Molecular hydrogen in agriculture

Zulfiqar, Faisal; Russell, Grace; Hancock, John T.

Abstract

Main conclusion: H2 gas, usually in the form of H2-saturated water, could play a useful role in improving many aspects of plant growth and productivity, including resistance to stress tolerance and improved post-harvest durability. Therefore, molecular hydrogen delivery systems should be considered as a valuable addition within agricultural practice. Abstract: Agriculture and food security are both impacted by plant stresses, whether that is directly from human impact or through climate change. A continuously increasing human population and rising food consumption means that there is need to search for agriculturally useful and environment friendly strategies to ensure future food security. Molecular hydrogen (H2) research has gained momentum in plant and agricultural science owing to its multifaceted and diverse roles in plants. H2 application can mitigate against a range of stresses, including salinity, heavy metals and drought. Therefore, knowing how endogenous, or exogenously applied, H2 enhances the growth and tolerance against numerous plant stresses will enhance our understanding of how H2 may be useful for future to agriculture and horticulture. In this review, recent progress and future implication of H2 in agriculture is highlighted, focusing on how H2 impacts on plant cell function and how it can be applied for better plant performance. Although the exact molecular action of H2 in plants remains elusive, this safe and easy to apply treatment should have a future in agricultural practice.

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Aug 15, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Aug 21, 2021
• Publication Date: Aug 21, 2021
• Deposit Date: Aug 16, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 22, 2022
• Journal: Planta
• Print ISSN: 0032-0935
• Electronic ISSN: 1432-2048
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 254
• Issue: 3
• Article Number: 56
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-021-03706-0
• Keywords: abiotic stresses; heavy metals, hydrogen rich water; oxidative stress, salinity
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7633598
• Publisher URL: https://www.springer.com/journal/425?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI07zYnZK18gIVj5ftCh0ZggDJEAAYASAAEgJuAPD_BwE