Concentration In Corn Research Articles

Micronutrients concentration and content in corn as affected by nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilization

AbstractThe interaction between nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers significantly impacts the uptake of micronutrients in corn, influencing their availability in soil and uptake by plants. Understanding the interaction of macro‐ and micronutrients is a prerequisite to targeting nutrient balance in crop production. Therefore, a 2‐year field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of NPK fertilization on micronutrient uptake of rain‐fed corn (Zea mays L.). A randomized complete block design was employed with 12 treatments replicated three times. Different combinations of N, P, and K fertilizer rates were investigated for micronutrient concentration and uptake in rain‐fed corn. Findings revealed the order of nutrient accumulation in corn plants: iron (Fe) > manganese (Mn) > zinc (Zn) > copper (Cu). Nitrogen application influenced nutrient concentrations and uptake. Increasing N rates increased micronutrient concentrations in corn grain, except for Cu. Interestingly, Cu content in grains exhibited no correlation with nutrient supply, biomass, or other concentrations. As the N application rate increased, micronutrient content increased at early growth stage and physiological maturity. Phosphorus application showed negligible impact on grain micronutrient concentration and uptake. However, K application notably increased Mn, Fe, and Cu uptake in grains. This study underscores the need to consider not only grain yield but also nutritional quality when determining optimal NPK rates in rain‐fed corn cultivation.

Day-to-day variation in trace and macro-mineral concentrations in corn and mixed grass–legume silages of Canadian commercial dairy herds

The aims were to assess the day-to-day variation in trace minerals (TM), macro-minerals, dry matter, and physical effectiveness factor in grass–legume and corn silages and to evaluate the variance partition. Grass–legume and corn silage samples were collected in nine Canadian dairy herds during two episodes of five consecutive days at 4 weeks apart by the same individual. All variables were analyzed in duplicate. The proportion of variation due to the farm was more variable within TM than macro-minerals. Using TM software reference values of silages for formulating rations can lead to important errors. Except for physical effectiveness factor, the within-farm variations between sampling episodes were more marked for mixed grass–legume than corn silage. For most of the minerals and nutrients analyzed, the sampling + day-to-day variations were the main source of variability, accounting for over 50% of the within-farm variance for both silage types. The remaining within-farm variance was explained by subsampling and laboratory analyses. The high within-herd variation suggests that a silage sampling over more than 1 day can be useful to get a representative sample for TM analysis. Accurate nutrients and TM values when formulating cow diets is essential to cow health and productivity.

Fate of atrazine in soybean (Glycine max L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) succession in Brazilian subtropical conditions

This work aimed to evaluate the distribution of atrazine via surface runoff, leaching, and retention in a Rhodic Ferralsol and to analyze the effect of a succession of corn and soybean crops in Brazilian subtropical edaphoclimatic conditions on the distribution of this herbicide. The mobility of atrazine was evaluated using a drainage lysimeter under conditions of intensely simulated precipitation, carried out 24 h and 48 h after a single herbicide application at 17 days after corn emergence. Surface runoff and leaching were sampled during the rainfall simulations at intervals of 5 min until completing 1 h. Corn foliar analyses were carried out to measure the residual amounts of atrazine. In addition, laboratory studies of sorption (equilibrium and thermodynamics) and dissipation were carried out to understand the dynamics of atrazine in the soil. Freundlich's non-linear isotherms presented an excellent fit in the description of atrazine sorption in a Rhodic Ferralsol. The high content of organic matter in the soil and the temperature variation directly influences the retention of atrazine in the soil. The half-life (t1/2) of atrazine in soil under controlled conditions indicates a non-persistent pesticide, with 14.44 days. However, the herbicide can persist in deep soil layers for more than 93 days after spraying. When high-intensity rainfall occurs 24 h after application, large proportions of atrazine are lost by runoff within the first 20 min of rain. At the same time, significantly inferior losses are observed when rainfall occurs 48 h after spraying. High-intensity rainfall within 24 h of atrazine application leads to substantial losses, causing an approximate 84% reduction in its concentration in corn leaves and a 94% reduction in soil. Conservationist agronomic practices that protect the soil, especially during the initial periods of corn cultivation, are essential to reduce atrazine losses by runoff or leaching. In addition, increasing the concentration of organic matter in the soil can be extremely promising in increasing the retention of this pesticide to soil colloids, preventing its loss in soils with a low content of clay minerals.

