Search Results (49)

Sugar Belle^® mandarin is considered tolerant to Huanglongbing (HLB); however, recent reports have raised concerns about its fruit quality, noting issues such as reduced fruit size, thin peel, poor coloration, decreased firmness, and suboptimal juice quality. Two-year field experiments were conducted to improve external and internal fruit characteristics through foliar application of potassium (K) in five-year-old Sugar Belle mandarin grown in Florida sandy soil. The experiment consisted of foliar K supply (17 kg/ha) via Potassium Nitrate (PN, 4.7 kg/ha N), Dipotassium Phosphate (DKP, 12.7 kg/ha P₂O₅), PN with boron (PNB, 0.84 kg/ha B) at different application times (May, July, September), including one-time Gibberellic acid spray (GA@10 mg/L) and control treatments. PN application during July (PN_J) or two applications of PN with B during May and July (PNB_MJ) resulted in a larger fruit size (>65 mm). Results showed that PN application before fall (May or July) resulted in a significantly thicker peel (2.3 mm), 1.15 fold more than the control and GA treatment. Fruit puncture resistance force was significantly higher (33.1 N) with GA treatment (p = 0.07), followed by PNB_MJ (32.6 N). Meanwhile, K spray positively influenced juice qualities and peel color, regardless of application time or source. However, GA treatment significantly reduced juice quality and peel color. These findings highlighted the benefits of foliar K supply as PN to improve fruit qualities in HLB-affected citrus grown in sandy soil. Full article

Boron (B) is an essential and widely studied element in plants. Due to B dynamics in highly weathered soils, its concentration is generally low. Among other benefits, B interacts with calcium pectate, promotes stability on cellular membrane, and influences directly on plant nutrients uptake and non-structural metabolites synthesis. In sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) crop, adequate B supply has been associated with juice quality and yield of stalks and sugar and its response on adequate B concentration on commercial fields can differ greatly even into a group of varieties recommended for the same production environment. In this context, the authors aimed to assess the effects of B availability on sugarcane root and shoot development, nutrient status, and carbohydrate synthesis and allocation in two sugarcane varieties recommended for the same production environment using hydroponic solution. The experimental design was completely randomized and consisted of four treatments and four replicates. The treatments comprised two sugarcane varieties (RB867515 and RB92579) and two B concentrations (0.05 and 0.5 mg L⁻¹) considered deficient and adequate, respectively, for plant development. Carbohydrate partitioning, nutrient concentrations in various plant parts, and growth and morphological parameters were evaluated. Under adequate B supply, the total concentrations of reducing sugars and sucrose increased 67 and 20% in RB867515 and 30 and 20% in RB92579, respectively, whereas starch decreased by 27% for both varieties. Adequate B supply increased the concentrations of all elements in all plant organs, except for N and K in leaves, and improved most yield and morphological parameters. Principal component analysis correlated the higher carbohydrates concentration and yield parameters with the variety RB92579, whereas the highest concentration of most nutrients was mainly associated with the variety RB867515, especially under adequate B supply. The main influence of adequate B supply was on carbohydrate synthesis. Although the sugarcane varieties responded differently to B availability, their biometric parameters were enhanced by adequate B supply. These results emphasize the need for B fertilization, regardless of the sugarcane variety’s susceptibility to B deficiency. Full article

‘Liuyuezao’ pummelo is highly prone to cracking, which seriously affects its quality. The aim of this study was to illustrate the effect of foliar sprays of calcium (Ca) and boron (B) and their combined treatments on the fruit cracking and quality of ‘Liuyuezao’ pummelos during the fruit expansion period (40–55 days after flowering). Analysis of 12 mineral elements of the pericarp by ICP-MS revealed that the three treatments significantly increased the content of calcium and boron in the corresponding pericarp. These treatments effectively reduced the enzyme activities of pectin methylesterase (PME), polygalacturonase (PG), pectin lyase (PL), β-galactosidase (β-Gal), and cellulase (Cx) in the peel and down-regulated the expression of corresponding cell wall-degrading enzyme genes. Calcium, boron, and their combination treatments reduced water-soluble pectin (WSP) in the peel. Simultaneously, they inhibited the degradation of CDTA-soluble pectin (CSP) and Na₂CO₃-soluble pectin (NSP), thereby stabilizing the cell wall structure. Additionally, these treatments enhanced fruit skin break force (Bf) and elasticity (Ela), ultimately decreasing the fruit cracking rate. Diversification analysis showed that Ca and B elements significantly increased the sugar and vitamin C (Vc) content of ‘Liuyuezao’ pummelo fruits and reduced their organic acid content, thus improving fruit quality. The study provides new ideas on the use of fertilizer interactions to control fruit cracking and improve the quality of the pummelo fruit. Full article

