Chemical Composition Of Grain Research Articles

Relationships Between Photosynthetic Efficiency and Grain Antioxidant Content of Barley Genotypes Under Increasing Nitrogen Rates

Nitrogen fertilization may affect the functioning of photosynthesis as well as the chemical composition and antioxidant potential of cereal grains. Little is known about the relationship between the efficiency of photosynthesis and the content of phenolic compounds in barley grain, especially in conditions of varying nitrogen availability. In this regard, a field experiment was conducted to examine the responses of two primary barley genotypes with elevated phenolic compound content (TPC) in grain and an intensive modern cultivar H. v. vulgare with high protein content to increasing nitrogen fertilization (rates of 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha−1) during the study years, which differed in terms of hydrothermal conditions. The leaf greenness index (SPAD) and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were evaluated on three occasions throughout the growing season. Following the harvest, the chemical composition of the grains, including phenolic acids, flavonoids and antioxidant potential, was evaluated. The antioxidant potential and chemical composition of the grain, including TPC and protein content, depended to the greatest extent on genetic and environmental factors, and only then on nitrogen fertilization. Nitrogen increased the TPC content and antioxidant capacity ABTS+ of the grains of all studied genotypes and the protein content in H. v. vulgare grain. Rates of 60 and 90 kg N ha−1 resulted in a significant increase in the SPAD, PIabs and Fv/Fm in BBCH 34 and 57. A positive correlation was confirmed between the SPAD and PIabs and the content of TPC and ABTS+ in the grain. The dependence of qualitative characteristics on the Fv/Fm was also demonstrated. The primary genotypes are characterized by a greater genetic potential for the synthesis of phenolic compounds than the modern cultivar H. v. vulgare. The synthesis of phenolic compounds, and thus their accumulation in the grain, is clearly stimulated by unfavorable environmental factors and moderate nitrogen rates and depends on the chlorophyll content in the leaves and the efficiency of photosynthesis. N fertilization has a beneficial effect on the content of phenolic compounds in grain resulting from the improvement in the SPAD and PIabs. The chemical composition of grain and the increase in antioxidant potential are determined by the Fv/Fm, which is low under hydrothermal stress conditions.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae CCMA 0159 showed a high capacity to inhibit OTA-producing Aspergillus species.

The use of yeast to biologically control the production of ochratoxin A, which is caused by filamentous fungal growth, in coffee farms is a promising alternative to conventional methods. However, yeast strains, environmental field conditions, and the chemical composition of grains / fruits can influence the effectiveness of biological control agents. We tested the efficiency of different yeast strains in controlling three species of ochratoxigenic fungi in a coffee-based medium. The reasons and mechanisms behind the varying sensitivities of different Aspergillus species to biological control remains unclear. Aspergillus carbonarius rapidly assimilated carbon sources, giving it an advantage over yeasts in substrate colonisation. Saccharomyces cerevisiae CCMA 0159 inhibited all three fungal species, achieving efficiencies of 74.4%, 100%, and 80.9% against A. carbonarius, A. westerdijkiae, and A. ochraceus, respectively. The strategies employed by S. cerevisiae CCMA 0159 to inhibit the growth of ochratoxigenic fungi included competition, production of fungicidal volatile compounds, and alteration of the substrate's physicochemical properties. Our results indicate that among the yeast isolates tested, S. cerevisiae CCMA 0159 is the most effective in inhibiting ochratoxigenic fungi in coffee, including the more resistant A. carbonarius.

