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Research Article
Study of Expoxidation of Allanblackia floribunda Seed Oil for Production of Epoxy Resin
Ngozi Jane Maduelosi*,
Fyneface Chuku,
Uzodinma Justice Okwechime
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, December 2023
Pages:
71-73
Received:
3 September 2023
Accepted:
16 October 2023
Published:
22 December 2023
Abstract: Hot water floatation method was used to extract oil from Allanblackia floribunda seeds. The oil was epoxidized in-situ, using hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid; with sulphuric acid as a catalyst, to produce epoxy resin for plastic industries due to its high oxidative stability, so as to serve as an alternative to environmental toxic synthetic epoxy resins. The physiochemical parameters of the epoxidized oil (specific gravity (S. G), cloud point, pour point, density, iodine value, flash point) were measured using standard methods of analysis. The results obtained show that the epoxidized oil has a blackish brown colour, solid at room temperature, with density and viscosity of 0.7998 g/mL and 9.78 Cst, respectively, at 60°C. The flash point was above 100°C, iodine value was 16.2 gI2/100 g, peroxide value was 0.65 Meq/g of sample, the acid value was 0.12 mg KOH of sample and the free fatty acid content was 0.06%. It was observed that at a minimal temperature of 60°C there was oxirane conversation. This was attributed to the low iodine, peroxide, free fatty acid values, and high flash point of the epoxidized oil compared to that of the un-epoxidized sample. This suggests that the oil can be used as stabilizer to reduce plastic degradation when exposed to sunlight and volatile compounds.
Abstract: Hot water floatation method was used to extract oil from Allanblackia floribunda seeds. The oil was epoxidized in-situ, using hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid; with sulphuric acid as a catalyst, to produce epoxy resin for plastic industries due to its high oxidative stability, so as to serve as an alternative to environmental toxic synthetic epoxy...
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Research Article
Evaluation Performance of Improved Sorghum Varieties (Sorghum Bicolor L. Moench.) and Their Response to Blended Fertilizer at Tole, Western Ethiopia
Segni Belissa*,
Temesgen Bacha
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, December 2023
Pages:
74-79
Received:
27 November 2023
Accepted:
19 December 2023
Published:
28 December 2023
Abstract: Lack of suitable varities and decline of soil can cause asubstantial yield loss in Sorghum in Ethiopia. An experiment was conducted at Tole Kebele 2022/2023 main cropping season. Three Sorghum Varieties (Merera, Jaba, Local) and Five rates of NPS fertilizer (0, 50, 100, 150,200 kg ha-1) were laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement with three replications. Days to heading (P>0.01) was signifantly affected by varities but not affected signifantly by NPS rate. The earliest day to head was recoreded at Jaba Variety while the longest day was recorded at local Variety. Plant height also Significantly affected by intrercation between Variety and NPS fertilizer rate. The highest (218.3 cm) plant height was recorded at Local with 200 kg ha-1NPS. Varierty and NPS was significantly affected by Panicle length. The height panicle length was recorded at Local varierty and 200 kg NPS. Leaf area was (P>0.001) affected by interaction between variety and NPS fertilizer rate. The Maximum leaf area (2549 cm2) was recorded at local variety with 200 kg while the lowest leaf area (1161 cm2) was recorded at Jaba variety with 0 NPS. Grain yeild is also (P>0.05) affected by interaction between Variety and NPS rate. the highest Grain yeild (2986 kg ha-1)was recorded at Merera variety with 200 kg ha-1 while the mimium yeild (1141 kg ha-1) was recorded at Jaba variety with 0 kg ha-1. Regarding economic analysis, the maximum (44678 Birr ha–1) net benefit and the maximum (161.16%) marginal rate of return (MRR) was recorded at the combination of merera 200 kg NPS and Jaba 200 NPS respectively.
Abstract: Lack of suitable varities and decline of soil can cause asubstantial yield loss in Sorghum in Ethiopia. An experiment was conducted at Tole Kebele 2022/2023 main cropping season. Three Sorghum Varieties (Merera, Jaba, Local) and Five rates of NPS fertilizer (0, 50, 100, 150,200 kg ha-1) were laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with ...
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Research Article
Periodic Biological, Yield, Nutrient Up Take and Use Efficiency of Bread Wheat as Influenced by NPSB and Urea Fertilize Rates in Gechi District, Southwestern Ethiopia
Alemayehu Abdeta*,
Solomon Tulu,
Gezahegn Berecha
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, December 2023
Pages:
80-92
Received:
28 November 2023
Accepted:
13 December 2023
Published:
28 December 2023
Abstract: Bread wheat is one of the major staple crops in Ethiopia. In Gechi district, the productivity of bread wheat is below its potential due to poor agronomic constraints and lower soil fertiity. Balanced fertilization is one of the vital tools to defeat soil fertility problems and is thus responsible for improved food production. An experiment was conducted to determine optimum rates NPSB and Urea fertilizers on growth, yield and nutrient uptake and use efficiency of bread wheat in Gechi district. Three rates of NPSB (50, 100, and 150 kg ha-1) and three rates of Urea (50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1) were deliberately combined and tested with control. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results of the experiment indicated that maturity date, spike length, grain yield, harvest index and number of seed spike-1 were significantly affected by only the main effects of NPSB and Urea. The longest days to maturity (133.22 days), spike length (7.11 cm), grain yield (5305.60 kg ha-1), harvest index (60.62%), and number of seed spike-1 (42.10 seed) were recorded at the highest rate of 150 fertilizer kg ha-1. Longest day to heading (66.67 days), plant height (91.67 cm). The maximum number of total tillers (7.50 par plant), productive tillers (3.61 plant), biomass yield (10737.3 kg ha-1), straw yield (4351.1 kg ha-1), were obtained at combining application of 150 kg ha-1 NPSB with urea kg ha-1. However, the higher value of Agronomic efficiency, physiological efficiency and Agronomic recovery of nitrogen was obtained at lowest Nitrogen rate. Theresult of economic analysis showed that combined application of 150 kg ha-1 NPSB and 100 Urea kg ha-1 of Urea gave economic benefit of 100328.24 Birr ha-1 with the marginal rate of return of 3838.76%. Thus, the use of 150 kg ha-1 of NPSB and 100 kg ha-1 of Urea can be recommended for better production of bread wheat in the study area.
Abstract: Bread wheat is one of the major staple crops in Ethiopia. In Gechi district, the productivity of bread wheat is below its potential due to poor agronomic constraints and lower soil fertiity. Balanced fertilization is one of the vital tools to defeat soil fertility problems and is thus responsible for improved food production. An experiment was cond...
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