Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Türkiye.
Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Horticulture, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Türkiye.
BMC Plant Biol. 2024 Feb 27;24(1):140. doi: 10.1186/s12870-024-04811-4.
Drought and heat stress are significant concerns to food security in arid and semi-arid regions, where global warming is predicted to increase both frequency and severity. To cope with these challenges, the use of drought-tolerant plants or technological interventions are essential. In this study, the effects of foliar potassium nitrate (KNO) application on the stress tolerance and recovery of Myrobalan 29C rootstocks (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh.) were evaluated. These rootstocks are widely recognized for their adaptability and are extensively used in fruit production. To assess their response, the rootstocks were subjected to drought, heat shock, or a combination of both stressors. Additionally, they were treated with 1.0% KNO via foliar application. Throughout the stress and recovery periods, various morphological, physiological, and bio-chemical parameters were measured.
Based on our results, KNO treatment improved LRWC, Chl stability, SC, and key stress markers like proline, MDA, HO, along with antioxidant enzymes CAT, SOD, POD during both stress and recovery phases. Moreover, our results emphasized KNO's critical role in hormone regulation under stress. KNO application significantly altered hormone levels, notably increasing ABA during drought and heat shock stress, essential for stress response and adaptation. In contrast, IAA, GA, and cytokinin's significantly increased during the recovery phase in KNO-treated plants, indicating improved growth regulation and stress recovery. In addition, KNO application improved the recovery process of the rootstocks by restoring their physiological and biochemical functions.
This study suggests that the application of foliar KNO3 is an effective technique for enhancing the drought and heat tolerance as well as the recovery of Myrobalan 29C rootstocks. These results hold significant value for farmers, policymakers, and researchers, as they offer crucial insights into the development of drought-tolerant crops and the management of climate change's adverse effects on agriculture.
干旱和热应激是干旱和半干旱地区粮食安全的重大关切，预计全球变暖将增加这些地区干旱和热应激的频率和严重程度。为了应对这些挑战，使用耐旱植物或技术干预措施至关重要。本研究评估了叶面喷施硝酸钾（KNO）对野巴旦 29C 砧木（樱桃李）的耐应激能力和恢复能力的影响。这些砧木适应性强，广泛应用于水果生产。为了评估它们的反应，将砧木置于干旱、热冲击或两者的组合胁迫下。此外，它们还通过叶面喷施 1.0%的 KNO 进行处理。在整个应激和恢复期间，测量了各种形态、生理和生物化学参数。
根据我们的结果，KNO 处理提高了 LRWC、Chl 稳定性、SC 和脯氨酸、MDA、HO 等关键应激标记物以及 CAT、SOD、POD 等抗氧化酶在应激和恢复阶段的活性。此外，我们的结果强调了 KNO 在应激下激素调节的关键作用。KNO 处理显著改变了激素水平，特别是在干旱和热冲击胁迫下增加了 ABA，这对应激反应和适应至关重要。相比之下，在 KNO 处理的植物中，IAA、GA 和细胞分裂素在恢复阶段显著增加，表明生长调节和应激恢复得到改善。此外，KNO 处理通过恢复砧木的生理和生化功能，改善了砧木的恢复过程。
本研究表明，叶面喷施 KNO3 是提高野巴旦 29C 砧木耐旱性和耐热性以及恢复能力的有效技术。这些结果对农民、政策制定者和研究人员具有重要意义，因为它们为培育耐旱作物和管理气候变化对农业的不利影响提供了重要的见解。
