Nitrogen In Medium Research Articles

Effects of nitrogen application on ammonium assimilation and microenvironment in the rhizosphere of drip-irrigated sunflower under plastic mulch.

This study investigated the effect of nitrogen application on the rhizosphere soil microenvironment of sunflower and clarified the relationship between ammonium assimilation and the microenvironment. In a field experiment high (HN, 190 kg/hm2), medium (MN, 120 kg/hm2) and low nitrogen (CK, 50 kg/hm2) treatments were made to replicate plots of sunflowers using drip irrigation. Metagenomic sequencing was used to analyze the community structure and functional genes involved in the ammonium assimilation pathway in rhizosphere soil. The findings indicated that glnA and gltB played a crucial role in the ammonium assimilation pathway in sunflower rhizosphere soil, with Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria being the primary contributors. Compared with CK treatment, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria increased by 15.57% under MN treatment, while the relative abundance decreased at flowering and maturation stages. Conversely, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was 28.57 and 61.26% higher in the MN treatment during anthesis and maturation period, respectively, compared with the CK. Furthermore, during the bud stage and anthesis, the abundance of Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and their dominant species were influenced mainly by rhizosphere soil EC, ammonium nitrogen (-N), and nitrate nitrogen (-N), whereas, at maturity, soil pH and -N played a more significant role in shaping the community of ammonium-assimilating microorganisms. The MN treatment increased the root length density, surface area density, and root volume density of sunflower at the bud, flowering, and maturity stages compared to the CK. Moreover, root exudates such as oxalate and malate were positively correlated with the dominant species of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria during anthesis and the maturation period. Under drip irrigation, applying 120 kg/hm2 of nitrogen to sunflowers effectively promoted the community structure of ammonium-assimilating microorganisms in rhizosphere soil and had a positive influence on the rhizosphere soil microenvironment and sunflower root growth.

ВЛИЯНИЕ РАСТВОРОВ ПЕРОКСИДА ВОДОРОДА РАЗНЫХ СОСТАВОВ НА ПРОРАСТАНИЕ СЕМЯН ОГУРЦА

A method has been developed for producing pure hydrogen peroxide without admixture of NOx by replacing the nitrogen medium stabilizing the flare microwave discharge with water vapor when distilled water and its vapor at atmospheric pressure are treated with pure inert argon plasma. The dynamics of seed germination and development of cucumber seedlings in pure solutions of hydrogen peroxide, in solutions of medical 3% hydrogen peroxide stabilized with sodium benzoate, and in distilled water in the control were studied. The concentrations of hydrogen peroxide solutions in the range from 0,1 mg/l to 10 mg/l were used. Cucumber seeds «Competitor» with reduced germination (the result of long-term storage) were selected as a test object. Seeds of 30 pieces were placed in Petri dishes on filters, moistened once in the experiment with the studied solutions, and in the control with distilled water. It is shown that the germination of seeds and the development of seedlings in pure solutions of hydrogen peroxide reaches 95% at a concentration of hydrogen peroxide of 1,7 mg/l, while when using medical peroxide, the same indicator was 75% at a concentration of 0,1 mg/l. Higher concentrations of medical peroxide gave the worst result, in particular, concentrations of 3,3 mg/l and 10 mg/l led to inhibition of the seed germination process and showed the worst result.

Evaluating the Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Soil from Several Blocks in Mirzapur District, Uttar Pradesh, India

An evaluation of the physical-chemical characteristics of soil was conducted in 2023–24 in several blocks within the Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh. This study's main goals were to assess the physico-chemical characteristics of soil in several blocks in Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur District in ord`er to ascertain the soil's macronutrient availability. Samples of soil were taken at three different depths: 0–15 cm, 15–30 cm, and 30-45 cm. Sandy loam was the textural class of soil. 1.17 mg m-3 to 1.44 mg m-3 is the bulk density. Density of Particles (2.22 - 2.48 mg m-3). Pore Space Percentage (42.78% to 48.00%). It was evident that the soil had good physical conditions, an alkaline pH range of 7.43 to 8.15, a good water holding capacity (39.92 to 45.76%), and and all crops could benefit from the electrical conductivity (0.21 to 0.34 dSm-1). Organic carbon content in these soils is modest (0.27 to 0.38%). All villages have a medium nitrogen range (250 kg ha-1 to 380 kg ha-1). All villages have a medium phosphorus level (22.53 kg ha-1 to 37.49 kg ha1). (148.43 kg ha-1 to 282.4 kg ha-1) of potassium. is high in one place and medium in eight others.

