Spraying Of Plants Research Articles

Effect of Hydrogen Sulfide Donor on Antioxidant State of Wheat Plants and Their Resistance to Soil Drought

Effects of plant treatment with a donor of hydrogen sulfide—sodium hydrosulfide—on the state of antioxidative and osmoprotective systems of young plants of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Doskonala under conditions of soil drought (progressive decrease in soil moisture down to 25–30% of the total moisture capacity) were studied. Spraying of plants with NaHS solutions (0.1–0.5 mM) before the drought significantly alleviated the growth suppression and favored the conservation of the chlorophyll pool under drought conditions. The beneficial effect of sodium hydrosulfide on plants was eliminated by their simultaneous treatment with hydroxylamine, which is a scavenger of hydrogen sulfide. The plant pretreatment with NaHS prevented the drought-induced accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and that of a lipid peroxidation product (malonic dialdehyde) in leaves. Such pretreatment also promoted an increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and prevented a stress-induced decrease in activities of catalase and guaiacol peroxidase in the leaves. Furthermore, the hydrogen sulfide donor elevated the concentration of proline and considerably increased levels of anthocyanins and UV-absorbing flavonoids under the drought. It is concluded that the plant drought protection afforded by the hydrogen sulfide donor depends to large extent on SOD and flavonoid compounds.

INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY BY USING A MIXER TRANSPORT UNIT FOR LOADING SPRAYERS

Spraying of plants against diseases and pests should be carried out within a short time. One way to increase the performance of sprayers is by reducing the unproductive spray time. For this purpose, a transport mixing unit is available on the market, which reduces the preparation time of the working solution. This unit and the benefits of using it are not well known to many farmers. Existing research shows that its use results in a double increase in productivity compared to transporting water from the sprayer itself. This article proposes a methodology for determining the variation in sprayer performance when loaded with a working solution by transport mixing unit compared to loading it with water by an ordinary tank with the same parameters. Analytical dependencies have been generated for determining the duration of individual operations during operation of the sprayer and mixing unit, as well as for calculating the percentage increase in the productivity of the sprayer. The methodology has been demonstrated for specific sprayers and mixers under specific conditions. In this case, it was found that filling the sprayer with a solution instead of pure water could increase its productivity by 34.5%.

EFFECT OF FOLIAR SPRAY WITH SOME PLANT NATURAL EXTRACTS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) PLANTS

A field experiment was designed in two successive seasons of 2017 and 2018 at the Experimental Farm, El-Khatara, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Egypt. Plants were foliar sprayed with moringa leaves extract (MLE), garlic extract (GE) and their combination in addition to control treatment (plants were sprayed with tap water) to examine its effects on growth and yield of bean plants grown under sandy soil conditions. Results revealed that spraying plants with MLE, GE and their combinations had significant effects in growth traits; i.e., (plant height, number of leaves/plant, number of branches/plant, plant fresh weight) seeds protein content, yield and its components and photosynthetic pigments compared to control. The most favorable treatments reflected the highest values of the above-mentioned traits was foliar spray of bean plants with 4% MLE + 2% GE followed by 2% MLE + 4% GE.

INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY BY USING A MIXER TRANSPORT UNIT FOR LOADING SPRAYERS

Spraying of plants against diseases and pests should be carried out within a short time. One way to increase the performance of sprayers is by reducing the unproductive spray time. For this purpose, a transport mixing unit is available on the market, which reduces the preparation time of the working solution. This unit and the benefits of using it are not well known to many farmers. Existing research shows that its use results in a double increase in productivity compared to transporting water from the sprayer itself. This article proposes a methodology for determining the variation in sprayer performance when loaded with a working solution by transport mixing unit compared to loading it with water by an ordinary tank with the same parameters. Analytical dependencies have been generated for determining the duration of individual operations during operation of the sprayer and mixing unit, as well as for calculating the percentage increase in the productivity of the sprayer. The methodology has been demonstrated for specific sprayers and mixers under specific conditions. In this case, it was found that filling the sprayer with a solution instead of pure water could increase its productivity by 34.5%.

