Foliar Fertilization Research Articles

Potential of Leaf Extract of Miracle Plant (Moringa oleifera L.) As Seed Priming Agent and Foliar Fertilization of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Background: A key desire of a farmer is to produce a higher yield with low inputs. Through proper nutrient management, potential yield can be picked but mostly cotton is not grown with balanced nutrition. In this scenario, seed priming and foliar fertilizers have the advantage of quick plant responses. Therefore, a cost-effective, farmers-friendly, and full of nutrients supplement should be considered. Moringa is known as a miracle plant and its role as a seed priming agent and foliar spray has been observed in many other crops.
 Objective: In this regard present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the leaf extract of a miracle plant (Moringa oleifera L.) on the growth and development of cotton.
 Methodology: Two cotton varieties CRIS-585 and CRIS-342 were seeded with an experimental design of split-plot repeated thrice. The details of the experiment were i) control ii) foliar spray of tap water iii) seed priming with leaf extract of miracle plant (MLE), iv) seed priming and foliar spray with MLE v) foliar spray with MLE. The extract was 3% solution. Cotton seeds were soaked to complete seed priming for 3 hours. After emergence 30, 60, and 90 days were selected to apply the foliar spray.
 Results: It indicated from the application of leaf extract that seed priming, as well as a foliar spray on cotton crops, had significant (p=0.05) effects on its yield and related parameters. The highest boll weight (3.8 g) and seed cotton yield (3844 kg ha-1) were recorded when a combined application of seed priming and foliar spray was done followed by the sole application of the foliar spray. While the minimum values of boll weight and seed cotton yield were found from the control where no seed priming or foliar spray was done.
 Conclusion: It is concluded that the application of leaf extract of miracle plants as seed priming and foliar spray in cotton crops significantly affected seed cotton yield and its traits.

Teores foliares de macro e micronutrientes em cultivares de abacaxizeiro submetidas à adubação foliar

Foliar fertilization is one of the alternatives to meet the nutritional demand of pineapples. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of foliar fertilizer compositions on the macro and micronutrient contents of pineapple cultivars, according to the evaluation periods. The cultivars evaluated in this experiment were: BRS Ajubá, IAC Fantástico, BRS Imperial, Pérola, and BRS Vitória. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with plots subdivided with three factors. The five pineapple cultivars and the three leaf fertilizer compositions were evaluated in the plots, in a factorial scheme and the five evaluation periods were studied in the subplots. In each season, the “D” leaves of five plants were collected. After being dried and weighed, the leaves were ground for macro and micronutrient analysis. The leaf analysis indicated a difference in the nutritional levels in the cultivars studied, suggesting the need to develop specific adjustments for each cultivar.

Foliar Fertilization by the Sol-Gel Particles Containing Cu and Zn

Silica particles with the size of 150-200 nm containing Ca, P, Cu or Zn ions were synthesized with the sol-gel method and tested as a foliar fertilizer on three plant species: maize Zea mays, wheat Triticum sativum and rape Brassica napus L. var napus growing on two types of soils: neutral and acidic. The aqueous suspensions of the studied particles were sprayed on the chosen leaves and also on the whole tested plants. At a specific stage of plant development determined according to the BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und CHemische Industrie) scale, the leaves and the whole plants were harvested and dried, and the content of Cu and Zn was determined with the AAS (atomic absorption spectroscopy) method. The engineered particles were compared with a water solution of CuSO4 and ZnSO4 (0.1%) used as a conventional fertilizer. In many cases, the copper-containing particles improved the metal supply to plants more effectively than the CuSO4. The zinc-containing particles had less effect on both the growth of plants and the metal concentration in the plants. All the tested particles were not toxic to the examined plants, although some of them caused a slight reduction in plants growth.

INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF Conotrachelus dubiae IN RELATION TO FRUIT RETENTION OF Myrciaria dubia (CAMU-CAMU) IN A FLOODED AREA, IN LORETO-PERU

Myrciaria dubia (camu-camu) is an Amazonian fruit of economic importance.The most common problems are the damage caused by Conotrachelus dubiae and the drop of developing fruits. The objective was to clarify the factors influencing post-defoliation fruit retention influenced by C. dubiae in flooded areas. Four treatments were applied: control (T1), bottle trap (T2), adhesive tape trap (T3), and foliar fertilization (T4). The research was conducted at a camu-camu plot on the Amazon River banks. As an additional control, plants at a highland plot were evaluated. Data on the retention of flowers and fruits, yield, and quality were obtained. The presence of pests was monitored, and fruits attacked by C. dubiae were harvested. T2 showed the highest levels of damaged fruit (11.9% ± 9) and fruit retention (24.5% ± 21). This supports the hypothesis that the primary cause of fruit drop is not pest damage. In fact, T4 was the most effective pest control (damaged fruits: 4.1% ± 4). The critical period for fruit retention was right after the fruit set. Defoliation did not have any effects on fruit quality. Flowering induction, unusually occurring during the flooding period, explains the high stress that caused low fruit retention.

Effects and mechanism on cadmium adsorption removal by CaCl2-modified biochar from selenium-rich straw

As every-one knows, cadmium contamination poses a significant and permanent threat to people and aquatic life. Therefore, research on how to remove cadmium from wastewater is essential to protect the natural environment. In this study, agricultural and forestry waste straw sprayed with selenium-enriched foliar fertilizer was prepared as biochar, which was altered by calcium chloride (CaCl2) to remove Cd2+ from water. The outcomes demonstrated that biochar generated by pyrolysis at 700 °C (BC700) had the best adsorption effect. Secondly, pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir adsorption models were used to predict the Cd2+ adsorption. Finally, electrostatic adsorption, ion exchange, and complexation of oxygen functional groups (OFGs) were demonstratedto be the main adsorption mechanisms. These conclusions indicate that selenium-rich straw biochar is a novel adsorbent for agroforestry waste recovery. Meanwhile, this work will offer a promising strategy for the overall utilization of rice straw.

Effect of Silicon on Oat Salinity Tolerance: Analysis of the Epigenetic and Physiological Response of Plants

Environmental conditions are the primary factor determining the growth and yield of plants. As a result of climate change, the negative impact of abiotic factors is intensifying. One of them is salt stress. Soil salinity is one of the major problems in agriculture in the world and affects many cultivar species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of silicon foliar application on the physiological and epigenetic reaction of oats (Avena sativa L.) under salt stress. The pot experiment was carried out in controlled conditions. Oat plants were subject to sodium chloride (NaCl) at a concentration of 200 mM and applied to the soil. Three concentrations of Optysil (200 g∙L−1 SiO2) were used for foliar fertilization. Measurements were made of the relative chlorophyll content in the leaves, the selected chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and the gas exchange parameters. In this study, methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphisms (MSAP) analysis was used to investigate the effect of Si application during salinity stress on the DNA methylation level in oat plants. The results of this study indicated that the exogenous application of silicon improved the tolerance of the oat plants to salinity. The doses of 0.1% and 0.2% Optysil had the greatest effect on alleviating the impact of salt stress on the oat plants. In this research, the epigenetic as well as the physiological response of plants to the applied experimental factors were analyzed, which is a broad coverage of the research topic on the effects of salinity and silicon on plants.

Efficiency of foliar fertilization of spring wheat variety of String myronivska by zinc and manganese in Polissia of Ukraine

The results of foliar fertilization of spring wheat crops of Struna myronivska variety with aqueous solutions of zinc, manganese and their chelated analogues in EDTA (zinc and manganese complexates) at different stages of plant growth and development are presented. The research was conducted on sodmedium podzolic gley sandy soils of Polissia contaminated by radionuclides after the Chernobyl accident. On the average, in 2014–2016 yy. the foliar fertilization of crops at different stages of growth and development of plants the yield of grain and straw of spring wheat did not increased. However, a statistically significant effect of fertilization was observed in the arid conditions of 2015, caused by almost complete absence of precipitation during the second and third decades of May and the first decade of June against the background of high average daily temperatures. Foliar fertilization of crops with zinc solution and chelated forms of trace elements (EDTA) in drought conditions increased wheat grain yield by more than 30 % compared to the control. Foliar fertilization of wheat plants with manganese solution increased grain yield by at least 30 % regardless of the stage of plants growth and development at the time of spraying. Similar patterns were observed for straw. Under ordinary weather conditions (2014 and 2016) foliar fertilization did not increase wheat yield. It is also shown that with increasing yield of wheat grain due to foliar fertilization of crops with aqueous solutions of zinc, manganese and their chelated analogues (EDTA), the concentration of iron, manganese, copper and zinc decreases. The increase in the level of straw yield due to fertilization is negatively correlated with the concentration of zinc and boron in it (r = −0.57). Key words: soil, iron, potassium, wheat, manganese, copper, radiocaesium, zinc.

