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To construct pepper development simulation models under drought, experiments of water capacities of 45–55%, 55–65%, 65–75% or 75–85% and exposure (2, 4, 6 or 8 d) (Exp. 1 & 2), of 50–60%, 60–70% or 70–80% and exposure (3, 5, and 7 d) (Exp. 3) were conducted with "Sanying" pepper. Physiological development time (PDT), product of thermal effectiveness and PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) (TEP) and growing degree days (GDD) were used to simulate growth under various treatments in Exp. 1. Plant development was influenced by the severity and drought duration. Mild water deficits (65–75% for 2–6 d or 55–65% for 2–4 d) accelerated development, while severe water deficits (65–75% for 8 d, 55–65% for 6–8 d or 45–55% for 2–8 d) delayed development. The PDT gave the highest coefficient of determination (R2, 0.89–0.94) and the lowest root mean squared error (RMSE, average of 1.03–1.50 d) and relative error (RE, average of 1.60–1.88%) for simulating three growth periods (Exp. 2). It was therefore used to construct growth models under water capacity of 45–85% over 2–8 d with spline, cubic, makima, linear, and nearest interpolation. Validation in Exp. 3 indicated that the spline model was optimal, having the highest R2 (0.96–0.97) and the lowest RMSE (average of 1.31–1.75 d) and RE (average of 1.18–2.06%). The results of the study can help producers to optimize water management and to develop drought strategies for production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barley is an important cereal crop with versatile uses: barley grains are part of the human diet and are also used for animal feed, while the potential to use barley for ethanol production provides this grain with a promising bioenergy potential. As scientific research in the field of bioenergy progresses, barley may play an even greater role in meeting the world's future energy needs. The challenge facing today's barley growers, and one that will undoubtedly be addressed by future generations of grain farmers, is how to grow higher yields with lower costs while minimizing damage to the soil. One way to achieve this is by using simplified tillage methods, thereby avoiding soil compaction, structural degradation, and erosion. Moreover, studies have shown that when soil is cultivated using simplified methods, crop yields may actually increase. Our research was conducted in a long-term stationary field experiment, which was located at the Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy Experimental Station. The aim of the investigation was to determine the effect of conservation tillage and deep plowing systems on soil water capacity and pore size distribution in spring barley cultivation. Comparing simplified tillage systems with deep plowing (DP), it can be concluded that the no-tillage (NT) technology most significantly improved the studied indicators, while the deep plowing (DP) technology exhibited the poorest results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To construct pepper development simulation models under drought, experiments of water capacities of 45–55%, 55–65%, 65–75% or 75–85% and exposure (2, 4, 6 or 8 d) (Exp. 1 & 2), of 50–60%, 60–70% or 70–80% and exposure (3, 5, and 7 d) (Exp. 3) were conducted with “Sanying” pepper. Physiological development time (PDT), product of thermal effectiveness and PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) (TEP) and growing degree days (GDD) were used to simulate growth under various treatments in Exp. 1. Plant development was influenced by the severity and drought duration. Mild water deficits (65–75% for 2–6 d or 55–65% for 2–4 d) accelerated development, while severe water deficits (65–75% for 8 d, 55–65% for 6–8 d or 45–55% for 2–8 d) delayed development. The PDT gave the highest coefficient of determination (R2, 0.89–0.94) and the lowest root mean squared error (RMSE, average of 1.03–1.50 d) and relative error (RE, average of 1.60–1.88%) for simulating three growth periods (Exp. 2). It was therefore used to construct growth models under water capacity of 45–85% over 2–8 d with spline, cubic, makima, linear, and nearest interpolation. Validation in Exp. 3 indicated that the spline model was optimal, having the highest R2 (0.96–0.97) and the lowest RMSE (average of 1.31–1.75 d) and RE (average of 1.18–2.06%). The results of the study can help producers to optimize water management and to develop drought strategies for production.

Copyright of Journal of Harbin Institute of Technology. Social Sciences Edition / Haerbin Gongye Daxue Xuebao. Shehui Kexue Ban is the property of Harbin Institute of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Barley is an important cereal crop with versatile uses: barley grains are part of the human diet and are also used for animal feed, while the potential to use barley for ethanol production provides this grain with a promising bioenergy potential. As scientific research in the field of bioenergy progresses, barley may play an even greater role in meeting the world’s future energy needs. The challenge facing today’s barley growers, and one that will undoubtedly be addressed by future generations of grain farmers, is how to grow higher yields with lower costs while minimizing damage to the soil. One way to achieve this is by using simplified tillage methods, thereby avoiding soil compaction, structural degradation, and erosion. Moreover, studies have shown that when soil is cultivated using simplified methods, crop yields may actually increase. Our research was conducted in a long-term stationary field experiment, which was located at the Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy Experimental Station. The aim of the investigation was to determine the effect of conservation tillage and deep plowing systems on soil water capacity and pore size distribution in spring barley cultivation. Comparing simplified tillage systems with deep plowing (DP), it can be concluded that the no-tillage (NT) technology most significantly improved the studied indicators, while the deep plowing (DP) technology exhibited the poorest results.

