Use of Proline to Induce Salt Stress Tolerance in Guava.

Guava is a fruit tree with high potential in the semi-arid region of northeast Brazil. However, qualitative and quantitative water scarcity is a limiting factor for the expansion of irrigated agriculture. Thus, it is necessary to use techniques to mitigate the effects of salt stress, such as foliar application of proline. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of proline as a mitigator of salt stress effects on the morphophysiology of guava cv. Paluma. The experiment was carried out under field conditions at the 'Rolando Enrique Rivas Castellón' Experimental Farm in São Domingos, PB, Brazil, using a randomized block design in a 5 × 4 factorial scheme referring to five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water, ECw (0.8, 1.5, 2.2, 2.9, and 3.5 dS m-1) and four concentrations of proline (0, 8, 16, and 24 mM). Salinity above 0.8 dS m-1 compromised gas exchange, photosynthetic pigment synthesis, photochemical efficiency, and growth of guava plants at 360 days after transplanting. Foliar application of proline at a concentration of 24 mM mitigated the effect of salt stress on the relative water content, stomatal conductance, and carotenoid contents in plants irrigated with 3.6 dS m-1 water. Meanwhile, a proline concentration of up to 18 mM resulted in higher transpiration, CO2 assimilation rate, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, and absolute growth rate in stem diameter under ECw of 0.8 dS m-1. Proline concentration of up to 24 mM increased the biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments and the relative growth rate in stem diameter of guava in the period from 190 to 360 days after transplanting.

Salicylic Acid as a Salt Stress Mitigator on Chlorophyll Fluorescence, Photosynthetic Pigments, and Growth of Precocious-Dwarf Cashew in the Post-Grafting Phase.

Salicylic acid is a phytohormone that has been used to mitigate the effects of saline stress on plants. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid as a salt stress attenuator on the physiology and growth of precocious-dwarf cashew plants in the post-grafting phase. The study was carried out in a plant nursery using a randomized block design in a 5 × 4 factorial arrangement corresponding to five electrical conductivity levels of irrigation water (0.4, 1.2, 2.0, 2.8, and 3.6 dS m-1) and four salicylic acid concentrations (0, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mM), with three replications. Irrigation water with electrical conductivity levels above 0.4 dS m-1 negatively affected the relative water content in the leaf blade, photosynthetic pigments, the fluorescence of chlorophyll a, and plant growth and increased electrolyte leakage in the leaf blade of precocious-dwarf cashew plants in the absence of salicylic acid. It was verified through the regression analysis that salicylic acid at a concentration of 1.1 mM attenuated the effects of salt stress on the relative water content and electrolyte leakage in the leaf blade, while the concentration of 1.7 mM increased the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments in precocious-dwarf cashew plants.

Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide Application on Salt Stress Mitigation in Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the foliar application of hydrogen peroxide on the attenuation of salt stress on the growth, photochemical efficiency, production and water use efficiency of 'All Big' bell pepper plants. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in Campina Grande, PB, Brazil. Treatments were distributed in a randomized block design, in a 5 × 5 factorial scheme, corresponding to five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (0.8, 1.2, 2.0, 2.6 and 3.2 dS m-1) and five concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 µM), with three replicates. Foliar application of hydrogen peroxide at concentration of 15 µM attenuated the deleterious effects of salt stress on photochemical efficiency, biomass accumulation and production components of bell pepper plants irrigated using water with an electrical conductivity of up to 3.2 dS m-1. Foliar spraying of hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 60 µM intensified the effects of salt stress. The 'All Big' bell pepper was classified as moderately sensitive to salt stress, with an irrigation water salinity threshold of 1.43 dS m-1 and a unit decrease of 8.25% above this salinity level.

Production and Fiber Characteristics of Colored Cotton Cultivares under Salt Stress and H2O2.

Salt stress reduces the yield and quality of colored fiber cotton production, but this problem can be mitigated by the foliar application of hydrogen peroxide in adequate concentrations. In this context, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the production and characteristics of fibers of naturally colored cotton cultivares under irrigation with low- and high-salinity water and leaf application of hydrogen peroxide. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse under a randomized block design, arranged in 4 × 3 × 2 factorial scheme, corresponding to four concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (0, 25, 50, and 75 µM), three cultivares of colored fiber cotton ('BRS Rubi', 'BRS Topázio', and 'BRS Verde'), and two electrical conductivities of water (0.8 and 5.3 dS m-1), with three replicates and one plant per plot. Irrigation with water of 0.8 dS m-1 associated with a foliar application of 75 µM of hydrogen peroxide favored the lint and seed weight, strength, micronaire index, and maturity of 'BRS Topázio'. The 'BRS Rubi' cotton cultivar showed higher tolerance to salinity, followed by the 'BRS Topázio' and 'BRS Verde' cultivares regarding the yield of seed cotton weight, with reduction below 20% under water of 5.3 dS m-1.

