Role of Abscisic Acid in The Water Balance of Pistachio (Pistacia. vera) Seedlings: دور حمض الابسيسيك في التوازن المائي لغراس الفستق الحلبي (Pistacia vera)

This experiment aims to study the effect of abscisic acid in maintaining water balance under different levels of irrigation. it was carried out in Pistachio Office on two-years-old (P.vera) seedlings growing in polyethylene bags. Three irrigation and three abscisic acid treatments were applied during 2019 and 2020 year. The results showed a significant change of water stress on most of the growth indicators (planting length - planting diameter - leaf area, etc.) which decreased and reached its lowest value when irrigation with 14-day interval between irrigation. As for abscisic acid treatments reduced significantly and avoided the harmful effects of water stress and improved the water balance of seedlings. A significant increase was observed in length of the main axis of seedlings that treated with abscisic acid (59.3 cm) compared with control plants (55.5cm) under water stress conditions, in addition to it was observed an increase in concentration of chlorophyll (38 mg/ g ww) compared to control plants (36.19 mg/ g ww), while the level of proline in the treated plants increased significantly (52.5 mg/ g ww) compared with untreated control plants (50 mg/ g ww), and these results illustrate the important role of abscisic acid in regulating water relations within the plant. And increase the plant's ability to withstand the negative effects of water stress.

Effect of Paper and Aluminum Bagging on Fruit Quality of Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.)

Bagging regulates the fruit microenvironment and improves the quality and market value of fruits. It is a safe and ecofriendly technique to protect fruits from insect/pest infestation and multiple biotic and abiotic stresses. In the current study, the influence of fruit bagging was evaluated on the development and quality of loquat fruits. Fruits from a healthy loquat orchard (Cv. Zaozhong No.6), located in Fujian, China, were enveloped in paper (T1), aluminum (T2), and aluminum–polyethylene bags (T3), while unbagged fruits were maintained as control (T0). In general, fruit bagging improved fruit quality in terms of fruit physiological and biochemical attributes and protected fruits from physical damage. In particular, aluminum–polyethylene bagging enhanced fruit weight, length, and width by 1.37-, 1.18-, and 1.13-fold, respectively. Loquat fruits bagged with paper bags exhibited the maximum soluble sugar and lowest titratable acid content. Fruits treated with paper and aluminum–ethylene bags showed twofold higher sugar–acid ratio as compared to control. Aluminum–polyethylene bagging caused 66.67%, 55.56%, and 33.33% reductions in skin burn, fruit rotting, and black spot of loquat. The fruits bagged in aluminum and aluminum–polyethylene did not show insect or bird damage, while unbagged fruits had 14.70% and 17.65% insect and bird damage, respectively. Overall, the results suggest that paper, aluminum, and aluminum–polyethylene bagging improved fruit health by 75%, 131%, and 144%, respectively, as compared to control. To delineate bagging type-dependent effects, principal component analysis was performed. Paper bagging was positively correlated with fruit firmness, rotting, soluble sugars, sugar–acid ratio, and proline content. Aluminum bagging was highly associated with improvements in titratable acids, cystine, and methionine. Aluminum–polyethylene bags were correlated with fruit weight, size, peel thickness, edible rate, and certain amino acids.

A Method for WWTP Sludge Valorization through Hygienization by Electron Beam Treatment

This work reports on municipal sludge hygienization using electron beams. Three types of sewage sludge from two municipal wastewater treatment plants were tested: preliminary sludge with 4% TS, postflotation sludge with 2.5% TS and thickened preliminary sludge with 10% TS. The analysis of reference samples demonstrated the presence of bacteria and helminths ova in all examined samples. For the study of hygienization, electron beams from two types of accelerators, linear (Elektronika 10/10) and single cavity (ILU-6), were applied. For each type of accelerator, different irradiation methods were used: irradiation in sealed polyethylene bags using conveyor and flow irradiation installation. Experiments showed that the doses necessary for the elimination of mentioned pathogens were 4 kGy for preliminary sludge, 4 kGy for postflotation sludge and 5.5 kGy for preliminary sludge. The differences between the amounts of initial pathogens in preliminary and thickened preliminary sludge were marginal. It is possible that the higher irradiation dose required to hygienize thickened sludge resulted from higher TS concentration.

