scholarly journals A Novel Biostimulant, Belonging to Protein Hydrolysates, Mitigates Abiotic Stress Effects on Maize Seedlings Grown in Hydroponics

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Trevisan ◽  
Alessandro Manoli ◽  
Silvia Quaggiotti

The main challenge to agriculture worldwide is feeding a rapidly growing human population, developing more sustainable agricultural practices that do not threaten human and ecosystem health. An innovative solution relies on the use of biostimulants, as a tool to enhance nutrient use efficiency and crop performances under sub-optimal conditions. In this work a novel biostimulant (APR®, ILSA S.p.A., Arzigano VI, Italy), belonging to the group of protein hydrolysates, was supplied to maize seedlings in hydroponic and its effects were assessed in control conditions and in the presence of three different kinds of stresses (hypoxia, salt and nutrient deficiency) and of their combination. Our results indicate that APR® is soluble and is able to influence root and shoot growth depending on its concentration. Furthermore, its effectiveness is clearly increased in condition of single or combination of abiotic stresses, thus confirming the previously hypothesised action of this substance as enhancer of the response to environmental adversities. Moreover, it also regulates the transcription of a set of genes involved in nitrate transport and ROS metabolism. Further work will be needed to try to transfer this basic knowledge in field experiments.

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Aloysius Beah ◽  
Alpha Y. Kamara ◽  
Jibrin M. Jibrin ◽  
Folorunso M. Akinseye ◽  
Abdullahi I. Tofa ◽  
...  

This paper assessed the application of the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM)–maize module as a decision support tool for optimizing nitrogen application to determine yield and net return of maize production under current agricultural practices in the Nigeria savannas. The model was calibrated for two maize varieties using data from field experiments conducted under optimum conditions in three locations during the 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons. The model was evaluated using an independent dataset from an experiment conducted under different nitrogen (N) levels in two locations within Southern and Northern Guinea savannas. The results show that model accurately predicted days to 50% anthesis and physiological maturity, leaf area index (LAI), grain yield and total dry matter (TDM) of both varieties with low RMSE and RMSEn (%) values within the range of acceptable statistics indices. Based on 31-year seasonal simulation, optimum mean grain yield of 3941 kg ha−1 for Abuja, and 4549 for Kano was simulated at N rate of 120 kg ha–1 for the early maturing variety 2009EVDT. Meanwhile in Zaria, optimum mean yield of 4173 kg ha–1 was simulated at N rate of 90 kg ha−1. For the intermediate maturing variety, IWDC2SYNF2 mean optimum yields of 5152, 5462, and 4849 kg ha−1, were simulated at N application of 120 kg ha−1 for all the locations. The probability of exceeding attainable mean grain yield of 3000 and 4000 kg ha−1 for 2009EVDT and IWDC2SYNF2, respectively would be expected in 95% of the years with application of 90 kg N ha−1 across the three sites. Following the profitability scenarios analysis, the realistic net incomes of US$ 536 ha–1 for Abuja, and US$ 657 ha−1 for Zaria were estimated at N rate of 90 kg ha−1 and at Kano site, realistic net income of US$ 720 ha–1was estimated at N rate of 120 kg ha−1 for 2009EVDT.For IWDC2SYNF2, realistic net incomes of US$ 870, 974, and 818 ha−1 were estimated at N application of 120 kg ha−1 for Abuja, Zaria, and Kano respectively. The result of this study suggests that 90 kg N ha−1 can be recommended for 2009EVDT and 120 kg N ha–1 for IWDC2SYNF2 in Abuja and Zaria while in Kano, 120 kg N ha−1 should be applied to both varieties to attain optimum yield and profit.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1161
Author(s):  
Roland Gerhards ◽  
Fructueuse N. Ouidoh ◽  
André Adjogboto ◽  
Vodéa Armand Pascal Avohou ◽  
Berteulot Latus Sètondji Dossounon ◽  
...  

