Plant Mineral Content Research Articles

Insufficient Zn uptake reduces rice grain yield in integrated rice-crayfish culture – a case study in the Jianghan Plain, China

ABSTRACT China has recently seen a substantial increase in integrated rice-crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) culture (IRCC). However, grain yield reductions (GYR) with rice plants having normal vegetative growth but failed filling are becoming common in IRCC, and the driving factors remain unclear. Here, we tried to identify the mechanisms behind this GYR mode in the Jianghan Plain, China, by investigating the soil properties, grain yield parameters, and plant mineral content in five IRCC plots experiencing GYR and an adjacent paddy-upland rotation plot (CK). The results showed slight to extreme GYR (11–82%) in the IRCC plots compared to those in CK. The translocation of phosphorus from shoot to grain during the productive stage of rice plants was inhibited in IRCC plots (26–71%) compared to CK (75%). The grain yield and phosphorus translocation coefficient correlated strongly (r > 0.95) with zinc uptake in aboveground rice organs which was significantly lower in IRCC than in CK. We conclude that this GYR in IRCC plots is not due to decreased macronutrients availability or heavy metals toxicity in IRCC soils, but the insufficient uptake of zinc by IRCC rice plants. We recommend Zn foliar spray or introducing Zn efficient rice cultivars as potential mitigation measures.

Antioxidant potential and mineral content of medicinal plants grown in urban area of India

AbstractMedicinal plants accumulate minerals and synthesize phytochemicals valuable for treating human diseases. The objective of this work has been to characterize the polyphenol and mineral contents of 25 medicinal plant leaves grown in the urban environment of India to know their antioxidant, nutritional potentiality, and ease of contamination with toxic elements. Total polyphenol (TPh) and flavonoid (Fla), and mineral concentrations were determined spectrophotometrically and by X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy, respectively. The leaves under study were found to be rich in polyphenols, nutrients (P, S, Cl, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mo), and other metals (Rb, Sr, Ba, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Co, As, Se, and Pb), with concentrations ranging from 1.28 to 3.96 g 100 g−1, from 219.8 to 7159.9 mg 100 g−1, and from 4.3 to 334.0 mg 100 g−1, respectively. Maximum polyphenol and mineral (nutrient and other elements) concentrations were detected in Melia azadirachta L. and Solanum lycopersicum L. leaves. Enrichment factors, correlations among elements, sources, health hazards associated with heavy metals, and potential applications of plant leaves are also discussed.

Evaluation of eventual toxicities of treated textile wastewater using anoxic-aerobic algal-bacterial photobioreactor.

Water pollution is one of the major challenges and is of serious concern in the world. Toxicities generated by industrial activities severely deteriorate aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems during their uncontrolled discharge and accentuate water scarcity problems. An adequate treatment of released effluents seems to be mandatory. This study investigated the effect of synthetic textile wastewater (STWW) before and after an innovative algal-bacterial treatment occurred under anoxic-aerobic conditions on growth and mineral contents of radish plants. The health risk assessment was performed after the consumption of irrigated plants by rats. Results revealed a significant reduction in heavy metals content in plants irrigated with treated STWW, and rats fed with these plants showed normal health status. Rats fed with plants irrigated with raw STWW showed a disturbance of their homeostasis. The innovative treatment using algal-bacteria under anoxic-aerobic conditions succeeds to reduce the toxicity of raw STWW and provide an alternative water resource able to tackle water shortage.

Heterogeneous saline and nutritional conditions in the root-zone and its effect on water uptake and plant mineral content

Heterogeneous saline and nutritional conditions in the root-zone and its effect on water uptake and plant mineral content

Tuz stresinde yetiştirilen çilek bitkisinde hümik asit uygulamasının fizyolojik ve biyokimyasal etkisinin belirlenmesi

The reduction of salt toxicity in the soil environment significantly contributes to the growth and development of plants. In this study, tolerance and development status of strawberry plant were investigated through irrigation solution including 50 mmol L-1 NaCl salinity and the application of 50 mg L-1 humic acid (HA). The physiological and biochemical parameters in vegetative and fruit stages and the mineral contents of strawberry plants were assessed if application of HA contributed to salt tolerance mechanisms of strawberry plants. HA improved physiological parameters such as crown and root fresh weight, crown and root dry weight, stomatal conductance as well as improving biochemical parameters and reducing stress metabolites such as (total chlorophyll contents, proline, malondialdehyde, catalase, and peroxidase enzyme activities). HA application (50 mg L-1) under salt stress (50 mmol L-1) also improved the quality parameters such as vitamin C and lycopene contents. We suggest that HA application is beneficial via increasing the tolerance mechanisms of salt-sensitive strawberry plants.

