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Spatiotemporal observations of CH4 and CO2 over Iraq using Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) data
Get PDFMethane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are the most important greenhouse gases and most important climate forcing agents due to their significant impact on climate, and their concentrations have been increased since the pre-industrial time by 150 and 40 % respectively, basically from fossil fuel combustion and land-use change emissions. In this research, the atmospheric concentration of CH4 and CO2 over Iraq is measured by the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS). Time series and time-averaged maps were generated to study and analyse the distribution of CH4 and CO2 concentrations. The results show a significant increase of these two gases with an average increase (3.5 and 5.11 ppbv/ year ) in a rate of (2.69 % and 4 %) for CH4 at SPL 925 hPa and 400 hPa, respectively ; the average increase of CO2 is (1.85 ppm/ year) represent (3.31%) for the whole period. The considerable increase of CH4 and CO2 concentration can affect human healthiness and earth radiative balance. Also, the Satellite observation of AIRS can efficiently show the spatiotemporal variations of CH4 and CO2 for the study area
Characterization of non polar-polar solvent extracts from some tea plantation shade tree leaves with special reference to antioxidant and antibacterial activities
Get PDFBeneficial properties of shade trees of tea plantations other than their medicinal properties have been extensively studied. This research was initiated to explore the properties of some shade trees with special emphasis on their antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Leaves from shade tree like Dalbergia sissoo (DS), Cassia siamea (CS), Derris robusta (DR), Leucaena leucocephala (LL), Acacia lenticularis (AL) and Melia azedarach (MA) were used for the study. Characterization of shade tree leaves by determination of moisture, crude fibre and ash content and tests of non polar – polar solvent extracts for steroid, tannins, cardiac glycosides and coumarin, free radical scavenging, ferric reducing power, NO scavenging activities, quantification of Flavonoids and antibacterial activity were conducted. The average moisture, crude fibre and ash percentage of shade tree plants were found to be 62.95, 11.28 and 1.86 respectively. Methanol, ethanol, acetone and ethyl acetate respectively proved to be the most potent solvent for various phytochemical extractions as it gave positive results for tests like tannin, steroid, cardiac glycosides and coumarin. AL (91.46%), DR (92.69%), LL (94.32%) and MA (93.34%) leaf extracts showed a high level of DPPH scavenging activity in their water extracts. In DS (88.11%) and CS (83.23%) maximum DPPH scavenging activity was observed in Diethyl ether and Methanol extracts respectively. Acetone extracts were more active than the water extracts in exhibiting ferric reducing power and NO scavenging activity. Summation of the quantity revealed that DS showed maximum presence of flavonoids and acetone as most potential for isolation of flavonoids. The decreasing order of summative antibacterial activity was recorded in DS, followed by CS, DR, AL, MA and LL. Chloroform showed the highest summative inhibition zone followed by ethanol, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, acetone, water, hexane, benzene and methanol. The antioxidant and antibacterial potential of shade trees were established
Seed priming effects on germination and first growth of the medicinal plant Achillea millefolium L.
