Biochar and Compost Together Boost Barley’s Drought Tolerance by Regulating Stress-Response Genes

In the face of intensifying climate change, scientists have discovered a promising soil management approach to safeguard crops from drought.
A new study published in the Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition by Emna Ghouili and colleagues demonstrates that applying compost and biochar—either alone or in combination—enhances barley’s growth, physiology, and gene-level response under drought stress.

The research tested eight treatments, including biochar, compost, and their combination, under both normal and drought conditions. Results showed that these organic amendments improved shoot growth, water retention, and chlorophyll levels, while reducing electrolyte leakage and oxidative stress.

On the biochemical front, compost and biochar treatments reduced harmful reactive oxygen species and balanced the activities of key antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). The combined application also increased proline accumulation, a critical osmoprotectant that helps plants maintain cell turgor under water deficit.

At the molecular level, the study found that biochar and compost downregulated oxidative stress genes (HvSOD, HvAPX, HvCAT) while upregulating drought tolerance genes (HvDREB, HvAP2/ERF, HvP5CS, HvPIP). Interestingly, the combined treatment induced a more moderate gene expression pattern—indicating a synergistic balance that allows plants to conserve energy while maintaining resilience.

The authors conclude that the joint use of compost and biochar provides an eco-friendly and effective strategy to strengthen crop resistance against drought—offering new hope for sustainable agriculture in arid regions.

Reference

Ghouili, E., Muhovski, Y., Hogue, R., Ouertani, R. N., Abdelkrim, S., Li, Z., Souissi, F., Jebara, S. H., Jebara, M., & Abid, G. (2025). Effects of Compost and Biochar on Barley’s Growth and Response to Drought Stress: Insights Into Osmoprotectants, Antioxidant Activity, and Gene Expression. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-025-02766-5

Share

Related posts:

Sustainable Growing Media Boosts Glasshouse Strawberry Production and Soil Health Sewage Sludge Biochar and Trichoderma afroharzianum Join Forces to Combat Tomato Root Disease Biostimulants and Smart Water Management Boost Common Bean Growth Under Drought Conditions Biochar-Enhanced Soil Treatment Cuts Antibiotic Resistance Genes by Over 59% Silicon-Enriched Biochar Offers New Pathway to Reduce Cadmium Contamination in Rice Fields