Physiological and antioxidant response of Satureja hortensis L. inoculation with growth promoting bacteria and vermicompost under drought stress conditions

Heidarpour, Omid; Behrouz Ismailpour, Behrouz; Soltani, Ali Ashraf; Aslani, Zahra

doi:10.22034/iuvs.2024.2019400.1345

Physiological and antioxidant response of Satureja hortensis L. inoculation with growth promoting bacteria and vermicompost under drought stress conditions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Omid Heidarpour ¹

behrouz Behrouz Ismailpour ²

Ali Ashraf Soltani ³

zahra aslani ⁴

¹ Ph.D Graduate, Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture Science , Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran

² Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture Science, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran

³ Associate Professor, Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture Science, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran

⁴ Ph.D. Graduate, Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

10.22034/iuvs.2024.2019400.1345

Abstract

Extended Abstract
1. Introduction: Drought stress, as one of the main abiotic stresses, affects plant growth and performance by affecting various physiological and biochemical processes, such as membrane integrity, photosynthetic pigments, osmotic adjustments, water relations, and secondary metabolism. Drought stress in plants causes oxidative stress due to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during photosynthesis and respiration. ROS directly damage proteins, fats, nucleic acids and cell membrane, and due to the increase in membrane permeability, the rate of electrolyte leakeage and malondialdehyde increases. Plants mainly reduce the damage of these oxides by controlling the antioxidant system and regulating the content of osmosis compounds. Enzymatic antioxidant system: It includes antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxidase dismutase, peroxidase and non-enzymatic antioxidant system including compounds such as ascorbate, glutathione, as well as phenol and flavonoids. Savory (Satureja hortensis L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants that grows in different parts of the world, including Iran. Biofertilizers play a prominent role in the growth and development of plants by improving the absorption of nutrients and sufficient water through changes in the physicochemical properties of the soil. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of drought stress, plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPRS) and vermicompost on the physiological and biochemiclal traits of savory plant. In drought stress conditions, the application of organic fertilizers prevents the soil from drying out by maintaining moisture.
2. Materials and Methods: In order to investigate the effect of inoculation with Pseudomonas P15 bacteria, Streptomyces and vermicompost on some physiological and phytochemical traits of savory plant (S. hortensis L.) under drought stress conditions, a factorial experimental based on a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at the Research Farm at the Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Iran, during 2016-2017.The experimental factors include inoculation with microorganisms at three levels (control (without inoculation), inoculation with Pseudomonas P15 and Streptomyces bacteria), vermicompost at four levels (0, 1, 1.5 and 2 tons). per hectare) and drought stress in three levels (S1: full irrigation, S2: water cut at 50% of flowering and S3: water cut at the beginning of flowering).
3. Results and Discussion: The results showed that drought stress, inoculation with microorganisms and vermicompost had a significant effect on the measured traits (chlorophyll, carotenoid, RWC, protein, electrolyte leakeage, proline, and antioxidant enzymes. Under drought stress conditions, the amount of chlorophyll, carotenoid, RWC and protein decreased. While the amount of electrolyte leakeage, proline, and antioxidant enzymes increased. Also, the values of all the measured traits, except the amount of electrolyte leakeage and proline, in plants inoculated with bacteria and vermicompost application were more than non-inoculated plants. The highest and lowest values of the RWC (94.44 and 62.33 percent) were obserwed in plants inoculated with Streptomyces bacteria under non-stress conditions and in non-inoculated plants under drought stress at the beginning of flowering respectively. Also, the highest amount of chlorophyll a, b and total (25.36, 20.25 and 45.61 mg/g FW) was obtained in non-stress conditions, application of two tons per hectare of vermicompost and inoculation with Streptomyces bacteria. While the lowest amount of chlorophyll a, b and total (16.73, 9.63 and 23.69 mg/g FW) was obtained in non- inoculation plants and without application of vermicompost under drought stress at the beginning of flowering. It seems under drought stress conditions, the application of organic fertilizers prevents soil drying by maintaining moisture, thereby improving the relative water content of the leaves. Also, the use of organic fertilizers such as vermicompost improves the absorption of nitrogen that leading to greater synthesis of photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll and carotenoids.
4. Conclusion: The findings of this research showed that inoculation with growth-stimulating microorganisms and the use of vermicompost can moderate the adverse effects of water stress on the growth and performance of savory plants by maintaining chlorophyll levels and increasing antioxidant activity. According to the results of this study, it can be stated that the application of Streptomyces bacteria and 2 tons per hectare of vermicompost in the field leads to sustainable production and yield of S. hortensis under drought stress conditions by improving physiological traits.

Keywords

Catalase

Chlorophyll

Electrolyte leakage

Medicinal Plant

Proline

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