bauxites, which facially represent water-sedimentary (alluvial and lacustrine) continental deposits. The appearance of such a propitious redeposited parent substrate predetermined the formation of sedimentary-lateritic bauxites as a result of subsequent laterization. In this article the main processes are characterized and the stages of the formation of extra-quality bauxites of the unique Sangaredi deposit are substantiated.

The continental deposits in the end members of their facies series were studied to assess the fundamental probability of the mechanogenic–sedimentary formation of high-quality bauxite. They included eluvial deposits on the bowal surface, which is the area of mobilization of material, and alluvial deposits subjected to the transportation and the most significant sorting under the continental conditions. It is shown that these deposits do not produce high-quality bauxite, even under uniquely favorable conditions, and the mechanogenic–sedimentary process does not provide the conditions for the spatial separation of aluminum from iron and silica, without which high-quality bauxite deposits cannot be formed.

To assess the fundamental possibility of the formation of deposits of high-quality bauxites by mechanogenic sedimentary methods, continental deposits in the extreme members of their facies series were studied: eluvial deposits on the surface of the bovaly, representing the region of mobilization of matter; alluvial deposits that underwent transfer and the most significant sorting in continental conditions. It is shown that these deposits do not produce high-quality bauxite deposits, even under uniquely favorable conditions, and the mechanogenic-sedimentary process does not provide the conditions for the spatial separation of aluminum with iron and silica, without which high-quality bauxite deposits cannot be formed.

Detailed mapping and prospecting drilling for bauxites in the territory of the Fouta-Djallon Plateau and Mandingo Mountains and the compilation on the succession, lithology, facies, and age of the Mesozoic–Cenozoic deposits of the marginal zone of the Senegal–Guinea Perioceanic Depression have allowed us to correlate and essentially update the scheme of the geomorphologic evolution of the territory of West Africa and to produce the map of planation surfaces. It has been demonstrated for the first time that the base level inverted in the Middle Miocene, and its emergence was responsible for paleogeographic changes and related regional (not local) accumulation of alluvial and lacustrine sediments of the Sangaredi Group, with the subsequent formation of high-grade bauxites with a high content of boehmite. These bauxites were used for the first time as an age indicator in mapping the Middle–Late Miocene stepwise planation surface.

The recognition of the Fouta Djallon–Mandingo territory as an independent bauxite province is substantiated. It is confined to the morphostructure of the same name within a single geotectonic structure, the sedimentary cover of the Sahara Platform, in the tropical monsoon climate zone in West Africa. The bauxite exploration history, reserve and resource estimates, and production dynamics in the Fouta Djallon–Mandingo province are reviewed.

We derive a new Sawyer's type sufficient condition for the fractional order Poincare inequality with weights (integral(Omega) vertical bar f(x) - (f) over bar (v,Omega)vertical bar(q) upsilon(x)dx) ...

Investigation of the comprehensive geological material on the lateritic weathering rocks (Futa Jallon-Mandingo, Africa) led to original identification of a specific horizon of ferruginous laterites, namely ferriplantites, which lie between bauxites and saprolites. For these ferriplantites, the morphology, prevalence, physical and mechanical properties, as well as chemical and mineral composition were characterized. According to the results obtained, ferriplantites are formed under the influence of oxygen-containing surface waters; thus, ferriplantite beds should appear quite regularly in weathering profiles at the level of ground water table fluctuations. Therefore, it is possible to use ferriplantites as an indicator of oxygen-rich hydrological settings that indicate and determine the direction of the development of the lateritic weathering profiles.

Results of the hydrogeochemical study of bauxite-bearing lateritic mantles of the Futa Djallon-Mandingo Province, West Africa, have allowed us to first characterize the pore water of vadose and infiltration hydrogeological zone. Abundances of major components (aluminum and iron) of the water are shown to be few orders higher than are those typical of the other waters of lateritic mantles. The pore water is proved to be a major factor of matter redistribution over any bauxite-bearing lateritic profile.

Results of the hydrogeochemical study of bauxite-bearing lateritic mantles of the Futa Djallon‒Mandingo Province, West Africa, have allowed us to characterize for the first time the pore water of the vadose and infiltration hydrogeological zone. The abundances of major components (aluminum and iron) in the water are shown to be a few orders of magnitude higher than those typical of other water of lateritic mantles. Pore water is proved to be a major factor of the matter redistribution over any bauxite-bearing lateritic profile.

