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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0BMC Plant Biology

Biochar-mediated modulation of drought tolerance and antioxidant defense in Desi and Kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

  • Kübra Yıldız1
  • Dilara Ulusal Sevimli2
  • Eray Şimşek3
  • Sertan Çevik1
  1. 1Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Türkiye
  2. 2Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Türkiye
  3. 3Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Türkiye
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Abstract

Background: Drought stress severely impairs chickpea productivity through osmotic imbalance and oxidative damage. This study evaluated the efficacy of soil-applied biochar (0%, 1.5%, and 3% v/v) in enhancing the drought tolerance of two contrasting chickpea genotypes (Desi and Kabuli) subjected to varying moisture regimes (100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% field capacity).

Results: The 1.5% biochar application provided the most effective physiological and biochemical balance under severe water deficit. It sustained osmotic adjustment by improving leaf relative water content (up to 12%) and modulating proline accumulation. Furthermore, biochar activated reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging mechanisms, upregulating key antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, APX, GR) and modifying specific isoenzyme profiles. This coordinated response reduced lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) by ~ 36% under extreme stress. Genotypically, Desi exhibited strong inherent structural resilience, whereas Kabuli demonstrated high enzymatic plasticity.

Conclusions: Biochar appears to function as a biochemical modulator enhancing drought tolerance in chickpea via coordinated osmotic adjustment and targeted ROS scavenging. Integrating appropriate biochar doses shows strong potential as a sustainable agronomic strategy to support crop resilience in vulnerable semi-arid agroecosystems.

Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-026-09512-8.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{yıldız2026biocharmediated,
  title = {{Biochar-mediated modulation of drought tolerance and antioxidant defense in Desi and Kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)}},
  author = {Kübra Yıldız and Dilara Ulusal Sevimli and Eray Şimşek and Sertan Çevik},
  journal = {BMC Plant Biology},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.1186/s12870-026-09512-8},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-026-09512-8},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Biochar-mediated modulation of drought tolerance and antioxidant defense in Desi and Kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
AU  - Kübra Yıldız
AU  - Dilara Ulusal Sevimli
AU  - Eray Şimşek
AU  - Sertan Çevik
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/01
JO  - BMC Plant Biology
DO  - 10.1186/s12870-026-09512-8
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-026-09512-8
AB  - Background: Drought stress severely impairs chickpea productivity through osmotic imbalance and oxidative damage. This study evaluated the efficacy of soil-applied biochar (0%, 1.5%, and 3% v/v) in enhancing the drought tolerance of two contrasting chickpea genotypes (Desi and Kabuli) subjected to varying moisture regimes (100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% field capacity).  Results: The 1.5% biochar application provided the most effective physiological and biochemical balance under severe water deficit. It sustained osmotic adjustment by improving leaf relative water content (up to 12%) and modulating proline accumulation. Furthermore, biochar activated reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging mechanisms, upregulating key antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, APX, GR) and modifying specific isoenzyme profiles. This coordinated response reduced lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) by ~ 36% under extreme stress. Genotypically, Desi exhibited strong inherent structural resilience, whereas Kabuli demonstrated high enzymatic plasticity.  Conclusions: Biochar appears to function as a biochemical modulator enhancing drought tolerance in chickpea via coordinated osmotic adjustment and targeted ROS scavenging. Integrating appropriate biochar doses shows strong potential as a sustainable agronomic strategy to support crop resilience in vulnerable semi-arid agroecosystems.  Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-026-09512-8.
SN  - 1471-2229
ER  -