A Comparative Investigation of the Biodegradation Behaviour of Linseed Oil-Based Cross-Linked Composites Filled with Industrial Waste Materials in Two Different Soils

The biodegradation of polymeric biocomposites formed from epoxidized linseed oil and various types of fillers(pine needles,pine bark,grain mill waste,rapeseed cake)and a control sample without filler was studied during 180 days of exposure to two types of forest soil:deciduous and coniferous.The weight loss,morphological,and structural changes of polymer composites were noticed after 180 days of the soil burial test.The greatest weight loss of all tested samples was observed in coniferous forest soil(41.8%–63.2%),while in deciduous forest soil,it ranged between 37.7%and 42.3%.The most significant changes in the intensities of the signals evaluated by attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy,as well as morphological changes determined by scanning electron microscopy,were assessed for polymer composite with rapeseed cake and specimen without filler in coniferous forest soil and are in a good agreement with weight loss results.Whereas significantly lower changes in weight loss,morphology,and structure of polymeric film with pine bark were noticed in both soils.It was suggested that fungi of Trichoderma,Penicillium,Talaromyces and Clonostachys genera are the possible soil microorganisms that degrade linseed oil-based cross-linked polymer composites.Moreover,the novel polymer composites have the potential to be an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based mulching films.

Seed Priming and Foliar Supplementation withβ-aminobutyric Acid Alleviates Drought Stress through Mitigation of Oxidative Stress and Enhancement of Antioxidant Defense in Linseed(Linum usitatissimum L.)

Drought is one of the critical limitations to agricultural soils and crop plants.Scarcity of water is increasing due to climate change that lead to increasing threats to global food security.Therefore,ecofriendly and cost effective strategies are highly desirable for mitigating drought stress along with sustainable and smart agricultural production.The aim of the study was to mitigate DS using seed priming and exogenous supplementation ofβ-aminobutyric acid(BABA)in linseed(Linum usitatissimum L.).Different doses(0,50,100 and 150μM)of BABA were used for seed priming agent and foliar spraying under three soil moisture levels viz.,25%(SM25),45%(SM45)and 65%(SM65).The response variables of both experiments included different agro-botanical traits and oxidative stress indicators such as melondialdehyde content,free proline accumulation,and antioxidant defense in plants.The linseed plants showed water stress at SM25 that reduced plant height,number of branches per plant,time taken to flower initiation and heading,and root and shoot dry weights.Additionally,the number of capsules and seeds per capsule showed a significant decline at SM25,which led to a drastic reduction in 100-seed weight yield in linseed plants in both experiments.However,seed priming and foliar supplementation with of BABA(50–100μM)significantly improved these morpho-agronomical attributes in linseed plants under DS.The results revealed that the BABA was fully active in linseed plants at SM25.Interestingly,the combination of SM25 with BABA significantly improved the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),ascorbate peroxidase(APX),and peroxidase(POD)activity,which significantly enhanced DS tolerance in linseed plants.These findings might be useful to oil seed breeders and farmers linseed for breeding program in linseed plants as well as sustainable agricultural production of oil seed crop plants.

Properties of Polyurethane Coatings Based on Linseed Oil Phosphate Ester Polyol

Linseed oil was epoxidized using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), acetic acid (AcOH) and ion exchange resin AmberliteIR-120 as a catalyst. Epoxidized oil was separately dissolved in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or diethylene glycol butylether (DGBE) and phosphorylated with different amounts of phosphoric (H3PO4) acid (1%, 2%, 3% and 5%). Theformation of phosphate polyesters was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and 31P nuclearmagnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. Based on the synthesized polyols, polyurethane (PU) coatings were prepared.PU coating based on linseed oil diethylene glycol ester polyol was used as the reference. For the characterizationof coatings, mechanical tests and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used. The flammability parameters ofwood samples with PU coatings at a heat flux of 35 kW/m2 were determined. It was found that PU coatings basedon IPA polyols had higher mechanical characteristics, char residue upon thermal decomposition and flameretardancy.

