5-Aminolevulinic acid improves photosynthetic gas exchange capacity and ion uptake under salinity stress in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

Salinity is one of the major constraints in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) production. One of the means to overcome this constraint is the use of plant growth regulators to induce plant tolerance. To study the plant response to salinity in combination with a growth regulator, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), oilseed rape plants were grown hydroponically in greenhouse conditions under three levels of salinity (0, 100, and 200 mM NaCl) and foliar application of ALA (30 mg/l). Salinity depressed the growth of shoots and roots, and decreased leaf water potential and chlorophyll concentration. Addition of ALA partially improved the growth of shoots and roots, and increased the leaf chlorophyll concentrations of stressed plants. Foliar application of ALA also maintained leaf water potential of plants growing in 100 mM salinity at the same level as that of the control plants, and there was also an improvement in the water relations of ALA-treated plants growing in 200 mM. Net photosynthetic rate and gas exchange parameters were also reduced significantly with increasing salinity; these effects were partially reversed upon foliar application with ALA. Sodium accumulation increased with increasing NaCl concentration which induced a complex response in the macro-and micronutrients uptake and accumulation in both roots and leaves. Generally, analyses of macro- (N, P, K, S, Ca, and Mg) and micronutrients (Mn, Zn, Fe, and Cu) showed no increased accumulation of these ions in the leaves and roots (on dry weight basis) under increasing salinity except for zinc (Zn). Foliar application of ALA enhanced the concentrations of all nutrients other than Mn and Cu. These results suggest that under short-term salinity-induced stress (10 days), exogenous application of ALA helped the plants improve growth, photosynthetic gas exchange capacity, water potential, chlorophyll content, and mineral nutrition by manipulating the uptake of Na⁺.     

Physiological and Metabolic Effects of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid for Mitigating Salinity Stress in Creeping Bentgrass

The objectives of this study were to determine whether foliar application of a chlorophyll precursor, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), could mitigate salinity stress damages in perennial grass species by regulating photosynthetic activities, ion content, antioxidant metabolism, or metabolite accumulation. A salinity-sensitive perennial grass species, creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), was irrigated daily with 200 mM NaCl for 28 d, which were foliar sprayed with water or ALA (0.5 mg L⁻¹) weekly during the experiment in growth chamber. Foliar application of ALA was effective in mitigating physiological damage resulting from salinity stress, as manifested by increased turf quality, shoot growth rate, leaf relative water content, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate. Foliar application of ALA also alleviated membrane damages, as shown by lower membrane electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation, which was associated with increases in the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Leaf content of Na⁺ was reduced and the ratio of K⁺/Na⁺ was increased with ALA application under salinity stress. The positive effects of ALA for salinity tolerance were also associated with the accumulation of organic acids (α-ketoglutaric acid, succinic acid, and malic acid), amino acids (alanine, 5-oxoproline, aspartic acid, and γ -aminobutyric acid), and sugars (glucose, fructose, galactose, lyxose, allose, xylose, sucrose, and maltose). ALA-mitigation of physiological damages by salinity could be due to suppression of Na⁺ accumulation and enhanced physiological and metabolic activities related to photosynthesis, respiration, osmotic regulation, and antioxidant defense.     

Photosynthetic electron transport and specific photoprotective responses in wheat leaves under drought stress

The photosynthetic responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves to different levels of drought stress were analyzed in potted plants cultivated in growth chamber under moderate light. Low-to-medium drought stress was induced by limiting irrigation, maintaining 20 % of soil water holding capacity for 14 days followed by 3 days without water supply to induce severe stress. Measurements of CO₂ exchange and photosystem II (PSII) yield (by chlorophyll fluorescence) were followed by simultaneous measurements of yield of PSI (by P700 absorbance changes) and that of PSII. Drought stress gradually decreased PSII electron transport, but the capacity for nonphotochemical quenching increased more slowly until there was a large decrease in leaf relative water content (where the photosynthetic rate had decreased by half or more). We identified a substantial part of PSII electron transport, which was not used by carbon assimilation or by photorespiration, which clearly indicates activities of alternative electron sinks. Decreasing the fraction of light absorbed by PSII and increasing the fraction absorbed by PSI with increasing drought stress (rather than assuming equal absorption by the two photosystems) support a proposed function of PSI cyclic electron flow to generate a proton-motive force to activate nonphotochemical dissipation of energy, and it is consistent with the observed accumulation of oxidized P700 which causes a decrease in PSI electron acceptors. Our results support the roles of alternative electron sinks (either from PSII or PSI) and cyclic electron flow in photoprotection of PSII and PSI in drought stress conditions. In future studies on plant stress, analyses of the partitioning of absorbed energy between photosystems are needed for interpreting flux through linear electron flow, PSI cyclic electron flow, along with alternative electron sinks.     

