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Keywords = soil scarification

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11 pages, 1795 KiB  
Article
Scarification with a Low Concentration of Acid Facilitates Water Acquisition and Minimizes Cold Stratification Duration, Improving the Seed Germination of Canadian Buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis (L.) Nutt.)
by Sahari Inoue and Jean-Marie Sobze
Seeds 2025, 4(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds4010002 - 31 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1080
Abstract
Canadian buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis (L.) Nutt.) is a perennial shrub known for its drought tolerance, nitrogen-fixing ability, and suitability for land reclamation and vegetation, particularly on nutrient-poor industrially disturbed soils in Alberta, Canada. Despite its ecological importance, commercial nurseries and greenhouses face [...] Read more.
Canadian buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis (L.) Nutt.) is a perennial shrub known for its drought tolerance, nitrogen-fixing ability, and suitability for land reclamation and vegetation, particularly on nutrient-poor industrially disturbed soils in Alberta, Canada. Despite its ecological importance, commercial nurseries and greenhouses face challenges due to limited knowledge of optimizing seed germination and maintaining genetic diversity in cultivated seedlings. In this study, we investigated the interactive effect of cold stratification duration (0, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks) and scarification time (control (no scarification), 1, and 4 h) on buffaloberry seed germination. The seed germination rate was tested using a factorial experiment with two factors arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. Our findings indicate that scarification with a low concentration of acid for 1 h significantly enhances germination outcomes and shortens the required stratification period from 16 weeks to 12 weeks, achieving an optimal germination rate of 82%. Our novel approach using low-concentration acid to scarify Canadian buffaloberry seeds will help commercial greenhouses and forest nurseries improve seed germination, which utilizes this species for land reclamation and reforestation. Furthermore, this method can be adapted to improve germination in other native species with similar dormancy challenges, broadening its applications in ecological restoration efforts. Full article
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18 pages, 1547 KiB  
Article
Protein and Oil Contents, Micro- and Macronutrients, and Other Quality Indicators of Soybean Cultivated in Lowland Fields
by Jéssica Streck Baisch, Mara Grohs, Paulo Ademar Avelar Ferreira, Gustavo Andrade Ugalde, Marcus Vinícius Tres and Giovani Leone Zabot
Foods 2024, 13(23), 3719; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13233719 - 21 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 989
Abstract
The cultivation of soybean is being expanded in traditional areas cultivated with rice, called the lowlands. However, soil characteristics are different from those in the highlands, which influences the exportation of nutrients to the grains. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the physical-chemical [...] Read more.
The cultivation of soybean is being expanded in traditional areas cultivated with rice, called the lowlands. However, soil characteristics are different from those in the highlands, which influences the exportation of nutrients to the grains. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the physical-chemical and technological characteristics of soybean grains harvested in lowlands in Brazil. Two-year crops (2021/22 and 2022/23) were used with two types of soil preparation (scarified and non-scarified) and six cover crop treatments (oats, clover, ryegrass, fallow, ryegrass + oats, and ryegrass + clover). The influence of these treatments was evaluated in terms of the grain yield, oil and protein contents, oil composition, quality indices (acidity, peroxide, iodine, and saponification), and contents of ash, carbohydrates, and micro- and macronutrients. Grain yield achieved an average of 3829.8 kg ha−1. Soil scarification positively influenced grain yield and contributed to higher protein and oil contents, with maximum values of 32.7 wt% and 27.6 wt%, respectively. The