Biorational Management of Flea Beetles. Podagrica spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and yield response of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) (L.) Moench.) In the Southern Guinea Savanna

This experiments conducted in 2019, to evaluate yield response of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus, (L.) Moench) to attractiveness of colour sticky traps in relation to other population sampling methods and bio-pesticidal effects of Aqueous delonix seed extract on the flea beetles, Podagrica Spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the Southern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria. Experimental design uses six coloured sticky traps as treatments in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The design for efficacies of Bio-pesticides also in RCBD had four replications and five application rates, including a positive check and zero control as treatments. Yellow colour traps gave higher mean Podagrica Spp., catches but damage was higher in the white and purple traps, indicating other contributive factors affecting beetles feeding on Okra fruits. Higher precision was observed in hitting methods, when combined with colour reflectance. Yield of Okra fruits was optimum in all treatments, being higher in purple and least in white traps plants. Heavier fruits and least yield losses were in the least infected navy-blue treated plots. Agronomic performance was better in bio-pesticide treated Okra plants, but were not significant across different application rates with 57.30cm2 peak leave area at 20g/l, while mean fruit yield of 1007.00 was recorded at 15g/l Aqueous delonix seed application rate. Control had lowest mean fruit yield (780.00) with the highest fruits damage (11.33) per plot but heavier fruits recorded in the treated plants at 30g/l (66.75kg) over Cypermethrin (61.05kg). Pest population census showed significant (P < 0.05) decrease with increased application rates of the bio-pesticides. Hitting as sampling method was superior over sweep netting and was significantly different (P < 0.05) across the bio-pesticides application rates.

Reviewing Plasma Seed Treatments for Advancing Agriculture Applications on Earth and Into the Final Frontier

With benefits such as environmentally safe treatment methods to stimulate growth, to increase plant yield, and improve disinfection efficiency, literature on the field of plasma treatment of seeds is growing. Generalized variables and success criteria have not been well correlated between studies, so this review paper serves to connect plasma and agriculture technologies to coordinate future efforts in this growing area of research. The authors have particular interest due to space agriculture, where seeds are sanitized before being sent into space for crop production. In order to supply a spectrum of nutritional needs, it is necessary to provide a variety of crops and ensure biological decontamination before the seeds are being sent into space. Traditional seed sanitization methods are not viable for all seed types, so exploration of other options is needed to expand the astronaut diet on long-duration space missions. This review paper brings together the current state-of-the-art reported literature to aide in understanding plasma seed application apparatus, seed or crop performance pertaining to germination, growth, water interactions, inactivation of bacteria, and surface sanitization results. These recent works include evolving research themes for potential seed treatment sanitization processes for various seed types to ensure the viability of plants for future growth in microgravity crop production systems.

Potency of Non-Fungicide Chemicals for Maize Inducing Resistance against Downy Mildew

Downy mildew disease control is a big challenge in Indonesia due to ability of pathogen adaptation and favorable environmental condition to the disease. Self-resistance induction by activating plant defense mechanism is a valuable control method to be developed in the future due to its environmentally safety. This study aimed to determine potency of non-fungicide chemicals to suppress downy mildew of maize. The tested chemicals were benzoic acid, sodium benzoic acid, salicylic acid, thiamine, saccharin, and aspirin with a concentration of 2000 ppm. Disease incidence, disease severity, disease progress, leaf tissue lignification, plant growth, chlorophyll content, and plant dry weight were observed to find out the effect of the chemicals application in maize against downy mildew. Results showed that seed application of benzoic acid was able to reduce disease incidence and disease severity by 80%. Benzoic acid treated plants were categorized as moderately resistant until 5-week observation, while inoculated plants (positive control) were susceptible. Based on AUDPC values, plants induced by the chemicals had slower disease development rates compared to positive control. Lignification around the stomata occured in all inoculated plants treated by chemicals. Plant growth between chemical treated plants and negative control (non-inoculated plant) mainly showed no significant different, elaborated that those chemicals were applicable. Chlorophyll content in chemical treated plants was also similar to those of negative control plant. Based on these results, benzoic acid was promoted to be further investigated as maize resistance inducer against downy mildew.

