Agronomy

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23 pages, 17983 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Deciphering Plantago ovata Forsk Leaf Extract Mediated Distinct Germination, Growth and Physio-Biochemical Improvements under Water Stress in Maize (Zea mays L.) at Early Growth Stage

by Muhammad Nawaz, Xiukang Wang, Muhammad Hamzah Saleem, Muhammad Hafeez Ullah Khan, Javaria Afzal, Sajid Fiaz, Sajjad Ali, Hasnain Ishaq, Aamir Hamid Khan, Nagina Rehman, Shadab Shaukat and Shafaqat Ali

Agronomy 2021, 11(7), 1404; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11071404 - 13 Jul 2021

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 3406

Abstract

Use of Plantago ovata Forsk leaf (also known as blond plantain or isabgol) extract is a novel approach for ameliorating water stress in various agronomic crops such as maize (Zea mays L.). To examine the potential roles of P. ovata extract (0, [...] Read more.

Use of Plantago ovata Forsk leaf (also known as blond plantain or isabgol) extract is a novel approach for ameliorating water stress in various agronomic crops such as maize (Zea mays L.). To examine the potential roles of P. ovata extract (0, 20 and 40%) in increasing seed germination, plant growth, photosynthetic measurements, stomatal properties, oxidative stress and antioxidant response, ions uptake and the relationship between studied parameters, we investigated the impacts of its short-term seed priming on Z. mays L. elite cultivar “Cimmyt-Pak” under a control environment and a water deficit stress environment (induced by PEG). It was evident that water deficit stress conditions induced a negative impact on plant growth, stomatal properties and ion uptake in different organs of Z. mays. The decrease in growth-related attributes might be due to overproduction of oxidative stress biomarkers, i.e., malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) initiation, and electrolyte leakage (%), which was also overcome by the enzymatic antioxidants, i.e., superoxidase dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and non-enzymatic antioxidants, which increased under the water stress environment. However, seed priming with P. ovata extract positively increased germination rate and growth profile, and protected photosynthetic apparatus and stomatal properties by decreasing oxidative stress indicators and increasing activities of antioxidant compounds. Our results also depicted that the optimum concentration of P. ovata extract for Z. mays seedlings under water stress conditions was 20%, while a further increase in P. ovata extract (40%) induced a non-significant negative impact on growth and biomass of Z. mays seedling. In addition, the effect was more promising on Z. mays seedlings when grown under controlled conditions. Here, we concluded that the understanding of the role of seed priming with P. ovata extract in the increment of growth-related attributes, photosynthetic apparatus (Pn, Gs, Ts and Ci) and nutrient uptake (Ca²⁺, Fe²⁺, P and Mg²⁺) introduces new possibilities for their effective use in water deficit stress environments and shows a promising foundation for Z. mays tolerance against water deficit stress conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptation of Crops to Climatically Variable Environments: Physiological and Agronomic Strategies)

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15 pages, 2436 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Root Response to Soil Water Status via Interaction of Crop Genotype and Environment

by Phanthasin Khanthavong, Shin Yabuta, Hidetoshi Asai, Md. Amzad Hossain, Isao Akagi and Jun-Ichi Sakagami

Agronomy 2021, 11(4), 708; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11040708 - 8 Apr 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3021

Abstract

Flooding and drought are major causes of reductions in crop productivity. Root distribution indicates crop adaptation to water stress. Therefore, we aimed to identify crop roots response based on root distribution under various soil conditions. The root distribution of four crops—maize, millet, sorghum, [...] Read more.

Flooding and drought are major causes of reductions in crop productivity. Root distribution indicates crop adaptation to water stress. Therefore, we aimed to identify crop roots response based on root distribution under various soil conditions. The root distribution of four crops—maize, millet, sorghum, and rice—was evaluated under continuous soil waterlogging (CSW), moderate soil moisture (MSM), and gradual soil drying (GSD) conditions. Roots extended largely to the shallow soil layer in CSW and grew longer to the deeper soil layer in GSD in maize and sorghum. GSD tended to promote the root and shoot biomass across soil moisture status regardless of the crop species. The change of specific root density in rice and millet was small compared with maize and sorghum between different soil moisture statuses. Crop response in shoot and root biomass to various soil moisture status was highest in maize and lowest in rice among the tested crops as per the regression coefficient. Thus, we describe different root distributions associated with crop plasticity, which signify root spread changes, depending on soil water conditions in different crop genotypes as well as root distributions that vary depending on crop adaptation from anaerobic to aerobic conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptation of Crops to Climatically Variable Environments: Physiological and Agronomic Strategies)