Although clear evidence for benefits in crop production is partly missing, several natural compounds and microorganisms have been introduced to the market as biostimulants. They are supposed to enhance nutrient efficiency and availability in the rhizosphere, reduce abiotic stress, and improve crop quality parameters. Biostimulants often derive from natural compounds, such as microorganisms, algae, and plant extracts. In this study, the commercial plant extract-based biostimulant ComCat® was tested in two field experiments with maize in the communities of Banikoara and Matéri in Northern Benin and six pot experiments (four with maize and two with winter barley) at the University of Hohenheim in Germany. Maize was grown under nutrient deficiency, drought, and weed competition, and winter barley was stressed by the herbicide Luximo (cinmethylin). ComCat® was applied at half, full, and double the recommended field rate (50, 100, and 200 g ha−1) on the stressed and unstressed control plants as leaf or seed treatment. The experiments were conducted in randomized complete block designs with four replications. The above-ground biomass and yield data of one experiment in Benin were collected. The biostimulant did not promote maize and winter barley biomass production of the unstressed plants. When exposed to stress, ComCat@ resulted only in one out of eight experiments in higher barley biomass compared to the stressed treatment without ComCat® application. There was a reduced phytotoxic effect of cinmethylin after seed treatment with ComCat®. Crop response to ComCat® was independent of the application rate. Basic and applied studies are needed to investigate the response of crops to biostimulants and their mechanisms of action in the plants before they should be used in practical farming.


2021 ◽  
pp. SP517-2020-164
Author(s):  
N. Surdyk ◽  
L. Gourcy ◽  
V. Bault ◽  
N. Baran

AbstractSince the 1980s, nitrate has been shown to be present in soils and the vadose zone of various types of geological materials years after fertiliser application. In chalk where the vadose zone is thick, nitrate storage can be considerable and its transport time toward groundwater can be lengthy.In this context, evaluation of the impact of changes in agricultural practices on groundwater quality remains a major question. Improvement of groundwater quality can in certain cases be greatly delayed after the implementation of environmental agricultural practices.The principal objective of this study is to improve our knowledge of when changes in agricultural practices will have a noticeable effect on groundwater quality.To meet this objective, nitrate concentration profiles were performed in agricultural plots in Picardy (France). A crop marker event was used to calculate the transport velocity of water and associated solutes. This method is useful when other tracers (as tritium or chlorine) cannot be used. Estimated velocities range from 0.51 to 0.54 m/year; these values are similar to those described in similar chalk aquifers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 02007
Author(s):  
Izida Ilyinskaya ◽  
Emma Gaevaya

Field experiments were carried out in the Rostov region on the slope of ordinary chernozems in the system of contour-strip organization of the territory in 2011-2020. The aim of the research was the development of agrotechnical methods (design of crop rotation, the method of basic tillage and the background of fertilizers), which ensure high productivity of crop rotations on the eroded slope of ordinary chernozems and the preservation of fertility. The experiment included three factors: the design of the crop rotation, the method of the main tillage, the background of mineral fertilizers. It was found that, on average, for the period of research, the level of mineral nutrition has the greatest influence on the productivity of the crop rotation (83.9%), followed by the design of the crop rotation (14.9%). The influence of basic tillage is estimated at only 1.2%. It was found that the introduction of 20% of perennial grasses into the structure of crop rotation reduces soil washout by 19.5-27.7%, and an increase in the proportion of perennial grasses to 40% by 38.3-43.8%. The use of chisel tillage reduces washout by 15.6-24.2%, and with it the loss of humus. In the “C” crop rotation in all variants of the experiment, the humus content increased by 0.010.03%. It was revealed that the productivity of all the studied crop rotations changed under the influence of agrotechnical methods, reaching in the crop rotation “C” with 40% of perennial grasses and 60% of grain crops on average for the studied period the highest value of 3.53 t / ha of grain units, which is 9.3% higher than in the “B” crop rotation and 17.3% higher than in the “A” crop rotation.


Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nacer Bellaloui ◽  
Angela M. McClure ◽  
Alemu Mengistu ◽  
Hamed K. Abbas

Information on the effects of agricultural practices such as seeding rate (S), row spacing (RS), herbicide apical treatment (T), and nitrogen application (N) on soybean seed nutrition (protein, oil, fatty acids, sugars, and amino acids) is limited. Although seed composition (nutrition) constituents are genetically controlled, agricultural practices and environmental conditions significantly influence the amount and quality of seed nutrition. Therefore, the objective of this research was to understand the responses of these seed composition constituents to these practices, the environment, and cultivar differences. Two-field experiments were conducted, in 2015 and 2016, in Milan, TN, USA. The experiments were irrigated with four replications and included: two soybean cultivars, two seeding rates, three different row spacings, two N rates, and Cobra herbicide apical treatment. The results showed significant effects of S, RS, N, and T on some seed composition constituents, including protein; oleic, linolenic, and stearic acids; sugars; and some amino acids. The current research demonstrated that single or twin row with a seeding rate of 40,000 seeds ha−1 resulted in higher protein, oleic, some sugars, and some amino acids. However, a high seeding rate of 56,000 seeds ha−1 resulted in lower protein, oleic acid, some sugars, and some amino acids due to plant competition for soil nutrients. Herbicide apical application of Cobra1X resulted in higher linolenic acid and some amino acids. Application of nitrogen resulted in higher protein, linolenic, and some amino acids. This research is beneficial to the scientific communities, including breeders and physiologists through advancing knowledge on the interactions between cultivars and environment for seed nutritional quality selection, and to soybean producers through consideration of best agricultural management to maintain high seed nutritional qualities.


2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (No. 11) ◽  
pp. 498-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiang Wenting ◽  
Liu Xiaohu ◽  
Qi Wen ◽  
Xu Xiaonan ◽  
Zhu Yucui

Accurate estimating of the balanced nutrition for maize is necessary for optimizing fertilizer management to prevent nutrient supply surplus or deficiency. Data from 300 field experiments in the Northeast China conducted between 2006 and 2011 were gathered to study the characteristics of maize yield, and using the QUEFTS model to estimate the balanced nutrition at different yield potential. The average grain yield was 10 427 kg/ha, and average internal efficiencies were 54.3, 251.5 and 78.2 kg grain per kg plant nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), respectively. With the harvest index values < 0.40 as outliers were excluded, the model simulated a linear-parabolic-plateau curve for the balanced N, P and K uptake when the initial yield target increased to the yield potential levels of 10 000 to 14 000 kg/ha. When the yield target reached approximately 60–70% of the yield potential, 16.7 kg N, 3.8 kg P, and 11.4 kg K were required to produce 1000 kg grain. The corresponding internal efficiencies were 60.0, 265.7 and 88.0 kg grain per kg plant N, P and K, respectively. These results contributed to improving nutrient use efficiency, and to demonstrate that the QUEFTS model could be a promising approach for estimating the balanced nutrition.


2006 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 231-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debtanu Maiti ◽  
D.K. Das ◽  
H. Pathak

Crop modeling can provide us with information about fertilizer dose to achieve the target yield, crop conditions, etc. Due to conventional and imbalanced fertilizer application, nutrient use efficiency in wheat is low. Estimation of fertilizer requirements based on quantitative approaches can assist in improving yields and nutrient use efficiency. Field experiments were conducted at 20 sites in eastern India (Nadia district of West Bengal) to assess the soil supply, requirement, and internal efficiency of N, P, K, and Zn in wheat. The data were used to calibrate the QUEFTS (Quantitative Evaluation of the Fertility of Tropical Soils) model for site-specific, balanced fertilizer recommendations. The parameters of maximum accumulation (a) and maximum dilution (d) in wheat were calculated for N (35, 100), P (129, 738), K (17, 56), and Zn (21502, 140244). Grain yield of wheat showed statistically significant correlation with N (R2= 0.937**), P (R2= 0.901**), and K uptake (R2= 0.801**). The NPK ratio to produce 1 tonne grain yield of wheat was calculated to be 4.9:1.0:8.9. The relationships between chemical properties and nutrient-supplying capacity of soils were also established. The model was validated using the data from four other experiments. Observed yields with different amounts of N, P, K, and Zn were in good agreement with the predicted values, suggesting that the validated QUEFTS model can be used for site-specific nutrient management of wheat.


