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Soil salinity affects plant growth, compromising sugarcane cultivation in regions with great production potential. Saccharum complex genotypes that respond positively to growth under saline environment can be used in the diversification of sugarcane cultivars to obtain greater economic returns. The objective of this study was to evaluate growth‐related traits of Saccharum genotypes grown under the presence and absence of salinity. The experiment was carried out in a 32 × 2 factorial scheme in a randomized block design with three replicates. The first factor consisted of 32 genotypes of the Saccharum complex and the second factor consisted of the presence and absence of salinity. The salinity provided higher mean values than the environment without salinity for plant height in the genotypes G9, G11, G13, G22 and G28, leaf number for G9 and G24, leaf area index for G9 and stem diameter for G1, G11 and G24. Among the genotypes tested, G1, G9, G11, G13, G22, G24 and G28 were the most promising genotypes and could be used for breeding new sugarcane cultivars of enhanced salinity tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Brazil, grain sorghum has been mainly grown in Cerrado biome during the off‐season, as a succession crop, after the soybean harvest. At this period, rainfall is erratic and insufficient, causing drought stress in pre‐ or post‐flowering of grain sorghum crops. In this scenario, the identification of both drought‐tolerant and irrigation responsive hybrids has been one of the main targets of sorghum breeding programmes. The hypothesis of this research was that grain sorghum genotypes respond differently to different moments of water deficit. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance of sorghum hybrids under full irrigation and drought stress at pre‐ and post‐flowering, in order to identify hybrids tolerant to drought stress and responsive to the water supply. Field trials were carried out in Nova Porteirinha during the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 crop seasons. Twelve grain sorghum single‐hybrids were evaluated for days to flowering and grain yield in three water availability conditions: drought stress at pre‐flowering, drought stress at post‐flowering and full‐irrigation (control). Tolerant hybrids were identified under both pre‐ and post‐flowering drought stress, as well as hybrids responsive to irrigation. The hybrids 1G282 and 116,748 stood out in the 2017/18 season for high yield and earliness under both drought‐stress conditions, while the hybrid 1G282, AG1090, AS4625 and DKB590 stood out for the 2018/19 season in both stress condition. The hybrid A9904 and 1G282 stood out for its responsiveness to water supply, being recommended to high‐tech farming systems that employ irrigation or for in‐season cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main objectives of soybean breeding programs is the search for genotypes that are both high yielding and tolerant to abiotic stresses. Brazilian Cerrado, the main grain‐producing region in the country, is characterised by naturally acidic and low fertility soils that consequently have low base saturation. Therefore, identifying genotypes with good performance for favourable and low base saturation stress conditions is of fundamental importance for crop improvement. The objective of this study was to select F3 soybean populations for multiple traits under contrasting base saturation conditions. Field experiments were carried out in two crop seasons in randomised block design with three replicates and 10 F3 populations (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9 and P10). In the first experiment, F3 populations were evaluated without base saturation correction (V = 30%, low saturation), while in the second experiment, limestone was applied 3 months before the start to raise the base saturation to 60% (recommended saturation). We evaluated physiological, nutritional, agronomic and spectral variables. Multivariate analysis was performed to know the populations' performance and the interrelationship between variables and populations in the saturation conditions evaluated. The F3 populations showed differential performance for all traits across the conditions tested, enabling the identification of the best populations for each specific condition and both base saturation environments. Population P2 stood out under both low and recommended base saturation conditions and can be used in F4 plant selection to obtain superior lines for physiological and agronomic traits and vegetation indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the physiological mechanisms in saline environment may boost sugarcane breeding programmes targeting abiotic stresses. Our hypothesis is that the physiology of Saccharum genotypes responds differently under salt stress. Thus, the objective of the study was to evaluate the physiological performance of Saccharum complex genotypes grown under presence and absence of saline stress. The experimental design used was randomized blocks arranged in a 32 × 2 factorial scheme (32 genotypes × 2 salinity levels). The presence of salinity provided higher mean values for photosynthetic rate in genotypes G4, G18, G22, G25 and G29 compared with the environment without salinity, with mean values (17.26, 21.49, 24.22 and 26.19 µmol CO2m−2s−1), respectively, for internal CO2 concentration in G2, G6, G9, G14, G17, G19, G23 and G29, with mean values (323.45, 399.64, 386.88, 412.14, 366.31, 250.48, 379.10 and 380.75 µmol CO2 mol air−1), respectively, for transpiration in G18, G24, G25 and G29, with mean values (5.05, 3.30, 4.39 and 4.01 mmol H2O