Iris Publishers Agriculture Soil Science

  Physico-Chemical Properties, Functional Properties, and Chemical Compositions Of Ziziphus Mauritiana (Jujube) Seed Oil      Authored by Alawode Rahmatallah Adenike Abstract This study investigated the physico-chemical properties, functional properties, and chemical compositions of Ziziphus mauritiana (Jujube) seed oil using standard analytical methods. The results indicated that Jujube seed oil exhibited swelling capacity of 6.10±0.23 %, water absorption capacity of 20.22±0.45, oil absorption capacity of 18.53±0.43%, bulk density of 0.583±0.01%, gelatinization temperature of 72.34±1.67%, foaming stability of 56.36±0.12%, foaming capacity of 8.29±0.02%, emulsion ability of 30.21±0.13 and emulsion stability of 27.62±0.89. the oil also shows specific gravity of 0.913±0.08 Kg/L, acid value of 2.27±0.17 mgKOH/g, saponification value of 192.40±9.98 mgKOH/g, peroxide value of 2.22±0.12 mmol/Kg, free fatty acid of 1.14±0.09 % and iodine value of 66.74±4.29 g/100g. a tota...

  Whither Taxonomy? Authored by Jo Darlington In order to collate and interpret. observations - experimental or observational - it is vital to know the identity of the subject organism.   To achieve this, a taxonomic system was devised over several hundred years.   Descriptions of species range from a few words in Latin, to modern treatments with a full morphological description of a type specimen, supported by tables of measurements, line drawings to scale, and sometimes electron micrographs. But however inadequate the original description, the species name cannot be changed. It can be superseded by a published re-description of the original type specimen, or if that is lost or damaged, of a formally designated replacement type. Generic names, which define the group to which that species belongs, represent a particular expert’s opinion and can be changed by publishing a reasoned argument.   These two names, the Generic first (with a capital letter) then ...

  A Call for Holistic Soil Ecology Authored by   Barbara J Dilly The connections between agriculture, soil science, and human health have been well understood for centuries, but the development of state societies and market economies gradually segmented and subverted that knowledge into narrow specializations. Agriculture came under management of nation builders seeking to broaden productive capacities to further influence and power. Soil science was relegated to the laboratories and test plots of biology and chemistry in the adoption of hybrids and chemical fertilizers. Human health sciences compiled volumes of research on disease, which generated still more laboratory research on isolated cures through chemical intrusion. Despite of all this knowledge segregation, alternative agriculture and alternative health practitioners kept a holistic focus. But they were not the ones who set policy. In fact, they were labeled as subversives to civilization and its progress. Then a...