Effects Of Desiccation Research Articles

Mechanistic analysis of urban tree-soil interactions: Species-specific water use and desiccation effects on expansive clays

Mechanistic analysis of urban tree-soil interactions: Species-specific water use and desiccation effects on expansive clays

Effects of changed water regime on the toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in tadpoles of Fejervarya limnocharis.

Climate change is viewed as one of the important causes of the amphibian population decline. Aspects of climate change like increase in water temperature and drying up of habitats have been underrepresented. The expanding production and usage of metal nanoparticles like silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) make them likely to end up in aquatic ecosystems. To arrive at a realistic assessment of the impact of AgNPs in a warming world, we have investigated the effects of temperature on the acute toxicity of AgNPs in tadpoles of Fejervarya limnocharis at 24, 48, 72 and 96h of exposure. The various aspects of sub-lethal toxicities of AgNPs with increase in temperature were also investigated. Besides, the effects of habitat desiccation on the sub-lethal toxicities of AgNPs in the tadpoles were analysed. The LC50 values of AgNPs at four different time points were found to be significantly different between the two different temperatures. Alterations in survival pattern, life history traits, amplifications in genotoxic potential and oxidative stress were observed with increased water temperature following AgNP exposure. The phenomenon of habitat desiccation was also found to significantly affect the toxicity of AgNPs with respect to alterations in mortality rate, time to metamorphosis and morphometric parameters of metamorphosed tadpoles. The findings suggest that changed water regime such as increased water temperature as well as reduction in water level accelerated the toxic effects of AgNPs in F. limnocharis tadpoles which is likely to affect their natural populations.

Effects of massive desiccation of olive waste residues on air quality

New industries are proliferating in the recovery of agri-food wastes, such as those involved in the revaluation of alperujo, generated in the production of olive oil. Despite the potential environmental benefits, their activity is not exempt from new forms of emissions, aggravated by the massification of waste treatments.This work reports a six-month field campaign carried out in an alperujo desiccation plant which can serve as a proxy for these emerging industries in the Mediterranean countries. The study focused on air quality parameters, covering criteria pollutants, metals and microbiological load of particulate matter and the characterization of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).The results show a slight contribution of the factory to the NOx levels in the surroundings (3.0–12.5 μg/m3). Statistically significant effects were not observed for ozone, CO, SO2, or PM10. Concerning the levels of metals, concentrations were low and calculated health risk indexes indicated safe conditions in the area. The most abundant elements were Na (6.5 × 102 ng/m3), K (4.0 × 102 ng/m3), Al (2.7 × 102 ng/m3), Zn (2.1 × 102 ng/m3), Ca (2.16 × 102 ng/m3), Fe (3.6 × 101 ng/m3) and Mg (3.2 × 101 ng/m3).Bacterial counts, with a mean value of 15.9 CFU/m3, showed a seasonal shift, mainly explained by weather (air moisture and temperature) and PM2.5 concentration. The genomic analysis showed Cutibacterium as the dominant genus during the cold months while Bacillus predominated in the warm season.The VOCs with higher average concentrations were acetic acid (130 μg/m3), nonanoic acid (124 μg/m3), benzoic acid (29.7 μg/m3), octanoic acid (19.9 μg/m3) and nonanal (4.70 μg/m3), with the rest of compounds in concentrations below 4 μg/m3. Odorant pollutants with the greatest contribution to olfactory nuisance were aldehydes (from pentanaldehyde to decanaldehyde), acetic acid and phenol.Although the observable effects of the waste treatments were low, several parameters showed an influence on the environment which should be assessed to foresee and prevent long-term consequences.

Chemical desiccation of potato haulms to increase skin hardness and potato yield

Desiccation of potato crops using herbicides is one of the methods widely used by farmers. Desiccation affects several key aspects such as tuber yield and potato skin hardness. This study aimed to investigate the effects of desiccation on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) on skin hardness and yield. Experimental methods were used by varying the level of desiccation on different herbicide groups. Ammonium glufosinate, glyphosate, paraquat and saflufenacil herbicides were used in this study which were then compared with manual trimming and no desiccation treatment. The results showed that all herbicides reached a percentage of desiccation above 95% on the 15 days after application. All herbicide treatments other than glyphosate showed the same potato skin hardness as the manual trimming treatment and were harder than potato tubers without desiccation treatment. Desiccation using ammonium glufosinate herbicide at 375 g a.i./ha had the highest potato tuber yield compared to other herbicide applications.

