Leaf Surface Area Research Articles

Динамика ростовых процессов отечественных сортов винограда в разнотипных терруарах

Abstract. The reaction of grape varieties on different edaphoclimatic conditions of various types of terroirs is shown. The research was carried out in the Black Sea viticulture zone of the Krasnodar region (subzone 1), Starotitarovskaya, the Piedmont zone (subzone 1), Goryachiy Klyuch, and the Central Zone (subzone 4), Krasnoselskoye, on technical dark-colored grape varieties Vladimir, Dmitriy and Kurchanskiy of the FSBSI NCFSCHVW breeding. The research year (2024) was characterized by increased solar insolation and a shortage of precipitation during the growing season of grape plants. Different edaphoclimatic conditions of various types of terroirs had different effects on leaf growth processes. The largest leaf size in all studied varieties is formed in the Central agroecological zone of viticulture (subzone 4), Krasnoselskoye. Thenfor the Vladimir and Kurchanskiy varieties, in descending order by leaf size, are the Black Sea zone (subzone 1), Starotitarovskaya, and Piedmont zone (subzone 1), Goryachiy Klyuch, for the Dmitriy variety – Goryachiy Klyuch and Starotitarovskaya. The largest number of leaves per shoot of all varieties was in the Starotitarovskaya (Vladimir 14,3; Dmitry 14.7; Kurchansky 14.3 pcs./shoot), followed by Goryachiy Klyuch (Vladimir 12,7; Dmitry 13.3; Kurchansky 12.3 pcs./shoot) and Krasnoselskoye (Vladimir 10,3; Dmitry 11.3; Kurchansky 12.3 pcs./shoot). The largest number of leaves in the studied varieties in the Starotitarovskaya is determined by milder weather and climatic conditions in the vicinity of the Black and Azov Seas, as well as large estuaries that increase humidity and soften air temperature during the growing season of grape plants. Keywords: leaf surface area, length of shoots, Kurchanskiy, Dmitriy, Vladimir

Effect of Particle Size and Concentration of ZnO Nanoparticles on Growth, Yield and Seedling Parameters in Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum L.)

The experiment was conducted in both field and lab conditions to study the Effect of Particle Size and Concentration of ZnO Nanoparticles on Growth, Yield and Seedling Parameters in Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum L.) Under Late Sowing Conditions in Eastern Uttar Pradesh Region the lab experiment was performed in CRD with four different size ranges of zinc oxide Nanoparticles (20-30nm, 40-50nm, 60-80nm, 80-100nm) each of three concentrations (30PPM, 60PPM, 80PPM). The field experiment was performed during Rabi season of 2022-2023 in Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh with a control was laid out in factorial RBD with 3 Replications. The results revealed that T1(20-30nm, 30PPM for 8hrs) shows greater Performance among parameters viz Plant height 30 DAS (23.45), Plant height 80 DAS (91.36), Days to first flowering (26.11), Number of Branches (4.43), Seeds per Plant (142.39), Seed yield per plot (11.87), Seed yield per hectare (1.19), Economic Yield (11.87), Biological Yield (32.76). and Harvest Index (36.23) and T3(20-30nm, 80PPM for 8hrs) exhibit greater in Leaf surface area (22.37), Test Weight (27.34). The lab results revealed the treatment T1(20-30nm, 30PPM for 8hrs) showing greater performance in Germination Percentage (95.63), Root Length (14.57), Seedling Length (24.76), Vigor Index-1 (2369.25), Electric conductivity (0.327), Protein content (13.59), Seed metabolic efficiency and T3 (20-30nm, 80PPM for 8hrs) shows greater Performance in Shoot length (11.57), Fresh Weight (2.19), Dry Weight (0.80), Vigor Index-2 (72.67), Seed Density (0.8), Chlorophyll Content (2.84), Dehydrogenize Activity (0.996).

