Crop Response Research Articles

Engineered nanomaterials reduce metal(loid) accumulation and enhance staple food production for sustainable agriculture.

Metal(loid) contaminants in food pose a global health concern. This study offers a global analysis of the impact of nanomaterials (NMs) on crop responses to metal(loid) stresses. Our findings reveal that NMs have a positive effect on the biomass production of staple crops (22.8%), while showing inhibitory effects on metal(loid) accumulation in plants (-38.3%) and oxidative damage (-21.6%) under metal(loid) stress conditions. These effects are influenced by various factors such as NM dose, exposure duration, size and composition. Here we introduce a method using interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy values by integrating the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution and entropy weights to compare the effectiveness of different NM application patterns. These results offer practical insights for the application of NMs in similar multi-criteria decision-making scenarios, contributing to sustainable agriculture and global food safety.

Root System Architecture and Salt Stress Responses in Cereal Crops

Root System Architecture and Salt Stress Responses in Cereal Crops

A logistic model for precise tomato fruit-growth prediction based on diameter-time evolution

Monitoring tomato fruit growth in large greenhouse environments is crucial for estimating harvest volume and maximising labour efficiency. Mathematical modelling is commonly used to characterise crop and fruit growth and to understand crop responses to environmental influences. This study presents a logistic approach for estimating tomato fruit maturity based on fruit diameter. A set of logistic models were evaluated, and their precision and ability to forecast tomato fruit growth were analysed. Non-linear least square regression was used to fit each model to individual tomato fruits from a sample of over 600 fruits of two species (small and large fruit-bearing tomatoes) grown within one year. The focus was on fruit diameter and the necessary measurement precision for fruit maturity estimation. Low-dispersion variables were identified within our logistic model functions, and fruit species-specific model parameters were determined. Furthermore, we reduced the number of regression variables by identifying parameters of low variance. This allowed for high prediction precision (>80%) at the early fruit maturity stages (<30%). The fruit diameter data were collected manually using a caliper. Our results establish an upper limit for the measurement precision of automated fruit size estimation approaches utilising photogrammetry, with an optical range of 98% for 3 mm and 90% for 5 mm precision.

Quantifying the impact of an abrupt reduction in mineral nitrogen fertilization on crop yield in the European Union

Contemporary crop production in Europe relies on nitrogen (N) fertilization. Fertilizer prices soared in 2021–2022, and remained at historical high levels in 2023. These high prices invoked an immediate concern on the possible consequences for Europe's food production.In this study, we use a biogeochemical model framework to estimate the impact of reducing mineral N fertilization on crop yields in the European Union (EU). First, crop yields simulated with the biogeochemical DayCent model are evaluated against subnational yield data averaged for 2015–2018 reported by Eurostat and National Statistical Institutes in the EU for soft wheat, barley, grain maize and rapeseed. Then, we simulate three different scenarios where mineral N fertilization across the EU is abruptly reduced by respectively 5, 15 and 25 %, and compare yields to the projected baseline for contemporary conditions (2019–2022).The model evaluation gives r2 values ranging from 0.28 (rapeseed) to 0.61 (soft wheat) and root mean square errors (RMSE) ranging from 0.6 (rapeseed) to 1.95 t ha−1 (maize). The model shows a reduction in yield per crop at the EU level up to 2.1, 6.4 and 11.2 % with the 5, 15 and 25 % reduction scenario, respectively. Different crops show different percentage reduction in yield following a reduction in mineral N fertilization, showing a legacy effect over the years and depending on the availability of organic fertilizer. The strongest relative yield reduction occurs for soft wheat for all three scenarios. Even with 25 % drop in mineral N fertilization, maize yield in the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark is not significantly reduced, because of the high N surplus and large share of organic fertilization in these countries.This process-based modelling study provides spatially explicit, high resolution information on the response of crop yields to N fertilizer input reductions, helping policy-makers in decision-making on food security and environmentally-friendly food systems.

