Water Restriction Research Articles

Analyzing the impacts of climate change on ecosystem services provided by apple orchards in Southeast France using a process-based model

We know that fruit production, especially in the Mediterranean, will need to adapt to climate change to ensure the sustainability of fruit tree-based agroecosystems. However, there is a lack of evidence on the long-term effects of this change on sustainability indicators. To fill this gap, we used a fruit tree model, QualiTree, to analyze the impacts ofclimate change on the ecosystem services provided by apple orchards in south-eastern France. To do this, a blooming model was parameterized to simulate blooming date on the basis of climate data, and QualiTree was supplemented with a model of nitrogen processes in the tree and a soil module describing resource input (irrigation, mineral and organic fertilization), transfer in the soil (water and nitrogen) and metabolic transformation-immobilization (mineralization, (de)nitrification). This type of extension makes it possible to simulate a wide array of ecosystem services, including C sequestration, nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions. The model was compared with data from an apple orchard in southeastern France. The predicted daily mean and variability over time of fruit growth, composition and soil water content were consistent with observed data. QualiTree was then used to assess the potential impacts of climate change on the ecosystem services supplied by apple orchards. For this purpose, weather variables from 2020 to 2100 were generated for three contrasted greenhouse gas emission scenarios, and simulations were performed under two irrigation schemes (no restriction and restricted use of water). Model outputs indicated that, on average, marketable apple yields would increase until 2050 and then subsequently decrease. The fruit refractometric index, an indicator of fruit quality, was projected to sharply decrease with the intensity of climate change. Ecosystem services such as C sequestration by the orchard will decrease with climate change severity, mainly due to a higher mineralization of soil humus, whereas N2O emissions will increase with larger denitrification rates. Soil water availability, fertility, drainage and leaching were predicted to depend more on the irrigation strategy than on climate change severity. The new functions performed in QualiTree broadened its predictive capabilities and allowed for a better understanding of ecosystem service delivery in fruit orchards under varying climate conditions.

Sex differences in neural representations of social and nonsocial reward in the medial prefrontal cortex

The reinforcing nature of social interactions is necessary for the maintenance of appropriate social behavior. However, the neural substrates underlying social reward processing and how they might differ based on the sex and internal state of the animal remains unknown. It is also unclear whether these neural substrates are shared with those involved in nonsocial rewarding processing. We developed a fully automated, two choice (social-sucrose) operant assay in which mice choose between social and nonsocial rewards to directly compare the reward-related behaviors associated with two competing stimuli. We performed cellular resolution calcium imaging of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons in male and female mice across varying states of water restriction and social isolation. We found that mPFC neurons maintain largely non-overlapping, flexible representations of social and nonsocial reward that vary with internal state in a sex-dependent manner. Additionally, optogenetic manipulation of mPFC activity during the reward period of the assay disrupted reward-seeking behavior across male and female mice. Thus, using a two choice operant assay, we have identified sex-dependent, non-overlapping neural representations of social and nonsocial reward in the mPFC that vary with internal state and that are essential for appropriate reward-seeking behavior.

Investigating the utility of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) canopy temperature and leaf greenness responses to water-restriction for the improvement of irrigation management

Traits that rapidly respond to stress in important agricultural crops have the potential to provide growers with actionable feedback. Traits that respond to water-restriction could inform irrigation systems by identifying crop water status and requirements in real-time. This would be particularly useful for potato, which is extremely susceptible to drought. We conducted two pot experiments and one field experiment to evaluate the utility of two traits, canopy temperature and leaf greenness, for informing irrigation management in potatoes. We also evaluated the efficacy of Phenospex PlantEye F500 sensors for the remote sensing of leaf greenness. We found that canopy temperatures of the cvs. Maris Piper (Spring Pot Experiment, + 0.8 °C; Autumn Pot Experiment, + 5.3 °C) and Désirée (Autumn Pot Experiment, + 2.5 °C) increased with water-restriction and that the canopy temperatures of Maris Piper returned to its baseline within three days after the resumption of well-watered conditions. We also found that these responses varied between cultivars, with predictable outcomes based on reported and corroborated drought tolerance ratings. Leaf greenness was not affected by water restriction in the Spring pot experiment but had a significant interaction with sampling date and water restriction in the Autumn pot experiment. However, leaf greenness measurements from the Phenospex PlantEye F500 were significantly correlated with SPAD values, suggesting this tool might be useful in the screening for drought-tolerant cultivars in the future.

