Reduce Water Loss Research Articles

Research Progress on the Effect and Mechanism of Superchilling Preservation Technology on Meat Quality Control.

During storage and transportation, meat is susceptible to the effects of microorganisms, endogenous enzymes, and oxygen, leading to issues such as moisture loss, spoilage, and deterioration. Superchilling, as a preservation method that combines the benefits of refrigeration and freezing, can effectively slow the growth and reproduction of microorganisms, control protein and lipid oxidation, reduce water loss, and maintain the quality and sensory properties of meat. This paper reviews the current application status of superchilling technology in meat preservation, focusing on the mechanisms of ice crystal formation, water retention, tenderness preservation, protein and fat oxidation control, and microbial growth inhibition under superchilling conditions. Additionally, it summarizes the research progress on the combined application of superchilling with emerging technologies such as electric fields, magnetic fields, and electron beams in meat preservation and explores its potential and future prospects for improving meat quality. The aim is to provide scientific evidence and technical support for the application of superchilling technology in enhancing meat quality.

OsPDIL1-5: dual role in promoting growth and development while modulating drought stress tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Drought tolerance and plant growth are critical factors affecting rice yield, and identifying genes that can enhance these traits is essential for improving crop resilience and productivity. Using a growth-depressed and drought-tolerant (gddt) mutant of the indica rice variety Huanghuazhan (HHZ) generated by radiation mutagenesis, we discovered a novel gene, GDDT, which plays a dual role in plant biology: it acts as a positive regulator of growth and development, but as a negative regulator of drought resistance. The gddt mutant displayed a marked reduction in plant growth and seed setting rate, yet exhibited an unexpected advantage in terms of drought tolerance. Our research revealed that the enhanced drought tolerance of the gddt mutant is primarily due to a decrease in stomatal size, density, and aperture, which reduces water loss, and an activation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging system, which helps protect the plant from oxidative stress. These physiological changes are observed both under drought conditions and in normal growth conditions. This discovery highlights the importance of GDDT as a pleiotropic gene with significant implications for both plant growth and drought resistance. Through map-based cloning, we determined that the protein disulfide isomerase-like (PDIL) gene OsPDIL1-5 is the GDDT gene. The protein encoded by this gene was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, consistent with its predicted function. Our findings provide new insights into the role of PDIL genes in rice and suggest that further study of GDDT could lead to a better understanding of how these genes contribute to the complex interplay between plant growth, development, and stress responses. This knowledge could pave the way for the development of rice varieties that are more resilient to drought, thereby increasing crop yields and ensuring food security in water-limited environments.

Assessing Irrigation Efficiency Improvements in Paddy Fields Using Granular SWMM Simulations

As water scarcity intensifies due to climate change, improving the efficiency of agricultural water use has become increasingly critical. Current irrigation systems often experience significant water losses, especially in paddy fields in South Korea that largely rely on open-channel water supply networks. However, previous studies have simulated irrigation improvement strategies by aggregating multiple paddy fields into larger unites rather than modeling them individually, which limits the accurate representation of field conditions. To address this limitation, we applied a granular simulation approach, collecting detailed input data through field surveys. Using this granular model, the study evaluated strategies to enhance irrigation efficiency in paddy fields serviced by the Baekma Agricultural Reservoir in South Korea. We assessed four scenarios: the current open-channel system, conversion of open channels to closed conduits, installation of farm ponds, and a combination of closed conduits and farm ponds. These scenarios were simulated using the Strom Water Management Model (SWMM), meticulously configured to represent individual paddy fields and channel networks. The results show that converting open channels to closed conduits increased irrigation efficiency by 5.4% compared to the current open-channel system. Combining closed conduits with farm ponds achieved the highest efficiency, although the independent effect of farm ponds was minimal. These findings suggested that converting open-channels to closed conduits was a highly effective solution for reducing water losses, while farm ponds played a limited role. This study provides valuable insights into the development of precise irrigation strategies, offering a detailed assessment of real-world conditions in paddy fields.

