In order to study the effect of combined fertilizer management of bio-fertilizer and chemical fertilizers on grain yield of two dill (Anethum graveolens L.) ecotypes, a field experiment was arranged in a factorial layout based on randomized complete block design with three replications in 2019 in Agricultural Research Farm of the University of Tabriz. The first factor includes two ecotype (C₁: Native of Tabriz and C₂: Varamin); while the second factor was composed of five fertilizers levels, namely control (N₀), chemical fertilizers (N₁), Enterobactercloacae S16-3 bacteria + half a chemical fertilizer (N₂), Piriformospora indica Fungi + half a chemical fertilizer (N₃) and combination of bacteria + fungi + chemical fertilizers (N₄). Although the highest yield and yield components were obtained for chemical fertilizers treatment (N₁), but there was no statistically significant difference with the combined treatment (N₄). The results also showed that the highest grain yield were obtained for N₄.The combined application of biofertilizers (growth-promoting bacteria and fungi) in addition to reducing chemical fertilizers (50%), led to high grain yield. Accordingly, the application of combined treatment (N₄) can be a suitable treatment for the cultivation of medicinal plants, including dill.

This paper examines how the livestock systems of a mountain municipality in South-East Albania are undergoing some pastures pressure demand due to the recent decentralization process of the management of state and communal pastures. Pastures are major resource for the development of the livestock activity in the selected area. The main hypothesis discussed in this article is that the lack of transitional institutions capable of properly applying the new government management regulations on pasture access for local farmers has exerted pressure and this, therefore, can cause problems of overgrazing if locally adapted governance rules are not improved. By using a mixed approach combining qualitative and quantitative data through interviews with national and local stakeholders, documents and field observation the discussion is done by comparing different parameters of the livestock systems related to the pastures access. In the considered case study, the pastures governance is complex since several modes of ownership and management coexist. According to the results, the government regulation of pastures increased the competition for their availability and access. Securing use rights for the local farmers will be crucial for sustainable pasture management in the long run period.

: The study examined factors that influence farmer’s awareness to renewable energy adoption in south-south Nigeria. The result showed that (44.09%) of respondents had high RE awareness, (27.80%) had medium awareness level about RE while (28.12%) of the respondent had low-level RE awareness. The empirical results from the analysis revealed that age, educational level and extension visit were significant at 1% level, cooperative membership was significant at 5% level while farm size and farm experience were significant at 10% level of probability. The result of the marginal effect analysis showed that the likelihood of being in the high, medium and low RE awareness group increases with increase in age, farm size, farm experience, cooperative membership and extension visit. The study therefore recommended that all relevant stakeholders should strive to provide farmers with renewable energy related extension messages.

Composts and biochar individually or in combination have been used for decades for improving soil quality and health. To date, very few studies have focused on the quality of food produced using compost-biochar mixtures. In this study, the use of biochar to improve the fertilization effect of composts and the quality of greenhouse-grown parsley was investigated by adding biochar to composts made from a mixture of broiler chicken wastes and sugar bagasse, sawdust, urban trees, napier grass or cotton residues. The addition of biochar to the composts, even in small amounts, influenced the yield and the quality of parsley. On average, the highest yields were obtained with the bagasse- and sawdust-biochar substrates; plants grown on the former and latter substrates had moderate levels of minerals and phenolic compounds, respectively. The tree-biochar substrate led to increased levels of phenolic compounds in parsley compared to all the other organic substrates. The flavonoid apigenin-7-apiosylglucoside was detected in high levels and was responsible for the excellent antioxidant activities of plants grown in soils amended with tree residues and biochar. The cotton-biochar substrate resulted in moderate antioxidant activities, while the addition of the napier substrate to soils did not improve the quality of parsley, irrespective of the amount of biochar. The results demonstrate that joint urban tree-based compost and biochar amendments can support the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds in greenhouse-grown vegetables. Among the five organic substrates tested, the tree-biochar mixtures showed the most favorable soil conditions for parsley growth.

To develop a cutting, harvesting, crushing or grinding machine, knowledge of crop physical and mechanical properties is needed. In this study, shear strength, shear energy and maximum shear force in cutting parsley stems have been examined. Cutting of multiple stems (8 stems) was performed by using blades with oblique angles of 0, 20, and 40 degrees. In order to examine the effect of stem arrangement in cutting operation, stems were placed in row and bundle arrangements. Statistical analysis showed that shear strength and maximum shear force decreased with increasing oblique angle. The average values of shear strength, specific cutting energy and maximum shear force for cutting 8 stems laid in row arrangement, using blade oblique angle of zero degrees, were 0.49 MPa, 2.25 mJ mm^-2 and 56.13 N, respectively, while at blade angle of 40 degrees the values were 0.19 MPa, 4.12 mJ mm^-2 and 18.2 N, respectively. Blade angle of 20 degrees is recommended as it does not require more cutting energy compared to zero degree and the shear force is reduced, which lessens the effect of impacts on the cutting system.

