Cover crops (CC) improve soil quality, including soil microbial enzymatic activities and soil chemical parameters. Scientific studies conducted in research centers have shown positive effects of CC on soil enzymatic activities; however, studies conducted in farmer fields are lacking in the literature. The objective of this study was to quantify CC effects on soil microbial enzymatic activities (β-glucosidase, β-glucosaminidase, fluorescein diacetate hydrolase, and dehydrogenase) under a corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) rotation. The study was conducted in 2016 and 2018 in Chariton County, Missouri, where CC were first established in 2012. All tested soil enzyme levels were significantly different between 2016 and 2018, irrespective of CC and no cover crop (NCC) treatments. In CC treatment, β-glucosaminidase activity was significantly greater at 0–10 cm depth in 2016 and at 10–20 and 20–30 cm in 2018. In contrast, dehydrogenase activity was significantly greater in NCC in 2018. Soil pH and organic matter (OM) content were found to be significantly greater in CC. Overall, CC have mixed effects on soil enzyme activities and positive effects on soil OM compared to NCC. This study highlights the short-term influence of CC and illustrates the high spatial and temporal variability of soil enzymes under farmer-managed fields.
Solid waste generation and composition in Baghdad is typically affected by population growth, urbanization, improved economic conditions, changes in lifestyles and social and cultural habits.
A burning chamber was installed to burn cellulosic waste only. It was found that combustion reduced the original volume and weight of cellulosic waste by 97.4% and 85% respectively.
A batch composting study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of co-composting organic food waste with the cellulosic bottom ash in three different weight ratios (w/w) [95/5, 75/25, 50/50].
The composters were kept in controlled aerobic conditions for 7 days. Temperature, moisture, and pH were measured hourly as process succe
... Show MoreTrickle irrigation is one of the most conservative irrigation techniques since it implies supplying water directly on the soil through emitters. Emitters dissipate energy of water at the end of the trickle irrigation system and provide water at emission points. The area wetted by an emitter depends upon the discharge of emitter, soil texture, initial soil water content, and soil permeability. The objectives of this research were to predict water distribution profiles through different soils for different conditions and quantify the distribution profiles in terms of main characteristics of soil and emitter. The wetting patterns were simulated at the end of each hour for a total time of application of 12 hrs, emitter disch
... Show MoreThe polyaniline powder was chemically manufactured by direct oxidation of aniline. The resulting polymer was characterized by the results of optical, measurements by (FT-IR) spectroscopy, we have detected some of the absorption peaks located at 3498, 2858 cm-1, which correspond N-H vibrations, and C-H expansion of the aromatic ring respectively as well as stretching vibrations of quinoid ring have been observed. Structural properties, such as the surface topography using an atomic force microscope (AFM), and Surface composition by (SEM) have been studied. The structure of some pellets of polyaniline powder have been examined by using analytical X-ray diffraction technique, the pattern of obse
... Show MoreThe corrosion inhibiting properties of the new furan derivative 5-(furan-2-ylmethylsulfonyl-4-phenyl-2,4- dihydro [1,2,4] triazole-3-thione in acidic solution (1.0 M HCl) were explored utilizing electrochemical, surface morphology (AFM), and quantum chemical calculations approaches. The novel furan derivative 5-(furan-2-ylmethylsulfonyl-4-phenyl-2,4- dihydro [1,2,4] triazole-3-thione shows with an inhibitory efficiency value of 99.4 percent at 150 ppm, carbon steel corrosion in acidic medium is effectively inhibited, according to the results. The influence of temperature on corrosion prevention was studied using adsorption parameters and activation thermodynamics. The novel furan derivative creates a protective layer over the metallic surfa
... Show MoreIn this study, the flavonoid and alkaloid content in the alcoholic extract of the shoots and flowers were identified in four species of the tribe Apieae / Apiacese : Ammi majus, Ammi visgana, Anethum graveolens and Foeniculum vulgaris, and the flavonoids that were detected are (Apigenin, Coumarin, Kaempferol and Quercetin). The species Foeniculum vulgaris has recorded the highest concentration of total flavonoid content (Shoots and Flowers) among the studied species, reaching 4139.2 µg / ml. The total alkaloids are estimated for these species, and the Foeniculum vulgaris has recorded the highest concentration of the total alkaloid content as well.
A comparative study was done on the adsorption of methyl orange dye (MO) using non-activated and activated corn leaves with hydrochloric acid as an adsorbent material. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were utilized to specify the properties of adsorbent material. The effect of several variables (pH, initial dye concentration, temperature, amount of adsorbent and contact time) on the removal efficiency was studied and the results indicated that the adsorption efficiency increases with the increase in the concentration of dye, adsorbent dosage and contact time, while inversely proportional to the increase in pH and temperature for both the treated and untreated corn leav
... Show MoreThe present study was conducted to reveal the effect of crude oil on some fungal species isolation from soil in order to evaluate the role of these fungi in environmental balance of soil . The results showed a variation in numbers and percentage of the fungal isolates Aspergillus fumigatus dominated over all isolates with a frequency of (32.47) . In respect of the effect of different concentrations of the crude oil, low concentrations (0.05, 0.1) % showed no effect on radial growth ( mean colony diameter) of the isolated fungi grown &nbs
... Show MoreAn experiment was carried out to study the effects of Time Factor, potassium and Molybdenum on Rhizobium growth. The objective of the experiment, which conducted under laboratory conditions, was to investigate the interaction effects of using three levels of Molybdenum (0, 0.25, 2.50 mg Mo . Kg-1 sterile soil) and four levels of potassium (0, 25, 50, 100 mg K . Kg-1 sterile soil) on the viable counts of Rhizobium growth in the sterile soil after 3, 9, 15 and 21 days of incubation at 28°C. The results indicated that Molybdenum level 2.50 mg Mo . Kg-1 sterile soil and potassium level 50 mg K . Kg-1 sterile soil recorded the biggest significant increase in the viable counts of Rhizobium growth in the sterile soil especially after 15 da
... Show MoreA field trial was conducted in Experimental Station of The Field Crops Department – College Of Agriculture In Abu Ghraib, University of Baghdad to assess the effect of sulphur applications and the time after application on pH and EC of soil sample solutions ,and on the growth and yield of rape seed (Brassica napus L.)A split plot design was used with four replications , The main plot included four sulphur applications levels (0,2000,3000,4000Kg S/ha) the sub plot were the time after application (0,1,2,and 3 moths) .Sulphur application significantly decreased soil pH value ,although that decrease reached minimum parameter after two months from application date .Rather increment of sulphur application level significantly raised soil EC val
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