Effect of Different Nutrient Combinations on Quality of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. Var. Saccharata.)

A field experiment was conducted at Post Graduate Instructional Farm, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, India, during Rabi season 2020. The trial was laid out in Randomised Block Design with nine treatments replicated thrice. The soil of the experimental plot was clay loamy, medium in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus, and high in available potassium. The sowing was done on 24 November 2020. The general recommended dose of fertiliser applied was 120:60:40 N: P2O5: K2O kg ha-1+ 10 t FYM ha-1. Application of 125% general recommended dose of fertiliser along with a foliar spray of 2% 19:19:19 NPK at 30 and 45 DAS recorded significantly higher crude protein content in cob and stover (11.12%, 5.18%), Protein Yield (1878 kg ha-1).

Unlocking the Secrets of Soil Health: Exploring the Influence of Natural and Synthetic Nutrients on Soil Organic Carbon and Active & Passive Carbon Pool in Vertisols

The experiment carried out in this field study was between 2022 and 2023 at the (AICRP) research farm in the outward-bound farm of the College of Agriculture, Indore. Indore is a small city in the western part of Madhya Pradesh, Central India, situated on the Malwa Plateau. An experiment was conducted with three replication by using different combination of N, P levels and crop residues in RBD design. Experiment field was medium to black soil with pH of 7.63 and medium in organic carbon 0.58%. The soil was low in available nitrogen (208.0 kg/ha) medium in available phosphorus (21.0 kg/ha) and high in potassium (585 kg/ha) and divided into gross plot size of 10 x 7.2 m2 and a net plot size of 9 x 6.4 m2, respectively. During crop harvest four different depths were used to gather the soil samples: 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, and 30–40 cm. All the collected samples are examined separated for soil organic carbon, active (highly labile, labile SOC), and passive (non-labile, less labile SOC) carbon pools. The finding showed that maximum soil organic carbon (%) was observed with the application of treatment T6 treatment (FYM 6 t ha-1 + N20 P13. Similar trend was found with active (very labile, labile) and passive carbon (less labile, non-labile) pools of soil.

Effects of Different Carbon and Nitrogen Ratios on Yield, Nutritional Value, and Amino Acid Contents of Flammulina velutipes.

The carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio in the cultivation medium significantly influences the growth rate, vigor of mycelium, yield of fruiting bodies, and their nutritional composition. Recently, agricultural and forestry wastes have been increasingly used in cultivating Flammulina velutipes. However, systematic research on how these materials affect the nutritional and functional properties of the fruiting bodies is lacking. This study investigated the effects of different C/N ratios on F. velutipes cultivation. We evaluated the agronomic traits, nutritional composition, and flavor compounds of the fruiting bodies. Our findings reveal that an optimal C/N ratio of 27:1 in the composted substrates enhances the total yield of fruiting bodies, with 25.1% soybean straw as the primary raw material. This ratio also significantly increases the levels of crude protein, total amino acids, and essential amino acids in the fruiting bodies (p < 0.05). Fruiting bodies from the high-nitrogen (HN) treatment showed the highest content of umami amino acids and equivalent umami concentration value. Additionally, we employed an untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics approach to analyze the metabolite profiles of fruiting bodies cultivated in high-nitrogen (HN), medium-nitrogen (MN), and low-nitrogen (LN) substrates. We found that the carbon-nitrogen ratio can affect the flavor and quality of fruiting bodies by regulating amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism and other related pathways. Our results suggest that a C/N ratio of 27:1 offers numerous benefits for the cultivation of F. velutipes with comprehensive analyses and has promising application prospects.

