Role of compost, biochar and sugar alcohols in raising the maize tolerance to water deficit conditions

Abstract

OW, people in Egypt are under the water poverty limit a long time ago due to climate change and the shortage of water resources. These conditions hamper agricultural development in Egypt. Thus, a practical solution must be undertaken for confronting the water scarcity that hindered agricultural development in Egypt. So, two field trials were executed to assess three water levels of full irrigation [8000 m 3 ha -1 as traditional full irrigation (TFI) treatment followed in the studied area (100% of TFI), 6000 m 3 ha -1 (75% of TFI) and 4000 m 3 ha -1 (50 % of TFI)] as main plots. While different soil conditioners [without (control), biochar (at rate of 24 Mg ha -1 ) and plant compost (at rate of 24 Mg ha -1 ) in addition to both of them as combined treatment (at rate of 12 Mg ha -1 for each conditioner),1.0 Mg ʺmega gramʺ=10 6 g i.e., metric ton] were evaluated as subplots. Also, the foliar application of glycerol and sorbitol (0.0 and 500 mM L -1 ) represented the sub-sub plots. Maize was used as an experimental plant. Findings illustrate that treatments of 75 and 50 % of TFI led to a raise in the enzymatic antioxidants production after 60 days from sowing. While both soil conditioners (either solely or in combination) and the sugar alcohols led to a decline the values of these enzymatic antioxidants. On the contrary, at the period of 90 days from sowing (growth advanced stage), the grown plants without the studied substances (soil conditioners and sugar alcohols) cannot continue producing these enzymatic antioxidants under water deficit treatments. Also, the deficit irrigation (75 and 50 % of TFI) caused a significant decline in the performance and productivity of maize compared to traditional irrigation (100 % of TFI). For example, the highest values of fresh weight (951.64 and 965.61 g plant -1 , for 1 st and 2 nd seasons, respectively), leaf area (620.25 and 628.56 cm 2 plant -1 , for 1 st and 2 nd seasons, respectively) and chlorophyll content (40.55 and 41.42 SPAD for 1 st and 2 nd seasons, respectively) were realized under traditional irrigation (100 % of TFI) followed by those values achieved under deficit irrigation treatment (75 % of TFI), while the lowest one was recorded with 50 % of TFI treatment. Regarding the soil conditioners effect, the compost and biochar either solely or in combination improved the plant performance and productivity compared to the corresponding plants grown without soil conditioners. The highest values of growth criteria and productivity were realized with the combined treatment of compost and biochar followed by compost alone then biochar alone and lately control. Concerning sugar alcohols, the sorbitol was the superior, while the glycerol came in the second order and lately control treatment. Generally, it can be concluded that a combination of compost and biochar may hold enough amounts of irrigation water and nutrients and release them as required by the maize plant, thus enhancing plant growth performance with the limited supply of irrigation water. Also, sugar alcohols h...

Response of Schefflera actinophylla Plants Grown under Drought to Soil Compost Addition and Foliar Application of Melatonin

“…The same pattern or trend was observed in both of the seasons studied. These results are consistent with those reported by Dradrach et al (2022); Shah et al (2023) and Elsherpiny (2023).…”

“…These scientific explanations highlight the complex interplay between irrigation, substrate composition, and melatonin in influencing the physiological and biochemical processes that control plant growth and development under water deficit conditions. These findings are consistent with those documented by Shah et al (2023) and Elsherpiny (2023), who both confirmed that organic fertilizers, particularly compost, improve soil water retention and the water-holding capacity of the root zone. Additionally, the results are consistent with studies by Ahmad et al (2023) and Dradrach et al (2022), which confirmed that melatonin contributes to increased plant tolerance to drought.…”

“…The same pattern was observed for both seasons studied. These results are consistent with those of Arnao and Hernández-Ruiz (2015); Ahmad et al (2023); Dradrach et al (2022); Shah et al (2023); Elsherpiny (2023).…”

“…In some cases, extreme water conservation can lead to water deficit conditions. These water deficit conditions can trigger the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within plant cells, which, in turn, can cause oxidative damage to cell structures and disrupt normal cellular processes (Elsherpiny 2023). This highlights the importance of adopting water-saving practices that are both efficient and sensitive to the specific water needs of crops.…”

“…On the other hand, compost enhances water retention under drought stress by improving soil structure (Shah et al (2023), increasing organic matter content, reducing evaporation, promoting root growth and supporting beneficial microbial activity (Elsherpiny 2023). These combined effects make compost a valuable tool for improving the soil's ability to retain water and provide it to plants during periods of water scarcity (Paymaneh et al 2023).…”