Influence of substrate on strawberry plug plant production

[EN] The plug plant technique for the commercial propagation of strawberries is increasing in importance. Several factors, including the properties of the substrate, can affect plug plant quality. Tests on nine substrates containing different proportions of perlite [from 0 ¿ 75%, (v/v)], and dark and light peat [both from 0 ¿ 80% (v/v)], were performed using a simplex-lattice design in order to establish a model for strawberry plug plant production based not only on the single component composition of the substrate, but also on the influences of the chemical and physical properties of the substrate on plug plant quality. Notable differences in physical and chemical properties were found among the nine different substrates tested, as a consequence of the broad range of their component compositions. Substrate mixes containing medium-to-high proportions [from 60 ¿ 70% (v/v)] of light peat and low proportions of dark peat and perlite are recommended, as these resulted in a low nutrient content, a high organic matter content, a low pH, and a low ¿coarseness¿ index, which led to high-grade plug plants with greater root and crown dry weights.Funding was provided by the Spanish Ministry for Science and Technology-FEDER through Research Project No. AGL2004-04365/AGR. The authors are grateful to Dr. J.L. Guardiola and Dr. Manual Abad for comments on this manuscript. The authors are also grateful to Ms. Debra Westall for revising the grammar of the manuscript.López Galarza, SV.; San Bautista Primo, A.; Pascual España, B.; Maroto Borrego, JV. (2010). Influence of substrate on strawberry plug plant production. Journal of Horticultural Science. 85(5):415-420. doi:10.1080/14620316.2010.11512690S41542085

Chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.): An Unconventional Crop. Studies Related to Applications and Cultivation

