Foliar Spray Research Articles

ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ БИОПРЕПАРАТА БИОСТИМ НА ПОСЕВАХ КУКУРУЗЫ РОСС 140 СВ

The studies were conducted to study the effect of mineral fertilizers and the certified biopreparation Biostim Corn on the growth of the Ross 140 SV corn hybrid under irrigation. The field experiment was carried out in the conditions of the Republic of Tatarstan in 2021-2023. The object of the study was the Ross 140 SV hybrid zoned in the seventh region (Middle Volga region), bred by Krasnodar Research Institute of Agriculture named after P.P.Lukyanenko. In the experiment, various schemes for using the Biostim Corn preparation separately and in combination with Maksim Gold fungicide were studied. The use of Biostim Corn as a seed dressing before sowing at a dose of 2 l/t helps to increase the productivity of green mass. Its combined use with Maksim Gold seed dressing is even more effective. Against the background of the application of the calculated rates of mineral fertilizers, this ensures the formation of an additional 1.8 t/ha of green mass and an excess of the planned yield of 50 t/ha. Replacing Maksim Gold seed dressing with Biostim Corn increases the efficiency of using mineral fertilizers and foliar feeding. The profitability of green mass production of corn in the variant with the integrated use of agrochemicals is 73.3%, the conditional net income is 33.9 thousand rubles/ha, the cost of 1000 feed units is 4.6 thousand rubles. The use of the biopreparation Biostim Corn in the technology of cultivating the hybrid crop Ross 140 SV on irrigation allows you to improve the quality of seeds, increase the productivity of green mass and reduce the cost.

Effect of Integrating Plant Growth Regulators and Micronutrients on Growth, Phenology and Seed Yield of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

An experiment was conducted during Rabi 2019-20 at College of Agriculture, Indore (Madhya Pradesh) to investigate the effects of Plant Growth Regulator (PGRs) and Micro-nutrient Application on Growth, Quality, and Seed yield of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). The nine treatments consisted of different levels of PGRs i.e. GA3 and NAA with micro-nutrient (Mixol) which contain zinc, iron, manganese copper, boron and molybdenum including control (No use of PGRs and micro-nutrients) viz. T1 = 50 ppm GA3 seed treatment + Mixol 1.0%, T2 = 100 ppm GA3 seed treatment + Mixol 1.0%, T3 = 50 ppm GA3 foliar spray + Mixol 1.0%, T4 = 100 ppm GA3 foliar spray + Mixol 1.0%, T5 = 25 ppm NAA seed treatment + Mixol 1.0%, T6 = 50 ppm NAA seed treatment + Mixol 1.0%, T7=25 ppm foliar spray + Mixol 1.0%, T8 = 50 ppm NAA foliar spray + Mixol 1.0% and T9 = Control. Data were collected on different growth characters (Plant height and number of branches), Phonological attributes (Days to first flowering, days taken to 50% flowering and days to taken seed maturity) and yield characters (Seed yield per plant (g), seed yield t/ha, number of pods per plant, length of pod (cm), number of seeds per pod) of fenugreek. Based on results of one year experimentation, foliar spray of GA3 at 100 ppm + mixol 1.0% was found the best treatment compared with respect to plant growth and seed yield of fenugreek.

Utilizing VSWIR spectroscopy for macronutrient and micronutrient profiling in winter wheat

