Multi-step Hydroforming Process And Wall Thickness Optimization of 5A02 Aluminum Alloy Five-Way Tube With Different Branch Diameter

The different branch diameter of five-way tube affects the design of loading internal pressure in the hydroforming process, where the large-diameter branch is broken more easily than the small-diameter one due to the same ultimate stress of tube material in one-step forming method. Therefore, the first four-way and then five-way of multi-step forming (FFTF) method and the first three-way and then five-way of multi-step forming (FTTF) method were proposed to fabricate the 5A02 aluminum alloy five-way tube with two kinds of branch diameters to avoid the burst of large-diameter branch tube. The finite element simulation of five-way tube hydroforming process shows that the height of small-diameter branch tube is lower and serious wrinkles appear at the large-diameter branch tube in the one-step forming and FFTF method. By optimizing the length of punch, a five-way tube with a big branch height and uniform wall thickness was obtained with the FTTF method. The approach of lengthening the punch in the experiment increased the height of formed branch and reduced the wall thickness reduction rate of five-way tube in FTTF method. Overall, the findings mentioned above can not only offer guide in creating five-way tube with excellent quality, but also be taken as reference to the hydroforming studies on multi-way tube in the future.

Predicting Douglas-fir knot size in the stand: a random forest model based on CT and field measurements

Branches are not only of vital importance to tree physiology and growth but are also one of the most influential features in wood quality. To improve the availability of data throughout the forest-to-industry production, information on internal quality (e.g. knots) of both felled and standing trees in the forest would be desirable. This study presents models for predicting the internal knot diameter of Douglas-fir logs based on characteristics measured in the field. The data were composed of 87 trees (aged from 32 to 78 years), collected from six trial sites in southwest Germany, and cut into 4–5 m logs on-site. The internal knot diameter was obtained by applying a knot detection algorithm to the CT images of the logs. Applying the Random Forest (RF) technique, two models were developed: (1) MBD: to predict the branch diameter (BD) at different radial positions within the stem, and (2) MBDmax: to predict the maximum internal branch diameter (BDmax). Both models presented a good performance, predicting BD with an RMSE of 4.26 mm (R2 = 0.84) and BDmax with an RMSE of 5.65 mm (R2 = 0.78). In this context, the innovative combination of CT technology and RF modelling technique showed promising potential to be used in future investigations, as it provided a good performance while being flexible in terms of input data structure and also allowing the inclusion of otherwise underexplored databases. This study showed a possibility to predict the internal diameter of branches from field measurements, introducing an advance towards connecting forest and sawmill.

BIO-INDUKSI RANTING CABANG GAHARU (GYRINOPS VERSTEEGII) DI PERKEBUNAN GAHARU DESA PEJARING LOMBOK TIMUR

Bio-induction on the branch of agarwood tree (Gyrinops versteegii) is a good alternative method to increase resin productivity. The aim of this research is to applied bio-induction on the branch of G. versteegii with different diameters. Different branch diameter was the treatment on this research including branch 1 (diameter 70 mm ± 5 mm), branch 2 (85 mm ± mm), branch 3 (100 mm ± mm). Fusarium solani isolate of Institute for Technology Research and Development of Non-Timber Forest Product was used as a bio-induction agent. This isolate was cultured on bean sprout broth media for 28 days. Bio-induction was carried using standard procedure developed by Forest Research and Development Agency. Observation of the result conducted 3 months after bio-induction. There were 3 parameters of bio-induction result including resin area production, discoloration in form of browning on branch, and fragrance level of resin. Branch 2 has the largest resin area production. However, branch 3 has the highest score of browning and fragrance level. This result indicated a correlation between browning on branch and fragrance level quality. It could be concluded that bio-induction on larger branch diameter could produce higher productivity of resin, especially on browning and fragrance level parameter

Effect of phytoregulators on vegetative characteristics of ‘packham’s triumph’ pear trees

This study aimed at evaluating the use of phytoregulators in vegetative characteristics of ‘Packham’s Triumph’ pear trees in both 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 cycles. The orchard, was implemented in 2011. The following phytoregulators and doses were used: Ethephon and 6-Benzyladenine at 100, 200, 300 and 400 ml L-1. The experiment had a randomized block design with five replicates. Each experimental unit was composed of a plant. Variables under evaluation were leaf area, annual branch length, annual branch diameter, number of buds on the annual branch, internode length, fertility index and trunk cross section areas of the crown cultivar and of the rootstock. Only the following variables exhibited significance: leaf area, annual branch length and number of buds in plants treated with Ethephon in the 2015/2016 cycle. Leaf area was smaller when high concentrations of Ethephon were applied while the least efficient doses for annual branch length and number of buds were 162.66 ml L-1 and 107.30 ml L-1, respectively

Combined bio-chemical fertilizers ameliorate agro-biochemical attributes of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.)

