Investigating the combined effects of β-sitosterol and biochar on nutritional value and drought tolerance in Phaseolus vulgaris under drought stress.

Fakhr, Marwa A.; Abu-Elsaoud, Abdelghafar M.; Alharbi, Khadiga; Zia-ur-Rehman, Muhammad; Usman, Muhammad; Soliman, Mona H.

Climate change-induced drought stress decreases crop productivity, but the application of β-sitosterol (BS) and biochar (BC) boosts crop growth and yield. A pot experiment was conducted to examine the effects of the alone and combined application of BS and BC on the growth and yield of Phaseolus vulgaris under drought stress. The synergistic application of BS and BC increased plant height (46.9 cm), shoot dry weight (6.9 g/pot), and root dry weight (2.5 g/pot) of P. vulgaris plants under drought stress. The trend of applied treatments for photosynthetic rate remained as BC (15%) < BS (28%) < BC + BS (32%), compared to drought-stressed control. Similarly, the trend of applied treatments for water use efficiency was BS < BC < BC + BS, compared to drought stress control. The levels of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide were reduced by the combined application of BS and BC under drought stress, measuring at 22.8 and 66.4 μmol/g fresh weight, respectively. The combined use of BS and BC significantly alleviated drought stress more than when applied individually. Thus, employing BS and BC together as key agents in drought-stressed common bean plants could promote resilience, fostering growth amid ongoing climate change. Co-applying β-sitosterol and biochar improved drought resilience in Phaseolus vulgaris. Nutrient uptake and biochemical metrics increased in P. vulgaris with the combined effect of β-sitosterol and biochar. This approach enhances growth parameters, suggesting resilience to climate change.

WATER efficiency; AGRICULTURAL climatology; NUTRIENT uptake; DROUGHT tolerance; CROP growth

Functional Plant Biology, 2024, Vol 51, Issue 9, p1

1445-4408

Academic Journal

10.1071/FP24023