Vermicompost alkaline extract mitigates water stress in soybean plants1

Abstract

Soybean is an intensive care crop that overexploits the soil and requires great amounts of water and fertilizers. The objective of the study was to assess the potential of the vermicompost alkaline extract in mitigating water stress in soybean cultivated in greenhouse. Soybean plants were subjected to different water availability values-50, 70 and 90% of the pot holding capacity, and presence/absence of vermicompost extract at the optimal concentration of 135 mg L-1. At the end of the experiment, biometric variables of plants and enzymatic activities in root tissues were measured. The optimal extract dose of 135 mg L-1, under control (90% of pot holding capacity) and mild stress (70% of pot holding capacity) conditions increased stem and root biomass. Under severe stress (50% of pot holding capacity), it positively influenced root architecture. The biomass decreased compared to plants that did not receive the alkaline extract, whereas enzymatic activities were depleted under all the conditions.