© The New York Botanical Garden Press 2000[EN] Tubers of Cyperus esculentus were an important food in ancient Egypt. in Spain the tubers are used to make a beverage named horchata, and are also consumed as fresh after soaking. in other countries tubers are used in sweetmeats or uncooked as a side dish. New products obtained can enhance the interest in this crop: as a source of dietary jiber in food technology; as a high quality cooking/salad oil or as biodiesel fue/; as caramel to add body, flavor or color to other products; as a source of starch; as an antioxidant-containing food, etc. The results of a twenty-year research program on nutrition, fertilization, lodging control, planting date, soil texture and use of herbicides are shown. Three cultivars ( 'Ametlla Bonrepos', 'Gegant Africana', and 'Llargueta Alboraia' ) are selected and characterized using horticultura/ and morphological traits, the chemical composition of tubers and horchatas, and the RAPD technique.[ES] Los tubérculos de Cyperus esculentus, que fueron un importante alimento en el antiguo Egipto, se utilizan, en España, para obtener una bebida refrescante denominada horchata y para consumo en fresco. En otros países se consume como entremés y en confitería. Su interés podría incrementarse con la obtención de nuevos productos de aplicación como materia prima en tecnología de alimentos (fibra; aceite de gran calidad, sustitutivo del aceite de oliva; aditivos de sabor, color y cuerpo; almidón; capacidad antioxidante), como combustible biodiesel, etc. Se presentan los resultados obtenidos en veinte años de investigación en aspectos agronómicos (nutrición, fertilización, control del encamado, fecha de plantación, textura del suelo y utilización de herbicidas) y de selección y caracterización varietal (características morfológicas y agronómicas, composición química de tubérculos y horchatas, utilización de la técnica RAPD), que han permitido la selección y caracterización de tres cultivares: 'Ametlla Bonrepos ', 'Gegant Africana', y 'Llargueta Alboraia 'Pascual España, B.; Maroto Borrego, JV.; López Galarza, SV.; San Bautista Primo, A.; Alagarda Pardo, J. (2000). Chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.): An Unconventional Crop. Studies Related to Applications and Cultivation. Economic Botany. 54(4):425-435. doi:10.1007/BF02866543S425435544Abad, P., B. Pascual, J. V. Maroto, S. López-Galarza, M. J. Vicente, and J. Alagarda. 1998. RAPD analysis of cultivated and wild yellow nutsedge(Cyperus esculentus L.). Weed Science 46: 319–321.Adebajo, L. O. 1993 Microbial counts and invert sugars in juice extracts from stored tubers ofCyperus esculentus (earth almond). Nahrung 37:607–612.Alonso, S. I., J. J. Eyherabide, and M. I. Leaden. 1997. Caracterización morfológica de clones deCyperus rotundus andC. esculentus del sudeste de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Revista Facultad Agronomía, La Plata 102:33–44.Cantalejo, M. J. 1996. Development of new products from earth-almond. Fruit Processing 3:87–91.—. 1997. Analysis of volatile components derived from raw and roasted earth-almond(Cyperus esculentus L.). Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry 45:1853–1860.Cook, J. A., D. J. VanderJagt, A. Dasgupta, G. Mounkaila, R. S. Glew, W. Blackwell, and R. H. Glew. 1998. Use of the Trolox assay to estimate the antioxidant content of seventeen edible wild plants of Niger. Life Sciences 63:106–110.Dancza, I. 1994. A mandulapalka(Cyperus esculentus L.) elofordulaca Kesthely-Heviz hataraban. Novenyvedelem 30:475–476.de Vries, F. T. 1991. Chufa(Cyperus esculentus, Cyperaceae): a weedy cultivar or a cultivated weed?. Economic Botany 45:27–37.Diario Oficial Generalidad Valenciana. 