The response of morphological and physiological parameters of Hordeum Sativum L. and Panicum Miliaceum L. under the effect of drought stress at different fertilization

Abstract

Drought is considered as one of most often occurring consequences of global climate change as well as one of the biggest threats to ecology and agricultural systems. The stress of drought may be harmful to various plant functions; however, the most visible impact is reduced carbon fixation which decreases photosynthesis and results in reduction of harvest productivity. Thus, it is very important to find measures which would help to increase plant resistance and preserve the productiveness of the harvest. Thus, this research is aiming to investigate the impact of different fertilizers on spring barley (Hordeum sativum L.) and proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) resistance under the impact of drought. Seeds have been planted into pots with already prepared sand and neutralized peat substrate. The organic („DCM“) and mineral („YaraMila complex“) fertilizers have been added for the first time during the planting stage and the second time after 19 days. The first spraying with leave fertilizer („Aton AZ“) was executed when plants had two real leaves – after 15 days, the second – four days after the first spraying, the third – 8 days after the last spraying. The stress of drought has lasted for 10 days. At the end of the experiment morphometric and physiological parameters have been measured. The fertilizer impact on morphometric indicators of barley and millet has been stronger than the one of drought. However, drought had much stronger effect on photosynthesis indicators. The results show that drought has reduced the rate of photosynthesis in barley; however, a low and insignificant reduction of photosynthetic rate and only after applying organic fertilizer has been detected in millet. The transpiration rate and intercellular CO2 concentration have also significantly lowered in plants at drought impact.[...]