Coriander cultivation under different nutrient solution depths in hydroponic systems: a comparison between conventional DFT and adapted DFT with PVC pipes

Due to the water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions, hydroponic cultivation can be an alternative for these areas since it requires less water than traditional cultivation systems. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the growth, production, water consumption, water use efficiency, and visual quality of coriander using the Deep Flow Technique (DFT) under different nutrient solution depths. We conducted two experiments concurrently in an entirely randomized blocks design and a factorial arrangement in a split-plot. In the main plots, we evaluated two nutrient solution depths (0.02 and 0.03 m in the hydroponic channel of the adapted DFT system with PVC pipes) and three solution depths (0.013, 0.017, and 0.025 m in wooden tanks of the conventional DFT system), with two coriander cultivars (Tabocas and Verdão) in the sub-plots (within of the main plot). At 20 and 25 days after transplanting following variables were determined: plant height, the water content in the shoot, shoot fresh matter, shoot dry matter, the water consumption, and the water use efficiency. In general, the coriander Verdão was more productive than the coriander Tabocas. The lower depths of nutrient solution in the hydroponic channels or in the tanks caused responses in the evaluated variables similar to those obtained under higher solution depths, thus reducing the volume of solution for growing coriander

NPK combinations mitigate the deleterious effects of salt stress on the morphophysiology of West Indian Cherry

Under salt stress, plant growth and development are negatively affected due to physiological changes,requiring strategies such as fertilization management to minimize these effects. In this scenario, this study aimedto evaluate the effect of combinations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium on the growth, leaf waterstatus, electrolyte leakage, and gas exchange of West Indian Cherry grown under water stress in the secondyear of production. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment in Campina Grande - PB.The treatments were distributed in a randomized block design with a 2 × 10 factorial arrangement with threereplications corresponding to two electrical conductivity levels of irrigation water– ECw (0.6 and 4.0 dS m-1)and ten combinations of fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (80-100-100; 100-100-100; 120-100-100; 140-100-100; 100-80-100; 100-120-100; 100-140-100; 100-100-80; 100-100-120, and 100-100-140% of therecommendation in the second year of production). Irrigation with the ECw of 4.0 dS m-1 negatively affectedplant growth, the leaf water status, electrolyte leakage, and the leaf gas exchange of West Indian Cherry.However, the 40% increase (C4 -140-100-100% of the recommended N-P2O5-K2O level) in the nitrogen levelmitigated the deleterious effects of salt stress on the relative water content, internal CO2 concentration, and theCO2 assimilation rate of West Indian Cherry plants in the second year of production.Under salt stress, plant growth and development are negatively affected due to physiological changes,requiring strategies such as fertilization management to minimize these effects. In this scenario, this study aimedto evaluate the effect of combinations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium on the growth, leaf waterstatus, electrolyte leakage, and gas exchange of West Indian Cherry grown under water stress in the secondyear of production. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment in Campina Grande - PB.The treatments were distributed in a randomized block design with a 2 × 10 factorial arrangement with threereplications corresponding to two electrical conductivity levels of irrigation water– ECw (0.6 and 4.0 dS m-1)and ten combinations of fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (80-100-100; 100-100-100; 120-100-100; 140-100-100; 100-80-100; 100-120-100; 100-140-100; 100-100-80; 100-100-120, and 100-100-140% of therecommendation in the second year of production). Irrigation with the ECw of 4.0 dS m-1 negatively affectedplant growth, the leaf water status, electrolyte leakage, and the leaf gas exchange of West Indian Cherry.However, the 40% increase (C4 -140-100-100% of the recommended N-P2O5-K2O level) in the nitrogen levelmitigated the deleterious effects of salt stress on the relative water content, internal CO2 concentration, and theCO2 assimilation rate of West Indian Cherry plants in the second year of production.

