Mushtaq, T., Bano, A. & Ullah, A. Effects of Rhizospheric Microbes, Growth Regulators, and BiocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More in Modulating Antioxidant Machinery of Plants Under Stress. J Plant Growth Regul(2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-024-11548-9

Climate change exacerbates the biotic (pests, pathogens) and abiotic (drought, heat) stresses that plants face, threatening agricultural productivity and sustainability. A major consequence of these stresses is oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance in the production and detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS). While ROS play a natural role in cell signaling, their excessive accumulation damages cells and hampers plant growth.

Plants counter oxidative stress through their antioxidant defense systems, which can be enhanced by external and internal interventions. For example, plant growth regulators (PGRs), such as salicylic acid, help manage ROS levels and activate systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Similarly, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) enhance antioxidant defenses and induce systemic resistance (ISR), offering an eco-friendly method to strengthen plant resilience.

Biochar, a carbon-rich soil amendmentA soil amendment is any material added to the soil to enhance its physical or chemical properties, improving its suitability for plant growth. Biochar is considered a soil amendment as it can improve soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity.   More, further supports plant stress management by improving soil health and creating habitats for beneficial rhizosphere microbes. This fosters PGPR activity, amplifying its positive effects. However, the use of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) like silver and zinc, while beneficial for their antioxidant properties, can also contribute to ROS overproduction, requiring careful application.

Combining strategies—such as applying biochar, PGRs, and PGPR—offers a promising path to mitigate oxidative stress and improve plant resilience. These approaches, both individually and synergistically, hold potential for addressing agricultural challenges in a changing climate.