Southern California land surface temperature differences under different landscape composition

AbstractIn the last decade, due to prolonged and persisting drought conditions, California initially restricted water for outdoor landscape irrigation, and subsequently offered turf removal rebates to homeowners. Nevertheless, the effects of turf removal on land surface temperature (LST) in the region have not been investigated. Temperature differences between artificial and natural turf were assessed over time across four counties in Southern California using MODIS/ASTER airborne simulator (MASTER) with a spatial resolution of 5–50 m. Moreover, airborne thermal imagery (submeter spatial resolution) was acquired over selected areas of the city of Riverside, CA, during the summers of 2018 and 2019, including neighborhoods with different income levels, and temperatures for natural turf, artificial turf, and xeriscape were recorded. Environmental and socioeconomic data were compared to the LST in different neighborhoods. Results showed that the LST difference between artificial and natural turf increases in Southern California moving from coastal region to inland. Airborne thermal imagery in Riverside confirmed that University of California artificial turf fields are irrigated during the summer to allow athletes to use the pitch. No correlation between socioeconomic factors and LST of turf and artificial turf fields (and paired differences) was found. On a city scale, natural turf lawns were consistently cooler than xeriscape and artificial turf lawns, closely mirroring mean air temperature. Socioeconomic factors do not describe LST in residential lawns, as warmest and coolest lawns regardless of vegetation are found evenly distributed among different income neighborhoods. Turfgrass removal for water conservation may have unforeseen environmental side effects.

Shelf-to-basin shuttle of highly fractionated chromium isotopes in the Arctic Ocean

The oceanic chromium (Cr) cycle is mainly governed by the interconversion and the distribution of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) species and their stable isotopic ratios (δ53Cr) in the water column. As a result, the Cr cycle generates a strong correlation between the natural logarithm of its dissolved concentration and δ53Cr regardless of the location of sampling. A few studies have reported the Cr composition of certain regions falling off the global Cr array, highlighting the local prevalence of underlying mechanisms participating in the Cr cycle in the oceans. In an effort to better constrain the global Cr array, this study presents an extensive dataset for total dissolved Cr concentration ([Cr]T) and δ53Cr in the Arctic Ocean in regions meeting the environmental conditions where Cr was observed to fall off the global Cr array (e.g. continental shelves, restricted water circulation, sea ice melting). We find that more than 70% of the Arctic seawater collected plot below the global Cr array due to a small addition of highly fractionated Cr (−2.8 ‰ to −1.1 ‰) and its transport across all the Arctic regions sampled. We identify the Chukchi Shelf as the region where highly fractionated Cr is produced, from where a Cr shuttle could work in tandem with the Arctic Fe and Mn shuttles to explain the production and widespread export of isotopically light Cr in the Arctic waters. We identify a second non-reductive release of highly fractionated Cr in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Baffin Bay and potentially the Labrador Sea via sediment resuspension, alongside addition of isotopically light Cr originating from crustal rocks. These findings demonstrate that the Arctic-modified outflow signature of Cr isotopes modify the Cr isotopic signature of the North Atlantic waters, and that the North Atlantic waters may deviate from the global Cr array depending on whether the isotopically light Cr added to the Arctic Ocean is Cr(III) that has not been scavenged or Cr(III) that has oxidized to Cr(VI).

