The effect of beneficial microbes and attapulgite on growth and productivity of Lavandula angustifolia and Thymus vulgaris under drought stress

Abstract

Climate change and desertification have become topics of broad interest, as their consequences are currently being experienced, and future projections investigate their prolonged effects. Desertification is primarily caused by anthropogenic activities, especially unsustainable agriculture practices that degrade soil’s biological activity and its resilience mechanisms in combating climate change. In the Mediterranean region, desertification is more intense. Decreased precipitation rates and increased frequency of heat waves and summer heat further affect agricultural productivity which is intrinsically low. Actions for agriculture adaptation to dry conditions must be taken to mitigate those effects and achieve production and food sufficiency. Agents such as attapulgite soil and plant growth promoting microorganisms gain more and more attention, as they assist plant growth and resilience. In this experiment, the attapulgite soil-enhancing agent AGLEV® SI 200 (A) and the microbial plant-grown enhancing agent Micosat F-Olivo (M) were used in the cultivation of the Mediterranean species Lavandula anguistifolia in Vavla, Larnaca, and Thymus vulgaris in Oreites, Paphos, both in Cyprus. Their drought vulnerability was used to indicate the efficacy of AGLEV® SI 200 (A) and Micosat F-Olivo (M). Four different treatments were implemented during the Lavandula anguistifolia and Thymus vulgaris planting process: 1) The control treatment, 2) The A treatment, 3) The M treatment, and 4) The combination of A and M (AM treatment). The results showed that the AM treatment significantly increased the base shrub volume of Lavandula anguistifolia in Vavla. In Oreites, the AM treatment showed an increase in Thymus vulgaris shrub biomass compared to the rest of the treatments, though not statistically significant. The A and M treatments also showed increased shrub volume and increased stem height for M treatment in Vavla, however they were not found to be significant. In conclusion, the significant increase in base shrub volume in Vavla indicated that the combination of A and M positively affected plant growth. Soil and plant growth-enhancing agents used in agriculture are gaining more recognition for their potential benefits for plant growth. Their promising synergy should be further examined in other plant species and for longer testing periods and various pedoclimatic conditions to fully discover their potential.