Stimulate Plant Growth Research Articles

Application of Artificial Intelligence in Stimulating Plant Growth Using Electric Lighting

This paper highlights the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in electric lighting for enhancing smart agriculture. The use of electric lighting in greenhouses is widely practiced in the present time, as sunlight is poorly available in some parts of the world. Different plants have different growth in different spectrum of light. The spectrum of light in which the plant grows maximum is coined as optimum growth spectrum (OGS). Hence, this study aims to choose artificial intelligence in assessing the optimum spectrum of light for a given plant. RGB based LEDs are used and its luminous efficacy is interpreted, considering different blend of mechanisms and the yield current and temperature. Rapid light fluctuations offered by pulse amplitude modulation causes a loss in the output of the LEDs. Hence, there lies a finite gap in the light provided and the light reaching the plant. Since, LEDs are the source of light here, hence, light sources complying with higher CRI should be deployed, as used in this experiment. The overall system was so designed such that when a plant is cultivated, using image processing, AI identifies the specific plant and implements all the available data, like the optimum growth spectrum, temperature, humidity, etc. The experiment clearly emphasizes on the results which were impressive. The OGS of the given plant has been figured out and trained the system through AI to execute the growth functions for the given plant.

Diversity of the Maize Root Endosphere and Rhizosphere Microbiomes Modulated by the Inoculation with Pseudomonas fluorescens UM270 in a Milpa System.

Milpa is an agroecological production system based on the polyculture of plant species, with corn featuring as a central component. Traditionally, the milpa system does not require the application of chemicals, and so pest attacks and poor growth in poor soils can have adverse effects on its production. Therefore, the application of bioinoculants could be a strategy for improving crop growth and health; however, the effect of external inoculant agents on the endemic microbiota associated with corn has not been extensively studied. Here, the objective of this work was to fertilize a maize crop under a milpa agrosystem with the PGPR Pseudomonas fluorescens UM270, evaluating its impact on the diversity of the rhizosphere (rhizobiome) and root endophytic (root endobiome) microbiomes of maize plants. The endobiome of maize roots was evaluated by 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) sequencing, and the rhizobiome was assessed by metagenomic sequencing upon inoculation with the strain UM270. The results showed that UM270 inoculation of the rhizosphere of P. fluorescens UM270 did not increase alpha diversity in either the monoculture or milpa, but it did alter the endophytic microbiome of maize plant roots by stimulating the presence of bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of the genera Burkholderia and Pseudomonas (in a monoculture), whereas, in the milpa system, the PGPR stimulated greater endophytic diversity and the presence of genera such as Burkholderia, Variovorax, and N-fixing rhizobia genera, including Rhizobium, Mesorhizobium, and Bradyrhizobium. No clear association was found between fungal diversity and the presence of strain UM270, but beneficial fungi, such as Rizophagus irregularis and Exophiala pisciphila, were detected in the Milpa system. In addition, network analysis revealed unique interactions with species such as Stenotrophomonas sp., Burkholderia xenovorans, and Sphingobium yanoikuyae, which could potentially play beneficial roles in the plant. Finally, the UM270 strain does not seem to have a strong impact on the microbial diversity of the rhizosphere, but it does have a strong impact on some functions, such as trehalose synthesis, ammonium assimilation, and polyamine metabolism. The inoculation of UM270 biofertilizer in maize plants modifies the rhizo- and endophytic microbiomes with a high potential for stimulating plant growth and health in agroecological crop models.

