The lime requirement (LR) in 39 surface acid soil samples (0–30 cm) from western Greece was calculated using a single-addition titration of successive 3-mL 0.022 M calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2]. Soil pH measurements and titrations were performed in soil/water (1:2) and in a soil/0.01 M CaCl2 (1:2) suspension while being stirred. The results were referred to as ‘pH data group I’ and ‘pH data group II’, respectively. In each ‘pH data group’, the samples were separated into ‘pH data subgroups’, according to the total volume (mL) of 0.022 M Ca(OH)2 added to increase the initial pH (pHa) to a target value of 6.5 (pHt). The fitted linear regression equation pHt = b × volume + pHa was used for each ‘pH data group’ to determine the slope b. The b-weighted mean for each ‘pH data group’ was calculated. The LR was then calculated as follows: Mg CaCO3 ha−1 = 0.495 (pHt – pHa)/b, where b is the average weighted mean from the two ‘pH data groups’ and is equal to 0.227. The validity of the above equation was confirmed after incubation with Ca(OH)2 for 72 h. This procedure is simple and gives a rapid and accurate estimation of LR with respect to the environment.
The purpose of this study is to describe an application that analyzes all the possible tasks a farmer makes in the field, from ploughing the soil, fertilization and use of herbicides, up to traceability of the agriculture products. Farmers are provided with smart phones and tablets for documenting their tasks and products in real time, so that they can use the Integrated Management System in an optimal way, ensuring practical, financial and environmental benefits. The agricultural products will be documented safely and stored in a central information point for future traceability. These documentations may follow the product till the consumer so that he has all the production information available. To achieve these goals a mobile information system is developed that includes amongst others decision support capabilities for the farmer. The system also offers mobile services so as to support the implementation of a whole network of producing units.
23 January 2012 in Journal of Medicinal Plants Research
Vanadium and Nickel may enter the human food chain through medicinal and culinary plants which in great doses are toxic to human, so it is important to determine their potential toxicity and health risk. Therefore, the objective of this work was to study the effects of Vanadium and Nickel on morphological characteristics and on Vanadium and Nickel uptake by shoots of mojito (Mentha × vilosa) and lavender (Lavandula anqustifolia). A completely randomized block design with five Vanadium treatments (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 mg V L-1) and five replications per treatment and another one with five Nickel treatments (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg Ni L-1) and five replications per treatment for mojito and lavender were conducted in pots. No visible toxic or inhibitory symptoms were observed on the plants due to the increasing amounts of Vanadium or Nickel. Shoot dry matter and root dry matter of mojito and lavender decreased with increasing Vanadium rates. Vanadium uptake by shoots of mojito and lavender increased linearly with increasing Vanadium rates. Nickel uptake by shoots of lavender increased linearly with increasing rates of Nickel. Mojito is a Nickel accumulator.