Gelled fuels are rheologically complex, non-Newtonian fluids. They combine the benefits of both liquid and solid states, reducing risks of leakage, spilling, and sloshing during storage while maintaining the ability to be sprayed inside a combustion chamber. Additionally, suspending energetic particles, such as metal powders of aluminum and boron, can significantly enhance their energy density compared to conventional liquid fuels. In this study, several kerosene-based and ethanol-based formulations were experimentally investigated, using both organic and inorganic gelling agents. The compositions were optimized in terms of the gellant amount and manufacturing process. Some of the most promising gellants for kerosene include fatty acids, such as Thixcin^® R or THIXATROL^® ST, and metallic soaps, such as aluminum stearate and zinc stearate. The effects of various co-solvents were assessed, including ketones (methyl isoamyl ketone, methyl ethyl ketone, and acetone) and alcohols (ethanol and octadecanol). Sugar polymers like hydroxypropyl cellulose were tested as gelling agents for ethanol. A preliminary rheological analysis was conducted to characterize their behavior at rest and under shear stress. Finally, a novel approach was introduced to study the stability of the gels under vibration, which was derived from a realistic mission profile of a ramjet. Finally, the ideal gravimetric specific impulse was evaluated through ideal thermochemical computations. The results showed that promising formulations can be found in both kerosene-based and ethanol-based gels. Such compositions are of interest in practical airbreathing applications as they have demonstrated excellent stability under vibration, ideal combustion properties, and pronounced shear-thinning behavior. Full article

Recent research has focused on immunotherapy with no side effects as an innovative medical treatment for cancer. However, typical drugs for immunotherapy are very expensive. Here, we propose the use of immunoceramics that activate immune cells by contact with their surface. Previous studies demonstrated that polymers, including the phenylboronic acid group, could activate lymphocytes. This activation may be due to the interaction between the sugar chains in cells and the OH group in B(OH)₃ formed via the dissociation of the BO₂ group. We have clarified that boron-containing apatite (BAp) activated lymphocytes in vitro. In this study, we fabricated the ceramic surfaces using the CaO-P₂O₅-SiO₂-B₂O₃ system (CPSB ceramics) containing BAp as a main crystalline phase. The results of the in vitro evaluation indicated that killer T cells in splenocytes cocultured with the CPSB ceramics were more numerous than in splenocytes cocultured on a control surface. The results of the in vivo evaluation indicated that the CPSB ceramics significantly inhibited tumor growth when CD8-positive T cells were cultured on individual ceramics and subsequently injected into tumor-bearing mice. The present CPSB ceramics are expected to be a valuable biomaterial for immunotherapy. Full article

This study aimed to improve the conventional procedure of alginate isolation from the brown seaweed (Laminaria digitata L.) biomass and investigate the possibility of further valorization of the ethanolic fraction representing the byproduct after the degreasing and depigmentation of biomass. The acid treatment of biomass supported by ultrasound was modeled and optimized regarding the alginate yield using a response surface methodology based on the Box–Behnken design. A treatment time of 30 min, a liquid-to-solid ratio of 30 mL/g, and a treatment temperature of 47 °C were proposed as optimal conditions under which the alginate yield related to the mass of dry biomass was 30.9%. The use of ultrasonic radiation significantly reduced the time required for the acid treatment of biomass by about 4 to 24 times compared to other available conventional procedures. The isolated alginate had an M/G ratio of 1.08, which indicates a greater presence of M-blocks in its structure and the possibility of forming a soft and elastic hydrogel with its use. The chemical composition of the ethanolic fraction including total antioxidant content (293 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight), total flavonoid content (14.9 mg rutin equivalent/g dry weight), contents of macroelements (the highest content of sodium, 106.59 mg/g dry weight), and microelement content (the highest content of boron, 198.84 mg/g dry weight) was determined, and the identification of bioactive compounds was carried out. The results of ultra high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of 48 compounds, of which 41 compounds were identified as sugar alcohol, phenolic compounds, and lipids. According to the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, the radical scavenging activity of the ethanolic fraction (the half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 42.84 ± 0.81 μg/mL) indicated its strong activity, which was almost the same as in the case of the positive control, synthetic antioxidant butylhydroxytoluene (the half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 36.61 ± 0.79 μg/mL). Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Bacillus cereus) were more sensitive to the ethanolic fraction compared to Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Shigella sonnei). The obtained results indicated the possibility of the further use of the ethanolic fraction as a fertilizer for plant growth in different species and antifouling agents, applicable in aquaculture. Full article

