Effect of Elevated Ozone on Soybean (Glycine max L.) Cultivar: Role of Orange Juice and Synthetic Ascorbic Acid

Abstract

Ozone is a hazardous gas for the environment and negatively affects plant and human health. These days, phytoextracts are commonly used as a source of bioactive compounds for reducing the detrimental environmental effects on plants. In the presented study, soybean cultivar JS-335 was used to assess the protective role of synthetic ascorbic acid (SAA) and orange juice (25% orange juice, enriched ascorbic acid) under ozone stress conditions. The results showed that under ozone stress, soybean cultivar JS-335 reduced growth and biomass and negatively affected the biochemical properties of plants due to these changes, finally causing yield losses. Foliar-applied OJ >and SAA improved plant growth and development and increased crop yield. It was discovered that a 25% OJ coupled with ascorbic acid and other essential nutrients and biomolecules was almost as effective as a 100 ppm SAA in reducing the harmful effects of ozone stress on soybean plants. As a result, it was determined that OJ, a less expensive source of ascorbic acid, can improve ozone resistance in plants in ozone-prone areas.