Size and vitality characteristics of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) populations in the Central Bohemian region of the Czech Republic: A case study of non-timber forest products

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is a key non-timber forest product that plays an important role in forest biodiversity and ecosystem function. This study evaluated the vitality levels of eight bilberry populations in the Central Bohemian region of the Czech Republic, examining whether their vitality depends on the habitat type. Morphometric analyses were conducted, measuring 13 static metric and 16 static allometric morphological parameters of bilberry shoots. Statistical methods, including correlation, factor analysis, and ANOVA, were employed to determine the vitality index and population vitality structure based on the algorithm developed by Y.A. Zlobin. The results indicated that bilberry plants exhibit significant morphological variability based on forest conditions, forming plants with specific habitus traits. High positive correlations were found between many morphological characteristics, which were grouped into five clusters, each comprising 2–4 parameters. Among these, phytomass, total leaf surface area, and plant height were identified as the key determinants of vitality levels. Bilberry populations in Central Bohemian forests were classified into three vitality categories: prosperous, balanced, and depressed. The study found that the most vigorous populations, with Q-index values between 0.3333 and 0.4375, were located in associations such as Pinetum (sylvestris) vaccinio (myrtilli)-oxalidosum (acetosellae), Pinetum (sylvestris) vaccinio (myrtilli), and Pineto (sylvestris)-Piceetum (abietis) vaccinio (myrtilli)-oxalidosum (acetosellae). These populations are also of high economic value due to their bioresource potential. The study underscores the importance of habitat type in influencing bilberry vitality and offers insights into future research on bilberry populations as a vital component of non-timber forest products.

Road corridors vegetation in the semi-arid region: functional trait diversity and dynamics

Road corridor vegetation plays a vital role in maintaining ecosystem stability and providing essential ecological services, particularly in semi-arid regions where environmental conditions are challenging. In this study, we investigated the functional traits of native and non-native plant species along the N5 highway corridor in the semi-arid region of Punjab, Pakistan. The methodology involved extensive field surveys and systematic sampling of herbaceous vegetation, followed by detailed measurements of functional traits diversity. We classified 38 plant species into native and non-native categories and analyzed their distribution, life forms, leaf spectra, and flowering phenology. Our results revealed distinct patterns in the functional traits of native and non-native species, with non-native species exhibiting larger plant heights, leaf sizes, and leaf surface areas compared to native species. Additionally, native species displayed greater root and stem biomass, indicative of adaptations to nutrient-poor soils and water-limited environments. The findings suggest that non-native species possess traits associated with rapid growth and resource acquisition, enabling them to outcompete native vegetation and establish dominance in roadside ecosystems. These results provide valuable insights for understanding the ecological implications of non-native species and designing effective management strategies to mitigate their impacts on native biodiversity and ecosystem resilience in semi-arid regions.

Иглоподобные листовые органы хвойных. Часть II. Моделирование площади поверхности иглы

In ecological and physiological studies of plant cover, the predominant participation of leaves in the processes of photosynthesis, transpiration and respiration determines the key role of such a morphometric parameter as leaf surface area. The estimation of the area of needle-like leaf organs of conifers often requires an individual approach. The diversity of needle shapes is determined by species affiliation, morphological structure, ecological conditions and age, and, in turn, determines the diversity of methods for estimating the needle surface area. Therefore, the search for simple standard methods for determining the surface area of leaf organs of conifers is an urgent task for plant physiologists. The aim of this work has been to create a universal model for estimating the needle surface area, independent of species. To achieve it, the needle cross-section model proposed by the authors has been used, based on the transformation of the perimeter of the cross-section into an equivalent circle, the perimeter of which is associated with the parameters of the needle cross-section before the transformation. To estimate the surface area of the needle, it is possible to approximate the needle with a geometric body, which is a combination of an ellipsoid of revolution, a cone and a cylinder, with the radius of the cylinder being estimated using the needle cross-section model. The model allows to estimate the surface area of the needle by its 4 morphometric parameters: thickness, width, length of the middle part and total length. Full verification of the model proposed in the article has turned out to be impossible due to the lack of methods for accurate estimation of the needle surface area. The developed method has been compared to other methods for estimating the surface area of needle-like samples by the examples of the needles of Siberian fir (Abies sibirica L.) and common juniper (Juniperus communis L.), as well as banana fruits (Musa paradisiaca L.), and the good predictive ability of the model has been demonstrated. It can be characterized as universal with a theoretical relative error of no more than 5 %.