Association between plant nutrients, the development of Huanglongbing and abnormal growth symptoms in navel orange.

Huanglongbing (HLB) causes extensive damage in citrus orchards worldwide. Symptoms include blotchy mottle leaf (BML) and little leaf chlorosis (LLC), and nutrient deficiency usually occurs concurrently. However, the relationship between plant mineral content and infection with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) is not clearly established. We sampled 7-month-old autumn shoots with three characteristic phenotypes, asymptomatic leaf (AL), BML and LLC, representing HLB disease progression, and further divided samples into CLas-infected and uninfected based on PCR analysis. HLB infection decreased transfer coefficients of Mg and K from leaf to phloem tissues through regulation of the transporter genes Cs3g03790.1 and PtrMGT5, increasing the content of leaf Mg and K. HLB infection also decreased leaf Zn, xylem Ca and phloem Ca and Zn content. Leaf Ca, Mg, Zn and B content decreased while leaf K content increased significantly as symptoms progressed from AL to LLC. The transport of P from leaf to phloem tissue, as evaluated by the transfer coefficient, was regulated by the transporter CsiPT2, resulting in irregular levels of leaf P. Our results provide insights into the nutrient dynamics in Citrus in response to CLas infection and the progression of HLB symptoms.

98 Growth and mineral content of tall fescue grown in manure extracts from horses fed varying trace mineral sources and levels

Horse manure spread on pasture can provide nutrients and minerals to plants, but the effect of horse diet on fecal mineral availability to plants is unknown. This study's objective was to determine if the amount and source of trace minerals (TM) fed to horses would affect the growth and mineral content of plants grown hydroponically in manure extracts. Nine horses were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design for the study's feeding portion. Horses had ad libitum access to forage and were fed a protein pellet containing one of 3 dietary treatments: a low TM treatment with no added TM (CON) or industry relevant TM level treatments with TM added as either organic TM (ORG) or inorganic TM (ING). Added TM were Co, Cu, Mn, Se, and Zn at equivalent amounts for ORG and ING. There were 3 21-d feeding periods, including a 5-d washout; each horse received each treatment. Feces were collected on d 21 of each period. Manure extracts were made from each horse by mixing wet feces with distilled water (30 g DM/L), incubating for 20 h, and straining. Extracts were combined by treatment and TM concentrations reflected dietary levels, with ING and ORG being similar and greater than CON. Manure extracts, distilled water/negative control (WAT) and Steinman's nutrient solution/positive control (NUT) were applied as liquid treatments. Tall fescue seeds were germinated in a growth chamber, and seedlings transferred to rockwool in pans (40 seedlings/pan) on d 9. Pans were randomly assigned to treatment with 4 replicate pans/treatment. Plants were grown in an environmentally controlled room, and watered with the liquid treatment to keep fluid amount consistent in the pans. Plant height was recorded every 10 d. At the experiment's end (d 41), plants were harvested to determine plant DM biomass and TM content using ICP-MS. Biomass, final height and TM data were analyzed using ANOVA and growth rate data were analyzed using regression and orthogonal contrasts. The NUT and ORG plants had greater final DM biomass and height compared with WAT plants, while ING and CON were intermediate ( P < 0.05). Growth was quadratic for WAT, with a plateau in growth at d 25. Growth in the remaining treatments was linear and rate was greatest for NUT, followed by ORG, lowest in CON, and ING did not differ from ORG and CON ( P < 0.05). Cu and Mn was greatest in NUT ( P < 0.05). Zn was lower in WAT compared with all treatments ( P < 0.055) and Co and Se were not different among treatments ( P > 0.05). The level and source of TM in horse diets affected plant availability of nutrients in the manure, which can influence pasture growth and composition.

