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Phalaenopsis orchids are highly economical ornamental potted plants. Controlling their production schedule requires information on the leaf development characteristics of the orchids. Phalaenopsis leaves affect the plant’s photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration. The leaf growth conditions can serve as a development index for greenhouse management. The use of the growth characteristics of Phalaenopsis leaves as the basis for greenhouse cultivation and management needs to be studied. The allometry of Phalaenopsis leaves is worth studying. The goal of this research was to investigate the allometry of Phalaenopsis leaves and develop prediction models of the total leaf area. Then, these total leaf area models were developed and validated. In this study, five Phalaenopsis varieties (amabilis, Sin-Yuan beauty, Ruey Lish beauty, Ishin KHM1095, and Sogo F1091) were selected. Each sample had five mature leaves. The lengths, widths, and areas of the sequential leaves were measured, and then the length ratios, width ratios, and area ratios were calculated. The top and bottom models were used to calculate the total leaf areas. The results indicate that no significant differences could be found in the length ratios, width ratios, and area ratios of the sequential leaves from the same variety. However, significant differences were found in these leaf characteristics between different varieties. The observation of leaf growth characteristics can be used to provide useful information for Phalaenopsis management. Comparing the predictive criteria of the two models, the top model had a better predictive ability than the bottom model. From a practical viewpoint, measuring the top leaf area is easier than measuring the bottom leaf area in a greenhouse operation. Comparing the effects of the sample numbers on the predictive ability of the model, the sample number of 30 was sufficient to ensure the accuracy of the total leaf area measurements. We provide an easy and accurate method to measure the total leaf area of Phalaenopsis. The calculated values of total leaf areas can be incorporated into decision models for smart management.

This study investigated the influence of soil types on morphological growth characteristics in Amaranthus caudatus. Seeds of A. caudatus were sown in soils formulated using USDA soil triangle technique and after germination, variabilities in the mean leaf area, shoot height, girth, mean number of branches and leaves per representative stand on different soils were measured. Also, heavy metal uptake characteristics of the plant were examined by comparing the concentrations of trace metals in the soil before and after planting with amount retained in the plant shoot. The results of soil mineral analysis indicated variabilities in the mineral content of the soil before and after planting. While some trace element concentrations got depleted after planting, some appreciated considerably. In addition, variabilities observed in the mean leaf area, shoot height, girth, mean number of branches and leaves per representative plant on different soils suggested the critical role of minerals present in each soil type in plant development. Some essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium were returned to the soil in three-fold of their initial concentrations. This suggested that the plant could serve as a phytoremediator of such minerals, particularly in mineral deficient areas. Also, reduced acidity of the post-harvest soils further showed the plant’s capacity to mop up high acidity in an environment, thus; a good candidate for phytoremediation. For optimal yield in afore-mentioned growth parameters in a regulated environment, loam and silty clayey loam soils are recommended for cultivation of Amaranthus caudatus.

A field experiment was carried out to assess the effect of different irrigation systems, which included surface drip irrigation, sub-surface drip irrigation, surface irrigation in basins and cover crop on water productivity, growth and yield of maize in a silty clay loam soil in the Nile sub-district of  Babil Governorate, in the fall season 2020. The experiment was designed using the split plot arrangement according to a complete randomized block design (RCBD) with three replications. The experiment treatments included two factors: cover crop (C) includes cover crop (C1) and without the cover crop (C0), and irrigation systems (I): includes surface drip irrigation (I1) subsurface drip irrigation (I2) and surface irrigation in basins (I3). Scheduling Irrigation was applied after 50% depletion of the plant available water. The water balance equation was used to determine the water consumption of maize. The results showed that C1I3 treatment was highest mean of plant height 235 cm, grain yield 11236 kg ha-1, leaf area 6076 cm2 plant-1, and leaf area index 4.05. Whereas, C0I1 was the lowest values for the previous traits, 183 cm, 5200 kg ha-1, 3997 cm2 plants-1, and 2.67 respectively. Treatment C1I2 was superior in the value of field water use efficiency and crop water use efficiency, which reached 3.49 kg m-3 and 3.05 kg m-3, respectively. Whereas, treatment C0I1 gave the lowest value for field and crop water use efficiency, which was 1.11 kg m-3 and 1.05 kg m-3, respectively. The highest water consumption of maize was 709 mm season-1 was for treatment C0I3, and the lowest water consumption was 362 mm season-1 for the treatment C1I2. It is clear that surface drip irrigation in the presence of cover crop contributed to saving irrigation water by reducing water consumption of maize.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1663361.].