1989. Ordre per la qual es regulen les denominacions especifiques “Xufa de Valencia” i “Orxata Valenciana de Xufes” i el seu Conseil Regulador. Diari Oficial Generalitat Valenciana, Spain 1034:2031–2043.Eerkens, C. 1986. An holistic approach to evaluate the potential productivity of unconventional crops. Pages 104–114in W. F. Raymond and P. Larvor, eds., Alternative uses for agricultural surpluses. Elsevier Applied Science, London.Esuoso, K. O., R. A. Oderinde, F. J. Vega-Catalán, and F. O. Barnim. 1993. 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Univ. of Florida, Agricultural Experiment Station, Bull. 419, Gainesville, FL.Kükenthal, G. 1936. Cyperaceae, Scirpoideae, Cypereae. Pages 116–121in A. Elder, Das Pflanzenreich 4. 20. Verlag Engelman, Leipzig.Linssen, J. P. H., J. L. Cozijnsen, and W. Pilnik. 1989. Chufa(Cyperus esculentus L.): a new source of dietary fibre. Journal Science Food Agricultural 49:291–296.Maroto, J. V., and B. Pascual. 1984. Estudio sobre la respuesta productiva del cultivo de la chufa(Cyperus esculentus L.) a diferentes combinaciones de fertilización mineral. Anales del Institute Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias. Serie Agrícola 25:55–65.—,J. Alagarda, and S. López-Galarza. 1986a. Respuesta productiva a distintos abonados nitrogenados en el cultivo de la chufa(Cyperus esculentus L.). ITEA. 6:105–110.—,S. López-Galarza, and J. Alagarda. 1986b. Estudio sobre la hipotética influencia de la aplicación de un retardador del crecimiento sobre el encamado y la productividad del cultivo de la chufa(Cyperus esculentus L.). Agricola Vergel 58: 571–573.—,J. Alagarda, and S. López-Galarza. l986c. Estudio de la fecha de plantación sobre diversos parámetres productivos del cultivo de la chufa(Cyperus esculentus L.). Actas II Congreso Nacional de la Sociedad Española de Ciencias Hortícolas 1:450–458.Maynard, D. N., and G. J. Hochmuth. 1997. Knott’s handbook for vegetable growers. John Wiley & Sons, New York.Ministerio de Agricultura Pesca y Alimentatión. 1997. Anuario de estadística agraria. M.A.P.A., Secretaría General Técnica, Madrid, Spain.Morell, J., and S. Barber. 1983. Chufa y horchata: características físicas, químicas y nutritivas. Institute de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentes (C.S.I.C), Valencia, Spain.Negbi, M. 1992. A sweetmeat plant, a perfume plant and their weedy relatives: a chapter in the history ofCyperus esculentus L. andC. rotundus L. Economic Botany 46:64–71.Oderinde, R. A., and A. O. Tairu. 1992. Determination of the triglyceride, phospholipid and unsaponifiable fractions of yellow nutsedge tuber oil. Food Chemistry 45:279–282.Okoli, C. A. N., D. G. Shilling, R. L. Smith, and T. A. Bewick. 1997. Genetic diversity in purple nutsedge(Cyperus rotundus L.) and yellow nutsedge(Cyperus esculentus L.). Biological Control 8:111–118.Omode, A. A., O. S. Fatoki, and K. A. Olaogun. 1995. Physicochemical properties of some underexploited and nonconventional oilseeds. Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry 43:2850–2853.Pascual, B., and J. V. Maroto. 1981. Influencia de la textura en la cuantía y calidad de los tubérculos de las chufas(Cyperus esculentus L.). Agricultura 592:873–875.—. 1984a. Estudios agronómicos realizados en el cultivo de la chufa(Cyperus esculentus L.). Diputación Provincial de Valencia, Spain.—. 1984b. Estudio básico sobre la hipotética latencia de los tubérculos de las poblaciones valencianas de chufa(Cyperus esculentus L.). Anales del Institute Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias, Serie Agricola 25:67–77.—. 