UV-B treatments in alleviating drought stress in pepper

Due to climate change and anthropogenic effects, the amount of usable water is decreasing, and many agricultural lands are exposed to drought. To cope with drought and ensure food security, easy-to-apply, cheap, and effective strategies are needed. This study examined the changes caused by drought in pepper plants and the potential effects of UV-B priming on alleviating this stress. Seeds that were subjected to UV-B priming (15' and 30') and/or drought (0.5 M and 1 M Polyethylene glycol 6000) were planted in peat-filled pots and left to develop seedlings in the growth room at 24±2 °C temperature, 16-hour light/8-hour dark photoperiod, and 45% humidity. Seedlings were harvested according to a randomized trial design on the 120th day, and physiological-biochemical analyses (soluble total protein and total phenolic substance amounts, DPPH and CAT activities) were performed. The results of physiological-biochemical analyses indicate that UV-B priming mitigates the adverse effects of drought. UV-B priming techniques are considered an alternative method for growing plants under drought stress and increasing yield and quality.