Editorial

5 pages, 200 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Soil–Plant–Water Systems and Interactions

by Ágota Horel

Plants 2024, 13(3), 358; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13030358 - 25 Jan 2024

Viewed by 734

To comprehend the soil–plant–water system and how its constituents interact with each other, it is essential to better understand its effect on ecosystems [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Plant-Water System and Interactions)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

16 pages, 12354 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phenotypic Plasticity of Yield and Yield-Related Traits Contributing to the Wheat Yield in a Doubled Haploid Population

by Md Atik Us Saieed, Yun Zhao, Kefei Chen, Shanjida Rahman, Jingjuan Zhang, Shahidul Islam and Wujun Ma

Plants 2024, 13(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13010017 - 20 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 860

Abstract

Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of an individual genotype to express phenotype variably in different environments. This study investigated the plasticity of yield-related traits of bread wheat by utilising 225 doubled haploid (DH) lines developed from cv. Westonia and cv. Kauz, through two [...] Read more.

Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of an individual genotype to express phenotype variably in different environments. This study investigated the plasticity of yield-related traits of bread wheat by utilising 225 doubled haploid (DH) lines developed from cv. Westonia and cv. Kauz, through two field trials in Western Australia. Plasticity was quantified via two previously published methods: responsiveness to varying ecological conditions and slopes of reaction norms. The spikelets/spike was the most plastic trait, with an overall plasticity of 1.62. The least plastic trait was grain protein content, with an overall plasticity of 0.79. The trait hierarchy based on phenotypic plasticity was spikelets/spike > thousand kernel weight > seed number > seed length > grain yield > grain protein content. An increase in yield plasticity of 0.1 was associated with an increase in maximum yield of 4.45 kg ha⁻¹. The plasticity of seed number and grain protein content were significantly associated with yield plasticity. The maximal yield was positively associated with spikelets/spike and grain yield, whereas it negatively associated with grain protein content. In contrast, the minimal yield was found to be negatively related to the plasticity of spikelets/spike and the plasticity of grain yield, whereas it was not related to grain protein content plasticity. Seed number and seed length exhibited plastic responses at the higher fertilisation state while remaining relatively stable at the lower fertilisation state for the wheat DH population. The finding of the current study will play a key role in wheat improvement under the changing climate. Seed length and seed number should be the breeding target for achieving stable yield in adverse environmental conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Plant-Water System and Interactions)

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17 pages, 3553 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Light-Emitting Diodes Modify Medicinal Quality of Mown Rabdosia rubescens, with Changes in Growth, Physiology, and Antioxidant Activity, under Drought Stress

by Jun Gao, Ping Meng, Yan Zhao, Jinsong Zhang, Chunxia He, Qirui Wang and Jinfeng Cai

Plants 2023, 12(18), 3189; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12183189 - 06 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 759

Abstract

Medicinal plants accommodated by understory habitats can easily suffer over-exploitation in the heavy harvest of natural products. It is necessary to develop a sustainable cultural protocol to provide high-quality stocks for efficient regeneration. Drought places stress on medicinal plants during their culture by [...] Read more.

Medicinal plants accommodated by understory habitats can easily suffer over-exploitation in the heavy harvest of natural products. It is necessary to develop a sustainable cultural protocol to provide high-quality stocks for efficient regeneration. Drought places stress on medicinal plants during their culture by limiting new sprout growth and reducing the quality of medicinal extracts. Artificial mediating approaches should be considered in a sustainable regime of medicinal plant culture to test the potential tradeoff between resistance to drought and production ability. In this study, Rabdosia rubescens seedlings were raised in three light-emitting diode (LED) spectra from red (71.7% red, 14.6% green, 13.7% blue), green (26.2% red, 17.4% green, 56.4% blue), and blue (17.8% red, 33.7% green, 48.5% blue) lights. Mown seedlings were subjected to a simulated drought event. Drought stressed the seedlings by reducing the growth, dry mass, nitrogen (N) uptake, and oridonin content. Mowing increased the oridonin content but decreased total C and N accumulation and the δ¹³C level. The red light benefitted starch accumulation only under the well-watered condition, and the green light induced an upregulation of δ¹³C but decreased antioxidant activity. Oridonin content was negatively associated with combined δ¹³C and catalase activity. Overall, either mowing or blue light can be recommended for the culture of R. rubescens to increase oridonin content, alleviating some of the negative consequences of drought. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Plant-Water System and Interactions)

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15 pages, 4511 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Forest Ecosystem Service Trade-Offs/Synergies and System Function Optimization in Karst Desertification Control

by Kangning Xiong, Xuehua Deng, Shihao Zhang, Yu Zhang and Lingwei Kong

Plants 2023, 12(12), 2376; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12122376 - 19 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1036

Abstract

Karst desertification control forests are essential for ecosystem multi functionality, but the trade-offs/synergies are unclear for forest ecosystem services. In order to clarify the trade-offs/synergies, this study was conducted on eight forest communities in a karst desertification control area and was based on [...] Read more.

