Effects of green iron nanoparticles on iron changes and phytoavailability in a calcareous soil

Green iron nanoparticles (Fe NPs) can be a practical solution to combat iron (Fe) deficiency in calcareous agricultural soils. The main aim of the present work was to assess the effects of green Fe NPs on Fe availability in calcareous soils. For this purpose, green Fe NPs were synthesized using green tea (G-Fe NPs), Shirazi thyme (T-Fe NPs), walnut green hull (W-Fe NPs), and pistachio green hull (P-Fe NPs) extracts and applied as a source of Fe fertilizer to sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) plants. Results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) indicated that the green Fe NPs were amorphous in nature and the polyphenols obtained from plant-part extracts acted as both capping and reducing agents. Similar to the behavior of Fe-ethylenediamine-N,N''-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl) acetic acid (Fe-EDDHA) in calcareous soils, G-Fe NPs, T-Fe NPs, W-Fe NPs, and P-Fe NPs increased Fe release compared with the control and FeSO₄ treatment. Cumulative Fe release data fitted well to the power function, intra-particle diffusion, and Elovich kinetic models. According to the pot experiment, the increment in soil Fe availability upon Fe-EDDHA and Fe NPs application led to an increase in Fe uptake, growth, and photosynthetic pigment contents of the sorghum plants. Although further research is needed to evaluate the residual effect and environmental impact of green Fe NPs, they may be an appropriate substitute for traditional Fe fertilizers in calcareous soils.     

Effect of Organic Amendment Derived from Co-Composting of Chicken Slurry and Rice Straw on Reducing Nitrogen Loss from Urea

Co-composting of chicken slurry and rice straw with clinoptilolite zeolite and urea as additives was conducted to determine the characteristics of a compost and their effects on controlling ammonium (NH₄⁺) and nitrate (NO₃^?) losses from urea. Quality of the compost was assessed based on temperature, moisture content, ash, pH, electrical conductivity, carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio, NH₄⁺, NO₃^?, macronutrients, heavy metals, humic acid, microbial population, germination index, and phytotoxicity test. Moisture content and C/N ratio of the compost were 43.83% and 15, respectively. Total N, humic acid, ash, NH₄⁺, NO₃^?, phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) increased after co-composting rice straw and chicken slurry. Copper, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and microbial biomass of the compost were low. The germination rate of Zea mays on distilled water and Spinacia oleracea growth on peat-based growing medium (PBGM) and compost were not significantly different. Urea amended with compost reduced N loss by retaining NH₄⁺ and NO₃^? in the soil.     

EFFECTS OF CALCIUM/MAGNESIUM QUOTIENTS AND NICKEL IN THE GROWTH MEDIUM ON GROWTH AND NICKEL ACCUMULATION IN PISTACIA ATLANTICA

We selected two serpentine (ultramafic) and non-serpentine populations of P. atlantica and a cultivar of P. vera cv. ‘Badami’, to compare their responses to two growth limiting factors of serpentine soils: low calcium (Ca)/ magnesium (Mg) quotients and high concentrations of nickel (Ni). A solution culture system using perlite as a neutral substrate was used for growing the plants. Growth and elemental composition of plants then were analyzed. All populations/species proved to be excluders of Ni but, interestingly the excluding ability of P. vera to prevent translocation of Ni from root to shoot was higher than that of both populations of P. atlantica. The plants of serpentine population of P. atlantica were more resistant to lower Ca/Mg quotients and higher concentrations of Ni. We suggest that the growth and exclusion responses of the tested plants to Ca/Mg quotients and Ni result from adaptations to their natural substrates, ultramafic or saline soils.     

Generation means analysis of traits related to lodging using two crosses of durum × emmer wheat

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Lodging is one of the most important factors that affect wheat final yield. Emmer [Triticum turgidum subsp. dicoccum (Schrank ex Schübl.) Thell.] is a...     

Heavy metal uptake and translocation by Justicia gendarussa Burm F. from textile sludge contaminated soil

Abstract

Heavy metals are dangerous environmental pollutants that can be transferred and accumulated in human and animal bodies causing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and carcinogenic effects. A glass house experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of Justicia gendarussa Burm F. to absorb heavy metals from textile industry sludge. Justicia gendarussa seedlings were planted on six different growth media (soil+sludge) comprising: 100% soil, 100% sludge, 80% sludge+20% soil, 60% sludge+40% soil, 40% sludge+60% soil and 20% sludge+80% soil. The maximum height increment and number of leaves were found in 20% sludge+80% soil while the highest basal diameter increment was recorded in the 100% sludge. Copper and iron were highly concentrated in the roots, zinc in the leaves, while aluminium was concentrated in both leaves and stems. Justicia gendarussa seems to have a high potential to absorb high amounts of Al and Fe in the leaves and roots. This species showed high translocation (TF) and low bioconcentration factor (BCF) in the contaminated soil. Justicia gendarussa was able to tolerate and accumulate a high concentration of heavy metals. Therefore, this species can be considered as a potential phytoremediator.     

