Biomass yield and nutritional quality of forage species under long-term irrigation with saline-sodic drainage water: Field evaluation

Salsola soda as selenium biofortification crop under high saline and boron growing conditions

In California, there is a shortage of good quality water available for irrigated agriculture due to severe drought. Consequently, saline groundwaters and drainage waters containing natural-occurring selenium (Se) and boron (B) salts are being considered as alternative sources of water for irrigation on salt and B tolerant crops like the edible halophyte-agretti (Salsola soda L.). In this multi-year field study, we evaluated agretti grown as a Se-biofortification crop in typical saline/B-laden soils (10 dS m^-1 and 12 mg B/L) and irrigated with saline (3-8 dS m^-1) and low-saline water (<1 d/S m) containing B (3-6 mg B/L) and Se (0.02-0.25 mg Se/L) at different evaporation transpiration (Et _o ) rates (100, 75, and 50 %, respectively). During the four-year study, fresh biomass yields ranged from 1 to 3 kg/m² and were generally highest with irrigation at 100 % Et _o with either saline or low-saline water. Tissue Se concentrations ranged from 2 to 3.2 mg Se / kg DW and 0.4-0.5 mg Se/kg DW with saline and low-saline irrigation, respectively. Selenium speciation in plant tissue showed the following: selenomethionine (SeMet) > selenate (SeO₄) > methylselenocysteine (MeSeCy _s ), irrespective of any treatment (i.e., year of planting, saline or low saline irrigation, rate of water application, direct seeding or transplanted). Agretti did not exhibit any toxicity symptoms as indicated by changes in total phenolic concentrations. Total phenolics ranged from 180 to 257 GAE/L and showed no significant differences among all treatments, although they were generally higher at the lowest water treatment (50% Et _o ). In regard to toxic ion accumulation, agretti tolerated excessive sodium (Na) and boron (B) and tissue concentrations ranging from 5.5 to 8.8% Na and 60 to 235 mg B/kg DW, respectively. Results from this multi-year study have identified a unique Se-biofortification strategy for producing Se-enriched agretti using saline, B- and Se-laden soil and irrigating with saline and low-saline water, respectively. Successful production of this crop may promote Se- biofortification strategies in poor quality regions where natural- occurring Se is present in soils and in waters used for irrigation.

Crop Species Mechanisms and Ecosystem Services for Sustainable Forage Cropping Systems in Salt-Affected Arid Regions

Soil salinity limits crop productivity in arid regions and it can be alleviated by crop synergies. A multivariate analysis of published data (n = 78) from arid and semiarid habitats across continents was conducted to determine the crop species mechanisms of salinity tolerance and synergies relevant for designing adapted forage cropping systems. Halophyte [Cynodon plectostachus (K. Schum.) Pilg.] and non-halophyte grasses (Lolium perenne L. and Panicum maximum Jacq.) clustered along increasing soil salinity. Halophytic grasses [Panicum antidotale Retz. and Dicanthum annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf] congregated with Medicago sativa L., a non-halophytic legume along a gradient of increasing photosynthesis. Halophytic grasses [Sporobolus spicatus (Vahl) Kunth, and Cynodon plectostachyus (K. Schum.) Pilg.] had strong yield-salinity correlations. Medicago sativa L. and Leptochloa fusca L. Kunth were ubiquitous in their forage biomass production along a continuum of medium to high salinity. Forage crude protein was strongly correlated with increasing salinity in halophytic grasses and non-halophytic legumes. Halophytes were identified with mechanisms to neutralize the soil sodium accumulation and forage productivity along an increasing salinity. Overall, halophytes-non-halophytes, grass-forbs, annual-perennials, and plant-bacteria-fungi synergies were identified which can potentially form cropping systems that can ameliorate saline soils and sustain forage productivity in salt-affected arid regions.

