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Agronomy
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Responses of Forage Crops to Environmental Stresses and Stress Alleviating...
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Responses of Forage Crops to Environmental Stresses and Stress Alleviating Strategies

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Grassland and Pasture Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 4625

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Chuan-Jie Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Interests: forage species; heavy metal stress; nanoparticles; physiological responses; plant growth; nutritional value
Dr. Qiang Zhou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
Interests: forage; drought stress; molecular mechanism; yield; nutritional quality; molecular breeding
Dr. Xue-Yang Min

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Interests: leguminous forage; genetic diversity; high temperature resistance; functional gene; germplasm innovation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forage crops are the major feeding source for providing high nutrition for herbivores. The growth and production of forage crops are significantly restricted by diverse environmental stresses, including extreme low or high temperatures, drought, waterlogging, salinity, heavy metals ect. Due to the differences in environmental stresses, the plants respond differently to diverse stresses and have evolved complex adaptive mechanisms at the physiological, metabolic and molecular levels. This Special Issue aims at bringing together researchers, scientists, students, etc., to exchange and share their studies on revealling the responses of forage crops, such as alfalfa, ryegrass to environmental stresses, including the heavy metals, drought, salinity, cold, and heat stresses, and using biofertilizers, nanopaticles, plant growth regulatures to allevilate the environmental stresses. This Specical Issue will embrace disciplinary studies refering to morphology, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and plant–environment interactions of forage crops under various environmental stresses. This Special Issue welcomes the submission of all types of articles, including orginal research, reviews, methodologies, opinions, and commentaries.

Dr. Chuan-Jie Zhang
Dr. Qiang Zhou
Dr. Xue-Yang Min
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • abiotic stresses
  • alleviating effect
  • biostimulants
  • crop quality
  • forage crops
  • plant growth