Effect of Spaceflight on Tomato Seed Quality and Biochemical Characteristics of Mature Plants

Intensive space exploration includes profound investigations on the effect of weightlessness and cosmic radiation on plant growth and development. Tomato seeds are often used in such experiments though up to date the results have given rather vague information about biochemical changes in mature plants grown from seeds subjected to spaceflight. The effect of half a year of storage in the International Space Station (ISS) on tomato seeds (cultivar Podmoskovny ranny) was studied by analyzing the biochemical characteristics and mineral content of mature plants grown from these seeds both in greenhouse and field conditions. A significant increase was recorded in ascorbic acid, polyphenol and carotenoid contents, and total antioxidant activity (AOA), with higher changes in the field conditions compared to greenhouse. Contrary to control plants, the ones derived from space-stored seeds demonstrated a significant decrease in root AOA. The latter plants also showed a higher yield, but lower content of fruit dry matter, sugars, total dissolved solids and organic acids. The fruits of plants derived from space-stored seeds demonstrated decreased levels of Fe, Cu and taste index. The described results reflect the existence of oxidative stress in mature tomato plants as a long-term consequence of the effect of spaceflight on seed quality, whereas the higher yield may be attributed to genetic modifications.

Salinity Effect on Plant Physiological and Nutritional Parameters of New Huanglongbing Disease-Tolerant Citrus Rootstocks

Salinity is a major agriculture problem for citrus in the Mediterranean basin, which is a major global producer region. Citrus crops are also threatened by emerging diseases such as Huanglongbing (HLB). The use of different rootstocks increases the variability of citrus plant material in orchards, thus preventing extensive damage caused by abiotic and/or biotic diseases. In this work, we have evaluated the salinity response of five citrus rootstocks (US942, US897, X639, Forner Alcaide No. 5 and Carrizo citrange) some of which have known tolerance to HLB, under Mediterranean conditions. Four treatments with different salt concentrations (0, 25, 50 and 75 mM of NaCl) were applied by watering the plants three times per week for eleven weeks. Chlorophyll index (SPAD), growth and plant symptom parameters were recorded on a biweekly basis. At the end of the trial, roots, stem and leaves biomass and plant mineral content were obtained. The increasing concentration of NaCl resulted in visible leave damage symptoms for all citrus rootstocks assayed, hindering plant growth in all citrus rootstocks assayed, except for X639. The highest concentration of toxic ions in leaves was detected in Carrizo citrange and US897 for Cl−, while the lowest concentration of Na+ was obtained in X639. These results provide growers with information about the sensitivity to salinity of different citrus rootstocks.

Biofortification of chervil with selenium

Relevance.Production of functional food with high levels of antioxidant status and selenium is essential for human protection against viral and cardiovascular diseases as well as cancer.Methods.Evaluation of the efficiency in foliar sodium selenate biofortification (25. 50 and 75 mg Se/L) was achieved on three chervil genotypes.Results.Intervarietal differences in biofortification level was demonstrated: from 15.5 to 31.1 for 25 mg Se/L dose; from 36.9 to 64.6 for 50 mg Se/L dose; and from 72.9 to 130 for 75 mg Se/L dose. At the chosen doses, selenium supply did not affect significantly the yield, antioxidant properties and photosynthetic content of chervil. Total antioxidant activity was in the range from 30 to 42 mg GAE/g d.w., phenolics content from 9 to 13 mg GAE/g d.w, flavonoids from 5 to 12 mg-eq quercetin/g d.w., ascorbic acid from 33 to 66 mg/100 g fresh w. High levels of carotene were a typical feature of Se fortified and non-fortified chervil. A direct correlation was recorded between phenolics content and total antioxidant activity (r=+0.954, P&lt;0.01), and between water soluble compounds and nitrates accumulation (r=+0.920, P&lt;0.01). Biofortification with selenium did not affect significantly the mineral content of plants. Consumption of 100 g of fresh chervil leaves, fortified with selenium, provides from 50 to 75% of the adequate selenium consumption level and from 16 to 20% of potassium. Taking into account that both selenium and potassium normalize heart activity, the new functional food product may be recommended for prophylactics and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and for the human selenium status optimization.

