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Malnutrition is becoming more endemic especially in war-ton and highly deprived area of Africa. The amaranth, pumpkin and sunflower flour seed were cleaned, sorted, milled and defatted to obtain defatted flour samples. The amaranth, pumpkin and sunflower seeds were cleaned, sorted, milled and defatted using n-hexane. Optimization of the production of composite flour from defatted amaranth, sorghum, defatted pumpkin and defatted sunflower flour using D-optimal mixture design of Design Expert software with the levels for amaranth (40-60 %), sorghum (10-30 %), pumpkin (20-40 %), and sunflower flour (3-10 %), respectively was carried out. Using D-optimal design, Fourteen (14) runs were generated and the blends were analyzed for mineral composition (sodium, potassium, iron, calcium, and phosphorus) and anti-nutritional factors (phytate, tannin, oxalate, saponin and trypsin), respectively. The response variables were modeled using a linear regression equation. The mineral composition ranged from 5.50-9.82, 335.01-340.84, 10.80-12.15, 73.56-89.16, and 276.82-284.90 mg/100g for sodium, potassium, iron, calcium, and phosphorus. Phytate and tannin content ranged from 0.1-0.22 and 2.70-2.90 mg/100g, respectively. The linear model terms for both mineral and antinutritional factors were significant (p ≥ 0.05). In conclusion, composite flour from amaranth, sorghum, pumpkin and sunflower flour have substantial mineral profile and controlled antinutritional factors and therefore can be used in the development of nutrient-densed food product such as snack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunflower crop was grown during rabi 2021 and summer 2022 at the M S Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Gajapati, Odisha. Investigation has been made on diversity of different pollinating agents associated with sunflower by observing their abundance, diversity, percentage contribution following the statistical diversity indices. The present study revealed eighteen different pollinators associated with sunflower. The Indian honey bee, Apis cerana indica (F) was recorded as the most dominant hymenopteran pollinator followed by the rock bee Apis dorsata (F) from family Apidae. The foraging activity of A. c. indica was observed to be maximum during mid flowering stage (1.72± 1.23 and 2.78± 1.81 bees/ capitulum/ min in 1st and 2nd season, respectively) with highest activity during 01:00-02:00 PM (3.02 bees/ capitulum/min.) and 10:00 to 11:00 AM (4.42 bees/ capitulum/ min) during first and second seasons respectively. The Apidae family members' i.e. A. c. indica and A. dorsata have attained eudominant and other pollinators were belonging mostly to the recedent and subrecedent classes based on dominance status. The diversity indices showed mid flowering stage attracted the most diversified group of pollinators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the problems associated with the poor harvesting ability of existing sunflower harvester cutting tables, and high seed drop rates, we designed a sunflower cutting table that can greatly improve the operational performance of sunflower combine harvesters. In this paper, we introduce the structure and principle of the whole machine and select the key parameters of the cutting table with the goal of adapting to a variety of planting modes in Xinjiang, China. Since the harvesting of sunflower in the wrong row easily causes the sunflower stalks to break, ADAMS (Version: 2020) simulation experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of the forward speed of the machine, the height of the sunflower insertion disk, and the angle of inclination of the harvest divider on the offset angle of the sunflower. With the goal of reducing the offset angle of the stalks in the forward direction of the harvest divider and reducing the size of the cutting table, the harvest divider inclination angle was chosen to be 45°; by using Design-Expert V13.0.15 software, a three-factor, three-level field test was carried out to determine the optimal parameter combinations that resulted in the minimum seed loss rate and the maximum success rate of the disk picking. Moreover, a validation test was conducted. The results show that when the forward speed is set to 0.62 m/s, the lifting speed of the pick-up disk device is set to 0.42 m/s, and the height of the inserted disk is set to 1000 mm, the relative errors between the theoretical values of the disk-picking success rate of the cutting table and the seed loss rate and the field test values are 6.5% and 1.3%, respectively. The results of the present study can provide a reference for improving the performance of sunflower harvester cutting tables and for the mechanical harvesting of inserted disk sunflowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conspecific populations living in adjacent but contrasting microenvironments represent excellent systems for studying natural selection. These systems are valuable because gene flow is expected to force genetic homogeneity except at loci experiencing divergent selection. A history of reciprocal transplant and common garden studies in such systems, and a growing number of genomic studies, have contributed to understanding how selection operates in natural populations. While selection can vary across different fitness components and life stages, few studies have investigated how this ultimately affects allele frequencies and the maintenance of divergence between populations. Here, we study two sunflower ecotypes in distinct, adjacent habitats by combining demographic models with genome‐wide sequence data to estimate fitness and allele frequency change at multiple life stages. This framework allows us to estimate that only local ecotypes are likely to experience positive population growth (λ > 1) and that the maintenance of divergent adaptation appears to be mediated via habitat‐ and life stage‐specific selection. We identify genetic variation, significantly driven by loci in chromosomal inversions, associated with different life history strategies in neighbouring ecotypes that optimize different fitness components and may contribute to the maintenance of distinct ecotypes. see also the Perspective by Maddie E. James and Daniel Ortiz‐Barrientos [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of the livestock industry, finding new sources of feed has become a critical issue that needs to be addressed urgently. China is one of the top five sunflower producers in the world and generates a massive amount of sunflower stalks annually, yet this resource has not been effectively utilized. Therefore, in order to tap into the potential of sunflower stalks for animal feed, it is essential to explore and develop efficient methods for their utilization. In this study, various proportions of alfalfa and sunflower straw were co-ensiled with the following mixing ratios: 0:10, 2:8, 4:6, 5:5, 6:4, and 8:2, denoted as A0S10, A2S8, A4S6, A5S5, A6S4, and A8S2, respectively. The nutrient composition, fermentation quality, microbial quantity, microbial diversity, and broad-spectrum metabolomics on the 60th day were assessed. The results showed that the treatment groups with more sunflower straw added (A2S8, A4S6) could start fermentation earlier. On the first day of fermentation, Weissella spp.dominated overwhelmingly in these two groups. At the same time, in the early stage of fermentation, the pH in these two groups dropped rapidly, which could effectively reduce the loss of nutrients in the early stage of fermentation. In the later fermentation period, a declining trend in acetic acid levels was observed in A0S10, A2S8, and A4S6, while no butyric acid production was detected in A0S10 and A2S8 throughout the process. In A4S6, butyric acid production was observed only after 30 days of fermentation. From the perspective of metabolites, compared with sunflower ensiling alone, many bioactive substances such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenes are upregulated in mixed ensiling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of plant wastes and the development of soil quality characteristics have a key role in ensuring the harmony of the agriculture cycle with the environment. By adding the straw of plants directly to the soil as a source of organic matter, time poor soil quality characteristics can be improved. In the study, which was planned as a pot experiment, the effects of increasing the addition of sunflowers straw and maize straw by the increased proportions to clay soil. For this purpose, sunflower and maize harvest residue was added to the soil in 0% control (C), 0.5% (SS0.5 