Wild edible plant Urospermum picroides as a sustainable cultivation in saline soils growing under different irrigation and fertilization regimes

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Their adaptation to demanding local environments makes them promising low-input alternative crops, aligned with economic, environmental, and climatic challenges. Accordingly, this study evaluated U. picroides performance under varying salinity, fertilization, and irrigation regimes, focusing on key physiological and agronomic characteristics. Methods A pot-based experiment was conducted to investigate the response of U. picroides to different irrigation water salinity levels (< 1, 2, 4, and 8 mS/cm), irrigation regimes (40 and 80% of water holding capacity (WHC)), and fertilization treatments (with vs without inorganic fertilizers). The study focused on plant growth, fresh biomass production, physiology (Fv/Fm and SPAD measurements), and micro- and macronutrient uptake characteristics. Results Salinity had little effect on plant height, leaf number, or fresh biomass, while biomass increased with higher irrigation and was unaffected by fertilization. All factors, and their interactions, showed no significant effects on physiological parameters (Fv/Fm, SPAD). Nutrient concentrations were largely unaffected by salinity, except for increased sodium and copper uptake. Irrigation and fertilization had no significant effects on nutrient content, except for higher nitrogen and magnesium at the highest irrigation level. Conclusions Overall, our findings highlight the strong potential of U. picroides as an alternative, low-input crop, supporting objectives related to climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management in vulnerable environments. Further research, including field-scale trials under diverse soils, environments, and abiotic stresses, is needed to confirm long-term crop performance and benefits for resources and local communities. Salinity Irrigation Fertilization Mediterranean plant species Cretan diet Wild Greens Figures Figure 1 Introduction Global climate change affects weather patterns, infusing abiotic stressors like salinity and droughts which are two of the most significant environmental challenges to crop growth and yield worldwide (Ahmed et al., 2024 ; Christoforidi et al., 2022 ). Soil salinization and water scarcity are major and escalating threats that currently reduce crop productivity on over 20% of global agricultural land and are projected to affect more than 50% of arable land by 2025 (Ortas et al., 2021 ). Furthermore, low water availability can affect agricultural production in regions relying mostly on rain-fed agriculture. The Mediterranean region is suffering from droughts, occurring even during the wet season, which can have a strong impact on water resources by lowering groundwater levels and water available in dams and reservoirs (Tramblay et al., 2020 ). In addition, 26 countries in Europe have reported cases of salinization with higher frequency in Mediterranean coastal areas and cultivations with no proper irrigation management increasing; the progression of salinization is increasingly jeopardizing productions of irrigated lands, the most active agricultural areas of the world (Maggio et al., 2011 ). Future agricultural land shortages and high food demands will fundamentally influence the food supply's safety and necessitate increasing crop yields through sustainable methods (Sharma et al., 2024 ). In addition, sustainable farming refers to agricultural practices that preserve, expand natural resources and protect the environment (Mina et al., 2023 ). Wild edible plant species traditionally gathered from the wild in the Mediterranean region are consumed as a part of the Mediterranean diet (Christoforidi et al., 2024 ; Guasch-Ferré & Willett, 2021 ; Nieto Feliner et al., 2023 ; Psaroudaki et al., 2015 ; Trichopoulou, 2012 ). In addition, most of the Mediterranean flora, apart from their important nutritional and therapeutic values (Fragopoulou et al., 2012 ; Guarrera & Savo, 2016 ; Salonikioti et al., 2015 ), have adaptation to adverse soil, climatic conditions and irrigation limitations (Iglesias et al., 2011 ; Nardini et al., 2014 ; Salleo & Nardini, 2000 ; Seleiman et al., 2021 ). Urospermum picroides (L.) Scop. ex F. W. Schmidt (Asteraceae), common name prickly goldenfleece, is a wild edible plant, native to the Mediterranean region, rich in secondary compounds, with antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, medicinal and health-promoting properties (Alper & Güneş, 2019 ; Aly et al., 2008 ; Balboul et al., 1997 ; El-Amier et al., 2016 ; Fragopoulou et al., 2012 ; Strzelecka et al., 2005 ). The plant, as a product gathered from nature, is an integral part of the traditional Cretan dietary pattern, which are closely linked to sustainable practices across the entire agri-food system of a region (Pieroni et al. 2022 ; Psaroudaki et al., 2015 , 2020; Trichopoulou, 2012 ). A prominent example is the region of Crete, where the traditional Cretan Mediterranean dietary pattern includes the consumption of a wide variety of wild edible greens (Psaroudaki 2012 ). The U. picroides could be a promising new cultivation and have adaptations in abiotic stressors(Alexopoulos et al., 2023 ; Salonikioti et al., 2015 ) however, there is a limited literature evaluation of the cultivation practices that can increase the yield of this crop while ensuring the use of salinity soils and a limited environmental footprint. In the present study, in a pot-based experiment, we examined the response of Urospermum picroides (L.) growing under different fertilization, irrigation and soil salinity levels focusing on growth and plant physiological characteristics. The findings of the study provide information regarding species potential particularly under different stresses based on current and future environmental and climate challenges. Materials and Methods Plant development and Pot experiment The study focuses on the growth of the plant Urospermum picroides (collected after permission, with specific deposition number GR1 HMUND-002), with the aim of investigating its resistance to salinity, in specific irrigation and fertilization regimes. An experimental protocol (plan) was designed and implemented that included compliance with certain cultivation conditions as well as examination of predefined variables-parameters for the plant and the soil. Initially, a substrate was prepared for the growth of Urospermum picroides seedlings, mixing perlite with compost in a 1:1 ratio. The mixture was placed in the seed trays, in which one seed was planted in each position. At the beginning of the process (November 23, 2023), the first watering of the seeds was done, and for the first three weeks the plants were watered daily. As plant growth progressed, irrigation frequency was gradually reduced. From the emergence of the first seedlings plants were watered four times a week for a month. At a more advanced developmental stage, irrigation was reduced to twice per week and maintained until transplanting. On February 12, 2024, the 64 healthiest and most developed plants were transplanted into 3-liter pots in the greenhouse. The pots contained soil from the outdoor area of ​​the Hellenic Mediterranean University of Crete (HMU), which was offered as a substrate for their growth. Soil properties are presented in Table 1 . On the first day of transplanting, double watering was applied to promote plant growth, followed by irrigation every two days. In total 16 treatments were applied to the pots as follows: The pots were placed in a 16x4 arrangement (four replicates) and in each one were placed intervals containing a specific amount of deionized water, fertilizer and/or sodium chloride (NaCl), to achieve four levels of irrigation water salinity (< 1, 2, 4 and 8 mS/cm), and two fertilization (with or without chemical fertilizer addition) and irrigation (~ 40 and ~ 80% of WHC) regimes. Thus, 2x2x4x4 = 64 pots were prepared (Fig. 1 ). Both irrigation and fertilization rates were calculated on data collected after laboratory experimentation followed by periodic weighting of pots. Inorganic fertilizers, ammonium sulfate and monopotassium phosphate were applied (at rates of 50 kg NPK per ha) to the half of the pots with added fertilizer. The pots remained partially under controlled conditions in the greenhouse, with periodical aeration and normal temperature variation (15–30 0 C). In the following period, additions of the above solutions were made (1st dose 16/3/24, 2nd dose 4/4/24, 3rd dose 16/4/24 and last and 4th dose 22/4/24) and measurements were taken to determine the growth, physiology, and nutrients in the above ground part of the plant. In addition, photographs were taken for the macroscopic recording of plant growth during the experiment. Table 1 Parameters measured in soil used in pot experiment. Parameters Values pH 7,58 EC (mS cm − 1 ) < 1 Clay (%) 25 Sand (%) 38 Loam (%) 38 Org. matter (%) 3,61 CaCO 3 (%) 17 Samplings and analysis The height of the plant was recorded; the first measurement was made on 30/3/2024 and two more measurements followed (11/4/2024 and 23/4/2024). We measured the height from where the above-ground part of the plant began up. Measurements were also taken for the number of leaves of each plant, with the 1st starting on 30/3/2024, the 2nd on 11/4/2024 and the 3rd on 23/4/2024. In addition, photographs were taken for the macroscopic recording of the growth of the plants during the experiment. Fluorimeter and chlorophyll measurements were carried out, which were made in the morning hours for more accurate results. For the fluorimeter measurements, we placed a peg on each leaf for 3 leaves per plant and left them for a quarter to twenty minutes. The 1st measurement was made on 5/4/2024 and the 2nd on 24/4/2024 (end of experiment, Table 2 ). For the chlorophyll measurement, we placed the device on the leaf and noted the value; this was done on 3 different leaves per plant. The 1st chlorophyll measurement was also noted on 5/4/2024 and the 2nd on 24/4/2024 (Table 2 ). On April 25, 2024 (end of the experiment), the plants were cut from their base and weighed to determine the fresh biomass. Then, the leaves were separated from the central shoot, individualy weighted and transferred to the laboratory for further processing. More specifically, the leaves were washed, air-dried, and weighed again. Subsequently, they were dried in a desiccator at 65°C and reweighed to determine the dry weight. Then, the dried leaves were crushed, pulverized with an electric mill and stored in paper bags until nutrient analysis. For nutrient determination, 1 gram of the material was placed to porcelain crucibles, which were placed in a combustion oven at 480°C for 7–8 hours, for complete combustion. The white ash that was obtained, was dissolved by the addition of 1 ml of concentrated HNO 3 and 5 ml of 6N HCL solution. Each sample filtered through No 1 Whatman filter paper and diluted to 50 ml volume with deionized water, capped, inverted and transferred to plastic vials, which were stored in fridge at 4 o C. The stock samples, that were obtained from dry combustion, were used for determination of leaf phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients content. Measurements were carried out to determine the concentrations of phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in the stock solution. Phosphorus was determined according to the Vanadium molybdate procedure (Benton-Jones, 2001). Potassium was determined in the sample stock solutions using flame-photometer (Model) (Benton-Jones, 2001) and Ca, Mg, and micronutrients (Zinc, Boron and Ferrous) by using atomic absorption photometer. When necessary, appropriate dilutions performed to acquire values inside the calibration curve. Nitrogen concentration in the leaf tissue was determined in leaf tissue powder by the Kjeldhal procedure (Bremner, 1996). In addition to plant tissues, soil conductivity was also determined at the end of the experiments. For this purpose, 20 g of soil were taken from each pot and 20 g of deionized water were added. The solution was stirred for 30 minutes and then the conductivity of the sample was measured. This procedure completed the data collection for the experiment. Statistical analysis For the purposes of the experiments, a three-way analysis of variance (Salinity, Irrigation and Fertilization) (3-way ANOVA) was applied. Individual comparisons (Duncan post hoc) were made for the salinity factor whereas student t test was carried out for irrigation and fertilization factors. Data were checked for homogeneity and normality, and log transformation were carried out where was necessary. The IBM SPSS statistical package (ver. 22) was used. Results Soil salinity Soil salinity was examined at the end of the experimentation to determine the salinity level in pots under different treatments. The initial level (Control) was less than 1 mS/cm, while the subsequent levels 2, 4 and 8 mS/cm showed soil salinities of 2.39, 3.90, 6. 