Chemical composition, energy content, and nutrient digestibility of rye grain in broiler chickens

The development of livestock farming is always associated with the search for new dietary components that increase feed efficiency or reduce feed costs. The maximum use of regional, conventional feed in the feeding of farm animals is quite relevant today. Furthermore, certain feeds, the production of which is accompanied by low greenhouse gas emissions, help reduce the carbon footprint of the diet as a whole. The purpose of this study was to determine the nutritional value of rye grain of the modern hybrid KWS Tayo and the digestibility of nutrients in poultry. The chemical composition of grain, digestibility of nutrients in broiler chickens, and total energy content were investigated. The chemical composition of feed, compound feed, and litter was determined according to the Wende method. Nutrient digestibility studies were conducted on broiler chickens of the ROSS-308 cross. For the physiological experiment, 5 chickens aged 22 days were selected. The experiment was carried out using a complex method, by replacing part of the basic diet. The experiment consisted of 2 parts. In the first experiment, the nutrient digestibility of the main diet was determined – compound feed containing 5% rye grain; in the second, the main diet with an additional 5% rye grain was used. The calculation was made on the assumption that the digestibility of nutrients in the main diet was the same in both experiments. The compound feed was balanced according to the recommendations of the cross developer. The energy content of rye grain was calculated in J of metabolisable energy by the regression equation, based on the data on the content of digestible protein, fat, fibre, and NFES determined in the physiological experiment. The average dry matter content of the rye samples was 87.4%. The content of the main nutrients in the grain of natural moisture was as follows: crude protein – 8.87±0.484%; crude fat – 1.63±0.105%; NFES – 73.95±0.494%, and crude ash – 0.53±0.109%. The nutrient digestibility of rye grain was as follows: crude protein – 76%; crude fat – 82%, crude fibre – 8%; NFES – 81% and organic matter – 78%. The total energy value of rye grain was 12.420±0.2573 MJ/kg of metabolic energy for poultry. Nutritionists can use the nutritional and nutrient digestibility data of rye grain to develop practical recipes for poultry compound feed

Methodological aspects of using NIR spectroscopy to assess biochemical indicators in barley grain

Background. The possibility of applying near-infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy for rapid assessment of various biochemical parameters in barley varieties and forms is discussed. The data obtained by the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department of VIR served to construct calibration models for the content of protein, starch, oil, beta-glucans, and total phenolic compounds (PhC) in grain, facilitating further screening of various barley samples.Materials and methods. The chemical composition of grain was studied in naked and covered spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) accessions grown in 2022 in the northwest of Russia. Calibration models were developed to measure the content of protein, oil, starch, beta-glucans, and PhC (80 accessions) in barley grain with the Matrix-I IR analyzer (Bruker Optics, Germany). The models were constructed on the basis of the data obtained by conventional techniques of chemical analysis. The protein/ nitrogen content was assessed using the Kjeldahl method, oil according to the method of defatted dry residue modified by S. V. Ruszkovsky, starch by the polarimetric method according to Evers, beta-glucans by gravimetric analysis, and the total PhC content by the Folin–Ciocâlteu method modified by Singleton and Rossi.Results. Statistical significance of the constructed calibration tests was compared with the results of measuring protein, starch, oil, beta-glucan and PhC levels by chemical methods. It was shown that the data of calibration techniques for protein and starch were significant, while the remaining models required improvement.Conclusion. The proposed method helps to preserve valuable source material, increases labor efficiency, and does not require chemical reagents. Scanning each sample makes it possible to obtain data for several indicators at once, with a specified replication and standard deviation.

Irrigation Intervals and Nano-Silicon Applications Effect on Maize Growth, Yield, Yield Attributes and Chemical Composition of Grains

Irrigation Intervals and Nano-Silicon Applications Effect on Maize Growth, Yield, Yield Attributes and Chemical Composition of Grains

Pseudorutile-leucoxene-quartz ores of Timan ‒ a new genetic type of titanium raw materials: prospects for industrial development