The impact of dietary fibers on the construction and molecular network of extrusion-based 3D-printed chicken noodles: Unlocking the potential of specialized functional food

3D printing technology is promising in creating specialized functional foods, such as high-protein and high dietary fiber noodles. In this study, chicken breast-based noodles with varying proportions of oat bran and konjac flour were developed. The research analyzed the physicochemical, digestive properties, and 3D printability of these chicken-based doughs and noodles. The results indicated that the inclusion of fiber-rich flours notably enhanced dough viscosity and viscoelasticity. However, exceeding 4 % konjac flour negatively affected cooking quality and texture due to its strong water absorption capacity. The experimental group with fiber-rich flours exhibited prolonged starch/protein digestion time compared to the Control group. The increased ability to bind water in the fiber rich formula likely restricted water mobility, affecting mass transition in the “water channel”. Notably, chicken noodles fortified with 6 % oat bran and 2 % konjac flour displayed the highest 3D printability. These results offer valuable insights for the industry in selecting appropriate dietary fiber sources for the development of nutritionally balanced 3D-printed meal options.

Early Growth and Physiological Acclimation to Shade and Water Restriction of Seven Sclerophyllous Species of the Mediterranean Forests of Central Chile.

The success of using active restoration in Mediterranean-type climate zones mostly depends on an appropriate matching of plant species and specific management prescriptions upon establishment. In this study, we assessed the early growth and short-term physiological acclimation of seven common species found in the sclerophyllous forests in central Chile to water restriction and shading. We established a nursery experiment that included three treatments (T0: sun-exposed and water-restricted, T1: sun-exposed and fully irrigated, and T2: shaded and fully irrigated) and seven tree species differing in their shade and drought tolerance (Quillaja saponaria Molina, Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz, Peumus boldus Molina, Lithraea caustica (Mol.) Hook. and Arn, Luma apiculata (DC.) Burret, Colliguaja odorifera Molina, and Escallonia pulverulenta (Ruiz and Prav.) Pers). We measured the increment in seedling height and different leaf morpho-physiological traits during two months in the dry season. Based on the measured traits, none of the species took advantage of the higher water availability in T1 relative to T0, but most of the species responded to the shade in T2, regardless of their shade or drought tolerance. Height increments due to shade varied from 0% in P. boldus to 203% in L. apiculata. Overall, all the species responded similarly to the treatments in specific leaf area, chlorophyll content index, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and intrinsic water use efficiency. This suggests that the species exhibited similar acclimation patterns of these parameters to shade and drought, even regarding the variation in midday xylem water potential found in the water-restricted treatment T0 (from -1.5 MPa in P. boldus to -3.1 MPa in E. pulverulenta). In this study, shading had a higher positive effect on the seedling performance of sclerophyllous species than watering, which at operational level highlights the need for investing in tree shelters when using these species in restoration programs.

Unveiling morphophysiological and metabolic adaptive strategies of the CAM epiphytic bromeliad Acanthostachys pitcairnioides to drought

Ongoing climate changes are expected to intensify drought periods in tropical regions, directly impacting epiphytic bromeliads that depend on intermittent water availability. This study aimed to elucidate if Acanthostachys pitcairnioides, an epiphytic bromeliad of Atlantic Forest, tolerates extended drought periods and the potential strategies involved in its tolerance and recovery capacity. We suppressed irrigation for 42 days, rehydrated plants for four days, and evaluated leaf water status, and photochemical, metabolic, and anatomical changes. During the initial 28 days of drought, translocation of water from hydrenchyma to chlorenchyma, higher chlorophyll content, and accumulation of abscisic and salicylic acid and antioxidants contributed to maintaining the cell turgor and functionality of photosynthetic apparatus. At 42 days, a significant reduction in leaf water content to 45.5% was accompanied by a 2.5-fold increase in non-photochemical quenching and enhanced levels of carotenoids, anthocyanins, osmoregulators (proline, myo-inositol, and trehalose), and phytohormones (abscisic acid and jasmonates). After rewatering, water storage in the hydrenchyma and almost all pigments, hormones, and metabolites were restored to pre-stress conditions. Leaf succulence, carbohydrate and organic acid accumulation, and carbon isotope data (δ13C−14.5‰) provide evidence of induction of CAM metabolism by water limitation in A. pitcairnioides. Our findings indicate the prevalence of water accumulation strategy during the first half of the drought stress. At the end of the drought period, the complete depletion of water from the hydrenchyma favored the osmotic adjustment. Considering this set of tolerance strategies and the rapid recovery after rehydration, A. pitcairnioides can successfully withstand environments with restricted water availability.

