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Examination of effect of five inorganic chlorine salts (NaCL, KCL, CaCL2, CuCL2.2H2O and FeCL3.6H2O) on wheat seeds from three different wheat cultivars (“Enola C1”, “Tcarevetz” and “Aleksa”), was conducted in the in vitro conditions. Chloride (Cl) is one of the 17 essential nutrients required for plant growth and development. Chloride plays a major role in plant function, including photosynthesis, enzyme activation, nutrient transport, water movement in cells, stomata activity, accelerated plant development, reduced lodging, and improved disease suppression and tolerance. However some studies reveal the toxic action of chloride salts towards different terrestrial and aquatic plants. The purpose of present study was to investigate if NaCL, KCL, CaCL2, CuCL2.2H2O and FeCL3.6H2O have toxic action on germination of wheat seeds. The wheat seeds were placed in the double layer of Whatman filter paper. The papers with seeds were placed in closed plastic bags and 40 ml of the tested solution was poured on the bottom of the bags. The bags were placed in the thermostat at 22 °C for two weeks. Each bag was equal to the one test repetition; each test variant consists of five test repetitions. At the end of the test, percent germination, the length of shoots and roots were measured. Also, the visual observations for phytotoxicity (necrosis, chlorosis and deformations) onto shoots and roots were performed. ANOVA analysis was performed in order to be reveled statistically proved differences between tested variants via R language for statistical computing. The study confirm the toxic action of tested inorganic salts towards wheat and slightly stimulation effect of sodium and potassium chloride at low concentrations on wheat’s growth. Trials conform the strong phytotoxic action of ferric and especially copper chlorides on wheat seeds and plants. The conducted tests show all tested inorganic chlorine salts can strongly inhibit the germination rates of wheat seeds and growth of shoots and roots. However, some of them as sodium and potassium chloride at very low concentrations-0.01-0.05 % (m/v) can express slight stimulation effect on seeds. Ferric and copper chlorides have strongest inhibition effect on wheat seeds in the conducted research. The fact that ferric chloride can act as ISR promoter in the plants and the results in the given study that the salt in very low concentration does not effects the growth and development of the plants is promising for future researchers in this direction. No differences between tested wheat cultivars were observed towards their response to the salts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continued population growth and limited land availability will facilitate the utilization of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in sustainable agriculture to enhance crop yields. The PGRs industry has progressed significantly from 2003 to 2022, resulting in a surge of research activities in the field of PGRs. However, the existing studies lack the exploration of the industry trends, as well as the challenges and opportunities for innovation in PGR development. Here, we analyze the dynamic trends within the PGR industry by examining key factors such as the PGR market, patent applications, scientific papers, and PGRs registrations from 2003 to 2022. Additionally, we investigate the specific effects of major agrochemicals on plants. These data will provide essential insights into the ongoing evolution and future trends of PGRs. Importantly, it is crucial to actively pursue research and development (R&D) of a broader range of PGRs to respond to the current needs of the PGR market and drive further growth therein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxygen concentration in the nutrient solution is extremely important for the health and development of plants, including lettuce. Lettuce plant roots perform respiration, a process through which they absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide. This metabolic process is essential for providing the energy necessary for growth and optimal plant functioning. An adequate oxygen concentration in the nutrient solution is crucial for the roots to efficiently carry out this process. Insufficient oxygen concentration can lead to inefficient nutrient absorption, thus affecting plant growth and development. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of different lettuce varieties and cultivation technologies on the average plant mass, length, and average root volume. It examines how various growth conditions, such as additional oxygenation and LED lighting, influence the development of lettuce plants, especially the Lugano and Carmesi varieties. By evaluating these factors, the paper aims to provide relevant information for optimizing agricultural practices in lettuce cultivation, with the goal of maximizing production and crop quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drip irrigation is a highly efficient method for watering crops, as it delivers water directly to the roots and minimises wastage due to evaporation or runoff. This paper presents the development and implementation of a low- -cost drip irrigation control system that uses both time- and soil sensor-based approaches. The system’s efficiency was compared through a field experiment of melon growing, divided into three categories and four replications using a completely randomised design. The treatments include: T1 [time-based irrigation (TBI)], T2 [soil moisture-based irrigation (SMI)], and T3 [hand watering irrigation system (HWI)]. Results indicated that the TBI technique resulted in faster plant growth compared to the other treatments, as evidenced by increased leaf widths, lengths, numbers, and stem diameter. All irrigation techniques showed significant differences in yield characteristics, with TBI and SMI producing no differences in the first flowering day of female fruit widths, lengths, and weight of melon. However, the HWI treatment resulted in lower fruit length and weight yields. Cost analysis showed that the system is beneficial as a very low-cost device that is affordable, precise, and useful for measuring and controlling irrigation-related parameters for melon cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Agricultural Sciences / Revista Brasileira de Ciências Agrárias is the property of Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Presents a study which altered growth and fine chemistry of Betula papyrifera and Acer saccharum under elevated carbon dioxide. Method of the study; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

