Spray Concentration Research Articles

Rainfed lentil (lens culinaris Medik.) responses to manganese foliar spray when grown in a high-calcareous soil

This study was designed to evaluate the response of rainfed lentil to manganese (Mn) foliar application in high-calcareous soil located in the arid Mediterranean area. Field experiments on two clay calcareous soils containing different free carbonates and exchangeable Mn contents were carried out. The soil“1” has Mn content (DTPA extraction) of 7.5 mg kg −1 and it contains 8.9% of free carbonates. The soil“2” contains 3.3 mg kg −1 of Mn and it has a free carbonates level of 15.9%. Five foliar spray concentrations of Mn in lentil (0 as control; 0.5%; 1%; 3%; and 8%) were tested. Mn was applied in the sulfate form at flower bud and flowering. The soil“1” and soil”2” were evaluated during the 2016–17 and 2017–18 seasons, respectively. Results showed that foliar Mn feeding did not enhance grain yield and its components. Mn foliar spray over than 1% resulted in leaf damage during the rainfall season 2017–18 (429 mm) compared to 2016–17 (289 mm). At 8% of Mn, the phytotoxicity reduced grain yield by 34.5% compared to control. For both calcareous soils, shoot Mn content at the end of flowering was over 30 mg kg −1 for control and exceeded 1800 mg kg −1 at 8% of Mn. No antagonism or synergy between Mn and the other nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn) was recorded.

Tuber Minerals and Phenolic Compounds in Calcium Nitrate foliar-sprayed Dioscorea alata var. Agbodo and D. rotundata var. Amula.

Calcium Nitrate foliar spray for the management of anthracnose disease was assessed in Dioscorea alata variety Agbodo and D. rotundata var. Amula in two experiemental plots in COLPANT Farms, College of Plant Science and Crop Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State in Nigeria. The design in each plot was randomized complete block (RCBD) with three replications. Mounds were 1 metre (m) by 1m and about 80cm high, with inter-replicate inter-row and intra-row spacing of 1m, 1m and 0.5m respectively. One metre (1m) clear border was maintained on each of the four sides of each plot. Each replicate had 18 plants. Calcium Nitrate foliar spray at the rates 0mgl-1, 5mgl-1 and 10mgl-1 was applied without surfactant at twelve weeks after planting (12 WAP). Anthracnose incidence and severity results are presented in another paper. But tubers in the plots were sampled at 24 WAP in order to determine, Calcium nitrate foliar spray of 5mgl-1 and 10mgl-1 without surfactant, effect on tuber minerals, namely Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) and Sulphur (S), as well as Tuber Total Phenolic Compounds (TPC) and yield. The results of yield, TPC and the tuber minerals are presented in this paper. Statistical analysis was carried out separately for each plot. Tuber Number Per Plant (TNPP) and Tuber Weight Per Plant (TWPP) were similar across treatments for water Yam Agbodo and white guinea yam Amula. TNPP overall means are 4.43 and 3.16 for Agbodo and Amula respectively. TWPP overall means are 2.00kg (or 20.00 tonsha-1) and 1.91kg (or 19.10 tonsha-1) for Agobdo and Amula respectively. Yield (tuber fresh weight) is similar to that obtained in a report of Calcium nitrate foliar spray for anthracnose control in Dioscorea species (two improved and one local variety), but which had relatively higher spray concentrations of 0 to 12000 milligram per litre and with surfactant in the spray liquid. Tuber Ca, Mg, N and P were significantly higher in the treatments than the control in water yam Agbodo as follows: Ca in mg/100g dm is 21.48 (10mgl-1) > 19.16 (5mgl-1) > 16.31 (Control); Mg in mg/100gdm is 24.53 (10mgl-1) > 21.22 (5mgl-1) > 19.02 (control); N in percent (%) is 1.86 (10mgl-1) > 1.37 (5mgl-1) > 0.95 (control); P in mg/100g dm is 56.27 (10mgl-1) > 53.14 (5mgl-1) > 49.76 (control). K in mg/100g dm in Agbodo is 807.70 (10mgl-1) higher than 770.60 (control). S and Total Phenolic Compounds (TPC) of Agbodo were overall means 4.68% and 5.58mg Gallic Acid Equivalent per gram dry matter (5.58mgGAE/gdm) respectively. In white guinea Yam Amula, TPC and five of the minerals were higher significantly in the treatments than the control as follows: TPC in mgGAE/gdm is 5.92 (10mgl-1) > 5.39 (5mgl-1) > 4.82 (control); Ca in mg/100gdm is 18.22 (10mgl-1) > 16.45 (5mgl-1) > 14.49 (Control); N in % is 1.80 (10mgl-1) > 1.11 (5mgl-1) > 0.91 (control); P in mg/100gdm is 54.82 (10mgl-1) > 50.84 (5mgl-1) > 48.59 (control); K in mg/100gdm is 812.44 (10mgl-1) > 793.29 (5mgl-1) > 759.22 (control); S in % is 6.42 (10mgl-1) > 5.23 (5mgl-1) > 4.48 (control). Mg in white Yam Amula was overall mean of 20.19mg/100gdm, similar across treatments. A numerical comparison may be made of the two species (two varieties) because statistical analysis was carried out separately in the two experimental plots. Thus numerically (not statistically) overall means were higher in Agbodo in yield (TNPP and TWPP), TPC, Ca, Mg, N, P and K, than Amula. Amula was numerically higher in Sulphur only than Agbodo. Phenolic compounds reports of association with defence mechanisms in crop plants because they exhibit anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties is discussed. Phenolic compounds reports of exhibition of antioxidant or free radical scavenging properties that boost immunity against diseases caused by free radical reactions such as cancer, diabetes, aging and cardio vascular diseases, as well as analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties  is also discussed. This is to draw attention to inputs during Crop Protection Research such as this study which will effect synthesis of, or increase phenolic compounds in the edible food yams for disease resistance as well as for health benefits. Increase in calcium in this study would enhance disease resistance due to calcium role in the enhancement of the integrity of intracellular cementing materials. Magnesium and phosphorus requirement in yams is reported to be low, thus the increase in this study will ensure yams receive the optimum of the two elements. Lastly, Nitrogen and Potassium increase is to be emphasized for recommendation of 5mgl-1 and 10mgl-1 calcium nitrate foliar spray in Dioscorea species as the two are the most important for optimum yield in yams.

