Fertiliser application strategies for maize (Zea mays L.) production on sandy soils under high rainfall regimes need to be carefully designed to minimise nutrient losses through leaching and maximise crop yield. Experiments were conducted to determine N, P, and K leaching in sandy soils with 3-6% clay in surface layers under maize production, and the effectiveness of different N, P, and K fertiliser timing and splitting strategies on leaching of N, P, and K and on maize yield. In a column experiment on an Oxic Paleustult (Korat series) with 3% clay, leaching of N, P, and K from fertiliser (114N-17P-22K in kg ha -1 ) was significant under simulated rainfall, but decreased to negligible levels with 3-5 split applications of fertiliser. Maize N and K uptake increased with 3-5 split applications, but not P uptake. Despite continued intense rainfall and further fertilizer additions, leaching was not recorded after day 30, and this was attributed to the effect of plant water uptake on reducing deep drainage. Split applications of fertilizer maintained NP and K in the 0-30 cm layer during 30-60 days when maize nutrient demand was likely to be at its highest, while in the recommended fertilizer regime NPK in the surface layers declined after 30 days. In a field experiment on an Oxic Paleustult (Korat series) with 6% clay, 3-4 splits of fertiliser increased N and K uptake and increased maize yields from 3.3 to 4.5 Mg ha -1 . Postponing basal fertiliser application from pre-planting to 7-15 days after emergence increased uptake of N, P, and K and grain yield emphasising the greater risk of nutrient losses from fertiliser applied at planting than later. Strategies designed to reduce the amount of nutrients applied as fertiliser at planting, such as split application and postponing basal application can decrease the risk of leaching of N, P, and K from fertiliser and improve nutrient use efficiency, and grain yield of maize on sandy soils under high growing season rainfall regimes.

This in vivo experiment was carried out at Sakhon Nakhon Rajabhat University, Sakhon Nakhon Province, Thailand during March-October 2013. The study aims to search for some possibilities in inducing a large number of tetraploid sets of chromosomes in tangerine citrus seedlings with the use of colchicine chemical. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications was used. Seeds of tangerine citrus were treated with colchicine solutions. The experiment consisted of seven treatments, i.e., T1 with 0.0% colchicine (control), T2 with 0.2% colchicine solution and submerged for 12 h, T3 with 0.2% colchicine solution and submerged for 24 h, T4 with 0.4% colchicine solution and submerged for 12 h, T5 with 0.4% colchicine solution and submerged for 24 h, T6 with 0.8% colchicine solution and submerged for 12 h, T7 with 0.8% colchicine solution and submerged for 24 h. The experiment was conducted for 91 days. The results showed that colchicine compound severely and significantly affected germination of tangerine citrus seeds. Colchicine of 0.2% in the solution with seeds submerged for 24 h gave the highest percentages of tetraploid chromosomes in seedlings of tangerine citrus (63.64%). Colchicine significantly affected seed germination, plant height, stomata density and leaf index of the tangerine citrus seeds and seedlings. Colchicine had no significant effect on poly-embryos, mono-embryos, leaf number, leaf area, leaf weight, leaf length and stomata length of the tangerine citrus seedlings.

Study for investigated the optimum photoperiod from blue LED light for the growth of Chlorella vulgaris in culture tank. Photoperiods from blue LED Light (Light/Dark) were set up at 24:0, 16:8 and 12:12 h. The initial number of C. vulgaris cells was 1.6 x 105 ± 0.12 cells mL-1. Culture medium was using commercially available fertilizers. After 17 days of cultivation, the results showed that the 24:0 h photoperiod had better growth of algae than 16:8 and 12:12 h, with maximum number of cells of 1.64 x 107 ± 0.23 cells mL-1 specific growth rate (SGR) was 0.17 ± 0.05, -0.06 ± 0.11 and -0.19 ± 0.1% day-1 with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in day 5 of cultivation. The stationary phase continued up to day 3 of cultivation, between the treatment. The optimum temperature for growth ranged from 35.5–38.5°C. The results showed that blue LED lighting at 24:0 h is the optimum photoperiod for cultivation of C. vulgaris. Keywords: Photobioreactor tank, Photoperiod, Blue LED light, Chlorella vulgaris, Growth rate

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