Role of Vermicompost and Perlite for Sustainable Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Growth under Drought Stress

Abstract

Drought is the most drastic abiotic factor that restricts plant growth and harms wheat production. Under changing climatic scenarios, water scarcity is a severe danger to wheat production, particularly in dry and semi-arid countries. The effect of vermicompost and perlite on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth under water stress was investigated in a pot experiment. At the vegetative stage, growth characteristics were evaluated. In comparison to the control, vermicompost and perlite increased shoot length 41% and 30.31%, shoot fresh weight 20.43% and 18.99%, shoot dry weight 56.84% and 59.4%, root length 33% and 16%, root fresh weight 89.37% and 8.61%, root dry weight 40.18% and 7.24%, leaves fresh weight 51.92% and 12.17%, leaves dry weight 59.48% and 21.47%, and leaf area 43.81% and 36.89%. In contrast to the drought, vermicompost and perlite increased shoot length 41% and 38.8%, shoot fresh weight 46.16% and 65%, shoot dry weight 88.34% and 84.1 root fresh weight 62.96% and 35.23%, root dry weight 40.05% and 9.99% leaves fresh weight 95.28% and 42.32%, leaves dry weight 59.48% and 21.47% and leaf area 43.81% and 36.89% but decrease in root length 40.05% and 9.99%. Under water stress, vermicompost and perlite can help wheat grow better.

Keywords: Drought; Perlite; Vermicompost; Wheat