Normalized difference vegetation index for desiccation evaluation with glyphosate + 2,4-D in magnetized spray solution

Water magnetization and geoprocessing are increasingly utilized tools in weed management. Our objective was to study the influence of water magnetization on herbicide efficiency and to verify whether there is a relationship between control scores and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). In the laboratory experiment, water was subjected to magnetization and evaluated with respect to four characteristics. In the field experiment, plots of Brachiaria grass were subjected to treatments in a factorial scheme (6 × 2 + 1). Six herbicidal factors (doses of glyphosate and glyphosate + 2,4-D) and the magnetization or absence of magnetization of the spray solution were evaluated and compared against the control treatment (without spraying). Weed control assessments were carried out six times. Images were obtained using an embedded multispectral camera to determine the NDVI values. Data related to water characteristics were analyzed using the t test. Weed control and NDVI data were subjected to analysis of variance and are presented in regression graphs. Dispersion analysis of NDVI data was performed according to the control scores. The magnetization process decreased the pH of the water and increased the surface tension, but it did not influence the control scores or the NDVI. As the glyphosate dose was increased, the control scores were higher and the NDVI values were lower. Magnetized water did not affect the biological efficiency of the herbicides, and there was a strong correlation between the control scores and the NDVI values.

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) fruit-based gold nanoparticles (BP-AuNPs): Synthesis, characterization, biological activities, and catalytic applications – A green approach

As compared to conventional techniques, currently nanotechnology has gained significant attention of scientists for the development of plant-based natural nanoparticles (NPs) due to their safety, effectiveness, and environment friendly nature. The current study was aimed for development, characterization (energy-dispersive X-ray, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy), and evaluation of the biological efficiency of black pepper (BP; Piper nigrum) fruit-based gold NPs (BP-AuNPs) through different in vitro and in vivo assays. BP extract revealed maximum antibacterial and antifungal potential against Escherichia coli (24 mm) and Aspergillus flavus (47 mm), respectively. However, BP-AuNPs (200 µg·mL−1) inhibited the urease, xanthine oxidase, and carbonic acid-II activities with a percent inhibition of 83.11%, 91.28%, and 86.87%, respectively. Further, the anti-inflammatory effect of BP extract at the dose of 100 mg·kg−1 was 72.66%, whereas for BP-AuNPs it was noticed to be 91.93% at the dose of 10 mg·kg−1. Similarly, the extract of BP and prepared AuNPs demonstrated significant (p < 0.01) sedative effect at all tested doses. The BP-AuNPs catalytically reduced methyl orange dye. Results suggest that BP-AuNPs possess significant biological activities, and further studies must be conducted to identify the probable mechanism of action associated with these activities.

Biological and economic evaluation of AMISTAR Gold fungicide against sunflower rust in the Lower Volga region

Rust is one of the most economically important foliar diseases of sunflower. The problem of sunflower disease control was considered. The article presents the results of a two-year experiment studying the efficiency of AMISTAR Gold fungicide, concentrated suspension (active ingredient: Azoxystrobin 125 g/L, Difenoconazole 125 g/L) in sunflower hybrids in the Lower Volga region. Flowerbud development stage was the best application timing for increasing productivity. Therefore, sunflower yield averaged 34 c/ha. The biological efficiency of the fungicide ranged from 85 to 90 %. The calculation of economic efficiency showed 145255 % profitability depending on the year.

Determination of biological properties of the new synthetic plant growth regulator - spyrocarbon complex with boric acid by means of phytotests

Determining the environmental safety of new synthetic plant growth regulators is an urgent problem. Spirocarbon derivatives were subjected to such determination by means of a specially developed system based on phytotests "germinated seeds". This system allows the values of biometric, cytological and biochemical parameters of the phytotest to determine the toxic, cytotoxic, genotoxic (mutagenic) effects and induction of molecular stress by the synthetic chemical substance being tested. This system was used to establish the biological properties of a new drug - a complex of spirocarbon with boric acid - in relation to five phytotests monocotyledons and dicotyledons plants. Phytotesting was performed in the spectrum of concentrations (10-7-10-2 mol/dm3) of this drug. It demonstrated either the absence or presence of a weak toxic effect on phytotests, which did not exceed 30%. The study showed that the plant growth regulator spirocarbon in combination with boric acid has growthregulating properties, the manifestation of which depends on the concentration of the drug and the species characteristics of plants. Only the maximum concentration (10-2 моль/дм3) of the tested drug is slightly toxic to plants. The obtained results testify to the biological efficiency and ecological safety of the synthesized drug. This allows us to recommend it for use in agricultural practice.

