Editorial

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2 pages, 173 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Horticultural Crops under Stresses

by Alberto Soares de Melo and Hans Raj Gheyi

Plants 2023, 12(19), 3400; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12193400 - 26 Sep 2023

Viewed by 663

Abstract

Climate change causes alterations in the spatio-temporal temperature and rainfall distribution [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops under Stresses)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

20 pages, 3348 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Foliar Spraying of Glycine Betaine Alleviated Growth Inhibition, Photoinhibition, and Oxidative Stress in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Seedlings under Low Temperatures Combined with Low Light

by Nenghui Li, Kaiguo Pu, Dongxia Ding, Yan Yang, Tianhang Niu, Jing Li and Jianming Xie

Plants 2023, 12(13), 2563; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12132563 - 06 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1352

Abstract

Low temperature combined with low light (LL stress) is a typical environmental stress that limits peppers’ productivity, yield, and quality in northwestern China. Glycine betaine (GB), an osmoregulatory substance, has increasingly valuable effects on plant stress resistance. In this study, pepper seedlings were [...] Read more.

Low temperature combined with low light (LL stress) is a typical environmental stress that limits peppers’ productivity, yield, and quality in northwestern China. Glycine betaine (GB), an osmoregulatory substance, has increasingly valuable effects on plant stress resistance. In this study, pepper seedlings were treated with different concentrations of GB under LL stress, and 20 mM of GB was the best treatment. To further explore the mechanism of GB in response to LL stress, four treatments, including CK (normal temperature and light, 28/18 °C, 300 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), CB (normal temperature and light + 20 mM GB), LL (10/5 °C, 100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), and LB (10/5 °C, 100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ + 20 mM GB), were investigated in terms of pepper growth, biomass accumulation, photosynthetic capacity, expression levels of encoded proteins Capsb, cell membrane permeability, antioxidant enzyme gene expression and activity, and subcellular localization. The results showed that the pre-spraying of GB under LL stress significantly alleviated the growth inhibition of pepper seedlings; increased plant height by 4.64%; increased root activity by 63.53%; and decreased photoinhibition by increasing the chlorophyll content; upregulating the expression levels of encoded proteins Capsb A, Capsb B, Capsb C, Capsb D, Capsb S, Capsb P1, and Capsb P2 by 30.29%, 36.69%, 18.81%, 30.05%, 9.01%, 6.21%, and 16.45%, respectively; enhancing the fluorescence intensity (OJIP curves), the photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm, Fv′/Fm′), qP, and NPQ; improving the light energy distribution of PSΠ (Y(II), Y(NPQ), and Y(NO)); and increasing the photochemical reaction fraction and reduced heat dissipation, thereby increasing plant height by 4.64% and shoot bioaccumulation by 13.55%. The pre-spraying of GB under LL stress also upregulated the gene expression of CaSOD, CaPOD, and CaCAT; increased the activity of the ROS-scavenging ability in the pepper leaves; and coordinately increased the SOD activity in the mitochondria, the POD activity in the mitochondria, chloroplasts, and cytosol, and the CAT activity in the cytosol, which improved the LL resistance of the pepper plants by reducing excess H₂O₂, O₂⁻, MDA, and soluble protein levels in the leaf cells, leading to reduced biological membrane damage. Overall, pre-spraying with GB effectively alleviated the negative effects of LL stress in pepper seedlings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops under Stresses)

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18 pages, 2548 KiB

Open AccessArticle

NPK Accumulation, Physiology, and Production of Sour Passion Fruit under Salt Stress Irrigated with Brackish Water in the Phenological Stages and K Fertilization

by Geovani Soares de Lima, André Alisson Rodrigues da Silva, Rafaela Aparecida Frazão Torres, Lauriane Almeida dos Anjos Soares, Hans Raj Gheyi, Francisco Alves da Silva, Reginaldo Gomes Nobre, Carlos Alberto Vieira de Azevedo, Kilson Pinheiro Lopes, Lúcia Helena Garófalo Chaves and Vera Lúcia Antunes de Lima

Plants 2023, 12(7), 1573; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12071573 - 06 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1493

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of salt stress, varying the phenological stages, and K fertilization on NPK concentrations, physiology, and production of Passiflora edulis Sims. The research was carried out at the University Farm of São Domingos, Paraíba, Brazil, using a [...] Read more.

