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Agronomic biofortification is a technique that helps reduce hidden hunger worldwide. Zinc (Zn) is important for human health and essential for plant development and growth. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the effects of fertilization with Zn on agronomic performance and the agronomic biofortification of beet. Two experiments were conducted at the Rafael Fernandes Experimental Farm, belonging to the Federal Rural University of the Semi-arid, in Mossoró-RN. Each experiment was designed in complete randomized blocks, with five treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of Zn doses (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 kg ha−1). Zn fertilization did not affect the total and non-commercial yield of beet; however, the dose of 6.0 kg ha−1 of Zn promoted maximum commercial yield (20.34 t ha−1). At the maximum dose, higher Zn content was also observed in the nutritional status diagnosis leaf and higher Zn accumulation was found in the leaf, tuberous root, and throughout the plant. There was also an effect on postharvest variables. There was only tuberous root biofortification in 2021. The recommended dose in beet cultivation is 6.0 kg ha−1 of Zn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinization reduces agricultural yield and sustainable development in the long term. In this study, we identified the spectral index that best estimates soil salinity in the area of the Baixo-Açu irrigated perimeter in northeast Brazil. We also established how vegetation canopy and satellite image spatial resolution influence the results. The electrical conductivity of 42 sampling points was determined and correlated with 20 spectral salinity indexes. The spatial resolution influence on index response was evaluated using OLI/Landsat8 and MSI/Sentinel2 satellite images, with spatial resolutions of 30 and 10 m, respectively. They were applied to bare soil and vegetation canopy areas to assess the vegetation canopy influence on the indexes. Normalized Differential Vegetation Index greater than 0.33 indicated soils with vegetation canopy. In all analyses performed, the bare soil areas had the best results. From the 18 analyzed indexes, Sentinel2 images outperform Landsat8 images. The Soil Index-1 showed an 80.34%-determination coefficient that outperformed the other 19 indexes in soil salinity identification. These results indicate that the association of the Soil Index-1, Sentinel2 images, and the Normalized Differential Vegetation Index less than 0.33 improves the evaluation of the salinized areas. • Spectral indexes failed for mapping salinity in areas with vegetation canopy. • Sentinel2 images are best suited for mapping salinity in Brazil's semiarid region. • Soil Index-1 has a high accuracy for mapping salinity in Brazil's semiarid region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural and livestock productivity in the semiarid region depend on the occurrence of rainfall, soil fertility and forage supply. The use of domestic sewage effluent can be used as an alternative source of water and nutrients for crops growth in the semiarid region. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of irrigation with treated domestic sewage effluent on the growth and biomass production of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia tuna L.) at different planting densities. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, arranged in a 3 x (4 + 1) split-plot scheme, with four replicates. The treatments consisted of three planting densities (66,667, 52,282 and 33,333 plants ha−1) and four frequencies of application of irrigation (2.3 days with well water and 7, 14, and 21 days with sewage effluent) and a control treatment (rainfed condition). Irrigation with domestic sewage effluent allowed profitable production of prickly pear cactus and improved its growth and forage production compared to rainfed and irrigated with drinking water, regardless of the irrigation interval or plant spacing. Dense cultivation 66,667 plants ha−1 increase the biomass production of the prickly pear cactus cultivar 'Orelha de Elefante Mexicana' under irrigation with domestic sewage effluent at 7-day intervals. • Irrigation with domestic sewage effluent improves the growth of prickly pear cactus. • Irrigation with domestic sewage effluent increases the yield of prickly pear cactus. • Planting density of 66,667 plants ha−1 is recommended to prickly pear cactus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]