Comparative study of molecular mechanisms of sucrose & trehalose mediated protection and stabilization of Escherichia coli lipid membrane during desiccation

Desiccation presents considerable challenges to the survival of various bacteria, disrupting cellular functions and damaging the structure of macromolecular assemblies. Dehydration can induce a phase transition in lipid membranes, shifting from a favorable fluid phase to an unfavorable gel-like structure. In response to this stress, various organisms evolve different types of protective mechanisms, among which an accumulation of disaccharides is particularly noteworthy. Despite large number studies are present in the literature, the detailed mechanism of how disaccharides mitigate the deleterious effect of desiccation on lipid membrane is still elusive. Our study examines how disaccharides, like sucrose and trehalose, protect lipid membranes derived from an Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria during desiccation, aiming to uncover the mechanisms behind membrane protection and its significance for bacterial survival. We have simulated the lipid membrane at six different hydration levels, ranging from fully hydrated (with a water-to-lipid ratio of 42) to severely dehydrated (with a ratio of 2), both in the presence and absence of sucrose. We monitor various structural and dynamical parameters of the lipid membrane with a reduction of the hydration level. We conduct a comparative analysis between sucrose and trehalose. Our findings indicate that dehydration negatively impacts the fluidity of the membrane, and both the disaccharides demonstrate nearly equal effectiveness in mitigating the adverse effects of extreme dehydration on the lipid membrane. Furthermore, we provide evidence supporting the validity of the vitrification and water replacement hypotheses in understanding the role of disaccharides in protecting lipid membranes.

Organ-specific proteomes of Selaginella convoluta provide insights into its desiccation tolerance mechanisms

Selaginella convoluta is a desiccation-tolerant lycophyte capable of enduring water deprivation by arresting its metabolism when dry and reactivating it upon rehydration. Mechanisms to mitigate the harmful effects of desiccation have been investigated in an evolutionary context; however, plants have additional species-specific strategies refined by environmental conditions. Previous metabolome analysis pointed out S. convoluta as a source of chemodiversity. Shotgun proteomic analysis, conducted using an Orbitrap Elite and analyzed with PatternLab for proteomics, compared shoots and roots under two hydration conditions. Our approach identified 1,176 proteins. Proteins associated with photosynthesis, stress, and defense (primarily Reactive Oxygen Species scavengers and chaperones) were enriched in the shoots’ proteome in both hydrated and desiccated states. Post-hydration, roots exhibited exclusive proteins involved in defense, metabolism, and protein trafficking (notably 14-3-3-like proteins, and a putative Bet_v_1 domain-containing protein, which was 15.6 times more abundant in dehydrated roots). These results demonstrate that S. convoluta, when harvested in its dried state from its natural habitat, serves as a valuable source of molecular data, reflecting a realistic multifactorial environmental scenario.

Understanding desiccation tolerance and sex-specific responses in Bryum argenteum: insights from phenological phases and physiological analyses.

Desiccation tolerance (DT) is crucial for survival in arid environments, where organisms develop strategies in reproduction, maintenance and defence to cope with water scarcity. Therefore, investigating the relationship between reproduction and DT is essential to understand the ecology and adaptive strategies of species. This study explores the connection between the development of male and female gametangia in the moss Bryum argenteum and the decrease in DT during the progression of phenological phases in gametangia and protonema. Samples collected from a dry tropical forest in Brazil were cultivated, cloned and subjected to desiccation. Subsequently, the physiological parameters of shoots and protonemata were analysed. Shoot and protonema regeneration were monitored for 28 d after the physiological analyses. Both phases were subjected to control and desiccation treatments. Significant effects of desiccation and sex on the physiological parameters and regeneration capacity of shoots and protonemata were found. Male shoots generally exhibited lower values of Fv/Fm (quantum efficiency of photosystem II) and ϕPSII (effective quantum yield of photosystem II), while females demonstrated higher values and better recovery after desiccation. Protonemata also showed variation in Fv/Fm over time and with sex, with no significant differences in ϕPSII between them. Desiccated male shoots had higher mortality rates and produced fewer new shoots. For females, the regeneration patterns varied between the desiccation-exposed groups and the control, with decreased shoot production, and some protonemata growing into filaments without forming shoots. These findings improve our understanding of the ecological responses of bryophytes to desiccation stress and provide insights into their adaptive strategies in challenging environments, such as the possible rarity of males in dioicous moss populations.