main fatty acids in oil were oleic acid (22.13 ± 1.48–26.32 ± 0.98%) and linoleic acid (36.32 ± 1.57–52.18 ± 1.58%). The macronutrients phosphorus (5.12 ± 0.39–5.79 ± 0.37 kg ton−1), calcium (2.79 ± 0.19–3.05 ± 0.18 kg ton−1), magnesium (2.37 ± 0.14–2.57 ± 0.13 kg ton−1), and sulfur (2.85 ± 0.18–3.19 ± 0.20 kg ton−1), and the micronutrients copper (9.73 ± 1.42–11.68 ± 1.07 g ton−1), iron (111.42 ± 6.86–122.02 ± 5.00 g ton−1), and manganese (43.58 ± 3.34–47.08 ± 2.74 g ton−1) were in agreement with the values reached in the highlands. For potassium (18.87 ± 0.38–29.29 ± 1.44 kg ton−1) and zinc (30.02 ± 2.45–38.00 ± 1.03 g ton−1), soil scarification allows higher levels of absorption. The use of ryegrass as a cover crop allows higher levels of nitrogen absorption, reaching up to 44.93 ± 2.74 kg ton−1. Regarding the acidity (0.19–0.52%), peroxide (9.64–16.39 mEq O2 kg−1), iodine (85.34–91.91 mg KI g−1), and saponification (182.33–203.74 mg KOH g−1) indices of the oil, all values were obtained in accordance with the scientific literature. The conclusions of this study indicate that it is possible to cultivate soybean in lowlands after developing the proper soil preparation. Consequently, the yields are increased, and grains will benefit from higher protein and oil contents, enhancing soybean quality for commercialization. Full article
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16 pages, 5488 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Minimum Tillage and Straw Retention Promote Macroaggregate Formation, Carbon and Nitrogen Sequestration under Wheat-Maize Rotation in Northern China
by Zhijie Ren, Xiaojie Han, Zhidong Han, Wenzhong Tian, Junhong Li, Junjie Lv, Yuanxin Shen, Yingxin Xie, Geng Ma, Gezi Li, Yanan Zhao and Chenyang Wang
Agriculture 2024, 14(9), 1659; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14091659 - 22 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1843
Abstract
Conservation tillage is believed to promote soil aggregate stability, carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) sequestration, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, soil samples from an 18-year experiment including conventional tillage with straw removal (CT), deep scarification with straw mulching (DS), [...] Read more.
Conservation tillage is believed to promote soil aggregate stability, carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) sequestration, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, soil samples from an 18-year experiment including conventional tillage with straw removal (CT), deep scarification with straw mulching (DS), and no-tillage with straw mulching (NT) were used to obtain different fractions based on a comprehensive wet-sieving method of aggregate and particle size. The results showed that NT and DS increased soil organic carbon (SOC) and N by 9.3–16.4% and 10.8–25.8%, respectively, in addition to increasing the weight proportion of macroaggregates and the contribution of macroaggregate-associated C and N to total SOC and N. The C change in the total POM accounted for 77.4% and 79.9% of the total SOC increase by NT and DS, while the MAOM only accounted for 29.2% and 25.2%, respectively. Meanwhile, microaggregates-within-macroaggregates accounted for 96.9% and 90.5% of the SOC increase by NT and DS, respectively. The total SOC and N were positively correlated with the C and N of the macroaggregates and subfractions. In conclusion, the formation of macroaggregates drives soil C and N sequestration under conservation tillage, and POM and mM were important functional pools in this process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)
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10 pages, 967 KiB  
Article
No-Tillering System: Is It Worth Conducting Soil Scarification as an Option for “Field Reform”?
by Eduardo de Carvalho Machione, Renata Fernandes de Queiroz, Afonso Lopes, Carlos Eduardo Angeli Furlani and Tatiana Fernanda Canata
Agriculture 2024, 14(8), 1434; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14081434 - 22 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1076
Abstract
The adoption of a no-till system presents difficulties in maintaining the potential crop yield under long-term conditions when compacted soil layers are observed in the field. The research objective was to assess the benefits of soil intervention in a traditional area of no-till [...] Read more.
