Deficit Conditions Research Articles

Chitosan-Based Bioactivator Mitigates Water Deficit Stress and Enhances Soybean Productivity

The chitosan-based bioactivator FF-BR (Patent Nº: US 9,868,677 B2) represents a cutting-edge solution within green chemistry, designed to enhance plant stresses tolerance. Upon application, FF-BR forms a protective film on the plant surface, triggering defense mechanisms. This study evaluated FF-BR’s capacity to mitigate the effects of water deficit in soybean plants under both greenhouse and field conditions, focusing on its impact on grain yield and physiological performance. Our results demonstrate that FF-BR significantly improved intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) in both greenhouse (66.70%) and field environments (35%). The net photosynthetic rate increased (8.12%-greenhouse; 12%-field), while stomatal conductance (20.21%-greenhouse; 15%-field) and leaf transpiration (14.30%-greenhouse; 10%-field) were reduced, reflecting enhanced water use efficiency. Additionally, under greenhouse conditions, FF-BR optimized energy dissipation via non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), potentially improving carbon assimilation during sun-shade transitions in crop canopies. Field experiments indicated cultivar-specific responses to FF-BR application. Early-cycle cultivar BMX 51X51 I2X-Trovão exhibited yield increases of 651 kg ha-1, 515 kg ha-1, and 667 kg ha-1 at concentrations of 0.75%, 1.0%, and 1.25% (v.v), respectively. By contrast, mid-cycle Soytech ST 641-I2X showed lower yield improvements of 278 kg ha-1, 216 kg ha-1, and 187 kg ha-1 at the same concentrations, compared to untreated controls. FF-BR also modulated root architecture by reducing growth rates in total root length (16.09%), root volume (41.11%), and surface area (26.04%) under well-watered conditions, while stabilizing root volume growth under drought, suggesting optimized water acquisition and minimized metabolic costs. This suggests that FF-BR enhances root water acquisition efficiency, while minimizing the metabolic costs of root plasticity—an essential adaptation in fluctuating environments. FF-BR offers a sustainable, innovative tool for improving soybean performance under water deficit conditions, enhancing water use efficiency and photosynthetic optimization while reducing ecological impacts. This bioactivator has promising applications for climate-resilient agriculture and long-term crop productivity.

The Role of Organic Extracts and Inorganic Compounds as Alleviators of Drought Stress in Plants

Climate changes have exacerbated the progression of drought conditions on a global scalethreating to crop production and heightening concerns over food security. Water scarcity enforces alterations in fundamental morphology, physiology and biochemical traits in crops. Consequently, it is imperative to identify environmentally sustainable alternative solutions to mitigate this problem and enhance overall plant performance. In this sense, biostimulants have emerged as a promising alternative as they improve plant resilience, enhance physiological processes, and mitigate the detrimental consequences of water deficit conditions on crop production. This review compiles the latest research on the application of organic extracts and inorganic compounds in crops subjected to drought conditions, specifically humic acids, protein hydrolysates, seaweed extracts, and silicon. Moreover, it offers a comprehensive overview of the origins and effectiveness of these biostimulants, with a detailed analysis of their application and the associated physiological, biochemical, and genetic modifications induced by these bioactive compounds. This knowledge enhances the understanding of the efficacy and implementation strategies pertinent of these compounds under water stress scenarios in agricultural settings.

Spermine driven water deficit tolerance in early growth phases of sweet corn genotypes under hydroponic cultivation