Effects of Feeding Combinations of Soybean and Linseed Oils on Productive Performance and Milk Fatty Acid Profile in Grazing Dairy Cows

Thirty-six grazing dairy cows were used to determine the effect of combinations of soybean (SO), and linseed (LO) oils on milk production, composition and milk fatty acid (FA) profile. Treatments were a basal control diet (56% pasture, 44% concentrate) or the control diet supplemented with oils at 4% of estimated total dry matter (DM) intake. Oils were manually mixed to the concentrate in pure forms (SO100 or LO100) or in blends (%w/w) at SO75 - LO25, SO50 - LO50 and SO25 - LO75. Concentrate and oils were thoroughly consumed. Pasture intake (kg DM/cow·day) was 9.27 in control and decreased (p p p trans-9 C18:1 and trans-10 C18:1 FA.

Green Composite Material Made from Typha latifolia Fibres Bonded with an Epoxidized Linseed Oil/Tall Oil-Based Polyamide Binder System

Here,we report the mechanical and water sorption properties of a green composite based on Typha latifolia fibres.The composite was prepared either completely binder-less or bonded with 10%(w/w)of a bio-based resin which was a mixture of an epoxidized linseed oil and a tall-oil based polyamide.The flexural modulus of elasticity,the flexural strength and the water absorption of hot pressed Typha panels were measured and the influence of pressing time and panel density on these properties was investigated.The cure kinetics of the biobased resin was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC)in combination with the iso-conversional kinetic analysis method of Vyazovkin to derive the curing conditions required for achieving completely cured resin.For the binderless Typha panels the best technological properties were achieved for panels with high density.By adding 10%of the binder resin the flexural strength and especially the water absorption were improved significantly.

Interactive Effect of GA_3 ,N and P Ameliorate Growth, Seed and Fibre Yield by Enhancing Photosynthetic Capacity and Carbonic Anhydrase Activity of Linseed: A Dual Purpose Crop

Linseed （Linum usitatissimum L.） is an important dual-purpose, industrial crop. Its seeds are used for the extraction of oil and stem for fibres. However, the production of linseed is not going parallel with the increasing demand of its products. The present work was carried out with an aim to find out whether exogenous application of gibberellic acid （GA3） with or without graded levels of nitrogen （N） and phosphorus （P） could improve the performance of three linseed genotypes Parvati, Shekhar and Shubhra together with minimizing the costly fertilizer input and losses. Four combinations of N and P, viz., 0 mg N＋0 mg P kg-1 soil （N0P0）, N13.4 P4.46 , N26.8P8.94 and N40.2P13.4 were constituted. Half dose of each combination was applied basally at the time of sowing and remaining half dose was given at 40 d after sowing （DAS） as foliar spray along with 10-6 mol L-1 GA3 . Prior to sowing, the seeds of each linseed genotype were grouped in to two, one group of seeds was soaked in 0 mol L-1 GA3 （control） and the other group was soaked in 10-6 M GA3 solution, each for 8 hours. Treatments were comprised of （i） 0 mol L-1 GA3＋N0P0 （T0 , control）, （ii） 10-6 mol L-1 GA3 ＋ N13.4P4.46 （T1）, （iii） 10-6 mol L-1 GA 3 ＋N 26.8 P 8.94 （T2） and （iv） 10-6 mol L-1 GA3＋N40.2P13.4 （T3）. The crop performance was assessed in terms of growth, physiological and biochemical parameters at 60 and 75 DAS and yield attributes at harvest （175 DAS）. The results showed a parallel increase in most of the parameters with increasing levels of N and P. However, application of 10-6 mol L-1 GA3 in association with N26.8P8.94 proved best, it enhanced seed yield, oil yield and fibre yield by 83.3, 97.3 and 78.7%, respectively accompanied with increase in net photosynthetic rate, carbonic anhydrase activity and dry matter accumulation. Among the genotypes tested, Shubhra performed best, while Parvati the least for most of the parameters studied. Thus, combined application of 10-6 mol L-1 GA3 plus N26.8P8.94 proved best and can be recommended to exploit the linseed as a dual-purpose crop for good yield of seed and fibre.