This study explores the use of leaf-level visible-to-shortwave infrared (VSWIR) reflectance observations and partial least squares regression (PLSR) to predict foliar concentrations of macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur), micronutrients (boron, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, molybdenum, aluminum, and sodium), and moisture content in winter wheat. A total of 360 fresh wheat leaf samples were collected from a wheat breeding population over two growing seasons. These leaf samples were used to collect VSWIR reflectance observations across a spectral range spanning 350 to 2,500 nm. These samples were then processed for nutrient composition to allow for the examination of the ability of reflectance to accurately model diverse chemical components in wheat foliage. Models for each nutrient were developed using a rigorous cross-validation methodology in conjunction with three distinct component selection methods to explore the trade-offs between model complexity and performance in the final models. We examined absolute minimum predicted residual error sum of squares (PRESS), backward iteration over PRESS, and Van der Voet’s randomized t-test as component selection methods. In addition to contrasting component selection methods for each leaf trait, the importance of spectral regions through variable importance in projection scores was also examined. In general, the backward iteration method provided strong model performance while reducing model complexity relative to the other selection methods, yielding R2 [relative percent difference (RPD), root mean squared error (RMSE)] values in the validation dataset of 0.84 (2.45, 6.91), 0.75 (1.97, 18.67), 0.78 (2.13, 16.49), 0.66 (1.71, 17.13), 0.68 (1.75, 14.51), 0.66 (1.72, 12.29), and 0.84 (2.46, 2.20) for nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc, and moisture content on a wet basis, respectively. These model results demonstrate that VSWIR reflectance in combination with modern statistical modeling techniques provides a powerful high throughput method for the quantification of a wide range of foliar nutrient contents in wheat crops. This work has the potential to advance rapid, precise, and nondestructive field assessments of nutrient contents and deficiencies for precision agricultural management and to advance breeding program assessments.

Clover and grass foliar nutrients in response to fertilizer and herbicide applications on Port Hills of Canterbury

Clover and grass foliar nutrients in response to fertilizer and herbicide applications on Port Hills of Canterbury

Foliar Spray Treatment for Exogenous Application of Hormones in Maize.

Exogenous application of hormones in plants is a valuable technique for studying and manipulating plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stimuli. The foliar spray method is one of the most common approaches for the exogenous application of hormones in plants due to its ease of use on aerial organs (such as leaves and inflorescences) and the rapid absorption of the treated tissue, facilitating subsequent analyses. Here, we provide a protocol to implement this method in maize. The approach consists of preparing dilutions of the hormones or plant growth regulators (PGRs) of interest, usually in an aqueous solution and at low concentrations, followed by application by foliar spraying using a defined treatment regimen. Users can then evaluate effects by measuring different parameters, such as stem size, flowering time, seed production, or others. The foliar spray method can easily be scaled up and automated in greenhouse and field settings, and can be used to treat plants at all developmental stages.

Optimized guidelines for feminized seed production in high-THC Cannabis cultivars

With the partial legalization of high-THC Cannabis sativa across 23 states for recreational use and 38 states for medical purposes in the United States, the Cannabis industry is poised for significant growth. Projected to reach a sales volume of $50.7 billion by 2028, this growth is driven by the trend of lifting Cannabis prohibition. High-THC C. sativa cultivars, containing more than 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) as defined by the 2018 US Farm Bill, are used for both medicinal and recreational purposes. Cannabis sativa is a short day, dioecious, annual plant, where female plants are favored for THC production, which requires seed feminization techniques to ensure an accurate female plant population. This involves using an ethylene inhibitor to induce sex reversal, leading to male flower development on female plants, allowing for self-pollination and the production of feminized seeds. However, challenges such as seed viability and the occurrence of male flowers in progeny have been noted. This review provides guidelines to enhance the production of viable feminized seeds in high-THC Cannabis cultivars. Literature findings indicate that Silver Thiosulfate (STS) is the most effective ethylene inhibitor for sex reversal and seed feminization in high-THC Cannabis cultivars. Specifically, a single dose of 3 mM STS should be applied during the vegetative stage via foliar spraying until runoff, followed by exposure to a short photoperiod of up to 12 hours to induce flowering and seed production. Progeny plants should be assessed for seed germination rate and compared for growth performance with the original parent plant to assess the declining effects of inbreeding. Adhering to these guidelines can improve the quality and viability of feminized seeds, meeting commercial market standards and industry demands for high-THC Cannabis cultivars.

