Physiological, antioxidant and yield responses of barley cultivars in nutrients-mediated alleviation of salinity stress

Rowshani, Ramin; Solymani, Ali; Mahlooji, Mehrdad; Naderi, Mohammad Reza

doi:10.22034/aes.2022.308852.1010

Physiological, antioxidant and yield responses of barley cultivars in nutrients-mediated alleviation of salinity stress

Document Type : Original research article

Authors

Ramin Rowshani ¹

Ali Solymani ²

Mehrdad Mahlooji ³

Mohammad Reza Naderi ⁴

¹ Ph. D. Student, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.

² Plant Improvement and Seed Production Research Center, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.

³ Horticulture Crops Research Department, Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Isfahan, Iran.

⁴ Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Isfahan(Khorasgan) Branch,Islamic Azad University, Isfahan,Iran.

10.22034/aes.2022.308852.1010

Abstract

Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses and variables restricting the successful production of plant products around the world, with negative consequences for plant development and other metabolic processes. The effect of nutrient management (control, 0.5 percent K₂SO₄, 0.5 percent ZnSO₄, and 1.5 Mm salicylic acid) on physiological parameters, antioxidant activities, and grain yield responses of three barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars (Armaghan, Goharan, and Mehr) were examined under salinity stress (1 and 12 dS/m of salinty). Salinity stress considerably lowers growth, yield components, and grain yield, according to the findings. The number of grains per spike and 1000-grain weight of all cultivars tested increased after foliar application of salicylic acid. ZnSO4, K2SO4, and salicylic acid influenced grain and biological yields. At a salinity of 12 dS/m, foliar treatment of ZnSO₄, K₂SO₄, and salicylic acid boosted peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and catalase while decreasing hydrogen peroxidase and malondialdehyde. Under the influence of foliar application, the relative water content increased by 12 percent, while the leaf water potential dropped by 8 percent. Salicylic acid treatment had a stronger impact on Mehr cultivar yield and physiological parameters than ZnSO₄ or K2SO₄. These findings revealed that under the impact of salicylic acid, the Mehr cultivar was more appropriate than other cultivars.

Highlights

Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stressors and factors limiting plant product output globally, affecting plant growth and other metabolic processes.

The effects of nutrient management on physiological parameters, antioxidant activities, and grain yield responses of three barley cultivars were studied under salt stress.

All cultivars examined had increased grains per spike and 1000-grain weight following foliar salicylic acid spray.

At a salinity of 12 dS/m, ZnSO4, K2SO4, and salicylic acid applied to leaves increased peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and catalase while lowering hydrogen peroxide and malonaldehyde.

Under the influence of foliar application of nutrients, the relative water content increased by 12% while the leaf water content decreased by 8%.

Keywords

Foliar application

Potassium sulfate

Salicylic acid

Zinc sulfate

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