Integrated transcriptomics, metabolomics and physiological analyses reveal differential response mechanisms of wheat to cadmium and/or salinity stress.

Many soils face dual challenges of cadmium (Cd) contamination and salinization. However, the response of crops, especially wheat, to combined Cd and salinity stress is not understood. Here, wheat was grown in a hydroponic model for 14 days under single and combined Cd and NaCl stresses. Growth parameters, tissue Cd2+ and Na+ contents, and leaf chlorophyll (Chl), O2•-, and MDA levels were determined. Comparative transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of the leaves were performed. The results showed that combined stress had a greater inhibitory effect on Chl contents and generated more O2•- and MDA, resulting in more severe wheat growth retardation than those under Cd or NaCl stress. Stress-induced decrease in Chl levels may be attributed to the inhibition of Chl biosynthesis, activation of Chl degradation, or a decline in glutamate content. Cd addition weakened the promotional effect of NaCl on SOS1 gene expression, thereby increasing the Na+ content. Contrastingly, NaCl supplementation downregulated the Nramp and ZIP gene expressions related to Cd uptake and transport, thereby impeding Cd2+ accumulation. All stresses enhanced tryptophan content via promoting tryptophan biosynthesis. Meanwhile, Cd and NaCl stresses activated phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and purine metabolism, respectively, thereby increasing the levels of caffeic acid, fumaric acid, and uric acid. Activating the TCA cycle was important in the wheat's response to combined stress. Additionally, NaCl and combined stresses affected starch and sucrose metabolism, resulting in sucrose and trehalose accumulation. Our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the response of wheat to the combined Cd and salinity stress.

Tripartite interactions between grapevine, viruses, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi provide insights into modulation of oxidative stress responses

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can be beneficial for plants exposed to abiotic and biotic stressors. Although widely present in agroecosystems, AMF influence on crop responses to virus infection is underexplored, particularly in woody plant species such as grapevine. Here, a two-year greenhouse experiment was set up to test the hypothesis that AMF alleviate virus-induced oxidative stress in grapevine. The ‘Merlot’ cultivar was infected with three grapevine-associated viruses and subsequently colonized with two AMF inocula, containing one or three species, respectively. Five and fifteen months after AMF inoculation, lipid peroxidation - LPO as an indicator of oxidative stress and indicators of antioxidative response (proline, ascorbate - AsA, superoxide dismutase - SOD, ascorbate- APX and guaiacol peroxidases - GPOD, polyphenol oxidase - PPO, glutathione reductase - GR) were analysed. Expression of genes coding for a stilbene synthase (STS1), an enhanced disease susceptibility (EDS1) and a lipoxygenase (LOX) were determined in the second harvesting. AMF induced reduction of AsA and SOD over both years, which, combined with not AMF-triggered APX and GR, suggests decreased activation of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle. In the mature phase of the AM symbiosis establishment GPOD emerged as an important mechanism for scavenging H2O2 accumulation. These results, together with reduction in STS1 and increase in EDS1 gene expression, suggest more efficient reactive oxygen species scavenging in plants inoculated with AMF. Composition of AMF inocula was important for proline accumulation. Overall, our study improves the knowledge on ubiquitous grapevine-virus-AMF systems in the field, highlighting that established functional AM symbiosis could reduce virus-induced stress.

Response of Broomrape, Annual Weeds and Pea Crop to Some Weed Control Treatments under Different Sowing Dates