and MS0.5), 1% (SS1 and MS1), 2% (SS2 and MS2), and 4% (SS4 and MS4). Compared to the C, the water stable aggregate value increased by approximately 2.2 and 2.5 times in SS4 and MS4 implementations, mean weight diameter values increased approximately 2.7 and 3.3 times, respectively. In SS4 and MS4 implementations, the available water capacity increased by 80% and 102% compared to the control, respectively, and the modulus of rupture values were decreased by approximately 4.1–4.7 times. The 0.5% and 1% doses of straw implementations did not have great effects on the mechanical properties of the soils. According to the results of this study, 4% straw implementations it has been proven that the addition of SS and MS to the soil that by breaking them into small particles have great importance in rapidly increasing the physical quality of the soils and it can be used as an effective agricultural method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behavior of oil sunflower seeds penetrating screen holes is an important factor that affects the screening performance of oil sunflower seeds. In this study, a double-deck reverse-motion vibrating screening device for oil sunflower seed screening was designed. The force condition and motion law of the oil sunflower seeds on the screen surface were analyzed. This study compared the effect of particle filling amount of discrete element model of oil sunflower seeds on the simulation effects. The screening process was numerically simulated using the coupled Discrete Element Method and Multibody Dynamics (DEM-MBD) technique with the screening percentage of oil sunflower seeds as the index. The influence of the operating parameters of the vibrating screen on the screening effect was analyzed using a multiparameter collaborative optimization scheme. The results of this study can provide a reference for the numerical simulation of crop screening behavior and the development of screening devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug resistance represents one of the great plagues of our time worldwide. This largely limits the treatment of common infections and requires the development of new antibiotics or other alternative approaches. Noteworthy, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics is mostly responsible for the selection of mutations that confer drug resistance to microbes. In this regard, recently, ozone has been raising interest for its unique biological properties when dissolved in natural oils. Ozonated oils have been reported to act in a non-specific way on microorganisms hindering the acquisition of advantageous mutations that result in resistance. Here, we focused on the antimicrobial effect of two commercial olive (OOO) and sunflower seeds (OSO) oils. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and thermal analysis showed the change in the chemical composition of the oils after ozonation treatment. Different ozonated oil concentrations were then used to evaluate their antimicrobial profile against Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli by agar diffusion and broth dilution methods. Cytotoxicity was also evaluated in keratinocytes and epithelial cells. Overall, our results revealed that both OOO and OSO showed a potent microbicidal effect, especially against C. albicans (IC50 = OOO: 0.3 mg/mL and OSO: 0.2 mg/mL) and E. faecalis (IC50 = OOO: 0.4 mg/mL and OSO: 2.8 mg/mL) albeit exerting a certain effect also against S. aureus and E. coli. Moreover, both OOO and OSO do not yield any relevant cytotoxic effect at the active concentrations in both cell lines. This indicates that the ozonated oils studied are not toxic for mammalian cells despite exerting a potent antimicrobial effect on specific microorganisms. Therefore, OOO and OSO may be considered to integrate standard therapies in the treatment of common infections, likely overcoming drug resistance issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applicant Arysta Life Science Great Britain Limited submitted a request to the competent national authority in Croatia to evaluate the confirmatory data that were identified for quizalofop‐P‐tefuryl in the framework of the maximum residue level (MRL) review under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as not available. Since Article 12 data gaps were also set for the two other quizalofop‐P variants sharing the same residue definitions for risk assessment and monitoring, EFSA included in the present assessment all quizalofop‐P variants: quizalofop‐P‐ethyl, quizalofop‐P‐tefuryl and propaquizafop. Moreover, in the application submitted to Croatia, the applicant also included a request to modify the existing MRLs for quizalofop‐P‐tefuryl in grapes, sunflower seeds and soyabeans in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. To address the data gaps, new data on hydrolysis efficiency of quizalofop‐P‐tefuryl, quizalofop acid, quizalofop‐pentanoic acid and quizalofop‐P‐glycerate in different matrices of animal origin in accordance with the guidance document SANTE/2020/12830 Rev.1 were submitted, along with a validated analytical method for animal commodities. EFSA concluded that the data gap on validation of the efficiency of the extraction and hydrolysis included in the enforcement method of residues in livestock animal commodities was only fully addressed for muscle, poultry liver and eggs. Regarding plant commodities, the remaining data gaps were not addressed. EFSA also considered data gaps for quizalofop‐p‐ethyl in caraway as sufficiently addressed in the context of a previous MRL application. In general, the new information provided required a revision of the existing MRLs for several commodities of plant and animal origin. Further risk management considerations are required. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the short‐term and long‐term intake of residues resulting from the use of quizalofop‐P‐tefuryl according to the reported agricultural practices is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winter feeding of birds is one of the most widespread forms of human influence on animals in the world. Urban areas, however, contain many other food sources apart from the contents of feeders, including contaminated food and seeds of invasive plants. This research aimed to investigate whether birds exploring urban food select it, giving up potentially toxic or unknown seeds, or whether they use every available food. In the winter of the year 2022, an experiment was carried out with 18 feeders in two city parks in Kraków, Poland, which was based on feeding birds using sunflower seeds with various admixtures of the invasive Caucasian hogweeds Heracleum sp. seeds. Despite the detection of pecking marks on the hogweed seeds, only a small part of them disappeared from the feeders compared to the intensive feeding of birds on sunflower seeds. This result shows that not every new food source in the city can be used by birds. Urban explorers remain selective when choosing food, which keeps their behaviour close to non-urban populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing demand from farmers for sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids with high seed yield and high oil content requires the replacement of older hybrids with new hybrids that have improved traits and better adaptation to climate change. Multi-annual studies are essential for the evaluation of sunflower hybrids and the identification of those suitable with specific adaptations to various agroclimatic areas. Thus, to evaluate the adaptation of nine hybrids and test the impact of semi-arid conditions on seed yield, oil content, and some morphological traits, a 3-yr study was carried out in the conditions of Agricultural Research and Development Station (ARDS) Șimnic (Romania). The ANOVA results indicated the significant influence of the hybrid (H), year (Y) and the H×Y interaction on all the studied traits. Overall, the year 2020 was better for seed yield (2658.8 kg ha-1) and hectolitre weight (47.9 kg hL-1). On the other hand, 2021 was more efficient for oil content (46.8%), while 2022 was more efficient for plant height, head diameter and 1000-seed weight (133.5 cm, 19.8 cm, and 48.3 g, respectively). The highest seed yield was achieved by 'FD 18E41' with 1849.3 kg ha-1, this could reliably be used in sunflower farming under semi-arid conditions of South-Western Romania. For other traits, the superior sunflower hybrids were: 'FD19E42' for oil content (46.5%); 'Fundulea 911' for hectolitre weight (43.5 kg hL-1); 'Performer' for plant height (133.4 cm) and 1000-seed weight (55.3 g); 'Fundulea 708' for head diameter (18.8 