ВПЛИВ РЕГУЛЯТОРІВ РОСТУ РОСЛИН НА РІСТ, РОЗВИТОК ТА УРОЖАЙНІСТЬ ТРОЯНДИ В УМОВАХ ЗАКРИТОГО ҐРУНТУ

Rose flowers are in great demand among the population. The use of growth regulators on the culture of roses allows you to improve the biological properties of varieties, their potential, as well as increase the yield and decorative colors. The purpose of the research was to determine the effectiveness of the action of plant growth regulators Biolan, Regoplant, Bionur, Bouton, Humisol-H and Zircon on growth, development, decorative qualities, yield dynamics and rose productivity under conditions of modern winter Venlo greenhouses. The study was conducted on plants of a variety of hybrid tea type Avalange of the Netherlands breeding company Lex +. Experimental work was carried out at the farm “Askania-Flora" during 2015-2016. Threefold spraying of plants with growth regulator solutions was applied: 7 days after planting, during budding and at the beginning of flowering. The control plants were not treated with growth regulating agents. As a result of research, it has been established that growth regulators Bud and Bionur accelerated the formation of flowering shoots and the time for slamming on plants, shortened the period of bud appearance and flower development. Established a different effect of preparats on the dynamics of the arrival of the crop by month. The influence of growth regulators Biolan, Bionur and Bud on the increase in total yield, plant productivity and decorative qualities of the rose flower has been determined. The results obtained should be taken into account when laying rose stands in winter greenhouses to regulate growth processes, plant development and increase crop yields.

Organomineral specimen for increasing potato yield and reducing its disease level under conditions of Tomsk region

The paper explores organomineral additives Tourmax (which includes not only main mineral components, but metabolic products of rhizosphere microorganisms) when cultivating Nevsky potatoes in the periods which differ in weather conditions on gray forest soil. The experiment included control, single spraying of potato with Tourmax on shoots and during budding and double spraying of plants on shoots and in the budding phase. The results showed that spraying vegetative parts of potato plants with Tourmax (single treatment or during budding, as well as a double treatment and before flowering) despite different weather conditions, influenced significantly the potato yield. The authors found out there was a significant effect caused by Tourmax on reducing fungal and bacterial infections for two years with double treatment of vegetative organs. Application of a new organomineral fertilizer Tourmax shows positive effect of the specimen not only on potato yield, but it reduces fungal and bacterial infections in years with different weather conditions. The paper describes the most effective way to double spraying potatoes during the season on shoots and during budding.

Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and some plant pathogens on the growth and nodulation of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

Effects of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were studied on lentil plants inoculated with Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lentis, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and Meloidogyne incognita. Plant growth, chlorophyll, carotenoid contents, nitrate reductase (NR) activity and nodulation of lentil both in the presence and absence of Rhizobium sp. were examined in a pot test. Inoculation of plants with A. alternata / F. oxysporum f. sp. lentis / X. axonopodis pv. phaseoli / P. syringae pv. syringae or M. incognita caused a significant reduction in plant growth, number of pods per plant, chlorophyll, carotenoids and NR activity over uninoculated control. Inoculation of plants with Rhizobium sp. with or without pathogen increased plant growth and number of pods per plant, chlorophyll, carotenoids and NR activity. When plants were grown without Rhizobium, a foliar spray of plants with 10 ml solution of 0.1 mg ml–1of ZnO NPs per plant caused a significant increase in plant growth and number of pods, chlorophyll, carotenoid contents and NR activity in both inoculated and uninoculated plants. Spray of ZnO NPs to plants inoculated with Rhizobium sp. caused non significant increase in plant growth, number of pods per plant, chlorophyll, carotenoid contents and NR activity when plants were either uninoculated or inoculated with pathogens. Numbers of nodules per root system were high in plants treated with Rhizobium sp. but foliar spray of ZnO NPs had adverse effect on nodulation. Inoculation of plants with test pathogens also reduced nodulation. Spray of ZnO NPs to plants reduced galling, nematode multiplication, wilt, blight and leaf spot disease severity indices.

Вплив гумінових препаратів на врожайність і якісні показники насіння соняшнику в умовах лісостепу західного