m−2s−1), respectively, and for chlorophyll content in G3, G5, G6, G8, G10, G13, G20, G22, G23, G25, G31 and G32, with mean values (34.18, 43.01, 38.08, 32.38, 37.09, 37.18, 32.47, 38.38, 38.04, 36.95 and 33.32 SPAD units) respectively. Genotypes that under salt stress increase their physiological performance demonstrate superiority over others and should be considered in breeding programmes. Photosynthesis and transpiration is the most adequate combination for screening, but the spad index is the most viable tool because of its ease of determination and cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for high‐yielding genotypes and that are tolerant to abiotic stresses has been a major goal in plant breeding. Thus, the use of technologies such as precision agriculture associated with remote sensing tools for plant phenotyping has increased. The hypothesis of this research was that soya bean genotypes respond differently to low and adequate base saturation levels in the soil and that vegetation indexes can be efficient auxiliary tools in plant phenotyping for this purpose. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and agronomic performance of soya bean genotypes grown in low and recommended base saturation conditions using high‐throughput phenotyping. The research was carried out in 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 crop seasons, in which two field experiments in each season were installed. In experiment I, genotypes (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9 and P10) were evaluated without soil correction (low saturation condition). In experiment II, liming was performed three months before sowing of the genotypes to raise the base saturation to 60% (recommended saturation). Canopy spectral behaviour at the following wavelengths was evaluated: green (550 nm), red (660 nm), red edge (735 nm) and near‐infrared (790 nm), and the vegetation indices (Vis) NDVI, SAVI, EVI and MSAVI were calculated. The variables evaluated were leaf calcium and magnesium contents and grain yield. The use of VI's was efficient in assessing the performance of genotypes soya bean at different base saturation levels. The EVI showed moderate correlation with the nutritional and agronomic variables measured in each base saturation level. The approach used enabled both to identify genotypes tolerant to low base saturation soils and the ones with better response to liming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress, salinity and aluminium toxicity are considered the most critical abiotic factors limiting the growth of soya bean plants, accounting for the low yield of the crop in the Cerrado region. Our hypothesis is that soya bean cultivars have differential morphological responses to stressful environmental conditions. Thus, an experiment was carried out with the purpose of identifying and recommending soya bean genotypes that simultaneously combine adaptability and stability for morphological traits when subjected to stressful environmental conditions. Drought, saline and aluminium stresses were induced in seeds of 25 soya bean cultivars. Seed germination, and length and dry mass of the seedlings were measured. For each trait, adaptability and stability were evaluated by the Lin & Binns method and simultaneously considering all traits for the set of environments. There was significant GxE interaction for all traits evaluated. The genotypes 97R50 IPRO, BMX Bônus IPRO and 98R31 IPRO simultaneously combine adaptability and stability for all traits measured. These genotypes can be cultivated both under optimal and abiotic stress conditions, such as those investigated in this study. Additionally, they can be used as parents in crossing blocks aiming at obtaining genotypes resistant to drought, saline and aluminium toxicity stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas exchange analysis is an important technique, as the reduction in yield may be related to the decreased photosynthetic activity, due to adverse climatic factors in the growing site. The hypothesis of this study was that contrasting soil water conditions result in different photosynthetic performance in soybean genotypes. Thus, our objective was to analyse the physiological capacity in soybean genotypes under field conditions with optimal soil moisture and under water deficit. The experimental design was random blocks with 10 genotypes (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9 and P10) and three replicates. Individual analysis of variance was performed in both environments (irrigated and rainfed), and a correlation network between the traits was generated. We measured the traits net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, instant water‐use efficiency, instant carboxylation efficiency and grain yield. Stressed plants reduce stomatal conductance and transpiration, but increase the instant water‐use efficiency as a defence mechanism in sub‐optimal soil moisture conditions. The P6 genotype obtained better physiological capacity under irrigated conditions, while the P10 genotype showed the better performance under rainfed conditions, which makes it tolerant to water stress. Our findings can contribute to the genotype formation and parental choice steps in breeding programs aimed at obtaining both irrigation‐responsive and drought‐tolerant genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought and salinity are the main limiting environmental factors that restrict the establishment of soya bean plants. In order to recommend genotypes for cultivation under adverse drought and saline stress conditions, multi‐environment trials (MET) are needed. However, MET analysis is usually performed considering a single trait, which provides lower reliability in recommending genotypes when compared to multi‐trait analysis. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate the stability of multi‐trait stability index (MTSI) in 46 soya bean cultivars under the effects of drought and saline stress on seed germination and initial seedling growth. Drought and saline stresses were imposed by seed exposure to −0.20 MPa iso‐osmotic solutions with polyethylene glycol—PEG 6000 (119.6 g/L) or NaCl (2.36 g/L) for 12 days at 25°C. The germination rate, seedling length and seedling dry matter were measured. We showed here how genotypic stability can be quantified by MTSI when comparing drought and salinity conditions in relation to non‐stressful environment (control) and how this index can be employed under different conditions. When considering the index for multiple environments, we can select as the most stable genotypes TMG 716 RR, FPS Antares RR, AS 3610 IPRO, NS 7300 IPRO and FPS Solar IPRO among the 46 tested genotypes. Owing to high stability and gains with selection verified for these genotypes under salinity and drought conditions, they can be used as genitors in breeding programs aimed at obtaining offspring with higher resistance to antibiotic stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the Brazilian soils, especially in Cerrado biome, have high acidity and toxic aluminium, making the application of limestone an indispensable technique to obtain high yield in soybean crop. The hypothesis of this study was that contrasting base saturation provides changes in water‐use efficiency (WUE) and agronomic traits of soybean populations. Thus, we evaluated the WUE and agronomic performance of F3 soybean populations under different base saturation levels. Each experiment was conducted in a randomized complete blocks design with three replicates and 10 F3 populations (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9 and P10) for two crop seasons. Segregating populations were obtained by bulk method. In the first experiment, F3 populations were evaluated without correction of base saturation (V = 30%), while in the second experiment, limestone was applied three months before sowing to increase base saturation to 60%. The traits evaluated were as follows: calcium, magnesium and potassium contents, water‐use efficiency (WUE), plant height, first pod height, main stem diameter and grain yield. Our findings indicate that WUE and agronomic performance of F3 soybean populations depends on the saturation condition. We identified the P4 and P9 populations as the most promising for use in breeding programmes aiming at higher tolerance to abiotic stress caused by low base saturation in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for high yield has identified ammonium toxicity as a problem in arable soils world wide. Ammonia toxicity can be suppressed by the use of silicon, but this fact still needs to be elucidated. Therefore, this review aimed to highlight the harmful effects of ammonium toxicity on model plants, and to determine the effects of Si on the mitigation of abiotic stress. Some plant species are considered as tolerant, and others as sensitive to high N concentrations. In sensitive plants, high ammonium concentrations may hinder the plant's development and even lead to the plant's death due to biochemical, physiological, and nutritional changes. Studies have demonstrated that silicon can mitigate or alleviate the deleterious effects caused by the toxic effect of NH4+. These findings were attributed to improvements in the physiological and nutritional parameters of plants. Given the importance of ionic balance between N forms for the plant's development, further studies must be performed to detect mechanisms promoted by Si to decrease or mitigate the harmful effects caused by excess ammonium in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Real-time monitoring of boron fertilization in eucalyptus is helpful for guiding precision diagnosis; • The 350–371 nm spectral range can be used for detecting boron-deficient plants; • Adequate boron levels can be identified by using the 426–444, 1811–1910, 1948–2115, and 2124–2208 nm; • The 425–475 nm spectral range can be used to find boron-toxicity plants. Boron (B) is an essential element whose deficiency results in rapid inhibition in the growth of plants, acting on their meristematic growth. Real-time monitoring of B fertilization in eucalyptus is helpful for guiding precision diagnosis and efficient management of plant boron nutrition. This research hypothesizes that different boron levels alter the reflectance of different wavelengths in eucalyptus. In this context, the objective of this study was to identify spectral ranges that can be used to monitor the boron status in eucalyptus plants. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in which the treatments consisted of increasing boron levels in the form of boric acid (17% of B), whose levels varied from deficit to toxicity. Thus, five treatments were established: no boron, 1, 10, 20, and 40 mg/dm3 of boron. The remote sensing data used were bands, heights, and vegetation indices calculated after obtaining the spectral curves in each treatment. Our findings show that it is possible to accurately distinguish the boron levels in eucalyptus using hyper and multispectral bands. The 350–371 nm spectral range can be used for detecting boron-deficient plants. Plants with adequate boron levels can be identified by using the 426–444 nm, 1811–1910 nm, 1948–2115 nm, and 2124–2208 nm spectral ranges. Finally, the 425–475 nm spectral range can be used to find boron-toxicity plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]