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN SPRINKLER IRRIGATION: AN OVERVIEW

The overuse of water in conventional irrigation at the farm level is a global issue that can be addressed by improving irrigation techniques. Sprinkler irrigation can reduce water losses by carefully planning the crop, soil, landscape, and weather conditions, as well as installing the proper sprinkler hardware. The application efficiency of sprinkler systems may be enhanced when these systems are coupled with automation for precise irrigation. Sprinkler irrigation has advanced significantly, but new ideas and current practices are driving further progress. These novel ideas include low-pressure sprinklers, smart controllers, fertigation, water-pesticide integrated sprinkler systems, and variable-rate irrigation. The objective of this work is to highlight the introduction of innovative technologies to optimize sprinkler irrigation systems. Suggestions for the future development of sprinkler irrigation technology are offered to ensure its long-term viability.

Physicochemical Alterations in Fruits Caused by Edible Coatings during Storage: A review

Fruits and vegetables are especially perishable due to their 80-90% water content by weight. Several strategies have been developed to retain and extend the freshness of packaged, transported and stored goods. Edible coatings are thin films applied to the exterior of fruits and vegetables to protect them from moisture, air and microbes. In the development of edible coatings, polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, composites and resins are among the most often employed materials. Packaging fresh fruits and vegetables is essential for preventing further contamination, damage and loss of moisture. The physicochemical effects of edible coatings on whole fruits include enhanced hardness, higher titratable acidity (TA) and better vitamin C, whereas the effects on fresh cuts include reduced water loss, increased soluble solid content (SSC) and preservation of product colour. The bulk of the effects might have been observed in both whole and freshly sliced fruits. This has aroused the interest of scholars, resulting in extensive research.

A WUSCHEL-related homeobox transcription factor, SlWOX4, negatively regulates drought tolerance in tomato.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of SlWOX4 gene in tomato enhances tolerance to drought stress. Drought stress is one of the major abiotic factors that seriously affects plant growth and crop yield. WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) transcription factors are involved in plant growth, development and stress response. However, little is known about the role of WOX genes in drought tolerance in tomato. Here, SlWOX4, a member of the WOX family in tomato, was functionally characterized in mediating drought tolerance. SlWOX4 was homologous to Nicotiana tabacum NtWOX4 with a conserved HD domain, and was localized in the nucleus. SlWOX4 was significantly down-regulated by drought and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments. The loss-of-functionmutations of SlWOX4 produced using the CRISPR-Cas9 system in tomato improved drought tolerance by reducing water loss rate and enhancing stomatal closure. In addition, the wox4 lines exhibited reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), increased antioxidant enzyme activity, proline contents and ABA contents under drought stress. Moreover, gene editing of SlWOX4 in tomato enhanced drought tolerance by regulating the expression of genes encoding antioxidants and ABA signaling molecules. In summary, SlWOX4 gene might negatively regulate drought stress tolerance in tomato and has great potential as a drought-resistant crop-breeding target genes.

Improving yield and irrigation water productivity of green beans under water stress with agricultural solid waste-based material of compacted rice straw as a sustainable organic soil mulch

