The present work was carried out to display in details the whole protocol for Stevia rebaudiana propagation through tissue culture techniques to produce and introduce Stevia rebaudiana plants as a new sweetener crop to Egyptian agriculture. In order to maximize plant propagation efficiently via direct organogenesis, it is important to study the influence of plant nutrient medium and its components at different levels. The study included the effect of MS salt strength and major elements containing medium at different levels on the in vitro growth and development of Stevia rebaudiana The best nutrient medium was MS at full salt strength or modified MS major elements at these levels (NH 4 NO 3 at 1237.5 mg/l , KNO 3 at 950 mg /l , MgSO 4 at 185 mg/l , CaCl 2 . 2H 2 O at 440 Mg/ l and KH 2 PO 4 at 85 mg/l) and minor elements supplemented with 30 g/l sucrose, 2 mg/l glycine , 0.5 mg/l pyrodoxine, 0.5 mg/l nicotinic acid, 0.1 mg /l thiamine and solidified with 1.5 g/ l agar + 1.5 g/l gelrite .The ex vitro plantlets were successfully acclimatized in planting medium containing peat , sand and vermoculite at equal volume. Hardening plants were cultivated under Sadat soil conditions (10 volume sand + 3 volume loam) which achieved good growth and these plants used as a source of vegetative propagation after 50 days by using terminal cuttings.
This investigation is aimed at determining the influence of agro-wastes as substrates on the nutritional quality of Pleurotus pulmonarius and Pleurotus ostreatus. Cassava peels, banana leaves and amended sawdust (sawdust mixed with rice bran in ratio 4:1) were used as growth substrates. Proximate and mineral analyses were carried out using DA 7250 NIR Analyzer and Atomic Absorption of Spectrophotometer machine (AA320N). Both species in amended sawdust had the highest stipe length and pileus diameter of the fruiting body. Starch was the most abundant proximate constituent in the two species. The starch was the most abundant proximate constituent in the two species but highest starch contents were observed in. P. pulmonarius grown in cassava peels substrate and P. ostreatus raised in banana leaves substrate. Fat appeared to be the lowest proximate constituent in the two species. Potassium was predominant among the minerals in both P. pulmonarius and P. ostreatus and the highest value (68.204 mg/L) was observed in P. ostreatus cultivated in amended sawdust. Other minerals varied considerably and as they were differential affected by the substrates. The mushrooms contained useful nutritional constituents however their quantities were influenced by the substrates used in raising them.
An industrial process such as wheat processing generates significant noise which can cause adverse effects on workers and the general public. This study assessed the noise level at a wheat processing mill in Ilorin, Nigeria. A portable digital sound level meter HD600 manufactured by Extech Inc., USA was used to determine the noise level around various machines, sections and offices in the factory at pre-determined distances. Subjective assessment was also mode using a World Health Organization (WHO) standard questionnaire to obtain information regarding noise ratings, effect of noise on personnel and noise preventive measures. The result of the study shows that the highest noise of 99.4 dBA was recorded at a pressure blower when compared to other machines. WHO Class-4 hearing protector is recommended for workers on the shop floor and room acoustics should be upgraded to absorb some sounds transmitted to offices.
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