Control of Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum Gloeosporioides in Calcium Nitrate Foliar-Sprayed Dioscorea Alata Variety Agbodo

This study investigated the effect of calcium nitrate foliar spray on Anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz in the Nigerian water yam Dioscorea alata variety Agbodo. The field experiment was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Calcium nitrate at the rates 0mgl-1 (control), 5mgl-1 and 10mgl-1 were sprayed on the plants at 12 weeks after planting (12 WAP). No surfactant was added to the nutrient spray. Disease incidence in the contral was 54.44% and 65.00% at 20 WAP and 24 WAP significantly higher than the two calcium nitrate treatments which had overall mean of 47.23% and 48.06% at 20 WAP and 24 WAP respectively. Anthracnose disease severity score (DSS) which was similar across treatments at 20 WAP was at resistant level, overall mean score of 1.38. DSS was also similar across treatments at 24WAP but had moved up to moderately resistant category with overall mean of 1.69. Previous reports of calcium nitrate foliar spray for anthracnose control in Dioscerea species were with concentrations of 100mgl-1 up to 12000mgl-1 and with addition of Polysorbate 20 as surfactant in the liquid. Further trials with calcium nitrate concentrations similar or lower than that used in this study without surfactant and sprayed twice at 12WAP and 20WAP, and severity assessed at 20WAP, 24WAP and 32WAP is suggested for reduction of severity to resistant level in water yam variety Agbodo and other Nigerian water yam varieties. Total phenolic compounds (TPC) content of variety Agbodo leaves at 24WAP was 3.85mg GAE/g dm in the 10mgl-1 treatment, significantly higher than the 5mgl-1 treatment content of 3.33mg GAE/g dm, which was in turn higher than control TPC content of 2.93mg GAE/g dm. Phenolic compounds in leaves of water yam have been reported to be responsible for resistance to anthracnose, therefore calcium nitrate foliar spray concentrations similar or lower than that in this study are recommended for trials to reduce severity to resistant level in water yam Agbodo and other water yam  varieties. Leaf calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur all increased from the 5mgl-1 treatment to the 10mgl-1 treatment (as with TPC), and also were significantly higher than the control. The overall means were 9.35mg/100g dm for Ca, 0.775% for N, 34.37mg/100g dm for P, 196.05mg/100g dm for K and 1.59% for S. Leaf magnesium (Mg) was similar across treatments with overall mean of 17.13mg/100g dm. Increased calcium will favour resistance to anthracnose because of calcium role in membrane function and stability and cell wall integrity. Increased leaf N in relation to disease resistance is reported to be pathogen-specific and will increase resistance especially for facultative parasites such as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. This is because increase in nitrogen supports metabolic activities of host cells which favour obligate parasites but will not favour facultative parasites as the latter are semi-saprophytes which prefer senescing plant tissue or alternatively produce, toxins to kill host plant cells.