The two largest deposits of Russia – Yaregskoye and Pizhemskoye belong to the same genetic type; hydrothermal-metamorphic indigenous deposits. They are located in the same Timan structure at a distance of no more than 230 km from each other. According to the total approved reserves and forecast resources of titanium dioxide, they are approaching 60% of the all-Russian and will form the basis of industrial titanium raw materials used in Russia in the near future. In the interests of technological mineralogy, morphological features, internal structure, chemical composition of grains of the two main titanium mineral phases ‒ leucoxene and pseudorutile, TiO2 polymorphs, as well as the composition of mineral microinclusions in these phases have been studied in detail. The compositions of all mineral phases in polished preparations of leucoxene and pseudorutile were analyzed by SEM-EDS method at the Institute of Geology and Geochronology of the Precambrian of the RAS, 147 chemical analyses were obtained at the point (3 µk) and many images of polished grains of anatase, leucoxene and pseudorutile were scanned over the area (20×20 µk). In the leucoxene grains themselves, 12 mineral phases were diagnosed and characterized in the form of inclusions: pseudorutile, rutile, anatase, quartz, hydromuscovite-illite, kaolinite, siderite, zircon, xenotime, pyrite, florencite, monazite and kularite. TiO2 polymorphs are verified by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. New evidence has been obtained that the transformation of ilmenite into leucoxene occurs hydrothermally through intermediate phases ‒ Fe-rutile and pseudorutile; the enlargement of rutile crystals in the leucoxene grain itself is shown; the presence of secondary crystals of siderite, florencite and others inside the studied grains.

Microstructure, chemical composition, and dielectric response of CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics doped with F, Al, and Mg ions

Ceramics with nominal chemical composition CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO), CaCu3Ti3.96Al0.04O11.96F0.04 (CCTOAF), and Ca0.98Mg0.08Cu2.94Ti3.96Al0.04O11.96F0.04 (CCTOMAF) were prepared by the solid-state reactions technique. Using SEM, EDX, XPS, EPR, NMR, and complex impedance spectroscopy, the microstructure, elements distribution, chemical composition of grains and grain boundaries, and the dielectric response of ceramics were investigated. In the ССТО, CCTOAF, and CCTOMAF series, the average grain size increases, the degree of copper segregation at the grain boundaries is inversely related to grain size, and the dielectric loss decreases from 0.071 to 0.047 and 0.030, respectively, while dielectric permittivity ε′ at 1 kHz is 5.6 × 104, 7.1 × 104, and 4.3 × 104, respectively. Additives of Al, Mg, F and milled particles (ZrO2, Al2O3, and SiO2) can either partially introduce into the perovskite structure or form low-melting eutectics at the grain boundaries, causing abnormal grain growth. The presence of copper ions in various oxidation states, as well as evidence of exchange spin interactions between them, was confirmed in all samples.

Урожайність і продуктивність п’ятипільних сівозмін за органо-мінеральної системи інтенсифікації в умовах Лівобережного Лісостепу України

Goal. To study the influence of precursors and the organo-mineral fertilizer system on the productivity and economic efficiency of growing crops in a short 5-field crop rotation in conditions of insufficient moisture in the Left Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Long-term field–for determination of the interaction of research objects with natural and agrotechnical factors; laboratory–for determination of the content of the main nutrients in soil and plants, the chemical composition of grain; calculation and comparison–for determination of the economic efficiency of growing crops in a 5-field crop rotation using the organo-mineral fertilizer system; statistical and mathematical — for carrying out dispersion analysis and for statistical processing of research results. Results. It is proved that in conditions of unstable moisture in the Left Bank Forest-Steppe, a 5-field crop rotation saturated with grain crops with 80% and 20% of sunflower (peas — winter wheat — sunflower — spring barley — corn for grain) is highly productive and rational under the organo-mineral fertilizer system, which involves the application of N54P56K62 + by-products of the predecessor per 1 ha of crop rotation area. Such a crop rotation on average for 2016–2020 provided a yield of grain in the range of 4.09–9.08 t/ha, and sunflower — 3.91 t/ha. Productivity of the crop rotation area by collection from 1 ha in a 5-field crop rotation was: grain — 5.07 tons, fodder units — 9.37, digestible protein — 0.79 tons. The economic efficiency of growing field crops in a 5-field crop rotation depended on the crop rotation factor, fertilizer system, and predecessors, the conditional net profit was UAH 6.86–24.93 thousand/ha with a profitability of 50–176%. Conclusions. It is established that corn (9.08 t/ha) provided a high grain yield when placed after winter wheat. The yield of sunflower seeds was at the level of 3.91 t/ha with a high content of fat (45.6%) and protein (19.6%) for the highest net profit of UAH 24.93 thousand/ha and profitability level of 176%.

