Abstract: Summertime weeds as Digitaria sanguinalis in many agro-ecosystems exist. In several cases, a well-defined weed control could be able to predict the seed emergence, to know the physiological status of the seeds in the soil bank, as well as, the factors that control and involving their germination. The goal of this work is to establish a relationship between the thermal properties and the process where the seeds start to be viable. In this study, a soil column device refilled with a calcareous silt loam soil was used, and two split seeds groups of Digitaria sanguinalis were buried at two height levels inside the column. The soil was monitored to determine the volumetric water content, temperature and thermal properties. Preliminary results allowed a rather complete understanding of the effect of the thermal flux on Digitaria sanguinalis seeds. The outcomes about the distribution of water content in the soil profile joint to thermal dataset allowed investigating into the variability of these properties and their relationships among them for this type of soil at laboratory scale.

Abstract: Utilization and harvesting practices of medicinal plants used by local people of Ghughri block in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh was studied through questionnaire survey. The study resulted in the documentation of 43 medicinal plants of these 95% was used by traditional healers for curing various diseases. Tree species were used in maximum cases, followed by herbs and shrubs. Tree bark was the most used plant part for medicinal purpose, followed by root. In all studied villages, the quantities of medicinal plants collection for own consumption was higher than the quantity collected for sale. Species like Embilica officinalis, Terminalia bellirica, Aegle marmelos, Semecarpus anacardium, Buchanania lanzan, Terminalia chebula, and Syzygium cumini were mainly used by local people for own consumption and not for sale. There was almost consistency in collection of medicinal plants across the studied villages however the collection was determined by the season of species availability. Some species being rare and found in limited area was either not collected or collected by a few villagers. The findings of the study are further discussed in the sustainability perspective of medicinal plants and traditional healing systems.

Abstract: Taxonomy and medicinal uses on the family Amaranthaceae growing throughout the Rajshahi, Bangladesh was carried out during September 2011 to December 2012. A total of 14 species under 8 genera belonging to the family Amaranthaceae were collected and identified. Out of the total number of species Achyranthes aspera L., Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult., Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb., Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. Ex Roem. & Schult., Amaranthus spinosus L., Amaranthus viridis L., Amaranthus livids L., Amaranthus tricolor L., Amaranthus blitum L., Celosia cristata L., Gomphrena globosa L. were common and Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume., Digera muricata (L.) Mart., Gomphrena celosioedes Mart. was rare species in the study area. For each species botanical name, local name, habit, habitat, phenology, status of occurrence, chromosome number and medicinal uses have been mentioned.

Abstract: There are three variables measured for the characterization of the thermal properties in porous media and soft rocks. These are the specific variables: heat capacity, thermal conductivity and their relationship with the thermal diffusivity. Recently, Decagon Devices has developed the KD2-Pro meter. This instrument is a useful device, which permits storing more than 4000 thermal data. This company has also improved the design of sensors for their specific use. KD2-Pro uses the infinite line heat pulse technique based on current standard ASTM D 5334. Nevertheless, it is not clear how to obtain the required reliability and accuracy in the measurements since neither the standard nor manufacturer’s user manual include any method or recommendation to develop a measuring set up. Therefore, a strong methodology is required to achieve the maximum efficiency when KD2-Pro is used. This work presents ThermalHyd as the first "stadium" towards the development of a laboratory and field methodology to obtain reliability, accuracy and rapidity in the analytical dataset of thermal properties in porous media and soft rocks. To carry out the objective several soils from Llobregat river delta plain were used to obtain very acceptable results such as the wetting up samples, being the static method more accurate than dynamic one. Another results were based on the mineralogy of the samples in terms to transferred the heat pulse. Eventually, the microwave oven as a technic to obtain reliable water content dataset was a robust method, especially for its accuracy and faster performance.

Abstract: Agrochemicals are the result of modern technology that depends on inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. Over use of these chemicals have severe effects on environment that may lead to an immediate and long term effects. Investigating farmers’ awareness of agrochemicals residues and their behaviors regarding application is important in order to reduce human factors that negatively affect agricultural safety. This study focuses on a summary of both national and international studies regarding the effects of pesticide and chemical fertilizer residues on nature, as well as farmers’ awareness of these effects. This research incorporates the actual performance of farmers of Rupandehi district on the issue of agrochemicals.