Sweet corn is highly susceptible to water deprivation, making it crucial to identify effective strategies for enhancing its tolerance to water deficit conditions. This study investigates the novel application of Spermine as a bio-stimulant to improve sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. saccharata) resilience under hydroponic water deficit conditions. Four genotypes (Dessert, Messenger, Tyson, and Royalty) were treated with Spermine (0.2 mM foliar application), polyethylene glycol 6000 (8% and 12%), and their combinations. The impacts on growth parameters, photosynthetic performance, and oxidative stress markers were evaluated. Spermine significantly enhanced biomass parameters, counteracting the severe reductions caused by PEG-induced water deprivation. In the Dessert and Tyson genotypes, total biomass increased by 145%, while it increased by 118% in Messenger and 110% in Royalty when treated with Spermine under severe water deprivation. However, Spermine treatment application did not recorded higher differences compared to control under non water deficit conditions. In the Dessert genotype, root length increased by 36.6% under combined treatment compared to 12% PEG alone. Spermine also mitigated reductions in shoot length, improved by 90.6% and specific leaf area, with a notable 272.6% increase in Tyson under severe water deficit. Photosynthetic performance, including chlorophyll and carotenoid levels, was enhanced, with a 103.1% increase in relative chlorophyll content in Dessert under severe water deprivation. Spermine also reduced oxidative damage, as indicated by a 48.7% decrease in malondialdehyde levels in Tyson, and increased peroxidase activity, enhancing antioxidant defense in Messenger under severe water deprivation. The quantum efficiency of Photosystem II, which was significantly reduced by water deficit, showed substantial improvement with Spermine treatment, with increases of 107.2% in Tyson and 99.4% in Royalty under moderate water deprivation. These results highlight the potential of Spermine as an effective strategy to improve sweet corn resilience under water-limited conditions, offering a novel approach for sustainable crop management.

Phosphorus Fertilization and Chemical Root Pruning: Effects on Root Traits During the Nursery Stage in Two Mediterranean Species from Central Chile

The role of a plant root system in resource acquisition is relevant to confront drought events caused by climate change. Accordingly, nursery practices like phosphorous (P) fertilization and root pruning have been shown to modify root architecture; however, their combined benefits require further investigation in Mediterranean species. We evaluated the effect of applied P concentrations (0, 15, 60, and 120 mg L−1 P) with or without chemical (copper) root pruning (WCu, WoCu, respectively) in Aristotelia chilensis and Quillaja saponaria on morpho-physiological and root architecture traits. Higher P concentration increased nutrient content in both species concurrent with higher growth. In A. chilensis, higher P concentrations only increased the length and volume of medium roots. In Q. saponaria, P additions increased root length and diameter and the length and volume of fine and medium roots. The root-to-shoot ratio declined with WCu in A. chilensis (23.1%) and Q. saponaria (15.7%). Unlike our hypothesis, fine root architecture remained unaffected with root pruning in A. chilensis, while fine root length and volume decreased with increasing P concentrations in Q. saponaria. Thus, P fertilization enhances root development more consistently than root pruning, highlighting the need for further testing under water deficit conditions to optimize nursery practices.

Nano Silicon Modulates Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Capacities of Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi) Under Water Deficit Condition.

Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi) is an important spice in the food industry, as a well as a medicinal plant with remarkable antioxidant properties. In this study, its essential oil content, chemical composition, flavonoid content, phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity were evaluated under three irrigation regimes (50, 70, and 90% field capacity) and different amounts of nano silicon (0, 1.5, and 3 mM) in ten populations of ajowan. Based on the GC-MS analysis, thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene, and γ-terpinene were determined as the main components of the oil. The thymol content ranged from 34.16% in the Ardabil population (irrigation at 50% and nano silicon at 1.5 mM) to 65.71% in the Khorbir population (without nano silicon and irrigation at 50%). The highest phenolic content was in Khormo with irrigation at 90% and without nano silicon (172.3 mg TAE/g DW), while the lowest was found in Hamedan (irrigation at 50% and without nano silicon (7.2 mg TAE/g DW)). Irrigation at 50% and no nano silicon treatment led to an increase in total flavonoids in Ardabil (46.786 mg QUE/g DW). The antioxidant activity of ajowan was evaluated using the DPPH assay. Accordingly, the highest antioxidant capacity was observed in Khormo (irrigation at 90% without nano silicon; 4126 µg/mL). Moreover, the highest thymol content was observed in the Khorbir population with irrigation at 50% and without nano silicon treatment. Furthermore, correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) provide new insights into the production of ajowan from their substrates under nano silicon treatment and water deficit conditions. Finally, the results revealed information on how to improve the desired essential oil profile and antioxidant capacity of extracts for industrial producers.

Relationship between Vapor Pressure Deficit Condition and Water-stress Status in Strawberry

Relationship between Vapor Pressure Deficit Condition and Water-stress Status in Strawberry

GhWRKY207 improves drought tolerance through promoting the expression of GhCSD3 and GhFSD2 in Gossypium hirsutum

GhWRKY207 improves drought tolerance through promoting the expression of GhCSD3 and GhFSD2 in Gossypium hirsutum

Tomato fruit quality and nutrient dynamics under water deficit conditions: The influence of an organic fertilizer.