Comparative Evaluation of Calcium Sources and their Mode of Use on Apple Production in Acidic Soil under High Density Plantation System

Apples grown in Kashmir province are extremely prone to deterioration, particularly in post-harvest storage. Calcium is amongst the vital mineral element deceiving apple fruit quality, predominantly in acid soils deficit in available calcium. Calcium in sufficient quantity helps to retain apple fruit firmness and reduces the occurrence of physiological disorders, it also plays essential role to improve yield and quality of produce. Modes of calcium application and its different doses on two apple varieties was tested to improve yield and quality at Ambri Apple Research Centre, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, India. The direct application of calcium to apple as spray is most effective method for escalating fruit calcium content and quality. Among sources and their mode of application calcium nitrate foliar application performed better than foliar application of calcium chloride in improving fruit quality and yield of Golden Delicious than Red Chief Camspur, whereas soil application of calcium nitrate showed least response to improve fruit quality and yield in both varieties under acidic soil atmosphere. Physiological loss in weight at 30 days and 60 days after harvesting was lower in foliar applied calcium than soil calcium application. The significant variation in total sugar content and TSS of apple fruits were observed in different calcium sources and their mode of application. Calcium nitrate foliar spray performed better than calcium chloride foliar spray in improving fruit quality. Our study did not find any adversity of dosage in plants whether applied to soil or directly to plant and we did observe better yields and quality at higher calcium doses. Among varieties Golden Delicious performed better than Red Chief Camspur. Results of research evidenced that preharvest calcium sprays increase yield, improved fruit quality and reduced its deterioration in post-harvest storage.

Optimizing Sorghum Yield and Quality: A Study on the Role of Plant Growth Regulators and Micronutrient Management Strategies

This study assessed the impact of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and micronutrients on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) productivity in four locations viz., Palampur, Srinagar, Mandya, and Ayodhya during Kharif 2020-2021. Twelve treatments, combining PGRs and micronutrients, were evaluated. The best treatment (T10), applying 5 kg Zn and 2 kg B per hectare with a triacontanol (10 ppm) foliar spray at 30 days after sowing, resulted in the highest green fodder yield (493.2 q/ha), dry matter yield (125.6 q/ha), and crude protein yield (10.80 q/ha). It also improved the leaf-stem ratio (0.63), ADF (42.34%), and NDF (63.03%). Economic analysis showed a gross return of Rs. 130,208/ha, net return of Rs. 81,717/ha, and B:C ratio of 2.56. These findings provide actionable insights for enhancing sorghum productivity in semi-arid regions through integrated nutrient management, improving both food security and farmer incomes in challenging agricultural environments.

Effect of Foliar Spray of Micro - Nutrients on Fruit Growth and Yield of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Lalit

Aim: To examine the effect of foliar spray of micro - nutrients on fruit growth and yield of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Lalit. Study Design: The Randomized Block Design (RBD) experimental design was used. Place and Duration of Study: An experiment was carried out during Hasth Bahar flowering seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23 at Horticulture Research Farm of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University. Methodology: There were nineteen treatments with three replication. The variety selected for experiment was Lalit. Results: The foliar application of Borax 0.2%+Zinc 0.4% was found to be the best treatment in improving the morphological characteristics of guava such as fruit length (8.59 cm), fruit width (8.6cm), fruit volume (169.09 cm), fruit weight (174.99 g), peel weight (17.13g), pulp weight (155.32g),number of seed per fruit (212.49),seed weight per fruit (2.53g), seed weight kg per plant (1.23 kg), pulp and seed ratio (61.29) and specific gravity (1.03 g cc-1) of guava fruit. Conclusion: On the basis of the result obtained in the present investigation, it is concluded the combined foliar application of Borax 0.2%+Zinc 0.4% (T11). Therefore, combined spray Borax 0.2%+Zinc 0.4% (T11) can be advocated to guava growers for maximum growth and yield parameters of guava.

Melatonin and Gibberellin Employing to Mitigate Heat Stress Effects on “Canino” Apricot

The fruit yield of apricot trees may decrease as a result of temperature stress. Through improving growth, productivity, and fruit quality, some compounds may play a significant part in resolving that issue. Therefore, this study was conducted during two successive growing seasons (2017 and 2018) in order to lessen the effects of heat stress on the production and fruit quality of Canino apricot trees cultivated on the farm of the Horticulture Research Station at El Kanater El Khayreia, Egypt, by foliar spray of hormonal substances and antioxidants i.e. (melatonin “MEL” or gibberellic acid” GA3 “each at concentration (25 mg/L) at pre-dormancy stage. It could be concluded that spraying Canino apricot trees at pre-dormancy stage (August) with both of GA3 and MEL enhanced the vegetative growth, as well as it improved flower quality compared with untreated control during the two cultivated seasons, also, melatonin improved growth and fruit set, yield, and fruit quality, followed by gibberellic acid compared with Control.