Microbial and hydrothermal dolomite formation in Early Cretaceous lacustrine sediments in Yin'e Basin: Insights from petrology and geochemistry

Dolomite is widely present in geological history, but its origin has always been a prominent problem that troubles sedimentologists. For lacustrine dolomite, current research has not yet provided a reliable explanation for its complex genesis mechanism. The Early Cretaceous lakes in Northwest China host various morphological dolomites, providing valuable materials for exploring the origin of dolomites. According to their petrological and mineralogical characteristics, it can be divided into thick laminated dolomite, thin laminated dolomite, dolomitic mudstone, and vein dolomite. The ratios of trace elements and rare earth elements show that these dolomites precipitated in a brackish–suboxic environment. The high δ13C values (>8 ‰VPDB) of thick laminated dolomite and some thin laminated dolomite suggest the involvement of methane-producing microorganisms in the precipitation of dolomite, and the appearance of microscale/nanoscale spherical dolomite aggregates and the dispersed organic matter around dolomite particles jointly confirm that microbial-mediated biological activity promotes dolomite precipitation. The dolomite stoichiometry (mole % MgCO3) confirms that thick laminated dolomite was deposited in a restricted shallow water environment, while dolomitic mudstone is mainly deposited in relatively open water areas. The thin laminated dolomite in the shale laminae represents short-term or seasonal climatic and environmental fluctuations. In addition, some carbonate minerals of dolomitic mudstone in shallow water environment recrystallized by post-depositional hydrothermal effect, resulting in δ18O value decreased (<−10 ‰VPDB). The vein dolomite is characterized by high rare earth content and low δ13C and δ18O values, and its Sr isotope (0.712894 ± 0.000374) values reflect that the hydrothermal fluid may have been formed by the mixing of infiltrating lake water and crustal magmatic water. According to the characteristics of fluid inclusions, it is inferred that the hydrothermal fluid has the characteristics of low temperature (108.3 °C–159.8 °C), medium salinity (3.5 wt%–14.3 wt% NaCl) and high density (0.95–1.00 g/cm3). The microbial mediation and tectonic hydrothermal fluids play an important role in the formation of the Early Cretaceous lacustrine dolomite.

Mechanisms of drought resistance in Populus deltoides and P. × canadensis clones to possible situations of water restriction in irrigated systems in drylands

Mechanisms of drought resistance in Populus deltoides and P. × canadensis clones to possible situations of water restriction in irrigated systems in drylands

Supplementation with NPK Prior to Water Restriction Confers Different Biochemical and Growth Modulations in a Native and Exotic Species Present in a Brazilian Semi-arid Region

Supplementation with NPK Prior to Water Restriction Confers Different Biochemical and Growth Modulations in a Native and Exotic Species Present in a Brazilian Semi-arid Region

The Priority of Water Consumption in the Spanish Tourism Industry: A Dilemma for Residents and Researchers

Spain is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world. Regional governments face the challenge of ensuring long-term water security for residents and tourists. In 2024, Catalonia declared a state of emergency to tackle the problem of a lack of water. Catalonia and Andalusia regions imposed water restrictions, prohibiting residents from washing the exterior of their houses and cars or filling their swimming pools to guarantee tourism activities in hotels and other tourism companies. The research objective of the present study is to tackle the priority of water consumption in the Spanish tourism industry so that the availability of water is guaranteed for residents, without constraints on the supply. This research uses qualitative and quantitative methods to obtain a comprehensive view of the water consumption in Spain’s territory and the main zones of water scarcity that are affecting residents and the tourism industry. In addition, this study uses the Web of Science (WoS) database to analyse the bibliometrics on the topic of water consumption in the tourism industry from 2000 to 2023, as well as quantify the number of articles published by researchers. Findings reveal that although the tourism industry is the economic engine of Spain, water consumption by tourists is above the level of consumption of residents, and this asymmetrical situation should be reversed in favour of the welfare of Spanish citizens. It is noteworthy that the water scarcity in Spain and its continuing restrictions in the Andalusian and Catalonian regions have caused huge problems with drinking water supply in the last few years. Indeed, local and regional Spanish governments cannot demand that a resident consume 133 L per day, while a tourist is allowed to consume between 400 and 1000 L per day. For this reason, water availability must be a priority for residents and, especially, for the tourism industry. Economic interests cannot override citizens’ needs and well-being. This research has helped us better understand the complex relationships between the use of water in the tourism industry and by residents in the context of climate change.