cm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiency of cyclic irrigation (CI) (using river water (RW) and drainage water (DW)) was investigated and compared with normal irrigation (NI) (using only RW). A 24 × 30 m research area was selected and divided into three plots – A (maize), B (soybean) and C (sunflower). Plot A was designed to produce DW for the irrigation of plots B and C. In plot B, a split-plot design was applied with randomised complete blocks with two treatments: irrigation type and rate of urea fertiliser application. The experimental design of plot C was similar to that of plot B except for the rate of fertiliser application. Analysis of variance (Anova) results for soybean revealed that the interaction between irrigation type and urea level had significant effects on growth yield and biological water productivity (WP) (P < 0.01) and fresh leaf weight (P < 0.05). The Anova results for sunflower showed that the interaction between irrigation type and urea level had significant effects on 100-seed weight, seed yield and seed WP (P < 0.05). The highest increase in WP for sunflower was for forage WP (0.768 kg/m3 for NI and 2.603 kg/m3 for CI). The WP of RW for total forage, total seed and total biological yields for CI compared with NI increased by 76.67%, 72.95% and 75.45%, respectively. The lowest increase in WP was for sunflower seed yield (0.276 kg/m3 for NI and 0.821 kg/m3 for CI). Overall, the data showed that, compared with NI, CI led to water savings of 45.59% and increased WP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant‐based nanoparticles (NPs) have found great interest among various scientist in the present era and used in various sector including medicine, agriculture, and food industry. The various chemical constituents of plants aid in the bioreduction of metal ions to a nanoscale. Among the various NPs synthesized, zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs hold a premier position. ZnO NPs have use in textile, cosmetic, diagnostics, optoelectronics, photocatalysis, diodes, and many other areas. NPs synthesized through green synthesis have a potentially greater role in treating clinical pathogens. Present investigations show a simple eco‐friendly method for the synthesis of ZnO NPs from the husk of sunflower seeds. Sunflower is an economically important crop, for the formation of edible oil. The husk is considered to be a waste, product in oil industry, however, the biomolecules present in sunflower husk can be used to produce ZnO NPs. Present investigations reveal formation of ZnO NPs and investigations of their structure through scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Their optical properties have been studied by ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer (UV–Vis) and fluorophotometer. ZnO NPs have also been investigated for their potential phytoremedial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Investigation of the possibility of converting a material from outside the scope of thermal insulation (building thermal insulator) to entire it. Design/methodology/approach: Epoxy resin was used for this purpose, and this was done in two ways. First, the composite thermal insulators were prepared using the weight percent method, where the following additive materials were added to the epoxy (sunflower seed husks, used utensil waste, titanium dioxide powder). The other method, the above-manufactured materials, was used to prepare the composite thermal insulators using the volume ratio method, where the base layer was always epoxy, while the other two layers were among the other materials. The suitability and applicability of the insulator were assessed through the evaluation of its thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, and hardness tests. All tests were performed under standardized conditions. Findings: Significant findings were achieved in this study where the thermal conductivity of the epoxy (0.24 to 0.08 W/m.°C) after adding sunflower seed husks based on the weight percent method. Furthermore, when mixing epoxy with utensil waste materials, the specific heat capacity was lowered to 0.31 kJ/kg.K. It is important to note that all of these outcomes are within the methods' defined insulating range. Adding titanium dioxide, and TiO2 powder was improved the surface hardness of epoxy, where the highest hardness value was obtained after adding this material compared to other additives. Research limitations/implications: Sustainability and reducing energy consumption are among the most important aspects addressed in this research. Originality/value: This research aims to study the impact of various additives, namely, Sunflower Seed husks, used utensil waste, and titanium dioxide powder for epoxy resin for obtaining a new material that serves as an efficient insulator inside buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising feed cost challenges due to expensive conventional protein sources continue to make headlines in Africa causing drops in profit margins. We assessed the impact of insect (Hermetia illucens Linnaeus larvae meal, HILM) protein as a substitute for soybean meal and sunflower seed cake on layer chicken performance and profitability. Our results showed that apart from the growers, chicks (12.37 g/bird) and layer hens (2.02 g/bird) fed diets with 75% HILM inclusion levels had significantly higher average daily weight gain. The average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) varied significantly when the chicks and layer hens were provided with the HILM-based diets. For the chicks and layer hens, the lowest ADFI and FCR were observed in birds subjected to diets with 75% and 100% HILM compared to the growers fed diets with 50% HILM. Significantly higher egg production was observed for layer hens fed diets containing 75% of HILM throughout the first (87.41%) and second (83.05%) phase production cycles. Layer hens fed HILM-based diets had a 3–10% increase in egg laying percentage. There was higher profit margins when birds were fed diets containing 75% of HILM (∼1.83 and 5.98 US$ per bird), which mirrored the return on investment estimated at 63.95% and 33.36% for the pullets (growers) and laying hen, respectively. Our findings demonstrate that diets with 75% HILM provided optimum growth performance, reduced feeding costs, increased weight gain and egg production as well as improved economic returns for commercial on-farm poultry production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the performance of the threshing process is of utmost importance in enhancing the quality of sunflower seeds and minimizing power consumption in sunflower production. In this study, we developed a modified sunflower threshing machine by incorporating two types of threshing rotors, namely the angled rasp bar rotor and the tine bar rotor, as compared to the round bar rotor. The performance of these rotors was evaluated under various rotational speeds (150, 200, 250, and 300 rpm) and concave clearances (10, 15, and 20 mm). The evaluation parameters included machine throughput, the specific energy of threshing, the percentage of damaged seeds, the percentage of unthreshed seeds, and threshing efficiency. The results indicate that the specific energy decreased with an increase in rotor speed and a decrease in concave clearance, with the tine bar rotor exhibiting the lowest values. Threshing efficiency showed an increasing trend with higher rotor speeds and reduced concave clearance. The modifications made to the rotor design resulted in an enhanced threshing efficiency, with an improvement from 96.30% to 97.93% achieved at a rotor revolving speed of 300 rpm and a concave clearance of 10 mm. Moreover, the specific energy consumption reduced from 9.65 kW·h/ton to 5.09 kW·h/ton under the same operational conditions. These findings highlight the efficacy of the novel rotor design modifications in optimizing the performance of the stationary sunflower threshing machine, leading to improved efficiency and reduced energy consumption in sunflower seed threshing operations. Given its performance characteristics, this machine exhibits potential suitability for sunflower farms of small to medium scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

