Forage quality and physiological performance of mowed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) subjected to combined light quality and drought
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) can dwell in water-deficient habitats, where it is difficult to predict dry mass (DM) production and forage quality due to understory transmittance. Mowing is a recommended practice for alfalfa populations under drought, but its effect on forested land receives less attenti...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.1047294/full |
| _version_ | 1811319045962596352 |
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| author | Chunxia He Chunxia He Chunxia He Yan Zhao Yao Wang Yao Wang Yao Wang Jinfeng Cai Jun Gao Jun Gao Jun Gao Jinsong Zhang Jinsong Zhang Jinsong Zhang |
| author_facet | Chunxia He Chunxia He Chunxia He Yan Zhao Yao Wang Yao Wang Yao Wang Jinfeng Cai Jun Gao Jun Gao Jun Gao Jinsong Zhang Jinsong Zhang Jinsong Zhang |
| author_sort | Chunxia He |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) can dwell in water-deficient habitats, where it is difficult to predict dry mass (DM) production and forage quality due to understory transmittance. Mowing is a recommended practice for alfalfa populations under drought, but its effect on forested land receives less attention. In a controlled indoor experiment, we found that drought better reduces shoot DM weight and crude fiber content (CFi) in blue light (33.7% red, 48.5% green, and 17.8% blue lights) than red light (71.7% red, 13.7% green, and 14.6% blue lights). Mowing decreases carbon (C) isotope signature (δ13C), CFi, and total C content in shoots but increases their accumulations in DM, nonstructural carbohydrates, and crude fat content (CFa). The results also demonstrated that mown alfalfa has higher starch content when exposed to green light (26.2% red, 56.4% green, and 17.4% blue lights) compared to the other two spectra. Multiple factorial regression indicated that higher soluble sugar content accounted for the increase of CFa and DM weight for CFi. Overall, mowing in blue-light–enriched understory stands is recommended and produces high-forage–quality alfalfa, which can be used as a lowered crude fiber component. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T12:36:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a3af214816ce423998e5a798ac3441f5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T12:36:29Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-a3af214816ce423998e5a798ac3441f52022-12-22T02:46:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2022-11-011310.3389/fpls.2022.10472941047294Forage quality and physiological performance of mowed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) subjected to combined light quality and droughtChunxia He0Chunxia He1Chunxia He2Yan Zhao3Yao Wang4Yao Wang5Yao Wang6Jinfeng Cai7Jun Gao8Jun Gao9Jun Gao10Jinsong Zhang11Jinsong Zhang12Jinsong Zhang13Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, ChinaCo-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, ChinaHenan Xiaolangdi Earth Critical Zone National Research Station on the Middle Yellow River, Jiyuan, ChinaCollege of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, ChinaKey Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, ChinaCo-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, ChinaHenan Xiaolangdi Earth Critical Zone National Research Station on the Middle Yellow River, Jiyuan, ChinaCo-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, ChinaCo-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, ChinaHenan Xiaolangdi Earth Critical Zone National Research Station on the Middle Yellow River, Jiyuan, ChinaKey Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, ChinaCo-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, ChinaHenan Xiaolangdi Earth Critical Zone National Research Station on the Middle Yellow River, Jiyuan, ChinaAlfalfa (Medicago sativa) can dwell in water-deficient habitats, where it is difficult to predict dry mass (DM) production and forage quality due to understory transmittance. Mowing is a recommended practice for alfalfa populations under drought, but its effect on forested land receives less attention. In a controlled indoor experiment, we found that drought better reduces shoot DM weight and crude fiber content (CFi) in blue light (33.7% red, 48.5% green, and 17.8% blue lights) than red light (71.7% red, 13.7% green, and 14.6% blue lights). Mowing decreases carbon (C) isotope signature (δ13C), CFi, and total C content in shoots but increases their accumulations in DM, nonstructural carbohydrates, and crude fat content (CFa). The results also demonstrated that mown alfalfa has higher starch content when exposed to green light (26.2% red, 56.4% green, and 17.4% blue lights) compared to the other two spectra. Multiple factorial regression indicated that higher soluble sugar content accounted for the increase of CFa and DM weight for CFi. Overall, mowing in blue-light–enriched understory stands is recommended and produces high-forage–quality alfalfa, which can be used as a lowered crude fiber component.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.1047294/fullalfalfaclimate changewater deficitunderstory sunlightforage qualitymowing |
| spellingShingle | Chunxia He Chunxia He Chunxia He Yan Zhao Yao Wang Yao Wang Yao Wang Jinfeng Cai Jun Gao Jun Gao Jun Gao Jinsong Zhang Jinsong Zhang Jinsong Zhang Forage quality and physiological performance of mowed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) subjected to combined light quality and drought Frontiers in Plant Science alfalfa climate change water deficit understory sunlight forage quality mowing |
| title | Forage quality and physiological performance of mowed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) subjected to combined light quality and drought |
| title_full | Forage quality and physiological performance of mowed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) subjected to combined light quality and drought |
| title_fullStr | Forage quality and physiological performance of mowed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) subjected to combined light quality and drought |
| title_full_unstemmed | Forage quality and physiological performance of mowed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) subjected to combined light quality and drought |
| title_short | Forage quality and physiological performance of mowed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) subjected to combined light quality and drought |
| title_sort | forage quality and physiological performance of mowed alfalfa medicago sativa l subjected to combined light quality and drought |
| topic | alfalfa climate change water deficit understory sunlight forage quality mowing |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.1047294/full |
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