Fulvic Acid Enhances Oat Growth and Grain Yield Under Drought Deficit by Regulating Ascorbate–Glutathione Cycle, Chlorophyll Synthesis, and Carbon–Assimilation Ability

Drought deficit inhibits oat growth and yield. Fulvic acid (FA) can enhance plant stress tolerance, but its effects on regulating the ascorbate–glutathione cycle, chlorophyll synthesis, and carbon–assimilation ability remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the physiological mechanisms of the FA regulation of drought tolerance in oats and its relationship with growth and yield using the drought-resistant variety Yanke 2 and the drought-sensitive variety Bayou 9. The effects of FA on growth and yield, the antioxidant system, chlorophyll synthesis, and carbon–assimilation capacity of oats under drought stress were investigated by systematically assessing changes in morphogenesis, ascorbate–glutathione cycle, chlorophyll and its intermediates, carbon–assimilation enzyme activities, and carbohydrate metabolism. The results showed that under drought stress, FA treatment significantly promoted oat growth (leaf area, dry matter) and yield, elevated glutathione peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and dehydroascorbate reductase activities, reduced ascorbic acid, and reduced glutathione content. In addition, FA increased chlorophyll, as well as magnesium protoporphyrin IX, protoporphyrin IX, and protochlorophyllin acid ester content, enhanced 1,5-bisphosphate ribulose carboxylase, 1,5-bisphosphate ribulose carboxylase enzyme, 1,7-bisphosphate sestamibiose heptulose esterase, 1,6-bisphosphate fructose aldolase, sucrose synthase, sucrose phosphate synthase, acid invertase, and neutral invertase activities, and increased sucrose, glucose, and fructose content. Overall, fulvic acid (FA) alleviates drought-induced damage in oats by enhancing the ascorbate–glutathione cycle, promoting chlorophyll biosynthesis, and improving carbon assimilation and carbohydrate metabolism. The drought-sensitive variety (Yanke 2) was more effective in application compared to the drought-resistant variety (Bayou 9). This research provides valuable insight into its potential as a biostimulant under abiotic stress.