Promoting wheat and barley growth under drought stress: YSU researcher's project secures funding

YSU senior laboratory assistant Sakshi Satish Singh is studying a natural method for stimulating crop growth. The researcher notes that soil salinization and water scarcity (such as drought conditions) limit agricultural productivity and long-term sustainability. She is convinced that upon completion of the study, she will propose a natural and affordable approach that improves soil conditions and enhances crop adaptability to harsh environmental conditions.

The scientific project titled "The Role of Biochar in Enhancing the Morpho-Physiological and Biochemical Resilience of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under Salinity and Drought Stress", authored by Sakshi Satish Singh, senior laboratory assistant at the Applied Ecology and Environmental Research Laboratory of the Research Institute of Biology, has secured funding through the "Research Support Program for PhD Students and Young Candidates – 2025" competition.

"I chose this topic because soil salinization and drought are growing challenges that—particularly as a result of climate change—have a significant negative impact on agriculture. These factors reduce crop growth and threaten food production," Sakshi emphasized while presenting the significance of the project, noting that wheat and barley are crops of critical importance for food security. Therefore, overcoming stress conditions and improving the productivity of these crops is of particular importance.

She stressed that the primary objective of the research is to propose a simple and environmentally safe solution that contributes to sustainable agriculture—promoting economic development while preserving nature.

The researcher expects to obtain results demonstrating the effectiveness of biochar in saline and drought-affected soils, aimed at improving the growth of wheat and barley.

"The results are expected to show healthier plant growth, more favorable soil moisture conditions, and increased crop productivity. They will be beneficial for farmers and will also contribute to improving crop yields under stress conditions," she noted.

Referring to previous studies on this topic, Sakshi emphasized that the Applied Ecology and Environmental Research Laboratory has long been engaged in research on sustainable agriculture and crop stress management. Under the supervision of her scientific supervisor Karen Ghazaryan, Dean of the Faculty of Biology, she was involved in a grant-funded project primarily focused on green, environmentally safe approaches—particularly the application of biochar—to promote crop growth under conditions of soil salinization and drought.

"The results of this work have demonstrated the positive impact of biochar on crop growth and soil quality," Sakshi emphasized, adding that the findings have been published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals as well as in academic books related to agricultural and environmental sciences.