Экологические особенности Pinus sylvestris L. и видов рода Populus L. в озеленении Благовещенска (Амурская область)

This study evaluates the efficiency of phosphorus absorption from soil and fertilizers by modern varieties of oats of Tyumen selection. The studies were carried out in field and laboratory conditions. The scheme of the experiment provided for options with the introduction of increasing doses of mineral fertilizers, calculated for the planned yield from 3.0 to 6.0 t / ha. The following doses of fertilizers were applied in the experiment: N60P20; N90P40; N150P60; N200P80 kg/ha of active substance. The option without mineral fertilizers was taken as a control. Varieties of oats were sown: Talisman; Otrada; Foma. During three-year experiments, it was found that the phosphorus content in the grain of the studied varieties of oats is 0.86–1.11%; in straw - 0.26-0.27%. The application of mineral fertilizers increases the phosphorus content in the grain to 0.97-1.15%. The phosphorus content in straw increases only with the addition of N150P60 and N200P80 kg /ha – 0.47-0.53%. In the absence of fertilizers, the economic removal of phosphorus is for the variety: Talisman – 20 kg / ha; Otrada and Foma – 28 kg/ ha. With an increase in the level of mineral nutrition of household takeaways increases to 95 kg / ha. Varietal features are manifested only when fertilizers are applied at doses of N90P40 and N150P60 kg/ha. For the formation of 1 ton of grain in the absence of fertilizers, 12-14 kg of phosphorus is required. The application of fertilizers for the planned yield of up to 4.0 t / ha of grain does not affect the specific removal of phosphorus. Further increase in the level of mineral nutrition (N150P60 and N200P80) increases the specific removal to 17-19 kg / t of grain. This indicator mainly depends on the level of mineral nutrition and to a lesser extent on the varietal characteristics of oats. The use of the element balance method for the planned yield of oats ensures maximum absorption of nutrients from fertilizers - the balance coefficient of phosphorus use from fertilizers is more than 100%, while the bulk of the crop is formed due to the active consumption of soil phosphates. Scientific novelty. It was found that the Foma oat variety most effectively absorbs phosphorus from fertilizers and soil, relative to the standard Talisman variety. Keywords: AGROCHEMISTRY OF OATS; ECONOMIC REMOVAL, COEFFICIENTS OF USE FROM FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GRAIN, VARIETAL AGROTECHNICS, MODERN BREEDING, PLANNED YIELD, SPECIFIC PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL, LEVEL OF MINERAL NUTRITION, FERTILIZERS

The Influence of Biostimulants Used in Sustainable Agriculture for Antifungal Protection on the Chemical Composition of Winter Wheat Grain.

Field studies were conducted from 2016 to 2019 (south-eastern Poland; 49°58′40.6″ N 22°33′11.3″ E) with the aim to identify the chemical composition of winter wheat grain upon foliar application of biostimulants, of which PlanTonic BIO (containing nettle and willow extracts) showed antifungal activity. The main chemical compositions and their spatial distribution in wheat grain were characterized by Raman spectroscopy technique. It was established that applied biostimulants and hydro-thermal conditions changed the chemical composition of the grain during all the studied years. A similar chemical composition of the grain was achieved in plants treated with synthetic preparations, including both intensive and extensive variants. The second group, in terms of an increase in fatty acid content, consists of grains of plants treated with biostimulants PlanTonic BIO, PlanTonic BIO + Natural Crop and PlanTonic BIO + Biofol Plex. The future of using biostimulants in crop production, including those containing salicylic acid and nettle extracts, appears to be a promising alternative to synthetic crop protection products.