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of salt stress, varying the phenological stages, and K fertilization on NPK concentrations, physiology, and production of Passiflora edulis Sims. The research was carried out at the University Farm of São Domingos, Paraíba, Brazil, using a randomized block design with a 6 × 2 factorial arrangement. Six irrigation strategies were evaluated (use of low electrical conductivity water (0.3 dS m⁻¹) during all stages of development and application of high-salinity water (4.0 dS m⁻¹) in the following stages: vegetative, flowering, fruiting, successively in the vegetative/flowering, and vegetative/fruiting stages) and two potassium levels (207 and 345 g K₂O per plant), with four replications and three plants per plot. The leaf concentrations of N, P, and K in the sour passion fruit plants found in the present study were below the optimal levels reported in the literature, regardless of the development stage and the cultivation cycle. The relative water content, stomatal conductance, and photosynthesis were reduced by salt stress in the first cycle. However, in the second cycle, irrigation with 4.0 dS m⁻¹ in the vegetative/flowering stages increased the CO₂ assimilation rate. Passion fruit is sensitive to salt stress in the vegetative/flowering stages of the first cycle. In the second cycle, salt stress in the fruiting stage resulted in higher production per plant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops under Stresses)

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16 pages, 741 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Osmoregulatory and Antioxidants Modulation by Salicylic Acid and Methionine in Cowpea Plants under the Water Restriction

by Auta Paulina da Silva Oliveira, Yuri Lima Melo, Rayanne Silva de Alencar, Pedro Roberto Almeida Viégas, Guilherme Felix Dias, Rener Luciano de Souza Ferraz, Francisco Vanies da Silva Sá, José Dantas Neto, Ivomberg Dourado Magalhães, Hans Raj Gheyi, Claudivan Feitosa de Lacerda and Alberto Soares de Melo

Plants 2023, 12(6), 1341; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061341 - 16 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1197

Abstract

Global climate changes have intensified water stress in arid and semi-arid regions, reducing plant growth and yield. In this scenario, the present study aimed to evaluate the mitigating action of salicylic acid and methionine in cowpea cultivars under water restriction conditions. An experiment [...] Read more.

Global climate changes have intensified water stress in arid and semi-arid regions, reducing plant growth and yield. In this scenario, the present study aimed to evaluate the mitigating action of salicylic acid and methionine in cowpea cultivars under water restriction conditions. An experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with treatments set up in a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement corresponding to two cowpea cultivars (BRS Novaera and BRS Pajeú) and five treatments of water replenishment, salicylic acid, and methionine. After eight days, water stress decreased the Ψw, leaf area, and fresh mass and increased the total soluble sugars and catalase activity in the two cultivars. After sixteen days, water stress increased the activity of the superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase enzymes and decreased the total soluble sugars content and catalase activity of BRS Pajeú plants. This stress response was intensified in the BRS Pajeú plants sprayed with salicylic acid and the BRS Novaera plants with salicylic acid or methionine. BRS Pajeú is more tolerant to water stress than BRS Novaera; therefore, the regulations induced by the isolated application of salicylic acid and methionine were more intense in BRS Novaera, stimulating the tolerance mechanism of this cultivar to water stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops under Stresses)

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18 pages, 4174 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bacilli Rhizobacteria as Biostimulants of Growth and Production of Sesame Cultivars under Water Deficit

by Giliard Bruno Primo de Lima, Erika Fernandes Gomes, Geisenilma Maria Gonçalves da Rocha, Francisco de Assis Silva, Pedro Dantas Fernandes, Alexandre Paulo Machado, Paulo Ivan Fernandes-Junior, Alberto Soares de Melo, Nair Helena Castro Arriel, Tarcisio Marcos de Souza Gondim and Liziane Maria de Lima

Plants 2023, 12(6), 1337; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061337 - 16 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1381

Abstract

A strategy using bacilli was adopted aiming to investigate the mitigation of the effects of water deficit in sesame. An experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with 2 sesame cultivars (BRS Seda and BRS Anahí) and 4 inoculants (pant001, ESA 13, ESA [...] Read more.