Photosynthesis and production of West Indian cherry irrigated with saline waters under nitrogen/potassium fertilization

Fertilization management is a technique that has been studied for the mitigation of salt stress in plants. In this perspective, this work aimed to evaluate the effects of combinations of potassium and nitrogen fertilization on the photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic efficiency, and production of the West Indian cherry irrigated with waters of different salinities, between 420 and 550 days after transplanting. The experiment was conducted in an open field at the Center of Sciences and Agrifood Technology of the Federal University of Campina Grande, using 60 L lysimeters, in a randomized block design with a 5 x 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to five salinity levels of the irrigation water – ECw (0.3; 1.3; 2.3; 3.3, and 4.3 dS m-1) and four combinations of nitrogen and potassium fertilization (C1 = 70% N + 50% K2O; C2 = 100% N + 75% K2O; C3 = 130% N + 100% K2O, and C4 = 160% N + 125% K2O) of the dose recommended for the West Indian cherry, with three replications and one plant per plot. The cv. Flor Branca was studied through its grafting on a rootstock of the cv. Junco. The irrigation with ECw above 0.3 dS m-1 reduced the contents of chlorophyll a and b in the leaves, the photochemical efficiency, CO2 assimilation rate, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, instantaneous water-use efficiency, and the number of fruits per plant. The combined fertilization with 70% of N + 50% of K2O increased the photosynthetic pigments, photosynthesis, and the number of fruits per plant, as well as mitigated the deleterious effects of water salinity on the production per plant up to the ECw of 2.3 dS m-1, which revealed to be the most adequate combination for West Indian cherry fertilization.Fertilization management is a technique that has been studied for the mitigation of salt stress in plants. In this perspective, this work aimed to evaluate the effects of combinations of potassium and nitrogen fertilization on the photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic efficiency, and production of the West Indian cherry irrigated with waters of different salinities, between 420 and 550 days after transplanting. The experiment was conducted in an open field at the Center of Sciences and Agrifood Technology of the Federal University of Campina Grande, using 60 L lysimeters, in a randomized block design with a 5 x 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to five salinity levels of the irrigation water – ECw (0.3; 1.3; 2.3; 3.3, and 4.3 dS m-1) and four combinations of nitrogen and potassium fertilization (C1 = 70% N + 50% K2O; C2 = 100% N + 75% K2O; C3 = 130% N + 100% K2O, and C4 = 160% N + 125% K2O) of the dose recommended for the West Indian cherry, with three replications and one plant per plot. The cv. Flor Branca was studied through its grafting on a rootstock of the cv. Junco. The irrigation with ECw above 0.3 dS m-1 reduced the contents of chlorophyll a and b in the leaves, the photochemical efficiency, CO2 assimilation rate, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, instantaneous water-use efficiency, and the number of fruits per plant. The combined fertilization with 70% of N + 50% of K2O increased the photosynthetic pigments, photosynthesis, and the number of fruits per plant, as well as mitigated the deleterious effects of water salinity on the production per plant up to the ECw of 2.3 dS m-1, which revealed to be the most adequate combination for West Indian cherry fertilization

Enhancement of PVC/ENR Blend Properties by Poly(methyl acrylate) Grafted Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber

Effect of oil palm empty fruit bunch(OPEFB) fiber and poly(methyl acrylate) grafted OPEFB on several mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/epoxidized natural rubber (PVC/ENR) blends were studied. The composites were prepared by mixing the fiber and the PVC/ENR blends using HAKEE Rheomixer at the rotor speed of 50 rpm, mixing temperature 1508C, and mixing period of 20 min. The fiber loadings were varied from 0 to 30% and the effect of fiber content in the composites on their ultimate tensile strength (UTS), Young’s modulus, elongation at break, flexural modulus, hardness, and impact strength were determined. An increasing trend was observed in the Young’s modulus, flexural modulus, and hardness with the addition of grafted and ungrafted fiber to the PVC/ENR blends. However the impact strength,UTS, and elongation at break of the composites were found to decrease with the increase in fiber loading. An increase in elongation at break and UTS and decrease in the flexural and Young’s modulus was observed with the addition of PMA-g-OPEFB fiber compared to ungrafted fiber. This observation indicates that grafting of PMA onto OPEFB impart some flexibility to the blend. The morphology of cryogenically fractured and tensile fracture surfaces of the composites, examined by a scanning electron microscope shows that the adhesion between the fiber and the matrix is improved upon grafting of the OPEFB fiber

Gas exchange and photosynthetic pigments of West Indian cherry under salinity stress and salicylic acid