Висвітленірезультатидослідженьщодовивченнявпливурегуляторівросту « Вермимаг » і « Вермийодіс » запередпосівногообробленнянасінняіобприскуванняпосівівсоняшникугібридуНКРоккінарістірозвитокрослинтанасіннєвупродуктивністьпосівів . Дослідження виконано впродовж 2013-2016 років на дослідному полі філіалу кафедри рослинництва , селекції та насінництва Подільського державного аграрно - технічного університету в ПФ « Богдан і К » Снятинського район , у Івано - Франківської області , яке знаходиться в західній частині Лісостепу . Грунт на дослідній ділянці дерновий, опідзолений середньосуглинковий. Висівали насіння нормою 70 тис. / га схожих насінин. Загальна площа ділянки 70 м 2 , облікова – 50 м 2 . Розміщення ділянок систематичне за чотириразового повторення. Дослідження виконано відповідно до існуючих загальноприйнятих методик. Встановлено, що регулятори росту «Вермимаг» і «Вермийодіс» впливали на величину листкової поверхні і фотосинтетичну активність агроценозів соняшнику досліджуваного гібрида і продуктивність культури. Найвищі темпи приросту листкової поверхні 53,7 тис.м 2 / га, або на 15,0 тис.м 2 / га більше контролю, в фазу цвітіння спостерігались у варіанті за передпосівної обробки насіння гібриду регулятором росту «Вермийодіс» в дозі 4 л / т і обприскування рослин в період вегетації цим же препаратом дворазово по 4 л / га. На цьому варіанті спостерігалося найбільше накопичення сухих речовин – 8,5 т / га, що на 2,1 т / га більше, ніж на контролі. Фотосинтетичний потенціал посівів склав 2,820 млн м 2 діб / га або на 0,717 млн м 2 діб / га більше порівняно з контролем. В середньому за 4 роки дослідження встановлено, що на варіантах сумісного застосування передпосівного оброблення насіння і за одноразового обприскування регулятором росту «Вермийодіс» врожайність соняшнику гібриду НК Роккі зросла порівняно з контролем на 9,4-12,3 %, за дворазового обприскування – на 14,2-16,1 %. Найвища урожайність (3,6 т / га) та вихід олії 2,03 т / га був на варіанті сумісного застосування передпосівного оброблення насіння і дворазового обприскування рослин під час вегетації препаратом «Вермийодіс» в дозі по 4 л / га.

The influence of humic acids based products on the productivity of white cabbage with irrigation

The influence of humic acids based products on the productivity of late-ripening white cabbage hybrid Aggressor has been studied. It is established that spraying of plants with the solution of Reasil Micro Hydro Mix increased the yield of cabbage heads by 15.8 t/ha (21% higher than control). Treatment with the solution of Humate K-Na with microelements increased the productivity of cabbage by 10.25 t/ha (14% higher than control). Maximum yield of white cabbage within the experiment (100.81 t/ha) was obtained with double application of Reasil Forte Amino Magnesium on the background of Reasil micro Hydro Mix. All studied products based on humic acids positively influenced on accumulation of dry matter, vitamin C, the amount of sugars and the content of nutrients. At the same time, they also contributed to an increased removal of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from the soil. The products did not affect the content of nitrate nitrogen in the products.

Оптимізація продукційного процесу агроценозу соняшнику за використання регуляторів росту

The results of studies on the influence of growth regulators "Vermimag" and "Vermiodis" on pre-sowing seed treatment and spraying of sunflower seeds of the NK Rokki hybrid on the growth and development of plants and seed yield of crops are presented. The study was completed during 2013-2016. Soil on the experimental site soddy, podzolized medium-gravel. Seeds were sown with the norm of 70 thousand/hectare of similar seeds. The total area of the plot is 70 m 2 , the registration area is 50 m 2 . Placement of plots is systematic for a four-time repetition. The study was carried out in accordance with existing generally accepted methods. It was established that the growth regulators of "Vermimag" and "Vermiodis" influenced the size of the leaf surface and the photosynthetic activity of sunflower agrocenoses of the investigated hybrid and the productivity of the culture. The highest growth rates of the leaf surface of 53.7 thousand m 2 /ha, or 15.0 thousand m 2 /ha more control, were observed in the blossoming phase in the pre-seed treatment of the hybrid seedlings with a growth regulator "Vermiodis" at a dose of 4 l/t and spraying of plants during the period of vegetation by the same preparation twice at 4 l/ha. In this variant, the highest accumulation of dry matter was observed - 8.50 t/ha, which is 2.1 t/ha more than the control and the photosynthetic potential of crops was 2.820 million m 2 era/ha, or 0.717 million m 2 era/ha more than in comparison with control. On average, over 4 years of research, it has been found that on the variants of joint application of pre-sowing seed treatment and for single-time spraying by the growth regulator Vermiodis, the productivity of the sunflower of the HP Rocky hybrid increased compared to the control by 12.3 %, for the two spraying - by 16.1 %. Key words: sunflower, regulators of plant growth and development, yield

Emmer Wheat Weed Infestation Under the Application of Herbicide Prima Forte 195 and Plant Growth Regulator Wuxal Bio Vita