Karst desertification control forests are essential for ecosystem multi functionality, but the trade-offs/synergies are unclear for forest ecosystem services. In order to clarify the trade-offs/synergies, this study was conducted on eight forest communities in a karst desertification control area and was based on vegetation surveys and structural and functional monitoring. It analyzes water holding capacity, species diversity, soil conservation, and carbon storage characteristics and their trade-off/synergies. The results indicate the following: (1) The Cladrastis platycarpa + Cotinus coggygria community (H1) had the highest water holding capacity and species diversity with values of 252.21 t·hm⁻² and 2.56, respectively. Soil conservation was highest in the Zanthoxylum bungeanum + Glycine max community (H6), with an index value of 1.56. Carbon storage was the greatest in the Tectona grandis community (H8), at 103.93 t·hm⁻². The results of these studies have shown that there are significant differences in different types of forest community ecosystem services. (2) Water holding capacity, species diversity, soil conservation, and carbon storage, all have synergistic relationships, suggesting a trend towards synergistic enhancement between the services. (3) The species diversity of the forest ecosystems was shown to be in a trade-off with carbon storage and soil conservation, which suggests that the services are in competition with each other. To further improve the service capacity of forest ecosystems, the trade-offs between the regulation of forest community structure and function and the improvement of services should be optimized. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Plant-Water System and Interactions)

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15 pages, 4575 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plant Growth and Soil Water Content Changes under Different Inter-Row Soil Management Methods in a Sloping Vineyard

by Ágota Horel and Tibor Zsigmond

Plants 2023, 12(7), 1549; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12071549 - 04 Apr 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2763

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate soil–plant–water interactions based on field measurements of plant reflectance and soil water content (SWC) in different inter-row managed sloping vineyards. The following three different soil management applications were studied: tilled (T), cover crops (CC), [...] Read more.

The main objective of this study was to investigate soil–plant–water interactions based on field measurements of plant reflectance and soil water content (SWC) in different inter-row managed sloping vineyards. The following three different soil management applications were studied: tilled (T), cover crops (CC), and permanent grass (NT) inter-rows. We measured SWCs within the row and between rows of vines. Each investigated row utilized 7 to 10 measurement points along the slope. Topsoil SWC and temperature, leaf NDVI and chlorophyll concentrations and leaf area index (LAI) were measured every two weeks over the vegetation period (May to November) using handheld instruments. We found that management method and slope position can significantly affect the soil’s physical and chemical properties, such as clay or soil organic carbon contents. Cover crops in the inter-row significantly reduced average SWC. The in-row average topsoil SWCs and temperatures were lower in all study sites compared to the values measured in between rows. Significantly higher SWCs were observed for the upper points compared to the lower ones for CC and T treatments (58.0 and 60.9%, respectively), while the opposite was noted for NT. Grassed inter-row grapevines had significantly lower leaf chlorophyll content than the other inter-row managed sites (p < 0.001). The highest average leaf chlorophyll contents were observed in the T vineyard (16.89 CCI). Based on slope positions, the most distinguishable difference was observed for the CC: 27.7% higher chlorophyll values were observed at the top of the slope compared to the grapevine leaves at the bottom of the slope (p < 0.01). The leaf NDVI values were not as profoundly influenced by slope position in the vineyard as the chlorophyll values were. For overall LAI values, the T treatment had significantly lower values compared to NT and CC (p < 0.001). Moderate correlations were observed between NDVI and LAI and soil nitrogen and carbon content. In general, we found that both inter-row management and slope position can significantly influence soil parameters and affect plant growth, and consequently can accelerate plant stress under sub-optimal environmental conditions such as prolonged drought. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Plant-Water System and Interactions)

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14 pages, 2464 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Soil Water Shortage on Seedling Shoot and Root Growth of Saragolle Lucana Tetraploid Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) Landrace

by Rocco Bochicchio, Rosanna Labella, Roberta Rossi, Michele Perniola and Mariana Amato

Plants 2022, 11(24), 3492; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11243492 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1054

Abstract

Ancient wheats may be a source of traits that are useful for the tolerance of climate change foreseen conditions of raising temperatures and low water availability. Previous research has shown a fine root system and a high mass of rhizosheath per unit root [...] Read more.