Effect of diets supplemented with linseed alone or combined with vitamin E and selenium or with plant extracts,on Longissimus thoracis transcriptome in growing-finishing Italian Large White pigs

Background: Supplementing farm animals diet with functional ingredients may improve the nutritional quality of meat products.Diet composition has been also demonstrated to influence the gene expression with effect on biological processes and pathways.However,the knowledge on the effect of nutrients at the molecular level is scant.In particular,studies on the effects of antioxidants and polyphenols dietary supplementation have been investigated mainly in rodents,and only scarcely in farm animals so far.RNA-Seq with next-generation sequencing is increasingly the method of choice for studying changes in the transcriptome and it has been recently employed also in pig nutrigenomics studies to identify diet-induced changes in gene expression.The present study aimed to investigate the effect of diets enriched with functional ingredients(linseed,vitamin E and plant extracts) on the transcriptome of pig Longissimus thoracis to elucidate the role of these compounds in influencing genes involved in muscle physiology and metabolism compared to a standard diet.Results: Eight hundred ninety-three significant differentially expressed genes(DEGs)(FDR adjusted P-value ≤ 0.05)were detected by RNA-Seq analysis in the three diet comparisons(D2-D1,D3-D1,D4-D1).The functional analysis of DEGs showed that the diet enriched with n-3 PUFA from linseed(D2) mostly downregulated genes in pathways and biological processes(BPs) related to muscle development,contraction,and glycogen metabolism compared to the standard diet.The diet supplemented with linseed and vitamin E/Selenium(D3) showed to mostly downregulate genes linked to oxidative phosphorylation.Only few genes involved in extracellular matrix(ECM)organization were upregulated by the D3.Finally,the comparison D4-D1 showed that the diet supplemented with linseed and plant extracts(D4) upregulated the majority of genes compared to D1 that were involved in a complex network of pathways and BPs all connected by hub genes.In particular,IGF2 was a hub gene connecting protein metabolism,ECM organization,immune system and lipid biosynthesis pathways.Conclusion: The supplementation of pig diet with n-3 PUFA from linseed,antioxidants and plant-derived polyphenols can influence the expression of a relevant number of genes in Longissimus thoracis muscle that are involved in a variety of biochemical pathways linked to muscle function and metabolism.

Transcriptional response of porcine skeletal muscle to feeding a linseed-enriched diet to growing pigs

Background： To investigate the effect of feeding a linseed-enriched diet to growing-finishing pigs on gene expression in skeletal muscle, pigs were fed with a linseed-enriched diet for 0, 30, 60 and 90 d. Transcriptional profiles of longissimus dorsi muscle were measured using Affymetrix Genechip.Results： Results showed that 264 genes were identified as differentially expressed genes（DEGs）. The strongest transcriptional response was clearly observed at 30 d. DEGs were assigned to several main functional terms,including transcription, apoptosis, intracellular receptor-mediated signaling, muscle organ development, fatty acid metabolic process, cell motion, regulation of glucose metabolic process, spermatogenesis and regulation of myeloid cell differentiation. We also found that transcriptional changs of several transcription cofactors might contribute to n-3 PUFAs regulated gene expression. In addition, the increased expression of IGF-1, insulin signaling pathway and the metabolism of amino acids might involve in the muscle growth induced by feeding a linseedenriched diet. The results also provide the new evidence that the expression changes of PTPN1, HK2 and PGC-1αmight contribute to the regulation of insulin sensitivity by n-3 PUFAs.Conclusions： Our finding provided correlative evidence that feeding the linseed enriched diet affact expression of genes involved in insulin signaling pathway and the metabolism of amino acids.

Effect of Diet Supplementation with Combinations of Soybean and Linseed Oils on Milk Production and Fatty Acid Profile in Lactating Dairy Ewes

Thirty-six Pampinta ewes were used in a completely randomized design to examine the effectiveness of soybean (SO) and linseed (LO) oils to reduce the concentration of the atherogenic fatty acids (FA) of milk (C12:0 to C16:0) and increase the content of conjugated linoleic (cis-9, trans-11 C18:2) also called rumenic acid (RA) and vaccenic acids (trans-11C18:1, VA). Six ewes per treatment received a Control diet alone (71% alfalfa hay and 29% concentrate) or supplemented (0.24 kg/ewe·day) with pure oils (SO100 or LO100) or their blend at (%) SO75-LO25, SO50-LO50 and SO25-LO75. Milk yield, milk fat content and milk fat secretion were not affected. Milk protein content resulted higher in SO75-LO25, SO50-LO50 and SO25-LO75 without changes in milk protein yield. Total solid content of milk tended (p p p < 0.001) by oils reaching a minimum value of 1.89 in LO100. Feeding polyunsaturated oils at 7% of total dry matter (DM) intake did not affect the productive response of dairy ewes resulting in an effective tool to improve the healthy value of milk fat. The SO50-LO50 blend showed the highest number of healthy changes in milk FA composition.

