Effect of Carbonized Tangerines Prepared Using Plasma as Fertilizer: Case Study—Lettuce Farming

This study investigates the soil chemical changes and crop growth characteristics after treatment with carbonized tangerines prepared using plasma. To determine the effect of the carbonized tangerines on crop, four test plots were treated with chaff charcoal or different ratios of coco peat and carbonized tangerines. Lettuce was grown on the plots, and the chemical changes in soil and physical changes in the lettuce were observed. Chemical changes in the soil before and after the carbonized tangerine treatments were very similar to those before and after chaff charcoal treatment. Lettuce leaf length, width, weight, and count in carbonized tangerine-treated plots significantly increased than those in the untreated plot. Our results found that the carbonization of tangerines using plasma can be a good alternative for processing many by-products generated during cultivation. In addition, the possibility of using carbonized tangerines as biochar has been explored.

Effect of Soil Conditioning on Soil Penetration Resistance and Traction Power Demand of Ploughing

Soil compaction and degradation due to improper tillage are problems involving significant natural and economic damages. On compacted soils, suitable cultivation can be implemented only with higher energy and traction force input. In our study, the effect of a soil conditioner (Neosol) was examined on the penetration resistance of the soil and the traction power demand for ploughing in the experiment set up in the East-Slovak Plain in 2017 ‒ 2018 to justify several preliminary results showing that long-term soil conditioning results in enhanced root system, improved soil structure, cultivability, water- and salt regime. We found a positive effect of Neosol application with both investigated parameters and its long-term effect was also justified. The penetration resistance values of the soil of the untreated plot were 17 ‒ 23% higher, while the traction power demand values were 9 ‒ 32% lower in comparison with the Neosol treated plot in the first and the second year of the study, respectively. We assume the cumulative positive effect of soil conditioning on the physical soil properties in the study area, therefore the long-term application of Neosol is recommended for farms having similar soil properties.

Weed Control Efficacy and Crop-Weed Selectivity of a New Bioherbicide WeedLock

Plant-based bioherbicides could be an effective alternative to current chemical herbicides for sustainable agriculture. Therefore, this research evaluated the weed control efficacy and crop-weed selectivity of the new plant-derived bioherbicide WeedLock compared to commercial herbicides in glasshouse and field conditions. In the glasshouse, the herbicides applied were WeedLock (672.75, 1345.50, 2691.00 L ha−1), glyphosate isopropyl-amine, and glufosinate-ammonium (1, 2, 4 L ha−1), over the untreated (control) on six weeds and four crops. In the field trial, typical weeds were allowed to grow at a uniform density across plots (2.5 × 2.5 m), and WeedLock (1345.50, 2691.00 L ha−1), glyphosate isopropyl-amine, and glufosinate-ammonium (2, 4 L ha−1) were applied along with untreated plot (control). A randomized complete block design was set with four replications for glasshouse and field experiments. WeedLock at 1345.50 L ha−1 showed efficacy similar to glyphosate isopropyl-amine and glufosinate-ammonium at 2 L ha−1 for Ageratum conyzoides L. in the glasshouse. Applied herbicides killed all tested crops except Zea mays L. at 1345.50 L ha−1 (WeedLock). WeedLock showed more than 50% efficacy at 35 days after spray, while 65% was produced by glyphosate isopropyl-amine and glufosinate-ammonium compared to the untreated plot (control). WeedLock has excellent potential to control weeds in both glasshouse and field conditions and showed a non-selective character.

Assessment of Bio-efficacy of Insecticides against Mites and Thrips Insect Pest of Chilli

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2018-19 in Samajik Vigyan Kendra, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Bordi, Sehore (M.P.) – INDIA. To assess the bio-efficacy of insecticides against mites and thrips insect pest of chilli pests. The bio-efficacy of three different insecticides, namely (i) Chlorfenapyr 240 SC - spray four time with different-different doses, (ii) Fipronil 5% SC and (iii) Imidacloprid 17.8 SL. One untreated plot was also used to investigate against Mites and Thrips. Among these insecticides, Chlorfenapyr 240SC doses 288 g.a.i/hac gram active ingredient per hactare) has reduced maximum mites and thrips population and it is most effective insecticides in chilli. The highest reduction of mites population recorded in treatment T4- (97.17%) followed by T3- chlorofenapyr (95.13%), T6- Imidacloprid (91.67%), T5- Fipronil 5% SC (85.35%), T2- chlorofenapyr (85.27%) and it was least in T1- chlorofenapyr (81.40%. Further, the thrips number was maximum reduced in treatment T4- chlorofenapyr (90.69%) followed by T3- chlorofenapyr (89.80%), T5- Fipronil 5% SC (89.51%), T6- Imidacloprid (74.18%), T2- chlorofenapyr (69.74%) and T1- chlorofenapyr (68.44 %). Hence, present study was clearly indicated that the treatment T4- chlorofenapyr 240SC@288 proved, the most effective insecticides. The cost benefit ratio was noted higher in Fipronil 5% SC@ 10 g.a.i ha-1 (3.20) followed by imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 50 g.a.i ha-1 (2.99).