5-Aminolevulinic Acid Ameliorates the Growth, Photosynthetic Gas Exchange Capacity, and Ultrastructural Changes Under Cadmium Stress in Brassica napus L.

Heavy-metal toxicity in soil is one of the major constraints for oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) production. One of the best ways to overcome this constraint is the use of growth regulators to induce plant tolerance. Response to cadmium (Cd) toxicity in combination with a growth regulator, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), was investigated in oilseed rape grown hydroponically in greenhouse conditions under three levels of Cd (0, 100, and 500 μM) and three levels of foliar application of ALA (0, 12.5, and 25 mg l^?1). Cd decreased plant growth and the chlorophyll concentration in leaves. Foliar application of ALA improved plant growth and increased the chlorophyll concentration in the leaves of Cd-stressed plants. Significant reductions in photosynthetic parameters were observed by the addition of Cd alone. Application of ALA improved the net photosynthetic and gas exchange capacity of plants under Cd stress. ALA also reduced the Cd content in shoots and roots, which was elevated by high concentrations of Cd. The microscopic studies of leaf mesophyll cells under different Cd and ALA concentrations showed that foliar application of ALA significantly ameliorated the Cd effect and improved the structure of leaf mesophyll cells. However, the higher Cd concentration (500 μM) could totally damage leaf structure, and at this level the nucleus and intercellular spaces were not established as well; the cell membrane and cell wall were fused to each other. Chloroplasts were totally damaged and contained starch grains. However, foliar application of ALA improved cell structure under Cd stress and the visible cell structure had a nucleus, cell wall, and cell membrane. These results suggest that under 15-day Cd-induced stress, application of ALA helped improve plant growth, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic gas exchange capacity, and ultrastructural changes in leaf mesophyll cells of the rape plant.     

Selenium improves recovery of wheat seedlings at rewatering after drought stress

Rewatering after drought is beneficial to plants subjected to moderate drought stress, and selenium (Se) could increase the tolerance of plants to stressful environment. The role of Se in rewatering of drought-treated wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L., cv Hengmai5229) was studied. The objective was to elucidate whether Se could improve recovery of wheat seedlings at rewatering after drought stress. Drought stress induced a significant reduction in growth parameters, total chlorophyll and soluble protein contents, and increased the rate of superoxide radical (O ₂ ^·? ) production, MDA content, and the activities of peroxidase, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase in wheat seedlings. Rewatering after drought did not significantly affect biomass accumulation of seedlings over drought treatment, although it decreased the rate of O ₂ ^·? production and MDA content. However, the combined treatment of rewatering and Se evidently promoted biomass accumulation of seedlings over drought treatment and rewatering alone; and the rate of O ₂ ^·? production, MDA content, soluble protein content and CAT activity were recovered to the control values. This indicates that Se improved recovery of wheat seedlings at rewatering after drought stress.     

Exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid improves strawberry tolerance to osmotic stress and its possible mechanisms