The adoption of a no-till system presents difficulties in maintaining the potential crop yield under long-term conditions when compacted soil layers are observed in the field. The research objective was to assess the benefits of soil intervention in a traditional area of no-till system while considering the production parameters of corn (Zea mays L.) under tropical conditions. The area was installed considering 24 experimental units, including 6 treatments, a 3 × 2 scheme, and 4 repetitions (3 soil management systems and 2 crop hybrids). The soil scarification was carried out at two depths, 0.15 m and 0.30 m, to compare its influence on corn yield. The number of days of plants’ emergence, seed depth, longitudinal distribution of seedlings, phytotechnical parameters, and crop yield in the field were evaluated. The dataset was subjected to the F Test and Tukey test (p < 0.05) to compare the means by each attribute and treatment. The adopted hybrids, as well as soil-management systems in the experimental area, did not interfere with the quality of the sowing and quantitative parameters of the crop (CV = 15% for normal distribution on plants’ spacing within rows). So, there is no need to scarify soil with the aim of increasing corn yield under the evaluated field conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Tillage Management on Agricultural Soil Characteristics)
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11 pages, 570 KiB  
Brief Report
A Comparative Study of the Influence of Soil and Non-Soil Factors on Seed Germination of Edible Salt-Tolerant Species
by Viana Castañeda-Loaiza, Maria João Rodrigues, Eliana Fernandes and Luísa Custódio
Horticulturae 2024, 10(8), 872; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10080872 - 18 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1431
Abstract
Cultivating edible salt-tolerant plants (halophytes) for human consumption is increasingly important due to climate change and soil salinization, and offers sustainable agricultural solutions. Optimizing seed germination, the crucial initial stage of crop growth, is essential for enhancing crop production. This study aimed to [...] Read more.
Cultivating edible salt-tolerant plants (halophytes) for human consumption is increasingly important due to climate change and soil salinization, and offers sustainable agricultural solutions. Optimizing seed germination, the crucial initial stage of crop growth, is essential for enhancing crop production. This study aimed to optimize the germination of edible halophytes under greenhouse conditions, focusing on select soil (salinity and substrate) and non-soil-related factors (chemical and mechanical treatments). The target species were selected for their commercial value and included Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. (crystalline iceplant), Salicornia ramosissima J. Woods (sea asparagus), Medicago marina L. (sea medick), Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link (European beachgrass), Portulaca oleracea L. (common purslane), and Atriplex halimus L. (Mediterranean saltbush). Salinity negatively impacted germination rates (GRs) and delayed mean germination time (MGT) across species. P. oleracea had the highest GR (95.6%) in coco peat under freshwater irrigation, and the shortest MGT (5.2 days). A. halimus did not germinate under the tested conditions. Scarification with sulfuric acid improved the GR of M. marina by 42.2%, while scarification with ultrasounds improved the GR of A. arenaria by 35.5%. Our results indicate that the choice of substrate and the application of specific treatments like scarification can significantly improve the germination of certain halophyte species under variable saline conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Cultivation of Horticultural Crops)
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23 pages, 6883 KiB  
Article
Seed Propagation of Carapa amorphocarpa W. Palacios Using Various Treatments of Substrates and Mechanical Seed Scarification in a Nursery in the Andean Area of Northwestern Ecuador
by Freddy Hernán Villota-González, Walter Palacios, Edison Javier Villota González, Rosario Marilú Bernaola-Paucar and Belkis Sulbarán-Rangel
Forests 2024, 15(6), 987; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15060987 - 5 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1708
Abstract
Carapa amorphocarpa W. Palacios is a forest species known solely from Cerro Golondrinas in northwestern Ecuador. The species is threatened due to illegal exploitation of its wood and the encroachment of the agricultural frontier. Although information on its ecology and forestry was presented in [...] Read more.