Effectiveness of green microalgae as biostimulants and biofertilizer through foliar spray and soil drench method for tomato cultivation

The over-use of synthetic chemical fertilizer has an adverse effect on humans. To overcome this issue, there is a need for organic farming. The present study is intended for identifying the possibilities of microalgal (Chlorella vulgaris) application on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivation as a suitable biofertilizer as well as biostimulant. The application of Chlorella vulgaris by foliar spray method, soil drench method with and without cowdung and control (untreated). Soil is suitable for tomato cultivation according to the soil analysis. Laboratory cultured Chlorella vulgaris enriched with carbohydrate (40.75±0.55), protein (29.56±0.72), lipids (30.20±0.25), total chlorophyll (0.531±0.42), carotenoids (0.261±0.35) and also other elements such as carbon (26.03±0.21), nitrogen (4.18±0.48), sodium (5.63±0.54) and potassium (6.94±0.17). Mixed treatment of cowdung with C. vulgaris shows enhanced growth than other groups. The higher concentration (100%) of foliar spray, C. vulgaris by soil drench and C. vulgaris + cowdung, elicits fruit length of about 8.8 ± 0.36, 10.5 ± 0.61 and 11.7 ± 0.35 cm, fruit diameter of about 13.3 ± 0.73, 14.2 ± 0.24 and 16.7 ± 0.31 cm, number of seeds/fruit of about 89±0.45, 118±0.98 and 153±0.96 g and seed weight/fruit of about 4.5 ± 0.14, 5.2 ± 0.19 and 6.5 ± 0.28 g respectively. The quality of the tomato was attributed to the increased total soluble solid of about 5.78±0.39, 6.27±0.92 and 7.09±0.75 g/100 g, total soluble sugar of about 4.30±0.76, 5.37±0.57 and 7.40±0.90 g/100 g, l-Ascorbic acid of about 14.6 ± 0.86, 17.9 ± 0.93 and 19.23±0.69 g/100 g, total protein of about 4.88±0.36, 5.82±0.88 and 6.37±0.23 g/100 g and moisture of about 94.1 ± 0.81, 95.5 ± 055 and 96.5 ± 0.42 g/100 g in foliar spray, C. vulgaris by soil drench and C. vulgaris + cowdung methods of applications respectively. There is a significant increase in mineral content such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium in treated fruits as compared to control. Similarly shelf life (days) of foliar spray (5.0 ± 0.19), soil drench (6.0 ± 0.55), mixed treatment (7.0 ± 0.16) was increased than control(4 ± 0.65). Among three treatments, C. vulgaris + cowdung showed better results than other treatment. Soil drench method of application shows better outcomes than foliar spray application. Microalgae Chlorella vulgaris can be applied as biofertilizer/biostimulants in tomato cultivation by replacing conventional chemical fertilizer.

Spraying high concentrations of chelated zinc enhances zinc biofortification in wheat grain.

Foliar application of highly concentrated ZnSO4 fertilizer improves Zn biofortification in wheat grains. However, excess ZnSO4 ·7H2 O concentration (≥5g kg-1 , w v-1 ) has been associated with leaf burn and yield loss, necessitating Zn sources with a high threshold concentration. The aim of this study, based on a 2 year field experiment conducted on wheat cultivated in acidic and alkaline soil, was to identify a suitable Zn formulation with a high Zn concentration or efficient adjuvant to achieve optimal Zn biofortification levels without compromising agronomic performance. There was a continued increase in the Zn concentration in wheat grains and a decrease in grain yield with an increase in the concentration of the Zn foliar sprays in both soil types examined. Wheats treated with chelated Zn foliar sprays - Zn glycine chelate (ZnGly) and Zn-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (ZnEDTA) - had less foliar injury than those treated with unchelated Zn fertilizers. Furthermore, irrespective of wheat cultivars and soil types, ZnEDTA applied to wheat at a concentration of 10g kg-1 achieved the highest grain Zn concentration without negatively affecting the wheat performance. Adjuvant type and concentration caused no significant variation in grain Zn concentration. Overall, without foliar burn, wheat treated with 10g kg-1 ZnEDTA foliar spray had the best performance with regard to grain Zn concentration and grain yield, which could have considerable implications for Zn biofortification of wheat grain. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of geometric parameters on spray characteristics of air assisted pressure swirl atomizer