Pantoea ananatis, a plant growth stimulating bacterium, and its metabolites isolated from Hydrocotyle umbellata (dollarweed)

ABSTRACT A bacterium growing on infected leaves of Hydrocotyle umbellata, commonly known as dollarweed, was isolated and identified as Pantoea ananatis. An ethyl acetate extract of tryptic soy broth (TSB) liquid culture filtrate of the bacterium was subjected to silica gel chromatography to isolate bioactive molecules. Indole was isolated as the major compound that gave a distinct, foul odor to the extract, together with phenethyl alcohol, phenol, tryptophol, N-acyl-homoserine lactone, 3-(methylthio)-1-propanol, cyclo(L-pro-L-tyr), and cyclo(dehydroAla-L-Leu). This is the first report of the isolation of cyclo(dehydroAla-L-Leu) from a Pantoea species. Even though tryptophol is an intermediate in the indoleacetic acid (IAA) pathway, we were unable to detect or isolate IAA. We investigated the effect of P. ananatis inoculum on the growth of plants. Treatment of Lemna paucicostata Hegelm plants with 4 × 109 colony forming units of P. ananatis stimulated their growth by ca. five-fold after 13 days. After 13 days of treatment, some control plants were browning, but treated plants were greener and no plants were browning. The growth of both Cucumis sativus (cucumber) and Sorghum bicolor (sorghum) plants was increased by ca. 20 to 40%, depending on the growth parameter and species, when the rhizosphere was treated with the bacterium after germination at the same concentration. Plant growth promotion by Pantoea ananatis could be due to the provision of the IAA precursor indole.

Comparative effectiveness of carbon nanoparticles and biochar in alleviating copper stress in corn (Zea mays L.)

The application of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) and biochar in agriculture for improving plant health and soil quality and alleviating metal stress offers alternative approaches to meet the ever-increasing demand for food. However, poor understanding of their roles in improving crop production under Cu stress represents a significant obstacle to their wide application in agriculture. To clarify how CNPs and biochar affect corn (Zea mays L.) seed germination, seedling growth, plant health, and nutrient uptake under different Cu stress levels, soil-less Petri-dish and greenhouse soil-based bioassays were conducted. The results revealed that CNPs and biochar stimulated corn seed germination and seedling growth. Besides, they were effective in immobilizing Cu2+ sorption in sandy soil and alleviating Cu stress for plant growth, as shown by the increased plant height and dry biomass. The plant nutrient uptake efficiency (NUE) was significantly increased by CNPs, with a maximum increase of 63.1% for N and 63.3% for K at the highest Cu2+ stress level (400 mg Cu2+ L−1). In contrast, non-significant effects on NUE were observed with biochar treatments regardless of Cu stress levels. Interestingly, CNPs significantly increased plant uptake of Cu in the Petri dish test, while biochar inhibited plant uptake of Cu under both experimental conditions. Principle component analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation analysis indicated that CNPs mitigated Cu stress mainly by elevating antioxidant enzyme activities, enhancing plant photochemical efficiency, and increasing plant uptake of N and K, while biochar was more likely to reduce bioavailability and uptake of Cu in the plant. These findings have great implications for the application of CNPs and biochar as plant growth stimulators and de-toxicity agents in agriculture.

Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity and chickpea growth stimulation effects of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles

Green synthesized nanoparticles are believed to alleviate the detrimental effects of chemical fertilizers and the multidrug resistance of various microbial strains. This study evaluates the use of bush tea-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for chickpea fertilization and assesses their cytotoxicity, antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The study demonstrated that the application of ZnO NPs improved the number of leaves, nodules, biomass and yield of chickpea cultivars under glasshouse conditions. The authors suggest that biosynthesized ZnO NPs are a good plant growth stimulant. The control with no nanoparticles application, had higher values of photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency in the Desi genotype whereas for the Kabuli genotype, 25 mg/L showed higher values of stomatal conductance and transpiration efficiency, while 15 mg/L gave the highest water use efficiency and photosynthetic rate. Furthermore, the inhibitory activities of bacteria were reported in which E. coli and S. aureus were the most sensitive bacterial strains. The ZnO NPs also quenched free radicals that demonstrate antioxidant activity. Thus, they can be beneficial to both plants and humans as they reduce oxidative stress that can cause diseases. Furthermore, toxicity to cells was evaluated and ZnO NPs were less toxic to the studied cells with IC50 values of 16.17 µg/mL and 21.30 µg/mL against lung cancer and embryonic cell lines. Thus, the use of ZnO nanoparticles with antimicrobial activity could help fight against several diseases attacking humans and plants.