A strategy using bacilli was adopted aiming to investigate the mitigation of the effects of water deficit in sesame. An experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with 2 sesame cultivars (BRS Seda and BRS Anahí) and 4 inoculants (pant001, ESA 13, ESA 402, and ESA 441). On the 30th day of the cycle, irrigation was suspended for eight days, and the plants were subjected to physiological analysis using an infrared gas analyzer (IRGA). On the 8th day of water suspension, leaves were collected for analysis: superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, proline, nitrogen, chlorophyll, and carotenoids. At the end of the crop cycle, data on biomass and vegetative growth characteristics were collected. Data were submitted for variance analysis and comparison of means by the Tukey and Shapiro–Wilk tests. A positive effect of inoculants was observed for all characteristics evaluated, contributing to improvements in plant physiology, induction of biochemical responses, vegetative development, and productivity. ESA 13 established better interaction with the BRS Anahí cultivar and ESA 402 with BRS Seda, with an increase of 49% and 34%, respectively, for the mass of one thousand seeds. Thus, biological indicators are identified regarding the potential of inoculants for application in sesame cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops under Stresses)

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18 pages, 3253 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Salinity and Mulching Effects on Nutrition and Production of Grafted Sour Passion Fruit

by Antônio Gustavo de Luna Souto, Lourival Ferreira Cavalcante, Edinete Nunes de Melo, Ítalo Herbert Lucena Cavalcante, Roberto Ítalo Lima da Silva, Geovani Soares de Lima, Hans Raj Gheyi, Walter Esfrain Pereira, Vespasiano Borges de Paiva Neto, Carlos Jardel Andrade de Oliveira and Francisco de Oliveira Mesquita

Plants 2023, 12(5), 1035; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051035 - 24 Feb 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1698

Abstract

The Brazilian semiarid region stands out in terms of sour passion fruit production. Local climatic conditions (high air temperature and low rainfall), combined with its soil properties (rich in soluble salts), increase salinity effects on plants. This study was carried out in the [...] Read more.

The Brazilian semiarid region stands out in terms of sour passion fruit production. Local climatic conditions (high air temperature and low rainfall), combined with its soil properties (rich in soluble salts), increase salinity effects on plants. This study was carried out in the experimental area “Macaquinhos” in Remígio-Paraíba (Brazil). The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of mulching on grafted sour passion fruit under irrigation with moderately saline water. The experiment was conducted in split-plots in a 2 × (2 × 2) factorial scheme to evaluate the effects of the combination of irrigation water salinity of 0.5 dS m⁻¹ (control) and 4.5 dS m⁻¹ (main plot), passion fruit propagated by seed and grafted onto Passiflora cincinnata, with and without mulching (subplots), with four replicates and three plants per plot. The foliar Na concentration in grafted plants was 90.9% less than that of plants propagated via seeds; however, it did not affect fruit production. Plastic mulching, by reducing the absorption of toxic salts and promoting greater absorption of nutrients, contributed to greater production of sour passion fruit. Under irrigation with moderately saline water, the plastic film in the soil and seed propagation promote higher production of sour passion fruit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops under Stresses)