Evaluation of the physico-chemical state of the soil contaminant isolate indigenous bacterial species

The aim of the study is to isolate indigenous bacterial species which have the ability to degrade crude oil. Samples were collected from an oil polluted site in Ejama-Ebubu Eleme Rivers state. The samples were taken from five spot (A-E), of depth 0-15 (A1– E1) and 15-30 (A2– E2) in sterile polyethylene bags, using appropriate equipment, then taken to the laboratory for analysis, Physicochemical parameters such as pH, nitrate, sulphate, phosphate, total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), poly aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), salinity, temperature, conductivity and heavy metals (iron, zinc, nikel, lead, chromium) were determined, The THB count was determined using the spread plate method on nutrient agar. Soil, sediment and water physicochemical parameters determined indicated that the samples had been exposed to hydrocarbon contamination. The Gram negative bacteria belonging to the genus pseudomonas is the most frequent. Other genera isolated were Nocardia, Micrococcus,Chromobacterium, Burkholdia, Corynebacterium. The study revealed the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons in the Ejama_Ebubu site as well as known genera of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria. The biases associated with culture-dependent microbial enumeration techniques may limit the full description of the bacterial diversity in Ejama-Ebubu site. From the study, it is concluded that microorganisms that can degrade hydrocarbons are found in oil contaminated soil and can easily be isolated from these contaminated sites, although it is very difficult to work with aromatic hydrocarbons due to their volatility and toxic effects.

Risk Factors for Spoilage of Groundnut Seeds in Shops during Marketing

Post-harvest storage of oilseeds, particularly groundnut, is a real problem for farmers and traders whose stocks are subject to attacks by pests and fungal contaminants in the shops. In order to find alternative solutions to this problem, a survey was conducted in Côte d’Ivoire, specifically in the markets of the communes Abobo, Adjamé and Yopougon in city of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The objective of this work is to evaluate the main risk factors for spoilage of groundnut seeds sold during storage in the Abidjan markets. To this end, a survey was conducted among 75 groundnut seeds sellers in the three aforementioned communes of Abidjan and identified the main risk factors favorable to spoilage of groundnut seeds sold during storage. The lack of exact knowledge of the origin of the groundnut seeds sold (92 to 100%), the storage of groundnut seeds in polyethylene bags (84 to 100%), the lack of knowledge of spoilage (28 to 44%), the long periods of sale (22.2 to 86.7%), moisture (0 to 72.2%) and insect pests (5.6 to 20%° were identified as the main factors of these risk of spoilage.

Value Addition, Packaging and Storage of Aonla in India

The product Aonla (Emblica officinalis Geartn), the king of arid fruits, popularly known as “Indian gooseberry”, is a small-sized minor subtropical fruit grown widely in North India. India ranks first in the world in aonla area and production volume. It is considered to be a “wonder fruit for health” because of its unique properties. Uses. Aonla fruit is very useful in treating many diseases such as diabetes, cough, asthma, bronchitis, headache, dyspepsia, colic, flatulence, skin diseases, leprosy, jaundice, scurvy, diarrhoea and cancer. Packaging. Different packaging materials such as nylon net, perforated polyethylene bags, ventilated corrugated fibre boxes, gunny bags, wooden crates, etc., can be used for prolonging the storage life of fruit. Storage. Refrigerated storage helps in enhancing the storage life of fruit. Value addition. There are numerous products such as aonla squash, candy, jam, chutney, etc., which are pre- pared from aonla fruit. Inclusion of these products in the diet definitely helps in improving the nutritional value of Indian meals. Discussion. The low cost of the products as well as good sensory, nutritional and shelf life qualities mean that processed aonla products are appropriate for commercialization. In order to obtain a good income from aonla, it must be sold immediately in the market; if not, to make profit, proper storage facilities should be available.

