Exogenously applied nicotinic acid alleviates drought stress by enhancing morpho-physiological traits and antioxidant defense mechanisms in wheat

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety Vol. 263; p. 115350
• Main Authors: Khurshid, Nouman, Bukhari, Muhammad Adnan, Ahmad, Tanveer, Ahmad, Zahoor, Jatoi, Wajid Nasim, Abbas, Syed Mohsin, Latif, Amir, Raza, Amber, Aurangzaib, Muhammad, Hashem, Abeer, Avila-Quezada, Graciela Dolores, Abd_Allah, Elsayed Fathi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 15.09.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Drought tolerance; Nicotinic acid; Physiological traits, Water relations, Wheat; Drought tolerance; Nicotinic acid; Physiological traits, Water relations, Wheat
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115350

Across the globe, the frequent occurrence of drought spells has significantly undermined the sustainability of modern high-input farming systems, particularly those focused on staple crops like wheat. To ameliorate the deleterious impacts of drought through a biologically viable and eco-friendly approach, a study was designed to explore the effect of nicotinic acid on different metabolic, and biochemical processes, growth and yield of wheat under optimal moisture and drought stress (DS). The current study was comprised of different levels of nicotinic acid applied as foliar spray (0 g L−1, 0.7368, 1.477, 2.2159 g L−1) and fertigation (0.4924, 0.9848, and 1.4773 g L−1) under normal conditions and imposed drought by withholding water at anthesis stage. The response variables were morphological traits such as roots and shoots characteristics, yield attributes, grain and biological yields along with biosynthesis of antioxidants. The results revealed that nicotinic acid dose of 2.2159 g L−1 out-performed rest of treatments under both normal and DS. The same treatment resulted in the maximum root growth (length, fresh and dry weights, surface area, diameter) and shoot traits (length, fresh and dry weights) growth. Additionally, foliar applied nicotinic acid (2.2159 g L−1) also produced as the highest spike length, grains spike−1, spikelet’s spike−1 and weight of 1000 grains. Moreover, these better yield attributes led to significantly higher grain yield and biological productivity of wheat. Likewise in terms of physiological growth of wheat under DS, the same treatment remained superior by recording the highest SPAD value, relative water content, water potential of leaves, leaf area, stomatal conductance (292 mmolm−2S−1), internal carbon dioxide concentration, photosynthesis and transpiration rate. Interestingly, exogenously applied nicotinic acid remained effective in triggering the antioxidant system of wheat by recording significantly higher catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase. [Display omitted] •Nicotinic acid enhances morpho-physiological traits, promoting better adaptation to water scarcity.•Wheat plants treated with nicotinic acid exhibit improved growth and development under drought conditions.•The application of nicotinic acid hold potential to enhance drought tolerance in wheat, with potential implications for agricultural productivity in water-limited environments.