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 1049 KiB  
Article
The Application of Slow-Release Nitrogen Combined with Soil Conditioner Under the Impact of Alkaline Salinity in Alfalfa Cultivation and Soil Improvement
by Ping Liu, Bo Wu, Zichao Zhao, Guoliang Wang and Zhaohui Liu
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 923; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040923 - 10 Apr 2025
Viewed by 234
Abstract
Water-based resin-coated controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) is valued for its safety, environmental benefits, and water absorption/retention properties. To improve the productivity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and the soil quality in coastal saline–alkali land at the Yellow River Delta, in this work, we [...] Read more.
Water-based resin-coated controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) is valued for its safety, environmental benefits, and water absorption/retention properties. To improve the productivity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and the soil quality in coastal saline–alkali land at the Yellow River Delta, in this work, we carried out field experiments to study how the application of CRF (water-based resin-coated urea) and soil conditioner, both developed in-house, affected the alfalfa harvest and the soil properties. The following five treatments were tested from 2022 to 2023: T0, no fertilization; T1, urea with P&K fertilizers; T2, CRF with P&K fertilizers; T3, urea, P&K fertilizers, and soil conditioner; T4, CRF, P&K fertilizers, and soil conditioner. The results showed that the simultaneous application of CRF and soil conditioner (i.e., T4) had the most obvious effect on improving the yield and quality of alfalfa. In 2022, T4 had 6.3% higher total alfalfa yield than T0. In 2023, T4 had 14.2% and 8.4% higher total alfalfa yield than T0 and T1, respectively. The alfalfa from T4 had higher crude protein content and relative feeding value (RFV), lower acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content. The combined application of CRF and soil conditioner reduced the salinity of the surface soil and increased the soil organic matter, available nitrogen, and phosphorus at the 0~40 cm layer. Therefore, the application of soil conditioner and CRF can improve the use of coastal saline–alkali land for the cultivation of alfalfa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Forage Crops to Environmental Stresses and Stress Alleviating Strategies)
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21 pages, 12878 KiB  
Article
Exogenous 24-Epibrassinolide Improves Resistance to Leaf Spot Disease Through Antioxidant Regulation and Phenylpropanoid Metabolism in Oats
by Zheng Wang, Kuiju Niu, Guiqin Zhao, Yuehua Zhang, Jikuan Chai and Zeliang Ju
Agronomy 2024, 14(12), 3035; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14123035 - 19 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 624
Abstract
Leaf spot disease has become a significant limitation in oat production. 24-epibrassinolide (EBR), a highly active brassinosteroid, plays a significant role in enhancing plant immunity against various diseases by modulating physiological and molecular responses. However, the exact mechanisms by which exogenous EBR regulates [...] Read more.
Leaf spot disease has become a significant limitation in oat production. 24-epibrassinolide (EBR), a highly active brassinosteroid, plays a significant role in enhancing plant immunity against various diseases by modulating physiological and molecular responses. However, the exact mechanisms by which exogenous EBR regulates plant defense to leaf spot disease are still largely unknown. In this study, we applied various concentrations of EBR (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg·L−1) to the leaves of oat plants that were inoculated with the Drechslera avenae pathogen. The application of 1 mg·L−1 EBR significantly decreased disease index and increased chlorophyll content under pathogen inoculation while also enhancing antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, and APX) activity and reducing pathogen-induced O2•− production rate and MDA content. Moreover, the enzymes associated with phenylpropanoid metabolism, such as PAL, C4H, and 4CL, were significantly activated by exogenous EBR. Our transcriptomic analyses further revealed that the combination of exogenous EBR and pathogen inoculation upregulated genes involved in signal transduction (BR, ABA, and MAPK), antioxidant enzyme defense systems, and phenylpropanoid and lignin-specific pathways, such as BAS1, APX, GPX, PAL, C4H, 4CL, CCR1, and CAD. Together, these findings reveal that exogenous BR application can improve resistance to Drechslera avenae-induced leaf spot disease in oats by regulating antioxidant defense systems and phenylpropanoid metabolism, which may have the potential to control leaf spot disease in oat production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Forage Crops to Environmental Stresses and Stress Alleviating Strategies)
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21 pages, 3117 KiB  
Article
Using Nanomaterials and Arbuscular mycorrhizas to Alleviate Saline–Alkali Stress in Cyperus esculentus (L.)
by Jixing Diao, Yi Tang, Yu Jiang, Hailian Sun and Chuan-Jie Zhang
Agronomy 2024, 14(11), 2476; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14112476 - 23 Oct 2024
Viewed by 989
Abstract
Saline–alkali (SA) stress is an abiotic stress that exists widely in the natural environment, seriously affecting the growth and development of crops. Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.), a perennial herb of Cyperus in Cyperaceae, is considered a pioneer crop for growing [...] Read more.