A Mathematical Model for Estimating the Area of a Large Leaf

A mathematical model for estimating the area of large leaves was developed and validated with the leaves of plantain (<i>Musa paradisiaca</i>). The length of each plantain leaf was characterized by the mid-rib length which was divided into a certain number of equal parts of length. By this divisions, two major geometrical shapes were obtained, viz; trapezoidal shapes bounded by half elliptical shapes at the two ends of the leaf. In this work, the mathematical expression for the surface area of a plantain leaf was obtained by summing the areas of the trapeziums and the two half ellipses. The values of leaf areas as generated from this model for various seizes of plantain leaves converged reasonably well with true values obtained by the weighing method of same plantain leaf seizes. The correlation between these two values was carried out to ascertain the fitness of the mathematical model as developed here showed a linear relationship for the various mid-rib divisions tested in this study. It is thus concluded here that once the calculated area of the large leaf is known for a specific number of divisions with this model, the true area can be estimated. The main advantages of the new method are precision, accuracy, and applicability to determine the area of large leaves far out in the field where electrical weighing balance and large graph papers are not available.

Evaluation of green residues management of selected grape varieties

The paper presents the possibilities of energy management of residues from the cultivation of grapes of the ‘Regent’, ‘Rondo’ and ‘Seyval Blanc’ cultivars. The research was conducted in southeastern Poland in the Sandomierska Upland in 2022. The aim of the research was to demonstrate the influence of grape variety on yield capacity in relation to the extraction of biomass residues in the form of leaves. An attempt was made to identify the variety that is characterised by obtaining the most effective and average parameters, i.e. yield size and quality, leaf mass and surface area, and their impact on energy and fuel parameters. The study analysed the following crop parameters, i.e. number and mass of grapes, number and mass of berries; leaf quality parameters, i.e. mass including petioles and area. An energy assessment in Laboratory in Department of Power Engineering and Transportation was carried out by performing proximate and ultimate analysis and estimating emission factors and volumetric composition of exhaust gas. The study showed that the material with the highest energy potential was characterised by ‘Regent’, while the lowest potential was shown for ‘Rondo’. Grapevines of the ‘Rondo’ cultivar were characterised by the highest obtained biomass among the evaluated varieties. The research showed that the most effective in practical cultivation is the use of the Regent variety, which was characterised by the average parameters of the obtained yield and growth values, and the highest fuel energy potential.

Antimicrobial effect of green synthesized TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles against Cercospora canesces growth in mung bean

Mung bean is one of the economically important leguminous crops generally grown in arid region of Pakistan. Mung bean grows best at 30-35℃ and is a nutrient enriched crop with higher amounts of starch (50%), proteins (18-25%), fat (3%) and fiber (3-4.5%). Many biotic factors affect crop production. Yield losses due to biotic factors are up to 40-80% in mung bean. Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) is very common disease in mung bean caused by hemi-biotrophic fungal pathogen Cercospora canescens. For sustainable agrocontrol there is need to develop alternative solutions for conventional methods. Green synthesized nanoparticles offer promising solution to mitigate adverse effect of agrochemicals and fungicides. In this review green synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles used to mitigate the disease severity by seed priming with 50mgL-1 and 150mgL-1 nanoparticles (NPs) suspension solution in mung bean. The result shows that 50mgL-1 Tio2-NPs inhibit fungal growth by 87.85% in in vitro and 74.07% in in vivo experiment. Tio2-NPs application improve root, shoot, leaf surface area, chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance and boost plant immunity by enhancing expression of the Pathogenesis-related (PR-1) gene in response stress. Therefore, present study indicates that green synthesized Tio2-NPs is an effective way to enhance the growth and productivity of mung bean by inhibiting C. canescens.

Productivity and amarketable gualities of apple tree fruits of the Golden Delicious variety on low growing rootstocks depending on pruning

One of the main agrotechnical activities carried out in the garden is tree pruning. When studying the variety-double combinations of apple trees in certain environmental conditions, it is necessary to take into account the strength of growth, the density of fouling, the type of branching, the structure of fruit formations, which depends on the varietal characteristics and technologies of growing plantations.The author presents the results of studying the parameters of the influence of the degree of pruning of Golden Delicious apple trees grafted on low-growing rootstocks SK-7 and M-9, depending on the rootstock, on growth processes, productivity and marketable qualities of apple fruits. The reaction of plantings to pruning was determined depending on the biological characteristics of the variety and on the degree of branch removal and their orientation. With an increase in the intensity of pruning, the leaf surface area per fruit on the rootstock SK-7 was 180–750 cm², on the rootstock M-9 — 172–619 cm², respectively. The yield of apple trees from one tree on the rootstock SK-7 was 13.2 kg with a minimum shape, 11.4 kg with an average, 10.5 kg with a maximum, and 11.4 kg, 9.5 kg and 7.7 kg on the rootstock M-9, respectively. The average weight of fruits grafted on the rootstock SK-7 increased by 1.9 times, and on the rootstock M-9 — by 1.3 times.It was noted that the life cycles of trees on the low-growing dwarf rootstock SK-7 were 10–12% higher than on the rootstock M-9.