中国是世界最大的食用葵花籽生产国与出口国，把握其贸易特征及出口潜力对中国葵花籽产业发展具有重要意义。在对中国葵花籽贸易现状及特点分析的基础上，基于2001—2021年中国与19个出口去向国的面板数据，通过构建扩展的引力模型对中国葵花籽出口潜力进行了实证分析。结果显示：中国葵花籽出口具有高竞争优势，出口价格劣势情况逐渐得到缓解；出口去向国国内生产总值（GDP）、经济自由指数与农产品外贸依存度的提高，双边贸易距离的增加，两国人均GDP差异的缩小促进了中国葵花籽的出口；当前东南亚一些国家贸易潜力发挥不足，中东一些国家贸易潜力超标实现。基于此认为：中国应与国际农产品质量标准接轨，强化品牌推广与营养知识科普，开拓国内外食用葵花籽高端消费市场。同时，巩固加强与中东国家的贸易伙伴关系，借助《区域全面经济伙伴关系协定》（RCEP）政策优势改善贸易环境，推动与周边国家小宗农产品的贸易往来。China is the world′s largest producer and exporter of edible sunflower seeds, and it is important to grasp its trade characteristics and export potential for the development of China′s sunflower seeds industry. Based on the analysis of current trade situation and characteristic of Chinese sunflower seeds, the export potential of Chinese sunflower seeds was empirically analyzed using an extended gravity model based on the panel data of China and 19 export destination countries from 2001 to 2021. The results showed that Chinese sunflower seeds′ export had high competitive advantages and the disadvantageous situation of export prices was gradually alleviated.The increase of GDP, economic freedom index and foreign trade dependence of agricultural products in export destination countries, the increase of bilateral trade distance and the narrowing of per capita GDP difference between two countries promoted Chinese sunflower seeds′ export. The current trade potential of some Southeast Asian countries was under-utilized and the trade potential of some Middle East countries exceeded the target realization. It is suggested that China should align with international agricultural quality standards, strengthen the promotion of branding and scientific propaganda of nutritional knowledge, and explore high-end consumer markets for edible sunflower seeds at home and abroad. Meanwhile, China should consolidate and enhance its trade partnership with Middle East countries and improve its trade environment with the help of RCEP policy advantage to promote trade in small agricultural products with neighboring countries.

The text discusses various topics related to food science and technology. It highlights workshops at the IFT First Annual Event and Expo, including sessions on climate change's impact on ingredient supply chains, rising food prices, and the influence of Generation Alpha on the food industry. The article also mentions other topics covered in the journal, such as the significance of sea cucumbers, improving the flavor of chi-flavor Baijiu, produce safety training for growers, microencapsulation of peanut skin polyphenols, applications of plant-based gels for food 3D printing, identification of odor-active compounds in pea protein, and binary wax oleogels. The research presented in these articles provides insights into various aspects of food science and offers potential opportunities for the development of novel food products. [Extracted from the article]

Biomass gasification is an attractive technology in order to utilize agricultural waste which is the mixture of oil extracted sunflower seeds (pulp), tea, and tobacco waste. In this study, natural clay-based catalysts were synthesized using the impregnation method with the different Ni loading amounts (10, 20, 30 wt%), different support materials (kaolin and bentonite). The catalysts were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis (BET). Gasification of biomass mixture was performed using air as the gasification agent using an updraft tubular gasifier. Studies were carried out at 650–850 °C and the time range of 15–30 min without a catalyst, and the studies with catalyst were carried out at a constant temperature of 650 °C. The highest hydrogen yield was obtained as 6.86 mol/kg biomass at 650 °C, 15 min with 30% Ni/Calcined Kaolin. [Display omitted] • Hydrogen-rich gas was produced by catalytic gasification from agricultural waste mixture (tea, tobacco, sunflower seed pulp). • Ni-loaded kaolin and bentonite catalysts were synthesized, characterized and tested in biomass gasification. • The highest H 2 yield was obtained as 6.86 mol H 2 /kg biomass using a 30%Ni/Calcined-Kaolin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helianthus verticillatus (Asteraceae), a whorled sunflower, is a perennial species restricted to a few locations in the southeastern United States and is now considered endangered. Therefore, restoring and protecting H. verticillatus as a species is a priority. This study introduces a highly efficient in vitro adventitious plant regeneration system from leaf explants, utilizing five diverse specimens of H. verticillatus, each representing distinct genotypes with phenotypic variations in leaf and stem morphology. Key factors influencing in vitro morphogenesis, including genetic constitution, explant source, and plant growth regulators (PGRs), were identified. The study revealed a remarkably strong genotype-dependent impact on the regeneration efficiency of the investigated H. verticillatus genotypes, ranging from a lack of regeneration to highly effective regeneration. The selection of two genotypes with varying regeneration abilities provides valuable models for genetic analyses, offering insights into factors influencing the regeneration potential of this endangered species. Optimum adventitious shoot regeneration results were achieved using Murashige and Skoog basal media (MS) supplemented with 8.8 µM N6-benzyladenine (BA) and 1.08 µM α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). This combination yielded the highest adventitious shoot production. Subsequent successful rooting on ½ MS medium without PGRs further solidified the efficiency of the developed protocol. Regenerated plantlets, demonstrating robust shoots and roots, were successfully acclimatized to greenhouse conditions with a 95% survival rate. The protocol developed in this study is the first such report for this endangered species and is expected to contribute to future genetic manipulation and modification studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tryptophan, as a signal molecule, mediates many biotic and environmental stress-induced physiological responses in plants. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of tryptophan seed treatment in response to cadmium stress (0, 0.15, and 0.25 mM) in sunflower plants. Different growth and biochemical parameters were determined to compare the efficiency of the treatment agent. The results showed that cadmium stress reduced the growth attributes, including root and shoot length, dry and fresh weight, rate of seed germination, and the number of leaves. Cadmium stress also significantly reduced the contents of chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll, carotenoid contents, phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanin, and ascorbic acid. Whereas cadmium stress (0.15 and 0.25 mM) enhanced the concentrations of malondialdehyde (45.24% and 53.06%), hydrogen peroxide (−11.07% and 5.86%), and soluble sugars (28.05% and 50.34%) compared to the control. Tryptophan treatment decreased the effect of Cd stress by minimizing lipid peroxidation. Seed treatment with tryptophan under cadmium stress improved the root (19.40%) and shoot length (38.14%), root (41.90%) and shoot fresh weight (13.58%), seed germination ability (13.79%), average leaf area (24.07%), chlorophyll b (51.35%), total chlorophyll (20.04%), carotenoids (43.37%), total phenolic (1.47%), flavonoids (19.02%), anthocyanin (26.57%), ascorbic acid (4%), and total soluble proteins (12.32%) compared with control conditions. Overall, the tryptophan seed treatment showed positive effects on sunflower plants' growth and stress tolerance, highlighting its potential as a sustainable approach to improve crop performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate assessment of crop water requirements during the crop growth period can help organize irrigation schedules and investigate the hydrological environments in irrigation districts, especially in shallow groundwater districts. In irrigation scheduling, crop coefficients, representing three development stages, play a critical role in modeling evapotranspiration. Therefore, in this study, the crop coefficient (Kc) of sunflowers under drip irrigation in different hydrological years in the Hetao irrigation district with shallow groundwater is determined. Based on the analysis of rainfall frequency, the experimental situations of 2012, 2013, and 2014 are adopted as high, normal, and low flow years. Using the water balance method, groundwater recharge and crop evapotranspiration in different hydrological years were investigated. The results showed that the groundwater recharge in a high-flow year was larger than that in normal and low-flow years with values of 67.47, 66.75, and 42.61 mm, respectively. Crop evapotranspiration is directly related to the irrigation amount at the same growth stage. The Kc of sunflowers in a high-flow year is higher by 0.1 and 0.15 than that in normal and low-flow years. The Kc of sunflowers under drip irrigation is lower than that under surface irrigation by 8.9% in the initial and late stages of sunflower growth, but higher than that by 10.6% in the