1984c. Ensayos en contenedores y en pleno campo sobre la influencia de la fecha de plantación del cultivo de la chufa(Cyperus esculentus L.). Anales del Institute Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias, Serie Agrícola 25:79–86.-,J. Alagarda, S. López-Galarza, and J. V. Maroto. 1989. El cultivo de la chufa (Cyperus esculentus L.) en Espana. 4TH Symposium on weed problems in the mediterranean climates. European Weed Research Society: 141–151.—,V. Castell-Zeising, S. López-Galarza, and J. V. Maroto. 1990. Ensayo de desyerbe químico en el cultivo de la chufa(Cyperus esculentus L.). Actas de Horticulture 5:326–331.—,M. Bono, and J. V. Maroto. 1993. Estudios de tipificación y selección de líneas clonales cultivadas deCyperus esculentus L. Actas II Congreso Ibérico de Ciencias Hortícolas 2:1015–1020.—,J. V. Maroto, S. López-Galarza, V. Castell-Zeising, and J. Alagarda. 1997a. Fertilizacion y nutrición nitrogenada y potásica en el cultivo de la chufa. Actas de Horticulture 17:228–233.—,J. Alagarda, and V. Castell-Zeising. 1997b. El cultivo de la chufa (Cyperus esculentus L.). Estudios realizados. Generalitat Valenciana, Conselleria de Agriculture, Pesca y Alimentatión, Valencia, Spain.—,V. Castell-Zeising, S. López-Galarza, A. Sanbautista, and J. V. Maroto. 2000. Selection and characterisation of chufa cultivars(Cyperus esculentus L. var.Sativus Boeck). Acta Horticulturae 523:37–44.Rotteveel, A. J. W. 1993. Tien jaar knolcyperus(Cyperus esculentus L.) in the Netherlands. Gorteria 19:65–73.Schmitt, R. 1995. Die “neuen” unkrauter Knollchen-Zypergras und Aleppo-Hirse. Agrarforschung 2:276–278.—,and A. Sahli. 1992. Eine in der Schweiz als Unkraut neu auftretende Unterart desCyperus esculentus L. Landwirtschaft Schweiz 5:273–278.Serra, J. A., and R. Peiró. 1984. Estudio analítico de la variatión a lo largo del ciclo de cultivo del calcio, magnesio y principales micronutrientes en los distintos órganos de la planta de chufa, y evaluatión de las extracciones totales. Pages 75–84in B. Pascual, and J. V. Maroto, eds., Estudios agronómicos realizados en el cultivo de la chufa(Cyperus esculentus L.). Diputación Provincial de Valencia, Spain.Serrallach, J. 1927. Die wurzelknolle vonCyperus esculentus L. Ph.D. thesis, University Frankfurt am Main.Täckholm, V., and M. Drar. 1950. Flora of Egypt. Vol. II. Fouad University Press, Cairo.ter Borg, S. J., and P. Schippers. 1992. Distribution of varieties ofCyperus esculentus L. (yellow nutsedge) and their possible migration in Europe. IXe Colloque International sur la biologie des mauvaises herbes. Annales: 417-425.Thomas, P. E. L. 1967. A preliminary study on the dormance ofCyperus esculentus tubers. PANS 13:329–333.Tumbleson, M. E., and T. Kommedahl. 1962. Factors affecting dormancy in tubers ofCyperus esculentus. Botanical Gazette 123:186–190.Umerie, S. C, and J. N. Enebeli. 1996. Malt caramel from tubers ofCyperus esculentus. Bioresource Technology 57:215–216.—,N. A. N. Obi, and E. O. Okafor. 1997. Isolation and characterization of starch fromCyperus esculentus tubers. Bioresource Technology 62:63–65.—,and A. S. Uka. 1998. Brew wort fromCyperus esculentus tubers. Bioresource Technology 66:83–85.Wills, G. D. 1987. Description of purple and yellow nutsedge(Cyperus rotundus andC. esculentus L.). Weed Technology 1:2–9.Zhang, H. Y., M. A. Hanna, Y. Ali, and L. Nan. 1996. Yellow nutsedge(Cyperus esculentus L.) tuber oil as fuel. Industrial crops and products 5:177–181.Zohary, D. 1986. The origin and early spread of agriculture in the Old World. Pages 3–20in C. Barigozzi, ed., The origin and domestication of cultivated plants. Elsevier, Amsterdam.—,and M. Hopf. 1993. Domestication of plants in the Old World. Clarendon Press, Oxford