PSVI-7 Digestible Energy and Metabolizable Energy Concentrations of Corn, Oilseed Meals, and Fibrous Ingredients for Growing Pig

Abstract The objective of the present work was to determine digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) concentrations of corn, oilseed meals, and fibrous ingredients fed to growing pig. Twelve barrows with an initial body weight of 34.3 kg (SD = 2.9) were individually housed in metabolism crates. A 12 × 8 incomplete Latin square design with 12 animals, 12 experimental diets, and 8 periods was employed. A basal diet contained 76.7% corn, 19.0% soybean meal (SBM), and 2% soybean oil as the sole source of energy. Ten experimental diets were prepared by replacing 30% of the basal diet with SBM, rapeseed meal, rice bran, corn gluten feed, corn distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS), wheat bran, sugar beet pulp, copra meal, soybean hulls, or palm kernel expellers. Additionally, a corn diet contained 97.7% of corn as a sole energy source. Each period consisted of a 5-day adaptation period and a 5-day collection period, and the marker-to-marker procedure was used for the quantitative collection of feces and urine. The gross energy concentrations in the experimental diets were close to the calculated values based on the ingredient gross energy values. The DE and ME concentrations in corn (3,911 and 3,866 kcal/kg DM) and SBM (4,004 and 3,780 kcal/kg DM) were greatest (P < 0.05) among the 11 test ingredients followed by DDGS (3,531 and 3,336 kcal/kg DM), rice bran (3,242 and 3,172 kcal/kg DM), soybean hulls (3,081 and 3,103 kcal/kg DM), palm kernel expellers (3,112 and 3,058 kcal/kg DM). The DE and ME concentrations in corn gluten feed (2,624 and 2,460 kcal/kg DM) were less (P < 0.05) than those in all other test ingredients. In conclusion, corn and SBM had the greatest energy values among the corn, oilseed meals, and fibrous ingredients, whereas corn gluten feed had the lowest energy values.

Effects of sustainable agronomic intensification in a forage production system of perennial grass and silage corn on nutritive value and predicted milk production of dairy cattle.

The objectives were to determine the effects of incrementally applied improved nutrient management, alternative cropping practices, and advanced production technologies in a dual forage system of perennial grass and silage corn on nutrient composition and in vitro ruminal fiber digestibility of the forages and, using these data as inputs into the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System, to predict milk production, indicators of nitrogen (N) utilization, and N excretion of dairy cattle. Farm management systems (farmlets) included a conventional system with whole manure slurry broadcast to a late maturing corn hybrid and grass harvested with 5 cuts per year (F1); improved nutrient management with a separated manure system where the sludge was applied to corn and the liquid was applied to grass (F2); improved nutrient management and alternative cropping practices with separated manure, an early maturing corn hybrid interseeded with a relay winter cover crop, and grass harvested with 3 cuts per year (F3); and improved nutrient management and alternative cropping practices combined with advanced production technologies that included irrigation and a nitrification inhibitor (F4). The field trial was a randomized complete block design over 2 yr with 4 blocks each divided into grass and corn, 4 subplots within each block for each crop, and 2 replicates within each subplot. Diets were formulation with 60% forage and 40% concentrate where the grass and corn as silage was proportional to yield for land allocations of grass and corn of 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, and 20:80. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc.). The intensified management systems (F2, F3, and F4) increased the crude protein (CP) concentration of corn with no effects on starch concentration [32.1% dry matter (DM)] compared with the conventional system (F1). Decreasing cuts of grass from 5 to 3 reduced the CP concentration in the spring harvest (15.8% vs. 12.5% DM), and increased fiber concentration and reduced digestibility in the spring, summer, and fall harvests. A common concentrate was formulated for the conventional farmlet and then combined with the forages for each farmlet within each land allocation. Forages grown under intensified management to improve N capture increased the CP concentration of the diets. However, reducing the number of cuts of grass from 5 to 3, combined with the corn and relay crop to increase yield, reduced milk production across all land allocations. To complement the nutritive value of the forages grown under each management system and land allocation, the concentrates were reformulated, which reduced dietary CP, improved the indicators of N utilization (e.g., milk urea N and milk N efficiency), reduced N excretion, and improved milk yield with no differences among the farmlets. Increasing land allocated to corn supported higher milk yield at lower dietary CP concentrations (16.5% vs. 15.4% DM) with improved milk N efficiency and lower N excretion. Intensified agronomic management increased the CP of the combined forages decreasing the need for supplemental CP in the concentrate and could reduce the importation of feed N to the farm.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal species vary in their impact on nutrient uptake in sweet corn (Zea mays) and butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata)