The article presents the results of the experiment on the efficiency of different rates of herbicide Prima Forte 195 (0.5; 0.6 and 0.7 l/ha) under different application methods of plant growth regulator of a natural origin Wuxal BIO Vita (1.0 l/ha, 1.0 l/t) (spraying of vegetative plants, pre-sowing seed treatment) on weed infestation of emmer wheat. The objects of the research were emmer wheat plants (Triticum dicoccum (Schrank) Schuebl.) of the cultivar Holikovska (originator – the Plant Production Institute named after V.Ya. Yuryev, Ukraine), herbicide Prima Forte 195, с.е. (Syngenta) (active substances: florasulam 5 g/l, aminopyralid 10 g/1, 2- ethylhexyl alcohol 2.4-D 180 g/l), and plant growth regulator Wuxal BIO Vita (Unifer) (active substance – extract from seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum, nitrogen (N) – 52 g/l, manganese (Mn) – 38 g/l, sulphur (S) – 29 g/l, iron (Fe) – 6.4 g/l, zinc (Zn) – 6.4 g/l). Experiments were performed in the conditions of the crop rotation of the Department of Biology on the experimental field of Uman National University of Horticulture during 2017–2018 according to the scheme: without the use of preparations (control I), without the use of preparations + manual weeding during the growing season (control II), Prima Forte 195 at the rates of 0.5; 0.6 and 0.7 l / ha applied separately and together with Wuxal BIO Vita at the rate of 1.0 l/ha, applied separately and at the background of pre-sowing seed treatment with Wuxal BIO Vita 1.0 l/t. It was found that the herbicide Prima Forte 195 had the highest efficiency when it was applied at the rates of 0.5; 0.6 and 0.7 l/ha in combination with the plant growth regulator (PGR) Wuxal BIO Vita at the rate of 1.0 l/ha at the background of pre-sowing seed treatment with the same PGR at the rate of 1.0 l/t. Thus, the technical effectiveness against dicotyledonous weeds was on average within 86-88 % depending on the rate of the herbicide and the method of using PGR. Therefore, there is every reason to state that the herbicide Prima Forte 195 (0.5-0.7 l/ha) is effective in destroying the vast majority of dicotyledonous weeds in emmer wheat

Combined Effect of Salicylic Acid and Nitrogen Oxide Donor on Stress-Protective System of Wheat Plants under Drought Conditions

Presowing treatment of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds with 10 or 100 μM salicylic acid (SA) reduced the inhibition of 14-day-old plant growth under soil drought. The same effect was caused by the spraying of 7-day-old seedlings with 0.5 or 2 mM nitrogen oxide donor (sodium nitroprusside, SNP) before drought. The protective effect was enhanced by the combination of seed treatment with 10 μM SA and plant spraying with 0.5 mM SNP, while their combinations in higher concentrations caused weaker effects. SA treatment in both concentrations and 0.5 mM SNP under drought conditions increased the antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and guaiacol peroxidase) in leaves. This effect was especially significant when 10 μM SA was combined with 0.5 mM SNP. Spraying with 2 mM SNP and its combination with seed presowing with 100 μM SA did not significantly change the antioxidant enzyme activity; however, the proline content in the leaves increased. It is concluded that the SA stress-protective action on plants can be modified with exogenous nitrogen oxide.

Inhibitory Effect of Certain Chemical Food Preservatives against Cercospora Leaf Spot Disease of Sugar Beet

The antifungal activity of citric acidand its salt (sodium citrate) as chemical food preservatives was evaluated against Cercospora beticola in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of both compounds was studied against mycelial growth of the pathogen in vitro at concentrations, i.e. 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mM. Both of citric acid and sodium citrate were able to inhibit the mycelial growth of the pathogen when they were added to the medium at the tested concentrations. Citric acid at 50 mM had the highest effect on the inhibition growth of the pathogen being 83.70% and also had antifungal activity. The percentage of inhibition growth increased as the tested compounds concentration increased. Data also indicate that microscopic examination of treated plates with citrate shows that this treatment reduced the numbers of C. beticola spores on the medium at all tested concentrations and reached its maximum reducing at concentration 50 mM of citric acid compared to untreated plates. The results revealed that spraying of diseased plants with citric acid and sodium citrate either alone or in combination at concentration 50 mM was effective in decreasing disease severity of Cercospora leaf spot compared to untreated plants. The highest reduction in disease severity was observed in case of citric acid treatment. The results revealed that foliar application of these compounds enhanced significantly root yield and sugar percentage as compared to the control.

