Magister Philosophiae - MPhil / Pd based membranes are known for their incredible selectivity towards H2. In order for Pd membranes to display high H2 selectivity, a defect free layer of Pd needs to be deposited onto a support. Although various fabrication techniques do exist, many researchers have attempted to produce defect free Pd-based films, using electroless plating. The first step in the preparation technique involves “seeding” of the support structure. Even though these seeds, if well distributed and anchored to the support, are crucial in order to obtain the defect free Pd layer, they hardly ever received attention from the science community. This thesis reports findings on various seeding methods as well as the resulting microstructures of the Pd films formed as a result of the type of seeding method employed. Finally the quality of the membranes using the most promising seeding technique was determined by subjecting the membranes to permeance tests with N2 at both high and low temperatures as well as with H2 at high temperatures.

Westbred 881 durum wheat commands a premium price due to its superior quality, but produces a lower yield than other commonly grown commercial cultivars. This study was initiated to improve our understanding of how best to manage Westbred 881. Two durum wheat cultivars (Westbred 881 and Aldura) were planted at 5 seeding rates (30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 lbs. seed/A), 5 row spacings (3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 inches), and two planting dates (Dec. 1 and Jan. 16) at the Maricopa Agricultural Center. Both cultivars produced optimum yields at seeding rates of 120 to 180 lbs/A for the Dec. 1 planting date. At the Jan. 16 planting date, however, yields of Westbred 881 increased linearly with seeding rate up to 240 lbs/A, while Aldura produced optimum yields between 120 and 180 lbs. seed/A. At the Dec. 1 planting date, Aldura produced similar yields at row spacings from 3 to 12 inches, while the yield of Westbred 881 decreased linearly with an increase in row spacing. The highest yield achieved in this study was with Westbred 881 at the 3 -inch row spacing. Row spacings of 6 to 12 inches were optimum for both Westbred 881 and Aldura at the Jan. 16 planting date. The seeding rate and row spacing responses attained with Westbred 881 may be related to its tittering characteristics.

Five varieties of durum wheat were evaluated at two different seeding rates, in cooperation with Pacheco Farm Management in Marana. Significant differences between varieties were observed in grain yield, plant height, lodging, bushel weight and protein level. No significant differences in yellow berry were observed between the varieties. The planting rates did not cause significant differences in grain yield nor in any of the other characteristics that were measured. There were no significant variety x planting rate interactions.

The one-irrigation barley variety Solum is adapted to wide row spacing, and sometimes yields higher in wide compared to narrow spacing. This study was initiated to determine the effect of row spacing and direction on Solum water use and yield components. Solum barley was planted at the Marana Agricultural Center at 6, 12, 18, and 24 inch row spacings in north-south and east -west rows in late November and late -February or early March over 2 growing seasons. Row spacing and direction had little effect on yield and yield components, water use, tillering, and light interception. Nevertheless, in some instances narrow row spacing resulted in more heads that were smaller and had lighter kernels than wide row spacing. We measured greater soil water depletion for the narrow row spacings at the late planting date one year due to greater stem density. The narrow rows intercepted more light than wide rows and the wide rows intercepted more light at solar noon in east-west compared to north -south rows. We were not able to confirm the theory that soil water is conserved in wide rows for use at more critical stages later in the season.