Influence of Electrodeposition Parameters on Morphology and Polymer Inclusion into Polymer/Zn Composite Coatings

In this study different type of composite coatings was obtained by electrodeposition using zinc as matrix and polymeric particles as disperse phase in zinc sulphate electrolyte. The effects of some electrodeposition parameters on the thickness and morphology of obtained composite coatings were analysed by optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX) methods. Polymeric particles inclusion into zinc matrix was correlated with imposed electrodeposition parameters. It was observed that the thickness of the coatings is influenced by electrodeposition parameters. From the morphology of the coatings, it could be concluded that pure zinc has a regular surface with hexagonal crystals, while the composite coatings have fine surface structure. Also, the electrodeposition parameters influence the inclusion of the dispersed phase into metallic matrix that will influence further the different properties of the composite materials.

Effect of Micronutrients on Growth of Onion (Allium cepa L.)

Onion is one of the most important bulb crop grown all over the India. It belongs to family Alliaceae and locally known as Pyaj. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of micronutrients on growth of Onion (Allium cepa L.) during Rabi season of 2019-2020 at the Horticultural Research centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P.). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The maximum plant height (27.18, 43.32, 49.22 and 47.45 cm at 30, 60, 90 and at harvest after days of transplanting, respectively), number of leaves (5.11, 8.83, 12.87 and 13.98 at 30, 60, 90 and at harvest after days of transplanting, respectively), diameter of stem per plant (6.64, 8.97, 11.13 and 10.95 mm at 30, 60, 90 and at harvest after days of transplanting, respectively) and length of longest leaf at harvesting (43.56 cm) were reported under treatment T9 -RDF + Zinc Sulphate 20 Kg ha-1 + Borax 10 Kg ha-1 whereas the minimum values for above parameters were recorded under T11- control. Hence application of RDF + Zinc Sulphate 20 Kg ha-1 + Borax 10 Kg ha-1 is worth recommendable for formers to get significantly better growth of Rabi onion.

The Effect of Plant Density, Zinc Added to Phosphorus Fertilizer Sources and Location on Selected Yield Parameters of Soybean

Background: Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] is an annual herbaceous leguminous grain crop which is cultivated mainly for its oil and protein. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of plant density and zinc added to phosphorus fertilizer sources on soybean yield performance under different environmental conditions. Methods: A field trial was executed in two sites during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 summer planting seasons. The experimental design involved a 2 × 2 × 5 factorial fitted into a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The experiment consisted of two plant densities, a lower plant density of 66 666 plants/ha and a higher plant density of 111 111 plants/ha. The five different types of fertilizer treatments were single superphosphate, monoammonium phosphate, zinc sulphate added to single superphosphate, zinc sulphate added to monoammonium phosphate and control. Result: The results showed that plant density has a significant effect (P less than 0.05) on soybean number of pods per plant and the field biomass yield. Soybean planted under lower plant density conditions produced a significantly larger number of pods per plant during both planting seasons, whereas higher plant density conditions resulted in a higher soybean field biomass yield during the 2018/19 planting season. It was observed that soybean treated with monoammonium phosphate had higher seed mass.

The Potency of Anadara nodifera Shell as Natural Testosterone Booster for Male Canary (Seriunus canaria)

Anadara clam shell contains high Zinc. This microelement is recognised as acting natural aromatase blocker (NAB) that capable of boosting testosterone level. The aim of this study was to evaluates the testosterone level of Canaries following Anadara nodifera administration. Adult male Canaries (n = 27) were group into 3 with 9 repetition of each i.e T0 [control, was given by Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium (Na-CMC)], T1 (Zinc Sulphate 0.013 mg/30 g BW), and T2 (NAB 0.3 mg/30 g BW). The T2 treatment was NAB or shell powder of Anadara nodifera which was diluted 1:1 in Na-CMC. The birds were treated orally for 21 days. The complete blood cell count was performed in a haemo analyser except the erythrocyte was calculated manually in the Improved Neubauer counting chamber. Testosterone level was measured in ELISA. Subsequently gen CYP19 aromatase in syrinx, brain and testis were identified employing IHC and descriptively analysed. The result indicated significant elevated level of testosterone (p<0.05). The expression of CYP19 aromatase receptor was depressed in syrinx, brain and testis. However there was no significant changes on the blood profile (p>0.05). To conclude, Anadara nodifera at 0.3 mg/30 g BW was capable of acting as NAB to promote testosterone level. This was confirmed by the reduction of CYP19 aromatase gene receptors in syrinx, brain and testis. However NAB treatment was not significantly affecting routine blood profile.

Effect of Seed Priming with Micro-Nutrients, Botanicals on Seedling Characteristics of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Var. Paiyur 2

The experiment was conducted in Seed Testing Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P.) during kharif season 2019-2021, so as to standardize the acceptable seed treatments for sorghum (Paiyur-2).Different seed priming treatments were taken into the study viz., were evaluated T1 – Zinc Sulphate @ 0.5% up to 3hours, T2 – Zinc Sulfate@1% at 4 hours, T3 – Zinc [email protected]% at 6 hours, T4 – Thiourea @ 0.5% at 3 hours, T5 – Thiourea @ 1% at 4 hours, T6 – Thiourea @ 1.5% at 6 hours, T7 – KNO3@ 0.5% at 3 hours, T8 – KNO3 @ 1% at 4 hours, T9 – KNO3 @ 1.5% at 6 hours, T10 – Moringa Leaf extract @ 3% at 8 hours, T11 – Neem leaf extract @ 3% at 8 hours, T12 – Thiourea @0.5% with Zinc Sulphate(ZnSo4) @ 0.5% at 6 hours. During this study it had been found that maximum germination percent, seedling length and vigour attributes was observed when seed treated with T10- Moringa leaf extract @ 3% followed by T9 – KNO3 @ 1.5% and minimum observed in Control (Untreated seed). Seed treatment with Moringa leaf extract @ 3% enhances germination on seedling characters and it is a simple method and no requirement for expensive equipment and chemical might be used for overcoming challenges associated with a poor germination and seedling establishment.