A mathematical nutrition model adequately predicts beef and dairy cow intake and biological efficiency

The beef cow-calf sector accounts for 70% of feed consumed and greenhouse gases emitted for the beef industry, but there is no straightforward method to measure biological efficiency in grazing conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate a mathematical nutrition model to estimate the feed intake and biological efficiency of mature beef cows. Data from dams (N = 160) and their 2 nd and 3 rd progeny (312 pairs) were collected from 1953 through 1980. Individual feed intake was measured at 28-d intervals year-round for dams and during 240-d lactation for progeny. Body weights of progeny were measured at 28-d intervals from birth to weaning, and of dams at parturition and weaning each production cycle. Milk yield of dams was measured at 14-d intervals. Dam ME intake (DMEI) and milk energy yield (MEL) of each cow was predicted using the Cattle Value Discovery System beef cow (CVDSbc) model for each parity. Biological efficiency (Mcal/kg) was computed as the ratio of observed or predicted DMEI to observed calf weaning weight (PWW). Pearson correlation coefficients were computed using corr.test function and model evaluation was performed using the epiR function in R software. Average (SD) dam weight, PWW, DMEI, and observed MEL were 527 (86) kg, 291 (47) kg, 9584 (2701) Mcal/production cycle, and 1029 (529) Mcal, respectively. Observed and predicted DMEI (r = 0.93 and 0.91), and observed and predicted MEL (r = 0.58 and 0.59) were positively correlated for progeny 2 and 3, respectively. The CVDS beef cow model under-predicted DMEI (mean bias = 1120 ± 76 Mcal, 11.7% of observed value) and MEL (mean bias = 30 ± 25 Mcal, 2.9% of observed value). Observed and predicted progeny feed intake were not correlated (r = 0.01, P-value = 0.79). Observed and predicted biological efficiency were positively correlated (r = 0.80 and 0.80, P-value ≤ 0.05) for parity 2 and 3, respectively, and the CVDSbc model under-predicted biological efficiency by 11% (mean bias = 3.59 ± 0.25 Mcal/kg). The CVDSbc provides reasonable predictions of feed intake and biological efficiency of mature beef cows, but further refinement of the relationship between calf feed intake and milk yield is recommended to improve predictions. Mathematical nutrition models can assist in the discovery of the biological efficiency of mature beef cows.

Differences in biological efficiency of one- and two-component graminicide on sugar beet crops in Tula region

One of the most urgent tasks in sugar beet production for Russia today is irregularities in cultivation technology and a low-efficiency crop protection. It leads to a high level of weed infestation of agricultural fields. Developing and identifying the most efficient, selective and accessible herbicides, which have low phytotoxicity, do not have a negative effect on soil chemical characteristics and can be used in sugar beet cultivation is relevant today. The aim of this study was to examine and compare biological efficiency of various doses and concentrations of one- and two-component graminicides on sugar beet crops against the following weeds: Cockspur grass Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv., Wild millet Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv. and Couch Grass Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski. The experiment was conducted on the territory of the Tula region in 2020. The total field experiment area was 480 m2. Application of clethodim + quizalofop-P-ethyl (0.5 l/ha) resulted in reducing the number and weight of annual weeds by 6471 %, reducing the number and weight of perennial weeds by 5458 %, which had the same efficiency as clethodim (0.6 l/ha). The efficiency of clethodim + quizalofop-P-ethyl (1.0 l/ha) was higher than Clethodim (0.6 l/ha) and amounted to 7387 % of reduction in the number of weeds compared to the control, but was lower than Clethodim (1.8 l/ha), which resulted in 8995 % reduction in the number of weeds compared to the control. The highest sugar beet yields were obtained in the variants with clethodim (1.8 l/ha) and two-component herbicide (1 l/ha), which amounted to 28 and 25 % yield increase, in comparison with the control.

Presence of Late Blight of Potato in Uzbekistan and Measures to Combat It

The article discusses the development of a disease of cultivated plants, which was previously not typical for the conditions of Uzbekistan — late blight of potato. On the territory of the Tashkent region and the small educational economy of the Tashkent State Agrarian University in 2015–2020, the presence of late blight was noted on potato crops. The degree of development of the disease is 27.9–36.3%. A study was carried out on the use of new drugs: Antracol 70% and Banjo Forte. The best result in suppressing the disease was shown by the preparation Antracol 70% in the norm of application — 2.0 kg/ha, where 20 days after treatment the biological efficiency was 85.6%. The biological efficacy of Banjo Forte at a rate of 1.0 l/ha was 81.8% on the leaves, 84.1% on the shoots, and 1.5% and 1.0%, respectively, with the development of the disease.

Cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus on Agricultural Wastes and Their Combination

Background. Mushrooms are increasingly becoming an important component of diets worldwide, and it is of paramount importance to choose appropriate substrates to grow them. The objective of this study was to grow Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom using different agricultural substrates. Methods. Corncobs, finger millet straw, and bamboo waste were collected from different sites of the Awi Zone. The substrates were chopped into small pieces, and 500 g of their dry mass alone and their combination was measured, packed in a polythene bag, moistened, and pasteurized. The cooled substrates were inoculated with a spoon of P. ostreatus spawn brought from Debre Berhan University. The bags were placed in the growing room, and growth parameters were recorded continuously with environmental variables. The experimental setup was a complete randomized design, six treatments with three replicates. Results. The fastest spawn running phase of P. ostreatus was 28.71 ± 0.80 days, pinhead formation was 32.36 ± 0.26 days, and fruiting bodies’ formation was 5.19 ± 0.74 days after the pinhead was recorded on the corncob substrate. The highest fresh weight and biological efficiency with the significant statistical association were obtained from P. ostreatus grown on finger millet straw (253.07 ± 1.05 and 50.20 ± 0.47, respectively). The highest average number of pinheads and fruiting bodies (29.60 and 11.44, respectively) was recorded on finger millet straw. The lowest biological efficiency (20.80 ± 0.41), fresh weight (101.48 ± 0.91), number of pinheads (14.40), and number of fruiting bodies (4.25) were recorded from a mixture of corncob and bamboo waste (50% each) substrates. Conclusion. Finger millet straw is recommended as the best substrate for the cultivation of P. ostreatus. The mixed substrate of corncob and bamboo waste (1 : 1) for P. ostreatus cultivation is not encouraged due to poor growth performance.

Research on changes of the quality indicators of semi-finished products during during storage

Considering the results of literary studies on the nutritional value and biological efficiency of cranberries and goji berries, it has been established that the development of the technology of semi-finished minced products with their use is relevant and has practical importance in the production of fish products. The article deals with the results of the chemical composition, organoleptic evaluation, and physical and chemical changes in semi-finished minced products with the addition of non-traditional raw materials and the establishment of their shelf life. The expediency of combining freshwater fish with plant material to expand the range of biologically valuable food products is presented in the article. The general positive impressions, harmonious, fish and sweet-salty taste, have shown the expediency of combining cranberries and goji berries with freshwater fish, as evidenced by high levels of appearance, taste, and smell. In terms of consistency, fish cutlets are plastic and dense on the cut. It has been found that there are processes of hydrolytic damage in the control sample after 90 days of storage, which indicates the intensive lipid hydrolysis and the accumulation of free fatty acids in these samples. In experimental samples, hydrolytic damage gradually increases and reaches its critical point only close to the end of the shelf life. Oxidation processes in the lipids of semi-finished products were studied by changes in the accumulation of primary oxidation products – peroxides and secondary products – carbonyl compounds. According to the dynamics of changes in the peroxide value of lipids of semi-finished products, it has been established that the control sample for 60-135 days has not been subjected to storage, and in experimental samples after 135 days, the quality of the fat deteriorates and is characterized as the one that is not subjected to storage. The research has established that the use of non-traditional raw materials in the production of semi-finished minced products allows to improve the technology of production and solve the problem of obtaining the product of a high nutritional value. The authors found that the developed technology of production of semi-finished fish products will significantly expand the range of products of functional purpose based on natural components, which will allow, to some extent, to broaden the current problem of processing raw materials from domestic reservoirs in Ukraine.

Combined use of biopreparations and growth regulators to improve soybean and tomato yields

The results of research on the effect of crop protection agents on tomato and soybean crops under Primorye conditions are presented. The study of preparations was carried out on zoned varieties of tomato Novichok and soybean Primorskaya 86. The effectiveness of different combinations of biological preparations based on Bacillus subtilis strains Bactophyt, Gamair and growth regulators Zircon, Mival-Agro was evaluated. The preparations were used for seed treatment and spraying of vegetative plants. Complex treatment with Bactofit provided a 3.9% reduction of septoriosis manifestation on tomato, the biological efficiency was 22.1%. Growth regulator Mival-Agro (seed and plant treatment) provided 36.8% effectiveness against late blight. The highest tomato yield was observed with the treatment of seeds and plants with Gamair (20.0 t/ha) with an increase of 4.9 t/ha compared to the control. The maximum efficiency (29.7%) against septoriosis on soybeans was recorded in the variant Gamair + Mival-Agro. The biological efficacy against peronosporosis ranged from 21% (Gamair complex treatment) to 25.4% (Bactofit + Mival-Agro). The application of all preparations had a positive effect on the growth and development of soybean plants. The largest increase in plant height in the phase of full ripeness was noted in the variant with the use of Bactofit and Mival-Agro (73.1 cm), in the control - 61.8 cm. Thousand-kernel weight increased with certainty by 13.5 – 22.0% in comparison with the control (176.2 g) after the usage of biopreparations and growth-regulating chemicals. High yield was achieved in the Bachtophit + Mival Agro variant (2.7 t/ha), in comparison the control was 1.8 t/ha, the addition amounted to 0.9 t/ha.