Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xiang An
Summary: This study investigates the impacts of precipitation and temperature on ecosystem water use efficiency (EWUE) and vegetation water use efficiency (VWUE). The results show that VWUE decreases at a higher rate than EWUE in winter, and VWUE exhibits a decreasing trend over the years, while EWUE increases. Precipitation negatively affects both EWUE and VWUE, while temperature has a significant positive impact. Through sensitivity and contribution rate analysis, it is determined that precipitation attenuates WUE, while temperature promotes WUE. This study enhances our understanding of the climate response of ecosystems and vegetation water flux.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pradeep Wagle, Todd H. Skaggs, Prasanna H. Gowda, Brian K. Northup, James P. S. Neel, Ray G. Anderson
Summary: The study compared different WUE algorithms in various grain crops and found discrepancies in the output partitioning among the models. The T:ET ratios varied among crops, with crops showing larger variations in computed T:ET also having higher estimated WUE magnitudes. Different parameterizations showed varying potential to partition ET, with the optimized WUE approach showing promise for C-3 crops.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yunzhou Qiao, Dongxiao Li, Wenjun Qiao, Yongpeng Li, Hong Yang, Wenwen Liu, Mengyu Liu, Xiying Zhang, Baodi Dong
Summary: The study quantified the relationship between transpiration efficiency and relative soil water content, finding TE (FC) to be a surrogate for screening high-yield and high-WUE cultivars.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Yanan Chen, Zhi Ding, Pujia Yu, Hong Yang, Lisheng Song, Lei Fan, Xujun Han, Mingguo Ma, Xuguang Tang
Summary: Efficient utilization of limited water resources and improving agricultural water use efficiency are major challenges for global food security. This study used carbon and water flux data from multiple site-years to analyze the variability in canopy-scale transpiration and ecosystem-scale evapotranspiration across major crops, including maize, winter wheat, and soybean. The results revealed seasonal patterns and differences among the crops in terms of transpiration and evapotranspiration, as well as water use efficiencies.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Weishu Wang, Zailin Huo, Yao Rong, Chaozi Wang, Chenglong Zhang, Xingwang Wang
Summary: Water use efficiency (WUE) is crucial for evaluating the relationship between crop growth and water consumption. In this study, a crop WUE model based on stomata was developed, which accurately simulated the daily hydrological processes, agricultural productivity, and WUE dynamics at field level. The model was calibrated using three years of field experimental data, and showed good performance in simulating crop transpiration, photosynthesis, soil moisture and salt dynamics.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jose A. Polania, Violeta Salazar-Chavarria, Ingrid Gonzalez-Lemes, Alexis Acosta-Maspons, Caspar C. C. Chater, Alejandra A. Covarrubias
Summary: This study found that drought-resistant genotypes of common beans and tepary beans have different strategies for water use, with tepary beans having prolonged stomatal opening and higher carbon fixation, leading to higher biomass accumulation. These findings provide useful targets for breeding programs.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cinisani M. Tfwala, Achamyeleh G. Mengistu, Imoh B. Ukoh Haka, Leon D. van Rensburg, Chris C. Du Preez
Summary: A study was conducted to evaluate the impact of soil types, seasons, evaporation, and transpiration on wheat yield, showing that reducing evaporative loss can improve the water productivity of wheat, which is significant in dryland farming.
Article
Agronomy
Ting Sun, Rui Cheng, Rujia Jiang, Yunxiu Liu, Yudong Sun, Zhuoyi Wang, Pingping Fang, Xinyang Wu, Kang Ning, Pei Xu
Summary: With increasing agricultural drought worldwide, it is important to enhance crop productivity and minimize water consumption for sustainable production. This study introduces a method for estimating genotype-specific traits that reflect the sensitivity of transpiration rate to solar radiation and vapor pressure deficit, and demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of calculating dynamic water use efficiency and biomass production. The combination of transpiration rate model and water use efficiency model proposes a general principle for transpiration rate ideotype design.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
M. S. Srinivasan, Richard Measures, Carla Muller, Mark Neal, Channa Rajanayaka, Ude Shankar, Graham Elley
Summary: Efficient water use is crucial in effective irrigation scheduling, and a physically-based hydrology tool IrriSET was developed to simulate different scheduling strategies. The study found that irrigation strategies based on both supply and demand positively impact water use efficiency and prolong soil water availability.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Heng Fang, Yuannong Li, Xiaobo Gu, Meng Yu, Yadan Du, Pengpeng Chen, Yupeng Li
Summary: The study found that using ridge-furrow with biodegradable film mulch and plastic film mulch can increase crop transpiration without nitrogen application, while flat planting without mulching had higher transpiration increment during the dry and wet seasons in 2017 and 2019 with nitrogen application. Nitrogen application improved yields and water use efficiency, but in the 2019 season, flat planting without mulching had higher yields compared to the other two treatments.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zinan Yan, Sadam Hussain, Shengfei Yang, Muhammad Farooq, Xiaoli Chen, Xiaolong Ren
