Search Results (758)

The combined effect of non-thermal plasma (NTP) and hydropriming on the germination performance and seedling characteristics of specific varieties of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck.) seeds after short-term storage is reported. Seeds were treated with NTP for 10 and 15 min, followed by hydropriming in distilled water for 24 h, and then stored for six months in the dark before evaluation. The treated cucumber seeds demonstrated a statistically significant enhancement in seed germination and seedling vitality indices. In contrast, broccoli seeds showed no significant improvement. The stimulatory effects observed in cucumber may be attributed to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which act as signaling molecules to promote stress tolerance and early growth. This study also highlights the potential of combined NTP treatment and hydropriming as a pre-sowing treatment for select crops, underscoring the need for species-specific optimization. The used, portable, and relatively inexpensive NTP device offers practical advantages for agricultural applications. Full article

Breeding programs often overlook the use of root traits. Therefore, we investigated the relevance of sorghum root traits in explaining its adaptation to combined drought and heat stress (CDHS). Six (i.e., three pre-release lines + three checks) sorghum genotypes were established at two low-altitude (i.e., <600 masl) locations with a long-term history of averagely very high temperatures in the beginning of the summer season, under two management (i.e., CDHS and well-watered (WW)) regimes. At each location, the genotypes were laid out in the field using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated two times. Root trait data, namely root diameter (RD), number of roots (NR), number of root tips (NRT), total root length (TRL), root depth (RDP), root width (RW), width–depth ratio (WDR), root network area (RNA), root solidity (RS), lower root area (LRA), root perimeter (RP), root volume (RV), surface area (SA), root holes (RH) and root angle (RA) were gathered using the RhizoVision Explorer software during the pre- and post-flowering stage of growth. RSA traits differentially showed significant (p < 0.05) correlations with grain yield (GY) at pre- and post-flowering growth stages and under CDHS and WW conditions also revealing genotypic variation estimates exceeding 50% for all the traits. Regression models varied between pre-flowering (p = 0.013, R² = 47.15%, R² Predicted = 29.32%) and post-flowering (p = 0.000, R² = 85.64%, R² Predicted = 73.30%) growth stages, indicating post-flowering as the optimal stage to relate root traits to yield performance. RD contributed most to the regression model at post-flowering, explaining 51.79% of the 85.64% total variation. The Smith–Hazel index identified ICSV111IN and ASAREACA12-3-1 as superior pre-release lines, suitable for commercialization as new varieties. The study demonstrated that root traits (in particular, RD, RW, and RP) are linked to crop performance under CDHS conditions and should be incorporated in breeding programs. This approach may accelerate genetic gains not only in sorghum breeding programs, but for other crops, while offering a nature-based breeding strategy for stress adaptation in crops. Full article

The Po valley (northern Italy) is the leading European region for processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production. Although historically characterized by abundant water availability, this area is now increasingly affected by drought risk. This study presents a two-year evaluation of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on processing tomatoes in northern Italy. In 2019 (Parma) and 2022 (Piacenza), full irrigation (IRR, restoring 100% crop evapotranspiration) and RDI (100% IRR until the color-breaking stage, followed by 50% IRR) strategies were compared within a completely randomized block design. Overall, RDI resulted in a 25% reduction in water use without compromising yield, which was maintained through unchanged plant fertility and fruit size compared to IRR. Remote sensing data from PlanetScope imagery confirmed the absence of water stress in RDI-treated plants. Furthermore, increased soluble solids and dry matter contents under RDI suggest a physiological adaptation of processing tomatoes to late-season water deficit. Remarkably, environmental and economic sustainability indicators—namely water productivity and yield quality—were enhanced under RDI management. This study validates a simple, sustainable, and readily applicable irrigation approach for tomato cultivation in the Po valley. Future research should refine this method by investigating plant physiological responses to optimize water use in this key agricultural region. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological, biochemical, and productive effects of the foliar application of bioregulators, based on auxin, cytokinin, and gibberellic acid, on yellow melon, cultivar DALI^®, plants subjected to different salinity levels in a protected environment to simulate Brazil’s semi-arid conditions. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized block design, in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme, with four salinity levels (0, 2, 4, and 6 dS m⁻¹) and three doses of the bioregulator, Stimulate^® (0%, 100%, and 150% of the recommended dose), with six weekly applications. The physiological variables (chlorophyll a fluorescence and gas exchange) and biochemical parameters (antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation) were evaluated at 28 and 42 days after transplanting, and the agronomic traits (fresh fruit mass, physical attributes, and post-harvest quality) were evaluated at the end of the experiment. The results indicated that salinity impaired the physiological and productive performance of the plants, especially at higher levels (4 and 6 dS m⁻¹), causing oxidative stress, reduced photosynthesis, and decreased yield. However, the application of the bioregulator at the 100% dose mitigated the effects of salt stress under moderate salinity (2 dS m⁻¹), promoting higher CO₂ assimilation rates of up to 31.5%, better water-use efficiency, and reduced lipid peroxidation. In addition, the fruits showed a greater mass of up to 66%, thicker pulp, and higher soluble solids (> 10 °Brix) content, making them suitable for sale in the market. The 150% dose did not provide additional benefits and, in some cases, resulted in inhibitory effects. It is concluded that the application of Stimulate^® at the recommended dose is effective in mitigating the effects of moderate salinity, up to ~3 dS m⁻¹, in yellow melon crops; however, its effectiveness is limited under high salinity conditions, requiring the use of complementary strategies. Full article