With the intensification of global competition and the increasing awareness of reducing energy consumption, sustainable supplier selection is crucial for establishing a solid cooperative relationship in sustainable supply chain management. This paper proposes a new framework that considers both the effective expression of uncertain information and the objective weights of decision makers to select sustainable suppliers. We first apply an interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy set to express the information of decision makers. Moreover, this paper applies a plant growth simulation algorithm to aggregate decision makers' information. Next, we adopt the similarity measure method to derive the target weight of each decision maker. Then, we apply the score function to rank the candidate sustainable suppliers. Finally, two practical cases are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed framework. The outcomes and comparative discussion show that the developed framework is efficient for sustainable supplier selection. Therefore, the proposed framework can be used to establish a solid cooperative relationship in the process of sustainable supply chain management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farming is using more terrestrial ground with increases in population and the expanding use of agriculture for non-nutritional purposes such as biofuel production. This agricultural expansion exerts an increasing impact on the terrestrial carbon cycle. In order to understand the impact of such processes, the Community Land Model (CLM) has been augmented with a CLM-Crop extension that simulates the development of three crop types: maize, soybean, and spring wheat. The CLM-Crop model is a complex system that relies on a suite of parametric inputs that govern plant growth under a given atmospheric forcing and available resources. CLM-Crop development used measurements of gross primary productivity and net ecosystem exchange from AmeriFlux sites to choose parameter values that optimize crop productivity in the model. In this paper we calibrate these values in order to provide a faithful projection in terms of both plant development and net carbon exchange, using a Markov chain Monte Carlo technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Forest area, stand quality and growth of Siberian larch in Mongolia have decreased significantly over recent decades. This forest decline is frequently attributed to factors such as unregulated logging, increased ecological disturbances (primarily fire) and climate change. In this study, we analyzed climate-growth response and pointer years for Siberian larch observed in the Altansumber forest research area in the Mongolian mountain forest steppe zone. We compare our results with previously published results of white birch from the same area. Methods: We built a reference chronology from wood core samples taken from 30 trees in three neighboring larch stands. Climate-growth relationships were analyzed monthly and seasonally over the period 1962-2009 using climate data from the Eroo weather station. Pointer year analysis covered the same time frame. Results: Our analysis of the larch chronology showed that precipitation during autumn of the previous year and directly before the growing season of the current year was the most decisive factor determining tree-ring growth. Regional pointer year analysis further indicated that a humid summer and autumn followed by a warm spring support current-year tree-ring growth in these larch stands. Our findings were comparable to a white birch study in the same area. The larch trees, however, showed stronger growth performance and were more tolerant of higher temperatures, notably in spring during peak fire season. Conclusions: Water availability is the decisive factor for larch growth in the mountain forest steppe zone. The chronologies showed no climatic indication of insect infestations. Differences in climate-growth relationships of birch and larch trees during peak fire season may to some degree be explained by their respective means of protecting themselves against low-intensity surface fires (e.g. thick bark of larch). These fire events occur regularly in the region and are influenced by climatic factors. Our analysis and comparison of climate tree-growth relationships may be valuable for developing climate- and disturbance-resilient forestry practices in Mongolian mountain forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) formerly Botswana College of Agriculture (BCA) under an 80% net shade to investigate the effect of growing media comprising cocopeat, hygromix and germination mix on growth and development of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.) seedlings. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design (CRD) with each treatment (growing medium) replicated four times. Growth parameters measured were; seedling emergence, plant height, leaf number and area, and seedling biomasses (both fresh and dry). Seedling emergence from hygromix and germination mix was significantly (P<0.05) higher than cocopeat in the first 15 days whereas a non-significant (P>0.05) treatment response was observed from day 16 to 20 across treatments. Plant height, leaf number and area, and seedling biomasses were significantly (P<0.01) higher in hygromix and germination mix as compared to cocopeat with hygromix revealing superior performance than germination mix. Hygromix and germination mix can be used to propagate sweet pepper because they enhanced seedling emergence, growth and development. Seedlings emerged in cocopeat, but the seedlings remained stunted suggesting that the medium needs further investigation on how it can sustain seedling growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop growth models such as DSSAT-CERES-Maize have proven to be useful for analysing plant growth and yield within homogenous land units. The paper presents results of newly developed model-based site-specific Soil Profile Optimisation (SPO) tools in combination with an updated version of an already published Nitrogen Prescription Model (NPM). Site-specific soil profiles were generated through an inverse modelling approach based on measured site-specific yield (point-based) and tops weight (above-ground biomass time-series) and evaluated. Site-specific soil profiles generated based only on measured yield variability were able to explain 72% (R2 0.72) of yield variability (dependent variable) based on selected soil profile input parameters (independent variable). Site-specific soil profiles generated based on measured yield and tops variability simultaneously (multiple target variable) explained 68% of yield variability (R2 0.68). The NPM uses the SPO generated site-specific soil profiles for economic evaluation of site-specific N application rates. NPM simulated N application rates, aiming at the maximisation of marginal net return (MNR) were 25% lower compared to the uniform N application rates with an assumed grain and N price of 0.17 and 0.3 Euro kg−1 respectively, under rainfed conditions over three years based on soil profiles generated via an inverse modelling approach only from measured yield variability (one target variable). N application rates were 28% lower when based on soil profiles generated from simultaneously included grain and tops variability in the inverse modelling approach. The results highlight the importance of site-specific fertilizer management when maximising MNR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The availability of nutrients in the soil is a dynamic process that can fluctuate between states of deficiency and excess, causing significant stress on plants. In response to this stress, plants have evolved several physiological strategies to adapt and cope with these fluctuations. These strategies are aimed at improving the efficiency of nutrient uptake and utilization while minimizing the negative impact of nutrient stress. In this paper we explore the important roles and regulation of nutrient transporters in plant adaptation, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and sulfur transporters. The paper discusses the mechanisms through which plants utilize these transporters to adapt to nutrient deficiencies and optimize nutrient uptake and utilization. The paper presents a comprehensive review of current understanding in these areas, highlighting their importance for plant growth and development, as well as their potential applications in agriculture. Additionally, the paper identifies research gaps and suggests future directions for research. In this review, we contribute to understanding the complex mechanisms that underpin plant adaptation and nutrition, and provides valuable insights for improving crop production and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horticultural products such as fruits, vegetables, and tea offer a range of important nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and lipids. However, the present yield and quality do not meet the requirements of the rapid population growth associated with global climate change, the decline in horticultural practitioners, poor automation, and epidemic diseases such as COVID-19. In this context, smart horticulture is expected to greatly improve the land output rates, resource-use efficiency, and productivity, all of which should facilitate the sustainable development of the horticulture industry. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing, play an important role. This paper reviews past developments and current challenges, offering future perspectives for horticultural chain management. We expect that the horticulture industry would benefit from integration with smart technologies. This requires the use of novel solutions to build a new advanced system encompassing smart breeding, smart cultivation, smart transportation, and smart sales. Finally, a new development approach combining precise perception, smart operation, and smart control should be instituted in the horticulture industry. Within 30 years, we expect that the industry will embrace mechanical, automatic, and informational production to transform into a smart industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monolignols represent pivotal alcohol-based constituents in lignin synthesis, playing indispensable roles in plant growth and development with profound implications for industries reliant on wood and paper. Monolignols and their derivates have multiple applications in several industries. Monolignols exhibit antioxidant activity due to their ability to donate hydrogen atoms or electrons to neutralize free radicals, thus preventing oxidative stress and damage to cells. Characterized by their