Reduction In Dry Matter Research Articles

Brown manuring in maize (Zea mays): Effects on weed interference and crop productivity

A field experiment was undertaken during rainy (kharif) season 2017 at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the effects of brown manuring on weeds and maize (Zea mays L.) productivity. Season-long weed infestation (~unweeded control) resulted in the highest reduction (~41%) in grain yield of maize. Among the brown manuring (BM) treatments, growing of 1:1 mixture of Sesbania bispinosa (12.5 kg seed/ha) + Crotalaria juncea L. (12.5 kg seed/ha) supplemented with 2,4-D 0.5 kg/ha applied at 35 DAS, resulted in the highest reduction in weed density (~93%) and dry matter (~94.4%). This BM, in these regards, was comparable with the atrazine + hand weeding (HW) at 35 days after sowing (DAS) and weed-free control treatments. All BM treatments suppressed noxious weed Cyperus rotundus, which was poorly or not controlled by the recommended tank-mixture of atrazine and pendimethalin. Weed-free control resulted in the highest values of maize plant dry-matter (~210.6 g/plant), cob weight (~155.9 g/cob), and grain yield (~6.0 t/ha). The atrazine + HW, Sesbania + Crotalaria (12.5 + 12.5 kg/ha) mixture applied with 2,4-D 0.5 kg/ha at 25 DAS, Sesbania 25 kg/ha with 2,4-D 0.5 kg/ha at 25 DAS, and pendimethalin 0.75 kg/ha + atrazine 0.75 kg/ha treatments were comparable with weed-free control on maize grain yield.

Yeasts isolated from bovine rumen selected to degrade lignocellulosic roughage

Abstract. Duarte ER, Lima SM, Nere JC, Freitas CES, Maia HAR, Júlio ADL, Abrão FO, Alves JMS, Santos VLD, Geraseev LC, Cota J. 2024. Yeasts isolated from bovine rumen selected to degrade lignocellulosic roughage. Biodiversitas 25: 1159-1166. Commercial yeast strains are viable alternatives to chemical additives in ruminants; however, they are not self to the rumen ecosystem. The present study was conducted to compare the degradation of Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R.D.Webster (UD) hay and sugarcane bagasse (SB) by eight selected yeast strains, naturally present in the rumen cows and control without microorganisms. Eight yeast isolates that showed >6 log CFU per mL of ruminal fluid were selected and identified as four Pichia kudriavzevii isolates, three Rhodotorula mucilaginosa isolates and one Candida tropicalis isolate, according to their morphological and physiological characteristics and by analyses of the D1 - D2 variable domain sequences of the 28S rRNA gene. The strain V5 (R. mucilaginosa) showed higher cell biomass production than other strains of this species in fermentations with UD (P<0.05). Two isolates of Pichia kudriavzevii (V10 and V62) and one of R. mucilaginosa (V5) promoted a higher reduction of dry matter (DM) of UD than other yeast. The strain V5 was also the most efficient to reduce DM of SB (P <0.05). These selected yeasts could represent a potential alternative for use in animal diets and for industrial applications.

The influence of ripening on the nutrient composition and antioxidant properties of New Zealand damson plums.

The current study pioneers a comprehensive exploration into the influence of ripening stages on the nutritional composition and antioxidant attributes of the New Zealand damson plums (Prunus domestica ssp. Insititia). Sampled at early-, mid-, and late-ripening stages from randomly selected plum trees, the investigation unveiled notable significant (p < .05) declines in multiple parameters as ripening progressed. Noteworthy reductions in dry matter (from 21% to 19.33%), stone weight (from 30.23% to 24.30%), total dietary fiber (from 3.15% to 2.5%), energy content (from 280 to 263 kJ/100 g), vitamin D3 (from 1.67 to 1.53 μg/100 g), vitamin A (from 4.2 to 3.87 μg/100 g), and specific minerals (e.g., Ca, Mg, and P) emerged as a hallmark of this progression. Additionally, plums harvested at the advanced ripening stage exhibited heightened moisture content in contrast to their early-stage counterparts. Conversely, ash, protein, carbohydrates, total sugar, and minerals (including K, Na, Zn, and Se) demonstrated no significant alteration (p > .05) across ripening stages. Remarkably, damson plums that were harvested at the end of the ripening stage displayed reduced phenolic content and total antioxidant activity compared to those acquired at the early-mid ripening phase. This research collectively highlights the substantive impact of harvesting time and ripening stage on the nutritional and antioxidant profiles of damson plums cultivated in New Zealand.