A comparison of free amino nitrogen and yeast-assimilable nitrogen measurement methods for use in alcoholic fermentation of whey

The continued efficient use of whey as a fermentable substrate to produce alcoholic beverages will benefit from improving the measurement of key components relevant to the fermentability of whey. One component of fermentation that is not well studied in whey is the concentration of fermentable nitrogen, either as free amino nitrogen (FAN) or yeast-assimilable nitrogen (YAN). Fermentable nitrogen in media is essential for yeast cells to replicate. Insufficient concentrations of FAN or YAN to support the growing yeast population can result in sluggish or "stuck" fermentations. We evaluated 3 common methods of fermentable nitrogen determination and compared them for use in whey fermentation systems, based on ninhydrin, nitrogen by o-phthalaldehyde (NOPA), and formaldehyde pH (Sørensen titration) values. Each measurement method was evaluated independently using standard addition curves and compared for overall accuracy using paired t-tests (α = 0.05). Although the formaldehyde pH method showed high precision, it did not measure nitrogen accurately, as it overestimated YAN in whey by up to 6 times relative to other tests. The ninhydrin and NOPA methods both showed accuracy for fermentable nitrogen determination in whey based on analysis of standardized nitrogen sources. We concluded that either the ninhydrin FAN or NOPA YAN method may be used to determine the fermentable nitrogen content in whey. This is expected to improve the ability of producers to use whey as a fermentation medium.

Assessment of Soil Fertility Status of the Soils of KVK -Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India

The present study was undertaken to assess the soil fertility status of the soils of KVK Muzaffarnagar. Soil samples were collected from two depths viz., 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm and analysed for various soil properties. Results revealed that soils were sandy loam in texture, neutral to slightly alkaline in reaction, non-saline and low in soil organic carbon content. Mean values of CEC, SOC, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium and available sulphur were 11.22 and 9.62 C mol (p+) kg-1, 0.17 and 0.13 g kg-1, 260.16 and 208.14 kg ha-1, 30.86 and 27.30 kg ha-1, 100.94 and 107.89 kg ha-1 and 13.51 and 12.84 kg ha-1 recorded at 0-15cm and 15-30 cm depth, respectively. The mean of DTPA extractable zinc, DTPA extractable iron, DTPA extractable manganese and DTPA extractable copper were 0.28 and 0.31 mg kg-1, 0.97 and 1.22 mg kg-1, 2.14 and 1.78 mg kg-1 and 0.23 and 0.19 mg kg-1 recorded surface and sub-surface depths, respectively. Soils are low in available nitrogen and potassium and medium in available phosphorus status. Cationic micronutrients such as iron, copper and zinc contents were found deficient in range, whereas manganese content was found to be sufficient.

Effects of eutrophication on the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in microalgal-bacterial symbiotic systems

Overloading of nutrients such as nitrogen causes eutrophication of freshwater bodies. The spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) poses a threat to ecosystems. However, studies on the enrichment and spread of ARGs from increased nitrogen loading in algal-bacterial symbiotic systems are limited. In this study, the transfer of extracellular kanamycin resistance (KR) genes from large (RP4) small (pEASY-T1) plasmids into the intracellular and extracellular DNA (iDNA, eDNA) of the inter-algal environment of Chlorella pyrenoidosa was investigated, along with the community structure of free-living (FL) and particle-attached (PA) bacteria under different nitrogen source concentrations (0–2.5 g/L KNO3). The results showed that KR gene abundance in the eDNA adsorbed on solid particles (D-eDNA) increased initially and then decreased with increasing nitrogen concentration, while the opposite was true for the rest of the free eDNA (E-eDNA). Medium nitrogen concentrations promoted the transfer of extracellular KR genes into the iDNA attached to algal microorganisms (A-iDNA), eDNA attached to algae (B-eDNA), and the iDNA of free microorganisms (C-iDNA); high nitrogen contributed to the transfer of KR genes into C-iDNA. The highest percentage of KR genes was found in B-eDNA with RP4 plasmid treatment (66.2%) and in C-iDNA with pEASY-T1 plasmid treatment (86.88%). In addition, dissolved oxygen (DO) significantly affected the bacterial PA and FL community compositions. Nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) reflected the abundance of ARGs in algae. Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteriota were the main potential hosts of ARGs. These findings provide new insights into the distribution and dispersal of ARGs in the phytoplankton inter-algal environment.

Moderate nitrogen application facilitates Bt cotton growth and suppresses population expansion of aphids (Aphis gossypii) by altering plant physiological characteristics.

Excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer in cotton field causes soil and water pollution as well as significant increase of aphid population. Reasonable fertilization is an important approach to improve agricultural production efficiency and reduce agriculture-derived pollutions. This study was aimed to explore the effects of nitrogen fertilizer on the Bt cotton physiological characteristics and the growth and development of A. gossypii, a sap-sucking cotton pest. Five different levels of Ca(NO3)2 (0.0 g/kg, 0.3 g/kg, 0.9 g/kg, 2.7 g/kg and 8.1 g/kg) were applied into vermiculite as nitrogen fertilizer in order to explore the effects of nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and development of Bt cotton and aphids. The results showed that the medium level of nitrogen fertilizer (0.9 g/kg) effectively facilitated the growth of Bt cotton plant and suppressed the population expansion of aphids, whereas high and extremely high nitrogen application (2.7 and 8.1 g/kg) significantly increased the population size of aphids. Both high and low nitrogen application benefited aphid growth in multiple aspects such as prolonging nymph period and adult lifespan, enhancing fecundity, and improving adult survival rate by elevating soluble sugar content in host Bt cotton plants. Cotton leaf Bt toxin content in medium nitrogen group (0.9 g/kg) was significantly higher than that in high (2.7 and 8.1 g/kg) and low (0.3 g/kg) nitrogen groups, but Bt toxin content in aphids was very low in all the nitrogen treatment groups, suggesting that medium level (0.9 g/kg) might be the optimal nitrogen fertilizer treatment level for promoting cotton seedling growth and inhibiting aphids. Overall, this study provides insight into trophic interaction among nitrogen fertilizer levels, Bt cotton, and cotton aphid, and reveals the multiple effects of nitrogen fertilizer levels on growth and development of cotton and aphids. Our findings will contribute to the optimization of the integrated management of Bt cotton and cotton aphids under nitrogen fertilization.

Fabrication and Performance of a Perovskite Solar Cell: Effect of Acetylacetone on Compact TiO2 Layer

Solar energy has been the most emphasized issue in recent years, as it is sustainable and causes zero emissions. In the solar cell industry, new manufacturing protocols have led to the development of materials with enhanced properties. Over the past decades, perovskite solar cells (PSC) have obtained a power conversion efficiency (PCE) to be 25% due to the development of synthesis techniques, electrode materials, etc. There is an important relationship between the thickness of the transport layers (hole and electron) in the case of improving the yield of perovskite solar cells. We have investigated the influence of the acid-assisted and acetylacetone-assisted (AA) methods on TiO2 films and thus the effect on the PCE of perovskite solar cells. Perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3) layer and different compact TiO2 (c-TiO2) layers have been coated by the spin coating method, and the overall experimental section is made in the nitrogen medium at room temperature. Through an acid-assisted method, the cracked c-TiO2 film was formed. The planar solar cell structure of ITO/AA-TiO2/CH3NH3PbI3/P3HT/Ag resulted in 0.03% of PCE. However, the perovskite solar cells with a mesoporous solar cell structure of ITO/ AA-TiO2/m- TiO2 /CH3NH3PbI3/P3HT/Ag resulted in 0.1% of PCE.

Fine root production, mortality, and turnover in response to simulated nitrogen deposition in the subtropical Abies georgei (Orr) forest

Increased nitrogen deposition has important effects on below-ground ecological processes. Fine roots are the most active part of the root system in terms of physiological activity and the main organs for nutrient and water uptake by plants. However, there is still a limited understanding of how nitrogen deposition affects the fine root dynamics in subtropical Abies georgei (Orr) forests. Consequently, a three-year field experiment was conducted to quantify the effects of three forms of nitrogen sources ((NH4)2SO4, NaNO3, and NH4NO3) at four levels (0, 5, 15, and 30 kg N·ha−1·yr−1) on the fine root dynamics in Abies georgei forests using a randomized block-group experimental design and minirhizotron technique. The first year of nitrogen addition did not affect the first-class fine roots (FR1, 0 < diameter < 0.5 mm) and second-class fine roots (FR2, 0.5 < diameter < 1.0 mm). The next two years of nitrogen addition significantly increased the production, mortality, and turnover of FR1 and FR2; the three year of nitrogen addition did not affect the dynamics of the third- class fine roots (FR3, 1.0 < diameter < 1.5 mm) and fourth- class fine roots (FR4,1.5 < diameter < 2.0 mm). Nitrogen addition positively affected the dynamics of FR1, FR2, FR3 and FR4 by positively affecting the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents of fine roots and indirectly affecting the soil pH. Increased carbon allocation to FR1 and FR2 may represent a phosphorus acquisition strategy when nitrogen is not the limiting factor. The nitrogen addition forms and levels affected the fine root dynamics in the following orde: NH4NO3 > (NH4)2SO4 > NaNO3 and high nitrogen > medium nitrogen > low nitrogen. The results suggest that the different-diameter fine root dynamics respond differently to different nitrogen addition forms and levels, and linking the different-diameter fine roots to nitrogen deposition is crucial.