A aceroleira é uma fruteira que se destaca pela sua importância socioeconômica no semiárido do Nordeste brasileiro, devido sua utilização na indústria alimentícia e farmacêutica. Neste contexto, objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar as trocas gasosas e os pigmentos fotossintéticos da aceroleira cv. BRS Jaburu em função da irrigação com águas salinas e procedimentos de ácido salicílico. O trabalho foi conduzido em casa de vegetação em Campina Grande-PB. O delineamento estatístico de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 5 x 4, combinados os tratamentos consistiram de cinco níveis de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação - CEa (0,8; 1,6; 2,4; 3,2 e 4 , 0 dS m -1 ) e quatro especialidades de ácido salicílico - AS (0; 1,0; 2,0 e 4,0 mM), com 3 repetições. A salinidade de água a partir de 0,8 dS m-1 reduziu a transpiração, a taxa de assimilação de CO 2 e a eficiência instantânea do uso da água das plantas de aceroleira. O ácido salicílico não amenizou os efeitos deletérios do estresse salino sobre as trocas gasosas e clorofila a sob salinidade da água superior a 0,8 dS m -1 . A concentração de ácido salicílico de 4,0 mM promoveu incremento no teor de clorofila total das plantas de aceroleira.A aceroleira é uma fruteira que se destaca pela sua importância socioeconômica no semiárido do Nordeste brasileiro, devido sua utilização na indústria alimentícia e farmacêutica. Neste contexto, objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar as trocas gasosas e os pigmentos fotossintéticos da aceroleira cv. BRS Jaburu em função da irrigação com águas salinas e procedimentos de ácido salicílico. O trabalho foi conduzido em casa de vegetação em Campina Grande-PB. O delineamento estatístico de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 5 x 4, combinados os tratamentos consistiram de cinco níveis de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação - CEa (0,8; 1,6; 2,4; 3,2 e 4 , 0 dS m -1 ) e quatro especialidades de ácido salicílico - AS (0; 1,0; 2,0 e 4,0 mM), com 3 repetições. A salinidade de água a partir de 0,8 dS m-1 reduziu a transpiração, a taxa de assimilação de CO 2 e a eficiência instantânea do uso da água das plantas de aceroleira. O ácido salicílico não amenizou os efeitos deletérios do estresse salino sobre as trocas gasosas e clorofila a sob salinidade da água superior a 0,8 dS m -1 . A concentração de ácido salicílico de 4,0 mM promoveu incremento no teor de clorofila total das plantas de aceroleira. A aceroleira é uma fruteira que se destaca pela sua importância socioeconômica no semiárido do Nordeste brasileiro, devido sua utilização na indústria alimentícia e farmacêutica. Neste contexto, objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar as trocas gasosas e os pigmentos fotossintéticos da aceroleira cv. BRS Jaburu em função da irrigação com águas salinas e procedimentos de ácido salicílico. O trabalho foi conduzido em casa de vegetação em Campina Grande-PB. O delineamento estatístico de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 5 x 4, combinados os tratamentos consistiram de cinco níveis de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação - CEa (0,8; 1,6; 2,4; 3,2 e 4 , 0 dS m -1 ) e quatro especialidades de ácido salicílico - AS (0; 1,0; 2,0 e 4,0 mM), com 3 repetições. A salinidade de água a partir de 0,8 dS m-1 reduziu a transpiração, a taxa de assimilação de CO 2 e a eficiência instantânea do uso da água das plantas de aceroleira. O ácido salicílico não amenizou os efeitos deletérios do estresse salino sobre as trocas gasosas e clorofila a sob salinidade da água superior a 0,8 dS m -1 . A concentração de ácido salicílico de 4,0 mM promoveu incremento no teor de clorofila total das plantas de aceroleira

Physiological indices and phytomass partition in precocious dwarf cashew clones irrigated with saline waters