Exogenous applications of salicylic acid, ethrel and cycocel: Synergistic effects on yield, quality and storability in Garlic (Allium sativum L.) cv. Ooty 2

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a valuable bulb crop, known for its rich bioactive compounds and health benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of various foliar spray treatments on the growth, yield and quality of garlic cv. Ooty 2. The treatments included a control, 100 ppm, 200 ppm and 300 ppm of salicylic acid, cycocel at 1000 ppm and ethrel 200, 300 ppm sprayed at 45 and 60 days after planting. The experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with 7 treatments and 3 replications. Results revealed that salicylic acid 300 ppm increased growth traits followed by ethrel 300 ppm over the control. Cycocel 1000 ppm showed that high bulb yield and less reduction in quality characters viz., TSS (39.2 ?Brix), acidity (0.38 %), ascorbic acid (11.25 mg 100 g-1), total carbohydrate (39.82 g 100 g-1) and phenolics (4.10 mg 100 g-1) content during 3 months storage period, followed by ethrel 300 ppm. Additionally lowest levels of physiological loss in weight (17.47 %), rubbering (5.13 %), rotting (5.88 %) and total loss (23.64 %) was observed compared to all other treatments during the storage period. The results indicate that cycocel at 1000 ppm had the most beneficial effects and can be effectively used to enhance the harvest, post-harvest traits and quality and storability of garlic bulbs.

Impact of iron sulfate (FeSO4) foliar application on growth, metabolites and antioxidative defense of Luffa cylindrica (Sponge gourd) under salt stress

Salt stress is becoming a major issue for the world’s environment and agriculture economy. Different iron [Fe] sources can give an environmentally friendly alternative for salt-affected soil remediation. In this study the effects of Iron sulfate on Luffa cylindrica (Sponge gourd) cultivated in normal and saline water irrigated soil were examined. When FeSO4 (0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 ppm) were applied to salt affected soil, the length, fresh and dry biomass of sponge gourd plant roots and shoots inclined by an average of 33, 28, 11, 21, 18 and 22%, respectively. In plants irrigated with saline water, leaf count was raised successively (23–115%) with increasing concentration of FeSO4 (0.025-0.1 ppm) compared to stress only plants. The use of FeSO4 boosted sponge gourd growth characteristics in both normal and salt-affected soils compared to respective controls. The application of Iron sulfate under salt stress boosted photosynthetic indices such as chlorophyll a (22%), chlorophyll b (34%), carotenoids (16%), and total chlorophyll levels (22%). Iron sulfate application also exhibited incline in primary (total free amino acids, 50%; total soluble proteins, 46%) and secondary (total phenolics, 9%; flavonoid content, 51%) metabolites in salt-affected soils. Oxidative enzymatic activities such as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and DPPH scavenging activity (36%) were also increased by foliar spray of FeSO4 in control and salt stressed L. cylindrica plants. FeSO4 had a considerable impact on the growth and development of Luffa cylindrica in normal and salt-affected soils. It is concluded that FeSO4 application can effectively remediate salt affected soil and improve the production of crop plants.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth Parameters of Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt.)

