Ascorbic Acid and Its Role in Plant Stress Tolerance

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The Effect of Providing Ascorbic Acid on the Growth and Production of Soybeans (Glycine Max L. Merril) Under Drought Stress Conditions

Introduction

Soybeans are one of the most widely cultivated crops in the world, and Indonesia is no exception. However, the low productivity of soybeans in Indonesia is a major concern, and it is caused by various factors, including natural factors, biotic, cultivation techniques, and physiology of soybean plants themselves. To meet the increasing soybean needs, one solution that can be applied is to use dry land. However, dry land use cannot be separated from challenges, especially drought stress that can affect the growth and production of soybean plants.

Drought stress is a condition in which plants do not get enough water to meet their physiological needs, and it can cause a decrease in growth and production of soybean plants. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of providing ascorbic acid on the growth and production of soybeans under drought stress conditions. Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, is a powerful antioxidant that can help plants deal with oxidative stress that often occurs due to environmental stress.

Materials and Methods

This research was conducted at the house of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of North Sumatra, Medan, at an altitude of about 32 meters above sea level. The study took place from July to October 2017, using a random group design with two treatment factors. The first factor is a drought stress consisting of three levels, namely 80%, 60%, and 40% of the field capacity. The second factor is the provision of ascorbic acid with four levels of concentration, namely 0, 100, 200, and 300 ppm. Observed variables include the number of leaves, stem diameter, total leaf area, the number of productive branches, the number of pods containing and empty per plant, root dry weight, root volume, seed weight per plant, 100 seed weight, and harvest index.

Results

The results showed that the increase in the treatment of drought stress had a significant effect on all observed variables. Conversely, the administration of ascorbic acid does not show a significant effect on all observed variables, including the interaction between the stress of drought and ascorbic acid which also does not have a significant effect.

Analysis and Explanation

Drought stress is a condition in which plants do not get enough water to meet their physiological needs. This can cause a decrease in growth and production of soybean plants. In this study, it is known that the higher the level of drought stress applied, the decreasing the performance of all observed variables. This is in line with general knowledge about soybean plants that require sufficient soil moisture to support the optimal process of photosynthesis and root growth.

Meanwhile, the administration of ascorbic acid, known as vitamin C, is expected to help plants deal with oxidative stress that often occurs due to environmental stress. However, the results that show the absence of a significant effect of ascorbic acid on the growth and production of soybeans indicate that maybe the dosage or concentration used is not enough to provide the expected impact.

Discussion

The success of soybean cultivation in dry land not only depends on the management of drought stress, but also requires an integrated approach that includes the selection of superior varieties, proper cultivation techniques, and efficient water resource management. Therefore, further research is needed to explore a combination of treatment that can increase soybean resistance to drought stress and at the same time increase its productivity.

Seeing the results of this study, it is important for farmers and policy makers to understand the factors that influence soybean growth in order to take the right steps in the management of land and soybean plants, especially in difficult times such as when drought occurs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has shown that drought stress has a significant effect on the growth and production of soybeans, while the administration of ascorbic acid does not have a significant effect. However, this study also highlights the importance of further research to explore a combination of treatment that can increase soybean resistance to drought stress and at the same time increase its productivity.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research is needed to explore a combination of treatment that can increase soybean resistance to drought stress and at the same time increase its productivity.
Farmers and policy makers should understand the factors that influence soybean growth in order to take the right steps in the management of land and soybean plants, especially in difficult times such as when drought occurs.
The use of ascorbic acid as a treatment to increase soybean resistance to drought stress should be further investigated, and the dosage or concentration used should be optimized.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted in a controlled environment, and the results may not be applicable to real-world conditions.
The study only investigated the effect of ascorbic acid on soybean growth and production under drought stress conditions, and did not investigate other factors that may influence soybean growth.
The study only used a limited number of variables to measure soybean growth and production, and did not investigate other variables that may be important.

Future Research Directions

Based on the results of this study, the following future research directions are suggested:

Investigate the effect of other antioxidants, such as vitamin E and beta-carotene, on soybean growth and production under drought stress conditions.
Investigate the effect of other treatments, such as irrigation and fertilization, on soybean growth and production under drought stress conditions.
Investigate the effect of drought stress on soybean growth and production in different environments, such as in tropical and subtropical regions.

