Mitigating drought stress and enhancing quinoa productivity using iron and zinc nanoparticles

به منظور مطالعه اثر تنش خشکی و اسید‌هیومیک بر صفات مورفولوژیک، عملکرد و میزان آنتوسیانین چای‌ترش (Hibiscus sabdarifa L.)، آزمایشی در مرکز آموزش کشاورزی جیرفت در سال 1392 به صورت طرح کرت‌های خرد شده در قالب بلوک‌های کامل تصادفی با سه تکرار اجرا شد. تیمارهای مورد بررسی شامل تنش خشکی در سه سطح به صورت آبیاری پس از 50، 100 و 150 میلی‌متر تبخیر از تشتک تبخیر کلاس آ به عنوان عامل اصلی و مصرف اسید‌هیومیک به صورت شاهد (عدم مصرف)، یک‌بار مصرف همراه با آبیاری، یک‌بار مصرف همراه با آبیاری و یک‌بار محلول-پاشی، یک‌بار مصرف همراه با آبیاری و دو بار محلول‌پاشی به عنوان عامل فرعی در نظر گرفته شدند. اسید‌هیومیک جهت آبیاری و محلول‌پاشی به ترتیب با غلظت 10 کیلوگرم در هکتار و 250 سی‌سی در 100 لیتر آب استفاده شد. تنش خشکی و اسید‌هیومیک اثر معنی‌داری بر پارامترهای رشدی، عملکرد رویشی و زایشی (کاسبرگ) و میزان آنتوسیانین داشت. با افزایش تنش خشکی ارتفاع بوته، طول گل‌آذین، تعداد شاخه فرعی، قطر ساقه، وزن تر و خشک بوته، وزن تر و خشک کاسبرگ کاهش نشان داد و میزان آنتوسیانین افزایش یافت. همچنین بیشترین میزان صفات مذکور از سطح چهارم اسید‌هیومیک حاصل شد. اثر متقابل تنش خشکی و اسید‌هیومیک بر تعداد شاخه فرعی، وزن تر و خشک بوته در سطح احتمال یک درصد معنی‌دار بود. بیشترین میزان این صفات مربوط به تیمار سطح اول تنش و سطح چهارم اسید‌هیومیک بود. به طور کلی، اسید‌هیومیک موجب تعدیل اثرات مضر تنش خشکی در گیاه دارویی چای‌ترش شد.

To examine the genetic variation for drought stress in chamomile, eight accessions belonging to four species were evaluated under both field and greenhouse conditions using normal and late season drought stress. In the field experiment drought stress were initiated with irrigation cease at the commencement of flowering time. In greenhouse experiment, irrigation carried out at flower initiation when soil moisture reached to 80% and 50% of field capacity in control and drought stress treatments respectively. Orthogonal comparison showed high inter-and intra-species variation for all studied traits. In both experiments, drought stress caused significant reduction of flowering period, maturity time, flower number per plant, flower diameter, flower fresh and dry weight per plant, plant fresh and dry weight and plant relative water content. In field condition under both control and drought stress Gorgan1 accession (Anthemis alltissima) showed the highest flower fresh and dry weight. In greenhouse experiment, Isfahan (Matricaria chamomilla) and Mashhad (Tripleurospermum sevance) accessions produced greater flower yield and total dry mater under control and drought stress conditions, respectively. Minimum reduction due to drought stress for this two traits in the field experiment was for Ilam2 (Anthemis psedocotula) and in greenhouse experiment was for Ilam1 (Anthemis psedocotula) accessions. The maximum reduction rate due to drought stress in most genotypes was related to plant and flower fresh and dry weight. Tripleurospermum sevance species showed less reduction in fresh and dry flower weight when encountered to drought stress, hence it is more drought tolerant as compared to other investigated chamomile species.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is native to the Andean region and has attracted a global growing interest due its unique nutritional value. The protein content of quinoa grains is higher than other cereals while it has better distribution of essential amino acids. It can be used as an alternative to milk proteins. Additionally, quinoa contains a high amount of essential fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, dietary fibers, and carbohydrates with beneficial hypoglycemic effects while being gluten-free. Furthermore, the quinoa plant is resistant to cold, salt, and drought, which leaves no doubt as to why it has been called the “golden grain”. On that account, production of quinoa and its products followed an increasing trend that gained attraction in 2013, as it was proclaimed to be the international year of quinoa. In this respect, this review provides an overview of the published results regarding the nutritional and biological properties of quinoa that have been cultivated in different parts of the world during the last two decades. This review sheds light on how traditional quinoa processing and products evolved and are being adopted into novel food processing and modern food products, as well as noting the potential of side stream processing of quinoa by-products in various industrial sectors. Furthermore, this review moves beyond the technological aspects of quinoa production by addressing the socio-economic and environmental challenges of its production, consumption, and marketizations to reflect a holistic view of promoting the production and consumption of quinoa.