AbstractThis research aimed at water saving in irrigation by applying deficit irrigation using two strategies, standard drip and partial root drying (PRD), while applying organic and plastic mulch over two growing seasons of green beans. A field experiment was conducted in 2022 and 2023, using four irrigation treatments supplying 100% of the irrigation requirement (IRg), 75% IRg, 50% IRg, and 50% IRg—PRD, and four soil mulching treatments: uncovered soil (UC), plastic mulch (PM), rice straw mulch (RSM), and compacted rice straw mulch (CRSM). The combined effect of deficit irrigation strategies and soil mulching showed that the maximum irrigation water productivity (IWP) of 5.56 kg m−3 was achieved under 50% IRg—PRD & CRSM for both growing seasons, followed by 50% IRg—PRD & RSM and 50% IRg—PRD & PM, with 5.19 and 4.96 kg m−3, respectively. The highest yield of 8936 kg ha−1 was achieved with 50% IRg—PRD & CRSM, followed by 8914 kg ha−1 and 8898 kg ha−1 with 100% IRg & CRSM and 75% IRg & CRSM, respectively. The lowest yield of 6009 kg ha−1 was obtained with 50% IRg & UC. The highest soil moisture content was observed under 100% IRg & CRSM. The application of organic mulches was found to be particularly effective in conserving soil moisture due to enhanced infiltration, improved retention capacity, and suppression of weed growth, ultimately fostering optimal crop development and higher yield. The results of soil temperature variations beneath soil mulches showed that CRSM is effective in alleviating plant water stress, lowering the temperature below the cover and reducing water loss through evaporation from the soil surface. The combination of 50% IRg—PRD & CRSM produced plants with enhanced plant height, fresh and dry weight, leaf area, pod length, and green bean weight, as well as the highest vegetative growth indices. Generally, the organic mulching increased soil temperature, soil moisture, IWP, and green bean production.

Performance analysis of Plate type Steam Condenser Using Nano-fluid

Abstract This paper investigates the application of nanofluid coolant, specifically a mixture of water and aluminium dioxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles, to augment heat transfer efficiency within flat plate heat exchanger. Beginning with an introduction highlighting the pivotal role of heat exchangers in industrial processes, the study emphasizes the imperative for enhanced efficiency and reduced energy consumption. The system description delineates the components and functionality of flat plate heat exchanger, elucidating operational and experimental conditions including initial temperatures and subsequent temperature transitions during cooling. Key parameters such as effectiveness and overall heat transfer coefficient are identified, with an exploration of their variation when comparing water alone to nanofluid coolant. Comparative data showcases experimentally obtained effectiveness and heat transfer coefficient values for both coolant types, revealing a substantial enhancement in efficiency with nanofluid coolant. Like effectiveness for water was 18% while that for nanofluid was 35%. The future potential and broader applications of nanofluid coolant in heat transfer technologies, advocating for continued research to unlock further advancements and efficiencies in industrial processes. By this technology we can reduce water losses as well as reduce power consumption in plants.

Evaluation of Marginal Adaptation of SDR Plus, Fiber-Reinforced and Nanofilled Composites in Endodontically Treated Teeth: A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study.

Endodontically treated teeth (ETT) undergo structural changes, including a reduction in water content and loss of dentin elasticity, which can compromise their mechanical properties. One critical factor influencing the long-term prognosis of a restored ETT is the marginal adaptation of the restorative material. The present study compared the marginal adaptability of Smart Dentin Replacement (SDR) Plus, fiber-reinforced, and nanofilled composites in ETT using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cavities were made in 30 recently extracted maxillary premolars distributed into three experimental groups depending on the restorative material used: group 1 as SDR Plus (Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA), group 2 as fiber-reinforced composite (EverX, GC Corp., Tokyo, Japan), and supra nanofilled composite (Estelite Sigma Quick, Tokuyama Dental Corp., Tokyo, Japan). Standardized access openings were performed, and endodontic treatment was completed in all teeth. Specific composite restoration techniques were applied according to the manufacturer's instructions. After thermocycling for 30 days, the restored teeth were sectioned and viewed using SEM (Labindia Instruments Pvt. Ltd., Maharashtra, India) to measure the width of the marginal gap. The data were analyzed using statistical software. The mean marginal gap width varied significantly among the groups. Group 1 had a lower mean marginal gap of 2.99 μm, group 2 exhibited the highest mean marginal gap of 10.24 μm, and group 3 had a mean marginal gap of 5.51 μm. Overall, group 2 consistently showed significantly larger marginal gaps than the other groups. Within the limitations of this study, SDR Plus demonstrated better marginal adaptation than fiber-reinforced and supra-nanofilled resins in the coronal restoration of ETT. Fiber-reinforced composites demonstrated the maximum marginal gap, followed by nanofilled composites. Thus, SDR Plus may be recommended as a suitable restorative material to enhance the longevity and success of endodontic treatments.

