Impact of Nitrogen Limitation, Irrigation Levels, and Nitrogen-Rich Biostimulant Application on Agronomical and Chemical Traits of Hydroponically Grown <i>Cichorium spinosum</i> L.

This study investigates the effects of nitrogen fertilization, irrigation, and biostimulant application on the growth and nutrient composition of <i>Cichorium spinosum</i> L. The experimental design included two nitrogen rates (NR100 and NR30, 100% and 30% of plant requirements), two irr...

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Main Authors: Orfeas Voutsinos-Frantzis, Ioannis Karavidas, Dimitrios Savvas, Theodora Ntanasi, Vasileios Kaimpalis, Beppe Benedetto Consentino, Konstantinos A. Aliferis, Anestis Karkanis, Leo Sabatino, Georgia Ntatsi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Horticulturae
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/10/10/1063
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author Orfeas Voutsinos-Frantzis
Ioannis Karavidas
Dimitrios Savvas
Theodora Ntanasi
Vasileios Kaimpalis
Beppe Benedetto Consentino
Konstantinos A. Aliferis
Anestis Karkanis
Leo Sabatino
Georgia Ntatsi
author_facet Orfeas Voutsinos-Frantzis
Ioannis Karavidas
Dimitrios Savvas
Theodora Ntanasi
Vasileios Kaimpalis
Beppe Benedetto Consentino
Konstantinos A. Aliferis
Anestis Karkanis
Leo Sabatino
Georgia Ntatsi
author_sort Orfeas Voutsinos-Frantzis
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the effects of nitrogen fertilization, irrigation, and biostimulant application on the growth and nutrient composition of <i>Cichorium spinosum</i> L. The experimental design included two nitrogen rates (NR100 and NR30, 100% and 30% of plant requirements), two irrigation levels (WA100 and WA50, 100% and 50% of water availability,), and foliar application of a nitrogen-rich biostimulant (BS and NoBS, biostimulated or not biostimulated). In comparison to NR100, NR30 reduced agronomical parameters leaf number, leaf area, leaf fresh, and dry weight by 13.53%, 24.93%, 20.76%, and 15.00%, respectively, whereas dry matter content was increased by 7.64%. WA50 also resulted in reduction in the agronomical characteristics by 8.62%, 7.19%, 5.53%, and 5.26, respectively, whereas the dry matter content was not affected. BS positively affected the agronomical characteristics by 7.49%, 8.01%, 7.18%, and 5.56, respectively, whereas the dry matter content was not affected. The effects of nitrogen rates and water availability suggest the more pronounced impact of nitrogen compared to water stress on the agronomical characteristics. Biostimulant application partially mitigated the effects of NR30 but was ineffective against WA50. The nutrient content of the leaves was also affected. NR30 reduced leaf nitrate, calcium, and zinc content, but increased iron, manganese, and copper concentrations. WA50 altered magnesium and zinc levels: it increased the former and decreased the latter. The interaction between nitrogen and water stress notably affected the plants’ calcium content, which was higher under the NR100 x WA50 treatment. These findings provide significant insights into the perlite-based cultivation of <i>C. spinosum</i> L., and its resilience against drought stress. Moreover, the beneficial effects of sufficient nitrogen rates on leaf fresh weight of <i>Cichorium spinosum</i> L. outline the importance for improving nutrient solution management schemes. Biostimulant application demonstrated promising results and could, after further research, become a viable solution for maintaining optimal yields under nitrogen stress.
