This study was conducted to investigate the effect of final molasses wastewater treated with purple nonsulfur bacteria (Rhodobacter sphaeroides) (PTB) on the growth and quality of spinach. More than 1:100 dilution of PTB did not inhibit the germination of spinach seeds. The application of the 1:100 dilution of PTB significantly improved both growth and quality of spinach compared to application of dilution of final molasses wastewater (Pre-PTB) or distilled water. This result showed that the application of PTB was more effective than the application of Pre-PTB. Moreover, the application of PTB tended to increase sugar and ascorbic acid contents of spinach in unsterilized sandy soil rather than in sterilized sandy soil. This suggests that the effect of application of PTB may be influenced by microorganisms in the sandy soil.

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To maintain slender spindle bush type of peach 'AB-1' ('Akatsuki' x unknown Banto) trees grafted on vigorous root-stocks (Prunus persica Batsch. wild form), summer and winter pruning were conducted by using nine-year-old trees. Summer pruning was performed in late July after fruit were harvested, while winter pruning in January. Total weight of pruned shoots was smaller in summer-pruned trees than in winter-pruned. Summer pruning caused earlier shoot and fruit (ovary) growth in the following spring. The mineral nutrient and carbohydrate contents in the new leaves and stems were higher in summer-pruned trees. Fruit growth was slightly greater and yield greater in summer-pruned trees. In contrast to crowded shoots of winter-pruned trees, improved light penetration in relation to reduced shoot growth as a result of summer-pruning of the previous year seemed to accelerate fruit maturation and result in higher Brix content and lower titratable acidity of their harvested fruit. Thus, summer pruning in late July after fruit harvest is a useful practice for maintaining slender spindle bush type of peach trees grafted on vigorous rootstocks. However, it seems that this practice is only applicable for early maturing varieties.

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The effects of temperature, light and the scale-leaf on the sprouting of Chinese water chestnut tuber (Eleocharis tuberosa Roem) were investigated. Tubers were harvested every one month from Oct. to Feb., and scale-leaves were removed (RS) for one halves of them and another one was not removed (Cont.). Sprouting test was carried out in an incubator at 15, 20, 25 and 30℃ under dark condition. Sprouting occurred from Dec. in Cont. and from Nov. in RS. Speed and rate of sprouting were highest at 25℃ regardless of with or without scale-leaves. The effects of scale-leaves and light on sprouting of tubers were examined. Tubers were harvested on Mar. Speed and rate of sprouting were higher in RS and in top of sprout appeared tubers than control. Sprouting speed was hastened by dark condition.

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Germination time, flowering period, harvest time, tree growth, yield and fruit quality were investigated using 4 blueberry cultivars and 3 soil types from Shimane prefecture. 1. The soil pH of Andosol shifted slightly above the appropriate range for blueberries during the first half of the growing period. The soil pH of the other soils shifted slightly but remained within the appropriate range. 2. There was no difference in ecological characteristic detected among the 3 soils. 3. Tree volume of 'Woodard', 'Tifblue' and 'Northland' in the third year after transplanting were largest in clay soil, while that of 'Rancocas' was the smallest in clay soil and largest in Andosol. 4. Fruit set next the year after transplanting. The yield per tree of 'Woodard' and 'Northland' was highest in clay soil during the third year, while that of 'Tifblue' and 'Rancocas' was highest in Masa soil and Andosol, respectively. 5. Soluble solid contents of the fruit in 'Tifblue' and 'Rancocas' cultivated in clay soil were higher than those in Andosol. There were no other differences in fruit quality among the 3 soils. These results indicate that if soil pH shifts within the appropriate range, 'Woodard', 'Tifblue' and 'Northland' can be cultivated economically even in clay soil.

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A study was performed to assess the modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) effect on the color development of hot water treated cherry tomato. Mature green cherry tomato fruits were treated in hot water for 90 min at 39℃ and then stored in different size of micro perforated polypropylene films to generate a range of modified atmosphere at 15℃ for 10 days. Individually, heat-treatment inhibited the color development by 34%, and modified atmosphere (5% O_2 + 4.6%CO_2) generated in the smallest film did 43% whereas combination of these two treatments suppressed 59% of color development. It shows that the combination of hot water treatment (HWT) and MAP can delay the color development of cherry tomato more than their individual use. Our results indicate that modified O_2 is the dominant factor and 9% O_2 is lower enough to achieve the utmost benefit from the combination. Our results also suggest that the combination technique may have potential for the preservation of harvested ripening products at least of tomato fruits.

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The objective of this study was to predict the changes of temperature distribution in a strawberry fruit stored in Wrapper Type Cold Store. Heat and mass transfer model was developed and solved numerically using the Runge-Kutta-Gill method and the finite element method (FEM). Predicted cooling curves of strawberry fruit in Wrapper Type Cold Store agreed well with observed data. It was concluded that the developed model was useful for cooling time and cooling rate predictions.

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To increase the attention paid to the poor in development policy and action, it is important to address conditions leading to poverty in rural areas. Over 80 percent of Bangladesh's population lives in rural areas, where poverty is a very common problem. The present study examines the poverty conditions in rural Bangladesh from 1974 to 1999. The study shows that the rate of poverty is clearly higher in rural areas than in urban areas, and also that poverty lines vary from region to region. The present study also addresses the various definitions and metrics of poverty. Without a definition of poverty and appropriate measure, it is difficult to determine the intensity of efforts needed to alleviate poverty.

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