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) enhance crop stress resistance but their roles in microbial-mediated phosphorus cycling within intercropping systems are unclear. Thus, We conducted a two-year field study using corn (Zea mays L. cv. Denghai 605) and soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Hedou 22) in fluvisols and luvisols soil according to World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) standard. Under a 4-row corn and 6-row soybean strip intercropping system, three treatments were applied: a water control (CK), and two plant growth regulators—T1 (EC: ethephon [300 mg/L] + cycocel [2 g/L]) and T2 (ED: ethephon [300 mg/L] + 2-Diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate [10 mg/L]). Foliar applications were administered at the V7 stage (seventh leaf) of intercropped corn plants to assess how foliar-applied PGRs (T1/T2) modulated the soil phosphorus availability, microbial communities, and functional genes in maize intercropping systems. PGRs increased the soil organic phosphorus and available phosphorus contents, and alkaline phosphatase activity, but not total phosphorus. PGRs declined the α-diversity in fluvisols soil but increased the α-diversity in luvisols soil. The major taxa changed from Actinobacteria (CK) to Proteobacteria (T1) and Saccharibacteria (T2) in fluvisols soil, and from Actinobacteria/Gemmatimonadetes (CK) to Saccharibacteria (T1) and Acidobacteria (T2) in luvisols soil. Functional gene dynamics indicated soil-specific regulation, where fluvisols soil harbored more phoD (organic phosphorus mineralization) and relA (polyphosphate degradation) genes, whereas phnP gene dominated in luvisols soil. T1 stimulated organic phosphorus mineralization and inorganic phosphorus solubilization in fluvisols soil, upregulating regulation genes, and T2 enhanced polyphosphate synthesis and transport gene expression in luvisols soil. Proteobacteria, Nitrospirae, and Chloroflexi were positively correlated with organic phosphorus mineralization and polyphosphate cycling genes, whereas Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia correlated with available potassium (AP), total phosphorus (TP), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Thus, PGRs activated soil phosphorus by restructuring soil type-dependent microbial functional networks, connecting PGRs-induced shifts with microbial phosphorus cycling mechanisms. These findings facilitate the targeted use of PGRs to optimize microbial-driven phosphorus efficiency in strategies for sustainable phosphorus management in diverse agricultural soils. Full article