Glyphosate hormesis stimulates tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plant growth and enhances tolerance against environmental abiotic stress by triggering nonphotochemical quenching.

Glyphosate is the most widely applied herbicide in the world. Hormesis caused by low glyphosate doses has been widely documented in many plant species. However, the specific adaptative mechanism of plants responding to glyphosate hormesis stimulation remains unclear. This study focused on the biphasic relationship between glyphosate dose and tomato plant growth, and how glyphosate hormesis stimulates plant growth and enhances tolerance to environmental stress. We constructed a hormesis model to describe the biphasic relationship with a maximal stimulation (MAX) of 162% above control by glyphosate at 0.063 g ha-1. Low-dose glyphosate increased photosynthetic pigment contents and improve photosynthetic efficiency, leading to plant growth stimulation. We also found that glyphosate hormesis enhanced plant tolerance to diuron (DCMU; a representative photosynthesis inhibitor) by triggering the nonphotochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching (NPQ) reaction to dissipate excess energy stress from photosystem II (PSII). Transcriptomic analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction results revealed that the photosynthesis-antenna proteins pathway was the most sensitive to glyphosate hormesis, and PsbS (encoding photosystem II subunit S), ZEP (encoding zeaxanthin epoxidase) and VDE (encoding violaxanthin de-epoxidase) involved in NPQ played crucial roles in the plant response to glyphosate hormesis. These results provide novel insights into the mechanisms of plant hormesis and is meaningful to the application of glyphosate hormesis in agriculture. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

UNLOCKING SUSTAINABLE ECO-FRIENDLY AGRICULTURE: THE ROLE OF PEROXIDE OXIDATION TREATED CASSAVA PROCESSING EFFLUENT IN BOLSTERING CELOSIA ARGENTEA GROWTH PARAMETERS

The study investigated effect of peroxide-oxidation-treated wastewater from the hitherto environmentally problematic cassava processing industry on the growth parameters of Celosia argentea. Peroxide-aeration treated cassava processing wastewater was mixed with groundwater at 25, 50, 75 and 100% concentration. Prepared solutions were applied on Celosia to determine its effect on growth and nutritive quality. The treatment was observed to have stimulated plant growth parameters by 18.28±0.03 cm, 3.85±0.02 mm, 23.80±0.11 and 35.70±0.03 mm2 for plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, and leaf area, respectively at 25% treatment concentration after 62 days from planting. Improvement in macro nutrients such as iron (0.95%), calcium (0.52%), potassium (0.03%) and micro nutrients like manganese (9.34%) and copper (1.07%), with no bioaccumulation of heavy metals were recorded. Conclusively, peroxide-aeration treated cassava processing wastewater offers sustainable, eco-friendly water source for irrigation purposes, as well as fertigation potential for cultivation of Celosia argentea.

Serratia spp. as plant growth-promoting bacteria alleviating salinity, drought, and nutrient imbalance stresses.