Bioavailability of Dietary Zinc Sources and Their Effect on Mineral and Antioxidant Status in Lambs

This study investigated the relative bioavailability (RBV) of zinc from different sources used as feed additives in ruminant nutrition based on Zn concentration and the activity of Zn-dependent enzymes in lamb tissues. Thirty-two male lambs of Improved Valachian breed (three months old) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments. For 120 days, the lambs were fed either the total mix ration (TMR) providing 29.6 mg Zn/kg or the TMR supplemented with either zinc sulphate (ZnSO4), zinc chelate of glycine hydrate (ZnGly), or zinc chelate of protein hydrolysate (ZnProt). The supplemented diets contained a total of 80 mg Zn/kg. Supplementation with ZnSO4 increased Zn concentration in the liver, while the highest Zn uptake was in the kidneys of lambs fed the ZnProt diet. The ZnGly supplemented diet elevated the activity of the Cu/Zn-dependent enzyme superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) in the liver. Regardless of Zn source, Zn supplementation resulted in increased total antioxidant status (TAS) in the pancreas. The estimated RBV of Zn based on linear regression slope ratios did not differ among the Zn sources. Our results indicate similar availability of Zn from organic dietary sources as from commonly used zinc sulphate; however, their effects on mineral and antioxidant status may differ slightly in growing lambs.

Foliar Nutrition with Water Soluble Macro and Micro Nutrient Fertilizers for Yield Maximization in Bush Vegetable Cowpea

Background: Cowpea is a leguminous crop of indeterminate growth habit and continues to produce flowers throughout its life cycle. In order to realize the genetic yield potential of cowpea, nutrient requirements of later formed flushes also needs to be met. Hence the present study was formulated to assess the effect of foliar application of water-soluble macro nutrient fertilizers viz., NPK 19:19:19 and potassium nitrate and micronutrient fertilizers viz. zinc sulphate and solubor for yield maximization in bush vegetable cowpea. Methods: The field experiment was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram, during Rabi 2020-21. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 13 treatments in three replications. The treatments comprised of recommended dose of conventional fertilizers (RDF) NPK 20:30:10 kg ha-1 as control and RDF + foliar application of water-soluble fertilizers 19:19:19 (0.5%) and potassium nitrate (0.5%) with zinc sulphate (0.05%) and solubor (0.025%) in twelve different combinations. Result: Results revealed that compared to RDF alone, RDF + foliar application of water-soluble macro and micro nutrient fertilizers at 45 DAS significantly improved the dry matter production, number of pods per plant and pod weight and recorded a yield enhancement of 22 to 55 per cent. Among the treatments, RDF + foliar application of 19:19:19 (0.5%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS recorded the highest dry matter production per plant (39.51 g), pods per plant (30.88 no.), pod yield (7410 kg ha-1), net return (82651 Rs ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.26). The treatments, RDF + foliar application of 19:19:19 (0.5%) at 45 DAS; RDF + foliar application of 19:19:19 (0.5%), zinc sulphate (0.05%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS; and RDF + foliar application of potassium nitrate (0.5%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS also recorded comparable number of pods per plant, green pod yield, net return and B:C ratio. Considering the highest green pod yield, net return and B:C ratio, RDF + foliar application of NPK 19:19:19 (0.5%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS could be recommended for yield maximization in bush type vegetable cowpea.

Effect of Foliar Application For Proline, Zinc Sulphate on Growth and Yield of Okra Plant (Abelmoschus Esculentus L.)

The field experiment was carried out at the Researches Station and Agricultural Experiments/College of Agriculture/Al-Muthanna University during the summer agricultural season 2020 on Okra plant. To study foliar spraying application of Proline from three levels (0, 40 and 80) mg.L−1 and gave P0, P1 and P2 respectively, Zinc sulphate (0, 20 and 40) mg.L−1 and given these Zn0, Zn1 and Zn2. Using the randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D.) and each treatment was treated in three replicates. Means were compared using L.S.D at 0.05 level of significance. The results of the experiment showed The treatment of P2 spraying with proline concentration (80 mg.L−1) was superior in the percentage of Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in leaves, Number of branches, Leaves area and Plant yield (g) (3.09%, 0.44%, and 2.88%, 9.04 branch plant−1, 0.723m2, 303.39 g.plant−1) respectively. The results also showed that Zn2 treatment was elevated (40 mg.L−1) on all measured indicators (3.29%, 0.37%, 2.83%, 8.76 branch plant−1, 0.763 m2, 334.35 g.plant−1). the outperformed was in the significant effect of interaction treatment proline and zinc sulphate P2Zn2 on all measured indicators.