The double-edge sword of heterogeneous ripening pattern in winter wheat cultivar mixtures: A case study under post-anthesis water stress

AbstractWheat cultivar mixtures with heterogeneous phenology has a less-explored potential to improve crop diversity, yield stability, and agronomic features particularly in response to the currently increased environmental stresses and uncertainties. To investigate the option of using wheat cultivar mixtures with different ripening patterns for mitigating the adverse effects of post-anthesis water stress, a two-year field experiment was conducted during 2014-15 and 2015-16 growing seasons at the research field of School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Iran. The factorial experiment was a Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replicates, in which 15 mixture treatments including monocultures and every 11 possible mixtures of four early- to middle-ripening wheat cultivars were grown under two normal and post-anthesis deficit-irrigation conditions. Measured traits and estimated indices included grain yield and its components, canopy temperature, soil water content, water productivity, susceptibility index, and water use efficiency. The results indicated that under the stressful condition of post-anthesis deficit-irrigation, heterogeneity in the ripening pattern of mixtures was declined. Consequently, dissimilarities in grain yields as well as various agronomic characters of mixture treatments were also lessened. This may be an evidence for the negative effect of water shortage stress on heterogeneity within agroecosystems. Although cultivar mixtures showed some casual advantages in some traits, such beneficial effects were not consistent across all conditions. Moreover, no cultivar mixture produced higher grain yield than the maximum monoculture. Despite the general expectation for beneficial ecological services from cultivar mixtures, in many cases disadvantageous blends were found which led to a considerable reduction in grain yield and water productivity. Therefore, it is suggested that unless the performance, and preferably the involved mechanisms, of cultivar mixtures are not fully understood, use of blends as an alternative for conventional high-input wheat cropping systems may lead to adverse results.

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Growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under deficit irrigation

Bangladesh Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.3329/bjar.v38i4.19663 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 38 (4) ◽

pp. 719-732 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

PK Sarkar ◽

MSU Talukder ◽

SK Biswas ◽

A Khatun

Keyword(s):

Water Stress ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Water Deficit ◽

Deficit Irrigation ◽

Water Productivity ◽

Root Initiation ◽

Moisture Condition ◽

Soil Moisture Condition ◽

Crown Root ◽

Initiation Stage

Timing and the extent of water deficit were studied in a field experiment on wheat (cv. Shatabdi) for three consecutive years from 2003-04 through 2005-06 at Jamalpur area. The effects of number and timing of irrigation application on yields were investigated under variable soil moisture condition in the root zone of different treatments. Eight deficit irrigations, including one no stress and one rainfed treatments were selected to subject the crop to various degrees of soil water deficit at different stages of crop growth. Measured amount of irrigation water was applied as per schedule prescribed for a particular treatment. Grain yield (GY), biomass, harvest index (HI), and water productivity (WP) were reasonably affected by deficit irrigation. Other yield contributing parameters like 1000-grain weight, grains/spike and spike, length were also affected by different levels of deficit irrigation. During grain formation stage, water deficit did not affect the grain yield but saved water significantly. Such water deficit treatments also shortened the grain maturation period. Differences in grain and straw yield among the stressed and no stress treatments are comparatively small, and statistically insignificant in some cases. The highest water productivity (2.02 kg/m3) was observed in treatment which was irrigated only once at crown root initiation stage (T2) although the yield was comparatively low. The CRI (crown root initiation) stage was found the most sensitive to water stress. Water stress at vegetative stage also reduced the yield considerably. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v38i4.19663 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 38(4): 719-732, December 2013

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Maize Seedling Establishment, Grain Yield and Crop Water Productivity Response to Seed Priming and Irrigation Management in a Mediterranean Arid Environment

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11040756 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 756

Author(s):

