Application of New Slope Greening Technology——Reinforced Organic-Material and Plant Seeds Spraying

The research introduced the flowchart of organic-material and plant seeds spraying and a case of ＆quot;Dasi＆quot; Highway, the highway from Daxing to Sinan in Guizhou Province, a part of a National Highway from Hangzhou to Ruili, cal ed Hangrui Highway, slope protection. The flowchart included slope cleaning, net preparation, anchor fixation, adding vegetation-growth plate, spraying organic materi-als, coverage of non-woven fabrics, and maintenance. The technique is proved much efficient in protecting and greening road sideslopes consisting of weathered rocks or hard rocks, which provides a solution for abrupt slope greening technology.

A Study on Alien Invasive Plants from the Interactive Mechanism between Species Niche and Material/Energy Flow

[Objective]This study was to reveal the essence of mechanism about how the alien invasive plants spread.[Method]Species niche and material/energy flow were used as basic research indicators to analyze the intrinsic mechanism of alien plants invasion.[Result]Most of the invasive plants have not been explicitly defined and their effective control methods not brought forward.[Conclusion]Overrun of alien invasive plants depends on whether the niche of a species could be continuously met at spatial level.Based on this we put forward corresponding control measures,proposed an assumption to establish a cylinder-network model and discussed the definition of alien invasive plants.

Use of Several Plant Materials and Chemicals to inhibit Soil Urease Activity and Increase Nitrogen Recovery Rate of Urea by Plant

Effects of residues of 9 plants, lemon eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodoraHook., P_1), robust eucalyptus (E. robusta Smith, P_2), Nepal camphortree (Cinnamomum glanduliferum(Wall.) Nees, P_3), tea (Camellia sinensis (Linn.) O. Ktze. f., P_4), oleander (Nerium indicum Mill,P_5), rape (Brassica campestris L., P_g), Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum L., P_7), tung(Vernicia fordii (Hemsl.), P_8), and croton (Croton tiglium L., P_9), 7 chemicals, boric acid (C_1),borax (C_2), oxalic acid (C_3), sodium oxalite (C_4), sodium dihydrogen phosphate (C_6), sodiumsilicate (C_7) and sodium citrate (C_8), and a natural organic substance, humic acid (C_5), onurease activity of a neutral purple soil and recovery of urea nitrogen by maize were studied throughincubation and pot experiments. Hydroquinone (HQ) was applied as the reference inhibitor. Afterincubation at 37℃ for 24 h, 7 inhibitors with higher ability to inhibit urease activity wereselected and then incubated for 14 days at 25℃. Results of the incubation experiments showed thatsoil urease activity was greatly inhibited by them, and the inhibition effect followed an order ofP_2>P_4>C_3>C_2>P_3>C_1>HQ>P_1. The 7 selected materials reduced the accumulative amounts of Nreleased from urea and the maximum urease activity by 11.7%～28.4% and 26.7%～39.7%, respectively,and postponed the N release peak by 2～4 days in the incubation period of 14 days under constanttemperature, as compared to the control (no inhibitor). In the pot experiment with the 7 materialsat two levels of addition, low (L) and high (H), the C_1 (H), C_3 (H), C_1 (L), P_4 (L) and C_2 (L)treatments could significantly increase the dry weights of the aboveground parts and the totalbiomass of the maize plants and the apparent recovery rate of urea-N was increased by 6.3%～32.4% ascompared to the control (no hibitor).

Microstructure of a Planting Material Consisting of Nutrition-Expansive Perlitic-Cement Composites

An ecotypic revetment material consisting of nutrition-expansive perlitic-cement composites is introduced. This planting material can combine vegetation recovery with slope protection. The XRD, SEM and image analysis techniques were used to study its composition and microstructure. Its strength was measured by an electro-hydraulic servo-controlled testing machine. The results show the unconfined compressive strength is about 393.6 kPa, and the average elastic modulus is about 47.0 MPa. The quartz, felspar, chlorite and calcite are the main non-clay minerals in the planting material. Its particles are mainly spherical,and the range of the equivalent diameter is 1.83 to 15.96 μm. The results also show the planting material contains a large amount of micro non-capillary and capillary pores, and has a microstructure characteristic of honeycomb and coralline. CSH gel produced by hydration of cement increases the strength and water stability of the particles. The anisotropy and slight orientation of the particles increase the void cross-section area,providing an explanation of the high permeability for the planting material.The better porosity of the planting material is apt tokeep moisture and nutriment, provides oxygen for plant root breathing, and aids to exhaust the carbon dioxide by means of exchanging with atmosphere, hence it can facilitate vegetation.