Cryopreservation of pineapple shoot tips does not affect mineral contents of regenerated plants

The production of pineapple, one of the most economically important tropical fruits globally, is increasingly being threatened by biotic and abiotic factors. Germplasm conservation of pineapple is essential for sustaining breeding programs, and in this regard, cryopreservation is thought to be the best long-term storage option. This short communication describes the effects of pineapple shoot tip cryopreservation on subsequent growth and tissue (stems, leaves and fruit mesocarps) mineral content (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, S, Sr and Zn) of plants during in vitro, acclimatization and field cultivation. Plants generated from liquid nitrogen exposed and control (unexposed) shoot tips did not differ significantly in terms of fresh weight at 45 days of in vitro growth, at 45 days of acclimatization or at 20 months of field cultivation. Similarly, levels of selected minerals were also not modified by cryopreservation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the potential effects of pineapple explant cryopreservation on mineral levels during the subsequent in vitro and field growth.

Effect of Humic Acid, Biofertilizers and Mineral Phosphate on Soil Microbial Activity and Productivity of Pea Plants under Toshka Conditions

Two field experiments were conducted during the winter season of 2015/2016 & 2016/2017, at Toshka Research Station - Desert Research Center. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of humic acid (HA) at rates of 0, 4 and 8 kg / fed. combined with phosphate dissolving bacteria(PDB) and mineral phosphate fertilizer at rates of 100, 90, 80 and 70% P2O5 of the recommended dose in commercial production on pea plants. Treatment with humic acid at 8 kg / fed. combined with inoculation of PDB and 100% of mineral phosphate fertilizer significantly increased the total microbial count, Bacillus megaterium count, CO2 evolution , organic carbon and phosphatase and dehydrogenase enzymes activities. The bio-fertilizer treatments (PDB) showed a clear superiority when added in combination with the phosphate fertilizer and humic acid compared to the results of using a mixture of humic acid and superphosphate only. Adding of humic acid and superphosphate with the presence of phosphate dissolving bacteria improved most of the vegetative growth characteristics of plants. Yield components had the highest positive response to humic acid combined with mineral fertilizer percentage with phosphate-dissolving bacteria. The highest concentration of N, P, and K were with the use of humic acid at (8 kg), phosphate-dissolving bacteria and 100% phosphate fertilization P2O5. The study revealed that using 8 kg HA/fed in combination with PDB and high level of P2O5 as a fertilizer application to improve soil properties, vegetative growth, mineral content and yield of pea plants in new soils was recommended.

Remodeling of Root Growth Under Combined Arsenic and Hypoxia Stress Is Linked to Nutrient Deprivation.

Root architecture responds to environmental stress. Stress-induced metabolic and nutritional changes affect the endogenous root development program. Transcriptional and translational changes realize the switch between stem cell proliferation and cell differentiation, lateral root or root hair formation and root functionality for stress acclimation. The current work explores the effects of stress combination of arsenic toxicity (As) and hypoxia (Hpx) on root development in Arabidopsis thaliana. As revealed previously, combined As and Hpx treatment leads to severe nutritional disorder evident from deregulation of root transcriptome and plant mineral contents. Both As and Hpx were identified to pose stress-specific constraints on root development that lead to unique root growth phenotype under their combination. Besides inhibition of root apical meristem (RAM) activity under all stresses, As induced lateral root growth while root hair density and lengths were strongly increased by Hpx and HpxAs-treatments.A dual stimulation of phosphate (Pi)-starvation response was observed for HpxAs-treated plant roots; however, the response under HpxAs aligned more with Hpx than As. Transcriptional evidence along with biochemical data suggests involvement of PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 1; PHR1-dependent systemic signaling. Pi metabolism-related transcripts in close association with cellular iron homeostasis modulate root development under HpxAs. Early redox potential changes in meristematic cells, differential ROS accumulation in root hair zone cell layers and strong deregulation of NADPH oxidases, NADPH-dependent oxidoreductases and peroxidases signify a role of redox and ROS signaling in root architecture remodeling under HpxAs. Differential aquaporin expression suggests transmembrane ROS transport to regulate root hair induction and growth. Reorganization of energy metabolism through NO-dependent alternate oxidase, lactate fermentation, and phosphofructokinase seems crucial under HpxAs. TOR and SnRK-signaling network components were potentially involved in control of sustainable utilization of available energy reserves for root hair growth under combined stress as well as recovery on reaeration. Findings are discussed in context of combined stress-induced signaling in regulation of root development in contrast to As and Hpx alone.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma viride cooperative effect on biochemical, mineral content, and protein pattern of onion plants.

