High Production Potential Research Articles

Influência do nitrogênio na produtividade do pimentão em condições de campo aberto no outono-inverno

ABSTRACT Nitrogen (N) deserves special attention in the fertilization recommendation for bell peppers, as it is the nutrient absorbed in greater quantity, standing out for the amount required and the functions it performs in the plant. The objective was to evaluate the influence of nitrogen applied as top dressing on bell pepper production in open field during the autumn/winter period. The experiment was conducted in Red-Yellow Argisol. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used. Treatments consisted of nitrogen rates applied as top dressing (0, 75; 150; 300; and 450 kg/ha). Nitrogen increased the number and fresh mass of fruits per plant. The SPAD Reading increased with the increment of nitrogen rates in the three evaluation periods and with the evaluation period. Bell peppers grown during the autumn/winter period showed high productive potential associated with nitrogen rates higher than currently recommended. The yield of marketable fruits increases until 214 kg/ha of N. The critical level for the SPAD reading varied with the age of the plants, with estimated critical values of 53.2, 66.5, and 61.9 at 35, 56, and 154 days after transplanting (DAT).

COMPARATIVE PRICE SITUATION THE TWO TYPES OF POTATOES OBTAINED IN ROMANIA (2018-2022)

The potato culture has a pronounced elasticity, being practiced on numerous meridians and parallels of the globe, the product supplied representing a basic food in the human diet. The potato is also distinguished by its multiple possibilities of use (animal feed, industrial raw material, technological aspects, etc.) and by its high productive potential. Romania is a significant producer of potatoes in the European Union, but we suffer in terms of performances recorded on the productive unit.At national level, the potato price was 1.16 lei/kg for early, semi-early and summer potato, respectively 1.14 lei/kg for autumn potato. Differences are observed between development regions, with limits of 0.88 and 1.71 lei/kg for early production (Bucharest-Ilfov and West regions, respectively) and 0.80 and 1.67 lei/kg for autumn potatoes (Bucharest-Ilfov and South-West Oltenia regions). We can say that at regional level, prices are correlated to some extent, by their productive potential, as well as by the respective mode of intensity of supply and demand.

Metabolic characteristics and the cross-feeding of Bacillus and Ca. Brocadia in an integrated partial denitrification-anammox reactor driven by glycerol

Integrated partial denitrification-anammox (PD/A) process was considered as a novel strategy for low ammonia wastewater treatment, but the potential roles of the functional bacteria were still unclear. In this study, metagenomic binning analysis coupling with metatranscriptomic analysis was used to reveal the metabolic patterns in a stable operating PD/A system driven by glycerol. The cross-feeding between Bacillus and Candidatus Brocadia, the two dominant functional bacteria that contributed 81.1 % of the total gene expression, was constructed. Bacillus exhibited high nitrite production potential in the assimilatory nitrate reduction pathway instead of partial denitrification. And Bacillus was the main glycerol utilizer capable of synthesizing intracellular glycogen and polyhydroxybutyrate, which was also the potential branched-chain amino acids and B-vitamins supplier. Candidatus Brocadia as an anammox bacteria surprisingly expressed the activity of 3-phosphate glycerol (obtained from Bacillus) degradation. This study provided a new understanding of the metabolic patterns and interactions in PD/A system.

Agronomic Performance and Grain Yield Stability of Elite Field Pea (Pisum Sativum L.) Genotypes Tested at Various Potential Growing Environments in Ethiopia

Field pea is a multipurpose crop. Despite its diverse benefits, its production and productivity in Ethiopia has remained low compared to its potential due to several biotic and abiotic constraints. Hence, this experiment was carried out with the objective to select best field pea genotypes in terms of yield potential, stability, pest resistance and other desirable agronomic traits for high potential production areas of the country. A total of 17 field pea genotypes including two standard checks, Burkitu and Bursa were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications over nine locations in 2019 and 2020 main cropping seasons. The computed analysis of variance showed highly significant differences (p < 0.01) among the genotypes for all studied agronomic traits. One field pea genotype, GPHA-38 found better having 4 and 5%grain yield advantage over the two checks, Bursa and Burkitu, respectively. Additionally, GPHA-38 had comparable performance on the other agronomic traits with standard checks. Moreover, this genotype was found stable in grain yield among the test entries based on GGE biplot stability analysis. However, this genotype may not fulfill the criteria to present as candidate for variety verification trial due to low grain yield advantage and other agronomic traits compared with the checks. Therefore, considering its consistent performance and relatively better yielding capacity, the line GPHA-38 can alternatively be used as a trait donor parent in the pre-breeding programs.

