Yield response and iron status of Japanese mint as influenced by soil and foliar applied iron

Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis L.) often suffers from Fe-chlorosis during the regeneration phase after first harvest when grown on alkaline/calcareous soils. Field studies were conducted during 1987 and 1988 seasons on an alkaline sandy loam soil (pH = 8.0; 4.6% CaCO₃) to investigate the influence of soil and foliar applied Fe on yield and Fe status of MAS-1 and Hybrid-77 Japanese mint. Significant oil yield increases were obtained with two applications of Fe-EDTA, and FeSO₄ in mixtures with ammonium sulphate and mint compost (mint distillation waste) and four split applications of FeSO₄ (total Fe of 12 kg ha^–1) between sprouting and 30 days after first harvest compared to the control. The highest oil yields from two harvests (180 kg ha^–1) were consistently obtained with the Fe-EDTA treatment. Soil application of FeSO₄ at sprouting and first harvest were ineffective compared to Fe-EDTA application. Foliar application of 30 kg ha^–1 of Fe-EDTA resulted in oil yields equal to the yields obtained with soil application of 140 kg ha^–1 of Fe-EDTA. Fe applications increased the concentration and the total uptake of Fe by the crop. Foliar application of Fe-EDTA at two weeks interval alleviates Fe-chlorosis in Japanese mint.     

Phosphorus (P) management in the ‘De Marke’ dairy farming system

In the sandy regions of the Netherlands water quality is threatened by high losses of nutrients from intensive dairy farms. About 67% (32 kg ha^-1yr^-1) of farm inputs of P in purchased feeds and fertilisers do not leave in milk or cattle. The Dutch government defined decreasing maximum permitted nutrient surplusses for the period 1998–2008, at 9 kg ha^-1yr^-1 for P. Farmers suppose that reducing the surplusses will be costly, because it limits application of slurry, which then has to be either exported or additional land has to be purchased. Moreover, farmers are worried about the impact on soil fertility and crop growth. To explore the possibilities of reducing surplusses by improved management, farming systems research is carried out at prototype farm De Marke. Results indicate that average intensive dairy farms can reduce P surplus sufficiently, without the need to buy land or to export slurry. Key factors are reductions in purchased feeds (by reduced needs per kg milk as a result of a higher milk yield per cow, less young stock and judicious feeding) and fertilisers (by improved management of home-made manure and an increased maize area). Initially, P fertility status of the fields of De Marke decreased, but stabilised in the seventh year at a level not restrictive to crop production.     

Musk deer (Moschus moschiferus): Reinvestigation of main lipid components from preputial gland secretion

The qualitative and quantitative composition of the principal lipid constituents of Siberian musk deer (Moschus moschiferus) preputial gland secretion, main odor carriers and potential precursors of odorous substances, was investigated by means of high-performance liquid chromatography. Free fatty acids and phenols (10%), waxes (38%), and steroids (38%) were found to be the main groups of the secretion lipids. Cholestanol (I), cholesterol (II), androsterone (III), ⁴-3-hydroxy-17-ketoandrostene (IV), 5, 3-hydroxy-17-ketoandrostane (V), 5, 3, 17-dihydroxyandrostane (VI), 5, 3, 17-dihydroxyandrostane (VII), and 5, 3, 17-dihydroxyandrostane (VIII) were isolated from the steroid fraction and their structures confirmed by IR, PMR, and mass spectra. 3-Methylpentadecanone (muscone) was not identified among the secretion lipids. Preputial gland secretion stimulated sex behavior of musk deer females.     

Response of two okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) varieties to fertilizers: Yield and yield components as influenced by nitrogen and phosphorus application

The response of two okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) varieties (White velvet and NHAE 47-4) to fertilization in northern Nigeria was examined using four rates of nitrogen (0, 25, 50 and 100 kg ha^–1) and three rates of phosphorus (0, 13 and 26 kg ha^–1). Nitrogen application significantly increased green pod yield, pod diameter, number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per pod and pod weight. Application of phosphorus also significantly increased green pod yield, pod number and number of seeds per pod. The two varieties responded to nitrogen application differentially with respect to green pod yield. For optimum green pod yield of White velvet 35 kg N ha^–1 is suggested while for variety NHAE 47-4, N fertilization can be increased to 70 kg ha^–1. There was no differential response of varieties to phosphorus fertilization for green pod yield; however, the application of 13 kg ha^–1 enhanced the performance of both varieties.     

