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Within the context of climate change, water scarcity is the major constraint to the viability of many crops. Thus, it is necessary to develop strategies for sustainable water management, and introduce alternative crops to sustain the viability of agro-ecosystems. The main objective of this work was to assess the performance of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) subjected to different plant densities and irrigation. Two cultivars (Carma and Ermes) were tested at three plant densities i.e. 40,000, 20,000, and 10,000 plants ha^-1, under two irrigation regimes: i) fully irrigated with total water supply equal to 100% of ETc; and ii) deficit irrigation with 80% of ETc. The experimental design was a split-split plot with four replications per combination. At harvest, yield and its components (weight, plant height, stem diameter, and the weight of leaves and flowers relative to the stem weight) were evaluated. Also, the production of chemical compounds for medical use (terpenoids, and fatty acids Omega 3 and 6) were analyzed. The results showed that cv. Carma was the most appropriate in agricultural terms, with a yield significantly higher than cv. Ermes. In terms of plant density, 40,000 and 20,000 plants ha^-1 gave the best results for yield, without significant impact by irrigation rates. Regarding the capability of these varieties to produce relevant chemicals, cv. Ermes yielded higher amounts than did cv. Carma. This work offers a preliminary assessment for hemp cultivation in Andalusia (SW Spain), with important potential under local agro-climatic conditions.

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The Assessment of strain accumulation due to nonlinear events like creep, plasticity or ratcheting phenomenon has gained importance, since it causes an increase in creep and fatigue damage of materials. Some factors like the magnitude of loading, constitutive equations or the elastic regions around the nonlinear events have effect on the rate of strain accumulation. The elastic follow-up can explain the mechanism of strain accumulation. This phenomenon may occur when a mechanical structure with elastic manner is connected to non-linear events and they are subjected to a displacement load. In these cases, the high rigidity portion of elastic region of mechanical structure may enhance the force to the regions with low rigidity. So in the local non-linear portion, the strain is accumulated. This phenomenon is proposed as an important instruction in mechanical assessment codes. In this study, the effects of Elastic Follow-up phenomenon on strain accumulation due to elastic-plastic and local creep are investigated. So the Elastic Follow-up parameter is defined by the methods which are described in high temperature assessment procedures (R5). The results revealed that the strain accumulation depends on the elastic region in structures which is described by the Elastic Follow-up phenomenon.

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The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, causes major yield loss in numerous plants. The control of this mite is achieved mainly with synthetic acaricides; other strategies are the use of predatory mites or plant natural products. This study evaluated the effects of Lavandula latifolia Medik. (Lamiaceae) essential oil on the survival rate and fecundity of T. urticae by slide-dip and leaf-disk bioassays. Acute contact toxicity was provoked by different spike lavender oil concentrations although 95-100% mortality was observed when emulsions contained at least 0.20% (v/v). In the residual toxicity experiments, lavender oil (0.15-0.25%) reduced mite survival and affected its fecundity; laid eggs and emerging larvae were lowered as the oil concentration increased. Incubation temperature determined egg viability; 12ºC did not allow larval development, while the highest percentage of hatched eggs was counted at 30ºC. Our results confirmed the possibility of using spike lavender oil as an alternative to conventional pesticides.
 

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The objective of this work was to understand the mechanisms of physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses to salinity stress of three Turkish melon genotypes (YYU 1, YYU 4 and CU 196) and cv. Ananas. The study used Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and pots were irrigated with Hoagland nutrient solution after two-leaf stage until harvesting by 50 and 75 mM NaCl concentrations. For evaluation of responses, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, total phenolic and flavonoid amount, proline variations, and nutrient elements were determined. Moreover, qRT-PCR analyses were performed to identify the expression level of six TF (Transcription Factors) genes (WRKY24, TCP15, CmHD-Zip, mTERF2, Dof3 and CmADH2). Increase in salt application led to increase in chlorophyll content in the melon genotypes, but decrease (about 55%) in cv. Ananas. Phenolic, flavonoid, and proline contents varied based on the melon genotypes, but generally increased in Ananas. Expression levels of TCP15 and WRKY24 showed more fold change at 75 mM NaCl treatment. On the other hand, the expression of CmADH2 and Dof3 showed more fold change at 50 mM NaCl treatment. Finally, according to adaptation mechanisms of melon genotypes, the study might help in selection and detection of the salt tolerant ones.