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Melatonin application enhances biochar efficiency for drought tolerance in maize varieties: Modifications in physio‐biochemical machinery
Author(s) -
Alharby Hesham F,
Fahad Shah
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.1002/agj2.20263
Subject(s) - biochar , agronomy , malondialdehyde , chemistry , straw , biology , antioxidant , biochemistry , organic chemistry , pyrolysis
The roles of biochar, melatonin (Me), and P application have been well researched; however, biochar with Me application in helping plants be more drought tolerant are little understood. The aim of this greenhouse study is to evaluate the effects of Me and P in combination with biochar made from date ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) and wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) residues on vegetative growth and biochemical impact of maize ( Zea mays L.) varieties Azam and Mallika under drought stress. Date residue and wheat straw biochars combined with melatonin (D+W+Me) reduced oxidative stress caused by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) the most. Generations of ROS species (malondialdehyde [MDA], H 2 O 2 , thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS], O 2 − , lipoxygenase [LOX], and electolyte leakage [EL]) was 118 and 700% higher in Azam variety compared to Mallika. The application of D+W+Me maintained osmolyte accumulation, α‐amylase activity, and antioxidant enzyme activities at higher levels in Mallika (2−7, 29, 9−55%, respectively) than in Azam and the rest of the treatments. The D+W+Me treatment also enhanced leaf gas exchange traits in Mallika (3−20%) under drought stress, helping to main better photosynthesis machinery. The D+W+P and D+Me treatments application alleviated a portion of the drought stress. Overall, Me application with date residue and wheat straw biochars enhanced the efficiency of biochar, by better assuaging the adverse drought stress influences.