AbdAllah M. El-Sanatawy ◽

Ahmed S. M. El-Kholy ◽

Mohamed M. A. Ali ◽

Mohamed F. Awad ◽

Elsayed Mansour

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Deficit Irrigation ◽

Water Productivity ◽

Irrigation Management ◽

Seed Priming ◽

Severe Drought ◽

Arid Environments ◽

Crop Water ◽

Crop Water Productivity ◽

Irrigation Regimes

Water shortage is a major environmental stress that destructively impacts maize production, particularly in arid regions. Therefore, improving irrigation management and increasing productivity per unit of water applied are needed, especially under the rising temperature and precipitation fluctuations induced by climate change. Laboratory and field trials were carried out in the present study, which were aimed at assessing the possibility of promoting maize germination, growth, grain yield and crop water productivity (CWP) using seed priming under different irrigation regimes. Two seed priming treatments, i.e., hydro-priming and hardening versus unprimed seeds, were applied under four irrigation regimes, i.e., 120, 100, 80 and 60% of estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The obtained results indicated that increasing irrigation water from 100% up to 120% ETc did not significantly increase grain yield or contributing traits, while it decreased CWP. Deficit irrigation of 80 and 60% ETc gradually decreased grain yield and all attributed traits. Seed priming significantly ameliorated seedlings’ vigor as indicated by earlier germination, higher germination percentage, longer roots and shoots, and heavier fresh and dry weight than unprimed seeds with the superiority of hardening treatment. Additionally, under field conditions, seed priming significantly increased grain yield, yield contributing traits and CWP compared with unprimed treatment. Interestingly, the results reflect the role of seed priming, particularly hardening, in mitigating negative impacts of drought stress and enhancing maize growth, grain yield and attributed traits as well as CWP under deficit irrigation conditions. This was demonstrated by a significant increase in grain yield and CWP under moderate drought and severe drought conditions compared with unprimed treatment. These results highlight that efficient irrigation management and seed priming can increase maize yield and water productivity in arid environments.

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High Nitrogen Fertilization Modulates Morpho-Physiological Responses, Yield, and Water Productivity of Lowland Rice under Deficit Irrigation

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11071291 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 1291

Author(s):

Nasr M. Abdou ◽

Mohamed A. Abdel-Razek ◽

Shimaa A. Abd El-Mageed ◽

Wael M. Semida ◽

Ahmed A. A. Leilah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽

Irrigation Water ◽

Nitrogen Fertilization ◽

Deficit Irrigation ◽

Physiological Responses ◽

Water Productivity ◽

Water Shortage ◽

Rice Production ◽

Lowland Rice ◽

Nitrogen Fertilizers

Sustainability of rice production under flooding conditions has been challenged by water shortage and food demand. Applying higher nitrogen fertilization could be a practical solution to alleviate the deleterious effects of water stress on lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) in semi-arid conditions. For this purpose, field experiments were conducted during the summer of 2017 and 2018 seasons. These trials were conducted as split-split based on randomized complete blocks design with soil moisture regimes at three levels (120, 100 and 80% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), nitrogen fertilizers at two levels (N1—165 and N2—200 kg N ha−1) and three lowland Egyptian rice varieties [V1 (Giza178), V2 (Giza177) and V3 (Sakha104)] using three replications. For all varieties, growth (plant height, tillers No, effective tillers no), water status ((relative water content RWC, and membrane stability index, MSI), physiological responses (chlorophyll fluorescence, Relative chlorophyll content (SPAD), and yield were significantly increased with higher addition of nitrogen fertilizer under all water regimes. Variety V1 produced the highest grain yield compared to other varieties and the increases were 38% and 15% compared with V2 and V3, respectively. Increasing nitrogen up to 200 kg N ha−1 (N2) resulted in an increase in grain and straw yields by 12.7 and 18.2%, respectively, compared with N1. The highest irrigation water productivity (IWP) was recorded under I2 (0.89 kg m−3) compared to (0.83 kg m−3) and (0.82 kg m−3) for I1 and I3, respectively. Therefore, the new applied agro-management practice (deficit irrigation and higher nitrogen fertilizer) effectively saved irrigation water input by 50–60% when compared with the traditional cultivation method (flooding system). Hence, the new proposed innovative method for rice cultivation could be a promising strategy for enhancing the sustainability of rice production under water shortage conditions.

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Can Sustained Deficit Irrigation Save Water and Meet the Quality Characteristics of Mango?