The aim of the study is to identify a suitable nutrient management practice for enhancing the growth characteristics viz. plant height (cm), plant spread (cm), number of tillers per plant and number of leaves per plant of citronella. The study was carried out in Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, between 2023-2024. The experiment comprised of 10 treatments each replicated thrice was executed following the principles of Randomized Block Design. They are (T1) 100% RDF (NPK 75:40:40 kg/ha) (Basal Dose N: 25 kg/ha), (T2) 75% RDF+ Vermicompost 5 t/ha, (T3) 75% RDF+ Vermicompost 5 t/ha + Biofertilizer consortium 2 kg/ha, (T4) 75% RDF+ Vermicompost 5 t/ha + Sea weed extract 2%, (T5) 75% RDF+ Goat Manure 5 t/ha, (T6) 75% RDF + Goat Manure 5 t/ha+ Biofertilizer consortium 2 kg/ha, (T7) 75% RDF + Goat Manure 5 t/ha + Sea weed extract 2%, (T8) 75% RDF + FYM 10 t/ha, (T9) 75% RDF + FYM 10 t/ha + Biofertilizer consortium 2 kg/ha and (T10) 75% RDF + FYM 10 t/ha + Sea weed extract 2 % . The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis. This was done by standard procedure of Panse and Sukhatme (1985) and the results were interpreted. The level of significance are used in “F” and “t” tests at P=0.05. Critical differences (CD) were worked out whenever F test was found significant. The WASP 2.0 software was used for the statistical analysis of data. The study showed significant difference in the growth, yield and quality among the different treatments. The highest plant height (cm) (128.30, 131.32 and 132.20), plant spread (cm) (109.80, 112.03 and 115.75), number of tillers per plant (43.78, 45.90 and 48.16), number of leaves per plant (208.46, 212.15 and 210.00) of citronella were recorded with the application of 75% Recommended dose of fertilizer with vermicompost 5 t/ ha and 2% foliar spray of seaweed extract improved the growth, yield and quality of citronella. The application of 75% Recommended dose of fertilizer with vermicompost 5 t/ha and 2% foliar spray of seaweed extract has been identified as the best treatment for maximizing the growth characters of citronella. Hence, could be recommended for satisfactory growth, yield and quality of citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt.).

In-Furrow Application of Biologicals for Control of Rhizoctonia Diseases in Snap Bean

Florida ranks first in the production of fresh-market snap bean in the United States. Rhizoctonia diseases, including damping-off and root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani, are important diseases in snap bean, particularly if there is heavy rainfall during the first month after seeding. Growers usually use seeds treated with fungicides to control soilborne pathogens including R. solani. However, there are concerns about resistance development in R. solani and the impacts of chemicals on the environment. In this study, three biological products (Howler, Theia, and Double Nickel LC) applied as an in-furrow spray at seeding and/or foliar sprays after emergence were evaluated in the field for their efficacy in controlling R. solani on snap bean. When nontreated seeds were used, Howler at 5 lb./acre and Double Nickel LC at 16 fl. oz./acre each applied as an in-furrow spray at seeding significantly ( P < 0.05) reduced disease incidence compared with the untreated control. However, weekly foliar sprays after emergence showed effectiveness in disease reduction only at a high inoculum level. The highest disease reduction of 95.4% was observed in the treatment with Howler at 5 lb./acre in the 2022 trial, and 32.8% for Double Nickel LC was observed at 16 fl. oz./acre in 2023. Both biologicals also significantly increased the pod yield, by 85.6% with Howler in 2022 and doubled by Double Nickel LC in 2023 when compared with the untreated control. Results from these field trials reveal the potential of these biologicals in the control of Rhizoctonia root rot in snap bean production.

EFFECT OF VERMICOMPOST AND BIOFERTILIZATION ON THE AVAILABILITY OF SOME SOIL NUTRIENTS, GROWTH AND YIELD OF SQUASH (Cucurbita pepo L.)

A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of four application methods of vermicompost tea (without application, ground application, foliar spray, combination of - ground application + foliar spray) , four types of biofertilization (without application, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Bacillus megaterium, the combination consisting of S. maltophilia + B. megagaterium), and two levels (0, 50%) of the fertilizer recommendation in the availability of some soil nutrients and on the growth and yield of squash using as randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that the triple interaction of the combination of application vermicompost tea with the combination of biofertilizer and 50% of mineral fertilizer was effect significantly and gave the highest values for some vegetative growth parameters. Which included the dry weight of the vegetative part, the length and weight of the root, and total yield which amounted 196.35 g plant-1, 65.33 cm, 60.31 g plant-1, 45.14 Mgha-1, respectively. the available of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in soil at the end of the experiment, which amounted 60.56, 38.20 and 191.38 mg kg-1soil in comparison with the treatment without addition, which gave the lowest rates.