alcohol functionalities, monolignols present three main forms: p-coumaryl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol, and sinapyl alcohol. In nature, particularly in plants, monolignols with geometry (E) predominate over their Z counterparts. The methods for obtaining the three canonical monolignols, two less-common monolignols, and a monolignol analogue are addressed to present an overview of these phenol-based compounds, particularly from a synthetic standpoint. A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis is used to explain the advantages and disadvantages of synthesizing monolignols, key alcohol-containing raw materials with enormous significance in both plant biology and industrial applications, using bench chemical methods. The uniqueness of this work is that it provides an overview of the synthetic pathways of monolignols to assist researchers in pharmaceutical and biological fields in selecting an appropriate procedure for the preparation of their lignin models. Moreover, we aim to inspire scientists, particularly chemists, to develop more sustainable synthetic protocols for monolignols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rhizosphere is enriched with diverse microflora, allowing for delving prospective microorganisms to enhance crop growth and yield for varied soil conditions. Demand for millet growth-promoting microorganisms is a contemporary need for dryland agriculture. Therefore, a detailed survey was conducted in northern Karnataka, India, to identify the millet growing areas, particularly sorghum. The rhizobacteria from the sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) were assessed for promoting seed germination using the paper towel method and classified based on their efficiency. The elite isolates were positive for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA), phosphate, zinc oxide solubilization, and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production. The test isolates were antagonistic to Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium sp. and inhibited completely. Further evaluation of the cultures on sorghum growth-promoting attributes under pot culture conditions showed that the plants inoculated with PG-152 (Bacillus subtilis) recorded the highest plant height, chlorophyll content, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, and total dry weight under ideal conditions of fertilization. Two isolates, namely, PG-152 and PG-197, performing superior under pot culture conditions, were identified as Bacillus subtilis and PG-197 as Enterobacter sp., respectively, using 16S rDNA analysis. The sequences were allowed to screen open reading frames (ORF) and found several ORFs in Enterobacter cloacae and Bacillus subtilis, respectively. This study found that the rhizosphere is vital for identifying prospective isolates for biocontrol and plant growth-improving microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geosynthetics are increasingly used in geotechnical works in association with vegetation, whose function has been typically considered as an improvement for the works themselves, especially due to the mechanical and hydraulic effects the root system provides. Within this context, the paper presents an experimental study performed to evaluate the long-term performance of geosynthetics, specifically drainage geocomposites, exposed to the influence of roots. Two species of plant were selected for their fast-growing and pervasive roots, Vetiver and Bamboo, and planted in a thin layer of growing medium, which buried the geosynthetic specimens. After a period of plant growth, the specimens affected by roots ('rooted specimens') were exhumed, and submitted to tensile and drainage capacity laboratory tests, to determine their mechanical and hydraulic behaviour. The laboratory test results were compared with those obtained on virgin specimens of drainage geocomposite, under undisturbed conditions ('reference specimens'). The results show a decrease in drainage capacity for rooted specimens, more pronounced in the case of the highest density of roots into the drainage core. Concerning the tensile behaviour, no significant variations emerged in rooted specimens, although a slight increase in tensile strength, together with a modest decrease in elongation at maximum load, could be observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the issue of phosphorus limitation in agricultural and forestry production and to identify green and economical alternatives to chemical phosphorus fertilizers, this paper reviews the utilization of phosphorus in plant–soil systems and explores the considerable potential for exploiting endogenous phosphorus resources. The application of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) is emphasized for their role in phosphorus activation and plant growth promotion. A focus is placed on microbial interactions as an entry point to regulate the functional rhizosphere microbiome, introducing the concept of synthetic communities. This approach aims to deepen the understanding of PSM interactions across plant root, soil, and microbial interfaces, providing a theoretical foundation for the development and application of biological regulation technologies to enhance phosphorus utilization efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) cycle has the potential to regulate climate change through its influence on carbon (C) sequestration. Although extensive researches have been done to explore whether or not progressive N limitation (PNL) occurs under CO2 enrichment, a comprehensive assessment of the processes that regulate PNL is still lacking. Here, we quantitatively synthesized the responses of all major processes and pools in terrestrial N cycle with meta-analysis of CO2 experimental data available