Cultivated strawberry, one of the major fruit crops worldwide, is an evergreen plant with shallow root system, and thus sensitive to environmental changes, including drought stress. To investigate the effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a new environment-friendly plant growth regulator, on strawberry drought tolerance and its possible mechanisms, we treated strawberry (Fragaria × annanasa Duch. cv. ‘Benihoppe’) with 15% polyethylene glycol 6000 to simulate osmotic stress with or without 10 mg l⁻¹ ALA. We found that ALA significantly alleviated PEG-inhibited plant growth and improved water absorption and xylem sap flux, indicating ALA mitigates the adverse effect of osmotic stress on strawberry plants. Gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence analysis showed that ALA mitigated PEG-induced decreases of P_n, G_s, T_r, P_n/C_i, photosystem I and II reaction center activities, electron transport activity, and photosynthetic performance indexes. Equally important, ALA promoted PEG-increased antioxidant enzyme activities and repressed PEG-increased malondialdehyde and superoxide anion in both leaves and roots. Specially, ALA repressed H₂O₂ increase in leaves, but stimulated it in roots. Furthermore, ALA repressed abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis and signaling gene expressions in leaves, but promoted those in roots. In addition, ALA blocked PEG-downregulated expressions of plasmalemma and tonoplast aquaporin genes PIP and TIP in both leaves and roots. Taken together, ALA effectively enhances strawberry drought tolerance and the mechanism is related to the improvement of water absorption and conductivity. The tissue-specific responses of ABA biosynthesis, ABA signaling, and H₂O₂ accumulation to ALA in leaves and roots play key roles in ALA-improved strawberry tolerance to osmotic stress.     

Effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid on Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. subsp. cicla) seedling growth under saline conditions

Salinity is a widespread adverse environmental problem globally, and significantly limits crop production. In this study, the possibility of enhancing salinity stress tolerance of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla) by 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) foliar application was investigated. The Swiss chard plants were grown in hydroponic culture. Twelve-week-old uniform seedlings were treated by 0 and 40 mM saline regimes generated by the mixture of sodium chloride and sodium sulfate (molar ratio NaCl:Na₂SO₄ = 9:1), and were foliar-sprayed with 0 and 60 μM L^?1 ALA (every 3 days) for 6 days; then the plants were treated for another 7 days (every 3 day) with increased concentration of salinity and ALA, 80 mM and 120 μM L^?1. Salinity without ALA application significantly decreased plant growth [43 % in shoot dry weight (DW), 21 % in root DW, 24 % in relative growth rate (RGR), 43 % in leaf area (LA)], water uptake [20.8 % in relative water content (RWC), 47.9 % in osmotic potential (OP)], chlorophyll (Chl) a content (10 %), P_n (36 %), G_s (72 %) and T_r (59 %) compared with those in control plants; however, under saline conditions, ALA foliar application improved plant growth (49.7 % in shoot DW, 27 % in root DW, 42.3 % in RGR, 72.1 % in LA) and increased RWC (12 %), Chl a content (10 %) and photosynthetic parameters (27 % in P_n, 28 % in G_s, 14 % in T_r) compared with those in untreated plants. Salinity significantly increased Na⁺ content, resulting in the reduction of Mg²⁺ and K⁺ contents. ALA foliar application alleviated ionic toxicity through the reduction of Na⁺ content and Na⁺/K⁺ ratio. On the other hand, it increased total nitrogen and glycine betaine (GB) content. ALA foliar application slightly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content, indicating that ALA has the potential to alleviate oxidative stress in salinity-stressed Swiss chard.     

A novel inhibitor of cytokinin degradation (INCYDE) influences the biochemical parameters and photosynthetic apparatus in NaCl-stressed tomato plants

The effect of 2-chloro-6-(3-methoxyphenyl)aminopurine [inhibitor of cytokinin degradation (INCYDE)] at 10 nM on growth, biochemical and photosynthetic efficiency in sodium chloride (NaCl)-stressed (75, 100 and 150 mM) tomato plants was investigated. NaCl-induced decline in plant vigor index was slightly reversed by both drenching and foliar application of INCYDE. Foliar application of INCYDE significantly increased the flower number in the control and 75 mM NaCl-supplemented plants, while drenching was more effective in 150 mM NaCl-stressed plants. Antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase) were enhanced in the presence of INCYDE in the control and NaCl-stressed plants. Higher concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) associated with oxidative (lipid peroxidation) damage in leaf tissue which was evident in the presence of NaCl stress was significantly attenuated with the drenching and foliar application of INCYDE. Regardless of NaCl concentration, application of INCYDE had no significant influence on maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II. However, the reduced quantum yield of photosystem II and coefficient of photochemical quenching under continuous illumination with actinic light at four intensities (264, 488, 800 and 1,200 µmol m^?2 s^?1) in NaCl-stressed (100 and 150 mM) tomato plants were significantly alleviated by drenching application with INCYDE. Non-photochemical quenching of the singlet excited state of chlorophyll a and relative electron transfer rate were generally higher in INCYDE-treated plants than in the controls. From an agricultural perspective, these findings indicate the potential of INCYDE in protecting plants against NaCl stress and the possibility of enhanced productivity.     