Analysis of water losses in seven small and medium-sized water distribution networks in the south region of Cameroon (Central Africa)

ABSTRACT This paper analyzes and evaluates water losses in seven small and medium-sized water supply networks (WSNs) in the south region of Cameroon in order to contribute to improving the most effective approaches to reducing water losses in Sub-Saharan Africa's WSNs. Data were obtained from the regional delegation of the Camwater in the south region of Cameroon and analyzed using a variety of indices, including the failure intensity index, the unit coefficient of water loss per kilometer, the real leakage balance index, the non-revenue water basic, and the infrastructure leakage index. Results indicate that all the WSNs analyzed achieved mixed results compared with national data and very weak results compared with international standards. This is partly due to outdated infrastructure, rapid urbanization and urban population expansion, poor operation and maintenance policies, inadequate technical skills and technology, a lack of financial discipline, and political, cultural, and social influences. The results place the cumulative volume of water losses in the seven networks studied during the 5 years at 7.3 million cubic meters, which costs the water utility about 2.4 billion FCFA (or 4.4 million USD).

Effects of phosphorylation-modified long-chain inulin on wheat starch: Physicochemical properties and retrogradation behaviors

In this research, modification of long-chain inulin (FXL) through phosphorylation (PFXL) to enhance its application in wheat starch (WS) and starch-based products. The impacts of PFXL on the pasting, rheology, microstructure, and retrogradation characteristics of WS were researched. The findings revealed that PFXL significantly reduced both the breakdown and setback values of WS. Additionally, the incorporation of PFXL reduced the viscoelasticity of WS paste and improved its fluidity. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that higher PFXL levels (>5 %) produced small fragments that partially covered the three-dimensional honeycomb structure of WS paste, thereby reducing water loss during short-term storage. PFXL also altered water distribution in WS gels, depending on concentration and storage duration. X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy suggested that PFXL effectively inhibited amylopectin recrystallization. Compared to FXL, PFXL exhibited a more pronounced ability to inhibit the aging of WS in short- and long-term storage.

Succulence and aquaporin expression during drought and recovery in the CAM epiphytic bromeliad Acanthostachys strobilacea (Schult. & Schult.f.) Klotzsch

Due to climate change, drought-rewatering cycles might become more intense and frequent, potentially threatening epiphytic bromeliads as they are detached from the soil. Hence, research on drought-rewatering responses is essential to determine the resilience of these species to projected future environmental conditions. The tankless, CAM epiphytic bromeliad Acanthostachys strobilacea shows significant drought tolerance from its early developmental stages. Here, we investigated water storage remobilization and the expression of aquaporin genes in the succulent leaf tissues of juvenile A. strobilacea plants in response to a drought-rewatering cycle and their relation to metabolic status. Under greenhouse conditions, 3-month-old plants were subjected to 14 days without irrigation, followed by 1 day of rewatering. We conducted analyses of water status, leaf anatomy, photosynthetic rates, titratable acidity, metabolic profile, and aquaporin gene expression. Data on water status indicated drought-induced turgor loss, which could be mainly attributed to the collapse of the hydrenchyma (water-storage tissue). The water stored in these cells likely relocated to the photosynthetically active cells of the chlorenchyma, which may have helped maintain metabolic activity. Indeed, titratable acidity, gas exchange, and metabolic data showed intensified CAM activity after drought. Drought also increased proline and antioxidant contents but significantly reduced the expression of AsPIP1;1, AsPIP1;2-like, AsTIP2;2 and AsNIP2;2 genes. After 1 day of rewatering, turgor, CAM activity, and the expression of most aquaporin genes and most metabolite contents were fully restored to control levels. The rapid turgor recovery, even in the absence of leaf water-absorbing trichomes, was due to water storage in hydrenchyma cells upon rehydration. Additionally, the modulation of aquaporin expression likely reduced water loss during drought and aided turgor restoration after rewatering. These results can guide future research on the responses of epiphytic bromeliads to climate change, essential to developing conservation strategies.