43 mS/cm. Plant growth and physiology Salinity had a significant effect on the height of the plant ( p < 0.05) (Table 2.). Higher values were recorded in plants with increasing soil salinity (with exception of the higher salinity) and the highest moisture levels ( p = 0.08). Regarding the number of leaves, significant differences were also observed between the plants in relation to moisture and salinity ( p < 0.05) (Table 2). Higher leaf numbers were observed under increased salinity and moisture treatments. Regarding the produced fresh biomass, a significant effect was observed on the irrigation factor, showing higher biomass in higher irrigation level ( p 0.05). Plant nutrition Based on the statistical analysis of the concentrations of micronutrients in the leaves of Urospermum picroides , significant effects on the examined factors emerge. Specifically, for the macronutrients, salinity did not have a significant effect on the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and (Table 3). However, for sodium, a statistically significant effect of salinity appears, with the average values increasing from 4.29% at salinity of < 1 mS/cm to 5.89% at salinity of 2 mS/cm, 7.36% at of 4 mS/cm and 8.68 at 8 mS/cm (Table 3). DUNCAN In addition, fertilization had significant statistical effects on nitrogen concentration with an average concentration of 3.35% at fertilized versus 3.04% at non-fertilized pots. Magnesium also showed significant effects, showing higher magnesium concentrations in the leaves in fertilized pots compared to the control pots (Table 3). In contrast, fertilization had no significant statistically significant effect on phosphorus, potassium, or calcium concentrations. Likewise, irrigation appeared to have little impact on the concentrations of micronutrients in the leaves (Table 3). Finally, it is worth noting the statistically significant interaction between irrigation and fertilization, as well as the interaction between salinity, irrigation and fertilization for nitrogen concentration in leaves, indicating the complexity of the interaction of these factors in nutrient uptake. Regarding the concentration of microelements in the leaves of the Urospermum picroides plant, it is observed that all factors, and their interactions, had no significant statistical effect (Table 4). In case of manganese, the effect of salinity, irrigation, fertilization on nutrient concentration in leaves was not statistically significant despite the fluctuations in their average values (Table 4). In addition, irrigation and fertilization had no significant effects on copper and zinc concentrations, whereas salinity resulted in a significant increase at higher salinity levels. For iron, neither salinity nor irrigation had a statistically significant effect; however, iron concentration showed a marginally significant trend in response to fertilization ( p = 0.09). Finally, the interactions of the four factors did not have a statistically significant effect on the uptake of any of the microelements examined (Table 4). Table 3 The effect of salinity, fertilization and Irrigation on macronutrient concentration in biomass of Urospermum picroides at the end of experiment. N P K Ca Mg Na Mean Std. Error Mean Std. Error Mean Std. Error Mean Std. Error Mean Std. Error Mean Std. Error Salinity (mS cm − 1 ) 1 3.16 0.15 0.71 0.92 10.93 1.87 1.01 0.19 0.29 0.06 4.29b 0.87 2 3.27 0.15 0.53 0.53 13.42 1.25 1.09 0.10 0.30 0.03 5.89ab 0.70 4 3.12 0.18 0.68 0.58 15.51 2.16 1.35 0.18 0.39 0.05 7.36ab 0.92 8 3.14 0.13 0.80 0.71 15.71 2.18 1.44 0.27 0.36 0.05 8.68a 1.38 Sig. NS NS NS NS NS * Irrigation (% of WHC) ~ 40 3.12 0.11 0.62 0.72 14.65 1.42 1.14 0.12 0.34 0.04 6.16 0.61 ~ 80 3.23 0.11 0.72 0.66 13.94 1.37 1.35 0.16 0.34 0.03 7.51 0.89 Sig. NS NS NS NS NS NS Fertilization No 3.04b 0.08 0.59 0.71 12.34 0.87 1.22 0.13 0.28b 0.02 5.89b 0.46 Yes 3.35a 0.14 0.78 0.65 16.81 1.84 1.29 0.16 0.42a 0.05 8.09a 1.06 Sig. * NS NS NS ** * Salinity* Irrigation 0.079 NS NS NS NS NS Salinity * Fertilization NS NS NS NS NS NS Irrigation * Fertilization ** NS NS NS NS NS Salinity * Irrigation * Fertilization * NS NS NS NS NS Table 4 The effect of salinity, fertilization and Irrigation on micronutrient concentration in biomass of Urospermum picroides at the end of experiment. Fe Zn Cu Mn Mean Std. Error Mean Std. Error Mean Std. Error Mean Std. Error Salinity (mS cm − 1 ) 1 423.75 151.75 54.54 10.51 0.21 0.21 69.94 11.72 2 406.15 35.01 61.90 5.31 3.83 1.46 56.61 5.13 4 650.02 110.68 74.29 7.51 10.02 2.64 75.14 8.26 8 459.99 79.32 77.20 11.65 16.52 3.95 70.30 7.47 Sig. NS NS *** NS Irrigation (% of WHC) ~ 40 520.83 66.33 70.03 6.92 7.02 2.57 70.16 6.17 ~ 80 468.78 65.95 67.24 5.77 10.05 1.85 65.28 4.89 Sig. NS NS NS NS Fertilization No 427.14 57.80 65.91 5.82 6.04 2.09 68.06 4.19 Yes 581.13 73.57 72.08 6.98 11.83 2.26 67.18 7.22 Sig. 0.09 NS NS NS Salinity* Irrigation NS NS NS NS Salinity * Fertilization NS NS NS NS Irrigation * Fertilization NS NS NS NS Salinity * Irrigation * Fertilization . . . . . Discussion Crop resilience and agriculture sustainability can be enhanced by exploring soil salinity, plant drought tolerance, and remediation techniques (Muhammad et al., 2024 ). By applying their understanding of soil functions to develop practical approaches that enhance crop performance and enable producers to evaluate the sustainability of their management practices, scientists can make a significant contribution to the global sustainability of agricultural lands (Sharma et al., 2024 ). In this context, in the present study, different treatments regarding irrigation water salinity, soil moisture and fertilization were examined to investigate Urospermum picroides response and potential. The study provides evidence of the ability of Urospermum picroides to grow under saline soil environments and variable irrigation regimes highlighting its potential as an alternative crop under various climate and anthropogenic driven stresses. Thus, the native edible crop cultivations, such as Urospermum picroides , thriving in Cretan land could be an option as an alternative crop cultivation, as a plant species well-adapted to demanding local conditions, compatible with challenging climatic and various stresses conditions. The effect of salinity on plant growth and physiology and the role of irrigation and fertilization Results of the study showed that the plants’ growth and biomass parameters remained unaffected or were positively responded to increase in NaCl-induced salinization up to 8 mS/cm, indicating the tolerance of plant species to salinity stress. In a recent pot-study, it was found that only at the high level of NaCl (5 mS/cm) in the nutrient solution, compared to 5 mS/cm, the growth parameters of the plant were significantly reduced (Vidalis et al., 2023). Similarly, decreasing leaf number and fresh biomass have been registered under different levels of salinity (2, 6, and 10 mS/cm) particularly at the highest salinity level (Alexopoulos, 2023). It has been documented that the presence of high NaCl concentrations in the rhizosphere area creates a high osmotic potential in the soil which limits the uptake of water and nutrients by the root system (Ryu, 2015). However, Uropsermum picroides may exhibit better water uptake under saline conditions (Alexopoulos, 2023) and/or may accumulate and tolerate higher Na concentrations in leaves, as shown in our pot study and previously (Alexopoulos, 2023), explaining its relatively high salt tolerance. Detrimental effect of salinity on fresh biomass yield, at various scales, has been reported in the case of different plant species indicating the importance of genetic background against salt stress (Alexopoulos, 2023; Shannon and Grieve, 1999 ). In line with the plant growth and biomass parameters, in our study, the physiological parameters (SPAD and Fv/Fm), were unaffected by salinity level, providing additional evidence of the tolerance of Uropsermum picroides to NaCl-induced salinity. Similar responses of SPAD and chlorophyll content to salinity were obtained by the above studies (Alexopoulos, 2023; Vidalis et al., 2023), indicating the tolerance of the Uropsermum picroides to a wide range of salt stress, probably due to effective adaptation mechanisms, such as osmotic adjustment and/or ion compartmentalization (Yang et al., 2007 ), needed to be elucidated. Irrigation level favored leaf number and fresh biomass production indicating that soil moisture is important parameter of the Uropsermum picroides growing under various soil conditions. Both water availabilities allowed adequate nutrients’ supply, showed by similarities regarding their content in leaves, however, increase of irrigation water favored growth rather than physiological characteristics that remained unaffected. Positive relationship between irrigation level and biomass has been reported in a wide range of crops, showing interaction with fertilization level in some cases (Amer, 2010 ; Shani and Dudley, 2001 ; Chen, et al., 2018); However, here, no remarkable interaction between irrigation and fertilization levels was recorded. In fact, no effect of fertilization on performance of Uropsermum picroides was observed, suggesting that soil supplied adequately plants with nutrients, regardless of fertilization. Overall, in contrast to irrigation, fertilization was not critical for Uropsermum picroides , which may demonstrate the plant's autonomy and potential under the examined soil regime. In contrast, positive effects of different foliar fertilizations on leaf number and fresh biomass and Fv/Fm have been reported in a field experiment (Christoforidi et al., 2024 ), which may suggest that Uropsermum picroides response to fertilization is matter, besides soil conditions, of the application of fertilization method (foliar vs soil). Unfortunately, no relevant data is available in literature, suggesting future work. Leaf nutrient dynamics With exception of Na, Mg and Cu, all macro and micro-nutrient concentrations in leaves were unaffected by salinity, irrigation and fertilization regimes. These suggest that plants of Uropsermum picroides remain unaffected and adequately supplied by the soil with the nutrients needed under the established experimental soil conditions. Interestingly, plants