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11050448 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 448

Author(s):

Leontina Lipan ◽

Aarón A. Carbonell-Pedro ◽

Belén Cárceles Rodríguez ◽

Víctor Hugo Durán-Zuazo ◽

Dionisio Franco Tarifa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Irrigation Water ◽

Deficit Irrigation ◽

Block Design ◽

Water Productivity ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Total Phenolic ◽

Drought Tolerant ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Peel Color

Mango is one of the most cultivated tropical fruits worldwide and one of few drought-tolerant plants. Thus, in this study the effect of a sustained deficit irrigation (SDI) strategy on mango yield and quality was assessed with the aim of reducing irrigation water in mango crop. A randomized block design with four treatments was developed: (i) full irrigation (FI), assuring the crop’s water needs, and three levels of SDI receiving 75%, 50%, and 33% of irrigation water (SDI75, SDI50, and SDI33). Yield, morphology, color, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), organic acids (OA), sugars, minerals, fiber, antioxidant activity (AA), and total phenolic content (TPC) were analyzed. The yield was reduced in SDI conditions (8%, 11%, and 20% for SDI75, SDI50, and SDI33, respectively), but the irrigation water productivity was higher in all SDI regimes. SDI significantly reduced the mango size, with SDI33 generating the smallest mangoes. Peel color significantly changed after 13 days of ripening, with SDI75 being the least ripe. The TA, AA, and citric acid were higher in SDI75, while the TPC and fiber increased in all SDI levels. Consequently, SDI reduced the mango size but increased the functionality of samples, without a severe detrimental effect on the yield.

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Refinement of Alternate Wetting and Drying Irrigation Method for Rice Cultivation

Bangladesh Rice Journal ◽

10.3329/brj.v17i1-2.20899 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 17 (1-2) ◽

pp. 33-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Priya Lal Chandra Paul ◽

MA Rashid ◽

Mousumi Paul

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Water Level ◽

Block Design ◽

Water Productivity ◽

Ground Surface ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Ground Level ◽

Wetting And Drying ◽

Alternate Wetting And Drying ◽

Below Ground

Experiments were conducted at BRRI farm Gazipur during Boro season 2010-12 to determine maximum depth of water level below ground surface in alternate wetting and drying (AWD) method. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four irrigation treatments. The treatments of AWD method were: T1 = continuous standing water, T2 = irrigation when water level reached 15 cm below ground level, T3 = irrigation when water level reached 20 cm below ground level and T4 = irrigation when water level reached 50 cm below ground level. The experiment involved BRRI dhan28 as a test crop. The treatment T2 gave the highest grain yield (5.9 and 6.2 ton/ha) in 2010-11 and 2011-12, respectively. Maximum benefits per hectare were found Tk. 5476 and 4931 for using 807 and 880 mm water during 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively and thus water productivity was 7.1 kg/ha-mm in T2 for both the seasons. Continuous standing (T1) water (1013 and 1100 mm) gave comparable grain yield 5.7 and 6.0 ton/ha in 2010-11 and 2011-12, respectively. Minimum water productivity was found in treatment T1 (5.6 and 5.4 kg/ha-mm) for both the seasons. Application of irrigation when water was 15 cm below soil surface was found most profitable in AWD system and the grain yield was decreased when water level was below 15 cm depth. Therefore, the recommended AWD technology could increase rice yield and save irrigation water by 25-30 percent.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/brj.v17i1-2.20899Bangladesh Rice j. 2013, 17(1&2): 33-37

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Luxury transpiration of winter wheat and its responses to deficit irrigation in North China Plain

Plant Soil and Environment ◽

10.17221/331/2018-pse ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 64 (No. 8) ◽

pp. 361-366 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Liang Yueping ◽

Gao Yang ◽

Wang Guangshuai ◽

Si Zhuanyun ◽

Shen Xiaojun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Winter Wheat ◽

Water Conservation ◽

Deficit Irrigation ◽

North China Plain ◽

North China ◽

Water Productivity ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Water Shortage ◽

Full Irrigation ◽

Daily Transpiration

Reducing crop luxury transpiration is an important step in improving water productivity; water shortage regions are potential hotspots for studying physiological water conservation. This study investigated the amount of luxury transpiration in winter wheat and its responses to different irrigation treatments in North China Plain. The results showed that luxury transpiration existed and increased with growth of winter wheat and after rainfall. In each sampling day, the amount of luxury transpiration under full irrigation was significantly higher than that under deficit irrigation. The average amount of luxury transpiration was 258.87 g/m<sup>2</sup> under full irrigation, and 125.18 g/m<sup>2</sup> under deficit irrigation during the experimental period. Although the amount of luxury transpiration was 2.09-fold higher under full irrigation than that in deficit irrigation, the water loss ratio due to luxury transpiration in deficit irrigation (8.13%) was significantly higher than that in full irrigation (6.75%). Furthermore, the ratio between luxury transpiration amount and crop daily transpiration was revealed in all sampling dates. Therefore, deficit irrigation should be generalized in the water shortage area, because it can save irrigation water and reduce the amount of luxury transpiration. Full irrigation should be carried out in the water abundant region mainly for higher production.