Two field experiments were carried out on the yield of pea crop in soil naturally infested with annual weeds and broomrape (Orobanche crenata Forsk.), at Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt, (31°07'N, 30°05'E) latitude. longitude) during the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 winter seasons. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sowing dates (25th October and 25th November) and five weed control treatments on growth, yield components of pea as well as its associated weeds. A split plot design was used with four replicates. The main finding revealed that the studied two factors were dependent, The highest significant reduction percentage on controlling weeds included broomrape was obtained by using either of pea growing in 25th November with weed control treatments (Basagran at 0.5 L fed-1+ Select Super at 0.25 L fed-1 + Round up Star at 0.04 L fed-1 (twice)), (Alpha Top at 0.5 L fed-1 + Fuselied Forty at 1.4 L fed-1 + Round up Star at 0.04 L fed-1(twice)) and (Stomp Extra at 1.7 L fed-1 + Fuselied Forty at 1.4 L fed-1 + Round up Star at 0.04 L fed-1 (twice)), on controlling annual weeds, broomrape and on increasing pea yield and its components. The previous respective interactions gave the highest significant increasing values of pea seed yield (ton/fed), and its components in kafr El-Sheikh area.

Soil Test-Based Crop Response Phosphorus Calibration Study on Bread Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L) in Liban Chukala District, East Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Nutrient mining due to sub-optimal fertilizer use on one hand and unbalanced fertilizer use on the other have favored the emergence of multi-nutrient deficiency in Ethiopian soils. Therefore, the study was conducted on twenty-one farmers’ fields in the Liban Chukala District of East Shewa Zone of Oromia, during the main cropping seasons of 2019-2022. The study aimed to determine the economically optimum rate of nitrogen fertilizer in the first year. However, in the second two consecutive years the experiment was conducted to determine phosphorus critical (Pc) and phosphorus requirement factor (Pf and the treatments consisted of six levels of phosphorus (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50) kg ha-1 combined with a single level of nitrogen (69 kg ha1) that gave a total of seven treatments. The experiments were laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications and the gross plot, size was 4 m x 5 m (20 m2) was used to determine phosphorus critical (Pc) and also harvested from 4m2 plot areas. The analysis of variance indicated that, thousand kernels weight, and harvest index were not significantly (p&lt;0.05) influenced by applied NP fertilizers. On the other hand, the analysis of variance indicated that Plant height, spike length, number of seeds per spike, biomass yield, and grain yield were highly significantly (p &lt;0.01) influenced by soil test-based phosphorus fertilizer application. The result indicated that the highest (87.82 cm) plant height, the highest (1013 kg ha-1) biomass, and the highest (4517 kg ha-1) grain yield were recorded by 40 kg P ha-1. Moreover, 23ppm phosphorus critical (Pc) and 9.86ppm phosphorus requirement factor (Pf) were identified for bread wheat production for the farmers of Liban Chukala District.

Insights from a 19-year field study: optimizing long-term nutrient supply strategies for enhanced crop productivity and nutritional security in rice–wheat systems

What nutrient supply options can ensure maximum productivity and optimize the nutrient uptake of rice–wheat system (R-W system)? an experiment started in the year 1998 (19-year-old) to examine the impact of optimal nutrient supply (NS) strategies to maximize crop productivity and nutritional security in R-W system. To determine the best nutrient management strategies (BNMS), seven different NS methods were tested. These included (organic and mineral fertilizers), as well as combinations such as integrated plant nutrition system (IPNS), IPNS + B (berseem), and IPNS + C (cowpea), with the aim of enhancing the productivity and nutrient absorption of R-W system. Results showed that rice grain yield notably wide-ranging from 1.61 to 5.81 t ha−1 under different NS options and highest rice grain yield (mean of 19 years) was observed at IPNS + C (5.81 t ha−1), which was at par with IPNS (5.79 t ha−1), STCR (soil test crop response) (5.76 t ha−1) and IPNS + B (5.67 t ha−1) followed by 100% recommended dose fertilizer NPK (4.41 t ha−1), which equality with OF (organic farming) (4.04 t ha−1) and lowest was recorded in control plot (1.61 t ha−1). Wheat grain yield varied significantly from 1.43 to 5.86 t ha−1 under different NS options. The highest yield (mean of 19 years) was observed in treatments IPNS + B (5.86 t ha−1), IPNS (5.77 t ha−1), IPNS + C (5.48 t ha−1), and STCR (5.45 t ha−1), followed by OF at 4.49 t ha−1, NPK at 3.76 t ha−1, with the lowest in the control plot at 1.43 t ha−1. Additionally, total phosphorus and sulfur accumulation in rice (grain: 8.41 to 39.09 kg ha−1; straw: 6.02 to 23.54 kg ha−1) varied significantly across nutrient supply treatments. Overall, adoption of IPNS integration with legumes (IPNS + B and IPNS + C), can significantly improve productivity and nutrient accumulation in R-W systems. Incorporating legumes into farming practices is advised for sustained productivity and nutritional benefits.