increased Na uptake with increasing salinity level in soil, indicating an adaptive mechanism of the plants over salinity stress. Similar results have been provided recently showing, however, parallel decrease in K and Ca leaf concentrations under increasing salinity level (Alexopoulos, 2023). In the present study increase of salinity, in addition to Na, led to increase in Cu content, which was not the case in the latter study (Alexopoulos, 2023). Moreover, variations regarding other micro or even macronutrient contents were recorded between our study and the previous studies (Alexopoulos, 2023; Christophoridi et al., 2024). These inconsistent results may be due to genetic potential of plants, root/shoot allocation and nutrient partitioning, plant handling (salinity level, duration of stress and plant adaptation period) and experimental conditions (e.g., soil properties and nutrient content, temperature and light period etc.) shaping plant response and micro and macronutrient competitions and availabilities (Shang et al., 2020 ; Cheng et al., 2019). For example, regarding Cu in our study, the increased uptake may be favored by elevated Na concentration and ionic strength in soil that favored Cu displacement from exchange sites of soil particles and/or prevented its sorption onto clay and organic matter (Acosta et al., 2011 ), increasing its availability in soil. Moreover, possible damages due to increased salinity facilitating Cu uptake aren’t excluded (Zhou et al., 2024 ). Fertilization increased leaf N content reflecting the addition of inorganic N addition and the higher N availability in soil. Similarly, Mg leaf content was increased by inorganic fertilization that could be attributed to increased dissolution and availability in soil. No other effect of fertilization in leaf contents was recorded in our study, similar to a field Uropsermum picroides cultivation, where leaf micro and macronutrient contents remained unaffected by foliar fertilization (Christophoridi et al., 2024). Finally, irrigation level did not affect the leaf nutrients’ concentration, suggesting that irrigation up to 40% of WHC was adequate for plants. Implications for sustainable crop cultivation, biodiversity and Mediterranean diet systems The present study demonstrates the ability of Urospermum percroides to sustain adequate growth, physiological performance and nutritional balance under saline and moderately dry soil conditions exhibiting in parallel low reliance on fertilization. These characteristics make plant species a promising candidate for low input farming systems particularly in marginal and saline soils, of the Mediterranean region, given the current and future environmental, climate and food security challenges of the area (Tzanakakis et al., 2020 ; Paredes et al., 2020 ). Apart from its agronomic performance under various stresses, Urospermum picroides may also contribute to preservation and strengthening of biodiversity in agroecosystems supporting parallel the traditional Mediterranean food diet protype along with the cultural and nutritional heritage (Christophoridi et al., 2024). Plants gathered from nature are an integral part of the traditional Cretan dietary pattern, which is closely associated with sustainable practices throughout the regional agri-food system. In the Mediterranean region, traditional food (environmental knowledge, encompassing practices, beliefs, and ecological understanding) still survives in certain areas, with Crete standing out as a prominent example, where the traditional Cretan Mediterranean diet includes the consumption of a wide variety of wild edible greens. Conclusions Under the experimental conditions of this study, Urospermum percroides demonstrated: (a) remarkable tolerance to irrigation with saline water (up to 8 mS/cm), (b) reduced water needs (lower as 40% of WHC) and (c) minimal dependence on inorganic fertilizations; highlighting its high potential as a resilient wild edible species suitable for in marginal and/or saline soils, commonly found in many areas of the Mediterranean region. Specifically, saline irrigation water up to 8 mS/cm did not reduce fresh biomass or plant physiology, represented by Fv/Fm and SPAD measurements, while moderated irrigation sufficiently supported the overall plant performance and nutrient dynamics. The relatively limited response of Urospermum percroides to fertilization, along with moderate water demands, indicates its high potential as a crop under low-input conditions, which can service both environmental or economic viability purposes, in agreement to climate adaptation, biodiversity preservation and sustainable resources management for vulnerable areas of the planet. Future work should focus on field-scale experimentation under diverse soil types, environmental conditions, and abiotic and biotic stresses to confirm long-term crop production and the potential benefits for resources and local communities. Declarations The authors declare that no specific funding was received for this study. In addition, the authors declare that they have no known financial or non-financial competing interests that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. This study did not involve human participants or animals. Therefore, approval by an ethics committee was not required. All data generated and analyzed during this study supports the findings of this manuscript. The datasets are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Urospermum picroides collected after permission “ΑΠ.ΥΠΕΝ/ΔΠΔ/128940/7615,ΥΠΕΝ/ΔΠΔ/96505/5717/25.09.2023”, with specific deposition number GR1 HMUND-002. Ethics and consent to participate The plant specimen was collected in compliance with Greek Law 3937/2011 (Government Gazette A’ 60/2011) on biodiversity conservation. The specimen was identified by Dr. Eleftheria Antaloudaki, Curator of Botany at the Natural History Museum of Crete (NHMC), using Atlas of the Hellenic Flora (Strid 2024) and Flora Europaea (Tutin et al. 1964–1980, 1993), while Flora Cretica (Muer et al. 2024) was also consulted. Nomenclature follows the Flora of Greece Web , the continuously updated online version of Vascular Plants of Greece: An Annotated Checklist (Dimopoulos et al. 2013, 2016). A voucher specimen has been prepared and deposited in the NHMC Herbarium under the code NHMC 42.13642. The taxonomically identified seed samples used in this study belong to the species Urospermum picroides (Asteraceae) and were collected from natural populations of the species in the area of eastern Crete using special research permits (YPEN/DPPD/128940/7615/26.05.2023 and YPEN/DPPD/96505/5717/25.09.2023). The collection was carried out by Associate Professor of Nutrition and Food Hygiene Antonia Psaroudaki of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Sciences of Hellenic Mediterranean Univeristy (HMU). The collected seeds were transferred to the “ΤΕΔΔ”, which has a recognized seed bank of wild edible plants (member of the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) network) and were registered in the special collection registers of the aforementioned unit outside the place of conservation of genetic material (reference codes IPEN – International Plant Exchange Network). The seed lot from which the plants of the present experimental procedure originated has the IPEN code GR-1-HMUND-002. An MTA (Material Transfer Agreement) was drawn up for the transfer of the seed lots to the AGRICULTURE department of HMU for the conduct of the experiment. Moreover, Prof. Dr. Antonia Psaroudaki identified the plant/plant part. She has Ph.D. in agricultural science and collection was done after collection permission was received. Dr. Antonia Psaroudaki is the manager of the short-term seed bank of native edible plants of the department of Nutrition Sciences and Dietetology of HMU. 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Vascular plants of Greece: An annotated checklist. Berlin: Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem; 2013. [Englera 31]. Dimopoulos P, Raus T, Bergmeier E, Constantinidis T, Iatrou G, Kokkini S, Strid A, Tzanoudakis D. Vascular plants of Greece: an annotated checklist. Supplement Willdenowia. 2016;46:301–47. 10.3372/wi.46.46303 . El-Amier YA, Al-Hadithy ON, Abdullah TJ. Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Different Extracts Obtained from Aerial Parts of Urospermum picroides (L.) F.W. from Egypt. J Adv Chem Sci. 2016;2(3):299–301. Fragopoulou E, Detopoulou P, Nomikos T, Pliakis E, Panagiotakos DB, Antonopoulou S. Mediterranean wild plants reduce postprandial platelet aggregation in patients with metabolic syndrome. Metabolism. 2012;61(3):325–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.METABOL.2011.07.006 . Guarrera PM, Savo V. Wild food plants used in traditional vegetable mixtures in Italy. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016;185:202–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JEP.2016.02.050 . Guasch-Ferré M, Willett WC. The Mediterranean diet and health: a comprehensive overview. J Intern Med. 2021;290(3):549–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/JOIM.13333 . Iglesias A, Mougou R, Moneo M, Quiroga S. Towards adaptation of agriculture to climate change in the Mediterranean. Reg Envriron Chang. 2011;11(1):159–66. Jeffrey C. Urospermum. In: Tutin TG, Heywood VH, Burges NA, Moore DM, Valentine DH, Walters SM, Webb DA, editors. Flora Europaea. Volume 4. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1976. pp. 325–6. Maggio A, de Pascale S, Fagnano M, Barbieri G. Saline Agriculture in Mediterranean Environments. Italian J Agron. 2011;6(1):e7. https://doi.org/10.4081/IJA.2011.E7 . Mina G, Scariot V, Peira G, Lombardi G. Foraging Practices and Sustainable Management of Wild Food Resources in Europe: A Systematic Review. Land 2023. 2023;12(7):1299. https://doi.org/10.3390/LAND12071299 . 12 . Muer T, Sauerbier H, Cabrera Calixto F. Flora Cretica: A Photographic Guide to the Flora of Crete. 3rd ed. Weikersheim: Margraf; 2024. Muhammad M, Waheed A, Wahab A, Majeed M, Nazim M, Liu YH, Li L, Li WJ. Soil salinity and drought tolerance: An evaluation of plant growth, productivity, microbial diversity, and amelioration strategies. Plant Stress. 2024;11:100319. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.STRESS.2023.100319 . Nardini A, Lo Gullo MA, Trifilò P, Salleo S. The challenge of the Mediterranean climate to plant hydraulics: Responses and adaptations. Environ Exp Bot. 2014;103:68–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2013.09.018 . Nieto Feliner G, Cellinese N, Crowl AA, Frajman B. (2023). Editorial: Understanding plant diversity and evolution in the Mediterranean Basin. Frontiers in Plant Science , 14 . https://doi.org/10.3389/FPLS.2023.1152340 Ortas I, Rafique M, Çekiç FÖ. (2021). Do Mycorrhizal Fungi Enable Plants to Cope with Abiotic Stresses by Overcoming the Detrimental Effects of Salinity and Improving Drought Tolerance? 391–428. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51916-2_23 Paredes I, Otero N, Soler A, Green AJ, Soto DX. Agricultural and urban delivered nitrate pollution input to Mediterranean temporary freshwaters. Volume 294. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment; 2020. p. 106859. Pieroni A, Sulaiman N, Sõukand R. Chorta (Wild Greens) in Central Crete: The Bio-Cultural Heritage of a Hidden and Resilient Ingredient of the Mediterranean Diet. Biology. 2022;11(5):673. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11050673 . Psaroudaki A. (2012) Recording, botanical identification, genetic diversity attributes of indigenous edible plants of Crete and their participation in the current nutritional pattern. doi.10.12681/eadd/27946. Psaroudaki A, Nikoloudakis N, Skaracis G, Katsiotis A. Genetic structure and population diversity of eleven edible herbs of Eastern Crete. J Biol Res (Greece). 