Agro-Morphological Characterization and Genetic Dissection of Linseed(Linum usitatissimum L.)Genotypes

Linseed is a multipurpose crop and the crop needs further improvement to increase production and yield due to its high value and demand.This study aimed to assess the extent and pattern of genetic variability of forty linseed genotypes based on diverse agro–morphological and yield attributes.The field experiment was conducted following a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications.Linseed germplasm showed a wide range of phenotypic expression,genetic variability and heritability for 30 studied traits.A low to high phenotypic coeffi-cient of variation(PCV)and genotypic coefficient of variation(GCV)were observed.The lowest genotypic(σ2 g)and phenotypic variances(σ2 p)were found in capsule diameter(CD),length of calyx(LC),capsule length(CL),seed length(SL),and seed breadth(SB).High broad-sense heritability(h2 b)with high genetic advance as a percentage of mean(GAM)were observed in days to germination started(DGS),days to 80%emergence(DE),plant height at 28 and 40 DAS,number of flowers(NFPP),filled capsules(NFCPP)and yield per plant(YPP)indicating additive gene action exists for these characters.Hierarchical cluster analysis separated 40 genotypes into five clusters,where Clusters I to V assembled with 13,4,4,5 and 14 genotypes,respectively.Considering yield and yield attributes,Cluster-IV(G3,G4,G6,G10 and G31)genotypes showed promising while,Cluster-II(G2,G16,G35,G36)and Cluster-III(G1,G33,G39 and G40)genotypes were dominant on plant morphological traits.Based on principal component analysis(PCA),few characters such as YPP,NFPP,NFCPP,days to first flowering and capsule formation,early emergence,days to branch initiation and plant heights at different growth stages revealed important and effective traits for consideration in the selection of linseed breeding programs.

QTL mapping by whole genome re-sequencing and analysis of candidate genes for salt tolerance in linseed(Linum usitatissmum L.)

Soil salinization is detrimental to the growth and development of flax and ultimately leads to a decrease in yield.However,the molecular mechanism of linseed response to salt stress is still unclear.In this study,a salt-tolerant(ST)linseed variety STS and a salt-sensitive(SS)variety DYM were selected as experiment materials.Bulk segregation analysis and whole-genome resequencing technologies were performed to map salt tolerance quantitative trait loci(QTL).A total of 38,625 QTL loci were identified.Fifteen genes(which were not annotated in the reference genome)were identified within a 2.597 Mb region in chromosome 1.Two salt tolerance candidate genes Lus.o.m.scaffold91.141 and Lus.o.m.Scaffold1.14 encoding WD40 and cytochrome P450 were identified by predicting protein functions.Previous studies showed that WD40 and cytochrome P450 could significantly improve plant salt stress tolerance.In this paper,results showed that Lus.o.m.scaffold91.141 and Lus.o.m.Scaffold1.14 might be involved in response to salt stress in lineseed.The fine mapping and functional analysis of these genes provide a molecular breeding basis for the genetic improvement of high salt-tolerant linseed varieties.

Effects of Maternal Linseed Oil Supplementation on Metabolic Parameters in Cafeteria Diet-induced Obese Rats

Because linseed oil may influence maternal and fetal metabolisms, we investigated its role in the modulation of lipid metabolism in cafeteria diet-induced obese rats and their offspring. Female Wistar rats were fed control or cafeteria food, which were either supplemented or not supplemented with linseed oil （5%） for I month before and during gestation. At parturition, serum and tissue lipids and enzyme activities were analyzed. Cafeteria diet induced adverse metabolic alterations in both mothers and offspring. Linseed oil improved metabolic status. In conclusion, linseed oil displayed health benefits by modulating tissue enzyme activities in both obese mothers and their newborns.