Role of 5-aminolevulinic acid on growth,photosynthetic parameters and antioxidant enzyme activity in NaCl-stressed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isatis indigotica</Emphasis> Fort.

5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a key precursor for the biosynthesis of porphyrins such as heme and chlorophyll. ALA alleviates salinity stress damage in germinating seeds and improves seedling growth. Exogenous application of ALA at low concentrations has been shown to enhance salt tolerance in a number of plants. In the present study, we studied the effect of exogenous application of ALA on enhancing salt stress tolerance in Isatis indigotica Fort. (Anhui population as S1, Shanxi population as S2). A foliar application of 0, 12.5, 16.7, 25.0, and 50.0 mg/L ALA was given to the leaves of I. indigotica plants treated with 100 mmol/L NaCl. The fresh weight of leaves and roots; chlorophyll relative content (SPAD value); photosynthetic parameters, such as net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (Ci) and water use efficiency of the treated plants were determined. The third leaf of each treated plant was used to determine the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), nitrate reductase (NR) activities and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased in response to 100 mmol/L NaCl in both S1 and S2 plants. However, the fresh weight of leaf and root, chlorophyll relative content, Pn, Gs, Ci decreased in response to salt stress in both S1 and S2 plants. In all foliar application of ALA in S1 plants, the MDA content, and the activities of SOD and POD were the highest in response to 50.0 mg/L foliar application of ALA. GOGAT and NR activities were the highest in response to 16.7 mg/L foliar ALA. Chlorophyll content and Pn were the highest in S1 plants treated with by 25.0 mg/L ALA. In S2 plants, plant fresh weight, chlorophyll relative content, SOD, CAT, NR activities and Pn treated with 16.7 mg/L ALA were higher than that of the control (CK0). POD, MDA, GOGAT activities in S2 plants treated with 25.0 mg/L ALA were the highest among all treatments. Thus, our results showed that the optimal concentration of ALA (16.7 ~ 25.0 mmol/L) increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes, which in turn helps to abate the damage caused by salt stress in I. indigotica seedlings. Furthermore, ALA also results in an increase in chlorophyll content, Pn and the activities of GOGAT and NR.     

The influence of ABA on water relation, photosynthesis parameters, and chlorophyll fluorescence under drought conditions in two maize hybrids with contrasting drought resistance

Drought is a major limitation of maize cultivation in Brazil. Agronomic and physiological practices have been considered to overcome this stress and consequently, increase grain production. The present study investigated the role of abscisic acid (ABA) application in some physiological parameters, in two hybrids with contrasting drought resistance (DKB 390 and BRS 1030 resistant and sensitive, respectively). Contrasting resistance to drought in these genotypes was determined in previous studies. Water deficit was imposed for 10 days at flowering stage, in association with the application of 100 μM abscisic acid on plant canopy. Evaluations of gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, relative water content (RWC), and endogenous ABA content were performed during stress period and also at water recovery (recovery irrigation). A significant functional relationship was observed between RWC and the parameters of gas exchange and fluorescence. During water recovery, no differences were observed among the treatments. DKB 390 presented higher photosynthesis rate (P _n) and electron transport rate (ETR) under water stress, while BRS 1030 presented higher intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i) and lower photochemical quenching (qP), non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and lower F _v/F _m ratio. DBK 390 was more responsive to ABA application than BRS 1030, presenting higher endogenous ABA content in the first day of stress. DBK 390 with ABA application reduced the effect of water stress through maintenance of water status, an increase of photosynthetic parameters, and a decrease of decline in the functions of photosystem II during stress.     

