Researchers have unveiled a sustainable strategy to combat drought stress in Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) using natural, food-based biostimulants — diluted bee honey (DBH) and diluted lemon fruit juice (DLFJ). Conducted under full (100% ETc) and deficit (60% ETc) irrigation conditions, the study evaluated these treatments’ impact on plant physiology, antioxidant defense, and yield.
Results showed that DBH-4% treatment was most effective, significantly improving chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, relative water content, and membrane stability. The treatment also elevated osmoprotectant compounds (such as proline and glycine betaine) and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase.
Notably, DBH-4% reduced oxidative stress markers like malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide, while boosting green pod yield and nutrient accumulation under water-limited conditions. Lemon juice treatments also improved stress responses but were comparatively less potent.
The authors conclude that diluted bee honey at 4% concentration serves as a potent, eco-friendly biostimulant, offering a cost-effective and natural means to enhance drought resilience and productivity in legumes. This finding could transform sustainable agriculture by reducing dependency on synthetic agrochemicals and promoting bio-based crop fortification under climate-induced stress.
Reference
Belal, H. E. E., Elkelish, A., Zaid, M. M., Alhudhaibi, A., El-Roby, M. S. A., Abd Elmohsen, Y. H., Abeed, A. H. A., Ukozehasi, C., Rady, M. M., & Sayed, A. A. S. (2025). Novel biostimulants-mediate tolerance to drought stress in Phaseolus vulgaris plants by optimizing osmoprotectants and antioxidant defense systems. Botanical Studies, 66(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40529-025-00483-x
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