Effects of droplet size and spray interval on root-to-shoot ratio,photosynthesis efficiency,and nutritional quality of aeroponically grown butter head lettuce

The proper selection of the atomizer(droplet size)and nutrient solution spray interval is one of the most important factors to be investigated in aeroponics system for sustainable agriculture.The aim of this study was to research the effects of four aeroponics atomizing nozzles(one air-assisted;A_(1),two air-less;A_(2) and A_(3),and one ultrasonic fogger;A_(4))with droplet sizes of 11.24μm,26.35μm,17.38μm,and 4.89μm,respectively,four spray intervals(15 min(I_(1)),30 min(I_(2)),45 min(I_(3))and 60 min(I_(4)))at a 5 min of constant spray time by atomizing the Hoagland’s nutrient solution on growth,root-to-shoot ratio,photosynthesis characteristics,pigments,and nutritional quality of the aeroponically grown lettuce.The experimental results demonstrated that in A_(1) atomizer and I_(2) interval,the growth,photosynthesis efficiency,chlorophyll,carotenoids,and nutritional values of the lettuce were significantly higher compared to that grown in A_(2) and A_(3) atomizers at all spray intervals.The shoot developments were more constrained than root,prominent to the alteration of root-to-shoot ratio(fresh and dry)in the influence of different droplet sizes and spray intervals.Moreover,the plants did not grow well in A_(4) atomizer associated with proposed spray intervals.The results disclosed that there was an obvious interaction between droplet sizes(atomizers)and spray intervals for growth,the ratio of root to shoot,photosynthesis efficiency,pigments,and nutritional quality of the aeroponically grown lettuce.This research study increases the awareness of the proper droplet size(atomizer)and the regulation of nutrient solution spray interval for leafy vegetables grown in an aeroponics system.

Effects of different irrigation frequencies and incorporation of rice straw on yield and water productivity of wheat crop

The current rapid increase in irrigation water consumption is considered unsustainable and threatens the world food production.Therefore,it is mandatory to promote modern techniques and to manage existing conventional irrigation methods.The present study was attempted to determine the effects of different irrigation frequencies and rice straw incorporation rates on yield and water productivity of the wheat crop.The experiment was arranged with randomize complete block design involving nine treatments(RS 0 I 7,RS 0 I 15,RS 0 I 22,RS 1 I 7,RS 1 I 15,RS 1 I 22,RS 2 I 7,RS 2 I 15 and RS 2 I 22)under three replications.Results exposed that the incorporation of rice straw with different irrigation frequencies significantly improved physico-chemical properties of soil.Moreover,soil bulk density,infiltration rate,pH,electrical conductivity significantly decreased and soil porosity significantly increased under all treatments.Furthermore,maximum crop yield and crop water productivity of 7706.4 kg/hm 2 and 1.92 kg/m 3 respectively were found under RS 1 I 15 treatment.Based on experimental results it can be concluded that irrigation frequency and incorporation of rice straw had significant effects on the physico-chemical properties of soil,total grain yield and water productivity of the wheat crop.However,this study suggested that the wheat crop yield and water productivity could be increased by incorporating 1 t/hm 2 rice straw with 15 d of irrigation frequency.

Overview of the aeroponic agriculture-An emerging technology for global food security

Traditionally,crops are cultivated in soil-based open field systems.Seasonality,environmental degradation,urbanization,and food security issues have replaced open-field systems with modern plant production systems.Soilless culture is one of the modern plant production systems,which involves much higher use of available resources.The presented study provides information about currently accessible soilless systems and discussed the aeroponic system.Compared to other soilless systems,aeroponic reduce water usage through continuous water circulation.However,the aeroponic is not entirely implemented among local farmers,and very few farmers have adopted the system due to the lack of research and technical information available in the literature.Therefore,this study was planned to provide information about the development and maintenance tasks required for practicing the aeroponic system.This study could provide knowledge to the researchers,farmers,and those people interested in practicing the aeroponic system.

Effects of soil mechanical properties on the height and tractive performance of rubber grouser at different moisture contents

Rubber tracked vehicles are commonly used on agricultural machinery that perform agricultural operations such as rice harvesting in soft paddy fields with low bearing capacity.Research was carried out to assess the influence of soil moisture content and mechanical properties on the tractive performance of a rubber grouser with three heights(45 mm,55 mm,60 mm).The direct shear test and penetration test were used in this study,which was based on a semi-empirical approach of determining tractive parameters.Direct shear tests were used to measure soil shear strength parameters such as cohesion,adhesion,internal and exterior friction angles.The results of the penetration test were used to determine tractive parameters such as soil thrust,running resistance,and traction,for the penetration test,a device was designed and developed.The experimental results revealed that soil cohesion and adhesion increased linearly with increasing soil moisture content,however adhesion dropped after 30.7%.Similarly,the soil thrust initially increased till 21.5%then decreased.Furthermore,running resistance had a decreasing trend over soil moisture content whereas maximum traction achieved for 45 mm grouser height at 21.5%moisture content.It was concluded that a rubber grouser with 45 mm height had better traction rather than 55 mm and 60 mm,it can be suitably used for designing a track system for a crawler vehicle(e.g.,harvester)leading to its greater adoption among the farmers.