The black-spotted frog (Pelophylax nigromaculatus) is a common economic species in the rice–frog ecological cropping mode. The present study investigated microbial community structures in paddy water and black-spotted frog’s guts across rice monoculture and low-/high-density rice–frog co-cropping systems at four rice growth stages. Proteobacteria dominate in paddy water, while frog guts are enriched in Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota. The frog density shows no impact on the α-diversity, but rice growth stages significantly alter the Shannon, Simpson, and Pielou_e indices (p < 0.01). Co-cropping may promote amino acid synthesis, elemental cycling, and stress tolerance in paddy water microbiota, which are more diverse than gut microbiota. Strong correlations exist between paddy water and gut microbiotas, with Limnohabitans being linked to gut diversity (p < 0.05). Low-density co-cropping enhances Xenorhabdus, which is beneficial for pest control and stabilizes gut microbiota. The results of this study offer insights for managing rice–frog systems based on rice growth stages. Full article

The agricultural sector faces significant sustainability, productivity, and environmental impact challenges. In this context, geographic information systems (GISs) have become a key tool to optimize resource management and make informed decisions based on spatial data. These data support planning the best cotton planting and harvest dates based on agroclimatic conditions, such as temperature, precipitation, and soil type, as well as identifying areas with a lower risk of water or thermal stress. As a result, cotton productivity is optimized, and costs associated with supplementary irrigation or losses due to adverse conditions are reduced. However, data from automatic weather stations in Mexico are scarce and incomplete. Instead, grid meteorological databases (DMM, in Spanish) were used with daily temperature and precipitation data from 1983 to 2020 to determine the heat units (HUs) for each cotton crop development stage; daily and accumulated HU; minimum, mean, and maximum temperatures; and mean annual precipitation. This information was used to determine areas that comply with environmental, geographic, and regulatory conditions (NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, NOM-026-SAG/FITO-2014) to delimit areas with agricultural potential for planting genetically modified (GM) cotton. The methodology made it possible to produce thirty-four maps at a 1:250,000 scale and a digital GIS with 95% accuracy. These maps indicate whether a given agricultural parcel is optimal for cultivating GM cotton. Full article

The wheat planted at the end of the rainy season in the Cerrado suffers from a strong water deficit. A selection of genetic material with drought tolerance is necessary. In improvement programs that evaluate a large number of materials, efficient, automated, and non-destructive phenotyping is essential, which requires the use of sensors. The experiment was conducted in 2016 using a phenotyping platform, where irrigation gradients ranging from 184 (WR4) to 601 mm (WR1) were created, allowing for the comparison of four genotypes. In addition to productivity, we evaluated plant height, hectoliter weight, the number of spikes per square meter, ear length, photosynthesis, and the indices calculated by the sensors. For most morphophysiological parameters, extreme stress makes it difficult to discriminate materials. WR1 (601 mm) and WR2 (501 mm) showed similar trends in almost all variables. The data validated the phenotyping platform, which creates an irrigation gradient, considering that the results obtained, in general, were proportional to the water levels. The similar trend between sensors (NDVI, PRI, and LIFT) and morphophysiological, plant growth, and crop yield evaluations validated the use of sensors as a tool in selecting drought-tolerant wheat genotypes using a non-invasive methodology. Considering that only four genotypes were used, none showed absolute and unequivocal tolerance to drought; however, each genotype exhibited some desirable characteristics related to drought tolerance mechanisms. Full article

This study presents an integrated spatiotemporal assessment of drought conditions in the Thung Kula Ronghai region of Northeastern Thailand from 2001 to 2023. Multiple satellite-derived drought indices, including SPI, SPEI, RDI, and AI, together with NDVI anomalies, were used to detect seasonal and long-term drought dynamics affecting rainfed Hom Mali rice production. The results show that dry season droughts now affect up to 17 percent of the region’s agricultural land in some years, while severe drought zones persist across more than 2.5 million hectares over the 20-year period. In the most recent 5 years, approximately 50 percent of cultivated areas experienced moderate to severe drought conditions. The RDI showed the strongest correlation with NDVI anomalies (r = 0.22), indicating its relative value for assessing vegetation response to moisture deficits. The combined index approach delineated high-risk sub-regions, particularly in central Thung Kula Ronghai and lower Surin, where drought frequency and severity have intensified. These findings underscore the region’s increasing exposure to dry-season water stress and highlight the need for site-specific irrigation development and adaptive cropping strategies. The methodological framework demonstrated here provides a practical basis for improving drought monitoring and early warning systems to support the resilience of Thailand’s high-value rice production under changing climate conditions. Full article

