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Utilizing cactus pear pruning residuals as sustainable growing media for containerized basil
The increasing interest in sustainable and cost-effective options for containerized plant cultivation has driven research into the use of agricultural by-products and waste as alternative growing media. Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) pruning residuals, abundant in Mediterranean regions, represent a potential renewable resource. This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of cactus pear pruning residuals, enriched with calcium (Ca²âº), iron (Fe²âº and Fe³âº) ions, as a growing medium for basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cultivation, with a focus on plant growth. From pots under greenhouse conditions, growth parameters (plant height, leaf area, number of leaves), chlorophyll content (SPAD), phosphorus availability in substrates (Olsen), and volatile compounds in leaves (HS-SPME coupled with GC-MS) were measured. Results suggest that incorporation of Ca- and Fe-enriched substrates significantly improved basil growth, with leading to better nutrient assimilation and higher growth metrics (plant height +23%; number of leaves +17%; leaf area +67%) compared to the untreated cactus pear substrate. Plants grown in Fe-enriched substrates exhibited increased plant height (+14%), leaf area (+48%), and number of leaves (+14%), along with improved phosphorus availability, compared to Ca.sup.2+ enrichments. The addition of 5% Fe.sup.3+ enriched cactus pear to the substrate resulted in increased plant height (+20%), number of leaves (+22%), and leaf area (+29%) compared to the control. Cactus pear pruning residuals, when enriched with Fe.sup.3+, show significant promise as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional growing media for basil cultivation, particularly in Mediterranean environments.
Journal Article
On the steppes of dreams
'On the Steppes of Dreams' is the latest collection of 'dreamscapes' by Basil Pao. Designed as a companion piece to his previous book 'Carnival of Dreams' (2023) - which chronicled, from his first album cover and early cut and paste collages to the current CGI enhanced digital images of his photomontage work over a period of 50 years. This book completes the circle and concludes the story of his surrealist/magic-realism imagery with a chapter of tributes to the group of artists who had inspired and influenced his work.
BOOK
Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, and the transformation of divine simplicity
Divine simplicity is the idea that, as the ultimate principle of the universe, God must be a non‐composite unity not made up of parts or diverse attributes. The idea was appropriated by early Christian theologians from non‐Christian philosophy and played a pivotal role in the development of Christian thought. Andrew Radde‐Gallwitz charts the progress of the idea of divine simplicity from the second through the fourth centuries, with particular attention to Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nyssa, two of the most subtle writers on this topic, both instrumental in the construction of the Trinitarian doctrine proclaimed as orthodox at the Council of Constantinople in 381. He demonstrates that divine simplicity was not a philosophical appendage awkwardly attached to the early Christian doctrine of God, but a notion that enabled Christians to articulate the consistency of God as portrayed in their scriptures. Basil and Gregory offered a unique construal of simplicity in responding to their principal doctrinal opponent, Eunomius of Cyzicus. Challenging accepted interpretations of Cappadocian brothers and the standard account of divine simplicity in recent philosophical literature, Radde‐Gallwitz argues that Basil and Gregory's achievement in transforming ideas inherited from the non‐Christian philosophy of their time has an ongoing relevance for Christian theological epistemology today.
eBook
The last emperor revisited : behind-the-scenes
In July 1986, Basil Pao joined the multi-national cast and crew in Beijing for the filming of Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor. His principal role in the production was to appear as the young emperor Pu Yi's father Prince Chun. But he also served as a 3rd Assistant Director and Special Stills Photographer. This book is a true behind-the scenes look at the making of the epic, now legendary film through the exquisite eye of a photographer who had unlimited access to everyone and everything everywhere. The images feature an international cast of characters contributing to the creation of the masterpiece, from the director, the filmmakers and actors, to the farmers, workers and students from in and around Beijing who had been recruited as extras because they had interesting, often striking faces. It contains over 250 photographs, including some of Pao's most stunning and iconic images of the film, along with a treasure trove of never-been-seen' pictures captured during the filming in Beijing and in Italy. In Pao's own words: “It is the chronicle of a truly extraordinary experience that completely changed my life.”
Book
Impact of Aloe vera gel coating enriched with basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) essential oil on postharvest quality of strawberry fruit
Strawberries are very perishable and decay rapidly after harvest. Among the several preservation techniques, application of edible coating is found to be an effective way to extend the fruits shelf life and has gained lots of attentions in the recent years. In the present study, the effect of
Aloe vera
gel coating alone and combined with basil essential oil in 500 and 1000 µL L
− 1
concentrations on the postharvest qualities of strawberry fruit was investigated. After treatment, the fruit were stored at 4 °C and 85% relative humidity for 12 days. The surface morphology of samples was also studied by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the coating treatments had a significant effect on the respiration rate of the fruit, delayed weight loss, softening, and fungal growth. Besides, the treatments led to maintain the total acidity, flavor index,
L
*, and hue° color values and sensory attributes without affecting total soluble solids, and pH of strawberries during storage. The efficacy of treatments enhanced in the samples where
Aloe vera
gel was combined with basil oil specially at 1000 µL L
− 1
of basil oil. Thus, the edible coating prepared from the combination of
Aloe vera
gel and basil oil could be a promising postharvest treatment for maintaining the quality of strawberry fruit during cold storage.
Journal Article
Tulsi - Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons
The predominant cause of global morbidity and mortality is lifestyle-related chronic diseases, many of which can be addressed through Ayurveda with its focus on healthy lifestyle practices and regular consumption of adaptogenic herbs. Of all the herbs used within Ayurveda, tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn) is preeminent, and scientific research is now confirming its beneficial effects. There is mounting evidence that tulsi can address physical, chemical, metabolic and psychological stress through a unique combination of pharmacological actions. Tulsi has been found to protect organs and tissues against chemical stress from industrial pollutants and heavy metals, and physical stress from prolonged physical exertion, ischemia, physical restraint and exposure to cold and excessive noise. Tulsi has also been shown to counter metabolic stress through normalization of blood glucose, blood pressure and lipid levels, and psychological stress through positive effects on memory and cognitive function and through its anxiolytic and anti-depressant properties. Tulsi's broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, which includes activity against a range of human and animal pathogens, suggests it can be used as a hand sanitizer, mouthwash and water purifier as well as in animal rearing, wound healing, the preservation of food stuffs and herbal raw materials and traveler's health. Cultivation of tulsi plants has both spiritual and practical significance that connects the grower to the creative powers of nature, and organic cultivation offers solutions for food security, rural poverty, hunger, environmental degradation and climate change. The use of tulsi in daily rituals is a testament to Ayurvedic wisdom and provides an example of ancient knowledge offering solutions to modern problems.
Journal Article