Effect of Natural Zeolite on Performance of Sulfoaluminate Cement-based Planting Cementitious Material

This paper aimed to improve the water-retention performance and basic physical properties of sulfoaluminate cement（SAC）-based planting cementitious material. The effect of natural zeolite on the performance of SAC-based planting material was investigated. The water-retention performance, porosity, compressive strength, and alkalinity had been tested and TG-DSC analysis had been adopted in this paper. Experimental results showed that zeolite was effective to improve the water-retention capacity and 10%, 20% and 30% natural zeolite increased the pore volume of the hardened pastes by 10.6%, 26.0%, and 38.6%, especially pore size below 0.1 μm was increased by 9.7%, 26.2% and 17.5%. And 10% zeolite was beneficial to the compressive strengths of cementitious material and 1, 3, and 28 d compressive strength reached up to 35.9, 55.0, 80.3 MPa. Furthermore zeolite decreased the alkalinity of pore fluid of hardened cementitious material, while the addition of zeolite reached up to 30%, the alkalinity of pore fluid of hardened cementitious material decreased by 8.9%. Therefore zeolite was suitable for improving the performance of SAC-based planting cementitious material.

Impact of Planting Position and Planting Material on Root Yield of Cassava （Manihot esculenta Crantz）

Cassava （Manihot esculenta Crantz） is a perennial woody shrub with an edible root, which grows in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. In Africa, cassava provides a basic daily source of dietary energy. It plays an important role in food security and incomes of many rural households in the southern Ethiopia. However, information available on production practices of cassava for the region is insufficient. Hence, field experiment was conducted at Awassa Agricultural Research Center for two successive cropping seasons from 2004 to 2006 to investigate the response of cassava to planting position and planting material. The treatments used were three planting positions （slant, vertical and horizontal） and five planting materials （main stem top part, main stem middle part, main stem bottom part, branch stake top part and branch stake bottom part） were combined in factorial arrangement and laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The result revealed that root yield was significantly （P 〈 0.05） affected by the interaction effects of the planting position and planting material. The highest yield （25.2 ton ha^-1） was obtained from the main stem top part planted in slant position whereas the least yield （6.5 ton ha^-1） was obtained from main stem bottom part planted in horizontal position. Based on the findings of this study, areas like Awassa with moderate rainfall slant and vertical planting of main stem top and middle parts could be used as planting material.

Impact of Alternative Raw Materials on the Profitability of a Large-Scale Bio-Coal Pellet Plant in Finland

The aim of this paper was to compare the annual economic impact of a large-scale bio-coal pellet plant by raw material specifically for the Finnish Lakeland region. In this study, the total production volume of the theoretical plant was 200,000 tons per year and the raw wood materials used were birch pulpwood, spruce pulpwood, pine pulpwood, and energy wood. These wood materials were young delimbed wood from early thinnings. The main goal of the paper was to illustrate that the energy content differences of raw wood materials affect the economic profitability of a bio-coal pellet plant at regional level. In this case, wood type also has a regional economic impact, which the pellet plant can influence through its raw wood material choices. The raw material comparison was based on measured data and not computational or literary data alone. The study found that lower solid wood energy densities caused higher relative costs for the total supply chain. A parallel phenomenon occurred with the required gross margin of the pellets, where lower energy content caused higher required gross margin for pellet sales. The gross margin was also sensitivity analyzed at different discount rates from 5% to 20%. At each required discount rate, the highest annual economic impact on the region was found for birch pellets, with values of 36.95 - 42.66 million €. Spruce pellets had the smallest annual economic impact, although it had the highest final pellet price in the same cases. The different economic effects were caused by the energy volumes sold.

