SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

Cast iron alloys combine many elements such as carbon, iron, silicon, magnesium and can be usually classified according to their microstructure in ductile, gray, compacted, white, and malleable. Each one has particularities in terms of properties and applications. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the degree of nodularity (%) in a ductile cast iron alloy GGG 40. In this context, a methodology to investigate the degree of nodularity wasproposed. The ultrasonic method was used to determine the amount of ductile graphite as well as for parts release and thus facilitated the industrial operational execution. The effect of ultrasonic sound was investigated in sixtyseven ductile cast irons, and these analyses were further compared to the level of nodularity observed by metallography. Finally, based on the findings, the cast iron quality was guaranteed, leading to time savings, avoiding the microstructural examination, and thus promoting cost reductions.

Sugar beet is a crop able to resist high levels of soil salinity after emergence and establishment. Considering the significant difference in the effect of nitrogen forms on sugar beet performance under normal conditions, the form of nitrogen may affect the performance of sugar beet plants under abiotic stress, particularly salinity. Additionally, exploring the most appropriate type of nitrogen for sugar beet could mean optimizing sucrose content. Therefore, here using two lines, sugar beet was grown in pots (filled with 4 kg soil), salt-resistance (line 7233- p.29 x Mst), and salt-sensitive (line 3929-21939), the effect of two different forms of nitrate in the form of calcium nitrate (1 g per pot) and ammonium in the form of ammonium sulfate (1 g per pot) under normal and salt stress condition (40 Millimoles per liter sodium chloride) were evaluated. The result revealed the positive influence of nitrate over ammonium by indicating higher dry weight in both sensitive line: 19.2 and 13.6 g, and tolerance line: 20.4 and 13.6 g, respectively alone and in combination with salinity stress. Similarly, root yield levels positively influenced by nitrate treatment either alone or under salinity stress (sensitive line: 194.5 and 243.2 g and tolerance line: 207 and 249.5 g). The outcomes additionally showed the accumulation of proline aerial parts in both lines, and however, the proline accumulation of sensitive line was higher (3.9 mg/g dry weight). Moreover, induction of proline aggregation was considerably higher in nitrate nitrogen-treated sensitive line (9.3 mg/g dry weight). The absence of significant difference was obseved between nitrogen treatments in terms of extractable sucrose and root molasses sugar. Also, the root impurities increased in those treated with nitrate-nitrogen and salinity. It can be concluded that nitrate-nitrogen has improved the performance of both sugar beet lines against salinity stress, and its practical application is adviseable.

The pre-sowing treatment of scarlet sage (Salvia splendens Ker Gawl.) seeds with 4-methyl-2-piperidin1-yl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid at concentrations of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1% proved to have an obvious inhibiting effect. Prior to sowing, the seeds of Salvia splendens were soaked in a water suspension of 4-methyl-2-piperidin-1-yl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid and 4-methyl-2-morpholin-4-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid with concentrations of 0.01%, 0.05%, and 0.1% for 18 hours. On the 42nd day of the experiment, the seedlings, having been preliminarily hardened for 12 days, were removed from the greenhouse and planted on the field. The pre-sowing treatment of Salvia splendens seeds with 4-methyl-2-morpholin-4-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid proved to have the inhibiting effect at concentrations of 0.01 and 0.05%. The height of the seedlings decreased by 13.3-43.7%. It was revealed that 4-methyl-2-piperidin-1-yl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid at concentrations of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1% decreased the growth of the seedlings by 30.4-43.7%, and 4-methyl-2-morpholin-4-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid at concentrations of 0.01 and 0.05% decreased the growth of the seedlings by13.3-22.2%. By contrast, the effect of pyrimidinecarboxylic acids on seed germination and plant height of another annual flower – spreading marigold (Tagetes patula L.) was stimulating. It was investigated some different concentrations from 0.01 to 0.05 %. The same concentrations of identical compounds were tested, but effects from them were opposite for Tagetes patula, and Salvia splendens seedlings. Сonsequently, the species-specific effect of pyrimidinecarboxylic acids on seed germination and plant height for ornamental grasses takes place. Therefore,4-methyl-2-piperidin-1-yl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid and 4-methyl-2-morpholin4-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid are recommended as growth retardants for Salvia splendens.