Ancient wheats may be a source of traits that are useful for the tolerance of climate change foreseen conditions of raising temperatures and low water availability. Previous research has shown a fine root system and a high mass of rhizosheath per unit root mass in the italian durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf) landrace Saragolle Lucana, and this may be relevant for successfully facing adverse conditions during seedling establishment. We investigated the effect of soil water shortage in Saragolle seedlings on root architecture, rhizosheath formation and biomass allocation. Pot experiments were conducted by comparing two levels of soil available water content (AWC): WW (100% of AWC) and DS (50% of AWC). Phenology was delayed by eight days in DS and above and belowground traits were measured at Zadoks 1.3 for each treatment. Biometric data collected at the same phenological stage show that DS plants did not reach the levels of biomass, surface area and space occupation of WW even after attaining the same developmental stage. Namely, plant dimensions were lower at low soil water availability, with the exception of rhizosheath production: DS yielded a 50% increase in rhizosheath mass and 32% increase in rhizosheath mass per unit root mass. The proportion of plant mass reduction in DS was 29.7% for aboveground parts and 34.7% for roots, while reductions in leaf and root surface areas exceeded 43%. The root/shoot mass and area ratios were not significantly different between treatments, and a higher impact on aboveground than on belowground traits at reduced available water was shown only by a lower ratio of shoot height to root depth in DS than in WW. Increases in rhizosheath in absolute and relative terms, which were observed in our experiment in spite of smaller root systems in the ancient durum wheat variety Saragolle lucana at DS, may provide an interesting trait for plant performance in conditions of low soil water availability both for water-related issue and for other effects on plant nutrition and relations with the rhizosphere. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Plant-Water System and Interactions)

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19 pages, 1380 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Mineralized Water Sources on the Properties of Calcisol and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

by Evgeny Abakumov, Gulomjon Yuldashev, Dilmurod Darmonov, Avazbek Turdaliev, Kamoliddin Askarov, Mavlonjon Khaydarov, Ulugbek Mirzayev, Timur Nizamutdinov and Kakhramonjon Davronov

Plants 2022, 11(23), 3291; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11233291 - 29 Nov 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1234

Abstract

The use of conservation agriculture (SWC—soil and water conservation) technologies is now becoming more and more necessary. For the soils in arid ecosystems, the problem of irrigation deficiencies has always been relevant, and clean fresh water is always insufficient to irrigate these agricultural [...] Read more.

The use of conservation agriculture (SWC—soil and water conservation) technologies is now becoming more and more necessary. For the soils in arid ecosystems, the problem of irrigation deficiencies has always been relevant, and clean fresh water is always insufficient to irrigate these agricultural lands. This paper provides a brief historical overview of the use of mineralized water sources in agriculture and their impacts on soils and plants (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment involving wheat cultivation in saline soils irrigated with mineralized water was set for 3 years. The main chemical and physical–chemical properties of the agro-transformed solonchaks and mineralized water sources were investigated. According to the contents of mobile forms of N, P, and K, the soils were poorly supplied; after a series of irrigation phases, they remained the same. There were signs of the growth of mobile phosphorus in the variants where mineralized water sources were applied. Our results showed that under conditions of irrigation with water sources with mineralization rates of up to 2.8–3.5 g/L, the wheat yield increased by 1.5 c/ha compared to the control. The use of mineralized water for irrigation purposes will reduce the use of clean river water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Plant-Water System and Interactions)

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13 pages, 4319 KiB

Open AccessArticle

SpatialAquaCrop, an R Package for Raster-Based Implementation of the AquaCrop Model

by Vinicius Deganutti De Barros, István Waltner, Rakotoarivony A. Minoarimanana, Gábor Halupka, Renáta Sándor, Dana Kaldybayeva and Györgyi Gelybó

Plants 2022, 11(21), 2907; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11212907 - 29 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1762

Abstract

Modeling crop water use and soil moisture availability is becoming increasingly critical, particularly in light of recent drought events. Our study focuses on the spatial application of the AquaCrop model, using a raster-based approach in an R-based environment. The formulated methodology was initially [...] Read more.