Get PDFThis study evaluated the effects of seed priming on germination and growth of A. millefolium by means of laboratory and greenhouse experiments conducted during 2018 in the Agricultural University of Athens. Treatments were GA3 (400 and 800 ppm), potassium nitrate (2% and 4%), polyethylene-glycol (soaking for 12 and 24h) besides an untreated control. Experiment in Petri dishes revealed that GA3 at 400 ppm, potassium nitrate (at concentration 2 and 4%) and PEG significantly increased germination percentage of A. millefolium, while germination rate was also significantly improved as a result of all seed priming techniques. In addition, due to the soil experiment, seedling emergence was significantly increased by GA3 at 400 ppm, potassium nitrate (at both concentrations) and PEG compared with the untreated seeds. Dry biomass of the young seedlings was significantly enhanced by means of GA3 (at 400 and 800 ppm), KNO3 (4%) and PEG for 24 h, indicating the potential effect of seed priming on first growth as well. The results of the present study revealed the significant positive effects of seed priming on A. millefolium seed germination, seedling emergence and early growth
Leadership and social intelligence of coconut farmer leaders and implications in extension services
Get PDFCoconuts cultivated in small and marginal holdings pose social and economic challenges in extension outreach programmes. A study was undertaken during 2016-17 regarding the leadership and social intelligence of coconut farmer leaders, to assess their socio-personal variables and their relationships in two blocks of Alappuzha district. The results showed 46 per cent of producer societies were of five or more years of activities and 86.7 per cent of the leaders holding positions in multiple organizations. Regarding the knowledge levels, 66.61 per cent had a medium level and 94 per cent had more than 15 years of experience in coconut cultivation. Coconut producers' societies could establish only a few linkages and time spent by farmer leaders for societies were found to be very low. Whereas 58 per cent of farmer leaders had a medium level of leadership practices and occupational status, the social intelligence of the leaders was positively correlated with leadership abilities. Social intelligence of 56 per cent of them was in medium level and experience in coconut cultivation was the only variable positively and significantly correlated. This study highlights the importance of identification of training needs in leadership and social skills of farmer leaders, evolving realistic criteria for leader selection, inclusive policy for gender and youth representations in leadership positions and pathways to evolve pro-active power dynamics in grass root level farmer organizations. Doubling farmers' income and enhancing the productivity of small and marginal farmers require vibrant and responsible social support through farmer producers' organizations in the coconut sector
Sustainability of soil health and system productivity through arecanut based cropping system in the NE Region of India
Get PDFThe North-Eastern part of India contains seven states out of which, Assam is the major producer of arecanut. An attempt was made to study the impact of arecanut based multiple cropping system with proper utilization of recyclable resources on the long-term sustainability of acid soil at Kahikuchi. A long term arecanut based High-Density Multispecies Cropping System garden comprised of two models viz., Model-1 (M1): arecanut (Areca catechu), black pepper (Piper nigrum), banana (Musa spp.), citrus (Citrus limon) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and Model-2 (M2): arecanut, black pepper, banana, citrus and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) as component crops was used. Both the models were sub-divided into three treatments viz., Full dose of recommended fertiliser (T1), 2/3rd of the recommended dose (T2) and 1/3rd of the recommended dose (T3) combined with treatment-wise recycling available biomass in the form of vermicompost and each treatment was replicated thrice. The results indicated that the quantity of recyclable biomass generated ranged between 8.27 to 12.23 t ha-1 year-1 and 8.11 to 12.38 t ha-1 year-1 in model-1 and model-2, respectively and revealed that the T2 treatment in both models improved the soil properties with respect to soil pH, organic carbon, available N, P and K status. Economics of the cropping system revealed that the maximum return was obtained from both Models under T2. The average benefit:cost ratio of T1, T2 & T3 was 3.38, 4.42 & 3.47 under model-1 and 3.34, 4.08 and 3.40 under model-2, respectively. Sustenance of soil pH above 5.0 over the years in the arecanut rhizosphere in both the models were found under T2, but T1 and T3 treatments showed a slow declining of pH towards increasing soil acidity
Sustainability of Farmer Producer Organisations - The case of producer organisations involved in the production and marketing of ‘neera’ in the coconut sector