Desiccation and senification in the technology of cultivation of winter triticale varieties in the Middle Urals

Triticale is an artificially man-made culture that has both positive and negative signs and properties. One of such undesirable signs is the low resistance of the grain to germination during maturation. Therefore, the search for ways to reduce this phenomenon is an urgent issue. Pre-harvest treatment of crops, namely desiccation and senification, can be a solution to this problem. The purpose of the study, conducted in the conditions of the Udmurt Republic, geographically belonging to the Middle Urals, was a comparative study of the effect of desiccation and senification of crops on yield and grain quality of winter triticale. In a two-factor field experiment during the growing seasons 2021 and 2022, the varieties Izhevskaya 2 (control) and Beta, whose crops were treated with desiccant Sukhovey and seni- cants – 20 and 30% solutions of ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate, were studied. In the years of the study, the final stages of ontogenesis in triticale varieties took place in hot dry conditions. As a result, the effect of the studied substances did not affect the grain yield. When comparing the declared varieties, the yield advantage of the Beta variety was established due to the formation of larger grains and higher inflorescence productivity. At the same time, a greater accumulation of dry matter per unit area was characterized by a higher-growing variety Izhevskaya 2. In the course of the experiment the increase of the natural weight indices of winter triticale variety Beta by 7–9 g/l in the variants with the use of ammonium sulfate was revealed. Grain volume weight of the Izhevskaya 2 variety did not change under the influence of the studied methods.

Synergistic effects of using sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and desiccation in surface inactivation for Toxocara spp

Toxocara cati and T. canis are parasitic nematodes found in the intestines of cats and dogs respectively, with a cosmopolitan distribution, and the potential for anthropozoonotic transmission, resulting in human toxocariasis. Spread of Toxocara spp. is primarily through the ingestion of embryonated eggs contaminating surfaces or uncooked food, or through the ingestion of a paratenic host containing a third-stage larva. The Toxocara spp. eggshell is composed of a lipid layer providing a permeability barrier, a chitinous layer providing structural strength, and thin vitelline and uterine layers, which combined create a biologically resistant structure, making the Toxocara spp. egg very hardy, and capable of surviving for years in the natural environment. The use of sodium hypochlorite, household bleach, as a disinfectant for Toxocara spp. eggs has been reported, with results varying from ineffective to limited effectiveness depending on parameters including contact time, concentration, and temperature. Desiccation or humidity levels have also been reported to have an impact on larval development and/or survival of Toxocara spp. eggs. However, to date, after a thorough search of the literature, no relevant publications have been found that evaluated the use of sodium hypochlorite and desiccation in combination. These experiments aim to assess the effects of using a combination of desiccation and 10% bleach solution (0.6% sodium hypochlorite) on fertilized or embryonated eggs of T. cati, T. canis, and T. vitulorum. Results of these experiments highlight the synergistic effects of desiccation and bleach, and demonstrate a relatively simple method for surface inactivation, resulting in a decrease in viability or destruction of T. cati, T. canis and T. vitulorum eggs. Implications for these findings may apply to larger scale elimination of ascarid eggs from both research, veterinary, and farming facilities to mitigate transmission.

Long‐term droughts change the hatching patterns of zooplankton resting eggs from permanent and temporary lakes

Abstract Resting eggs are commonly produced by zooplankton inhabiting permanent and temporary lakes. Although resting eggs are acknowledged to survive varying harsh conditions, the effects of desiccation on the viability and hatching patterns of resting eggs are not fully understood and might be context‐dependent. This study simulated one long‐term (1 year) dry‐out episode in wet sediments originating from permanent and temporary lakes and compared hatching patterns through ex situ experiments. The abundance and species richness of hatchlings decreased in dry sediments compared to wet sediments. Hatchling composition differed between wet and dry sediments of each lake category, whereas community variability did not differ between wet and dry sediments of temporary lakes. Overall, there was no difference in the ability of rotifers and crustaceans to cope with desiccation, since all species decreased hatchling numbers after desiccation. Artemia was the only taxon that benefited from drying sediments. Long‐term desiccation may affect the contribution of resting egg banks to future active populations in the water column, even in temporary habitats which presumably select for drought‐resistant resting eggs. The ecological roles played by resting egg banks may be weakening because droughts are becoming more common worldwide, even in former permanent aquatic habitats.

Effect of Rapid Desiccation with Ethanol Immersion on Viability and Vigor of Some Rice Seeds (Oryza sativa L.)

