In the tropics, warm temperatures and high rainfall contribute to acidic soil formation because of the significant leaching of base cations (K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Na⁺), followed by the replacement of the base cations with Al³⁺, Fe²⁺, and H⁺ ions at the soil adsorption sites. The pH buffering capacity of highly weathered acid soils is generally low because of their low pH which negatively impacts soil and crop productivity. Thus, there is a need to amend these soils with the right amount of inorganic liming materials which have relatively high neutralizing values and reactivity to overcome the aforementioned problems. Soil leaching and the pH buffering capacity studies were conducted to determine whether the co-application or co-amendment of a calcium carbonate product (Calciprill) and sodium silicate can improve soil nutrient retention and pH buffering capacity of the Bekenu series (Typic Paleudults). A 30 day soil leaching experiment was carried out using a completely randomized design with 16 treatments and 3 replications after which the leached soil samples were used for a pH buffering capacity study. The Calciprill and sodium silicate treatments significantly improved soil pH, exchangeable NH₄⁺, available P, exchangeable base cations, Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC), and pH buffering capacity in comparison with the untreated soil. The improvements were attributed to the alkalinity of Calciprill and sodium silicate due to their high inherent K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Na⁺ contents. The neutralizing effects of the amendments impeded the hydrolysis of Al³⁺ (96.5%), Fe²⁺ (70.4%), and Mn²⁺ (25.3%) ions resulting in fewer H⁺ ions being produced. The co-application of Calciprill and sodium silicate reduced the leaching of Ca²⁺ (58.7%) and NO₃⁻ (74.8%) from the amended soils. This was due to the ability of sodium silicate to reduce soil permeability and protect the Calciprill and available NO₃⁻ from being leached. This also improved the longevity of Calciprill to enhance the soil pH buffering capacity. However, the amounts of NH₄⁺, P, and base cations leached from the amended soils were higher compared with the un-amended soils. This was due to the high solubility of sodium silicate. The most suitable combination amendment was 7.01 g Calciprill and 9.26 g sodium silicate (C2S5) per kilogram soil. It is possible for farmers to adopt the combined use Calciprill and sodium silicate to regulate soil nutrient retention and improve the soil pH buffering capacity of highly weathered acidic soils. This will enhance soil and crop productivity.

Sustaining soil health cannot be divorced from sustainable crop production. Organic, or natural, farming is being promoted as a good sustainable agriculture practice. One aspect of organic farming that could significantly enhance and sustain soil health, soil quality, and crop productivity is the use of high-quality soil conditioners or organic amendments produced from agro-wastes. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the chemical and biological properties of selected agro-wastes with potential for use as organic amendments in sustaining soil health. Standard procedures were used to produce and characterize the soil conditioners, namely fermented plant juice (FPJ), fermented fruit juice (FFJ), palm kernel shell (PKS) biochar, and kitchen waste (KW) compost. The fermented juices (FPJ and FFJ), PKS biochar, and KW compost exhibited chemical and biological properties with good potential as soil conditioners or organic amendments to sustain soil health. The fermented juices contained important microbes that can solubilize P and K in soil for crop use. The high pH and C content of the biochar and compost and the high cation exchange capacity of the biochar are good indicators of the potential of these materials to sustain soil health in terms of the liming effect of acid soils, nutrient and water retention, nutrient reserves, and a suitable habitat for microbial life. Moreover, the organic amendments contain reasonable amounts of macro- and micro-nutrients, which could be released to increase soil fertility. Despite these potential benefits, field application of these organic amendments is necessary to evaluate their effects on soil health and crop production in both the short and long term.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is two-fold: classifying non-Muslim halal fashion buyers by applying quantitative techniques and identifying the persuading determinants of the non-Muslim women’ halal fashion buying behaviour (HFBB).Design/methodology/approach: By adapting items from prior studies, a structured questionnaire was developed and distributed face-to-face to various Muslim fashion stores in Malaysia. After a one-month effort, 221 responses were obtained from non-Muslim consumers by using convenience sampling. Next, a clustering analysis was used to classify them from a contrasting perspective. Finally, regression and Andrew F. Hayes’s process procedures were applied to examine the three independent variables’ effect and the moderating variables.Findings: The results revealed the characteristic behaviour of the non-Muslim women explicitly, which is related to their halal fashion purchasing decision. Based on the ANOVA results, there were different motives for buying halal fashion by non-Muslim women. Additionally, it was found that the most crucial determinants for non-Muslim’s HFBB are “cultural adaptation”, albeit, there is no substantial proof of a significant moderating effect of age and income on the consumers.Research limitations/implications: These discoveries are advantageous for halal fashion retailers and provide an appealing domain for further investigations in the context of the global halal study.Practical implications: This study provided an idea for an untapped segment on the halal fashion sellers’ segmentation and positioning strategy. The study’s results suggested specific managerial and practical recommendation that the sellers can use to attract non-Muslim consumers.Originality/value: This study was amongst the uncommon investigations within the halal fashion context that will enlighten the managers’ selling strategy on the most neglected market segment. The results of this study provided an empirical understanding of how to sell halal fashion to non-Muslim consumers.

In the ever-changing sector of education, the use of technology has become critical to innovation and increased learning opportunities. This research illustrates the intricate connections that exist between augmented reality [AR] and tremendous educational attributes, thinking about how AR might modify conventional teaching approaches. The important motive is to offer an entire knowledge of how augmented fact influences crucial areas of the educational revel in. Utilizing a quantitative studies method, the study seems at how AR impacts pupil behavior, creativity, and instructional practices, in addition to the mediating and moderating elements that influence these relationships. An online questionnaire was used to collect data from 444 random samples. The relationships between AR, teacher competence, technology acceptance, and educational outcomes were examined. Data shows that augmented reality has a positive effect on creativity, student behavior, and teaching strategies. Teacher competence moderated these relationships, highlighting the critical role of teachers in successfully integrating augmented reality, while technology acceptance emerged as a significant mediator demonstrating the significance of user perceptions. This study has critical implications for educators, administrators, and policymakers interested in using AR to improve instructional development, as well as for the field of generation-infused schooling administration. Additionally, it advances theoretical frameworks through a better understanding of the complicated tactics that impact the uptake and acceptability of AR.