Electrochemical behaviour of viologen-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes. The case of non-alkyl group substituted viologen

The electrochemical behavior of non-alkyl substituted viologen, 4,4-dibenzyl bipyridinium (BzV), 4,4-dicyanophenyl bipyridinium (CyV) and -,-,-cyclodextrin (, , -CD) was studied using cyclic voltammetry and a spectroelectrochemical method. It was found that BzV and Fe(CN) ₆ ^4– formed a charge-transfer (CT) complex with a ratio of 21 and the colour of the solution faded with the addition of an electrolyte. This behaviour is the same as in then-heptyl viologen and ferrocyanide system [1]. BzV, -CD and -CD formed an inclusion complex only in the reduced state, whilst BzV and -CD formed an inclusion complex in both the oxidized and the reduced state. An EC scheme in which a chemical reaction follows an electrochemical reaction was considered to predominate in the BzV and -, -CD systems, while a CE scheme in which a chemical reaction preceded an electrochemical reaction predominated in the BzV and -CD system. On the other hand, CyV was found to form an inclusion complex with -, -, -CD in both the oxidized and the reduced states. therefore a CE scheme was considered to predominate in the CyV--, -, -CD systems.     

Calorimetric,X-ray and infra-red investigations on poly(hexamethylene adipamide)

Summary In dependence on crystallization conditions three ranges with different crystal structure and heat of fusion were found by DSC,WAXS,and IR for unoriented PA 6.6 samples of densities between 1.10 and 1.17gcm^–3: Range I:_I triclinic, _c ^I =1.225 gcm^–3,H _M ^I = 235 Jg^–1. Range II:_II triclinic, _c ^II =1.165 gcm^–3, H _M ^II =185 Jg^–1. Range III:Continuous variation from _c ^I ,H _M ^I to _c ^II , H _M ^II . _a=1.095 gcm^–3 is independent of crystallization. conditions. The transition between _I and _II is probably due to changes of the chain conformation.     

The effect of manganese applied from an aircraft as a low-volume foliar spray in preventing manganese deficiency inLupinus angustifolius L.

Manganese applied as foliar sprays prevented the onset of manganese deficiency inLupinus angustifolius. Field experiments compared the relative effect of manganese applied in sprays of either high-volume (200 ha^–1) by hand-held boom, or low-volume (20 ha^–1) by boom or micronair atomizers from an aircraft. A single application of 0.7 kg Mn ha^–1 in 20 solution via micronair atomizers successfully prevented the appearance of foliar and seed symptoms of manganese deficiency, and enhanced manganese concentration of seed. Twice the rate of manganese (1.4 kg Mn ha^–1) applied in solutions of either high or low-volume provided no additional benefit.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(1-sila-cis-pent-3-enes) substituted with pendant pyridinyl groups

Poly[1-methyl-1-[3-(3-pyridinyl)propyl]-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene], poly[1-phenyl-1-[3-(3-pyridinyl)propyl)-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene], and poly[1-phenyl-1-(4-pyridinyl)-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene] were synthesized by the anionic ring-opening polymerization of 1-methyl-1-[3-(3-pyridinyl)propyl]-1-silacyclopent-3-ene, 1-phenyl-1-[3-(3-pyridinyl)propyl]-1-silacyclopent-3-ene, and 1-phenyl-1-(4-pyridinyl)-1-silacyclopent-3-ene, respectively. These are the first polycarbosilanes which contain heterocyclic pyridine units as side-chain substituents. These polymers were characterized by¹H,¹³C, and²⁹Si NMR as well as by IR and UV spectroscopy. The molecular weight distributions were determined by gel permeation chromatography, glass transition temperatures, by differential seanning calorimetry: (DSC) and thermal behavior, by thermogravimetric analysis. (TGA).     