EFFECT OF NANO AND CHEMICAL FERTILIZATION WITH NPK AND CHELATED ZINC ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH OF TAIFI AND KAMALI GRAPE CULTIVARS

This research was performed during the 2021 seasons in private orchard located in Bara-Bhar-Duhok governorate to study the effect of soil application of chemical and Nano-NPK, foliar spray with chelated Nano-Zinc and their interaction on vegetative growth of Taifi and Kamali grape cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.). NPK (20:20:20) was added to the soil at five levels (0, 216 g.vine-1, 324 g.vine-1 chemical NPK, 3.24 and 6.48 g.vine-1 Nano-NP (, chelated Nano-Zinc was added at three concentration (0, 100 and 200 mg.l-1). The results showed the superiority of the Taifi cultivar in traits of number of leaves per vine, Single leaf Area and leaves dry weight over the Kamali cultivar, while Kamali cultivar was superiority in traits of leaf area per cluster ratio and total chlorophyll over the Taifi cultivar. Soil application of chemical and Nano-NPK and foliar application of Nano-zinc fertilizer achieved significant increase in vegetative growth (number of leaves, Single leaf Area, and total leaves area per vine, total chlorophyll and leaves dry weight) compare to control. Furthermore, combination among high concentration of Nano-NPK, Nano-zinc for Taifi and Kamali cultivars improved all parameters in comparison with the control.

Effect of Iron and Zinc Fertilization on Growth and Yield of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in Loamy Sand

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2022-23 at Agronomy Instructional Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar. The soil of the experimental field was loamy sand in texture, neutral to alkaline in reaction, normal with respect to salt content, low in available nitrogen and sulphur, medium in available phosphorus, potash, zinc and iron and high in manganese and copper. Nine treatment combinations comprising three levels of iron 0.0 kg Fe ha-1 (Fe0), Soil application of 20.0 kg FeSO4. 7H2O ha-1 (Fe1) and 0.5 % FeSO4. 7H2O foliar spray at 30 and 45 DAS (Days after sowing) (Fe2) and three levels of zinc 0.0 kg Zn ha-1 (Zn0), Soil application of 10.0 kg ZnSO4. 7H2O ha-1 (Zn1) and 0.5 % ZnSO4. 7H2O foliar spray at 30 and 45 DAS (Zn2) were evaluated in randomized block design with factorial concept with four replication. Mustard variety GDM 4 was used as a test crop. Significantly higher number of secondary branches plant-1 (16.59), number of siliquae plant-1 (341.4), test weight (5.18 g), seed yield (2061 kg ha-1) and stover yield (4976 kg ha-1) were recorded with soil application of 20.0 kg FeSO4. 7H2O ha-1 (Fe1) but it was at par with 0.5 % FeSO4. 7H2O foliar spray at 30 and 45 DAS. Stover yield of mustard remained at par with 0.5 % FeSO4. 7H2O foliar spray at 30 and 45 DAS. Significantly higher number of secondary branches plant-1 (16.37), number of siliquae plant-1 (340.1), seed (2001 kg ha-1) and stover yield (4961 kg ha-1) were recorded with soil application of 10.0 kg ZnSO4. 7H2O ha-1 (Zn1) but it was at par with foliar spray of 0.5 % ZnSO4. 7H2O at 30 and 45 DAS except seed yield of mustard.

Potential of Small Molecules Piperidine and Pyrrolidine Against Copper-Resistant Xanthomonas perforans, Causal Agent of Bacterial Spot of Tomato.

