Yield, volume, quality, and reduction of biotic stress influenced by titanium application in oilseed rape, winter wheat, and maize cultivations

Abstract

The study presents the results of research on the influence of a mineral growth stimulant containing titanium (Ti) in the form available to plants, applied to reduce the effects of biotic stresses caused by agrophages, namely fungal pathogens and selected insect pests. The study was conducted in 2014 and 2015 on winter oilseed rape, winter wheat, and maize. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of the Ti-containing stimulant on the degree of damage caused by major pests occurring in the crops (cabbage seed weevil, cereal leaf beetle, and European corn borer), the degree of infestation with fungal diseases (gray mold, Alternaria disease, eyespot, foot rot, sooty mold, glume blotch, Fusarium head blight, Fusarium stalk rot, maize smut, and brown spot), and yield parameters. The study showed that the stimulant containing Ti successfully reduced the occurrence of pest damage to winter rapeseed and winter wheat plants and the occurrence of diseases in winter rapeseed, winter wheat, and maize crops. Thus, the application of the Ti stimulant resulted in an increased yield of the crops being tested. The main factor explaining this phenomenon is unknown, and it is probably the result of several factors. The study contains the discussion on this phenomenon.

Titanium nanoparticles activate a transcriptional response in Arabidopsis that enhances tolerance to low phosphate, osmotic stress and pathogen infection

“…In recent years, an increasing number of reports describe the potential of Ti as a stress-protectant or priming chemical that improves plant responses to various biotic and abiotic stresses ( Paret et al., 2013 ; Karamian et al., 2019 ; Gohari et al., 2020 ; Hojjat et al., 2020 ; Yin et al., 2020 ; Behnam et al., 2021 ; Jajor et al., 2021 ; Mustafa et al., 2021 ; Satti et al., 2021 ; Carbajal-Vázquez et al., 2022 ; Karvar et al., 2022 ). Ti supply has proven to be efficient in alleviating the stress caused by water deficit and salinity stress, for example.…”

“…WES1 overexpression also led to increased levels of IAA which could explain the GO categories related to auxins ( Zhang et al., 2007 ; Wang et al., 2012 ). Noteworthy is the fact that while Ti enhances the resistance against a necrotrophic agent like B. cinerea , it could also protect against other species of necrotrophic fungi and even against other pathogenic microbes like biotrophic pathogens as the enhanced expression of NBS-LLR receptors in Ti-treated plants suggest ( Figure 8A ; Paret et al., 2013 ; Jajor et al., 2021 ; Satti et al., 2021 ). It is worth mentioning that there are reports showing that the overexpression of some NBS-LRR genes enhances the plant’s resistance to salt and drought stresses, like the A. thaliana At ADR1 or the Vitis amurensis Va RGA1 NBS-LRR receptors ( Chini et al., 2004 ; Li et al., 2017 ).…”

“…Two of the most common effects of Ti application on several plant species are enhanced photosynthesis and increased nutrient uptake. These effects could be the primary origin of all other benefits of Ti such as augmented crop productivity, fruit quality, and improve tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, such as resistance to fungal pathogens ( Jajor et al., 2021 ; Satti et al., 2021 ) and to osmotic stresses ( Yin et al., 2020 ; Silva et al., 2022 ). It has been proposed that enhanced photosynthesis could be due to Ti promoting electron transport rate in the chloroplast by increasing the Hill reaction ( Hong et al., 2005 ).…”

“…These compounds are known to increase nutrient availability in the soil (e.g., P and Fe) and facilitate their uptake by the plant ( Gerke, 1993 ; Hocking, 2001 ; Jones et al., 2003 ). More recently, Ti has been found to improve plant tolerance to multiple fungal pathogens ( Jajor et al., 2021 ; Satti et al., 2021 ) and to protect plants from high salinity and drought stresses ( Silva et al., 2022 ). Despite the increasing use of Ti in agriculture ( Faraz et al., 2020 ), the molecular mechanisms behind the beneficial effects of Ti on plant growth and productivity are still poorly understood.…”

Analysis of Physiological Status in Response to Water Deficit of Spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta) Cultivars in Reference to Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare)

“…Low water availability causes soil drought, one of the most serious worldwide problems that largely limits plant growth and development and leads to enormous crop losses. Global climate change and the resultant water scarcity are significant threats to plant productivity on an increasing area of the Earth [1][2][3][4]. Consequently, more attention has been paid recently to identifying plant responses related to drought stress resistance mechanisms.…”