Unraveling the intricate physiological and biochemical intricacies associated with female dominance in grape berries across diverse developmental stages is imperative for optimizing grape production and ensuring the attainment of high-quality yields. This study conducted a thorough analysis of grape berries across phenological stages (BBCH-79, BBCH-81, BBCH-89) and cultivars. At BBCH-89, Bozcaada Çavuşu*Vasilâki demonstrated the highest berry weight and total soluble solids (TSS) levels, emphasizing its enological potential. Acidity peaked at BBCH-79 (28.16) and declined at BBCH-89 (6.11), signaling a shift towards lower acidity in later stages. Bozcaada Çavuşu*Vasilâki consistently showed the highest maturity index (MI). Mineral content variations were observed across nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), boron (B), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), with Bozcaada Çavuşu*Vasilâki often having the highest concentrations, particularly in potassium, calcium, and boron. Hormonal analysis revealed a significant surge in concentrations at BBCH-89, with Bozcaada Çavuşu*Vasilâki standing out. Notably, Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) concentrations increased by 106%, and abscisic acid (ABA) levels peaked at BBCH-79 with a 38% increase in Bozcaada Çavuşu*Kuntra. Sugar content analysis showed variations in fructose, glucose, sucrose, rhamnose, xylose, galactose, and arabinose levels across sampling times and cultivars. Bozcaada Çavuşu*Vasilâki consistently exhibited higher sugar levels, especially at BBCH-81 and BBCH-89. Vitamin concentrations varied temporally and among cultivars, with BBCH-89 displaying the highest vitamin A concentration (6.24 mg/100 g FW), and Bozcaada Çavuşu*Vasilâki often exhibiting maximum values for vitamin B1, B2, B6, and C. Further research and targeted cultivation practices focusing on the unique attributes of Bozcaada Çavuşu*Vasilâki could enhance grape production efficiency, emphasizing its potential contribution to achieving consistently high-quality yields across various phenological stages. Full article

Jujubes (Ziziphus jujuba) are a crucial industry in the arid region of Xinjiang, facing challenges such as water scarcity and low water use efficiency. This study focuses on jujube orchards located at the edge of the Taklimakan Desert to investigate whether applying trace elements can effectively enhance jujube growth, development, and fruit quality. By foliar spraying boron and zinc micro-fertilizers onto jujube leaves, we analyzed the effects of different doses on growth parameters, photosynthetic activity, crop yield, water use efficiency, and fruit quality. The results revealed that the length of the fruit branch, leaf area index, and fruit longitudinal/transverse diameter increased by 19.35%, 25.72%, and 32.9%/2.28%, respectively; net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance increased by 105.51%, 91.43%, and 75.3%, respectively, while intercellular CO₂ concentration decreased by 13.09%; yield and water use efficiency improved by 16.95% and 12.68%, respectively; soluble sugar content, titratable acid content, and flavonoid content increased by 13.56%, 51.63%, and 86.12%, respectively. Based on these findings, the optimal application rate for boron micro-fertilizer was determined to be 3.51~3.59 kg/hm², and for zinc micro-fertilizer, it was 3.16~3.32 kg/hm². This study provides practical methods along with theoretical support for applying micro-fertilizers in arid regions. Full article

This research study underscores the importance of effectively managing soil nutrients in a site-specific manner to enhance crop productivity while considering the spatial variability of the soil. The objective is to identify subfields with similar soil characteristics, referred to as management zones (MZs), to promote sustainable land utilization. This study was conducted in two central pivot fields located in Southern Idaho, USA, where barley and sugar beets were grown. Soil samples were collected from each field in a grid pattern and analyzed for various chemical properties. These properties included soil pH, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, excess lime, electrical conductivity, total inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, and boron. Descriptive statistics and normality assessments were performed, and the coefficient of variation was calculated to assess the heterogeneity of soil properties, revealing significant variability. To determine the spatial variability of soil properties, ordinary kriging was used revealing diverse spatial patterns for each location and soil variable examined with moderate to strong spatial dependence. To develop the MZs, a combination of principal component analysis and fuzzy k-means clustering was utilized, and specific parameters that represented the overall variability of soil properties in each field were identified. Based on the identified parameters, two clusters were created in each field. The first management zone (MZ1) exhibited lower values of soil pH, excess lime content, and electrical conductivity compared to the MZ2. Consequently, higher crop productivity was observed in MZ1 in both fields. The biomass yields of barley and sugar beets in MZ1 surpassed those in MZ2. This study highlights the effectiveness of the methodology employed to delineate MZs, which can be instrumental in precise soil nutrient management and maximizing crop productivity. Full article

