Mitigation of drought stress on three summer crop species using the superabsorbent composite Gelatin-g-p(AA-co-AM)/RH

ABSTRACT

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the capacity of superabsorbent composite (SAP) Gelatin-g-p(AA-co-AM)/RH to improve the performance of rice, maize, and peanut against terminal water stress. For each crop, pots (60 x 40 cm) were divided into two groups, the first comprised 12 SAP-free pots (control) and the second comprised 12 SAP-amended pots (0.5% w/w). After seed sowing, pots received four water regimes (100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% field capacity). Pots were watered according to the specified FC once a week along the growing season. Drought caused the significant reduction in growth and yield of tested crops; however, electrolytes leakage, malondialdehyde, free sugars, amino acids, proline, glycinebetaine, phenolics,  and flavonoids contents were increased. SAP improved growth and yield by reducing drought deteriorations, compatible osmolytes,  and antioxidant molecules. Meanwhile, SAP-induced accumulation of starch and soluble proteins, resulting in better survival, yield, and phytochemical attributes. Generally, SAP could enhance summer crops performance under water stress.

KEYWORDS:

• Superabsorbent polymer
• water stress
• osmoregulators
• crop yield
• drought resistance

Acknowledgments

The authors extend their appreciation to the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) for funding this work through research project entitled “Superabsorbent polymer composite for agricultural applications” (Project ID: 5842).

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Science and Technology Development Fund [5842].