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NANOFERTILIZERS have great promise as a tool for environmentally friendly farming. Fertilizers of this type may have a high nutrient use efficiency and a slow-release nutrient profile, meaning they provide plants with the nutrients they need for an extended period of time, unlike mineral fertilizers. A pot study was conducted under plastic house condition at a private nursery in Mansoura City, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt during two successive seasons of 2021 and 2022. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of foliar application of nano-NPK and nanochitosan at varying doses on the physiochemical characteristics and growth of Phildedron plant. Using the treatments of mineral NPK (3 g L -1 ) as a control and nano-NPK at (1, 2 and 3 mg L-1 ) as well as 2 mg L-1 nano-NPK combined with (1, 2, and 3 mg L-1 ) nano-chitosan for each seedling. The obtained results showed that all nano fertilizer treatments increased all studied parameters especially with the treatmemt of 3 mg L-1 nano-NPK for vegetative growth parameters (plant height, fresh and dry weights of aerial parts/plant and leaf area) by 39.23, 70.84, 51.50 and 15.80%, respectively over the control and highest mean value for root growth (root length, root fresh and dry weights) and superiority chemical constituents (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids, membrane stability index as well as mineral N, P and K (%), peroxidase and catalase activities) compared to the control treatment. The highest significant values of these traits and chemical constituents were observed for the treatments of either NPK nanofertilizer at 3 mg L-1 or nano-NPK at 2 mg L-1 plus nano chitosan at 3 mg L-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ECO-FRIENDLY, cost-effective, and long-term solutions for agricultural systems should be explored, such as nano fertilizers, which can be employed as controlled-release or slow-release fertilizers. Therefore, pot experiments were conducted to investigate foliar application of nano-NPK and nano-micronutrients at different concentration on growth, flowering and chemical constituents of Tecoma stans plants compared to the traditional mineral fertilization (NPK) at a private nursery in Mansoura city, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt over the course of two consecutive 2021 and 2022 seasons. The examined treatments included; 3 g L-1 of mineral NPK fertilizer as control, nano-NPK at 1, 2 and 3 ml L-1 and nano-NPK at 2 ml L-1 + nano-micronutrients at 0.5, 1, 1.5 ml L-1 for each. Results demonstrated that all treatments with nanofertilizers enhanced vegetative growth (plant height, branches number/plant, aerial fresh and dry weights/plant, leaves number and leaf area), root growth (length, fresh and dry weight), membrane stability index, relative water content, and flowering parameters (inflorescence number, and floret number/inflorescence). Additionally, chemical components such as total carotenoids in flowers; leaves chlorophyll a and b, total carotenoids, mineral N, P, and K, and peroxidase and catalase activity in leaves were all enhanced by all nano treatments. Treatment with 2 ml L-1 of nano NPK + 1.5 ml L-1 of nano-micronutrients produced the most statistically significant results for these characteristics. The same treatment exhibited the highest reduction in the period from planting date until emergence the first inflorescence. It could be concluded that applying mixture of nano-NPK fertilizer (2 ml L-1 ) and nano-micronutrient (1.5 ml L-1 ) at intervals of 15 days during the growth season achieved the most favorable results in terms of morphological, biochemical, and physiological parameters. Further stdies are needed on different crops under different plant stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using either brackish or saline water is one of the most critical and serious problem in cultivation of ornamental shrubs in Mediterranean areas. So, an investigation was performed during 2021 and 2022 seasons to reveal the tolerance of Brazilian cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.) transplants to salinity of irrigation water. The applied doses of natural Siwa halite for water salinization were 0.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 10.0 g L-1 under the Egyptian climatic conditions. The results indicated that mean values of survival rate were gradually decreased by increasing the salinity level to be 58.33 and 70.0 % in the seasons, respectively after applying 10.0 g L-1. Similarly, were the mean values of vegetative and root growth parameters, which linearly decreased with increasing applied salinity dose up to 10.0 g L-1, with exception for 2.0 and 4.0 g L-1 ones which significantly improved values of most growth traits in most cases of both seasons. Also, salinized water at 6.0 g L-1 recorded better results compared to the control in some characters either in the first or in the second season. The same trend was observed for the results of leaf chemical composition, with the exception of K, Na, Cl and proline contents, which recorded a progressive increase with the gradual increase in applied salinity level ranged from 2 to 3 folds comparing with the control. The salt resistance index percentages were also improved by both 2.0 and 4.0 g L-1 saline water treatments, but significantly declined afterwards to reach 81.5 and 73.7 % by 10.0 g L-1, showing the high ability of such plant to cope with high salt stress. Accordingly, under conditions of fresh water rarity, it could be recommended irrigation of Brazilian cherry transplants using saline water up to 6.0 g L-1 dose to keep quality and decorative value of such plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pot experiment was conducted at the Ornamental Department of the Horticulture Research Station in Sakha, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt during two seasons, 2021 and 2022. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of foliar application with nano-NPK and nano-chitosan using different doses under soil salinity stress on the growth and physiochemical attributes of Kigelia africana L. transplants. The treatments were mineral NPK using 5 g L-1 as a control, nano-NPK at three doses including 1, 2, and 3 ml L-1, as well as nano-NPK at only one dose of 2 ml L-1 + nano-chitosan at three doses (i.e., 1, 2 and 3 ml L-1) for each. The obtained results showed that the applied nano-NPK at 2 ml L-1 + nano-chitosan at 2 ml L-1 significantly increased plant height (cm), stem diameter (cm), fresh and dry weight of vegetative parts per transplant (g), membrane stability index, as well as root length (cm), number of roots and root fresh and dry weights plant with the superiority of nano-NPK at 2 ml L-1 + nano-chitosan at 2 ml L-1 over control in both seasons. Most treatments recorded significantly higher values in chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids, catalase, and peroxidase activity in the leaves than control, with the superiority of nano-NPK at 2 ml L-1 + nano-chitosan at 2 ml L-1 transplants compared to the control. The nutrient contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the leaves were significantly increased over the control for all treatments, especially in the treatment of nano-NPK + nano-chitosan at 2 ml L-1 under soil salinity stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity is considered a serious and limiting factor reducing the crop productivity in particular under arid, and semi-arid conditions. Pot experiments were conducted at the Ornamental Department of the Horticulture Research Station in Sakha, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt during the season of 2021 and 2022. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of foliar application with nano-NPK and nano-sulfur using different doses on the growth and chemical compounds of Khaya senegalensis L. under salinity stress. The studied treatments were mineral NPK fertilizer at 5 g L-1 (as a control), applied nano-NPK at 1, 2 and 3 ml L-1, besides three combinations of nano NPK (2 ml L-1) and applied nano-sulfur at 1, 2 and 3 ml L-1, separately. The obtained results showed that the treatment of nano-NPK 2 ml L-1 + nano-sulfur 2 and/or 3 ml L-1 significantly increased plant height (cm), stem diameter (cm), fresh and dry weights of vegetative parts per seedling (g), membrane stability index, as well as root length (cm), number of roots and root fresh and dry weights per plant. The superiority of the nano-NPK at 2 ml L-1 + nano-sulfur at 2 ml L-1 treatment comparing with the control in both seasons. Most treatments recorded significantly higher chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids, catalase and peroxidase activity in the leaves than control. A superiority was found after applying nano-NPK 2 ml L-1 + nano-sulfur 2 ml L-1 in both seasons for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in the leaves, which was significantly increased over the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RECOGNIZING the importance of fennel as a medicinal plant under challenging soil conditions, it becomes essential to prioritize sustainable cultivation methods. Embracing bio-stimulants as a viable alternative to mineral fertilizers can play a pivotal role in ensuring the continued growth and utilization of fennel for its medicinal properties while safeguarding the environment and fostering long-term agricultural viability. The selected alternatives to NPK-fertilizers were included the foliar application of active yeast (5 g L-1 ), compost tea (2 ml L-1 ), humic acids (2 ml L-1 ), seaweed extract (0.5 g L-1 ), and ascorbic acid (0.5 g L-1 ), comparing with the negative control (tap water) and positive control as NPK (19:19:19) at 1.5 g L-1. The sequence order of the studied treatments from more effective to less effective was as follows: applied active yeast recorded increase in many studied parameters such as number of branches per plants, dry weight, seed yield per fed, crude protein and total carbohydrates in seeds by 88 and 156%; 137 and 133%; 115 and 129%; 111 and 46%; 16.2 and 11.3% in both seasons, respectively comparing with the negative control and other applied treatments. The main components in fennel oil were α-pinene, followed by sabinene, then β-pinene under such saline conditions. The results of this study can support the farmers to reduce the applied NPK-mineral fertilizers with supplying the cultivated fennel under such saline soil conditions. Further studies are needed and more evaluations are required to know the best biostimulants can be applied under such salinity stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turfgrasses are considered an important part of the landscape and ecological system of golf courses, sports fields, parks, and home lawns. Turfgrass species are affected by many abiotic stresses (e.g., drought, salinity, cold, heat, waterlogging, and heavy metals) and biotic stresses (mainly diseases and pests). In the current study, seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Sw.) and Tifway bermudagrass (Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt Davy × C. Dactylon) were selected because they are popular turfgrasses frequently used for outdoor lawns and sport fields. The effect of the combined stress from both soil salinity and cold on these warm season grasses was investigated. Some selected organic and inorganic amendments (i.e., humic acid, ferrous sulphate, and silicon) were applied as foliar sprays five times during the winter season from late October to March. This was repeated over two years in field trials involving salt-affected soils. The physiological and chemical parameters of the plants, including plant height; fresh and dry weight per plot; total chlorophyll content; and nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and potassium content, were measured. The results showed that all the studied amendments improved the growth of seashore paspalum and Tifway bermudagrass during this period compared to the control, with a greater improvement observed when using ferrous sulphate and humic acid compared to silicon. For seashore paspalum, the highest chlorophyll content in April was recorded after the application of ferrous sulphate at a level of 1000 ppm. The current research indicates that when grown on salt-affected soils, these amendments can be used in warm-season grasses to maintain turf quality during cold periods of the year. Further research is needed to examine any negative long-term effects of these amendments and to explain their mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]