Get PDFNeera-the coconut inflorescence sap has been promoted as a potential value-added non-alcoholic beverage with abundant health benefits. The concerted effort of the stakeholder agencies could liberate the product from the policy regulations on its production under the excise act (known as ‘Abkari act’ in Kerala). Subsequently, the coconut producer federations (CPFs) in the State were granted licenses for ‘neera’ production and marketing. However, the majority of the CPFs discontinued the ‘neera’ enterprise, which they have initiated with greater enthusiasm. The present study is a modest attempt to trace the reasons for setbacks experienced in the ‘neera’ sector and also to provide a refined framework for revamping the sector. The details of licenses granted to the CPFs were sourced from the Department of Excise, Government of Kerala. The sample size of the study was 95 (13 CPFs who are still active and 82 CPFs who have discontinued). It was observed that the ‘neera’ value chain is in the evolving stage, and the withdrawal of the institutional support had detrimentally affected the confidence of the CPFs ventured into it. The availability of ‘neera’ technicians (tappers) and the high wage rates have evoked concerns on the profitability as well as the assurance of continuous supply of the product. The study categorically highlights the need for a restructured value chain of ‘neera’ with specific roles assigned to the stakeholders through the creation of functional linkages
Assessment of the status of soil organic carbon stocks under natural forest and plantation ecosystems in southern Karnataka
Get PDFA study was conducted to assess the status of soil organic carbon stocks under selected plantation and altered and natural ecosystems in southern Karnataka. Seven locations were identified for the study following the agro-climatic variability. The sites identified were Brahmavara in Udupi (coastal zone), Balehonnur in Chikkamagalur (hilly zone), Madnur and Salegrama in Hassan (northern and southern transitional zone), Alburu in Tumkur (eastern and southern dry zone), Babbur and Javagamatur in Chitradurga (central dry zone). In each of these zones, natural forest ecosystems were assessed in comparison to the plantation-based ecosystems to understand the changes in soil development with emphasis to soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. The SOC stocks at the surface varied from 1.24 to 6.44 kg m-3 in forests and from 1.53 to 6.51 kg m-3 in different plantation ecosystems. It was found from the study that SOC stocks followed the order hilly zone (per-humid climate) > coastal zone (hot humid climate) > eastern and southern dry zone (moist semi-arid climate) > northern and southern transitional zone (dry sub-humid climate) > central dry zone (dry semi-arid climate). The soils belonged to the order Ultisols and Alfisols. The major taxa of the soils identified at sub-group level of soil taxonomy are Rhodic Kandiustults, Typic Plinthohumults, Ustic Haplohumults, Typic Rhodustalfs, Rhodic Paleustalfs, Kandic Paleustalfs and Typic Haplustalfs
Effect of four irrigation doses and four varieties on cotton bolls component, lint ratio and quality: cotton irrigation and quality
No full textCotton is an industrial crop grown both in the north and in the Southern hemisphere and is one of the most profitable crops. Water is the resource that will be the most limited, especially for agriculture in the coming years. Irrigation availability is a critical factor in growing cotton in hot and dry climates. The experiments were performed in central Greece, in Palamas of the Karditsa region, for two years (2015-2016). The treatments were four different irrigation regimes, where IRR. 2 and IRR. 4 were deficient irrigations, IRR. 6, was a sufficient and IRR. 8, were overflow. Four varieties of cotton (Dp 419, Campo, Andromeda, Lider) were used where the effects of irrigation on cotton boll characteristics were recorded. The measurements made concerned the agronomic as well as the qualitative characteristics of the cotton bolls such as lint proportion, seed percentage, oil content, oil yield and micronaire. The oil content had positive correlation with the lint proportion and negative correlation with the seed percentage. In the both years of experiments the IRR. 2 and IRR. 8, irrigation regimes had negative effects while IRR. 4 and IRR. 6 had positive effects. Also among the varieties, Andromeda and Lider were the ones that stood out in both years
Effect of four irrigation doses and four varieties on agronomical characteristics and yield of cotton cultivation in central Greece: Cotton irrigation yield
No full textIn recent years, reduced irrigation has been applied for the cultivation of cotton. While this strategy remains desirable, it needs to be evaluated as it affects the yields and growth of cotton. During 2015 and 2016, two similar cotton experiments (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were performed in Greece, in the area of Karditsa and especially in the location of Palamas. An experiment was established designed according to split-plot design, with main plots four levels of irrigation (IRR. 2, IRR. 4, IRR. 6, IRR. 8) and subplots four varieties of cotton (Dp 419, Campo, Andromeda, Lider) for two growing periods. The results indicated that agronomical characteristics were affected by irrigation dose, while LAI (Leaf Area Index) was affected by irrigation levels and year. LAI higher values were noticed in RR8 level for all varieties. Second year values of LAI were higher than the first year. Irrigation levels affected the number of closed bolls. Closed bolls were ranged from 12 (RR2 with variety Dp 419) to 144.67 (RR8 in same variety). The yield was significantly affected by irrigation levels and variety; the highest value was observed in second year by the Lider variety (3,110 kg ha-1). A strong positive correlation was mentioned between yield and total fresh weight (r=0.72, p=0.001). On a pooled basis, all varieties responded positively to the largest amount of irrigation (RR8)