Copyright of News of Kazakhstan Science / Novosti nauki Kazahstana is the property of NCSTE (JSC National Center for State Scientific and Technical Evaluations) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Allometric models based on limited sub-samples are widely used for predicting forest-scale information. Here, we develop allometric models for the branch surface area of the widespread conifer species Picea abies [L.] Karst. Branch surface area is a proxy for the capacity of tree branches to intercept and store water and air pollutants. Based on "probability proportional to size" sampling, we measured the surface area for 285 branches and then calculated the branch surface area of 30 trees (and their 3298 branches). We developed allometric models to estimate the total surface area of branches, as well as their number and diameters, for trees across a range of diameters (DBH), heights, and crown ratios (CR). We show that DBH and CR play significant roles in branch characteristics. The branch surface area was linearly related to the stand basal area. Reducing stand density will proportionally reduce interception capacity. The approach outlined here may help stimulate further studies (more species, regions, and management practices) required to optimize stand density for ecosystem services related to crown characteristics, such as hydrology, forage quality, and quantity or capacity for air pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alaboratory experiment was carried out during 2020 in the laboratories of the College of Agriculture / University of Anbar in order to study the role of phosphogypsum in the values ​​of saturated hydraulic conductivity, capillary height and water holding capacity of soil in clay soil. The phosphogypsum was added mixed with the soil at four levels (without adding, 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9%) by weight of the soil. The treatments were incubated for 90 days by adding water at the limits of the field capacity and compensation the lost water after deplete 50% of the available water. The amount of available water, the saturated hydraulic conductivity, and the capillary height has been estimated. The soil water holding capacity increased significantly, which was 16.91% at the addition of 0.9% compared to the treatment without addition. While the highest value of the saturated hydraulic conductivity was 0.35 cm per hour -1at the level of 0.9% addition. The capillary height decreased significantly with the increase in the level of phosphogypsum addition, and the lowest value was 52 cm when adding 0.9%.

Six cross-linked copolymers consisting of sodium acrylate, N-acrylamide, starch fragments and a cross-linker were synthesized, potentially suitable for use in agriculture as superabsorbents. The copolymers had the same content of carboxyl groups equal to 6.2 mmoles per 1 g of copolymer and the content of cross-linker (Q) varied from 0.04 up to 1 wt.%. The copolymers swelled in a pH 6.5 aqueous buffer solution thus giving hydrogel particles, which were characterized by a set of methods including gravimetry, rheometry, swelling pressure analysis, equilibrium centrifugation and water retention analysis with the following main conclusions. An increase in Q decreases the equilibrium degree of swelling. When swelling in a solid substrate, sand or soil, the equilibrium degree of swelling shows the maximum at Q = 0.14 wt.%. The cross-linking degree controls the swelling pressure of hydrogels and water-retaining properties of solid substrates with embedded hydrogels; in both cases, the maximum effects are observed at Q = 0.14 wt.%. These extreme dependences set the algorithm for synthesis of polymeric superabsorbents and optimization of their operational characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, during the rule of the Russian Empire, the digging of new ditches, the development of new lands, especially desert areas, farming on newly acquired lands, the ecological impact of excavated canals and acquired lands, the issues of erosion of the banks of the "Emperor Nicholas I" canal are analyzed based on the materials of the "Turkestan Collection" done.