EFFICIENCY OF RHIZOBIUM INOCULATION AND P FERTILIZATION IN ENHANCING NODULATION,SEED YIELD,AND PHOSPHORUS USE EFFICIENCY BY FIELD GROWN SOYBEAN UNDER HILLY REGION OF RAWALAKOT AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR,PAKISTAN

A field experiment was conducted in continuity of our previous study to assess the effect of Rhizobium inoculation (RI) and phosphorus fertilization (P) on growth, yield, nodulation, and P use efficiency of soybean. Different treatments were i) Rhizobium strains (0, S₃₇₇, S₃₇₉, and the mixture of S₃₇₇+S₃₇₉ i.e. S₀, S₁, S₂, S₃); ii) phosphorus fertilizer (0, 50, 100 kg ha^?1 i.e. P₀, P₁, P₂). Soybean variety NARC-1 was as used as a testing crop. Results indicated that root and shoot growth increased by RI treatments whether used alone or in combination with P. Rhizobium inoculation increased plant height up to 12% while P did not show significant effect. Increases in soot dry weight, root length and root dry weight due to RI and P was 57 and 22%, 42 and 7%, 55 and 25%, respectively, over the control treatment. Number of nodules increased from 73 in the control to a maximum of 151 in S₂ while the number increased from 90 in the control to 147 in P₂. Combine application of strains and P increased nodules number from 65 at S₀P₀ to a maximum of 183 at S₂P₂. Similar response was also observed for nodules mass. Soybean seed yields ranged between 1710 and 2335 kg ha^?1 against 1635 kg ha^?1 in the control indicating a maximum of 43% increase over control. Concentration of N and P in plants and their uptake was significantly increased by RI and P. RI also increased the N and protein content of soybean seed. Apparent recovery efficiency (ARE) of applied P was 10?12% and the agronomic, agrophysiological, recovery, utilization efficiencies, and harvest index of P decreased with increasing P rates. Nodule number significantly correlated with the DM yield (r² = 0.78) and seed yield (r² = 0.63) while P uptake significantly correlated with root length (r² = 0.48) and root mass i.e. dry weight (r² = 0.65). Also a significant correlation existed between N uptake and DM yield (r² = 0.98) and N uptake and seed yield (r² = 0.65), P uptake and DM yield (r² = 0.73), and P uptake and seed yield (r² = 0.83). The results of present study indicated a substantial growth and yield potential of soybean under the hilly region and increase in yield and N₂ fixing potential (nodulation) can be achieved by applying Rhizobium inoculation with P fertilization.     

Effects of Salinity and Pistachio Waste Application on Growth and Physiological Responses of Pistachio Seedlings

Low organic matter and high salinity are widespread throughout all pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) growing areas of Iran. The objective of this study was conducted to investigate effect of pistachio waste (PW), salinity, and their interaction on growth and chemical composition of pistachio seedlings. The experiment was carried out based on factorial and completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. The treatments contained salinity in three levels [0, 1000, and 2000 mg sodium chloride (NaCl) kg^?1 soil] and PW in three levels (0, 3, and 6%). The results indicated that salinity application decreased leaf, stem, and root dry weights; leaf area; and length of stem, while this effect diminished with 3% PW application. Application of PW at the rate of 6% significantly reduced these parameters and accelerated effect of salinity levels. Leaf, stem, and root potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) concentrations were decreased by salinity application, while leaf, stem, and root sodium (Na) concentrations was increased. However, PW application increased these nutrient concentrations in the leaves, stem, and root, but significantly diminished the effect of salinity. The results showed that proline accumulation and reducing sugar content in the leaves were increased by salinity, PW, and their combination application. The results suggest that application of PW, especially at rate of 3%, can reduce some adverse effects of salinity on growth and chemical composition of pistachio seedlings.     

Identification of polymorphisms in the oocyte-derived growth differentiation growth factor 9 (GDF9) gene associated with litter size in New Zealand sheep (Ovis aries) breeds

Having the ability to control litter size is important for sheep farmers and breeders worldwide. However, making genetic gain in key livestock traits like reproductive performance needs typically a lot of time, and both the fecundity and fertility traits have a great economic importance. Attention has therefore turned to better understanding the genes that control reproductive performance. Of these genes, research has focussed on the growth differentiation growth factor 9 (GDF9) gene (GDF9). In this study, a PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) approach was used to investigate variation in this gene in separate groups of purebred Finnish Landrace sheep, Finnish Landrace × Texel-cross sheep and composite sheep of undefined breed background, but based on New Zealand Romney-type genetics. Three GDF9 variants (named A, B and C) were found, and upon DNA sequencing, the nucleotide substitutions c.978A>G, c.994G>A and c.1111G>A were revealed. The frequency of variant A (containing nucleotides c.978A, c.994G and c.1111G) in the Finnish Landrace, Finnish Landrace × Texel-cross and composite sheep was 0.86, 0.78 and 0.76, respectively. In these three sheep groups, the frequency of B (defined by the presence of nucleotides c.978G and c.994A) was 0.01, 0.03 and 0.23 and for C (containing c.1111A) was 0.13, 0.18 and 0.01, respectively. An animal model was used to estimate the additive effect of fertility data for Finnish Landrace × Texel-cross sheep and revealed an association between litter size and the c.1111G>A variation (p = .036), but this was not observed for the Finnish Landrace sheep (p = .27) or the composite sheep (p = .17). When all the sheep were analysed together, the presence of c.1111A was associated (p < .05) with increased litter size, when compared to ewes that had c.1111G. Litter size did not differ between sheep with and without c.994A in all three groups of sheep investigated. This study suggests that c.1111A could be a useful genetic marker for improving fecundity in New Zealand sheep breeds and that it could be introgressed into other breeds, but analysis of more sheep will be required to confirm the associations that have been observed here.