Coping with dry spells: Investigating oxidative balance and metabolic responses in the subtropical tree frog Boana pulchella (Hylidae) during dehydration and rehydration exposure

In the face of climate change, understanding the metabolic responses of vulnerable animals to abiotic stressors like anurans is crucial. Water restriction and subsequent dehydration is a condition that can threaten populations and lead to species decline. This study examines metabolic variations in the subtropical frog Boana pulchella exposed to dehydration resulting in a 40% loss of body water followed by 24 h of rehydration. During dehydration, the scaled mass index decreases, and concentrations of metabolic substrates alter in the brain and liver. The activity of antioxidant enzymes increases in the muscle and heart, emphasizing the importance of catalase in the rehydration period. Glycogenesis increases in the muscle and liver, indicating a strategy to preserve tissue water through glycogen storage. These findings suggest that B. pulchella employs specific metabolic mechanisms to survive exposure to water restriction, highlighting tissue-specific variations in metabolic pathways and antioxidant defenses. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of anuran adaptation to water stress and emphasize the importance of further research in other species to complement existing knowledge and provide physiological tools to conservation.

Electroconvulsive Therapy for Psychogenic Polydipsia and Hyponatremia in Chronic Schizophrenia: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Compulsive drinking of excessive quantities of water, called psychogenic polydipsia (PP), is a challenging complication of chronic psychotic disorders, which can lead to hyponatremia and downstream morbidity or mortality. Treatments include behavioral modifications such as free water restriction, medications to modify free water excretion, and psychotropic medications to target psychotic symptoms. However, in many cases, these options remain ineffective and/or intolerable, necessitating chronic institutionalization with poor patient quality of life. Here we report the use of an acute course of 8 sessions of bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in a 57-year-old man with chronic schizophrenia, PP, and moderate hyponatremia refractory to standard treatments in an inpatient psychiatric setting. Serum sodium normalized and remained stable during and immediately following his ECT course, despite chronic hyponatremia with high variability for months prior to ECT initiation. A literature review found remarkably few reported cases of ECT for PP in chronic schizophrenia, a surprising result given the use of this modality for patients with psychotic illness in many countries. Our findings support future investigation into the clinical utility and mechanism of ECT for PP in this patient population.

3D printed subcutaneous implant for prolonged delivery of tenofovir with desired release capability, biocompatibility, and viability

This study introduced a progressive approach to address the challenges associated with drug delivery in hepatitis B by developing a 3D printed subcutaneous implant. The implant, composed of a polymer-reinforced bovine serum albumin hydrogel crosslinked with glutaraldehyde, exhibited shear thinning and thixotropic behavior. This allows it to undergo transformation into an implant using a semisolid extrusion-based 3D printing technique. Thorough analysis encompassing physical, thermal, and spectroscopy assessments ensured thermal and chemical stability of the implant. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the highly porous microstructures of the hydrogel implant, enhancing its suitability for drug encapsulation. Swelling study showed only 7.88 % swelling of the implant after 28 days, suggesting restricted water movement into the implant matrix, leading to a gradual release of the encapsulated drug. The biodegradable nature of the implant was confirmed using an enzyme degradation study. Notably, the hydrogel implant exhibited sustained release of tenofovir of approximately 63 % over a 28-day period, presenting a promising avenue for prolonged therapeutic interventions in both hepatitis B. Furthermore, the crosslinked hydrogel was found to be cytocompatible in human kidney and dermal fibroblast cells. Overall, this work signifies a notable advancement in implantable drug delivery systems utilizing both hydrogel and the emerging 3D printing technique, offering a potential solution for sustained and localized treatment of chronic viral infections.