In agricultural environments, plants are often exposed to abiotic stresses including temperature extremes, salt stress, drought, and heavy metal soil contamination, which leads to significant economic losses worldwide. Especially salt stress and drought pose serious challenges since they induce ionic toxicity, osmotic stress, and oxidative stress in plants. A potential solution can be the application of bacteria of the Serratia spp. known to promote plant growth under normal conditions Thus the mini-review aims to summarize the current knowledge on plant growth promotion by Serratia spp. (under the conditions of salinity stress, drought, and nutrient deficit) and highlight areas for development in the field. So far, it has been proven that Serratia spp. strains exhibit a variety of traits contributing to enhanced plant growth and stress tolerance, such as phytohormone production, ACC deaminase activity, nitrogen fixation, P and Zn solubilization, antioxidant properties improvement, and modulation of gene expression. Nevertheless, further research on Serratia spp. is needed, especially on two subjects: elucidating its mechanisms of action on plants at the molecular level and the effects of Serratia spp. on the indigenous soil and plant microbiota and, particularly, the rhizosphere. In both cases, it is advisable to use omics techniques to gain in-depth insights into the issues. Additionally, some strains of Serratia spp. may be phytopathogens, therefore studies to rule out this possibility are recommended prior to field trials. It is believed that by improving said knowledge the potential of Serratia spp. to stimulate plant growth will increase and strains from the genus will serve as an eco-friendly biofertilizer in sustainable agriculture more often.

Biocompatibility of Brazilian native yeast-derived sophorolipids and Trichoderma harzianum as plant-growth promoting bioformulations

The replacement of agrochemicals by biomolecules is imperative to mitigate soil contamination and inactivation of its core microbiota. Within this context, this study aimed at the interaction between a biological control agent such as Trichoderma harzianum CCT 2160 (BF-Th) and the biosurfactants (BSs) derived from the native Brazilian yeast Starmerella bombicola UFMG-CM-Y6419. Thereafter, their potential in germination of Oryza sativa L. seeds was tested. Both bioproducts were produced on site and characterized according to their chemical composition by HPLC-MS and GC-MS for BSs and SDS-PAGE gel for BF-Th. The BSs were confirmed to be sophorolipids (SLs) which is a well-studied compound with antimicrobial activity. The biocompatibility was examined by cultivating the fungus with SLs supplementation ranging from 0.1 to 2 g/L in solid and submerged fermentation. In solid state fermentation the supplementation of SLs enhanced spore production, conferring the synergy of both bioproducts. For the germination assays, bioformulations composed of SLs, BF-Th and combined (SLT) were applied in the germination of O. sativa L seeds achieving an improvement of up to 30% in morphological aspects such as root and shoot size as well as the presence of lateral roots. It was hypothesized that SLs were able to regulate phytohormones expression such as auxins and gibberellins during early stage of growth, pointing to their novel plant-growth stimulating properties. Thus, this study has pointed to the potential of hybrid bioformulations composed of biosurfactants and active endophytic fungal spores in order to augment the plant fitness and possibly the control of diseases.

CaIAA2-CaARF9 module mediates the trade-off between pepper growth and immunity.

To challenge the invasion of various pathogens, plants re-direct their resources from plant growth to an innate immune defence system. However, the underlying mechanism that coordinates the induction of the host immune response and the suppression of plant growth remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that an auxin response factor, CaARF9, has dual roles in enhancing the immune resistance to Ralstonia solanacearum infection and in retarding plant growth by repressing the expression of its target genes as exemplified by Casmc4, CaLBD37, CaAPK1b and CaRROP1. The expression of these target genes not only stimulates plant growth but also negatively impacts pepper resistance to R. solanacearum. Under normal conditions, the expression of Casmc4, CaLBD37, CaAPK1b and CaRROP1 is active when promoter-bound CaARF9 is complexed with CaIAA2. Under R. solanacearum infection, however, degradation of CaIAA2 is triggered by SA and JA-mediated signalling defence by the ubiquitin-proteasome system, which enables CaARF9 in the absence of CaIAA2 to repress the expression of Casmc4, CaLBD37, CaAPK1b and CaRROP1 and, in turn, impeding plant growth while facilitating plant defence to R. solanacearum infection. Our findings uncover an exquisite mechanism underlying the trade-off between plant growth and immunity mediated by the transcriptional repressor CaARF9 and its deactivation when complexed with CaIAA2.