The influence of shelf life on the chemical composition of hulless barley

The feed value of grain undergoes changes during storage. During the post-harvest ripening of grain: polysaccharides, proteins, fats finish forming, the proportion of soluble carbohydrates, non-protein nitrogen decreases, the quality of gluten improves, the lipid content increases. The activity of enzymes decreases to the level characteristic of well-ripened grain. The purpose of the research was to study the influence of shelf life on the chemical composition of grain of hulless barley varieties. Studies have also been devoted to identifying changes in the feed value of varieties of hulless barley during storage. It has been found as a result of the research that Nudum 95 variety of hulless barley surpassed the pigmented analogue of Granal 32 variety in terms of the content of crude protein in the dry matter by 1,19 abs.% and was inferior in the content of crude ash by 0,09 abs.%, crude fat by 0,33 and nitrogen-free extractive substances by 0,78 abs.%. When storing grain of hulless barley, the content of nitrogenous substances in it increased slightly. For example, the content of crude protein in the dry matter of barley grains of the variety Nudum 95 increased by 0,71 abs.% during the first 6 months of storage, in the variety Granal 32 it increased by 0,44 abs.%. It has been found that the content of nitrogen-free extractive substances in barley grain decreased during the first months due to the consumption of carbohydrates for respiration. Thus, in the variety Granal 32 in the first month of storage, the amount of nitrogen-free extractive substances decreased by 0,59 abs.%, in the variety Nudum 95 for 3 months by 1,11 abs.%. The amount of raw fat during post-harvest ripening increased in the grain of variety Granal 32 by 0,26 abs.%, the variety Nudum 95 by 0,24 abs.%, then the decrease was observed.

ВЛИЯНИЕ РАЗЛИЧНЫХ ПРЕПАРАТОВ НА ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ И КАЧЕСТВЕННЫЕ ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ ЯЧМЕНЯ

In this study we analyzed the influence of the pre-sowing treatment of spring barley seeds with the biological preparat Rizoagrin and the micronutrient fertilizer Tenso Cocktail against the background of the mineral fertilizer diammofosk on the germination of seeds, the quality of the grain yield and biomass of barley straw, the structure of the crop, the chemical composition of grain and straw under the conditions of the Republic of Tatarstan on gray forest soil. It was found that the use of Rhizoagrin and Tenso Cocktail in combination with diammophos increases the grain yield up to 4.05 t / ha, which is 117 % more than the control. We noted an increase in the productivity of plants, the number of ears, grain per ear and the weight of 1000 grains in relation to the control in the same variant. The fourth option has the highest indicators in terms of nitrogen content in grain and straw – by 5.40 and 8.62% more than in the control. In the second variant, the nitrogen content in the grain is 3.24 % higher than the control, and in the straw – by 5.17 %. In the third variant, the nitrogen content in grain and straw is 2.70 and 6.89 % higher than the control. In terms of the phosphorus content in grain and straw, the increase in the third and fourth variants is at the same level – 3.06 and 5.26 % in relation to the control. The second option does not have an increase in the phosphorus content. There was a decrease in the content of potassium in grain and straw in all variants compared to the control. In the fourth variant, the potassium content in grain is lower than the control by 8.45 %, in straw – by 5.69 %. In the second variant, the potassium content in the grain is lower in comparison with the control by 4.22 %, in the third variant – by 1.40 %. In straw, the potassium content in the second and third variants is reduced by 1.62 %.

Phosphorus-Rich Ash from Poultry Manure Combustion in a Fluidized Bed Reactor

The aim of this study was to examine the physico-chemical and phase characteristics of ash obtained in the process of the combustion of Polish poultry manure in a laboratory reactor with a bubbling fluidized bed. Three experiments, differing in the grain size and morphology of the raw material, the method of its dosing and the type of fluidized bed, were carried out. The contents of the main chemical components and trace elements in the obtained ash samples were determined using WDXRF, and the phase composition was examined through the XRD method. The morphology and the chemical composition of grains in a given micro-area using the SEM/EDS method were also investigated. The highest concentration of phosphorus (from 28.07% wt. to 29.71% wt. as P2O5 equivalent), the highest proportion of amorphous substance (from 56.7% wt. to 59.0% wt.) and the lowest content of unburned organic substance (LOI from 6.42% to 9.16%) (i.e., the best process efficiency), was obtained for the experiment in which the starting bed was quartz sand and poultry manure was fed to the reactor in the form of pellets. It has been calculated that in this case, the amorphous phase contains more than half of the phosphorus. The method of carrying out the combustion process has a significant impact on the phase composition and, consequently, on the availability of phosphorus.