The Effects of Irrigation Water Salinity on the Synthesis of Photosynthetic Pigments, Gas Exchange, and Photochemical Efficiency of Sour Passion Fruit Genotypes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange, and photochemical efficiency of sour passion fruit genotypes irrigated with saline water under the conditions of the semi-arid region of Paraíba state, Brazil. The experiment was conducted at the experimental farm in São Domingos, PB. A randomized block design was adopted, in a 5 × 3 factorial scheme, with five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water-ECw (0.3, 1.1, 1.9, 2.7, and 3.5 dS m-1)-and three genotypes of sour passion fruit (Gigante Amarelo-'BRS GA1'; Sol do Cerrado-'BRS SC1'; and Catarina-'SCS 437'. The increase in the electrical conductivity of irrigation water negatively affected most of the physiological characteristics of the sour passion fruit at 154 days after transplanting. Significant differences were observed between sour passion fruit genotypes when its tolerance was subjected to the salinity of irrigation water. There was an increase in the percentage of damage to the cell membrane with the increase in the electrical conductivity of irrigation water, with maximum values of 70.63, 60.86, and 80.35% for the genotypes 'BRS GA1', 'BRS SC1', and SCS 437', respectively, when irrigated with water of 3.5 dS m-1. The genotype 'BRS Sol do Cerrado' showed an increase in the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments when irrigated with water of 3.5 dS m-1, with maximum values estimated at 1439.23 µg mL-1 (Chl a); 290.96 µg mL-1 (Chl b); 1730.19 µg mL-1 (Chl t); and 365.84 µg mL-1 (carotenoids). An increase in photosynthetic efficiency parameters (F0, Fm, and Fv) of the genotype 'BRS Gigante Amarelo' was observed when cultivated with water with high electrical conductivity (3.5 dS m-1).

Organic fertilization as an alternative to the chemical in cherry tomato growing under irrigation depths

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of organic fertilization as an alternative to the chemical on the yield and quality of cherry tomato grown under different irrigation depths in protected environment, in 2013 and 2014. The experimental design was in randomized blocks (5 x 3 factor), with five irrigation depths as the factors (70%, 85%, 100%, 115% and 130% of ETc) and three types of fertilization: no fertilized soil (control), NPK fertilized soil (Chemical) and earthworm humus fertilized soil (organic). The following were evaluated in this study: water use efficiency, number of aborted flowers, total soluble solid content, transverse and longitudinal diameter of the fruits, number of fruits and fruit yield per plant. Organic fertilization is an alternative to the chemical with no losses in yield and fruit quality. The increase in water depth enhanced yield and fruit diameters and reduced water use efficiency. Water use efficiency was more sensitive to the increments in water depth than to different types of fertilization. The values ​​of °Brix obtained in the experiment were classified as acceptable for the domestic and international market when submitted to organic fertilization.

Photosynthesis, photochemical efficiency and growth of west indian cherry cultivated with saline waters and nitrogen fertilization / Fotossíntese, eficiência fotoquímica e crescimento da aceroleira cultivada com águas salinas e adubação n itrogenada

In the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil, water salinity is one of the main abiotic factors limiting crop growth and development. However, given the water scarcity affecting this region, the use of waters with moderate to high salt contents becomes necessary to irrigate crops. Thus, generating technologies that enable the use of saline waters is an essential alternative to the agricultural development of this region. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate photosynthesis, photochemical efficiency and growth of West Indian cherry, as a function of irrigation with saline waters and nitrogen (N) fertilization, in the post-grafting stage. The experiment was carried out in drainage lysimeters under greenhouse conditions, using a typic eutrophic Regolithic Neosol with sandy loam texture, in the municipality of Campina Grande-PB, Brazil. Treatments consisted of the combination between five levels of electrical conductivity of water ­ ECw (0.8; 1.6; 2.4; 3.2 and 4.0 dS m-1) and four N doses ­ ND (50; 75; 100 and 125 g of N plant-1 per year), arranged in a randomized block design, with 3 replicates. Gas exchanges, chlorophyll a fluorescence and growth of West Indian cherry were compromised by saline water irrigation, regardless of N dose. Irrigation with ECw higher than 0.8 dS m-1 caused damages to the photosystem II reaction centers of West Indian cherry. Nitrogen doses did not mitigate the deleterious effects caused by irrigation water salinity on photosynthesis, photochemical efficiency and growth of West Indian cherry.