Dependence of Photosynthetic Activity and Yield of Plum Varieties on the Use of Non-Root Fertilizing in the Arid Zone of the Northern Caspian Sea

In 2021–2023, the effect of non-root fertilizer application on photosynthetic activity and yield of plum varieties in the arid zone of the Northern Caspian Sea was studied. It was found that the leaf surface area on average during the growing season in the variant of the combined use of Aquarin + Ultramag boron + + Ultramag calcium exceeded the control by 50%. An increase in photosynthetic potential was noted when treated with Aquarin and Master fertilizers by 25.0 and 42%, respectively. The maximum increase in yield (12.8 t/ha) was obtained during leaf processing in the variant of the combined use of Aquarin + + Ultramag boron + Ultramag calcium preparations, which exceeded the control by 34.7%. It should be noted that the best responsiveness to non-root top dressing was distinguished by the Gigantic variety, whose yield was 13.2 t/ha, which was 39% more than the control.

Genes of photoperiod sensitivity and early maturity E1-E4: dynamics of soybean growth in different daylength conditions

Background. Morphometric indicators are crucial for evaluating the development and productivity of soybeans. They are influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The use of nearly isogenic soybean lines is a convenient model for determining the impact of early maturity genes and daylength on growth indicators. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of different daylengths and early maturity genes on soybean morphometric indicators under conditions of the temperate zone (at the latitude of Kharkiv – 50° N). Materials and Methods. The study involved nearly isogenic soybean lines of the “Clark” cultivar with varying sensitivity to daylength. The research covers the results of field experiments over three seasons using different soybean lines. After reaching the V3 stage, some plants were subjected to short-day conditions for 14 days. Morphological indicators of ten plants per experimental variant were determined: plant height, dry weight, leaf number, and leaf surface area of soybean plants. Morphometric measurements were taken on the day of the beginning of different daylength treatments and on days 7, 14 and 21. The study results are presented as the mean values of the investigated parameters (plant height, dry weight, number of leaves and leaf surface area of soybean plants). Results. It was shown that under long-day conditions, dominant alleles of the E1 and E3 genes increased the dry weight of plants, while the dominant allele E2 increased plant height. The dominant allele E4 had no significant effect on plant height and weight indicators of soybean plants. Plants with dominant alleles of genes E1-E4 under long-day conditions had smaller leaf area compared to lines with recessive alleles of these genes. Conclusions. The obtained results on the relationships between genetic and environmental factors in influencing soybean plant height, weight, and leaf area can be useful in improving soybean yield and selecting cultivars that will be productive in high latitude conditions.

Effectiveness of bioinsecticides for different applications against the main pests of radish