BackgroundPoa pratensis L. is a perennial grass commonly used for ecological restoration due to its rapid growth rate and strong adaptability. It is considered an excellent choice for soccer fields and urban green spaces because of its high wear resistance and durability. this is the first report demonstrating the co-application of seed priming and plasma-activated water irrigation for enhancing drought resistance in P. pratensis. This study aimed to examine the influence of seed priming and irrigation with PAW on the growth of P. pratensis and its ability to endure drought conditions. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in 2023, using a completely randomized design. Seeds were primed with either normal water (control group) or PAW and then sown in pots containing standard soil. The experiment included six treatments: three PAW management strategies—watered normally (WW, control group), seeds primed with PAW and irrigated with normal water (PW), and a combination of both methods (PP: primed and irrigated with PAW)—under both drought and non-drought stress conditions.ResultsThe findings indicated that drought stress significantly decreased various growth parameters, including fresh weight (21% reduction), dry weight (27% reduction), chlorophyll levels (12% reduction), and the activities of the enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) (22% and 5% reductions, respectively) in P. pratensis. Conversely, drought stress increased the levels of several compounds: carotenoids (24% increase), malondialdehyde (MDA) (81% increase), proline (80% increase), soluble carbohydrates (15% increase), and the enzyme activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) (36% increase). Under drought conditions, seed priming with PAW led to a decrease in MDA (21%) and an increase in fresh weight (approximately 13%) and dry weight (about 25%). Total chlorophyll increased by around 30%, while proline and soluble sugar content rose by 14% and 50%, respectively. The activities of APX, CAT, and GPX enzymes increased by 18%, 4%, and 11%, respectively. In summary, the combination of seed priming and irrigation with PAW under drought conditions reduced MDA content by 28% and enhanced plant biomass (fresh weight by 13% and dry weight by 21%), photosynthetic pigments (total chlorophyll by 17%), and osmoprotectants (proline by 56% and soluble carbohydrates by 11%). The activities of APX, CAT, and GPX also increased significantly—by 16%, 2%, and 16%, respectively.ConclusionsPAW has been shown to improve drought stress in P. pratensis by reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing levels of photosynthetic pigments, osmoprotectants, and antioxidant enzyme activity. The results indicate that the most beneficial outcomes occur when seed priming is combined with PAW irrigation. This technology could serve as a cost-effective and sustainable method for enhancing growth and drought tolerance in plants, including P. pratensis, under water-stressed conditions. Further studies are necessary to explore this effect on additional plants and to better understand its details and possible mechanisms in future research.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12870-025-07742-w.

Interactive effects of salinity and drought stress on photosynthetic characteristics and physiology of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) seedlings

Climate change has increased the frequency of long periods of drought, affecting crop cultivation worldwide. Losses due to water stress exceed 10% of world production of major crops, reaching three-quarters of production areas, with severe economic losses. Therefore, the generation of environmental stress-tolerant genotypes that are more efficient in water use is extremely important. We have previously isolated and characterized a DREB transcription factor coding gene, named RcDREB1, from castor bean (Ricinus communis L.), which probably belongs to the CBF/DREB subfamily subgroup A-5. Aiming to develop drought-tolerant lines, we have stably introduced and expressed the RcDREB1 transgene into tobacco. Transgenic lines have revealed an enhanced drought tolerance. Genetically modified lines cultivated under water deficit presented a higher photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, leaf water potential and leaf water content when compared to the control. Transgenic lines revealed lower transpiration rates. In addition, biometric analyses showed that transgenic lines cultivated under water stress presented higher biomass, higher fresh and dry weight and higher plant height than the non-transgenic lines. After re-watering, transgenic lines recovered faster than non-transgenic plants. Moreover, pollen grains from transgenic plants revealed a remarkable increase in viability after exposure to heat (38 °C) and desiccation stresses. The results presented here will be the foundation for production of commercial crops that are more tolerant to environmental stresses and long-life pollen grains, increasing pollination and in consequence, productivity. A DREB gene isolated from castor bean was expressed in tobacco plants. Genically modified plants presented a remarkable tolerance to water-deific stress and pollens were more tolerance to high temperatures and dehydration. These results paved the way for the development of drought tolerant and high yield crops.