Trichoderma spp.: characteristics and applications

Trichoderma is the genus of a cosmopolitan fungus, common in different types of environments or agroecosystems. It has different properties that give it beneficial qualities and functions, which is why it is given different uses, for example, as a biocontrol agent, through induced or direct systemic resistance, as a plant growth stimulant, improving the absorption of water and nutrients and producing phytohormones, as a bioremediator, among others. The objective of this work was to compile knowledge of the characteristics of the genre Trichoderma and the different applications it can have

Potential use of Ulva intestinalis-derived biochar adsorbing phosphate ions in the cultivation of winter wheat Tristicum aestivum

In this work, the properties of biochar produced from green macroalga Ulva intestinalis by pyrolysis were studied at temperatures of 300, 500, and 700 °C. This biochar was characterized in terms of multielemental composition, BET surface area, total pore volume, and biosorption properties toward phosphate ions. Biochar produced at 700 °C–25 m2/g had the highest surface area. The kinetics and isotherms of sorption processes of phosphate ions as sorbate by these sorbents were investigated. Modified biochar was able to remove 84.3% of phosphate ions from wastewater, whereas non-modified biochar—only 40.6%. Hence, biochar enriched with phosphate ions can serve as a valuable soil amendment. Pot experiments performed on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) with a 3% addition of dry Ulva intestinalis, pristine biochar, and Mg-modified biochar enriched with phosphate ions showed that these amendments stimulated plant growth (length and fresh weight of plants) as well as enlarging the chlorophyll content in leaves. Our results indicate that the production of biochar (pristine and Mg-impregnated) is a sustainable option to valorize the biomass of seaweeds, and to recycle phosphorus from wastewater.Graphical

Influence of preparations on photosynthetic activity of brewing barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants and quality indicators of grain

Plant growth regulators and microfertilizers stimulate the accumulation of chlorophyll by plants, increase the photosynthetic activity of chloroplasts and the net productivity of photosynthesis, and contribute to increasing the resistance of crops to diseases and adverse environmental factors. The aim of the work was to study the effect of preparations on the photosynthetic activity the plants of spring barley varieties in order to achieve the proper quality of the grown products. In the research, barley plants of the spring brewing direction of the varieties Sebastian (Seyet Planteforedling I/S, Denmark) and Salomi (SAATEN Union, France) were used, which were treated with plant growth stimulator Vimpel 2, complex microfertilizer ORACUL multicomplex, a mixture of Vimpel 2 + ORACUL multi-complex and control area — water treatment. The article presents the results that show that the content of the sum of chlorophylls a and b in spring barley leaves under the influence of preparations Vimpel 2 and ORACUL multicomplex plays a major role in increasing the productivity of the crop. Accumulation of protein and starch in spring barley grains is one of the most important indicators for growing varieties of brewing value. In all variants of the study, the accumulation of protein in the grain turned out to be within acceptable limits for malting barley (8.75–10.02%), only in the control variant it remained too low. The use of preparations Vimpel 2 and ORACUL multicomplex in a mixture contributes to the accumulation of starch in spring barley grains of both studied varieties. At the same time, treatment with only growth promoter or only micro-fertilizer stimulates the accumulation of starch in the grain compared to the control, but remains at a low level for the brewing industry. The most active growth of the assimilation surface of spring barley plants in all phases of growth was observed after treatment with Vimpel 2 mixture in combination with ORACUL multicomplex. The conducted studies established a significant influence of microfertilizers and growth stimulants on the photosynthetic potential of spring barley crops. During the entire vegetation period of spring barley, the highest photosynthetic potential of crops (FPP) — 859.2 m2/ha×day was determined in the Sebastian variety with the addition of microfertilizer and growth stimulator. The high-quality work of the leaf apparatus of plants is determined by the net productivity of photosynthesis (NPP). The highest PPF index was observed on the Sebastian variety in the variant treated with a mixture of microfertilizer and growth stimulator, which is 27% higher than in the control variant. Therefore, spring barley grain of the required quality can be obtained only under the conditions of optimal combination of the use of preparations of different spectrum of action.