The benefits of growth-stimulating microbes in cropproduction represent great opportunities for recent agricultural practices. Thus, the present investigation deals with examining whether arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi or Trichoderma viride application or their dual inoculation could improve the biochemical parameters and mineral and nutrient contents of onion plants (Allium cepa) under glasshouse conditions. The results evidenced that both AM fungi and T. viride are compatible with each other, and their combined use is effective, not only in improving the biochemical parameters, such as total soluble carbohydrates, protein contents, total free amino acids, acid, and alkaline phosphatases, but also in increasing mineral and nutrient contents (N, P, K+ , Ca2+ , Mg2+ , and Zn) in onion plants, in which an increase of 67%, 49%, and 112% was observed in shoot onion P content with AM, T. viride, and with their dual inoculation, respectively, as compared with the controlled ones. Also, AM fungal colonization percentage augmented greatly with T. viride inoculation. Moreover, the protein profile of onion leaves revealed the appearance of newly protein bands with AM and T. viride applications. Therefore, their applications improved onion plant development, which could be used to replace the expensive chemical fertilizers, thus increasing onion quality.

Effect of spraying of GA3 and Some Micronutrients on the growth and Mineral content of Cress plant (Lepidium sativum L.)

This study is conducted in aspicial farm in Adujail city\Salahaddin Governorate at the season 2015 on the cress plant. Afactorial experiment has conducted with two factors, the first is spraying with GA3 (G0 without spraying, G1 spraying with 50 mg.L-1, G2 spraying with 100 mg.L-1of GA3).the second factor is spraying with Micro Nutrients (T0 without spraying, T1spraying with 50 mg.L-1 of Fe,T2 spraying with 50 mg.L-1 of Mn, T3 spraying with amixture of 50+50 mg.L-1from Fe and Mn). The experiment is designed with (RCBD), the treatments were replicated 4 times and Duncuns Multiple Range Test at the probability 5% is used and the results are as fellowed:&#x0D; GA3 spraying causes asignificant increase in all Vegetative growth characters compared with the others which are not sprayed and also the Macro Nutrients concentration. Micro Nutrients sprayes on the Cress plants also causes asignificant increase in most Vegetative characters and Macro and Micro Nutrients content, specially the treatment of Fe and Mn mixture. Interaction between GA3 and Micronutrient is significant in all the treatment specially the treatment (100 mg.L-1 of GA3 + amixture of 50+50 mg.L-1 of Fe + Mn ) which give ahighest values of Vegetative growth and Macro and Micro Nutrients content .

Antibacterial activity, phytochemicals and essential oils in ethyl acetate extract of Cleistopholis patens

The ethyl acetate extract of Cleistopholis patens was investigated for its antibacterial activity against ten bacterial strains and compared with standard antibiotics. The extract was purified and antibacterial activities were compared with the crude extract. The multiple antibiotic resistant (MAR) index was determined using known method. The phytochemical components were examined and the essential oil components were also investigated using the GC-MS spectra analysis. The antibacterial test revealed the plant to be active against the test organisms. However, the crude extract showed larger zones of inhibition compared to the purified extract. The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index ranged between 0.42 and 1.0. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of glycosides, steroids, phenols and tannin. Mineral content of plants are Na (24.03%), K (30.14%), Ca (32.31%), Mg (26.09%), Zn (28.09%), Fe (6.70%) and Cu (0.03%). The GC-MS analysis showed the presence of essential oils predominantly fatty acids, sterols, esters, terpenes and alcohols with fatty acid occurring in abundance. The presence of essential oil in this plant could be responsible for its biological activities and the result of this work supports the use of the plant in the traditional medicine and herbal treatment of diseases.