mid-stage, which is due to differences in small water potential differences and less evapotranspiration in the initial and late stages under drip irrigation. The study is of great significance for formulating a reasonable schedule of drip irrigation with shallow groundwater and improving the field environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This pilot study explores the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for predicting sunflower seed protein content, focusing on both crushed and husked samples to address agricultural sustainability concerns. Sunflower seeds are renowned for their richness in both oil and protein content. The important role of sunflower seeds in the food and feed industries underscores the importance of using precise analytical tools to determine their composition. In essence, the nature of the hull of sunflower seeds, which skews the interaction between the seed and light, necessitates a sophisticated analysis. This study analyzes 326 samples using a near-infrared spectrometer to develop robust partial least squares (PLS) models. High accuracy is achieved in predicting total protein for crushed samples (r²c = 0.97, RMSEC 0.54%, RPDc 6; r²p = 0.78, RMSEP 1.24%, RPDp 2.1). Extending the scope to husked samples, promising results emerge for crude protein prediction (r²c = 0.93, RMSEC 0.86%, RPDc 3.9; r²cv = 0.83, RMSECV 1.39%, RPDcv 2.4). Additionally, this study delves into protein fractions (globulin, albumin, and glutelin) in crushed seeds, adding depth to the analysis. In conclusion, NIR spectroscopy proves valuable for rapid prescreening in breeding, especially when working with hulled grains, offering non-destructive efficiency and predictive accuracy in agricultural analysis. The novel exploration of protein fractions in sunflower seeds further enhances this study's importance, providing a valuable contribution to the field and underscoring the practical applications of NIR spectroscopy in sustainable agriculture. In conclusion, the opacity of sunflower seed hulls poses challenges in infrared spectroscopy, limiting light penetration and accuracy. Dehulled seeds are preferred for reliable results, overcoming hull-related limitations. Although grinding provides the advantages of uniformity and reproducibility for near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, the preference for dehulled grains persists. The practical need for accurate analysis in agriculture and breeding drives the choice of spectroscopy on dehulled seeds, allowing for replanting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to address the issue of physical damage caused by long-term work in high-saline fields by electrifying sunflower growing machinery and designing control systems. Firstly, the method of establishing the equation of motion is used to obtain the parameters to carry out motorization modification, and then the control system is built using STM32 as the main controller, which has the functions of control, data acquisition, and alarm. The feasibility and stability of the study are verified by using a model vehicle to conduct tests of straight-line driving and steering in a simulated high-saline field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop diversification has been proposed as a promising strategy for transitioning towards sustainable agricultural systems. The Hetao Irrigation District faces multiple challenges in ensuring food security and farmer livelihood. A diversified green manure inclusive cropping system was designed to evaluate the influences of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) incorporation on soil nutrients, yield, and economic benefit compared to the existing wheat–maize–sunflower rotation system in the Hetao Irrigation District. The specific method was as follows: spring wheat (Triticum-durum L.)–vetch rotation in the first year, maize (Zea mays L.)/vetch intercropping in the second year, and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)/vetch relay intercropping in the third year. Over a 6-year experimental observation, green manure incorporation significantly increased soil alkaline hydrolyzed nitrogen and exchangeable potassium levels. Although the effect of green manure incorporation on the yield of rotated spring wheat and intercropped maize was not prominent, it improved sunflower yield in the second rotation cycle by 11%. Consequently, only the sunflower led to an increase in income of 235 CNY ha−1 in the second rotation cycle. This indicates that the soil-property-building and yield-enhancing effects of green manure incorporation require time to accumulate. However, the benefits derived from increased yield were not sufficient to offset the production costs associated with green manure cultivation, resulting in less-than-desirable economic returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect pollinators are in population decline due to environmental and chemical stressors. Including native forbs in pastures could benefit grazers and pollinators; however, their forage and flowering characteristics are not fully documented. The objectives of our research were to evaluate 12 native forbs for persistence, forage mass, nutrient composition, and flowering patterns under repeated defoliation. Twelve species were planted in a small-plot experiment in 2018. Response variables were measured from 2020 to 2022. Annual (partridge pea, PPEA, Chamaecrista fasciculata) and biennial (black-eyed Susan, BESU, Rudbeckia hirta) species established high (p < 0.05) plant populations during the first season; however, the PPEA declined (p < 0.05) in forage mass during 2021. Tall species (Maximilian sunflower, MSUN, Helianthus maximiliani; cup plant, CUPP, Silphium perfoliatum) increased in forage mass, produced high-quality forage, and flowered during early fall. Lanceleaf coreopsis (LCOR, Coreopsis lanceolata) produced consistent (p > 0.05) forage mass and flowered in spring. The purple coneflower (PURC, Echinacea purpurea), Illinois bundleflower (ILBF, Desmanthus illinoensis), and oxeye sunflower (OSUN, Helopsis helianthoides) produced high-quality, consistent (p > 0.05) forage mass and flowered mid-season. Interseeding the BESU, ILBF, PPEA, LCOR, PURC, OSUN, and MSUN or CUPP would produce high-quality forage and floral resources throughout summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife diseases, such as the sea star wasting (SSW) epizootic that outbroke in the mid-2010s, appear to be associated with acute and/or chronic abiotic environmental change; dissociating the effects of different drivers can be difficult. The sunflower sea star, Pycnopodia helianthoides , was the species most severely impacted during the SSW outbreak, which overlapped with periods of anomalous atmospheric and oceanographic conditions, and there is not yet a consensus on the cause(s). Genomic data may reveal underlying molecular signatures that implicate a subset of factors and, thus, clarify past events while also setting the scene for effective restoration efforts. To advance this goal, we used Pacific Biosciences HiFi long sequencing reads and Dovetail Omni-C proximity reads to generate a highly contiguous genome assembly that was then annotated using RNA-seq-informed gene prediction. The genome assembly is 484 Mb long, with contig N50 of 1.9 Mb, scaffold N50 of 21.8 Mb, BUSCO completeness score of 96.1%, and 22 major scaffolds consistent with prior evidence that sea star genomes comprise 22 autosomes. These statistics generally fall between those of other recently assembled chromosome-scale assemblies for two species in the distantly related asteroid genus Pisaster. These novel genomic resources for P. helianthoides will underwrite population genomic, comparative genomic, and phylogenomic analyses—as well as their integration across scales—of SSW and environmental stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A challenge for environmental conservation will be the manufacturing of composite materials using by-products/waste from the agricultural sector. This study focuses on composites that were made by utilizing an epoxy resin matrix and reinforcement made from crushed sunflower seed husk (SSH). The composites are manufactured by compression moulding technique by varying the filler volume fraction from 5 to 50%. The tensile test, impact test, and hardness test of the composites are carried out based on ASTM standards. According to the findings, the SSH filler-epoxy composite exhibits better in impact test values, whereas increasing the volume percentage tends to decrease the tensile and hardness values. Furthermore, the experimental tensile strength is compared with the theoretical model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the effects of Taraxacum officinale L. and Ricinus communis L. on growth and physiology of sunflower and maize plants. Seeds of sunflower (cv Parson 3) and maize (cv TP 1217) were surface sterilized and soaked in 0.3 % and 0.5 % aqueous extracts of T. officinale L. and R. communis L. prior to sowing, plants were grown in pots under natural conditions. Fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, chlorophyll, carotenoids, protein, proline, phenols and flavonoids and phytohormones contents in leaves of sunflower and maize were determined. The activities of antioxidant enzymes (Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD) and defense related enzymes viz. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were also recorded in leaves of maize and sunflower at vegetative phase. Phytohormones indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) were detected in T. officinale L. and R. communis L. Extract of T. officinale L. and R. communis L. significantly enhanced the shoot biomass in maize and sunflower as compared to control. Proline, phenolics, flavonoids, protein, chlorophyll, carotenoids and terpenoids content of fresh leaves were enhanced in all the treatments as compared to control. Activities of PAL, SOD, PPO and POD were also enhanced. Among all the treatments 0.3 % aqueous extract of T. officinale L. and 0.5 % aqueous extract of R. communis L. were more effective in sunflower and maize plants. The extracts of T. officinale L. and R. communis L. may be implicated to improve the growth and defensive system of maize and sunflower and induce tolerance to stresses by augmenting osmoregulation and enhancing the antioxidant and defense related enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of green pretreatment processes, such as ultrasonic process (US) and deep eutectic solvent (DES), applied to the biomass on kinetic parameters are as important as their effects on characteristic properties. Process conditions and course of reaction progression depend on the knowledge about kinetic parameters, activation energy and reaction model of thermal degradation in scale-up studies. Therefore, in this study, the change in the kinetic parameters with US applied with both distilled water and DES (glycerol:sodium acetate) at 100 W power and 20 kHz frequency for 10 minutes to sunflower seed husk (SSH) was revelaed. Isoconversional methods Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) and Flynn-WallOzawa (FWO) were preferred for the evaluation of activation energy of SSH and pretreated SSH at 15°C/min, 20°C/min and 25°C/min heating rates. US pretreatment with DES instead of water resulted in increment of average activation energy values (Ea) from 113.13 to 143.65 kJ/mol in the KAS method. Ea values for all SSH samples changed in the range of 87.72-143.65 kJ/mol and higher Ea values was obtained with KAS method for pretreated SSH samples. Consequently, the use of DES in US pretreatment was more effective to change kinetic parameters of SSH compared to water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had a profound impact on global food production, affecting the supply of agricultural products on world markets, including the structure of cultivated areas for major crops such as sunflower. This article examines the share of sunflower cultivation compared to other crops during the pre-war period and throughout the war, focusing on the cultivated areas by region in Ukraine. An analysis of the dynamics of sunflower cultivation areas is conducted. It is observed that the share of sunflower has increased due to a less problematic market compared to corn, maintaining almost guaranteed profitability, lower cultivation technology costs due to in-country processing facilities. Agricultural crops in Ukraine are characterized by an increase in the cost of cultivation technology, logistical chain issues, and a sharp decline in profitability, especially for cereal crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanopriming is a pre-sowing treatment in which seeds are soaked in nanoparticle solutions for a determined period. This process enhances germination performance, vigor index, and plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, reducing pesticides and fertilizers. This work aimed to study the germination of sunflower seeds primed at 25 °C for 24 h with Mimusops coriacea (Mc) leaf extract and silver and copper nanoparticles prepared with Mc extract and verify the effect of nanopriming in seedling development by obtaining fluorescence properties of the chlorophyll extract of the treated seedlings. McNPs were synthesized by the photoreduction process (Mc extract as stabilizing/capping agent) and characterized by UV–Vis, transmission electron microscopy, FTIR, and Zeta potential. The germination percentage, shoot length (SL), root length (RL), seedling vigor index (Vi), and chlorophyll fluorescence steady-steady and decay time were obtained on the 3rd, 6th, and 10th days after the priming process. According to the results, sunflower seed priming with Mc extract and McNPs enhanced germination capacity, seed growth, and increased chlorophyll production compared to water-primed seeds. Differences in chlorophyll fluorescence profile were observed in highly concentrated silver nanoparticles 6 days after the priming process. A quenching of the chlorophyll fluorescence lifetime indicated the presence of an energy transfer process between chlorophyll and lutein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a serious problem that leads to partial or complete airway obstruction. Respiratory distress and pneumonia are the most common complications. The assortment of foreign bodies is very wide. The most common include candy, fish bones, peanuts and nuts, toys, food and batteries. Aim of this study was to determine how accurate the presenting symptoms and signs of foreign body aspiration are and to assess the radiologic findings, the types and sites of the foreign bodies removed. Patients and Methods: a retrospective study included101 patient from age of one month to 15 years with suspected foreign body aspiration based on history, clinical examination, Chest Xray. Rigid bronchoscopy was done for patients under general anaesthesia with muscle relaxation using neuromuscular blocking agents. For every patient gender, age, residence, interval between event and symptom onset, symptoms at admission, signs of respiratory insufficiency, pulmonary auscultation findings, Chest X-ray findings, interval between admission and bronchoscopy, the location of foreign body, type of foreign body, hospitalization days were studied and statistically analysed. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Seventy six (75.24%) were proved to have foreign body aspiration that was removed by rigid bronchoscopy. toddler was the common age group 43(42.6%). Male were affected more than females 1.2:1. A significantly higher percentage of patients who had a foreign body were witnessed by a family member than those who did not have a foreign body 61.8% vs 0% (p=0.001). Stridor and cough with breathlessness were the most common signs and symptoms while unilateral wheezes, crepitations and diminished air entry were less frequent while each of crepitations, unilateral wheezes and cough with breathlessness were significantly associated with foreign body aspiration (p=0.001, 0.001, 0.02 respectively). Abnormal chest X ray finding was significantly associated with FBA (p=0.02) with hyperinflation being the most frequent finding. The types of foreign bodies removed were sunflower seeds (27.6%), food particles (18.4%) and nuts (17.1%). The most common site of foreign body was the right main bronchus (52.6%) followed by left main bronchus (34.2%). There is a significant association between foreign body aspiration and the time interval between admission and bronchoscopy but no significant relation with age, interval between the event and onset of symptoms and hospitalization days. Conclusion: The history of being witnessed by a family member, the presence of stridor and cough and finding of unilateral wheezes and crepitations on examination as well as hyperinflation on chest X ray are significantly associated with FBA. The sunflower seeds and food particles are the most common types and the right main bronchus is the main site of foreign bodies removed by bronchoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gastrointestinal tract is the prime organ for digestion while exposing to outer environmental toxins and pathogens. A breach in the epithelial barrier of the gastrointestinal tract will lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, growth retardation, ulcers, and extra intestinal manifestation. The current therapeutic approach causes dysbiosis and worsens the symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases, ultimately leading to colorectal cancer. Herbal medicine is the key to resolving the issue without or least side effects. Current experimental study was executed to evaluate the anti-oxidative and therapeutic potential of both Helianthus annuus seeds and Spinacia oleracea leaves extract against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced acute colitis in Wistar rat and to support the clinical use of herbal medicine with scientific evidence. Results revealed that H. annuus seeds (500 mg/kg) have significantly (P<0.05) higher amount of total phenolic and flavonoid content with higher 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reducing power in comparison to S. oleracea leaves (500 mg/kg) extract. The serum total antioxidative capacity was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Helianthuus annuus seeds and Spinacia oleracea leaves as compared to positive control group, while total oxidative stress was significantly lower in both treatment groups as compared to positive control group. Gene expression analysis revealed that JAK/STAT signaling pathways (Cell stress pathways) were significantly (P<0.05) down regulated, and NRF-2 transcriptional pathways (antioxidant pathways) were significantly (P<0.05) upregulated in H. annuus seeds and S. oleracea leaves groups compared to control positive group. The obtained results after analyzing biological samples revealed that Helianthus annuus seeds and Spinacia oleracea leaves possess a significant antioxidant dependent anti-inflammatory potential. Histopathology of gut revealed that positive control group showed irregular epithelial lining with shortening of villi and damaged mucosal surface while treatment group showed recovery with normal epithelial parenchyma. The overall results of this experimental study determined that both herbal interventions elicited an antiinflammatory effect dependent on antioxidative mechanisms in response to experimentally induced acute colitis in Wistar rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiesel, touted as a viable alternative to fossil fuels, has attracted interest due to its environmentally friendly nature, renewability, and high combustion yield. This study utilized K2O/RGO heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production through the transesterification of sunflower and waste cooking oils. Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was prepared from graphite via the modified Hummers' method and potassium was subsequently deposited on it. The K2O/RGO catalyst was characterized using a variety of techniques, including FTIR, SEM, XRD, ASAP, Raman spectroscopy, and TEM. The study further investigated the impacts of the temperature, molar ratio of methanol to oil, catalyst dose and time; and optimized the process with the response surface method. The characteristics of biodiesel fell within the ASTM D 6751 and EN 14214 standard ranges. The K2O/RGO catalyst demonstrated reusability for up to four cycles. Maximum biodiesel yields of 98.54% for sunflower oil and 96.89% for waste cooking oil were achieved under operating conditions of 70°C temperature, 19.5 methanol to oil molar ratio, 2 wt.% catalyst dose, and 8.5 h time duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our paper, we present resistance at drought of eight sunflower hybrids in system Express Sun and in system Clearfield, belonging to NARDI Fundulea, in climatic condition of three years 2020, 2021 and 2022, by analyzing data regarding seed yield, hectoliter weight, seed oil content. Average seed yield in year 2020, was between values of 581 kg/ha at sunflower hybrid FD15CL44 and 2668 kg/ha at sunflower hybrid FD15E27, in year 2021, was between values of 2358 kg/ha at sunflower hybrid FD20CL70 and 4031 kg/ha at sunflower hybrid FD15E27 and in year 2022, was between values of 2814 kg/ha at sunflower hybrid FD22CL83 and 4232 kg/ha at sunflower hybrid FD18E41. Average hectoliter weight in year 2020, was between values of 44.6 kg/hl at sunflower hybrid FD22CL66 and 64.5 kg/hl at sunflower hybrid FD18E41, in year 2021, was between values of 33.6 kg/hl at sunflower hybrid FD20CL70 and 45.6 kg/hl at sunflower hybrid FD19E42 and in year 2022, was between values of 54 kg/hl at sunflower hybrid FD22CL83 and 66.4 kg/hl at sunflower hybrid FD21CL77. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The food processing waste, sunflower seed shells (SS), were chemically modified and tested as adsorbents for nitrate removal from water and wastewater. Chemical modification of the SS implied a quaternization reaction. Efficiency and mechanisms of nitrate removal from water by modified sunflower seed shells (MSS) were examined using model nitrate solution (MS) and samples of real wastewater (RW) in batch adsorption experiments while the regeneration capacity was tested by fixed bed adsorption column and regeneration experiments. The MSS had the highest nitrate adsorption capacity of 12.98 mg g−1 for model nitrate solution, 12.16 mg g−1 for model wastewater, 13.70 mg g−1 for the wastewater generated by the confectionery industry (CI), and 12.52 mg g−1 for the wastewater generated from the meat industry (MI). Equilibrium data were analyzed, and results demonstrated a better fit for the Freundlich isotherm model, while kinetic models showed that the adsorption has pseudo-second-order kinetics. Adsorption and desorption experiments in fixed bed columns showed good MSS regeneration performances and efficiency after a minimum of three cycles. Lower efficiencies of regenerated MSS were noted when real confectionery and meat industry effluent were treated. Environmental toxicity of nitrate saturated MSS was tested using an acute toxicity test with freshwater plankton Daphnia magna. SS showed very good properties and could be competitive among already known and existing "low-cost" adsorbents as potential adsorbents for nitrate removal from water and wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subsurface pipe drainage (SPD) is an important technique for the improvement of saline–alkali lands in China. Winter irrigation after crop harvest is a key measure used in the Yellow River irrigation area in northwest China to reduce soil salinity in the root zone of crops. To optimize winter irrigation under SPD, the calibrated HYDRUS-2D model was utilized in this study to investigate the effects of soil texture (clay loam, silt loam, loam, and sandy loam), initial soil salinity (1, 3, 5 g/kg), and the winter irrigation quotas (80, 100, 120, 150, 180 mm) on the rate of soil desalination. In this study, soil salinity levels during the stable production of common crops such as sunflower and corn in the Yinbei Irrigation District in Ningxia, China, were taken as the thresholds, efficient utilization of irrigation water was considered, and suitable crops and appropriate winter irrigation quotas for different soil textures and levels of soil salinity were proposed. Soil with a salt content of 1~3 g/kg is suitable for the planting of corn with 80 mm of irrigation water. Sandy loam soil with a salt content of 3~5 g/kg is suitable for sunflower–corn intercropping with 120 mm of irrigation water. Sandy loam soil with a salt content exceeding 5 g/kg is suitable for the planting of sunflower with 80 mm of irrigation water. Other types of soils need to be improved by reducing the spacing between subsurface pipes, using desulfurized gypsum, biochar, and other additives. People engaged in agriculture can utilize this research to determine the appropriate volumes of irrigation water, crop types, planting systems, and subsurface pipe parameters based on local conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions between plants and insects have shaped biodiversity at multiple ecological and evolutionary scales in both diverse taxonomic groups. Antagonistic interactions (such as herbivory) can impose strong selective pressures on plants, resulting in increased defense levels or diverse defense strategies. The nature and extent of plant defenses can vary both within and between species, potentially reflecting trade-offs between defense and growth strategy that are associated with environmental resources, known as the resource availability hypothesis. Global interspecific patterns may or may not reflect mechanisms acting within species at more restricted geographic scales. Here, we ask whether there is evidence for associations between growth strategies and defense