Development of a robust hydroponic method for screening of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) accessions for tolerance to heat and osmotic stress

Abstract

Hydroponic systems are known to provide a platform for uniform growth conditions until the reproductive stage. However, many plant species, including sunflower, show poor growth and survivability under conventional hydroponic systems due to poor nutrient availability, hypoxia and algal contamination. Thus, we tested various hydroponic systems to select a hydroponic system suitable for screening of sunflower germplasm. Sunflower accessions showed better growth and leaf gas exchange in newly-designed over conventional hydroponic systems. Selected hydroponic systems were further engaged in sunflower accession screening under heat and osmotic stress in a two-pan system (210 cm × 60 cm). Heat stress treatment was applied by growing sunflower germplasm at 42 °C and osmotic stress by adding polyethylene glycol 8000 which decreased the osmotic potential to − 0.6 MPa. There was significant variability among the sunflower accessions for their ability to survive under stress. Accessions such as C-2721 (43%), C-291 (46%) and D-14 (43%) had lower cell membrane injury percentage under osmotic stress and high seedling survivability (60‒80%) under heat stress when compared with susceptible accessions. Moreover, resistant accessions exhibited greater cuticular waxes and root length but lower transpiration losses. The newly designed hydroponic platform proved reliable for the selection of resistant sunflower accessions. Selected parental lines were validated by assessing their hybrids under field trials across two seasons under water and temperature stress during the reproductive phase (autumn). Hybrid H3 obtained by crossing drought and heat resistant parents had the highest seed yield and water use efficiency.

Crop Hydroponics, Phyto-hydroponics, Crop Production, and Factors Affecting Soilless Culture

“…154 While artificial light is also provided in vertical farming, protected cultivation, and closed systems for soilless farm-ing, 155 natural light is used in open system farming. 156 Optimum requirements of light intensity in soilless cultivation of crops are reported in the literature: 12 h per day for spinach in a growth chamber, 158 12−13 h for green bean in a transparent roof, 159 14−18 h for Cucumber in closed chambers, 160 8−10 h for watermelon in a greenhouse, 161 14−18 h for mustard in a vertical growth chamber, 162 12−13 h for brinjal/eggplant in a greenhouse, 163 10−12 h for potato in aeroponics based culture, 164 14−18 h for bell pepper in a greenhouse, 165 18 h for ginger in a greenhouse, 166 6 h for kohlrabi in a closed plant factory system, 166 12 h for chili in a greenhouse, 167 8−10 h for radish in a greenhouse, 168 10−12 h for onion in a greenhouse, 169 and 12 h for okra in a greenhouse. 170 Water.…”

Root plasticity: an effective selection technique for identification of drought tolerant maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines

“…This system provide uniform environment for growth condition till flowering stage by providing proper nutrient availability based on the crop. Being effective and rapid method of screening, many researchers around the world used this hydroponic system to decipher the variability of majority of traits in major crops at seedling stage viz., for nitrogen use efficiency in wheat 16 , 17 drought in maize 18 , heat stress in sunflower 19 and drought in rice 20 .…”

Physiological and Morphological Responses of Hydroponically Grown Pear Rootstock Under Phosphorus Treatment

“…Identified as an advanced cultivation method in soilless culture, hydroponics directly contacts plant roots with nutrient solution to ensure plant growth and development. Compared with the traditional soil planting, hydroponics technology has the advantages of short growth cycle, effective resource saving, flexible cultivation condition, and reduced infection rate of diseases and pests ( Shehzad et al, 2021 ). In addition, hydroponic method is capable of helping in the observation and management, as it can accurately control the growth and development process of plants ( Sugiharta et al, 2019 ).…”