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Effect of Microelements and Selenium on Superoxide Dismutase Enzyme, Malondialdehyde Activity and Grain Yield Maize (Zea mays L.) under Water Deficit Stress

Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca ◽

10.15835/nbha3925500 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 153 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Nourali SAJEDI ◽

Hamid MADANI ◽

Ahmad NADERI

Keyword(s):

Superoxide Dismutase ◽

Water Stress ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Water Deficit ◽

Block Design ◽

Stress Conditions ◽

Water Deficit Stress ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Malondialdehyde Content ◽

Main Plot

This study was carried out to investigate effects of microelements under water deficit stress at different growth stages on antioxidant enzyme alteration, chemical biomarker and grain yield of maize in the years 2007 and 2008. The experiment was conducted in a split plot factorial based on a randomized complete block design with four replications. There were three factors, water deficit stress at different stages of growth as main plot and combinations of selenium (with and without using) and microelements (with and without using) as sub plots. The result indicated that the activity of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde content under water deficit stress increased, but grain yield was reduced. The highest grain yield was obtained from optimum irrigation, while in the case of with water deficit stress at V8 stage it was non significant. Selenium spray increased activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme, malondialdehyde content of leaves in V8, R2 and R4 stages and also grain yield. Application of microelements increased the leaves superoxide dismutase enzyme activity and malondialdehyde content. Selenium and microelements spray under water deficit stress conditions during vegetative growth and dough stage increased grain yield in comparison to not spraying elements under water stress conditions. The present results also showed that by using selenium and microelements under water stress can obtain acceptable yield compared to not using these elements.

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LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF TILLAGE, PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZATION AND CROP ROTATION ON PEARL MILLET–COWPEA PRODUCTIVITY IN THE WEST-AFRICAN SAHEL

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479700002106 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 243-264 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

G. V. SUBBARAO ◽

C. RENARD ◽

W. A. PAYNE ◽

A. BATIONO

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Pennisetum Glaucum ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Block Design ◽

Phosphorus Fertilization ◽

P Fertilization ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Environmental Index ◽

Traditional System

The millet (Pennisetum glaucum)-based cropping systems that dominate the Sudano–Sahelian Zone of West Africa cannot, as they are currently practised, meet the growing food needs of the region. They must therefore be intensified in a sustainable manner. The present study was initiated in 1986 and continued until 1996 to evaluate the effects of phosphorus (P) fertilization, tillage and rotation with sole cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) on an operational scale with two cropping systems, namely, sole millet and millet–cowpea intercropping. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used. The effects of P fertilization, ridging with animal traction and planting on ridges (AT), and rotation with sole cowpea increased the productivity of millet substantially in 10 of the 11 years. Based on the 11-year average, P fertilization alone improved grain yield by 52%, and AT with P fertilization improved grain yield by nearly 135%. Combining AT, P fertilization and the sole cowpea rotation resulted in a 200% increase in grain yield compared with the traditional system of production. Millet productivity did not show a significant decline when intercropped with cowpea. Stability and relative stability analysis showed that the traditional system was more stable than the various agronomic packages, but had the least yield. Conversely, the agronomic package with the highest yield advantage over the traditional system was the least stable. A major portion of the annual variation in the environmental index for grain yield and total dry matter was attributed to the seasonal variation in rainfall and organic matter depletion. Organic matter levels declined linearly with years of cultivation. Significant differences were found in the rate of depletion between the various agronomic treatments tested. After 11 years, nearly 60% of the organic matter was depleted irrespective of the agronomic treatments.

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Effects of Water Stress and Potassium on Quantity Traits of Two Varieties of Mung Bean (Vigna Radiata L.)