Research progress on operation control and optimal scheduling of irrigation canal systems

AbstractOpen canals are a common water transfer method used in water transfer projects and agricultural irrigation and drainage projects. With the emergence of drawbacks in traditional canal control models and the increasingly severe shortage of water resources, accurate transport and distribution of water in the canal system of the irrigation district, rational allocation of water resources, reduction in water loss, improvement in the efficiency and benefit of water resource utilization, and satisfaction of the water demand of different water users are needed. Many scholars have conducted extensive research on canal operation control and optimal scheduling. This paper systematically reviews and summarizes the relevant research progress, including the theory of unsteady flow in open canals, the operation mode of the canal system, the operation control model and algorithm of canal systems, and the optimization of water distribution in canal systems. By summarizing the research progress already achieved, the existing problems and future development directions are identified according to actual needs, providing a reference for the ongoing modernization of irrigation districts and the research and application of digital twin irrigation district technology.

Prolonged Post-Harvest Preservation in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) by Reducing Water Loss Rate and Chlorophyll Degradation Regulated through Lighting Direction-Induced Morphophysiological Improvements.

To investigate the relationship between the lighting direction-induced morphophysiological traits and post-harvest storage of lettuce, the effects of different lighting directions (top, T; top + side, TS; top + bottom, TB; side + bottom, SB; and top + side + bottom, TSB; the light from different directions for a sum of light intensity of 600 μmol·m-2·s-1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD)) on the growth morphology, root development, leaf thickness, stomatal density, chlorophyll concentration, photosynthesis, and chlorophyll fluorescence, as well as the content of nutrition such as carbohydrates and soluble proteins in lettuce were analyzed. Subsequently, the changes in water loss rate, membrane permeability (measured as relative conductivity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content), brittleness (assessed by both brittleness index and β-galactosidase (β-GAL) activity), and yellowing degree (evaluated based on chlorophyll content, and activities of chlorophyllase (CLH) and pheophytinase (PPH)) were investigated during the storage after harvest. The findings indicate that the TS treatment can effectively reduce shoot height, increase crown width, enhance leaves' length, width, number, and thickness, and improve chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics, photosynthetic capacity, and nutrient content in lettuce before harvest. Specifically, lettuce's leaf thickness and stomatal density showed a significant increase. Reasonable regulation of water loss in post-harvested lettuce is essential for delaying chlorophyll degradation. It was utilized to mitigate the increase in conductivity and hinder the accumulation of MDA in lettuce. The softening speed of leafy vegetables was delayed by effectively regulating the activity of the β-GAL. Chlorophyll degradation was alleviated by affecting CLH and PPH activities. This provides a theoretical basis for investigating the relationship between creating a favorable light environment and enhancing the post-harvest preservation of leafy vegetables, thus prolonging their post-harvest storage period through optimization of their morphophysiological phenotypes.

Revisiting Citrus Rootstocks Polyploidy as a Means to Improve Drought Resilience: Sometimes Less Is More.

Polyploid varieties have been suggested as an alternative approach to promote drought tolerance in citrus crops. In this study, we compared the responses of diploid and tetraploid Sunki 'Tropical' rootstocks to water deficit when grafted onto 'Valencia' sweet orange trees and subjected to water withholding in isolation or competition experiments under potted conditions. Our results revealed that, when grown in isolation, tetraploid rootstocks took longer to show drought symptoms, but this advantage disappeared when grown in competition under the same soil moisture conditions. The differences in drought responses were mainly associated with variations in endogenous leaf levels of abscisic acid (ABA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and carbohydrates among treatments. Overall, tetraploids were more affected by drought in individual experiments, showing higher H₂O₂ production, and in competition experiments, rapidly increasing ABA production to regulate stomatal closure and reduce water loss through transpiration. Therefore, our results highlight the crucial importance of evaluating diploid and tetraploid rootstocks under the same soil moisture conditions to better simulate field conditions, providing important insights to improve selection strategies for more resilient citrus rootstocks.

