The foreseen increase in evaporative demand and reduction in rainfall occurrence are expected to stress the abiotic constrains of drought and salt concentration in soil. The intensification of ...abiotic stresses coupled with the progressive depletion in water pools is a major concern especially in viticulture, as most vineyards rely on water provided by rainfall. Because its economical relevance and its use as a model species for the study of abiotic stress effect on perennial plants, a significant amount of literature has focused on
, assessing the physiological mechanisms occurring under stress. Despite the complexity of the stress-resistance strategy of grapevine, the ensemble of phenomena involved seems to be regulated by the key hormone abscisic acid (ABA). This review aims at summarizing our knowledge on the role of ABA in mediating mechanisms whereby grapevine copes with abiotic stresses and to highlight aspects that deserve more attention in future research.
Sustainable intensification is considered an efficient alternative to conventional agriculture to feed a growing population while maintaining and benefitting the environment. Intercropping is one of ...the most studied practices to obtain production gains and other ecosystem services. Most intercrops involve legumes and cereals, but other species combinations should be explored to further increase the diversity of intercropping systems. Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.; Polygonaceae) is an emerging minor crop which is gaining attention in alternative intercropping systems.This review provides a comprehensive view of the state of the art on the role of buckwheat as a companion crop in arable cropping systems. Despite buckwheat being well-known for its weed-suppressive ability, intercropping using buckwheat for weed control has received little attention. Few crops have so far been considered in relation to the introduction of buckwheat in annual cropping systems. This review uncovers a largely untapped research field involving buckwheat. The research perspectives are multiple as buckwheat consumption is increasing and its attractive flower resources and rapid growth offer the provision of several agro-ecosystem services that directly and indirectly benefit crop yield stability.
•Intercropping is one of the most studied practices to promote sustainable intensification.•Buckwheat is a minor crop with documented weed suppressing abilities and attractive flower resources.•Intercropping with buckwheat has received little attention, although the existing literature reports positive findings.
Summary
Drought‐induced tree mortality frequently occurs in patches with different spatial and temporal distributions, which is only partly explained by inter‐ and intraspecific variation in drought ...tolerance. We investigated whether bedrock properties, with special reference to rock water storage capacity, affects tree water status and drought response in a rock‐dominated landscape.
We measured primary porosity and available water content of breccia (B) and dolostone (D) rocks. Saplings of Fraxinus ornus were grown in pots filled with soil or soil mixed with B and D rocks, and subjected to an experimental drought. Finally, we measured seasonal changes in water status of trees in field sites overlying B or D bedrock.
B rocks were more porous and stored more available water than D rocks. Potted saplings grown with D rocks had less biomass and suffered more severe water stress than those with B rocks. Trees in sites with B bedrock had more favourable water status than those on D bedrock which also suffered drought‐induced canopy dieback.
Bedrock represents an important water source for plants under drought. Different bedrock features translate into contrasting below‐ground water availability, leading to landscape‐level heterogeneity of the impact of drought on tree water status and dieback.
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