Formation of elements of the structure the crop of corn hybrids under the influence of measures of cultivation technology

The main elements in the yield structure of the corn are formed depending on many factors. The elements of cultivation, along with the meteorological ones and the selection of hybrids take important place in this prosses. For the conditions of the left-bank Forest Steppe, we have researched complex scientific questions in the field of the peculiarities for the formation of the elements of the corn yield structure depending on the type of nitrogen fertilizers, foliar fertilizer application, the frequency of its application and the plant phenological stages. It is actuality for the chosen direction of scientific research. Accordingly, the goal of scientific research is to establish the peculiarities of the formation of the elements of the yield structure for corn depending on the technological elements in the cultivation. Field and laboratory methods were used in the research process. The statistical method was carried out using the SAS 9.4 package. The field trials were made in the field crop rotation of Bogatyrivske FG, Sumy Region, which is in the northern part of the Left Bank Forest Steppe. The period of research was 2019–2021. The soil of the research area is dark gray forestry. The object of the study is hybrids of corn of the medium-ripening group EC Asteroid (FAO 290.) and EC Concord (FAO 250). The types of nitrogen fertilizers and foliar fertilizers application by Humilin Stimul fertilizer according to the phenological stage in plant and the frequency of their application. The needing of application for UAN 32 in the nitrogen rate of 120 kg per hectare has been established. And foliar application with Humilin Stimul fertilizer at the rate of 3 kg/ha in the microstage 17–19 according to the BBCH scale was effective to. These fertilizers application increased the main the elements of the corn yield structure, and therefore, the total corn yield too. The increase in the value of structural elements for corn yield in the left-bank forest-steppe of Ukraine optimizes to the maximum realization of the genetic potential of the corn hybrids productivity with the application of nitrogen fertilizer UAN 32 and Humilin Stimul fertilizer in top dressing. Key words: corn, hybrids, productivity, nitrogen fertilizers, Humilin Stimul.

Economic evaluation of the efficiency of grain sorghum growing

The article presents the results of research on the economic evaluation of the effectiveness of growing grain sorghum under the complex influence of the elements of growing technology in the conditions of unstable moisture in the forest-steppe of the Right Bank of Ukraine. The purpose of the research was to determine the economic evaluation of the effectiveness of growing grain sorghum under the complex influence of technology elements. The experiment was carried out during 2019–2021 in the conditions of the research area of the educational and production center of Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University using various methods, namely: computational and statistical. To calculate the basic costs, we used technological maps of growing grain sorghum, which are used by producers in the conditions of the Kyiv region. Also, when determining costs, we relied on the indicators of the control variants of grain sorghum of the various hybrids we studied. It was found that the higher costs for grain sorghum cultivation technology amounted to UAH 5,149.9, for a yield of 7.88 t/ha, while for a yield of 6.65 t/ha it was UAH 5,067.1. It was recorded that a higher profit was obtained on the option of foliar fertilization with microfertilizer Alpha-Grow-Extra, 2 l/ha (1 treatment of 5 leaves, 2 – 9 leaves, 3 – throwing out panicles) in combination with Stimpo growth regulator, 20 ml/ha in phase 5 leaves for the cultivation of the Brigga sorghum variety – 39,638 UAH/ha. Under the condition of cultivation of the Yutami variety on the option of foliar fertilization with microfertilizer Alpha-Grow-Extra, 2 l/ha (1 treatment of 5 leaves, 2 – 9 leaves, 3 – throwing out panicles) in combination with Stimpo growth regulator, 20 ml/ha in phase 5 of leaves, a profit of 48,550 UAH/t was obtained, and with the similar use of microfertilizer and growth regulator Regoplant, 50 ml/ha in the phase of 5 leaves, it was 48,622 UAH/t. Key words: grain sorghum, economic assessment, basic costs, yield, profit.