Bacterial spot of tomato (BST), caused by Xanthomonas perforans, is an economically important disease of tomatoes in Florida. Due to the heavy reliance on copper-based bactericides for control of BST, copper-resistant strains of X. perforans are widely distributed in Florida, leading to reduced efficacy of copper-based bactericides for disease control. There is a need for alternative chemical control strategies to effectively manage this disease in tomato production. In this study, two small molecules, piperidine and pyrrolidine, were evaluated for their efficacy against the copper-resistant X. perforans strain GEV 485 in laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments. In in vitro experiments, piperidine and pyrrolidine at concentrations as low as 2 mg/L and 16 mg/L, respectively, significantly (P<0.001) reduced bacterial populations within 4 h of incubation compared to the untreated control, while Kocide 3000, the grower copper-based bactericide standard, at 0.9 g/L and 2.1 g/L (full label rate) did not significantly reduce bacterial populations. When tested as foliar sprays in the greenhouse, pyrrolidine at 128 mg/L significantly (P <0.001) reduced disease severity compared to the untreated control, with an equivalent efficacy to Kocide 3000 (copper hydroxide at 2.1 g/L). Kocide 3000 at 1.0 g/L, in combination with piperidine at 64 mg/L and pyrrolidine at 64 and 128 mg/L significantly improved the efficacy in disease control compared to untreated controls and Kocide 3000 at 1.0 g/L alone. In field trials, both small molecules demonstrated equivalent or superior efficacy to ManKocide (copper hydroxide + mancozeb) against X. perforans compared to the untreated control. This study demonstrated for the first time the potential of piperidine and pyrrolidine for controlling bacterial spot of tomato.

Organic fertilizer integrated with marine waste derived CaCO3 nanocarrier system: A focus on enhanced yield and quality in tomato cultivation

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid and other mineral sources including phosphorus, potassium, zinc, magnesium and iron. Major constraints in tomato cultivation were high cost, poor cultivation due to adverse weather conditions, pest attacks, microbial infections and nutritional deficiency complications. Conventional fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and growth regulators are effective at higher concentration, which induces specific toxic effects on soil fertility, plant yield and also affects the health status of humans, animals and soil associated microbes. The use of organic fertilizers to meet the soil nutrient demand increases the acidity of soil affecting plant growth, which turned the focus of researchers towards nanofertilizer. The present study focuses on synthesis of marine waste derived CaCO3 nanoparticles formulated with azadirachtin and panchakavya emulsion to develop a CaCO3 nanofertilizer. CaCO3 nanofertilizer developed through this study was investigated for its material properties and behavioral traits. Further, the in-vitro antifungal impact of the CaCO3 nanofertilizer was examined, and it was sprayed on tomato plants via foliar spray. CaCO3 nanofertilizer effectively inhibited fusarium wilt causing plant fungal pathogen and also exhibited enhanced growth and yield of tomatoes against pest attack and nutritional deficiency with effect to foliar treatment. Also, CaCO3 nanofertilizer enhanced the total carotenoid level and essential nutritional minerals in fruit yield of tomatoes. Overall, fabricated CaCO3 nanofertilizer exhibits synergistic role of fertilizer, pesticide, fungicide and growth regulator in tomato cultivation. It suggests that, CaCO3 nanofertilizer generated from renewable biowaste will become the innovative platform for sustainable agriculture.

Managing earliness and yield of cotton by modulating plant population, foliar boron feeding and mepiquat chloride application

ABSTRACT Early maturity and simultaneous increase in yield of cotton are pivotal for increasing the productivity of cropping systems involving cotton. Current two-year study was performed to simultaneously enhance the earliness and yield of cotton by modulating plant population (PP) (5.3 and 8.8 plants m−2), foliar boron (B) (0, 0.6 and 1.2 g/L B) and 0.07 g/L mepiquat chloride (MC) solution (at squaring and flowering stages) application. Internodes length was exalted at high PP (8.8 plants m-2) and B (1.2 g/L B), while declined by MC. Nevertheless, nodes above the white flower and cracked boll were decreased at high PP, and the application of B and MC indicated earlier cutout. Similarly, high PP, and application of 1.2 g/L B and MC at squaring reduced calendar and thermal time needed for flowering and boll opening. The boll maturation period was not affected by the application of B and MC but declined at high PP. Earliness index, production rate index (PRI) and seed cotton yield were increased at high PP, application of 1.2 g/L B and MC at squaring. In crux, increasing PP and B concentration, and MC application at squaring resulted in early maturity and enhanced seed cotton yield by modulating plant structure and time required for various phenophases.