Ruminal modulator additive effect of Stryphnodendron rotundifolium bark in feedlot lambs.

The study aimed to evaluate the inclusion effects of Stryphnodendron rotundifolium (barbatimão) extracts in substitution of the lasalocid sodium on the ingestive behaviour, intake, ruminal parameters, and digestibility of feedlot lambs. Twenty-four pantaneiro lambs were used, with an average age of 150 ± 4.59days and an initial body weight of 21.2 ± 3.63kg. The lambs were distributed in three treatments in an experimental design with randomized blocks. The treatments correspond to the additive supplements: LAS (0.019g of lasalocid sodium/lamb/d); DGB (1.50g of barbatimão dried ground bark/lamb/d); DHE (0.30g of barbatimão dry hydroalcoholic extract/lamb/d). The DHE increased 59.74min in the time spent for ingestion per day, resulting in an efficiency reduction of dry matter (DM) ingestion (127g of DM/h of feed). There was a reduction of 1.8mg/dL in the ammoniacal nitrogen concentration with extract supplementation compared to LAS. The DGB reduced total volatile fatty acids by 48.9% compared to the control treatment. The inclusion of barbatimão extracts (DGB and DHE) reduced 12.05% of ruminal butyrate content. The supplementation of barbatimão extracts replacing lasalocid sodium in the diet of feedlot lambs did not affect intake and caused small changes on ingestive behaviour.

Optimizing silage quality in drylands: Corn stover and forage cactus mixture on nutritive value, microbial activity, and aerobic stability

The study aimed to determine the optimal ratio for the mixture of forage cactus and corn stover silage, emphasizing the evaluation of fermentative profile, microbial populations, dry matter losses, chemical composition, and aerobic stability. A completely randomized design with four treatments and five replications was employed in this study. Treatments included varying proportions of forage cactus in corn stover at ensiling (0%, 10%, 20%, and 40% of fresh matter). After a 100-day fermentation period, the assayed variables underwent regression analysis. Forage cactus inclusion led to linear dry matter and ether extract reductions, with crude protein showing a negative quadratic effect (p < 0.05). The pH and water-soluble carbohydrates exhibited negative quadratic effects with the increasing proportion of forage cactus (p < 0.05). Lactic and acetic acids exhibited quadratic effects, reaching their peaks at approximately 20% forage cactus (p < 0.05). Lactic acid bacteria demonstrated a linear decrease, while yeasts/molds displayed a negative quadratic effect (p < 0.05). Dry matter losses followed a quadratic pattern, with the minimum values observed at 20% forage cactus (p < 0.05). Additionally, the inclusion of forage cactus significantly enhanced aerobic stability (p < 0.05). The incorporation of 20% forage cactus into corn stover silage markedly improved its quality.

Synergistic bioconversion of organic waste by black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae and thermophilic cellulose-degrading bacteria.

This study examines the optimum conversion of Wuzhishan pig manure by Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) at various phases of development, as well as the impact of gut microbiota on conversion efficiency. In terms of conversion efficiency, BSFL outperformed the growing pig stage (GP) group, with significantly higher survival rates (96.75%), fresh weight (0.23 g), and larval conversion rate (19.96%) compared to the other groups. Notably, the GP group showed significant dry matter reductions (43.27%) and improved feed conversion rates (2.17). Nutritional composition varied, with the GP group having a lower organic carbon content. High throughput 16S rRNA sequencing revealed unique profiles, with the GP group exhibiting an excess of Lactobacillus and Clostridium. Promising cellulose-degrading bacteria in pig manure and BSFL intestines, including Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis, showed superior cellulose degradation capabilities. The synergy of these thermophilic bacteria with BSFL greatly increased conversion efficiency. The BSFL1-10 group demonstrated high growth and conversion efficiency under specific conditions, with remarkable larval moisture content (71.11%), residual moisture content (63.20%), and waste reduction rate (42.28%). This study sheds light on the optimal stages for BSFL conversion of pig manure, gut microbiota dynamics, promising thermophilic cellulose-degrading bacteria, and the significant enhancement of efficiency through synergistic interactions. These findings hold great potential for sustainable waste management and efficient biomass conversion, contributing to environmental preservation and resource recovery.

Biochemical and physiological time-of-day variations in early-development phase of Agave mapisaga and Agave salmiana.