Seed treatments for improved germination of caper (Capparis spinosa)

[EN] This study analyses the effects of seven treatments for removing hardseededness and four for breaking physiological dormancy in caper seeds. Seeds were germinated in a growth chamber and the maximum germination percentage, the time to reach 50% of final germination and the mean relative cumulative rate were calculated. The logistic function was suitable for analysing caper seed germination. Acid scarification followed by the addition of a GA(3) solution to the germination substrate was the best, efficient and cost effective method for ensuring satisfactory seed germination. Acid scarification can be substituted by mechanical scarification with ultrasound. hot water scarification or soaking, but these procedures require longer germination periods to reach satisfactory germination levels. The soaking method proved useful enough to remove hardseededness and it is also the most simple among the assayed treatments.Pascual España, B.; San Bautista Primo, A.; Imbernon, A.; López Galarza, SV.; Alagarda Pardo, J.; Maroto Borrego, JV. (2004). Seed treatments for improved germination of caper (Capparis spinosa). Seed Science and Technology. 32(2):637-642. doi:10.15258/sst.2004.32.2.33S63764232

Response of drip-irrigated chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.) to different planting configurations: Yield and irrigation water-use efficiency

[EN] A two-year study was conducted to analyze the yield and irrigation water-use efficiency of chufa crop in response to planting configuration and drip irrigation scheduling as a function of the volumetric soil water content. The planting configurations were: beds with three plant rows and three driplines (B3), beds with three plant rows and two driplines (B2), beds with two plant rows and two driplines (b), and ridges (R). The yield was affected by the planting configuration; greater yields were obtained in beds (on average 2.36 kg m−2) than in R (2.14 kg m−2). Considerably less irrigation water was applied in R and in B2 than in beds B3 and b. The irrigation water-use efficiency was affected by the planting configuration in the same line that the irrigation water was applied, with greater values being obtained in B2 (7.58 kg m−3) than in the R (6.63 kg m−3), which in turn was higher than B3 (5.92 kg m−3) and b (5.69 kg m−3). These values of the irrigation water-use efficiency were considerably higher than those obtained in previous experiments (based on the volumetric soil water content in the ridges). Neither the yield nor the average tuber weight were affected by the position of the different planting rows in the bed.This study was funded by the Regulatory Council of Denomination of Origin Chufa of Valencia of Spain.Pascual Seva, N.; San Bautista Primo, A.; López Galarza, SV.; Maroto Borrego, JV.; Pascual España, B. (2016). Response of drip-irrigated chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.) to different planting configurations: Yield and irrigation water-use efficiency. Agricultural Water Management. 170:140-147. doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2016.01.02114014717

Growth and nutrient absorption in chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.) in soilless culture

[EN] The efficiency of fertilisation in agriculture is often low, and if one knows the nutrient uptake rate, efficiency can be improved by synchronizing nutrient supply with nutrient demand. Growth and the time-course of nutrient accumulation and its partitioning between the different organs of chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.), an under-exploited cultivated plant, were examined. The study was conducted in soilless, open-field conditions, at a planting density equivalent to 55,500 plants ha-1 in three consecutive seasons. Plants were sampled, fractionated into leaves, roots, and tubers, then dried and weighed. Their macronutrient contents were analysed fortnightly. On average, the yield was 5.0 kg fresh weight tuber m-2 . Growth of the whole plant until 90 d after planting obeys an exponential function of time; the relative growth rate (RGR) for this period was determined. The highest N and K concentrations were recorded in leaves, and the highest P, Ca and Mg concentrations were found in roots. The highest accumulations of N and P were found in tubers, and of K and Ca in leaves. Nitrogen had the highest nutrient accumulation (58.3 g m-2 ) as well as the highest specific uptake rate.This study was funded by the Consejo de Denominacion de Origen Chufa de Valencia, Spain. The authors thank the agricultural engineers, Juan Andres and Ramon Ballester, for assisting with the previous experiments, and Debra Westall for revising the manuscript.Pascual-Seva, N.; Pascual España, B.; San Bautista Primo, A.; López Galarza, SV.; Maroto Borrego, JV. (2009). Growth and nutrient absorption in chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.) in soilless culture. The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology. 84(4):393-398. doi:10.1080/14620316.2009.11512538S393398844Alegría, A. and Farré, R. (2003). Horchata and health: nutritional and dietetic aspects. In:Conference on Chufa and Horchata, Tradition and Health.(In Spanish). Fundación Valenciana de Estudios Avanzados, Valencia, Spain. 55–70.Andrés, J. (2006).Study of Nutrition, Principal Macronutrients Accumulation Rates, and Yield of Chufa(Cyperus esculentus L.var.sativusBoeck.)Growing in Perlite.(In Spanish). M.Sc. Thesis. Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain. 89 pp.A.O.A.C. (1990).Official Methods of Analysis.5th Edition. Association of Official Analytical Chemists Inc., Arlington, VA, USA. 40–42.Ballester, R. (2006).Influence of the Irrigation Frequency and Management in Nutrition, Growth, and Yield of Chufa(Cyperus esculentus L.var.sativusBoeck.). (In Spanish). M.Sc. Thesis. Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain. 76 pp.Bixquert, M. (2003). Horchata and health: healthy properties and prevention of digestive diseases. In:Conference on Chufa and Horchata, Tradition and Health.(In Spanish). Fundación Valenciana de Estudios Avanzados, Valencia, Spain. 71–85.Gardner, F. P., Pearce, R. B. and Mitchell, R. L. (1985).Physiology of Crop Plants.Iowa State University Press, Ames, IA, USA. 187–208.Maynard, D. N. and Hochmuth, G. J. (1997).Knott’s Handbook forVegetable Growers.John Wiley & Sons Inc., NY, USA. 45–218.Pascual, B., Maroto, J. V., López-Galarza, S., Alagarda, J. and Castell-Zeising, V. (1997).Studies Carried out in Chufa Cultivation.(In Spanish). Generalitat Valenciana, Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, Valencia, Spain. 95 pp.Sas (1993).SAS/STAT®User’s Guide.Version 6. 2nd Edition. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA. 1022 pp.Ter Borg, S. J. and Schippers, P. (1992). Distribution of varieties ofCyperus esculentusL. (yellow nutsedge) and their possible migration in Europe.9thInternational Symposium on the Biology of Weeds. Annals of the Symposium.417–425