Drought stress adversely affects plant growth, development, and yield. It can decrease seed germination, biomass accumulation, root proliferation, chlorophyll contents, and stomatal conductance. To overcome this critical issue, researchers suggest employing environmentally friendly approaches. The exogenous application of alanine (AL) acts as an osmolyte, which helps balance the cellular water under drought stress. It can also improve root architecture, biomass accumulation, and plant fertilizer use efficiency. Applying biochar can improve soil structure, water, and nutrient retention in soil, which are allied factors in enhancing plant growth under drought stress. Furthermore, the enrichment of potassium (K) in biochar also increases its availability to plants, directly regulating the stomatal conductance to alleviate drought stress. That’s why the current study aims to explore the combined effect of AL and potassium-enriched biochar (KBC) on fenugreek cultivated under drought stress. Four levels of AL (control, 2mM, 4mM, and 6mM) were applied with 0%, 1%, and 2% KBC in three replicates. Results showed that 2mM AL + 2%KBC showed significant improvement in plant length (5.24%), plant fresh weight (25.36%), plant dry weight (16.23%), chlorophyll a (7.80%), chlorophyll b (15.83%), total chlorophyll (10.65%) over the control under drought stress. A significant increase in shoot N, P, and K concentration compared to control under drought stress also validated the effectiveness of 2mM AL + 2%KBC. In conclusion, 2mM AL + 2%KBC is an effective amendment for alleviating drought stress in fenugreeks. Under drought stress, growers are recommended to apply 2mM AL + 2%KBC to achieve better fenugreek growth.

Drought stress can have negative impacts on crop productivity. It triggers the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, which causes oxidative stress. Limited water and nutrient uptake under drought stress also decreases plant growth. Using cobalt and fulvic acid with biochar in such scenarios can effectively promote plant growth. Cobalt (Co) is a component of various enzymes and co-enzymes. It can increase the concentration of flavonoids, total phenols, antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase, catalase, and polyphenol oxidase) and proline. Fulvic acid (FA), a constituent of soil organic matter, increases the accessibility of nutrients to plants. Biochar (BC) can enhance soil moisture retention, nutrient uptake, and plant productivity during drought stress. That’s why the current study explored the influence of Co, FA and BC on chili plants under drought stress. This study involved 8 treatments, i.e., control, 4 g/L fulvic acid (4FA), 20 mg/L cobalt sulfate (20CoSO4), 4FA + 20CoSO4, 0.50%MFWBC (0.50 MFWBC), 4FA + 0.50MFWBC, 20CoSO4 + 0.50MFWBC, 4FA + 20CoSO4 + 0.50MFWBC. Results showed that 4 g/L FA + 20CoSO4 with 0.50MFWBC caused an increase in chili plant height (23.29%), plant dry weight (28.85%), fruit length (20.17%), fruit girth (21.41%) and fruit yield (25.13%) compared to control. The effectiveness of 4 g/L FA + 20CoSO4 with 0.50MFWBC was also confirmed by a significant increase in total chlorophyll contents, as well as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in leaves over control. In conclusion4g/L, FA + 20CoSO4 with 0.50MFWBC can potentially improve the growth of chili cultivated in drought stress. It is suggested that 4 g/L FA + 20CoSO4 with 0.50MFWBC be used to alleviate drought stress in chili plants.

