Garlic production is severely constrained by weed interference throughout its growth cycle. Given the scarcity of research on chemical weed control in this vegetable crop, the present study evaluated the efficacy of post-emergence herbicide applications against broadleaf weed species (Raphanus raphanistrum, Coronopus didymus, Stellaria media, and Rumex obtusifolius), as well as their selectivity to garlic plants, by assessing plant height, stand, phytotoxicity, and bulb diameter and yield. The herbicides tested were ioxynil (75 g ha−1), ioxynil + pendimethalin (75 + 1,820 g ha−1), ioxynil + pyroxasulfone (75 + 100 g ha−1), fomesafen (37.5 and 75 g ha−1), S-metolachlor + fomesafen (258.9 + 56.9 g ha−1), and prometryn (250 g ha−1). The experiment was conducted in garlic commercial fields in Curitibanos, Santa Catarina, Brazil, using a randomized block design with nine treatments, including two controls (hand-weeded and non-weeded), and four replications. Fomesafen (37.5 and 75 g ha−1), S-metolachlor + fomesafen, and prometryn exhibited poor weed-control efficacy and low crop selectivity, resulting in high phytotoxicity, reduced bulb diameter, and significant yield losses. In contrast, ioxynil alone and mixed with pendimethalin or pyroxasulfone provided significant control of all target weed species and high selectivity to the garlic crop. These combinations, therefore, are promising and safe alternatives to the single post-emergence application of ioxynil in garlic crops.
This study investigates a sustainable agricultural approach to address water scarcity and soil salinity while enhancing crop productivity. A field experiment was conducted during the 2024 fall season to evaluate the combined effects of saline irrigation water and organic fertilizers on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivation in calcareous soils. The experimental design employed a split-plot arrangement with three replications, comparing two water quality treatments (fresh vs saline) and multiple organic fertilizer applications (poultry and cow manure at 0%, 2%, and 4% concentrations). Results demonstrated that saline water irrigation, when combined with 4% poultry manure, significantly enhanced potato growth and yield parameters. This synergistic treatment produced the highest values in key metrics: 17.6 secondary branches per plant, 2024.3 cm² leaf area, 63.1 cm plant height, and 808.67 g yield per plant. Furthermore, tuber dry matter content increased significantly under this treatment regime. The findings suggest that strategic integration of saline water resources with appropriate organic amendments can effectively mitigate salinity stress while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. This approach offers viable solutions for regions facing water scarcity and soil degradation, contributing to sustainable food production systems.
The field experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Department of Plant Production, Northern Technical University, during the spring growing season of 2025. The study aimed to investigate the effects of organic fulvic acid application on the growth and yield performance of four melon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars in order to promote sustainable agricultural production and reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers. The experiment included two factors: the first was four melon cultivars—‘Polydor’, ‘Athena’, ‘Galia’, and the local cultivar ‘Malouki’; the second factor was two concentrations of fulvic acid (0 and 6 mL. L⁻¹). The treatments were applied twice: the first after the appearance of the fourth true leaf and the second after 15 days. The study was carried out in the field using the split Plot Design splinter cutting system by designing complete random sectors R.C.B.D with three duplicates, where the items were placed in the main plots main plots, and the secondary plots sup Plots included a random distribution of fulvic acid concentrations and after recording the data were statistically analyzed using the SAS statistical analysis program . All results were statistically tested according to the Duncan polynomial Test at a probability level of 5 % . The results of the statistical analysis, the results of which are contained in the tables of the analysis of variation, indicate that the plants of the variety Galya are significantly superior in the characteristics of the quotient (diameter of the fruit, the number of fruits per plant, the average weight of the fruit, the quotient of one plant and the total yield) compared to the plants of other varieties .While the plants treated with fulvic acid showed a moral superiority in the qualities of the quantitative quotient, the moral effect varied depending on the concentration used, as the spraying treatment with Fulvic exceeded the concentration of (6 ml. L-1 ) Morally in comparison with the comparative treatment. As for the best interference treatment between the studied factors in the characteristics of the quotient was obtained in the