Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences最新文献

The escalating expansion of saline soils in arid and semi-arid regions presents a significant challenge to agricultural sustainability. In light of the widespread water scarcity, there has been a growing demand for innovative technologies aimed reducing water during the leaching of saline soils. This study explores the application of acoustic vibrations, particularly utilizing a seismic vibrator SV 10/100, to improve the efficiency of soil desalination. The mechanism of action of acoustic vibrations is explained by the formation of a vortex flow around soil particles oscillating within a defined amplitude and frequency range, thereby enhancing the dissolution of salts. This study specifically targets soda solonetz-solonchak soils with diverse mechanical compositions, situated in the Ararat plain of Armenia. Field experiments utilizing the lysimetric method were conducted in 2016. The primary aim was to determine optimal parameters of acoustic oscillations to expedite desalination process while assessing their impact on soil physical properties during leaching. Findings revealed that higher oscillation amplitudes (ranging from 4 to 7 mm) at frequencies of 10–70 Hz, within a 100-meter radius or 3.14-hectare area were watched. Specifically, oscillations at frequencies of 30–50 Hz for 1.0–1.5 h per leaching water portion (2500 m³/ha) effectively reduced the required leaching water volume and duration by 2 times when applied during soil leaching following acidification. It is important to note that the soil properties after leaching remained in the optimal ranges for the region (soil density 1.2–1.3 g/cm³, hydraulic conductivity 10–20 cm/day). Overall, this research underscores the efficacy of acoustic oscillations in expediting reclamation processes, reducing leaching water requirements, enhancing soil fertility, and facilitating integration into agricultural cycle. Therefore, the newly proposed method of utilizing acoustic vibrations shows potential for efficiently leaching saline soils.

Soil salinity is one of the major problems that threaten the soils in Jordan, which led to a decrease in the percentage of arable land in Jordan. The phytoremediation process is concerned with the restoration of contaminated soils using tolerant plants, such as halophyte plants. In this context, the potential short-term phytoremediation ability of Panicum Mombasa and Salicornia Europaea was evaluated and measured. A field experiment was conducted over two consecutive years to study the ability of these previous two crops for the phytoremediation of saline soils induced by treated wastewater irrigation. Both crops with bare soil as a control were irrigated together from the effluent of the Ramtha Wastewater Treatment Plant at the same time. Soil electrical conductivity was identified as the main parameter for measuring the plant’s ability for salt absorption. The results for both seasons show a higher accumulation of salts in bare soil significantly as expected since no plants were present to absorb these salts and no leaching requirements were added with irrigation water. The absorption rate for each crop was measured at the 1st season for comparison. It is measured for each crop depending on the length of the growing season. Salicornia’s absorption rate was greater than Panicum, and it reached 36 ppm/day for salicornia, whereas it reached 33 ppm/day for panicum. In the 2nd season, both crops are planted and harvested together. Salt absorbed percentage from the soil under Salicornia was greater than Panicum and it reached 73 % as compared to bare soil. However, in the soils under Panicum, the amount of salts absorbed reached 37 % as compared to bare soil. Plant analysis for both crops shows higher salt ions accumulation in Salicornia tissues than Panicum, and this explains the higher absorption rate for Salicornia than Panicum. Microbiological analysis for Panicum shows some contamination, whereas no contamination occurs in Salicornia. This is explained by the high salinity environment in Salicornia which is not favorable for e-coil, total, and fecal coliform to grow. The obtained Results from this research state that both crops have the ability for phytoremediation, with greater ability for Salicornia.

In the pursuit of advancing food quality assessment, this study employs sophisticated data-driven techniques to delve into the complex realm of honey analysis. With the aim of unraveling the multifaceted nature of honey quality, Self-Organizing Maps (SOMs) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were employed to scrutinize the interplay of physicochemical, biochemical, and melissopalynological attributes in honey samples collected from the diverse drylands of Algeria. The dataset comprised 62 honey samples and eight crucial parameters. These parameters span climate zones (arid vs. desertic), honeybee breeds (Tellian, Saharan, and hybrid), honey extraction methods (manual pressing vs. electric centrifugation), and beekeeping systems (modern vs. traditional). Using SOMs, honey samples were categorized into distinct clusters that reflect variations across these four honey-related variables. Additionally, SOM heatmaps offer granular insights into individual parameters' distribution across the SOM map. Our analysis revealed nuanced distinctions in honey quality across North African regions, with specific parameters playing a pivotal role in defining honey quality. On average, the honey samples exhibited the following characteristics: a water content of 15.14 %, an electrical conductivity of 0.5 µS/cm, a pH of 4.20, a total sugar content of 83 %, a reducing sugar content of 63.83 %, a proline concentration of 382.7 mg/kg of honey, an hydroxymethylfurfural level of 77.4 mg/kg, and an average pollen grain density of 4.56 × 10⁵ grains per 10 g of honey. Notably, the study identified clear demarcations in honey quality linked to beekeeping systems and revealed characteristics associated with bee breeds and extraction techniques. The results underscored the significance of selected honey parameters as key indicators of quality. This analytical approach not only offered a comprehensive assessment of honey quality but also holds potential for broader applications within the food industry. The findings invite further exploration into the ecological and genetic dimensions of beekeeping practices in North Africa to deepen our understanding of honey's multifaceted attributes. This study showcased the efficacy of SOMs and PCA in unraveling the complex fabric of honey quality assessment. These data-driven techniques, complemented by the structured dataset and analytical approach used, provided valuable insights that contributed to enhancing the scientific understanding of honey quality. By elucidating the complex relationships between physicochemical, biochemical, and melissopalynological parameters and honey quality, this research paves the way for future studies in this field and holds promise for broader applications in food quality assessment and monitoring.

Rigidoporus microporus is a soil-borne pathogen that causes significant losses in rubber plantations worldwide. As an alternative technique, the development of bacteria as biological control agents capable of producing hydrolytic enzymes and antibiotics has emerged. The in vitro activity of bacterial isolates against R. microporus was assessed using hydrolytic enzyme production and antibiotic inhibition. The research included enzyme activity analyses and antagonism assays against R. microporus, followed by selection of the top ten isolates using the Analytical Hierarchy Process. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to determine compatibility and identification. Twenty-two bacterial isolates produced one or more enzymes, including chitinase, glucanase, and cellulase. These isolates inhibited the growth of R. microporus through diffusible, volatile, and colonized soil, resulting to abnormal mycelial formation. Hierarchical analysis has selected 10 isolates with the highest potency and compatibility. Four isolates (S085, S108, SK909, and SK018) belonged to Serratia surfactantfaciens, while others were identified as Brucella intermedia (basonym: Ochrobactrum intermedium) (S018, T2, and BE60), Bacillus albus (NJ57), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (P7), and Burkholderia cepacia (SS19.7). The present study demonstrated the ability of bacterial isolates to secrete hydrolytic enzymes and antibiotic metabolites causing permanent abnormalities in R. microporus mycelia, representing the first report of such metabolite activity of rhizosphere and endophytic bacteria as biological control agents against R. microporus. However, further study is needed to assess their performance under field conditions.