This research assesses the aboveground matter accumulation and Fv/Fm ratios (maximum quantum efficiency of PSII) in young plants (5months old) of Agave mapisaga and Agave salmiana grown under greenhouse conditions. This study also evaluated changes in the relative abundance of several different metabolites (sugars, free amino acids, and soluble phenols) during the major daily phases (I, III, and IV) of Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). These two species were also investigated to determine if differences in these parameters were evident with respect to their geographical origins (i.e. Metepec, Tlajomulco, and Tlaxiaca, in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico). Differences in shoot mass (0.51-0.82g plant-1 ), water content (75-93%), fructose (4-27μmolg-1 ), glucose (57-73μmolg-1 ), sucrose (10-30μmolg-1 ), free amino acids (5-25μmolg-1 ), soluble phenolics (0.7-3.5μmolg-1 ), and Fv/Fm ratios (0.75-0.80) were evident between plants with different origins. Specifically, at the end of Phase I compared to Phase IV, the results showed significant reductions in dry matter (up to 3.3%) and also reductions in fructose/sucrose. Relative amino acid concentrations were lowest in Phase III (8.8μmolg-1 ) compared to Phase I (16μmolg-1 ). These are novel observations, since all these changes and the biochemical and physiological performance in the CAM phases have not been previously determined in Agave plants differing in their geographical origins.

Selection of Mungbean Genotypes Against Waterlogging Stress

A pot experiment was conducted in the vinyl house of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), Dhaka-1207, during kharif-I season (March to June 2022) to identify waterlog tolerant mungbean genotypes. Thirty mungbean genotypes (29 advanced lines and one variety, BARI Mung-6) were evaluated under waterlogging (96 hours) and normal conditions. Waterlogging caused a drastic reduction in dry matter and seed yield in mungbean, however, genotypes showed variable response to waterlogging. Under waterlog condition the higher relative yield was found in M11, M8, M30, M7, M16 and M14 while lower in M2 and M17. Dry matter production also varied among the genotypes due to waterlogging; however, dry matter production of the genotypes M8, M7, M22, M2, M19 and M11 were comparatively higher than other genotypes. Stress tolerance index (STI), yield index (YI) and relative yield (RY) of M16, M20, M7, M8, M11, M30 and M14 were higher than other genotypes. On the basis of dry matter production, STI, YI and RY, genotypes M7, M8, M11, M12, M16, and M20 could be selected as relatively tolerant genotypes against waterlogging stress.&#x0D; Bangladesh Agron. J. 2023, 26(1): 40-47

Penanganan kembali slurry keluaran digester biogas dengan substrat awal manure sapi perah dan biji pepaya untuk meningkatkan produksi methan

Co-substrate of papaya seeds (PS) with dairy cow manure (DCM) resulted an increase of organic matter (OM) content and not all OM could be digested properly in the continuous digester. This research was conducted to measure methane production of slurry that study. The experiment used MSP, BP, NaOH, batch type digester with completely randomized design. The treatments were R1 (100% DCM), R2 (95% DCM and 5% PS non germination) and R3 (95% DCM and 5% PS germination) with 5 replications. Data were analysed using analysis of variance. The observed variables were methane production, pH value, dry matter reduction (DMR) and OM reduction (OMR). Methane production showed significantly different (P&lt;0.05), namely: 5.28; 7.19 and 6.26 l/l for R1, R2 and R3. The limited hydraulic retention time of substrate in continuous digester caused not all of the OM in R2 and R3 to be properly digested and is still left in the slurry. The decrease methane production of R3 than R2 was due to better nutrient content of R2 so that it was digested better while in the continuous digester. The higher DMR, OMR and methane production in R2 and R3 than R1 indicate that the use of BP as a co-substrate with DCM can increase the OM content and its quality and some of OM is still left in the slurry.

