Information from the abstract
Introduction Water scarcity and increasing drought frequency constrain wheat production in arid and semi-arid regions, highlighting the need for soil-based strategies that can sustain crop performance under limited water availability. Methods This study evaluated the effects of nanoclay (CN), calcium alginate (CG), and CN–CG composite formulations on wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) grown under greenhouse conditions. Plants were maintained at 60% water-holding capacity (WHC) under well-watered conditions or 20% WHC under drought. Growth traits, canopy proxy traits, leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and spectral indices were measured to assess integrated plant responses. Results Drought markedly reduced shoot fresh weight, canopy proxy traits, and net CO 2 assimilation in the untreated control. Under drought conditions, CN (0.5%) showed the strongest buffering effect on canopy development and growth, whereas CNG 31 (0.5%) and CG (0.5%) maintained the highest net CO 2 assimilation and instantaneous water-use efficiency relative to the stressed control. Photochemical stress indicators showed weaker treatment-related variation than gas-exchange traits, indicating that the amendments reduced the severity of drought responses but did not fully prevent physiological stress. Type II ANOVA confirmed significant effects of water regime, treatment group, and their interaction on growth traits (P ≤ 0.01), indicating that amendment effects were most pronounced under drought. Conclusion Nanoclay, calcium alginate, and composite formulations attenuated short-term vegetative and physiological drought responses in greenhouse-grown wheat. These findings identify promising amendment candidates for further validation under field conditions, including root traits, dry biomass, grain yield, seasonal water productivity, amendment persistence, and cost-benefit assessment.
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Related topics: Polymer-Based Agricultural Enhancements · Plant Stress Responses and Tolerance · Plant Growth Enhancement Techniques
Thai researcher and institutional participation
Khalifa M. Alteneiji · Razan F. Alhammadi · Lamya Alsuwaidi · Walid Abo Baker · Mohammad A. Al-Faqieh · Department of Livestock Development
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