Growth, Productivity, Yield Components and Seasonality of Different Genotypes of Forage Clover Lotus corniculatus L. under Varied Soil Moisture Contents.

This study aimed to evaluate the response to water deficit of different ecotypes and a variety of Lotus corniculatus on growth, productivity, and yield components, through seasonal times. A randomized block experimental design in a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement with three replicates was used. The first variation factor was soil moisture contents: field capacity (FC) was 26.5% ± 1.5, and water deficit (WD) was 85% of FC (22.5% ± 1.5); the second variation factor was the ecotypes identified with the codes 255301, 255305, 202700 and 226792 and of the variety Estanzuela Ganador. The best responses in plant cover and weight of accumulated fresh biomass were obtained in the ecotype 202700 under WD, with values of 1649.0 cm2 and 583.7 g plant-1, and 1661.2 cm2 and 740.1 g plant-1 in ecotype 255305 under FC. The leaf clover was the main component of yield during the summer and autumn seasons. Ecotype 226792 was tolerant to low temperatures during the winter season with better leaf development. Ecotype 202700 is the best option for forage clover production when water is limited, and ecotype 255305 when water is not resource-limited, but these preliminary conclusions need to be confirmed in field studies.

Relative Water Content, Chlorophyll Index, and Photosynthetic Pigments on Lotus corniculatus L. in Response to Water Deficit.

This study aimed to evaluate different L. corniculatus L. ecotypes under water-deficit conditions to identify changes in relative water content and photosynthetic pigments as indicators of physiological responses during different years' seasons. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replicates. Ten treatments were performed as a factorial of 2 × 5, where the first variation factor was the soil water content-no water deficit (NDW) with 100% field capacity (FC), and water deficit (DW) corresponding to 85.4% of the FC-and the second variation factor comprised four ecotypes and one variety of L. corniculatus. A significant effect was identified on the concentration of photosynthetic pigments, mainly total chlorophyll, with chlorophyll a in the 255301 ecotype with records of 187.8, 167.5, and 194.6 mg g-1 FW in WD, corresponding to an increase of 86.0%, 172.6%, and 16.6%, respectively, in relation the lower values obtained in the ecotype 202700 under NWD. In carotenoids, higher concentrations were observed in the 255301 and 202700 ecotypes and the Estanzuela Ganador variety under WD in most seasonal periods, except summer; a similar response was found in the 202700 ecotype and the Estanzuela Ganador variety during the winter season, also in WD. The results showed that the first two principal components accounted for 71.8% of the total variation, with PC1 representing chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll, and PC2 representing carotenoids, temperature, relative chlorophyll index, and relative water content. The observations were grouped based on soil moisture content, with the optimal moisture group exhibiting higher chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations. The findings suggest that soil moisture content significantly affects the performance of L. corniculatus ecotypes, and the plant shows seasonal variations in response to water-deficit conditions. This research contributes to understanding the physiological responses of L. corniculatus and its potential as a water-efficient forage crop for promoting sustainable agriculture and enhancing food security.

Role of acemannan and pectic polysaccharides in saline-water stress tolerance of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) plant.

This study investigates the impact of water and salinity stress on Aloe vera, focusing on the role of Aloe vera polysaccharides in mitigating these stresses. Pectins and acemannan were the most affected polymers. Low soil moisture and high salinity (NaCl 80 mM) increased pectic substances, altering rhamnogalacturonan type I in Aloe vera gel. Aloe vera pectins maintained a consistent 60 % methyl-esterification regardless of conditions. Interestingly, acemannan content rose with salinity, particularly under low moisture, accompanied by 90 to 150 % acetylation increase. These changes improved the functionality of Aloe vera polysaccharides: pectins increased cell wall reinforcement and interactions, while highly acetylated acemannan retained water for sustained plant functions. This study highlights the crucial role of Aloe vera polysaccharides in enhancing plant resilience to water and salinity stress, leading to improved functional properties.