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23 pages, 637 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Minimizing the Adversely Impacts of Water Deficit and Soil Salinity on Maize Growth and Productivity in Response to the Application of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria and Silica Nanoparticles

by Emad M. Hafez, Hany S. Osman, Salah M. Gowayed, Salah A. Okasha, Alaa El-Dein Omara, Rokayya Sami, Ahmed M. Abd El-Monem and Usama A. Abd El-Razek

Agronomy 2021, 11(4), 676; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11040676 - 2 Apr 2021

Cited by 84 | Viewed by 6003

Abstract

The development of new approaches for sustaining soil quality, leaf health, and maize productivity are imperative in light of water deficit and soil salinity. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and silica nanoparticles (SiNP) are expected to improve soil chemistry leading to improved plant performance [...] Read more.

The development of new approaches for sustaining soil quality, leaf health, and maize productivity are imperative in light of water deficit and soil salinity. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and silica nanoparticles (SiNP) are expected to improve soil chemistry leading to improved plant performance and productivity. In this field experiment, water deficit is imposed by three irrigation intervals—12 (I₁), 15 (I₂), and 18 (I₃) days. Plants are also treated with foliar and soil applications (control, PGPR, SiNP, and PGPR + SiNP) to assess soil enzymatic activity, soil physicochemical properties, plant physiological traits, biochemical analysis, nutrient uptake, and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) plants grown under salt-affected soil during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. With longer irrigation intervals, soil application of PGPR relieves the deleterious impacts of water shortage and improves yield-related traits and maize productivity. This is attributed to the improvement in soil enzymatic activity (dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase) and soil physicochemical characteristics, which enhances the plants’ health and growth under longer irrigation intervals (i.e., I₂ and I₃). Foliar spraying of SiNP shows an improvement in the physiological traits in maize plants grown under water shortage. This is mainly owing to the decline in oxidative stress by improving the enzymatic activity (CAT, SOD, and POD) and ion balance (K⁺/Na⁺), resulting in higher photosynthetic rate, relative water content, photosynthetic pigments, and stomatal conductance, alongside reduced proline content, electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidase, and sodium content under salt-affected soil. The co-treatment of SiNP with PGPR confirms greater improvement in yield-related traits, maize productivity, as well as nutrient uptake (N, P, and K). Accordingly, their combination is a good strategy for relieving the detrimental impacts of water shortage and soil salinity on maize production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptation of Crops to Climatically Variable Environments: Physiological and Agronomic Strategies)

14 pages, 1940 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Seed Treatment with α-Tocopherol Regulates Growth and Key Physio-Biochemical Attributes in Carrot (Daucus carota L.) Plants under Water Limited Regimes

by Abdul Hameed, Nudrat Aisha Akram, Muhammad Hamzah Saleem, Muhammad Ashraf, Shakeel Ahmed, Shafaqat Ali, Abdulaziz Abdullah Alsahli and Mohammed Nasser Alyemeni

Agronomy 2021, 11(3), 469; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11030469 - 4 Mar 2021

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 3403

Abstract

The influence of seed priming with varying levels (50 and 100 mg L⁻¹) of alpha-tocopherol (Toc) was investigated in carrot plants under water-deficit conditions. For this purpose, two cultivars of carrot, DC4 and DC90, were selected and subjected to well-watered (100% [...] Read more.