Analyzing water availability from energy generation reservoirs is a determining factor in inferring the economic and development capacity of countries that operate primarily with hydroelectric generation. This is because the reservoirs configure the battery of this type of electric power generation system. In this context, the main interference variables are climate, consumptive use, operation, land use and occupation, topography, sediment input and geology. The present article analyzed rainfall data and the consumptive uses of five hydroelectric plants in the Rio Grande, operated by Furnas in Brazil. These two variables are chosen due to the frequent correlation between the rainfall regime and reservoir level and the scarcity of studies considering the influence of consumptive uses in this storage process. Data from 1994 to 2021 were analyzed from publicly available sources. The information was treated using the Mann–Kendall trend test. Having obtained the results, it was observed that there is a difference in behavior between accumulation and run-of-river plants, the rainfall regime over the years analyzed showed no trend, while the consumptive uses tend to grow. This shows the need for policies that encompass the combination of multiple uses so that the reservoirs are sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil water properties are one of the most important soil features which determine water distribution and its availability for plants. Therefore, the aim of the study was to describe selected soil air-water properties and assess the size of spatial autocorrelation for soil properties. The soil samples were collected from a two-hectare field located in the mesoregion called Sępopol Lowland, in north-eastern Poland. The area is covered with Eutric Gleyic Cambisols formed from glaciolimnic sediments. Soil water retention properties as well as bulk and specific densities were analysed. The following soil pores and soil water capacities were calculated: macropores, mesopores, micropores, potential useful water retention (AWC -- available water capacity), and among AWC, readily available water capacity (RAWC), and small pores available water capacity (SAWC). Geostatistical analyses as a function of the semivariogram and correlogram were carried out using Isatis Geovariance. The shares of the macro-, meso- and micropores in total porosity were similar. The lack of autocorrelation in the case of mesopores and micropores was noted. However, small autocorrelation was found in the case of SAWC, which was confirmed by a small nugget effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anbar Journal of Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Soil erosion continues to be a threat to soil quality, impacting crop production and ecosystem services delivery. The quantitative assessment of soil erosion, both by water and by wind, is mostly carried out by modeling the phenomenon via remote sensing approaches. Several empirical and process-based physical models are used for erosion estimation worldwide, including USLE (or RUSLE), MMF, WEPP, PESERA, SWAT, etc. Furthermore, the amount of sediment produced by erosion phenomena is obtained by direct measurements carried out in experimental sites. Data collection for this purpose is very complex and expensive; in fact, we have few cases of measures distributed at the basin scale to monitor this phenomenon. In this work, we propose a methodology based on an expeditious way to monitor the volume of hilly lakes with GPS, sonar sensor and aquatic drone. The volume is obtained by means of an automatic GIS procedure based on the measurements of lake depth and surface area. Hilly lakes can be considered as sediment containers. Time-lapse measurements make it possible to estimate the silting rate of the lake. The volume of 12 hilly lakes in Tuscany was measured in 2010 and 2018, and the results in terms of silting rate were compared with the estimates of soil loss obtained by RUSLE and MMF. The analyses show that all the lakes measured are subject to silting phenomena. The sediment estimated by the measurements corresponds well to the amount of soil loss estimated with the models used. The relationships found are significant and promising for a distributed application of the methodology, which allows rapid estimation of erosion phenomena. Substantial differences in the proposed comparison (mainly found in two cases) can be justified by particular conditions found on site, which are difficult to predict from the models. The proposed approach allows for a monitoring of basin-scale erosion, which can be extended to larger domains which have hilly lakes, such as, for example, the Tuscany region, where there are more than 10,000 lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of a long-term study of different levels and systems of fertilizers under the conditions of a stationary field experiment, laid in 1964, in a field crop rotation on pea crops, influence of a single, double and triple doses of fertilizers on mineral, organic and organo-mineral fertilizer systems on the structural state, full and capillary water capacity of podzolized heavy-loamed chernozem at the beginning and the end of vegetation are presented in the article. It has been established that the structural state of the soil deteriorates at the beginning of vegetation period with the mineral fertilizer of the third level, the number of agronomically valuable aggregates in the soil layer of 10–20 cm decreased by almost 4 % compared to the control; this was mainly due to the increase in the share of macro- and microaggregates. In variants of the organic fertilizer system, especially with high doses of its application (variant of 18 t/ha of manure) in the soil layer of 10–20 cm, the number of mesoaggregates increased by 5 % compared to the control. In a context of organo-mineral fertilizer system, the structural state of the podzolized chernozem was at the level of the variants of the organic fertilizer system. Studies have found that soil density increases primarily due to the rise in the share of clay fraction, and this is quite clearly appeared in the variants of the mineral fertilizer system, while under the organic and organo-mineral systems their share decreases. With a general decrease in soil water conductivity during the vegetation period, it was still higher than control in the variants of organic and organo-mineral fertilizer systems. Manure 13.5 t + N67P102K54, where the triple amount of fertilizers of the organo-mineral fertilizer system was applied, was the best variant in terms of the pea productivity and its profitability among the fertilizer systems that were tested in the experiment.