2015;22(1):1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/S40709-015-0030-7/FIGURES/2 . Psaroudaki A. Mediterranean Cretan Diet – The Diet of Joy. European Project Interreg MED (Project Communication; 2020. Salleo S, Nardini A. Sclerophylly: Evolutionary advantage or mere epiphenomenon ? Plant Biosystems. 2000;134(3):247–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/11263500012331350435 . Salonikioti A, Petropoulos S, Antoniadis V, Levizou E, Alexopoulos A. Wild Edible Species with Phytoremediation Properties. Procedia Environ Sci. 2015;29:98–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PROENV.2015.07.180 . Seleiman MF, Al-Suhaibani N, Ali N, Akmal M, Alotaibi M, Refay Y, Dindaroglu T, Abdul-Wajid HH, Battaglia ML. Drought Stress Impacts on Plants and Different Approaches to Alleviate Its Adverse Effects. Plants. 2021;10(2):1–25. https://doi.org/10.3390/PLANTS10020259 . Shannon MC, Grieve CM. Tolerance of vegetable crops to salinity. HortScience. 1999;78:5–38. Shani U, Dudley LM. Field studies of crop response to water and salt stress. Soil Science; 2001. Shang C, Wang L, Tian C, Song J. Heavy metal tolerance and potential for remediation of heavy metal-contaminated saline soils for the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa. Plant Signal Behav. 2020;15(11):1805902. doi: 10.1080/15592324.2020.1805902. Society of America Journal, 65(5), 1522–1528. Sharma P, Sharma P, Thakur N. Sustainable farming practices and soil health: a pathway to achieving SDGs and future prospects. Discover Sustain. 2024;5(1):1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/S43621-024-00447-4/FIGURES/2 . Strzelecka M, Bzowska M, Kozieł J, Szuba B, Dubiel O, Núńez DR, Heinrich M, Bereta J. (2005). Anti-inflammatory effects of extracts from some traditional Mediterranean diet plants. J Physiol Pharmacology: Official J Pol Physiological Soc. Strid A. Urospermum picroides. Atlas of the Hellenic Flora. Volume 2. Nicosia, Cyprus: Broken Hill; 2024. p. 345. Tramblay Y, Koutroulis A, Samaniego L, Vicente-Serrano SM, Volaire F, Boone A, Le Page M, Llasat MC, Albergel C, Burak S, Cailleret M, Kalin KC, Davi H, Dupuy JL, Greve P, Grillakis M, Hanich L, Jarlan L, Martin-StPaul N, Polcher J. Challenges for drought assessment in the Mediterranean region under future climate scenarios. Earth Sci Rev. 2020;210:103348. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EARSCIREV.2020.103348 . Trichopoulou A. Diversity v. globalization: traditional foods at the epicentre*. Public Health Nutr. 2012;15(6):951–4. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980012000304 . Tzanakakis VA, Paranychianakis NV, Angelakis AN. Water supply and water scarcity. Water. 2020;12(9):2347. Yang C, Chong J, Li C, Kim C, Shi D, Wang D. Osmotic adjustment and ion balance traits of an alkali resistant halophyte Kochia sieversiana during adaptation to salt and alkali conditions. Plant Soil. 2007;294(1):263–76. Zhou H, Shi H, Yang Y, Feng X, Chen X, Xiao F, Guo Y. Insights into plant salt stress signaling and tolerance. J Genet Genomics. 2024;51(1):16–34. Table 2 Table 2 is available in the Supplementary Files section. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Table2.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 05 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 24 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 21 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 11 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 09 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 01 Apr, 2026 Editor invited by journal 30 Mar, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 26 Mar, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 26 Mar, 2026 First submitted to journal 25 Mar, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9223156","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":617450357,"identity":"62ff5d12-1e4f-40a9-aed9-19840b5955a0","order_by":0,"name":"Eirini Partaraki","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hellenic Mediterranean University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Eirini","middleName":"","lastName":"Partaraki","suffix":""},{"id":617450360,"identity":"9736f39b-a09b-4886-a918-edfcb83f285d","order_by":1,"name":"Ioanna Stamataki","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hellenic Mediterranean University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ioanna","middleName":"","lastName":"Stamataki","suffix":""},{"id":617450368,"identity":"a278c85b-9129-496f-ab15-263cee82cf70","order_by":2,"name":"Irene Christophoridi","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAwElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYLCCBAYGORB94AEJWgyMwVoSSLDHILEBah1hYN7eY/bhwZ8/6fPDDj8E2mInp9tAQIvMmWPJMxLbDHI33k4zAGpJNjY7QECLhETyYYbEBqCW2QkgLQcStxHUIv+wmSHhj0G64ez0D0RqkWA+zJDAZpAgL51DrC08ackMiW3GhhukcwoOJBgQ4xf2M8aMP/7IycvPTt/84UOFnRxBLXBgAFZpQKxyEJBvIEX1KBgFo2AUjCgAAIaEQm/VMwsrAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Hellenic Mediterranean University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Irene","middleName":"","lastName":"Christophoridi","suffix":""},{"id":617450370,"identity":"181bb080-7cca-4209-9da1-a8c185224929","order_by":3,"name":"Eleftheria Kiprioti","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hellenic Mediterranean University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Eleftheria","middleName":"","lastName":"Kiprioti","suffix":""},{"id":617450372,"identity":"65a0da9b-e3d4-4713-a32b-c1960b073b35","order_by":4,"name":"Eleftheria Antaloudaki","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hellenic Mediterranean University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Eleftheria","middleName":"","lastName":"Antaloudaki","suffix":""},{"id":617450376,"identity":"638e6d27-7a69-4109-b003-7cf4c4b421c9","order_by":5,"name":"Konstantinos Paschalidis","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hellenic Mediterranean University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Konstantinos","middleName":"","lastName":"Paschalidis","suffix":""},{"id":617450388,"identity":"f63f7619-dc7e-42d8-97b9-9595a669a62a","order_by":6,"name":"Antonia Psaroudaki","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hellenic Mediterranean University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Antonia","middleName":"","lastName":"Psaroudaki","suffix":""},{"id":617450391,"identity":"62a95ee5-6cea-4eb8-b3b1-d3ba51b598b0","order_by":7,"name":"Vasileios A. Tzanakakis","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hellenic Mediterranean University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Vasileios","middleName":"A.","lastName":"Tzanakakis","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-03-25 12:38:54","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9223156/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9223156/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":106404698,"identity":"10607f5f-b006-497b-b6ca-ad1b8c07382e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-08 09:16:36","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":731626,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSchematic presentation of the experimentation.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9223156/v1/d1622f5dc754d1043da2fef3.png"},{"id":106405965,"identity":"c22307ca-29f1-4051-a25e-b9dbb533d290","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-08 09:29:07","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1669571,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9223156/v1/eb0df099-521c-4e72-a315-55fa14232e84.pdf"},{"id":106262925,"identity":"013f5b2e-eed8-43c4-870c-3e83aa9daffe","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-06 22:34:25","extension":"docx","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":20112,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Table2.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9223156/v1/89d6310de69369f48bfbe839.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Wild edible plant Urospermum picroides as a sustainable cultivation in saline soils growing under different irrigation and fertilization regimes","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eGlobal climate change affects weather patterns, infusing abiotic stressors like salinity and droughts which are two of the most significant environmental challenges to crop growth and yield worldwide (Ahmed et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Christoforidi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Soil salinization and water scarcity are major and escalating threats that currently reduce crop productivity on over 20% of global agricultural land and are projected to affect more than 50% of arable land by 2025 (Ortas et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Furthermore, low water availability can affect agricultural production in regions relying mostly on rain-fed agriculture. The Mediterranean region is suffering from droughts, occurring even during the wet season, which can have a strong impact on water resources by lowering groundwater levels and water available in dams and reservoirs (Tramblay et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). In addition, 26 countries in Europe have reported cases of salinization with higher frequency in Mediterranean coastal areas and cultivations with no proper irrigation management increasing; the progression of salinization is increasingly jeopardizing productions of irrigated lands, the most active agricultural areas of the world (Maggio et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFuture agricultural land shortages and high food demands will fundamentally influence the food supply's safety and necessitate increasing crop yields through sustainable methods (Sharma et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). In addition, sustainable farming refers to agricultural practices that preserve, expand natural resources and protect the environment (Mina et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Wild edible plant species traditionally gathered from the wild in the Mediterranean region are consumed as a part of the Mediterranean diet (Christoforidi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Guasch-Ferr\u0026eacute; \u0026amp; Willett, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Nieto Feliner et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Psaroudaki et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Trichopoulou, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). In addition, most of the Mediterranean flora, apart from their important nutritional and therapeutic values (Fragopoulou et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; Guarrera \u0026amp; Savo, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Salonikioti et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e), have adaptation to adverse soil, climatic conditions and irrigation limitations (Iglesias et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e; Nardini et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Salleo \u0026amp; Nardini, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e; Seleiman et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eUrospermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e (L.) Scop. ex F. W. Schmidt (Asteraceae), common name prickly goldenfleece, is a wild edible plant, native to the Mediterranean region, rich in secondary compounds, with antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, medicinal and health-promoting properties (Alper \u0026amp; G\u0026uuml;neş, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Aly et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e; Balboul et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1997\u003c/span\u003e; El-Amier et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Fragopoulou et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; Strzelecka et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e). The plant, as a product gathered from nature, is an integral part of the traditional Cretan dietary pattern, which are closely linked to sustainable practices across the entire agri-food system of a region (Pieroni et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Psaroudaki et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e, 2020; Trichopoulou, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). A prominent example is the region of Crete, where the traditional Cretan Mediterranean dietary pattern includes the consumption of a wide variety of wild edible greens (Psaroudaki \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). The \u003cem\u003eU. picroides\u003c/em\u003e could be a promising new cultivation and have adaptations in abiotic stressors(Alexopoulos et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Salonikioti et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e) however, there is a limited literature evaluation of the cultivation practices that can increase the yield of this crop while ensuring the use of salinity soils and a limited environmental footprint.