Combined application of nano-magnesium oxide and humic acid improves potato drought tolerance and soil health.
Zhang B, Yuan Z, Liu Y, Wang J, Rehman M
Drought Resilience
Growing potatoes through a dry summer just got more tractable — two affordable soil and foliar amendments can meaningfully close the yield gap when rainfall falls short.
Researchers grew potatoes under serious drought conditions and tested whether two treatments — humic acid mixed into the soil and a magnesium spray on the leaves — could help the plants cope. Together, these treatments kept the plants greener, reduced internal stress damage, and produced better tubers than untreated drought-stressed plants. The soil itself also became healthier, showing more biological activity when both treatments were used.
Key Findings
Drought stress (40% field capacity) significantly reduced plant height, biomass, chlorophyll, and tuber starch and protein while raising oxidative stress markers like malondialdehyde (MDA).
Combined application of humic acid (2000 mg/kg soil) and nano-MgO at 60 mg/L produced the greatest recovery in tuber yield, antioxidant enzyme activity, and osmotic regulation under drought.
Soil enzyme activities were significantly improved by the combined treatment, indicating enhanced soil biological health alongside plant performance gains.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Adding humic acid to soil and spraying nano-magnesium oxide on potato leaves together significantly reduced drought damage, improving yields, leaf health, and soil vitality even under severe water restriction.
Abstract Preview
Drought is a major threat to crop production. Although different biostimulants and nano-fertilizers have shown potential to mitigate drought stress, their combined effects remain poorly understood....
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The potato is a starchy tuberous vegetable native to the Americas that is consumed as a staple food in many parts of the world. Potatoes are underground stem tubers of the plant Solanum tuberosum, a perennial in the nightshade family Solanaceae.