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Multifunctional Adjuvants Affect Sulfonylureas with Synthetic Auxin Mixture in Weed and Maize Grain Yield
A field study in the years 2017–2019 was carried out to evaluate the impact of novel adjuvant formulations on the efficacy of sulfonylurea and synthetic auxin herbicides. Treatments included nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron + dicamba (N+R+D) at full and reduced rates with three multicomponent (TEST-1, TEST-2, TEST-3) as well as standard (MSO, S) adjuvants. In this greenhouse study, Echinochloa crus-galli seeds were planted and treated with N+R+D at 2–3 leaf stages. The water with the desired pH (4, 7, and 9) for the preparation of the spray liquid was prepared by incorporating citric acid or K3PO4 to either lower or raise the pH of the water. Adjuvant TEST-1 added to the spray liquid at pH 4 increased the effectiveness to 68%, TEST-2 to 81%, and TEST-3 to 80%, compared to 73% and 66% with the MSO and S. The efficacy of N+R+D at pH 7 with TEST-1 increased to 83%, TEST-2 to 82%, and TEST-3 to 77%, but with MSO, it increased to 81%, and 71% with S. Adjuvants TEST-1, TEST-2, and TEST-3 in the liquid at pH 9 increased efficacy to 76 and 80%, compared to 79 and 63% with MSO or S adjuvants. N+R+D applied with TEST-1, TEST-2, and TEST-3 provided greater weed control than herbicides with surfactant (S) and similar or even better than with standard methylated seed oil (MSO) adjuvants. Maize grain yield after herbicide-with-tested-adjuvant application was higher than from an untreated check, and comparable to yield from herbicide-with-MSO treatment, but higher than from S treatment.
Elderberry Leaves with Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties as a Valuable Plant Material for Wound Healing
Sambuci folium (elderberry leaves) have been used in traditional medicine, mainly externally, to treat skin diseases and wounds. Therefore, the aim of this study was to screen the biological activity of elderberry leaves (antioxidant potential and possibility of inhibition of tyrosinase and hyaluronidase enzymes) combined with phytochemical analysis. For this purpose, a phytochemical analysis was carried out. Elderberry leaves of 12 varieties (“Sampo”, “Obelisk”, “Dwubarwny”, “Haschberg”, “Haschberg 1”, “Koralowy”, “Sambo”, “Black Beauty”, “Black Tower”, “Golden hybrid”, “Samyl”, “Samyl 1”) in two growth stages. The compounds from the selected groups, phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid) and flavonols (quercetin), were chromatographically determined in hydroalcoholic leaf extracts. All tested elderberry leaf extracts showed antioxidant effects, but the most promising potential: very high compounds content (TPC = 61.85 mg GAE/g), antioxidant (e.g., DPPH IC50 = 1.88 mg/mL; CUPRAC IC0.5 = 0.63 mg/mL) and optimal anti-inflammatory (inhibition of hyaluronidase activity 41.28%) activities were indicated for older leaves of the “Sampo” variety. Additionally, the extract obtained from “Sampo” and “Golden hybrid” variety facilitated the treatment of wounds in the scratch test. In summary, the best multidirectional pro-health effect in treating skin inflammation was specified for “Sampo” leaves II extract (leaves during the flowering period); however, wound treatment was noted as rich in chlorogenic acid younger leaf extracts of the “Golden hybrid” variety.
Preliminary Studies on the Effect of Soil Conditioner (AMP) Application on the Chemical and Microbiological Properties of Soil under Winter Oilseed Rape Cultivation
This study analyzed the effect of the application of a soil conditioner under the trade name of the Agro Mineral Product (AMP) in the winter rapeseed cultivation on the bacterial and fungal abundance, ion concentrations, and electrolytic conductivity of the soil solution. It was demonstrated that the AMP influenced changes in the total abundance of the culturable fractions of the soil bacteria and fungi at each of the tested time points. A stimulatory effect of the preparation on the growth of the soil bacteria and an inhibitory effect on the development of the fungi was observed, particularly at doses of 4 and 8 t·ha−1. A dose of 12 t·ha−1 proved to be the least effective in relation to the development of the soil microbiome. Increasing the AMP fertilization dose above 4 t·ha−1 caused changes in the chemistry of the soil solution (pH, EC, HCO3−, K+, and PO4-P). It is worth noting that this primarily resulted in decreases in the amounts of mobile forms of potassium (from 40.4 mg·dm−3 in the control to 26.7 mg·dm−3 at the 8 t·ha−1 dose) and orthophosphate as phosphorus (from −6.00 mg·dm−3 in the control to 3.75 mg·dm−3 at the 8 t·ha−1 dose) in the soil solution, which resulted in a reduction in the yield of the winter rapeseed (from 4.76 t·ha−1 in the control to 4.61 t·ha−1 at the 8 t·ha−1 and 4.43 t·ha−1 at the 12 t·ha−1 AMP dose).
Development of Delivery Systems with Prebiotic and Neuroprotective Potential of Industrial-Grade Cannabis sativa L.
This study delves into the transformative effects of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) cannabis extracts and prebiotic substances (dextran, inulin, trehalose) on gut bacteria, coupled with a focus on neuroprotection. Extracts derived from the Białobrzeska variety of Cannabis sativa, utilising supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), resulted in notable cannabinoid concentrations (cannabidiol (CBD): 6.675 ± 0.166; tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): 0.180 ± 0.006; cannabigerol (CBG): 0.434 ± 0.014; cannabichromene (CBC): 0.490 ± 0.017; cannabinol (CBN): 1.696 ± 0.047 mg/gD). The assessment encompassed antioxidant activity via four in vitro assays and neuroprotective effects against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The extract boasting the highest cannabinoid content exhibited remarkable antioxidant potential and significant inhibitory activity against both enzymes. Further investigation into prebiotic deliveries revealed their proficiency in fostering the growth of beneficial gut bacteria while maintaining antioxidant and neuroprotective functionalities. This study sheds light on the active compounds present in the Białobrzeska variety, showcasing their therapeutic potential within prebiotic systems. Notably, the antioxidant, neuroprotective, and prebiotic properties observed underscore the promising therapeutic applications of these extracts. The results offer valuable insights for potential interventions in antioxidant, neuroprotective, and prebiotic domains. In addition, subsequent analyses of cannabinoid concentrations post-cultivation revealed nuanced changes, emphasising the need for further exploration into the dynamic interactions between cannabinoids and the gut microbiota.