Impact of Different Fertilizer Sources under Supplemental Irrigation and Rainfed Conditions on Eco-Physiological Responses and Yield Characteristics of Dragon’s Head (Lallemantia iberica)

Abstract

The effects of the irrigation regime and different fertilizer sources on the eco-physiological responses and yield characteristics of dragon’s head were explored in a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and 3 replications in the 2019 growing season. The treatments included six different fertilizer sources (animal manure, vermicompost, poultry manure, biofertilizer, chemical fertilizer, and control) and two irrigation regimes (rainfed and supplemental irrigation). The results indicated the positive effects of supplementary irrigation and the application of vermicompost, poultry manure, and animal manure by increasing the absorption of nutrients (phosphorus and potassium) and improving relative water contents, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, and the fixed oil percentage of dragon’s head. The activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase decreased in the rainfed plants, whereas organic fertilizer application increased the antioxidant enzyme activity. The highest grain yield (721 kg ha−1), biological yield (5858 kg ha−1), total flavonoids (1.47 mg g−1 DW), total phenol (27.90 mg g−1 DW), fixed oil yield (200.17 kg ha−1), and essential oil yield (1.18 kg ha−1) were noted in plants that were treated with vermicompost under supplemental irrigation. Therefore, it is recommended that organic fertilizers such as vermicompost and poultry manure be used to substitute chemical fertilizers. These practices can help popularize organic crops using rainfed and supplementary irrigation.

Effect of Irrigation Regimes and Nitrogenous Fertilization on Nitrogen Uptake in Tomato

“…This is also in line with Singh and Varshney (2013) documented that application of vermicompost improves the availability of NH 4 + N and NO 3 -N in the soil. Similar results were obtained in dragon by Heydarzadeh et al (2023) reported that vermicompost was an alternative to chemical fertilizers in terms of quality of produce. As an organic fertilizer, vermicompost improves soil fertility by increasing soil water holding capacity and soil aggregates (Abul-Soud et al, 2014).…”

The Role of Stress Modifier Biostimulants on Adaptive Strategy of Oregano Plant for Increasing Productivity under Water Shortage

“…Under moisture shortage stress, the stomatal conductance decreases due to increased resistance to the release of carbon dioxide, caused by the inhibition of Rubisco activity, which can result in an increase in the water potential of the crop [ 2 ]. The observed reduction in dry weight yield with increasing water stress may be ascribed to the preferential allocation of resources to the roots due to soil moisture limitations or a lower chlorophyll content, thereby reducing photosynthetic efficiency [ 19 ]. As a result of the moisture shortage stress, plants attempt to minimize transpiration by closing their stomata, leading to decreased gas exchanges [ 20 ], lower CO 2 intake, and increased oxygen levels, ultimately reducing the carboxylation activity of Rubisco, and, consequently, dry matter production [ 19 ].…”

“…The observed reduction in dry weight yield with increasing water stress may be ascribed to the preferential allocation of resources to the roots due to soil moisture limitations or a lower chlorophyll content, thereby reducing photosynthetic efficiency [ 19 ]. As a result of the moisture shortage stress, plants attempt to minimize transpiration by closing their stomata, leading to decreased gas exchanges [ 20 ], lower CO 2 intake, and increased oxygen levels, ultimately reducing the carboxylation activity of Rubisco, and, consequently, dry matter production [ 19 ]. Conversely, the foliar spraying of CHN, AMA, SEW, ASA, and SAA enhanced the total dry weight (TDW) of oregano plants under both favorable irrigation conditions and water deficit.…”

Conservation Tillage and Weed Management Influencing Weed Dynamics, Crop Performance, Soil Properties, and Profitability in a Rice–Wheat–Greengram System in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain

“…Being an integral part of conservation agricultural practices, ZT has gained popularity in wheat cultivation due to its potential benefits such as soil moisture conservation, reduced erosion, and cost savings [37,69]. However, despite these advantages, zero-tilled wheat systems sometimes experience a decline in yield compared to conventional tillage methods, attributed to numerous factors, including soil compaction, increased weed competition [32], challenges associated with residue management [62], nutrient imbalances [70], and disease and pest pressure. ZT often leads to increased soil compaction due to the absence of tillage operations that help alleviate compaction, hindering root growth, reducing nutrient uptake, and limiting water infiltration, resulting in decreased plant growth and, ultimately, lowering yields.…”