The influence of seed priming with varying levels (50 and 100 mg L⁻¹) of alpha-tocopherol (Toc) was investigated in carrot plants under water-deficit conditions. For this purpose, two cultivars of carrot, DC4 and DC90, were selected and subjected to well-watered (100% field capacity (FC)) and water-deficit stress (50% FC). After 21 days of water-deficit conditions, a significant suppression was observed in shoot and root fresh and dry weights, their lengths, chlorophyll a, b and total contents, and total soluble proteins (TSP). However, an up-regulatory effect of water stress was observed on the concentrations of glycinebetaine (GB), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), ascorbic acid (AsA), total phenolics as well as the activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) enzymes. Exogenous application of alpha-tocopherol was effective in reducing the accumulation of H₂O₂ and MDA contents and improving all growth attributes, contents of chlorophyll, proline, GB, AsA, total phenolics, TSP, and the activities of CAT and POD enzymes. Of both carrot cultivars, cv. DC4 had better performance in terms of growth attributes, whereas the response of the two cultivars was similar in all other attributes varying water regimes. Overall, it is suggested that seed priming with 100 mg L⁻¹ Toc was effective in improving plant growth attributes, osmoprotectants and the oxidative defense system of carrot plants under water-deficit conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptation of Crops to Climatically Variable Environments: Physiological and Agronomic Strategies)

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17 pages, 7056 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulating Agronomic Adaptation Strategies to Mitigate the Impacts of Climate Change on Wheat Yield in South-Eastern Australia

by Ketema Zeleke

Agronomy 2021, 11(2), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11020337 - 13 Feb 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2873

Abstract

Rising air temperature and change in rainfall patterns are expected to have impact on agricultural production. The impact of climate change on wheat production was investigated and agronomic adaptation strategies were evaluated for two emission scenarios of Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) [...] Read more.

Rising air temperature and change in rainfall patterns are expected to have impact on agricultural production. The impact of climate change on wheat production was investigated and agronomic adaptation strategies were evaluated for two emission scenarios of Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) and three projection periods (2030, 2050 and 2070) using a climate model ensemble in the bio-physical model Agricultural Process SIMulator (APSIM). Early and late maturing wheat varieties were tested under six sowing time scenarios. Under RCP4.5, growing season rainfall would decrease by 9%, 15% and 19% in 2030, 2050 and 2070, respectively, and temperature would increase by 0.7 °C, 1.2 °C and 1.4 °C, respectively. For RCP4.5, the wheat yield would decrease by 9%, 15% and 19% in 2030, 2050 and 2070, respectively. Under RCP8.5, the yield would decrease by 9%, 18% and 27%, respectively. Short-season cultivars would be suitable for the low-rainfall environments and long-season cultivars for the high-rainfall environments. In 2050, for RCP4.5 at a low-rainfall site, the yield of early maturing variety would decrease by 11% and 31%, while at a high-rainfall site, these values would show a 9% decrease and 1% increase, respectively. At the low rainfall site, yield reduction for early sown variety would be 14% and 23% when late sown, while late maturing wheat would have a much higher yield reduction. At the higher rainfall site, yield reduction for early and late sown early maturing variety would be 3% and 15%, while for late-maturing wheat these values would be only 1% and 2%. Generally, the future climate is expected to have significant impact on wheat yield and changes in agronomic practices can mitigate the impacts on yield. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptation of Crops to Climatically Variable Environments: Physiological and Agronomic Strategies)

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13 pages, 2972 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Screening for a Novel Gene, OsPSLSq6, Using QTL Analysis for Lodging Resistance in Rice

by Dan-Dan Zhao, Ju Hyeong Son, Gang-Seob Lee and Kyung-Min Kim

Agronomy 2021, 11(2), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11020334 - 13 Feb 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3073

Abstract

Lodging is the most common factor that affects crop productivity, reducing yield, grain quality, and harvesting efficiency of rice and other cereal crops. The Cheongcheong (Indica)/Nagdong (Japonica) doubled haploid (CNDH) genetic map was used to develop a lodging-resistant variety. [...] Read more.