Effects of water saving and nitrogen reduction on the yield, quality, water and nitrogen use efficiency of Isatis indigotica in Hexi Oasis

Isatis indigotica planting is the backbone of the medicinal industry in Hexi Oasis, Gansu. In order to solve the problems insufficient water resources and excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer in this area, this paper explored the irrigation and nitrogen levels that can meet the multiple goals of Isatis indigotica. The two-factor split-plot field experiment (2018‒2019) was conducted in Minle County, Gansu Province, China, which contains 9 treatments. There were three levels of irrigation water: W1(low), W2(medium), and W3(high). The soil moisture contents were 60-70%, 70-80%, and 80-90% of the field water-holding capacity, respectively. The nitrogen application rate was classified into three levels, N1(low), N2(medium) and N3(high), which were 150, 200 and 250 kg N/ha, respectively. The standard local irrigation water amount and nitrogen application rate corresponded to W3N3. The results showed that the yield of Isatis indigotica increased first and then decreased with the increase of irrigation amount and nitrogen application rate, the yield of W2N2 is 12.2-17.1% higher than that of W1N1, the yield of W3N3 was 12.1-17.5% lower than that of W2N2. Saving water and reducing nitrogen can improve the quality of Isatis indigotica, compared with W3N3, the indigo, indirubin, (R,S)-epigoitrin and polysaccharides of W2N2 increased by 4.5-5.9%, 2.7-3.1%, 5.2-6.0%, and 1.8-2.1%, respectively. With the increase of nitrogen application rate, the water use efficiency (WUE) first increased and then decreased, as the irrigation volume increases, WUE decreases. Compared with W3N3, the WUE of W2N2 increased by 24.3-27.2%. With the increase of water input, the nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency (NUE) first increased and then decreased, as the nitrogen application rate increases, NUE decreases. Compared with W3N3, the NUE of W2W2 increased by 31.8-34.5%. Therefore, W2N2 can improve quality and increase water and nitrogen utilization efficiency on the basis of ensuring yield.

Effects of salt stress levels on nutritional quality and microorganisms of alfalfa-influenced soil

Background

Globally, there is a large amount of salinized land. These soils have varying degrees of salt stress, causing ionic toxicity and osmotic stress on plants. However, it is not clear how different degrees of salt stress affect plant nutrients and microbial communities. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of plant major nutrients and microbial communities response to salt stress is desirable.

Results

We analyzed the main nutrients of the salt-tolerant ZhongMu No. 3 alfalfa variety planted in a salt stress environment. In mild and moderate group, the protein content and fatty acid content of alfalfa were the highest, indicating the best nutritional value. The severe group of salt stress affected the growth and development of alfalfa, as manifested by a decrease in the nutritional quality of alfalfa. Pseudomonas and Sphingobacterium that from alfalfa stem and leaf endophytes also increased with an increase in salt stress. In contrast, Sphingomonas, Methylobacterium, and Rhizobium decrease with increasing salt stress. Methylobacterium and Rhizobium have extremely significant differences in response to salt stress, and Exiquobacterium also shows significant differences.

Conclusions

Soil salinity would be an important factor beyond which alfalfa nutrient quality and microbial community structure change. This study identified key levels of salt stress that may affect the nutrient quality and microbial community structure. These findings enhance our understanding of the effects of salt stress on the nutritional quality of alfalfa and provide a reference for the sustainable use of salinized soil in the future.

Boron stress response and accumulation potential of the extremely tolerant species Puccinellia frigida

Phytoremediation is a promising technology to tackle boron toxicity, which restricts agricultural activities in many arid and semi-arid areas. Puccinellia frigida is a perennial grass that was reported to hyperaccumulate boron in extremely boron-contaminated sites. To further investigate its potential for phytoremediation, we determined its response to boron stress under controlled conditions (hydroponic culture). Also, as a first step towards understanding the mechanisms underlying its extreme tolerance, we evaluated the presence and expression of genes related with boron tolerance. We found that P. frigida grew normally even at highly toxic boron concentrations in the medium (500mg/L), and within its tissues (>5000mg/kg DW). We postulate that the strategies conferring this extreme tolerance involve both restricting boron accumulation and an internal tolerance mechanism; this is consistent with the identification of putative genes involved in both mechanisms, including the expression of a possible boron efflux transporter. We also found that P. frigida hyperaccumulated boron over a wide range of boron concentrations. We propose that P. frigida could be used for boron phytoremediation strategies in places with different soil characteristics and boron concentrations. Further studies should pave the way for the development of clean and low-cost solutions to boron toxicity problems.