Ensuring yield sustainability and nutritional security through enriching manures with fertilizers under rice–wheat system in North-western India

Beneficial response of application of fertilizer enriched press mud @ 15 t ha−1, rice straw compost @ 6 t ha−1, poultry manure @ 6 t ha−1 and farmyard manure @ 15 t ha−1 to rice crop was reported in the field investigation at farm research area, Department of Soil Science, PAU Ludhiana, India. The results of our study reported that rice grain (70.6 q ha−1) and straw (116.7 q ha−1) yield were significantly higher under 100% RDF (Recommended dose of fertilizers) + poultry manure and 75% RDF + press mud treatments, respectively, whereas, wheat grain (79.9 q ha−1) and straw (128.8 q ha−1) yield were found to be significantly higher with 100% RDF + farmyard manure treatment. Poultry manure and press mud treatments resulted in higher uptake of macronutrients and micronutrients in rice grain and straw. The maximum uptake of macronutrients and micronutrients in wheat grain and straw were recorded with treatments receiving farmyard manure. Results supported that use of manures either alone or in combination with chemical fertilizers is very important for enrichment of chemical composition of grain and straw of rice and wheat and for sustaining crop productivity.

Ameliorative Effects of Calcium Sprays on Yield and Grain Nutritional Composition of Maize (Zea mays L.) Cultivars under Drought Stress

Drought stress is seriously affecting maize production. To investigate the influence of calcium (Ca) foliar application on maize production and chemical composition of grains under drought stress, two experiments were carried out at Cairo University Research Station, Giza, Egypt, during the summer seasons of 2018 and 2019. The experimental design was split-split plot design with a completely randomized blocks arrangement with three replications. Water regimes were assigned to the main plots [100 (control), 75, and 50% of estimated evapotranspiration]. Calcium levels (zero and 50 mg/L) were assigned to the sub plots. Maize cultivars (SC-P3444, Sammaz-35 and EVDT) were assigned to the sub-sub plots. Three maize cultivars were sprayed with Ca solution concentration (50 mg/L) under normal and drought conditions. The control treatment (0 mg/L) was sprayed with an equal amount of distilled water for comparison. Results indicated a significant decrease in total yield and grain characteristics [protein, ash, total sugars, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and iron (Fe) contents] as a response of drought. Calcium foliar application significantly increased maize yield, protein, ash, carbohydrates, starch, total sugars, and ionic contents of grains, except for manganese (Mn), under all irrigation levels. Based on the drought tolerance index (DTI), only cultivar SC-P3444 showed drought tolerance while cultivars Sammaz-35 and EVDT were sensitive to drought stress. Foliar application of Ca on SC-P3444 cultivar achieved the highest grain yield per hectare (8061 kg) under the water regime of 100% of the total evapotranspiration, followed by Sammaz-35 (7570 kg), and EVDT (7191 kg) cultivars. At the water regime of 75% of estimated evapotranspiration (75% irrigation), Ca foliar application increased grain yield by 16, 13 and 14% in SC-P3444, Sammaz-35, and EVDT, respectively. At the water regime of 50% of the estimated evapotranspiration (50% irrigation), Ca foliar application increased grain yield by 17, 16, and 13% in SC-P3444, Sammaz-35, and EVDT, respectively. In brief, Ca had a clear impact on productivity and grain quality with important implications for maize yield under normal and water stress conditions. Our findings demonstrate that foliar application of Ca enabled drought stressed maize plants to survive better under stress. The most water stress tolerant cultivar was SC-P3444 followed by Sammaz-35 and EVDT under drought stress.