This research aimed to evaluate the physiological indices and the accumulation of phytomass in clones of precocious dwarf cashew under salt stress during rootstock formation. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse in the municipality of Pombal-PB. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, and the treatments were organized in a 5 x 3 factorial arrangement, constituting the levels of electrical conductivity of the irrigation water - ECw (0.4 -Control; 1.2; 2.0; 2.8, and 3.6 dS m-1) and the clones of precocious dwarf cashew (Faga 11, Embrapa 51, CCP 76), with three replications and two plants per plot. Water salinity higher than 0.4 dS m-1 resulted in a decrease of the relative growth in plant height, leaf area, and phytomass accumulation in the cashew plant. The cashew clones are sensitive to water salinity from 0.4 dS m-1. Among the physiological indicators, the leaf area ratio, the sclerophylly index, and the root/shoot ratio of the precocious dwarf cashew are highlighted as salt stress indicators. The use of water with 0.4 dS m-1 of electrical conductivity is recommended for the formation of cashew rootstocks.This research aimed to evaluate the physiological indices and the accumulation of phytomass in clones of precocious dwarf cashew under salt stress during rootstock formation. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse in the municipality of Pombal-PB. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, and the treatments were organized in a 5 x 3 factorial arrangement, constituting the levels of electrical conductivity of the irrigation water - ECw (0.4 -Control; 1.2; 2.0; 2.8, and 3.6 dS m-1) and the clones of precocious dwarf cashew (Faga 11, Embrapa 51, CCP 76), with three replications and two plants per plot. Water salinity higher than 0.4 dS m-1 resulted in a decrease of the relative growth in plant height, leaf area, and phytomass accumulation in the cashew plant. The cashew clones are sensitive to water salinity from 0.4 dS m-1. Among the physiological indicators, the leaf area ratio, the sclerophylly index, and the root/shoot ratio of the precocious dwarf cashew are highlighted as salt stress indicators. The use of water with 0.4 dS m-1 of electrical conductivity is recommended for the formation of cashew rootstocks

Saline water and nitrogen doses in the cultivation of West Indian cherry in the post-grafting phase

This study aimed to evaluate the photosynthetic pigments and growth of the West Indian cherry cv. BRS 366 Jaburu in the post-grafting phase as a function of the salinity levels of the irrigation water and nitrogen fertilization under greenhouse conditions, in the municipality of Campina Grande-PB. The study was performed in randomized blocks, consisting of two levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water - ECw (0.8 and 4.5 dS m-1) and four nitrogen doses (70, 85, 100, and 115% of the recommended dose for the crop), with three replications. The synthesis of chlorophyll a and carotenoids in the West Indian cherry plants was inhibited with ECw of 4.5 dS m-1. Nitrogen fertilization in the estimated doses of 92 and 80% of N reduced the effects of salt stress on the contents of chlorophyll a and b in West Indian cherry plants, at 630 days after transplanting. The increment in nitrogen fertilization increases quadratically the absolute and relative growth rate of the diameter in the rootstock of the West Indian cherry plants under irrigation with saline waters.This study aimed to evaluate the photosynthetic pigments and growth of the West Indian cherry cv. BRS 366 Jaburu in the post-grafting phase as a function of the salinity levels of the irrigation water and nitrogen fertilization under greenhouse conditions, in the municipality of Campina Grande-PB. The study was performed in randomized blocks, consisting of two levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water - ECw (0.8 and 4.5 dS m-1) and four nitrogen doses (70, 85, 100, and 115% of the recommended dose for the crop), with three replications. The synthesis of chlorophyll a and carotenoids in the West Indian cherry plants was inhibited with ECw of 4.5 dS m-1. Nitrogen fertilization in the estimated doses of 92 and 80% of N reduced the effects of salt stress on the contents of chlorophyll a and b in West Indian cherry plants, at 630 days after transplanting. The increment in nitrogen fertilization increases quadratically the absolute and relative growth rate of the diameter in the rootstock of the West Indian cherry plants under irrigation with saline waters

Does women's age matter in the SDGs era: coverage of demand for family planning satisfied with modern methods and institutional delivery in 91 low- and middle-income countries.