Response of nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L. var sativus Boeck.) tuber production to drip irrigation based on volumetric soil water content

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00271-014-0446-0Cultivated nutsedge is a common crop in Valencia (Spain). The aim of this research, which was conducted over two consecutive years, was to compare the productive response of the nutsedge crop with drip irrigation and traditional furrow irrigation, calculating the yield and the irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). The volumetric soil water content was monitored with capacitance probes. Four irrigation strategies were considered: three in drip irrigation [D70, D80 and D90 with refill points at 70, 80 and 90 % of the field capacity, respectively] and one in furrow irrigation (refill point at 60 % field capacity); in the second year, the irrigation management was automated. On average, strategy D90 produced the highest yield and D70 the lowest, while the highest IWUE was obtained with D80 and the lowest with furrow irrigation. Considering the automation of irrigation management, strategy D90 led to the highest yield and to the highest IWUE.This study was funded by the Regulatory Council of Denomination of Origin Chufa of Valencia of Spain.Pascual Seva, N.; San Bautista Primo, A.; López Galarza, SV.; Maroto Borrego, JV.; Pascual España, B. (2015). Response of nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L. var sativus Boeck.) tuber production to drip irrigation based on volumetric soil water content. Irrigation Science. 33(1):31-42. doi:10.1007/s00271-014-0446-0S3142331Abrisqueta I, Vera J, Tapia LM, Abrisqueta JM, Ruiz-Sánchez MC (2012) Soil water content criteria for peach trees water stress detection during the postharvest period. Agric Water Manag 104:62–67Allen RG, Pereira LS, Raes D, Smith M (1998) Crop evapotranspiration. Guidelines for computing crop water requirements. FAO, RomeAyers RS, Westcot DW (1994) Water quality for agriculture. FAO Irrigation and Drainage, 29 Rev1. 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Trans ASAE 36:1737–1747Hussein-Mounzer O, Mendoza-Hernández JR, Abrisqueta-Villena I, Tapia-Vargas L, Abrisqueta-García JM, Vera-Muñoz J, Ruiz-Sánchez MC (2008) Soil water content measured by FDR probes and thresholds for drip irrigation management in peach trees. Agric Téc Méx 34:313–322Ko J, Piccinni G (2009) Corn yield responses under crop evapotranspiration-based irrigation management. Agric Water Manag 96:799–808Maynard DN, Hochmuth GJ (1997) Knott’s handbook for vegetable growers. Wiley, NYMINETUR [Spanish Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism] (2014) Peajes y tarifas. Energía eléctrica. Ministerio de Industria, Energía y Turismo. http://www.minetur.gob.es/energia/electricidad/Tarifas/Paginas/index.aspx . Accessed 3 August 2014Molden D, Murray-Rust H, Sakthivadivel R, Makin I (2003) A water-productivity framework for understanding and action. In: Kjine JW, Barker R, Molden D (eds) Water productivity in agriculture. International Water Management Institute, Colombo, pp 1–18MOPT [Spanish Ministry of Public Works and Transport] (1992) Guía para la elaboración de estudios del medio físico. Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transporte, MadridMushagalusa GN, Ledent JF, Draye X (2008) Shoot and root competition in potato/maize intercropping: effects on growth and yield. Environ Exper Bot 64:180–188Pascual B, Maroto JV, López-Galarza S, Alagarda J, Castell-Zeising V (1997) El cultivo de la chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.). Estudios realizados. Generalitat Valenciana, Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, Valencia, SpainPascual B, Maroto JV, López-Galarza S, San Bautista A, Alagarda J (1999) Chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck): an unconventional crop. Studies related to applications and cultivation. Econ Bot 54:439–448Pascual-Seva N, San Bautista A, López-Galarza S, Alagarda J, Maroto JV, Pascual B (2008) Respuesta productiva de la chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.) en riego localizado. Actas de Horticultura 50:170–175Pascual-Seva N, Pascual B, San Bautista A, López-Galarza S, Maroto JV (2009) Growth and nutrient absorption in chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.) in soilless culture. J Hort Sci Biot 84:393–398Pascual-Seva N, San Bautista A, López-Galarza S, Maroto JV, Pascual B (2013a) Furrow-irrigated chufa crops in Valencia (Spain). I: productive response to two irrigation strategies. Span J Agric Res 11:258–267Pascual-Seva N, San Bautista A, López-Galarza S, Maroto JV, Pascual B (2013b) Furrow-irrigated chufa crops in Valencia (Spain). II: performance analysis and optimization. Span J Agric Res 11:268–278Quemada M, Gabriel JL, Lizaso J (2010) Calibration of capacitance probes: laboratory versus field procedures. 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Influence of different drip irrigation strategies on irrigation water use efficiency on chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.) crop