The availability of quality seeds is important in crop cultivation, so quality seeds must be available when farmers need them. Quality seeds must be able to be stored for a long time. Rapid aging through soaking with 95% ethanol within 5 minutes, can predict the shelf life of seeds. Rice seeds that were treated with rapid soaking were Inpari 45 (V1), Sunggal (V2), Memberamo (V3) and Ciherang (V4) varieties. From the results of the analysis of variance, the observation parameters of Germination Power (DB), Maximum Growth Potential (PTM) and Keserempakan Tumbuh (KST) were significantly different (1%). Of the four varieties, after the seeds were soaked in 95% ethanol for 5 minutes DB, PTM and KST decreased very drastically. The order of varieties based on their seed viability and vigor levels, from high to low, are Inpari 45 (V1), Memberamo (V3) Sunggal (V2) and Ciherang (V4). Inpari 45 (V1) has the highest germination rate (DB) of 39%, while Ciherang (V4) has the lowest germination rate (DB) of 15.67%. These results suggest that the Inpari 45 (V1) variety can be stored longer than the other three varieties. Viability and vigor of seeds are not only controlled by environmental factors but also influenced by genetic factors
 
 napid desiccatio, rice varieties, seed viability and vigor

A Role for Secondary Metabolites in Desiccation Tolerance in Lichens

In lichens, secondary metabolites have been shown to protect against biotic stresses such as pathogen attacks and grazing, and abiotic stresses such as ultraviolet (UV) and high photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Lichen secondary metabolites are known to have strong antioxidant activity, and while theoretically they may have roles in tolerance to other abiotic stresses, these roles remain largely unclear. Here, we used the acetone rinsing method to harmlessly remove most of the secondary metabolites from the thalli of six lichen species. This enabled us to compare the effects of desiccation on thalli with and without the presence of secondary metabolites. Results showed that in general, the presence of lichen substances reduces the effects of desiccation stress. For all species, substances significantly improved the photosystem two (PSII) activity of the photobiont during either desiccation or rehydration. In the mycobiont, in four of the six species, the presence of substances reduced membrane damage, which was assessed by measuring ion leakage during rehydration following desiccation. However, in one species, secondary metabolites had no effect, while in another the presence of substances increased membrane damage. Nevertheless, it seems clear that in addition to their more established roles in protecting lichens against pathogen attacks and grazing, lichen substances can also play a role in aiding desiccation tolerance.

Effect of Picloram and Desiccation on the Somatic Embryogenesis of Lycium barbarum L.

An efficient and reproducible in vitro method for indirect somatic embryogenesis was optimized by culturing leaf and leaf with petiole explants of Lycium barbarum L. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, supplemented with various concentrations of Picloram and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), individually and in combinations, were tested. Picloram (1.0 µM) showed a better response compared to 2,4-D and results indicate it to be a better auxin for induction of somatic embryos for Goji berry. It was seen that the leaf explants were more responsive in callus and somatic embryo induction than the leaf with petiole explant when incubated in the dark for 5 weeks. Embryogenic callus, after being transferred to MS medium containing Benzyl amino purine (BAP) in 1.0 µM, 5.0 µM and 10.0 µM, began to differentiate in light after one week. MS medium with 1.0 µM Picloram + 10 µM BAP resulted as the most favorable treatment for somatic embryogenesis in Lycium barbarum L. Removal of plant growth regulators from MS medium and culturing induced calluses under 16 h photoperiod resulted in globular, heart, torpedo, cotyledons, and further development into plantlets. Well-developed plants have been obtained and are capable of acclimatizing in ex vitro conditions. In addition, the effects of desiccation treatments (0, 1, 3, 6, 9 h, and 12 h) on embryogenic callus for somatic embryo induction were found to be directly proportional to the length of desiccation treatment at room temperature. After 9 h and 12 h of desiccation treatments, 60% and 90% of plated calluses resulted in somatic embryos, respectively. In a L. barbarum callus mass, Acetocarmine and Evans blue double staining differentiated between embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus. These findings will help Goji berry improvement by elite clone production, ex situ conservation projects, scaling up plant production, and agronomy for the commercial production of this superfruit in the future.

Effects of summer desiccation on desmid microflora of ombrogenous pools in central-European mountain peat bogs

Effects of summer desiccation on desmid microflora of ombrogenous pools in central-European mountain peat bogs

Genetic basis and repeatability for desiccation resistance in Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae).