Cercetari Agronomice in Moldova ◽

10.2478/cerce-2014-0011 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 107-114

Author(s):

Z. Fooladivanda ◽

M. Hassanzadehdelouei ◽

N. Zarifinia

Keyword(s):

Water Stress ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Vigna Radiata ◽

Mung Bean ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Block Design ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Plant Responses ◽

Potassium Fertilizer ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT Water stress is known as the major threat to reduced growth and yield of plants in arid and semi-arid regions. Potassium is one of the indicators of plant responses to water stress. To evaluate the impact of water stress and levels of potassium on yield and yield components of two varieties of mung bean (Vigna radiata) (promising lines VC6172 and Indian), an experiment in the form of split factorial, based on randomized complete block design with three replicates was conducted in 2011, at the research farm of Safi-Abad Dezfool, Iran (latitude 32°16’ N, longitude 48°26’ E and altitude 82.9 m above sea level) .Water stress in three levels: irrigation at 120 (no stress), 180 (moderate stress) and 240 (severe stress) mm evaporation from pan, were allocated to the main plots and potassium fertilizer at three levels (0, 90, 180 kg /ha) and two varieties of mung bean (promising line VC6172 and Indian) were allotted to the sub-plots. Results showed that water stress and potassium fertilizer significantly affect all traits. The highest grain yield (2093 kg /ha) was obtained from no stress treatment in the case of 180 kg /ha potassium. Total dry matter, number of pods and grain yield, were significantly different between the two varieties. The interaction between fertilizer and variety, on dry matter and grain yield and the interaction between irrigation and variety, on dry matter were significant. We conclude that use of potassium fertilizer can reduce the adverse effects of water stress.

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The Influence of Deficit Irrigation on Growth, Ornamental Quality, and Water Use Efficiency of Three Potted Bougainvillea Genotypes Grown in Two Shapes

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.49.10.1284 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 49 (10) ◽

pp. 1284-1291 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Chiara Cirillo ◽

Youssef Rouphael ◽

Rosanna Caputo ◽

Giampaolo Raimondi ◽

Stefania De Pascale

Keyword(s):

Water Stress ◽

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

Deficit Irrigation ◽

Water Productivity ◽

Plant Production ◽

Irrigation Level ◽

Leaf Osmotic Potential ◽

Dry Biomass ◽

Use Efficiency

Bougainvillea is widely used as flowering shrub in gardening and landscaping in the Mediterranean region characterized by limited water supply. The evaluation of deficit irrigation as a possible technique to improve water productivity and selection of genotypes that can better withstand soil water deficits are essential for sustainable production. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the effects of deficit irrigation on three potted Bougainvillea genotypes [B. glabra var. Sanderiana, B. ×buttiana ‘Rosenka’, B. ‘Lindleyana’ (=B. ‘Aurantiaca’)] grown in two shapes, globe and pyramid, on agronomical and physiological parameters. Irrigation treatments were based on the daily water use (100%, 50%, or 25%). The shoot, total dry biomass, leaf number, leaf area, and macronutrient [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)] concentration decreased in response to an increase in water stress with the lowest values recorded in the severe deficit irrigation (SDI) treatment. At 160 days after transplanting (DAT), the percentage of total dry biomass reduction caused by irrigation level was lower in B. ×buttiana ‘Rosenka’ compared with B. glabra var. Sanderiana and B. ‘Lindleyana’ (=B. ‘Aurantiaca’). At 160 DAT, the flower index increased in response to an increase in water stress with the highest values recorded under both moderate deficit irrigation (MDI) and SDI for B. ×buttiana ‘Rosenka’. The biomass water use efficiency (WUE) increased under water stress conditions with the highest values recorded in B. glabra var. Sanderiana and B. ×buttiana ‘Rosenka’ grown under MDI (average 1.43 and 1.25 g·L−1, respectively) and especially with SDI (average 1.68 and 1.36 g·L−1, respectively). A number of tolerance mechanisms such as increase in stomatal resistance, decrease in leaf water potential, and decrease in leaf osmotic potential have been observed, especially under SDI. The MDI treatment can be used successfully in Bougainvillea to reduce water consumption while improving the overall quality and WUE, whereas the genotypes B. glabra var. Sanderiana and B. ×buttiana ‘Rosenka’ could be considered suitable for pot plant production.

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