Drought adversely affects the growth and performance of plants. By contrast, the application of organic modifiers can improve plant growth by supplying nutrients and water. The influence of foliar application of organic fertilizer under water deficit conditions on growth traits, chemical composition, and fruit quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., var. Maya) were investigated in greenhouse conditions based on bi-plot and principal component analysis (PCA). Plants which were cultivated in soil under greenhouse conditions were subjected to four levels foliar spraying of Zargreen liquid organic fertilizer, ZLOF (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 L 1000-1, shown as Z0, Z2.5, Z5, and Z7.5, respectively), and three levels of soil water, SW (100, 75, and 50% of field capacity (FC), shown W100, W75, and W50, respectively). The results of biplot analysis using the different treatments representing 42.9% and 38.3%, 60.3% and 28.8%, and 63.1% and 22.4% of the variance attributed to the first two principal components (PCs) for the PC1 and PC2, under 100, 75, and 50% FC conditions, respectively. Water deficit induced a reduction of fruit dry, and fresh weights. Application of 2.5, 5, and 7.5 L 1000-1 of the organic fertilizer significantly increased fruit fresh weight by 16, 20, and 22% and fruit dry weight by 13, 20, and 20% as compared to that of control, respectively. Vitamin C content of fruit significantly increased by 16 and 33% when respectively 5 and 7.5 L 1000-1 of the organic fertilizer was foliar sprayed. Besides, fruit iron (Fe), sodium (Na (and potassium (K) concentrations increased with the application of the organic fertilizer at different levels of water deficit. Furthermore, the highest fruit zinc (Zn) concentration was obtained at the highest level of both applied organic fertilizer and water deficit. The best treatments were selected with increased PC1 and decreased PC2 for different water conditions. The W100Z7.5, W75Z7.5, and W50Z5 treatments with the higher PC1 and the lower PC2, also exhibited higher scores for fruit dry weight, and Na and K concentrations under W100; vitamin C, number of fruits, fruit fresh weight, and fruit Fe concentration under W75; citric acid, and fruit Fe, Zn, Na, K, and Cu concentrations under W50 treatment. The addition of the organic fertilizer was effective in enhancing the plant growth traits under water deficit conditions. Therefore, it can be concluded that organic fertilizer addition is an effective management strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of drought and improve the quantity and quality of tomato fruit.

Evaluation of cassava genotypes (Manihot esculenta Crantz) for drought tolerance and susceptibility under water deficit conditions

Evaluation of cassava genotypes (Manihot esculenta Crantz) for drought tolerance and susceptibility under water deficit conditions

The composition of biostimulants applied in seed treatment interferes with the soybean emergence under water deficiency

High physiological quality seeds with high germination and vigor are essential for successful soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) cultivation, ensuring proper establishment and early development. Biostimulants have shown significant potential to enhance soybean performance, especially under environmental stress, such as water deficit, which impairs germination and emergence. This study evaluated the effects of seed treatments with biostimulants and their interaction with insecticide and fungicide on biometrics, nutrition, and biochemical variables during soybean initial development under water deficit conditions. A randomized block design in an 8×2 factorial scheme was employed, comprising eight seed treatments [control (no biostimulant); Imidacloprid and fungicide (Carboxin + Thiram) (IF); three biostimulants (B1, B2, B3); and their combinations with IF] under two water regimes (100% and 50% of pot capacity), with three replicates. Evaluations 21 days after application included germination, emergence speed, root and shoot length, dry matter, and enzymatic activity. Biostimulants, particularly seaweed- and plant extract-based, improved water deficit tolerance, enhancing germination, emergence, biometrics, enzymatic activity (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase), and nutrient uptake (P, K, Mg, Cu, Mn, Zn). However, further studies are needed to assess potential adverse interactions between biostimulants, fungicides, and insecticides.

Overexpression of an NF-YB gene family member, EaNF-YB2, enhances drought tolerance in sugarcane (Saccharum Spp. Hybrid).

