Effect of vermicompost fertilizer on photosynthetic characteristics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under drought stress

Abstract

Water availability is an important factor for plant growth in arid environments. In recent decades, vermicompost (VC) fertilizer has been used in agriculture as a safe and effective fertilizer with high water-holding capacity. The aim of the present study was to characterize effects of VC fertilizer on photosynthetic activity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. cv. karaj) under drought conditions at three growth stages. Tests were done at five volumetric ratios of vermicompost to soil: 0:100, 10:90, 20:80, and 30:70; and three levels of drought stress; non-stress (NS), moderate drought stress (MS), and severe drought stress (SS) (100, 75, and 25% of field capacity, respectively). Evaluations were made for chlorophyll content, gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence at different growth stages: a seedling, flowering, and podding stage. Results demonstrated that VC treatment under NS conditions significantly increased total chlorophyll content [Chl (a+b)], intercellular CO2 concentration (C i ), net photosynthetic rate (P N ), transpiration rate (E), and maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F v /F m ) at all three stages. The VC addition at 10 and 20% significantly enhanced Chl content and F v /F m under MS and F v /F m , C i , and P N under SS at the flowering stage. In conclusion, the above results showed that VC fertilizer had a positive effect on photosynthesis of chickpea under NS conditions, but no positive effect was found under

The effect of foliar application of methanol on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) plants grown in drought conditions

“…Sadeghi-Shoae et al [2014] reported that methanol foliar application increased total dry matter (TDM), root yield (RY), sugar yield (SY) and white yield sugar. In addition, methanol application had alleviating impacts on chickpea exposed to drought stress conditions [Hossinzadeh et al 2012]. Bagheri et al [2014] reported that spraying with 20% (v/v) methanol in lavender greatly increased leaf area, leaf fresh and dry mass.…”

The effects of spraying methanol solution and drought stress on level of antioxidant enzyme activity, growth, biomass and yield of beans (<italic>Phaseolus vulgaris</italic> L.cv.COS16)

“…Bean is a 3-carbon plant; as such, it has high tolerance to severe heat, water stress, and intense light as it breathes optically due to decreased concentration of CO 2 in the leaves and increased oxygen supply. Photorespiration can cause a 20% loss of carbon in a plant that eventually results in decreased performance (Hosseinzadeh et al, 2016). Drought stress is a typical environmental stress that has an adverse effect on the performance of bean that can be as much as 25% (Ahmadpour et al, 2015).…”

“…Many researchers have reported that application of methanol, as a source of carbon for cultivated plants, is now widespread practice (Benson and Nonomura, 1994, Downie et al, 2004, Hosseinzadeh et al, 2012. Plants are easily able to absorb methanol sprayed on leaves that is then used by the plant as a source of carbon.…”

“…Zbiec et al, (2003) observed growth of between 12% and 30% in performance level of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.); sugar beet (Bets vulgaris L.) and canola (Brassica napus L.) compared with controls by application of methanol solution spray at 30% concentration (Zbiec et al, 2003). A study on chickpea reported that methanol solution spray at 25% concentration resulted in a significant increase in all tested morphological properties (Hosseinzadeh et al, 2014). A study on tomatoes reported that methanol solution spray led to increased stalk and root weight (Rowe et al, 1994).…”

“…In response to using methanol in the cotton belt in the US, cotton production was raised by 50% as well as increased evaluations for area and diameter of leaves treated by methanol application (Nemecek-Marshall et al, 1995) A study on sugarcane reported that application of methanol increased cytokinin content . Overall, investigations have demonstrated that consumption of methanol by most cultivated plants leads to more efficient water consumption, decreased level of photorespiration, raised area and sustainability of leaves and increases performance (Rowe et al, 1994;Hosseinzadeh et al, 2012).…”