Crop producers are becoming aware of a slow rise in air temperatures in the past years, which is often coupled with a lack of precipitation during the summer months. In Croatia, insufficient water ...supply (water stress) is easily observed for late spring crops such as maize and soybean since their growing season is occurring during the hottest and driest part of the year (July and August). In general, crop damage is increased with the extended period of water shortage during the growing season because of slower growth and lower leaf area, which in turn, result in greatly reduced biological and economic yield. A severe drought occurring during the critical period for water has the largest negative impact on the biological and economic yield of field crops, and in some cases, may result in total yield loss. Consequently, the drought primarily affects the biological and economic yield of arable crops, while its effect on the quality is less evident. This professional paper presents the negative effect of high air temperatures and water shortage on the yield and quality of maize and soybeans, two most widely grown spring crops in Croatia.
The effect of Brassinosteroid and Super Micro Plus Nanoparticles on growth and
yield components was evaluated in potatoes for the growing season 2020. In the
Karbala Governorate, a Randomized ...Complete Block Design RCBD factorial
field experiment of two factors (Brassinosteroid and super micro plus) was conducted with three replications. The Brassinosteroid was used at 0, 0.05, 0.10 and
0.15 mg.L-1
, where the super micro plus was also used with four levels of 0, 1, 3
and 5 gxL-1
. Interaction treatment of both factors at the highest concentrations
(B3F3) resulted in the highest mean values of all the measured parameters including plant height (64.39cm), number of stem/plant (2.593), shoot dry weight
(173.3 g.plant-1
), leave area (51.05dc2
.plant-1
), tuber weight (165.4g), plant yield
(1948.41)g, tuber dry matter (14.88 %) and tuber content of starch (9.18%).
Keywords: Brassinosteroid, super micro plus Nanoparticle, potato, Yield quality
A field experiment was conducted at two locations in Sulaimanya governorate (Ranya and Saruchawa) during the autumn growing season of 2021 to investigate the effect of different sources of Nano ...fertilizer on the growth, yield, and quality of two sunflower genotypes. A factorial experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates which included sunflower genotypes (Velko and Baroloro) and Nano foliar fertilizer (Control, Nano Zn, Nano NPK, Super Nano, and Nano Fe). The statistical analysis indicated a significant effect of both factors and their interactions on most of the studied traits. The results indicated that the Velko genotype requires a shorter period for all growth stages, moreover recorded maximum seed yield (5.73 and 5.86) t ha-1 at both locations. On the other hand, the results showed that Super Nano fertilizer affected significantly most of the studied traits and obtained the highest value for leaf area (56.11and 61.72 cm2), leaf area index (1.23and 1.36), head diameter (11.76 and 13.55), head weight (191.23 and 245.21), seed index (70.05 and 72.29), seed yield (5.73 and5.86 ) t ha-1, and oil (37.76 and 38.60) % in addition to protein (19.83 and 23.40) %. at both locations respectively. The interaction treatment (Velko x Super Nano) recorded the highest value of oil and protein content (37.93, 38.61) % and (24.50, 24.25) %, on the other hand, the lowest values for most of the studied characters were recorded from Baroloro and Control treatment.
Phytoremediation of soils contaminated by heavy metals was tested by liming (CaCO3) or adding biochar (1%, 5% and 10%, mass fraction) and by growing rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), a common bioenergy ...crop. Bioavailable metal concentrations (0.01 mol L−1 CaCl2 extraction) decreased with increasing concentrations of biochar amendment. The reduction reached 71%, 87% and 92% for Cd, Zn and Pb respectively in the presence of 10% biochar. Twelve weeks after sowing, all plants cultivated on the untreated soil and on the soil amended by biochar at 1% had died, while the plants grew normally on the soil that had the other treatments. Compared to liming, treatment with 10% biochar proved equally efficient in reducing metal concentrations in shoots but the biomass production tripled as a result of the soil fertility improvement. Thus, in addition to C sequestration, the incorporation of biochar into metal-contaminated soils could make it possible to cultivate bioenergy crops without encroaching on agricultural lands. Although additional investigations are needed, we suggest that the harvested biomass might in turn be used as feedstock for pyrolysis to produce both bioenergy and new biochar, which could contribute further to the reduction of CO2 emission.
•Biochar incorporation improves pH, CEC and available nutrient content.•Phytoavailability of Cd, Zn and Pb decreases with increasing biochar applications.•Biochar application can be as efficient as liming in reducing metal concentration in shoots.•Biochar application can triple the biomass production of rapeseed compared to liming.•Combining phytoremediation with C sequestration and bioenergy production is promising.