Atmospheric CO2 fertilization effect on cereal yields in Morocco using the CARAIB dynamic vegetation model

Climate change and rising atmospheric CO2 levels are critical factors influencing agricultural productivity, particularly in Morocco, where cereal crops are essential for food security. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the combined effects of atmospheric CO2 variations and climatic changes on cereal yields up to 2099 using the CARAIB dynamic vegetation model. This evaluation is driven by four future scenarios based on the Euro-CORDEX initiative's regional climate models under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5. As part of this evaluation, the study also validates the CARAIB model for Morocco’s major cereal crops: soft wheat, durum wheat, and barley, in order to ensure the model's accuracy in simulating crop responses under projected environmental conditions. The CARAIB model effectively simulated historical cereal yield trajectories across major farming regions in Morocco from 2000 to 2016, demonstrating its robust predictive capability. Our future projections suggest that elevated CO2 levels might initially sustain cereal yields at approximately 90 % of current levels until 2050. This trend indicates that the increase in atmospheric CO2 may exert a moderating influence on the negative impacts of other environmental stressors on crop yields. However, despite this initial buffering effect, the overall yield trend from the present until 2099 indicates a decrease for most combinations of crop, zone, and climate model, even with the CO2 fertilization effect, except in some cases, the model exhibits slight increases or stabilization in yields. Additionally, the CARAIB model predicts potential yield shocks of 10–35 % below current levels from the 2080 s onwards, primarily due to periodic droughts. This variation underscores the complexity of the interplay between CO2 fertilization and climatic changes, emphasizing the urgent need for Morocco to develop adaptive agricultural strategies for long-term sustainability in the face of climatic challenges.

Thiourea Supplementation Improves Drought Stress Response of Ridge‐Sown and Mulch‐Applied Rainfed Maize (Zea mays L.) via Improved Leaf Source to Grain Sink Dynamics

ABSTRACTIn regions of South Asia where rainfed maize is grown, effective crop management during drought is essential for maximising yield. A variety of water‐conserving planting practices are used, and more recently, techniques such as foliar supplementation to maintain nutrients during drought have also shown promise. However, specific combinations of these approaches are often untested for optimality. Here, we explore the effects of two maize planting practices (ridge sowing and mulching) to conserve water, in combination with foliar thiourea. Drought stress response of crop was assessed at two experimental sites (L‐I and L‐II), through split‐plot design (main plots: flat sowing + mulch, flat sowing, ridge sowing + mulch [RS + M] and ridge sowing; sub‐plots: unsprayed, water spray, 500 ppm thiourea and 1000 ppm thiourea). Plant performance was assessed via dry matter accumulation, grain growth rate, stomatal parameters, grain yield, stover yield and nitrogen uptake. Rainfall breaks induced three dry spells during the pre‐anthesis and grain‐filling period. RS + M showed maximum drought tolerance by enhancing rainwater and nutrient use (N uptake [88.1 and 115.1 kg ha−1]) and recorded significantly higher periodic dry matter accumulation (149.2 and 156.8 g) along with higher 1000‐grain weight (181.0 and 196.6 g), grain‐filling duration (36.3 and 34.9 days) and leaf health parameters over the flat‐sown treatments. Furthermore, foliar supplementation of thiourea at 1000 ppm caused improved leaf health, likely through activation of a source to sink response (transfer of energy and materials from leaves to other plant organs) that alleviated moisture stress. Ultimately, the combination of RS + M and 1000 ppm thiourea led to the highest grain yields (32.1 and 39.5 qha−1).

