Research

15 pages, 4478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Excess Magnesium Salt Supply on Rice Yield, Physiological Response, and Grain Mineral Content

by Suman Lamichhane, Lee Tarpley and Fugen Dou

Sustainability 2023, 15(22), 15741; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215741 - 08 Nov 2023

Viewed by 806

Magnesium nutrition in plants has remained largely unexplored compared to other essential elements. Although the impact of magnesium deficiency on plants has been reported from numerous studies, the responses of plants to excess magnesium salt levels have received less attention. Using five different [...] Read more.

Magnesium nutrition in plants has remained largely unexplored compared to other essential elements. Although the impact of magnesium deficiency on plants has been reported from numerous studies, the responses of plants to excess magnesium salt levels have received less attention. Using five different magnesium levels (0, 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 ppm) and two magnesium sources (MgSO₄ and MgCl₂), this study evaluated the effect of excess magnesium salts on rice production and associated physiological processes on a hybrid rice cultivar ‘XP 753’. Rice morphological and physiological parameters, including plant growth, biomass, root morphological features, tissue and grain mineral concentrations, membrane injury (MI), chlorophyll, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, proline concentrations, as well as gas exchange parameters, were evaluated. A dose-dependent reduction in above- and below-ground shoot and root morphological features was observed under the application of magnesium salts on the soil substrate. Analysis of physiological parameters demonstrated that an inhibition in plant growth, biomass, and yield was due to the decrease in total chlorophyll content, net photosynthesis rate, and membrane stability in rice. Furthermore, this study showed that the application of magnesium salts to soil interfered with the uptake and translocation of minerals and significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline levels, indicating the toxic effects of excess magnesium salts on rice plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Nutrition, Plant-Soil Relationships and Sustainable Agriculture)

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13 pages, 1243 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of P-Dipping on Growth of NERICA 4 Rice in Different Soil Types at Initial Growth Stages

by Emmanuel Odama, Yasuhiro Tsujimoto, Shin Yabuta, Isao Akagi, Rael Chepkoech, Ibrahim Soe and Jun-Ichi Sakagami

Sustainability 2023, 15(21), 15402; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115402 - 28 Oct 2023

Viewed by 797

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) deficiency resulting from P fixation is a major constraint limiting sustainable rice cultivation in sub-Saharan Africa. Soil texture also affects P availability and use efficiency. In a factorial experiment, we evaluated the combined effect of soil texture (sand, clay loam, and [...] Read more.

Phosphorus (P) deficiency resulting from P fixation is a major constraint limiting sustainable rice cultivation in sub-Saharan Africa. Soil texture also affects P availability and use efficiency. In a factorial experiment, we evaluated the combined effect of soil texture (sand, clay loam, and clay) and P treatments P-dipping (Pdip) and two other broadcasted P fertilizer levels (Brod1 and Brod2) on the growth of NERICA 4 rice in the initial growth stages. Across all soil textures and P treatments, total plant biomass ranged from 1.06 to 4.63 g pot⁻¹. The Pdip treatment significantly increased shoot and root biomass relative to control from 1.27 to 1.98 and 0.23 to 0.38 g pot⁻¹, respectively. Mean photosynthetic rate values under Pdip (20.1 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), Brod2 (19.5 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), and Brod1 (19.3 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) treatments showed significant 42%, 37%, and 36% increases over control, regardless of soil texture. In a striking contrast, P-dipping significantly promoted growth of root length under clay soil, but without a commensurate increase in shoot P uptake. Contrary to our hypothesis, the interactive effect of soil texture and P-dipping influenced NERICA 4 shoot and root physiological and morphological characteristics under clay loam soil texture as opposed to clay. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Nutrition, Plant-Soil Relationships and Sustainable Agriculture)

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24 pages, 8332 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phosphorus Fertilization Affects Morphological, Physiological and Agronomic Characteristics of Faba Bean Cultivars

by Paschalis Papakaloudis and Christos Dordas

Sustainability 2023, 15(17), 13172; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151713172 - 01 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 785

Abstract

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is an important legume crop grown worldwide, especially under rainfed conditions. Faba beans require phosphorus (P) fertilization to maintain high N₂ fixation rates and to obtain high yields. However, farmers in many countries use low quantities [...] Read more.

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is an important legume crop grown worldwide, especially under rainfed conditions. Faba beans require phosphorus (P) fertilization to maintain high N₂ fixation rates and to obtain high yields. However, farmers in many countries use low quantities of P because of its cost and the risk of drought, which reduces the crop’s response to P fertilization. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of P fertilization on two faba bean cultivars, examining several key traits to identify the most efficient genotype. Seed yield was influenced by the main effect of variety, the two-way interaction between year and variety, and the three-way interaction among year, treatment, and variety. In the KK-14 cultivar, seed yield increased by 99% during the first year. Similar trends were observed for the yield components. Additionally, the morphological and physiological characteristics were affected by the fertilization treatments and the interaction between cultivars and year. Therefore, the use of appropriate cultivars, along with proper management in cropping systems, can significantly impact growth, biomass yield, and productivity under different conditions, leading to higher yields and greater economic returns for farmers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Nutrition, Plant-Soil Relationships and Sustainable Agriculture)

