Response of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Plants to Spraying by Hydrogen Peroxide

Ewa Szpunar-Krok,Marta Jańczak-Pieniążek,Dorota Bobrecka-Jamro,Maciej Balawejder,Karol Skrobacz

doi:10.3390/su12062469

Abstract

The biocidal properties of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) could be used in plant protection. However, the effects of H2O2 foliar spraying on the performance of the potato photosynthetic apparatus are still unclear. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of foliar spraying, which was done twice, with various H2O2 concentrations (1, 3, 6, 12, and 18%) on the potato photosynthetic apparatus efficiency and antioxidant capacity. The measurements were taken four times: on the first and seventh day after each application. Foliar spraying with 1% H2O2 concentration was the most stimulating for the course of physiological processes in leaves. Further increased doses of H2O2 enhanced stress in plants which is manifested by a decrease in pigment levels, photosynthetic attributes, antioxidant capacity in leaves, and fresh mass above-ground parts of potato plants. The intensive effect of spraying was particularly observed on the first day after application, while later, the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus and antioxidant capacity increased. The study provides information that foliar spraying with 1% H2O2 can be taken into account in further research on the development of a potato plant protection methods.

Highlights

Concern for the state of the natural environment leads to an increased interest in environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and degradable biocides that could be used in plant protection
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of foliar spraying with various H2O2 concentrations (1%, 3%, 6%, 12%, and 18%) on the potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) photosynthetic apparatus efficiency and to determine the safe dose that could be used in potato crop protection program
The use of H2O2 in plant production can be a valuable tool in the hands of farmers in protecting plants against environmental stress, and it can potentially stop the development of pathogens through the sanitizing action of this compound. This data shows that among the variants tested, foliar spraying of 1% H2O2 concentration was the most stimulating for the course of physiological processes in the leaves and did not worsen the condition of plants, fresh mass (FM) above-ground parts of potato plants decreased slightly compared to the control

Summary

Introduction

Concern for the state of the natural environment leads to an increased interest in environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and degradable biocides that could be used in plant protection. Such substance is H2O2: an oxidizing agent, topical, which decomposes to non-toxic by-products (water and oxygen). The medical use of 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration is common due to its antibacterial and antifungal activity. These properties could be useful in plant cultivation. Plants developed stress tolerance regulatory mechanisms [2,3]

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