The Use of the Catalysts Based on Coal Ash Microsphere and Chrysotile in the Thermal Destruction of Primary Coal Tar

In order to evaluate the possibility of using different catalysts prepared for the hydrogenation process of primary coal tar, the method of differential thermal analysis was used, which allows to determine the kinetic parameters of thermal destruction, such as the rate constant, activation energy, and pre-exponential multiplier. The effect of catalysts on characteristics of mass loss during heating of "Shubarkol Komir" JSC primary coal tar at a constant speed (20 K/min) in a nitrogen medium has been considered. Microsphere, NiO/microsphere, CoO/microsphere, chrysotile and NiCo/chrysotile have been taken as catalytic additives. In the presence of the catalysts, the rate of thermal destruction of primary coal tar increases in the following order: CoO/microsphere &lt; NiO/microsphere &lt; NiCo/chrysotile. While microsphere catalysts extend the range of thermal destruction, chrysotile catalysts lead to the rapid completion of the destruction process. This fact is characterized by the formation of bonds between catalytic additives and primary coal tar. It is important to determine such parameters that affect on the activation energy and macrokinetics of the thermal decomposition process for prediction of catalyst activity during hydrogenation of heavy hydrocarbon raw materials.

Effect of Water Conservation and Nitrogen Reduction on Root Growth and Yield in Spring Maize in Typical Sand Interlayered Soil

Given the low water and fertiliser use efficiency and the extensive distribution of sand interlayered soil in the Hetao irrigation district (HID), this study aimed to investigate the effects of different irrigation and fertilisation regimes on root parameters and yield in spring maize grown in sand interlayered soil. A two-year field plot experiment was conducted using the spring maize “Ximeng 3358” under three irrigation and nitrogen levels. Root length (RL), surface area (RS), diameter (RD), volume (RV), and length density (RLD), grain yield, and water use efficiency (WUE) were examined. Root growth was inhibited at the sand layer, with approximately 72.46–87.37% of the roots concentrated in the 0–40 cm soil layer. Notably, the proportion of roots in the bottom layer was 24.61–87.37% higher than that in the sub-bottom layer. Moreover, RL, RS, RD, and RV peaked in the medium irrigation and nitrogen fertilisation (I2F2) treatment. Furthermore, correlation analysis showed that the root parameters were significantly positively correlated with yield and WUE, with RS being most correlated to yield and WUE. Roots at a narrow row spacing of 20 cm (NR20) and at a depth of 10–20 cm were strongly correlated with yield and WUE. Conclusively, the I2F2 treatment can be used as the optimal combination of water and nitrogen for sand interlayered soil farmlands.

Identifying synergistic solutions for the food-energy-water nexus via plastic film mulching cultivation

Food security, water scarcity, and excessive fossil energy use pose considerable challenges to sustainable agriculture. To understand how rain-fed farming systems on the Loess Plateau, China, reconcile yield increases with ecological conservation, we conducted an integrated evaluation based on the denitrification-decomposition (DNDC) model, agricultural statistics data using the Food-Energy-Water (FEW) nexus indicator. The results showed that maize yields with ridge-furrow plastic film mulching (PFM) were 3479, 8942, and 11,124 kg ha−1 under low (50 kg N ha−1), medium (200 kg N ha−1), and high (350 kg N ha−1) nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates, respectively, and that PFM increased yield and water use efficiency (WUE) by 110–253 % and 166–205 % compared to using no mulching (control, CK), respectively. Plastic film mulching also increased net energy (126–436 %), energy use efficiency (81–578 %), energy productivity (100–670 %), and energy profitability (126–994 %), and nitrogen fertilizer, compound fertilizer, and diesel fuel consumption by agricultural machinery were the main energy inputs. The PFM system reduced water consumption during the maize growing season and the green water footprint and gray water footprint decreased by 66–74 % and 44–68 %, respectively. The FEW nexus indicator, based on a high production at low environmental cost scenario, was greater under the PFM system and had the widest spatial distribution area at the medium-N application rate. Among the environmental factors, the nexus indicator was negatively correlated with precipitation (−0.37), air temperature (−0.36), and the aridity index (−0.36), but positively correlated with elevation (0.17). Our results suggest that the PFM system promotes resource-saving while increasing yields and moves dryland agriculture in an environmentally friendly direction, thus promoting the sustainable development of agroecosystems.