In this study, to screen for walnut salt-tolerant rootstocks, Juglans microcarpa L. seedlings were treated in different NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 mmol/L), and the growth situation of seedlings was observed. Moreover, we determined the physiological indexes of seedlings on different days (6, 12, 18, and 24 d) after treatment. The results showed that after salt stress, the external morphology of seedlings displayed salt injury, which manifested as yellowing, withering, curling, and falling off of leaves. High concentrations and long-term stress led to more serious damage, with numerous leaves undergoing withering and shedding. Salt stress significantly inhibited the growth of seedlings. With the increase in salt concentration and stress time, the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic parameters of seedlings reduced to varying degrees; the relative electrical conductivity (REC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) increased. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities generally increased, followed by a decrease; proline (Pro) accumulated; and soluble sugar (SS) content first increased and then decreased. In addition, it promoted the production of abscisic acid (ABA) and inhibited the synthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid 3 (GA3), and zeatin riboside (ZR). It was found that J. microcarpa L. seedlings were more tolerant under 100 mmol/L salt stress, whereas the damage to growth was more severe at 200 mmol/L to 300 mmol/L salt stress.

【Objective】 Mulched drip irrigation is a widely used technique in Northwestern China. This paper investigates the combined effects of mulched drip irrigation and nitrogen fertilization on the growth and yield of summer maize. 【Method】 The experiment was conducted in a maize field in Southern Xinjiang and included a mulched drip irrigation (MD) treatment and a conventional drip irrigation treatment without mulching (LD). Each irrigation treatment had five nitrogen applications: 0 kg/hm2 (N0), 224.6 kg/hm2 (N1), 278.4 kg/hm2 (N2), 368.9 kg/hm2 (N3), and 464.0 kg/hm2 (N4). The control was flood irrigation with a nitrogen application of 278.4 kg/hm2. For each treatment, we measured growth traits and grain yield of the maize. 【Result】 ① With increasing nitrogen application, the SPAD value, leaf area index (LAI), and aboveground dry biomass initially increased before plateauing; these metrics were 18.67%, 10.39%, and 10.41% higher in the MD treatment compared to the LD treatment, respectively. ② The relationship between dry matter accumulation and nitrogen application fit a logistic model, with the accumulation plateauing when the nitrogen application was 368.9 kg/hm2. Compared to LD, MD prolonged the period of rapid growth by 7-18 days and delayed its onset by 1-6 days. ③ The yield in the MD treatment was 1 027.52-2 023.04 kg/hm2 higher than that in LD; nitrogen application increased grain yield by 29.41%-84.46%. The combination of MD and nitrogen application increased yield by 52.17%-106.61%. Nonlinear regression indicated an asymptotic increase in maize yield with nitrogen application. The grain yield in MD and LD plateaued to 362.75 kg/hm2 and 364.14 kg/hm2, when their associated nitrogen application exceeded 267.69 kg/hm2 and 274.11 kg/hm2, respectively. ④ In both irrigation treatments, applying 278.4 kg/hm2 of nitrogen fertilizer produced yields comparable to the control, while saving 256.5 mm of water. 【Conclusion】 Mulched drip irrigation combined with a nitrogen application of 278.4 kg/hm2 is optimal for promoting the growth and yield of summer maize in Southern Xinjiang.