This study evaluates mineral concentrations, biocomponents contents and fruit quality attributes in ‘Rojo Brillante’ persimmon grown under organic and conventional managements. During two seasons, the concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and boron (B) were determined in leaves and fruits. Weight, color, firmness, and total soluble solids (TSS) were also evaluated in fruits. Moreover, in the second season, organic acids (citric, succinic, and fumaric acids), main sugars (sucrose, glucose, and fructose), carotenoids (β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin), phenolic compounds (gallic and ρ-coumaric), and ascorbic acid concentrations were determined in fruit flesh. The crop yield in the conventional plots was bigger than that for organic crops. Nevertheless, the highest agronomic efficiency was found in organic management. In general, the greater nutrient supply in the conventional compared to in the organic system did not result in higher concentrations of macro- and microelements in leaves and fruits. The organic fruit had higher color values and lower firmness values than the conventional fruit. The concentrations of malic acid, β-cryptoxanthin, and ascorbic acid were higher in the organic compared to in the conventional fruit, while no crop system effect was found in the other evaluated biocompounds. Full article

The imbalanced use of fertilizers and irrigation water, particularly supplied from groundwater, has adversely affected crop yield and harvest quality in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). In this experiment, we evaluated the impact of potassium (K) and micronutrients [viz. Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), and Boron (B)] application and irrigation water from two sources, viz. canal, and tube well water on sugarcane growth, yield, and cane quality under field trails. Water samples from Mardan (canal water) and Rahim Yar Khan (tube well water) were analyzed for chemical and nutritional attributes. The results revealed that tube well water’s electrical conductivity (EC) was three-fold that of canal water. Based on the EC and total dissolved salts (TDS), 83.33% of the samples were suitable for irrigation, while the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) indicated only a 4.76% fit and a 35.71% marginal fit compared with canal water. Furthermore, the application of K along with B, Fe, and Zn had led to a significant increase in cane height (12.8%, 9.8%, and 10.6%), cane girth (15.8%, 15.6%, and 11.6%), cane yield (13.7%, 12.3%, and 11.5%), brix contents (14%, 12.2%, and 13%), polarity (15.4%, 1.4%, and 14%), and sugar recovery (7.3%, 5.9%, and 6%) in the tube well irrigation system. For the canal water system, B, Fe, and Zn increased cane height by 15.3%, 13.42%, and 11.6%, cane girth by 13.9%, 9.9%, and 6.5%, cane yield by 42.9%, 43.5%, and 42%, brix content by 10.9%, 7.7%, and 8%, polarity by 33.4%, 28%, and 30%, and sugar recovery by 4.0%, 3.9%, and 2.0%, respectively, compared with sole NPK application. In conclusion, the utilization of tube well water in combination with canal water has shown better results in terms of yield and quality compared with the sole application of canal water. In addition, the combined application of K and B significantly improved sugarcane yields compared with Zn and Fe, even with marginally suitable irrigation water. Full article

Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) constitutes an initial defense approach in plants during pathogen infection. Here, the effects of the two micronutrients, namely, zinc (Zn) and boron (B), on enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant properties, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in leaves and roots challenged with Athelia rolfsii, which cause root rot disease, were investigated. The findings revealed that Zn and B application to the potting soil alleviated the adverse effect of A. rolfsii on sugar beet plants and increased the chlorophyll content in leaves. The increased enzymatic antioxidant activities such as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and non-enzymatic antioxidants such as ascorbic acid (AsA) were observed in Zn applied plants compared to both uninoculated and inoculated control plants. A significant rise in CAT activity was noted in both leaves (335.1%) and roots (264.82%) due to the Zn₂B_1.5 + Ar treatment, in comparison to the inoculated control plants. On the other hand, B did not enhance the activity of any one of them except AsA. Meanwhile, A. rolfsii infection led to the increased accumulation of MDA content both in the leaves and roots of sugar beet plants. Interestingly, reduced MDA content was recorded in leaves and roots treated with both Zn and B. The results of this study demonstrate that both Zn and B played a vital role in A. rofsii tolerance in sugar beet, while Zn enhances antioxidant enzyme activities, B appeared to have a less pronounced effect on modulating the antioxidant system to alleviate the adverse effect of A. rolfsii. Full article