In order to achieve the complete separation of walnut shell and kernel, this paper aims to study the mechanical properties and cracking state of the shell surface of the Qingxiang walnut under unidirectional load. The goodness of fit (within 5%) of the spherical thin shell model was verified by the texture meter shell breaking experiment; A gradient decreasing distribution of shell stresses within the domain of load concentration forces was found by moment free theory and finite element simulation, and the internal forces are equal in all directions away from this domain; The fracture law of the shell surface along the grain was found by strength theory and solid fracture mechanics analysis; Finally, a walnut shell grasped by three-finger dexterous hand breaking experiment was designed to verify that the theoretical model in this paper is consistent with the actual walnut shell breaking state under unidirectional load, and the walnut cracks in the experiment are obvious, which is conducive to shell-kernel separation. The research results can provide a theoretical basis for the research and development of shell breaking machinery, and provide reference for the structural design and optimization of key components.

The issues related to the deepening problem of soil salinity constitute an important aspect of the protection of the natural environment globally. Therefore, new plant species and innovative solutions supporting the efficient cultivation of plants on saline lands are sought. The exogenous use of various phytoprotectants shows promising results in increasing plant resistance to environmental stresses. Quercetin is a strong antioxidant among phenolic compounds and plays a physiological and biochemical role in plants. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of an aqueous quercetin solution used in various concentrations (1.0%, 3.0% and 5.0%) on the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus of Andropogon gerardi (big bluestem) plants grown under salt stress (soil effect of sodium chloride (NaCl) at a concentration of 200 mM). The applications of the aqueous quercetin solution were carried out twice (on days 15 and 22 after plant emergence). Measurements of physiological processes (gas exchange, relative Chl content and Chl fluorescence) were performed four times on the first or second fully developed leaves: on the first and seventh days after each treatment. The foliar application of the aqueous quercetin solution significantly changed the relative chlorophyll content in the leaves (CCl), the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F_v/F_m, F_v/F₀ and PI) and the gas exchange parameters (P_N, E, g_s and C_i). Among the tested variants, compared to the control, the strongest stimulating effect on the course of physiological processes in the leaves of Andropogon gerardi was found for 3.0 and 5.0% of aqueous quercetin solution.

The permanence and sustainability of the agro-productive nodes in Sonora, Mexico are threatened by the climatic emergency and the conditioned use of water resources. In this scenario, some nodes tend to integrate and value various techniques, strategies, and practical approaches from an ecotechnological conception. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the diversification and understanding of the complexity of the inclusion of new activities of an Agroproductive Node with Sustainable Tendency (ANST) in Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico with a productive orientation of forage for hay. For the sustainable evaluation, a Braden scale was defined, in Braden Units (UB) interpreting the inter-monthly and seasonal changes of the landscape in the study node to identify the process of opening and adopting the strategic ecological management. New approaches are the inclusion of aridtourism with 23 ± 5.6 BU, haymaking and silage practices with minimum tillage of 18 ± 2.3 BU, the establishment of xeric organoponics with 47 ± 1.9 BU; the definition of buffer areas to protect wildlife 79 ± 6.7 UB; the use of rescue grazing 14 ± 2.8 BU, the care of Dynamic Pollination Zones 89 ± 5.6 BU; soil rescue and organic matter management 56.7 ± 3.4; the definition of grape cultivation with low water consumption and organic management 76.4 ± 4.8UB. Sustainable ecotechnological adoption is a process that represents restrictions and deficiencies that are being solved but necessary for the node to remain under the erratic and severe changes in climate and characteristics of water availability. The adoption process in the study node suggests that the complex, strategic and integrated nature of the SDG guideline and trend has been internalized in its redesign and is defined as a technical reference with potential for the conservation of natural resources from an original agricultural production plan

Industrial hemp, as a diverse plant, can be a revolutionary crop for a better future and for upcoming generations. It is an eco-friendly and worthwhile crop that complements sustainable growth system. Industrial Hemp farming has the potential to dramatically minimize the amount of carbon impact on the environment and can be cultivated with little or no usage of chemical pesticides or fertilizers. The advent of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis has significantly raised health awareness among the people fueling the growth of the hemp market at a great pace. The stalks, seeds, and leaves are converted into various construction materials, textiles, paper, food, furniture, cosmetics, healthcare products, and the list goes on. Bioplastics, Biofuels, and Biopesticides are some of the innovative applications of the plant which are subjects of research and debate at present times. It is a treasure not only for the industrial sector but also a dignified plant for sustainable farming systems. The benefits of industrial hemp cultivation will uplift the socio-economic level of the farmers globally and can even add to increasing the GDP per capita of the nations to a great extent .The future of the plant strongly depends on the market demand for its bio-based products that will help the plant to establish itself as a worthy sustainable crop.

Currently, the requirements of the Green Deal are especially relevant, due to which in the coming 2023 – 2027 years, consumption of fertilizers and crop protection products will have to be significantly reduced. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to ensure proper crop nutrition and protection, but this must be done in other, much more environmentally friendly ways. In order to meet all the necessary conditions for biomass cultivation, experiments are being carried out in the cultivation of multifunctional crops with increased biodiversity. One way to increase crops biomass production is to increase crop functionality, whereby the main crop is seeded together with other crops species. Such crops provide not only the main nutritional and/or feed products (grains, seeds, sugar), but also the secondary products, including yield wastes, which can be used to produce feeds and to others energetic purposes like biofuel.

A stationary field experiment was carried out at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University. Maize (Zea mays L.), industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.) as mono, binary and trinomial crops cultivations were investigated. The aim of the present investigation was to increase productivity of the mentioned cultivation by using inter-cropping. Data of 2021 is presented.

According to the results of investigations, crop diversification had a significant impact on the dry biomass of crops, and the best results were obtained in the trinomial maize x hemp x faba bean cultivation.