An increasing demand for organic produce, coupled with the need to reduce reliance on the diminishing resource of rock phosphate, has bolstered interest in the use of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AMF) as a biofertilizer. AMF are symbiotic fungi that colonize the roots of most crops and transfer nutrients from the soil to their hosts in exchange for carbon. While past studies have shown that mixed AMF communities grown from field soil can increase the yield of many crops, the targeted use of individual AMF species on host plants is a promising avenue to enhance nutrient uptake. We inoculated sweet corn (Zea mays) and butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) seedlings with nine individual species of AMF and one mixed indigenous population to determine the most beneficial symbionts for enhancing mineral nutrient concentration and yield. Overall, level of root colonization was correlated with phosphorus (P) concentration of aboveground biomass. Corn and squash grown in association with AMF species in the Rhizophagus genus had the highest level of root colonization and tissue P concentration. Claroideoglumus etunicatum and Gigaspora margarita increased calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentration in corn and Gigaspora rosea increased calcium in squash. S. constrictum and G. rosea positively impacted sweet corn seedling biomass. Based on this evidence, AMF species vary in their benefit to plant nutrient uptake and the most beneficial species depend on host. Further research on the effectiveness of inoculating individual AMF species across a range of hosts and ecosystems will prove useful in the development of host-targeted AMF biofertilizers.

Variation of Crude Protein and Amino Acids Concentrations in Corn, Wheat, and Barley from Different Countries

The objective of this study was to investigate the variability in crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) content in cereal grains imported from different origins in Korea from 2006 to 2015. The values of CP and AA contents in corn, wheat, and barley were obtained from 430 and 325 samples from six countries, 83 and 56 samples from seven countries, and 60 and 58 samples from three countries, respectively. The CP concentrations in corn, wheat, and barley ranged from 7.12 (Brazil) to 7.68% (India), 10.55 (Ukraine) to 13.26% (Brazil), and 9.46 (India) to 10.49% (Ukraine), respectively. The Lys concentrations in the corn, wheat, and barley ranged from 0.18 (Argentina) to 0.24% (China), 0.26 (India) to 0.34% (China), and 0.23 (India) to 0.31% (Australia), respectively. The concentrations of CP and AA varied among different countries of origin (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05), except for Met in wheat and CP in barley. The coefficients of variation for CP were 3.26, 9.06, and 5.36 from corn, wheat, and barley, respectively. The correlation coefficients (r) between CP and Lys concentrations in corn, wheat, and barley were positively correlated and were 0.322, 0.277, and 0.542, respectively. In conclusion, CP and AA concentrations varied not only from different countries of origins but also within the same country due to the geographic region in which they are produced.

Dynamic changes of rhizosphere soil bacterial community and nutrients in cadmium polluted soils with soybean-corn intercropping

BackgroundSoybean-corn intercropping is widely practised by farmers in Southwest China. Although rhizosphere microorganisms are important in nutrient cycling processes, the differences in rhizosphere microbial communities between intercropped soybean and corn and their monoculture are poorly known. Additionally, the effects of cadmium (Cd) pollution on these differences have not been examined. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted in Cd-polluted soil to determine the effects of monocultures and soybean–corn intercropping systems on Cd concentrations in plants, on rhizosphere bacterial communities, soil nutrients and Cd availability. Plants and soils were examined five times in the growing season, and Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA genes was used to analyze the rhizosphere bacterial communities.ResultsIntercropping did not alter Cd concentrations in corn and soybean, but changed soil available Cd (ACd) concentrations and caused different effects in the rhizosphere soils of the two crop species. However, there was little difference in bacterial community diversity for the same crop species under the two planting modes. Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla in the soybean and corn rhizospheres. In ecological networks of bacterial communities, intercropping soybean (IS) had more module hubs and connectors, whereas intercropped corn (IC) had fewer module hubs and connectors than those of corresponding monoculture crops. Soil organic matter (SOM) was the key factor affecting soybean rhizosphere bacterial communities, whereas available nutrients (N, P, K) were the key factors affecting those in corn rhizosphere. During the cropping season, the concentration of soil available phosphorus (AP) in the intercropped soybean–corn was significantly higher than that in corresponding monocultures. In addition, the soil available potassium (AK) concentration was higher in intercropped soybean than that in monocropped soybean.ConclusionsIntercropped soybean–corn lead to an increase in the AP concentration during the growing season, and although crop absorption of Cd was not affected in the Cd-contaminated soil, soil ACd concentration was affected. Intercropped soybean–corn also affected the soil physicochemical properties and rhizosphere bacterial community structure. Thus, intercropped soybean–corn was a key factor in determining changes in microbial community composition and networks. These results provide a basic ecological framework for soil microbial function in Cd-contaminated soil.