Over-expression of CarMT gene modulates the physiological performance and antioxidant defense system to provide tolerance against drought stress in Arabidopsis thaliana L

BackgroundAbiotic stresses due to environmental factors could adversely affect the growth and development of crops. Among the abiotic stresses, drought and heat stress are two critical threats to crop growth and sustainable agriculture worldwide. Considering global climate change, incidence of combined drought and heat stress is likely to increase. The aim of this study was to shed light on plant growth performance and leaf physiology of three tomatoes cultivars (‘Arvento’, ‘LA1994’ and ‘LA2093’) under control, drought, heat and combined stress.ResultsShoot fresh and dry weight, leaf area and relative water content of all cultivars significantly decreased under drought and combined stress as compared to control. The net photosynthesis and starch content were significantly lower under drought and combined stress than control in the three cultivars. Stomata and pore length of the three cultivars significantly decreased under drought and combined stress as compared to control. The tomato ‘Arvento’ was more affected by heat stress than ‘LA1994’ and ‘LA2093’ due to significant decreases in shoot dry weight, chlorophyll a and carotenoid content, starch content and NPQ (non-photochemical quenching) only in ‘Arvento’ under heat treatment. By comparison, the two heat-tolerant tomatoes were more affected by drought stress compared to ‘Arvento’ as shown by small stomatal and pore area, decreased sucrose content, ΦPSII (quantum yield of photosystem II), ETR (electron transport rate) and qL (fraction of open PSII centers) in ‘LA1994’ and ‘LA2093’. The three cultivars showed similar response when subjected to the combination of drought and heat stress as shown by most physiological parameters, even though only ‘LA1994’ and ‘LA2093’ showed decreased Fv/Fm (maximum potential quantum efficiency of photosystem II), ΦPSII, ETR and qL under combined stress.ConclusionsThe cultivars differing in heat sensitivity did not show difference in the combined stress sensitivity, indicating that selection for tomatoes with combined stress tolerance might not be correlated with the single stress tolerance. In this study, drought stress had a predominant effect on tomato over heat stress, which explained why simultaneous application of heat and drought revealed similar physiological responses to the drought stress. These results will uncover the difference and linkage between the physiological response of tomatoes to drought, heat and combined stress and be important for the selection and breeding of tolerant tomato cultivars under single and combine stress.

The amount of moisture in the soil has a significant impact on the growth of soybean, if there is a significant drop in the amount of moisture present in the soil, the soybean plant will undergo drought stress. But, the performance and extent of withstand of drought stress is yet to be scrutinized. Therefore, this study was conducted in plastic houses in Demangan Village, Sambi, Boyolali, Central Java, Indonesia, from August to November 2020 with an aim to know the response of the soybean growth under drought stress. The study was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated thrice. The first factor was the soil moisture, which consisted of four levels, namely, 100, 75, 50 and 25% field capacity. The second factor was the growth phase, which consisted of three kinds, namely, active vegetative, flowering time and seed filling period. The results showed that soil moisture of 50% field capacity in all growth phases caused to decrease in leaf size, shoot dry weight, root dry weight and plant dry weight. The maximal leaf size, shoot dry weight, root dry weight and plant dry weight were obtained in 100% field capacity in the seed filling phase, while the lowest at 25% field capacity. The study findings showed that the most sensitive phase of soybean growth to drought stress was in the seed filling phase. The practical implication was that the soybean growth should be in field capacity, especially in the seed filling phase.

