A study was carried out to evaluate the potential of exogenously applied potassium nitrate [1.0 g·dm−3(K1), 2.5 g·dm−3(K2) and 5 g·dm−3(K3)] plus gibberellic acid (GA3) [0.005 g·dm−3(G1), 0.01 g·dm−3(G2) and 0.015 g·dm−3(G3)] on the growth and development of the cucumber (Cucumis sativusL.) ‘Seven Star F1’ during various growth stages (40, 55 and 70 days after sowing). Treatment of plants with K plus GA3stimulated growth shortened the fruit maturation period and increased quality compared with non-sprayed control. The combination G2K2resulted in maximum total yield, plant height, and total chlorophyll, phosphorus and nitrogen content in the leaves compared with other treatments. Fruit matured significantly earlier in plants sprayed with G2K2. Total yield and fruit quality dry matter, total suspended solids and antioxidant activity percentages were significantly higher in sprayed plants compared with controls. Potassium content in leaves and fruits reached the maximum level with G3K3treatment. The results clearly showed that the foliar application of G2K2proved to be the best choice for growing cucumber in terms of quantity and quality of yield.

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the potential effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae & Acaulospora laevis) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens) with different levels of superphosphate on Chrysanthemum indicum L. After 100 days, different plant growth parameters such as mycorrhization's characteristics, phosphatase activity and phosphorus uptake were measured. The obtained results revealed that the inoculation of plants with biofertilizers and recommended dose of superphosphate significantly improved the growth parameters. Inoculation with A. laevis + P. fluorescens at medium concentration of superphosphate showed maximum height, fresh and dry root weight, AM root colonization, AM spore count, alkaline phosphatase activity, acidic phosphatase activity and the percent phosphorus uptake in shoot and root whereas root length was maximum in G. mosseae + A. laevis + P. fluorescens. Leaf area and fresh and dry shoot weight were maximum in the treatment (G. mosseae + A. laevis + P. fluorescens) at low concentration of superphosphate. The use of AMF increased nutrient acquisition from an organic fertilizer source by enhancing acidic phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, thus facilitating P acquisition and improving plant growth.

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The aim of this study was to prepare nimesulide solid lipid nanoparticles (NIM-SLNs), to formulate the controlled drug release and to evaluate its physiochemical characteristics. NIM-SLNs were prepared by an emulsification and low-temperature solidification method. Additionally, attempts have been made to study the effect of individual process parameters (stirring speed and stirring time) and formulation parameters (Lecithin concentration, drug concentration and surfactant concentration) on entrapment efficiency. An approximately entrapment efficiency of (60%) and an average drug loading of (1.0 %) were achieved from optimized formulation of NIM-SLNs. The results show that the TMZ-SLNs had an average diameter of 187±1.23nm and in vitro drug release was conducted in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4) at 37oC. The cumulative percentages drug release of nimesulide was found approximately 60% in 24 hours and release behavior was in accordance with Higuchi-equation. The results indicate that the SLNs is a promising controlled-release system. It may also allow a reduction in dosage and a decrease in systemic toxicity.

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