Effects of Wooden Embers Cover on thermo-hydrological response of silty volcanic cover and implications to post-wildfire slope stability

Wildfires striking vegetated hillslopes appear to increase the hazard towards rainfall-induced landslides. One mechanism little investigated in the literature consists in the formation of Wooden Embers Cover (WEC) following the wildfire. This layer has very peculiar thermohydraulic properties and may affect the interaction between the atmosphere and the subsoil. The paper presents an experiment conducted in an outdoor lysimeter filled with pyroclastic silt (SILT) up to 75 cm covered with 5 cm of WEC. Water storage in the SILT layer, soil water content, suction, and temperature were recorded for several years, initially under bare (no-WEC) condition (4 years), then vegetated (no-WEC) condition (5 years) and, finally, with a WEC placed on the top of the SILT (SILT+WEC condition; 3 years). The hydrological effect of the WEC was assessed by comparing the response of the SILT+WEC with the SILT under bare or vegetated conditions. The WEC reduces water losses by evaporation, thus increasing the average water content in the underlying SILT, an effect that is detrimental to slope stability. To discriminate whether the barrier effect was associated with the lower thermal or hydraulic conductivity of the WEC, a numerical simulation was carried out by considering the case of a WEC with its real thermal and hydraulic properties and the case of a fictitious top layer placed on the top of the SILT having the same hydraulic properties of the WEC but the thermal properties of the SILT. It is concluded that the barrier effect of the WEC is mainly associated with its hydraulic properties, i.e. the WEC acts as a capillary barrier. To demonstrate the practical implications of this findings, a case study of rainfall-induced landslide has been reanalysed by simulating the presence of a WEC layer having the same thermohydraulic properties as the material characterised in this study. It is shown that a WEC can substantially reduce the severity of the triggering rainfall event, thus increasing the vulnerability of the slope to rainfall-induced failure.

A Prototype That Improves the Interpretation of Soil Moisture by Using the BGT-SEC Z2 Sensor

The amount of water required to irrigate, is essential in agricultural planning. In Mexico the water required for irrigation is generally not estimated when it is carried out despite several estimation methods being available (direct and indirect). However, some methods can be very expensive, requiring preparation time to use them or time to obtain the results. One of the methods involves using sensors based on relative permittivity. This method have been widely used in agriculture because they show the percentage of water contained in the substrate. However, this value helps the producer know the soil moisture status of their crop in percentage units but does not tell them how much water needs to be added to each plant in liters. Knowing this value could help reduce water losses due to infiltration, thereby increasing the crop area. Therefore, it was developed a device capable of recommending the amount of water in v/v (volume of water/volume of soil) required to irrigate a crop. The prototype device was based on the BGT-SEC Z2<SUP>TM</SUP> sensor and the ATMEGA 2560<SUP>TM</SUP> microcontroller. The obtained device was calibrated and a specific model was developed for two types of soil: sandy (with an RMSE of 0.0107) and loamy (with an RMSE of 0.00556). With factory calibration, a RMSE value of 0.0339 was found for the loamy soil and 0.0278 for the sandy soil. In addition, the sensor was tested on strawberry plants with pots covered with and without plastic mulch (using loamy soil). The results on the strawberry plants, indicated that water consumption was best explained by the specific calibration equation for loamy soil covered with plastic mulch (67.8 mL RMSE) and without plastic mulch (82.8 mL RMSE). Finally, it was found that at least two measurements are required to obtain soil moisture average in plastic mulch strawberry pots and 6 measurements in pots without plastic mulch. With the above, it is concluded that the device developed in this study performed adequately during experiments and the sensor worked continuously without failing.

Synergistic Interaction Between PbbZIP88 and PbSRK2E Enhances Drought Resistance in Pear Through Regulation of PbATL18 Expression and Stomatal Closure.

