Nano/Micro-Structured ZnO Rods Synthesized by Thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition with Perpendicular Configuration

Under a one-step process, catalyst-free growth of one-dimensional (1D) ZnO hierarchical nanostructures was performed on ZnO-seeded Si substrate by thermal chemical vapor deposition with a perpendicular setup. The morphological and crystallographic properties of the nano/micro-structured ZnO rods were investigated with varying growth temperature and growth time. X-ray diffraction patterns of 1D ZnO double-structured rods showed the hexagonal wurtzite structure. The morphology and crystal structure of the ZnO double-structured rods were sensitive to the growth temperature and growth time. From Raman scattering and photoluminescence spectra, the orientation and size effects of the ZnO double-structured rods were discussed in relation to growth temperatures and growth times.

Intra- and inter-specific density dependence of body condition, growth, and habitat temperature in chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus)

The density dependence of growth and body condition have important impacts on fish population dynamics and fisheries management. Although population density is known to affect the temperature of the habitat selected, how this affects the density dependence of growth and body condition remains unclear. Here, we investigated annual changes in body condition, habitat temperature, and cohort-specific growth of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) in the western North Pacific and examined quarterly changes in the density dependence of body condition. We hypothesized that chub mackerel body condition is affected both directly (e.g., through competition for food) and indirectly (through changes in habitat temperature) by the abundance of both conspecifics (i.e., chub mackerel) and heterospecifics (the Japanese sardine Sardinops melanostictus). Indeed, chub mackerel body condition, habitat temperature, and growth all decreased with increasing conspecific and heterospecific abundance. Mean annual growth rates in chub mackerel were positively corelated with body condition. The best model showed that conspecific and/or heterospecific abundance had strong negative effects on chub mackerel body condition in all seasons, and influenced habitat temperature in some seasons. By contrast, temperature effects on body condition were weak. Therefore, direct effects likely have more impact than indirect effects on density-dependent body condition and growth.

AGRONOMIC AND QUALITATIVE TRAITS OF SAFFRON AND CUMIN IN RESPONSE TO INTERCROPPING

As well as the expansion of land use due to the short period of saffron growth, its intercropping can also enhance yields and agronomic traits, which usually happens through weed control, shading, and the reduction of soil temperature and growth climate. Therefore, the effects of cumin seed rates in an intercropping on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of saffron were studied in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications in Zaveh, Torbat-E Heydariyeh, Iran, during 2016–2017. Treatments included five levels of cumin seed proportions (25, 50, 75 and 100% of the optimum density). The results of the study indicated the significant effect of cumin seed rates on all the measured traits of saffron except the number of flowers, daughter corms and leaves, as well as safranal value. The minimum and maximum weight of dry stigma was associated with the ratios of 100 and 25% of cumin seed, respectively. Any increase in the ratio of cumin seed by over 25% reduced the amount of other quantitative traits. The cumin seed ratio showed significant effects on the number of umbels per plant, the number of seeds per plant, and seed yield. Since the increase in the number of seeds per plant as a result of low ratios of cumin seed cannot compensate for the reduction of plants, therefore, lower yields would be attained. Totally, increasing shading and less competition, due to lower ratios of seed, improves physical, chemical and biological conditions of the soil, and helps to save more water. Such conditions improve the traits of corm, flower, and photosynthetic area, and so results in an economical saffron yield.