Dewatering deposits formed in purifying effluent from refractory factories by vacuum filtration

Conclusions The residue formed from effluent contaminated with chamotte dust, with coagulation and without coagulation, is thoroughly dewatered on vacuum equipment with concentrations of more than 700 kg/m³ of suspended particles in the residue.Residues obtained from effluent contaminated with mixtures of chamotte and clay dust in the ratio 41, 11, and 14 are dewatered less effectively than chamotte residues. The residue from a mixture of chamotte and clay 41 is dewatered with a minimum concentration of 809 kg/m³; the residue from the mixture of chamotte and clay 11 can be satisfactorily dewatered only with a high vacuum (640 mm Hg) and with a filter cycle time longer than that used in existing equipment. With a filter cycle of 30 min the thickness of the skin of uncoagulated residue was 13 mm. The coagulated residue from a mixture of clay and chamotte 11 even after 14 days holding had too low a concentration, and in practice cannot be dewatered on a vacuum filter. The residue from mixtures of 14 chamotte and clay is dewatered very ineffectively. The thickness of the cake with a filter cycle time of 20 min for uncoagulated residue was only 4 mm.Translated from Ogneupory, No. 6, pp. 17–20, June, 1970.     

Microwave absorption measurements of the electrical conductivity of small particles

A microwave absorption technique based on cavity perturbation theory is shown to be applicable for electrical conductivity measurements of both a small, single-crystal particle and finely divided powder samples when values fall in either the low (<0.1 ^–1 cm^–1) or the intermediate (0.1 100 ^–1 cm^–1) conductivity region. The results here pertain to semiconductors in the latter region. If the skin depth of the material becomes significantly smaller than the sample dimension parallel to theE-field, an appreciable error can be introduced into the calculated conductivity values; however, this discrepancy is eliminated by correcting for the field attenuation associated with the penetration depth of the microwaves. A modification of this approach utilizing the skin depth allows a first-order correction to be applied to powder samples which results in the accurate measurement of absolute values, and results with doped Si powders are compared to values obtained from one small single particle using this microwave technique as well as reported DC values determined with single crystals. The use of this microwave absorption technique with small particles having high surface/volume ratios, such as catalyst supports and oxide catalysts, under controlled environments can provide fundamental information about adsorption and catalytic processes on such semiconductor surfaces. An application to a ZnO powder demonstrates this capability.     

Effectiveness of rock phosphate, coastal superphosphate and single superphosphate for pasture on deep sandy soils

The effectiveness of coastal superphosphate and two rock phosphate fertilizers was compared with the effectiveness of single superphosphate for pasture production on deep, humic, sandy podzols in high rainfall (> 800 mm annual average) areas of south-western Australia. The pastures were subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) or mixed subterraneum clover and serradella (Ornithopus compressus). Coastal superphosphate was made by adding rock phosphate and elemental sulphur to superphosphate during manufacture, as it came out of the den before granulation. One rock phosphate was a 50% mixture of apatite rock phosphate from Nauru and Christmas Islands, and which was also used to make the single and coastal superphosphate used in this study, and superphosphate made in Western Australia at the time these experiments started. The other rock phosphate was Calciphos, the fertilizer produced by heating (calcining), at about 500 °C, Christmas Island C-grade ore, a calcium iron aluminium rock phosphate. There were two types of experiments. In the three Type 1 experiments, levels of each fertilizer were applied annually. In the two Type 2 experiments, levels of fertilizer were applied once only to new plots in different years. Coastal superphosphate was the most effective fertilizer in the Type 1 experiments, with both rock phosphates and single superphosphate being equally effective. All fertilizers were equally effective in the Type 2 experiments. There were large variations in fertiliser effectiveness values between yield measurements in the same or different years. It is known that P leaches from freshly-applied superphosphate in these soils. The extent of this leaching probably varies between yield measurements affecting effectiveness values determined for all fertilizers because the effectiveness values were calculated relative to the effectiveness of single superphosphate. The humic, sandy podzols remain wet during the growing season, are acidic, and are known from laboratory studies to possess adequate hydrogen ions to cause extensive dissolution of North Carolina rock phosphate so that rock phosphates are equally or more effective than single superphosphate in these soils. When elemental sulphur in coastal superphosphate is oxidized to SO₄ hydrogen ions are produced which in previous studies has been shown to enhance dissolution of rock phosphate in biosuper, a mixture of rock phosphate and elemental sulphur.     