The increase water demand for irrigation is leading to the use of low-quality water resources. The combined impact of drought and salinity on olive production sustainability, yield quality, growth, ...soil salinity and soil water conditions in arid areas has been little investigated. This study’s purpose was conducted to investigate the effects of the monitoring of saline water irrigation on soil properties and olive trees (cv. Chemlali) grown in an arid region of Tunisia (Sfax), on the potential yield, growth and quality of the resultant virgin olive oil in comparison to Rain-fed conditions. It is also intended to compare olive productive performance during a severe drought with, and without, irrigation and to assess recovering capacities after long driest period. Three irrigation levels were considered: (i) Full irrigation (100%ETc) with saline water 7.5 dS m-1 (FI); (ii) Full irrigation with same amount of water than the FI applied with tap water 2.46 dS m-1 (TW); and (iii) Rain-fed conditions (Dry). The results have showed that irrigation with saline water maintained the soils permeability, induced the distribution of salts outside the root zone. Additionally, it has maintained an adequate hydration of the rhizosphere through continuous and efficient leaching of salts to deep horizons. After drought period, the increase of the yield of rain-fed trees indicated 50% of recovery as compared to saline water. Irrigation with saline water reduced this gap due to drought impact. But it was 50% under that tap water; while reduction was 15% as a reduction capacity of potential yield. Hence, drought and salt stress alter the olive tree capacity and potential yield in an irreversible way if their severity is very intense. As salinity increased, there was a desirable sink in measured total phenols and flavonoids levels and a rise of oleic and linoleic acids as compared to rainfed conditions. For the triglycerides composition, triolein (OOO) was present in very large quantity in three oils, with a high content for FI (23.94%). Saline water treatment did not affect free acidity, peroxide value, K232, K270, chlorophyll, carotenoids, in contrast to Rain-fed treatment which was decreased. Olive trees permanently lost less than half of their potential yield during drought without irrigation. Irrigation with saline water seems to ensure sustainable monitoring olive yield and oil quality.
•Olive trees lost permanently 48% of their potential yield during drought without irrigation.•Irrigation with saline water preserved only 50% of potential yield after re-watering.•Irrigation with saline water maintained sandy-loam soil permeability and the distribution of salts outside the root zone.•Saline water ensured sustainable olive yield and oil quality.
Irrigation water salinity effects on oregano growth, water use, yield and quality parameters were investigated. For this aim, eight irrigation water salinity levels including 0.54 (control), 1.2, ...1.8, 2.5, 3.5, 5.0, 7.0 and 10 dS/m were utilized. The plants in all of 7 and 10 dS/m and two out of five replications of 5 dS/m treatment could not survive until the end of the experiment. The mean soil salinity and seasonal averaged drainage water salinity values increased with increasing salinities of applied irrigation water. Compared to control 27, 33, 44 and 74% reductions in total dry yields, and 27, 38, 49, and 77% decreases in dry leaf yields were calculated for 1.8, 2.5, 3.5 and 5 dS/m treatments, respectively. In general, increased irrigation water salinity caused increases in total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, extract yield which shows the amount of water extractable matter from the plants and antioxidant activity whereas significant decreases in total oil content. Among the essential oil components, carvacrol, β-cymene and γ-terpinene contents decreased with increasing water salinities up to 2.5 dS/m and after this level sharply increased but linalool content showed a reversed pattern. A threshold value of 0.50 dS/m was calculated for total fresh yield of oregano but it was not possible to determine a threshold salinity value for total dry yield, dry leaf yield and total oil content. Based on these results, oregano is a very sensitive plant to salinity.
•Little information exists for individual effects of many salts on plant cultivation.•Stevia growth, yield and quality are affected by both salt sources and water salinity level.•Salt sources exist ...in irrigation water may affect response of Stevia to salinity stress.•Salt source is as important as the water salinity level for stevia cultivation.
Soils and irrigation waters contain multiple types of salt, each of which may exert different effects on plant cultivation. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of different salt sources (CaCl2, Ca(NO3)2, MgCl2, MgSO4, NaCl and Na2SO4) in irrigation water with different salinity levels (0.7, 1.5, 2.5 and 4.0 dS/m) on growth, yield and quality parameters of stevia in addition to soil, and drainage water. It was found that seasonal evapotranspiration, plant growth, yield and quality parameters of stevia plant generally showed less variation among irrigation water salinity levels for salt sources containing SO4 than those containing Cl and NO3. Water-yield response factors of stevia plant were determined as 1.58, 1.37, 1.45, 2.04, 1.68 and 2.15 for CaCl2, Ca(NO3)2, MgCl2, MgSO4, NaCl and Na2SO4 salts, respectively. These values indicate that stevia plant is very sensitive to water stress originating from osmotic effect of each salt source. The order of salt sources for threshold salinity values of dry herbaceous yields of stevia plant were determined as Ca(NO3)2 > Na2SO4 > MgSO4 > NaCl > CaCl2 > MgCl2. Similarly, the order salt sources for slope values indicating the relative yield decrease for per unit increase in salinity after the threshold values were obtained as Na2SO4 < MgSO4 < MgCl2 < Ca(NO3)2 < NaCl < CaCl2. These results show that salt type in irrigation water is as important as the level of irrigation water salinity. In general, it can be concluded that water resources containing Cl should not be used for irrigation purposes in stevia cultivation.
