Biostimulant alleviates abiotic stress of mango grown in semiarid environment

Abstract

The shoot maturation phase is important for growing mango tree because it precedes the floral induction, when plants are under stress caused by high temperatures and low water availability, that could be reduced by using plant biostimulant. Thus, the current study aimed to use a plant biostimulant containing yeast extract and amino acids to alleviate abiotic stress in mango plants, cv. Tommy Atkins, grown in semiarid environment. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with five treatments, five repetitions and five plants per plot. Treatments consisted of: T1) two foliar sprays with [biostimulant + KCl] + two foliar sprays with K2SO4; T2) No biostimulant and four foliar sprays with K2SO4; T3) three individual foliar sprays with biostimulant and one foliar spray with K2SO4; T4) two foliar sprays with biostimulant and two foliar sprays with K2SO4; and T5) two foliar sprays with [biostimulant + K2SO4] + one foliar spray with K2SO4. The variables evaluated were: i) leaf concentrations of soluble carbohydrates, starch, amino acids and proline; and ii) enzymatic activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase. The foliar spray with biostimulant during the branch maturation phase of mango trees grown in tropical semiarid environment alleviated plant abiotic stress. Three foliar biostimulant sprays and one K2SO4spray are recommended to alleviate mango plant abiotic stress in semiarid environment.

A Beginner’s Guide to Osmoprotection by Biostimulants

“…Biostimulants based on amino acids are suitable for foliar application, increasing yield and grain quality after two treatments with these commercial formulations [ 201 ]. Foliar treatments are also able to increase yield under saline growth conditions [ 202 ] or growth under water deficit conditions [ 203 , 204 ]. Amino acid formulations can also be applied by fertirrigation to enhance fruit quality [ 205 ], improving yield under water restriction [ 206 ].…”

Flowering induction in mango tree: updates, perspectives and options for organic agriculture

“…Besides that, this phase represents the most stressful time for plants, caused by temperature variations and water availability. In tropical regions, there is an irrigation decrease in the management of floral induction (Ramírez & Davenport 2016, Mudo et al 2020, Silva et al 2020a, Silva et al 2020b, causing a physiological stress that will affect the photosynthesis process. In addition to water stress, ethephon and potassium sulphate are applied to promote the branches maturation, making them suitable for flowering ), but this management may increase plant stress.…”

“…Some alternatives to improve the PBZ absorption by roots and prevent soil contamination, thus minimizing environmental risks and reducing dosages, have been evaluated, such as the use of biostimulants, which are substances that have biological compounds or agents capable of acting directly or indirectly on plants (Silva et al 2020a), improving their nutritional efficiency (Yakhin et al 2017), what will influence the fruit quality and yield of mango trees.…”

“…Trop., Goiânia, v. 51, e68175, 2021 acids and yeast extract, during the branch maturation stage (Mudo et al 2020). Similarly, biostimulant applications with seaweed extract (Ascophyllum nodosum) also provide an increase in the number of panicles and yield of 'Palmer' mango (Silva et al 2020a).…”