Nutritional value and mineral content of seaweed from Binuangeun Beach, Indonesia and potential use as fish feed ingredient

Seaweed represents an important economical resource in Indonesia. They are potentially as good source of nutrient. Furthermore, they have the most nutritious and rich in mineral than any other feedstock. The levels of minerals are ten to twenty times from total mineral content of terrestrial plants. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the nutritional value and mineral content of several seaweeds namely Caulerpa, Palmaria and Ulva, in order to utilize as fish feed ingredient. Seaweeds were collected from Binuangeun Beach, Banten and south coast of Java Island. Carbohydrate by different (NFE) and ash contents were the most two abundant components. Seaweeds Caulerpa, Palmaria and Ulva contained 44.73%, 53.74%, 55.31% NFE; and 27.36%, 22.81%, 20.51% ash based on dry weight, respectively. These contained high amounts of Na, K, Ca, and Mg ranged 0.72-5.65 g 100g−1, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn ranged 2.09x10−4-0.09 g 100g−1. The quantity of the bio-essential elements (Fe, Zn, Cu) followed as Fe>Zn>Cu. The iron content was rich in the sequence of Caulerpa>Palmaria>Ulva and its range was found to be 0.01-0.09 g 100 g−1 in dry weight. The result showed that Caulerpa, Palmaria and Ulva are valuable resource and potentially to be utilized as fish feed ingredient.

Essential mineral nutrients of the high-latitude steppe vegetation and the herbivores of mammoth fauna

The geographical distribution of mammoth fauna was based not only on the optimal climatic range and suitable grass-rich ecosystems, but also on stable and sufficient pool of mineral nutrition in the seasonal cycle. Widespread high-latitude steppes or tundra-steppes were the landscape basis for the Beringia herbivores. Now patches of the relict steppes persist only on steep slopes with southern aspects. Numerous palynological, carpological, isotopic, and DNA data from the Pleistocene plant remains show that relict steppes are similar to mammoth steppe in many ways. A six-year study of ash and plant mineral contents of two types of steppes and grass-herb ecosystems at the Kolyma Lowland, Arctic Siberia has been carried out. The comparative content of essential mineral nutrients (Ca, P, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Fe, S) and the important element ratios in different vegetation types were analyzed. Results indicated that the ash and Ca, Mg contents are higher for the steppe vegetation. High Ca : P ratio and optimal K : (Ca+Mg) or tetanic ratio in steppe plants are within the recommended range for large herbivores. Mineral nutrient contents are higher for herbs vs grasses for steppe taxa. Generally accumulation of essential mineral elements of the Siberian Arctic steppes is comparable to those in the Asian temperate steppes. The research results can be used for better understanding of such an important issues of paleoecology of large grazers as availability, sufficiency and equilibration of mineral nutrient elements of grass-rich ecosystems – one of the significant factors of megafauna existence.

Shoot nutrient contents and vegetative melon plants growth at different pH levels of the nutrient solution

Melon plants development are determined by nutrient availability in the nutrient solution which is markedly influenced by the solution pH. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of hydroponic nutrient solution pH on growth and mineral content of melon plants. The plants were growth in nutrient solution at five pH levels (4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) in a completely randomized design with three replicates. At 40 days after transplanting were evaluated shoot and roots fresh and dry weight as well as the root volume. Leaf nutrients contents was also determined. It was concluded that it is essential to keep the nutrient solution pH at 6.0 in order to obtain plants with high leaf number, fresh and dry root mass, root volume and iron and zinc contents in the leaves.

Mitigation of Drought Stress Effects on Pepper Seedlings by Exogenous Methylamine Application

The study was conducted to determine effects of a new synthesis of methylamine on the plant growth, physiological and biochemical characteristics in pepper. There were four irrigation levels [full irrigation (100%) (I0), 80% (I1), 60% (I2) and 40% (I3)] and two methylamine (MA) treatments (0, 2.5 mM). At the end of the study, it was observed that there were significant differences between applications and levels. Effects of MA treatments on plant growth (plant height, stem diameter, fresh, dry weight etc.), plant physiological and biochemical parameters [tissue electrical conductivity (TEC), tissue relative water content (TRWC), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, antioxidant enzyme activity], and plant nutrient element content of pepper seedlings under different irrigation levels were significantly important. The results of the study showed that the drought stress conditions negatively affected the plant growth, increased the content of TEC, H2O2 and MDA, and decreased the TRWC and plant mineral content in pepper. However, MA application improved plant growth and decreased TEC, H2O2 and MDA content compared to control in pepper under drought conditions. MA treated plants at I3 had higher shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight than non-treated plants by 12 and 20%, respectively. In conclusion, MA application could mitigate the deleterious effects of the drought stress on the pepper seedlings.