Plants of Ruscus aculeatus, known as "butcher's broom", Maytenus senegalensis, known as "confetti tree", and Juncus acutus, known as "spiny rush" were grown in pots with a mixture of sphagnum peat-moss and Perlite in order to determine the effect and evolution over time of three water use systems on plant growth, water saving and nutrient uptake. These were an open system (irrigated with standard nutrient solution) and two closed systems (blended-water (drainage water blended with water of low electrical conductivity (EC)) and sequential reuse of drainage (sequential-reuse) water), over a period of 8 weeks. Irrigation with blended-and sequential-reuse-water increased the biomass of all three species at the end of the experiment, compared to the open system. Overall, sequential-reuse-water treatment maximised biomass production. The application of blendedand sequential-reuse-water allowed savings of 17% of water in comparison to the open system. Regarding Cl, NO 3 − and H 2 PO 4 − loads, there was a removal of 5%, 32% and 32%; respectively in the blended-water treatment and 15%, 17% and 17% in the sequential-reuse water treatment compared to the open system. For the cation loads (Na + , K + , Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ) in these water treatments there was a removal of 10%, 32%, 7% and 18% respectively in the blended-water treatment, and 17%, 22%, 17% and 18% respectively in the sequential-reuse treatment, compared to the open system.

The potential contamination of surface and ground water by the nurseries in the Mediterranean area obligates the use of novel systems such as the cascade cropping system. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of drainage water derived from an ornamental (Ruscus aculeatus L. and Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Exell.) cascade crop system on the growth and polluting elements uptake (N and P) against a standard nutrient solution in Juncus acutus L. plants. The experiment consisted of three treatments: a standard nutrient solution (T 0J ; EC = 150 mS m −1), 1:2 diluted drainage water (T 1J ; EC = 245 mS m −1) and the raw drainage water (T 2J ; EC = 310 mS m −1). Biomass, plant and substrate parameters and total N and P uptake by plants were determined at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. This experiment showed that the irrigation with diluted and raw drainage water (T 1J and T 2J) with lower concentrations of N and P compared to the control treatment (T 0J) supposed an increase of biomass and consequently the increase of N and P uptake, where the plants irrigated with higher EC (raw drainage water) showed the highest biomass and total N and P uptake.

This experiment measured plant growth of a halophyte (species adapted to saline conditions) confetti tree (Maytenus senegalensis) using runoff from kneeholy plants (Ruscus aculeatus). Three irrigation treatments were used, a standard nutrient solution or control (T0), runoff water collected from kneeholy plants irrigated with the standard nutrient solution blended 50:50 with tap water (T1), and 100% runoff water collected from kneeholy plants irrigated with the standard nutrient solution (T2), in which the nutrient concentrations were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Growth, photosynthetic parameters, and mineral composition were measured at the end of the experiment. Electrical conductivity and pH increased with increasing runoff application (decreased blending). Treatment 2 had significantly higher plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, leaf area index, and dry weight. Treatments 1 and 2 had significantly lower root lengths compared with the control. Chlorophyll concentration and green index color in leaves were greater in T2 and T1 than T0. The mineral composition of roots and leaves was affected by irrigation treatment, resulting in an increase of sodium and chloride concentration and a decline of nitrogen and phosphorous concentration compared with the control. The reuse of runoff water was beneficial for growing this commercially important halophytic species in Spain, a consideration that is particularly relevant in locations with water quality, quantity issues, or both.

Background Spices are susceptible to surface microbial contamination. Countries’ ban on ethylene oxide fumigation due to possible residual toxicity encouraged the usage of irradiation. Surface sterilization with low doses of ultraviolet radiation has been extensively researched as a safe, eco-friendly, and fast route. This study examines the quality of Apiaceae spices for consumption, including anise, fennel, caraway, and cumin, in response to germicidal ultraviolet radiation using a developed sterilization unit. Methods The influence of UV-C (254 nm, 10.5 mW/cm2) on the fungal and microbial count, germination percentage, respiration rate, phenolic content, essential oil, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes was investigated at exposure durations of 0–45 min in increments of 5 min. The treated seeds were packed in polyethylene bags in a naturally aerated storage room for 30 days before the inspection. Results The obtained data showed that UV-C stimulated seeds germination and increased respiration rate for all studied types. The 25 min of exposure exhibited the highest significant values compared to the control, considered a good indicator of seed vigor. In addition, UV-C exposure between 20 and 35 min promoted the accumulation of phenolic compounds and increased the oil content as a defense mechanism against radiation. Conversely, higher exposure to UV-C led to a significant reduction in phenolic and oil contents. Furthermore, the exposure to UV-C radiation enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes in terms of peroxidase and catalase, which progressively increased with increasing exposure durations, reached their peak at 25–30 min, and subsequently declined with extended exposure time was extended. In a similar pattern, exposure to UV-C radiation increased polyphenol oxidase activity to its highest level at 25 min, owing to the development of antioxidant protective mechanisms against oxidative stress. Conclusion UV-C irradiation in the range of 25–30 min is the most appropriate pretreatment to maintain the vitality of the examined seeds. Graphical Abstract

Gladiolus is commonly propagated from corms. The multiplication rate of corms is low and to increase the propagation rate, we examined a combination of apical bud removal and the application of growth regulators. The experiments were conducted in two varieties, ‘Rose Supreme’ and ‘White Prosperity’, and over two seasons. The apical buds on the planting corms were either removed or left intact before the same corms were soaked in a suspension with either 100 ppm of benzyladenine (BA), 100 ppm of gibberellic acid (GA3), or pure water. The results showed that apical bud removal increased the number of corms and shoots. GA3 had limited the effect on corm and shoot production, but instead resulted in increased total leaf area and leaf weight per shoot. BA, on the other hand, increased the number of corms and shoots. Overall, the removal of the apical bud plus application of BA increased the number of corms and shoots but reduced the average corm diameter and leaf weight per shoot. This was clearer in ‘Rose Supreme’ than in ‘White Prosperity’. To maximize flower production for the coming season, farmers need to produce a high number of planting corms, but they also need to balance this with a sufficient corm size and the production of flowers of good quality. The application of growth regulators in combination with apical bud removal should be fine-tuned to avoid a situation that leads to the production of too many small or too few large corms.