PENGARUH PENAMBAHAN EKSTRAK JAGUNG MANIS DAN AIR KELAPA PADA MEDIA MS SECARA IN VITRO TERHADAP INDUKSI TUNAS ADVENTIF BAWANG PUTIH (Allium sativum L.)

[SWEET CORN EXTRACT AND COCONUT WATER EFFECT TO INDUCE GARLIC (Allium sativum L.) ADVENTIST SHOOTS BY IN-VITRO CULTURE]. Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the horticultural plants used daily for various uses. This study aims to determine the best extract concentration of sweet corn and coconut water and its interaction for induction garlic Adventist shoots (Allium sativum L.) var. Lumbu Hijau. The study was conducted at the Biotechnology Laboratory, Agriculture Faculty, UPN ”Veteran” East Java, in February – April 2021. The experimental design used was a factorial completely randomized design (CRD). The first factor is four levels of extract of sweet corn concentration (0, 50, 100, and 150 g/L), while the second factor is four levels of coconut water concentration (0, 50, 100, and 150 mL/L). The results showed that the extract of sweet corn concentration-time treatment increased the growing adventist shoots percentage, adventist shoots number, and adventist shoots size. The section of sweet corn concentration of 150 g/L increased the rate of growing adventist shoots, adventist shoots number, and adventist shoots size. The treatment of coconut water concentration and its interaction with the extract of sweet corn concentration is still not able for induction garlic adventist shoots (Allium sativum L.) of the var. Lumbu Hijau.

Temporal Profile of Neonicotinoid Concentrations in Cotton, Corn, and Soybean Resulting from Insecticidal Seed Treatments

Neonicotinoids have been implicated as a contributing factor to the observed decreases in honey bee populations. It has been suggested that honey bees can be exposed to seed-treated neonicotinoids through pollen and nectar from treated plants. To investigate the uptake and persistence of neonicotinoids in plant tissue and soil, we conducted seed treatment trials with corn, cotton, and soybean planted in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee during the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. Leaf tissue was collected and analyzed beginning shortly after emergence until plants began to flower to better understand how neonicotinoid concentrations change in plant tissues over time. The youngest leaf in the terminal of the plant was sampled as an indicator of the neonicotinoid concentrations within the plant. Soil samples were also collected and analyzed for neonicotinoid concentrations at the first and last sampling dates. The mean clothianidin concentrations in corn treated with Poncho® 250, 500, and 1250 seed treatments declined by 99.3, 99.3, and 97.8 percent, respectively, as the plants developed from seedlings to reproductive plants. The mean concentration of imidacloprid detected in Aeris®-treated cotton decreased by 99.6 percent during the sampling period. For cotton seed treated with Avicta® Duo, the mean concentrations of thiamethoxam and clothianidin in leaf tissue declined by 99.9 and 100 percent, respectively, by the time flowering occurred. There was a 99.9 percent reduction in the mean concentration of thiamethoxam by the time of flowering in leaf tissue from soybean treated with a CruiserMaxx® seed treatment. Mean clothianidin concentrations completely diminished (&lt;1 ng/g) in CruiserMaxx®- and Poncho®/VOTiVO®-treated soybean plants by the time plants reached reproductive growth. The data for neonicotinoid concentrations in the soil were more variable than leaf tissue samples, and the reduction in neonicotinoid concentrations in leaf tissues did not closely correlate with concentrations in the soil. Our results suggest that neonicotinoid insecticides, when used as seed treatments in these crops, decline rapidly throughout vegetative growth stages. However, the biological impact on target or non-target arthropods was not examined.

