The main component of the byproducts of flue gas desulfurization (BFGD) is CaSO(4), which can be used to improve sodic soils. The effects of BFGD on sodic soil properties and sunflower growth were studied in a pot experiment. The experiment consisted of eight treatments, at four BFGD rates (0, 7.5, 15 and 22.5 t ha(-1)) and two leaching levels (750 and 1200 m(3) ha(-1)). The germination rate an...

Soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) (SCN) a major pest of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in the southeastern USA. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of wet and dry silt loam and clay soils on SCN development and corresponding soybean yield response in a greenhouse study. ’Tracy-M’ soybean was grown in pots that contained either Dubbs ilt loam (fine-silty,...

In the present study, six arsenic-resistant strains previously isolated were tested for their plant growth promoting characteristics and heavy metal resistance, in order to choose one model strain as an inoculum for sunflower plants in pot experiments. The aim was to investigate the effect of arsenic-resistant strain on sunflower growth and on arsenic uptake from arsenic contaminated soil. Base...

The high-yield varieties ‘Banks’ and ‘Cybonnet’, released to seed growers during 2004, contain the Pi-ta R gene used in blast-resistant varieties for over 16 years. While Cybonnet fields were blast free, severe blast disease developed in drought-stressed Banks growing in a sandy production field in Clay County during 2004 and then again in sandy fields throughout Arkansas during 2005 and 2006. ...

We test the common assumption that organic carbon (OC) storage occurs on sand-sized soil particles only after the OC storage capacity on silt- and clay-sized particles is saturated. Soil samples from a Brookston clay loam in Southwestern Ontario were analysed for the OC concentrations in bulk soil, and on the clay (<2 μm), silt (2-53 μm) and sand (53-2000 μm) particle size fractions. The OC con...

Drought is a great concern in agricultural production, because it restricts normal plant growth, brings about enormous economic loss and deteriorates ecological environment. Proper use of super absorbent polymers (SAP) is helpful in the agricultural and horticultural industry in arid and semi-arid areas, because SAP can ease the burden of water shortage. Because porosity is one of the most impo...

Background: This research was investigated to evaluate effect of applying sunflower residues as a green manure on increasing zinc (Zn) concentration of two Iranian wheat cultivars in a Pb and cadmium (Cd) polluted soil. Methods: Treatments included the application of sunflower residuals grown in a Zn-polluted soil  at two levels of 0 and 8 t/ha, two wheat cultivars  in a soil contaminated with...

Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy offers a nondestructive means for measurement of C in soils based on the The ability to inventory soil C on landscapes is limited by the reflectance spectra of illuminated soil. Both the NIR ability to rapidly measure soil C. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopic (400–2500 nm) and MIR (2500–25 000 nm) region have analysis in the near-infrared (NIR, 400–2500 nm) and ...