Dehydration is a stress factor for organisms inhabiting natural habitats where water is scarce. Thus, it may be expected that species facing arid environments will develop mechanisms that maximize resistance to desiccation. Insects are excellent models for studying the effects of dehydration as well as the mechanisms and processes that prevent water loss since the effect of desiccation is greater due to the higher area/volume ratio than larger animals. Even though physiological and behavioral mechanisms to cope with desiccation are being understood, the genetic basis underlying the mechanisms related to variation in desiccation resistance and the context-dependent effect remain unsolved. Here we analyze the genetic bases of desiccation resistance in Drosophila melanogaster and identify candidate genes that underlie trait variation. Our quantitative genetic analysis of desiccation resistance revealed sexual dimorphism and extensive genetic variation. The phenotype-genotype association analyses (GWAS) identified 71 candidate genes responsible for total phenotypic variation in desiccation resistance. Half of these candidate genes were sex-specific suggesting that the genetic architecture underlying this adaptive trait differs between males and females. Moreover, the public availability of desiccation data analyzed on the same lines but in a different lab allows us to investigate the reliability and repeatability of results obtained in independent screens. Our survey indicates a pervasive micro-environment lab-dependent effect since we did not detect overlap in the sets of genes affecting desiccation resistance identified between labs.

Applications of Two-Dimensional Laboratory Higher-Frequency NMR in Unconventional Shale Characterization

The complexity of the microstructure and fluids in unconventional reservoirs presents challenges to the traditional approaches to the evaluation of geological formations and petrophysical properties due to the low porosity, ultralow permeability, complex lithology, and fluid composition. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques have been playing major roles in unconventional shale characterization in the last decades as NMR can provide critical information about the reservoirs for quantifying their petrophysical parameters and fluid properties and estimating productivity. Laboratory NMR techniques at higher frequency (HF), e.g., 23 MHz, especially two-dimensional (2D) T1-T2 mapping, and their applications have been essential for the noninvasive characterization of tight rock samples for identifying kerogen, bitumen, heavy or light hydrocarbons, and bound or capillary water. Traditional T2 cutoffs, established with low frequency (LF) NMR, no longer apply and need new definitions to reflect the inferences from water and hydrocarbons separately. The crushed rock analysis method, as applied to unconventional formations, has been successful in evaluating total porosity and water saturation but also suffers from inconsistency in results due to desiccation and solvent effects. In the past decade, the oil and gas industry has witnessed significant development of HF NMR techniques that couple advances in petrophysics, petroleum engineering, and geochemistry with a broad range of applications. It is necessary to review such technological advances and draw conclusions to benefit unconventional core analysis programs. This article will summarize key advances in laboratory NMR applications in unconventional shale characterization, including monitoring processes of liquids equilibrium, desiccation, and imbibition in fresh shale samples, determination of activation energy of hydrocarbons in shales, monitoring changes in a shale sample during liquid flooding experiments, and direct measurements on kerogen.

Investigating cracking behavior of saline clayey soil under cyclic freezing-thawing effects

This study investigates the cyclic freeze-thaw (F-T) effect on crack patterns in saline clayey soil. Samples with different NaCl concentrations (0 M, 1 M, 2 M, and 3 M) are prepared and subjected to cyclic F-T processes. Each cycle involves freezing the samples at a constant temperature of −20 °C for 24 h and thawing at room temperature (21 °C) for 24 h. Additionally, a parallel experiment is conducted to observe the effects of desiccation at room temperature. The weight and surface crack patterns of the samples are continuously monitored. The image processing technique quantifies crack morphology and determines crack area, surface crack ratio, crack width, crack length, and fractal dimension. The results reveal that as the salt concentration increases, the F-T and desiccation samples exhibit decreased crack area and width. This decrease is attributed to the reduced saturation vapor pressure caused by higher salt concentrations, which slows down water evaporation and delays crack formation. The final crack pattern in the F-T samples is closely linked to the initial pattern of ice crystal formation. Lower salt concentrations result in the formation of larger ice crystals, leading to larger cracks during thawing. In the experiment, where the temperature was above the NaCl eutectic point, only ice crystals were formed, and the salt remained isolated as the salt concentration increased in the unfrozen solution. Conversely, during the freezing process, samples with higher salt concentrations with higher unfrozen solution content experience upward movement of the solution due to temperature gradients and water evaporation. This study provides new insights into understanding the soil water and salt movement and the phenomenon of surface clay soil cracking during the freezing-thawing process.