Modeling crop water use and soil moisture availability is becoming increasingly critical, particularly in light of recent drought events. Our study focuses on the spatial application of the AquaCrop model, using a raster-based approach in an R-based environment. The formulated methodology was initially applied and tested on two point-based examples in the Central region of Hungary, followed by the spatial application of the model at the Rákos Stream catchment in the same region. For evaluation purposes, we also utilized satellite-based NDVI data. The results showed that there is a strong correlation between NDVI values and the model-based biomass estimation. We also found that the model simulated the soil moisture content fairly well, with a correlation coefficient of 0.82. While our results support the validity of the applied methodology, it is also clear that input data availability and quality are still critical issues in spatial application of the AquaCrop model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Plant-Water System and Interactions)

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14 pages, 6142 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Zero Discharge of Nutrient Solution to the Environment in a Soilless Greenhouse Cucumber Production System

by Xiaotao Ding, Lizhong He, Rongguang Li, Tingting Qian, Hongmei Zhang, Haijun Jin, Jiawei Cui, Hong Wang, Qiang Zhou, Jun Zou, Dafeng Hui, Yuping Jiang, Kun He and Jizhu Yu

Plants 2022, 11(17), 2252; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11172252 - 30 Aug 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1576

Abstract

With the development of the economy and society, more attention is being paid to energy costs and the potential environmental pollution caused by vegetable cultivation. The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of zero discharge of nutrient solutions on cucumber [...] Read more.

With the development of the economy and society, more attention is being paid to energy costs and the potential environmental pollution caused by vegetable cultivation. The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of zero discharge of nutrient solutions on cucumber growth, leaf photosynthesis, and the yield and quality of cucumber under greenhouse conditions. The results show that zero discharge treatment did not change plant height, stem diameter, internode length, leaf area, net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (G_s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), transpiration rate (T_r), and leaf relative chlorophyll content on the most measurement days. Only P_n and relative chlorophyll content were significantly reduced after 16 days of treatment but soon recovered over time. Cucumber plants can adapt to treatment circumstances over the course of days. Leaf mineral element contents showed significant differences on some treatment days compared to the control, and trace elements of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Mo can be appropriately supplied during the treatment days. The cucumber yield and fruit quality in the zero discharge treatment did not change during the whole experimental period. This study confirmed that the irrigation method of a nutrient solution with zero discharge can be applied in cucumber cultivation practices. The strict management of irrigation strategy, plant growth, and greenhouse climate are very important for zero discharge cultivation. The cultivation method with zero discharge of nutrient solution can reduce the energy costs of disinfection, save water and fertilizers, and reduce the environmental pollution in cucumber cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Plant-Water System and Interactions)

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17 pages, 3177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seasonality and Phosphate Fertilization in Carbohydrates Storage: Carapa guianensis Aubl. Seedlings Responses

by Vanessa Leão Peleja, Poliana Leão Peleja, Túlio Silva Lara, Edgard Siza Tribuzy and José Mauro Sousa de Moura

Plants 2022, 11(15), 1956; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11151956 - 27 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1423

Abstract

The low availability of phosphorus and water in soil can promote the remobilization of carbohydrates in the plant, releasing energy to mitigate stress. In this context, our objective was to analyze the production and allocation of carbohydrates in plants of Carapa guianensis Aubl. [...] Read more.

The low availability of phosphorus and water in soil can promote the remobilization of carbohydrates in the plant, releasing energy to mitigate stress. In this context, our objective was to analyze the production and allocation of carbohydrates in plants of Carapa guianensis Aubl. submitted to different doses of phosphate fertilization, during the rainy and dry seasons, in the western region of Pará. We used three phosphorus dosages (0, 50, 250 kg ha⁻¹) as treatments. We evaluated the plants during the dry and wet seasons. We quantified dry matter production, phosphorus content, total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, sucrose, and starch. Phosphate fertilization and different evaluation periods influenced carbohydrate concentrations (p < 0.05) in plants. The highest levels of P in the leaves were registered in October and, in the roots the content decreased with the passage of time in all treatments. The control had higher dry matter production in leaves and stems. During the dry season, there was an accumulation of carbohydrates in plants and a low production of dry matter. Soluble sugars and sucrose tended to be allocated to the stem, reducing sugars to the leaves and starch to the roots, in most periods. In general, C. guianensis seedlings were not very responsive to phosphorus addition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Plant-Water System and Interactions)