Carapa amorphocarpa W. Palacios is a forest species known solely from Cerro Golondrinas in northwestern Ecuador. The species is threatened due to illegal exploitation of its wood and the encroachment of the agricultural frontier. Although information on its ecology and forestry was presented in 2012, there is still very little information available. This study investigated the effects of various pre-germinative treatments on the seed germination and early growth of Carapa amorphocarpa in a nursery. The treatments included combinations of substrates (forest soil alone and forest soil mixed with sand), along with pre-germinative mechanical seed scarification. Through these treatments, the seeds’ germination capacity, growth potential, and survival rates were evaluated in a nursery. Seed germination was found to be cryptocotylar hypogeal, commencing at 41 days and achieving an average of 83.13%. Survival of germinated seedlings was 99.23% at 60 days after germination. Furthermore, a high degree of correlation in growth was observed between basal diameter and plant height (R = 0.94). The mean values for the plants’ basal diameter and total height were 0.91 cm and 50.48 cm, respectively, at 60 days. Plant form was straight with excellent health. These insights offer the potential to enhance species populations, mitigate threat risks, and in the long term, foster sustainable use of Carapa amorphocarpa genetic resources. Moreover, this seed propagation information can be leveraged for other species within the genus exploited for oil extraction from their seeds, thereby broadening knowledge and facilitating sustainable forest resource management. Full article
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24 pages, 4114 KiB  
Article
Cover Crops and Tillage: Effects on Soil Chemical Properties and Rice Yield
by Vagner do Nascimento, Orivaldo Arf, Marlene Cristina Alves, Epitácio José de Souza, Paulo Ricardo Teodoro da Silva, Flávio Hiroshi Kaneko, Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho, Evandro Pereira Prado, Samuel Ferrari, Loiane Fernanda Romão de Souza and Fernando Shintate Galindo
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4098; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104098 - 14 May 2024
Viewed by 1609
Abstract
Mechanical soil intervention with a chisel in cover crops (CCs) is a promising strategy for minimizing the superficial compaction of soil in a no-tillage system (NTS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mechanical chiseling associated with successive crops [...] Read more.
Mechanical soil intervention with a chisel in cover crops (CCs) is a promising strategy for minimizing the superficial compaction of soil in a no-tillage system (NTS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mechanical chiseling associated with successive crops and preceding cover crops to assess grain yield and changes in soil chemical properties after rice cultivation for two consecutive years. The experimental design comprised randomized blocks in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme with four replications. The treatments consisted of five cover crops (Cajanus cajan, Crotalaria juncea, Urochloa ruziziensis, Pennisetum glaucum, and fallow), with or without soil mechanical chiseling. Soil samples from the 0–5, 5–10, 10–20, and 20–40 cm layers were collected, and the chemical properties were analyzed after rice cultivation. Under U. ruziziensis, the chemical properties were improved by mechanical scarification; however, the initial acidity increased in the 5–40 cm layer. The cultivation of P. glaucum and C. juncea prior to rice, regardless of scarification, improved the soil chemical properties in the 0–40 cm layer. Mechanical soil scarification and the use of C. cajan as a cover crop increased the grain yield of upland rice by approximately 552 and 1454 and 1330 kg ha−1 compared to the P. glaucum and U. ruziziensis, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)
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12 pages, 1404 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Heat Shock on Seed Dormancy Release and Germination in Two Rare and Endangered Astragalus L. Species (Fabaceae)
by Alba Cuena Lombraña, Ludovica Dessì, Lina Podda, Mauro Fois, Belén Luna, Marco Porceddu and Gianluigi Bacchetta
Plants 2024, 13(4), 484; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13040484 - 8 Feb 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2808
Abstract
Many Astragalus species exhibit seeds with physical dormancy (PY), but little is known about the ecological context of this dormancy. We focused on A. maritimus and A. verrucosus, two threatened Sardinian endemic species inside the subgenus Trimeniaeus Bunge. Fresh seeds collected from [...] Read more.
