Secondary Metabolite-Induced Osmo-Protection and Host Antioxidant Systems in Banana in Waterlogged Sodic Soils

Banana is a commercially important crop widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, but its cultivation in the canal command basins is challenged due to the development of waterlogged sodic soils. The present study aimed to induce sodicity tolerance through the integration of secondary metabolites in the plants during the tissue culture organogenesis phase. Secondary-metabolite-treated plants were assessed for their performance in the waterlogged sodic soil areas of Samesee block in Lucknow district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Metabolite-treated (MT) plants exhibited significantly better growth and yield compared to untreated control (UTC) plants. Key physiological enhancements in MT plants included increased activities of defense-related enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POD), and proline along with a reduced Na+/K+ ratio. The metabolic profile of MT plants showed higher expression of antioxidants, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. MT plants exhibited production of the metabolites such as trihydroxy methylene–di-oxyflavone, rush flavanone, rutin, anthocyanins, neodiosmin, arachidonic acid, and trigalloyl-HHDP-glucose, which belongs to the subclasses of flavonoids, anthocyanins, and sugar alcohols. Consequently, MT plants produced a significantly higher yield (20.85 kg per plant) compared to UTC plants (8.35 kg) and greater biomass. These results suggest that treatments using secondary metabolite extracted from salt-tolerant bacteria can be used as an effective strategy for enhancing sodicity tolerance in banana plants, contributing to sustainable production and economic viability in waterlogged sodic soil conditions.