Peculiarities of the biomass yield and quality formation in giant miscanthus under the effect of agricultural technology components

Purpose. To establish the peculiarities of the dry biomass productivity and quality formation in giant miscanthus under the effect of agricultural technology components.
 Methods. The research was carried out at the Bila Tserkva Experimental and Breeding Station of the Institute of Bioenergy Crops and Sugar Beet National Academy of Agrarian Sciences in the years 2019–2021. In the research, generally accepted methods were used. Giant miscanthus variety ‘Osinnii Zoretsvit’ was grown in a three-factor field experiment with the use of the following formulations: Azophosphoryn for inoculation (1,0 l/ha), adsorbent MaxiMarin granulated (30 kg/ha), Humate potassium (Humifield) (50 g/ha) and Antistress AminoStar (1,0 l/ha) for foliar fertilization over vegetation.
 Results. The productivity of miscanthus in the second year of vegetation (2020) was quite low since the development of plants was aimed primarily at forming a powerful root system, particularly rhizomes. On average in the experiment, the leaf and stem biomass weight of one plant ranged from 177.0 to 240.0 g, and the yield of solid biofuel from 5.84 to 7.92 t/ha. The maximum values of these indicators were observed in the treatments with the combined use of Azophosphoryn and MaxiMarin (236–240 g/plant. and 7.79–7.92 t/ha, respectively). At the same time, the foliar application of fertilizers in the first year of the experiment was ineffective: the differences in plant productivity indicators were rather tendentious. In the third year of miscanthus cultivation (2021), all treatments demonstrated a significant – approximately threefold – increase in the productive indicators. In particular, the weight of one plant was 531.8–772.2 g, solid biofuel yield 17.5–23.8 t/ha, and energy yield 287.8–391.1 GJ/ha. As in the previous year of research, their maximum values were obtained in the treatments with the combination of inoculant and adsorbent; foliar fertilization also proved to be an effective practice. As for the qualitative characteristics of the obtained crop biomass, on average in the experiment, the content of dry matter was 48.8%, cellulose 40.0%, lignin 10.3%, and ash 1.3%. The variation of these indicators under the effect of the studied factors was mostly insignificant (within the limits of error).
 Conclusions. In the third year of giant miscanthus variety ‘Osinnii Zoretsvit’ cultivation, the highest yield of solid biofuel (23.8 t/ha) and energy yield (391.1 GJ/ha) was provided by the combined use of inoculant Azophosphoryn, adsorbent MaxiMarin granulated and foliar application of fertilizer Potassium humate (Humifield) + Antistress AminoStar.

Effects of Foliar Fertilizer Applications on Leaf Area, Chlorophyll and Nutritional Content at Different Growth Stages of Soybean

