Let k ≥ 3 be a fixed integer and let Zk(G) be the number of k-colourings of the graph G. For certain values of the average degree, the random variable Zk(G(n,m)) is known to be concentrated in the sense that 1 n (lnZk(G(n,m)) − lnE[Zk(G(n,m))]) converges to 0 in probability [Achlioptas and Coja-Oghlan: Proc. FOCS 2008]. In the present paper we prove a significantly stronger concentration result...

Deforestation leads to the deterioration of soil fertility which occurs rapidly under tropical climates. Forest rehabilitation is one of the approaches to restore soil fertility and increase the productivity of degraded areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare soil biological properties under enrichment planting and secondary forests at Tapah Hill Forest Reserve, Perak aft...

Edamame soybeans are a speciality food item for fresh and processed markets and they are harvested at a physiologically immature (R6) stage. Bean leaf beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata, is a sporadic pest of soybean in Nebraska, however, its pest status and abundance has increased in the recent years due to an increase in soybean acreage. This was a field experiment aimed at determining the populatio...

A study was conducted in the Shandong province in North China to investigate the effects of different planting patterns on water potential characteristics of soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC) and yield of summer maize. Three planting patterns were applied, i.e. bed planting (BE), furrow planting (FU) and flat planting (FL). The results showed that although soil moisture content in 0–20 cm ...

eld to prepare for planting, while the tractor and crew on the right are planting trees. This method provides a weed-free soil immediately after planting for preemergence herbicide applications. W eeds reduce the value of nursery crops. They compete with crops for nutrients, light, and water. Some vine weeds climb nursery crops, requiring excessive labor for hand removal. Most serious are peren...

Film mulch has gradually been popularized to increase water availability to crops for improving and stabilizing agricultural production in the semiarid areas of Northwest China. To find more sustainable and economic film mulch methods for alleviating drought stress in semiarid region, it is necessary to test optimum planting methods in same cultivation conditions. A field experiment was conduct...

The importance of soil factors to the establishment of tree crops is well recognized by forest soil scientists and foresters. It has, however, been overlooked by far too many foresters responsible for major forestation projects. The soil factors found to be significant in the establishment of both planted stock and seedlings from natural or artificial seedf all are: texture and structure charac...

pre-planting exposure stress on two-year-old, bare-root Corsican pine (Pinus nigra Arnold. ssp. laricio var. Corsicana) seedlings. Seedlings were lifted from a nursery and exposed to ambient conditions for periods of up to 192 h before being planted in minirhizotrons. Exposure decreased seedling water potential, CO2 assimilation rate, leaf conductance and new root elongation, and increased mort...