Summary: This study investigated the impact of atmospheric ammonia on physiological traits and water- and nitrogen-use efficiencies in wheat seedlings. The results showed that elevated levels of NH3 increased photosynthesis, transpiration, and instantaneous transpiration efficiency, while decreasing overall N-use efficiency.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Thierry Klanvi Tovignan, Yasmeen Basha, Steffen Windpassinger, Sruthy Maria Augustine, Rod Snowdon, Stjepan Vukasovic
Summary: Understanding sorghum response to water stress at different developmental stages is crucial for improving drought tolerance in sorghum varieties. This study aimed to characterize the agro-physiological responses and water use of sorghum under different drought scenarios. The experiment used a DroughtSpotter facility to track real-time water use. The results showed that DS2 had a greater impact on green leaf number and plant leaf area, but delayed flowering compared to DS1. Moreover, DS2 had taller plants and higher biomass production. However, DS1R and WW treatments outperformed both DS1 and DS2 in terms of grain yield. Transpiration and photosynthetic rates decreased concurrently with stomatal conductance, indicating stomatal down-regulation. However, the increase in intercellular CO2 concentration suggested a non-stomatal limitation of photosynthesis. Overall, DS2 had higher water use efficiency compared to WW and DS1 treatments, highlighting the importance of avoiding drought stress during the critical stage of growing point differentiation for better yield and water use efficiency.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiangyang Sun, Xinyu Zhang, Genxu Wang, Zhaoyong Hu, Chunlin Song, Shan Lin, Juying Sun, Shouqin Sun
Summary: This study classified 71 FLUXNET2015 sites into energy-limited, transitional, and water-limited climates based on the Budyko dryness index. Modified WUE models were used to predict daytime transpiration, and the results showed that an additional net radiation term in the WUE model effectively predicted transpiration in energy-limited and transitional regions, while an additional soil water content term performed well in water-limited regions. Combining these two terms improved the prediction of transpiration in both energy-limited and transitional regions.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Lei Ouyang, Longwei Lu, Chunlin Wang, Yanqiong Li, Jingyi Wang, Xiuhua Zhao, Lei Gao, Liwei Zhu, Guangyan Ni, Ping Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the effects of environmental factors on tree water use, growth, and water use efficiency in a plantation of Schima superba trees in South China. The results showed that air temperature and humidity had significant effects on tree transpiration, basal area increment, and water use efficiency. Heat factors, such as air temperature and solar radiation, explained the larger variations in water use, growth, and water use efficiency compared to water factors. The study highlights the important role of heat factors in regulating tree water use and growth in subtropical plantations, which has implications for future plantation management under climate change.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Water Resources
Sirui Yan, Miao Li, Tao Sun, Qiang Liu, Liqiao Liang, Xuan Wang, Chunhui Li
Summary: This study in the Yellow River basin examines the impact of long-term meteorological drought on carbon and water cycles, finding significant variability in GPP, Tr, and WUE under different hydrological response stages, particularly with a significant effect on WUE during drought periods. Additionally, large-scale revegetation may increase drought risks in the region.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Sofoklis Bouras, Dimitrios Antoniadis, Georgios Kountrias, Ioannis T. Karapanagiotidis, Nikolaos Katsoulas
Summary: This study assessed the effect of different growth medium pH levels on the biomass, lipid accumulation, proximate composition, and DHA content of the heterotrophic marine microalgae Schizochytrium limacinum SR21. It was found that a neutral pH (7) was the optimum level.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Sofia Faliagka, Nikolaos Katsoulas
Summary: Insect proof screens coated with SiO2 nanoparticles using the plasma coating process were found to be more effective in controlling insects. The coated screens had higher air permeability, significantly reduced the number of aphids on crops, and increased greenhouse ventilation rate.
BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anastasis Christou, Eleftherios Hadjisterkotis, Panagiotis Dalias, Eleni Demetriou, Maria Christofidou, Sofia Kozakou, Nicos Michael, Chrystalla Charalambous, Militsa Hatzigeorgiou, Eftychia Christou, Demetris Stefani, Evaggelia Christoforou, Damianos Neocleous
Summary: Shooting ranges are highly contaminated areas with lead, which severely contaminates soils and vegetation. However, the contamination of nearby rivers and water reservoirs is minimal.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Damianos Neocleous, Dimitrios Savvas
Summary: This study focuses on implementing new elements in water and nutrient recycling under high salinity conditions for tomato crops. Two nutrient solution control strategies were compared, with recalculated nutrient uptake ratios showing more promising results in maintaining optimal nutrient levels for plant growth, especially under saline conditions.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Evangelia Tsoumalakou, Eleni Mente, Konstantinos A. Kormas, Nikolaos Katsoulas, Nikolaos Vlahos, Panagiotis Kapsis, Efi Levizou
Summary: This study examines the impact of nutrient deficiencies on plant growth in aquaponics, finding that supplementing with iron and iron combined with potassium can increase lettuce and red tilapia production. The results emphasize the importance of monitoring crop functional responses for sustainable aquaponics.