RESEARCH ON THE BEHAVIOR OF SOME SUNFLOWER GENOTYPES IN THE CONDITIONS OF SANDY SOILS IN THE SOUTH-WEST OF OLTENIA

The sunflower is a plant well adapted to the pedo-climatic conditions from Romania, having a high productive potential. There are several varieties and hybrids of sunflowers, each of which has its own requirements for cultivation and also, maximum production potential utterance. Till now, the climatic conditions recorded in the area of sandy soils in the South of Oltenia were favorable for the growth and development of sunflower plants. In 2022 year, the studies on the behaviour of 24 sunflower genotypes in the conditions of sandy soils in Southern Oltenia was carried out at the Research Station Development for Plant Culture on Sands Dăbuleni. Here, the yield recorded for the 24 genotypes of sunflower evaluated, showed productions between 2743-3188 kg/ha, with an average of 2989 kg/ha, compared to which they were highlighted by production differences of 156-199 kg/ha, statistically assured as significant and distinctly significant, genotypes: T 19 - 9A1, T 19 - SU- 6A and ANT -IMI- CL+/2066A.

Общее содержание и фракционный состав белка в семенах сортов сои селекции ФГБНУ ФНЦ ВНИИМК

The use of high-protein soybean cultivars is one of the most important reserves for solving the problem of protein deficiency in the production of feed and food products. In recent years, soybean cultivars with high productivity potential and improved biochemical composition of seeds have been developed in the V.S. Pustovoit All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops. The cultivars approved for usage in various regions of the Russian Federation were assessed by the total protein content in seeds and its fractional composition as the main biochemical characteristics of raw materials. The cultivars with a high content of water-soluble (albumin) and stable indicators of salt- and alkali-soluble (globulins and glutelins) fractions, respectively, were noted. It was established that the studied indicators depended not only on the genetic properties of the cultivars, but also on the characteristics of the conditions of the reproduction year. Thus, in soybean seeds of the 2021 harvest, the cultivars Iney (39.0%), Triada (39.9%) and Graya (42.0%) stood out with the highest protein content; in terms of albumin content in protein – Graya and Bars (91.8 and 92.0%, respectively). And in the seeds of the 2022 harvest, the maximum protein content was observed in the cultivars Puma (38.9%), Graya (39.4%) and Gnom (40.2%), albumin content – Barguzin (92.7%), Bars (94.5%) and Puma (95.1%). A weakly positive correlation was noted between the total protein content and the proportion of the water-soluble fraction in it (r = +0.33).

Real options valuation of photovoltaic investments: A case from Turkey

Investments in renewable energy resources have become inevitable due to increasing energy demand and energy prices, diminishing non-renewable energy resources, and the outgrowth of carbon footprints. Photovoltaic (PV) systems offer high solar energy potential in sustainable energy production whereas their high initial costs necessitate critical strategic valuation of investments. Valuation with conventional methods has been challenging due to existence of uncertainties such as fluctuating PV panel prices, changing meteorological conditions with certain effects on power generation, and governmental policies on energy market regulations. This study aims to propose a real options approach to valuation of residential rooftop PV system investments considering these uncertainties and demonstrate benefits of this approach with an application on the residential PV investment decisions in Turkey. The proposed method, Real Options Valuation (ROV) with Least-Squares Monte Carlo Simulation (LSMC) considers the deferral option of the investor by utilizing stochastic simulations, the discounted cash flow method, linear regression, and backward dynamic programming and thus evaluates the effects of uncertainties on financial attractiveness of residential PV investments. The case study findings proved that ROV with LSMC having a 7-years deferral option supported the investment decision with realizable cost-effective options while “NPV method” resulted in an infeasible investment. Scenario analysis was also conducted to explore policy options that can be used to promote solar energy investments in Turkey. This study has a potential to have practical contributions for investors as well as implications for policy-makers.

