SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

Sugar beet is a crop able to resist high levels of soil salinity after emergence and establishment. Considering the significant difference in the effect of nitrogen forms on sugar beet performance under normal conditions, the form of nitrogen may affect the performance of sugar beet plants under abiotic stress, particularly salinity. Additionally, exploring the most appropriate type of nitrogen for sugar beet could mean optimizing sucrose content. Therefore, here using two lines, sugar beet was grown in pots (filled with 4 kg soil), salt-resistance (line 7233- p.29 x Mst), and salt-sensitive (line 3929-21939), the effect of two different forms of nitrate in the form of calcium nitrate (1 g per pot) and ammonium in the form of ammonium sulfate (1 g per pot) under normal and salt stress condition (40 Millimoles per liter sodium chloride) were evaluated. The result revealed the positive influence of nitrate over ammonium by indicating higher dry weight in both sensitive line: 19.2 and 13.6 g, and tolerance line: 20.4 and 13.6 g, respectively alone and in combination with salinity stress. Similarly, root yield levels positively influenced by nitrate treatment either alone or under salinity stress (sensitive line: 194.5 and 243.2 g and tolerance line: 207 and 249.5 g). The outcomes additionally showed the accumulation of proline aerial parts in both lines, and however, the proline accumulation of sensitive line was higher (3.9 mg/g dry weight). Moreover, induction of proline aggregation was considerably higher in nitrate nitrogen-treated sensitive line (9.3 mg/g dry weight). The absence of significant difference was obseved between nitrogen treatments in terms of extractable sucrose and root molasses sugar. Also, the root impurities increased in those treated with nitrate-nitrogen and salinity. It can be concluded that nitrate-nitrogen has improved the performance of both sugar beet lines against salinity stress, and its practical application is adviseable.

Background: The University of Ilorin, founded in 1975 in Nigeria, has evolved from 3 to 16 faculties, becoming the country's most sought-after institution for the past two decades. Aims: To document the institutional evolution, identify the most demanded programs, assess scientific output, examine internationalization strategies, and understand strategic development objectives. Methods: Structured interview with Vice-Chancellor Dr. Olubumi Abayomi Omotesho, following a standardized protocol covering historical, academic, scientific, and strategic aspects of the institution, under Creative Commons license format. Results: The university expanded to 16 faculties in 49 years. The most demanded programs are Medicine and Nursing, followed by Pharmacy, Law, Engineering, and Accounting. Areas with the highest scientific output: Medicine, Biological/Agricultural Sciences, and Engineering. It offers 340 postgraduate programs with approximately 7,523 students. There is a dedicated infrastructure for internationalization, with plans for international accommodations. Discussion: The predominance of healthcare courses reflects global employability trends. Research aligned with Sustainable Development Goals demonstrates a contemporary vision. The institutional goal (number one in Nigeria, top 10 in Africa, top 500 globally) shows a measurable strategic approach. Commitment to internationalization aligns with global education trends. Conclusions: The institution exemplifies an evolving African university focused on academic excellence, scientific relevance, and internationalization. The prioritization of student-centered development, clear positioning goals, and international collaboration initiatives establish solid foundations for its contribution to regional and global knowledge.

Background: A new management model for construction and demolition waste (CDW) was proposed for the city of Rio de Janeiro, hence waste the city planning area estimated generation; the results were compared with the data published by COMLURB and SNIS through the statistics tests was proved that CDW had been dispersed, which support the hypothesis that the current model cause dispersion of the rubble. Aim: This study proposes a new management model for CDW to the city, according to regions where occur the higher production of rubble. Methods: The estimation of rubble was obtained through the issued licenses from 2006 to 2020 published by SMPU. The quantification of rubble in the city was carried out by adopting the generation indicator from licensed construction activities. The amount of CDW published by COMLURB and SNIS was compared through statistics tests ANOVA and T-Test, the second period from 2006 to 2020 and 2011 to 2020. To measure the area to implant a CDW recycling plant, criteria from production capacity were used. Results: ANOVA test to data from 2006 to 2020 and 2011 to 2020, according to a confidence interval of 95%, found the P value 0.589 and 0.022, respectively, it was verified that the significant difference is between data from COMLURB and Estimated. The T-test was applied from the same period in data from SNIS and estimated the P values 0.399 and 0.014. Discussion: The data from Estimating between 2006 and 2020 showed the best representation. The Área de Planejamento – AP (Planning Area) 4 was where 50.70% of the total rubble, after the AP 3 with 17.66%, the AP 5 was estimated at 16.59%, last of all, AP 2 and AP 1 were calculated the generation of 8.28% and 6.77%, respectively. Therefore, sizing the CDW recycling producing 361,99.00 tons per year demands an area of 32,397.50 m². Conclusions: It was concluded that the receipt of CDW in transfer stations managed by COMLURB is not allowed; therefore, the need to create a construction waste recycling plant was presented, to this end, it is necessary to have an available area of approximately 32,397.50 m².