The Processing osf Irrigation Water and Artificial Fertilizer Solutions in Magnetic Field

The reclamation of new territories which are limited in energy and materials needs resource- and energy-saving techniques. One of such technique is the processing of water and artificial fertilizer solutions in a magnetic field. The aim of this research is to work out the impact of a magnetic field on water and solutions of artificial fertilizer and to find out the most effective way to process. The authors have figured out that a magnetic field enhances the speed of chemical reactions, the solvability of salts and fertilizers, and increases the concentration of oxygen in a water solution. The most effective processing of water solutions in magnetic field is when magnetic induction is 0,065 Тl, a four-time back magnetization takes place, and the velocity of a solution is 0.4 m/s. These parameters of the processing increase crop yield by 15-20%, decrease the consumption of artificial fertilizer by 10-15%, and enhances the product quality.

Water Absorption by Hydrogel Using Fertilizers

It was sought, in this research, to evaluate the effects of fertilizer solutions on water retention by hydrogel as well as if the application methods and fertilizers affect water retention when the hydrogel is added to the soil. In laboratory works (experiment 1), the completely randomized design was used taking into account four treatments: distilled water; Urea (UR – 2.0 g L-1 ) and Magnesium Sulfate + Monoammonium Phosphate (MS + MAP – 2.0 g L-1  each). Regarding the experiment 2, considering soil columns, a 2x3x2 factorial was used, corresponding to two hydrogel application methods: dry and mixed to the soil or diluted in water and concentrated in the center of the column; three fertilizer solutions: distilled water, UR (2.0 g L-1 ) and MS + MAP (2.0 g L-1  each) with two cycles and three repetitions. An additional witness (hydrogel free) was also added. Total water volume absorbed by hydrogel, volume stored in the soil after each cycle, pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of leached solutions were all analyzed. The MS solution was the one who impacted the most the water absorption by the hydrogel, principally when the hydrogel was not present in the soil. The pH and EC of leached solutions evidenced the fertilizer solutions salinity.

Growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Non-O157 Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli, and Salmonella in Water and Hydroponic Fertilizer Solutions

ABSTRACT The desire for local, fresh produce year round is driving the growth of hydroponic growing systems in the United States. Many food crops, such as leafy greens and culinary herbs, grown within hydroponics systems have their root systems submerged in recirculating nutrient-dense fertilizer solutions from planting through harvest. If a foodborne pathogen were introduced into this water system, the risk of contamination to the entire crop would be high. Hence, this study was designed to determine whether Escherichia coli O157:H7, non-O157 Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, and Salmonella were able to survive and reproduce in two common hydroponic fertilizer solutions and in water or whether the bacteria would be killed or suppressed by the fertilizer solutions. All the pathogens grew by 1 to 6 log CFU/ml over a 24-h period, depending on the solution. E. coli O157:H7 reached higher levels in the fertilizer solution with plants (3.12 log CFU/ml), whereas non-O157 Shiga toxin–producing E. coli and Salmonella reached higher levels in the fertilizer solution without plants (1.36 to 3.77 log CFU/ml). The foodborne pathogens evaluated here survived for 24 h in the fertilizer solution, and populations grew more rapidly in these solutions than in plain water. Therefore, human pathogens entering the fertilizer solution tanks in hydroponic systems would be expected to rapidly propagate and spread throughout the system and potentially contaminate the entire crop.

Divalent Cations in Spray Water Influence 2,4-D Efficacy on Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major)

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is a common ingredient in POST broadleaf herbicides labeled for use in turf, pastures, rangeland, and grain crops. The herbicide 2,4-D is a weak acid, and when dissociated can bind to cations present in hard-water spray solutions and/or fertilizer solutions. Experiments were conducted with 2,4-D dimethylamine to evaluate the effect of cation solutions on herbicide efficacy on the perennial broadleaf weeds dandelion and broadleaf plantain. The objectives of this research were to (1) determine if 2,4-D efficacy is influenced by the divalent cations, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in spray solution; and (2) determine if adding the adjuvant ammonium sulfate (AMS) to the spray solution can overcome antagonism. Broadleaf plantain and dandelion control was reduced and plant size and mass increased when 2,4-D was applied in a Ca solution in comparison to deionized water. However, 2,4-D antagonism was overcome when AMS was added as an adjuvant to the spray solution. Magnesium caused 2,4-D antagonism on both weed species in one run of the experiment similar to Ca solution and AMS was successful at overcoming antagonism when added to the tank mixture. Some 2,4-D antagonism from Mn was noticed even when AMS was in the tank mix, but Zn fertilizer solutions did not antagonize 2,4-D activity on either weed species. Although divalent cations can antagonize 2,4-D dimethylamine and reduce perennial broadleaf weed control, adding AMS can overcome this antagonism when Ca and Mg are the primary cations in spray solution. Applicators should avoid using Mn fertilizers when applying 2,4-D dimethylamine because AMS did not successfully overcome antagonism.

Effects of Foliar Application of Various Zinc Fertilizers with Organosilicone on Correcting Citrus Zinc Deficiency

To compare the effects of various zinc (Zn) foliar fertilizers on correcting citrus Zn deficiency and to explore an effective correcting method, three common Zn fertilizers, Zn sulfate heptahydrate (ZnSO4.7H2O), Zn chloride (ZnCl2), and Zn nitrate hexahydrate [Zn(NO3)2.6H2O], were selected to spray the Zn-deficient citrus leaves, tested at different concentrations, with or without organosilicone surfactant. Zn content, chlorophyll levels, and photosynthesis characteristics of leaves were analyzed. Leaf Zn content was significantly increased with increase of the sprayed Zn concentration of the three Zn fertilizers. However, when the sprayed Zn concentration of ZnSO4.7H2O exceeded 200 mg·L−1, and Zn concentration of ZnCl2 or Zn(NO3)2.6H2O exceeded 100 mg·L−1, obvious necrotic spots formed on leaves. This necrosis disappeared when 0.025% organosilicone was added to the three Zn fertilizer solutions, even at a Zn concentration of 250 mg·L−1. Meanwhile, the Zn contents of leaves increased one to four times for these treatments. Furthermore, foliar application of the three Zn fertilizers significantly improved chlorophyll levels and photosynthetic capacity of Zn-deficient leaves. The data of chlorophyll and photosynthesis characteristics indicate that the correcting effect of ZnCl2 and Zn(NO3)2.6H2O is better than that of ZnSO4.7H2O, and could be further improved via supplement of organosilicone. In conclusion, ZnCl2 or Zn(NO3)2.6H2O containing 250 mg·L−1 of Zn and supplemented with 0.025% organosilicone is a safe and effective formulation of Zn foliar fertilizer for correcting citrus Zn deficiency.