In the present work, a modified Pressure Swirl Atomizer (PSA) was introduced to operate as an Assisted Pressure Swirl Atomizer (AAPSA). Different mass flow rates of assisted air were experimentally tested. The studied parameters are the orifice length to diameter ratio (L/Do), swirl chamber length/diameter ratio (Ls/Ds) and swirling passage size (width × depth). The spray characteristics were studied using water as the atomized liquid. The spray was photographed using a high-speed camera to determine the spray shape, the cone angle and the spray breakup length. Moreover, photos taken by the high-speed camera were processed using IMAGE J software to obtain the droplet size diameters. The spray concentrations were measured by the patternator tubes technique. The results indicated that the spray cone angle increased by increasing the value of the L/Do ratio or by decreasing the assisted air mass flow rate. The spray concentration maximum value is shifted inward with the assist air injection. The breakup length decreased by about 65% for the PSA and 77% for the AAPSA when the value of the Ls/Ds ratio is decreased from 1.163 to 0.664. With the injection of assist air at a rate of 2 g/s, the Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD) is reduced by about 64% compared to a PSA having the same geometry.

Effect of Phosphate Fertilization and Iron Spraying on Growth Parameter and Yield of Oat (Avena Sativa L.)

A field experiment was conducted during the agricultural season 2020-2021 at the Agricultural Research Station/College of Agriculture/University of Basra (Al-Haritha site) (20 km from the center of Basra Governorate). To study the effect of four levels of phosphate fertilizer (P0=0, P1=50, P2=100 and P3=150 Kg ha-1) and four concentrations of iron spray(F0=0, F1=1000, F2=2000 and F3=3000 PPM). on the growth, yield and quality of oats (Avena sativa L.) Janzania cultivar the experiment was carried out in a split-plot arrangementusinga randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Phosphate fertilizer levels occupied the main plot, and iron concentrations occupied the sub-plots. The results showed that the P3 level was significantly superior in all the studied traits, which gave the highest grain yield of 6.13 mcg ha-0. The concentration F2 was significantly superior in all the studied traits, which gave the highest grain yield of 5.29 mcg ha-0. The interaction also showed the superiority of the combination P3*F2 in plant height, flag leaf area, number of branches and grain yield, while the interaction was not significant in the trait of leaf area index and Net Assimilation rate and crop growth rate

Effect of Spraying with Water Hyacinth and Silverleaf Extractson Growth and Yield of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

A field experiment was carried out in one of the special fields Al-Jazirah - Al-Budhiyab located at latitude 38.28° north and longitude 43.19° east, to find out the effect of different concentrations of the extract of the Water hyacinth and silverleaf plants in three varieties of sun flower. The experiment was applied using a split-plate arrangement within an RCBD design with three replications. The main plots were represented by the varieties Ishaqi, Sakha, and Iqmar, and the sub plots included the spray concentrations 0, 5, 15 and 25 mg L-1. The results showed that the Iqmar variety was superior in plant height (179.73 cm) in the spring season, and the cultivar Ishaqi (175.50 cm) in the fall season. The variety also outperforms generously in leaf area (307.4 cm2) in the fall season. As for the extracts, the water hyacinth outperformed the plant height (177.74 and 175.11 cm) in both seasons, respectively. And in the stem diameter (20.45 mm) in the spring season and in the dry weight of the weeds (0.045 and 0.053 g m2) in both seasons respectively. While silverleaf herb extract exceeded the leaf area (213.9 and 271.1 cm2) in both seasons sequentially and the stem diameter (20.86 mm) in the fall season, the silverleaf herb extract reduced the dry weight of the weeds (0.032 and 0.043 g m2) in both seasons respectively. He increased the weight of 1000 seeds (59.25 and 67.20 grams) in both seasons and the total yield (3.26 ton ha-1) in the fall season. The 15 mg L-1 concentration also increased plant height (180.02 cm) and leaf area (208.9 cm2) in the spring season, disc diameter (22.39 cm) in the fall season and the number of seeds (924 seeds per disc-1). While the concentration increased plant height (176.19 cm) and leaf area (276.8 cm2) in the fall season. The concentration outperformed 5 mg L-1 in stem diameter (19.65 and 20.32 mm) in both seasons and increased the weight of 1000 seeds (59.57 and 67.94 g) in both seasons sequentially and the overall yield (4.35 and 3.18 ton ha-1) in both seasons. Sequentially. We conclude that there is a fluctuation in the behavior of the same crop varieties due to the overlap of study factors and in different directions, so it is recommended to individualize the factors in their influence on the varieties to know the behavior of those varieties more accurately.