The global scarcity of irrigation water poses a significant challenge to the sustainable production of rice and its availability worldwide. With a growing population driving increased demand for rice, it is crucial to enhance rice production while minimizing water usage. Achieving this requires a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions between water and nitrogen dynamics and the formulation of strategies to optimize the application of irrigation water and nitrogen fertilizers. This study aims to investigate the impact of varying irrigation regimes and nitrogen application rates on rice growth attributes, yield performance, overall crop productivity, and economic returns. In the 2021 and 2022 rice growing season, two field experiments were carried out in split plot design with four nitrogen levels in sub plots [N0: Control, N1: 75% RDN (Recommended dose of nitrogen; @ 120 kg N ha −1 ), N2: 100% RDN, and N3: 125% RDN] and four irrigation treatments in main plots [I1: recommended irrigation scheduling, I2: at field capacity (20 L m −2 ), I3: 10% depletion from field capacity (20 L m −2 ), and I4: 20% depletion from field capacity (20 L m −2 ). The experiments were replicated three times. The suggested irrigation scheduling treatment (flooded) showed improved growth characteristics, such as plant height, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index, tiller count, SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) value, NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) value, leaf relative water content, and yield attributes; however, these were comparable to the application of irrigation water at field capacity. Due to improved plant growth and yield-attributing characteristics, the I1 treatment recorded the highest grain yield of 8.58 t ha −1 and 8.4 t ha −1 , although it was comparable to the I2 treatment, which had grain yields of 8.27 t ha −1 and 8.15 t ha −1 in 2021 and 2022. The grain yield reported by the N3 treatment were significantly greater than those of the N2 treatment, IN 2021 and 2022 respectively. Applying nitrogen at 125% RDN (Recommended dose of nitrogen) and irrigation water at field capacity produced the highest benefit–cost ratio (1.64), which was closely followed by the same irrigation regime and 100% RDN application (1.60 BC ratio). Comparable to irrigation at field capacity, the suggested irrigation schedule demonstrated enhanced growth features, yield attributes, productivity, and profitability. The best way to achieve the optimum growth, productivity, and profitability in transplanted rice was to provide irrigation water at field capacity and nitrogen @ 100% RDN.

【Background and Objective】 Pepper is a shallow-rooted cash crop characterized by high leaf area index (LAI) and stomatal conductivity. It is sensitive to soil water change, and excessive or insufficient irrigation could thus inhibit its development, resulting in a decrease in yield and fruit quality. Reducing irrigation amount at different growth stages to maintain soil moisture at optimal levels has been posited as an improved cultivation method to improve yield and quality of the pepper. This paper aims to investigate the effect of water deficit at different growth stages on growth, yield and quality of chili pepper in the middle and low reaches of the Yellow River. 【Method】 The experiment was conducted in a solar greenhouse in Xinxiang, Henan province, with the pepper irrigated by drip irrigation. Three water deficits were imposed at flowering-fruiting stage (K) and fruiting stage (J) at different levels: severe water deficit by keeping the soil moisture content at 55%-65% of the field capacity (K1 and J1), moderate water deficit by keeping soil moisture content at 65%-75% of the field capacity (K2 and J2), sufficient irrigation by keeping soil moisture content at 75%-85% of the field capacity (K3 and J3). In each treatment, we measured plant height, stem diameter, yield and fruit quality of the pepper. 【Result】 ① Water deficit in reproductive stage reduced plant height and stem diameter of the pepper, while a moderate water deficit in flowering-fruiting stage and fruiting stage did not significantly affect plant height and stem diameter. ② The combination of K2 and J3 increased the yield of the pepper, promoted formation of marketable fruits. Compared with the combination of K3 and J3, the combination K2+J3 increased the yield of marketable fruits by 18.9%. ③ The combination of K2 and J3 had the highest soluble sugar content; the combination of K1 and J1 gave the highest dihydrocapsaicin content; the combination of K2 and J2 had the highest capsaicin, soluble protein, and vitamin C content. 【Conclusion】 A moderate water deficit during the flowering - fruiting stage combined with a sufficient irrigation at fruiting stage can improve yield and fruit quality for the greenhouse chili pepper.

