How Biostimulants and Copper Fungicides Help Cotton Resist Cold Stress

Jenn Hoskins
2nd July, 2024

How Biostimulants and Copper Fungicides Help Cotton Resist Cold Stress

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study, conducted in Türkiye, investigated how biostimulants and a copper-containing fungicide can help cotton seedlings cope with low-temperature stress
  • Both animal-derived and seaweed-based biostimulants, as well as the copper-containing fungicide, improved the growth and health of cotton seedlings under cold conditions
  • These treatments increased seedling weight, plant height, stem diameter, and chlorophyll content, suggesting better overall plant health and stress tolerance
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), a key crop in tropical and subtropical regions, is highly vulnerable to low temperatures throughout its growth cycle. This vulnerability poses a significant challenge to cotton productivity. A recent study conducted by Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University aimed to investigate the potential of various biostimulants and a copper-containing fungicide in mitigating low-temperature stress in cotton seedlings[1]. The study evaluated three different doses of animal-derived biostimulant Isabion® (0.25%, 0.50%, and 1.00%), seaweed-based biostimulant Proton® (0.165%, 0.330%, and 0.660%), and a copper-containing fungicide. Cotton cultivar Lazer seedlings at the four true leaves (V4) stage were exposed to a low temperature of 5°C for 48 hours. Researchers examined changes in several morphological and physiological parameters, including seedling fresh and dry weight, plant height, stem diameter, leaf temperature, chlorophyll content, relative water content, electrolyte leakage, and relative injury. Low temperatures can cause significant damage to cotton plants, reducing their biomass, photosynthetic rate, and overall productivity. This aligns with previous findings where low temperature and soil salinization during cotton sowing and seedling stages adversely affected cotton productivity[2]. In that study, exogenous melatonin (MT) was found to alleviate damage caused by non-biological stress, improving the growth conditions of crops under stress. Similarly, the current study explores the potential of biostimulants and fungicides to mitigate low-temperature stress. The results of the study indicated that both the animal-derived and seaweed-based biostimulants, as well as the copper-containing fungicide, had positive effects on the cotton seedlings under low-temperature stress. Specifically, the application of these treatments resulted in increased seedling fresh and dry weight, improved plant height and stem diameter, and enhanced chlorophyll content. These improvements suggest that the biostimulants and fungicide helped maintain better physiological conditions in the plants, even under stress. The study's findings are consistent with earlier research that highlighted the importance of maintaining ion homeostasis and reducing oxidative damage in plants under stress conditions[2]. For instance, the application of exogenous melatonin was shown to regulate antioxidant enzyme activity, ion transport, and absorption, thereby reducing membrane damage and improving stress tolerance in cotton seedlings[2]. Similarly, the current study found that the biostimulants and fungicide helped maintain relative water content and reduce electrolyte leakage and relative injury in the cotton seedlings. Additionally, previous research has demonstrated that plants face a combination of different abiotic stresses under field conditions, which can be lethal to plant growth and production[3]. The combination of chilling and drought stresses, for example, has been shown to alter morphological, physiological, and molecular responses in plants, leading to significant reductions in growth and yield. The current study's focus on low-temperature stress adds to this body of knowledge by providing insights into how biostimulants and fungicides can help mitigate such stress in cotton plants. The mechanisms by which the biostimulants and fungicide exert their effects are likely multifaceted. For example, the seaweed-based biostimulant Proton® may enhance the photosynthetic efficiency and light energy utilization of the plants, similar to how silicon nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs) were found to improve photosynthesis and growth in cotton seedlings under salt and low-temperature stress[4]. The animal-derived biostimulant Isabion® could be enhancing nutrient uptake and metabolic activity, contributing to better overall plant health. In conclusion, the study conducted by Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University provides valuable insights into the potential of biostimulants and fungicides to mitigate low-temperature stress in cotton seedlings. The findings suggest that these treatments can improve various morphological and physiological parameters, helping to maintain better growth conditions under stress. This research builds on previous studies that have explored the effects of different stressors on cotton plants and highlights the importance of developing effective strategies to enhance stress tolerance in crops.

AgricultureBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) The ability of biostimulants and copper-containing fungicide to protect cotton against chilling stress

Published 1st July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s42397-024-00183-0

Related Studies

2) Foliar Application of Melatonin Positively Affects the Physio-Biochemical Characteristics of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under the Combined Effects of Low Temperature and Salinity Stress.

https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12213730

3) Chilling and Drought Stresses in Crop Plants: Implications, Cross Talk, and Potential Management Opportunities.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.00393

4) Regulatory effects of silicon nanoparticles on the growth and photosynthesis of cotton seedlings under salt and low-temperature dual stress.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-023-04509-z


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