Article
Agronomy
Jose Ignacio Marin-Guirao, Francisco Cesar Paez-Cano, Maria del Carmen Garcia-Garcia, Nikolaos Katsoulas, Miguel de Cara-Garcia
Summary: Grey mould caused by Botrytis cinerea is a common disease in greenhouse tomato crops in the Mediterranean Basin. Fungicides are necessary due to the lack of heating systems and winter weather conditions. Copper-based formulations have been traditionally used, but cinnamon extract and potassium hydrogen carbonate (PHC) have shown high efficacy in inhibiting B. cinerea growth. Greenhouse trials conducted for two seasons in Spain demonstrated that PHC was comparable or even better than copper oxychloride in controlling Botrytis. Tomato variety selection and pruning practices were key factors in reducing the use of copper-based formulations or other fungicides to prevent grey mould infection. Integrated management of these factors could lead to the substitution of copper for Botrytis control in this crop system.
Article
Horticulture
Catherine Baxevanou, Dimitrios Fidaros, Chryssoula Papaioannou, Nikolaos Katsoulas
Summary: The climate crisis and energy price increases necessitate the design of greenhouses with a focus on energy supply. Local production of energy from renewable sources is one effective solution. The study explores the optimal design of a hybrid power generation system (photovoltaics/wind turbine/accumulators/oil generating unit) to meet the greenhouse's needs in terms of energy production quality, electricity price, and CO2 emissions. The research takes into account various factors such as production requirements, different energy equipment combinations, solar and wind potential, and energy demand.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Dedalos Kypris, Georgios Nikolaou, Efstathios Evangelides, Damianos Neocleous
Summary: The aim of this note is to provide an overview of the installation and adjustment of a mechanical standalone automatic device that adjusts irrigation frequency and duration based on weather changes. The hydraulic evapotranspiration multisensor (HEM) consists of an evaporation pan, a float with a magnet, a hydraulic device with a magnetic hydraulic valve for adjusting irrigation frequency, and a hydraulic system for replenishing water lost through evaporation. This note is particularly relevant for arid-semi-arid regions with irrigation-dependent agriculture.
Article
Biophysics
Georgios Nikolaou, Damianos Neocleous, Evangelini Kitta, Nikolaos Katsoulas
Summary: This study determines cucumber crop coefficients under different greenhouse microclimatic conditions and parameterizes the Priestley-Taylor reference evapotranspiration model. It is found that there is a significant relationship between crop coefficients and leaf area, and evapotranspiration can be modeled satisfactorily using simple measurements of leaf area index.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Eleni Karatsivou, Angeliki Elvanidi, Sofia Faliagka, Ioannis Naounoulis, Nikolaos Katsoulas
Summary: Minimum environmental impact and improved resource efficiency can be achieved by reusing nutrient solution drained from a primary crop to irrigate a secondary crop in soilless cascade systems. The study found that the nutrient solution from the primary crop can meet the needs of the secondary crop without compromising its productivity, and also improve water and nutrient use efficiency.
Proceedings Paper
Remote Sensing
Nikolaos Giakoumoglou, Eleftheria Maria Pechlivani, Nikolaos Katsoulas, Dimitrios Tzovaras
Summary: This study utilizes deep learning models to detect common insect pests such as whiteflies and black aphids in vegetable crops. A dataset with annotated images is created by collecting 225 images and labeling 5904 insect instances by expert agronomists. The experimental results demonstrate a high mean Average Precision (mAP) using this approach.
2022 IEEE 5TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON IMAGE PROCESSING APPLICATIONS AND SYSTEMS, IPAS
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Dedalos Kypris, Georgios Nikolaou, Eustathios Evangellides, Damianos Neocleous
Summary: The translation introduces a fully mechanical automatic irrigation device called HEM, which can adjust irrigation according to weather changes without requiring electricity. The device is composed of several components and can control irrigation frequency based on evaporation, providing high accuracy and flexibility.
Article
Fisheries
Paraskevi Stathopoulou, Adamantia Asimaki, Panagiotis Berillis, Nikolaos Vlahos, Efi Levizou, Nikolaos Katsoulas, Ioannis T. T. Karapanagiotidis, Christos I. I. Rumbos, Christos G. G. Athanassiou, Eleni Mente
Summary: This study investigates the effects of replacing fishmeal with Zophobas morio larvae meal on the growth performance of sea bass and lettuce plants in aquaponics. The results show that the replacement has significant effects on fish growth and specific growth rate, but final weight and length are similar. The growth of lettuce plants also varies among different systems.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Chryssoula Papaioannou, Nikolaos Katsoulas, Evangelini Kitta
Summary: The goal of this research is to compare and evaluate measurements taken by different instruments on the UV-blocking property of cladding material. Three covering materials with different UV radiation transmissivity were used and measured with sensors and a portable spectroradiometer.