For a weighted variable exponent Sobolev space, the compact and bounded embedding results are proved. For that, new boundedness and compact action properties are established for Hardy’s operator and its conjugate in weighted variable exponent Lebesgue spaces. Furthermore, the obtained results are applied to the existence of positive eigenfunctions for a concrete class of nonlinear ode with nonstandard growth condition.

The relaxation and thermal processes and interphase phenomena in composites based on ferroelectrics and a polymer matrix are studied. It is shown that the charge stabilized at the interface of the composite during its electrothermopolarization is mainly determined by the structure of the polymer matrix and the piezoelectric phase. The results obtained make it possible to reveal the main factors affecting the piezoelectric properties of the heterogeneous polymer–ferroelectric ceramic system. Polyolefins and fluorine-containing polar polymers are used as the organic phase, and ferroelectric ceramics of rhombohedral, tetragonal, and mixed structures serve as the inorganic phase. The relaxation processes and interphase phenomena are studied using a differential scanning calorimeter, and the charge state is analyzed by recording the thermally stimulated depolarization current. The charge-state stability is determined by the electret potential difference of the composites. The molecular relaxation is analyzed by the dielectric method. It is established that the composites in which the interphase interaction is more pronounced are characterized by high piezoelectric properties.

Distribution of temperature waves at soilsurface and subsurface layers depends on thermal properties (soil heatcapacity, diffusivity and conductivity etc.) and surface heat flow, as well asbasic soil properties. In this study, (i) change in soil surface temperaturewas examined according to solution of heat conductivity equation and Fourierlaw in case of constant heat flow on soil surface, and (ii) surface heat flowof soil was described analytically as a function of surface and sublayerstemperatures, heat diffusivity and time. During the experimental period, mean soil temperature at the surface and10 cm depth varied between 18.5 °C and 33.1 °C, where the mean thermaldiffusivity coefficient (a) in thislayer was sec-1.. The mean ofspecific and volumetric heat capacities of dry soil were (or ) and , respectively.Soil volumetric moisture content ,volumetric heat capacity associated with moisture content, thermalconductivity were , (or ) and , respectively.The heat flow at the soil surfacevaried between 25.638 and 239.742changingfrom surface to deeper soil layers during 09.00-15.00 hours, whereas during15.00-17.00 hours heat flow varied between -27.725 and -12.473changingfrom lower to upper soil layers. Mean relativeerrors between measured and predicted soil surface temperature values were7.10%. Predicting surface temperature changes of soils mathematically, anddetermination of numerical values of thermal properties is one of the necessarystages for modelling soil temperature, and important for monitoring the effectof soil management on soil temperature in both humid and arid regions withconsideration of climate change., Sıcaklık dalgalarının toprak yüzeyinde ve altkatmanlarında dağılımı, toprak özelliklerinin yanı sıra, toprakların ısıkapasitesi, ısısal yayınım, ısı iletkenliği ve yüzey ısı akışı gibi ısısalözelliklerine de önemli düzeyde bağlıdır. Bu çalışmada, (i) toprak yüzeyindeısı akışının sabit olması durumunda ısı akışı denkleminin çözümüne ve Fourierkuralına göre toprak yüzey sıcaklığının değişimi irdelenmiş, (ii) toprağınyüzey ısı akışı, yüzey ve alt katman sıcaklıklarının, ısısal yayınımın vezamanın bir fonksiyonu olarak analitik biçimde ifade edilmiştir. Araştırmadöneminde toprağın yüzey ve 10 cm derinliğinde ortalama sıcaklık değerleri 18.5 °C ile 33.1 °C arasında değişmekte, 0-10 cm katmanında ortalama ısısal yayınımkatsayısı ise ’dir. Kuru toprağın özgül ve hacimselısı kapasiteleri sırasıyla (veya ) ve ; hacimsel nem içeriği , nem içeriğine bağlı hacimsel ısı kapasitesi , ısı iletkenliğine ait ortalamadeğerler ise sırasıyla ; (veya ); olarakbelirlenmiştir. Toprak yüzeyindeki ısı akışı günün 09.00-15.00 saatlerinde25.638 ile 239.742 arasında yüzeydenalt katmana doğru değişmekte; 15.00-17.00 saatlerinde ise -27.725 ile -12.473 arasındagenel olarak alt katmandan yüzeye doğru değişmektedir. Hesaplanan ve ölçülentoprak yüzey sıcaklık değerleri arasındaki ortalama nispi hata % 7.10 olarakbulunmuştur. Toprakların yüzey sıcaklık değişimlerinin matematiksel olarakifade edilmesi, ısısal özelliklere ait sayısal değerlerin belirlenmesi topraksıcaklığının modellenmesinde gerekli aşamalardan birisi olup, nemli ve kurak bölgelerde iklim değişikliğini göz önüne alaraktoprak yönetim uygulamalarının toprak sıcaklığı üzerine olan etkilerininizlenmesi bakımından da önemlidir.Sıcaklık dalgalarının toprak yüzeyinde ve altkatmanlarında dağılımı, toprak özelliklerinin yanı sıra, toprakların ısıkapasitesi, ısısal yayınım, ısı iletkenliği ve yüzey ısı akışı gibi ısısalözelliklerine de önemli düzeyde bağlıdır. Bu çalışmada, (i) toprak yüzeyindeısı akışının sabit olması durumunda ısı akışı denkleminin çözümüne ve Fourierkuralına göre toprak yüzey sıcaklığının değişimi irdelenmiş, (ii) toprağınyüzey ısı akışı, yüzey ve alt katman sıcaklıklarının, ısısal yayınımın vezamanın bir fonksiyonu olarak analitik biçimde ifade edilmiştir. Araştırmadöneminde toprağın yüzey ve 10 cm derinliğinde ortalama sıcaklık değerleri 18.5 °C ile 33.1 °C arasında değişmekte, 0-10 cm katmanında ortalama ısısal yayınımkatsayısı ise ’dir. Kuru toprağın özgül ve hacimselısı kapasiteleri sırasıyla (veya ) ve ; hacimsel nem içeriği , nem içeriğine bağlı hacimsel ısı kapasitesi , ısı iletkenliğine ait ortalamadeğerler ise sırasıyla ; (veya ); olarakbelirlenmiştir. Toprak yüzeyindeki ısı akışı günün 09.00-15.00 saatlerinde25.638 ile 239.742 arasında yüzeydenalt katmana doğru değişmekte; 15.00-17.00 saatlerinde ise -27.725 ile -12.473 arasındagenel olarak alt katmandan yüzeye doğru değişmektedir. Hesaplanan ve ölçülentoprak yüzey sıcaklık değerleri arasındaki ortalama nispi hata % 7.10 olarakbulunmuştur. Toprakların yüzey sıcaklık değişimlerinin matematiksel olarakifade edilmesi, ısısal özelliklere ait sayısal değerlerin belirlenmesi topraksıcaklığının modellenmesinde gerekli aşamalardan birisi olup, nemli ve kurak bölgelerde iklim değişikliğini göz önüne alaraktoprak yönetim uygulamalarının toprak sıcaklığı üzerine olan etkilerininizlenmesi bakımından da önemlidir.