Goal. To determine the technical effectiveness of bioinsecticides against major insect pests of radish (Raphanus sativus (L.) convar. radicula (Pers) Sazon.) grown in open fields, and their impact on plants, yield, and root crop quality. Methods. The study was conducted in accordance with the methods generally accepted in entomology and vegetable growing. During 2020—2022 in open ground conditions on three radish hybrids of different ripeness groups (Adele, Eliza and Stellar) the effectiveness of bioinsecticides Bitoxibacillin-BTU, p. (cell bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis-endospores, titer 1.0 × 10⁹ CFU/ cm3, CS +), 2 l/ha, ACTOVERM FORMULA, CE (abamectin, 18 g/l), 5 l/ha, Lepidocide-BTU, p. (cells of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis-var. Kurstaki 9708 L, endospores less than 1 × 109 CFU/cm3), 4 l/ ha, (control). The preparations were applied by spraying plants and fertigation (introduction of fertilizers or pesticides into the irrigation system). Results. On the 14th day after spraying radish plants with Bitoxybacillin-BTU, the population of crucifer flea beetles decreased by 3.9—5.2 times and by 2.8—3.9 times with fertigation. The population of cabbage aphids decreased by 3.9—4.8 and 3.0—3.5 times, and cabbage moth by 5.0—9.0 and 2.7—5.0 times, respectively. The technical effectiveness of Bitoxybacillin-BTU was 76% and 68% against crucifer flea beetles, 78% and 70% against cabbage aphids, and 83% and 73% against cabbage moth. The application of ACTOVERM FORMULA by spraying reduced the population of crucifer flea beetles by 2.6—3.3 times and by 2.5—2.7 times with fertigation. The population of cabbage aphids decreased by 2.9—3.6 and 2.5—2.8 times, and cabbage moth by 2.0—3.0 and 2.0—5.0 times, depending on the radish hybrid. The technical effectiveness of ACTOVERM FORMULA against these pests was 67%, 70%, and 77% with spraying, and 60%, 62%, and 73% with fertigation, respectively. No negative effects from spraying or fertigation with bioinsecticides on radish plants were detected. However, radish plants in the spray treatment had higher height (by 2—3 cm), more leaves per plant (by 1 leaf), and a larger leaf surface area (by 0.2—0.8 thousand m²/ha), depending on the hybrid and product. The root mass increased in treatments with double spraying of ACTOVERM FORMULA and Bitoxybacillin-BTU compared to control and fertigation. The use of bioinsecticides Bitoxybacillin- BTU and ACTOVERM FORMULA (2 treatments) during vegetation ensured yields of 25.6—25.8 t/ha for the Adele hybrid with 93—94% marketable root crops, 24.0—25.1 t/ha for the Eliza hybrid with 94—95% marketable root crops, and 23.2—23.7 t/ha for the Stellar hybrid with 95—96% marketable root crops. The root crops had high dry matter content (Adele: 7.9—8.2%, Eliza: 6.2—6.3%, Stellar: 6.5—6.7%), total sugars (Adele: 2.4—2.5%, Eliza: 2.1—2.2%, Stellar: 2.6%), and ascorbic acid content (Adele: 26.0—26.2 mg/100 g, Eliza: 23.9—24.0 mg/100 g, Stellar: 25.4—25.5 mg/100 g). Conclusions. The application of bioinsecticides Bitoxybacillin-BTU (2 l/ha) and ACTOVERM FORMULA (5 l/ ha) is an effective method for controlling sucking pests in radish crops. Double spraying of radish plants at BBCH 0—9 and BBCH 12—19 with Bitoxybacillin-BTU (2 l/ha) provided control of crucifer flea beetle (76%), cabbage aphid (78%), and cabbage moth (83%). Double spraying with ACTOVERM FORMULA (5 l/ha) at the same stages provided control of crucifer flea beetle (67%), cabbage aphid (70%), and cabbage moth (77%).

Leaf functional traits of Parrotia subaequalis from different environments in eastern China.

Functional traits are important in understanding how plants respond and adapt to their immediate environment. Parrotia subaequalis is a highly endangered arbor species found throughout eastern China, primarily inhabiting hillsides and valleys, yet, little is known about the variation in leaf traits across these environments. In the present study, we tested this by comparing leaf surface area, leaf weight, leaf length, leaf symmetry and leaf mass per unit area, as well as the relationship between leaf traits and environmental factors and the scaling relationship between leaf surface area versus leaf dry mass. We observed significant differences in leaf surface area, weight, and length among the population sites, and these variables were strongly affected by environmental factors, especially high mean annual temperatures in hillside habitats and high mean annual precipitation in valley habitats. The scaling exponents remained numerically variant among the 10 populations, with different slopes greater than 1.0, and the scaling exponents increased significantly with hillside habitats. These metrics correlated with soil thickness associated with different habitat types. The areal ratio (AR) values in all populations deviated from 1, indicating that the two lamina sides were asymmetrical. The standardized symmetry index (SI) values displayed significant variation, especially in leaves from hillside habitats with a high degree of asymmetry. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that leaf functional traits exhibit considerable variability in response to different environmental contexts and provide valuable reference data that could be useful for conserving this endangered species.

Prevalence of banana diseases and post-harvest losses in Kenya, and biocontrol potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi against Fusarium wiltngi Against Fusarium wilt

The demand for bananas (Musa spp.), which is ranked as the most important fruit crop in Kenya has been on the rise owing to both their dietary contribution and income generation. Meeting this demand has however been hampered by losses during production or post-harvest. This study assessed banana disease and post-harvest losses in leading producing counties in Kenya namely; Kisii, Nyamira and Embu. The study also assessed the efficacy of Rhizophagus irregularis in controlling Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on post-harvest losses. Disease scoring tables, charts and photos were used to confirm observed symptoms and hence, disease occurrence and severity. AMF biocontrol efficacy experiment was conducted using tissue culture bananas grown in the greenhouse. The study revealed that most smallholder farmers were unaware of the causes or the prevalence of post-harvest losses. The findings also revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) in the severity of banana diseases across various cultivars from the three counties. The AMF treated bananas showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in plant height, total leaf area and chlorosis in comparison to other treatments. The study also revealed a reduction of Fusarium’s pathogenic effects including chlorosis, reduced leaf surface area and eventual necrosis.