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17 pages, 3630 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Foliar Application of Hydrogen Peroxide on Gas Exchange, Photochemical Efficiency, and Growth of Soursop under Salt Stress

by Jessica Dayanne Capitulino, Geovani Soares de Lima, Carlos Alberto Vieira de Azevedo, André Alisson Rodrigues da Silva, Thiago Filipe de Lima Arruda, Lauriane Almeida dos Anjos Soares, Hans Raj Gheyi, Pedro Dantas Fernandes, Maria Sallydelândia Sobral de Farias, Francisco de Assis da Silva and Mirandy dos Santos Dias

Plants 2023, 12(3), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030599 - 29 Jan 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1681

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide at low concentrations has been used as a salt stress attenuator because it induces a positive response in the antioxidant system of plants. This study aimed to assess the gas exchange, quantum yield, and development of soursop plants cv. Morada Nova [...] Read more.

Hydrogen peroxide at low concentrations has been used as a salt stress attenuator because it induces a positive response in the antioxidant system of plants. This study aimed to assess the gas exchange, quantum yield, and development of soursop plants cv. Morada Nova grown with saline water irrigation and foliar hydrogen peroxide application. The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions using a randomized block design in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme corresponding to four levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water, ECw (0.8, 1.6, 2.4, and 3.2 dS m⁻¹), and four doses of hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂ (0, 10, 20, and 30 μM), with three replicates. The use of irrigation water with electrical conductivity above 0.8 dS m⁻¹ inhibited stomatal conductance, internal CO₂ concentration, transpiration, maximum fluorescence, crown height, and vegetative vigor index of the Morada Nova cultivar of soursop. Compared to untreated plants, the hydrogen peroxide concentration of 30 μM resulted in greater stomatal conductance. Water salinity of 0.8 dS m⁻¹ with hydrogen peroxide concentrations of 16 and 13 μM resulted in the highest variable fluorescence and quantum efficiency of photosystem II, respectively, of soursop plants cv. Morada Nova at 210 days after transplantation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops under Stresses)

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13 pages, 5343 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Horticultural Practices in Early Spring to Mitigate the Adverse Effect of Low Temperature on Fruit Set in ‘Lapins’ Sweet Cherry

by Hao Xu, Danielle Ediger and Mehdi Sharifi

Plants 2023, 12(3), 468; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030468 - 19 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1394

Abstract

Yield of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is determined by fruit set, a developmental stage sensitive to variable spring environmental conditions. To sustain fruit production and enhance crop climate resilience, it is important to understand the impacts of abiotic stresses and the [...] Read more.

Yield of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is determined by fruit set, a developmental stage sensitive to variable spring environmental conditions. To sustain fruit production and enhance crop climate resilience, it is important to understand the impacts of abiotic stresses and the effectiveness of horticultural mitigations in the spring on the critical developmental processes during fruit set. In this study, flowering phenology, pistil browning and percent fruit set of ‘Lapins’ were monitored at five sites of different elevation and frost risk in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada, in 2019 and 2022. At Site 1 in Summerland Research and Development Centre (“SuRDC1”), where a ‘Lapins’ on Krymsk 5 planting was located in a frost pocket where the crops were exposed to high risk of cold damage in the spring, a series of experiments were conducted to investigate the floral organ viability and percent fruit set under low temperatures, and under the effects of four spring horticultural mitigation measures. Installation of polyethylene sleeves and FAME spray (fatty acid methyl esters-based plant growth regulator, WAIKEN, SST Australia) were implemented in 2019; boric acid spray and postponed irrigation were tested in 2022. Low fruit set at SuRDC1 in both years was associated with severe pistil browning after night temperature dropped below −4 °C in late April. In 2019, the semi-enclosure of polyethylene sleeves led to an increase in the surface temperature (T_surfae) of floral buds by 2–4 °C, which prolonged the stage of first bloom, delayed petal fall and prevented frost damage on pistils, but led to the decrease in percent fruit set by 77%, due to ovule abortion or cessation of fruitlet development. The early and late sprays of FAME had no significant influence on either abundance of germinated pollen tubes or percent fruit set; however, the potential of late spray in improving pollen abundance and reducing pistil browning requires further investigation. In 2022, the spray of 0.01% boric acid solution led to a decrease in fruit set by 6.95%. Six-week postponement of irrigation starting from full bloom decreased soil moisture, but increased soil temperature and improved fruit set by 7.61%. The results improved our understanding about the damages of adverse spring air temperatures on pistils and ovules, and suggested the potential of irrigation adjustment in regulating soil moisture and temperature and improving fruit set in the cool and moist spring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops under Stresses)