Land degradation in the form of soil erosion is a major problem in semiarid and arid regions. Understanding the processes and mechanisms affecting the generation of runoff and subsequent soil erosion in these regions is essential for the development of improved soil and water conservation and crop management practices. We performed a meta‐analysis of both published and unpublished runoff and soil erosion data and the relations between them; data were obtained from numerous semiarid regions (211 samples, 720 simulations), exposed to drip type laboratory rain simulators. The samples varied in their intrinsic properties (e.g. texture and organic matter) and extrinsic conditions (e.g. rain properties and soil condition). Both runoff and soil erosion were considerably affected by the inherent soil and rain properties, and soil conditions within agricultural fields. The relation identified between soil loss and runoff could be expressed either as a nonlinear (exponential or power) or a linear function. Exponential and power functions applied mostly to situations where conditions tended to harm soil structural stability and enhance destabilization of surface aggregates (e.g. high rain kinetic energy, conventional tillage and sodicity). Linear functions applied to cases associated with conditions that enhanced the stability of soil structure (e.g. slow wetting, amendment with soil stabilizers, and minimum tillage in clay soil). The established soil loss–runoff relation (SLRR) contributed to a better understanding of the mechanisms governing overland flow and soil loss at the small plot scale. The relations identified might also assist in (a) further development of soil erosion models and research techniques to be linked with field‐scale data (e.g. by using the connectivity concept) and (b) the design of more suitable management practices for soil and water conservation to decrease soil degradation. HIGHLIGHTS: Soil loss–runoff relations were studied in 211 semiarid soils under different extrinsic conditions. Soil loss–runoff relations could be expressed as nonlinear (exponential or power) or linear. Conditions that enhanced destabilization of surface aggregates resulted in nonlinear soil loss–runoff relations. Linear soil loss–runoff relations were noted for conditions that stabilize soil structure (e.g. aggregate stability).