Changes in Some Photosynthesis Indicators Under Different Donor-Acceptor Relations of Wheat Under the Influence of Drought

The results of studies of changes in some parameters of photosynthesis - the formation of leaf surface and the area of ​​other assimilating organs, the accumulation of dry above-ground biomass, chlorophyll content in the ontogenesis of wheat genotypes at different donor-acceptor relationships are presented. In the studied varieties, the dynamics of leaf surface area and the amount of increase in dry biomass during ontogenesis depend not only on the developmental phase and genotypic characteristics of the plants, but also on the state of donor-acceptor relationships in the whole plant system, as well as on the influence of drought. In all studied varieties, when half the ear was removed under both conditions, an increase in the area and dry biomass of stems and leaves was observed. With a decrease in the attracting ability of the ear, it needs significantly less leaf photosynthesis products and the remainder of the assimilates is spent on increasing the area of ​​the leaves themselves. At the same time, changes in donor-acceptor relationships affect the chlorophyll content in leaves. In all cases, the removal of leaves of the 7th tier leads to an increase in the chlorophyll content in the leaves of the 8th tier and vice versa. When half of the ear is removed, the chlorophyll content of both leaves of the 7th and 8th tiers decreases significantly.

Traditional and Novel Organophosphate Esters in Plastic Greenhouse: Occurrence, Multimedia Migration, and Exposure Risk via Vegetable Consumption.

The migration and risk of organophosphate esters (OPEs) in agricultural air-soil-plant multimedia systems due to plastic film application remain unclear. This study investigates the multimedia distribution of traditional OPEs (TOPEs), novel OPEs (NOPEs), and their transformation products (POPEs) in plastic and solar greenhouses. The total concentration of OPE-associated contaminants in air and airborne particles ranged from 594 to 1560 pg/m3 and 443 to 15600 ng/g, respectively. Significant correlations between air OPE concentrations and those in polyolefin film (P < 0.01) indicate plastic film as the primary source. Contaminants were also found in soils (96.8-9630 ng/g) and vegetables (197-7540 ng/g). The primary migration pathway for NOPEs was particle dry deposition onto the soil and leaf, followed by plant accumulation. Leaf absorption was the main uptake pathway for TOPEs and POPEs, influenced by vegetable specific leaf surface area. Moreover, total exposure to OPE-associated contaminants via vegetable intake was assessed at 2250 ng/kg bw/day for adults and 2900 ng/kg bw/day for children, with an acceptable hazard index. However, a high ecological risk was identified for NOPE compounds (median risk quotient, 975). This study provides the first evidence of the multimedia distribution and potential threat posed by OPE-associated contaminants in agricultural greenhouses.

Insights in to iron-based nanoparticles (hematite and magnetite) improving the maize growth (Zea mays L.) and iron nutrition with low environmental impacts

The possible potential application of Fe-NPs on Fe nutrition, heavy metals uptake and soil microbial community needs to be investigated. In the current research, a pot experiment was used to examine the implications of Fe-NPs (α-Fe2O3 and Fe3O4) on maize growth, Fe uptake and transportation, soil microbial community, and environmental risk. Fe3O4, α-Fe2O3, FeSO4 at a rate of 800 mg Fe kg−1 were applied in soils with four replications under a completely randomized design for a period of 60 days. Results showed that Fe uptake by maize roots were increased by 107–132% than control, with obvious variations across different treatments (Fe3O4> α-Fe2O3> FeSO4> control). Similarly, plant height, leaf surface area, and biomass were increased by 40–64%, 52–91% and 38–109% respectively, with lower values by FeSO4 application. The elevated level of chlorophyll contents and carotenoids and significant effects with control on antioxidant enzymes activities (i.e., catalase, and superoxide dismutase) suggested that application of Fe-NPs improved overall biochemical processes. The differential expression of important Fe transporters (i.e., ZmYS1 and ZmFER1) as compared to control indicated the plant strategic response for efficient uptake and distribution of Fe. Importantly, Fe-NPs reduced the heavy metals uptake (i.e., chromium, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, copper) by complex formation, and showed no toxicity to the soil microbial community. In summary, the application of Fe-NPs can be a promising approach for improving crop productivity and Fe nutrition without negatively affecting soil microbial community, and fostering sustainable agricultural production.

