Al-4.5%Cu alloy was used as a matrix at2%,4%and6%of bamboo leaf ash(BLA)which was extruded from agro waste and was used as reinforcement.The composite which was fabricated by stir casting method possessed superior pro...Al-4.5%Cu alloy was used as a matrix at2%,4%and6%of bamboo leaf ash(BLA)which was extruded from agro waste and was used as reinforcement.The composite which was fabricated by stir casting method possessed superior properties due to an effective bonding between matrix and reinforcement particles.The fabricated composite specimens were subjected to various tests to determine the mechanical properties such as density,porosity,hardness and tensile strength.The results were compared with basic matrix alloy.Furthermore,the OM,SEM with EDAX and XRD analyses were carried out to analyze the dispersion of the reinforced particles in the selected matrix alloy.It was observed that the homogeneous distribution of BLA particles in composites was intragranular in nature.Moreover,it was also observed that BLA particles were well bonded with matrix alloy with clear interface.It was also found that the density decreased with increase in mass fraction of BLA particles and porosity increased with increase in mass fraction of BLA particles.The hardness and tensile strength were increased up to4%of BLA in the composite,with a further increase in BLA content the hardness and tensile strength decreased.展开更多
Two field experiments were carried out at Akure (7oN, 5o101E) in the rainforest zone of Nigeria in 2006 and 2007 to determine the effectiveness of neem leaf, woodash and modified neem leaf extracts as fertilizer sourc...Two field experiments were carried out at Akure (7oN, 5o101E) in the rainforest zone of Nigeria in 2006 and 2007 to determine the effectiveness of neem leaf, woodash and modified neem leaf extracts as fertilizer sources in improving soil fertility, growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L) and watermelon (Citrulus lanatus) sole and intercrop. There were six treatments namely, poultry manure, neem leaf extract (sole), woodash extract, modified neem leaf (neem leaf + woodash), NPK 15-15-15 and a control (no fertilizer nor extract), replicated three times and arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCB). The extracts (neem leaf, wood ash and modified neem leaf) were applied at 1200 litres per hectare each, NPK 15-15-15 at 300 kg/ha and poultry was applied at 6t/ha. The results showed that there were significant increases (P 2O), K, Ca, Mg, Na, O.M, P and N compared to NPK 15-15-15 and neem leaf extract. For instance, modified neem leaf extract increased soil pH (H2O), K, Ca, Mg, Na, O.M, P and N by 12.4%, 32.8%, 25%, 23.7%, 19.32%, 17.24% and 20% respectively compared to neem leaf extract under intercrop plot. The high soil K/Ca, K/Mg and P/Mg ratios in the NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer treatment led to an imbalance in the supply of P, K, Ca and Mg nutrients to maize and watermelon crops. The least values for growth, yield and soil parameters were recorded under the control treatment. In these experiments, modified neem leaf extract (woodash + neem leaf extracts) applied at 1200 litres/ha was the most effective in improving soil fertility, growth and yield of maize and watermelon (sole and intercrop) and could substitute for 6 tons per hectare of poultry manure and 300kg/ha of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer.展开更多
A study on the comparative effect of cow dung, wood ash and benlate for the control of leaf spot disease of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) was carried out following the preparation and foliar application of the mate...A study on the comparative effect of cow dung, wood ash and benlate for the control of leaf spot disease of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) was carried out following the preparation and foliar application of the materials on selected Roselle plants of the green and red accessions (Acc<sub>1</sub> & Acc<sub>3</sub>) in the field. The cow dung was fermented for 14 days while sour milk was added to wood ash, dissolved and all filtered and labeled. The spraying commenced soon after the plants were thinned to one and was done weekly until after 50% of the plants had flowered. Results showed significant (p = 0.05) difference between benlate, the synthetic fungicide and the bio-fertilizers (cow dung and wood ash) for the two years of the study. Disease severity was significantly lower in the benlate than in the bio-fertilizers. There was no significant difference in yield between the treatments although higher yield was recorded in benlate. Though the bio-fertilizers could not suppress infection, they aided the growth of the plants by boosting luxuriant growth. The result showed that these bio-fertilizers cannot be used as substitute to the synthetic fungicide for the control of this leaf spot disease caused by Coniella musaiensis var. hibisci. However, since they give equally good yield the bio-fertilizers can still be used to minimize the reliance upon use of chemical fungicides.展开更多
The use of yam vine cuttings as propagules with appropriate synthetic rooting hormones such as IBA (Indole-Butyric Acid) and NAA (Naphthalene Acetic Acid) has previously been reported as successful but expensive. To s...The use of yam vine cuttings as propagules with appropriate synthetic rooting hormones such as IBA (Indole-Butyric Acid) and NAA (Naphthalene Acetic Acid) has previously been reported as successful but expensive. To source for cheaper alternatives, this study compared the effect of some natural and synthetic hormones on rooting of vine cuttings in two varieties of Dioscorea alata. Vine cuttings from three months old water yam varieties were treated separately with 1%, 3% and 5% concentrations of each of the following: neem leaf ash, coconut water, 2,4-D and IBA with water as control. Treated cuttings were planted in triplicates in polythene bags using the completely randomised design and watered once in two days for 49 days. Data collected on rooting percentage, number of roots per plant, mean root length, number and length of new vines were subjected to analysis of variance tests and the means separated using least significant difference tests. A 100% rooting was observed in vines treated with 1% or 3% coconut water and neem ash. These vines also generated significantly greater number of new vines (P < 0.05) compared to those from synthetic hormones. Vines treated with 5% neem produced the highest number of roots (145.33 ± 9.21;P < 0.001) while those treated with 3% neem produced the longest roots (45.3 ± 9.23 cm) followed by those treated with 3% coconut water (24.3 ± 3.48). The study reveals that neem leaf ash and coconut water are better root promoting agents for water yam vines than 2,4-D and IBA and could be tested further for use as natural hormonal substitutes to the synthetic hormones.展开更多
基金the National Institute of Technology,Manipur,Imphal-India for financial support to carry out the experiment by Mr. B. Praveen Kumar,full time research scholar,enrolment number (15PME004),under the guidance of Dr. Anil Kumar Birru,assistant professor and head of Department of Mechanical Engineering,NIT MANIPUR
文摘Al-4.5%Cu alloy was used as a matrix at2%,4%and6%of bamboo leaf ash(BLA)which was extruded from agro waste and was used as reinforcement.The composite which was fabricated by stir casting method possessed superior properties due to an effective bonding between matrix and reinforcement particles.The fabricated composite specimens were subjected to various tests to determine the mechanical properties such as density,porosity,hardness and tensile strength.The results were compared with basic matrix alloy.Furthermore,the OM,SEM with EDAX and XRD analyses were carried out to analyze the dispersion of the reinforced particles in the selected matrix alloy.It was observed that the homogeneous distribution of BLA particles in composites was intragranular in nature.Moreover,it was also observed that BLA particles were well bonded with matrix alloy with clear interface.It was also found that the density decreased with increase in mass fraction of BLA particles and porosity increased with increase in mass fraction of BLA particles.The hardness and tensile strength were increased up to4%of BLA in the composite,with a further increase in BLA content the hardness and tensile strength decreased.