The main direction in the selection of sweet peppers is the creation of hybrids with a high heterosis effect. The question of components choice for the greatest effect in crossings is studied by breeders and geneticists of many countries for a long time. However, until now it has not been possible to create a theory that allows breeders conducting practical work to consciously and reliably choose pairs that would provide maxi-mum and stable yield and product quality, depending on the purpose of the variety. In the work various principles of the selection of pairs were used: ecological-geographical, according to the components of attributes and selection of the maternal form. Using these methods, more than 300 combinations of crosses were obtained. It is shown that the combination of two ecologically different parental components of different origin - the local sample and the introduced one - leads to an increase in the heterosis effect. The best hybrid combinations with a complex of economically valuable traits are obtained by crossing local varieties with selected breeding lines. When selecting pairs according to the components of the signs, where local or introduced samples with a different set of features were taken as parental forms, productivity was at the level of the standard. In most cases, when used as the maternal form of the local variety, the productivity of the hybrids was significantly higher compared to the reverse crossing. As a result of our studies, it is once again confirmed and proved that the more differences in the places of cultivation and reproduction of parental components, the higher the heterosis effect and the effect of the maternal component is much higher.

Efficacy of polyacrylamide (PAM), a water-soluble soil conditioner, prepared with poor-quality water (low salinity, higher sodicity) commonly available to farm managers, is unknown. We studied the effects of treating aggregates of four soils with predominant smectitic or kaolinitic clay mineralogy with PAM solution prepared with poor-quality water (low salinity and high sodicity). Impact of PAM on pore size distribution (PSD) and structure stability of the soils and the relations between the stability indices obtained were studied from water retention curves derived at low suction (0–50 hPa). The retention curves were characterized by a modified van Genuchten model that yields (i) the model parameters α and n and (ii) a soil structure index (SI). Applying PAM modified the water retention curve shape, mostly in the smectite soils, and increased α and improved SI up to 3.3 and 1.7 times in the smectitic and kaolinitic soils, respectively, relative to the control. An observed exponential relationship between soil SI and parameter ɑ allowed predicting the effects of PAM addition on soil structure stability. The noted improvement in structure stability was comparable with results for conditions where PAM solution was prepared with good-quality water. Abbreviations: PAM, polyacrylamide; SAR, sodium adsorption ratio; EC, electrical conductivity; HEMC, high-energy moisture characteristic; VDP, volume of drainable pores; MS, modal suction; SI, structural index; PSD, pore size distribution.

Soil spectroscopy is a promising alternative to evaluate and monitor soil and water quality, particularly in mountainous agricultural lands characterized by intense degradation and limited soil tests reports; a few studies have evaluated the feasibility of VIS-NIR spectroscopy to predict Mehlich 3 (M3) extractable nutrients. This study aimed to (i) examine the potential of VIS-NIR spectroscopy in combination with partial least squares regression to predict M3-extractable elements (Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn) and basic soil properties (clay, silt, sand, CaCO3, pH, and soil organic carbon-SOC), (ii) find optimal pre-processing techniques, and (iii) determine primary prediction mechanisms for spectrally featureless soil properties. Topsoil samples were collected from a representative area (114 samples from 525 ha) located in the mountainous region of NW Azerbaijan. A series of pre-processing steps and transformations were applied to the spectral data, and the models were calibrated and evaluated based on the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and the residual prediction deviation (RPD). The leave-one-out cross-validated predictions showed that the first derivative spectra produce higher prediction accuracies (R2 = 0.51–0.91; RPD = 1.20–2.29) for most soil properties. The evaluation of the model performance with optimal pre-processing techniques revealed that both calibration and validation models produce considerable differences in RPD values associated with sample size and the random partition of the calibration or validation subsets. The prediction models were excellent or very good (RPD > 2.0) for CaCO3, SOC, sand, silt, Ca, and Pb, good or fair (1.4 < RPD < 2.0) for clay, K, Cd, pH, Fe, Mn, and Cu, and poor (1.0 < RPD < 1.4) for Mg, P, and Zn. Principal component and correlation, stepwise regression analysis, and variable importance in projection procedures allowed to elucidate the underlying prediction mechanisms. Unlike the previous studies, the spectral estimations of pH, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Pb, and Cd concentrations were linked to their correlation with CaCO3 rather than soil organic matter, whereas Mg and P concentrations were also connected to Fe-oxides. Soil particle sizes contributed to predicting K concentration but confounded the prediction of P and Zn concentration. The weaker correlations of Mn, Cu or Zn with CaCO3, particle sizes, SOC, Fe, and spectral data yielded to their lower prediction accuracy. The major prediction mechanisms for M3-extractable elements relied on their relations with CaCO3, pH, clay content and mineralogy, and exchangeable cations in the context of their association with land use. The results can be used in mountain lands to evaluate and control the effect of management on soil quality indices and land degradation neutrality. Further studies are needed to develop most advantageous sampling schemes and modeling.

