Productivity of various barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars under semi-arid conditions in southern Russia

M. Zargar¹*, G. Bodner², A. Tumanyan¹, N. Tyutyuma³, V. Plushikov¹, E. Pakina¹, N. Shcherbakova³ and M. Bayat¹

¹RUDN University, Institute of Agriculture, Department of AgroBiotechnology, Miklukho-Maklaya steet 6, RU117198 Moscow, Russia
²University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Department of Crop Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Str. 33, AT1180 Vienna Vienna, Austria
³Near-Caspian Scientific Research Institute of Arid Agriculture, Village Solenoye Zaimische, Severny District 8, RU416251 Astrakhan Region, Russia
*Correspondence: zargar_m@pfur.ru

Abstract:

Drought is a significant factor limiting crop production in arid conditions. In the dry climatic weather situation of southern Russia, ten-year laboratory trials and subsequent field experiments were laid out on various barley varieties collected across the globe during 2007–2017 period. This study was conducted to ascertain from the collection of barley cultivars of the entire world which one is best suited to stressful climatic conditions by being tolerant to drought, heat and salinity which can be adopted for barley breeding. According to the results obtained, the varieties that are tolerant to dry climatic conditions are as follows: Alga (Lithuania), Brenda, Henni (Germany), Décor (Great Britain), Furat 5 (Syria), Vakula (Ukraine), Ataman (Belarus) and Vladimir (Russia); heat resistant varieties are: Brenda (Germany), Alga (Lithuania), Furat 5 (Syria), Ataman (Belarus), Vladimir and Ratnik (Russia); Salt-resistant varieties: Alga (Lithuania), Henni (Germany) and Vladimir (Russia). The selected varieties did not show any sign of adverse weather effect resulting in stable grain productivity throughout the entire duration of this research over the years, they had large grain size and stable 1,000 grains weight. However, the yield of selected cultivars varied over the years which was about 1.1–1.4 t ha^-1.

Key words:

Effects of Monopotassium-phosphate, Nano-calcium fertilizer, Acetyl salicylic acid and Glycinebetaine application on growth and production of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) crop under salt stress

T.K. Sajyan¹*, N. Shaban¹, J. Rizkallah² and Y.N. Sassine³

¹University of Forestry, 10 Kliment Ohridski blvd, BG1797 Sofia, Bulgaria
²Lebanese University, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Technology, Dekwaneh, Beirut, Lebanon
³Lebanese University, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Horticulture, Dekwaneh, Beirut, Lebanon
*Correspondance: Tony.sajyan@hotmail.com

Abstract:

Salinity problem is increasingly affecting tomato production in Lebanon leading to economic losses. The study investigated the potential effects of nano-Calcium (LITHOVIT®), monopotassium-phosphate (MKP: 0-52-34) fertilizers, Acetyl salicylic acid (Aspirin) and the osmoregulator glycinebetaine (GB) on salt tolerance of potted determinate tomato (variety Sila) plants in open-field. Salt stress was induced by irrigation solutions of EC = 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mS cm^-1 and MKP (2, 3 and 3.5 g L^-1), Aspirin (50, 75 and 100 mg L^-1), LITHOVIT® (0.5, 0.75 and 1 g L^-1) and GB (4.5, 6 and 7.5 g L^-1) were applied through foliar application or fertigation. Comparisons between treated and non-treated plants at each salinity level (control) showed that LITHOVIT® decreased the salinity-induced reductions in stem diameter, leaf area and chlorophyll content. Medium concentrations of LITHOVIT® and Aspirin improved stem diameter and all products except Glycinebetaine improved flower number compared to control. Root dry weight and Root Mass Fraction were mostly enhanced in MKP and Aspirin-treated plants. Best improvement in plant yield (76%) was obtained with low concentrations of MKP and LITHOVIT® at EC = 8 mS cm^-1 due to improvement in fruit number rather than fruit weight. Consequently, LITHOVIT® and MKP showed superior effects under salt stress compared to Aspirin and Glycinebtaine.

Key words:

foliar fertilizers, fruit quality, fruit yield, osmoregulator, salt-tolerance