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22 pages, 5451 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Salinity and Silicon Doses on Onion Post-Harvest Quality and Shelf Life

by Jefferson Bittencourt Venâncio, Nildo da Silva Dias, José Francismar de Medeiros, Patrícia Lígia Dantas de Morais, Clístenes Williams Araújo do Nascimento, Osvaldo Nogueira de Sousa Neto, Luciara Maria de Andrade, Kleane Targino Oliveira Pereira, Tayd Dayvison Custódio Peixoto, Josinaldo Lopes Araújo Rocha, Miguel Ferreira Neto and Francisco Vanies da Silva Sá

Plants 2022, 11(20), 2788; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11202788 - 20 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1889

Abstract

Salt stress during pre-harvest limits the shelf life and post-harvest quality of produce; however, silicon nutrition can mitigate salt stress in plants. Thus, we evaluated the effects of salinity and fertilization with Si, in pre-harvest, on the morpho-physiological characteristics of onion bulbs during [...] Read more.

Salt stress during pre-harvest limits the shelf life and post-harvest quality of produce; however, silicon nutrition can mitigate salt stress in plants. Thus, we evaluated the effects of salinity and fertilization with Si, in pre-harvest, on the morpho-physiological characteristics of onion bulbs during shelf life. The experiment was set up in randomized complete blocks, with treatments arranged in split-split plots. The plots had four levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (0.65, 1.7, 2.8, and 4.1 dS m⁻¹). The subplots had five fertilization levels with Si (0, 41.6, 83.2, 124.8, and 166.4 kg ha⁻¹). The sub-sub plots had four shelf times (0, 20, 40, and 60 days after harvest). Irrigation water salinity and shelf time reduced firmness and increased the mass loss of onion bulbs during shelf life. Salt stress reduced the contents of sugars and total soluble solids of onion bulbs during storage; however, Si supply improved the contents of these variables. Salinity, Si supply, and shelf time increased the concentrations of pyruvic and ascorbic acids in onion bulbs during shelf life. Si doses between 121.8 and 127.0 kg ha⁻¹ attenuated the impacts caused by moderate salinity, increasing the synthesis of metabolites and prolonging the onion bulbs’ shelf life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops under Stresses)

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13 pages, 2150 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Production and Physiological Quality of Seeds of Mini Watermelon Grown in Substrates with a Saline Nutrient Solution Prepared with Reject Brine

by Tatianne Raianne Costa Alves, Salvador Barros Torres, Emanoela Pereira de Paiva, Roseane Rodrigues de Oliveira, Renata Ramayane Torquato Oliveira, Afonso Luiz Almeida Freires, Kleane Targino Oliveira Pereira, Douglas Leite de Brito, Charline Zaratin Alves, Alek Sandro Dutra, Clarisse Pereira Benedito, Alberto Soares de Melo, Miguel Ferreira-Neto, Nildo da Silva Dias and Francisco Vanies da Silva Sá

Plants 2022, 11(19), 2534; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192534 - 27 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1422

Abstract

The economically profitable production of crops is related, among other factors, to seed quality, the production system, and the water used in irrigation or preparation of nutrient solutions. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the phenology, production, and vigor of seeds of mini [...] Read more.