The effect of coarse-droplet spraying with double flat fan air induction nozzle and spray volume adjustment model on the efficiency of fungicides and residues in processing tomato

The study was conducted for the purpose of improving the application of fungicides against potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary) (PLB) in processing tomato. The usability of coarse spray quality with double flat fan air induction IDKT12003 nozzle and the impact of fixed and variable spray volume and adjuvants during alternate application of azoxystrobin and chlorothalonil were analysed on the basis of plant infestation and fungicide residues. The variable spray volume was calculated based on the number of leaves on a plant. The study was conducted during three vegetation seasons. Spraying of plants with significantly flattened canopies during the peak of the fructification season using an IDKT12003 nozzle was as effective as in the case of fine spraying performed with an XR11003 nozzle and facilitated the increase of fungicides residue. In the case of plants with high-spreading canopy at the beginning of fructification, XR11003 nozzle favoured the reduction of PLB infestation. Both spray volume adjustment systems enabled the same level of protection of tomato against PLB, which could result from alternate application of systemic and contact fungicides. Polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane adjuvant, which causes siginificant increase in wetting and droplet spreading, facilitated the reduction of tomato PLB infestation during the application of fungicides using an IDKT12003 nozzle.

Study of physical and electrical characteristics of skim milk

The present investigation was carried out to determine the various physical and electrical characteristics of skim milk with respect to density, specific weight and electrical conductivity. These physical characteristics were determined considering three levels of temperatures 25, 30 and 350C at intervals of 0, 1, 2 and 3 h. The highest values for density and specific weight of skim milk were observed as1032.32 kg/m3 and 10.13 kN/m3at 250C respectively and with respect to time it was observed 1030.99 kg/m3 and 10.12 kN/m3 at 3 h respectively. The highest electrical conductivity of skim milk was 5.62mS/cm at 350C and with respect to time it was observed 5.54mS/cm at 3 h. There is not much appreciable effect of variation on physical and electrical characteristics with respect to time, whereas the temperature had shown significant effect(P less than 0.05) on physical characteristics of skim milk. The data generated in the present investigation can be utilized as guidelines for designing of skim milk based processing systems like evaporated plant and skim milk spray drying plant etc.

Effect of Foliar Application of some Zinc and Phosphorus Sources on Controlling Helminthosporium Leaf Spot Disease and Production of Sesame

Nineteen isolates of Helminthosporium sesami were obtained from infected sesame plants with Helminthosporium leaf spot taken from different locations in Nubaria region, El-Behera Governorate, Egypt. All the obtained isolates of the pathogen were able to infect Del Al-Jamal sesame variety plants causing Helminthosporium leaf spot disease symptoms with different degrees. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficiency of some zinc and phosphorus sources against the pathogen and their effect on some agronomic characters of sesame. In vitro studies, the effects of zinc oxide (ZnO), zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) as sources of zinc and dipotassium phosphate (K2HPO4) and disodium phosphate (Na2HPO4) as sources of phosphorus on the pathogen have been studied by using different concentrations on potato dextrose agar medium (PDA). These results suggest that these compounds reduced the mycelial growth of the pathogen. The highest reduction of mycelial growth was obtained when ZnSO4 at concentration 100 mM (78.57%), followed by ZnO. Under field experiments, foliar spraying of sesame plants with ZnO, ZnSO4, K2HPO4 and Na2HPO4 at the rate of 100 mM reduced disease severity compared to the control treatment. ZnO gave the highest reduction in disease severity followed by ZnSO4. These compounds improved agronomic characters of sesame, i.e. plant height, number of branches and capsules/plant, weight of 1000 seeds (g), seed yield/feddan and percentage of oil seeds. K2HPO4 treatment was the most effective on all studied agronomic characters than other compounds.

An evaluation of mosquito repellents and essential plant oils as deterrents of Asian citrus psyllid