Yield and quality of beetroot to soil test crop response (STCR) - integrated plant nutrient system (IPNS) based fertilizer prescription in Ultisols of Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

Beetroot is one of the most important root vegetable crops and is consumed globally due to its rich nutrient content. The current research was conducted on a farmer’s holding, using beetroot (Improved crystal hybrid) in Nilgiri district, Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu to study the effect of different N, P2O5, K2O and integrated plant nutrient system (IPNS) dosages in yield attributes and quality parameters. Two field trials were conducted in farmer's land at Kadanad Village (110 48’ N Latitude, 760 72’ E Longitudes) during the winter of 2024 and in Emerald Village (110 31’ N Latitude, 760 63’ E Longitudes) during the summer of 2024. The experiment was designed using a RBD with ten treatments and three replications. The treatments were absolute control, blanket, blanket + FYM, STCR-NPK based fertiliser dose for an yield target of 35, 40 and 45 t ha-1, soil test crop response - integrated plant nutrient system (STCR-IPNS) based fertiliser dose for an yield target of 35, 40 and 45 t ha-1 and farmer’s practice. The treatment of 180 N+233 P2O5+116 K2O Kg ha-1 along with FYM @12.5 t ha-1 (T3) recorded the highest plant height (51.59 cm), more number of leaves per plant (24.05), leaf width (18.14 cm), higher total chlorophyll (47.28), root yield (44.21 t ha-1) and quality parameters as total sugar (8.95%), reducing sugar (2.08%), non-reducing sugar (6.87%), total soluble solids (12.80 0B) and ascorbic acid (3.62 mg 100 g-1). The treatment receiving inorganic NPK fertilizers along with FYM @12.5 t ha-1 (T3) recorded the highest beetroot of yield of 44.21 t ha-1 than the soil test based inorganic fertilizer application treatment (T6). Fertilizer prescription based on STCR-IPNS model found to be better choice to enhance yield and quality of beetroot.

Innovation in Agriculture Advantages of a Remote Irrigation Monitoring and Control System

Globally, the irrigation of crops is the largest consumptive user of water. Water scarcity is increasing worldwide, resulting in tighter regulation of its use for agriculture. This necessitates the development of irrigation practices that are more efficient in the use of water but do not compromise crop quality and yield. Precision irrigation already achieves this goal, in part. The goal of precision irrigation is to accurately supply the crop water need in a timely manner and as spatially uniformly as possible. However, to maximize the benefits of precision irrigation, additional technologies need to be enabled and incorporated into agriculture. This Search discusses how Advantages of a remote irrigation monitoring and control system irrigation management will enable significant advances in increasing the efficiency of current irrigation approaches. From the literature review, it is found that precision irrigation can be applied in achieving the environmental goals related to sustainability. The demonstrated economic benefits of precision irrigation in field-scale crop production is however minimal. It is argued that a proper combination of soil, plant and weather sensors providing real-time data to an adaptive decision support system provides an innovative platform for improving sustainability in irrigated agriculture. The review also shows that adaptive decision support systems based on model predictive control are able to adequately account for the time-varying nature of the soil–plant–atmosphere system while considering operational limitations and agronomic objectives in arriving at optimal irrigation decisions. It is concluded that significant improvements in crop yield and water savings can be achieved by incorporating model predictive control into precision irrigation decision support tools. Further improvements in water savings can also be realized by including deficit irrigation as part of the overall irrigation management strategy. Nevertheless, future research is needed for identifying crop response to regulated water deficits, developing improved soil moisture and plant sensors, and developing self-learning crop simulation frameworks that can be applied to evaluate adaptive decision support strategies related to irrigation.

