Journal Clean WAS (JCleanWAS)

A field experiment was conducted at the field of CAMPUS OF LIVE SCIENCES, Dang having clay loam soil to evaluate effect of integrated management of FYM and urea in cabbage. This experiment was carried out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) having six treatments with three replications. Golden Ball variety of cabbage was selected for this research as a test crop. The application of FYM and urea shows significant result on the plant height, number of leaves, length of plant, head diameter and biomass yield. The maximum head diameter was observed in treatment 50%FYM +50% UREA (14.31cm).The highest total yield (9.63Mt/ha) and highest economic yield (6.16Mt/ha) was obtained from treatment 50%UREA +50 %FYM which was similar with recommend rate of fertilizer for cabbage. The highest soil pH (6.40), soil moister content (40.46%), the lowest bulk density (1.12g/cm3) was obtained from FYM application. The highest organic matter content (1.46) was also observed from FYM application. The most of the soil properties were enhanced by application of FYM and UREA. Furthermore, FYM played important role in maintaining soil physical property. In addition, this study indicates the possibility of FYM application to reduce nutrient risk by enhancing physio-chemical properties of clay loam soil. This result will helpful for the student and scientists in further research to increase the productivity and for the improvement of soil property.

Actinomycetes are prolific secondary metabolites producer, and they are sought after for their unparalleled capability. Mangrove forests are among the underexplored locations in search of new resources of actinomycetes. Bioprospecting of actinomycetes in Kuantan mangrove forests has revealed highly diverse actinomycetes with high antimicrobial properties. Members of the rare genera successfully isolated include Micromonospora sp., Pseudonocardia sp., Verrucosispora sp., Nocardiopsis sp., Actinophytocola sp., Dietzia sp., Gordonia sp., Micrococcus sp., Mycobacterium sp., Nocardia sp., Saccharopolyspora sp. And Rhodococcus sp. These rare actinomycetes can also be added to the list of genera isolated from this ecological niche, providing solid evidence that considerable diversity of actinomycetes are distributed within Kuantan mangrove forest. PKS-I and NRPS genes are usually related to the ability to produce secondary metabolites in actinomycetes. Interestingly, several of these rare actinomycetes showed the presence of both PKS-I and NRPS genes or either gene, and this exemplifies the potential of these rare actinomycetes may possess. Further studies conducted on these rare actinomycetes may reveal their true potentials that can be exploited for natural product discovery.

Recent technology use simulation to predict the amount and total crop production and yield in a particular piece of land. Crop yield is termed as the growth of crop per unit area. This study calculates the crop yield for 20 years and uses simulation to produce 18 years of crop yields at different locations in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State Nigeria. the study applies the use of time series analysis of both Linear, quadratic and growth curve models to ascertain the crop yield. The result indicates that there is a high amount of rainfall in the preceding year from 2020 -2038 with a rainfall trend of more than 2200mm- 2300mm per annum. The crop yield simulation shows a higher growth curve with a bumper harvest in the next years to come.

For thousands of years plants have been an essential medicinal source with qualities. Empty fruit bunches (EFB) have medicinal values. Ten grams of powdered sample was extracted with 50 mL ethanol overnight and filtered through ash less filter paper, this plant’s ethanol extract has been analyzed using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), while the compound mass spectra contained in the extract has been matched with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library. The GC-MS analysis provided different peaks determining the presence of eight different phytochemical compounds namely10-Undecenoic acid, Propanoic acid, Cyclopentane acetic acid hydrazide,1,4-Cyclohexanedicarbonitrile.The compounds were identified by comparing their retention time and peak area with literature and by interpreting the mass spectra. Many of them have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, antitumor, antiviral, anticonvulsant, analgesic and antidiabetic properties.

This study involved the development of Fenton- like reagents (Mn2+/H2O2 and Cr2+/H2O2) for the degradation of phthalates esters – dimethyl phthalates (DMP), diethyl phthalates (DEP) and diphenyl phthalate (DPP). The degradation efficiency of phthalate esters (initial concentration of 20 mgL-1) by the newly developed reagents was conducted at different time intervals, the pH was adjusted to 3.0, the reaction mixtures were extracted and analysed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The H2O2 concentration was set at 100 mgL-1, and 10 mgL-1 for both Mn2+ and Cr3+. The results showed that the reagent, Mn2+/H2O2 degraded DMP completely within 20 minutes of the experiment, while 3.0 mgL-1 of DEP and 4.88 mgL-1 of DPP remained. At 30 minutes, DEP was found to be completely degraded with 4.84 mgL-1 of DPP remaining. In the same vein, the second reagent (Cr2+/H2O2) recorded 100 % efficiency on DMP within 20 minutes while that of DEP did not reach 100 % efficiency until 60 minutes. In this case, the reaction time of 20 mgL-1 DMP and DEP with this reagent is 20 minutes and 60 minutes respectively. Furthermore, it could be deduced that 30minutes is sufficient for complete degradation of 20 mgL-1 DMP and 20 mgL-1 DEP with Mn2+/H2O2 reagent while the degradation of 20 mgL-1 DPP took 60 minutes. For Cr3+/H2O2 reagent, the reaction time for the complete degradation of DMP and DEP was 30 and 60 minutes respectively. These newly developed reagents Mn2+/H2O2 and Cr2+/H2O2 are very effective and efficient for the degradation of phthalate esters thus, recommended for the degradation of liquid wastes containing these hazardous compounds.