Many Astragalus species exhibit seeds with physical dormancy (PY), but little is known about the ecological context of this dormancy. We focused on A. maritimus and A. verrucosus, two threatened Sardinian endemic species inside the subgenus Trimeniaeus Bunge. Fresh seeds collected from the only two respective known populations were used to investigate the effect of mechanical scarification, heat shock, and water imbibition processes on PY release and germination. PY can be overcome through mechanical scarification of the water-impermeable seed coats, while no dormancy break was detected, nor a subsequent increase in seed germination due to fire-induced heat. This suggests that fire does not trigger dormancy release and seed germination in these species. The seeds tolerate relatively high heat shock temperatures (up to 120 and 100 °C for A. verrucosus and A. maritimus, respectively), but after 120 °C for 10 min, the number of dead seeds increases in both species. These facts suggest the capacity to develop a soil seed bank that can persist after fires and delay germination until the occurrence of optimal conditions. As regards water imbibition, both Astragalus species did not show the typical triphasic pattern, as germination started without further water uptake. This study emphasizes the significance of understanding germination processes and dormancy in threatened species. In fire-prone ecosystems, PY dormancy plays a crucial role in soil seed bank persistence, and it may be selectively influenced by post-fire conditions. Understanding such adaptations provides useful insights into conservation strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Taxonomy, Biodiversity and Ecology of Mediterranean Plants)
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17 pages, 2726 KiB  
Article
Impact of Environmental Conditions on Seed Germination of Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus (Mill)) in Eastern Canada
by Tiana Custodio, Daniel Houle and Francois Girard
Forests 2023, 14(10), 1999; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14101999 - 5 Oct 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1896
Abstract
Understanding seed characteristics, germination, and seedling establishment patterns is essential for formulating effective management strategies to control invasive species. Glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus) is a shrub or small tree from Eurasia that has become invasive in North America, and which has [...] Read more.
Understanding seed characteristics, germination, and seedling establishment patterns is essential for formulating effective management strategies to control invasive species. Glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus) is a shrub or small tree from Eurasia that has become invasive in North America, and which has negative impacts on plant communities and ecosystems. In this study, we analyzed the germination response of glossy buckthorn seeds to different temperatures (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, and 28 °C), various stratification lengths (4 to 20 weeks), and scarification conditions to measure the impact on breaking seed dormancy, and the effect of light in triggering germination. Analysis using distinct time-to-event approaches, including the Kaplan–Meier estimator and Cox proportional hazard model, was employed to interpret germination data. Glossy buckthorn seeds exhibited physiological dormancy and required cold stratification to germinate. At 12 °C, only 14% of the seeds could germinate. At warmer temperatures, germination rates increased, reaching a peak of 70% at 20 °C. At 24 °C and 28 °C, germination declined, and seeds were probably induced into secondary dormancy. Scarified seeds had a higher probability of germination than non-scarified ones, even at the lowest temperatures. Darkness had a negative impact on germination at all tested temperatures. This study significantly advances our understanding of how temperature, light, stratification, and scarification impact glossy buckthorn seeds, elucidating the species’ seasonal germination patterns in North America. The results emphasize that glossy buckthorn utilizes seed banks as a primary strategy for invading and establishing in new habitats. The ungerminated seeds form persistent seed banks, ensuring F. alnus’ survival and bolstering its chances of successful establishment and invasion. As climate change drives temperature increases, it may affect seeds in the soil, altering stratification periods and consequently shifting the timing of germination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecophysiology and Biology)
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15 pages, 2797 KiB  
Article
Factors Affecting the Germination Ecology of Pimelea trichostachya and Its Relationship to Field Emergence
by Rashid Saleem, Shane Campbell, Mary T. Fletcher, Sundaravelpandian Kalaipandian and Steve Adkins
Plants 2023, 12(11), 2112; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12112112 - 26 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2184
Abstract
Pimelea trichostachya Lindl is a little-understood Australian native plant, with irregular field emergence, causing significant poisoning to grazing livestock. The study aims to examine the form of dormancy exhibited by P. trichostachya and determine how key environmental conditions, such as alternating temperature and [...] Read more.