Solid humic substance enhanced spinach abiotic stress tolerance under combined drought, salinity, and daily heat stress

Spinach is a crop of economic importance in the Wintergarden region of Texas, where increasing soil salinity, irrigation water restrictions, and heat stress challenge its production. Improving abiotic stress tolerance and resource use efficiency are important goals for sustainable agricultural production. Although the effect of humic substances (HS) on abiotic stress tolerance in spinach has been evaluated under single stress, such as heat, drought, or salinity, their impact under combined abiotic stresses is unknown. We hypothesized that solid humic substances would be effective in alleviating multifactorial abiotic stress in spinach, which we examined in our first experiment, and further hypothesized that salinity stress in spinach would occur after a threshold intensity but that humic substance applications would ameliorate stress intensity past this threshold, which we examined in our second experiment. Three-week-old spinach seedlings (Spinacia oleracea L. cv. ‘Seaside’) were grown using an automatic gravimetric watering system in a climate-controlled high tunnel where daily maximum temperatures exceeded 32 °C. In a factorial experiment, we applied HS (control and 1 % v/v HS media amendment), drought (100 % and 50 % field capacity), and salinity (25 mL of RO water or 100 mM NaCl every other day) treatments. HS and HS×Salinity treatments more than doubled shoot and root FW and DW, leaf area, root length, and root surface area compared to other stresses, indicating HS improved growth and stress tolerance. Improved growth was matched with improved resource use efficiency, as HS and HS×Salinity treated plants exhibited the greatest WUE. Drought stress also increased WUE relative to the control but lowered transpiration rate responses to VPD in contrasts to HS and HS×Salinity treated plants, which increased their transpiration rates in response to increasing VPD. Salinity treatments increased sodium content (Na+) in both shoots and roots. No HS effect was observed in shoot Na+ accumulation, but HS reduced Na+ in roots under the Drought×Salinity treatment. Strong interactions between drought and salinity were observed for shoot and root Na+, Na+/K+, and shoot K+, showing that spinach accumulates Na+ and reduces K+ when drought and salinity stress are combined. HS had no apparent effect on leaf metabolites. Drought and salinity differentially impacted MDA, proline, and antioxidant content and activities, while HS showed no effect. Drought stress significantly increased MDA and proline while reducing TPC, TFC, ABTS, and FRAP. Salinity stress significantly decreased MDA, TPC, ABTS, FICA, and FRAP. In conclusion, HS improved overall spinach growth and WUE while decreasing root Na accumulation, and subsequently enhancing spinach stress tolerance.

Dietary and water restriction leads to increased susceptibility to antimicrobial resistant pathogens.

Dehydration and malnutrition are common and often underdiagnosed in hospital settings. Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections result in more than 35,000 deaths a year in nosocomial patients. The effect of temporal dietary and water restriction (DWR) on susceptibility to multidrug-resistant pathogens is unknown. We report that DWR markedly increased susceptibility to systemic infection by ESKAPE pathogens. Using a murine bloodstream model of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection, we show that DWR leads to significantly increased mortality and morbidity. DWR causes increased bacterial burden, severe pathology, and increased numbers of phagocytes in the kidney. DWR appears to alter the functionality of these phagocytes and is therefore unable to control infection. Mechanistically, we show that DWR impairs the ability of macrophages to phagocytose multiple bacterial pathogens and efferocytose apoptotic neutrophils. Together, this work highlights the crucial impact that diet and hydration play in protecting against infection.

Effect of different deficit irrigation regimes on vine performance, grape composition and wine quality of the “Primitivo” variety under mediterranean conditions