Effects of Exogenous Putrescine on Chlorophyll Fluorescence Imaging and Heat Dissipation Capacity in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Under Salt Stress

The objective of this study was to identify the effects of exogenous putrescine on photosynthetic performance and heat dissipation capacity in cucumber seedlings under salt stress. The stress of 75 mM NaCl for 7 days caused a significant decrease in net photosynthetic rate (P _N ). The experiment employed a chlorophyll fluorescence imaging technique and demonstrated that the maximal quantum yield of photosystem II photochemistry (Fv/Fm) and the actual photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (ΦPSII) were reduced by salt stress. Moreover, salt stress markedly reduced the photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) and non-photochemical quenching coefficient (qN), and significantly increased non-regulated heat dissipation (ΦNO). However, stressed plants supplied with exogenous putrescine exhibited higher P _N and ΦPSII, which indicated that putrescine can alleviate the detrimental effects on photosynthesis induced by salt stress. Putrescine sprayed on stressed plants significantly enhanced the regulated energy dissipation (ΦNPQ) and decreased ΦNO. Application of exogenous putrescine also changed the levels of xanthophyll cycle components and further enhanced the de-epoxidation state of xanthophyll cycle pigments under salt stress. Under control conditions, putrescine exerted little influence on the photosynthetic parameters in cucumber leaves. In conclusion, the application of exogenous putrescine may improve the heat dissipation capacity by promoting the xanthophyll cycle to reduce the damage caused by excess excitation energy, thus enhancing the salt tolerance of cucumber seedlings.     

Combined Effects of CO2 Enrichment and Drought Stress on Growth and Energetic Properties in the Seedlings of a Potential Bioenergy Crop Jatropha curcas

The rapid growth of worldwide energy demands has led to mounting concerns about energy shortages and has promoted the development of biofuels, which are susceptible to climate change. To evaluate the effects of future environmental changes such as CO₂ enrichment and water stress on the growth and biodiesel production of bioenergy plants, we exposed Jatropha curcas to two levels of CO₂ concentration (ambient and elevated) and three watering regimes (well-watered, moderate drought, and severe drought) to study its biomass accumulation and allocation, energy cost-gain properties, and photosynthetic response. Elevated CO₂ enhanced biomass accumulation of J. curcas by 31.5, 25.9, and 14.4 % under well-watered, moderate drought, and severe drought treatments, respectively, indicating that the stimulating effect was greater under optimum water conditions than in water-deficit conditions. Drought stress significantly increased the biomass allocation to roots, especially the fine roots. CO₂ enrichment also increased the root mass fraction, though not significantly. CO₂ enrichment significantly enhanced the photosynthetic rate measured under growth CO₂ concentration (A _growth) and decreased foliar N content and therefore construction cost irrespective of watering conditions. Under elevated CO₂, J. curcas employed a quicker return energy use strategy indicated by the higher photosynthetic energy use efficiency and lower payback time. There was a pronounced downregulation in the light-saturated photosynthetic rate under the common CO₂ concentration (P _max) under long-term CO₂ exposure, due to a decrease in the initial and total ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activities and partially lower foliar N content. The significant interaction of CO₂ enrichment and watering regimes implied that the stimulation of plant growth by CO₂ enrichment may be negated by soil drought in the future. Long-term field experiments manipulating multiple factors simultaneously are needed to explore how the ecophysiological traits measured for J. curcas translate into bioenergy production.     

Antioxidant system and photosynthetic characteristics responses to short-term PEG-induced drought stress in cucumber seedling leaves

The effect of short-term drought stress on the water content, antioxidant system and photosynthetic characteristics was investigated using cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings. The results indicated that polyethylene glycol induced water stress reduced water content in shoots of cucumber seedling after treatment of 36 hours, and caused obvious reductions in net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO₂ concentration and transpiration of leaves. In addition, water stress significantly reduced the photosynthetic pigment content and inhibited photochemical activity, including actual photochemical efficiency, maximal quantum yield of photosystem II photochemistry and coefficient for photochemical quenching. Meanwhile non-photochemical quenching increased. As responses to drought stress, significant increases in electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide levels were detected in leaves. The superoxide dismutases, catalase, glutathione reductase and dehydroascorbate reductase activities, protein, ascorbate and glutathione content, all decreased and peroxidases activity increased, while ascorbate peroxidase and monodehydroascorbate reductase activities exhibited different trend under different degree of water stress. Therefore, it can be concluded that water stress strongly disrupted the normal metabolism of leaves and restrained water absorption.     