Dust evolution in zoom-in cosmological simulations of galaxy formation

ABSTRACT We present cosmological zoom-in hydrodynamical simulations for the formation of disc galaxies, implementing dust evolution and dust promoted cooling of hot gas. We couple an improved version of our previous treatment of dust evolution, which adopts the two-size approximation to estimate the grain-size distribution, with the MUPPI star formation and feedback subresolution model. Our dust evolution model follows carbon and silicate dust separately. To distinguish differences induced by the chaotic behaviour of simulations from those genuinely due to different simulation set-up, we run each model six times, after introducing tiny perturbations in the initial conditions. With this method, we discuss the role of various dust-related physical processes and the effect of a few possible approximations adopted in the literature. Metal depletion and dust cooling affect the evolution of the system, causing substantial variations in its stellar, gas, and dust content. We discuss possible effects on the Spectral Energy Distribution of the significant variations of the size distribution and chemical composition of grains, as predicted by our simulations during the evolution of the galaxy. We compare dust surface density, dust-to-gas ratio, and small-to-large grain mass ratio as a function of galaxy radius and gas metallicity predicted by our fiducial run with recent observational estimates for three disc galaxies of different masses. The general agreement is good, in particular taking into account that we have not adjusted our model for this purpose.

Influence of Sapropel, Diatomite, Brown Coal and Vermicompost in Normal and Ultrafine Forms on Productivity and Quality of Spring Barley

The article presents the findings on the use of foliar treatment with suspensions of sapropel, vermicompost, diatomite of conventional grinding and in ultrafine form. Fertilizers, ground to the smallest particles in deionized water under the action of ultrasound, have a high stimulating effect on the crop and have shown better results compared to conventional milled fertilizers. The yield of spring barley of the Prairia variety non-foliar treatment with these fertilizers contributed to an increase in the grain yield of spring barley of the Prairia variety up to 22.1 %. Analysis of the structure of the yield and the chemical composition of grain has showed that diatomite, sapropel and especially vermicompost both in the usual form and especially in the ultradispersed form affect the change in indicators in comparison with the fertilized background.

Magnetic Structure and Nanomechanical Properties of Sintered Permanent Magnets Nd–Dy–Fe–B USC-20L

Using scanning electron microscopy (EDS analysis), magnetic force microscopy, and nanoindentation, a metallographic study of the magnetic structure and nanomechanical properties of sintered rare-earth magnets Nd–Dy–Fe–B of the USC-20L brand has been carried out (Ural Strip Casting Technology). The microstructure of the sintered Nd–Dy–Fe–B magnet of the USC-20L grade includes the following components: grains of the Nd2Fe14B phase are separated by lamellas of the phases enriched in neodymium. Inclusions Nd–29.1% Fe–6.2% C–2.2% O–1.4% Dy are located at the triple junctions of Nd2Fe14B grains. Inclusions Nd–4.5% Fe–9.1% O–6.7% C–4.5% Fe–2% Dy are along grain boundaries containing Nd and Dy oxides. The chemical composition of grains is Fe–25% Nd–6.9% C–1.6% Dy–1.4% B. It is found that, due to irregular grain growth, the interlayers of the enriched Nd phase are connected to each other in the region of grain junctions, causing a concentration of internal stresses and the appearance of a crack. The crack propagates along the grain boundary from one wetted joint of the grains to another, due to mechanical stresses. The phenomenon of intergranular wetting by a phase of Nd-enriched Nd2Fe14B/Nd2Fe14B grain boundaries is observed. It has been established that phases enriched with Nd can pseudo-incompletely (or pseudo-partially) wet such grain boundaries, i.e., form a nonzero contact angle along the grain boundaries and in triple joints. Based on the results of Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM), a conclusion is made about the presence of a one-dimensional domain structure; domains cross grain boundaries. The presence of pores and inclusions of Nd and Dy oxides localized along grain boundaries is noteworthy. The average transverse domain size of the banded structure is ~1 μm, the energy of the domain wall γ ~ 14 kJ/m2, and the width of the domain wall δ ~ 0.6 × 10–9 m. The nanoindentation method is used to measure the values of nanohardness (H, GPa), elastic modulus (E, GPa), contact stiffness (S, N/m), elastic work (We, nJ) and plastic strain (Wp, nJ) in submicrovolumes of Nd2Fe14B grains. According to the measurement results, the minimum value of Nd2Fe14B grain adhesion Kint = 0.539 MPa m0.5 is estimated.