文摘Two field experiments were carried out at Akure (7oN, 5o101E) in the rainforest zone of Nigeria in 2006 and 2007 to determine the effectiveness of neem leaf, woodash and modified neem leaf extracts as fertilizer sources in improving soil fertility, growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L) and watermelon (Citrulus lanatus) sole and intercrop. There were six treatments namely, poultry manure, neem leaf extract (sole), woodash extract, modified neem leaf (neem leaf + woodash), NPK 15-15-15 and a control (no fertilizer nor extract), replicated three times and arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCB). The extracts (neem leaf, wood ash and modified neem leaf) were applied at 1200 litres per hectare each, NPK 15-15-15 at 300 kg/ha and poultry was applied at 6t/ha. The results showed that there were significant increases (P 2O), K, Ca, Mg, Na, O.M, P and N compared to NPK 15-15-15 and neem leaf extract. For instance, modified neem leaf extract increased soil pH (H2O), K, Ca, Mg, Na, O.M, P and N by 12.4%, 32.8%, 25%, 23.7%, 19.32%, 17.24% and 20% respectively compared to neem leaf extract under intercrop plot. The high soil K/Ca, K/Mg and P/Mg ratios in the NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer treatment led to an imbalance in the supply of P, K, Ca and Mg nutrients to maize and watermelon crops. The least values for growth, yield and soil parameters were recorded under the control treatment. In these experiments, modified neem leaf extract (woodash + neem leaf extracts) applied at 1200 litres/ha was the most effective in improving soil fertility, growth and yield of maize and watermelon (sole and intercrop) and could substitute for 6 tons per hectare of poultry manure and 300kg/ha of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer.
文摘A study on the comparative effect of cow dung, wood ash and benlate for the control of leaf spot disease of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) was carried out following the preparation and foliar application of the materials on selected Roselle plants of the green and red accessions (Acc<sub>1</sub> & Acc<sub>3</sub>) in the field. The cow dung was fermented for 14 days while sour milk was added to wood ash, dissolved and all filtered and labeled. The spraying commenced soon after the plants were thinned to one and was done weekly until after 50% of the plants had flowered. Results showed significant (p = 0.05) difference between benlate, the synthetic fungicide and the bio-fertilizers (cow dung and wood ash) for the two years of the study. Disease severity was significantly lower in the benlate than in the bio-fertilizers. There was no significant difference in yield between the treatments although higher yield was recorded in benlate. Though the bio-fertilizers could not suppress infection, they aided the growth of the plants by boosting luxuriant growth. The result showed that these bio-fertilizers cannot be used as substitute to the synthetic fungicide for the control of this leaf spot disease caused by Coniella musaiensis var. hibisci. However, since they give equally good yield the bio-fertilizers can still be used to minimize the reliance upon use of chemical fungicides.
文摘The use of yam vine cuttings as propagules with appropriate synthetic rooting hormones such as IBA (Indole-Butyric Acid) and NAA (Naphthalene Acetic Acid) has previously been reported as successful but expensive. To source for cheaper alternatives, this study compared the effect of some natural and synthetic hormones on rooting of vine cuttings in two varieties of Dioscorea alata. Vine cuttings from three months old water yam varieties were treated separately with 1%, 3% and 5% concentrations of each of the following: neem leaf ash, coconut water, 2,4-D and IBA with water as control. Treated cuttings were planted in triplicates in polythene bags using the completely randomised design and watered once in two days for 49 days. Data collected on rooting percentage, number of roots per plant, mean root length, number and length of new vines were subjected to analysis of variance tests and the means separated using least significant difference tests. A 100% rooting was observed in vines treated with 1% or 3% coconut water and neem ash. These vines also generated significantly greater number of new vines (P < 0.05) compared to those from synthetic hormones. Vines treated with 5% neem produced the highest number of roots (145.33 ± 9.21;P < 0.001) while those treated with 3% neem produced the longest roots (45.3 ± 9.23 cm) followed by those treated with 3% coconut water (24.3 ± 3.48). The study reveals that neem leaf ash and coconut water are better root promoting agents for water yam vines than 2,4-D and IBA and could be tested further for use as natural hormonal substitutes to the synthetic hormones.