Efficiency and residual effect of alternative potassium sources in grain crops

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency and the residual effects of both molten and ground alkaline potassium-silicate rocks (K1) and of ground phonolite rock (K2), as sources of potassium, compared with the traditional source (KCl), in grain crop successions. Two experiments – one with the succession soybean-wheat-corn and the other with the succession corn-millet-soybean – were conducted on a Typic Haplorthox in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The treatments consisted of three sources (KCl, K1, and K2) and four rates of K (corresponding to 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 times the recommended rates for soybean and corn). The used sources did not affect leaf K concentration in soybean, but KCl and K2 similarly increased leaf K concentration in corn. Regardless of the source, K application increased the yield of all crops. The K1 and K2 sources present agronomic efficiencies equivalent to that of KCl. K1 and K2 show a more pronounced residual effect than KCl, especially on crops grown approximately one year after their application and under K rates above those recommended for the crops.

PSVI-11 Effects of nutrient management and cropping strategies in a dual-crop forage production system of silage corn and perennial grass on nutritional quality and predicted milk production of dairy cattle

Abstract The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of incrementally applied enhanced nutrient management, cropping practices, and advanced production technologies on nutrient composition and in vitro degradability of whole plant corn and perennial grass (tall fescue) and the predicted milk production of dairy cattle. Farm management strategies included: conventional system with manure slurry broadcast, late harvest corn, and grass cut 5 times per year (F1); improved nutrient management with manure sludge applied to corn and liquid applied to grass (F2); improved nutrient management and cropping practices with separated manure, an early harvest corn inter-seeded with a relay crop (Italian ryegrass), and grass cut 3 times per year (F3); and advanced technologies that included a nitrification inhibitor (diacyandiamide, DCD; F4). The field trial was conducted as a randomized complete block design over 2 years with 4 blocks each divided into corn and grass, 4 subplots for each crop, and 2 replicates within each subplot. Enhanced nutrient, cropping, and advanced management increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) the crude protein (CP) concentration in corn compared to the conventional system (Table 1). The DCD reduced (P &amp;lt; 0.05) the CP concentration and the highly degradable fiber of the relay crop compared to management without DCD. Decreasing the number of cuts of grass reduced (P &amp;lt; 0.05) the CP concentration in the spring harvest, increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) the fiber concentration in spring and summer harvests, and reduced (P &amp;lt; 0.05) fiber degradability in all harvests. Milk production predicted from the nutritional quality and representative proportions of forages using the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System was increased with enhanced management. The lower forage quality of grass cut 3 times compared to 5 times annually was offset by the improved quality of corn and relay crop under enhanced field management of the dairy farm.

Appraisal of chromium in chicken reared on maize irrigated with sewage water.

In the present study, the outcome of sewage, canal, and ground water on the chromium (Cr) concentration in corn and ultimately in chicken body parts was reported. To evaluate Cr level, atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer AA 6300, Shimadzu Japan) was used. The highest level of Cr in grains (0.50 ± 0.05 mg/kg), shoots (0.90 ± 0.01 mg/kg), and roots (1.01 ± 0.02 mg/kg) were noticed in the Sadaf variety watered with canal water. The least concentration of Cr was recorded in grains (0.07 ± 0.01 mg/kg), shoots (0.59 ± 0.01 mg/kg), and roots (0.71 ± 0.01 mg/kg) of Pearl variety irrigated with ground water. The maximum concentration of chromium in the blood (1.68 ± 0.02 mg/kg) and bones (1.26 ± 0.24 mg/kg) was observed in chicks fed on Millet Research Institute (MMRI) grains reared with the sewage water. The lowest concentration was observed in the blood (1.60 ± 0.04 mg/kg) and in bone (0.80 ± 0.01 mg/kg) of the chicks fed Pearl variety grains reared with canal water. In the second experiment, the maximum content of Cr was determined in the blood (0.74 ± 0.04 mg/kg) and bones (1.76 ± 0.02 ppm) of chicks consuming Sadaf variety grains reared with canal water and the least concentration in the blood (0.26 ± 0.03 mg/kg) and bones (1.64 ± 0.01 mg/kg) was determined on the consumption of the Pearl variety grains reared with ground water. A similar trend was observed in other body organs. It was concluded that polluted water causes higher accumulation levels of Cr in plant parts and even in animals' body parts after the utilization of such plants.