Water use efficiency (WUE), defined as the ratio of plant carbon gain to water use in various spatio-temporal scales, is a complex indicator of physiological, agronomic, and engineering processes, as ...well as management practices. Improving WUE at different scales is an important pathway to combat the global water shortage and ensure food supply, which requires both understanding the physiological mechanisms of crop responding and adapting to water deficit, and innovating field water management technologies. We reviewed advances and perspectives in the research field related to improving WUE at different scales and discussed the key obstacles and possible solutions in practice. A water-saving, quality-improving, high-efficient water use strategy was proposed and an integrative management approach making use of diverse advanced WUE improving technologies was constructed. Both the water use strategy and integrative approach were developed based on physiological mechanisms of crop responding to water deficit, crop life water requirements, precision irrigation water management according to real-time monitoring of crop responses to water deficit, as well as crop water-yield-quality models. The review was expected to provide a reference for researchers in the water management communities and boost sustainable development of water-saving agriculture in water shortage areas.
•Appropriate water deficit at right time could improve crop yield, quality, and water use efficiency (WUE).•Physiological mechanisms of crop responses to water deficit provide a foundation for improving field WUE.•Accurate monitoring and diagnosis of crop water deficit are necessary to implement efficient water management practices.•An irrigation strategy for regulating yield and quality is introduced based on the quantitative models.•An integrative approach for water-saving, quality-improving, and high-efficient water use has been developed.
•Deficit irrigation negatively affected yield quantity for both chili species.•Concentrations of sugars were lower at both plant species under deficit irrigation.•C. annuum 'Chili-AS Rot' fruits had ...higher organic acids content at field capacity.•Capsaicin concentration in C. annuum 'Chili-AS Rot' was higher under water deficit.
The effects of water stress on plant growth, yield, primary metabolites (sugars, organic acids, ascorbic acid) and secondary metabolites (total phenolic content, capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin) accumulation, were evaluated for greenhouse production. A pot experiment was conducted on two species of chilies Capsicum annuum L. var 'Chili-AS Rot' and Capsicum chinense Jacq. var 'Naga Morich'. Plants were irrigated at two different treatments, optimal irrigation or field capacity and deficit irrigation or 50 % field capacity, which can be treated as drought stress. The effects of drought stress on quantity and quality of the yield, (primary and secondary metabolites) were studied. Deficit irrigation affected yield quantity, as both chili species had lower yield at deficit irrigation. Species C. chinense 'Naga Morich' under deficit irrigation abscised the flowers, thus no fruits were harvested at the third picking. Concentrations of sugars were lower at both plant species under deficit irrigation. Concentrations of organic acids in fruits of C. annuum 'Chili-AS Rot', such as citric acid, oxalic acid, fumaric acid, quinic acid were higher at optimal irrigation. Malic acid concentrations were similar at both irrigation treatments. In the fruits of C. chinense Jacq. 'Naga Morich' the concertation of citric acid and ascorbic acid was higher with optimal irrigation. Concentrations of other organic acids were higher at deficit irrigation. C. annuum 'Chili-AS Rot' had higher concentration of ascorbic acid and total phenolic content at optimal irrigation and higher capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin concentrations in stressed plants. C. chinense 'Naga Morich' had higher concentrations of capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin and total phenolic content at optimal irrigation regime.
Karamang S, Ariffin, Widaryanto E, Aini N. 2023. Yield quality of Setaria italica accessions originated from Numfor Island, Papua, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 1878-1885. Pokem (Setaria italica L. ...Beauv) is among the various germplasms of food plant diversity in Papua, especially in Numfor Island along with its traditional cultivation. Huge attention is needed in sustaining plant development due to its high nutritional value. Therefore, the study aims to (i) search for S. italica accessions with the highest yields and nutrient content in ex-situ cultivation, and (ii) S. italica gain accessions from the island of Numfor which contains phytochemical and antioxidant activity compounds. This study was carried out at the Experimental Garden of the Faculty of Agriculture, the University of Papua in Amban Manokwari. The plant materials used were 15 accessions of S. italica grains derived from existing cultivated locations of Numfor Island, Papua. The experiment was carried out using Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 4 replications. Yield component characters, nutritional content, total flavonoid and phenolic content, as well as antioxidant activity were observed. The results revealed that accession Sub Manggunsi 3 (SM3) had the highest grain yield. Based on nutrient contents, the highest recorded by Namber 2 (NM 2) accession for carbohydrate content, followed by Sub Manggunsi 2/SM2 (raw fiber), Kansai 3/KN3 and Sub Manggunsi 3/SM3 (protein content), Sub Manggunsi 1/SM1 (water content), Kameri 3/KM3 and Rimba Raya2/RR2 (fat content), Namber 3/NM3 (ash content); while Kameri 1 (KM1) accession, Rimba Raya 2 (RR2) and Kansai 1 (KM3) accession performed high content of total flavonoid, total phenol and antioxidant activity.