Pimelea trichostachya Lindl is a little-understood Australian native plant, with irregular field emergence, causing significant poisoning to grazing livestock. The study aims to examine the form of dormancy exhibited by P. trichostachya and determine how key environmental conditions, such as alternating temperature and light conditions, moisture availability, substrate pH and burial depth, affect its germination and emergence. The study concludes that P. trichostachya has a complex dormancy mechanism. This comprises a physical component that can be partly removed by fruit scarification, a metabolic dormancy that can be overcome by gibberellic acid (GA3), and a suspected third mechanism based on a water-soluble germination inhibitor. The results showed that scarified single seeded fruit (hereafter seed) with GA3 treatment gave the highest germination percentage (86 ± 3%) at 25/15 °C, with good germination rates at other temperature regimes. Light exposure stimulated germination, but a significant proportion of seeds still germinated in the dark. The study also found that seeds could germinate under water-limited conditions and a wide range of pH levels (4 to 8). Seedling emergence was inhibited when seeds were buried below 3 cm in soil. Pimelea trichostachya emergence in the field commonly occurs from Autumn to Spring. Understanding its dormancy mechanism and recognizing its triggers for germination will enable better prediction of outbreaks. This can help landholders prepare for emergence and help manage seedbank build-up in pastures and crops. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Plant Protection)
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17 pages, 26838 KiB  
Article
Spider Plant (Cleome gynandra L.): An Emerging Weed in the Sweet Corn–Brassica Cropping System
by Khaled Saifullah, Alwyn Williams and Steve Adkins
Agronomy 2023, 13(5), 1430; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13051430 - 22 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3512
Abstract
Spider plant (Cleome gynandra L.) is an emerging noxious weed, affecting cultivated vegetables in Queensland, Australia. It is a prolific seed producer, forming large seedbanks with variable seedling emergence. A study was carried out to investigate the seed biology of spider plant, [...] Read more.
Spider plant (Cleome gynandra L.) is an emerging noxious weed, affecting cultivated vegetables in Queensland, Australia. It is a prolific seed producer, forming large seedbanks with variable seedling emergence. A study was carried out to investigate the seed biology of spider plant, focusing on its seed germination ecology, viz., influence of temperatures, illumination conditions, medium salinity, pH, substrate moisture, burial depth, and after-ripening. Freshly harvested seeds were negatively photoblastic and had combinational dormancy. Improved germination was obtained by physical scarification followed by soaking for 16 h, by dry storage for over 6 months, and by the imbibition of gibberellic acid. Maximum germination percentages of 70 to 80% were recorded under constant darkness at alternating day/night temperatures of 20/30 °C, or with 18 to 27 °C constant temperatures. Spider plant showed a broad tolerance to pH but only moderate salt and moisture stress tolerance, since only 42 and 26% germination were observed with 60 mM NaCl and at −0.40 MPa, respectively. Seeds placed on the soil surface did not germinate, however, at a burial depth of 1.0 to 1.5 cm, which resulted in ca. 80% seedling emergence. These findings will assist land managers to predict seasonal emergence and will aid in deploying management approaches to control this weed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Weed Science and Weed Management)
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21 pages, 4204 KiB  
Article
Effects of Land Use and Cropping on Soil Erosion in Agricultural Frontier Areas in the Cerrado-Amazon Ecotone, Brazil, Using a Rainfall Simulator Experiment
by Marco Aurélio Barbosa Alves, Adilson Pacheco de Souza, Frederico Terra de Almeida, Aaron Kinyu Hoshide, Handrey Borges Araújo, Apoliano Francisco da Silva and Daniel Fonseca de Carvalho
Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 4954; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15064954 - 10 Mar 2023
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3085
Abstract
Agricultural soils provide ecosystem services, but the removal of natural vegetation reduces water infiltration capacity, increasing surface runoff. Thus, monitoring erosion is critical for sustainable agricultural management. Sediment losses and surface runoff were evaluated using a simulated rainfall of 75 mm/h in areas [...] Read more.
