Effect of Atriplex halimus extract as a biostimulant on physiological and biochemical regulation in faba bean plants.

Abstract This study investigated the effect of Atriplex halimus extract on faba bean plants (Vicia faba). Three different concentrations (0.1% 0.25%, and 0.5%) of Atriplex halimus extract were applied. The obtained results indicated that the tested extract had a positive effect on several physiological and biochemical parameters of the tested plants, which led to enhancing their growth. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in plant metabolites and photosynthetic pigments content was observed in the treated plants. Furthermore, Atriplex halimus extract significantly improved the activities of enzymes involved in the activation of the carbon-nitrogen enzymatic system; including, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31), isocitrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.42), Glutamine Synthase (EC 6.3.1.2) glutathione-S-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18), glutathione reductase (EC 1.8.1.7). This effect was more pronounced in plants treated with 0.25% of Atriplex halimus extract. Altogether, our results suggest that the application of the tested extract could be used as a promising plant growth biostimulant to improve faba bean plants’ growth and yield.