Climate change represents one of the current major challenges and the improper use of water resources is an impeding threat. Agricultural research can play a crucial role by developing innovative strategies and techniques to reduce water use without affecting crop productivity and quality, particularly in grapevine growing in Mediterranean areas, as both productivity and wine quality are quintessential for the economic and ecologic sustainability of this crop. The present study aimed to define a deficit irrigation strategy for the “Primitivo” grapevine cultivar, taking into account the overall pathway of the vineyard performance in terms of leaf functionality, starch reserves, vine productivity, and wine quality. The trial was carried out in Southern-Italy on a three year-old, drip irrigated vineyard, imposing four deficit irrigation regimes for two consecutive seasons, consisting of 29 (T29), 55 (T55), 85 (T85) and 100% (T100) of crop evapotranspiration (ETC). Mild water restriction (T85) did not affect vegetative nor reproductive vine performance. Deficit irrigation at 55% ETC lowered leaf functionality, starch accumulation, vine vigour and yield, due to a reduction of cluster weight; however, wine acidity and phenolic compounds were increased. T29 further decreased yield, as also the number of clusters was reduced. The most water-stressed treatment revealed a low concentration of malic acid in the must and a consequent increase of the ethanol sensation in the wine. After 9 months ageing, T85 had the highest wine colour intensity suggesting this treatment as the most promising in terms of quality and quantity of wine as well as for water saving.

Using seasonal physiological and biochemical responses to select forest components adapted to soybean and corn intercropping

Given the increasing utilization of forest components in integration systems worldwide, coupled with the growing demand for food in regions facing water restrictions, this study aims to evaluate how physiological and biochemical parameters contribute to the diversification of adaptive mechanisms among native species and eucalyptus genotypes intercropped with soybean or corn. The native tree species Anadenanthera macrocarpa and Dipteryx alata, and the eucalyptus genotypes Urograndis I-144 and Urocam VM01, were grown in soybean and corn intercropping areas and evaluated in fall, winter, spring, and summer. The study evaluated morning water potential, chloroplast pigment concentration, gas exchange, cell damage, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Intercropped with soybean, development the of A. macrocarpa improved through instantaneous water use efficiency, energy use by the electron transport chain, chloroplast pigments, and catalase enzyme activity. On the other hand, A. macrocarpa when, intercropped with corn, despite increasing energy absorption by the reaction center, there is a need for non-photochemical dissipation and in the activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase in response to water and oxidative deficits. In D. alata, the physiological and biochemical responses were not influenced by intercropping but by seasons, with increased chloroplast pigments in fall and electron transport in summer. However, in corn intercropping, the dissipation of excess energy allowed leaf acclimatization. The I-144 and VM01 genotypes also showed no significant differences between intercrops. The results describe photosynthetic and biochemical challenges in the native species A. macrocarpa intercropped with corn, such as a greater need for enzymatic and non-enzymatic defense mechanisms in response to more negative water potential. In D. alata, the challenges are present in both intercrops due to improved mechanisms to protect the photosynthetic apparatus. The survival of the I-144 genotype may be inefficient in both intercrops under prolonged drought conditions, as it modifies the photosystem; in contrast, genotype VM01 was the most adapted to the system for using captured energy, reducing water loss and being resilient.

Meat quality of Santa Inês sheep fed forage palm (Opuntia ficus-indica, Mill) and water restriction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical composition, fatty acids, and sensory properties of meat from Santa Inês sheep fed forage palm in the diet and with water restriction. They used 42 non-castrated male Santa Inês lambs, with about 180 days of age and an average weight of 21.6 ± 2.2 kg, distributed in a completely randomized design with seven treatments and six repetitions, and the data were submitted to regression analysis, factorial (level × water), and contrast between the control treatment and others. The treatments consisted of the inclusion of spineless cactus (0, 30, 50, and 70%). In treatments containing cactus pear (36 animals), half of the animals were placed under voluntary water consumption restriction. According to the physicochemical characteristics analyzed, lipids suffered an increasing linear effect (p&lt;0.05) as they included spineless cactus in the diet of sheep. The control diet had the lowest percentage of lipids (2.44%). The inclusion of 50% cactus pear promoted a higher content of lipids (3.41), and restricting water intake resulted in higher lipid content (3.09). The inclusion of cactus pear and water restriction did not affect the profile of fatty acids in meat. In the studied sensory attributes (hardness, juiciness, flavor, color, aroma, and overall acceptability), only meat color suffered an increasing linear effect (p &lt; 0.05). With the inclusion of spineless cactus in the diet, the meat from the lambs received good grades from the panelists, showing good acceptability. This demonstrates that the cactus pear provides sufficient water and nutrients for animals, resulting in the deposition of intramuscular fat, thus becoming a good-quality meat.