Kinetics of bacterial cellulose formation in soybean-boiled wastewater medium during fermentation utilizing real-time image processing

The bacterial cellulose (BC) fermentation is affected by environmental growth conditions such as pH, temperature, and turbidity. During the fermentation, a real-time image processing method was applied to observe the BC growth by using soybean-boiled wastewater and coconut water as a mixture. Cellulose will be produced and discharged into the medium throughout the fermentation process to form BC sheets, which will gradually become visible. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between the growth parameters of BC and to analyze the formation of BC kinetically, using the Gompertz model on medium without additional nitrogen source and medium with additional nitrogen sources during the fermentation process. The strongest correlation result was found between time and thickness of BC formed without an additional nitrogen source, and with sodium glutamate as the nitrogen source. The Gompertz model equation was suitable for predicting the kinetics of BC formation time and thickness based on the available data. Both mediums exhibited three clusters that represented the adaptation stage, the exponential stage, and the stationary stage during the fermentation process. The addition of a nitrogen source to the medium resulted in thicker BC sheets compared to the medium without this addition.

In-situ formation of ultra-hard titanium-based composite coatings on carbon steel through electro-spark deposition in different gas media

In the current study, ultra-hard TiC, TiN, and Ti(C,N) layers were in-situ formed on carbon steel substrate using pure titanium electrode via electro-spark deposition (ESD) in argon, nitrogen, argon/nitrogen, and air atmospheres. The synthesized coatings were characterized using various techniques, including FE-SEM/EDS, X-ray diffractometry, Raman spectroscopy, microhardness and nanoindentation tests, and surface roughness measurement. Also, a thermodynamic simulation was executed to estimate the phase-stability. Fe5C2, TiN, Fe3N, and Ti2O3 were determined as the major phases formed under the argon, nitrogen, Ar/N2, and air atmospheres, respectively. The formation of martensite at the interface of the coating and substrate in all atmospheres indicates the capability of the ESD process for surface hardening. The observed discrepancies between the empirically formed phases and the thermodynamics prediction can be related to the non-equilibrium conditions of the ESD process. It was revealed that gaseous media such as argon and nitrogen serve as a protective/active environment in the titanium/steel system. It is proposed that the electro-sparking of titanium under the active nitrogen medium follows an avalanche plasma regime. Under the argon flow, FeTi intermetallic layer is formed. Whilst, electro-sparking in ambient air leads to the formation of various Fe-Ti-O compounds, as well as different TiOn oxides. On the other hand, the utilization of nitrogen gas during the ESD increases the surface roughness and the thickness of the coating, rather than the deposition under the argon flow, due to the extra heat of reactions. The dynamic reactions occur between pure titanium, nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen, leading to the initial formation of Ti(C,N) at the top surface, followed by the production of titanium oxides in the middle layer. The coexistence of the super-hard Ti(C,N) with a hardness of 3130 HV at the top surface and titanium nitrides beneath it in a gradient mode effectively impedes the crack propagation.

Distribution of Macro Nutrients in Surface and Subsurface Soils under Saffron Growing Areas of Pulwama District of Jammu &amp; Kashmir, India

One hundred eighty (180) composite soil samples were collected from surface and subsurface layers from 18 saffron growing villages of Pulwama district to study the available primary and secondary nutrient status of the soils. None of the soil were found to be deficient in available nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur. The soils were medium in available nitrogen and phosphorous and medium to high in potassium with mean values of 338.46, 21.25 and 258.83 kg ha-1 respectively in surface soils (0-15 cm) and mean values of 318.07, 18.82 and 232.03 kg ha-1 respectively in sub-surface soils (15-30 cm). All the soils were high in available calcium and magnesium with average values of 1677.1, 317.7 mg kg-1 and 1692.5 and 352.3 mg kg-1 in surface and subsurface soils respectively. The soils were low to medium in available sulphur content with surface and subsurface sulphur content of 10.51 and 8.70 mg kg-1 respectively.

