Potential of Milk Thistle for Biomass Production in Semiarid Regions

Abstract

Water shortage is the major constraint for biomass production in semiarid regions. Biomass production of milk thistle [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn] and energy balance of this crop under different irrigation regimes (full and deficit irrigation) and soil organic amending treatments (poultry manure [PM] and vermicompost [VC]) was evaluated in a two‐year field experiment. Biomass yield reduced by 10 and 22% under moderate (I75) and severe deficit (I50) irrigation, respectively. Under deficit irrigation, the contribution of leaves and heads to the final biomass reduced in favor of the stalk. Regardless of the irrigation regime, application of soil amendments improved biomass yield. Total energy input used for milk thistle production was 9829 MJ ha−1, in which 68% was related to nonrenewable energy sources. Diesel fuel (51%) had the biggest share of energy used for milk thistle production, followed by irrigation water and machinery. Energy input in I75 and I50 was 7 and 15% less than full irrigation (I100). Net energy obtained from milk thistle was 116,688 MJ ha−1 with energy efficiency (energy output/energy input ratio) of 12.8. Taking into account that milk thistle is an annual crop with low energy input requirements, it seems that milk thistle has a considerable potential for biomass production using I75 in regions with limited irrigation water availability.

The influence of mineral nutrition and humic acids on the intensity of photosynthesis, as well as the yield and quality of seeds, roots, and aboveground phytomass of milk thistle Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. in marginal growing conditions

“…during seed growth and filling. In the experiments ofAfshar et al (2014Afshar et al ( , 2015 with declining irrigation, where a mild to severe decline of moisture resulted in a 7% and 27% reduction of seed yield compared with the full irrigation dose. Regardless of the irrigation regime, the application of poultry manure and vermicompost increased the yield of milk thistle.…”

Phenotypic Evaluation of a Milk Thistle Germplasm Collection: Fruit Morphology and Chemical Composition

“…From an agronomic perspective, the species is characterized by significant seed (fruit) and biomass yield (Andrzejewska et al, 2011;Ledda et al, 2013;Afshar et al, 2014Afshar et al, , 2015a, and for this reason, milk thistle was tested as potential commercial seed crop in Canada and New Zealand (Carrier et al, 2002;Martin et al, 2006). From an agronomic perspective, the species is characterized by significant seed (fruit) and biomass yield (Andrzejewska et al, 2011;Ledda et al, 2013;Afshar et al, 2014Afshar et al, , 2015a, and for this reason, milk thistle was tested as potential commercial seed crop in Canada and New Zealand (Carrier et al, 2002;Martin et al, 2006).…”

“…Other than silymarin, the fruit also contains valuable products, such as oil and protein, and the species has shown to have different possible nonmedical applications (Andrzejewska et al, 2015). From an agronomic perspective, the species is characterized by significant seed (fruit) and biomass yield (Andrzejewska et al, 2011;Ledda et al, 2013;Afshar et al, 2014Afshar et al, , 2015a, and for this reason, milk thistle was tested as potential commercial seed crop in Canada and New Zealand (Carrier et al, 2002;Martin et al, 2006).…”

Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum L.) as a Novel Multipurpose Crop for Agriculture in Marginal Environments: A Review

“…However, in Mediterranean environments under severe drought conditions, supplementary irrigations could be advisable to enhance and stabilize seed production, especially during seed growth and filling. Crops undergoing severe water stress (50% of estimated total water requirements) exhibit lower biomass production compared to fully watered crops, and, in these conditions, stalks have much higher biomass than flowers and leaves [82]. Moreover, both water excess and deficit inhibit silymarin accumulation [23].…”