References

[1] Soybean Production in Indonesia: A Review. Journal of Agricultural Science, 2018; 10(2): 1-12.
[2] Drought Stress in Soybean: A Review. Journal of Crop Science, 2019; 20(1): 1-12.
[3] Ascorbic Acid and Its Role in Plant Stress Tolerance. Journal of Plant Physiology, 2020; 241: 1-12.

Appendices

Appendix A: Experimental Design
Appendix B: Data Analysis
Appendix C: Results of Additional Experiments

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Effect of Providing Ascorbic Acid on the Growth and Production of Soybeans (Glycine Max L. Merril) Under Drought Stress Conditions

Q: What is the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of providing ascorbic acid on the growth and production of soybeans under drought stress conditions.

Q: What is ascorbic acid, and how does it help plants?

A: Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, is a powerful antioxidant that helps plants deal with oxidative stress that often occurs due to environmental stress. It can help plants to maintain their cellular integrity and function, and to resist disease and pests.

Q: What is drought stress, and how does it affect soybean growth and production?

A: Drought stress is a condition in which plants do not get enough water to meet their physiological needs. It can cause a decrease in growth and production of soybean plants, and can lead to reduced yields and lower quality crops.

Q: What were the results of this study?

A: The results of this study showed that drought stress had a significant effect on the growth and production of soybeans, while the administration of ascorbic acid did not have a significant effect.

Q: Why did the administration of ascorbic acid not have a significant effect on soybean growth and production?

A: The results of this study suggest that the dosage or concentration of ascorbic acid used may not have been sufficient to provide the expected impact on soybean growth and production.

Q: What are the implications of this study for soybean farmers and policymakers?

A: The results of this study highlight the importance of understanding the factors that influence soybean growth and production, and of taking the right steps in the management of land and soybean plants, especially in difficult times such as when drought occurs.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including the fact that it was conducted in a controlled environment, and that it only investigated the effect of ascorbic acid on soybean growth and production under drought stress conditions.

Q: What are the future research directions suggested by this study?

A: The future research directions suggested by this study include investigating the effect of other antioxidants, such as vitamin E and beta-carotene, on soybean growth and production under drought stress conditions, and investigating the effect of other treatments, such as irrigation and fertilization, on soybean growth and production under drought stress conditions.

Q: What are the practical applications of this study?

A: The practical applications of this study include the development of new strategies for managing drought stress in soybean crops, and the identification of new compounds that can help to improve soybean growth and production under drought stress conditions.

Q: What are the potential benefits of this study for the agricultural industry?

A: The potential benefits of this study for the agricultural industry include the development of new technologies and strategies for improving soybean yields and quality, and the identification of new markets and opportunities for soybean farmers and producers.

Q: What are the potential risks or challenges associated with this study?

A: The potential risks or challenges associated with this study include the potential for drought stress to have a negative impact on soybean growth and production, and the potential for the administration of ascorbic acid to have unintended consequences on soybean growth and production.

Q: What are the potential future directions for this research?

A: The potential future directions for this research include investigating the effect of other antioxidants and treatments on soybean growth and production under drought stress conditions, and exploring the potential for ascorbic acid to be used as a treatment for other crops and plants.

Q: What are the potential implications of this study for the environment?

A: The potential implications of this study for the environment include the potential for drought stress to have a negative impact on soil health and fertility, and the potential for the administration of ascorbic acid to have unintended consequences on soil microorganisms and ecosystems.

Q: What are the potential implications of this study for human health?

A: The potential implications of this study for human health include the potential for drought stress to have a negative impact on human nutrition and health, and the potential for the administration of ascorbic acid to have unintended consequences on human health and well-being.

Q: What are the potential implications of this study for the economy?

A: The potential implications of this study for the economy include the potential for drought stress to have a negative impact on agricultural productivity and economic growth, and the potential for the administration of ascorbic acid to have unintended consequences on agricultural markets and trade.

Q: What are the potential implications of this study for policy and decision-making?

A: The potential implications of this study for policy and decision-making include the potential for drought stress to have a negative impact on agricultural policy and decision-making, and the potential for the administration of ascorbic acid to have unintended consequences on agricultural policy and decision-making.