Feeding Calcium Salts of Linseed Oil on Productive Performance and Milk Fatty Acid Profile in Grazing Dairy Cows

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of supplying calcium salts of linseed oil (Ca-FA) rich in omega-3 (α-linolenic acid) on the production and chemical composition of milk and its nutraceutical value in dairy cows in early lactation. The trial lasted 12 weeks (2 weeks for adaptation to lipids and 10 weeks of data collection). A total of 36 Holstein dairy cows with 58.0 ± 17.0 days in milk (DIM), 594.1 ± 92.4 kg BW, 2.6 ± 1.5 parity and 38.9 ± 9.3 kg milk day-1 were used in a randomized complete block design. The treatments were: 1) Omega-3 (O3): 5.2 kg DM day-1 of concentrate including 0.7 kg DM of Ca-FA + 13.5 kg DM day-1 of partial mixed ration (PMR) + 12 kg DM day-1 of alfalfa pasture (Medicago sativa) and 2) Control (C): diet similar to O3 but lipid supplementation was replaced by cracked corn grain so that the diets were isoenergetic. No treatment effect was detected (P > 0.05) for any milk production and composition variables, except for urea in milk that was slightly higher in O3 (P = 0.02). The treatment × week interaction was significant (P < 0.05) for fat yield and content, with differences (P < 0.01) only in the 3rd week of the data collection period in favor of group C (1.39 vs. 1.13 kg·day-1 and 3.86% vs. 3.23% for fat yield and content, respectively). Total DMI and PMR were similar (P > 0.05) between treatments. Concentrate intake was higher (P < 0.01) in C compared with O3. Pasture DMI tended (P = 0.06) to be greater for cows that received the O3 treatment compared with C. Total metabolizable energy (ME) intake was similar (P = 0.44) between treatments. No treatment effect was detected (P > 0.05) in rumen environment parameters. Supplementation with Ca-FA reduced (P < 0.05) the hypercholesterolemic fraction of milk (C12:0, C14:0 and C16:0, -13.6%, -7.4% and -9.0%, respectively). The concentration of α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3) increased (108%, P < 0.01) in O3 group compared with group C. The absence of negative effects of lipids on the fat content of milk and ruminal fermentation suggests that protection by saponification was effective. The supplementation with Ca-FA (0.85 kg·day-1) improved the healthy value of the milk.

Screening Selected Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Genotypes for Yield Performance in Sindh, Pakistan

The present study was carried out during the year 2013-14 on the screening of the selected linseed genotypes for yield performance in Sindh, Pakistan. The experiment was laid out at the experimental fields of Oilseeds Section, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam in a three replicated randomized complete block design. Twelve linseed genotypes (L-53, C-W-2, Shikarpur 2, P-16-4, L-8, 11-106, Hala 3, L-17, Santane, Summit, L-10 and check llsi 90) were screened for their agronomic performance and correlations amongst yield and its contributing traits were calculated. The analysis of variance suggested significant (P < 0.05) variation among linseed genotypes for all the traits studied in this experiment. Most of the genotypes attained flowering and maturity earlier than the check variety;while P-16-4 surpassed Ilsi-90 for primary branches;and most of the remaining genotypes were at par with the commercial check for primary branches. Genotype L-10 surpassed the commercial check for capsules plant-1 and L-8 was at par with the commercial check;while none of the genotypes could surpass commercial check variety for seed index, but 11-106, Hala-3 and Summit also showed promising performance regarding the seed index. All the genotypes tested in this experiment such as L-53, C-W-2, Shikarpur 2, P-16-4, L-8, 11-106, Hala 3, L-17, Santane, Summit, L-10 surpassed the commercial check variety Ilsi-90 for seed yield plot-1. The correlation coefficient for yield and its contributing traits of linseed genotypes showed a positive and significant (P < 0.05) association for primary branches plant-1 vs seed yield plant-1 (r = 0.3334*), days to maturity vs spike length (r = 0.5384**), days to 75% flowering vs days to 90% maturity (r = 0.4073**), days to 75% flowering vs seed index (r = 0.4291**), days to 90% maturity vs seed index (r = 0.3973**) and seed index v/s seed yield plot-1 (r = 0.5160**). Negative and significant (P < 0.05) association was observed for primary branches plant-1 vs days to maturity (r = -0.368*), capsules plant-1 vs days to maturity (r = -0.3567*), days to 90% maturity vs seed yield plant-1 (r = -0.4156**) and days to 90% maturity vs seed yield plot-1 (r = -0.3423*). The new genotypes possess the potential to become future varieties for general cultivation in Sindh province.

