Organic Soil Amendment Enhances Ascorbate Peroxidase-Mediated Antioxidant Defense in Water-Stressed Wheat

production was reduced by 52% in C1 and C3 with SA2 when compared to SA0 under DS4. The ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and DPPH activity increased by 48-65% under SA2, while ABTS showed a slight suppression at DS4 in C2. Phenolic and flavonoid contents rose up to 2.4- and 2.2-fold, respectively, under SA2 at DS4, as compared to SA0 at DS4, notably in C1. Molecular docking revealed binding affinities between FTIR-predicted compound and APX protein interactions, revealing their coordinative role in stress resilience. This integrated physiological and molecular approach provides novel insights into the mechanistic role of organically amended soil and the APX enzyme in sustaining wheat performance under water-limited conditions.