We consider the bargraph representation of geometrically distributed words, which we use to define the water capacity of such words. We first find a bivariate capacity generating function for all geometrically distributed words, from which we compute the generating function for the mean capacity. Thereafter, by making extensive use of Rice's method (Rice's integrals) we derive an asymptotic formula for the average capacity of random words of length n as n tends to infinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing energy efficiency and reducing emissions in industrial processes through waste-heat recovery systems are vital. The energy-intensive nature of professional laundry care generates waste heat from machines such as washers, dryers, and boilers. We focused on a waste-heat recovery system tailored for this sector. An accurate drying model is essential for analyzing its energy-saving potential. This study presents a water-potential-based drying model using equilibrium thermodynamics. Two measurement experiments and numerical simulations were conducted to verify the accuracy of the proposed model, and the experimental results were incorporated into the simulations. The first experiment collected and determined laundry samples' basic information and hygrothermal properties, including the surface area, initial weight, and heat and moisture transfer coefficients. The second experiment attempted to determine each laundry item's equilibrium water content and capacity at various humidity levels. Through simulations, a comparison was made between the surface temperature and water content predictions of the existing and proposed models. Experimental results revealed that the laundry surface temperature remained constant during the constant-rate drying period. However, during the falling rate period, it was influenced by water content. The drying characteristics differ based on the material and quilting method. The proposed model improved the temperature and water content predictions by approximately 80.07% and 63.08%, respectively, compared with the existing model. This model can effectively assess laundry drying processes, including the latent heat flux assessment of the indoor environment. [Display omitted] • Proposed laundry drying model utilizes water potential as the driving force for moisture transfer. • The drying characteristics vary with material, quilting, composition, and wrinkles. • Proposed model achieved a high accuracy of approximately 81.8% for temperature prediction. • Prediction of water content also exhibited better accuracy at 66.98% accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce the notion of capacity (ability to contain water) for compositions. Initially the compositions are defined on a finite alphabet [k] and thereafter on N. We find a capacity generating function for all compositions, the average capacity generating function and an asymptotic expression for the average capacity as the size of the composition increases to infinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green roofs are becoming increasingly common practice of the urban sustainable environment. The growing substrate is the most important part of green-roof technology. The cost of engineering substrates can be reduced by using locally available components. Since green roofs are a relatively new concept in Poland, there is a need to examine substrate compositions and characteristics, including commonly used ingredients as well as alternative recycled/waste materials. The aim of our study was to assess the ability of locally sourced waste materials as roof-growing media amendments. In the greenhouse experiment we tested two grass and herb species mixtures and four waste substrate formulas. The locally disposed waste materials used as components of growing media included silica wastes (byproducts of metallic ferrosilicon alloys), cellulose, foundry sand, and organic waste material removed from the organic horizons of mucky peat. The engineered Si-waste substrates were compared with the commercially available media. The physico-chemical properties of components and substrates, their stability over time, and the influence on plant growth and mineral nutrient status were examined. Particle size distribution, bulk density, mass, water capacity, soil reaction, and total dissolved salt content of Si-waste-growing media were compatible with FLL standards. We found low amounts of available P and K, and high concentrations of Ca, Mg, S, and trace elements (with the exception of B) in Si-waste substrates in comparison with the control media. Silica waste materials have the potential to maintain pH with high buffering capacity. Engineered Si-waste substrates had a positive impact on plant growth and biomass. In general, these results indicate that contaminant elements contained in alkaline Si-waste substrates were not easily available to the root system, and consequently they did not restrict plant growth. We consider Si-wastes to be a valuable and environmentally responsible green roof media amendment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of water supply on Satureja hortensis L. (summer savory) ‘Budakalászi’ cultivar was investigated. Three saturation levels (70–50–30%) of soil water capacity (SWC) applied in climatic chamber resulted in significant changes of physiological parameters of savory plants. Compared to the control treatment (70% of SWC) the driest condition (30% SWC) caused more than 20% decrease of the relative water content (RWC) of plants and an almost 5-fold lower water potential. SPAD values indicated 45% higher chlorophyll content in the lowest watering regime. The reduction of SWC (30%) significantly affected the production of savory: fresh weight was reduced by 54% while dry weight decreased by 46%. No changes were detected in the leaf mass/total shoot mass ratio. The highest essential oil (EO) concentration of leaves (5.300 ml·100 g-1) was measured in plants of moderate drought stress (50% SWC) while the control plants and plants exposed to severe water stress treatment showed lower essential oil accumulation (4.922 and 4.782 ml·100 g-1, respectively). The EO production calculated from the values of fresh yield, and the EO concentration were the lowest in the case of plants grown in pots of lowest soil water content. The main components of the oil were carvacrol (56.7–60.6% EO) and γ-terpinene (29.7–32.3% EO) in each treatment. Water supply did not modify significantly the quantitative composition of the EO, however, it influenced noticeably the headspace volatiles (HS). In contrast with the former practice we found that without a proper water supply the cultivation of summer savory cannot be efficient.