MCNTs/ZnO nanocomposite-fabricated nanosensor for 1-naphthyleacetic acid electroanalysis and its applications

Zinc oxide nanoparticles and multiwalled carbon nanotubes were mixed to create a novel carbon paste electrode known as MCNTs/ZnO/CPE—a substance that stimulates plant growth. This electrode was designed to investigate the effects of NAA. Various techniques, including cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV), were employed to assess the stability and electrochemical properties of the MCNTs/ZnO/CPE electrode. The study aimed to examine the electrochemical behavior of NAA on MCNTs/ZnO/CPE to investigate its potential application in plant development. The experiment results provided valuable insights into the complementary effects of NAA and the electrode materials, paving the way for future advances in plant bioelectrochemistry. At a pH of 3.0, the more significant peak current indicates the effective electron transfer between the PB solution and the MCNTs/ZnO/CPE sensor. The sensor's outstanding catalytic activity at this pH further suggests its potential for various electrochemical applications. Actual samples, such as water, fruits, vegetables, and soil, were analyzed using the SWV method. ZnO/CPE, bare CPE, MCNTs/CPE, and MCNTs/ZnO/CPE all had peak currents of 4.044 µA, 10.40 µA, 12.91 µA, and 16.52 µA, respectively. The peak potentials for bare CPE, ZnO/CPE, MCNTs/CPE, and MCNTs/ZnO/CPE were all found to be 1.19 V, 1.19 V, 1.18 V, and 1.15 V, respectively. All the experiments were carried out at 25 s of optimum accumulation time. The detection limit was determined to be 1.1 nM, and the linear range is 0.2 × 10−8 to 7.0 × 10−6 M. The surface area of the unmodified CPE was determined to be 0.04 cm2, whereas the surface area of the modified CPE was determined to be 0.13 cm2. The mean value of the rate constant (ks) for the anodic reaction was 2.8 × 10−3 cm s−1. In addition to electro-kinetic factors like the effect of temperature and the heterogeneous rate constant, the electro-oxidation of NAA was examined about several parameters, including electron contribution, accumulation duration, pH, energy of activation, scan rate, and transfer coefficient.

Foliar Application of Tropical Trees Leaf Extract for Improve Growth and Yield of Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L). Hepper

Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.), the most important pulse crop is grown throughout India. The productivity of blackgram in India is relatively low compared to the world's average productivity. Nowadays for improving productivity foliar spraying of nutrients plays a major role. The available synthetic formulations for foliar spraying are polluting and highly expensive. Hence, the leaf extracts of tropical trees can be utilized as an alternative source since they have enormous bioactive compounds able to stimulate plant growth and improve productivity without any harmful effects. Therefore, the present study was conducted on a sandy loam farm of The Indian Agriculture College, Radhapuram from March 2023 to May 2023 to evaluate the effect of leaf extracts like Moringa oleifera (Moringa), Annona squamosa (Custard apple) and Nerium oleander (Nerium) at different concentration viz., 5% and 10% on cultivation of blackgram crop, variety VBN 8. The results revealed that foliar spraying of Moringa oleifera leaf extract @ 10% + RDF significantly improves the growth components like plant height (27.87 cm and 34.6 cm at 35 DAS and 50 DAS respectively), LAI (2.87 and 4.06 at 35 DAS and 50 DAS respectively), dry matter accumulation (141 g/m2 and 266 g/m2 at 35 DAS and 50 DAS respectively), Crop growth rate (5.77 and 8.33 g/m2/day at 20 to 35 DAS, 35 to 50 DAS respectively), Relative Growth Rate (0.064, 0.042 g/g/day at 20 to 35 DAS, 35 to 50 DAS respectively) and yield attribute like average number of pods per plant (36.9) and seed yield (648 kg/ha) over other treatments and it was on par with RDF + Foliar application of Custard apple leaf extract @ 10%.