Agricultural soils provide ecosystem services, but the removal of natural vegetation reduces water infiltration capacity, increasing surface runoff. Thus, monitoring erosion is critical for sustainable agricultural management. Sediment losses and surface runoff were evaluated using a simulated rainfall of 75 mm/h in areas with crops and pastures in both the Caiabi River and Renato River sub-basins of the Teles Pires River watershed in Mato Grosso State, Brazil. In both the Caiabi and Renato sub-basins, data were collected from 156 observations in the upper, middle, and lower regions where (1) soybeans, (2) maize, and (3) pasture were grown alone, with another crop, or with soil that was scarified. Erosion occurred independent of soil texture and was closely related to the management and use of systems involving fewer crops and more soil scarification, regardless of sub-basin location. In uncovered, scarified soil, the soil losses from erosion were greater compared to covered soil, regardless of sub-basin and sub-basin region. In the Renato River sub-basin, soil losses in cultivated areas not planted with crops but with scarification were 66.01, 90.79, and 60.02 g/square meter in the upper, middle, and lower regions, respectively. Agricultural producers need to increase the planting of crops throughout the year and minimize soil disturbance, which will reduce soil erosion and improve sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural Development Economics and Policy)
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20 pages, 3631 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Seed and Clonal Propagation of the Mediterranean Bee Friendly Plant Anthyllis hermanniae L.
by Aikaterini N. Martini and Maria Papafotiou
Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4025; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054025 - 22 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1908
Abstract
Anthyllis hermanniae L. (Fabaceae) is a perennial Mediterranean shrub with the potential to be used as a bee-friendly ornamental plant in arid and semi-arid regions, valued for its tolerance of barren soils, winds, and strong temperature changes. With the aim of facilitating the [...] Read more.
Anthyllis hermanniae L. (Fabaceae) is a perennial Mediterranean shrub with the potential to be used as a bee-friendly ornamental plant in arid and semi-arid regions, valued for its tolerance of barren soils, winds, and strong temperature changes. With the aim of facilitating the introduction of the species into the horticulture industry, its in vitro seed and clonal propagation was investigated for the first time, to our knowledge. Seeds stored in the dark at room temperature for 4, 7, 9, 12, and 18 months germinated at percentages higher than 80% after scarification, when incubated in vitro in solid half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium at temperatures from 10 to 25 °C, while photoperiod (continuous darkness or 16 h light period/8 h dark) during incubation did not affect germination. Explants excised from in vitro grown seedlings established at higher percentages compared to explants from adult native plants, more efficiently in MS medium with 1.0 mg L−1 6 N benzyladenine (BA). During subcultures in the same medium, juvenile explants formed more and longer shoots than adult ones. Almost all adult explants formed shoots when subcultured in MS medium with 0.0 to 4.0 mg L−1 BA, zeatin, kinetin or 6-(γ,γ-dimethylallylamino)purine (2iP). ΒA at 0.5 to 2.0 mg L−1 induced many more shoots (17–21) per explant and much higher multiplication indices compared to all other cytokinins, while longer shoots were produced in a medium without hormones or with 0.5–1.0 mg L−1 2iP. Microshoots cultured in half-strength MS medium with 0.0–4.0 mg L−1 indole-3-butyric acid rooted at highest percentage (around 70%) in the medium containing 4.0 mg L−1 IBA, while microshoots of juvenile origin developed more and longer roots compared to adult ones. Micropropagated plantlets were successfully acclimatized ex vitro (>97%), regardless of their origin. The efficient micropropagation of A. hermaniae will facilitate its sustainable exploitation as a bee-friendly landscape plant, a forage plant for honeybees in Mediterranean areas, and a medicinal plant. Full article
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17 pages, 3398 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Different Stratification and Scarification Treatments on Breaking the Dormancy of Saskatoon Berry Seeds
by Krzysztof Górnik, Lidia Sas-Paszt, Łukasz Seliga, Stanisław Pluta, Edyta Derkowska, Sławomir Głuszek, Beata Sumorok and Walid F. A. Mosa
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 520; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020520 - 11 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4731
Abstract
Saskatoon berry has become as important as a commercial fruit crop. One main goal is to release new plant cultivars well adapted to different climatic and soil conditions. Dormant seeds obtained from breeding are serious problems delaying the program. The seeds were directly [...] Read more.
