The application potential of mepiquat chloride in soybean: improvement of yield characteristics and drought resistance

Abstract

Abstract Background Drought can result in yield losses, the application of plant growth regulators is an effective measure to improve drought resistance and yield. The objective of the study was to explore the application potential of mepiquat chloride (MC) in regulating soybean yield and drought resistance. Methods In this study, a three-year field experiment was designed and combined with drought experiments to measure the yield of popularized varieties during 2021–2022 and drought-resistant and drought-sensitive varieties were selected, and planted in the field in 2023. Results MC increased the yield of HN84 and HN87 for two consecutive years from 2021 to 2022 and improved their physiological characteristics under field conditions. Under M200 treatment, the yield of HN84 increased by 6.93% and 9.46%, and HN87 increased by 11.11% and 15.72%. Different concentrations of MC have different effects on soybeans. The maximum increase of SOD, POD and proline in HN84 under M400 treatment reached 71.92%, 63.26% and 71.54%, respectively; the maximum increase of SOD, POD and proline in HN87 under M200 treatment reached 21.96%, 93.49% and 40.45%, respectively. In 2023, the foliar application of MC improved the physiological characteristics of HN44 and HN65 under drought-stress conditions. On the eighth day of drought treatment, compared to the drought treatment, the leaf and root dry weight of HN44 under M100 treatment increased by 17.91% and 32.76%, respectively; the dry weight of leaves and roots of HN65 increased by 20.74% and 29.29% under M200 treatment, respectively. MC also reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content, decreased antioxidant enzyme activity and proline content. In addition, different concentrations of MC increased the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fs, Fv/Fm, YII, and SPAD). In the field, the plant height of the two varieties decreased significantly, the yield increased, the number of two-grain and three-grain pods increased, and the stem length at the bottom and middle decreased with MC induction. Conclusions The application of 100–200 mg/L MC effectively improved drought resistance and increased yield. This study provided support for the rational application of MC in soybean production.