High tunnels, or unheated plastic greenhouses, are becoming increasingly popular among organic vegetable growers across the United States. However, the intensive production typical of these systems presents soil health challenges, including salinization due to high fertilizer or compost inputs coupled with lack of rainfall to leach salts. Legume cover crops may improve soil health in high tunnels by reducing the need for external inputs, while adding organic matter. We tested the soil health effects of a winter hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) cover crop used to replace fertilizer N in an organic tomato cropping system in high tunnels. Studies were replicated across three sites differing in climate and soil type (Kansas, Kentucky, and Minne

In this paper, a dynamic investigation is done for strip, rectangular and square machine foundation at the top surface of two-layer dry sand with various states (i.e., loose on medium sand and dense on medium sand). The dynamic investigation is performed numerically using finite element programming, PLAXIS 3D. The soil is expected as a versatile totally plastic material that complies with the Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion. A harmonic load is applied at the base with an amplitude of 6 kPa at a frequency of (2 and 6) Hz, and seismic is applied with acceleration – time input of earthquake hit Halabjah city north of Iraq. A parametric study is done to evaluate the influence of changing L/B ratio (Length=12,6,3 m and width=3 m), type of sand

Adhrt all fungal biological control ability Tdhadah less than 2 repel Alaftran Almamradan showed leaky mushroom Biological control is thermally laboratories and different concentrations of 5, 10 and 20% inhibition in the growth of fungus colonies amounted to 3.8 cm and 3.1 and 2.4 respectively in comparison with control 9 cm

Gel-biopolymers were prepared by different weights of two polymers (PVA, and PEG) dissolved with distilled water. Thick films of these polymers were prepared by using the casting method, with different thicknesses (t= 0.48, 0.34mm for PVA and t=0.58 mm for PEG). The objective of this research is to determine the viability of the organic polymer films of PEG and PVA on decomposition and the time required for their degradation  in the soil. The purpose is to use these polymers in industry without leaving plastic residues along with the possibility of their application as fertilizers for soil. The results showed that PEG film was degraded during the first week, while PVA film was changed in weight from 0.3 to 0.23 g and thickness from

The construction of embankment for roadway interchange system at urban area is restricted due to the large geometry requirements, since the value of land required for such construction is high, and the area available is limited as compared to rural area. One of the optimum solutions to such problem is the earth reinforcement technique which requires a limited area for embankment construction. Gypseous soil from Al-Anbar governorate area was obtained and subjected to various physical and chemical analysis to determine it is properties. A laboratory model box of 50x50x25 cm was used as a representative embankment; soil has been compacted in five layers at maximum dry density (modified compaction) and an aluminum reinforcement strips were i

The study area soils suffer from several problems appear as tkhesvat and cracks in the roads and waterlogging which reduces the susceptibility of soil to withstand pressure, this study was conducted on the soil of the Karkh district based on field study that included (6) samples of soil physical analyses contain different ratios of (mud, sand, silt) as percentages (52%, 45%, 3 #) respectively, and liquidity limit rate (39%) Stroke rate plasticity was (20.6%) The rate coefficient of plasticity total (19.2%)0

      The activity concentration of natural radioactivity levels, of artificial cesium and transfer factor from soil to plants in agricultural areas at Al- Yusiefya region were determined by using NaI (Tl) detector spectrometer. Ten species of leafy plants have been selected: Spinach, Parsley, Watercress, Lettuce, Rashad, Radish, Green onion, Turnip green, Green beet and Mint. The mean activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs in leafy vegetable samples were  12.4±3.8, 14.8±4.7, 283±93 and 1.06±0.99  Bg/kg, and in soil samples were 15.9±4.3, 16.1±5.2, 298.5±3.9, and 1.11±0.37 Bq/kg. The radiation hazard indices were evaluated (radium