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the present study, in a pot-based experiment, we examined the response of \u003cem\u003eUrospermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e (L.) growing under different fertilization, irrigation and soil salinity levels focusing on growth and plant physiological characteristics. The findings of the study provide information regarding species potential particularly under different stresses based on current and future environmental and climate challenges.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials and Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003ePlant development and Pot experiment\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study focuses on the growth of the plant \u003cem\u003eUrospermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e (collected after permission, with specific deposition number GR1 HMUND-002), with the aim of investigating its resistance to salinity, in specific irrigation and fertilization regimes. An experimental protocol (plan) was designed and implemented that included compliance with certain cultivation conditions as well as examination of predefined variables-parameters for the plant and the soil. Initially, a substrate was prepared for the growth of \u003cem\u003eUrospermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e seedlings, mixing perlite with compost in a 1:1 ratio. The mixture was placed in the seed trays, in which one seed was planted in each position. At the beginning of the process (November 23, 2023), the first watering of the seeds was done, and for the first three weeks the plants were watered daily. As plant growth progressed, irrigation frequency was gradually reduced. From the emergence of the first seedlings plants were watered four times a week for a month. At a more advanced developmental stage, irrigation was reduced to twice per week and maintained until transplanting.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOn February 12, 2024, the 64 healthiest and most developed plants were transplanted into 3-liter pots in the greenhouse. The pots contained soil from the outdoor area of ​​the Hellenic Mediterranean University of Crete (HMU), which was offered as a substrate for their growth. Soil properties are presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. On the first day of transplanting, double watering was applied to promote plant growth, followed by irrigation every two days. In total 16 treatments were applied to the pots as follows: The pots were placed in a 16x4 arrangement (four replicates) and in each one were placed intervals containing a specific amount of deionized water, fertilizer and/or sodium chloride (NaCl), to achieve four levels of irrigation water salinity (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;1, 2, 4 and 8 mS/cm), and two fertilization (with or without chemical fertilizer addition) and irrigation (~\u0026thinsp;40 and ~\u0026thinsp;80% of WHC) regimes. Thus, 2x2x4x4\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;64 pots were prepared (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Both irrigation and fertilization rates were calculated on data collected after laboratory experimentation followed by periodic weighting of pots. Inorganic fertilizers, ammonium sulfate and monopotassium phosphate were applied (at rates of 50 kg NPK per ha) to the half of the pots with added fertilizer. The pots remained partially under controlled conditions in the greenhouse, with periodical aeration and normal temperature variation (15\u0026ndash;30\u003csup\u003e0\u003c/sup\u003eC). In the following period, additions of the above solutions were made (1st dose 16/3/24, 2nd dose 4/4/24, 3rd dose 16/4/24 and last and 4th dose 22/4/24) and measurements were taken to determine the growth, physiology, and nutrients in the above ground part of the plant. In addition, photographs were taken for the macroscopic recording of plant growth during the experiment.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParameters measured in soil used in pot experiment.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"2\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParameters\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValues\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003epH\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7,58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEC (mS cm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eClay (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSand (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLoam (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrg. matter (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaCO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSamplings and analysis\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe height of the plant was recorded; the first measurement was made on 30/3/2024 and two more measurements followed (11/4/2024 and 23/4/2024). We measured the height from where the above-ground part of the plant began up. Measurements were also taken for the number of leaves of each plant, with the 1st starting on 30/3/2024, the 2nd on 11/4/2024 and the 3rd on 23/4/2024. In addition, photographs were taken for the macroscopic recording of the growth of the plants during the experiment.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFluorimeter and chlorophyll measurements were carried out, which were made in the morning hours for more accurate results. For the fluorimeter measurements, we placed a peg on each leaf for 3 leaves per plant and left them for a quarter to twenty minutes. The 1st measurement was made on 5/4/2024 and the 2nd on 24/4/2024 (end of experiment, Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). For the chlorophyll measurement, we placed the device on the leaf and noted the value; this was done on 3 different leaves per plant. The 1st chlorophyll measurement was also noted on 5/4/2024 and the 2nd on 24/4/2024 (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOn April 25, 2024 (end of the experiment), the plants were cut from their base and weighed to determine the fresh biomass. Then, the leaves were separated from the central shoot, individualy weighted and transferred to the laboratory for further processing. More specifically, the leaves were washed, air-dried, and weighed again. Subsequently, they were dried in a desiccator at 65\u0026deg;C and reweighed to determine the dry weight. Then, the dried leaves were crushed, pulverized with an electric mill and stored in paper bags until nutrient analysis. For nutrient determination, 1 gram of the material was placed to porcelain crucibles, which were placed in a combustion oven at 480\u0026deg;C for 7\u0026ndash;8 hours, for complete combustion. The white ash that was obtained, was dissolved by the addition of 1 ml of concentrated HNO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e and 5 ml of 6N HCL solution. Each sample filtered through No 1 Whatman filter paper and diluted to 50 ml volume with deionized water, capped, inverted and transferred to plastic vials, which were stored in fridge at 4\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC. The stock samples, that were obtained from dry combustion, were used for determination of leaf phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients content. Measurements were carried out to determine the concentrations of phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in the stock solution. Phosphorus was determined according to the Vanadium molybdate procedure (Benton-Jones, 2001). Potassium was determined in the sample stock solutions using flame-photometer (Model) (Benton-Jones, 2001) and Ca, Mg, and micronutrients (Zinc, Boron and Ferrous) by using atomic absorption photometer. When necessary, appropriate dilutions performed to acquire values inside the calibration curve. Nitrogen concentration in the leaf tissue was determined in leaf tissue powder by the Kjeldhal procedure (Bremner, 1996).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn addition to plant tissues, soil conductivity was also determined at the end of the experiments. For this purpose, 20 g of soil were taken from each pot and 20 g of deionized water were added. The solution was stirred for 30 minutes and then the conductivity of the sample was measured. This procedure completed the data collection for the experiment.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStatistical analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor the purposes of the experiments, a three-way analysis of variance (Salinity, Irrigation and Fertilization) (3-way ANOVA) was applied. Individual comparisons (Duncan post hoc) were made for the salinity factor whereas student t test was carried out for irrigation and fertilization factors. Data were checked for homogeneity and normality, and log transformation were carried out where was necessary. The IBM SPSS statistical package (ver. 22) was used.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eSoil salinity\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSoil salinity was examined at the end of the experimentation to determine the salinity level in pots under different treatments. The initial level (Control) was less than 1 mS/cm, while the subsequent levels 2, 4 and 8 mS/cm showed soil salinities of 2.39, 3.90, 6. 43 mS/cm.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003ePlant growth and physiology\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSalinity had a significant effect on the height of the plant (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.05) (Table\u0026nbsp;2.). Higher values were recorded in plants with increasing soil salinity (with exception of the higher salinity) and the highest moisture levels (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e = 0.08). Regarding the number of leaves, significant differences were also observed between the plants in relation to moisture and salinity (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.05) (Table\u0026nbsp;2). Higher leaf numbers were observed under increased salinity and moisture treatments. Regarding the produced fresh biomass, a significant effect was observed on the irrigation factor, showing higher biomass in higher irrigation level (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.05). Fertilization had no effect on the above parameters (Table\u0026nbsp;2). Fertilization significantly, salinity and humidity had no effect on SPAD and fluorescence values (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e \u0026gt; 0.05).