Long-Term Lime and Phosphogypsum Amended-Soils Alleviates the Field Drought Effects on Carbon and Antioxidative Metabolism of Maize by Improving Soil Fertility and Root Growth
João William Bossolani, Carlos Alexandre Costa Crusciol, Ariani Garcia, Luiz Gustavo Moretti, José Roberto Portugal, Vitor Alves Rodrigues, Mariley de Cássia da Fonseca, Juliano Carlos Calonego, Telmo Jorge Carneiro Amado, André Rodrigues dos Reis
Abstract
-S. Amendment with LPG increased root development at greater depths and improved maize plant nutrition. These combined effects increased the concentrations of photosynthetic pigments and gas exchange even under low water availability. Furthermore, the activities of Rubisco, sucrose synthase and antioxidative enzymes were improved, thereby reducing oxidative stress. These improvements in the physiological performance of maize plants led to higher GY. Overall, the findings support combining soil amendments as an important strategy to increase soil fertility and ensure crop yield in regions where periods of drought occur during the cultivation cycle.