Effects of feeding whole linseed on ruminal fatty acid composition and microbial population in goats

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of feeding different levels of whole linseed,as a source of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFA), on ruminal fatty acid composition and microbial population in the goat. Twenty-four crossbred Boer goats were assigned to 3 dietary treatments: LO(control), L10 and L20 containing 0,10%, or 20% whole linseed, respectively. The ruminal pH and concentration of total volatile fatty acids(VFA) were not affected by dietary treatments. The feeding of L10 and L20 diets produced higher(P < 0.05) molar proportions of acetate and lower(P < 0.05) molar proportions of butyrate and valerate than the LO diet. Molar proportions of myristic acid(C14:0) and palmitic acid(C16:0) were lower(P < 0.05) in the rumen of goats offered L10 and L20 diets than the control diet. However, stearic acid(C18:0), vaccenic acid(C18:1 trans-11), conjugated linoleic acid(CLA,C18:2 trans-10, cis-12) and a-lenolenic acid(C18:3 n-3) were higher(P < 0.05) in the rumen of goats fed L10 and L20 than L0. Both inclusion levels of linseed in the diet(L10 and L20) reduced the ruminal total bacteria, methanogens, and protozoa compared with LO(P < 0.05). The effect of the dietary treatments on cellulolytic bacteria, varied between the individual species. Both inclusion levels of linseed resulted in a significant decrease(P < 0.05) in the population of Fibrobacter succinogenes, and Rumunococus flavefaciens compared with LO, with no significant difference between the groups fed linseed diets. The population of Rumunococus albus was not affected by the different dietary treatments. It was concluded that inclusion of whole linseed in the diet of goats could increase the concentration of PUFA in the rumen, and decrease the population of F. succinogenes, R. flavefaciens, methanogens and protozoa in rumen liquid of goats.

Comparison between linseed expeller and canola expeller on concentrate intake,and circulating inflammatory mediators in Holstein calves

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of linseed and canola expeller on average daily weight gain(ADG),concentrate intakes,incidence of diarrhea,serum haptoglobin,interleukin(IL)-1,and resolvin-E1 in female Holstein calves from birth to weaning.A sample size of 20 calves per group was calculated and were randomly allocated at the time of birth.Linseed group(LIN)was fed a starter with linseed expeller,while canola group(CAN)received a similar concentrate,but with canola expeller.Both expellers were included at a rate of 25%dry matter(DM)basis of the starter.Pasteurized waste milk was fed twice a day until weaning.Calves were weighed at birth,30,and 60 d of age.Starter intake was evaluated daily from 5 to 60 d.A blood sample was obtained at birth,14,28,35,and 49 d of age,and bovine serum resolvin-El,haptoglobin,and IL-1 were assayed by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)kits.Incidence of diarrhea and the duration of the events were also recorded.The effect of the interaction group by time on body weight(BW)and starter intake was not significant(P>0.05).Average daily gains(ADG)from 0 to 60 d for CAN and LIN groups were 0.680 and 0.675 kg/d(P>0.05),respectively.Incidences of diarrhea were 25%and 45%for CAN and LIN groups,respectively(P=0.18).LIN group had greater concentrations of IL-1 at d 21,haptoglobin at d 7,and resolving-El at d 14 and 49 than CAN group,respectively.It is concluded that BW at weaning,ADG,and concentrate intakes were not different between groups fed starters containing linseed or canola expeller(25%inclusion).The concentrations of cytokines and haptoglobin were the greatest in LIN group.

Alternative wood treatment with blends of linseed oil,alcohols and pyrolysis oil

Linseed oil is a common wood treatment agent,which is often blended with naphthenic oil during its application.In this study,we developed new types of linseed oil blends,where the naphthenic oil was substituted with alcohols and pyrolysis oil.As miscibility tests revealed,linseed oil can be blended indefinitely with primary alcohols containing three carbon atoms or more.In addition,kinetic stability of three-component-mixtures was found,which comprised linseed oil,alcohol and pyrolysis oil.The developed blends were further tested for their viscosity and rate of solvent evaporation.At last,trial impregnations of wood were done to test this new treatment agent.The uptake of treatment oil and the effect on water repellency varied,and substituting white spirit with propanol and pyrolysis oil showed potential.The latter were miscible with 50%(wt)linseed oil at concentrations of 37.5%1-or 2-propanol and 12.5%pyrolysis oil.Compared with the reference case,treatment with this agent markedly decreased the water-uptake of the wood.Our study hence attributes great potential to the newly developed linseed oil blends,which may introduce additional product characteristics and generate value to byproducts via pyrolysis.