Effect of corn in diets for carnivorous catfish (Lophiosilurus alexandri) on metabolic and performance parameters

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of dietary corn bran levels on the performance and energy metabolism of catfish (Lophiosilurus alexandri) juveniles. In total, 120 juveniles with initial average weight of 20.85 ± 2.01 g were distributed in 20 40 L aquariums in a recirculation system. These were distributed across five treatments (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% of carbohydrate) and four replicates (aquariums), and fed for 63 days. The parameters evaluated were performance, hepatosomatic index (IHS), viscerosomatic index (VSI), intestinal morphometry, glucose, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, amylase activity, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and malic enzyme activity. Different corn concentrations in diets affected performance, decreasing final weight and daily weight gain (DWG) by more than 10% (p < .05). There was no statistical difference for HSI, VSI and intestinal morphometry (p > .05). Glucose showed a linear behaviour, increasing with increasing corn bran levels. The activity of the amylase enzyme showed no significant difference between treatments (p > .05). The activity of malic enzyme and G6PD showed a linear behaviour, in which the treatment of 5% corn presented lower activity in the liver of the animals. It is therefore concluded that having a concentration of corn above 10% in the diet worsens the development of catfish juveniles.

Do soil test levels and fertilization with phosphorus and potassium impact field crop tissue concentrations?

AbstractSoil testing and plant tissue nutrient concentrations form the basis for fertilizer recommendations in Ohio. The response of crop phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) nutrient concentrations to soil test levels and fertilizer applications influences fertilizer recommendations but have not been rigorously evaluated in this region. The objective of our study was to determine the effects of (a) soil test P and K levels and (b) P and K fertilization on mid‐season leaf and grain P and K concentrations of corn (Zea mays L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). From 2014–2018, we conducted 186 on‐farm trials (99 P, 87 K trials) over a diversity of soil types, crop genetics, and management histories in 39 counties throughout Ohio. Soil test P and K levels, mid‐season leaf P and K concentrations, and grain P and K concentrations were measured on randomized and replicated plots. Both leaf and grain nutrient concentrations generally increased with the soil test levels, but the relationships were weak in all three crops. Fertilization of P and K marginally but consistently increased leaf tissue concentrations in all crops but had a lesser effect on grain P and K concentrations. Our data suggest that current sufficiency ranges for corn, soybean, and wheat are too high and need revision. Collectively, our results show that crop P and K tissue concentrations are positively, but weakly related to soil test levels and fertilization, and this information has important implications for future development of nutrient management frameworks in Ohio.

Effect of Different Levels of Phosphorus Fertilizer on Heavy Metals Concentration in Corn (Zea mays) Cultivated in Oil Polluted Soil

A pot experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of the Agriculture College, Salahaddin University of - Erbil, at Grdarasha field in silty clay loam (south of Erbil city) (36° 07' N, 44° 00' E), 411m above the sea level, during summer growing season of year 2016, to study the effect of five levels of phosphorus fertilizer (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg ha-1) on heavy metals concentration in corn plants growing in polluted and non polluted. The results revealed that the oil contaminated soil affects the growth performance of corn as percent germination. As well as showed that spent oil in soil has highly significant ( p ≤ 0.05) effects on some soil physico - chemical properties including pH, EC, Ca, Carbon and heavy metals concentrations. The spent oil also significantly reduced (p ≤ 0.05) the germination percentage; the seeds observed in the control pots had normal growth, where as in the polluted soils with oil the seeds had no germination, the plants had stunted growth. Therefore contamination of agriculture soils with oil should be avoided and public awareness should be created on the detrimental effects of oil pollution in our terrestrial ecosystem.

Prediction and measurement update of fungal toxin geospatial uncertainty using a Stacked Gaussian process

The paper develops a stacked Gaussian process using both field and wet-lab measurements to predict fungal toxin (aflatoxin) concentrations in corn in South Carolina. While most of the aflatoxin contamination issues associated with the post-harvest period in the U.S. can be controlled with expensive testing, a systematic and economical approach is lacking to determine how the pre-harvest aflatoxin risk adversely affects crop producers as aflatoxin is virtually unobservable on a geographical and temporal scale. This information gap carries significant cost burdens for grain producers and it is filled by the proposed stacked Gaussian process. The novelty of the paper is twofold. First, the aflatoxin probabilistic maps are obtained using an analytical scheme to propagate the uncertainty through the stacked Gaussian process. The model predictions are validated both at the Gaussian process component level and at the system level for the entire stacked Gaussian process using historical field data. Second, a novel derivation is introduced to calculate the analytical covariance of aflatoxin production at two geographical locations. This is used to predict aflatoxin at unobserved locations using measurements at nearby locations but with the prior mean and covariance provided by the stacked Gaussian process. As field measurements arrive, this measurement update scheme may be used in targeted field inspections to warn farmers of emerging aflatoxin contaminations.

