Nitrogen Fertilisation Modulates Photosynthetic Performance and Antioxidant Defence Mechanisms in Intercropped Cactus Under Semi-Arid Conditions
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Agriculture in semi-arid regions faces challenges, such as water scarcity and low soil fertility, making the forage cactus a highly important crop due to its crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) pathway. The productivity of the forage cactus, however, depends on proper water and nutrient management, especially nitrogen. Despite its importance, there is little research into the effects of nitrogen fertilisation on productive, photochemical, physiological and biochemical parameters, or on intercropping systems. Increasing doses of nitrogen are assumed to enhance CAM pathway, improving productivity, gas exchange, photochemical efficiency and antioxidant accumulation, in addition to mitigating the effects of oxidative stress under adverse conditions. The experiment was conducted in Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, Brazil, in a randomised block design with four replications. Changes in the biometric, productive, photochemical, physiological and biochemical parameters were evaluated in forage cactus intercropped with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) or pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) subjected to different doses of nitrogen (0, 75, 150, 300 and 450 kg ha−1). The results showed that nitrogen fertilisation promoted a higher photosynthetic rate and greater stomatal conductance, increased transpiration, and higher levels of pigment and soluble proteins, in addition to reducing lipid peroxidation. Our findings revealed that the cactus—pigeon pea intercropping system has better photosynthetic, enzymatic and productive performance at a dose of 150 kg N ha−1, whereas the cactus—sorghum intercropping system required 450 kg N ha−1 to achieve similar results. Overall, proper nitrogen management in intercropping systems can optimise the physiological performance and productivity of the forage cactus in semi-arid environments.
Source: Plants
Authors: Lady Daiane Costa de Sousa Martins, Alexandre Maniçoba da Rosa Ferraz Jardim, Wagner Martins dos Santos, José Edson Florentino de Morais, Luciana Sandra Bastos de Souza, Lara Rosa de Lima e Silva, Pedro Paulo Santos de Souza, Agda Raiany Mota dos Santos, Wilma Roberta dos Santos, Cleber Pereira Alves, Elania Freire da Silva, Hugo Rafael Bentzen Santos, Carlos André Alves de Souza, José Francisco da Cruz Neto, Adriano Nascimento Simões, Sérgio Luiz Ferreira-Silva, Jiaoyue Wang, Xuguang Tang, João L. M. P. de Lima, Thieres George Freire da Silva
Institutions: Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Hangzhou Normal University, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Applied Ecology, University of Coimbra
Language: English
Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDGs: Zero hunger, Life on land
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,258
Funders: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Universidade de Coimbra, Fundação de Amparo à Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco, Universidade de Pernambuco
OpenAlex ID: W4417423482