This study examined the impact of aluminium doping on the structural, electrical, and magnetic properties of Li(0.5)Co(0.75)AlxFe(2−x)O4 spinel ferrites (x =0.15 to 0.60). The samples were synthesised using the sol-gel auto-combustion technique, and they were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dielectric measurements, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). All samples possessed a single-phase cubic spinel structure with Fd-3m space group, according to XRD analyses. SEM images showed the creation of homogeneous particles with an average size of about 21 nm. All samples had spinel ferrite phases, confirmed from FTIR spectra. DC electrical conductivity studies showed that the conductivity increased with increasing aluminium content up to x = 0.45 before dropping at x = 0.60. The maximum saturation magnetization value was found at x = 0.45, according to VSM measurements, which demonstrated that the magnetic characteristics were strongly correlated with the amount of aluminium.
The growing of plants hydroponically is a soilless form of growing in modern day agriculture. It helps to make feed available for animals throughout the season since it is not affected by what is faced by field grown crops. The use of animal waste, that is, their faeces, in the growth of forage was compared with commercial hydroponics solutions as a way of looking for a reduction in the cost incurred in the purchase of commercial hydroponics solutions. The study evaluated the use of organic nutrient solutions (ONS) alongside a standard/commercial nutrient solution in growing crops hydroponically on the growth, dry matter yield, water use efficiency, and chemical composition of hydroponic maize fodder. The ONS used were formulated from the dried faeces of cattle, poultry, rabbits, and swine. The prepared organic nutrient solutions with the control were used in growing the maize seeds for 10 days, and growth, yield, and chemical composition were determined. Results show the highest (196 g) dry matter yield for maize hydroponic fodder irrigated with poultry ONS. Similarly, maize irrigated with poultry ONS was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in CP content, while it was not significantly different from maize irrigated with cattle, swine, and commercial solutions. A lower water use efficiency value (0.19 kg DM/m3) was recorded for maize irrigated with cattle ONS. According to the study, irrigating maize with different organic nutrient solutions produced maize fodder with a higher yield and a similar chemical composition as the commercial nutrient solution.
This work was carried out with the purpose of generating ecological and silvicultural information oriented to sustainable management. The horizontal structure was evaluated using the importance value index of Curtis and Macintosh, the vertical structure using Finol’s methodology. Through the sociological position index, the percentage natural regeneration and the extended importance value index were estimated in order to infer the permanence of the forest ecosystem. The floristic composition was represented by species of the families Anacardiaceae, Apocynaceae, Fabaceae, Santalaceae, Rhamnaceae, Sapotaceae, Simarubaceae, Ulmaceae, Zygophyllaceae, Capparidaceae, Borraginaceae and Achatocarpaceae. In the horizontal structure, the species with the highest rank was Acacia praecox, followed in order of importance by Schinopsis balansae, Aspidosperma quebracho blanco and Prosopis kuntzei. According to sociological position, Acacia praecox was the most representative species, followed by Patagonula americana, Schinus longifolius, Proposis kuntzei and Aspidosperma quebracho blanco. The species with the best regeneration values were Achatocarpus nigricans and Acacia praecox in the shrub layer and Patagonula americana in the tree layer. The extended importance index consolidated the category of Acacia praecox in the community and gave a better category to Schinopsis balansae, Aspidosperma quebracho blanco, Prosopis kuntzei and Patagonula americana.
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