Mitigation of Salinity Stress in Maize Seedlings by the Application of Vermicompost and Sorghum Water Extracts

Abstract

Abiotic stresses are important constraints limiting crop productivity worldwide. Salinity is one of the most devastating environmental factors restraining the production of crops. It is urgently needed to search for environmentally safe and sustainable approaches to mitigate the harmful effects of salinity on plants. Hence, applying vermicompost and low-dose aqueous extract of sorghum delivers a pragmatic solution to ameliorate the detrimental outcomes of salinity on maize seedlings (Zea mays L.). The experiment consisted of three factors, each at different levels, i.e., salinity (control, 6, and 12 dS m−1), vermicompost (control, 5, and 10%), and sorghum water extract (control, 1, and 2%). Higher salt stress negatively influenced the morpho-physiological traits of maize. Nonetheless, applying vermicompost and sorghum water extract at 10% and 2%, respectively, increased tolerance against salinity. The application of 2% sorghum water extract and 10% vermicompost significantly improved morphological characteristics, chlorophyll contents, activities of antioxidant enzymes, leaf and root K+/Na+ ratio, and K+ contents. It decreased Na+ concentration, H2O2, and malondialdehyde contents at higher salinity levels. It can be concluded that soil-applied vermicompost and foliar-applied sorghum water extract mitigates the adverse impacts of salinity by activating the antioxidant defense system, improving chlorophyll contents, and reducing the accumulation of Na+ under salinity.

Multifaceted Ability of Organic Fertilizers to Improve Crop Productivity and Abiotic Stress Tolerance: Review and Perspectives

“…Similarly, various other authors also found that organic manure application enhanced the chlorophyll contents and antioxidant activities and reduced the oxidative damage in different plants [186,187]. In addition, the use of organic fertilizers under saline conditions also increases the microbial population and gene expression, boosting biomass productivity and salt tolerance in plants [188].…”

Mitigation of Salinity Combined with Vermicompost on Growth, Antioxidant Enzymes and Macro Nutritional Changes in Solanum melongena L.

“…The use of vermicompost and sorghum water extract has contributed to the growth of maize seed. This was attributed to an increase in photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant (SOD, POD and CAT) activities (Alamer et al, 2022).…”

Organic Amendments: Enhancing Plant Tolerance to Salinity and Metal Stress for Improved Agricultural Productivity

“…Applying VC, either through foliar or edaphic methods, bolsters the activity of antioxidant enzymes, namely SOD, POD, and CAT [108]. This leads to a decrease in EL and oxidative stress and benefits maize seedling growth [146]. Furthermore, applications of FYM + PM under salinity stress notably enhance antioxidant activities, elevating CAT and APX levels by 59.9% and 68.8%, respectively.…”