Rainwater harvesting (abbreviation: RWH) presents a valuable alternative water source for agriculture, particularly in regions facing water scarcity. However, contaminants leaching from roofing materials, such as asbestos cement (abbreviation: AC), may compromise water quality and affect plant physiological responses. This paper aimed to assess how simulated rainwater, reflecting the different levels of contamination (1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 mg/L), influences leaf temperature in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum), a known non-invasive indicator of plant water stress. The treatments were applied over a four-week period under controlled greenhouse conditions. Leaf temperature was monitored using infrared thermography. Results showed that higher treatment concentrations led to a significant increase in leaf temperature, indicating elevated water stress. These findings suggest that even low levels of contaminants originating from roofing materials can induce detectable physiological stress in plants. Monitoring leaf temperature offers a rapid and non-destructive method for assessing environmental water quality impacts on crops. The outcomes of this research have direct applicability in the safer design of RWH systems and in evaluating the suitability of collected rainwater for irrigation use. Full article

In recent years, global agriculture has encountered several challenges exacerbated by the effects of changes in climate, such as extreme water shortages for irrigation and heat waves. Water-deficit stress adversely affects the morpho-physiology of numerous crops, including soybean (Glycine max L.), which is considered as promising crop in Bangladesh. Seaweed extract (SWE) has the potential to improve crop yield and alleviate the adverse effects of water-deficit stress. Remote and proximal sensing are also extensively utilized in estimating morpho-physiological traits owing to their cost-efficiency and non-destructive characteristics. The study was carried out to evaluate soybean morpho-physiological traits under the application of water extracts of Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui (red seaweed) with two varying irrigation water conditions (100% of total crop water requirement (TCWR) and 70% of TCWR). Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that among the four treatments, the 70% irrigation + 5% (v/v) SWE and the 100% irrigation treatments overlapped, indicating that the application of SWE effectively mitigated water-deficit stress in soybeans. This result demonstrates that the foliar application of 5% SWE enabled soybeans to achieve morpho-physiological performance comparable to that of fully irrigated plants while reducing irrigation water use by 30%. Based on Pearson’s correlation matrix, a simple linear regression model was used to ascertain the relationship between unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-derived vegetation indices and the field-measured physiological characteristics of soybean. The Normalized Difference Red Edge (NDRE) strongly correlated with stomatal conductance (R² = 0.76), photosystem II efficiency (R² = 0.78), maximum fluorescence (R² = 0.64), and apparent transpiration rate (R² = 0.69). The Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) had the highest correlation with leaf relative water content (R² = 0.87), the Blue Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (bNDVI) with steady-state fluorescence (R² = 0.56) and vapor pressure deficit (R² = 0.74), and the Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (gNDVI) with chlorophyll content (R² = 0.73). Our results demonstrate how UAV and physiological data can be integrated to improve precision soybean farming and support sustainable soybean production under water-deficit stress. Full article

Climate change has intensified drought stress, threatening global food security by affecting sensitive crops like maize (Zea mays). This study evaluated the potential of Antarctic fungal endophytes (Penicillium chrysogenum and P. brevicompactum) to enhance maize drought tolerance under field conditions with different irrigation regimes. Drought stress reduced soil moisture to 59% of field capacity. UAV-based multispectral imagery monitored plant physiological status using vegetation indices (NDVI, NDRE, SIPI, GNDVI). Inoculated plants showed up to two-fold higher index values under drought, indicating improved stress resilience. Physiological analysis revealed increased photochemical efficiency (0.775), higher chlorophyll and carotenoid contents (45.54 mg/mL), and nearly 80% lower lipid peroxidation in inoculated plants. Lower proline accumulation suggested better water status and reduced osmotic stress. Secondary metabolites such as phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins were elevated, particularly under well-watered conditions. Antioxidant enzyme activity shifted: SOD, CAT, and APX were suppressed, while POD activity increased, indicating reprogrammed oxidative stress responses. Yield components, including cob weight and length, improved significantly with inoculation under drought. These findings demonstrate the potential of Antarctic endophytes to enhance drought resilience in maize and underscore the value of integrating microbial biotechnology with UAV-based remote sensing for sustainable crop management under climate-induced water scarcity. Full article

