# Phosphite effects on sugarcane growth and biochemicals under in vitro osmotic stress

## TL;DR

Phosphite improves sugarcane seedling growth and biochemical composition under normal and stress conditions in laboratory settings.

## Contribution

Phosphite is shown to be an effective inorganic biostimulant for sugarcane under osmotic stress.

## Key findings

- Phosphite increased leaf and shoot growth in sugarcane seedlings.
- It enhanced chlorophyll, sugar, and amino acid levels under both normal and osmotic stress.
- Phosphite outperformed traditional fertilizers in promoting growth and biochemical modulation.

## Abstract

Biostimulants positively impact plant growth, yield, and chemical composition while enhancing tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. Phosphite (Phi), a phosphate analog, has been proposed as a biostimulant due to its advantages over traditional phosphate fertilizers and herbicides.

This study evaluated the effects of Phi on sugarcane seedlings (CP 72-2086) under conventional (non-stress) and osmotic stress conditions during in vitro multiplication. Seedlings were treated with Phi at 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mM (derived from H3PO3) for 30 days, followed by 7 days of osmotic stress induced with 10% polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG).

Phi significantly increased leaf length, width, and number, as well as shoot count. Additionally, it enhanced foliar concentrations of chlorophylls a and b, sugars, and amino acids under both conventional and osmotic stress conditions. In conclusion, Phi serves as an effective inorganic biostimulant for sugarcane (CP 72-2086) during in vitro multiplication, stimulating seedling growth and modulating essential biomolecule concentrations.