Drought is one of main critical factors that limits sugarcane productivity and juice quality in tropical regions. The unprecedented changes in climate such as monsoon failure, increase in temperature and other factors warrant the need for development of stress tolerant cultivars to sustain sugar production. Plant Nuclear factor (NF-Y) is one of the major classes of transcription factors that have a major role in plant development and abiotic stress response. In our previous studies, we found that under drought conditions, the nuclear factor NF-YB2 was highly expressed in Erianthus arundinaceus, an abiotic stress tolerant wild genus of Saccharum species. In this study, the coding sequence of NF-YB2 gene was isolated from Erianthus arundinaceus and overexpressed in sugarcane to develop drought tolerant lines. RESULTS: EaNF-YB2 overexpressing sugarcane (OE) lines had higher relative water content, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency compared to non-transgenic (NT) control. In addition, overexpressing lines had higher activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR), and higher proline content, lower malondialdehyde (MDA) and peroxide (H2O2) contents. The expression studies revealed that EaNF-YB2 expression was significantly higher in OE lines than NT control under drought stress. The OE lines had an elevated expression of abiotic stress responsive genes such as BRICK, HSP 70, DREB2, EDH45, and LEA3. The morphological analysis revealed that OE lines exhibited less wilting than NT under drought conditions. This study provides insights into the role of the EaNF-YB2 gene in drought tolerance in sugarcane. Based on the findings of this study, the EaNF-YB2 gene can be potentially exploited to produce drought tolerant sugarcane cultivars to sustain sugarcane production under water deficit conditions.

Inheritance Analysis of Grain Yield and Contributing Traits in Rice Through Six Populations Under Normal and Water Deficit Conditions

Inheritance Analysis of Grain Yield and Contributing Traits in Rice Through Six Populations Under Normal and Water Deficit Conditions

Field Application of Mycorrhizal Inoculant Influences Growth, Nutrition, and Physiological Parameters of Corn Plants and Affects Soil Microbiological Attributes

Mycorrhizal inoculants can contribute to the development of corn crops by improving crop productivity. In this sense, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a mycorrhizal inoculant on the dynamics of root system growth, gas exchange, corn crop productivity, and microbial activity in the rhizospheric soil in a no-till area with different levels of available soil phosphorus. The experiment was conducted during the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 growing seasons. At 75 days after plant emergence, root morphological parameters (total root length (cm), average root diameter (mm), root surface area (cm2), and root volume), shoot biomass production, P content in the plant shoots, gas exchange, and microbiological attributes of the rhizospheric soil of corn were evaluated. At the end of the cycle, corn grain yield was determined. A beneficial effect of AMF inoculation was observed on the root and shoot parameters regardless of soil P level. Under conditions of evenly distributed rainfall during the experiment (2019/2020 season), AMF inoculation contributed to a 90% increase in acid phosphatase activity and a 76% increase in microbial biomass carbon (C-BIO), independent of soil P level. In contrast, under water deficit conditions (2020/2021 season), AMF inoculation provided a 29% increase in grain yield. We concluded that introducing a commercial mycorrhizal inoculant in corn benefits root system morphological parameters and physiological traits, and favors the activity of enzymes related to increased P availability, contributing to increased crop productivity in a no-till system.

Genetic Analysis for some Quantitative Traits in some Rice Genotypes (Oryza sativa L.) under Normal and Water Deficit Conditions using Five Parameters Model

Genetic Analysis for some Quantitative Traits in some Rice Genotypes (Oryza sativa L.) under Normal and Water Deficit Conditions using Five Parameters Model

DIGITALIZATION OPPORTUNITIES AND NECESSARY DIGITAL SKILLS IN SOCIAL LOGISTICS (SPECIFICALLY LOGISTICS IN SERVICING THE UNEMPLOYED, DISABLED AND DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE)