Saline–alkali (SA) stress is an abiotic stress that exists widely in the natural environment, seriously affecting the growth and development of crops. Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.), a perennial herb of Cyperus in Cyperaceae, is considered a pioneer crop for growing and improving SA land due to its excellent adaptability and SA tolerance. This study is the first to evaluate the SA tolerance of tiger nut and the alleviative effects of nanomaterials (nano-selenium and multi-walled carbon nanotubes) and Arbuscular mycorrhizas (AMs) on SA stress. The results showed that the seedling fresh weight of tiger nut was the most suitable parameter to describe the dose–response effect of plant growth with increased SA concentration. Based on the log-logistic dose–response curve, the GR50 values of NaCl and NaHCO3 (the concentrations causing a 50% reduction in seedling fresh weight) were determined to be 163 mmol L−1 and 63 mmol L−1, respectively. Under these stresses, the exogenous application of MWCNTs at 100 mg L−1 or Nano-Se at 10 mg L−1 showed that the effect of SA on tiger nut was alleviated. Field evaluation further showed that the exogenous application of MWCNTs, Nano-Se, or AMs could effectively alleviate SA stress on tiger nut. Compared to the untreated control, the application of these substances significantly improved the plant photosynthesis-related parameter, antioxidant enzyme activity, plant height (height: 66.0–69.9 cm), tuber yield (yield: 23.4–27.4 g plant−1), and oil quality of tiger nut under SA stress. The results of this study indicate that the application of MWCNTs, Nano-Se, or AMs, to tiger nut can alleviate SA stress and maintain seed yield, providing the possibility of using these nanoparticles to improve the SA tolerance of tiger nut in agricultural practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Forage Crops to Environmental Stresses and Stress Alleviating Strategies)
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12 pages, 6953 KiB  
Article
Unveiling the Effects of Phosphorus on the Mineral Nutrient Content and Quality of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in Acidic Soils
by Zhou Li, Yunfei Hao, Xiaowen Wang, Jin He, Xuechun Zhao, Jihui Chen, Xinyao Gu, Mingjun Zhang, Feng Yang and Rui Dong
Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2271; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102271 - 2 Oct 2024
Viewed by 888
Abstract
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) grown in acidic soils is often affected by phosphorus (P) deficiency, which results in reduced mineral nutrient content and forage quality. In this context, the effects of phosphorus (P) fertiliser remain unclear. In this study, we analysed the [...] Read more.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) grown in acidic soils is often affected by phosphorus (P) deficiency, which results in reduced mineral nutrient content and forage quality. In this context, the effects of phosphorus (P) fertiliser remain unclear. In this study, we analysed the effects of P application on mineral nutrient content and forage quality in aluminium (Al)-sensitive (Longzhong) and Al-tolerant (Trifecta) alfalfa cultivars cultivated in two acidic soil environments. Mineral nutrient content and quality were affected by genotype, soil type, and P treatment concentration (p < 0.001). In limestone soil, for Longzhong and Trifecta, the optimal potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) contents as well as crude protein content (CP) and ether extract (EE) values were observed at 20 mg P kg−1, that of the P content was observed at 40 mg P kg−1, and the minimum neutral detergent fibre (NDF) acid detergent lignin (ADL) values were observed at 40 mg P kg−1. In yellow soil, the maximum K, Ca, Mg, and P contents in Longzhong and Trifecta were observed at 40 mg P kg−1, whereas the maximum CP, EE, and ADL values were observed at 20 mg P kg−1. Our study provides an empirically based framework for optimising alfalfa fertilisation programmes in acidic soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Forage Crops to Environmental Stresses and Stress Alleviating Strategies)
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24 pages, 14096 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Identification, Evolution, and Expression Analysis of the Dirigent Gene Family in Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)
by Mingchao Li, Kai Luo, Wenke Zhang, Man Liu, Yunfei Zhang, Huling Huang, Yinhua Chen, Shugao Fan and Rui Zhang
Agronomy 2024, 14(8), 1758; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081758 - 11 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1267
Abstract
Dirigent (DIR) genes play a pivotal role in plant development and stress adaptation. Manihot esculenta Crantz, commonly known as cassava, is a drought-resistant plant thriving in tropical and subtropical areas. It is extensively utilized for starch production, bioethanol, and animal feed. [...] Read more.
Dirigent (DIR) genes play a pivotal role in plant development and stress adaptation. Manihot esculenta Crantz, commonly known as cassava, is a drought-resistant plant thriving in tropical and subtropical areas. It is extensively utilized for starch production, bioethanol, and animal feed. However, a comprehensive analysis of the DIR family genes remains unexplored in cassava, a crucial cash and forage crop in tropical and subtropical regions. In this study, we characterize a total of 26 cassava DIRs (MeDIRs) within the cassava genome, revealing their uneven distribution across 13 of the 18 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into four subfamilies: DIR-a, DIR-b/d, DIR-c, and DIR-e. Comparative synteny analysis with cassava and seven other plant species (Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), poplar (Populus trichocarpa), soybean (Glycine max), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), rice (Oryza sativa), maize (Zea mays), and wheat (Triticum aestivum)) provided insights into their likely evolution. We also predict protein interaction networks and identify cis-acting elements, elucidating the functional differences in MeDIR genes. Notably, MeDIR genes exhibited specific expression patterns across different tissues and in response to various abiotic and biotic stressors, such as pathogenic bacteria, cadmium chloride (CdCl2), and atrazine. Further validation through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) confirmed the response of DIR genes to osmotic and salt stress. These findings offer a comprehensive resource for understanding the characteristics and biological functions of MeDIR genes in cassava, enhancing our knowledge of plant stress adaptation mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Forage Crops to Environmental Stresses and Stress Alleviating Strategies)
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