Temperature is a key factor that can affect soil properties and processes. Surface tension-viscous flow (STVF) theory is widely used to explain the temperature effects on soil hydraulic properties. We hypothesized that one of the reasons for deviation of measured soil water retention data from the STVF theory predictions is due to the temperature effects on soil structural stability (i.e., near-saturated pore size distribution [PSD]). Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of temperature on soil structural stability as characterized using the high energy moisture characteristic (HEMC) method in a wide range of arid and semi-arid soils of Iran. Aggregates of 28 soil samples were fast-wetted to mimic the natural conditions of soils during rainfall and irrigation. Four ambient temperatures (5, 10, 15 and 30 °C) were applied using an incubator during the wetting of aggregates, and after that HEMCs in the matric suction (h) range of 2 to 50 hPa were measured. Both van Genuchten (VG) and modified van Genuchten (MVG) models were fitted to the HEMC data and structural stability indices were calculated. The results generally showed that ambient temperature significantly altered soil PSD and structural stability, and as temperature increased: (i) an expansion of entrapped air initiated by the formation of microbubbles, was enhanced, (ii) water content at near full saturation h = 2 hPa (θ2hPa) decreased, and at h = 50 hPa (θ50hPa) it increased, leading to a reduction in the volume of drainable pores [VDP], and thus (iii) the soil structural index [SI] and slope at the inflection point of HEMC [Si] decreased, and (iv) amount of macropores (h, 2–12 hPa) was markedly decreased, however, micropores (h, 12–50 hPa) were not notably affected or were increased at high temperature due to intensive shifting of macropores into micropores. These findings imply that soil structure was damaged due to loosening effects of high temperatures on inter-particles bonds and increased repulsive forces between clay particles. Cluster analysis showed that the effect of ambient temperature on the structural stability was greatest in carbonate-rich soils with low clay and organic carbon (OC) contents and was least in the soils rich in OC. The results of this study could be important for projecting the effect of global warming and climate change on soil structure and erosion.

From the condition that the chemical potentials of the components of the AB compoundare equal in the equilibrium liquid and solid phases, taking as pure liquid components as the standardstate, equations are obtained for calculating and modeling of partial excess thermodynamic functions,of the pressure-temperature-composition diagram and liquidus surfaces of the binary compound inthe ternary system A–B–C. The equations obtained are tested on the Cu–Pb–Se system in the liquidusregion of the PbSe compound. It is shown that the vapor phase mainly consists of two atomic moleculesof selenium Se2. For the liquidus regions PbSe(p-type)-Se and PbSe(n-type)-Pb, the followingdependences are obtained, respectively:lg Se p 2 (Pa) = [–1281 + 5624(1000/T) – 9190(1000/T)2 + 6648(1000/T)3 – 1797(1000/T)4] – 10.35 xCu2 ;lg Se p 2 (Pa) = [2026 – 8778(1000/T) + 14247(1000/T)2 – 10259(1000/T)3 + 2759(1000/T)4] – 8.36 xCu2 .For the thermodynamics calculation and modeling of surface crystallization PbSein the ternary systemCu -Pb-Se is obtained dependence:T = [ + ( - x ) Gexs (xl )] / [ . - . ln x ( - Cu.PbSe Se Se 110693 1 0 35D 25 695 8 31 1 xSe )]Where DGexs lPbSe, = –76057 + 335550,738хSe – 2,41759E6хSe2 + 7,33249E6хSe3 – 9,7868E6 хSe4 + 4,69725E6хSe5.3D visualization of the obtained analytical dependencies is carried out with the help of a computerprogram OriginLab2017.