Relationship Between Invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys) and Fumonisin Contamination of Field Corn in the Mid-Atlantic U.S.

Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys Stål) is an invasive agricultural pest that causes severe damage to many crops. To determine potential associations between H. halys feeding damage, Fusarium infection, and mycotoxin contamination in field corn, a field survey was conducted in eight counties in Virginia. Results indicated an association between H. halys feeding damage and fumonisin contamination. Subsequent field experiments in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia examined the ability of H. halys to increase Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg infection and fumonisin concentrations in corn. At the milk stage, H. halys (0 or 4 adults) and Fusarium (with or without F. verticillioides inoculum) treatments were applied to bagged ears in a two by two factorial randomized complete block design with 12 replicates. H. halys treatments increased levels of feeding damage (P < 0.0001) and Fusarium infection (P = 0.0380). Interaction between H. halys and Fusarium treatments influenced severity of infection (P = 0.0018) and fumonisin concentrations (P = 0.0360). Results suggest H. halys has the ability to increase both Fusarium infection and fumonisin concentrations in field corn. Further studies are needed to understand mechanisms by which H. halys increases fumonisin and to develop management strategies to mitigate impacts of H. halys on field corn in the region.

Corn and Soil Response to a Recently Developed Pelletized Papermill Biosolids

Beneficial utilization of industrial byproducts such as papermill biosolids (PB) provides a unique opportunity to reduce the overall production cost and increase environmental sustainability. Pelletization of a byproduct enhances its marketability by improving the transportation and application. This greenhouse study was conducted to gain a better understanding of the properties and effects of, a recently developed pelletized papermill biosolids (PPB), on corn (Zea mays L.) and soil. Urea and PPB were each applied at four total N rates equivalent to 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg⋅ha−1 and an additional control treatments of 0 was also included. The PPB contained 379 and 14 g⋅kg−1 total N and C and its C:N ratio was 27. Nitrogen treatment significantly (P ⋅plant−1 where application of 180 kg⋅ha−1 of PPB-N produced the smallest plant biomass. Numerically the dry biomass of corn that did not receive any N, corn fertilized with any PPB, and corn fertilized with any urea was 38.3, 26.9 - 41.1 and 38.1 - 40.92 g⋅plant−1 respectively. Nitrogen concentration in corn plants ranged 6.2 - 11.5 g⋅kg−1. Nitrogen concentration in corn that did not receive any urea or corn that received urea was 8.7 - 11.5 g⋅kg−1 and was significantly more than corn treated with any PPB. Total N uptake (removed from soil) by the corn plant was 166 - 455 mg⋅plant−1. Total N uptake by corn that did not receive any N, corn fertilized with any PPB, and corn fertilized with any urea were 327, 166 - 278, and 379 - 455 mg⋅plant−1 respectively. The data suggest that the high C/N ratio (27.2) of PPB resulted in immobilization of PPB-N. Thus the next step will be to research the optimal rates of inorganic N that should be incorporated into this PPB to reduce its C:N to make it an effective high organic matter content N fertilizer. Nitrogen treatment significantly (P g⋅kg−1. The SOM of the treatments fertilized with 90 and 180 kg⋅ha−1 of PPB-N was 19.4 - 19.7 g⋅kg−1 and was significantly higher than soil that did not receive any N. The application of PPB significantly increased the soil total C which was 36.0 and 23.6 g⋅kg−1 in the soil amended with 180 kg⋅ha−1 of PPB-N and the control respectively. The observed increase in SOM and total C in PPB treated soil points to the potential soil health and C sequestration benefits of PPB provided that its C/N ratio can be increased by incorporating inorganic N into it.

Effect of Viligen™, Feed Form, and Storage Time on Fumonisin Concentrations in Corn

Effect of Viligen™, Feed Form, and Storage Time on Fumonisin Concentrations in Corn