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16 pages, 4619 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Different Contribution of Olive Groves and Citrus Orchards to Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration: A Field Study in Four Sites in Crete, Greece

by Eleni Sofoulaki, Vasileios A. Tzanakakis, Georgios Giannopoulos, Iosif Kapellakis, Emmanouil Kabourakis, Theocharis Chatzistathis and Nikolaos Monokrousos

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1477; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021477 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2103

Abstract

In this work, we evaluated the effects of cultivation practices and sites (representing four locations in Crete, Greece) on soil organic carbon sequestration in established citrus orchards, olive groves, and uncultivated fields (used as a control). Soil pH, soil texture, soil organic matter [...] Read more.

In this work, we evaluated the effects of cultivation practices and sites (representing four locations in Crete, Greece) on soil organic carbon sequestration in established citrus orchards, olive groves, and uncultivated fields (used as a control). Soil pH, soil texture, soil organic matter (SOM), Permanganate Oxidizable Carbon (POXC), Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), Carbon and Nitrogen ratio (C:N), as well as soil CO₂ respiration rates, and specific enzymes’ activity (i.e., N-Acetyl Glutamate (NAG), Beta Glucosidase (BG), Dehydrogenase) were determined in the upper soil layer (0–20 cm). It was shown that citrus and olive orchards under the South Mediterranean conditions could substantially increase C storage in the soil. However, soils planted with orange trees showed lower capacity than olive trees, which was related to litter chemistry (i.e., leaf C:N ratio). Sites had no significant impact on SOM. In our study, SOM had a positive relationship with TKN (and less with POXC) and the C:N ratio of the tree crop species litter. Our findings have implications for designing soil conservation practices in Mediterranean conditions and developing initiatives describing achievable targets of SOM restoration depending on soil properties and cropping systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Nutrition, Plant-Soil Relationships and Sustainable Agriculture)

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15 pages, 808 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Organic Fertilizers on Avocado Trees (Cvs. Fuerte, Hass, Lamb Hass) in Western Crete, a Cool Subtropical Region

by Thiresia-Teresa Tzatzani, Georgios Psarras, Dario Scuderi, Emmanouil Kokolakis and Ioannis E. Papadakis

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12221; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912221 - 27 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2112

Abstract

The market for avocado is one of the fastest expanding worldwide, inclduing the Mediterranean basin. Organic farming systems cannot make use of synthetic fertilizers and therefore rely on several cultural techniques to maintain vigorous young trees and for quick shoot development, satisfactory yield, [...] Read more.

The market for avocado is one of the fastest expanding worldwide, inclduing the Mediterranean basin. Organic farming systems cannot make use of synthetic fertilizers and therefore rely on several cultural techniques to maintain vigorous young trees and for quick shoot development, satisfactory yield, and fruit quality. We studied the effect of three different organic products (Terra Insecta^® (Aeiphoria-Sustainable products of Crete, Chania, Greece), Fruit-Fix^®, and AMINO-16^® (both products manufactured by EVYP, Sindos, Thessaloniki, Greece) on avocado plants in the cool subtropical area of southern Greece. Three experiments were carried out, two of them on young avocado trees, and the third one on mature, fully productive trees. The establishment success (ES) (%), plants with shoot induction (SI) (%), plants with shoot growth ≥ 3 cm (SG) (%), number of sprouted buds ≥3 cm per plant (SB), mean shoot length (cm) per plant (SL), total shoot length (cm) per plant (TSL), mean leaf number per plant (LN), and total leaf number per plant (TLN) were measured in the first and second experiments, while in the third experiment, fruit growth parameters (length, width, fruit weight, fruit weight increase (FWI)) and fruit quality parameters (dry matter, oil concentration, dry matter, and oil concentration increase) were measured. The application of 0.2 K of Terra Insecta^® to the planting hole did not have any statistically significant effect on plant growth, but when added around the trunk, statistically higher values were observed for SB, SL, LN, TSL, and TLN in the Terra Insecta^® treatment compared to the control. Fruit-Fix^® application to Lamb Hass avocado trees resulted in significant differences in ES, SI, SG, SL, TSL, LN, and TLN, and in the Hass variety, in SB. In the AMINO-16^® experiment, the fruit dimensions, quality parameters, and yield of the Hass variety were not recorded as significantly different. However, in the Fuerte variety, FW increased by 119.3% in the AMINO-16^® treatment. The effect of the organic fertilizers used in this research showed noticeable results requiring studies to be carried out over more seasons, different tree ages, cultivation methods, and stress conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Nutrition, Plant-Soil Relationships and Sustainable Agriculture)

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17 pages, 487 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Fertilization on Morphological and Physiological Characteristics and Environmental Cost of Maize (Zea mays L.)

by Maria Laskari, Georgios C. Menexes, Ilias Kalfas, Ioannis Gatzolis and Christos Dordas

Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8866; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148866 - 20 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1402