The new realities associated with the entry of digitalization into all spheres of life require its active application in the provision of social services. Digitalization in the provision of social services is extremely important from the point of view of the specifics of the people using such services. It is related to their needs, the need for facilitation, shortening the time for their service, expanding access to services and providing greater opportunities for inclusion of people who need and use these services. In the provision of social services, the organization and management of logistics are extremely important, both from the point of view of the delivery of the necessary products and services to the individuals in need, and on the basis of the logistics toolkit, which provides opportunities to optimize logistics costs, which is fundamental in the conditions of resource deficit. Social logistics (in the public sector) is a multifaceted concept that includes the application of the logistics concept, based on the integration and optimization of material and human flows and their accompanying information flows, through logistics tools, to the provision of public spheres and activities that directly or indirectly are related to people's health, their quality of life and their security and safety (Banabakova, 2023, p. 145, author's definition). The logistics of serving the unemployed, disabled and disadvantaged, which ensures the provision of social services to these users, is one of the main elements of social logistics. Digitalization and the development of digital skills in the provision of social services is directly related to the digitalization of logistics in serving the unemployed, disabled and disadvantaged. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the important role of logistics in all areas of life, including the provision of social services and healthcare. In the conditions of the pandemic, the role of logistics was life-saving. The purpose of the present study is to highlight the specifics of social services and, on this basis, to identify the need, benefits and opportunities for digitization and the development of digital skills in the provision of social services and the logistics for their implementation in order to ensure better service and respectively – a higher quality of life for people with specific needs. In the development of this article, scientific methods were used, such as critical analysis, comparative analysis, an overview of the leading authors in the researched fields, methods of collecting secondary information and methods of collecting primary information - survey methods (survey and semi-structured in-depth interview with focal groups of experts in the researched fields) and method of observation, analysis of secondary and primary information and others. The main results of the research are in the following directions: identification of the specifics and problem areas in the provision of social services in Bulgaria; substantiating the need, benefits and opportunities for digitization and the development of digital skills in the provision of social services; bringing out the main possible tools for digitalization and development of digital skills in logistics in serving the unemployed, disabled and disadvantaged people in order to improve the quality of social services provided.

Effect of nutritional stress and photobiomodulation protocol on in vitro viability and proliferation of murine preosteoblast cells.

This study aimed to assess the impact of nutritional conditions and irradiation parameters on the viability and proliferation of murine preosteoblasts. MC3T3-E1 cells were maintained under standard culture conditions (αMEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum) or nutritional deficit conditions (αMEM without serum) and irradiated or not (control) with an InGaAlP diode laser at wavelengths of 660nm (red) or 790nm (infrared), with doses of 1, 4, or 6J/cm², in a single dose in continuous mode. Cell viability and proliferation were assessed 24, 48, and 72h after irradiation using the Alamar blue reduction assay. The cell cycle and events related to cell death were evaluated via propidium iodide (PI) staining and Annexin V/PI assays, respectively, through flow cytometry. The data revealed that in cells cultured with normal nutrition (10% FBS), there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in cell viability or proliferation among the different irradiation protocols. In contrast, in the experiments conducted under nutritional deficiency, the infrared laser at a dose of 6J/cm² significantly increased (p < 0.05) cell viability and proliferation compared with those of the control group at 72h. The data were confirmed by cell cycle and cell death events (Annexin V/PI) assays. These results suggest that in vitro PBM yields more consistent biostimulatory effects on pre-osteoblasts subjected to nutritional deficiency, highlighting the need for attention to simulate these conditions in studies with laser therapy in in vitro bone disease models and in in vitro experiments using PBM for bone tissue engineering.

Evaluation of drought and salinity tolerance potentials of different soybean genotypes based upon physiological, biochemical, and genetic indicators.

The present study has evaluated different soybean genotypes to understand the salt and drought tolerance mechanisms based on physiological traits (photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll, and cell membrane stability), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase), reactive oxygen species (H2O2 and O2 •-), osmolytes (glycine betaine, proline, and Na+/K+), plant water relations (relative water content, water potential, and solute potential) and expression of related genes (GmCAT1, GmPOD1, GmSOD, GmP5CS, GmNHX1, GmAKT1, GmDREB1, and GmARF1). The experiment was conducted in a two-factorial arrangement using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with genotypes as one factor and salt, drought, and control treatments as the other factor. All physiological traits, relative water content, and water potential decreased significantly in all soybean genotypes due to individual and combined treatments of drought and salt stress, with significantly less decrease in soybean genotypes G4620RX, DM45X61, and NARC-21. Besides that, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, production of ROS, accumulation of osmolytes, solute potential, and Na+/K+ ratio were increased significantly in all soybean genotypes under salt and water deficit conditions. As a whole, the soybean genotypes G4620RX, DM45X61, and NARC-21 showed the maximum enzymatic activity with less increase in ROS and Na+/K+ in addition to a high accumulation of osmolytes and an increase in solute potential. Correspondingly, the genotypes exhibiting high physiological and biochemical tolerance to drought and salt stresses showed the high expression of genes imparting the stress tolerance. Moreover, correlation, heatmap, and principal component analysis further confirmed the varying physiological and biochemical responses of all soybean genotypes under individual and combined applications of drought and salinity stresses. Overall, the present study confirmed that plants opt for the integrated physiological, biochemical, and genetic approaches to counteract the harmful effects of environmental stresses.