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant nutrition\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the statistical analysis of the concentrations of micronutrients in the leaves of \u003cem\u003eUrospermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e, significant effects on the examined factors emerge. Specifically, for the macronutrients, salinity did not have a significant effect on the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and (Table 3). However, for sodium, a statistically significant effect of salinity appears, with the average values increasing from 4.29% at salinity of \u0026lt; 1 mS/cm to 5.89% at salinity of 2 mS/cm, 7.36% at of 4 mS/cm and 8.68 at 8 mS/cm (Table 3).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDUNCAN\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, fertilization had significant statistical effects on nitrogen concentration with an average concentration of 3.35% at fertilized versus 3.04% at non-fertilized pots. Magnesium also showed significant effects, showing higher magnesium concentrations in the leaves in fertilized pots compared to the control pots (Table\u0026nbsp;3). In contrast, fertilization had no significant statistically significant effect on phosphorus, potassium, or calcium concentrations. Likewise, irrigation appeared to have little impact on the concentrations of micronutrients in the leaves (Table\u0026nbsp;3). Finally, it is worth noting the statistically significant interaction between irrigation and fertilization, as well as the interaction between salinity, irrigation and fertilization for nitrogen concentration in leaves, indicating the complexity of the interaction of these factors in nutrient uptake.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegarding the concentration of microelements in the leaves of the \u003cem\u003eUrospermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e plant, it is observed that all factors, and their interactions, had no significant statistical effect (Table 4). In case of manganese, the effect of salinity, irrigation, fertilization on nutrient concentration in leaves was not statistically significant despite the fluctuations in their average values (Table 4). In addition, irrigation and fertilization had no significant effects on copper and zinc concentrations, whereas salinity resulted in a significant increase at higher salinity levels. For iron, neither salinity nor irrigation had a statistically significant effect; however, iron concentration showed a marginally significant trend in response to fertilization (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e = 0.09). Finally, the interactions of the four factors did not have a statistically significant effect on the uptake of any of the microelements examined (Table 4).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe effect of salinity, fertilization and Irrigation on macronutrient concentration in biomass of \u003cem\u003eUrospermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e at the end of experiment.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eN\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eP\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eK\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCa\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMg\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNa\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStd. Error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStd. Error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStd. Error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStd. Error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStd. Error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStd. Error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSalinity (mS cm\u003csup\u003e− 1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.16\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.92\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.93\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.87\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.01\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.06\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.29b\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.87\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.27\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.53\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.53\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.42\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.09\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.89ab\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.70\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.58\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.51\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.16\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.36ab\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.92\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.80\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.44\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.27\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.36\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.68a\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSig.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIrrigation (% of WHC)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e~ 40\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.62\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.72\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.65\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.42\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.34\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.16\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.61\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e~ 80\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.23\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.72\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.66\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.94\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.37\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.16\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.34\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.51\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.89\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSig.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFertilization\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.04b\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.08\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.59\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.34\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.87\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.22\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.28b\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.89b\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.46\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.35a\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.78\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.65\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16.81\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.84\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.16\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.42a\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.09a\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.06\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSig.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSalinity* Irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.079\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSalinity * Fertilization\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIrrigation * Fertilization\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSalinity * Irrigation * Fertilization\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n \u003cdiv align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe effect of salinity, fertilization and Irrigation on micronutrient concentration in biomass of \u003cem\u003eUrospermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e at the end of experiment.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFe\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eZn\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCu\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMn\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStd. Error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStd. Error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStd. Error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStd. Error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSalinity (mS cm\u003csup\u003e− 1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e423.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e151.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e54.54\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.51\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e69.94\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.72\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e406.15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35.01\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e61.90\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.31\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.83\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.46\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56.61\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e650.02\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e110.68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e74.29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.51\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.02\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.64\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e75.14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.26\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e459.99\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e79.32\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e77.20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.65\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16.52\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.95\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e70.30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.47\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSig. NS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIrrigation (% of WHC)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e~ 40\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e520.83\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e66.33\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e70.03\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.92\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.02\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.57\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e70.16\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.17\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e~ 