Fruit Ripening Methods and Knowledge of Health Effect of Use of Calcium Carbide in Ripening Fruits among Fruit Sellers in Uyo, Nigeria

Aims: Eating of fruits prevents several diseases in man but unhealthy ripening methods are reported in many countries. This study aimed at determining the various fruit ripening methods and knowledge of the health effects associated with the use of calcium carbide as an artificial ripening agent by fruit sellers. Study Design: A descriptive cross sectional design was used. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the 3 major markets in Uyo capital city territory, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria between April and June, 2021. Methodology: One hundred and ninety nine fruit sellers [19 (9.5%) men, 180 (90.5%) women] between the ages of 18-67 years were recruited through systematic random sampling. Data on methods of fruit ripening known, ever used and mainly used and knowledge of adverse health effects of use of calcium carbide as fruit ripening agent were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed with STATA at a level of statistical significance of P<0.05. Results: Common fruit ripening methods known were natural ripening199 (100%), packaging in polyethylene bags 178 (89.5%) and use of calcium carbide 155 (77.9%). Main methods currently used to ripen fruits were natural ripening 125 (62.8%), packaging in polyethylene bags 45(22.6%) and use of calcium carbide 8(4.0%). Fifty four (27.1%) and 43(21.6%) knew that use of calcium carbide for fruit ripening is associated with cough and chest tightness in traders and cancers in consumers respectively. Poor knowledge of adverse health effect of use of calcium carbide in ripening fruits was reported in 147(73.9%) respondents. No significant association between socio-demographic characteristics of respondents and knowledge of use of calcium carbide in fruit ripening was observed (P>0.05) Conclusion: Use of unhealthy methods of fruit ripening and poor knowledge of health effects of use of calcium carbide in ripening fruits was observed. Intense education of traders on healthy methods of fruit ripening is needed.

Stochastic Economic Analysis of Investment Projects in Forest Restoration Involving Containerized Tree Seedlings in Brazil

Background: Experts in ecological restoration have discussed the cost reduction to make forest restoration financially feasible. This is very important in developing countries, such as Brazil, and for smallholder farmers; however, economic studies do not usually consider the uncertainties in their analysis. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze, under conditions of uncertainty, how tropical tree seedlings produced in polyethylene bags, polyethylene tubes, and biodegradable containers (Ellepot®) interfere with the costs of implementation and post-planting maintenance investment projects in a deforested tropical seasonal forest area in southern Brazil. Methods: We evaluated total costs, production costs, and equivalent annual uniform costs, and the probability distributions and estimated ranges of stochastic values were adjusted through Monte Carlo method simulation. Furthermore, the seedling survival rate was recorded over 12 months post-planting. Results: The costs with tree seedling acquisition and direct labor were the components that most impacted total costs in the three investment projects. The forest restoration investment project with tree seedlings produced in polyethylene bags was economically unfeasible in relation to other projects. Conclusions: The best economic alternative was observed in the investment project with tree seedlings produced in Ellepot®, which showed a survival rate >80% after one year and the lowest total cost, production cost, and equivalent uniform annual cost.

Biodegradation of Ultra-violet Irradiated Waste Polyethylene Bags by Bacterial Community from Soil around Coal -fired Thermal Power Plant

The current study focused on biotic degradation of waste polyethylene bags using bacterial community from hydrocarbon contaminated soil near coal fired thermal power plant and also the effect of UV irradiation on its biodegradation.The predominant groups in the bacterial community in the hydrocarbon contaminated soil near coal fired thermal power plant were identified by 16s DNA sequencing were Steroidobacter, Flavisolibacter, Planctomyces, Balneimonas, Gemmata, Alicyclobacillus, Lactobacillus, Mycobacterium, Geodermatophilus, Prevotella, Virgisporangium and Adhaeribacter. The native bacterial community from hydrocarbon contaminated soil was capable of polyethylene degradation.The bacterial community in the hydrocarbon contaminated soil metabolized 12.85± 0.16 percent of polyethylene (10 g/L) as sole carbon source in mineral salt media within 30 days.The UV irradiation of polyethylene enhanced weight loss of 22.80 percent higher than untreated polyethylene. The improvement in bacterial degradation by UV exposure of waste polyethylene in-vitro for 144 hresulted 15.78± 0.32 percent weight loss in 30 days. The photo-oxidation by UV irradiation of polyethylene had surface disruption and was confirmed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The photochemical reaction induced by UV irradiation of polyethylene resulted in formation of carbonyl peaks on polymer surface and addition as well as shifting of peaks. The morphological changes of polyethylene by UV exposure enhanced colonization, metabolism by and synergistic effect on polyethylene biodegradation by bacterial community from hydrocarbon contaminated soil.