Dynamic root microbiome sustains soybean productivity under unbalanced fertilization

Root-associated microbiomes contribute to plant growth and health, and are dynamically affected by plant development and changes in the soil environment. However, how different fertilizer regimes affect quantitative changes in microbial assembly to effect plant growth remains obscure. Here, we explore the temporal dynamics of the root-associated bacteria of soybean using quantitative microbiome profiling (QMP) to examine its response to unbalanced fertilizer treatments (i.e., lacking either N, P or K) and its role in sustaining plant growth after four decades of unbalanced fertilization. We show that the root-associated bacteria exhibit strong succession during plant development, and bacterial loads largely increase at later stages, particularly for Bacteroidetes. Unbalanced fertilization has a significant effect on the assembly of the soybean rhizosphere bacteria, and in the absence of N fertilizer the bacterial community diverges from that of fertilized plants, while lacking P fertilizer impedes the total load and turnover of rhizosphere bacteria. Importantly, a SynCom derived from the low-nitrogen-enriched cluster is capable of stimulating plant growth, corresponding with the stabilized soybean productivity in the absence of N fertilizer. These findings provide new insights in the quantitative dynamics of the root-associated microbiome and highlight a key ecological cluster with prospects for sustainable agricultural management.

Theoretical study of the working body of a centrifugal type mixing plant

Relevance. The use of fertilizers in the agro-industrial complex is an important means to ensure sustainable development, food and environmental security. The scientific application of various types of fertilizers can reduce the negative impact on natural ecosystems, as well as optimize the use of resources and take into account the individual needs of each plant. Due to the balanced composition and biological modification by chelate complexes, fertilizer mixture has increased biological efficiency and stimulate plant growth. At the same time, there is an urgent task of obtaining mixtures that have a high degree of uniformity. In this connection, the requirements for the mixing equipment are very high, since the structural and kinematic parameters are the most important factors affecting the stability of the mixing process and the uniformity of the final mixture.Methods. Based on the analysis of existing mixing plants, the authors proposed the concept of a centrifugal type mixing plant with a working body in the form of a conical surface. In the course of the research, the processes occurring during the operation of the working body, the proposed centrifugal mixer, were studied using methods of mathematical analysis, graphical and mathematical modelling.Results. As a result of the research, it was found that the greatest influence on the change in the absolute velocity of the granules is exerted by the circumferential velocity of the granules, which is largely determined by the rotation frequency and parameters of the conical surface. In turn, it was found that over time, the angle between the direction of the absolute velocity of the fertilizer granules and the forming conical surface tends to the direction of the circumferential velocity, while with increasing rotation frequency, this indicator changes more rapidly.

Sustainable agriculture through rhizosphere bacteria for plant growth promotion, nutrient acquisition, and stress alleviation

Rhizosphere bacteria are attracting a lot of interest in sustainable agriculture because of their capacity to stimulate plant growth, improve nutrient uptake, and reduce stress in plants. A review of recent discoveries in the field of using rhizosphere bacteria for these advantageous agricultural techniques is given in this article. Rhizosphere bacteria facilitate plant growth by solubilizing inaccessible elements like phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and manganese by producing a variety of enzymes and organic acids. Furthermore, these bacteria support plant nutrition by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, a necessary component for plant growth and development. Moreover, some rhizosphere bacterial strains can inhibit plant diseases, which lessen the need for artificial chemical pesticides. Rhizosphere bacteria have improved plant stress tolerance by producing stress-related substances, including phytohormones and osmoprotectants. These bacteria also give rise to systemic resistance in plants, successfully allowing them to survive various biotic and abiotic challenges. Concerning climate change and environmental variations, this rhizosphere bacteria-mediated stress reduction component holds a tremendous potential for sustainable agriculture. But for rhizosphere bacteria-based agricultural techniques to be successfully utilized, a thorough grasp of their variety, ecological relationships, and mode of action are necessary. Optimizing application techniques, formulating bioinoculants, and considering environmental aspects are crucial for consistent and dependable outcomes through rhizosphere bacteria.