Influence of soil attributes and sorption coefficient in defining diuron doses

The selectivity of diuron for most crops, is due to the positioning of its molecule in the soil profile. Therefore, it is necessary to know the interactions of diuron's molecule with soil matrix to define recommended doses from an agronomic and environmental standpoint. This research aimed to estimate the influence of soil attributes and sorption coefficient (Kf) on the definition of diuron doses. Experiments were conducted to quantify the Kf of diuron in different soils and determine the doses in each soil that caused 80% intoxication (C80 intoxication) and 80% decreased accumulation of aerial parts plants (C80 DMAP) of Eleusine indica. After that, a correlation analysis was performed between the soil physical-chemical attributes, diuron Kf, and C80 of E. indica intoxication. Diuron Kf ranged from 1.8, in the ultisol with 0% of manure content, to 8.8, in the oxisol with 40% of manure content. Eleusine indica C80 ranged from 66.3, in the oxisol with 0% of manure content, to 568.3 g a.i. ha−1, in the ultisol with 40% of manure content, while C80 of aerial part dry matter reduction ranged from 57.5 to 521.6 g a.i. ha−1 in the same soils. C80 intoxication positively correlated with organic matter content and Kf. It was concluded that organic matter content was determinant in diuron sorption and intoxication for E. indica. Changes are necessary in the dosing recommendation criteria in the label of diuron, with its recommendation being primarily based on the organic matter content.

Impact of Low Light Stress on Physiological Characters, Yield and Yield Attributes of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Background: Keeping in view of low light effect on rice yield and quality, identification of low light tolerant genotypes as donor for plant breeding program is needed. Methods: Field experiments were conducted for low light tolerance during kharif 2021 at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Maruteru with an aim to screen and identify low light tolerant cultivars. The impact of low light was investigated on physiological, yield and yield attributes of eighteen rice genotypes. Result: Low light treatment resulted and increase in mean days to 50% flowering and days to maturity. An increment of both plant height and leaf area was noted under low light stress in all the tested genotypes. Yield and yield attributes such as panicle number, grain number per panicle and test weight were also affected. The reduction in total dry matter and harvest index was recorded on exposure to low light condition. Under low light grain yield was maximum in IET 29032 followed by IET 30408 and Gayatri and these were identified as low light tolerant genotypes. These genotypes had a higher panicle number. Genotype Gayatri showed maximum 1000 grain weight and minimum reduction in harvest index was evident in IET 29032 and IET 30408. The chlorophyll a pigment content reduced under low light while majority of the genotypes showed an increase in chlorophyll b pigment. Gayatri followed by IET 29032 and IET 30408 retained higher chlorophyll content under low light stress. Lesser reduction in chlorophyll content (less than 13%) was evident in IET 30408, Gayatri, Swarnaprabha, IET 29031 and IET 29032.

Anaerobic digestion: A promising technology of utilizing radioactively contaminated plant biomass

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a widely used technology that allows for the reprocessing and reduction of waste biomass. A study was conducted to see if the AD technology might be used to process radioactively polluted agricultural biomass. For this purpose, laboratory tests were carried out with a 20-liter model biogas plant (BGP) with the radionuclide 134Cs and operational tests with the South Bohemian commercial biogas plant monitoring the radionuclide 137Cs. The activities of 134Cs in inputs, contaminated grass or maize silage and in emerging fractions were investigated in the model fermenter. The activity of 134Cs in the dry matter during the fermentation process increased by 46% on average, which corresponds to a reduction of dry matter by 43% due to the production of biogas. 137Cs activities were measured in commercial BGP maize, grass, and whole plant silage, wheat, digestate, biogas, and aerosol samples. The commercial BGP fermentation process was more efficient, with an 80% reduction in dry mass weight. Dry biomass (1.37 Bq/kg) had a 137Cs massic activity that was 4.4 times lower than the activity of dry digestate mass (6.01 Bq/kg). The activity of the 137Cs in biogas aerosol was 1.1 × 10−7 Bq/m3 or less, and the decontamination factor was 6.9 × 106 or greater. Most Cs remain in the digestate. No other ways of radioactivity leakage have been identified.

Effects of Silicon Application and Groundwater Level in a Subirrigation System on Yield of a Three-Cut Meadow

The increasing demand for food and animal products makes it important to ensure that animals have sufficient fodder obtained from grassland. Unfortunately, there has been a recent decline in grassland areas, which makes it essential to find solutions to increase the grassland’s productivity and the quality of the fodder it yields. One of these solutions may be the use of appropriate irrigation and fertilization. The present study investigated the effect of the foliar application of silicon fertilizer and the groundwater level in a subirrigation system on the yield of a three-cut meadow. Four different experimental plots were used: high groundwater level (HWL), high groundwater level with silicon application (HWL_Si), lower groundwater level (LWL), and lower groundwater level with silicon application (LWL_Si). The analyses showed that silicon significantly reduced the amount of dry matter obtained in each of the three meadow cuts during the year. Furthermore, the plot with a higher groundwater level had an annual yield of 12.69 Mg·ha−1, whereas when silicon was applied to this area, it was 10.43 Mg·ha−1 (17.8% reduction in dry matter). A similar trend was noted at lower water levels, in which silicon also caused a dry matter reduction. However, the experiment did not indicate a statistically significant effect of silicon application on plant height and NDVI values. These results show that further research is still needed to better understand silicon’s effect on meadow sward.

