Effects of Cow Urine Biofertilizer on Anatomical and Physiological Traits of Allium cepa L. in Drought Stress
Abstract
Biofertilizers from cow urine contain various nutrients that can increase soil fertility, overcome soil nutrient deficiencies, and provide plant nutrients. In addition, it also includes multiple microorganisms that can reduce the impact of drought stress on shallot plant growth. The study aimed to analyze the effect of biofertilizers by observing the physio-anatomical characteristics of shallot plants under drought-stress conditions. This study was conducted using a factorial completely randomized design. The treatments were drought stress (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% field capacity) and urine-based biofertilizer application (0, 10, 15, and 20 L/Ha). The results showed a significant interaction, where the overall physio-anatomical characteristics of shallot plants were concurrently influenced by the combined biofertilizer and drought treatments. Specifically, the biofertilizer application increased carotenoid content (0.065 mg/g), total chlorophyll (1.342 mg/g), canopy and root water content, tuber dry matter, mesophyll thickness (181.06 µm), and vascular bundle diameter under drought stress. In contrast, flavonoid content and the number of metaxylems decreased with increasing biofertilizer dosage within this interaction. Overall, the application of biofertilizer made from cow urine suppressed the negative impact of drought stress. Keywords: anatomy, biofertilizer, drought, flavonoid, shallot