Lower leaf gas-exchange and higher photorespiration of treated wastewater irrigated Citrus trees is modulated by soil type and climate

Water quality, soil and climate can interact to limit photosynthesis and to increase photooxidative damage in sensitive plants. This research compared diffusive and non-diffusive limitations to photosynthesis as well as photorespiration of leaves of grapefruit trees in heavy clay and sandy soils having a previous history of treated wastewater (TWW) irrigation for >10 years, with different water qualities [fresh water (FW) vs TWW and sodium amended treated wastewater (TWW + Na)] in two arid climates (summer vs winter) and in orchard and lysimeter experiments. TWW irrigation increased salts (Na(+) and Cl(-) ), membrane leakage, proline and soluble sugar content, and decreased osmotic potentials in leaves of all experiments. Reduced leaf growth and higher stomatal and non-stomatal (i.e. mesophyll) limitations were found in summer and on clay soil for TWW and TWW + Na treatments in comparison to winter, sandy soil and FW irrigation, respectively. Stomatal closure, lower chlorophyll content and altered Rubisco activity are probable causes of higher limitations. On the other hand, non-photochemical quenching, an alternative energy dissipation pathway, was only influenced by water quality, independent of soil type and season. Furthermore, light and CO2 response curves were investigated for other possible causes of higher non-stomatal limitation. A higher proportion of non-cyclic electrons were directed to the O2 dependent pathway, and a higher proportion of electrons were diverted to photorespiration in summer than in winter. In conclusion, both diffusive and non-diffusive limitations contribute to the lower photosynthetic performance of leaves following TWW irrigation, and the response depends on soil type and environmental factors.

Depletion of selenium in blood, liver and muscle from beef heifers previously fed forages containing high levels of selenium

Beef heifers which had grazed 'Jose' tall wheatgrass (TWG; Thinopyrum ponticum var. 'Jose'; 10 heifers) and creeping wildrye (CWR; Leymus triticoides var. 'Rio'; 10 heifers) with high levels of Se (>2 mg/kg DM) due to growth in saline soils, accumulated high Se levels in blood, liver and muscle (Juchem et al., 2012). We determined the decrease in Se levels in blood, liver and muscle from these heifers, particularly the decrease of Se in muscle, in order to determine the maximum feeding length of a low Se diet (LSeD) required sustaining Se-enriched beef. Immediately after grazing, all heifers were fed a LSeD containing <0.30 mg/kg DM for 209 d. Blood, liver and muscle samples, as well as body weight (BW), were collected at the beginning and end of the LSeD feeding period and at intermediate times. After grazing, CWR and TWG heifers had similar BW, but TWG heifers had higher levels of Se in whole blood (1.19 versus 0.81 mg/L), liver (2.67 versus 2.12 mg/kg wet weight (WW)), and muscle tissue (0.87 versus 0.63 mg/kg WW) than CWR heifers. The Se levels decreased with exposure time to the LSeD and, at 82 d of feeding the LSeD, Se levels were 77 (liver), 49 (blood) and 31% (muscle) lower. The BW gains for both groups were ~0.5 kg/d during the first 82 d of feeding, but increased thereafter. Levels of Cu in serum (0.28 versus 0.50 mg/L) and liver (1.14 versus 22.9 mg/kg WW) were lower at the end of grazing in TWG heifers, and suggested a potential Cu deficiency. Grazing forages with high Se levels can result in Se-enriched beef, but a LSeD feeding period of <82 d is required to maintain enrichment.