Effect of Spraying with Extract of Water Hyacinth and Silverleaf on Dry Weight of Weeds and Specific Characteristics of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

A field experiment was carried out in one of the special fields Al-Jazirah - Al-Budhiyab located at latitude 38.28° north and longitude 43.19° east, to find out the effect of different concentrations of the extract of the Water hyacinth and silverleaf plants in three varieties of sun flower. The experiment was applied using a split-plate arrangement within an RCBD design with three replications. The main plots were represented by the varieties Ishaqi, Sakha, and Iqmar, and the sub plots included the spray concentrations (0, 5, 15 and 25 mg L-1). The results showed that there were no significant differences between the cultivars in both the spring and fall seasons. As for the extracts, Water hyacinth gave the highest average dry weight of the weeds (0.076 and 0.028 g m2) in both seasons, respectively. The silverleaf herb extract reduced the dry weight of the weeds (0.057 and 0.020 g m2) in both seasons, respectively. While silverleaf in the fall season gave the highest average percentage of oil and carbohydrates (3.85 and 67.48%) for the two grades, respectively. Also, the concentrations 5 and 15 mg L-1 were increased from the dry weight of the weeds (0.078 g m2) of the two concentrations, respectively. Whereas, the concentration increased by 25 mg L-1 from the dry weight of the weeds (0.033 g m2) in the fall season. Whereas, the concentration reduced 0 mg L-1 of the dry weight of the weeds (0.035 and 0.015 g m2) in both seasons respectively. We conclude that there is fluctuation in the effect of the extracts on the behavior of the varieties and their manifestation of the results due to the overlap of study factors and in different directions, so it is recommended to single out the factors in their influence on the varieties to know more accurately the behavior of those varieties.

Comparison of Shelf Life and Quality of Potted Hydrangea ‘Speedy Red’ under Different Abscisic Acid Spray Concentrations

Comparison of Shelf Life and Quality of Potted Hydrangea ‘Speedy Red’ under Different Abscisic Acid Spray Concentrations

Randomized trial of high-dose rectal diclofenac suppository and epinephrine spray on duodenal papilla for prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis.

High-dose rectal diclofenac suppository and epinephrine spray on duodenal papilla during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may reduce the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis. We performed randomized trial to compare the effect of combination of rectal diclofenac and epinephrine spray on papilla (group A) vs. combination of rectal diclofenac with saline spray (group B) for prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis. We performed a double-blind trial at tertiary care center from April 2018 to May 2020 on 882 patients with naive papilla undergoing ERCP. The patients were randomly assigned togroups, A (n=437) or B (n=445). All patients received a single dose of rectal diclofenac 100 mg within 30 minutes before ERCP; 20 mL of diluted epinephrine 0.02% (group A) or saline (group B) was then sprayed on the duodenal papilla at the end of ERCP. The primary outcome was to compare incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) in two groups. The groups had similar baseline characteristics. PEP developed in 28 patients in group A (6.4%) and 35 patients in group B (7.9%) (relative risk, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.87-1.39; p=0.401). Our study showed that addition of epinephrine spray on duodenal papilla did not reduce the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis. There is need for further studies to evaluate the role of different concentrations of epinephrine spray on papilla for prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Clinical Trials Registry- India (CTRI/2018/04/013396).

Modulation of growth, photosynthetic efficiency, leaf biochemistry, cell viability and yield of Indian mustard by the application of trehalose

Trehalose (Tre) is a nonreducing glucose disaccharide. It modulates diverse physio-biochemical processes in crop plants. A randomized pot experiment was designed to investigate whether the leaf-applied Tre could improve the growth, photosynthesis, leaf biochemistry, cell viability and yield of Indian mustard. Uniform surface sterilized seeds of mustard were sown in earthen pots. The plants were sprayed with four graded doses of Tre, viz. 0, 10, 20 or 30 mM using a hand sprayer twice at 50 and 70 days after sowing (DAS). The crop performance was assessed in terms of morpho-physiological, biochemical, microscopical and histochemical parameters at 80 DAS and yield attributes at harvest (120 DAS). The spray concentration of 10 mM Tre proved efficacious for all parameters studied, i.e. growth traits, relative water content, gas exchange parameters, enzyme activities, leaf glycine betaine and proline content, stomatal size and width, carbohydrate and mineral content, root cell viability and yield parameters. Moreover, foliar feeding of 10 mM Tre also reduced the generation of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide in mustard leaves, which were further confirmed with the fluorescence microscopy and histochemical localization examinations. The spray concentrations higher than 10 mM Tre were either equally or less effective. The foliar spray of 10 mM Tre increased shoot dry mass by 15.81%, chlorophyll content by 17.64%, photosynthetic rate by 17.04%, carbohydrate content by 22.40% and seed yield by 21.85% over the water-sprayed control. The data revealed the overall superiority of 10 mM Tre for improving the performance of Indian mustard.