Estimation of Nutrient Uptake and Available Nutrient Status of Rabi Safflower Through Soil Test Crop Response in Rainfed Ecosystem

Background: Adoption of SSNM is directly affected by cost of fertilizer. Soil test crop response (STCR) concept attribute to contribution of soil and targeted yield level for fertilizer recommendation for a selected crop. This approach is also known as prescription based fertilizer recommendations. It is specific type of soil, climatic condition and specific location. Nutrient requirement is differ for different crops. The available soil nutrients efficient used and added to those available soil nutrients through fertilizers is different for different type of soil geography under a particular set of climatic conditions. Methods: A research experiment was carried out during rabi 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 at Research Farm of Agronomy, Dr. P.D.K.V, Akola (Maharashtra). Fertilizers were applied based on uptake pattern of crop, target yield levels and soil test values. The experiment was laid out in FRBD-Factorial randomized block design with two factors. Total 15 treatment combinations were formed which replication 4 times. Result: Significantly greater uptake of nitrogen (62.76, 74.67 and 81.89 kg ha-1), phosphorus (19.15, 24.32 and 29.38 kg ha-1), potassium (80.32, 92.14 and 99.18 kg ha-1), sulphur (18.46, 24.10 and 26.03 kg ha-1) and zinc (493.97, 571.01 and 620.91 g ha-1) recorded in treatment where crop supplied with farm yard manure @ 5 t ha-1 than rest of treatments during 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively. A similar trend was observed in respect of soil nutrient status such as available N, P2O5, K2O, S and Zn. Application of fertilizers through soil test crop response equation with zinc sulphate @ 25 kg ha-1 and Sulphur @ 10 kg ha-1 registered maximum total uptake of nitrogen (66.89, 78.99 and 90.06 kg ha-1), phosphorus (20.78, 25.31 and 31.96 kg ha-1), potassium (86.05, 97.99 and 109.09 kg ha-1), sulphur (20.27, 26.39 and 29.80 kg ha-1) and zinc (537.78, 618.06 and 696.21 g ha-1) than rest of nutrient management treatments during three years of field experiment, respectively. The same trend was observed with respect to available N, P2O5, K2O, S and Zn under respective treatment during three years of experimentation.

Long-term potato response to different irrigation scheduling methods using saline water in an arid environment

Crops’ water requirement is generally higher than the annual average precipitation in arid environments characterized by scarce freshwater resources. While using saline water for irrigation can help sustain agriculture in water-stressed regions, several challenges arises concerning productivity and soil salinization. However, adoption of efficient irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation, irrigation scheduling, and deficit irrigation can help optimize water productivity and mitigate salinity problems in irrigated agriculture. In southern Tunisia, potato is considered among the main cultivated horticultural crops due to its high economic value while it is considered as a crop sensitive to salinity. This crop (cv. Spunta) was the subject of long-term studies (2002–2020) conducted during the fall period in the arid region of Médenine. The crop response to full and deficit irrigation with saline water was assessed for several seasons under contrasting climatic conditions. Scheduling using the soil water balance (SWB) method consisted of the total and/or partial replacement of accumulated crop evapotranspiration (ETc), as derived from climatic data and crop coefficients. The impact of decreasing amounts of irrigation waters on crop yield and soil salinity with waters having a salinity ranging between 3 and 7 dS m−1 was evaluated. Results showed improvements in yield (30% to 37%) obtained with the SWB strategy under actual farming conditions, supporting the use of this strategy for irrigation. Appropriate scheduling also seems to be a key element in saving water (15%–22%) and in reducing risks of soil salinization. In the dry environment of southern Tunisia, optimum supply seems to correspond to a replacement of 100% to approximately 70%–80% of ETc. Applying such irrigation levels resulted in a lower salinity buildup in the root zone and higher crop water productivity. Natural salt leaching seems to be more effective under a more humid soil profile. Yield decreases and soil salinity increases almost linearly (r2 = 0.60) with decreasing irrigation water amounts. Future work should focus on the integration of management practices when using saline water. Investigating the relationship and interaction between irrigation amounts, cultivar, fertilizer supply, and salt leaching will help in resolving productivity and environmental issues.