The real-time measurements of PSII photochemical efficiency in the microscopic sporophyte of Pyropia yezoensis f. narawaensis (Bangiaceae) reveals the low capacity of desiccation tolerance that drops within a few minutes of dehydration

The photochemical efficiency of photosystem II under desiccation stress was examined in the microscopic sporophyte of a cultivated red alga, Pyropia yezoensis f. narawaensis (= Neopyropia yezoensis f. narawaensis; Bangiales) from Saga, Japan, using a pulse amplitude modulation (PAM)-chlorophyll fluorometer. The effective quantum yield (ΔF/Fm') of sporophytes on dead oyster shells was measured every 20 s during the experiments. Experiments were designed to examine 0-, 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-, 7-, 10-, and 15-min of desiccation (50 % humidity) with subsequent 15-min rehydration in seawater at 24 °C under dim light (2 μmol photons m−2 s−1). The results showed that the ΔF/Fm' quickly dropped to zero or almost zero under 5-, 7-, 10-, and 15-min desiccation treatments with no recovery during the subsequent 15-minute rehydration period. However, in sporophytes of the 1-, 2-, and 3-minute desiccation treatments, the ΔF/Fm' declined but did not drop to zero; the ΔF/Fm' gradually recovered during the subsequent 15-minute rehydration period. An additional experiment was conducted under 3- and 5-minute desiccation treatments at four different levels of irradiance (2, 20, 100, 500 μmol photons m−2 s−1), which revealed that an increase in irradiance enhances the effects of desiccation. It appears that the photochemical efficiency of microscopic sporophytes is sensitive to desiccation, whereas the macroscopic gametophyte is more tolerant to desiccation. We recommend that during conchospore seeding of Nori-net cultivation, the effects of desiccation should be minimized to ensure stable production.

Uncovering the effects of Urmia Lake desiccation on soil chemical ripening using advanced mapping techniques

Urmia Lake in Iran has been gradually drying up since the 2000 s, revealing soil that was once underwater. There is limited research on how this drying process affects the distribution of soil chemical ripening in the lakebed sediments. To investigate this, 131 surface soil samples were collected in July 2017 from six zones based on their distance from the lake's shoreline. Elemental concentrations in the samples were measured using a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer. Five geochemical indices (GCIs) were calculated: Titanium/Zirconium, Barium/Strontium, Silicon/Aluminium, Silicon/R2O3, and the Darmody index. A remote sensing image (Landsat-8 OLI) from the same sampling period was used as environmental covariates to explain the spatial distribution of GCIs. Random forests (RF) and cubist tree models were employed to model and map these GCIs. The bootstrapping method was used to assess the uncertainty of the maps. Results indicated that the RF model performed better than the cubist model based on the concordance values in the validation dataset. Remotely sensed clay minerals ratio and normalized burn ratio were identified as the most significant covariates in making predictions. The study found that the distribution of all geochemical indices was directly related to their distance from the shoreline. Ba/Sr emerged as the best index for detecting soil chemical ripening in the study area. The index displayed the most significant differences between the drying zones. This research demonstrated that combining satellite imagery with GCIs using the digital soil mapping (DSM) technique can effectively detect soil ripening progression.

Differences in the Ripening of Two Clover Species and the Effect of Pre-harvest Desiccation

Experiments were focused on differences in the ripening of crimson clover (Trifoliumincarnatum L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and on the influence of the pre-harvest treatment with desiccants. The drying of leaves, stems and heads during ripening, regrowing, breakdown of heads and yield parameters including seed were compared. The crimson clover exhibited the natural drying of leaves, stems and heads faster than the red clover. In crimson clover, the drying of leaves, stems and heads before the harvest was 80 - 100%, 50– 95%, and 100 %, respectively. In red clover, the drying of leaves, stems and heads was 25 - 84 %, 20–72% and 45–99%, respectively. There were also differences in the regrowing and in the breakdown of heads. In the pre-harvest treatments of crimson clover and red clover, the effect of diquat was compared with the efficiency of other herbicide substances (pyraflufen-ethyl, carfentrazone-ethyl and pelargonic acid) and with the efficiency of a high dose of DAM fertilizer (liquid fertilizer, urea-ammonium nitrate). Compared with diquat, the drying was slower with the other active substances. Significant effects of tested active substances on yield, WTS (weight of thousand seeds) and germination were not recorded.