Physalis commonly known as the husk tomato is an important vegetable crop in the diets of many nations. Their fruits are used in the making of chilli sauce, jams, candied fruits, pickles and dressing for popular dishes. Fruits can be marinated and added to the cucumber, tomato, cabbage, apple, pear, plum for canning. Boiled fruit of Physalis is used to prepare fillings and decorations for cakes. The number of fruits set is variable. The lateral and sub-lateral branches produce more flower buds, but they do not produce harvestable fruits. The elimination of sub-lateral branches would be very important for restricting fruit set. The ‘Lakomka’ variety produces 53 commercial fruits, but only 22 of them reach biological maturity (41.5%). Such traits as “number of fruits per plant” and “average fruit weight" vary substantially Cv = 36.98% and Cv = 33.5%, respectively. At the same time, in the variety ‘Lakomka’ weight of matured fruits on plant (1.76kg) is 73.3% at the total fruit weight -2.4 kg. This is because of the weight of one ripened fruit on the plants that is greater than not ripened one. The same results we observed in the cultivars ‘L–Fioletovy’ and ‘Lejkiy’. Weight of ripened fruits on the plant is about 50% from the total weight in the varieties ‘Lacomka’ and ‘Korolyok’. The "number of fruits per plant” and “average fruit weight” were the most stable in varieties ‘Konditer’, ‘Lacomka 2’ and ‘Lejkiy’. Totally, 320-450 seeds are developed in the fruit, where productivity reaches to 7.4-15.5 g/plant, depending on the variety. Tomatillo is genetically highly variable. To become a viable commercial crop, it will be necessary to develop plants with uniform fruit size and to breed a determinant plant type suitable for mechanical harvesting with most of fruits maturing simultaneously on the plant.

In this paper we prove the Poincare-type weighted inequality $$\begin{aligned} \Vert v^{1/q} f \Vert _{L^q(\Omega )} \le C \Vert \omega ^{1/p} \nabla f \Vert _{L^p(\Omega )}, \quad q\ge p>1, \end{aligned}$$ for a locally Lipschitz function f with a weighted mean equal to zero over a convex bounded domain $$\Omega $$ ; here the weights v, $$\omega $$ are positive measurable functions which satisfy a certain compatibility condition. This result is a generalization of the well-known weighted Poincare inequality to the case of more general weights in the sense that we do not use the traditional conditions of high summability $$v,\, \omega ^{-\frac{1}{p-1}}\in L^{r,loc}$$ with $$r>1$$ for $$q=p$$ or the reverse doubling condition on the function v for $$q>p$$ . In other words, a Sawyer type sufficient condition on weight functions is established.

Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) efficiency in water absorption and release depends on soil properties and SAP type and concentration. Our objective was to examine the effects of soil texture, SAP concentration and properties on water absorption and release from soil–SAP mixtures during 10 h of drying. Four SAP types, five SAP concentrations, and five soils were used. Initial water quantity absorbed by SAPs (53–171 g g⁻¹ of SAP) was more than two orders of magnitude greater than that absorbed by soils (0.35–0.53 g g⁻¹ of soil). Water absorption by soil–SAP mixtures (i) significantly improved water holding capacity relative to the soil, and (ii) increased with an increase in SAP concentration and soil clay content. The ability of soil–SAP mixtures to retain water after 5 h of drying relative to the initial water content was greater than that of the soils alone, especially in coarse-textured soils. After 5 h of drying, the specific amount of water retained by a unit weight of SAP in the soil–SAP mixture was higher than that at 0 h. This observation suggests a continued absorption of water by SAPs from soils during the first 5 h of drying. The fraction of water loss from SAP with large-size beads (BJ-2101M) was smallest in all the mixtures among the four SAPs after 10 h drying. Our results showed that addition of SAPs to soils not only decreases water loss to evaporation from soils but also from the SAPs, especially for a SAP with large size beads.