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spelling doaj-art-c186ce7df6594e2daa7be9cd88dff5562025-08-20T02:11:00ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242024-10-011010106310.3390/horticulturae10101063Impact of Nitrogen Limitation, Irrigation Levels, and Nitrogen-Rich Biostimulant Application on Agronomical and Chemical Traits of Hydroponically Grown <i>Cichorium spinosum</i> L.Orfeas Voutsinos-Frantzis0Ioannis Karavidas1Dimitrios Savvas2Theodora Ntanasi3Vasileios Kaimpalis4Beppe Benedetto Consentino5Konstantinos A. Aliferis6Anestis Karkanis7Leo Sabatino8Georgia Ntatsi9Laboratory of Vegetable Production, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Vegetable Production, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Vegetable Production, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Vegetable Production, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Vegetable Production, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, ItalyLaboratory of Pesticide Science, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, 38446 Volos, GreeceDepartment of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, ItalyLaboratory of Vegetable Production, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, GreeceThis study investigates the effects of nitrogen fertilization, irrigation, and biostimulant application on the growth and nutrient composition of <i>Cichorium spinosum</i> L. The experimental design included two nitrogen rates (NR100 and NR30, 100% and 30% of plant requirements), two irrigation levels (WA100 and WA50, 100% and 50% of water availability,), and foliar application of a nitrogen-rich biostimulant (BS and NoBS, biostimulated or not biostimulated). In comparison to NR100, NR30 reduced agronomical parameters leaf number, leaf area, leaf fresh, and dry weight by 13.53%, 24.93%, 20.76%, and 15.00%, respectively, whereas dry matter content was increased by 7.64%. WA50 also resulted in reduction in the agronomical characteristics by 8.62%, 7.19%, 5.53%, and 5.26, respectively, whereas the dry matter content was not affected. BS positively affected the agronomical characteristics by 7.49%, 8.01%, 7.18%, and 5.56, respectively, whereas the dry matter content was not affected. The effects of nitrogen rates and water availability suggest the more pronounced impact of nitrogen compared to water stress on the agronomical characteristics. Biostimulant application partially mitigated the effects of NR30 but was ineffective against WA50. The nutrient content of the leaves was also affected. NR30 reduced leaf nitrate, calcium, and zinc content, but increased iron, manganese, and copper concentrations. WA50 altered magnesium and zinc levels: it increased the former and decreased the latter. The interaction between nitrogen and water stress notably affected the plants’ calcium content, which was higher under the NR100 x WA50 treatment. These findings provide significant insights into the perlite-based cultivation of <i>C. spinosum</i> L., and its resilience against drought stress. Moreover, the beneficial effects of sufficient nitrogen rates on leaf fresh weight of <i>Cichorium spinosum</i> L. outline the importance for improving nutrient solution management schemes. Biostimulant application demonstrated promising results and could, after further research, become a viable solution for maintaining optimal yields under nitrogen stress.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/10/10/1063biostimulant applicationdrought stressnitrogen stressstamnagathi
spellingShingle Orfeas Voutsinos-Frantzis
Ioannis Karavidas
Dimitrios Savvas
Theodora Ntanasi
Vasileios Kaimpalis
Beppe Benedetto Consentino
Konstantinos A. Aliferis
Anestis Karkanis
Leo Sabatino
Georgia Ntatsi
Impact of Nitrogen Limitation, Irrigation Levels, and Nitrogen-Rich Biostimulant Application on Agronomical and Chemical Traits of Hydroponically Grown <i>Cichorium spinosum</i> L.
Horticulturae
biostimulant application
drought stress
nitrogen stress
stamnagathi
title Impact of Nitrogen Limitation, Irrigation Levels, and Nitrogen-Rich Biostimulant Application on Agronomical and Chemical Traits of Hydroponically Grown <i>Cichorium spinosum</i> L.
title_full Impact of Nitrogen Limitation, Irrigation Levels, and Nitrogen-Rich Biostimulant Application on Agronomical and Chemical Traits of Hydroponically Grown <i>Cichorium spinosum</i> L.
title_fullStr Impact of Nitrogen Limitation, Irrigation Levels, and Nitrogen-Rich Biostimulant Application on Agronomical and Chemical Traits of Hydroponically Grown <i>Cichorium spinosum</i> L.
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Nitrogen Limitation, Irrigation Levels, and Nitrogen-Rich Biostimulant Application on Agronomical and Chemical Traits of Hydroponically Grown <i>Cichorium spinosum</i> L.
title_short Impact of Nitrogen Limitation, Irrigation Levels, and Nitrogen-Rich Biostimulant Application on Agronomical and Chemical Traits of Hydroponically Grown <i>Cichorium spinosum</i> L.
title_sort impact of nitrogen limitation irrigation levels and nitrogen rich biostimulant application on agronomical and chemical traits of hydroponically grown i cichorium spinosum i l
topic biostimulant application
drought stress
nitrogen stress
stamnagathi
url https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/10/10/1063
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