Exogenous application of melatonin to mitigate drought stress-induced oxidative damage in Phoebe sheareri seedlings

PeerJ

article

Guifang Li¹  Yanzhen Li¹  Yuzi Zhu¹  Wenjun Zheng¹  Mengxi Li¹  Jinlong Hu¹  Yongjun Fei²  Sijia Zhu¹ 

[1] College of Tourism & Landscape Architecture, Guilin University of Technology/College of Plant and Ecological Engineering;College of Horticulture and Gardening, Yangtze University

关键词: Phoebe sheareri;    Melatonin;    Drought stress;    Photosynthesis;    Antioxidant defense;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.15159

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundDrought stress is a major prevalent environmental factor impairing growth. Melatonin mitigates the impacts of drought stress on plants. However, melatonin’s role in Phoebe sheareri (Hemsl.) Gamble (P. sheareri) is unknown. We aimed to reveal the protective effects of melatonin on P. sheareri seedlings under drought conditions.MethodsMelatonin was sprayed under drought or normal water conditions. The parameters, including growth, physiological factors, and phytohormones of P. sheareri, were examined.ResultsCompared to the normal control group, drought stress inhibited the growth of seedlings and significantly reduced the content of carotenoids, SOD, POD, APX, PPO, CAT, GR, and soluble sugars, and increased the contents of MDA, O2•−, proline, soluble proteins, ABA, and JA-Me in P. sheareri seedlings. However, melatonin treatment significantly reversed the adverse drought-induced responses and promoted the P. sheareri seedling’s growth. Moreover, the heatmap and principal component analysis suggested a high similarity in the behavior patterns of the six measured antioxidant enzymes in P. sheareri seedlings.ConclusionOur study reported for the first time that melatonin has a protective role in P. sheareri seedlings under drought-stress conditions. This role is related to ROS scavenging, activation of antioxidant enzymes, and crosstalk of phytohormones. This study provided a theoretical basis for improving the ability of P. sheareri adapted to arid environments.

【 授权许可】

CC BY