BACKGROUND: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include specific targets for family planning (SDG 3.7) and birth attendance (SDG 3.1.2), and require analyses disaggregated by age and other dimensions of inequality (SDG 17.18). We aimed to describe coverage with demand for family planning satisfied with modern methods (DFPSm) and institutional delivery in low- and middle-income countries across the reproductive age spectrum. We attempted to identify a typology of patterns of coverage by age and compare their distribution according to geographic regions, World Bank income groups and intervention coverage levels. METHODS: We used Demographic and Health Survey and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. For DFPSm, we considered the woman's age at the time of the survey, whereas for institutional delivery we considered the woman's age at birth of the child. Both age variables were categorized into seven groups of 5 year-intervals, 15-19 up to 45-49. Five distinct patterns were identified: (a) increasing coverage with age; (b) similar coverage in all age groups; (c) U-shaped; (d) inverse U-shaped; and (e) declining coverage with age. The frequency of the five patterns was examined according to UNICEF regions, World Bank income groups, and coverage at national level of the given indicator. RESULTS: We analyzed 91 countries. For DFPSm, the most frequent age patterns were inverse U-shaped (53%, 47 countries) and increasing coverage with age (41%, 36 countries). Inverse-U shaped patterns for DFPSm was the commonest pattern among lower-middle income countries, while low- and upper middle-income countries showed a more balanced distribution between increasing with age and U-shaped patterns. In the first and second tertiles of national coverage of DFPSm, inverse U-shaped was observed in more than half of countries. For institutional delivery, declining coverage with age was the prevailing pattern (44%, 39 countries), followed by similar coverage across age groups (39%, 35 countries). Most (79%) upper-middle income countries showed no variation by age group while most low-income countries showed declining coverage with age (71%). CONCLUSION: Large inequalities in DFPSm and institutional delivery were identified by age, varying from one intervention to the other. Policy and programmatic approaches must be tailored to national patterns, and in most cases older women and adolescents will require special attention due to lower coverage and because they are at higher risk for maternal mortality and other poor obstetrical outcomes

Application strategies of saline water and nitrogen doses in mini watermelon cultivation

Salt stress is highlighted as one of the limiting factors for the establishment of agriculture in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil. In this context, it is essential to look for new strategies aiming at minimizing the effects of salt stress on the crops. The present work aimed to evaluate the photochemical efficiency, photosynthetic pigments, and growth of the watermelon cv. Sugar Baby under different use strategies with saline waters and nitrogen fertilization. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment at the Center of Technology and Natural Resources of the Federal University of Campina Grande, municipality of Campina Grande, Paraíba. An experimental design in randomized blocks was adopted, arranged in a 6 x 2 factorial scheme, with six management strategies of water salinity and two nitrogen doses (corresponding to 50 and 100% of the recommendation), with five replications. Two salinity levels of the irrigation water were studied, one with low and another with a high level of electrical conductivity of the water (ECw = 0.8 and 3.2 dS m-1). The watermelon cv. Sugar Baby expressed higher sensitivity to salt stress in the flowering phase, with a decrease in the synthesis of chlorophyll b, chlorophyll total, and carotenoids. The 50% dose of N provided an increment in the initial fluorescence, stem diameter, and the number of leaves of the watermelon cv. Sugar Baby. The length of the main branch of the watermelon plants decreased with the salt stress applied in the fructification phase; however, the fertilization with 100% of N stimulated a higher growth when the irrigation with saline waters was performed at the vegetative and flowering phases.Salt stress is highlighted as one of the limiting factors for the establishment of agriculture in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil. In this context, it is essential to look for new strategies aiming at minimizing the effects of salt stress on the crops. The present work aimed to evaluate the photochemical efficiency, photosynthetic pigments, and growth of the watermelon cv. Sugar Baby under different use strategies with saline waters and nitrogen fertilization. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment at the Center of Technology and Natural Resources of the Federal University of Campina Grande, municipality of Campina Grande, Paraíba. An experimental design in randomized blocks was adopted, arranged in a 6 x 2 factorial scheme, with six management strategies of water salinity and two nitrogen doses (corresponding to 50 and 100% of the recommendation), with five replications. Two salinity levels of the irrigation water were studied, one with low and another with a high level of electrical conductivity of the water (ECw = 0.8 and 3.2 dS m-1). The watermelon cv. Sugar Baby expressed higher sensitivity to salt stress in the flowering phase, with a decrease in the synthesis of chlorophyll b, chlorophyll total, and carotenoids. The 50% dose of N provided an increment in the initial fluorescence, stem diameter, and the number of leaves of the watermelon cv. Sugar Baby. The length of the main branch of the watermelon plants decreased with the salt stress applied in the fructification phase; however, the fertilization with 100% of N stimulated a higher growth when the irrigation with saline waters was performed at the vegetative and flowering phases