Source-sink manipulations through shading, crop load and water deficit affect plant morphogenesis and carbon sink priorities leading to contrasted plant carbon status in grapevine.

Shading, water deficit, and crop load shape plant development in a very plastic way. They directly influence the plant's carbon supply and demand to and from the different organs via metabolic, hydraulic and hormonal mechanisms. However, how the multiple environmental factors combine through these mechanisms and how they interplay with carbon status, vegetative and reproductive development and carbon assimilation of the plant needs to be investigated in the context of current climatic and technological constraints. With this aim, two experiments were conducted on potted grapevines, subjected to ten combinations of treatments. Axis organogenesis, berry characteristics at harvest (weight, number and total soluble content) and a series of leaf traits (gas exchanges, non-structural carbohydrate contents, water potential and SPAD values) were measured. Grapevine development showed different responses corresponding to different sink priorities: under shade, vegetative development was maintained at the expense of berries, whereas under high crop load and water deficit, berry growth was the priority sink. These responses were accompanied by changes in the specific leaf area in agreement with the shade avoidance syndrome. These different strategies affected the plant carbon status as estimated through the starch content in leaves. Leaf starch content was not affected by shade, while it decreased under water deficit and crop load conditions. Carbon assimilation was decreased under water deficit, low crop load and shading conditions. Hydraulic properties and leaf nitrogen content correlated withthis decrease while plant carbon status has a very low impact. Finally, no major interaction between the different types of constraints were observed both on morphological and functional variables. Depending on the type of abiotic constraints, grapevine exhibits specific morphogenetic responses at plant and leaf levels. The absence of interaction between the different constraints showed that grapevine is able to exhibit independent responses to shade and water deficit. This result is of major importance to further design new agricultural systems facing multiple abiotic constraints, such as those in agroforestery and agrivolatic system.

Nutritional Composition and Productivity of Panicum maximum cv. "Mombasa" Under Different Levels of Nitrogen Fertilization and Water Deficit.

This study investigates the production and nutritional quality of Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa grass under varying levels of water stress and nitrogen (N) fertilization, aiming to enhance forage production in harsh environments. Four irrigation levels (5760, 6912, 4608, and 3456 m3 ha-1 year-1) and three N fertilizer doses (115, 57.5, and 0 kg ha-1 year-1) were tested. The results indicate that Mombasa grass produced higher fresh and dry weights under higher irrigation levels (I1 and I2) compared to water deficit conditions across all cuts. Interestingly, under moderate water stress (I3), the dry weight was not significantly different from that under higher irrigation for the sixth harvest in the first season. Water deficit conditions led to a significant reduction in protein content across all treatments. However, under lower irrigation levels (I3 and I4), there was a significant increase in phosphorus (P), potassium (K₊), iron (Fe2₊), and zinc (Zn) concentrations. A heatmap analysis of shape descriptors grouped the productivity and nutritional traits into two clusters based on their response to combined fertilization and drought stress. This analysis revealed that the dry weight, number of leaves, and Fe and Zn contents were positively affected under moderate water stress (80% of control; 4608 m3 ha-1 year-1) with recommended N fertilization. The study concludes that Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa is tolerant to moderate water stress and is suitable for forage production in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.

Investigating zeolite's role in retaining mineral nitrogen fertilizers and the effects of titanium and selenium on garlic plants under water deficit conditions

Investigating zeolite's role in retaining mineral nitrogen fertilizers and the effects of titanium and selenium on garlic plants under water deficit conditions