80\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e468.78\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e65.95\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e67.24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.77\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.05\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e65.28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.89\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSig. NS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFertilization\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e427.14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e57.80\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e65.91\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.82\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.04\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.09\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e68.06\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e581.13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.57\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e72.08\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.98\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.83\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.26\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e67.18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.22\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSig. 0.09\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSalinity* Irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSalinity * Fertilization\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIrrigation * Fertilization\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSalinity * Irrigation * Fertilization\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eCrop resilience and agriculture sustainability can be enhanced by exploring soil salinity, plant drought tolerance, and remediation techniques (Muhammad et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). By applying their understanding of soil functions to develop practical approaches that enhance crop performance and enable producers to evaluate the sustainability of their management practices, scientists can make a significant contribution to the global sustainability of agricultural lands (Sharma et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). In this context, in the present study, different treatments regarding irrigation water salinity, soil moisture and fertilization were examined to investigate \u003cem\u003eUrospermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e response and potential. The study provides evidence of the ability of \u003cem\u003eUrospermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e to grow under saline soil environments and variable irrigation regimes highlighting its potential as an alternative crop under various climate and anthropogenic driven stresses. Thus, the native edible crop cultivations, such as \u003cem\u003eUrospermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e, thriving in Cretan land could be an option as an alternative crop cultivation, as a plant species well-adapted to demanding local conditions, compatible with challenging climatic and various stresses conditions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe effect of salinity on plant growth and physiology and the role of irrigation and fertilization\u003c/em\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eResults of the study showed that the plants\u0026rsquo; growth and biomass parameters remained unaffected or were positively responded to increase in NaCl-induced salinization up to 8 mS/cm, indicating the tolerance of plant species to salinity stress. In a recent pot-study, it was found that only at the high level of NaCl (5 mS/cm) in the nutrient solution, compared to 5 mS/cm, the growth parameters of the plant were significantly reduced (Vidalis et al., 2023). Similarly, decreasing leaf number and fresh biomass have been registered under different levels of salinity (2, 6, and 10 mS/cm) particularly at the highest salinity level (Alexopoulos, 2023). It has been documented that the presence of high NaCl concentrations in the rhizosphere area creates a high osmotic potential in the soil which limits the uptake of water and nutrients by the root system (Ryu, 2015). However, \u003cem\u003eUropsermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e may exhibit better water uptake under saline conditions (Alexopoulos, 2023) and/or may accumulate and tolerate higher Na concentrations in leaves, as shown in our pot study and previously (Alexopoulos, 2023), explaining its relatively high salt tolerance. Detrimental effect of salinity on fresh biomass yield, at various scales, has been reported in the case of different plant species indicating the importance of genetic background against salt stress (Alexopoulos, 2023; Shannon and Grieve, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1999\u003c/span\u003e). In line with the plant growth and biomass parameters, in our study, the physiological parameters (SPAD and Fv/Fm), were unaffected by salinity level, providing additional evidence of the tolerance of \u003cem\u003eUropsermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e to NaCl-induced salinity. Similar responses of SPAD and chlorophyll content to salinity were obtained by the above studies (Alexopoulos, 2023; Vidalis et al., 2023), indicating the tolerance of the \u003cem\u003eUropsermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e to a wide range of salt stress, probably due to effective adaptation mechanisms, such as osmotic adjustment and/or ion compartmentalization (Yang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e), needed to be elucidated.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIrrigation level favored leaf number and fresh biomass production indicating that soil moisture is important parameter of the \u003cem\u003eUropsermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e growing under various soil conditions. Both water availabilities allowed adequate nutrients\u0026rsquo; supply, showed by similarities regarding their content in leaves, however, increase of irrigation water favored growth rather than physiological characteristics that remained unaffected. Positive relationship between irrigation level and biomass has been reported in a wide range of crops, showing interaction with fertilization level in some cases (Amer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e; Shani and Dudley, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e; Chen, et al., 2018); However, here, no remarkable interaction between irrigation and fertilization levels was recorded. In fact, no effect of fertilization on performance of \u003cem\u003eUropsermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e was observed, suggesting that soil supplied adequately plants with nutrients, regardless of fertilization. Overall, in contrast to irrigation, fertilization was not critical for \u003cem\u003eUropsermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e, which may demonstrate the plant's autonomy and potential under the examined soil regime. In contrast, positive effects of different foliar fertilizations on leaf number and fresh biomass and Fv/Fm have been reported in a field experiment (Christoforidi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e), which may suggest that \u003cem\u003eUropsermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e response to fertilization is matter, besides soil conditions, of the application of fertilization method (foliar vs soil). Unfortunately, no relevant data is available in literature, suggesting future work.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eLeaf nutrient dynamics\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWith exception of Na, Mg and Cu, all macro and micro-nutrient concentrations in leaves were unaffected by salinity, irrigation and fertilization regimes. These suggest that plants of \u003cem\u003eUropsermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e remain unaffected and adequately supplied by the soil with the nutrients needed under the established experimental soil conditions. Interestingly, plants increased Na uptake with increasing salinity level in soil, indicating an adaptive mechanism of the plants over salinity stress. Similar results have been provided recently showing, however, parallel decrease in K and Ca leaf concentrations under increasing salinity level (Alexopoulos, 2023). In the present study increase of salinity, in addition to Na, led to increase in Cu content, which was not the case in the latter study (Alexopoulos, 2023). Moreover, variations regarding other micro or even macronutrient contents were recorded between our study and the previous studies (Alexopoulos, 2023; Christophoridi et al., 2024). These inconsistent results may be due to genetic potential of plants, root/shoot allocation and nutrient partitioning, plant handling (salinity level, duration of stress and plant adaptation period) and experimental conditions (e.g., soil properties and nutrient content, temperature and light period etc.) shaping plant response and micro and macronutrient competitions and availabilities (Shang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Cheng et al., 2019). For example, regarding Cu in our study, the increased uptake may be favored by elevated Na concentration and ionic strength in soil that favored Cu displacement from exchange sites of soil particles and/or prevented its sorption onto clay and organic matter (Acosta et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e), increasing its availability in soil. Moreover, possible damages due to increased salinity facilitating Cu uptake aren\u0026rsquo;t excluded (Zhou et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Fertilization increased leaf N content reflecting the addition of inorganic N addition and the higher N availability in soil. Similarly, Mg leaf content was increased by inorganic fertilization that could be attributed to increased dissolution and availability in soil. No other effect of fertilization in leaf contents was recorded in our study, similar to a field \u003cem\u003eUropsermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e cultivation, where leaf micro and macronutrient contents remained unaffected by foliar fertilization (Christophoridi et al., 2024). Finally, irrigation level did not affect the leaf nutrients\u0026rsquo; concentration, suggesting that irrigation up to 40% of WHC was adequate for plants.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eImplications for sustainable crop cultivation, biodiversity and Mediterranean diet systems\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe present study demonstrates the ability of \u003cem\u003eUrospermum percroides\u003c/em\u003e to sustain adequate growth, physiological performance and nutritional balance under saline and moderately dry soil conditions exhibiting in parallel low reliance on fertilization. These characteristics make plant species a promising candidate for low input farming systems particularly in marginal and saline soils, of the Mediterranean region, given the current and future environmental, climate and food security challenges of the area (Tzanakakis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Paredes et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Apart from its agronomic performance under various stresses, \u003cem\u003eUrospermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e may also contribute to preservation and strengthening of biodiversity in agroecosystems supporting parallel the traditional Mediterranean food diet protype along with the cultural and nutritional heritage (Christophoridi et al., 2024).