Efficacy of Some Plant Extracts and Biodegradables Wrapping Materials as an Alternative to Fungicides in Increasing Shelf Life Citrus Fruits

Increasingly global there is an interest to develop a new method by replacing fungicides in packaging fresh fruit by using environment-friendly bio-pesti-cides, such as use of botanicals or biological control. Five ethanol extracts (concentrations 500 - 5000 ppm) of Cerbera odollam L. (Pong-pong), Capsicum frutescence L. (Chili), Azadirachta indica L. (Neem), Cymbopogon nardus L. (Lemon grass), Zingiber officinale L. (Ginger), were tested for their anti-fungal activity for citrus green mold, black and brown rot, compared with the control fungicide (Guazatine). Efficacy of the selected plant extract in cooperated with biodegradable materials wrappers (Polylactic acid, Pectin and Newspaper) was determined during storage at room temperature (±25℃) to control fruit-pathogen decay under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to increase shelf life and improve the fruit quality. Crude extracts from pong-pong and chili showed fungal inhibition zone at 3000 ppm (c.100%), and increased shelf life and decreased weigh loss for fruits wrapped and stored at room temperature compared with untreated fruit.

Genotypic Variation in Yield and Yield Components of Plantain (<I>Musa</I>spp.) in Response to Containerized Planting Material and Mulching

The study was conducted to evaluate the field performance of local plantain genotypes;Apem, Oniaba, Apantu (AAB) and FHIA 21 (AAAB) suckers that were raised in containers (polybags) and their corresponding conventional suckers. Half of the containerized and conventional suckers in each plot were mulched with empty fruit bunch (EFB). Survival rate three months after transplanting was higher in containerized (100%) than conventional materials (60%) with or without mulching. Mulching increased the girth at flowering and total leaf area by 8% and 28% respectively, and reduced the number of days to flowering. Mulching also increased yield of plantain and the highest was recorded in FHIA 21. Bunch yield of container raised suckers per hectare was 19% greater than conventional suckers, due to higher survival rate after transplanting. Bunch yield among the genotypes in decreasing order was as follows, FHIA21 (20.7), Oniaba (16.9), Apem (15.9) and Apantu (13.2) tons/ha. Mulching increased the yield components such as, pulp weight, peel weight, finger weight and number of fingers. Genotypic variation in pulp yield was in the following decreasing order Apantu > FHIA 21 > Oniaba > Apem fresh weight. The pulp to peel ratio was in the following decreasing order Apantu > FHIA 21 > Apem > Oniaba. It is concluded that raising plantain suckers in polybags and applying EFB mulch is an improved production technique.

The Selection and Application of Anticorrosive Materials for Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) System in Cement Plant

This paper combined with the actual case of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system in cement Plant, analyzes the corrosion environment in each area of the FGD system, and selects appropriate anticorrosive materials for different corrosion environment, so as to provide operating experience and reference for the safe, stable and efficient operation of the FGD system.

Tree and shrub species preferences and planting materials used by sub-religious communities in the village groves of floodplain area of Bangladesh

An exploratory study of the traditional homestead forest of two different religious groups (Hindu and Muslim) in one selected floodplain area of Bangladesh was conducted over a period of six months from January to June 2002. The species' (both tree and shrub) preferences, similarities, use and sources of planting materials, spacing and location of species in the homesteads of both Hindu and Muslim communities were studied. It was found thatMangifera indica as tree species andOcimum sanctum as shrub species were the best preferred species of the Hindu community.Artocarpus heterophyllus as tree species andLawsonia inermis as shrub species were found best preferred by the Muslim community. Floristic similarities between the two groups were found 86.57% in tree species and 78.48% in shrub species. Both seed and seedlings of tree and shrub species as planting materials were used by the highest percentage of both the religious communities. For tree species, homegarden was reported to be the highest source (39%) and for shrub species, nature was the highest source (40%), which was found in the Hindu community. Key words Species preferences - Species similarity - Planting materials - Hindu - Muslim - Homestead forests - Floodplain area - Bangladesh CLC number S72 Document code A Biography: Md. Danesh Miah (1971): male, Assistant Professor in the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh.Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai

Problems in the Development of Traditional Chinese Medicinal Materials Planting Industry in Shiyan City and Countermeasures

Through the analysis on the cultivation advantages and development problems of traditional Chinese medicinal planting industry in Shiyan City, Hubei Province, some measures were proposed to enlarge and enhance the traditional Chinese medicinal planting industry, namely, large-scale, standardized, market-oriented and regionalized planting, thereby making it the pillar industry for farmers to increase income.

