Potential role of kaolin or potassium sulfate as anti-transpirant on improving physiological, biochemical aspects and yield of wheat plants under different watering regimes

Abstract

Background and objective: Certain substances with some physical and chemical activities can be used to decrease the transpiration rate and alleviate plant water stress through rising leaf resistance to the diffusion of water vapor. Wheat plant is considered as one of the most important and economic winter plants. So, the objective of this work is to evaluate the response of wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Gimeza 7 to various concentrations of foliar application of anti-transpirant substances as kaolin (3 and 6%), potassium sulfate (100 and 200 mg/l). Materials and methods: Two pot experiments were conducted during 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 successive growing winter seasons under greenhouse conditions at the Experimental Station, in the National Research Centre, Egypt. The plants were exposed to various levels of water holding capacity (WHC) 80, 60, and 40%. Results: Water stress led to a decrease in growth parameters, yield components, photosynthetic pigments, and carbohydrate contents as compared to 80% of WHC. Meanwhile, water stress caused significant increases in some compatible solute (total soluble sugar, free amino acids, and proline) and some antioxidant enzymes activities. Foliar treatments of wheat plants with kaolin or K 2 SO 4 led to an increase in growth parameters, yield components, photosynthetic pigments, and carbohydrate constituents. More accumulation of the organic solutes of leaves (total soluble sugar and free amino acids), antioxidant enzyme activities, and some minerals (N, P, K, and Ca) was observed. Data also illustrated that the nutritional values of the grain yield of wheat were also improved when sprayed with kaolin and K 2 SO 4. Conclusion: The used substances are safe for the environment, and for the plant, potassium is an essential nutrient and its ability controls several biochemical and physiological responses in plants. Kaolin also can ameliorate plant physiology and consequently lead to higher yield production.

Kaolin Application Modulates Grapevine Photochemistry and Defence Responses in Distinct Mediterranean-Type Climate Vineyards

“…However, it is also worth stating that the extent of this effect may be varietal dependent and affected by the leaf water status [32]. Besides, the present effect of kaolin on promoting chlorophyll accumulation under stressful conditions, and thus preventing photo-oxidative damage, supports evidence from previous research on several crops, such as grapevines [14,38], wheat [39] and olive [29], and apple [40] trees.…”

Influence of kaolin application on most important fruit and leaf characteristics of two apple cultivars under sustained deficit irrigation

“…Kaolin treatments significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels in the second year (Table 5 ). As reported, by activating enzymatic systems in plants, kaolin protects the plant against environmental stresses and the cell membrane [ 85 ]. Wheat plant under drought stress treated with 3% kaolin foliar application had significantly lower levels of malondialdehyde than wheat without kaolin.…”

Effect of Zeolite, Potassium Fertilizer and Irrigation Interval on Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet in Sandy Soil

“…These results may be referred to that nano-particles have a diameter of less than 100 nm (6.36 -15.00 nm) as shown in Fig.1, where can easily penetrate through the stomata of leaves and translocate from leaves through the phloem sieve, where elements are then redistributed to plant parts (Wang et al 2013). Moreover, Abdallah et al (2019) mentioned that, in most plant species, K + has the major act for turgor changes in the guard cells during stomatal movement. An increase in K + concentration in the guard cells results in the uptake of water from the adjacent cells then the stomata opining.…”

“…Zangeneh, Nayereh and Rasouli (2018) reported that the application of 1000 mg l -1 K-nano increased chlorophyll content but 2000 mg l -1 increased the potassium content and activity of the enzyme of grape fruit. Abdallah, Maha et al (2019) showed that, under drought, foliar application of K2SO4 (200 mg l -1 ) led to an increase in growth parameters, yield components, photosynthetic pigments, stomatal opening area in both upper and lower epidermis of wheat plant. Likewise, Jasim et al (2020) stated that spraying leaves of maize with 500 mg l -1 of nano potassium + 150 kg ha -1 of potassium sulphate fertilizer was superior for yield.…”