Determination of flammability parameters for organic waste resulting from the processing of sunflower seeds

Agricultural waste is found in abundance in the environment, whether it is the plant itself represented by the stem, leaf or seeds that have been peeled or other waste. By drying and crushing the residues from the plants, organic powders will be formed with a variable granulation and humidity. Through the processing of oilseeds such as sunflower seeds, significant amounts of waste from seeds result. Seed shells resulting from technological processes crumble, forming fine powders, whose granulations are different. A certain percentage will be 63μm or smaller and if those fine powders are mixed with air can form clouds with explosive properties. The purpose of this paper was to determine the minimum ignition layer and cloud temperatures. Experimental determination of flammability parameters is particularly important in order to take the proper safety measures so that accidents can be avoided.

Sunflower diseases control by biological fungicides

The demand for organic food has grown rapidly over the last 25 years in many countries of the world. Organic farming standards require the application of biological products of disease control. The article presents the material on studying the effectiveness of fungicides based on microbiological antagonists against sunflower diseases. We carried out the study in 2020-2021 at V.S. Pustovoit All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops (VNIIMK) (Krasnodar). We established that the fungicides Geostim Fit type E, WS based on microbiological antagonists did not reduce the germination of sunflower seeds and actively suppressed seed infection. Their effectiveness against Alternaria spp. reached 50-74 %, against Rhizopus spp. – 74–100 %, against bacteria – 76–80 %. Double treatment of sunflower plants with BFTIM, WS (different strains) reduced the frequency of bacterial blight to 37 %, of dry rot – to 60 %, of Alternaria blight – to 39 %, of Phoma rot – to 41 %, and of Fusarium blight – to 75 %. The application scheme of Geostim Fit E (G), WS; BFTIM (E), WS; BFTIM (Zh), WS showed the best economic effectiveness with a seed yield of 3.56 t/ha, net income of 122 910 rubles, and profitability of 311 %.

Species of herbivorous bugs in sunflower crops in the central agro-climatic zone of the Krasnodar region

One of the factors limiting high and qualitative yields of sunflower seeds is pests. Phytophages injure plants of the crop during the whole vegetative period causing growth and development disorders, and sometimes plants depth. Together, insects play the important role in distribution of pathogens, especially fungi from genera Alternaria, Fusarium, Rhizopus, and Puccinia, as well as bacteria. Among phytophages on sunflower, the most harmful are herbivorous bugs (class Hemiptera) of fleahopper (Miridae) and stinkbug (Pentatomidae) families. Bugs feeds on plants sap, they suck it out of the different plant organs. The basic oil crop in the Krasnodar region is sunflower. In 2021 its sowing area accounted to 442 thousand ha. Breaks of scientifically substituted cultivation technology lead to deterioration of phytosanitary state of sunflower crops by means of concentration of pathogens, including herbivorous bugs. The purpose of the research was to determine species and prevalence of bugs and their dominating species in sunflower crops in the Krasnodar region for the further development of protection measures. The result showed in the central zone of the Krasnodar region the sunflower crops are inhabited with 12 species of bugs from the families: Miridae, Pentatomidae, Alydidae and Coreidae. Prevalence of tarnished plant bug (Lygus pratensis (Linnaeus, 1758) and bishop bug (Lygus rugulipennis (Popp., 1911) was high (60 and 80%, respectively), and sloe bug (Dolycoris baccarum (Linnaeus, 1758) was maximal – 100%. A sloe bug prevailed in sunflower crops – 36.1%.

Therapeutic and preventive effect of feed additives on the state of periodonts of rats with experimental dysbiosis

Aim. Determine the therapeutic and prophylactic effect of feed additives on the condition of the periodontium in case of dysbiosis. Methods. As feed additives, we used flour from pea straw (FPS), oilcake from ordinary (high-linoleic) sunflower seeds (OOS) and oilcake from high-oleic sunflower seeds (OHOS), which were added to the composition of feed for rats in an amount of 10% instead of the same amount of grain wheat. The duration of feeding was 18 days. Experimental dysbiosis was reproduced using the antibiotic lincomycin. The activity of urease, lysozyme, catalase, elastase and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined in the gums of rats. Results. An increase in the level of urease, elastase, MDA and a slight decrease in the activity of lysozyme and catalase were found in rats with dysbiosis. The consumption of FPS and OOS had little effect on the biochemical parameters of the gums; however, the consumption of OHOS significantly reduced the activity of elastase, the level of MDA and normalized the level of urease. Conclusion. Under conditions of dysbiosis, periodontitis develops, which can be prevented by consuming high-oleic sunflower oilcake.