Efficiency of urea with urease and nitrification inhibitors in the production of bermuda grass fodder

The adoption of strategies aimed at a more efficient use of nitrogen (N) and ontaining hig yields are important to satisfy the demand for food for animals and humans. The Tifton 85 Bermuda grass (Cynodon spp.) is a crop with high productive potential and may be used to create hay, but its culture requires elevated doses of nitrogen. In this sense, the objective of this experiment was to evaluate, in field conditions, the growth and production of Tifton 85 Bermuda grass according to nitrogen doses with urea containing urease and nitrification inhibitors for two agricultural years — eight cycles of forage growth. The treatments were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three repetitions in a 3x5 factorial scheme. Treatments were: I) urea; II) urea + triamide N-(n-Butyl) thophosphoric (NBPT) urease inhibitor; and III) urea + nitrification inhibitor 3,4-Dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) with N rates (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha-1 of N) applied after each growth period. Then, the study proceeded to estimate forage dry mass and N concentrations in dry mass for each of the growth cycles and their sum, as well as the apparent N recovery. N critical levels were set when relative production reached 90%. The use of urease (NBPT) or nitrification (DMPP) inhibitors did not improve the efficiency of urea regarding growth and production of Tifton 85 Bermuda grass. The appropriate dose of nitrogen for Tifton 85 Bermuda grass in a hay production system is 40 kg per ton of dry mass produced in each growth period.

Research on the targeted improvement of the yield of a new VB12-producing strain, Ensifer adhaerens S305, based on genomic and transcriptomic analysis

BackgroundVitamin B12 (VB12) has a wide range of applications and high economic value. In this study, a new strain with high VB12 production potential, Ensifer adhaerens S305, was identified in sewage. Because E. adhaerens strains have become the main strains for VB12 production via fermentation in recent years, the directional modification of the S305 strain to obtain a strain suitable for the industrial production of VB12 has great potential and commercial value.Results16S rRNA and genome-wide phylogenetic tree analysis combined with average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis showed that the high-yielding VB12 strain was a E. adhaerens strain and that its VB12 synthesis pathway genes were highly similar to related genes of strains of this and other species, including E. adhaerens Casida A, Pseudomonas denitrificans SC 510, and E. adhaerens Corn53. High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) results indicated that the VB12 yields of the S305 strain were more than double those of the Casida A strain under different medium components. Multiple genes with significantly upregulated and downregulated transcription were identified by comparing the transcription intensity of different genes through transcriptome sequencing. KEGG enrichment analysis of the porphyrin metabolism pathway identified 9 significantly upregulated and downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the VB12 synthesis pathway, including 7 transcriptionally upregulated genes (cobA, cobT, hemA, cobJ, cobN, cobR, and cobP) that were episomally overexpressed in the Casida A strain. The results showed that the VB12 yield of the overexpressed strain was higher than that of the wild-type strain. Notably, the strains overexpressing the cobA and cobT genes exhibited the most significant increases in VB12 yield, i.e., 31.4% and 24.8%, respectively. The VB12 yield of the S305 strain in shake-flask culture was improved from 176.6 ± 8.21 mg/L to 245.6 ± 4.36 mg/L by integrating the cobA and cobT genes into the strain.ConclusionPhylogenetic tree and ANI analysis showed that the Ensifer and Sinorhizobium strains were quite different at the genome level; the overexpression and integrated expression of significantly upregulated genes in the VB12 synthesis pathway could increase the yield of VB12, further improving the VB12 yield of the E. adhaerens S305 strain.

Turkey Oak (Quercus cerris L.) Resilience to Climate Change: Insights from Coppice Forests in Southern and Central Europe

Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.) is a thermophilic oak species that is gaining importance in the context of ongoing climate change because of its better resistance to climatic extremes and drier conditions. Therefore, this article focuses on Turkey oak’s role and growth properties in the coppice forests of Southern Europe (Italy, Bulgaria) compared to similar site conditions in Central Europe (Slovakia, Czechia). The aims are to evaluate the basic dendrometry indicators, stand biodiversity, growth dynamics, and the effect of climatic factors on tree-ring increment on specific site chronologies. We found that the tree density in coppices of 50–60 years varied between 475 and 775 trees ha−1, and the stand volume ranged from 141 to 407 m3 ha−1. The complex stand diversity of all plots ranged from a monotonous to uniform structure. The size of tree-ring growth was closely related to indicators of stand density. The lowest influence of climatic factors on tree-ring growth was found in sites in Italy and the highest in Slovakia. The primary limiting factor for growth was the lack of precipitation during the growing season, especially in June and July. In contrast, temperature had a marginal effect on radial growth compared to precipitation. The radial growth in research plots in Southern Europe goes through longer 6 to 8-year growth cycles, and in Central European sites, it goes through shorter cycles of 2.4 to 4.8 years, which confirms better growth conditions in this region. The studied coppice stands exhibit a stable reaction to climate change. Yet, regarding cyclical growth, the Central European stands benefit from an advantageous climate and grow better than in Southern Europe. As part of the changing environmental conditions, Turkey oak is becoming an important tree species that can achieve high production potential even in drier habitats due to its regeneration characteristic as coppice and may play a critical role in its northerly introduction in Europe.