Drought poses significant challenges to agricultural production, ecological stability and global food security. While wild pear trees exhibit strong drought resistance, cultivated varieties show weaker drought tolerance. This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying pear trees' response to drought stress. We identified a drought resistance-related transcription factor, PbbZIP88, which binds to and activates the expression of the drought-responsive gene PbATL18. Overexpression of PbbZIP88 in Arabidopsis and pear seedlings resulted in enhanced drought resistance and significantly improved physiological parameters under drought stress. We discovered that PbbZIP88 interacts with the key protein PbSRK2E in the ABA signalling pathway. This interaction enhances PbbZIP88's ability to activate PbATL18 expression, leading to higher levels of PbATL18. Furthermore, the PbbZIP88 and PbSRK2E interaction accelerates the regulation of stomatal closure under ABA treatment conditions, reducing water loss more effectively. Experimental evidence showed that silencing PbbZIP88 and PbSRK2E genes significantly decreased drought resistance in pear seedlings. In conclusion, this study reveals the synergistic role of PbbZIP88 and PbSRK2E in enhancing drought resistance in pear trees, particularly in the upregulation of PbATL18 expression, and the accelerated promotion of stomatal closure. These findings provide new candidate genes for breeding drought-resistant varieties and offer a theoretical foundation and technical support for achieving sustainable agriculture.

Regional differences in leaf evolution facilitate photosynthesis following severe drought.

Characterizing physiological and anatomical changes that underlie rapid evolution following climatic perturbation can broaden our understanding of how climate change is affecting biodiversity. It can also provide evidence of cryptic adaptation despite stasis at higher levels of biological organization. Here, we compared evolutionary changes in populations of Mimulus cardinalis from historically different climates in the north and south of the species' range following an exceptional drought. We grew seeds produced from predrought ancestral plants alongside peak-drought descendants in a common glasshouse and exposed them to wet and dry conditions. Before the drought, northern ancestral populations expressed traits contributing to drought escape, while southern ancestral populations expressed drought avoidance. Following the drought, both regions evolved to reduce water loss and maintain photosynthesis in dry treatments (drought avoidance), but via different anatomical alterations in stomata, trichomes, and palisade mesophyll. Additionally, southern populations lost the ability to take advantage of wet conditions. These results reveal rapid evolution towards drought avoidance at an anatomical level following an exceptional drought, but suggest that differences in the mechanisms between regions incur different trade-offs. This sheds light on the importance of characterizing underlying mechanisms for downstream life-history and macromorphological traits.

The ant and the grasshopper: Contrasting responses and behaviors to water stress of riparian trees along a hydroclimatic gradient

Riparian trees are particularly vulnerable to drought because they are highly dependent on water availability for their survival. However, the response of riparian tree species to water stress varies depending on regional hydroclimatic conditions, making them unevenly vulnerable to changing drought patterns. Understanding this spatial variability in stress responses requires a comprehensive assessment of water stress across broader spatial and temporal scales. Yet, the precise ecophysiological mechanisms underlying these responses remain poorly linked to remotely sensed indices. To address this gap, the implementation of remote sensing methods coupled with in situ validation is essential to obtain consistent results across diverse spatial and temporal contexts. We conducted a multi-tool analysis combining multispectral and thermal remote sensing indices with in situ ecophysiological measurements at different temporal scales to analyze the responses of white poplar (Populus alba) to seasonal changes in drought along a hydroclimatic gradient.Using this approach, we demonstrate that white poplars along the Rhône River (France) exhibit contrasting responses and behaviors during drought depending on the latitudinal context. White poplars in a Mediterranean climate show rapid stomatal closure to reduce water loss and maintain high minimum water potential levels, although this results in a decrease in remotely sensed greenness. Conversely, white poplars located upstream in a temperate climate show high transpiration and stable greenness but lower minimum water potential and water content. A site in the middle of the gradient has intermediate responses. These results demonstrate that white poplars along a climate gradient can have a range of responses to drought along the iso/anisohydricity continuum.These results are important for future climatic conditions because they show that the same species can have different mechanisms of drought resilience, even in the same river valley. This raises questions regarding how these riparian tree populations will respond to future climatic and hydrological conditions.