Weed Management in Clusterbean under the Application of Different Agrochemicals and Phosphorus Levels

Among the Kharif legumes clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub) is important crop and popularly known as “Guar” in India. A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2013 at Agronomy Farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner, Jaipur (Rajasthan) to evaluate the weed management in clusterbean under the application of different agrochemicals and phosphorus levels. The treatments comprising 6 weed control treatments (Weedy check, one hand weeding at 20 DAS, two hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS, pendimethalin at 0.75 kg/ha, imazethapyr at 100 g/ha and fenoxoprop-p-ethyl at 70 g/ha and four levels of phosphorus (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg/ha) assigned to main and sub plots of spilt plot design, respectively and replicated thrice. Results showed that HW twice at 20 and 40 DAS and pre emergence application of imazethapyr at 100 g/ha resulted significant reduction in weed density and weed dry matter in comparison to most of the treatments. Results further indicated that application of 60 kg P2O5/ha in clusterbean recorded the highest density and dry weight of weeds at all the stages. Maximum weed control efficiency was recorded under two hand weeding at 20 &amp; 40 DAS.

Oxyfluorfen and Linuron: Residual Effect of Pre-Emergence Herbicides in Three Tropical Soils

Knowledge about the residual effect of herbicides is important in order to increase agronomic efficacy and reduce environmental problems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the residual effect of oxyfluorfen and linuron in three soils. Pots of 0.35 dm3 were filled with three Brazilian soils: Ultisol, Oxisol, and Inceptisol. Then, the herbicides were applied at different times at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 200 days and the bioindicator species of linuron and oxyfluorfen were sown. Then, the injury was evaluated at 7, 14, and 21 days after emergence (DAE) to find the half-life of the herbicide residue level (RL50) and the dose of herbicide that provides a 50% reduction in dry matter (GR50). In the soil with oxyfluorfen application, the RL50 at 21 DAE was 59, 57, and 51 days and GR50 was 49, 47, and 31 days for Ultisol, Oxisol, and Inceptisol, respectively. Soils with linuron application had RL50 of 75, 92, and 149 days and GR50 of 52, 48, and 120 days for Ultisol, Oxisol, and Inceptisol, respectively. The higher organic matter and clay content of Ultisol compared to Oxisol and Inceptisol resulted in a lower residual effect of linuron. There was little difference between soil type and the residual effect of oxyfluorfen, which may be related to the physicochemical characteristics of the molecule.

Tolerância de cultivares de soja ao estresse por alagamento em estádios de crescimento vegetativo

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the tolerance of soybean (Glycine max) cultivars to flooding stress at different growth stages. The experiment was arranged in a 2x2x5 factorial arrangement, with two sowing dates (October and November), two soybean cultivars (TECIRGA 6070RR and NA 5909 RG), and five growth stages (SE-EM, EM-VC, VC-V2, V2-V4, and V6-V8) in the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 crop years. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replicates. For both evaluated soybean cultivars, the growth stage most sensitive to soil flooding was SE-EM. After seedling emergence, the highest reductions in leaf area and shoot dry matter were observed in the V2-V4 stage, regardless of cultivar, sowing date, and crop year. From the V4 stage onwards, soybean shows a higher tolerance to flooding conditions. However, after seedling emergence, the TECIRGA 6070RR cultivar has a higher tolerance to flooding stress than NA 5909 RG. Sowing in October tends to reduce the impact of flooding stress on the plants.

Efficacy of Mycosorb on Nutrient Retention in Aflatoxicated Broiler Chickens

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of Mycosorb (esterified glucomannan-EGM) on nutrient retention in aflatoxicated broiler chickens. Day-old chicks (n=270, 50±5 g) were divided into 6 treatment groups, containing 45 numbers in each for 6 weeks. A control ration was prepared with conventional feedstuffs and an experimental diet was prepared from this after incorporating aflatoxin B1 @ 300 ppb. From the experimental diet, 3 rations were prepared by mixing EGM at graded levels i.e., 0.025, 0.05, or 0.10 per cent. The control ration was mixed with EGM, @ 0.05 per cent and maintained as a positive control. A balance trial of three days duration in the 6th week was conducted for determination of nutrient retention. There was a significant reduction in dry matter, ether extract, protein, calcium and phosphorus due to aflatoxicosis except on crude fibre. However, the improvement was noticed after the incorporation of Mycosorb. It could be concluded that the maximum benefit of nutrient retention was obtained at the high dose, i.e., 0.10 per cent.