in the literature. The results showed that CO2 enrichment significantly increased N sequestration in plant and litter pools but not in soil pool. Thus, the basis of PNL occurrence partially exists. However, CO2 enrichment also significantly increased the N influx via biological N fixation, but decreased the N efflux via leaching. In addition, no general diminished CO2 fertilization effect on plant growth over time was observed. Overall, our analyses suggest that the extra N supply by the increased biological N fixation and decreased leaching may potentially alleviate PNL under elevated CO2 conditions. Moreover, our synthesis showed that CO2 enrichment increased soil ammonium (NH4+) but decreased nitrate (NO3-). The different responses of NH4+ and NO3-, and the consequent biological processes, may result in changes in soil microenvironment, community structures and above-belowground interactions, which could potentially affect the terrestrial biogeochemical cycles and the feedback to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative complexity of the mechanisms underlying savanna ecosystem dynamics, in comparison to other biomes such as temperate and tropical forests, challenges the representation of such dynamics in ecosystem and Earth system models. A realistic representation of processes governing carbon allocation and phenology for the two defining elements of savanna vegetation (namely trees and grasses) may be a key to understanding variations in tree/grass partitioning in time and space across the savanna biome worldwide. Here we present a new approach for modelling coupled phenology and carbon allocation, applied to competing tree and grass plant functional types. The approach accounts for a temporal shift between assimilation and growth, mediated by a labile carbohydrate store. This is combined with a method to maximise long-term net primary production (NPP) by optimally partitioning plant growth between fine roots and (leaves + stem). The computational efficiency of the analytic method used here allows it to be uniquely and readily applied at regional scale, as required, for example, within the framework of a global biogeochemical model. We demonstrate the approach by encoding it in a new simple carbon/water cycle model that we call HAVANA (Hydrology and Vegetation-dynamics Algorithm for Northern Australia), coupled to the existing POP (Population Orders Physiology) model for tree demography and disturbance-mediated heterogeneity. HAVANA-POP is calibrated using monthly remotely-sensed fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (fPAR) and eddy-covariance-based estimates of carbon and water fluxes at 5 tower sites along the Northern Australian Tropical Transect (NATT), which is characterized by large gradients in rainfall and wildfire disturbance. The calibrated model replicates observed gradients of fPAR, tree leaf area index, basal area and foliage projective cover along the NATT. The model behaviour emerges from complex feed-backs between the plant physiology and vegetation dynamics, mediated by shifting above- vs. belowground resources, and not from imposed hypotheses about the controls on tree/grass co-existence. Results support the hypothesis that resource limitation is a stronger determinant of tree cover than disturbance in Australian savannas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Botany is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Of the spectral vegetation indices, NDVI is one of the most suitable for tracking the dynamics of vegetable crop development. Its values are most accurate in the active phases of pepper growth. Due to the individual nature for the determination of vegetation indices, it is necessary to look for correlation with the analytical measurements of plants. The aim of this paper is to determine the relationship between NDVI and in situ data in pepper plantations, field production in the phases of active plant growth. In situ data collection was carried out in a production pepper plantation, cv. Slonsko uho, grown under field conditions in the village of Katunitsa, Plovdiv region, Bulgaria. Measurements were carried out in two phases - mass flowering (BBCH 59610) and technological maturity (BBCH 73703). Vegetative plants parameters were determined. NDVI was obtained from Sentinel-2 HR multispectral satellite imagery. The relationships between NDVI and in situ data were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is a key factor restricting plant survival, growth and development. The physiological parameters of plants are commonly used to determine the water status, in order to irrigate appropriately and save water. In this study, mulberry (Morus alba L.) and paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent.) seedlings were used as experimental materials, and four soil moisture treatments were set up for both plant species: 70–75% (CK: the control group, referred to as T0), 55–60% (T1: mild drought), 40–45% (T2: moderate drought), and 25–30% (T3: severe drought). The growth parameter of the plants was measured every two days from the onset of the treatment, the photosynthetic and electrophysiological parameters of the plants were measured every other week for a total of five times. The physiological responses and electrophysiological traits of leaves under different treatment levels were analyzed. The results showed that the photosynthetic and electrophysiological parameters could characterize the response of mulberry growth and development to soil water, and the growth and electrophysiological parameters could characterize the response of paper mulberry growth and development to soil water. Mild drought had no significant effects on the growth and development of mulberry and paper mulberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]