interference treatment between the variety Galea and Fulvic spraying at a concentration of (6 ml L-1). The results suggest that organic fulvic acid may act as an environmentally friendly growth catalyst for sustainable melon production, which may reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and support environmentally sound agricultural practices. The experiment included two factors: the first was four melon cultivars—‘Polydor’, ‘Athena’, ‘Galia’, and the local cultivar ‘Malouki’; the second factor was two concentrations of fulvic acid (0 and 6 mL. L⁻¹). The treatments were applied twice: the first after the appearance of the fourth true leaf and the second after 15 days. The study was carried out in the field using the split Plot Design splinter cutting system by designing complete random sectors R.C.B.D with three duplicates, where the items were placed in the main plots main plots, and the secondary plots sup Plots included a random distribution of fulvic acid concentrations and after recording the data were statistically analyzed using the SAS statistical analysis program . All results were statistically tested according to the Duncan polynomial Test at a probability level of 5 % . The results of the statistical analysis, the results of which are contained in the tables of the analysis of variation, indicate that the plants of the variety Galya are significantly superior in the characteristics of the quotient (diameter of the fruit, the number of fruits per plant, the average weight of the fruit, the quotient of one plant and the total yield) compared to the plants of other varieties .While the plants treated with fulvic acid showed a moral superiority in the qualities of the quantitative quotient, the moral effect varied depending on the concentration used, as the spraying treatment with Fulvic exceeded the concentration of (6 ml. L-1 ) Morally in comparison with the comparative treatment. As for the best interference treatment between the studied factors in the characteristics of the quotient was obtained in the interference treatment between the variety Galea and Fulvic spraying at a concentration of (6 ml. L-1) . The results suggest that organic fulvic acid may act as an environmentally friendly growth catalyst for sustainable melon production, which may reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and support environmentally sound agricultural practices.
The quantification of β-carotene in agricultural by-products is crucial for their valorization. However, commonly used analytical methods, such as UV–Vis spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), present critical differences in specificity and cost. This study compared β-carotene quantification using both methods, employing ethanol and hexane as extraction solvents, to determine β-carotene in peels from four mango varieties (Kent, Edward, Haden, and Criollo), following a 2×2×4 factorial design. Proximate analysis revealed significant differences in composition among the varieties. The results demonstrated a significant effect of the triple interaction (method × solvent × variety), indicating that all factors must be considered when selecting a β-carotene quantification protocol. Spectrophotometry systematically overestimated β-carotene content (up to 60% higher with ethanol) due to interference from other pigments. In contrast, HPLC provided specific quantification, revealing that hexane was significantly more efficient than ethanol for extraction. The Kent variety showed the highest β-carotene content. It is concluded that the HPLC–hexane combination is the optimal protocol for accurate quantification, whereas spectrophotometry provides only a useful screening estimate that should be interpreted with caution. The use of HPLC is recommended for studies requiring high accuracy, as well as for the validation of rapid methods against this standard for each new matrix.
The experiment was conducted at the research station of Horticulture and Landscape Department, College of Agriculture, Tikrit University, during the season 2024, to study the effect of three types of organic fertilizers (cow manure, sheep manure, and poultry manure) on two cultivars of cucumber plants. The experiment was implemented according to a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a Split-Plot design, fertilization was in the main plots and cultivars in the sub-plots. The results were as follows: Fertilization with caw manure outperformed in the trait fruit number was gave 1.15 fruits plant-1. As for the characteristics of plant yield, experimental unit yield, and total yield, fertilization with sheep manure was superior, recording values of (1.38 kg plant⁻¹, 6.92 kg, and 57,639 tons ha⁻¹), respectively. Regarding the effect of cultivars, V2 outperformed V1 in the fruit length trait, which gave 32.67 cm plant-1. The interaction effect was superior between sheep manure and V2 compare with some of the other treatment in terms of fruit length, plant yield, experimental unit yield, and total yield.