Characterization of some organic poly(aminiumphosphate)s

Summary Metachromatic reactions of MB and AO are studied with poly(aminium phosphate)s. The main band() at 665 m and 492 m for MB and AO are shifted to 580 m and 455 m respectively (-bands). The metachromatic values at different concentrations of poly(aminium phosphate)s are also reported. The dye association for MB with these polymer derivatives is investigated conductometrically as well. It is observed that MB can be at the most bind with the phosphate residue of polymer upto 11 molar ratio. The polymeric nature was further established by paper chromatographic technique in Terry's, Ebel's & Pfrengle's solvents.     

Dynamic mechanical properties of crosslinked polyisoprene under deformation

Summary Molecular motions of elastomers under deformations were observed through dynamic mechanical measurements. Composite master curves of dynamic moduli E and E and loss tangent tan over a wide range of frequency and in a state of elongation were obtained by the time-temperature superposition procedure. It is found that both moduli increase with strain, . The slope of the dispersion curve of E become more gradual with the increase in , while that of E is almost unchanged. The increment of E is generally larger than that of E, which does not agree with the N. W. Tschoegl prediction, E ^* ()=f() E _o ^* (), where E ^* () and E _o ^* () are complex moduli at the strain of and O, respectively, and f() is the function of only . The difference in the strain dependence of E from E was found to correspond to the strain dependence of the equilibrium modulus.     

Net nitrogen mineralisation in a drained mollic gleysol under variable soil moisture conditions

Mineralisation of organic matter can substantially add to the risk of nitrogen leaching from drained humus-rich soils under intensive agricultural use. The objective of this study was to investigate net nitrogen mineralisation (NNM) in a drained Mollic Gleysol over the course of a year and to separate contributions from the decomposition of fresh organic residues (litter) and stabilised soil organic matter (humus). Using NNM rates measured under different moisture conditions in two undisturbed subsoil monoliths and a moisture response function determined by incubation experiments with small soil cores from a humus-rich subsoil layer, a first-order rate model was calibrated to describe NNM of the humus pool. Standardised to the same moisture conditions by means of this response function, NNM rate constants were independent of depth and also did not differ between monoliths and small soil cores. The model predicted NNM rates determined in situ at a depth of 20–40 cm well. For the topsoil (0–20 cm) it was necessary to extend the model by a second pool of organic matter with a higher turnover rate (litter pool). Assuming the same moisture and temperature dependence of NNM in the two pools, the basic NNM rate constant of the litter pool was determined by data fitting. With this calibration, the two-pool model predicted a net mineralisation of 322 kg N ha^–1 during the experimental year in the upper 40 cm of the soil of which 55% occurred in the litter pool. While overall NNM predictions relating to the entire study period agreed well with the field data, predictions for individual incubation periods (3–6 weeks) and soil layers were much less reliable.     

Studies on electrical conductivity of gamma irradiated polyaniline

Summary de electrical conductivity at surface of -irradiated polyaniline (PAn) has been studied. EPR spectroscopic results indicate that the variation of spin concentration is consistent with the increase of _de. Electrical conductivity (_de) versus temperature (T) characteristics of unirradiated and irradiated PAn were performed, which demonstrate that the unirradiated curve can fit to ln_deT₁, while the irradiated curve fit to ln_deT_1/4.     