[EN] Chufa is a typical crop in Valencia, Spain, where it is cultivated in ridges with furrow irrigation. It uses large volumes of water, and thus, different studies have been undertaken to maximize irrigation water use efficiency to obtain important water savings. Particularly, different values for turning water on, considering the basis of volumetric soil water content were analysed in drip irrigation. It was reported that starting each irrigation event when the volumetric soil water content dropped to 90% of the field capacity resulted in the best yield, and the best irrigation water use efficiency was obtained when it dropped to 80% of the field capacity. However, these results may be improved by defining the optimum criteria for turning water off, which is the aim of the present research. This investigation, conducted in 2015, 2016 and 2017, analises the productive response of the drip irrigated chufa crop, determining the yield and the irrigation water use efficiency. The volumetric soil water content was monitored using multi-depth capacitance probes, with sensors at 0.10, 0.20 and 0.30 m below the top of the ridge. Each irrigation event started when the volumetric soil water content at 0.10 m dropped to 85% of field capacity. Three irrigation strategies were considered. T1: each event resulting in water being turned off when the sum of the volumetric soil water content values that were measured at 0.10, 0.20 and 0.30 m reached the corresponding field capacity value; T2: turning water off in each event when the volumetric soil water content values that were measured at 0.20 m reached the corresponding field capacity value; and T3: each irrigation event applying 8.5 mm in 2015 and 2016, as well as 9.8 mm in 2017. Overall, the T2 strategy resulted in the largest yield, and T3 resulted in the highest irrigation water use efficiency in 2015 and 2016. The average tuber weight and dry matter content did not differ between the irrigation strategies.This work was supported by the Generalitat Valenciana [GV/2017/037].Pascual-Seva, N.; San Bautista Primo, A.; López Galarza, SV.; Maroto Borrego, JV.; Pascual España, B. (2018). Influence of different drip irrigation strategies on irrigation water use efficiency on chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.) crop. Agricultural Water Management. 208:406-413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2018.07.003S40641320

Effects of soaking period and gibberellic acid addition on caper seed germination