Strategies for the management of water and nitrogen interaction in seed maize production; A case study from China Hexi Corridor Oasis Agricultural Area

The oasis agricultural area of the Hexi Corridor in China supports industrial-scale seed maize production which depends on significant inputs of water and fertilizer, however, the effects of water-nitrogen interaction on seed maize yield and its components, and on water and nitrogen use efficiency in seed maize are unknown, making optimization of inputs impossible. Here, we conducted a study to address these unknowns. Specifically, we established a two-factor split-plot experiment in the Zhangye area of the Hexi Corridor with three irrigation levels of low, medium, and sufficient water supply (50%, 75%, and 100% of the local typical irrigation quota), and three nitrogen application rates of low (160 kg ha−1), medium (280 kg ha−1), and high nitrogen (400 kg ha−1); three irrigation levels without nitrogen fertilizer were used as the control. We found that there was a significant interaction between water-nitrogen combinations, all of which had a significant effect on seed maize yield and its components, and water and nitrogen use efficiency. The yield of seed maize increased with the increase in irrigation quota, but when the irrigation quota reached 100% of the traditional, yield exhibited an increasing and then decreasing trend with the increase in nitrogen application. During the 4-year test period, the maximum yield of seed maize was observed in sufficient water and medium-nitrogen treatment, reaching an average of 9509.38 kg ha−1. Lower nitrogen lowered water productivity, while lower irrigation quotas limited nitrogen utilization. The relationship between irrigation quota, nitrogen application, and seed maize yield was binary quadratic, and the coefficient of determination, R2, reached 0.963–0.985 indicating that the model predicted the yield of seed maize well. The main factor analysis of yield increase showed that the effect of irrigation quota was greater than that of nitrogen application. The optimal combination of water-nitrogen for the highest target yield was obtained with an irrigation quota of 100% of the local typical and a nitrogen application rate of 292.0 kg ha−1-383.2 kg ha−1. This result can be used as a reasonable water and fertilizer management guideline and a technical reference for the seed maize industry in the oasis agricultural area of the Hexi Corridor with objectives of stable and high yields, and reductions in the risk of nitrogen non-point source pollution.

Response of Various Levels of Nitrogen and Sulphur on the Growth, Yield attributes Yield and Economics of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

A field experiment on Response of various levels of Nitrogen and Sulphur on the growth, yield, and quality of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was conducted during kharif season 2022 at the CRC-1, School of Agriculture, ITM University Gwalior (M.P.). The experiment was laid out in a Factorial randomized block design with 9 treatment combinations, which includes three Nitrogen Levels (viz., N1 -40 kg N ha-1, N2 -80 kg N ha-1and N3 -120 kg N ha-1), three Sulphur levels (viz., S1 -30 kg S ha-1, S2 -45 kg S ha-1and S3 -60 kg S ha-1) and one control (N0 -0 kg N ha-1+ S0 -0 Kg S ha-1), and each treatment were replicated thrice. The soil of the experimental field was Sandy loam in texture with a medium in available Nitrogen (178.03), low in available Phosphorous (24.45) and High in available Potassium (382.15) and low in Organic Carbon (0.41). The result of the experiment revealed that an increase in the application of Nitrogen and Sulphur had significantly increased the growth, yield and economics of viz., plant population, plant height (cm), No. of leaves per plant, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation plant-1 (g), days taken in 50 % flowering, days taken in maturity, grain yield, stalk yield, biological yield, harvesting index and economics of sunflower, the application of 120 kg N ha-1 and 60 kg S ha-1 was at par on application of 80 kg N ha-1 and 45 kg S ha-1 and application of 40 kg N ha-1 and 30 kg S ha-1 were found significant with this treatment. Quality parameters viz., oil content and oil yield were significantly higher with higher levels of nitrogen (120 kg ha-1) and Sulphur (60 kg ha-1).