The economically profitable production of crops is related, among other factors, to seed quality, the production system, and the water used in irrigation or preparation of nutrient solutions. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the phenology, production, and vigor of seeds of mini watermelons grown in saline nutrient solution and different substrates. In the fruit and seed production phase, the experiment occurred in a greenhouse with five electrical conductivities of water for nutrient solution preparation, ECw (0.5, 2.4, 4.0, 5.5, and 6.9 dS m⁻¹), and two growing substrates (coconut fiber and sand). We evaluated the physiological quality of seeds previously produced under the five electrical conductivities of water and two substrates. High salinities for the hydroponic cultivation of the mini watermelon cultivar ‘Sugar Baby’ accelerated fruit maturation and crop cycle, decreasing fruit size. However, in both substrates, the seed production of mini watermelons, seed viability, and seed vigor occurred adequately with a reject brine of 6.9 dS m⁻¹ in the hydroponic nutrient solution. The seed production of ‘Sugar Baby’ mini watermelons using reject brine in a hydroponic system with coconut fiber and sand substrates is viable in regions with water limitations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops under Stresses)

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14 pages, 1532 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seed Priming with Glass Waste Microparticles and Red Light Irradiation Mitigates Thermal and Water Stresses in Seedlings of Moringa oleifera

by Patrícia da Silva Costa, Rener Luciano de Souza Ferraz, José Dantas Neto, Semako Ibrahim Bonou, Igor Eneas Cavalcante, Rayanne Silva de Alencar, Yuri Lima Melo, Ivomberg Dourado Magalhães, Ashwell Rungano Ndhlala, Ricardo Schneider, Carlos Alberto Vieira de Azevedo and Alberto Soares de Melo

Plants 2022, 11(19), 2510; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192510 - 26 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1571

Abstract

The association between population increase and the exploitation of natural resources and climate change influences the demand for food, especially in semi-arid regions, highlighting the need for technologies that could provide cultivated species with better adaptation to agroecosystems. Additionally, developing cultivation technologies that [...] Read more.

The association between population increase and the exploitation of natural resources and climate change influences the demand for food, especially in semi-arid regions, highlighting the need for technologies that could provide cultivated species with better adaptation to agroecosystems. Additionally, developing cultivation technologies that employ waste materials is highly desirable for sustainable development. From this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate whether seed priming with glass waste microparticles used as a silicon source under red light irradiation mitigates the effects of thermal and water stress on seedlings of Moringa oleifera. The experimental design was set up in randomized blocks using a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of seed priming (NSP—no seed priming, and SPSi—seed priming with glass microparticles under red light irradiation), soil water replenishment (W50—50%, and W100—100% of crop evapotranspiration—ETc), and temperature change (TC30°—30 °C day/25 °C night and TC40°—40 °C day/35 °C night). Seed priming with glass microparticles under red light irradiation mitigated the effects of thermal and water stress on seedlings of Moringa oleifera seedlings through the homeostasis of gas exchange, leaf water status, osmotic adjustment, and the antioxidant mechanism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops under Stresses)

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18 pages, 3792 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exogenously Applied GA₃ Enhances Morphological Parameters of Tolerant and Sensitive Cyclamen persicum Genotypes under Ambient Temperature and Heat Stress Conditions

by Mihaiela Cornea-Cipcigan, Mirela Irina Cordea, Rodica Mărgăoan and Doru Pamfil

Plants 2022, 11(14), 1868; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11141868 - 18 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1296

Abstract

Cyclamen genus is part of the Primulaceae family consisting of 24 species widely cultivated as ornamental and medicinal plants. They also possess high plasticity in terms of adaptability to alternating environmental conditions. In this regard, the present study investigates the germination and morphological [...] Read more.

