Analysis of relations between crop temperature indices and yield of different sunflower hybrids foliar treated by biopreparations

Abstract

The application of biological active preparations (BAPs) and remote-sensing control in the management of agronomic intervention are an important part of successful crop cultivation. The effects of foliar application of two BAPs (containing amino acids or Abiestins®) on yield and yield-forming, as well eco-physiological traits calculated from infrared thermographs data (crop water stress index, CWSI and index of stomatal conductance, Ig) of three hybrids of sunflower were studied in field poly-factorial experiments, realised during two years (2012 and 2013). The results showed that the application of selected BAPs has contributed to an increase of the sunflower yield, in particular through an increase in the weight of thousand seeds (rp = 0.761, P < 0.001). Similarly, oil content in achenes was significantly higher in treatments with BAPs, mainly with preparation containing free amino acids. The study describes the quantitative relationship between yield and quality of sunflower production (rp = −0.41, P < 0.01). Selected hybrids of sunflower in two growth stages showed the significant differences in CWSI and Ig (both at P < 0.01), respectively. An analysis of negative linear relation between the yield of achenes and CWSI (rp = −0.654, P < 0.001) confirmed that higher value of plant stress resulted in a smaller yield and vice-versa. The opposite trend was observed between yield and Ig index (rp = 0.576, P < 0.001). The data obtained from IR thermography can be used for monitoring the physiological health of sunflower plants, as well in potential prediction and control of yield.

Thermography as a Tool to Assess Inter-Cultivar Variability in Garlic Performance along Variations of Soil Water Availability

“…Accordingly, the significant interaction terms of the models that resulted in the best fits (model 4) confirmed the existence of this inter-cultivar variability in the response to VWCs and CWSI (Table 4, Figure 4; coefficient estimates and further detailed interpretation are provided in Table S1 and Box S1). Previous studies also showed this inter-cultivar sensitivity variation with CWSI in other herbaceous crops, such as sunflower [82], lentil [28], or maize [83]. In this study, the more water-limited the environments, the less inter-cultivar differences on bulb biomass-estimated marginal means (B-EMMs) among cultivars.…”

Effect of Foliar Spray Application of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Quantitative, Nutritional, and Physiological Parameters of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L.) under Field Conditions

“…The primary method used in crop water stress index (CWSI) detection is to measure and assess the leaf temperature (Tc), air temperature (Ta), and atmospheric vapor pressure [39,40,41]. These results were then applied in Equation (1):CWSI = (T c − T a ) − (T c − T a ) u /(T c − T a ) ul − (T c − T a ) u where (Tc − Ta) corresponds to the actual temperature difference in °C; (Tc − Ta) u indicates the virtual temperature differences in large water supply by sensing the green-paper moisture; and (Tc − Ta) ul reveals the differences in leaf-desiccation sensed by the yellow-brown paper [42].…”

Agricultural utilisation and potential suitability of the Sysľovské polia Special Protection Area (south-western Slovakia) landscape in relation to the habitat requirements of the red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus)

“…Besides the fact that maize, sunflower and soya belong in the group of negative crops, in the crop rotation they were arranged one after another. According to the results of Ernst et al (2016) and Kovár et al (2016) the crop rotation in which sunflower or maize follows soya, cannot be considered suitable for F. vespertinus. The correct crop rotation ensuring the improvement of soil properties and biodiversity preservation presumes incorporation of these crops in the rotation so that the direct pre-crop is a cereal, in the best case winter wheat.…”