Impact of Irrigation Cessation on Physiological, Photosynthetic, and Enzymatic Activities in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at Varying Plant Densities

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36253/ijam-2774

Keywords:

drought stress, proline, soluble sugar, wheat, flavonoid

Abstract

Drought stress is one of the most critical factors reducing the performance of crop plants in arid and semi-arid regions globally, highlighting the importance of understanding underlying mechanisms to combat such stress. Therefore, this experiment aimed to investigate the effect of drought stress and planting density on the physiological characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, and enzymatic activity of wheat plants. The experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized block design with three replications. The treatments included irrigation cessation at three levels (control, irrigation until flowering (IUF), and irrigation until the roughing (IUD)), and plant density (300, 400, 500, and 600 plants m-2). The results indicated that leaf relative water content, soluble sugars, cell membrane stability index, chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids were significantly decreased at IUF treatment, while these parameters increased at higher plant densities. Additionally, the interaction of drought stress and plant density significantly affected leaf proline and flavonoid content, total chlorophyll, and catalase activity. The highest leaf proline content (3.88 mg g-1 FW) was observed in the treatment with IUF and a density of 600 plants m-2, representing a 192% increase compared to the control. Additionally, the highest total chlorophyll content (3.66 mg g-1 FW) was recorded at no-stress conditions with a density of 500 plants m-2. Under drought stress conditions, the activity of antioxidant enzymes also increased. Overall, our results indicate that a density of 500 plants m-2 is optimal for maintaining stable growth conditions in wheat. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers to develop effective agronomic strategies to mitigate drought stress, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.

References

Amoah, J.N. & Seo, Y.W. (2021). Effect of progressive drought stress on physio-biochemical responses and gene expression patterns in wheat. 3 Biotech 11(10): 440. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-021-02991-6

Bates, L.S., Waldren, R.P. & Teare, I.D. (1973). Rapid determination of free proline for water-stress studies. Plant and soil 39(1): 205–207.

Brito, C., Dinis, L.-T., Moutinho-Pereira, J. & Correia, C. (2019). Kaolin, an emerging tool to alleviate the effects of abiotic stresses on crop performance. Scientia Horticulturae 250: 310–316. Retrieved from https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0304423819301529

Carvalho, R.F., Quecini, V. & Peres, L.E.P. (2010). Hormonal modulation of photomorphogenesis-controlled anthocyanin accumulation in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv Micro-Tom) hypocotyls: Physiological and genetic studies. Plant Science 178(3): 258–264. Retrieved from https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0168945210000294

Chance, B. & Maehly, A.C. (1955). [136] Assay of catalases and peroxidases.

Dadrasi A, Chaichi M, Nehbandani A, et al (2023) Addressing food insecurity: An exploration of wheat production expansion. PLoS One 18:e0290684. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0290684

Gao, Y., Jiang, H., Wu, B., Niu, J., Li, Y., Guo, F., … Blakney, A.J.C. (2018). The effects of planting density on lodging resistance, related enzyme activities, and grain yield in different genotypes of oilseed flax. Crop Science 58(6): 2613–2622. Retrieved from https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2135/cropsci2017.08.0498

Ghadirnezhad Shiade, Seyede Roghie;, Esmaeili, M., Pirdashti, H. & Nematzade, G. (2020). Physiological and biochemical evaluation of sixth generation of rice (Oryza sativa L.) mutant lines under salinity stress. Journal of plant process and function 9(35): 57–72.

Ghadirnezhad Shiade, Seyede Roghie, Fathi, A., Taghavi Ghasemkheili, F., Amiri, E. & Pessarakli, M. (2023). Plants’ responses under drought stress conditions: Effects of strategic management approaches—a review. Journal of Plant Nutrition 46(9): 2198–2230. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2022.2105720

Ghadirnezhad Shiade, Seyede Roghie, Pirdashti, H., Esmaeili, M.A. & Nematzade, G.A. (2023). Biochemical and physiological characteristics of mutant genotypes in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Contributing to Salinity Tolerance Indices. Gesunde Pflanzen 75(2): 303–315. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10343-022-00701-7

Ghahremaninejad F, Hoseini E, Jalali S (2021) The cultivation and domestication of wheat and barley in Iran, brief review of a long history. Bot Rev 87:1–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-020-09244-w