1976 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. E. Jensen

Movement and leaching of residual nitrogen in soil has been studied in some details in a lysimeter experiment. Profile measurements of soil water and of nitrogen concentration in addition to measurements of amount and composition of the drainage water were carried out. The leaching process could be described by an equation of Day. For a flow rate of approximately 1 cm/day, a dispersion coefficient of 11.5 cm2/day was obtained independent of the concentration level. Using this value, the equation satisfactorily predicted concentration of nitrogen and leached amount of nitrogen in the drainage water. The equation, although the assumptions inherent in the theory are not completely fulfilled, may therefore be used for predictive purposes under field conditions. An excess of precipitation, approximately equal to field capacity, is predicted necessary for leaching 50 per cent of an amount of dissolved nitrogen initially localized at the surface of the soil. Consequently, under many soil/climate conditions, the composition of drainage water is influenced by agricultural practices from previous years, which makes difficult interpretation of the results. This has been illustrated by relating some available data on drainage water quality from field experiments to the concentration of nitrogen in the soil water, as predicted by the theory.


2009 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 362-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shachaf Triky-Dotan ◽  
Miriam Austerweil ◽  
Bracha Steiner ◽  
Yitzhak Peretz-Alon ◽  
Jaacov Katan ◽  
...  

We studied the development of accelerated degradation (AD) of methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) following repeated applications of its parent compound, metam-sodium (MS). Laboratory studies and four sets of field experiments were conducted during 2002–04 in three commercial fields in Israel. Repeated applications of MS to the three soils in the laboratory under controlled conditions demonstrated AD of MITC in some soils. In a peanut field, MS significantly reduced the incidence of Pythium pod rot and improved pod quality after a single application but its effectiveness was greatly reduced after two applications. In a second experiment, MS was significantly effective after a single application in controlling Verticillium wilt in potato but its efficacy diminished after three consecutive applications. In an additional experiment, fumigation with MS following single or double applications was more effective in reducing Verticillium wilt severity of potato compared with triple applications. Soils which did not develop AD of MITC were also recorded. Preplant MS fumigation of melon fields was effective at reducing sudden wilt following a single and two consecutive applications. Our study shows that development of AD of MITC might occur following repeated applications of MS in commercial fields. The data on MITC dissipation in soil following repeated MS applications under controlled conditions indicate the chemical's potential loss of activity under regular agricultural practices and the need for a management strategy to prevent such a development.


1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 377-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Pradhan ◽  
R. C. Izaurralde ◽  
S. S. Malhi ◽  
M. Nyborg

Soil erosion induces variability in soil properties which may influence nutrient use efficiency. A 2-yr field study was conducted with the following objectives: (1) to determine the recovery of 15N-labelled fertilizers applied to barley growing on artificially eroded soil, and (2) to compare N losses from nitrate- and ammonia-based N fertilizers. Field experiments were conducted in north-central Alberta in 1991 and 1992 on an Orthic Gray Luvisol (Site 1) and on an Eluviated Black Chernozem (Site 2) soil. At each site, a factorial experiment of three levels of artificial erosion (0, 10 and 20 cm) and three N sources (KNO3, urea, and control) was laid out as a split-plot design with four replications. The 15N-labelled fertilizers (5.63 atom % abundance) were banded in June 1991 at 150 kg N ha−1 within 46-cm by 46-cm steel frame microplots. The proportion of added N recovered by barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was not affected by erosion level. Periodical water saturation and NO3− availability suggested denitrification as a major mechanism of N loss. The N losses ranged from 12 to 51 g N ha−1 in 1991 and 20 to 80 kg N ha−1 over the 2-yr period, but the N losses did not relate to erosion level. The N losses after 2 yr were greater from KNO3 than from urea at Site 1. Most of the added 15N was found in the surface 0- to 15-cm layer, but amounts of 15N were detected in the 15- to 30-cm or 30- to 45-cm layers. The results call for continued development of N management techniques geared to optimize crop growth and minimize losses from fields. Key words: Artificial erosion, barley, fate of applied N, 15N-labelled fertilizers, N immobilization, N loss


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