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16 pages, 1523 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Capparis spinosa L. Cenopopulation and Biogeochemistry in South Uzbekistan

by Murodjon Isagaliev, Evgeny Abakumov, Avazbek Turdaliev, Muzaffar Obidov, Mavlonjon Khaydarov, Khusnida Abdukhakimova, Tokhirjon Shermatov and Iskandar Musaev

Plants 2022, 11(13), 1628; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11131628 - 21 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1883

Abstract

The article provides an analysis of the cenopopulation and tissues element composition of the medicinal caper plant Capparis spinosa L. distributed on Calcisols formed on eroded alluvial-proluvial gravel textured rocks in the south of the Fergana Valley (Uzbekistan, Central Asia). The predominance of [...] Read more.

The article provides an analysis of the cenopopulation and tissues element composition of the medicinal caper plant Capparis spinosa L. distributed on Calcisols formed on eroded alluvial-proluvial gravel textured rocks in the south of the Fergana Valley (Uzbekistan, Central Asia). The predominance of immature plants in the cenopopulation was detected in the Arsif hills massive, and quantitative indicators of micronutrients in the vegetative and generative organs of C. spinosa L. were determined. The study of biomorphological characteristics of the plant during the growing season (April-October) was carried out in the identified 10 observational experimental field populations. The cenopopulation dynamics and plant development patterns of Capparis spinosa L. were characterized for environmental conditions of south Uzbekistan for the first time. Soil, plant element analysis was performed by neutron-activation method. In this case, the samples were irradiated in a nuclear reactor with a neutron flux of 5 × 10¹³ neutrons/cm² s, and their quantities were determined in accordance with the half-life of chemical elements. It has also been compared with research materials conducted by world scientists on the importance and pharmacological properties of botanicals in medicine and the food industry, as well as their botanical characteristics. The plant can serve to conserve soil resources, as it prevents water and wind erosion of dense clay soils in the dry subtropical climate of Central Fergana and could be considered an effective agent of destroyed soils remediation. The development of this plant will contribute to the diversification of agriculture in Uzbekistan (Central Asia) and the development of the food industry and pharmacology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Plant-Water System and Interactions)

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21 pages, 3397 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Organic Manure and Moisture Regimes on Soil Physiochemical Properties, Microbial Biomass C_mic:N_mic:P_mic Turnover and Yield of Mustard Grains in Arid Climate

by Rajendra Bhanwaria, Bikarma Singh and Carmelo Maria Musarella

Plants 2022, 11(6), 722; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11060722 - 08 Mar 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3582

Abstract

(1) Background: Arid conditions occur due to climate abnormality in the different biogeography regions of the world. The aim of this research is to investigate the stoichiometry of manure and moisture regimes on soil properties, microbial biomass C:N:P turnover, and the grain yield [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Arid conditions occur due to climate abnormality in the different biogeography regions of the world. The aim of this research is to investigate the stoichiometry of manure and moisture regimes on soil properties, microbial biomass C:N:P turnover, and the grain yield of mustard crops under stress in arid conditions; (2) Methods: The field experiment was carried out for 2 years at the farms of the agriculture college of SKN, Jobner (SKRAU Bikaner, Rajasthan). The effects of organic manure, moisture regimes, and saline water treatment on soil properties, such as the soil microbial biomass build-up, loss, turnover, and recycling of carbon (C_mic), nitrogen (N_mic), and phosphorus (P_mic) in the mustard crop were investigated. The twenty-seven treatments studied are described as follows: organic manures (control, FYM @ 10 t ha⁻¹ and vermicompost @ 5 t ha⁻¹), moisture regimes (0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 IW/CPE ratio), and saline irrigation water (control, 6, 12 dSm⁻¹); (3) Results: Our findings indicate that vermicompost @ 5 t ha⁻¹ significantly increases moisture retention and the available water in soil at 33 kPa and 1500 kPa. The microbial biomass build-up of C_mic increases by 43.13% over the control and 14.36% over the FYM. Similarly, the soil microbial biomass of N_mic, and P_mic also increase considerably. The SHC of the soil is enhanced by the application of farmyard fertilizer and vermicompost. The BD and pH decrease significantly, while the SHC, OC, CEC, and ECe of the soil increase significantly. The build-up, losses, and fluxes of the soil microbial biomass of C_mic, N_mic, and P_mic increase significantly, and the turnover rate decreases under vermicompost @ 5 t ha⁻¹. A significant increase in grain yield was observed. Irrigation with a 0.8 IW/CPE moisture regime significantly decreases the pH of the SHC; (4) Conclusions: We hypothesized the interactive outcomes of the moisture regime and found that organic manure significantly influenced grain and stover yield. The treatments of quality irrigation water and the addition of organic manure are efficient enough to improve soil properties, water holding capacity, and soil microbial biomass C:N:P in stress climatic conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Plant-Water System and Interactions)

