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Abstract

Abstract Abiotic stress, especially salinity stress have a significant effects on agricultural production by influencing the plant growth, development and yields of plants The use of plant-derived smoke solutions (PDS) is currently being considered as one potential solution to to mitigate the impact of stress on plants, especially in salt conditions. Based on the hypothesis that M. oleifera derived smoke may alleviate salt stress in chickpea by enhancing the antioxidant response, this study aims to examine the morphological, biochemical, and physiological responses of chickpea plants treated with M. oleifera smoke solution under salt stress. The current study followed the use of a completely randomized design (CRD) with the two main factors being the salt stress and the PDS treatments. The chickpea seeds were subjected to salt treatments and PDS treatment both individually and as a combination. After the fifteen days period, several parameters like germination percentage, height of the plants, leaf area, chlorophyll content and antioxidant enzymes were measured. From the results obtained, it is clear that PDS significantly reduces the effects of salinity stress on chickpea seedlings by improving several physiological and biochemical parameters. These include germination, biomass production, and leaf chlorophyll content, as well as the induction of antioxidant defense mechanisms through increased activities of enzymes such as SOD, POD, CAT and APX, along with regulation of H₂O₂ levels. The results show that PDS regulates the activation of antioxidants and thus reduce oxidative stress on the plants hence increasing their salinity stress tolerance. This work is crucial for enhancing agricultural practices by providing an eco-friendly, sustainable solution to improve crop resilience and productivity in saline-affected areas, benefiting farmers and communities facing salinity challenges. Future research should explore the application of PDS across different crops and varying stress conditions to further establish its potential in agricultural practices. Keywords: plant-derived smoke, saline stress, chickpea seedlings, Moringa oleifera, antioxidant defense, stress resilience, germination, eco-friendly solutions.

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