به‌منظور ارزیابی تأثیر تنش خشکی و جاسمونیک‌اسید بر عملکرد و برخی ویژگی‌های زراعی و فیزیولوژیک ارقام کینوا، آزمایشی در قالب طرح اسپلیت‌ فاکتوریل بر پایه بلوک‌های کامل تصادفی با 3 تکرار در سال 1397 در مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی کرمان (ایستگاه جوپار) اجرا شد. تیمارهای آزمایشی شامل تیمار عدم تنش (آبیاری بعد از 60 درصد تخلیه رطوبت قابل‌استفاده خاک) و تیمار تنش خشکی (آبیاری بعد از 90 درصد تخلیه رطوبت قابل‌استفاده) به‌عنوان فاکتور اصلی و تیمارهای محلول‌پاشی جاسمونیک‌اسید در سه سطح (صفر، 1 و 2 میلی‌گرم در لیتر) و ارقام شامل (Giza1، Titicaca، Q29) به‌صورت فاکتوریل و به‌عنوان فاکتور فرعی در نظر گرفته شدند. نتایج نشان داد که اعمال تنش خشکی، صفات عملکرد دانه، تعداد خوشه، وزن ‌هزار دانه، عملکرد بیولوژیک، ارتفاع بوته، شاخص برداشت، محتوای نسبی آب برگ و شاخص سبزینگی را نسبت به تیمار عدم تنش کاهش داد. کاربرد اسید جاسمونیک به‌ویژه غلظت 2 میلی‌گرم در لیتر، سبب بهبود این صفات نسبت به تیمار شاهد گردید. همچنین اثر رقم بر اکثر صفات موردمطالعه معنی‌دار بود به‌طوری‌که بیشترین مقادیر عملکرد دانه و عملکرد بیولوژیک در شرایط عدم تنش و 2 میلی‌گرم در لیتر جاسمونیک اسید و رقم Titicaca به ترتیب معادل 3316 و 13265 کیلوگرم در هکتار و کمترین مقدار به‌ترتیب معادل 1682 و 7733 کیلوگرم در هکتار مربوط به تنش خشکی و عدم مصرف جاسمونیک اسید و رقم Giza1 بود. بیشترین شاخص سبزینگی برگ (عدد اسپد)، در شرایط عدم تنش و محلول‌پاشی 1 میلی‌گرم در لیتر جاسمونیک اسید در رقم Giza1 به مقدار 59 به دست آمد. به‌طورکلی، با توجه به نتایج این تحقیق می‌توان اظهار داشت که جاسمونیک‌اسید به‌عنوان بهبوددهنده از طریق کاهش اثرات منفی تنش خشکی و بهبود رشد گیاه می‌تواند باعث افزایش عملکرد دانه و تولید ارقام کینوا به‌ویژه رقم Titicaca شود.

ABSTRACTClimate change is causing drastic reduction in crop yields around the globe due to increase in soil salinity, drought and heat stress. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) is regarded as a very significant food security crop considering the climate change scenario. Two quinoa genotypes (Puno and Titicaca) were cultivated on salt affected soil under drought stress with different sowing dates. Compared with early sowing, late sowing combined with salinity and drought stress caused drastic decline in plant growth and grain yield due to imposition of heat stress. Plant biomass and grain yield decreased by 26% and 39% in Puno, and by 34% and 49% in Titicaca under late sowing accompanied by salt and drought stress. Relative water contents and stomatal conductance of leaves declined in the same trend in both genotypes. Shoot Na+ concentration was the highest whereas K+ concentration was the lowest in both genotypes when drought and salt stress were combined under late sowing. Grain minerals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, K, P, N and Mn) and dietary contents (protein, lipids, carbohydrates and fibre) were decreased more under the combination of salinity and drought for late sowing as compared to early sowing. When salinity and drought stress were combined under late sowing, the contents of H2O2 and TBARS were 1.9 and 2.2‐fold higher in Puno and 2.4 and 2.6‐fold higher in Titicaca, respectively. The oxidative stress was mitigated by enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD and POD) more in Puno than Titicaca. Plant biomass and grain yield were higher in Puno with better grain quality than Titicaca. Hence, this genotype should be cultivated on salt affected soils facing drought and high temperatures.

One of the new strategies to increase the effectiveness of chemical fertilizers, prevent the waste of chemical fertilizers, and increase the yield of agricultural products, is the use of natural compound such as zeolite. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of zeolite (0, 5, 10, and 15 t ha-1) on agronomic and biochemical responses as well as yield components of maize (cv. Simon) under normal (90% field capacity), moderate (75% FC), and severe (60% FC) drought stress conditions during 2017-2019. The results showed that moderate and severe drought stress significantly decreased plant height (10.9% and 19.7%, respectively), plant fresh weight (15.2% and 17%, respectively), and plant dry weight (26.7% and 39%, respectively). The highest chlorophyll content reduction was observed under drought stress especially in severe stress (30.7% compared to the normal condition). Application of zeolite improved agronomic (plant height, fresh and dry weight), biochemical (carbohydrate, proline, protein, total phenol, and peroxidase enzyme activity), and yield-related traits under severe drought stress condition. Therefore, zeolite alleviated the effect of drought stress for both consecutive years. Hence, the application of 10 and 15 t ha-1 zeolite respectively, increased the grain yield by 20.1% and 61.9% under drought stress compared to control (no application of zeolite). In conclusion, the application of 15 t ha-1 zeolite is the suitable treatment to alleviate the negative effect of drought stress on maize (cv. Simon).

Examining the role of AMF-Biochar in the regulation of spinach growth attributes, nutrients concentrations, and antioxidant enzymes in mitigating drought stress