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlants gathered from nature are an integral part of the traditional Cretan dietary pattern, which is closely associated with sustainable practices throughout the regional agri-food system. In the Mediterranean region, traditional food (environmental knowledge, encompassing practices, beliefs, and ecological understanding) still survives in certain areas, with Crete standing out as a prominent example, where the traditional Cretan Mediterranean diet includes the consumption of a wide variety of wild edible greens.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusions","content":"\u003cp\u003eUnder the experimental conditions of this study, \u003cem\u003eUrospermum percroides\u003c/em\u003e demonstrated: (a) remarkable tolerance to irrigation with saline water (up to 8 mS/cm), (b) reduced water needs (lower as 40% of WHC) and (c) minimal dependence on inorganic fertilizations; highlighting its high potential as a resilient wild edible species suitable for in marginal and/or saline soils, commonly found in many areas of the Mediterranean region. Specifically, saline irrigation water up to 8 mS/cm did not reduce fresh biomass or plant physiology, represented by Fv/Fm and SPAD measurements, while moderated irrigation sufficiently supported the overall plant performance and nutrient dynamics. The relatively limited response of \u003cem\u003eUrospermum percroides\u003c/em\u003e to fertilization, along with moderate water demands, indicates its high potential as a crop under low-input conditions, which can service both environmental or economic viability purposes, in agreement to climate adaptation, biodiversity preservation and sustainable resources management for vulnerable areas of the planet. Future work should focus on field-scale experimentation under diverse soil types, environmental conditions, and abiotic and biotic stresses to confirm long-term crop production and the potential benefits for resources and local communities.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that no specific funding was received for this study. In addition, the authors declare that they have no known financial or non-financial competing interests that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. This study did not involve human participants or animals. Therefore, approval by an ethics committee was not required. All data generated and analyzed during this study supports the findings of this manuscript. The datasets are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. \u003cem\u003eUrospermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e collected after permission \u0026ldquo;\u0026Alpha;\u0026Pi;.\u0026Upsilon;\u0026Pi;\u0026Epsilon;\u0026Nu;/\u0026Delta;\u0026Pi;\u0026Delta;/128940/7615,\u0026Upsilon;\u0026Pi;\u0026Epsilon;\u0026Nu;/\u0026Delta;\u0026Pi;\u0026Delta;/96505/5717/25.09.2023\u0026rdquo;, with specific deposition number GR1 HMUND-002. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plant specimen was collected in compliance with Greek Law 3937/2011 (Government Gazette A\u0026rsquo; 60/2011) on biodiversity conservation. The specimen was identified by Dr. Eleftheria Antaloudaki, Curator of Botany at the Natural History Museum of Crete (NHMC), using \u003cem\u003eAtlas of the Hellenic Flora\u003c/em\u003e (Strid 2024) and \u003cem\u003eFlora Europaea\u003c/em\u003e (Tutin et al. 1964\u0026ndash;1980, 1993), while \u003cem\u003eFlora Cretica\u003c/em\u003e (Muer et al. 2024) was also consulted. Nomenclature follows the \u003cem\u003eFlora of Greece Web\u003c/em\u003e, the continuously updated online version of \u003cem\u003eVascular Plants of Greece: An Annotated Checklist\u003c/em\u003e (Dimopoulos et al. 2013, 2016). A voucher specimen has been prepared and deposited in the NHMC Herbarium under the code NHMC 42.13642. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe taxonomically identified seed samples used in this study belong to the species \u003cem\u003eUrospermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e (Asteraceae) and were collected from natural populations of the species in the area of eastern Crete using special research permits (YPEN/DPPD/128940/7615/26.05.2023 and YPEN/DPPD/96505/5717/25.09.2023). The collection was carried out by Associate Professor of Nutrition and Food Hygiene Antonia Psaroudaki of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Sciences of Hellenic Mediterranean Univeristy (HMU). The collected seeds were transferred to the \u0026ldquo;\u0026Tau;\u0026Epsilon;\u0026Delta;\u0026Delta;\u0026rdquo;, which has a recognized seed bank of wild edible plants (member of the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) network) and were registered in the special collection registers of the aforementioned unit outside the place of conservation of genetic material (reference codes IPEN \u0026ndash; International Plant Exchange Network). The seed lot from which the plants of the present experimental procedure originated has the IPEN code GR-1-HMUND-002. An MTA (Material Transfer Agreement) was drawn up for the transfer of the seed lots to the AGRICULTURE department of HMU for the conduct of the experiment. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoreover, Prof. Dr. Antonia Psaroudaki identified the plant/plant part. She has Ph.D. in agricultural science and collection was done after collection permission was received. Dr. Antonia Psaroudaki is the manager of the short-term seed bank of native edible plants of the department of Nutrition Sciences and Dietetology of HMU. \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcosta JA, Jansen B, Kalbitz K, Faz A, Mart\u0026iacute;nez-Mart\u0026iacute;nez S. Salinity increases mobility of heavy metals in soils. Chemosphere. 2011;85(8):1318\u0026ndash;24. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.07.046\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.07.046\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAhmed M, T\u0026oacute;th Z, Decsi K. The Impact of Salinity on Crop Yields and the Confrontational Behavior of Transcriptional Regulators, Nanoparticles, and Antioxidant Defensive Mechanisms under Stressful Conditions: A Review. 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J Genet Genomics. 2024;51(1):16\u0026ndash;34.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Table 2 ","content":"\u003cp\u003eTable 2 is available in the Supplementary Files section.\u003c/p\u003e\n"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-plants","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Plants](https://link.springer.com/journal/44372)","snPcode":"44372","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/44372/3","title":"Discover Plants","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Salinity, Irrigation, Fertilization, Mediterranean plant species, Cretan diet, Wild Greens","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9223156/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9223156/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eAims\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eNative edible plants such as \u003cem\u003eUrospermum picroides\u003c/em\u003e (L.) have a long tradition in the Cretan diet. Their adaptation to demanding local environments makes them promising low-input alternative crops, aligned with economic, environmental, and climatic challenges. Accordingly, this study evaluated \u003cem\u003eU. picroides\u003c/em\u003e performance under varying salinity, fertilization, and irrigation regimes, focusing on key physiological and agronomic characteristics.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA pot-based experiment was conducted to investigate the response of \u003cem\u003eU. picroides\u003c/em\u003e to different irrigation water salinity levels (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;1, 2, 4, and 8 mS/cm), irrigation regimes (40 and 80% of water holding capacity (WHC)), and fertilization treatments (with vs without inorganic fertilizers). The study focused on plant growth, fresh biomass production, physiology (Fv/Fm and SPAD measurements), and micro- and macronutrient uptake characteristics.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalinity had little effect on plant height, leaf number, or fresh biomass, while biomass increased with higher irrigation and was unaffected by fertilization. All factors, and their interactions, showed no significant effects on physiological parameters (Fv/Fm, SPAD). Nutrient concentrations were largely unaffected by salinity, except for increased sodium and copper uptake. Irrigation and fertilization had no significant effects on nutrient content, except for higher nitrogen and magnesium at the highest irrigation level.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverall, our findings highlight the strong potential of \u003cem\u003eU. picroides\u003c/em\u003e as an alternative, low-input crop, supporting objectives related to climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management in vulnerable environments. Further research, including field-scale trials under diverse soils, environments, and abiotic stresses, is needed to confirm long-term crop performance and benefits for resources and local communities.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Wild edible plant Urospermum picroides as a sustainable cultivation in saline soils growing under different irrigation and fertilization regimes","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-04-06 22:34:22","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9223156/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-05-05T06:55:37+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-24T17:30:42+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-21T08:26:26+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"129410399342850571361902197661699640153","date":"2026-04-11T14:59:40+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"250757689371060575816839181637058409364","date":"2026-04-09T13:50:00+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-04-01T15:03:58+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-30T06:36:48+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-03-26T11:27:46+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-03-26T11:27:30+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Discover Plants","date":"2026-03-25T12:32:54+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-plants","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Plants](https://link.springer.com/journal/44372)","snPcode":"44372","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/44372/3","title":"Discover Plants","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"2b571530-9af7-4d8d-86d0-18e659556507","owner":[],"postedDate":"April 6th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-05-05T06:55:37+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"in-revision","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-05T07:10:30+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-04-06 22:34:22","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9223156","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9223156","identity":"rs-9223156","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}