Allah S.W.T swears by the fig tree (Sura’ 95, al-Tin) in the holy Quran, for its values and practices. Recently, the fig tree (Ficus carica L.) has been introduced in Malaysia’s tropical weather as it grows well with maximum activity. Its root favors a well-drained type of soil, and since BRIS (Beach Ridges Interspersed with Swales) are dominated by sandy texture with proper water percolation, it has a high potential for fig planting. However, BRIS is known to have low nutrient holding capacity but can be improved with organic amendments. This study was carried out to determine the effects of various rates of chicken manure as amendments in improving the BRIS soil health for the growth of fig trees. The BRIS soil was amended with different rates of 10% (T2), 20% (T3), 30% (T4), and 50% (T5) of chicken manure and 0% (T1) as control. Three months old saplings were propagated through hardwood cuttings of variety BTM6 with five replications in each treatment. The growth response and nutrients quality of the fig trees were observed biweekly for three months after the transplant, and the nutrient contents of amended and non-amended showed significant differences at p<0.05. The survivability of the trees was 100%, and a significant difference was found between the treatments. BRIS soil with 40% chicken manure amendments (T4) showed superlative growth response with the highest number of branches, leaves, and fruits, thus provide higher yield production as compared to other treatments. From this study, BRIS soil that is known to be problematic can be improved with correct rates of organic amendments and can be used for fig cultivation.

Tillage is a critical soil management option that affect many soil physical, chemical and biological properties, which in turn may alter the soil environment and consequently impact on root growth and distribution, and crop yield. This study was carried out to evaluate the long-term effects of different soil tillage systems on some soil physical properties under both irrigated and rainfed wheat productions for nine consecutive wheat seasons (2011-12 and 2019-20) at Koont research farm, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi. Four soil tillage systems were performed i.e. conventional tillage system (S1), reduced tillage system-1 (S2), reduced tillage system-2 (S3) and no tillage system (S4). The results showed that soil moisture content measured at both soil depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm) was the maximum in direct sowing (S4) and lowest in conventional soil tillage system (S1). Bulk density and porosity were changes with tillage depth. Among studied tillage systems, bulk density and penetration resistance values were the maximum and porosity was lowest in direct wheat sowing system. Soil particle size distribution was affected by operations and agricultural machinery used in soil tillage systems. The aggregate size smaller than 1 mm showed higher fragmentation (42.25%) in S3. This study showed that soil physical properties were influenced by tillage systems in wheat production under irrigation and rainfed environment. Although the climate of the study area is semi-arid and direct sowing system provide maximum moisture but reduced tillage method can be used for better soil physical properties and highest crop yield.

Legumes are a key player in sustainable agriculture. They are a potential tool as forage for reclamation of saline soils. However, still there is a need to balance between tolerance of the forage during different developmental stages and its productivity. The present work aimed to study salinity tolerance of four wild Medicago species, as an initial step to select new species that can be grown in salt-affected soils or used as wild relatives to improve alfalfa. Seeds of M. polymorpha, M. intertexta, M. truncatula and M. lupulina, collected from different natural habitats, as well as alfalfa were germinated under different salinity levels to evaluate germination percentage and germination speed. Generally, seeds of M. truncatula collected from desert habitat showed the highest mean germination percentage followed by alfaalfa, while seeds of M. intertexta collected from salt-affected habitat exhibited the highest mean germination speed, followed by M. lupulina. Under severe salt stress, M. intertexta exhibited the highest aerial biomass index, followed by M. truncatula and M. lupulina, while M. polymorpha and alfalfa came as inferiors. Mineral contents and ion leakage of the studied species were determined and discussed. M. intertexta, M. truncatula and M. lupulina, collected from stressful habitats, tended to maintain osmotic and ionic homeostasis by relying on accumulation of the less energetic cost ions (Na+) in roots and sugars and K+ in shoots scoring the highest aerial biomass and tolerance index, orderly. Therefore, the results recommend cultivating these species in salt-affected lands or using them as wild relatives to improve alfalfa.

Rhodamine B (RhB) is widely employed in dyeing in textile, paper, paints and leather industry. The wastewater containing RhB dye can cause serious environmental and biological problems. Hence, the remediation of RhB treatment is necessary for the environment. In this study, the photodegradation of RhB in water under sunlight irradiation with dye-sensitized titanium dioxide (TiO2) is investigated. The influence of various conditions, such as TiO2 dosages, initial RhB concentration, temperature, pH, sunlight intensity and irradiation time on the photodegradation of RhB are also studied. About 96% of RhB is photodegraded within 20 min under the optimized conditions. Therefore, the photodegradation treatment for the wastewater including RhB under sunlight is very simple, easy and low cost technique.

Application of animal manures influences enzymatic activities and microbial dynamics in soils. Poultry manure (PM) and swine manures (SM) were applied at the rate of 30 t ha−1 each. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Soils were sampled at day 0, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70 and 84 from 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depths. In both the PM and SM amended soils, significant increase in soil pH was observed. In PM treated soil, alkaline phosphatase significantly increased from 0.38 Mg g-1 to 4.94 Mg g-1 whereas in SM treated soil, it increased from 1.21 Mg g-1 to 4.80 Mg g-1. Acid phosphatase significantly increased from 0.42 Mg g-1 to 3.02 Mg g-1 in PM amended soil while increases from 0.11 Mg g-1 to 2.38 Mg g-1 were observed in SM amended soil. The application of PM and SM increased Total Heterotrophic Bacterial Count significantly from 1.27×104 Cfu g-1 to 8.63×107 Cfu g-1 and from 1.40×104 Cfu g1 to 8.10×107 Cfu g-1, respectively. Total Fungal Count significantly increased from 1.63×103 Cfu g-1 to 4.67×106 Cfu g-1 and from 2.00×103 Cfu g-1 to 5.67×106 Cfu g-1 in PM and SM amended soils, respectively.