Evaluation of Four Varieties of Sweetpotato (Ipomeoa Batatas (L.) Lam) under Different Sources of Planting Material for Field Performance and Viral Load

Sweetpotato is an important crop for food security in many developing countries which is cultivated using vine cuttings. Studies have revealed that there are at least fifteen well characterized viruses known to infect sweetpotato of which 10 are economically important that contribute to yield reduction. Planting materials use by farmers are often infected by one or more of these viruses. The aim of this study was to evaluate three different sources of planting materials of different health status for their field performance and virus presence. The sources of planting materials were in vitro generated platelets, symptomless Field materials and Farmer’s materials. Four sweetpotato varieties Apomuden, Bohye, Ligri and Dadanyuie were selected from each source of planting material. The trial was laid in a split plot design with the sources of planting material allocated to main plots and the varieties to sub-plots. The plantlets of the four varieties were planted at Botanga Irrigation Scheme in Northern region of Ghana. Viral symptom scores were taken twice, score 1 being the average from 4 - 7 weeks after planting (WAP) and score 2 being the average from 8 - 11 WAP. Nitrocellulose Membranes Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (NCM-ELISA) kits were employed for the detection of sweetpotato viruses on the field. The source of planting materials significantly influenced (P In vitro generated material showed the least symptoms of virus followed by Field materials. Apomuden and Bohye varieties recorded the highest virus score in the first and second virus symptom observational score respectively. NCM-ELISA revealed that the viruses SPFMV, SPMMV, SPMSV, SPCFV, SPCSV, and CMV were significantly present among the different sources of planting materials. In vitro, Field and Farmer materials recorded NCM-ELISA score of 0.225, 1.075 and 1.500 respectively. Apomuden variety recorded the highest virus score in the assay. Vine and root yield was higher among the in vitro generated material. Farmers should use laboratory cleaned material however, in the absence of such material they should select field material showing no symptom of virus.

Complex Research of Using Microwave in Processing Grains and Plants Materials for Agriculture

It is observed contamination and subsequent growth of various types of mycotoxins in the production and processing of grain and non-grain crops. The contamination of grain and non-grain cereals crops harvest was analyzed. The aim of this research is using of microwave energy to disinfect grains of harvest and giving new properties to the grains and plants materials. The author has presented researches of the grains disinfection, during seedbed preparation and post processing. Rational parameters of heating rates of different biological objects were identified, revealed their dependence and impact on infection pathogens, through using of microwave energy technology. The author found a reduction of the number of pathogenic microbes and organisms at the various stages of processing agricultural products during using of microwave energy, and found new qualitative indicators of the products properties.

Characterization of the Constructions Materials Used in the Hydroelectric Power Plants in the Sedano＇s Valley, Burgos （Spain）

Small hydropower plants for electricity generation were first built in Spain in the early 1880s. The Spanish peninsula is characterized by its rugged landscape, fast flowing rivers and steep gradients. A clear example of this is the remarkable area of the upper Ebro river basin where powerful water flows are found that are ideal for electricity generation. Between 1900 and 1930, the river Ebro was a major source of energy for industrial areas such as Alava, Vizcaya, Vitoria, Miranda de Ebro, Burgos and La Rioja. Between 1951-1965, the use of these small hydropower plants declined due to the construction of alternatives by industrialists in the Basque Country, which in most cases led to their deterioration. They were rescued in the late twentieth century, thanks to private sector initiatives which funded their rehabilitation. This study examines two small-scale hydraulic power plants in the province of Burgos at Medina de Pomar and at Quintanilla Escalada; both buildings were used for generating electricity and had living quarters for the workers and now represent historic architectonic and industrial heritage. The study documents their architectonic features and the restoration processes that have permitted one of them to remain in operation up until the present day.

Influence of Some Plant Fibers on the Mechanical Performance of Composite Materials

This work focused on the search for biobased materials capable of being used in road techniques as soil inclusions, and on studying the influence of their incorporation on the characteristic parameters of pavement layers. To this end, pineapple, cyperus and imperata plant fibers, due to their endemic availability, were used as reinforcement on sourced materials, notably bar soil, lateritic gravel and silty sand. Complete identification and mechanical tests (Proctor and CBR) were carried out on materials in their natural state (soil) and on composite materials (soil + plant fibers) in the laboratory to determine their classification in road geotechnics, their compaction parameters and their mechanical behavior. Firstly, the various types of 2.5 cm long fibers were incorporated into the different types of soil at mass contents of 1% and 2%. This part of the study showed that the pineapple fiber composite incorporated into class A2 bar soil offered the best results, with a 38% gain in CBR index compared with the natural soil. Pineapple fibers incorporated at 1% in lateritic gravel raise the CBR value of the reinforced soil to 10% of the CBR value of the natural soil and to 7% for silty sand.