[EN] In order to improve caper seed germination, this two-year study (2005-2006) was designed to determine the effects of seed soaking treatments and soaking times. individually or in combination with the addition of gibberellic acid to the germination substrate. Besides testing the control seeds, 7 soaking periods were assayed. soaking seeds in tap water at room temperature for 24 h, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days. Germination tests were performed in closed Petri dishes in a growth chamber. Germination data were fitted to the logistic function and calculations were made for the maximum germination percentage, the time to reach 50% of final germination and the mean relative cumulative rate. A soaking period of 30 days or longer enhanced seed germination: final germination values ranged from 95 to 99%, reducing the time to reach 50% of final germination and consequently the duration of germination tests. Addition of gibberellic acid to the substrate after soaking improved germination only for control seeds and those soaked for 24 It or 15 days. Seed soaking for 30 or 45 days, followed or not by the addition of a gibberellic acid Solution to the substrate. is an efficient method to enhance caper seed germination.Pascual España, B.; San Bautista Primo, A.; Pascual-Seva, N.; Garcia Molina, R.; López Galarza, SV.; Maroto Borrego, JV. (2009). Effects of soaking period and gibberellic acid addition on caper seed germination. Seed Science and Technology. 37(1):33-41. doi:10.15258/sst.2009.37.1.05S334137

Influence of anion proportions in the nutrient solution on tipburn incidente in strawberry plants in soilless cultivation

[EN] Tipburn incidence was evaluated in ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Candonga’ strawberry plants grown in perlite by varying the anion proportions in the nutrient solution during 2005-2006 under greenhouse. Six nutrient solutions with different proportions of NO3-, PO4H2- and SO42- were studied, maintaining constant both cation proportions and the total ionic concentration (30.2 meq L-1). Concentrations of these anions varied from 9.0 to 12.8, 0.9 to 4.7, and 0.75 to 2.65 mM L-1, respectively. Interactions between cultivars and solutions were not significant for any of the parameters studied. The anion proportions had no influence on yield parameters. Both the percentage of leaves with tipburn and tipburn severity per leaf were the highest with intermediate levels of sulphates and phosphates and low levels of nitrates. ‘Candonga’ not only produced the highest yield and fruit weight, but also the lowest tipburn incidence.The authors acknowledge financial support by the "Ministerio de Educación y Tecnología"-FEDER, through the research project AGL2004-04365/AGR as well as the linguistic assistance of Debra WestallSan Bautista Primo, A.; López Galarza, SV.; Martínez, A.; Maroto Borrego, JV.; Pascual España, B. (2009). Influence of anion proportions in the nutrient solution on tipburn incidente in strawberry plants in soilless cultivation. Acta Horticulturae. 842(2):999-1008. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2009.842.222S9991008842

RESPUESTA PRODUCTIVA DE LA CHUFA A DISTINTAS ESTRATEGIAS DE RIEGO Y TIPOS DE PLANTACIÓN

[ES] La chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.) es una planta cultivada para el aprovechamiento de sus tubérculos en la obtención de la horchata. En el presente trabajo se aborda el estudio de su respuesta productiva a distintas estrategias de riego y tipos de plantación. El riego se realiza por surcos, con manejo del mismo en base al contenido volumétrico de agua del suelo (CVAS), mediante el uso de sensores de capacitancia. Las estrategias de riego ensayadas correspondían a iniciar el riego cuando el CVAS alcanzaba valores correspondientes al 45% y al 60% de la capacidad de campo. Respecto a los tipos de plantación, frente al tradicional cultivo en caballones se ha ensayado la plantación en mesetas con dos y tres líneas de plantas. Con las estrategias que suponen el mantenimiento de un mayor CVAS se ha incrementado el rendimiento y el peso unitario de los tubérculos, sin afectar a la eficiencia en el uso del agua de riego. Con respecto a la utilización de mesetas se han obtenido mayores valores del rendimiento y de la eficiencia en el uso del agua de riego, debido esto último especialmente al ahorro en la lámina de agua de riego aportada.Pascual Seva, N.; San Bautista Primo, A.; López Galarza, SV.; Maroto Borrego, JV.; Pascual España, B. (2015). RESPUESTA PRODUCTIVA DE LA CHUFA A DISTINTAS ESTRATEGIAS DE RIEGO Y TIPOS DE PLANTACIÓN. En XXXIII CONGRESO NACIONAL DE RIEGOS. Valencia 16-18 junio de 2015. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/CNRiegos.2015.1426OC