levels, resource availability, and herbivore damage within three Helianthus species (H. giganteus, H. grosseserratus, and H. maximiliani) in a restricted region of the Upper Midwest in the USA. We measure growth traits, leaf defense traits, and leaf herbivore damage levels in wild sunflower populations to assess patterns across populations and in two common gardens to assess patterns within populations. We estimate associations between growth traits and defense traits, defense traits and environmental resources, and herbivore damage and environmental resources. Overall, we find that slower growth strategies are associated with increased levels of defenses, though these higher defense levels are not associated with lower-resource environments in wild populations, and some of these patterns are detected in the commons. We also find that herbivore damage levels are not associated with these resource levels. We conclude that defenses in these species are related to growth strategy even at this intraspecific scale and are largely in line with macroevolutionary patterns across the genus. Both defense levels and herbivore damage are not strongly related to resource availability, which may reflect limited amounts of resource variation in this restricted region and follow prediction within a general framework for intraspecific defense trait associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High temperature affects various physiological processes of the plant. Delayed sowing and changing climate both subject the crop to increasing temperatures during the crop growth period. There is a need to take on a technique to screen the wide number of genotypes for high-temperature tolerance. In the present study, a screening protocol was followed based on the principle of "acquired tolerance" in which 47 sunflower seedlings were exposed to sub-lethal heat stress to induce tolerance before subjecting to subsequent lethal stress and the second set were directly exposed to lethal stress. Significant variation was observed for the traits - survival percentage, total seedling length, and seedling weight. Tolerant inbreds were identified using Z distribution and PCA. Results suggested that TIR is a rapid and powerful technique that can be used to screen large number of germplasms to identify thermotolerant lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination of sunflower seeds with soil Cd is an important issue for food and feed because this species strongly accumulates this metal. The present work reports that seeds from three sunflower varieties (ES Biba, Extrasol, Vellox) cultivated in the field in a calcareous agricultural soil having a moderately high Cd content (1 mg Cd/kg) had Cd contents of 0.84, 0.88 and 0.76 mg Cd/kg, respectively, all exceeding the regulation limit of 0.5 mg Cd/kg seeds for human food. On average, for the three varieties, washing seeds did not affect their total Cd contents but slightly increased the Cd in the kernels at the expense of that in hulls. Despite the Cd content of the whole seeds not differing between the varieties, the Cd fraction in the edible kernel differed significantly between varieties from 78 to 87% of the total seed Cd. The results of this study suggest that (i) the size of the kernel, relative to that of the hull, may affect the dilution of Cd in kernel tissues and (ii) there might be genetic variability for the capacity of transfer of Cd from the hull to the kernel. This opens the perspective to increase food safety by selecting sunflower genotypes that retain more Cd into the hull and transfer less of it to the edible kernel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is marked by early hyperglycemic symptoms and concurrent insulin resistance, leading to insulin secretion dysregulation. This resistance correlates with heightened Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) level and reduced malondialdehyde. T2DM elevates malondialdehyde, necessitating antioxidant-rich interventions. Sunflower seed biscuits serve as a rich source of enzymatic antioxidants. The primary objective of this investigation was to substantiate the capacity of sunflower seed biscuits to ameliorate blood glucose and malondialdehyde level in T2DM-afflicted rats. Sunflower seed biscuits were investigated for their impact on blood glucose and malondialdehyde in 24 male Wistar rats. Rats were divided into four groups: diabetes rats (K-), simvastatin-treated (K+), receiving 0.72 g sunflower seed biscuits per rat body weight (X1), and 1.44 g (X2). Administered for 28 days via oral gavage, T2DM was induced through a high-fat diet and streptozotocin. Results showed significant blood glucose reduction in treatment groups (X1: 3.99 ng/mL, X2: 2.89 ng/mL) vs. controls (9.8 ng/mL), with statistical significance (p<0.05). Sunflower seed biscuits effectively lowered blood glucose and malondialdehyde in T2DM rats. The X2 group exhibited superior efficacy in reducing both parameters. Thus, sunflower seed biscuits present promise as a viable dietary option for T2DM management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigate the impact of different rates of farmyard manure and phosphorus application on the growth and yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Our objective is to assess how various levels of organic and inorganic fertilizer influence the development and productivity of this crop. The experiment involved five integrated applications of farmyard manure: T1 = 00 tons of farmyard manure + (P = 00), T2 = 1 ton of farmyard manure + (P = 30 kg ha-1), T3 = 3 tons of farmyard manure + (P = 60 kg ha-1), T4 = 4 tons of farmyard manure + (P =90 kg ha-1), and T5 = 5 tons of farmyard manure + (P = 120 kg ha-1). The results revealed that T5 = 5 tons of farmyard manure + (P = 120 kg ha-1). Resulted best and produced the maximum plant population (m2) (10.5), plant height (273.7 cm), stem girth (10.9 cm), head diameter (53.8 cm), number of seeds head-1 (2696.9), seed weight head-1 (60.7 g), seed index (32.7 g), and seed yield (2698.7 kg ha-1). Whereas the T1=00-ton Farm Yard Manure + (P = 00) treatment produced the least results and recorded plant population (m-2) (6.6), plant height (217.7 cm), stem girth (9.3), head diameter (30.3 cm), number of seeds head-1 (1510.7), seed weight head-1 (26.6 g), seed index (23.0 g), and seed yield (2100.0 kg ha-1). It is therefore recommended that, for obtaining higher growth and seed yields of sunflower, farmyard manure and phosphorus be applied at 5 tons per hectare, +/- (P = 120 kg ha-1), respectively. The results concluded that the growth and yield of sunflowers were significantly affected by the application of farmyard manure as compared to the control (no farmyard manure). The grain yield increased linearly with increasing farmyard manure levels. However, the plot fertilized with 5 tons of farmyard manure produced the maximum grain yield of sunflower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper planting geometry helps in obtaining optimum plant population and crop yield, whereas irrigation at adequate time intervals result in improved crop yields and quality of the produce. Considering the same, two years field experiments were conducted during 2019 and 2020 at Tandojam to examine the effect of sowing methods (Raised bed, Ridge, Drilling and Broadcasting), planting densities (recommended, high density and ultra-high density) and nutrient management (90+60+60+0, 90+60+60+10 and 90+60+ 60+20 kg ha-1 N±P±K+FeSO4) on growth and yield parameters of sunflower. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replications. Best result in all parameters on average factors including drilling method, high density planting (66,666 plants ha-1), NPK+FeSO4 =90+60+60+20 kg ha-1 and their interaction resulted in economically superior overall sunflower performance in relation to its growth, seed yield and quality attributes. The drilling method was highly effective to improve seed yield apart from the lower biological yield due to greater harvest index as compared to rest of the sowing methods. Although, recommended plant spacing (55,555 plants ha-1) produced better individual plant based results, but due to lesser plant population, the overall seed yield was greater under high density planting (66,666 plants ha-1). Ultra-high density plantation (83,333 plants ha-1) did not prove beneficial due to crowded plant population where harvest index became poor despite an increased biological yield. Higher FeSO4 improved the grain quality and no effect on foliage; hence 20 kg FeSO4 remained economically most beneficial to achieve desired seed production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]