Assessment of soybean raw material in regard to plant adaptability in the climatic conditions of the Middle Volga Region

The ecological flexibility, stability, and adaptability of the “seed weight per plant” trait of soybean raw materialwere assessed in the forest-steppe conditions of the Middle Volga Region. The most valuable varieties for use in the breeding process for this trait were selected. The experimental work was carried out in 2019—2021. In total, 14 soybean varieties of various ecological and geographical origins were assessed. The regionalized agricultural variety of local selection, Yuzhanka, was set as the standard. The soil at the experimental plot was represented by typical medium-humus, medium-thick, medium-clay chernozem. The humus content was 5.8—6.9%, the content of mobile forms of phosphorus, 133.6—156.5 mg/kg, exchangeable potassium, 154.0—180.0 mg/kg. In 2019—2021, in the forest-steppe of the Middle Volga Region, average individual productivity of soybean plants was 7.47—12.17 g. The highest individual seed productivity was registered in the varieties 680-11 (Ukraine), 422 (Kazakhstan), OX 299 (Canada), L-60/2018 and Nika (Russia), exceeding the standard by 4.97—5.43 g. The lowest total rank was found for varieties 422 (Kazakhstan) – 23, Nika (Russia) – 28, Gessener (Yugoslavia) – 28, L-59/2018 (Russia) – 29 , OX 299 (Canada) – 31, and 680-11 (Ukraine) – 34, while the standard variety refers to 72. These varieties are promising raw material for developing soybean varieties with high productivity potential due to the effective use of the soil and climatic conditions of the region and resistance to dominant environmental stress factors.

Exploring U.S. retailers’ merchandising strategies for adaptive clothing: a focus on product assortment and pricing practices

ABSTRACT With society’s increasing call for more inclusivity in the fashion industry, adaptive clothing, designed for people with disabilities (PWD), has rapidly emerged as a critical and high-potential product category for U.S. retailers. By analysing thousands of clothing items in the market from 2018 to 2022 at the Stock Keeping Unit level, this study analysed U.S. retailers’ merchandising strategies for adaptive clothing. The logistic regression revealed that, statistically, adaptive clothing in the U.S. retail market looked more ‘boring’ and exhibited lower availability in several categories, including dresses, outerwear & suits, and underwear. Also, compared with nonadaptive ones, adaptive clothing statistically was more likely to be priced higher than the market average. The findings generated critical new knowledge about the business aspect of adaptive clothing by adding a valuable retailers’ perspective. The results also call for efforts to make adaptive clothing more diverse in product categories and financially affordable to PWD.

Influence of Hot Isostatic Pressing on Microstructure and Tensile Properties of Nickel-Free Stainless Steel for Metal Binder Jetting

Additive manufacturing processes continue to grow in popularity. Hereby, metal binder jetting (MBJ) has a high potential for series production of highly complex parts with added value compared to other production technologies. Applications already exist in thermal management, filtering, or fluid distribution. As with beam-based additive manufacturing processes, the materials available for MBJ are still limited. Especially in the area of nickel-free stainless steels; for example, for medical applications, there are hardly any options available. Therefore, this study investigates a newly developed nickel-free stainless steel specifically designed for the MBJ process. Particular attention is paid to the microstructure and the mechanical properties such as hardness and tensile strength. In addition, the investigation focuses on the potential of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) after sintering to favorably influence the microstructure and the mechanical properties. The results show that in the as-sintered state, a maximum porosity of 2.8% is present, which can be completely removed by hot isostatic post-densification. HIP post-densification improves both the yield strength and the tensile strength by about 10%. The increase in elongation at break is around 50%.