Saskatoon berry has become as important as a commercial fruit crop. One main goal is to release new plant cultivars well adapted to different climatic and soil conditions. Dormant seeds obtained from breeding are serious problems delaying the program. The seeds were directly extracted from fruits after harvest (unstored) or after storage at −18 °C for 6 months (stored) and subjected to modified stratification (3 °C) with KNO3, H2O2, NO, smoke-water (SW) or scarification using sandpaper or H2SO4 for 10, 20, 30, 40 min or treatments with pulsed radio frequency (PRF) or red light. The seeds were also subjected to warm–cool stratification (20/3 °C). Unstored seeds germinated in a higher percentage and with better uniformity (T75–T25) than stored seeds. Stored seeds positively affected the onset of seed germination (T1) and mean germination time (MGT). Dormancy breakage was promoted by stratification with KNO3, SW or scarification with sandpaper, H2SO4 or treatments with PRF. The recommended method for the breeding program of breaking seeds dormancy is when unstored seeds are subjected to stratification in KNO3 (0.2%) or SW (1:100). Depending on the applied methods, the percentage of seeds’ germination increased to 87% compared to untreated (64%) control seeds. The positive effects of the selected methods persisted during seedling development by stimulating their growth and enhancing the chlorophyll content index (SPAD) and effective quantum yield of PSII of chlorophyll in leaves (ΦPSII). Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Horticultural and Floricultural Crops)
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11 pages, 791 KiB  
Article
Pelleting of Physical Dormancy Small-Seeded Species in Astragalus sikokianus Nakai
by Yea-Jung Jin, Han-Jin Jeong, Soo-Young Kim, Seong-Hyun Cho, Jin-Hwan Lee and Du-Hyun Kim
Agronomy 2023, 13(1), 206; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13010206 - 10 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2288
Abstract
Astragalus sikokianus is a rare Japanese perennial of the seashore that was reported to be extinct in the wild. The small seed size and deep dormancy of A. sikokianus make it difficult for direct seeding restoration in aspects of seed handling, transport, planting, [...] Read more.
Astragalus sikokianus is a rare Japanese perennial of the seashore that was reported to be extinct in the wild. The small seed size and deep dormancy of A. sikokianus make it difficult for direct seeding restoration in aspects of seed handling, transport, planting, and seedling establishment. For the large-scale economic restoration of dormant small-seeded species, seed pelleting combined with the breaking of dormancy was studied. Physiological (prechilling and plant hormones) and physical (hot water, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid) seed dormancy break treatments were evaluated. The dormant broken seeds were used for pelleting. The effects of the substrate, pellet sizes, and their interactions on germination were measured. The scarification of five rubs of seeds placed between sandpapers completely broke the physical dormancy of A. sikokianus. Seed coat impermeability inhibited germination. Pelleted seeds ranging from 2.0 to 4.0 mm in diameter showed more than 90% germination on filter paper. The germination of the pelleted seeds was measured in commercial, field, and sand soil conditions. The highest germination was shown in sand (70–74% GP), regardless of the pellet size, whereas unpelleted scarified seeds germinated only 48%. These results suggest that small-seeded species with physical dormancy can be used for seed-based restoration after seed pelleting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Agronomic Treatment on Seed Germination and Dormancy)
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