Fertilizers Improve Enzyme Activity and Reduce Salt Stress on West Indian Cherry

Jenn Hoskins
8th August, 2024

Fertilizers Improve Enzyme Activity and Reduce Salt Stress on West Indian Cherry

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study took place at the Universidade Federal de Campina Grande and focused on West Indian cherry plants
  • Proper NPK fertilization can help plants manage salt stress by balancing antioxidant enzyme activity
  • The fertilization combination FC5 (100-80-100% NPK) was particularly effective in reducing the negative effects of salinity
Salt stress is a significant challenge in agriculture, impairing plant growth and causing various physiological and biochemical disorders. However, proper fertilization can improve the nutritional status of plants and mitigate the harmful effects of salt stress. A recent study conducted by researchers at the Universidade Federal de Campina Grande aimed to evaluate the impact of different combinations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilization on antioxidant activity and the accumulation of organic and inorganic solutes in West Indian cherry leaves during the second year of production[1]. The study employed a randomized block experimental design with treatments distributed in a 10 × 2 factorial arrangement. This setup included ten fertilization combinations (FC) of NPK and two levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (ECw) (0.6 and 4.0 dS m-1), with three replications. The fertilization combinations ranged from 80% to 140% of the recommended NPK doses, allowing the researchers to assess the effects of varying nutrient levels on the plants under different salinity conditions. Multivariate analysis revealed that irrigation with water of different electrical conductivities resulted in distinct responses concerning enzyme activity, production of organic compounds, and accumulation of inorganic solutes in the leaves. Under low salinity conditions (0.6 dS m-1), there was a greater accumulation of potassium (K+), soluble carbohydrates, and proline, along with lower activity of antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Conversely, high salinity water (4.0 dS m-1) led to increased enzyme activity and higher concentrations of sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-). The findings indicate that West Indian cherry plants respond to salinity stress primarily through redox homeostasis rather than osmotic homeostasis. Redox homeostasis involves maintaining a balance between the production and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to prevent oxidative damage. The study found that fertilization combination FC5 (100-80-100%, corresponding to 200, 24, and 80 g plant-1 of NPK) was particularly effective in modulating the activity of SOD and APX, thereby attenuating the impacts of salinity and preserving redox homeostasis in the plants. These results align with previous studies that have highlighted the significance of nutrient management in enhancing plant tolerance to salt stress. For instance, a study on wheat demonstrated that improved nitrogen supplementation could increase photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and internal CO2 concentration, ultimately leading to better salinity tolerance[2]. Another study on tomato plants showed that the application of a bio-stimulant called Wuxal amino improved morphological traits, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant enzyme activity under salt stress, thereby reducing oxidative damage[3]. Moreover, the role of phosphorus in plant stress responses has been well-documented. Phosphorus is essential for various fundamental processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, and membrane phospholipid synthesis. Plants have evolved complex signaling pathways to cope with phosphorus deficiency, enhancing their ability to acquire and utilize phosphorus efficiently[4]. The current study's focus on NPK fertilization combinations underscores the importance of a balanced nutrient supply in mitigating salt stress. Additionally, exogenous application of proline, an amino acid, has been shown to improve salt stress tolerance in various plant species by enhancing antioxidant activities and reducing Na+ and Cl- uptake[5]. The accumulation of proline observed in the West Indian cherry plants under low salinity conditions further supports the role of compatible solutes in stress mitigation. In conclusion, the study conducted by the Universidade Federal de Campina Grande provides valuable insights into the role of NPK fertilization in enhancing the salinity tolerance of West Indian cherry plants. By modulating antioxidant enzyme activity and maintaining redox homeostasis, specific fertilization combinations, particularly FC5, can effectively mitigate the adverse effects of salt stress. These findings contribute to a growing body of research emphasizing the importance of nutrient management in improving crop resilience under challenging environmental conditions.

AgricultureBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) NPK fertilization modulates enzyme activity and mitigates the impacts of salinity on West Indian cherry.

Published 7th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.282616

Related Studies

2) Nitrogen availability prevents oxidative effects of salinity on wheat growth and photosynthesis by up-regulating the antioxidants and osmolytes metabolism, and secondary metabolite accumulation.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-019-2085-3

3) Wuxal amino (Bio stimulant) improved growth and physiological performance of tomato plants under salinity stress through adaptive mechanisms and antioxidant potential.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.04.040

4) Recent insights into the metabolic adaptations of phosphorus-deprived plants.

https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/eraa482

5) How Does Proline Treatment Promote Salt Stress Tolerance During Crop Plant Development?

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.01127


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