Foliar application of anthocyanin extract regulates cadmium accumulation and distribution in rice (Oryza sativa L.) at tillering and booting stages

Anthocyanin extract has been applied in agricultural production and enhanced tolerance of plants to adverse effects of Cd stress. Rice was subjected to different concentration of Cd and blueberry anthocyanin, and the effects on rice growth, antioxidative defense, Cd distribution in rice tissues, FTIR and TEM characterization of rice leaves were examined to explain the Cd reductions in rice grains and the protective mechanisms by blueberry anthocyanin. Foliar spray of blueberry anthocyanin at tillering and booting stages was effective for reducing Cd concentration in rice grains and increasing the rice yield, anthocyanin and Cd concentration of rice leaves under 1.0 and 10.0 mg/kg Cd stress. The Cd concentration in rice grains was less than the China national standard of Cd for rice grains (0.2 mg/kg) after surface spraying by 5.0–12.5 g/L blueberry anthocyanin under 1.0 mg/kg Cd stress, while 7.5 g/L spray concentration was the best choice. Blueberry anthocyanin spraying prevents Cd from being transferred from leaves to rice grains mainly by fixation of Cd in soluble and organelle fractions at the tillering and booting stages, and reduces H2O2 and MDA accumulation in rice leaves to decrease Cd toxicity. Combined with FTIR and TEM characterization of rice leaves, the results indicated that surface spraying of 7.5 g/L blueberry anthocyanin under 1.0 mg/kg Cd stress could effectively relieve Cd oxidative damage, and form chelates with Cd ions to immobilize Cd in rice leaves. Hence, blueberry anthocyanin could be used as a foliar resistance control agent to reduce Cd accumulation in rice grains through chelate compound synthesis and decrease Cd toxicity by preventing membrane lipid peroxidation and H2O2 accumulation.

Integrated use of distillery spent wash and NP fertilizers on FH-142 cotton-a low cost practice

Distillery spentwash, a sugar-industry discharge of plant origin generated during ethanol production can be used to fertilize the plants, instead of polluting the environment. A field experiment arranged in a split plot design consisted five spentwash spray concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 %) as main split and four N-P rates i.e. 0, 1/3rd, 2/3rd and full recommended (0-0, 46-23, 93-46 and 140-70 kg N-P2O5 ha-1) as sub-split, replicated thrice. Increasing the concentration of spentwash or N-P fertilizer rates alone and their interaction significantly increased growth, yield and leaf tissue NPK concentration. Yet, increasing the rates of N-P alone from 1/3rd to full, did not increase the leaf tissue K concentration till foliar spray of spentwash. A full N-P fertilizer rate with 20% spentwash spray resulted in maximum plant height (130.77 cm), number of leaves (25.13), sympodia (20.12), squares (27.70), bolls (40.24) plant-1, seed cotton yield (4025 kg) ha-1 and leaf tissue N (3.40%) and P (0.20%) without any adverse effects on soil or cotton plant. However, increasing the rate of N-P fertilizer from 2/3rd to full or spentwash concentration from 15% to 20% did not influence the cotton attributes and yield. A 2/3rd N-P rate with 20% spentwash spray increased seed cotton yield by 20%, even over full N-P, which saved 1/3rd cost of each N-P and complete K, the best way to economize the chemical fertilizer inputs. Keywords: Chemical fertilizer; Foliar spray; Leaf tissue; NPK substitution; Seed cotton yield http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2021.100046

Effect of potassium and boron spraying in yield and quality characteristics for sunflower crop Helianthus annuus L. var luleo