Germination and Early Seedling Growth Attributes of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars under Different Salinity (NaCl) Stresses

The impact of different salinity stresses [0, 6.4, 12.8, 19.2, and 25.6 dS/m (NaCl)] on the final germination percentage, speed of germination, germination capacity, shoot and root length, seedling vigor index, and total plant dry weight of ten rice cultivars at germination and early seedling stages was investigated in this study. Salinity stress significantly decreased the final germination percentage, speed of germination, germination capacity, shoot and root length, and seedling dry weight in all cultivars, with the most severe effects from level 19.2 and 25.6 dS/m NaCl. Rice cultivars were classified as tolerant, moderately tolerant, moderately susceptible, and susceptible based on the reduction of dry matter, which is considered as the most limiting factor at high NaCl concentrations. The cultivars NJ9108, 3Y9H, 6Y9H, XD22, 5W01, and HLYH3 showed greater efficiency in salt tolerance during germination at 19.4 dS/m salinity. While 20H025, 6Y9H, and XD22 at the seedling stage performed better based on their dry weight reduction. The study found that NJ9108 and XD22 may be used to investigate the effects of salinity on the development processes and physiological consequences at the advanced stage of growth, as salt tolerance during germination and the early seedling stage may be varied from the developed stages. The results suggest that tolerant rice cultivars can be used to study the effects of salinity on the development and other physiological impacts at vegetative and reproductive stages. These findings will support salt-tolerant rice cultivars that may be developed for better production in terms of coping with salinity stresses in the germination and early growth stages.

Response of banana (Musa spp.) to drought stress based on phenotypic and physiological traits

ABSTRACT Banana (Musa spp.), an important staple food in the tropical and subtropical regions, is highly susceptible to drought. Developing drought-tolerant bananas using available germplasm offers a long-term solution to mitigate drought effects. The East and Central Africa Banana Germplasm Collection in Uganda contains genetically diverse genotypes whose potential for drought tolerance breeding is yet to be established. This study aimed to determine the response of 14 Musa spp. genotypes to drought stress using phenotypic and physiological traits in order to select promising genotypes for use in breeding. Two genotypes with a known reaction to water deficit conditions were included as local checks. Three-month-old tissue culture-derived plantlets were completely deprived of water for four weeks while control plants were regularly irrigated back to field capacity, and both sets maintained under screen-house conditions. Drought stress resulted in significant reductions in plant height, total leaf area, number of leaf cigars and functional leaves, total dry matter, chlorophyll and relative water content. Water use efficiency (WUE) of 12 genotypes increased under stress conditions. Stomatal conductance was affected by the genotype-porometer reading time interaction. Genotype “ITC.0987” was the most tolerant, considering that moisture stress had the least effect on its above-ground growth. Among the improved diploids, “TMB2x9722-1” had the least total dry matter reduction and highest WUE, while “TMB2x9172” showed the least decrease in relative water content and highest root-shoot ratio increase under stress. Thus, “ITC.0987”, “TMB2x9722-1” and “TMB2x9172” are essential drought-tolerant candidates that may be utilized in breeding.

Influence of Drought Stress on Physiological Responses and Bioactive Compounds in Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.): Opportunity for a Sustainable Agriculture.

Food production from agriculture depends on irrigation, mainly in poor rainfall zones, such as the Mediterranean region. Chicory is an important food crop component of the Mediterranean diet. Considering the increasing incidence of drought due to climate change, this study was carried out in order to investigate the effect of moderate drought stress on photosynthesis, leaf gaseous exchange, growth, and tocol and carotenoid composition of chicory under field conditions. Chicory was subjected to rainfed condition stress in a randomized block design. At 50 days of treatment, drought stress caused about 48% reduction in dry matter, 30% in leaf relative water content, and about 25% in photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance, whereas mesophyll conductance was not affected. A strong relationship between photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductance was observed. In the rainfed chicory, at the end of treatment, an increase (about 20%) in carotenoid and tocopherol content was found, thus, giving further insight into the positive effect of moderate drought stress on these compounds. This finding suggests that under proper rainfed conditions, it is possible to increase and save the quality of dry chicory, although yield loss occurs.