Effect of irrigation suspension on the growth, water state and production of spinach (Spinacia olerácea L.) plants

Abstract

Spinach is susceptible to drought conditions, and, because of climate change, it is necessary to optimize water application to crops. Therefore, a test was carried out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments consisting of the following irrigation suspension durations: T1: 0 d, T2: 4 d, T3: 7 d and T4: 10, with six replicates for a total of 24 experiment units (EU). Each EU consisted of 6 plants, for a total of 120 plants that were transplanted to 2 L pots with a mixture of peat and soil (2:1). The upper part of the substrate was maintained with a higher moisture content in the treatment without irrigation suspension and in the one with irrigation suspended for 4 d. An inversely proportional relationship was observed between the moisture content and the leaf water potential. The treatment without irrigation suspension recorded the highest leaf water potential value during the measurement period. There were no significant differences between the chlorophyll content in the SPAD units or for the leaf area, stomatal conductance and dry mass. The fresh mass presented significant differences and had the highest value in the treatment without suspension of irrigation.

Growth, Physiology, and Water Status of Sissoo Spinach (Alternanthera sissoo) Under Different Irrigation Regimes

“…The decrease in turgor pressure causes cell development to be one of the physiological processes most vulnerable to water stress decline, either a decrease in cell expansion or inhibition of cell division that contributes to the plant's height. This also goes well with what was found in the previous research study, where the reduction in cellular turgidity and CO 2 uptake once plants are subjected to a water shortage causes the plant to grow slowly and have a low photosynthetic rate, which in return results in poor plant development and lesser dry mass accumulation (Reyes et al, 2018). According to a previous study by Maseko et al (2019), a further increase in water application to 100% ETc (water crop requirement based on evapotranspiration) (47 cm) does not significantly enhance plant height during the first season in Amaranthus cruentus plant.…”

“…3, week 3 shows that there are not quite significant differences. At the same time, another study addresses that despite being exposed to particular levels of water stress, plants do not exhibit changes in chlorophyll synthesis (Reyes et al, 2018). It might be because plants are transplanted into 2 L pots with a mixture of peat and soil (2:1), so they remain moist.…”

“…Special emphasis is placed on producing vegetables, which require more irrigation than other crops and whose yield components are strongly influenced by water stress (Pereira et al, 2019). Research by Reyes et al (2018) reported that ten days of irrigation suspension reduced the moisture content of spinach (Spinacia olerácea L.) plants, while another study shows that water deficit decreased the chlorophylls and increased the biochemical properties of these plants (Seymen, 2021).…”

Effect of different sensor-based irrigation levels on growth, yield and economic viability of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) under reduced runoff farming

“…Similar results are also reported by Hanson et al (2006) [14] and Nasarullah et al (2022) [15] . Further, Reyes et al (2018) [16] observed the reduced cellular turgor leads to reduced CO 2 assimilation under water shortage leading to a slower plant growth and lower photosynthetic rate.…”

A Natural Bio-Stimulant Consisting of a Mixture of Fish Protein Hydrolysates and Kelp Extract Enhances the Physiological, Biochemical and Growth Responses of Spinach under Different Water Levels

“…Ekinci et al [ 18 ] confirmed that chlorophyll content in spinach leaves decreased under different irrigation levels. However, Reyes et al [ 19 ] stated that if the plants are not subjected to intense drought stress, their chlorophyll content will not be affected, showing the significance of drought intensity on plants, especially spinach.…”