Nigella sativa L. is a medicinal plant with extensive, nutritional, pharmaceutical, and health applications. Nowadays, reducing the application of chemical fertilizers (synthetic fertilizers) is one of the main goals of sustainable agriculture to allow the production of safe crops. Therefore, the combined effect of urea and biofertilizers was studied on the quantitative and qualitative traits of N. sativa L. in a randomized complete block design with 10 treatments and three replications. The treatments included control (no fertilization), U (100% chemical fertilizer as urea at 53.3 kg ha−1, Nb (Biofertilizer, Azotobacter vinelandii), Pb (Biofertilizer, Pantoea agglomerans and Pseudomonas putida), Kb (Biofertilizer, Bacillus spp.), NPKb (NPK, biofertilizer), Nb + 50% U, Pb + 50% U, Kb + 50%U and NPKb + 50% U. The NPK(b) + U50% was related to the highest quantity of plant height, branch diameter, capsule (follicle) number per plant, auxiliary branches, seed yield per plant, thousand-seed weight, essential oil content, total phenolic compounds, flavonoid content, DPPH free radical scavenging, nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, chain-breaking activity, phosphorus content, and potassium content, along with U for the highest biological yield and (Pb) + U50% for the highest essential oil percentage which is close to (NPKb) + U50%. The lowest value was observed in all traits related to the control treatment except for branch diameter that was related to (NPKb). Hence, the application of (NPKb) + U50% as bio-chemical fertilizers improved N. sativa L. Traits, so it can be recommended.

Effects of Aspen and Spruce Density on Size and Number of Lower Branches 20 Years after Thinning of Two Boreal Mixedwood Stands

This study examined branch diameter, number of whorls, and number of branches in the lower 2 m of the stems of white spruce growing in pure stands and in mixture with a range of densities of trembling aspen. Data were collected from two study sites located north of Big River Saskatchewan, which were regenerated following clearcutting in 1992 and thinned in 1996 to five aspen densities and two spruce densities. Results show significant decreases in spruce diameter at breast height (DBH), height, live crown ratio, maximum branch diameter in the lower 2 m, average branch diameter in the whorl closest to 1 m, and increases in tree slenderness with increases in aspen density. Increasing spruce density reduced the number of live branches and number of live branch whorls in the lower 2 m. Maximum branch diameter in the whorl closest to 1 m was influenced by both aspen and spruce density, with a significant interaction term resulting from effects of intraspecific competition being evident for aspen densities of 1500 stems ha−1 or lower. DBH and slenderness explained more than 49% of the variation in spruce crown width, maximum branch diameter in the lower 2 m, maximum live branch diameter in the whorl closest to 1 m, and average live branch diameter in the whorl closest to 1 m. DBH explained more variation in crown width and branch diameter than slenderness. This study demonstrates that growing spruce in mixture with aspen can lead to reductions in branch size and that early thinning to low aspen densities could lead to increases in size of knots and associated reductions in wood quality, particularly when spruce densities are low.

Norway Spruce Stem Parameters in Sites with Different Stand Densities in Lithuanian Hemiboreal Forest

Background and Objectives: The study aimed to determine the changes of the main stem and branch parameters of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst) trees under different stand densities. More specifically, the objective was to develop the models for the determination of branch diameter in 0–6 m log from root collar, taken as one of the parameters directly influencing the stem quality. The study continues a piece of research on stem and branch parameters’ responses to different stand density (SD) in the plantations of coniferous tree species in Lithuania. Materials and Methods: The following key parameters were measured in this study: total tree height, diameter at breast height, height to the lowest live branch, height to the lowest dead branch, and diameter of all branches in 0–6 m log. The linear regression models to predict branch diameter in 0–6 m log were developed based on stand density (SD), tree characteristics (tree diameter at breast height, DBH; and tree height, H) and other related stem and branch parameters. Results and Conclusions: Directly measured tree DBH, branch diameters and number of branches in 0–6 m log decreased significantly with the increasing SD. In the 0–6 m log, the branch diameter and the diameter of the thickest branch were identified as the main parameters related to stem quality. The best fitted models, developed including SD, tree DBH, branch diameter, and diameter of the thickest branch in 0–3 m log, can be proposed as a predictor for stem-wood quality for Norway spruce in hemiboreal forest zone.

Associations between morpho-agronomic characters in Conilon (Coffea canephora) 8142

The work consisted of the morpho agronomic evaluation of coffee crop under the influence of intercropping with different types of green manures. The experiment was carried out in the Southern Region of the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The experimental plot consisted of five plants per experimental unit, using the clone "Incaper 8142" Conilon Vitória, intercropping with different types of green manure plants, which were: guandu beans (Cajanus cajan), pig bean (Canavalia ensiformis), mucuna preta (Mucuna Pruriens) and Mexican margaridão (Tithonia diversifolia) in addition to a control treatment without green manure. The planting consisted of rows adjacent and located in the “upper interline” meaning is not clear of the coffee crop. The morpho agronomic characteristics evaluated were: plant height, orthotropic branch diameter, plagiotropic branch diameter, number of leaves, number of nodes, number of orthotropic branches, number of plagiotropic branches and productive nodes e productivity green coffee kg/ha, besides the main dependent: The characteristics of greatest direct contribution were number of nodes and number of productive nodes. The species of green fertilizer Mexican Margaridão (Tithonia diversifolia) provided a negative effect on the main variables related to production, and is not recommended for interplanting with robusta coffee.

Vegetative rescue potential of Brazil nut through epicormic shoots on detached branches

ABSTRACT Obtaining juvenile material may favor the clonal propagation of Brazil nut, Bertholletia excelsa. We aimed to assess the emission of epicormic shoots on detached branches of Brazil nut trees as a function of the mother tree and branch diameter, in order to provide juvenile material for use in clonal multiplication. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 6 (mother trees) x 3 (stem diameter: < 20 20-40 and 40-80 mm) factorial design, with four replicates. Every five days the number of shoots emitted was counted and the sprouting speed index and average sprouting time were calculated. The number of epicormic shoots and the sprouting speed index were dependent on the interaction between mother tree and branch diameter. Branches with larger diameter (20-40 and 40-80 mm) showed higher potential for obtaining propagules for use in Brazil nut clonal multiplication (cutting, grafting and in vitro cultivation).