DEVELOPMENT OF A MATERIALS RISK INFORMATION PLATFORM FOR A SAFE SOCIETY

A Materials Risk Information Platform is being developed under the cooperation of companies and academic societies with NIMS as project core. To combine safety and economy, which are sometimes contrary to each other, it is important to find an optimal solution using a new concept: risk based engineering. A 5-year project, the Materials Risk Information Platform, was started in 2001 in NIMS on the boilers of thermal power plants and the objectives of this project, research areas and its present state were outlined.

Identification of Tibetan Medical Material Dracocephalum tanguticum Maxim.

[Objectives]To explore morphological identification,macroscopical identification,microscopic identification,thin layer chromatography(TLC)identification of Tibetan medical material Dracocephalum tanguticum Maxim.,and provide experimental data for its identification and application.[Methods]The Tibetan medical material was identified by means of original plant,characters,powder,paraffin section and thin layer chromatography(TLC).[Results]Tibetan medical material D.tanguticum Maxim.was obviously distinguished in character identification and microscopic identification,and the TLC method was simple and feasible.[Conclusions]The results will provide the source work foundation for the formulation of the quality standard of Sichuan Province(draft)for Tibetan medicinal material"D.tanguticum Maxim."and the development of pharmaceutical preparations for medical institutions.

Development of Sensible Heat Storage Materials Using Sand, Clay and Coal Bottom Ash

In this paper, the mechanical and thermal properties of a sand-clay ceramic with additives coal bottom ash (CBA) waste from incinerator coal power plant are investigated to develop an alternative material for thermal energy storage (TES). Ceramic balls are developed at 1000&deg;C and 1060&deg;C using sintering or firing method. The obtained ceramics were compressed with a compression machine and thermally analyse using Decagon devise KD2 Pro thermal analyser. A muffle furnace was also used for thermal cycling at 610&deg;C. It was found that the CBA increased the porosity, which resulted in the increase of the axial tensile strength reaching 3.5 MPa for sand-clay and ash ceramic. The ceramic balls with the required tensile strength for TES were selected. Their volumetric heat capacity, and thermal conductivity range respectively from 2.4075 MJ&middot;m-3&middot;&deg;C-1 to 3.426 MJ&middot;m-3&middot;&deg;C-1 and their thermal conductivity from 0.331 Wm-1&middot;K-1, to 1.014 Wm-1&middot;K-1 depending on sand origin, size and firing temperature. The selected formulas have good thermal stability because the most fragile specimens after 60 thermal cycles did not present any cracks. These properties allow envisioning the use of the ceramic balls developed as filler material for thermocline thermal energy storage (structured beds) in Concentrating Solar Power plants. And for other applications like solar cooker and solar dryer.

Gastrointestinal Ulcers Treatment: Plants and Recipes Used by Herbalists of Abomey-Calavi and Cotonou Districts, Southern Benin

This study set out to identify plants and recipes used by herbalists in the municipalities of Abomey-Calavi and Cotonou to treat gastrointestinal ulcers and to characterize the distribution of their knowledge. An ethno-pharmacological survey was carried out in which informants who agreed freely were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 85 herbalists were surveyed. The data were processed with Microsoft Excel to calculate the relative frequencies of citation of the various species mentioned by the herbalists and various indices including Simpson’s Index were adapted to test the distribution of their knowledge. Multiple regression and correspondence analysis were performed using R studio. Our results revealed that the Dendi, Ifè and Mina, all equitable in their knowledge of anti-ulcer plants, are likely to know more than the other ethnic groups. On the other hand, respondents practicing Islam are more likely to know many antiulcer plants than those practicing Vodoun and Christianity. This constant distribution of knowledge of anti-ulcer plants among the Dendi, Ifè and Mina, three different ethnic groups seems normal and attests to the fusion between these different ethnic groups in view of this knowledge. A total of 70 anti-ulcer recipes, made from 71 species of medicinal plants or non-floristic resources were recorded. Vitellaria paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa and Ocimum gratissimum were the top 03 most frequently cited in descending order of frequency. All the species cited are grouped into 44 botanical families among which the Fabaceae, Lamiaceae and Sapotaceae were strongly represented. Benin’s flora abounds in a diversity of medicinal plant species known to herbalists in Abomey-Calavi and Cotonou for the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcers. The results of this study constitute a good archive for the selection of plant species for in-depth studies with a view to formulating improved traditional medicines for gastrointestinal ulcers.