A study was conducted to evaluate mosquito repellents against Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) and to expand our knowledge of the potential of essential plant oils as deterrents of ACP infestations. The psyllid vectors a bacterium, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus,’ presumed causal agent of a serious disease of citrus, huanglongbing (also known as citrus greening disease). Twenty-two candidate deterrents were tested as 20% solutions in methanol using a laboratory assay. Adults were free to enter and settle in one of three vials containing orange jasmine flush, one vial treated with a candidate deterrent, one vial treated with water or one treated with methanol. Seven mosquito repellents (CisPMD, DEET, DHS220, Icaridin, IR-3535, S-220, and TransPMD) and four essential oils (citronella, lavender, lemon eucalyptus, and a commercial mixture of oils from orange, clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary) reduced ACP infestations on flush in the vials. Following a 24-h assay period, an average of 75% (range 58–88%) fewer psyllids were found in vials treated with these deterrents as compared to the combined number found in the control vials. Greenhouse evaluations were conducted on phytotoxicity of 5 or 25% solutions of eight deterrents and on ACP colonization of citrus seedlings sprayed with these deterrents. Few ACP colonized seedlings sprayed with 25% solutions, but this was attributed to phytotoxicity. Infestations were reduced on seedlings treated with 5% solutions, but these reductions also were largely attributed to phytotoxicity. Although unsprayed seedlings were in close proximity, adults found these plants and laid relatively large numbers of eggs. While some of the mosquito repellents and essential plant oils deterred infestations, none was completely effective and 5–25% solutions were too phytotoxic to be feasible as direct plant sprays. These results indicated the deterrents as tested hold little potential as a major tactic for reducing ACP infestations in citrus. Alternative application approaches to avoid phytotoxicity could be explored, and individual constituents of the more promising essential plant oils could be investigated.

Gibberellin antagonizes jasmonate-induced defense against Meloidogyne graminicola in rice.

Gibberellin (GA) regulates various plant growth and developmental processes, but its role in pathogen attack, and especially nematode-plant interactions, still remains to be elucidated. An in-depth characterization of the role of GA in nematode infection was conducted using mutant lines of rice, chemical inhibitors, and phytohormone measurements. Our results showed that GA influences rice-Meloidogyne graminicola interactions in a concentration-dependent manner. Foliar spray of plants with a low concentration of gibberellic acid enhanced nematode infection. Biosynthetic and signaling mutants confirmed the importance of gibberellin for rice susceptibility to M.graminicola infection. Our study also demonstrates that GA signaling suppresses jasmonate (JA)-mediated defense against M.graminicola, and likewise the JA-induced defense against M.graminicola requires SLENDER RICE1 (SLR1)-mediated repression of the GA pathway. In contrast to observations from other plant-pathogen interactions, GA plays a dominant role over JA in determining susceptibility to M.graminicola in rice. This GA-induced nematode susceptibility was largely independent of auxin biosynthesis, but relied on auxin transport. In conclusion, we showed that GA-JA antagonistic crosstalk is at the forefront of the interaction between rice and M.graminicola, and SLR1 plays a central role in the JA-mediated defense response in rice against this nematode.

Improvement of the photosynthetic activity of Moldavian dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavicaL.) through foliar application of a nitrophenolate–based biostimulant

Application of biostimulants instigates many physiological processes that enhance nutrition efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance, and quality traits of crops, regardless of their nutrient content. One of such preparations is Atonik which contains nitrophenol compounds naturally occurring in plant cells. Several studies have confirmed its beneficial effect on the growth, development, and improved metabolic activity of plants. Therefore, it seems advisable to investigate the effect of Atonik preparation on the photosynthetic activity of Moldavian dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavicaL.). The reported study was carried out in 2014 in Perespa, Poland. Over the growing season, Atonik was foliar-applied at a dose of 0.3 L/ha (0.1%) and 0.6 L/ha (0.2%) by single and double spraying of plants. Chlorophyll content and nitrogen status (N) were estimated by a Chlorophyll Meter SPAD-502 Plus. The foliar application of Atonik was found to improve the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus and chlorophyll content in the leaves ofDracocephalum moldavicaplants, but the results were dependent on biostimulant concentration and number of its applications, and on the date of measurement. To conclude, Atonik is an environmental-friendly preparation which has a positive impact on the metabolic processes of plants.

Hydrodynamics of a pilot plant spray extraction column

The hydrodynamic characteristics of the liquid-liquid system of toluene-water in a pilot plant spray extraction column were experimentally determined. The experimental data for hydrodynamic characteristics such as the dispersed phase holdup, mean droplet size, and the axial dispersion coefficient were obtained. The dispersed phase superficial velocity had a great influence on toluene holdup. At the same time, a strong effect of the continuous phase superficial velocity on the dispersed phase holdup was evident. The dispersed phase holdup had a tendency to increase when the ratio of the dispersed phase superficial velocity and characteristic velocity increased. The Sauter mean droplet diameter decreased with increasing dispersed phase superficial velocity when the continuous phase superficial velocity remained constant. In contrast, it was not affected by the changes in the continuous phase superficial velocity while the dispersed phase superficial velocity remained constant. It was concluded that the Peclet number increased as a result of an increase of the Reynolds number.