Explore the vast range of titles available.

Salinity is one of the abiotic stresses that affect crop growth and productivity in arid and semi-arid regions. Unfortunately, there are few known methods to mitigate the deleterious impacts of salt stress on the development and yield of vegetable crops. Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) are endowed with the potential to curb the negative impacts of salt stress as they are characterized by biostimulant properties. The present work aimed to investigate the effects of Roholtiella sp. as a foliar extract on the growth characteristics, physiological and biochemical responses of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants under varying levels of salinity conditions. A soilless water experiment was carried out in a greenhouse where bell pepper seedlings were grown under five salt concentrations (0, 50, 200, 150, and 200 mM of NaCl). Growth characteristics, pigments content, relative water content, and antioxidant activity (CAT) were determined. Our results showed that growth parameters, relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll a & b concentrations under salinity conditions were negatively affected at the highest concentration (200 mM). Interestingly, the application of Roholtiella sp. foliar extract enhanced the plant growth characteristics as shoot length increased by 17.014%, fresh weight by 39.15%, dry and weight by 31.02%, at various salt treatments. Moreover, chlorophyll a and b increased significantly compared with seedlings sprayed with water. Similarly, RWC exhibited a significant increase (92.05%) compared with plants sprayed with water. In addition, antioxidants activities and accumulation of proline were improved in Roholtella sp. extract foliar sprayed seedlings compared to the plants foliar sprayed with water. Conclusively, at the expiration of our study, the Rohotiella sp. extract-treated plants were found to be more efficient in mitigating the deleterious effects caused by the salinity conditions which is an indication of an enhancement potential of tolerating salt-stressed plants when compared to the control group.

Nowadays, legal regulations and social environmental concerns are converging towards the promotion of more sustainable agriculture based on organic compounds and soil preservation. These trends are fuelling the growth of the biofertilizers, which are beneficial preparations containing microorganisms able to enhance a plant’s ability to uptake essential nutrients. Their production and commercialization encompass a multitude of critical steps deeply reviewed in this manuscript through an exhaustive overview of the key stages, such as microorganism selection, new environmental sources, upscaling to field trials, encapsulation, current application systems and regulatory considerations. However, although the economical expectations are promising, several methodological, environmental, and legal concerns are undermining their advancement. The redefinition of international legal frameworks, their enhancement based on trending technologies, and the fostering of multidisciplinary collaboration across sectors are key players to promote biofertilizers as eco-friendly and cost-effective alternatives to chemical fertilizers.

The application of boron in soybeans in Oxisols of the Brazilian Cerrado is frequently integrated into complex tank fertilizer mixtures with multiple components via foliar application. This study investigated the interactive effects of varying spray application rates (40, 70, 100, and 130 L ha−1) and adjuvant types (organosilicone surfactant; methylated seed oil; and a water control) on boron deposition and the resulting physiological status. The organosilicone surfactant provided superior technical stability and deposition efficiency, allowing for a reduction in application rates to volumes between 40 and 70 L ha−1 maintaining a stable foliar B status across the evaluated range. In contrast, the performance of the methylated oil was strictly dependent on physical deposition, being effective only at intermediate rates, while the use of water alone represented a high risk of technical failure at reduced volumes. Furthermore, the NDRE index proved to be more responsive and robust than NDVI for monitoring delivery efficiency in high-density canopies, as it avoided signal saturation. Finally, Multivariate Analysis helped to observe that soybean yield in the Cerrado is primarily governed by the mitigation of water and thermal stress (TVDI), with optimized boron application acting as a key facilitator of reproductive success and yield stability under these environmental constraints.

In contemporary agricultural practice, ensuring sufficient bioavailable macronutrients, particularly phosphorus, for plants in phosphorus-deficient soils remains a significant challenge. As a promising alternative, the application of phosphate-calcium-based nanofertilizers (NFs), with or without zinc, emerges as a suitable solution, offering targeted effects through foliar dispersion. However, current knowledge gaps persist regarding the development and colloidal properties of applied NFs and their impact on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), a globally significant oilseed crop known for its broad leaves and an intensive photosynthetic apparatus. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical properties and colloidal characteristics of two phosphate fertilizers: nano-hydroxylapatite (n-HA) and a mixture of nano-calcium zinc phosphate and macro-sized parascholzite (nano/macro-CaZnP), compared to a NFfree control. The work focused on their effects on selected yield parameters and physiological responses, specifically examining changes of major mineral nutrients in sunflower leaves during the 2022 growing season in Nitra, Slovakia, Central Europe. Result indicates that the treatment with nano/macro-CaZnP, produced via chemical route along with n-HA performed though biotechnological protocol, resulted in higher yield parameters in sunflowers compared to the NF-free control. Notably, the treatment with nano/macro-CaZnP exhibited higher yields, likely attributable to its favorable colloidal properties, including smaller hydrodynamic size, higher (positive) zeta potential (¿potential), or quantitatively higher content of ionically-soluble species during foliar deposition. This was statistically reflected via photochemical reflectance index (PRI), an important physiological indicator, for the particular treatment. Still, the unequal relative distribution of major macronutrients (N, P, K) of sunflower in leaves among the treatments poses a challenge to be overcome.

In five experiments, single-node cuttings of 'Red Cascade' miniature rose (Rosa) were treated with a basal quick-dip (prior to insertion into the rooting substrate) or sprayed to the drip point with a single foliar application (after insertion) of Dip 'N Grow indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) + 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), the potassium salt of indole-3-butyric acid (K-IBA), or the potassium salt of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (K-NAA); a single foliar spray application of Dip 'N Grow with and without Kinetic surfactant; or multiple foliar spray applications of Dip 'N Grow. Spray treatments were compared with their respective basal quick-dip controls (4920.4 micromolar 1000 mg.L(-1) (ppm) IBA + 2685.2 micromolar (500 mg.L(-1)) NAA, 4144.2 micromolar (1000 mg.L(-1)) K-IBA, or 4458.3 micromolar (1000 mg.L(-1)) K-NAA). Cuttings sprayed with 0 to 246.0 micromolar (50 mg.L(-1)) IBA + 134.3 micromolar (25 mg.L(-1)) NAA, 0 to 207.2 micromolar (50 mg.L(-1)) K-IBA, or 0 to 222.9 micromolar (50 mg.L(-1)) K-NAA resulted in rooting percentages, total root length, percent rooted cuttings with shoots, and shoot length similar to or less than control cuttings. Exceptions were cuttings sprayed with 0 to 2.23 micromolar (0.5 mg.L(-1)) K-NAA, which exhibited shoot length greater than the control cuttings. Addition of 1.0 mL.L(-1) (1000 ppm) Kinetic organosilicone surfactant to spray treatments resulted in greater total root length and shoot length. Repeated sprays (daily up to seven consecutive days) had no or negative effects on root and shoot development.