Magnetic structure and nanomechanical properties of USC-20L Nd–Dy–Fe–B sintered permanent magnets

Scanning electron microscopy (EDS analysis), magnetic force microscopy (MFM) and nanoindentation were used in the metallographic study of the magnetic structure and nanomechanical properties of sintered USC-20L Nd–Dy–Fe–B rare-earth magnets (Ural Strip Casting Technology). The microstructure of the sintered USC-20L Nd–Dy–Fe–B magnet includes the Nd 2 Fe 14 B phase grains separated by lamellas of neodymium-rich phases. Nd–29.1%Fe–6.2%C–2.2%O–1.4%Dy inclusions are located at the triple junctions of Nd 2 Fe 14 B grains. Nd–4.5%Fe–9.1%O–6.7%C–4.5%Fe–2%Dy inclusions are located along grain boundaries and contain neodymium and dysprosium oxides. The chemical composition of grains: Fe–25%Nd–6.9%C–1.6%Dy–1.4%B. It was found that due to irregular grain growth, the neodymium-rich phase interlayers are connected to each other in the region of grain junctions causing internal stress concentration and cracking. A crack propagates along the grain boundary from one wetted grain joint to another due to the occurring mechanical stresses. A phenomenon of intergranular wetting by the neodymium-rich phase is observed at Nd 2 Fe 14 B/Nd 2 Fe 14 B grain boundaries. It was found that Nd-riched phases can pseudo-incompletely (or pseudo-partially) wet such grain boundaries, i.e. form a non-zero contact angle along the grain boundaries and in triple joints. Based on the magnetic force microscopy results, a conclusion was made about the presence of a one-dimensional domain structure; domains cross grain boundaries. The presence of pores and inclusions of Nd and Dy oxides localized along grain boundaries is noteworthy. The average transverse size of the banded-structure domain is ~1 μm, domain wall energy is γ ~ 14 kJ/m 2 , domain wall width is δ ~0.6·10 –9 m. The nanoindentation method was used to measure the values of nanohardness ( H , GPa), elastic modulus ( E , GPa), contact stiffness ( S , N/m), elastic strain energy ( W e , nJ) and plastic strain energy ( W p , nJ) in submicrovolumes of Nd 2 Fe 14 B grains. According to the measurement results, the minimum value of Nd 2 Fe 14 B grain adhesion was estimated: K int = 0.539 MPa·m 0.5 .

Impact of Drought Exerted during Spike Development on Tillering, Yield Parameters and Grain Chemical Composition in Semi-Dwarf Barley Mutants Deficient in the Brassinosteroid Metabolism

Drought is a major factor limiting plant development and negatively affecting crop yield. It was reported that mutants defective in the brassinosteroid (BR) metabolism from several species, including barley (Hordeum vulgare), show improved tolerance to drought during the vegetative phase of growth. Hence, semi-dwarf barley mutants defective in the BR metabolism may be regarded as an alternative in breeding programs. Occurrence of drought during spike development has a profound effect on yield. Thus, determining reaction of the semi-dwarf, BR-deficient barley mutants to drought during the reproductive phase is crucial. This study was conducted on barley Near-Isogenic Lines defective in the BR metabolism and the reference ‘Bowman’ cultivar. The experiments were performed under laboratory (optimal watering and drought) and field conditions. The following yield-related parameters were analyzed: total tillering, productive tillering, average grain weight per plant and per spike, as well as weight of 1000 seeds. Additionally, an analysis of chemical composition of grain was performed. The BR-insensitive BW312 line showed the highest values of the productive tillering and grain weight per plant under the drought conditions. Perturbations in the BR metabolism did not have any significant deteriorating effect on the contents of grain chemical ingredients.