Graphic analysis of various sulfur applications on safflower fatty acids profile

In this study, we examined the effects of seven different sulfur treatments on safflower seeds. The treatments included: no sulfur application (S0), 25 kg/ha of pure bulk sulfur (S25), 50 kg/ha of pure bulk sulfur (S50), 25 kg/ha of sulfur phosphate (Sp25), 50 kg/ha of sulfur phosphate (Sp50), 25 kg/ha of zinc sulfate (Zs25), and 50 kg/ha of zinc sulfate (Zs50). Our evaluation covered various seed quality attributes, including ash percentage (ASH), oil percentage (OIL), and protein percentage (PRO). Additionally, we analyzed the fatty acid composition, including palmitic acid 16 : 0 (PAL), stearic acid 18 : 0 (STE), oleic acid 18 : 1 (OLE), linoleic acid 18 : 2 (LINL), arachidic acid 20 : 0 (ARA), and linolenic acid 18 : 3 (LINN). The vector-view of the biplot illustrated positive associations among the fatty acids STE, PAL, and OLE, whereas ASH exhibited negative associations with OIL, LINL, and LINN. The polygon-view graph was divided into four sectors, with the genotype S50 emerging as the top performer for attributes such as OIL, PRO, LINL, ARA, and LINN. Treatment Zs50 occupied the vertex of another sector and displayed the highest values for palmitic acid PAL, STE, and OLE, while treatment S0 was positioned at the vertex of the next sector, characterized by its high ASH content. By utilizing the ideal tester tool of treatment by trait biplot, we identified OIL as the desirable trait that most effectively represented the data. The qualitative properties of safflower oil were notably influenced by sulfur application, with treatment S50 proving to be the most effective in enhancing these properties.

Physiochemical response of Cicer arietinum to zinc-containing mesoporous silica nanoparticles under water stress

Chickpea is an important food legume cultivated in semiarid regions, where water scarcity and nutrient deficiencies negatively affect crop production. This study aimed to investigate the effect of zinc and silicon from different sources, including bulk and nanostructures, on various biochemical traits of chickpea plants grown under field conditions in Maragheh, Northwest Iran. The main experimental factor consisted of three soil moisture levels: irrigation to 90% of field capacity (FC), 60% FC, and 30% FC. The subplots were assigned for foliar application of different fertilizers: control (distilled water), zinc sulfate (ZnSO), silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs), ZnSO + SiO2 NPs, and zinc-containing mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs -Zn). The results showed that although decreased soil moisture had a negative impact on several biochemical processes, foliar application of Zn and Si in both conventional bulk and nanostructure significantly affected plant antioxidant system, plasma membrane integrity, and the concentrations of photosynthetic pigments and compatible solutes. However, the most inducing effects on catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and anthocyanin were observed with the foliar spray of MSNPs-Zn and ZnSO + SiO2 under 60% FC. Moreover, foliar spray of MSNPs-Zn alleviated the negative effects of water deficit stress on photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a /b and carotenoid content). Water stress significantly induced the accumulation of free proline in the leaves. Overall, the results indicated that foliar spray of MSNPs -Zn, especially under 60% FC, improved the plant's defense system, scavenged reactive oxygen species, and enhanced the accumulation and stability of pigments, thereby mitigating the effects of drought stress.

Euphorbia leaf extract-assisted sustainable synthesis of Au NPs supported on exfoliated GO for superior activity on water purification: reduction of 4-NP and MB

In the present work, the effect of graphene oxide (GO) architecture and synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au_NPs) on the surface of GO by using Euphorbia leaf extract was investigated. The as-synthesized catalyst was utilized for reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and methylene-blue (MB). The ethanol/water extract of the leaves of Euphorbia was found as a non-toxic, suitable, eco-friendly natural reducing agent in one-step generation of Au nanoparticles onto the GO. The catalyst was characterized by different analysis such as atomic force microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, SEM-mapping, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic absorption spectrometry. The high catalytic performance of the surfactant exfoliated gold-GO (SE-Au_NPs/GO) towards the reduction of 4-NP to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) and reduction of MB to leucomethylene blue (LMB) under mild conditions, in water and at room temperature, was exhibited. Graphical abstract.

Effect of nano-silicon foliar application on safflower growth under organic and inorganic fertilizer regimes

Silicon nanoparticles have distinctive physicochemical characteristics and are able to enter into plants and impact the metabolism of plants as well as improve plant growth and yield under unfavourable environmental conditions. Besides, low soil organic matter content, imbalanced nutrient and inadequate water supply may adversely affect crop productivity in semiarid areas. To understand the effects of foliar spray of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (nSiO2) with application of farmyard manure (FYM) or inorganic fertilizer on morpho-physiological traits and yield of safflower, a field experiment was carried out in a highland semiarid region of Maragheh, northwest Iran. The experiment consisted of two levels of nSiO2 (0 and 20 mM) and four fertilizer regimes (control, 15 t ha−1 FYM, 30 t ha−1 FYM, 90 kg ha−1 N-P-K chemical fertilizer). Safflower plants were treated with nSiO2 suspension at leaf development, branching and capitulum emergence stages. Although the nSiO2 significantly improved some growth parameters such as canopy spread, stem diameter, plant height, ground cover and the number of achenes in capitulum, it did not affect achene yield and harvest index. However, fertilizer treatments considerably affected most of morpho-physiological traits, achene yield and yield components. The result showed that the best growth and the highest achene yield were achieved by application of 30 t ha−1 FYM before sowing. Application of high FYM increased the achene yield by 48% compared to the control, however, application of N-P-K chemical fertilizer or of 15 t ha−1 FYM improved achene yield only up to 17% over the no fertilizer condition. Moreover, this work revealed some positive effects of exogenous application of nSiO2 on safflower growth. This finding suggests that application of organic fertilizers with foliar spray of nSiO2 can improve safflower production and is an advisable agronomic option.

Effect Of Pre-Sowing Seed Treatments With Silicon Nanoparticles On Germinability Of Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus)

Silicon is one of the most widespread macro elements that have beneficial effects on plant growth. Although its positive effects on plant growth and development have been widely considered, little information is available about possibility of nano-silicon utilization in seed invigoration treatments. Enhanced seed germination may lead to improved stand establishment and it can play important role in successful crop production. Partial hydration of the seeds followed by dehydration in a controlled environment often results in rapid seed germination and more uniform seedling emergence compared to untreated seeds. In the present study, the effect of seed soaking in different concentration nano-silicon solutions (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1 and 1.2 mM for 8 h) on germination characteristics of sunflower was investigated. Seed soaking in low concentration nano-silicon solutions (0.2 and 0.4 mM) significantly reduced days to 50% germination and mean germination time and improved root length, mean daily germination, seedling vigour index and final germination percentage. These results suggest that the incorporation of nano-silicon in priming solution, in an appropriate concentration, remarkably enhances germination performance and causes an effective invigoration of the seedling. These results underline the importance of pre-sowing seed soaking in diluted nano-silicon solutions for improving the germinability of sunflower.

Effect of nano-silicon particles application on salinity tolerance in early growth of some lentil genotypes / Wpływ nanocząstek krzemionki na tolerancję zasolenia we wczesnym rozwoju niektórych genotypów soczewicy

Twenty-five lentil ( Lens culinaris Medik.) genotypes were studied to evaluate the effects of the SiO