Effects of different irrigation regimes and biochar applications on pollen and anther development in capsicum annuum plant

Abstract

Water scarcity is an escalating global challenge that severely threatens productivity and reproductive success in crops, particularly in drought-sensitive species such as Capsicum annuum L. Although deficit irrigation strategies are widely recommended to enhance water use efficiency, knowledge remains limited regarding their interactions with soil amendments such as biochar and the consequent impacts on reproductive traits. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of deficit irrigation strategies and biochar application on pollen viability and morphology in Capsicum annuum. The experiment was conducted under full, partial, and deficit irrigation regimes with and without biochar treatment, following a randomized block design. The primary parameters examined were pollen viability (viable, semi-viable, and non-viable rates), anther width and length, and pollen width and length. Microscopic measurements and statistical analyses (p <= 0.05) revealed significant effects of both irrigation regimes and biochar applications. Under deficit irrigation, viable, semi-viable, and non-viable pollen rates were 29.84%, 32.95%, and 37.21%, respectively, whereas the highest viable pollen rate was observed under full irrigation. In partial irrigation, viable pollen accounted for 31.67%, semi-viable for 38.81%, and non-viable for 29.49%. In plots treated with biochar under partial irrigation, anther width (1700.89 mu m), anther length (3805.34 mu m), pollen width (26.93 mu m), and pollen length (37.42 mu m) reached the highest values, while the lowest values were recorded in deficit irrigation plots without biochar. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating biochar into irrigation management to mitigate the adverse effects of water stress on pollen development. Nevertheless, further research is needed to clarify the long-term implications of these practices for reproductive success and agricultural sustainability.