A field experiment was carried out during the autumn season of 2016 in one of the Agricultural fields in the area of Abu- Guelana ,which is 13 km from the center of Muthanna province , To find out the effect of potassium and boron spraying in the yield and quality characteristics , for sunflower crop - variety Luleo.Used in this study completely randomized block design Arrangement factorial experiment , The study included two factors : The first factors of four concentrations of potassium spray (0, 2500, 5000, 7500) mg K L-1 , and the second factor four concentrations of boron spray (0, 50, 100, 150) mg B L-1. The mean of the treatments was compared with the least significant difference (L.S.D) at a probability level of 0.05% . Results showed that the potassium spray treatment 7500 mg k L-1 was significantly higher in all studied traits ,(number of seeds/head , weight of thousand seed , fertility percentage ,seed yield , total seed yield and total oil yield) , The results showed that the treatment of boron spray with 100 mg B L-1 concentration was significantly higher in all studied traits. The overlap treatment showed significant superiority in all the traits.

Effect of Spraying with Alcoholic Plant Extracts of Water Hyacinth (Eichhorinia crassipes) and Silverleaf (Solanum elaeagnifolium) on Growth and Yield of Corn, Zea myas L.

A Field experiment was carried out at private field, Jazirah district, Al-Budhiyab, which is located at latitude 38.28° North and longitude 43.19° East, to study effect of different concentrations of water hyacinth and silverleaf extracts on three cultivars of corn. The experiment was applied using split-split plot arrangement within RCBD with three replicates. Main-plots were represented by the cultivars Sumer, Fajr and Maha, and sub-plots, were the spray concentrations included 0,5,15 and25 mg L−1. The results showed that the cultivar Fajr was superior in plant height, leaf area, number of rows per ear, and number of grains per row in the spring season, with averages of 253.63 cm, 4978 cm2, 18.58 rows ear−1, 45.54 grain per row−1. While the Maha cultivar outperformed all the traits except for the number of grains in a row in the fall season with averages of 269.00 cm, 4841 cm2, 16.12 row ear−1 diameter of stem 24.77 mm and 19.15 mm (in the two seasons) and the yield of 4.21 ton ha−1. In the spring season. And the weight of combined weeds decreased by 0.014 mg plant−1 in the fall season. While the Sumer cultivar reduced the weight of combined weeds by 0.050 mg plant−1 in the spring season and increased the number of grains in the row by 38.75 grain per row−1 in the fall season and the weight of 500 grains was 106.80 and 87.65 g in the two seasons respectively, and the result was 2.83 ton ha−1 (in the spring season). The concentration exceeded 25 mg L−1in plant height 267.70 cm and the concentration decreased by 15 mg L−1dry weeds weight in the two seasons 0.072 and 0.023 mg plant−1 respectively, and the same concentration increased the number of rows of ear in the spring season 18.11 row ear−1 and the number of grains 44.89 grain row−1. The concentration of 5 mg L−1increased the weight of 500 grains in the spring season by 109.41 g. it could be concluded that 15 mg L−1 was the best to improve growth and yield properties of Zea mays.

Nitrogen spraying affects seed Bt toxin concentration and yield in Bt cotton

Cotton bolls exhibit the lowest insecticidal efficacy among all organs of Bt cotton, which would ultimately affect the yield formation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different urea concentrations on the seed Bt protein contents, seed cotton yield and the corresponding protein metabolism mechanism. The experiments were conducted during 2017–2018 cotton growing seasons. Two cultivars, Sikang 3 (hybrid, SK3) and Sikang 1 (conventional, SK1), were treated with six urea concentrations and their seed Bt protein contents were compared during boll formation period. The urea spray concentration had a significant effect on the seed Bt toxin content and seed cotton yield. Spraying of either 5 or 6% urea led to higher insecticidal protein contents and higher seed cotton yield for both cultivars. Moreover, the highest amino acid and soluble protein contents, as well as GPT and GOT activities, and lower protease and peptidase activities were observed at the 5 to 6% urea levels. Significant positive correlations between the seed Bt toxin and amino acid contents, and between the seed Bt toxin content and GPT activities were detected. The lower boll worm number and hazard boll rate were also observed with the 5 to 6% urea treatments, which may be the reason why nitrogen spraying increased the seed cotton yield. Therefore, our results suggested that the seed Bt toxin content and insect resistance were impacted markedly by external nitrogen application, and 5 to 6% urea had the greatest effect on insect resistance.

Effect of concentration and date of spraying with trace elements on growth and yield of cotton plant ( Gossypium hirsutum L.)