Effects of Coconut Water and Banana Homogenate on Shoot Regeneration of Meyer Lemon (Citrus × meyeri)

Meyer lemon (Citrus × meyeri) is a hybrid citrus fruit from the Rutaceae family, originating from China. It is well-known for its distinctive appearance and flavor, as well as its health-nourishing nutrients. Micropropagation is an efficient alternative in the multiplication of plant stocks suitable for the commercial scale. The inclusion of organic additives in culture media has been found to provide a cost-effective option as a plant growth stimulant for in vitro plant development. The current study intends to assess the effects of coconut water and banana homogenate in the regeneration of Meyer lemon. In vitro, shoots were treated in half-strength Murashige and Skoog media fortified with 2 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine with varying concentrations of coconut water and banana homogenate without sucrose. Results revealed that the treatment of 30% coconut water and 40 g/L banana homogenate resulted in the greatest proliferation of new shoots (3.00 ± 0.873 and 1.57 ± 0.297, respectively), whereas treatment of 40% coconut water resulted in the greatest shoot elongation of 0.239 ± 0.026 cm. The current study suggested the incorporation of coconut water and banana homogenate as potential substitutes for carbon sources and growth stimulants in the regeneration of Meyer lemon.

Trichoderma cf. asperellum and plant-based titanium dioxide nanoparticles initiate morphological and biochemical modifications in Hordeum vulgare L. against Bipolaris sorokiniana

BackgroundSpot blotch is a serious foliar disease of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana, which is a hemibiotrophic ascomycete that has a global impact on productivity. Some Trichoderma spp. is a promising candidate as a biocontrol agent as well as a plant growth stimulant. Also, the application of nanomaterials in agriculture limits the use of harmful agrochemicals and helps improve the yield of different crops. The current study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of Trichoderma. cf. asperellum and the biosynthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) to manage the spot blotch disease of barley caused by B. sorokiniana and to assess the plant’s innate defense response.ResultsAloe vera L. aqueous leaf extract was used to biosynthesize TiO2 NPs by reducing TiCl4 salt into TiO2 NPs and the biosynthesized NPs were detected using SEM and TEM. It was confirmed that the NPs are anatase-crystalline phases and exist in sizes ranging from 10 to 25 nm. The T. cf. asperellum fungus was detected using morphological traits and rDNA ITS analysis. This fungus showed strong antagonistic activity against B. sorokiniana (57.07%). Additionally, T. cf. asperellum cultures that were 5 days old demonstrated the best antagonistic activity against the pathogen in cell-free culture filtrate. Also, B. sorokiniana was unable to grow on PDA supplemented with 25 and 50 mg/L of TiO2 NPs, and the diameter of the inhibitory zone increased with increasing TiO2 NPs concentration. In an in vivo assay, barley plants treated with T. cf. asperellum or TiO2 NPs were used to evaluate their biocontrol efficiency against B. sorokiniana, in which T. cf. asperellum and TiO2 NPs enhanced the growth of the plant without displaying disease symptoms. Furthermore, the physiological and biochemical parameters of barley plants treated with T. cf. asperellum or TiO2 NPs in response to B. sorokiniana treatment were quantitively estimated. Hence, T. cf. asperellum and TiO2 NPs improve the plant’s tolerance and reduce the growth inhibitory effect of B. sorokiniana.ConclusionSubsequently, T. cf. asperellum and TiO2 NPs were able to protect barley plants against B. sorokiniana via enhancement of chlorophyll content, improvement of plant health, and induction of the barley innate defense system. The present work emphasizes the major contribution of T. cf. asperellum and the biosynthesized TiO2 NPs to the management of spot blotch disease in barley plants, and ultimately to the enhancement of barley plant quality and productivity.