Bioavailability of selenium in 'Jose' tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum var 'Jose') hay as a substitute for sodium selenite in the diets of dairy cattle

Due to its potential toxicity to wildlife, selenium (Se) is a highly regulated trace element in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) of California. Tall wheatgrass (TWG) is a Se-accumulating, salt tolerant forage suitable for cropping systems which re-use agricultural drainage waters. Utilization of TWG hay as an alternative Se supplement for dairy cattle could reduce the importation of 'new' Se into the SJV in the form of sodium selenite (SS) diet supplements. Our study used Se-enriched (4.65 mg/kg DM) TWG hay as a Se source for lactating dairy cows and measured Se accumulation in milk, blood, urine and feces to assess its bioavailability using several indices. Using a 3×3 Latin Square design, three pens of ~310 cows each were fed a similar total mixed ration over 4 week periods, except for Se which was higher in TWG and SS diets (0.53 and 0.65 mg/kg DM) vs. Control diet (0.35 mg/kg DM). Feeding Se-enriched TWG increased blood Se by 6.4% over Control; whereas SS increased it by 4.8%, suggesting higher Se bioavailability for TWG vs. SS. Marginal Se outputs in milk, feces and urine were judged to be better indicators of bioavailability as they estimate Se specifically from supplemental SS or TWG hay. In milk, TWG cows expressed 3.0% of supplemented Se vs. 0.6% for SS cows, supporting higher Se bioavailability for TWG. In contrast, more supplemental Se was retained and not expressed in feces by the SS cows (72.5%) vs. TWG cows (55.1%) which suggested higher Se bioavailability for SS. Based on published guidelines, Se intakes were 'adequate' for cows in all treatment groups, but milk and fat production increased with Se supplementation suggesting that Control cows were Se-deficient to some extent. Collectively, results suggest that the Se in TWG hay had comparable bioavailability to Se in the base diet.

Determination of Nutrient Contents and In vitro Gas Production Values of Some Legume Forages Grown in the Harran Plain Saline Soils

The aim of this study was to determine the nutritive value of some legume species in salt-affected soils of South-East Anatolian region using chemical composition and in vitro gas production kinetics. In this study, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium alexandrinum, Medicago sativa were sown and tested in four different locations. A 3 by 4 factorial design with 3 legume species and 4 salt levels (non salty electrical conductivity (EC)<4 dS/m; low salt: 4 dS/m>EC<8 dS/m, medium saline: 8 dS/m>EC<16 dS/m and high salt: 16 dS/m>EC) was used in the study. Results indicated that salinity and plants had no significant effect on ash and ether extract. Dry matter (DM), acid detergent fiber, digestible dry matter, dry matter intake (DMI) were affected by plant, salinity and plant×salinity interaction. On the other hand neutral detergent fiber, relative feed value (RFV), and DMI were affected by salinity and plant×salinity interaction. Mineral contents were affected by plant species, salinity and salinity×plants interactions. In vitro gas production, their kinetics and estimated parameters such as were not affected by salinity whereas the gas production up to 48 h, organic matter digestibility, metabolizable energy (ME), and net energy lactation (NEL) were affected by plant and plant×salt interaction. Generally RFVs of all species ranged from 120 to 210 and were quite satisfactory in salty conditions. Current results show that the feed value of Medicago sativa is higher compared to Lotus corniculatus and Trifolium alexandrinum.