Lodging is the most common factor that affects crop productivity, reducing yield, grain quality, and harvesting efficiency of rice and other cereal crops. The Cheongcheong (Indica)/Nagdong (Japonica) doubled haploid (CNDH) genetic map was used to develop a lodging-resistant variety. The major agricultural traits of rice related to lodging resistance, such as the pushing strength of the lower stem before the heading date (PSLSB) at reproductive growth period and pushing strength of the lower stem after the heading date (PSLSA) at full ripe period were investigated. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of PSLSA and PSLSB detected on RM439-RM20318 on chromosome 6 has overlap in three consecutive years. RM439-RM20318 on chromosome 6 contained 15 lodging resistance candidate genes. Among the candidate genes, Os06g0623200, named OsPSLSq6, which is similar to Cinnamoyl-CoA reductase, involved lignin biosynthesis in defense responses. Lignin is the main structural component of vascular plants’ secondary cell wall, which is not only related to plant growth and development but also to mechanical strength. OsPSLSq6 opens new possibilities to control lignin synthesis to improve lodging resistance. OsPSLSq6 can be used as a target gene for further studies to provide important information for the marker-assisted improvement of target traits and cloning genes underlying the QTL of interest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptation of Crops to Climatically Variable Environments: Physiological and Agronomic Strategies)

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11 pages, 1314 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stabilizing Grain Yield and Nutrition Quality in Purple Rice Varieties by Management of Planting Elevation and Storage Conditions

by Supapohn Yamuangmorn, Suchada Jumrus, Sansanee Jamjod, Narit Yimyam and Chanakan Prom-u-Thai

Agronomy 2021, 11(1), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010083 - 3 Jan 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4069

Abstract

Purple rice has become an interesting source of nutritional value among healthy cereal grains. The appropriate cultivation together with post-harvest management would directly benefit farmers and consumers. This study aimed (i) to determine the yield, grain nutritional quality, and antioxidant capacity of purple [...] Read more.

Purple rice has become an interesting source of nutritional value among healthy cereal grains. The appropriate cultivation together with post-harvest management would directly benefit farmers and consumers. This study aimed (i) to determine the yield, grain nutritional quality, and antioxidant capacity of purple rice varieties grown at lowland and highland elevations, and (ii) to evaluate the effects of storage conditions on the stability of the rice nutritional value during six months of storage. The high anthocyanin PES variety grown in the lowlands had a higher grain yield than the plants grown in the highlands, but grain anthocyanin concentration had the opposite pattern. In the high antioxidant capacity KAK variety, grain yield and DPPH activity were not significantly different between plants grown at the two elevations. The storage of brown rice and vacuum-sealed packages were both found to preserve greater anthocyanin concentrations in PES, but there was no effect on the DPPH activity of KAK. The grain properties were not significantly different between storage at 4 °C and room temperature. This study suggests that the optimal cultivation practices and storage conditions would result in the higher yield and grain quality of purple rice varieties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptation of Crops to Climatically Variable Environments: Physiological and Agronomic Strategies)

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14 pages, 3417 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pigeonpea Yield and Water Use Efficiency: A Savior under Climate Change-Induced Water Stress

by Misheck Musokwa and Paramu Mafongoya

Agronomy 2021, 11(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010005 - 23 Dec 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3791

Abstract

Frequent droughts have threatened the crop yields and livelihoods of many smallholder farmers in South Africa. Pigeonpea can be grown by farmers to mitigate the impacts of droughts caused by climate change. An experiment was conducted at Fountainhill Farm from January 2016 to [...] Read more.

Frequent droughts have threatened the crop yields and livelihoods of many smallholder farmers in South Africa. Pigeonpea can be grown by farmers to mitigate the impacts of droughts caused by climate change. An experiment was conducted at Fountainhill Farm from January 2016 to December 2017. The trial examined grain yield in addition to water use efficiency (WUE) of pigeonpea intercropped with maize versus sole pigeonpea and maize. A randomized complete block design, replicated three times, was used. Soil water tension was measured at 20, 50, and 120 cm within plots. The highest and lowest soil water tension was recorded at 20 m and 120 m respectively. Combined biomass and grain yield were significantly different: pigeonpea + maize (5513 kg ha⁻¹) > pigeonpea (3368 kg ha⁻¹) > maize (2425 kg ha⁻¹). A similar trend was observed for WUE and land equivalent ratio (LER), where pigeonpea + maize outperformed all sole cropping systems. The inclusion of pigeonpea in a traditional mono-cropping system is recommended for smallholder farmers due to greater WUE, LER and other associated benefits such as food, feed and soil fertility amelioration, and it can reduce the effects of droughts induced by climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptation of Crops to Climatically Variable Environments: Physiological and Agronomic Strategies)

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