Biostimulant alleviates abiotic stress of mango grown in semiarid environment

Marcelle A Da Silva,Ítalo H L Cavalcante,Jenilton G Da Cunha,Laiane E D Mudo,Vespasiano B De Paiva Neto,Renata A E Amariz

doi:10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v24n7p457-464

Marcelle A Da Silva, Ítalo H L Cavalcante + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v24n7p457-464

Copy DOI

Abstract

ABSTRACT The shoot maturation phase is important for growing mango tree because it precedes the floral induction, when plants are under stress caused by high temperatures and low water availability, that could be reduced by using plant biostimulant. Thus, the current study aimed to use a plant biostimulant containing yeast extract and amino acids to alleviate abiotic stress in mango plants, cv. Tommy Atkins, grown in semiarid environment. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with five treatments, five repetitions and five plants per plot. Treatments consisted of: T1) two foliar sprays with [biostimulant + KCl] + two foliar sprays with K2SO4; T2) No biostimulant and four foliar sprays with K2SO4; T3) three individual foliar sprays with biostimulant and one foliar spray with K2SO4; T4) two foliar sprays with biostimulant and two foliar sprays with K2SO4; and T5) two foliar sprays with [biostimulant + K2SO4] + one foliar spray with K2SO4. The variables evaluated were: i) leaf concentrations of soluble carbohydrates, starch, amino acids and proline; and ii) enzymatic activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase. The foliar spray with biostimulant during the branch maturation phase of mango trees grown in tropical semiarid environment alleviated plant abiotic stress. Three foliar biostimulant sprays and one K2SO4spray are recommended to alleviate mango plant abiotic stress in semiarid environment.

Highlights

Mango is the second most exported fruit in Brazil, which is the seventh world's largest mango exporter
This stage precedes the floral induction when plants are under stress caused by high temperatures and water depth reduction that could be reduced by using plant biostimulant
After being collected the leaves used for determination of soluble carbohydrates, starch, amino acids and proline concentrations were placed in paper bags, stored on ice and transported to the Plant Physiology Laboratory of the Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco; while the leaf materials collected for enzymatic analyses were immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen and taken to the same laboratory

Summary

Introduction

Mango is the second most exported fruit in Brazil, which is the seventh world's largest mango exporter. The São Francisco Valley is located in a tropical semiarid region with high temperatures and low air relative humidity, reaching 36.8 °C and 25.6% respectively. The deleterious effect of high temperatures associated with low air relative humidity and water depth reduction causes high abiotic stress levels and lower rates of photosynthesis, transpiration and leaf water potential (Faria et al, 2016). It demands different alleviating strategies, which can be highly advantageous for yield in subsequent growth seasons (Genú & Pinto, 2002). The present study aimed to evaluate a plant biostimulant containing yeast extract and amino acids on the alleviation of abiotic stress in ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango growing in semiarid region

Material and Methods

Results and Discussion

Conclusions

Literature Cited