Grazing as an alternative for utilization of saline-sodic soils in the San Joaquin Valley: selenium accretion and performance of beef heifers

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate Se accumulation and health of non-pregnant, non-breeding beef cattle grazing on forages with a high Se content due to irrigation with saline drainage water. Heifers grazed experimental pastures of "Jose" tall wheatgrass (TWG; Thinopyrum ponticum var. "Jose") and creeping wildrye (CWR; Leymus triticoides var. "Rio") for 190 days in Experiment 1 (2007) and for 165 days in Experiment 2 (2008). In experiment 1, mean Se concentrations were similar in TWG and CWR herbage (4.0 versus 3.7 ± 0.26 mg/kg dry weight; p=0.34) as was crude protein (113 versus 114 ± 7.9 g/kg dry weight; p=0.94). Concentrations of Se in blood increased by 300% during the grazing period, and were similar for heifers grazing the TWG or CWR pastures (0.94 versus 0.87 ± 0.03 mg/kg; p=0.89). Heifers grazing on TWG gained more body weight than did heifers grazing on CWR (0.59 versus 0.27 ± 0.07 kg/days; p<0.01). In experiment 2, concentration of Se (4.0 versus 2.8 mg/kg ± 0.19 mg/kg dry weight; p<0.01) and crude protein (79 versus 90 ± 5.6 g/kg dry weight; p<0.01) differed, for TWG and CWR, respectively. Within 20 days, Se concentrations in blood had increased by 300% and by nearly 200% in heifers grazing on TWG or CWR. All data cited are least square means ± standard error of the mean. Data from our two grazing seasons are consistent in demonstrating the safety of grazing beef cattle for a period of up to 6 months on TWG and CWR forages having high levels of Se due to irrigation with saline drainage water. This suggests that forage production using saline drainage water is a viable alternative for saline soils with limited potential for producing high value, salt-sensitive, crops.

Developing a sustainable phytomanagement strategy for excessive selenium in western United States and India

Phytomanagement technology is recognized as an inexpensive and environmental friendly strategy for managing natural-occurring selenium (Se) in soils and in poor quality waters. Multi-year field and greenhouse studies were conducted with different plant species in California, USA and Punjab, India under high Se growing conditions. Some of the plant species included; canola (Brassica napus), mustard (B. juncea), broccoli (B. oleracea), spearmint (Mentha viridis), sugarcane (Saccharum officcinarum), guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and poplar (Populus deltoides). California soils had a sodium-sulfate-dominated salinity between 6-10 dS m(-1), while Indian soils had a calcium carbonate salinity less than 1 dS m(-1). Results demonstrated that high sulfate conditions reduced plant Se accumulation more than 100 x in Californian grown plants compared to Se accumulation in Indian grown plants. Tissue concentrations generally did not exceed 10 and 200 mg kg DM(-1) in leaves of plants grown in California and India, respectively. At these plant concentrations, Se phytomanagement is more effective in Indian soils than in California soils. Successful management of Se by plants requires selecting crops or crop rotations that are tolerant of the soil condition and identifying and creating new viable Se-enriched products.

Evaluating the tolerance of young hybrid poplar trees to recycled waters high in salinity and boron

The successful adoption of water recycling strategies in many arid regions will require crops able to tolerate poor-quality waters. We evaluated different clones for salt and boron (B) tolerance within each of seven genetically distinct genomic groups (e.g., deltoides, deltoides x nigra, trichocarpa x deltoides, trichocarpa x deltoides x maximowizcii, trichocarpa x deltoides x nigra, trichocarpa x nigra, trichocarpa x maximowizcii). During each evaluation period, different clones within each of the groups were irrigated with high sodium chloride (NaCl) salinity (i.e., 10-30 dS m(-1)) and B (i.e., 10 mg L(-1)) water up to a maximum of 150 days, for a 4-year testing period under micro-field plot conditions. Excessive accumulation (up to 6%) of chloride (Cl) likely caused toxicity symptoms (necrosis of the leaves) observed in the less tolerant clones, while leaf B concentrations rarely exceeded 300 mg kg(-1) DM in any clone. Increased soil salinity likely hindered the uptake of B by the clones. Our results show that a wide range of selected Populus clones, of parentage trichocarpa x nigra, followed by deltoides x nigra show potential salt and B tolerance as young trees to recycled waters high in salinity and B.