This study was conducted in the fields of the Cotton Research Unit / Technical Agricultural College / Mosul, to study the effect of three concentrations of the trace element composition (0, 1.25, 2.5) ml / liter and three spraying dates (the vegetative growth stage, the flowering stage and the boll formation stage) on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of vegetative growth and yield of Lashata cultivar cotton plant. The seeds were sown at 15/4/2018 in mixed soil by adopting the design of complete random design. RCBD with three replicates and one experimental unit contained ten homogeneous plants. The results were analyzed and tested according to the Duncan polynomial test under the level of error probability of 5%. The results of this study showed a significant effect of the trace elements in most of the studied characteristics. Especially when adopting the spraying date in the vegetative growth stage as the vegetative growth characteristics increased (plant height, number of nodes until the first fruit branch, number of vegetative branches, number of fruiting branches) and quantity yield characteristics (number of bolls, weight of the existing boll, seed index, cotton yield Cast iron) and qualitative yield characteristics (staple index, percentage of hair, earliness percentage) and the interaction coefficients between spray concentrations and dates compared to control treatment.

Baltic Sea Spray Emissions: In Situ Eddy Covariance Fluxes vs. Simulated Tank Sea Spray

We present the first ever evaluation of sea spray aerosol eddy covariance (EC) fluxes at near coastal conditions and with limited fetch, and the first over water with brackish water (on average 7 ppt). The measurements were made on the island of Garpen in the Baltic Sea (56°23′ N, 16°06′ E) in September 2005. We found that wind speed is a major factor that is driving an exponential increase in sea spray sea salt emissions, comparable to previous studies over waters with higher salinity. We were able to show that the inclusion of a thermodenuder in the EC system allowed for the parallel measurements of the dry unheated aerosol flux (representing both organic and sea salt sea spray emissions) and the heated (300 °C) non-volatile sea salt emissions. This study’s experimental approach also included measurements of the artificial sea spray formed in a tank in locally sampled water at the same location as the EC fluxes. We attempted to use the EC aerosol flux measurements to scale the tank measurements to aerosol emissions in order to derive a complete size distribution for the sea spray emission fluxes below the size range (0.3–2 µm dry diameter) of the optical particle counters (OPCs) in the EC system, covering in total 0.01 µm to 2 µm diameter. In the wind directions with long fetches (corresponding to conditions similar to open sea), we were able to distinguish between the aerosol emission fluxes of dry aerosol and heated non-volatile (sea salt only) in the smallest size bins of the OPC, and could therefore indirectly estimate the organic sea spray fraction. In agreement with several previous ambient and tank experiments deriving the size resolved chemical mass concentration of sea salt and water-insoluble organic sea spray, our EC fluxes showed that sea sprays were dominated by sea salt at sizes ≥1 µm diameter, and by organics at the smallest OPC sizes. Since we used direct measures of the sea spray emission fluxes, we confirmed previous suggestions that this size distribution of sea salt and organics is a signature of sea spray aerosols. We were able to show that two sea salt source parameterizations (Mårtensson et al. (2003) and Salter et al. (2015)) agreed fairly well with our observed heated EC aerosol emission fluxes, as long as their predicted emissions were modified for the actual salinity by shifting the particle diameters proportionally to the cubic rote of the salinity. If, in addition, we added organics to the parameterized sea spray following the mono-layer model by Ellison et al. (1999), the combined sea spray parameterizations for sea salt and organics fell reasonably close to the observed fluxes for diameters > 0.15 µm, while one of them overpredicted the sea spray emissions below this size. The organic mono-layer model by Ellison et al. appeared to be able to explain most of the differences we observed between the aerosol emission fluxes with and without the thermodenuder.

Life prediction of copper-aluminium composite plate, based on electrical conductivity in a marine atmosphere

In this paper, the life prediction of copper-aluminium composite plate was investigated by exploiting the conductivity in a marine atmosphere environment. The corrosion kinetic model was established and modified based on the corrosion weight loss under different salt spray concentrations. According to the working standards of conductors, the failure criterion of temperature rises caused by conductive cross-sectional corrosion of composite plate was established. The relationship between salt spray concentration, corrosion time and reduction of the conductive cross-sectional area was provided. The life prediction model of composite plate under conductive conditions was established and verified by experimental and simulation results. The results showed that the failure of the material occurred when the average cross-sectional area of the copper-aluminium composite plate decreased by 37.50% due to corrosion, that is, when the corrosion weight loss was 12.15 g. It was calculated that the service life of the material in an environment with 0.05%, 0.20%, 0.40% and 1.50% salt spray concentration was 13,128 days, 2539 days, 1311 days and 273 days, respectively.