Optimization of keratin hydrolysis from sheep wool waste for enhanced crop performance: A sustainable approach in agriculture

Protein hydrolysates have emerged as potent enhancers of agricultural productivity, attributed to their nitrogen and amino acid richness. This study focuses on extracting keratin from sheep wool waste via water-based hydrolysis, aiming for eco-friendly alternatives to chemical methods. To refine this process, a novel response surface methodology integrating a Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD) was devised, centering on temperature and hydrolysis time as pivotal factors affecting yield. Optimization yielded an impressive 99% w/v hydrolysis yield, with a fixed solid-liquid ratio (15:100 w/v) yielding 18.72 g/l of total nitrogen extraction. Analysis revealed a dominant presence of phenylalanine, noted for its role in plant water conservation. Agricultural trials demonstrated the hydrolysate's efficacy in enhancing maize crop physiology, evidenced by increased leaf surface area and fresh and dry plant weights across varied application rates. These results underscore the value of this innovative valorization process in agriculture. By harnessing keratin from sheep wool waste through water-based hydrolysis, the study proposes a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical techniques. The optimization of key parameters and subsequent positive impacts on maize crop physiology illustrate the potential of this approach to foster sustainable agricultural practices.

Analysing type of plants for reducing noise pollution in climate change adaptation

Abstract The noisier a region or city is, the faster the rate of global warming. Noise is not a substance. However, most sources of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are also sources of noise; for example, busy highways in cities can occasionally see as many as 100 cars per hour. Planting trees to mitigate noise pollution has been identified as one of the most sustainable methods to employ, since plants may function as a buffer and absorb sounds. Several plant species were chosen to assess noise absorption based on parameters such as leaf thickness, breadth, surface area, and length. The initial goal of this study is to estimate the noise absorption on the selected flora native to the Malaysian environment, where the noise was measured using an in-house developed impedance tube to discover the effective acoustic characteristics of leaves. The investigation was then carried on by assessing the data on the correlation coefficient parameter in order to determine the link between noise absorption and leaf features. Because of the freshness and perishability of the materials, measurements were repeated twice. Only 100% and 50% vegetation quantity size were measured for 10 sample species during the initial data collection. According to the findings, half of the leaves’ features were connected with noise absorption. This might be owing to the freshness state, which cannot be maintained for an extended period of time. To acquire a better value, the experiment was repeated within the permissible freshness time. The findings are as predicted, with the maximum noise absorption and features correlation at 100% plant density including twigs. When the vegetation amount is lowered to 50%, this will progressively diminish. The notion is confirmed by the fact that a tube packed with thicker samples absorbs more noise. The correlation study identifies that each leaf has its unique capacity for noise absorption dependent on its properties and freshness level.

Improving Otsu Method Parameters for Accurate and Efficient in LAI Measurement Using Fisheye Lens

The leaf area index (LAI) is an essential indicator for assessing vegetation growth and understanding the dynamics of forest ecosystems and is defined as the ratio of the total leaf surface area in the plant canopy to the corresponding surface area below it. LAI has applications for obtaining information on plant health, carbon cycling, and forest ecosystems. Due to their price and portability, mobile devices are becoming an alternative to measuring LAI. In this research, a new method for estimating LAI using a smart device with a fisheye lens (SFL) is proposed. The traditional Otsu method was enhanced to improve the accuracy and efficiency of foreground segmentation. The experimental samples were located in Gansu Ziwuling National Forest Park in Qingyang. In the accuracy parameter improvement experiment, the variance of the average LAI value obtained by using both zenith angle segmentation and azimuth angle segmentation methods was reduced by 50%. The results show that the segmentation of the front and back scenes of the new Otsu method is more accurate, and the obtained LAI values are more reliable. In the efficiency parameter improvement experiment, the time spent is reduced by 17.85% when the enhanced Otsu method is used to ensure that the data anomaly rate does not exceed 10%, which improves the integration of the algorithm into mobile devices and the efficiency of obtaining LAI. This study provides a fast and effective method for the near-ground measurement of forest vegetation productivity and provides help for the calculation of forest carbon sequestration efficiency, oxygen release rate, and forest water and soil conservation ability.