Weed Control in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) with Soil-applied Herbicides Affected by a Prolonged and Limited rainfall

The field trials were carried out in the Bitola and Titov Veles regions during two sunflower growing seasons (2018 and 2019) to estimate a weed control in sunflower with the soil‒applied herbicides, influenced by a prolonged and limited rainfall. Polygonum aviculare L., Solanum nigrum L., Chenopodium album L., Amaranthus retroflexus L., Portulaca oleracea L., and Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv. were the most dominant weeds in both regions. The efficacy of PRE-em herbicides varied among the weed species, treatments, periods of efficacy estimation, regions, and years. The overall performances of the PRE-em herbicides were correlated with weather and soil conditions. The inconsistent weather patterns between the two years of the study likely influenced the weed control. All weeds in 2018 in the Bitola region were poorly controlled (<77% and <62%, 28 and 56 days after application, respectively) due to a higher amount of rainfall (57 mm) during the 10 days of the 1st decade after herbicide application. The herbicide efficacy has only produced a marginal control of weeds in 2019 in the Titov Veles region as well (<68% and <59%, 28 and 56 days after application, respectively), due to the drought conditions observed in this region in early spring and in mid-spring. A PREem application followed by a heavy rainfall resulted in a sunflower injury in the Bitola region in 2018, ranging from 9 to 28% across the PRE-em treatments seven days after emergence. The injuries by oxyfluorfen and dimethenamid-P were more serious (24 and 28%, respectively). The sunflower achene yields for each treatment in both regions generally reflected an overall weed control and crop injury.

Thallium Use, Toxicity, and Detoxification Therapy: An Overview

Thallium (Tl) is released into the environment, where is present at very low levels, from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Tl is considered as one of the most toxic heavy metals; it is a non-essential metal, present in low concentrations in humans. Tl toxicity causes dermatological and gastrointestinal diseases and disorders of the nervous system, and may even result in death. Many isotopes of Tl exist, with different uses. One of the isotopes of this metal (201Tl) is used in cardiovascular scintigraphy and for the diagnosis of malignant tumors such as breast or lung cancer and osteosarcoma bone cancer. Many Tl compounds are tasteless, colorless, and odorless. Due to these characteristics and their high toxicity, they have been used as poisons in suicides and murders for criminal purposes, as well as instances of accidental poisoning. Impaired glutathione metabolism, oxidative stress, and disruption of potassium-regulated homeostasis may play a role in the mechanism of Tl toxicity. Solanum nigrum L. and Callitriche cophocarpa have been suggested as promising agents for the phytoremediation of Tl. In addition, macrocyclic compounds such as crown ethers (18-crown-6) are good candidates to absorb Tl from wastewater. Through this review, we present an update to general information about the uses and toxicity of Tl. Furthermore, the attention is focused on detoxification therapies.

Nutritional Analysis of Five Wild Edible Vegetables Traditionally Consumed by the Orang Asli in Perak

The significance of wild edible plants may be traced back to antiquity, and methodological studies are the focus of present food movements to restore culinary traditions. Ethnobotanical appraisal was first done to determine the names and the significance of the five wild edibles used by the Orang Asli, which were Erechtites valerianiaeolia (Link ex Spring) DC, Dendrocalamus asper (Schult.) Backer, Solanum nigrum L., Gomphandra quadrifida (Blume) Sleumer, and Pleocnemia irregularis (C. Presl) Holttum collected from Sungkai, Perak in Malaysia. These wild edibles were then assessed for their proximate and mineral compositions. The present study revealed that the fiber content present in these wild edibles ranged from 2.7 to 12.5 g/100 g, whereas the protein content ranged from 1.8 to 6.8 g/100 g with Gomphandra quadrifida containing the highest amount of fiber and Solanum nigrum recording the highest protein content among the 5 wild edibles. In regard to the micronutreint content, iron was the highest in Gomphandra quadrifida, followed by Pleocnemia irregularis. Calcium and magnesium contents were the highest in Solanum nigrum. The results obtained in this study echo the urgency to conserve these plants in order to promote consumption as well as to improve the health and nutritional status of the Orang Asli.