Abstract
Sunflower plants (Helianthus annuus L.) in a CO2-enriched atmosphere (eCO2) were used herein to examine the developmental and physiological effects of biofertilization with mycorrhizae (Rhizophagus irregularis). The eCO2 environment stimulated colonization using R. irregularis mycorrhizal fungi, as compared to plants grown under ambient CO2 conditions (aCO2). This colonization promotes plant growth due to an increased nutrient content (P, K, Mg, and B), which favors a greater synthesis of photosynthetic pigments. Biofertilized plants (M) under eCO2 conditions have a higher concentration of carbon compounds in their leaves, as compared to non-biofertilized eCO2 plants (NM). The biofertilization (M) of sunflowers with R. irregularis decreased the C/N ratio, as compared to the NM plants, decreasing the hydrogen peroxide content and increasing the antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase and APX). These results suggest that sunflower symbiosis with R. irregularis improves the absorption of N, while also decreasing the plant’s oxidative stress. It may be concluded that biofertilization with mycorrhizae (R. irregularis) may potentially replace the chemical fertilization of sunflower plants (H. annuus L.), resulting in more environmentally friendly agricultural practices. This information is essential to our understanding of the mechanisms influencing the C and N dynamic in future climate change scenarios, in which high CO2 levels are expected.
Highlights
Sunflowers are the fourth most important oilseed crop in the world
The main objective of this study is to use distinct analytical techniques to determine whether sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) that have been biofertilized with fungi (Rizophagus irregularis) may partially substitute chemical fertilizers to achieve an optimal C/N ratio in plants that have grown in different environmental conditions and which have been altered by climate change
Plants grown under elevated CO2 treatments (eCO2) conditions had a higher biomass than those grown under ambient CO2 conditions (aCO2) conditions
Summary
Sunflowers are the fourth most important oilseed crop in the world. They have a high tolerance to drought, making them an ideal alternative for producers in semiarid regions [1].Yield decrease in sunflowers is due mainly to biotic and abiotic stress factors. Sunflowers are the fourth most important oilseed crop in the world They have a high tolerance to drought, making them an ideal alternative for producers in semiarid regions [1]. One of the main problems faced by farmers today is decreased production due to damage caused by natural alterations to the environment. This problem has been exacerbated by climate change, causing major modifications to ecosystems as a result of extreme climate-related phenomena, such as droughts, snowstorms, floods, heat waves, cyclones, and so forth. These phenomena lead to stressful situations for plants, resulting in millions of euros of losses every year, as approximately 50% of the annual crop production potential is lost [2,3]
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