Ghaziani S, Dehbozorgi G, Bakhshoodeh M, Doluschitz R (2023) Unraveling On-Farm Wheat Loss in Fars Province, Iran: A Qualitative Analysis and Exploration of Potential Solutions with Emphasis on Agricultural Cooperatives. Sustainability 15:12569. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/16/12569#

Hamarash H, Hamad R, Rasul A (2022) Meteorological drought in semi-arid regions: A case study of Iran. J Arid Land 14:1212–1233. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40333-022-0106-9

Hatier, J.-H.B. & Gould, K.S. (2008). Anthocyanin Function in Vegetative Organs. In Anthocyanins. New York, NY: Springer New York. Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-0-387-77335-3_1

Kibria, M.G., Hossain, M., Murata, Y. & Hoque, M.A. (2017). Antioxidant defense mechanisms of salinity tolerance in rice genotypes. Rice Science 24(3): 155–162. Retrieved from https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1672630817300203

Krizek, D.T., Britz, S.J. & Mirecki, R.M. (1998). Inhibitory effects of ambient levels of solar UV‐A and UV‐B radiation on growth of cv. New Red Fire lettuce. Physiologia Plantarum 103(1): 1–7. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1034/j.1399-3054.1998.1030101.x

Li, D., Zhang, D., Wang, H., Li, H., Fang, Q., Li, H. & Li, R. (2020). Optimized planting density maintains high wheat yield under limiting irrigation in north China Plain. International Journal of Plant Production 14(1): 107–117. Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s42106-019-00071-7

Li, F., Xie, Y., Zhang, C., Chen, X., Song, B., Li, Y., … Hu, J. (2014). Increased density facilitates plant acclimation to drought stress in the emergent macrophyte Polygonum hydropiper. Ecological Engineering 71: 66–70. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092585741400319X

Mahdi, T.A. & Hossein, A.F. (2014). Changes in Kaempferol content of Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) under water deficit stresses and planting densities. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 8(1): 30–35. Retrieved from http://academicjournals.org/journal/JMPR/article-abstract/99D05CA42447

Maria Sgherri, C.L., Loggini, B., Puliga, S. & Navari-Izzo, F. (1994). Antioxidant system in Sporobolus stapfianus: Changes in response to desiccation and rehydration. Phytochemistry 35(3): 561–565. Retrieved from https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0031942200905612

Masayasu, M. & Hiroshi, Y. (1979). A simplified assay method of superoxide dismutase activity for clinical use. Clinica Chimica Acta 92(3): 337–342. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0009898179902110

Møller, I.M., Jensen, P.E. & Hansson, A. (2007). Oxidative modifications to cellular components in plants. Annual Review of Plant Biology 58(1): 459–481. Retrieved from https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev.arplant.58.032806.103946

Molor, A., Khajidsuren, A., Myagmarjav, U. & Vanjildorj, E. (2016). Comparative analysis of drought tolerance of Medicago spp L. plants under stressed conditions. Mongolian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 19(3): 32–40.

Naroui Rad, M.R., Kadir, M.A. & Yusop, M.R. (2012). Genetic behaviour for plant capacity to produce chlorophyll in wheat (‘Triticum aestivum’) under drought stress. Australian Journal of Crop Science 6(3): 415–420.

Nasiri, A., Samdaliri, M., Rad, A.S. & Shahsavari, N. (2017). Effect of plant density on yield and physiological characteristics of six canola cultivars 249–253.

Nasirzadeh, L., Sorkhilaleloo, B., Majidi Hervan, E. & Fatehi, F. (2021). Changes in antioxidant enzyme activities and gene expression profiles under drought stress in tolerant, intermediate, and susceptible wheat genotypes. Cereal Research Communications 49(1): 83–89. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s42976-020-00085-2

Onjai-uea, N., Paengkoum, S., Taethaisong, N., Thongpea, S., Sinpru, B., Surakhunthod, J., … Paengkoum, P. (2022). Effect of cultivar, plant spacing and harvesting age on yield, characteristics, chemical composition, and anthocyanin composition of Purple Napier Grass. Animals 13(1): 10. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/1/10

Safar-Noori, M., Assaha, D.V.M. & Saneoka, H. (2018). Effect of salicylic acid and potassium application on yield and grain nutritional quality of wheat under drought stress condition. Cereal Research Communications 46(3): 558–568. Retrieved from https://www.akademiai.com/doi/10.1556/0806.46.2018.026

Seleiman, M.F., Al-Suhaibani, N., Ali, N., Akmal, M., Alotaibi, M., Refay, Y., … Battaglia, M.L. (2021). Drought stress impacts on plants and different approaches to alleviate its adverse effects. Plants 10(2): 259.