Optimum büyümenin sağlanması ve yüksek verim için bitkiler, bitki besin elementlerinin toprakta alınabilir formda ve yeterince var olmasına gereksinim duymaktadır. Ancak, Akdeniz Bölgesi gibi kireç içeriği ve pH’sı yüksek topraklarda bulunan makro ve mikro besin elementlerinin bitkiler tarafından alımı kısıtlı olmakta, bazı durumlarda ise bitki tarafından kullanılamamaktadır. Bu gibi topraklarda gerekli besin elementinin, özellikle mikro bitki besin elementlerinin yaprak gübresi şeklinde verilmesi bitkinin daha hızlı ve etkili şekilde faydalanmasını sağlamaktadır. Bu çalışmada, soya bitkisinin (Glycine max L.) farklı gelişim dönemlerinde (V3, R1, R3) yaprak gübresi şeklinde verilen çinko ve demir besin elementlerinin klorofil içeriği (SPAD), yaprak alan indeksi (LAI) ve soya bitkisinin kimyasal kompozisyonuna etkisi incelenmiştir. Deneme, 2018 ve 2019 yıllarında ikinci ürün olarak Amik Ovası (Hatay) koşullarında bölünen bölünmüş parseller deneme desenine göre üç yinelemeli olarak yürütülmüştür. Ana parsellere çeşitler (Arısoy, Bravo, Nazlıcan), alt parsellere gelişim dönemleri (V3, R1, R3) ve alt alt parsellere gübre uygulamaları (Kontrol, Çinko, Demir, Çinko + Demir) yerleştirilmiştir. Soya bitkisine farklı gelişim dönemlerinde uygulanan demir ve çinko yaprak gübreleri, kontrol grubuna göre SPAD ve LAI değerlerini artırmıştır. En yüksek klorofil içeriği (SPAD değeri) Nazlıcan x R3 x Zn + Fe (36.03) uygulamasından alınırken, en yüksek yaprak alan indeksi değeri ise Bravo x V3 x Fe (7.57) uygulamasından alınmıştır. Klorofil içeriği tespitinde (SPAD değerleri) generatif dönem ölçümlerinde yüksek sonuç alınırken, yaprak alan indeksi ölçümlerinde ise vejetatif dönem daha iyi sonuç vermiştir. Yaprak besin elementi içerikleri yönünden incelendiğinde ise generatif dönemde yapılan uygulamalar neticesinde çinko ve demir birikimleri daha fazla olmuştur. Sonuç olarak, kireçli topraklarda soya bitkisinin ihtiyacı olan mikro besin elementlerinin yaprak gübrelemesi ile karşılanabileceği görülmüştür.

The impact of foliar applied zinc and iron on quality of soybean

For optimum growth and yield production, plants need all soil minerals to be available in adequate level, and unsuitable soil conditions can restrict root’s ability for uptake of minerals nutrient. For that matter, foliar sprays can be the best option for plants to benefit from nutrients. Field experiments with split-split plot design with three replications were conducted in 2018 and 2019 to determine the effects of foliar spraying zinc and iron treatments on some quality parameters of soybean (Glycine max L.) plants under calcareous soil with high pH conditions. Varieties (Arisoy, Bravo, Nazlican) were placed in main plots, growth stages of the soybean (V3, R1, R3) in sub plots and foliar fertilizers (Zn, Fe, Zn + Fe) in sub-sub plots. Foliar application of iron and zinc increased oil and protein content per soybean seed at different stages of growth in contrast to control (non-fertilizers) groups. The highest protein contents (33.61%) and oil contents (22.02%) were obtained from Zn treatment in both years. However, Zn + Fe mixture (102.25 kg da−1) was more efficient on oil yield in both years. It was observed that two-year average of polyunsaturated fatty acids was 58.93% (linoleic 50.13%; linolenic 8.80%), monounsaturated fatty acid was 24.83% (oleic), and saturated fatty acids were 14.68% (palmitic 11.82%; stearic 2.86%). Foliar Zn + Fe mixture spraying can be recommended to get high oil yield, and foliar Zn spraying for oil and protein contents from soybean based on this study.

Varietal features of elements of organic soybean cultivation technology

A reliable element of the technology for growing environmentally friendly products of early-ripening soybean varieties, and improving soil fertility, is the introduction of environmentally friendly growing technology based on the optimal functioning of the symbiotic system, without using mineral fertilisers, in particular nitrogen and pesticides. The purpose of the research was to explore the effect of inoculation of seeds of diverse soybean varieties with nitrogen-fixing and phosphorus-mobilising preparations, foliar fertilisation and their combination on growth, plant development and productivity under organic cultivation technology. The research was conducted using generally accepted methods, the field method, and the method of statistical evaluation of results. Experimental studies have established that with the introduction of high-yielding soybean varieties, using post-harvest residues (straw, stubble and root residues), green manure and legumes in a short rotation crop rotation, 136 kg of nitrogen and 142 kg of biologically fixed nitrogen enters the soil. It was demonstrated that seed treatment with AgriBacter inoculant and soybean fertilisation with Nanovit Super complex fertiliser ensures a yield of 4.08 t/ha for Mentor and leaves almost 30% of biological nitrogen in the soil. Studies have demonstrated that an integrated approach to the treatment of soybean seeds of the tested varieties with AgriBacter and Phosphoenterin inoculants, a strain of bacteria that decomposes hardly soluble organic phosphates, which in turn contributes to better nutrition of soybean plants, development of the root system, and has a positive effect on the development of an optimal stem density of 410-490 thousand units/ha, which provides an increase in the yield of soybean varieties by 1.88 t/ha. It was established that simultaneous inoculation of seeds and foliar feeding of soybeans with the biologically active complex Nanoactiv with the addition of magnesium sulfate in the macrostage BBCH 60-63 provides the highest yield of Niagara variety – 4.08 t/ha and Astor variety – 2.88 t/ha. Thus, in a shortrotation 4-season crop rotation saturated with legumes, using nitrogenfixing, phosphorus-mobilising preparations and the active growth stimulator Nanovit Super + Magnesium sulfate, soil fertility increases and the nitrogen content in the soil doubles. The scientific results can become the foundation for improving soil fertility, which will ensure sustainable yields in organic soybean cultivation