Genetic bases of corn inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense via seed and foliar application

Nitrogen is available in insufficient quantities in Brazilian soils, and is the nutrient that raises the most cost of production of maize. Nowadays there is a more interest in the use of alternative nitrogen sources, such as biological nitrogen fixation, to supply plant demand. Among the most used bacteria in association with grasses is Azospirillum brasilense. In this way this study aimed to establish a relationship between the genetic bases of corn and the forms of A. brasilense application and the effects on the plant morphological components, grain yield, and relative nitrogen contribution. Experiments were conducted during the 2013/14 and 2014/15 crop seasons. The experiments included two single hybrids, two double hybrids, and two triple hybrids inoculated with A. brasilense via seed treatment; foliar application during phenological stages V2, V2 + V4, and V4; and a control treatment without bacteria. The response varied with the hybrid and the year. In the 2013/14 crop, a significant difference was observed in the grain yield for the single hybrid AG9045 inoculated with A. brasilense via seed and foliar application in V2. In the 2014/15 crop, inoculation with A. brasilense via seed application resulted in significant increases in the grain yield for the triple hybrid BG7051. Foliar application of A. brasilense is an efficient alternative for the improvement of plant morphological traits, and inoculation via seed and with foliar application in V2 increases the relative contribution of N.

Study on Selective Mechanization in Kharif Greengram (Vigna radiata L.)

Background: Greengram is an important short duration crop for rainfed area of Telangana state. Green gram is grown widely for human diet which contains 25 % protein, 60 % carbohydrate, 1.3 % fat and several essential amino acid including lysine and easily digestable. It is also rich in Vitamin A, B1, B2 C and calcium, phosphorus and potassium. Sowing of seed, application of fertilizers and intercultivation operations should be done timely to get the higher yields and monetary returns besides saving of time and labour, which is possible through only by mechanization in greengram. Methods: This experiment was conducted during Kharif season of 2017 and 2018 at Agricultural Research Station, Madhira farm, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University, Hyderabad (Telangana). The soil of the experimental field was clay loam soil in texture, having alkaline reaction (pH=8.3), EC=0.33 ds m-1, low organic carbon (0.18%) and having low available nitrogen (153 kg ha-1), medium in available phosphorus (42 kg ha-1) and high in available potassium (538 kg ha-1). This experiment comprising of two treatments i.e., selective mechanization and normal practice, which was tested by simple t-test at 5% level of significance, non-replicated. Result: Sowing of seed and fertilizer application through seed cum fertilizer drill and intercultivation by tractor drawn implements has shown in good crop growth inturn to get the higher yields and monetary returns besides saving of labour and time in greengram cultivation.

Protection of winter spelt against fungal diseases under organic production of phyto-products in the Ukrainian polissia

At present, one of the main tasks is to obtain high-quality and environmentally friendly phyto-products. The interest of consumers in healthy nutrition is increasing every year. Growing plant products using organic technology is becoming widespread. Among a wide range of economic management, organic agricultural production is the only environmentally friendly method on Earth that does not inflict damage on the environment. Organic production systems are based on specific and precise requirements (standards) for the production process aimed at maintaining the optimal state of the ecosystem at the social, environmental and economic levels. The level of plant damage is controlled naturally, as well as with the help of preventive, biological and other modern scientific methods. Organic agricultural production excludes the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides, as well as genetically modified organisms and products (substances) derived from them. The developed system for the protection of winter spelt against fungal diseases under organic production is based on biological features of mycoses, introduction of varieties with the least degree of affection by pathogens of fungal etiology, application of optimal systems of soil tilling and fertilizing, sowing time and seed application rates, as well as rational use of effective mixtures of biological preparations and plant growth regulators for seed and crop treatment. Organic protection system involves the following: complex treatment of seeds with biological preparation Agat 25-K, PA (0.04 kg/t) and plant growth regulator Biosyl (0.01 l/t) before sowing; spraying of crops at the 31st stage with a mixture of Agat 25-K, PA (0.03 kg/ha) + Biosyl (0.01 l/ha); the same treatment of crops at the 39th stage; spraying of crops with biological preparation Phytodoctor (2.0 l/ha) at the 60th stage. Under organic production, the winter spelt yield preserved due to a set of protective measures amounts to 0.58-0.67 t/ha or 29.6-33.7%. At the same time, the protein content increases by 0.83% and gluten content by 6.9%.