Performance and mechanism of various microaerobic pretreatments on anaerobic digestion of tobacco straw

Tobacco straw is an abundant biomass in China's agricultural ecosystems, and has high potential for methane production. However, the anaerobic digestion (AD) efficiency is limited by the recalcitrant lignocellulose structure of the tobacco straw. In this study, three microaerobic pretreatments were performed for the AD of tobacco straw to increase methane production. Among them, microbial pretreatment with biogas slurry at an oxygen concentration of 4 mL/g VS resulted in the highest methane production of 349.1 mL/g VS, increasing by 19.8 % than that of untreated. During this pretreatment, the relative abundances of Enterococcus and Clostridium sensu stricto 12, which are closely related to acetic acid production and cellulose degradation, were high, and these bacteria might have an important contribution to substrate hydrolysis and the methanogenesis efficiency of the AD process. This study advances the understanding of microaerobic pretreatment processes and provides technological guidance for the efficient utilization of tobacco straw.

The Role of Fallows in Sustainable Development

Abandonment of crop production on agricultural lands for several or more years is a widespread practice not only in Europe but also around the world. Economic and political considerations lead to the abandonment of crop production on the poorest lands, although sometimes agriculturally valuable lands are also excluded from farming. Fallow land can be afforested, designated as a dedicated protection area, exposed to natural succession, or used to grow biomass for energy purposes. However, the most important role of agricultural land should be to ensure food safety. The set-aside land with high production potential should be treated in a special way. While lying fallow, the soil can have its fertility sustained or even improved considerably. To this aim, uncultivated land should be properly protected by growing a permanent cover of plant species which will have a positive influence on the soil’s physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Depending on the geographical location, different plant species will have a beneficial effect on set-aside soil. Given economic and environmental considerations, the best solution is to sow a mixture of grasses and legumes, which can improve substantially the biodiversity on fallow fields, raise the soil’s fertility, ensure high CO2 sequestration ratios, and influence beneficially the soil’s nutritional status and nutrient management. Soil protection can be provided for many years with little effort. The most recent reports implicate that it is possible to achieve several economic and environmental aims simultaneously in the course of the management of land excluded from agricultural production. These aims include the improvement of biodiversity, control of greenhouse gas emissions, generation of energy, and readiness to resume production of commodity plants. Proper management of fallows corresponds well with the challenges defined in the Green Deal for Europe or the US Green New Deal.

Energy, exergy, sustainability evaluation of the usage of pyrolytic oil and conventional fuels in diesel engines

Solid wastes like used tires have high annual production and significant environmental impact potential. Tire wastes can be pyrolyzed to regenerate energy and create useful products. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the use of pyrolytic oil produced by the pyrolysis of waste tires as fuel in diesel engines. The energy exergy and sustainability of pyrolytic oil and conventional marine diesel fuels were examined in this study. The energy was determined in the experimental processes used to transform used tires into carbon black, pyrolytic oil, and pyrolytic gas. The components of SOX, NOX, and CO2 produced when pyrolytic oil and conventional marine fuels were combusted in diesel engines were obtained. As a result of the study, the energy value of the pyrolytic oil produced during the pyrolysis process as fuel was determined to be 2.8 MW. The results indicated that the combustion of pyrolytic oil in diesel engines had a thermal efficiency of 38% and a second-law efficiency of 58%. The standard marine fuels were found to have a sustainability index of 2.7, while pyrolytic oil had a sustainability index of 1.42.

Breeding allelopathy in cereal rye for weed suppression

AbstractRapid increase in the hectarage and agricultural systems that use cover cropping for soil conservation and improvement, soil moisture retention, and weed management has highlighted the need to develop formal breeding programs for cover crop species. Cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) is preferred by many growers due to high biomass production and weed-suppression potential, which is believed to be partially due to allelopathy. Rye germplasm exhibits large variability in allelopathic activity, which could be used to breed rye with enhanced weed suppression. Here, we provide an overview of rye history and breeding and describe a strategy to develop rye lines with increased allelopathic activity. The discussion focuses on ways to deal with important challenges to achieving this goal, including obligate cross-pollination and its consequent high segregation levels and the need to quantify allelopathic activity under field conditions. This review seeks to encourage weed scientists to collaborate with plant breeders and promote the development of cover crop cultivars better suited to reduce weed populations.