Copyright of Agricultural Sciences / Zemès ukio Mokslai is the property of Lithuanian Academy of Sciences Publishers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Determination of water resources management thresholds, such as conservation releases, passby flows, and water availability limits, is a contemporary challenge facing water resources managers. With recent advancements in environmental flow science, including the ecological limits of hydrologic alteration (ELOHA) framework, environmental flow standards can be developed for a variety of stream types throughout a particular region or watershed. Environmental flow standards typically cover the entire natural flow regime, including low-flow, seasonal-flow (medium), and high-flow components. However, it can be difficult for water resources managers to directly apply these standards to establish practical management thresholds. This study proposes a novel approach to assessing water capacity based on ELOHA environmental flow standards. The procedure entails iterative simulations to identify withdrawal limits for gaged streams and regional regression analysis to predict withdrawal limits for ungaged streams. The approach was applied for 63 reference gages with long-term, continuous, minimally altered, daily streamflow records within the Susquehanna River basin. The results of the investigation demonstrate that the approach can be used to assess water capacity from gaged and ungaged streams via iterative withdrawal simulations and regional regression analysis respectively. The regression equation developed through analysis of the reference gages has an adjusted R-square value of 0.96 and a standard error of 27%. Determination of a water capacity value, based on a suite of environmental flow standards, provides water resources managers with a valuable tool for informing the establishment of water resources management thresholds. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pot experiment was carried out with lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). Different water supply was applied: 25%, 40% and 70% saturation of soil water capacity (SWC). Morphological traits, biomass and phenolic type active ingredients were investigated. Among the two species, main differences were registered in biomass and TPC. Lower SWC resulted in reduced biomass production of lemon balm, while the applied stress treatments did not effect the biomass of thyme. In lemon balm, highest TPC contents were measured in control plants both in shoots and roots but in thyme, the shoots showed a significantly increased TPC at the 25% SWC conditions. Neither the content of total flavonoids nor that of the rosmarinic acid was affected by the treatments. The antioxidant capacity proved to be in tight connection with the TPC in both species (r = 0.766â€"0.883). The rosmarinic acid content of lemon balm plants contributed to the antioxidant capacity, as well (r = 0.679â€"0.869). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gardening substrates are produced for horticultural use as a mixture of different organic and mineral ingredients. 18 commercial gardening substrates were hydraulically investigated during this study. The aims of the study were (i) to examine the extended evaporation method (EEM) for quantifying the hydraulic properties of gardening media and (ii) to discuss and evaluate the results in terms of their suitability for horticulture. The variables for the hydraulic evaluation were (i) the easily plant available water, (ii) the air capacity, and (iii) the capillary rise. Additionally, the shrinkage and the rewetting time were quantified as limiting factors. The hydraulic evaluation was applied separately for cultivation in containers and in the ground (free drainage). The hydraulic properties were measured with the HYPROP system (HYdraulic PROPerty analyser), which is methodologically based on the extended evaporation method (EEM). HYPROP enables the simultaneous measurement of the water retention curve and the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity function of 250 cm3 substrate samples close to the wilting point. The measurement varies between 3 and 10 days. Multiple soil or substrate samples can be studied simultaneously, and shrinkage can be measured. The rewetting behaviour was quantified using the water drop penetration time method. This measurement was applied during the evaporation experiment. This means that all required information could be determined during the evaporation experiment. The saturated water content of the samples varied between 71.8 and 87.1% by vol. Most of the tested substrates guaranteed a supply of water. However, the air capacity in containers was a critical factor. For more than 50% of the investigated substrates the water capacity was lower than the threshold value of 10% by vol. It was found that substrates without clay but containing coir, perlite, compost and a small amount of bog peat generally achieved air capacities greater than 10% by vol. The shrinkage and rewetting time also revealed evaluation- relevant differences between the substrates investigated. A more effective evaluation of the hydraulic suitability of soilless media in horticulture requires the development of an evaluation framework. The assessment of the individual values should be based on accepted threshold values, and the suitability should be evaluated based on a point scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]