Sex pheromone chemistry of the western spruce budwormChoristoneura occidentalis Free

SCOT capillary Chromatographic and SCOT capillary chromatographic-mass spectrometic analyses of gland washes and effluvia of virgin femaleChoristoneura occidentalis Free, have been conducted with both a diapausing and nondiapausing strain of this insect. The following compounds were identified in gland washes and effluvia in both strains:E andZ11–14Ald,E andZ11–14Ac,E andZ11–14OH and 14Ald, 14Ac, and 14OH. The average aldehyde: acetate: alcohol ratio found by analysis of single glands by virgin females (nondiapausing strain) was 170.73. Analysis of virgin female effluvia gave this ratio as 1038 (diapausing strain: %Z=8, 11, 15, respectively) and 1036 (nondiapausing strain: %Z=8, 11, 12, respectively). The saturated components were generally 1–2% of theE isomer in each case. Comparisons of EAG responses of bothC. occidentalis andC. fumiferana toE11–14Ald,E11–14Ac andE11–14OH were made. Correlations with both laboratory and field data previously published were also made betweenC. fumiferana andC. occidentalis.Lepidoptera: Tortricidae.     

Modelling nitrogen dynamics in a plant-soil system with a simple model for advisory purposes

A simple functional computer model for advisory purposes is described. Results of simulation indicate some limitations of the model especially in handling the water regime in soils with fluctuating water tables. A major problem seems to be the disappearance of fertilizer N. Measurements by the fumigation-extraction method of microbial N during the growing season show that disappearance of fertilizer N can partly be explained by immobilization by the microbial biomass.     

Porous mullite ceramics through diphasic gels of large boehmite and small silica particles

Mullite formation process has been studied in stoichiometric mullite (3Al₂O₃·2SiO₂) diphasic gel containing large boehmite (1 m) and small silica (10 nm) particles. It has been found that initial mullitization did not take place inside the silica phase (cristobalite), but took place in the defect -alumina phase. -alumina was stabilized by silica when the temperature was below 1350°C. At temperatures above 1350°C, mullite crystallized directly. It was suggested that silica diffused into the pores (<1.8 nm) of -alumina and prevented the collapse of -alumina pore structure. On the other hand, when silica was not present, the pore structure of -alumina collapsed and -alumina crystallized at 1100°C. Porous mullite ceramics were obtained by using special diphasic gels containing large boehmite and small silica particles.     

Behavioral responses of maleArgyrotaenia velutinana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to components of its sex pheromone

Males of the redbanded leafroller,Argyrotaenia velutinana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), were studied for their behavioral responses in laboratory olfactometers and in the field to the 3 components of the female-produced sex pheromone:cis-11-tetradecenyl acetate (c11–14Ac),trans-11-tetradecenyl acetate (t11–14Ac), and dodecyl acetate (12Ac). Dodecyl acetate, when evaporated with c11–14Ac (8%trans) in the field, modified the behavior of feral males nearby the chemical source, causing an increase in the frequency of landing and close approach to the pheromone dispenser. Apparently, an inflight behavioral modification concerning landing or not landing occurs within 60 cm of the source and is mediated by 12Ac. In laboratory olfactometers, c11–14Ac (8%trans) demonstrated a lower threshold for male activation than pure c11- and t11–14Ac and blends of the two isomers. Additionally, over a wide range of dosages, males responded with optimum wing-fanning response to c11–14Ac (8%trans) compared to pure c11–14Ac, c11–14:Ac (30%trans), and pure t11–14Ac, suggesting that thecistrans ratio rather than absolute amounts of either isomer, is a crucial factor in eliciting male response. When presented with c11–14Ac (8%trans) (11), dodecyl acetate caused a significant prolongation of wing-fanning over c11–14Ac (8%trans) alone and resulted in a greater percentage of males moving upwind to the source. Since the increase in wing-fanning and orientation occurred at higher concentrations of the 3-component mixture, the effect of 12Ac in the laboratory may reflect the close-range role of 12Ac in the field.     

Synthesis of soluble polyarylenes containing alternating 4,4′-(1,1′-binaphthyl) and 4,4′-(3,3′-diphenyl)biphenyl structural units

Summary The synthesis and Ni(0) catalyzed homocoupling polymerization of 4,4-bis[5-(trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy)-2-biphenylyl]-1, 1-binaphthyl (9) are described. This polymerization reaction produces a soluble polyarylene containing alternating 4,4-(1,1-binaphthyl) and 4,4-(3,3-diphenyl)biphenyl structural units.