Eco-friendly strategy for the joint valorization of invasive macroalgae and fast-growing wood to produce advanced biofuels

A novel sustainable scheme to jointly valorize Sargassum muticum (Sm) and Paulownia wood (PW) was proposed in this work, employing the advanced environmentally friendly microwave-assisted autohydrolysis (MA) as pretreatment. Sm is an invasive macroalga that has been drastically spread in the Atlantic coast of Europe, causing environmental damage. Conversely, Paulownia elongata x fortunei is a fast-growing biomass with a high biomass production and potential for biofuels production. Thus, the concomitant valorization of both biomasses may lead to benefits related to environmental protection and bioeconomy. A sequential approach was proposed: first stage of glucose production from Sm (treated by MA and enzymatic hydrolysis to obtain a glucose-rich liquor), and second stage with MA-pretreated PW followed by saccharification and fermentation, employing in this process the glucose rich solution obtained from algae, to obtain simultaneously second and third generation bioethanol. These approaches enabled to add the ethanol production from both biomasses, leading to up to 45.2 g ethanol/L (70% ethanol yield), boosting ethanol titers compared to using only one biomass (up to 27.8 g/L) and confirming the benefits of combining MA-processed biomass. Furthermore, up to 87% of the energy may be recovered, reflecting a suitable approach within an integrated strategy.

Upland rice: A new high potential non-traditional cash crop for Africa

Rice is the main staple food for almost half of the world’s population and leading cereal in terms of production area and consumption. Rapid urbanization and changes in consumer preferences have led to a concomitant increase in consumption which so far exceeds any other crop in Africa. Therefore, upland rice cropping has become a common sight in Africa as farmers engage in diversification and respond to demand for the crop. Interspecific hybridization of African rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud.) and Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.) produced upland rice NERICA varieties that combine adaptability, tolerance to stresses and high production potential. Traditional African rice varieties though adapted to the continent are prone to lodging, shattering and comparatively low yielding which adversely affects production and consequently their adoption. Some of the poorest farmers are found in Africa where there is dependence on biomass cooking fuel and upland rice has greater significance. There is, therefore, need to re-evaluate the role played by the crop, identify gaps and proffer solutions that will make it productive and widely cultivated. Accordingly, this review intends to examine upland rice production patterns and strides which can be made to sustainably increase its productivity so that there is food and nutrition security. Some of the pertinent issues that need to be considered include prioritization of farmer preferences in quality and agronomic attributes to enhance adoption. Upland rice breeding programs can go beyond traditional breeding for stresses and yield but focus on genetic biofortification to use the crop as a conduit for vital nutrients. Ultimately, for sustainable rice productivity, there is need to have affordable infrastructure to lessen labor requirement particularly during production and post-harvest processing. Moreover, there is need to build institutional capacity to conduct more research and offer extension services to support production of the crop. A wider product portfolio for the crop will subsequently have a multiplier effect and enhance adoption of rice production by many farmers in Africa. The ultimate aim is to spread awareness of upland rice as an alternative cash crop that can be produced in suitable agroecologies in Africa. Key words: Crop diversification, NERICA, Oryza glaberrima, Oryza sativa, Upland rice

C4 maize and sorghum are more sensitive to rapid dehydration than C3 wheat and sunflower.

The high productive potential, heat resilience, and greater water use efficiency of C4 over C3 plants attract considerable interest in the face of global warming and increasing population, but C4 plants are often sensitive to dehydration, questioning the feasibility of their wider adoption. To resolve the primary effect of dehydration from slower from secondary leaf responses originating within leaves to combat stress, we conducted an innovative dehydration experiment. Four crops grown in hydroponics were forced to a rapid yet controlled decrease in leaf water potential by progressively raising roots of out of the solution while measuring leaf gas exchange. We show that, under rapid dehydration, assimilation decreased more steeply in C4 maize and sorghum than in C3 wheat and sunflower. This reduction was due to a rise of nonstomatal limitation at triple the rate in maize and sorghum than in wheat and sunflower. Rapid reductions in assimilation were previously measured in numerous C4 species across both laboratory and natural conditions. Hence, we deduce that high sensitivity to rapid dehydration might stem from the disturbance of an intrinsic aspect of C4 bicellular photosynthesis. We posit that an obstruction to metabolite transport between mesophyll and bundle sheath cells could be the cause.