Melatonin regulates defense responses in plants under environmental stress. This study aimed to explore the impact of exogenous melatonin on the phenotype and physiology of ‘BM1’ pumpkin seedlings subjected to waterlogging stress. Waterlogging stress was induced following foliar spraying of melatonin at various concentrations (CK, 0, 10, 100, 200, and 300 μmol·L −1 ). The growth parameters, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, antioxidant enzyme activity, osmoregulatory substance levels, and other physiological indicators were assessed to elucidate the physiological mechanisms underlying the role of exogenous melatonin in mitigating waterlogging stress in pumpkin seedlings. The results indicate that pumpkin seedlings exhibit waterlogging symptoms, such as leaf wilting, water loss, edge chlorosis, and fading, under waterlogging stress conditions. Various growth indicators of the seedlings, including plant height, stem diameter, root length, fresh and dry weight, and leaf chlorophyll content, were significantly reduced. Moreover, the MDA content in leaves and roots increased significantly, along with elevated activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and soluble protein contents. When different concentrations of melatonin were sprayed on the leaves post waterlogging stress treatment, pumpkin seedlings showed varying degrees of recovery, with the 100 μmol·L −1 treatment displaying the best growth status and plant morphological phenotypes. There were no significant differences compared to the control group. Seedling growth indicators, chlorophyll content, root activity, antioxidant enzyme activities, soluble protein content, and osmotic adjustment substance content all increased to varying degrees with increasing melatonin concentration, peaking at 100 μmol·L −1 . Melatonin also reduced membrane damage caused by oxidative stress and alleviated osmotic imbalance. Exogenous melatonin enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and systems involved in scavenging reactive oxygen species, with 100 μmol·L −1 as the optimal concentration. These findings underscore the crucial role of exogenous melatonin in alleviating waterlogging stress in pumpkins. The findings of this study offer a theoretical framework and technical assistance for cultivating waterlogging-resistant pumpkins in practical settings. Additionally, it establishes a theoretical groundwork for the molecular breeding of pumpkins with increased tolerance to waterlogging.

To elucidate the impact of varying degrees of salt, drought, and their combined stress on the physiological and biochemical attributes of Viola tricolor seedlings, a pot culture study was conducted. The experiment utilized Viola tricolor seedlings as test materials, segregated into 16 treatments: four levels of NaCl (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%) for salt stress; four increments in soil field capacity (80%, 65%, 50%, 35%) for drought stress; and combinations of these stresses to assess their cumulative effects. A control group was established using 0% NaCl and 80% field capacity water content. Growth metrics and physiological indicators were quantified under each condition. Results indicate that with escalating degrees of salt and drought stresses, height, dry weight of above-ground parts, dry weight of below-ground parts, and root-to-shoot ratio exhibit an incremental pattern initially followed by a decline. Relative water content decreases, while Malondialdehyde (MDA) content, soluble protein (SP) content, soluble sugars (SS) content, and proline (Pro) content ascend. The activity of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) peaks before declining. However, POD remains elevated under 0.6% NaCl and 35% field capacity under severely stressed conditions compared to the control. Chlorophyll content shows a similar rising and then falling trend. POD emerges as the primary antioxidant enzyme in Viola tricolor seedlings when faced with high-salt and severe drought stress. Fuzzy logic analysis suggests that Viola tricolor seedlings demonstrate partial tolerance to moderate salt-drought stress combinations, indicating some cross-adaptation. Specifically, Viola tricolor seedlings exhibit the highest resistance to salt-drought stress under the treatment of 0.2% NaCl and 65% field capacity.