Effect of exogenous nitric oxide on sulfur and nitrate assimilation pathway enzymes in maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) under drought stress

The present study aimed at investigating the effects of foliar applied nitric oxide (as SNP [sodium nitroprusside]) on sulfur (glutathione reductase, guaiacol peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase) and nitrate assimilation (nitrite and nitrate reductase) pathway enzymes in maize (Zea mays L.) exposed to water deficit conditions. The seedlings of a drought tolerant (NK8711) and sensitive (P1574) maize hybrid were applied with various SNP doses (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 µM) under normal and drought stress conditions. Foliar spray of 100 µM markedly improved water status and chlorophyll contents and alleviated drought-induced oxidative damages through increased antioxidant (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) activities in both maize hybrids. Moreover, exogenous SNP supply increased nitrite and nitrate reductase activities and upregulated glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, and guaiacol peroxidase compared to no SNP supply. Interestingly, the negative effects of excess NO generation at high SNP doses (150, 200 µM) were more pronounced in P1574 than NK8711 leading to lower biomass accumulation in drought-sensitive hybrid.     

Brassinolide alleviates the drought-induced adverse effects in barley by modulation of enzymatic antioxidants and ultrastructure

In the present study, possible role of exogenously applied brassinolide (BL) in alleviating the detrimental effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-inducted drought stress in barley was evaluated. Barley seedlings were subjected to two PEG levels (0 and 8% w/v) for 2 weeks followed by a foliar spray of BL (0, 0.01, 0.1 and 1 µM) to assess the changes in growth, gas exchange, chlorophyll contents, antioxidant enzyme activities and ultrastructural changes. PEG-induced drought considerably inhibited the barley growth in terms of shoot and root length, shoot, root fresh and dry weights, and chlorophyll contents. Moreover, extensive decrease by PEG-induced drought in gas exchange attributes i.e. net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and intercellular CO₂ were also recorded. However, exogenous application of BL remarkably improved the gas exchange attributes, chlorophyll contents and plant growth under either drought or control condition. Furthermore, foliar spray of BL decreased the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the leaves and roots by increasing enzymatic antioxidant activities under drought stress. The microscopic examination indicated that exogenous application of BL improved the cell structure and enabled a clean mesophyll cell having a well-developed chloroplast with thylakoid membranes of the drought stressed plants. On the basis of these findings, it can be concluded that exogenous application of BL could alleviate drought stress to barley by ameliorating photosynthetic parameters, improving antioxidants enzyme activities, reducing ultrastructural changes in leaf mesophyll and finally maintaining the plant growth.     

Exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid alleviates the detrimental effects of UV-B stress on lettuce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactuca sativa</Emphasis> L) seedlings

One of the abiotic stress factors affecting plant metabolism is ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a key precursor of porphyrin biosynthesis, promotes plant growth and crop yields. To investigate the alleviating effects of exogenous ALA on the damages caused by UV-B exposure, two different concentrations [10 ppm (ALA1) and 25 ppm (ALA2)] of ALA were applied to lettuce seedlings for 24 h and then they were exposed to 3.3 W m^?2 UV-B. Results showed that UV-B treatment significantly decreased chlorophyll a and b (Chl a and b) concentration, enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, total phenolic concentration, soluble sugar contents, expression of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and γ-tocopherol methyltransferase (γ-TMT) genes, the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and the rate of superoxide radical (\({\text{O}}_{2}^{ - }\)) generation in the lettuce seedlings when compared to the control. Pre-treatment with exogenous ALA significantly enhanced UV-B stress tolerance in lettuce seedlings by decreasing the reactive oxygen species. On the other hand, ALA application caused more increases in the PAL and γ-TMT gene expression, antioxidant enzymes activities, Chl a and b concentration, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and the concentrations of soluble sugars. Obtained results indicated that UV-B radiation exerts an adverse effect on lettuce seedlings, and some of the negative effects of UV-B radiation can be alleviated by exogenous ALA.     