Soil erosion responses of cropland uses in contrasting slope in the Abay basin, Ethiopia

Cultivated land is the primary source of runoff and soil loss in a watershed. Quantifying the soil erosion response of dominant cereal crops at different slope gradients is vital to sustainable land use, crop management, and conservation options. This study evaluated the runoff loss (Ro), runoff coefficient (RoC), and soil loss (SL) responses of teff (Eragrostis tef), maize (Zea mays), and wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropland use under different slope conditions. During 2020 and 2021, 18 experimental erosion plots (3 m × 10 m) having 3 crops × 3 slope gradients (8%, 18%, and 32%) with two replicates were installed. Soil loss and runoff analysis were made and the significance variation among land uses and slopes was tested using ANOVA. On average, the highest Ro is recorded from teff land use (700 mm) followed by wheat (651.2 mm), and maize (570 mm) land uses. The Ro generated from the teff crop land use exceeds 18.5% and 6.9% compared to maize and wheat crop land uses (P < 0.05). The lower proportion of the rainfall was converted to runoff (RoC = 38%) under the maize crop land use, however, nearly half of the rainfall (RoC = 46.6%) became runoff in the teff crop. The average (three slope gradients) rate of SL in teff, wheat, and maize crop land uses was found to be 54.86, 45.61, and 38.27 t ha−1 year−1, respectively. Although the result shows high soil erosion in all cereal crops, cultivation of the teff crop in general and on steep slopes in particular leads to a high Ro and SL. Therefore, sustainable land management practice and setting land use policy are recommended, particularly for teff cultivation.

Morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses of three different soybean (Glycine max L.) varieties under salinity stress conditions.

Salinity is one of the most detrimental factors for the growth performance and productivity of crops worldwide. Therefore, understanding crop responses or growth potentials and their effectiveness in salinity mitigation is highly important for the selection of salinity-tolerant plant varieties. In this study, the effects of salinity at various stress levels (0 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM, and 150 mM NaCl) on the morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters of three soybean varieties ('Afigat', 'Gishama', and 'Pawi-2') were investigated. The results showed that salinity significantly reduced morphological traits including plant height, number of leaves per plant, stem thickness, shoot and root length, and fresh and dry weight. This reduction was more prominent in the 'Afigat' variety for all of these traits except shoot and root length. The concentrations of chlorophyll a and b decreased with increasing salinity. In addition, salinity significantly increased leaf electrolyte leakage (EL), lipid peroxidation, proline accumulation, and phenol and flavonoid content. The 'Pawi-2' variety was more tolerant than the other studied varieties in terms of membrane stability (less EL and a low malondialdehyde content) and proline, phenol, and flavonoid accumulation. Therefore, 'Pawi-2' may be considered as the most salt-tolerant variety in comparison with the other studied soybean varieties. Further complementary studies in field conditions including anatomical parameters are needed to confirm these findings.

Transcriptomic response to nitrogen availability reveals signatures of adaptive plasticity during tetraploid wheat domestication.

The domestication of crops, coupled with agroecosystem development, is associated with major environmental changes and provides an ideal model of phenotypic plasticity. Here, we examined 32 genotypes of three tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) subspecies, wild emmer, emmer, and durum wheat, which are representative of the key stages in the domestication of tetraploid wheat. We developed a pipeline that integrates RNA-Seq data and population genomics to assess gene expression plasticity and identify selection signatures under diverse nitrogen availability conditions. Our analysis revealed differing gene expression responses to nitrogen availability across primary (wild emmer to emmer) and secondary (emmer to durum wheat) domestication. Notably, nitrogen triggered the expression of twice as many genes in durum wheat compared to that in emmer and wild emmer. Unique selection signatures were identified at each stage: primary domestication mainly influenced genes related to biotic interactions, whereas secondary domestication affected genes related to amino acid metabolism, in particular lysine. Selection signatures were found in differentially expressed genes (DEGs), notably those associated with nitrogen metabolism, such as the gene encoding glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). Overall, our study highlights the pivotal role of nitrogen availability in the domestication and adaptive responses of a major food crop, with varying effects across different traits and growth conditions.