Seed Priming Influence on Early Crop Growth, Phenological Development and Yield Performance of Linola (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Reduced early crop growth and limited branching are amongst yield limiting factors of linola. Field response of seed priming treatments viz. 50 mmol L^-1 salicylic acid （SA）, 2.2% CaCl2 and 3.3% moringa leaf extract （MLE） including untreated dry and hydropriming controls was evaluated on early crop growth and yield performance of linola. Osmopriming with CaCl2 reduced emergence time and produced the highest seedling fresh and dry weights including Chl. a contents. Osmopriming with CaCl2 reduced crop branching and flowering and maturity times and had the maximum plant height, number of branches, tillers, pods and seeds per pod followed by MLE. Increase in seed weight, biological and seed yields was 9.30, 34.16 and 39.49%, harvest index （4.12%） and oil contents （13.39%） for CaCl2 osmopriming. Positive relationship between emergence and seedling vigor traits, 100-seed weight, seed yield with maturity time, 100-seed weight and seed yield were found. The study concludes that seed osmopriming with CaC12 or MLE can play significant role to improve early crop growth and seed yields of linola.

The Effect of Atmospheric Oxygen on the Puffing and Bursting Phenomena during Vegetable Oils Droplets Vaporization Process for Their Use as Biofuel in Diesel Engine

The past literature on the use of vegetable oils as fuel in diesel engine revealed that utilizing vegetable oil fuels in diesel engines may require property changes in the oil or perhaps, some minor engine modifications or operating changes. This study was conducted to search for the effect of atmospheric oxygen on the puffing and bursting phenomena that occur during vegetable oils droplet vaporization process in their use as fuel in diesel engine. The fiber-suspended droplet technique was used, and the normalized square droplet diameter as well as the temperature evolution vicinity the droplet was analyzed. The results show that puffing and bursting phenomena highly depend on oxygen. In presence of atmospheric oxygen, there is an increase of the puffing and bursting intensity and therefore the evaporation rate of the vegetable oil droplets, but in an inert environment or when the environment is oxygen-depleted puffing and bursting phenomena disappearing and make place of a series of explosions with lower magnitude. The lack of oxygen reduces the thermal degradation, polymerization and oxidation reactions and consequently the vaporization rate of vegetable oils droplets;and could therefore lead to the formation of deposits in the form of polymers. This is unsuitable for their use as a fuel in diesel engines. It can also be concluded that atmospheric oxygen has some positive effects on engine performance and emissions when operating with vegetable oil. These results help to address the challenge for the use of alternative fuels such as non-edible vegetable oils.

Varied previous crops on improving oilseed flax productivity in semiarid Loess Plateau in China

To investigate the effects of crop rotation on oilseed flax growth and yield,three season experiments were carried out in semi-arid area of Dingxi,Gansu from 2017 to 2019.The designed 6 rotational systems were FFF(flax-flaxflax),PFF(potato-flax-flax),WPF(wheat-potato-flax),FPF(flax-potato-flax),PWF(potato-wheat-flax)and FWF(flax-wheat-flax).Flax growth and yield investigation results showed that crop rotation increased leaf area duration,dry matter accumulation,seed nitrogen accumulation,water and nitrogen used efficiency,compared with continuous cropping of flax.Flaxseed yields in rotation systems were 22.23%–44.11%greater than those of continuous cropping system.Those in wheat and potato stubbles had higher tiller number(21.43%and 29.46%),more branches(14.24%and 6.97%),effective capsules(26.35%and 28.79%),higher water use efficiency(40.26%and 33.5%),higher nitrogen partial factor productivity(33.85%and 31.46%)and dry matter(41.98%and 25.47%)than those in oilseed flax stubble.It concluded that crop rotation system was an effective measure for oilseed flax productivity in semi-arid area by improving yield components and promoting biomass.