To Assess the Impact of Insecticidal Spray on Leaf Curling Caused Due to Sucking Pest and Phytotoxic Effect of Higher Doses of Insecticides in Chilli

The investigation was carried out at Samajik Vigyan Kendra, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Bordi, Sehore (M.P.)-INDIA during kharif 2018-19. To assess the impact of insecticidal spray on leaf curling caused due to sucking pest and phytotoxic effect of higher doses of insecticides in chilli.The bio-efficacy of three different insecticides, namely (i) Chlorfenapyr 240 SC - spray four time with different-different doses, (ii) Fipronil 5% SC and (iii) Imidacloprid 17.8 SL. One untreated plot was also used to investigate against leaf curl and phytotoxic effect on chilli. Among these insecticides, Chlorfenapyr 240SC doses 288 g.a.i/hac (gram active ingredient per hactare) has least leaf curl indications (9.68%). It’s most effective insecticides in chilli. The least impact of leaf curl recorded in treatment T4- (9.68%) followed by T3- chlorofenapyr (11.88%),T5- Fipronil 5% SC (14.46%), T6- Imidacloprid (16.68%), T2- chlorofenapyr (17.69%) and the most elevated twisting in T7- untreated control (56.29). Further, the phytotoxic effect of treatment T1 - chlorfenapyr and T2 - chlorfenapyr were connected contrasting and T3 - untreated control. In these tried portions no phytotoxic impact likes chlorosis, Epinasty, Necrosis, Scorching , wilting and hyponasty were seen at various interim of perceptions against Chilli crop. The chilli yield was also noted highest in highest dose of T4 (16.0 tonnes ha-1) followed by second highest dose of T3 (15.4 tonnes ha-1), however, it was recorded lowest in untreated control (8.0 tonnes ha-1). The C:B benefit ratio was noted higher in T5- fipronil 5% SC@ 10 g.a.i ha-1 (3.20) followed by T6- imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 50 g.a.i ha-1 (2.99).

A Case Study of Waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Control in Puerto Rico Using Glyphosate and Hand Removal

Waterhyacinth is an aquatic invasive plant that is widespread in Puerto Rico where it negatively effects estuaries, freshwater wetlands, potable water reservoirs, and wildlife refuges. Specifically, the tropical estuary San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE) has been impacted with the presence of waterhyacinth. Infestations have led to a reduction of water circulation in the system as well as facilitating the establishment of invasive fauna. Therefore, a field study was conducted in a cove between Laguna San Jose and Peninsula Cantera to assess the use of glyphosate and hand removal as a management tool for waterhyacinth control. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and water quality were also monitored as a measure of environmental impact due to management activities. Results indicated that two weeks after glyphosate application, waterhyacinth biomass was significantly reduced to 0.27 kg DW m−2 at the treated plot as compared to untreated plot that yielded 0.62 kg DW m−2. Fresh weight of waterhyacinth decreased more than 90% when hand removal was used as compared to glyphosate treatment. Dissolved oxygen and water pH were not significantly different between sites however, water salinity increased to 8-9 ppt at both plots caused by tidal activity. The order Hemiptera followed by Sarcoptiformes were common at the aquatic macroinvertebrate community. Macroinvertebrate species found associated with waterhyacinth and considered natural enemies were: Orthogalumna terebrantis, Neochetina eichhorniae, Niphograpta albiguttalis. The use of glyphosate to manage waterhyacinth at the Laguna San Jose was useful as a short-term control method and its efficacy may be enhanced over time with follow up applications in combination with hand removal.

On-Farm Trials Reveal Significant but Uncertain Control of Botrytis cinerea by Aureobasidium pullulans and Potassium Bicarbonate in Organic Grapevines

