Improving the growth of Glycyrrhiza Glabra L. in saline soils using bioagent seed treatments

Abstract

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.), known for its salt and drought tolerance, presents a potential solution for addressing soil salinity and desertification challenges in arid areas. Since the natural habitat of this plant is dwindling sharply in the Aral Sea regions due to negative human interventions, so it is vital to create production technologies with biological means. This study determined the agronomic characteristics of licorice when bioagents i.e. Geohumate, Aminomax and Caliphos were used as a seed treatment. Results showed that the application of these biostimulators significantly improved seed germination and plant growth compared to the control. Especially the effect was more pronounced with Geohumate as the seed germination increased by 36.4%, whereas the impacts of Aminomax and Caliphos were 17.5% and 12.4% higher, respectively as compared to the control group. Likewise, under the open-field condition, plant growth and development were greater with the bioagent applications. In regards the root biomass, the highest record with a 29.1% increase was achieved after the Geogumat treatment, while Aminomax and Caliphos applications exhibited 24.4 and 23.9% higher values, respectively as compared to the control values. The amounts of ash, glycyrrhizic acid, extractive compounds and flavonoids were increased by 26.5%, 22.0, 9.4% and 10.4%, respectively, compared to the respective control values due to the positive effect of the Geogumat treatment. Furthermore, the improved organic and chemical contents of soil were explained by the bioremediation functions of licorice plus bioagents efficiency. Using bioagents in licorice production could be a valuable approach for maintaining ecosystem function and stability in saline lands.