Na região semiárida do Nordeste brasileiro, a salinidade da água é um dos principais fatores abióticos que restringem o crescimento e o desenvolvimento das culturas. Contudo, diante do quadro de escassez hídrica que afeta esta região, a utilização de águas com teores salinos de moderado a alto, faz-se necessário na irrigação das culturas. Desse modo, a geração de tecnologias que permitam o uso de águassalinas, constitui uma alternativa essencial para o desenvolvimento agrícola desta região. Neste contexto, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a fotossíntese, eficiência fotoquímica e o crescimento da aceroleira, em função da irrigação com águas salinas e adubação nitrogenada, na fase pós-enxertia. O experimento foi conduzido em lisímetros de drenagem sob condições de casa-de-vegetação, utilizando-se um Neossolo Regolítico Eutrófico típico de textura franco-arenosa, no município de Campina Grande-PB. Os tratamentos foram constituídos da combinação entre cinco níveis de condutividade elétrica da água - CEa (0,8; 1,6; 2,4; 3,2 e 4,0 dS m-1) e quatro doses de nitrogênio ­ DN (50; 75; 100 e 125 g de N planta-1 por ano), distribuído no delineamento de blocos casualizados, com 3 repetições. As trocas gasosas, a fluorescência da clorofilaa e o crescimento da aceroleira foram comprometidos pela irrigação com águas salinas, independentemente da adubação com nitrogênio. A irrigação com CEa superior a 0,8 dS m-1 provocou danos nos centros de reação do fotossistema II da aceroleira. As doses de nitrogênio não mitigaram os efeitos deletérios ocasionados pela salinidade da água de irrigação sobre a fotossíntese, eficiência fotoquímica e o crescimento da aceroleira.

Growth and production of sunflower as a function of cationic nature of the water and nitrogen / Crescimento e produção do girassol em função da natureza catiônica da água e nitrogênio

In the Brazilian semi-arid region, it is common to find water with high concentration of salts and with variation in its cationic nature. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the growth and production components of sunflower, cv. BRS 324, as a function of irrigation water of different salinity levels and cationic nature associated with doses of nitrogen (N). The experiment was conducted in pots, under open field conditions, in the municipality of Campina Grande-PB, Brazil, in a randomized block design in 5 x 5 factorial scheme, with three replicates, based on five treatments of salinity and cationic nature of the water - S (S1 - Control; S2 - NaCl; S3 - CaCl2; S4 - KCl and S5 ­ NaCl+CaCl2+MgCl2) combined with five N doses (50; 75; 100; 125 and 150 mg of N kg-1 of soil). Irrigation was performed using water with electrical conductivity - ECw of 0.5 dS m-1 for the control and 5.0 dS m-1 for the other treatments. The growth and production of sunflower cv. BRS 324 were reduced when the crop was irrigated with water of electrical conductivity of 5.0 dS m-1, independent of the cationic nature of water; nitrogen fertilization did not attenuate the deleterious effects of salt stress caused by irrigation waters of 5.0 dS m-1 on sunflower cv. BRS 324; The methods of comparison of means through contrasts and Tukey's test were efficient and can be used together to evaluate the growth and the production of sunflower.

No semiárido brasileiro é comum encontrar águas com elevadas concentrações salinas e com variação na sua composição catiônica. Neste sentido, objetivou-se com este trabalho, avaliar o crescimento e os componentes de produção do girassol cv. BRS 324, em função da irrigação com água de diferentes salinidades e natureza catiônica associada a doses de nitrogênio, em experimento conduzido em vasos, sob condições abertas de campo, no município de Campina Grande, PB, no delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 5 x 5, com três repetições, sendo cinco tratamentos de salinidade e natureza catiônica da água - S (S1 - Testemunha; S2 - NaCl; S3 - CaCl2; S4 - KCl e S5 ­ NaCl+CaCl2+MgCl2) combinados com cinco doses de nitrogênio (50; 75; 100; 125 e 150 mg de N kg-1 de solo). Utilizou-se na irrigação, água com condutividade elétrica ­ CEa de 0,5 dS m-1 para a testemunha (S1) e 5,0 dS m-1 para os demais tratamentos. O crescimento e a produção do girassol cv. BRS 324 foram reduzidos quando a cultura é irrigada com água de condutividade elétrica de 5,0 dS m-1, independente da natureza catiônica da água; a adubação nitrogenada não atenuou os efeitos deletérios do estresse salino causado por irrigação com água de 5,0 dS m-1 sobre o girassol cv. BRS 324. Os métodos de comparação de médias através de contrastes e teste de Tukey foram eficientes e podem ser utilizados em conjunto para avaliar o crescimento e a produção de girassol.