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12 pages, 3067 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Process of Soil Desiccation under Haloxylon ammodendron Plantations: A Case Study of the Alxa Legue Desert, China

by Dongmeng Zhou, Jianhua Si, Xiaohui He, Bing Jia, Chunyan Zhao, Chunlin Wang, Jie Qin and Xinglin Zhu

Plants 2022, 11(3), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11030235 - 18 Jan 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1645

Abstract

Haloxylon ammodendron is a desert shrub widely used as a windbreak and for sand fixation, and it has achieved remarkable results in China. However, in desert areas, large-scale afforestation increases soil water consumption and forms a dried soil layer (DSL), the development of [...] Read more.

Haloxylon ammodendron is a desert shrub widely used as a windbreak and for sand fixation, and it has achieved remarkable results in China. However, in desert areas, large-scale afforestation increases soil water consumption and forms a dried soil layer (DSL), the development of which seriously threatens the sustainable development of the ecosystem. In this study, soil moisture in the 0–400 cm soil profile was measured in selected 5-, 11-, 22-, 34-, and 46-year-old plantations of Haloxylon ammodendron plantations in Alxa Legue, China, and three soil desiccation evaluation indices were calculated—the soil desiccation index (SDI), DSL thickness (DSLT), and DSL soil water content (DSL-SWC)—to analyze the change pattern of the soil water content for different stand ages. The results showed that the shallow water layer (0–200 cm) was depleted sharply in the first five years of Haloxylon ammodendron plantation growth, but no DSL developed; the inflection point of soil water content change appeared after 10 years of growth, after which the shallow soil water was depleted and the drying process of the deep soil water content was significantly faster than that in the early growth period. The deep soil layer (200–400 cm) was depleted seriously after 22 years of afforestation, the soil drying phenomenon was obvious, and the DSL developed from the 172 cm soil layer. After 46 years of afforestation, the DSL was fully developed and the DSL-SWC was only 0.034 cm³ cm⁻³. Priority should thus be given to the use of less water-consuming shrub species; alternatively, after 5 years of growth of Haloxylon ammodendron plantations, certain water control measures should be taken to maintain the soil water balance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Plant-Water System and Interactions)

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Review

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28 pages, 1182 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Indoor Vegetable Production: An Alternative Approach to Increasing Cultivation

by Peter A. Y. Ampim, Eric Obeng and Ernesto Olvera-Gonzalez

Plants 2022, 11(21), 2843; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11212843 - 25 Oct 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4691

Abstract

As the world’s population is increasing exponentially, human diets have changed to less healthy foods resulting in detrimental health complications. Increasing vegetable intake by both rural and urban dwellers can help address this issue. However, these communities often face the challenge of limited [...] Read more.

As the world’s population is increasing exponentially, human diets have changed to less healthy foods resulting in detrimental health complications. Increasing vegetable intake by both rural and urban dwellers can help address this issue. However, these communities often face the challenge of limited vegetable supply and accessibility. More so, open field vegetable production cannot supply all the vegetable needs because biotic and abiotic stress factors often hinder production. Alternative approaches such as vegetable production in greenhouses, indoor farms, high tunnels, and screenhouses can help fill the gap in the supply chain. These alternative production methods provide opportunities to use less resources such as land space, pesticide, and water. They also make possible the control of production factors such as temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide, as well as extension of the growing season. Some of these production systems also make the supply and distribution of nutrients to crops easier and more uniform to enhance crop growth and yield. This paper reviews these alternative vegetable production approaches which include hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics and soilless mixes to reveal the need for exploring them further to increase crop production. The paper also discusses facilities used, plant growth factors, current challenges including energy costs and prospects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Plant-Water System and Interactions)

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