Concerning rising salinity and declining freshwater supply in the U.S. Southern Great Plains, alternative crop production choices using marginal saline irrigation water are irresistible. The study investigated plant traits related to salt tolerance in greenhouse canola (Brassica napus L.) in 2022 and 2023. Spring and winter canola, including ten genotypes each, were evaluated at six salinity levels (0; control, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 8 dS m⁻¹ EC). Plant height, stem mass, leaf area, and specific leaf area (SLA) showed a negative linear response, while quadratic relationships were observed in biomass and leaf mass with increased salinity levels. Substantial negative salinity impacts on plant traits occurred at ≥6 dS m⁻¹ EC (p ≤ 0.01) except for SLA. Overall, winter canola genotypes: Athena, Ericka, CP320WRR, CP115W, and CP225WRR, and spring genotypes: Empire, Monarch, Profit, and Westar, were relatively more salt-tolerant than others. Spring canola showed greater salinity tolerance than winter canola. Salinity stress resulted in differential responses of greater leaf mass in winter canola but more efficient leaf area production in spring canola. SLA and stem mass were highly correlated with most parameters. Findings indicate SLA and stem mass are potential salt tolerance traits in canola and warrant further investigations and validation. Full article

The quest to establish permanent outposts in space, the Moon, and Mars requires growing plants for nutrition, water purification, and carbon/nutrient recycling, as well as the psychological well-being of crews and personnel on extra-terrestrial platforms/outposts. To achieve these essential goals, the safety, quality, and sustainability of plant material grown in space should be comparable to Earth-grown crops. In this study, radish plants were grown at 2500 ppm CO₂ in two successive grow-outs on the International Space Station and at similar CO₂ partial pressure at the Kennedy Space Center. An additional control experiment was performed at the University of Louisiana Lafayette laboratory, at ambient CO₂. Subsequent analyses of glucosinolate and sugar species and content showed that regardless of growth condition, glucoraphasatin, glucoraphenin, glucoerucin, glucobrassicin, 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, 4-methoxyglucobrassicin, and three aliphatic GSLs tentatively assigned to 3-methylpentyl GSL, 4-methylpentyl GSL, and n-hexyl GSL were present in all examined plants. The most common sugars were fructose, glucose, and sucrose, but some plants also contained galactose, maltose, rhamnose, and trehalose. The variability of individual secondary metabolite abundances was not related to gravity conditions but appeared more sensitive to CO₂ concentration. No indication was found that radish cultivation in space resulted in stress(es) that increased glucosinolate secondary metabolism. Flavor and nutrient components in space-grown plants were comparable to cultivation on Earth. Full article

Efficient water management is critical for sustainable dryland agriculture, especially under increasing water scarcity and climate variability. Shanxi Province, a typical dryland region in northern China characterized by pronounced climatic variability and limited soil water availability, faces severe challenges due to uneven precipitation and restricted water resources. This study aimed to evaluate the spatiotemporal dynamics of soil water resources and their coupling with crop water demand under different hydrological year types. Using daily meteorological data from 27 stations (1963–2023), we identified dry, normal, and wet years through frequency analysis. Soil water resources were assessed under rainfed conditions, and water deficits of major crops—including millet, soybean, sorghum, winter wheat, maize, and potato—were quantified during key reproductive stages. Results showed a statistically significant declining trend in seasonal precipitation during both summer and winter cropping periods (p < 0.05), which corresponds with the observed intensification of crop water stress over recent decades. Notably, more than 86% of daily rainfall events were less than 5 mm, indicating low effective rainfall. Soil water availability closely followed precipitation distribution, with higher values in the south and west. Crop-specific analysis revealed that winter wheat and sorghum had the largest water deficits in dry years, necessitating timely supplemental irrigation. Even in wet years, water regulation strategies were required to improve water use efficiency and mitigate future drought risks. This study provides a practical framework for soil water–crop demand assessment and supports precision irrigation planning in dryland farming. The findings contribute to improving agricultural water use efficiency in semi-arid regions and offer valuable insights for adapting to climate-induced water challenges. Full article