Impact of Water Scarcity on the Growth of Golden Sweet Potato

In this review study, the effect of water scarcity on the growth of Golden Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) is investigated. Particular emphasis is made to the morphological and biochemical responses of this significant crop to weather circumstances that are characterized by drought. One of the most important crops, the golden sweet potato is well-known for the remarkable nutritional benefits it has, including high levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Water scarcity, which is made worse by climate change and expanding agricultural requirements, poses significant threats to its production and productivity. However, these threats are made worse by the fact that water is scarce. In order to achieve the objective of this study, which is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the growth and physiological health of Golden Sweet Potato plants are influenced by decreased water availability, the data from prior studies will be synthesized. The study focuses on the key morphological changes that occur as a result of water scarcity. These changes include a decrease in plant height, leaf area, biomass production, and root architecture. When the plant is experiencing a drought, these alterations demonstrate that it is making an effort to save water and maintain critical physiological functions. Biological reactions, such as alterations in protein synthesis, glucose metabolism, antioxidant activity, and chlorophyll content, are also investigated in this research. Chlorophyll content regularly decreases in reaction to water scarcity, which in turn reduces the efficiency of photosynthetic processes and the overall amount of energy produced. Through the production of stress-responsive proteins and the accumulation of osmolytes, which are both essential adaptation processes, plants are able to control the process of dehydration and maintain the integrity of their cells. An further characteristic response that protects plants from the oxidative stress that is brought on by drought is an increase in the activity of antioxidants. For the purpose of summarizing, this article presents a comprehensive investigation of the ways in which water scarcity influences the growth of golden sweet potatoes. It also gives insights into the processes by which the plant adapts to drought and alternative approaches for improving drought resistance. When it comes to finding solutions to the issues that are brought about by climate change and water scarcity in agriculture, the findings highlight how urgently additional research and ingenuity are required.

Remote sensing of cover crop legacies on main crop N‐uptake dynamics

AbstractGrowing cover crops promotes soil health as they retain nutrients during autumn/winter and provide organic matter to the soil biota, which in turn supplies nutrients to the main crop upon mineralisation in spring. Different cover crops have varying impacts on soil biology and nutrient dynamics due to the quantity and quality of plant material returned to the soil. To understand these effects, high‐resolution data on crop responses is required. In this study, remote sensing was used to provide such data. The temporal dynamics of soil nitrogen (N) availability and N uptake in barley were studied in response to different cover crop monocultures and mixtures. This was achieved using high‐resolution multispectral images of the main crop acquired from an unmanned aerial vehicle. Alongside this, in‐situ collected plant and soil parameters were used in this 5‐year cover crop field experiment. The results showed that cover crop legacies significantly affected barley N uptake, biomass, and canopy N content. In early June, at peak canopy N, the highest values were observed in barley grown after vetch‐radish or oat‐radish mixtures (84 kg N/ha) and the lowest in barley grown after fallow (63 kg N) or oat (53 kg N/ha on 23rd of June). At the start of the barley growing season, soil microbial biomass was not significantly affected by the cover crop legacies. However, differential N mineralisation between cover crop legacies can be attributed to differences in microbial activity associated with cover crop quantity and quality. This research demonstrates the potential of remote sensing to monitor and understand temporal and spatial variation of crop canopy N in response to cover crop N mineralisation by the soil biota which is an important component of soil health. This approach can contribute to more efficient N use by enabling fine‐tuning of the type, quantity, timing, and location of fertilisation.