The experiment was conducted at the Taidong Base of Shandong Institute of Pomology, Tai’an City, Shandong Province, China, from May to October 2022. Using Fuji Apple Tianhong.2/SH/Malus robusta (M. robusta) as experimental materials, the differences and mechanisms of the effects of non-bagging and bagging cultivation on the growth and changes in some substance content of Fuji apple fruits were studied. The results showed that compared with bagging, non-bagging cultivation increased single fruit weight and decreased fruit shape index, increased fruit sugar content, reduced acid content, and increased taste. It increased the content of vitamin C (VC) and protein in the fruit, increased the types and content of aromatic components in the fruit, significantly increased the activity of sugar- and acid-related enzymes, and improved the antioxidant capacity of the fruit. Compared to bagging cultivation, non-bagging cultivation improved the weight, taste (sugar acid ratio), and aroma of Fuji fruit, which is related to increasing the content of auxin (IAA), cytokinin (ZR), and salicylic acid (SA) and reducing the content of abscisic acid (ABA) in the fruit, as well as increasing the content of medium and trace elements calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), manganese (Mg), and boron (B). One of the mechanisms involved is the significant increase in gene expression related to phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, pentose and glucuronate interconversion, starch and sucrose metabolism, zeatin biosynthesis, microtubules, motor proteins microtubule movement, xyloglucan metabolic process, cell division, and peroxidase activity. In short, non-bagging cultivation is more conducive to improving the intrinsic quality and flavor development of Fuji apples, and one of the mechanisms is that non-bagging cultivation is beneficial for increasing the expression of related genes. Full article

A simple and cost-effective method for the fabrication of a safe, dual-responsive, highly stretchable, self-healing and injectable hydrogel is reported based on a combination of dynamic boronate ester bonds and hydrogen bonding interactions. The mechanical properties of the hydrogel are tunable by adjusting the molar ratios between sugar moieties on the polymer and borax. It was remarkable to note that the 2:1 ratio of sugar and borate ion significantly improves the mechanical strength of the hydrogel. The injectability, self-healing and stretchability properties of the hydrogel were also examined. In addition, the impact of the variation of the pH and the addition of free sugar responsiveness of the hydrogel was studied. High MRC-5 cell viability was noticed by the 3D live/dead assay after 24 h cell culture within the hydrogel scaffold. Hence, the developed hydrogels have desirable features that warrant their applications for drug delivery, scaffolds for cell and tissue engineering. Full article

Oilseed crops require several micronutrients to support their physiological functions and reproductive phases. A deficiency of these nutrients can significantly reduce the yield and oil quality of oilseed crops. Soil application of micronutrients can reduce their deficiency and improve plant growth, yield, and oil quality. Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is an important oilseed crop that produces oil with low levels of saturated fat and high levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, which renders it a widely used cooking oil. However, the yield and oil quality of oilseed rape are significantly affected by the deficiency of boron (B) and zinc (Zn). This two-year field study determined the influence of sole and combined soil application of B and Zn on the physiological attributes of plants, seed and oil yields, and oil quality under semiarid climatic conditions. Nine different B and Z combinations, i.e., B0 + Zn0 (control), B0 + Zn8, B0 + Zn10, B1 + Zn0, B1 + Zn8, B1 + Zn10, B2 + Zn0, B2 + Zn8, and B2 + Zn10 (kg ha⁻¹), were included in the study. Sole and combined application of B and Zn significantly altered physiological attributes, seed and oil yields, and oil quality. The highest values for plant height, number of siliques per plant, number of seeds per silique, 1000-seed weight, seed and oil yields, oil quality (higher stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and lower erucic acid), and physiological traits (protein concentration, soluble sugar concentration, chlorophyll concentration, photosynthesis and transpiration rates, and stomatal conductance) were recorded with the combined application of 2 + 8 kg ha⁻¹ B and Zn, respectively, during both years of this study. The lowest values of yield- and oil-quality-related traits and physiological attributes were recorded for the control treatment. A dose-dependent improvement was recorded in B and Zn contents in leaves, and the highest values were recorded with the combined soil application of 2 + 10 kg ha⁻¹ B + Zn, respectively. It can be concluded that 2 + 8 kg ha⁻¹ B + Zn should be applied to oilseed rape for higher seed and oil yields and better oil quality under semiarid climatic conditions. Full article