In this paper, we prove a necessary and sufficiency condition for the weighted Hardy operator H υ , ω f ( x ) = υ ( x ) ∫ 0 x f ( t ) ω ( t ) d t to be compactly acting from L p ( ⋅ ) ( 0 , ∞ ) to L q ( ⋅ ) ( 0 , ∞ ) .

In the genus Solanum there are a number of less common vegetables. S. aethiopicum L. and S. macrocarpon L. are a two popular species of eggplant, traditionally grown in tropical Africa. The object of research was breeding lines and hybrids of S. melongena L. and accessions of S. aethiopicum and S. macrocarpon. Plants were grown in condition of low-capacity hydroponics according to all agrotechnical requirements. The fruits for analysis were collected from one layer of plants at the phase of technical maturity. Phenolic compounds are unique secondary metabolites that are synthesized in all plant cells and have increasingly wide application in pharmacology and medicine. Flavonoids was in the range of 0.7-1.1% in lines and F1 hybrids of S. melongena, however more flavonoids was obtained in the African eggplant accessions, such as S. aethiopicum L., 1,4% and S. macrocarpon L., 1.2%. The total content of phenolic compounds was in the range of 1.7-2.3% in the pulp of S. melongena L. fruits. The total content of phenol carbonic acids ranged from 1.0-1.5% in the lines and hybrids F1 studied, as referred to S. melongena. The content of phenol carbonic acids is higher from 1.5% to 1.8% in S. aethiopicum and S. macrocarpon. In the pulp of the interspecific hybrid fruits the total content of flavonoids and phenol carbonic acids was 2.6-2.7% that was 1.5 times as much as in S. melongena.

Physalis (Physalis L.) is grown worldwide. P. pubescens L. is most widespread in Russia. The analysis of development of biochemical properties in fruits of P. pubescens L. in temperate climate was presented in the article. The berries of physalis have acid reaction and high nutrient value due to polyphenols, carotenoids that give orange color, also contain moderate quantity of vitamin C. Moreover in the berry juice there are significant quantities of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, manganese and boron. P. pubescens L. is a promising exotic crop that can be used for production of functional foodstuffs. Physalis berries are usually used as fresh vegetables for salad recipes, providing the sweet and sour balanced taste. The whole fruit berries are also processed into syrups or dried, so that they are regarded as ‘elegant raisins’. Our study showed that the dry matter content was 15.5% in cultivar ‘Zolotaya Rossiyp’ in temperate climate, while the ascorbic acid content was 9.9 mg per 100 g. of wet weight. In temperate climate 318 mg GAE/100 g. polyphenols were accumulated in the berry of P. pubescens L. The titrated acidity of ‘Zolotaya Rossiyp’ berries was 0.90%, at pH 4.72. The level higher than 4 confirms the low acidity. This can be explained by the fact of presence of organic acids as a free forms in the berry juice.

Fungal endophyte ( Epichloe coenophiala ) usually infects cool-season perennial forage grasses and enhances host plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and, by potentially altering the litter quality and decomposition rate, can affect soil properties. Aggregate stability, as an important determinant of plant root growth and soil quality, may be affected by the endophyte status of plant residues. In this study, the effects of endophyte-infected (E+) and endophyte-free (E−) tall fescue residues (0%, 1% and 2%) on soil organic carbon (SOC), basal soil respiration (BSR) and aggregate stability were investigated in four texturally different soils in the laboratory. The aggregate stability indices were determined by the high energy moisture characteristic (HEMC) method. Moist soil samples were thoroughly mixed with either E+ or E− tall fescue residues before being incubated at 25 °C. During the 2-month incubation period, the amended soil samples were subjected to ten wetting and drying cycles, after which soil properties were measured. The results indicated that SOC and aggregate stability were higher and that BSR was lower in the finer-textured soils. Furthermore, an increase in the application rate of plant residues significantly increased SOC, BSR and aggregate stability. Treating the soils with E+ tall fescue residues increased SOC and aggregate stability (i.e., stability ratio, SR, a dimensionless index defined as the ratio of the structural index for the fast wetting to the structural index for the slow wetting), and significantly decreased BSR due to the toxic effects of phenolic compounds on soil microbial communities and changes in the litter chemical quality. The interactive effect of soil type and endophyte status on the SOC and BSR values was significant but no clear trend was observed. Our findings indicated that tall fescue residues (especially E+ ones) can improve soil physical quality due to increased SOC storage and greater aggregate stability. Therefore, these plants have great potential for use in grassland reclamation and soil conservation plans in semi-arid pasture and agricultural lands.