Cyclamen genus is part of the Primulaceae family consisting of 24 species widely cultivated as ornamental and medicinal plants. They also possess high plasticity in terms of adaptability to alternating environmental conditions. In this regard, the present study investigates the germination and morphological parameters of heat-tolerant and heat-sensitive Cyclamen persicum accessions in the presence of different GA₃ solutions (0, 30, 70 and 90 mg/L) under ambient temperature and heat stress conditions. Heat-tolerant genotypes, mainly C3-Smartiz Victoria (6.42%), C15-Merengue magenta (6.47%) and C16-Metis silverleaf (5.12%) had the highest germination rate with 90 mg/L GA₃ treatment compared with control. Regarding heat-sensitive genotypes, C11-Verano (5.11%) and C13-Metis Origami (4.28%) had the lowest values in mean germination time, along with the Petticoat genotypes C1 (73.3%) and C2 (80.0%) with a high germination percentage. Heat-tolerant genotypes positively responded to GA₃ (70 and 90 mg/L) even under heat stress conditions, by their higher values in plant height, an ascending trend also seen in heat-sensitive genotypes under GA₃ treatment (70 and 90 mg/L). According to the hierarchical clustering, several heat-tolerant genotypes showed peculiar behavior under heat stress conditions, namely C3 (Smartiz Victoria), C7 (Halios falbala) and C8 (Latinia pipoca) which proved to be susceptible to heat stress even under GA₃ application, compared with the other genotypes which showed tolerance to higher temperatures. In the case of heat-sensitive genotypes, C4 (Smartiz violet fonce), C6 (Metis blank pur), C11 (Verano) and C13 (Metis origami) possessed higher positive or negative values compared with the other heat-sensitive genotypes with increased doses of GA₃. These genotypes were shown to be less affected by heat stress, suggesting their positive response to hormone treatment. In conclusion, the above-mentioned genotypes, particularly heat-tolerant C15 and heat-sensitive C2 with the highest germination capacity and development can be selected as heat-resistant genotypes to be deposited in gene banks and used in further amelioration programs under biotic and/or abiotic stresses to develop resistant genotypes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops under Stresses)

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18 pages, 1316 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Photosynthetic Responses, Growth, Production, and Tolerance of Traditional Varieties of Cowpea under Salt Stress

by Saulo Samuel Carneiro Praxedes, Miguel Ferreira Neto, Aline Torquato Loiola, Fernanda Jessica Queiroz Santos, Bianca Fernandes Umbelino, Luderlândio de Andrade Silva, Rômulo Carantino Lucena Moreira, Alberto Soares de Melo, Claudivan Feitosa de Lacerda, Pedro Dantas Fernandes, Nildo da Silva Dias and Francisco Vanies da Silva Sá

Plants 2022, 11(14), 1863; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11141863 - 18 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1436

Abstract

Cowpea is the main subsistence crop—protein source—for the Brazilian semi-arid region. The use of salt-stress-tolerant varieties can improve crop yields. We evaluated the effect of irrigation with brackish water on the growth, photosynthetic responses, production, and tolerance of fifteen traditional varieties of cowpea. [...] Read more.

Cowpea is the main subsistence crop—protein source—for the Brazilian semi-arid region. The use of salt-stress-tolerant varieties can improve crop yields. We evaluated the effect of irrigation with brackish water on the growth, photosynthetic responses, production, and tolerance of fifteen traditional varieties of cowpea. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks, in a 15 × 2 factorial scheme, composed of 15 traditional varieties of cowpea and two salinity levels of irrigation water (0.5 and 4.5 dS m⁻¹), with five replicates. Plants were grown in pots containing 10 dm³ of soil for 80 days. The reduction in the photosynthetic rate of cowpea varieties occurs mainly due to the decrease in stomatal conductance caused by salt stress. Salt stress increased the electron transport rate and photochemical quenching of cowpea varieties, but stress-tolerant varieties increased the CO₂ assimilation rate and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency. The Ceará, Costela de Vaca, Pingo de Ouro, Ovo de Peru, and Sempre Verde varieties are tolerant to salt stress. Salt stress decreases 26% of the production of tolerant varieties to salt stress and 54% of susceptible varieties. The present findings show the existence of variability for saline stress tolerance in traditional varieties of cowpea and that Ceará, Costela de Vaca, Pingo de Ouro, and Ovo de Peru varieties are more suitable for crops irrigated with saline water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops under Stresses)

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