Protection of winter spelt against fungal diseases under organic production of phyto-products in the Ukrainian polissia

At present, one of the main tasks is to obtain high-quality and environmentally friendly phyto-products. The interest of consumers in healthy nutrition is increasing every year. Growing plant products using organic technology is becoming widespread. Among a wide range of economic management, organic agricultural production is the only environmentally friendly method on Earth that does not inflict damage on the environment. Organic production systems are based on specific and precise requirements (standards) for the production process aimed at maintaining the optimal state of the ecosystem at the social, environmental and economic levels. The level of plant damage is controlled naturally, as well as with the help of preventive, biological and other modern scientific methods. Organic agricultural production excludes the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides, as well as genetically modified organisms and products (substances) derived from them. The developed system for the protection of winter spelt against fungal diseases under organic production is based on biological features of mycoses, introduction of varieties with the least degree of affection by pathogens of fungal etiology, application of optimal systems of soil tilling and fertilizing, sowing time and seed application rates, as well as rational use of effective mixtures of biological preparations and plant growth regulators for seed and crop treatment. Organic protection system involves the following: complex treatment of seeds with biological preparation Agat 25-K, PA (0.04 kg/t) and plant growth regulator Biosyl (0.01 l/t) before sowing; spraying of crops at the 31st stage with a mixture of Agat 25-K, PA (0.03 kg/ha) + Biosyl (0.01 l/ha); the same treatment of crops at the 39th stage; spraying of crops with biological preparation Phytodoctor (2.0 l/ha) at the 60th stage. Under organic production, the winter spelt yield preserved due to a set of protective measures amounts to 0.58�0.67 t/ha or 29.6�33.7%. At the same time, the protein content increases by 0.83% and gluten content by 6.9%.

Microflora, supply of elements of nutrition of ordinary сhernozem and productivity of spring wheat when applying the preparation «agrobionov»

Тhe article presents the results of research of the microflora, microbiological activity and nutritional content of ordinary тhernozem when applying the preparation «Agrobionov». The aim of the preparation is to give agri-environmental assessment of doses of any preparation in biological properties and availability of nutrients and yield of spring wheat. The microbiological activity of the soil has been determined by the method of flax seed application. The following group of microorganisms has been studied: bacteria that utilize organic nitrogen compounds; microorganisms that consume mineral nitrogen; oligonitrophilic; bacteria, mobilizing mineral phosphates; calculatorcredit microorganisms; the nitrifying microorganisms; fungi. The authors have found that studied preparation increases the microbiological activity, the total number of microorganisms, including agronomic valuable microorganisms, the availability of easily hydrolyzed nitrogen in the soil, and the yield of spring wheat.

Efficacy of preemergence herbicides over time

Preemergence herbicides are applied to container-grown nursery crops repeatedly throughout the year, often in 8 to 10 week intervals. Preemergence herbicide efficacy may decline over time, resulting in reduced weed control several weeks after application if weed seed density remains high. The objective of this research is to evaluate efficacy of preemergence herbicides on creeping woodsorrel (Oxalis corniculata L.) and flexuous bittercress (Cardamine flexuosa With.) by applying weed seed from 0 to 10 weeks after herbicide application. Granular formulations of pendimethalin, prodiamine + isoxaben, oxyfluorfen + pendimethalin, and flumioxazin were applied at their maximum labeled rates to separate groups of containers every two weeks for ten weeks. After the herbicide application at 10 weeks, 40 seeds of creeping woodsorrel and flexuous bittercress each were applied to all containers. All herbicides provided effective control when seed were applied within 2 weeks of herbicide application. Herbicides containing oxyfluorfen or flumioxazin provided effective preemergence bittercress and creeping woodsorrel control when seed were applied up to 8 to 10 weeks after herbicide application. Other herbicide products resulted in reduced control as the time between herbicide and seed application increased. Index words: weed control, container crops, substrates. Species used in this study: flexuous bittercress (Cardamine flexuosa With.), creeping woodsorrel (Oxalis corniculata L.). Chemicals used in this study: pendimethalin (Pendulum 2G), prodiamine + isoxaben (Gemini G), pendimethalin + oxyfluorfen (OH2), and flumioxazin (BroadStar).