Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid Rhamnolipid Ester (APAA) —— A Scientific Solution to Saline-Alkali Soil Challenges

Globally, saline-alkali soils pose a serious threat to agricultural productivity. Issues such as high salinity, nutrient fixation, and poor root development lead to reduced crop yields or even total crop failure. APAA empowers crops to grow resiliently through a dual approach: reestablishing ionic balance and maintaining the integrity of the plasma membrane system. With its scientific mechanism, APAA revitalizes agriculture on saline-alkali land. 

1. How APAA Solves the Challenges of Saline-Alkali Land

1.1 Ionic Balance Reconstruction

APAA activates Ca²⁺ channels and the SOS1 protein signaling pathway to drive the sodium ion (Na⁺) efflux system. At the same time, it enhances the activity of the sodium-potassium pump, consuming energy (ATP) to expel excess sodium ions from the cell while absorbing potassium ions (K⁺). This helps maintain an ideal intracellular K⁺/Na⁺ ratio and alleviates ion toxicity.

Figure 1 Mechanism of APAA in Maintaining Intracellular K⁺/Na⁺ Balance

1.2 Maintaining Plasma Membrane Integrity

APAA induces the synthesis of trehalose, which binds to phospholipid molecules in the cell membrane to form a dynamic protective layer. This mechanism not only reduces physical damage to the membrane structure caused by salinity but also helps maintain the normal fluidity and selective permeability of the cell membrane, ensuring the orderly progression of cellular physiological activities.

Figure 2 APAA Maintains the Structural and Functional Integrity of the Cell Membrane

2. APAA Salt-Alkali Stress Resistance Case Studies

2.1 Split-Root Salt Tolerance Trial of APAA

Trial Name: Split-Root Salt Tolerance Test of APAA on Wheat

Treatments: γ-PGA, APAA

Application: NaCl – 50 mmol/L; γ-PGA – 7.5 ppm; APAA – 7.5 ppm

Measurement Method: Root morphological indicators of wheat were measured after 14 days of treatment.

Figure 3 Schematic Diagram of the Split-Root Device

Figure 4 Root Scan Images Under Different Treatments

Figure 5 Differences in Root Morphological Indicators Under Different Treatments

Trial Results:

Under salt stress conditions, all root indicators of wheat treated with APAA were superior to those treated with γ-PGA.

2.2 Application Effects of APAA on Saline-Alkali Soils

Trial Name: Application Effect of APAA on Corn in Saline-Alkali Soil

Treatments:

• CK (Normal soil + N-P-K)

• T1 (Saline-alkali soil + N-P-K)

• T2 (Saline-alkali soil + N-P-K + APAA

Soil Conditions:

The soil has a pH of 8.1 and an EC value of 2.2 mS/cm. (Normal soil pH is 6.1, EC value is 1.0 mS/cm)

Measurement Method:

The seedling emergence rate and various morphological indicators of corn were surveyed after sowing.

Figure 6 Differences in Corn Growth Under Different Treatments

Table 1 Differences in Corn Indicators Under Different Treatments

Trial Results:

The use of APAA effectively alleviates the stress caused by saline-alkali soil on crops, particularly in terms of seedling emergence rate and root growth.

2.3 Application Effects of APAA on Cotton in Saline-Alkali Land

Problem: Moderate saline-alkali soil causes uneven seedling emergence and low survival rate in cotton

Treatments: CK (Potassium humate), T1 (APAA)

Application: Drip irrigation after sowing: CK (3 kg/ha), T1 (1 kg/ha)

Measurement Method: Seedling growth was observed one week after drip irrigation.

Figure 7 Effects of Different Treatments on Cotton Seedlings

Figure 8 Effects of Different Treatments on Cotton Root Systems

Trial Results:

Adding APAA to the cotton sowing irrigation water effectively improves seedling emergence rate and promotes root growth.

Conclusion

APAA Enables Crops to Take Root and Thrive in Saline-Alkali Soils with Stable and High Yields. 

Through two core mechanisms—ionic balance reconstruction and plasma membrane protection—APAA effectively overcomes the growth limitations of crops in saline-alkali land. Trials have shown that APAA delivers outstanding results in enhancing crop resistance to salinity and alkalinity, particularly in root development (including increased root length and surface area, explosive growth of fine roots, and improved seedling emergence rates). 

For more information, please contact:

Email: eileen.wang@coub.cn

Tel: 86-532-85901608

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