EFFECT OF BACILLUS MEGATERIUM ONU 500 ON THE GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF SUNFLOWER SEEDLINGS

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Bacillus megaterium ONU 500 on the germination and growth of sunflower seedlings. Materials and methods. Sunflower seeds were sown in containers with soil inoculated with a suspension of bacteria B. megaterium ONU 500 in concentration of 106 CFU/ml. After 21 days growth characteristics of seedlings were compared: germination, average height, root length, leaf area, dry weight. Effect of these microorganisms on biofilm formation on roots was investigated with light microscopy. Results. Inoculation of soil with B. megaterium ONU 500 resulted in the positive effect on roots length (increase by 21%), leaf area (increase by 22%) and dry weight of seedlings (increase by 17.8%). No significant effect on germination and plant height was observed. On the roots of plants grown in soil treated with B. megaterium ONU 500 more developed biofilms with well formed matrix were observed, which indicates the stimulation of ability of plant and soil microbiota to form biofilms in presence of bacilli from the studied strain. Conclusion. The investigations demonstrated that bacteria of B. megaterium ONU 500 strain caused a positive effect on development of sunflower seedlings and formation of biofilms on their roots.

Nutritional Characteristics Assessment of Sunflower Seeds, Oil and Cake. Perspective of Using Sunflower Oilcakes as a Functional Ingredient

Ample amounts of by-products are generated from the oil industry. Among them, sunflower oilcakes have the potential to be used for human consumption, thus achieving the concept of sustainability and circular economy. The study assessed the nutritional composition of sunflower seeds, cold-pressed oil and the remaining press-cakes with the aim of its valorization as a food ingredient. Sunflower oil contains principally oleic (19.81%) and linoleic (64.35%) acids, which cannot be synthetized by humans and need to be assimilated through a diet. Sunflower seeds are very nutritive (33.85% proteins and 65.42% lipids and 18 mineral elements). Due to the rich content of lipids, they are principally used as a source of vegetable oil. Compared to seeds, sunflower oilcakes are richer in fibers (31.88% and 12.64% for samples in form of pellets and cake, respectively) and proteins (20.15% and 21.60%), with a balanced amino acids profile. The remaining oil (15.77% and 14.16%) is abundant in unsaturated fatty acids (95.59% and 92.12%). The comparison between the three products showed the presence of valuable components that makes them suitable for healthy diets with an adequate intake of nutrients and other bioactive compounds with benefic effects.

Improvement of the technological process of sowing sunflower seeds with a pneumatic seed planter

The article provides the objectives for the need to study the influence of the shaper on the seed velocity, as well as the influence of the arrangement of its rods on the grain speed at the outlet of the seed flow shaper. The general scheme of the seed flow shaper, its description, 3D model and its arrangement on the seeder are given in the article. It also describes the method of measuring the velocity of seed material. As a result of the study, the dependence of the velocity of sunflower seeds on the distance of the placement of rods, as well as the velocity of grains without a flow shaper, is presented. It was found that as the distance between the axes of the rods increases from 5 to 30 mm, the seed velocity at the outlet from the diffuser increases insignificantly, being in the range of 3.2 – 2.7 m/s. The results of using the seed flow shaper of the proposed design on the seed line of the Amazone DMC Primera pneumatic seed planter for sunflower sowing are also presented. As a result of the assessment of the uniform distribution of plants in rows by seedlings, it was concluded that the quality of seeding improved, the coefficient of variation of intervals between plants was 61.2 and 78.4% with and without the use of a shaper, respectively.