Effects of ALA on Photosynthesis,Antioxidant Enzyme Activity,and Gene Expression,and Regulation of Proline Accumulation in Tomato Seedlings Under NaCl Stress

This study examined the effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) application on photosynthesis, activity and gene expression of key antioxidant enzymes, and on proline accumulation in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ‘Hezuo 903’) seedlings under NaCl stress. NaCl stress significantly decreased the net photosynthetic rates and inhibited the activity of photosystem II, whereas exogenous ALA application significantly restored the net photosynthetic rates, quantum yield of electron transport, and energy conversion efficiency of photosystem II of tomato under NaCl stress. Production of superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde strongly increased in response to NaCl stress, and these increases were significantly counteracted by ALA. ALA increased the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and peroxidase, and upregulated the expression of SOD, APX, and POD, genes that encode these enzymes in NaCl-treated plants. ALA simultaneously increased proline accumulation in tomato seedlings under NaCl stress by regulating the expression of genes that encode ALA biosynthetic enzymes and that control proline biosynthesis and metabolism, for example, expression of GluRS and GluTR was downregulated, accompanied by a significant increase in the expression of P5CS and decline in the expression of ProDH. ALA provided protection against NaCl stress by increasing photosynthetic capacity, regulating antioxidant enzyme gene expression and proline accumulation, and decreasing ROS accumulation and lipid peroxidation in tomato.     

Effects of biochar on photosystem function and activities of protective enzymes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrus ussuriensis</Emphasis> Maxim. under drought stress

The mechanisms how orchard mulching biochar influenced the photosynthetic apparatus and the role of protective enzyme activities were employed to evaluate the value of biochar application for the cultivation of fruit trees in arid areas. Potted 2-year-old seedlings of Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim. were studied to determine the effects of orchard mulching with biochar on photosystem function, Rubisco activity, net photosynthetic rate (P _n), and protective enzyme activities under drought stress. The experiment included three conditions: Drought (D), Drought + Biochar (9 t hm^?2, DB), and CK (normal management). The results showed that biochar could significantly retard the loss of soil efficient moisture and effectively change the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, including reducing the initial fluorescence (F _o) and J points to the relative variable fluorescence (V _j), while increasing the maximal photochemistry efficiency of photosystem (PS) II (F _v/F _m), the efficiency that a trapped electron can move further ahead of \(Q_{A}\) (ψ _o), and the photosynthetic performance index (PI_ABS), thus effectively protecting PS II from damage. Biochar application also increased P _n and Rubisco activity. Compared with CK, the activity levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) during drought stress increased rapidly to a peak and then began to decrease. When H₂O₂ was accumulated, there was clearance of CAT activity which was enhanced, accompanied by increased levels of a membrane lipid peroxidation product (MDA). However, MDA levels were always lower for DB than for D. By slowing the regulation of the photosynthetic physiological functions and cytoplasmic membrane peroxidation, the plants could significantly avoid serious damage and were more adaptable to drought stress.     

Xanthine Dehydrogenase Involves in the Response of Photosystem and Reactive Oxygen Metabolism to Drought Stress in Rice

Xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) is a crucial enzyme involved in purine metabolism. Although the essential role of XDH is well studied in leguminous plants and Arabidopsis, the importance of this enzyme remains uncertain in rice. To evaluate how biochemistry indicators respond to XDH down-regulation and up-regulation in rice seedings during drought stress, RNA interference (RNAi) and CDS over-expression were used to generate transgenic lines of Nipponbare (Oryza sativa L.) in which OsXDH, the gene for XDH were silenced and over-expression. When the XDH-suppressed line was subjected to drought stress, the chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were markedly reduced in conjunction with significantly O ₂ ^? enhanced production rate and MDA accumulation. This drought-hypersensitive biochemistry indicators was reversed in XDH-intensified line. Meanwhile, the XDH activity and its downstream metabolites were induced by drought stress. These observations support the notion that xanthine dehydrogenase was involved in regulating photosystem and reactive oxygen metabolism in drought stress in rice seedling.