Foliar-applied potassium triggers soil potassium uptake by improving growth and photosynthetic activity of wheat and maize

Foliar fertilization is an important agricultural practice. How crop plants considerably response to small amounts of foliar-applied minerals is not fully understood. In this study, we tested whether foliar-applied potassium (K) stimulates soil K uptake by plant roots. Firstly, K uptake from nutrient solution by wheat seedling was investigated with and without foliar application of K. To dissect net K uptake, quantified amount of foliar-applied K (∼19.2 mg pot−1), and K uptake by non-foliar-fertilized plants was subtracted from whole plant K uptake (foliar-treated). In the second set of experiment, maize was grown in soil, and 2% K2SO4 (∼45.4 mg K pot−1) was foliar-applied to dissect soil indigenous K uptake. In addition to elevated K level in both crops, the net K uptake via wheat and maize roots quantified ∼23% and 55%, respectively higher with foliar application of K. It is coupled with improving phenotypic observations, comprising root biomass (32–56%), root-to-shoot ratios (7–38%), and water contents (13–15%) by plotting multivariate analysis. Further, the elevated leaf gas exchange measurements and chlorophyll contents by 10% in wheat and 14% in maize ensured the optimum photosynthetic activity in foliar-applied seedlings. Notably, after crop harvesting, ∼10% lower biological available K in the soil of foliar-applied maize was found. In sum, our findings provide scientific basis that foliar K fertilization improves soil K uptake by wheat, maize, and probably, closely related to cereal crops. It also suggests a novel aspect for further investigation to understand the underlying signaling pathway(s).

Improving Bush Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Yield and Quality by Increasing Soil Nutrients with Organic Fertilizer

Background: Evaluate the effect of organic fertilizers and amino acid foliar fertilizers in combination with different chemical fertilizers levels on the change of soil nutrients and bush bean yield (Phaseolus vulgaris). Methods: With six treatments and three duplicates, the experiment was designed using full randomization, each corresponding to 3 pots. The treatments in the experiment included- (1) 100% NPK (200 kg N/ha + 150 kg P2O5/ha + 100 kg K2O/ha, (2) 70% NPK + 2 tons of organic fertilizer (O.F)/ha, (3) 50% NPK + 4 tons of O.F, (4) 100% NPK + amino acid (4 ml/liter), (5) 70% NPK + 2 tons of O.F + amino acid (4 ml/liter) and (6) 50% NPK + 4 tons of O.F + amino acid (4 ml/liter). The experiment was carried out over two successive seasons. Result: The results show that applying 4 tons/ha of organic fertilizer combined with 4 ml/liter of amino acid foliar fertilizer reduces NPK by 50% (100 kg N/ha+75 kg P2O5/ha+50 kg K2O/ha+4 tons/ha of organic fertilizer+4 ml/liter amino acids) helps to improve pH and N, P available in the soil and at the same time helps to increase significantly and statistically (p less than 0.05) in terms of plant height, trunk diameter compared to fertilizer application of 100% NPK. In addition, the amount of nitrate in the bean decreased significantly. The increase in brix level was statistically different from the control when applying a 50-70% reduction of NPK, using 2-4 tons of organic fertilizer and spraying with amino acids.