Sharma, P., Jha, A.B. & Dubey, R.S. (2019). Oxidative stress and antioxidative defense system in plants growing under abiotic stresses. In Handbook of Plant and Crop Stress, Fourth Edition. CRC press.

Shiade, S.R.G., Zand-Silakhoor, A., Fathi, A., Rahimi, R., Minkina, T., Rajput, V.D., … Chaudhary, T. (2024). Plant metabolites and signaling pathways in response to biotic and abiotic stresses: Exploring bio stimulant applications. Plant Stress 12: 100454. Retrieved from https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2667064X24001088

Taghavi Ghasemkheili, F., Jenabiyan, M., Ghadirnezhad Shiade, S.R., Pirdashti, H., Ghanbari, M.A.T., Emadi, M. & Yaghoubian, Y. (2023). Screening of some endophytic fungi strains for zinc biofortification in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 23(4): 5196–5206. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s42729-023-01392-3

van Frank, G., Rivière, P., Pin, S., Baltassat, R., Berthellot, J.-F., Caizergues, F., … Goldringer, I. (2020). Genetic diversity and stability of performance of wheat population varieties developed by participatory breeding. Sustainability 12(1): 384. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/1/384

Wagner, G.J. (1979). Content and vacuole/extravacuole distribution of neutral sugars, free amino acids, and anthocyanin in protoplasts. Plant Physiology 64(1): 88–93. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/plphys/article/64/1/88-93/6077573

Zhao, W., Liu, L., Shen, Q., Yang, J., Han, X., Tian, F. & Wu, J. (2020). Effects of water stress on photosynthesis, yield, and water use efficiency in winter wheat. Water 12(8): 2127. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/12/8/2127

Downloads

Published

2024-12-28

How to Cite

Nabati, E., Farnia, A., Jafarzadeh Kenarsari, M., & Nakhjavan, S. (2024). Impact of Irrigation Cessation on Physiological, Photosynthetic, and Enzymatic Activities in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at Varying Plant Densities. Italian Journal of Agrometeorology, (2), 23–35. https://doi.org/10.36253/ijam-2774

Issue

No. 2 (2024)

Section

RESEARCH ARTICLES

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Ezatollah Nabati, Amin Farnia, Mojtaba Jafarzadeh Kenarsari, Shahram Nakhjavan

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Licence and copyright agreement for IJAM

(revised October 2020)

The following licence and copyright agreement is valid for any article published by IJAM.

Author’s certification

By submitting the manuscript, the authors certify the following:

  • They are authorized by their co-authors to enter into these arrangements.
  • The work described has not been published before (except in the form of an abstract or proceedings-type publication – including discussion papers – or as part of a published lecture or thesis); it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere; and its publication has been approved by all the author(s) and by the responsible authorities – tacitly or explicitly – of the institutes where the work was carried out.
  • They have secured the right to reproduce any material that has already been published or copyrighted elsewhere.
  • They agree to the following licence and copyright agreement:

Copyright

  • The copyright of any article is retained by the author(s). More information on the transfer of copyright can be found below.
  • Authors grant our journals a licence to publish the article and identify itself as the original publisher.
  • Authors grant any third party the right to use the article freely under the stipulation that the original authors are given credit and the appropriate citation details are mentioned.
  • The article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Unless otherwise stated, associated published material is distributed under the same licence.

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License

Anyone is free to share — to copy, distribute, and transmit the work to remix — to adapt the work under the following conditions:

  • Attribution — The original authors must be given credit.
  • For any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the licence terms of this work are.
  • Any of these conditions can be waived if the copyright holders give permission.
  • Nothing in this licence impairs or restricts the author’s moral rights. The full legal code of this licence.