High Relative Humidity Increases Yield, Harvest Index, Flowering, and Gynophore Growth of Hydroponically Grown Peanut Plants

Abstract

<jats:p>Growth chamber experiments were conducted to study the physiological and growth response of peanut (<jats:italic>Arachis hypogaea</jats:italic> L.) to 50% and 85% relative humidity (RH). The objective was to determine the effects of RH on pod and seed yield, harvest index, and flowering of peanut grown by the nutrient film technique (NFT). `Georgia Red' peanut plants (14 days old) were planted into growth channels (0.15 × 0.15 × 1.2 m). Plants were spaced 25 cm apart with 15 cm between channels. A modified half-Hoagland solution with an additional 2 m<jats:sc>m</jats:sc> Ca was used. Solution pH was maintained between 6.4 and 6.7, and electrical conductivity (EC) ranged between 1100 and 1200 μS·cm<jats:sup>–1</jats:sup>. Temperature regimes of 28/22 °C were maintained during the light/dark periods (12 hours each) with photosynthetic photon flux <jats:italic>(PPF)</jats:italic> at canopy level of 500 μmol·m<jats:sup>–2</jats:sup>·s<jats:sup>–1</jats:sup>. Foliage and pod fresh and dry weights, total seed yield, harvest index (HI), and seed maturity were greater at high than at low RH. Plants grown at 85% RH had greater total and individual leaflet area and stomatal conductance, flowered 3 days earlier and had a greater number of flowers reaching anthesis. Gynophores grew more rapidly at 85% than at 50% RH.</jats:p>

Long-Term Effects of Fertilizers with Regional Climate Variability on Yield Trends of Sweet Corn

“…Namely, the higher the accumulated N in leaves, the lower the ear weight. This result corresponds to a previous study, which showed that higher relative humidity produces heavier leaf fresh weight and larger leaf area [34]. Another study showed that excising the uppermost two leaves promoted N remobilization from vegetative organs to kernels on maize [35].…”

“…One study indicated that high relative humidity facilitated reduced iron deficiency chlorosis symptoms to obtain higher plant dry weight and increasing plant height, when comparing lower (60%) and high (90%) relative humidity effects on iron deficiency chlorosis in soybean [33]. Meanwhile, if adequate nutrition is supplied, high relative humidity also increases yield on peanut [34]. Thus, increase of relative humidity seems beneficial to crops when adequate nutrition is applied.…”

Systemic effects of rising atmospheric vapor pressure deficit on plant physiology and productivity

“…In addition, a large body of literature points to even more systemic and complex effects of VPD on plant physiology, particularly on the anatomical, biochemical, and developmental levels, independent from variation in soil moisture. For instance, plants exposed to long‐term VPD increases (over weeks to months) exhibit changes in stomatal density and size (e.g., Fanourakis et al, 2013), leaf venation (e.g., Carins Murphy et al, 2014), internal leaf anatomy (e.g., Leuschner, 2002), shoot architecture and root growth (e.g., Darlington et al, 1997; Ford & Thorne, 1974; Gislerød & Nelson, 1989), biochemical composition (e.g., Aliniaeifard et al, 2014; De Luis et al, 2002), and even the growth rate of reproductive organs (e.g., Mortley et al, 2000; Turc et al, 2016).…”

Study on the Interactions Between Lathyrus (Lathyrus sativus L.) and Agro-climatic Factors to Generate Weather Based Yield Forecasting Models

“…Vapour pressure deficit was lower when the relative humidity of the atmosphere was comparatively higher. Crop yield increased with increased relative humidity during middle stage of crop growth (Mortley et al, 2000). During post-flowering phase, biomass production increased with higher relative humidity (Mortley et al, 1994).…”