Transcriptome Analysis on the Underlying Physiological Mechanism of Calcium and Magnesium Resolving “Sugar Receding” in ‘Feizixiao’ Litchi Pulp

The sugar contents of ‘Feizixiao’ litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) decrease at full maturity; calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) foliar fertilizer can resolve this “sugar receding”. To investigate the physiological mechanism of Ca and Mg foliar fertilizer used to resolve the “sugar receding” phenomenon in ‘Feizixiao’ litchi pulp, 16-year-old litchi trees were treated with 0.3% CaCl2 + 0.3% MgCl2 foliar spraying or water as a control. We determined the pulp sugar content over a two-year period in 2020 and 2021. Pulp total RNA was extracted for transcriptome sequencing in 2020, and the expression pattern of 10 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was verified by real-time PCR in 2020 and 2021. The results showed that the fertilizer treatment significantly increased pulp fructose and total soluble sugar contents at maturity in both years. According to Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis, there were 155 DEGs divided into 35 GO categories, among which 49 DEGs were divided into 49 pathways according to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. We isolated sugar-metabolism-related enzyme genes, including sucrose synthase (SS), acid invertase (AI), neutral invertase (NI), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), and hexokinase (HK). All sucrose-metabolism-related enzyme (NI, AI, SS, SPS) genes were downregulated, and six of the seven HK genes were downregulated. The expression patterns of the 10 DEGs were verified by real-time PCR, which showed significant linear relationships (r2020 = 0.9127, r2021 = 0.8705). In conclusion, the fertilizer treatment inhibited the synthesis of sucrose and phosphorylation of hexose by downregulating the expression of the SS, SPS, and HK genes, thus increasing the fructose and total soluble sugar contents in ‘Feizixiao’ litchi.

Evaluation of NDVI, SPAD values and yield of two different maize (Zea mays l.) genotypes under foliar fertilisation

Ensuring global food security has become a matter of great concern with the constantly increasing population growth, resulting in rising food demands. Simultaneously, climate change and land degradation pose major risks to agricultural production. Maize is one of the most produced crops globally and maize yields must be increased to meet the population’s needs. Fertilisation is considered indispensable for the crop growth and development. Foliar fertilisation, unlike root fertilisation, enables rapid access of nutrients to plants while sustaining the environment. Our research was carried out at Látókép in 2021, where, foliar sprays of Natur Plasma T biostimulant, Natur Active complex foliar fertiliser, Zinc and Sulphur Mono additives were applied at the 8-leaf stage on two maize hybrids, Mv 352 (FAO 350) and Mv Anissa (FAO 510). The main objectives were to examine the treatment’s effect on crops at critical phenophases (12-leaf stage, silking, maturity), besides determining its impacts on the harvested yields. Based on our findings, foliar nutrients had positively influenced the NDVI and SPAD values of both crops. Furthermore, in comparison with the control plots, the yield of Mv Anissa was 9% higher, while that of Mv 352 was 5.4% higher. Consequently, Mv Anissa produced the highest yield of 21.345 t/ha, i.e. 2.8 tons higher than that obtained by Mv 352. Moreover, the treatment increased their thousand-grain weight. Thereby, our study demonstrates the efficiency of the foliar fertilisation method in improving maize vegetative growth and development in addition to its productivity by enhancing its final yield.

Tissue-specific calcium and magnesium allocation to explain differences in bulk concentration in leaves of one-year-old seedlings of two olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars

Olive tree (Olea europaea L.) leaves have recently been recognised as a valuable source in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry as well as in preparation of health-supporting beverages. Little is known about the element composition of olive leaves and almost nothing about tissue-specific allocation of elements. Element composition and tissue-specific distribution were determined in leaves of two olive cultivars, Leccino and Istarska bjelica using micro-particle induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE). In leaves of the Istarska bjelica cultivar larger bulk concentrations of potassium, sodium, molybdenum and boron, but smaller concentrations of calcium and magnesium were found than in leaves of the Leccino cultivar. Tissue-specific investigation revealed that larger concentration of calcium in epidermis and in leaf blade tissues (secondary veins, palisade and spongy mesophyll) contributed to the larger leaf bulk calcium concentration in the Leccino cultivar. For magnesium, all leaf tissues, except the bundle sheath cells and consequently the main vascular bundle, contributed to the larger bulk concentration in the Leccino cultivar. Potassium was not predominant in any of the leaf tissues examined, while sodium and molybdenum were below the limit of detection, and boron not detectable by micro-PIXE. The results indicate that sinks for calcium and magnesium are stronger in specific leaf tissues of the Leccino than of the Istarska bjelica cultivar. The new understanding of tissue-specific allocation of elements in leaves of olive will serve as a basis for detailed studies into the effects of foliar and/or soil fertilisers in olive.

The Effects of Foliar Fertilizers on Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet

Çalışma farklı yaprak gübrelerinin şeker pancarı (Beta vulgaris var. saccharifera)’nın verim ve kalitesine etkisini belirlemek amacı ile Burdur ilinde 2016/2017 şeker pancarı üretim sezonunda yapılmıştır. Araştırmada şeker pancarı tarımında kullanılması önerilen Aminofol, Batguano, Borzinc, Comozink, Flora-X, Foton, Humatex-SF, Sıvı solucan gübresi olmak üzere 8 farklı yaprak gübresi kullanılmıştır. Uygulamaların şeker pancarının biyolojik verimini yaprak verimini, kök-gövde verimini, polar şeker oranı ve polar şeker verimini önemli seviyede etkilediği bulunmuştur. En yüksek yaprak (1055.7 kg/da,) kök-gövde (6947.0 kg/da), biyolojik (7896.3 kg/da) ve polar şeker verimi (1248.0 kg/da) Foton yaprak gübresi uygulandığı zaman alınmıştır. Polar şeker oranı Foton (% 17.96) ve Flora-X (% 17.81) yaprak gübresi uygulamalarında en yüksek olmuştur. Kullanılan diğer yaprak gübreleri de verime farklı oranlarda olumlu katkı sağlamışlardır. Kesin sonuca ulaşmak için bu çalışmaların uzun yıllar farklı lokasyonlarda yapılması gerektiği sonucuna varılmıştır.

Response of Bread Wheat Crop to the Spray of Alcoholic Sugars and A balanced Mineral Fertilizer in the Central Region of Iraq

Two field experiments were conducted during the season 2021-2022 in central Iraq represented by the Al-Muthanna governorate - Al-Majd District and Al-Qadisiyah governorate / Al-Nouriah Research Station to determine the productivity of the Baghdad 3 cultivar from spray foliar fertilization of Macro and Micro elements with alcoholic sugars and half the fertilizer recommendation for addition floor, three treatments were used for fertilization: T1 as the control treatment and T2 with alcoholic sugar fertilization at a concentration of 20 g.L-1 + the fertilizer combination of Macro and Micro elements, and T3 with alcoholic sugar fertilization at a concentration of 40 g.L-1 + the fertilizer combination of Macro and Microelements, at irrigation 55% of the water is depleted available water. The results showed that the seasonal water consumption was 437.5 and 425 mm in Al-Muthanna and AL-Qadisiyah locations, respectively and spraying with alcoholic sugars and fertilizer combination (balanced mineral fertilizer and micro-elements) during the different growth stages achieved significant differences in plant height, leaf area, number of branches plant-1 and chlorophyll content and it showed the success of the integrated fertilizer combination to spray nitrogen, potassium and microelements in the presence of alcoholic sugars with sorbitol with fertilization with triple superphosphate before planting 20 kg ha-1, and urea fertilizer 156 kg ha-1 under the conditions of the current experiment. The total yield of wheat was (4000 kg ha-1) and (5300 kg ha-1) at T2 and T3 fertilization treatment, respectively, compared to T1 treatment (5780 kg ha-1) in Al-Muthanna province. In Al-Qadisiyah Governorate location, the weight of the total yield increased with the fertilization treatments T2 (3768 kg ha-1) and T3 (4332 kg ha-1) compared to the treatment of T1 fertilization (3264 kg ha-1).