Botrytis cinerea, a fungal pathogen that causes gray mold on grapes, can decrease yield, substantially reduce wine quality, and therefore cause significant economic losses. In a context of increasing awareness of environmental and human health, biopesticides are a potential alternative to synthetic chemical treatments to produce grapes and wine in compliance with high food standards. However, the effectiveness of biopesticides is not well known and more research is needed to help winegrowers assess their ability to control wine diseases. Our study aims to assess the efficacy of two commercial biopesticides, based on potassium bicarbonate and Aureobasidium pullulans, in reducing the incidence of gray mold (i.e., the proportion of grape bunches that are diseased). We use data from an on-farm trial network managed over 3 years (from 2014 to 2016) in a major wine producing region located in Southwestern France, and fit Bayesian generalized linear multilevel models able to take the variability of treatment effect across trials into account. The fitted models were then used to estimate the efficacy on incidence as a function of the severity (i.e., the proportion of diseased grape berries in a bunch) in an untreated plot in order to determine if the effectiveness of the treatments depends on the disease pressure. At average disease severity (i.e., 3%), the efficacy on disease incidence at the network level was equal to 20% [95% CI = (−0.1; 37.3)] and 13% [95% CI = (0.2; 24.7)] for potassium bicarbonate and A. pullulans, respectively. For both biopesticides, the efficacy on incidence for a new site-year is highly uncertain, but potassium bicarbonate had a lower uncertainty and a lower application cost compared to A. pullulans. Our results confirm that potassium bicarbonate is an interesting biopesticide under farming conditions in organic vineyards in southwestern France, but the amount of uncertainty points to the need for further research.

Impact of nitrogen topdressing on the quality parameters of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield

Scope of the study was to find more effective N fertilisation doses and applications to reach not only higher quantity but better quality grains as well as to be able to help preserving the continuity of feed and food quality improvement, since wheat is one of the most consumed crops all over the world.Samples of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties harvested from the experimental field of the Szent István University in two consecutive crop seasons had been examined in the laboratory of the Crop Production Institute. Effects of nitrogen (N) application on the performance of grain protein were tested. Five high quality winter wheat varieties were studied regarding grain quality traits affected by applying undivided and split doses of N. The evaluated samples show that increasing doses of N topdressing and increasing time of application have beneficial effects on the yield and the value of protein content. Wheat grain protein value ranged between 9.9% of the untreated Mv Karéj and Alföld, where the 120+40 kg ha-1 N was applied resulting in the highest value of 16.0%. Similarly, the gluten values among untreated and N applied plots were in a wide range. Mv Karéj had the lowest wheat gluten value on untreated plot with 18.4% and Alfold had the highest value with 36.8% on the plot where the 120+40 kg ha-1 N was applied. There were no significant changes recorded on test weight and thousand kernel weight. In the case of baking quality, there were significant differences between varieties. The best records were obtained in the case of Mv Toborzö followed by Mv Karéj.

EFFECT OF SEED DRESSING CHEMICALS ON EMERGENCE, YIELD AND AGAINST SOIL & SEED BORN DISEASES OF WHEAT

Field studies were carried out at Adaptive Research Farm, Sheikhupura Punjab, Pakistan having rice- wheat cropping system to evaluate the efficacy of three different fungicides against seed or soil borne wheat diseases (Root rot, Loose smut & Black Point disease) during two successive seasons 2015-16 & 2016-17.The fungicides were Thiophenate methyl, compound fungicides i.e. Tubeconzol+ imidachloprid and Difenoconazol + cypnoconazol used as seed treatment at the rate of 2.5 g , 4 ml & 1 ml per kg of seed respectively. Incidence of root rot, loose smut & black point disease was recorded by selecting 15 plants, 100 plants & 100 seeds randomly of each treatment from each plot respectively in comparison with untreated control. All the fungicides significantly increased the seedling emergence per square meter about 15 percent as compared to untreated plot. Tubeconzol+ imidachloprid and Difenoconasol +cypnoconazol were the most effective seed dressing fungicide and reduced the number of rotted roots , loose smut infected spikes and black point infested seeds. Maximum number of productive tillers per square meter, healthy grains per spike and yield kg per hectare were recorded with compound fungicide Tubeconzol+ Imidachloprid followed by Difenoconazol + Cypnoconazol treated plots as compared to untreated plot.

Efficacy of various pesticides against Red ant (Dorylus orientalis, Westwood) of potato

Several management approaches against red ant of potato Dorylus orientalis (Westwood) were studied at farmer’s field in Cachar district of Assam (India) during 2015-16 cropping season to find out the most effective man-agement technique. Combination of Malathion 5% dust @ 40 kg per hectare and Mustard Oil Cake (MOC) @ 150 kg per hectare reduced red ant damage significantly (p ≤ 0.05) followed by Dursben 20% EC @ 5 ml per litre and Car-bofuran 3G @ 25 kg per hectare. Malathion and MOC was applied at the time of first earthing up gave the lowest infestation of red ant (9.2%) and with (64.31%) infestation reduction over control closely followed by Dursban 20% EC (13.5%) and with (59.32%) infestation reduction over control. Highest infestation (47.6%) was recorded in the control untreated plot where; only chemical fertilizers were applied at recommended dose.