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crops in the world and fertilization is the most important management practice which contributes to high yield. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different fertilizers on maize [...] Read more.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crops in the world and fertilization is the most important management practice which contributes to high yield. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different fertilizers on maize crop and their contribution to the carbon footprint. The experiments were conducted in a commercial field in the area of Thessaloniki during the growing seasons of 2019 and 2020. During the experiment a number of physiological and morphological characteristics, and the energy output/input ratio, energy efficiency, and carbon footprint were determined. The results of the experiment showed that the inorganic fertilizers and manure improved the morphological and physiological characteristics that were studied compared to the green manure treatment and the control. In addition, it appeared most of the energy input of maize cultivation is from fertilizers (52%), followed by diesel (25%) and the use of machinery (14%). The treatments with the slow release fertilizers and the manure gave satisfactory results with an average of 42.1 Mg ha⁻¹ in 2019 and 43.6 Mg ha⁻¹ in 2020 for both fertilization treatments. Therefore, it is necessary to use the appropriate fertilizers in order to maintain the productivity of the crop and reduce the environmental costs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Nutrition, Plant-Soil Relationships and Sustainable Agriculture)

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14 pages, 2060 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Photosynthesis, Yield and Quality of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) under Different Soil-Tillage Systems

by Jan Buczek, Dorota Bobrecka-Jamro and Marta Jańczak-Pieniążek

Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 4903; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14094903 - 19 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1674

Abstract

Due to current climate changes and drought periods, it is recommended to cultivate soybean in no-plowing tillage systems. The conducted research is to contribute to a partial explanation of the course of photosynthesis processes in soybean plants, which may facilitate the decision making [...] Read more.

Due to current climate changes and drought periods, it is recommended to cultivate soybean in no-plowing tillage systems. The conducted research is to contribute to a partial explanation of the course of photosynthesis processes in soybean plants, which may facilitate the decision making before sowing this species in a given tillage system. The aim of the study was to assess the dependence of photosynthesis on the yield and variable hydrothermal conditions of tillage systems, as well as their impact on the productivity and quality of soybean. A field experiment was carried out using soybean cv. Merlin, between 2017 and 2019 in Boguchwała, Poland. The plant tested was soybean cv. Merlin. The tillage systems—conventional (CT), reduced (RT) and no-tillage (NT)—were the experimental factors. The use of CT and RT influenced growth in leaf area index (LAI) and soil plant analysis development (SPAD) and improved the photosynthesis process, which increased the values of the maximal quantum yield of the photolysis system of the donor side of PSII (Fv/F₀), and performance index of PS II (PI) and net photosynthetic rate (P_N), stomatal conductance (g_s) parameters, compared to NT. CT treatment increased the yield of soybean plants to significantly higher compared with NT treatment, and seeds treated with the CT treatment contained more protein. The content of fat and phosphorus (P) were significantly higher in the NT system and the content of potassium (K) from RT. In 2017, under drought conditions (the June–September period), the seed yield of NT was similar to the yield of CT and significantly higher than the yield of RT. The higher value of hydrothermal coefficients in 2019 resulted in an increase in photosynthesis parameters, seed yield as well as the content of fat and elements P and K. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Nutrition, Plant-Soil Relationships and Sustainable Agriculture)

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17 pages, 2209 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Study between Urea and Biogas Digestate Application towards Enhancing Sustainable Fertilization Management in Olive (Olea europaea L., cv. ‘Koroneiki’) Plants

by Theocharis Chatzistathis, Vasileios A. Tzanakakis, Athanasios Papaioannou and Anastasia Giannakoula

Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4785; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084785 - 16 Apr 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1709

Abstract

Organic fertilization is a promising strategy to decrease N mineralization rates and high N losses via leaching and denitrification, thus synchronizing N application with N uptake for crops. A 230-day experiment with olive plants was realized under greenhouse conditions to compare urea and [...] Read more.

Organic fertilization is a promising strategy to decrease N mineralization rates and high N losses via leaching and denitrification, thus synchronizing N application with N uptake for crops. A 230-day experiment with olive plants was realized under greenhouse conditions to compare urea and biogas digestate (BD) application on the growth, nutrient uptake, and physiological performance of Olea europaea L. plants. The following treatments were applied: (i) UREA, (ii) UREA + DCD (nitrification inhibitor), (iii) BD, (iv) BD + DCD, (v) acidified BD, (vi) acidified BD + DCD, (vii) CONTROL (typical native Marl soil type, without fertilizer application). Under BD application, significantly higher levels of organic matter, Olsen P, and exchangeable K compared to UREA were found. Significantly lower main shoot length and total plant biomass were recorded in the CONTROL soil compared to BD. Foliar N was lower in the ACID.BD and ACID.BD + DCD treatments, while leaf P was lower in UREA. The highest PSII activity was recorded in UREA + DCD, while the highest photosynthetic rate and intercellular CO₂ concentration were determined in UREA. It is expected that these data will constitute a first comparative approach between urea and BD application in olive plants, which should be carefully considered, towards boosting sustainable fertilization in the frame of circular economy strategy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Nutrition, Plant-Soil Relationships and Sustainable Agriculture)

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