Vegetables are considered essential for well-balanced diets since they supply vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and chemicals. Thechilli pepper fruits (Capsicum spp.), like many other vegetable crops, are a source of important biological components – the macro-, microelements and antioxidants. In this regard, the chilli pepper can be included in the category of dietetic foods.The most cultivated in Russia chilli pepper varieties belong to the Capsicum annuum L. At present, in the world and in Russia huge number of varieties are selected, with different color, shape and hot and pungent taste of the fruits with a high content of carotenoids, capsaicinoids and ascorbic acid. These varieties belong to the species C. chinense, C. frutescens, C. baccatum and C. pubescens. The fruits of these forms and products of their processing are suitable for industrial applications and are the basis of many sauces, pastes, ketchups, and ingredients, which is used in food, pharmaceutical, confectionery, alcoholic beverage, military and other industries. Chilli peppers, in addition to nutritional value, are ideal for ornamental horticulture, because of the compactness or vice versa weeping form of the stems, suspended like bells and differently colored like a rainbow, fruits, colorful combinations color of leaves and fruits. You can use them and direct planting in the ground, and as a potting culture in balconies, loggias, winter gardens, in combination with other plants.

Quality of soils of the arid zones with low organic matter can be improved through the application of natural amendments especially biochar from various available feedstocks. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of corn residue and poultry manure and their biochars on soil organic carbon (SOC), hot-water soluble carbohydrates (HWSC), basal soil respiration (BSR),and structural stability determined by HEMC (high-energy moisture characteristic). A sandy loam soil in pots were thoroughly mixed with 1, 2 and 4% w/w of corn residues (CR) and poultry manure (PM) feedstock and their biochars prepared at 350 and 650 °C of slow pyrolysis. Maize seeds were planted in pots and grown until physiological maturity when soil characteristics were measured. Treatments considerably altered the means of studied soil quality indicators, and increased SOC (1.5–10 times) and HWSC (1–7 times), and HEMC indices: volume of drainable pores ratio (VDPR, 1.5– 3.5 times), and stability ratio (SR, 1–3 times). Increasing pyrolysis temperature, regardless of the type and rate of feedstock, significantly decreased the SOC, BSR and percent of water-stable aggregates, and consequently structural stability indices. Contribution of both PM feedstock and its biochars was less effective than the CR ones (particularly the biochar produced at higher pyrolysis temperature), due to elevated sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) associated with higher slaking, physico-chemical dispersion and lower aggregate and structural stability.

Restoring physical quality of acidic Luvisols from the Ethiopian highlands subjected to long-term conventional tillage (CT) by traditional no tillage (NT) system may take 20–30 years. Use of exogenous additives may speed up reclamation of soil physical quality. The objective of the study was to examine the effects of combining two tillage systems (NT and CT) with additives (polyacrylamide [PAM] and lime) on accelerating structure stabilization of Luvisols. The high energy moisture characteristics (HEMC) method was used to evaluate: (i) the contribution of PAM dose (0, 25, 50, 100, 200 mg L−1) and slaked lime (1.6 g L−1), on pore size distribution (PSD), and structure stability indices of six soils, five under long-term cropland (CT-crop) and one under grassland for grazing (NT-grass), and (ii) the relations between the stability indices obtained from these six soils. Ethanol and deionized water were used for wetting of soil aggregates. The water retention curves of the samples were characterized by a modified version of the van Genuchten model that yields (i) the parameters α and n (that control the location and steepness of the water retention curve, respectively), and (ii) a soil structural stability index (SI). The results revealed that, compared with the control, the additives significantly altered soil PSD, increased SI and α, and decreased n (particularly with lime). Untreated NT-grass and CT-crop soil treated with low concentration of PAM (25 mg L−1) or lime, resulted in comparable SI, while high PAM concentrations (100−200 mg L−1) yielded 2–3 times greater SI values than untreated NT or CT samples. Exponential type relations were identified between SI and model parameters (α or n) or PAM dose. These relations could assist in evaluating the suitability of tillage system together with additives for stabilizing soil structure. Our result advocate the application of small doses of exogenous additives (PAM, lime), in combination with NT, for improving the structure and quality of acidic Luvisols at a faster rate.