Journal of Zhejiang Agricultural Sciences ›› 2025, Vol. 66 ›› Issue (4): 885-892.DOI: 10.16178/j.issn.0528-9017.20240312

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Effects of humic acids on the growth and drought resistance of wheat seedlings

ZHANG Yunhong1abcd(), REN Ziwen2, MAO Jiawei1ab,*(), YANG Yonghui1abcd, GAO Cuimin1abcd, HAN Weifeng1abcd, LIU Xiaoqi3   

  1. 1. a.Institute of Plant Nutrition, Agricultural Resources and Environmental Science, b. Henan Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, c.Yuanyang Experimental Station of Crop Water Use, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, d.Field Scientific Observation and Reserch Station of Water-Saving Agriculture in the Yellow River Basin of Henan Province, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Zhengzhou 453514, Henan
    2. College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan
    3. Zhengzhou Aboluo Fertilizer Co., Ltd., Xingyang 450100, Henan
  • Received:2024-04-16 Online:2025-04-11 Published:2025-05-09
  • Contact: MAO Jiawei

Abstract:

This study employed a hydroponic method to investigate the effects of different humic acid applications on wheat seedling growth and drought resistance under polyethylene glycol (PEG)-simulated drought conditions. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to construct a comprehensive evaluation index for wheat seedlings to assess the effectiveness of humic acid in promoting growth and enhancing drought resistance, aiming to screen high-activity humic acid products. The results showed that under normal growth conditions, the F8, F4, and F5 treatments achieved the highest comprehensive scores and better growth performance. Specifically, the fresh weight of the underground parts of wheat seedlings treated with F8 was significantly higher than that of CK, with an increase of 24.3%. The chlorophyll b content in the F5 and F8 treatments also increased significantly. Under drought stress, the seedling length and underground fresh weight of wheat treated with F3 were significantly higher than those of CK2, with increases of 15.4% and 10.3%, respectively. The underground fresh weight and catalase (CAT) activity of wheat treated with F4 increased significantly by 12.5% and 4.1%, respectively, compared with CK2. In contrast, the proline content in the F5 treatment decreased significantly by 72.6% compared with CK2. PCA results indicated that F8, F4, and F5 treatments were more effective in promoting wheat growth, while F3, F4, and F5 treatments performed better in alleviating drought stress. Under the experimental conditions, among the 10 humic acids tested, F4 and F5 demonstrated the best application effects.

Key words: humic acid, wheat, seedling growth, drought resistance, principal component analysis

CLC Number: