Soil Drench Treatment with ?-Aminobutyric Acid Increases Drought Tolerance of Potato

The non-protein amino acid β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) is known to be a priming agent for a more efficient activation of cellular defence responses and a potent inducer of resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. Nevertheless, most of the studies on priming have been carried out in Arabidopsis. In potato, the effect of BABA was demonstrated only on biotic stress tolerance. We investigated the effect of BABA on the drought tolerance of potato and found that soil drenched with BABA at a final concentration of 0.3 mM improves the drought tolerance of potato. Water loss from the leaves of the primed plants is attenuated and the yield is increased compared to the unprimed drought-stressed plants. The metabolite composition of the tubers of the BABA-treated plants is less affected by drought than the tuber composition of the non-treated plants. Nitric oxide and ROS (reactive oxygen species) production is increased in the BABA-treated roots but not in the leaves. In the leaves of the BABA-treated plants, the expression of the drought-inducible gene StDS2 is delayed, but the expression of ETR1, encoding an ethylene receptor, is maintained for a longer period under the drought conditions than in the leaves of the non-treated, drought-stressed control plants. This result suggests that the ethylene-inducible gene expression remains suppressed in primed plants leading to a longer leaf life and increased tuber yield compared to the non-treated, drought-stressed plants. The priming effect of BABA in potato, however, is transient and reverts to an unprimed state within a few weeks.     

Proteomic study of β-aminobutyric acid-mediated cadmium stress alleviation in soybean

The present study highlights the protective role of β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) in alleviating cadmium (Cd) stress in soybean. Proteomic analyses revealed that out of 66 differentially abundant protein spots in response to Cd challenge, 17 were common in the leaves of BABA-primed and non-primed plants. Oxygen-evolving enhancer protein 1 and ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase small chain 1 were detected in increase abundance in both groups of leaves. Among the 15 commonly decreased protein spots, the relative intensity levels of heat shock cognate 70-kDa protein, carbonic anhydrase, methionine synthase, and glycine dehydrogenase were partially restored after BABA treatment. Moreover, BABA priming significantly enhanced the abundance of the defense-related protein peroxiredoxin and glycolytic enzymes in response to Cd exposure. Additionally, the impact of Cd on the physiological state of BABA-primed and non-primed plants was analyzed using a biophoton technique. The finding of comparatively low biophoton emission in BABA-primed leaves under Cd stress indicates that these plants experienced less oxidative damage than that of non-primed plants. Proteomic study coupled with biophoton analysis reveals that BABA pretreatment helps the plants to combat Cd stress by modulating plants' defence mechanism as well as activating cellular detoxification system to protect the cells from Cd induced oxidative stress damages.     

Enhancing Arabidopsis salt and drought stress tolerance by chemical priming for its abscisic acid responses

Drought and salt stress tolerance of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants increased following treatment with the nonprotein amino acid beta-aminobutyric acid (BABA), known as an inducer of resistance against infection of plants by numerous pathogens. BABA-pretreated plants showed earlier and higher expression of the salicylic acid-dependent PR-1 and PR-5 and the abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent RAB-18 and RD-29A genes following salt and drought stress. However, non-expressor of pathogenesis-related genes 1 and constitutive expressor of pathogenesis-related genes 1 mutants as well as transgenic NahG plants, all affected in the salicylic acid signal transduction pathway, still showed increased salt and drought tolerance after BABA treatment. On the contrary, the ABA deficient 1 and ABA insensitive 4 mutants, both impaired in the ABA-signaling pathway, could not be protected by BABA application. Our data demonstrate that BABA-induced water stress tolerance is based on enhanced ABA accumulation resulting in accelerated stress gene expression and stomatal closure. Here, we show a possibility to increase plant tolerance for these abiotic stresses through effective priming of the preexisting defense pathways without resorting to genetic alterations.     

Enhanced systemic resistance to bacterial speck disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato by dl-β-aminobutyric acid under salt stress

Plants have evolved different but interconnected strategies to defend themselves against microbial pathogens and stress conditions. The defense responses of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) seedlings treated with dl ‐β‐aminobutyric acid (BABA) were investigated with and without abiotic stress (100 mM NaCl) against bacterial speck disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato. The plants were sprayed with 50, 125, 250 or 500 μg ml⁻¹ BABA and were inoculated with 10⁸ colony‐forming units ml⁻¹ bacterial suspension 1 day after treatment. Abiotic stress led to an increase in plant resistance. When BABA was additionally applied as a foliar spray at 125 μg ml⁻¹, the effect on plants was almost identical to that on plants that were sprayed with BABA at 500 μg ml⁻¹ alone. The bacterial multiplication in the plants was 250‐fold lower than in the water‐treated (control) plants and in plants that were sprayed with 500 μg ml⁻¹ BABA alone within 48 h postinoculation (hpi). Physiological studies were carried out in the plants treated with BABA in order to investigate the reason for this synergistic effect. Abiotic stress with BABA spray resulted in high H₂O₂ generation and guaiacol peroxidase activity in the plants. The activity of the enzymatic antioxidative protective system of the plants, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase (CAT), also showed a significant delayed increase in BABA‐treated plants under abiotic stress conditions. These increases in enzyme activity coincided with the initiation of the most suppressive effect of BABA on bacterial growth by 24 hpi, which were significantly higher than the control. Salt stress alone did not lead to any significant increase in CAT activity, but salt stress with BABA did. These findings indicate a synergistic effect between salt stress and BABA at low concentrations, resulting in induced plant resistance. Furthermore, a stress regulation effect of BABA under abiotic stress can be associated with plant resistance.     

Induction of Local and Systemic Resistance to Colletotrichum coccodes in Pepper Plants by dl -β-Amino-n-Butyric Acid

dl -β-amino- n -butyric acid (BABA) that was applied as a foliar spray or soil drench to pepper plants induced local and systemic resistance to a challenge infection with Colletotrichum coccodes . About 85 and 100% protections against the anthracnose were achieved by a relatively high concentration of BABA at 1000 μg/ml, which had no antifungal activity in vitro against C. coccodes . Protection was expressed as a reduction in the number and size of lesions. dl -α-amino- n -butyric acid (AABA) was not so effective as BABA, whereas dl -γ-amino- n -butyric acid (GABA) provided a little protection against anthracnose. At least 5 days were needed after BABA treatment as a soil drench in order to induce resistance in pepper plants. After BABA treatment as a soil drench, the plants remained protected over 15 days. Application of BABA to the lower leaves significantly protected the leaves above the treated leaves from C. coccodes infection, which suggested that systemic resistance to the anthracnose was induced in pepper plants by BABA. The leaves above the BABA-treated lower leaves were strongly protected by reduction of the number and size of lesions.     

The effects of a plant defence priming compound, β-aminobutyric acid,on multitrophic interactions with an insect herbivore and a hymenopterous parasitoid

Biocontrol of aphids by natural enemies is utilized in many organic and integrated pest management schemes. β-aminobutyric acid (BABA), a non-protein amino acid, is a plant defence primer that suppresses growth of some insect herbivores when applied as a root drench. This investigation examined how applying BABA to host plants via the roots may impact on a parasitoid wasp of aphids. Female Aphidius ervi (Haliday) did not discriminate against pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris)) reared on BABA-treated beans (Vicia faba L.) or show any modified responses to volatiles released from BABA-treated plants. BABA reduced the size of emerging wasps, primarily by inhibiting the growth of the host aphid. Metabolomic analysis revealed BABA in both aphids and emergent wasps indicating some potential for direct physiological inhibition to have occurred. Survival of the parasitoids was only reduced at doses of BABA likely to produce phytotoxic effects in many plant species, thus there may be potential to incorporate plant defence primers like BABA into integrated pest management practices. However, the precise mechanisms of BABA-inhibition of insects still require elucidation.     

DL-β-Aminobutyric Acid-Induced Resistance in Soybean against Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Priming can improve plant innate capability to deal with the stresses caused by both biotic and abiotic factors. In this study, the effect of DL-β-amino-n-butyric acid (BABA) against Aphis glycines Matsumura, the soybean aphid (SA) was evaluated. We found that 25 mM BABA as a root drench had minimal adverse impact on plant growth and also efficiently protected soybean from SA infestation. In both choice and non-choice tests, SA number was significantly decreased to a low level in soybean seedlings drenched with 25 mM BABA compared to the control counterparts. BABA treatment resulted in a significant increase in the activities of several defense enzymes, such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), chitinase (CHI), and β-1, 3-glucanase (GLU) in soybean seedlings attacked by aphid. Meanwhile, the induction of 15 defense-related genes by aphid, such as AOS, CHS, MMP2, NPR1-1, NPR1-2, and PR genes, were significantly augmented in BABA-treated soybean seedlings. Our study suggest that BABA application is a promising way to enhance soybean resistance against SA.     

Responses of antioxidant defense system of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus annuus</Emphasis> to abscisic acid treatment under drought and waterlogging

The effect of abscisic acid (ABA) treatment on growth pigments and antioxidant defense system were investigated in seedlings of Helianthus annuus (cvs. Nantio F1 and Özdemirbey) subjected to drought and waterlogging stress. In addition, seedlings were sprayed with 10 M ABA three times every other day. Relative growth rate (RGR) was significantly reduced in both genotypes under drought stress, however, this growth inhibition was less in ABA-treated plants. Total chlorophyll content increased by drought stress in both genotypes. Ascorbate was not influenced by drought, while α-tocopherol increased in cv. Nantio F1. Ascorbate and α-tocopherol increased with drought stress in cv. Özdemirbey. ABA treatment decreased ascorbate and β-carotene contents while it increased α-tocopherol and xanthophylls contents under drought stress. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in both genotypes increased under drought stress-ABA combinations. Catalase (CAT) activity decreased under drought stress and drought-ABA combinations while it increased under waterlogging stress. Glutathione reductase (GR) activity decreased under drought stress but recovered with ABA treatment. The results suggested that ABA treatments have different effects on the components of antioxidant defense system in H. annuus genotypes and ABA may contribute drought-induced oxidative stress tolerance but not effects under waterlogging stress.     

Identification of changes in Triticum aestivum L. leaf proteome in response to drought stress by 2D-PAGE and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry

Drought is an abiotic stress that strongly influences plant growth, development and productivity. To gain a better understanding of the drought-stress responses at physiological and molecular level in wheat plants (Triticum aestivum cv. KTC86211), we performed a comparative physiological and proteomics analysis. Eight-day-old wheat seedlings were treated with polyethylene glycol-simulated drought stress for 0, 24, 48 and 72 h. Drought treatment resulted in alterations of morphology, increased relative electrolyte leakage and reduced length and weight on leaf and root. Stress-induced proteome changes were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in conjunction with MALDI-TOF/TOF. Twenty-three spots differed significantly between control and treated plants following 48 h of drought stress, with 19 upregulated, and 4 downregulated, in leaf tissues. All of the differentially expressed protein spots were identified, revealing that the majority of proteins altered by drought treatment were involved in reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes and photosynthesis. Other proteins identified were involved in protein metabolism, cytoskeleton structure, defense response, acid metabolism and signal transduction. All proteins might contribute cooperatively to reestablish cellular homeostasis under drought stress. The present study not only provides new insights into the mechanisms of acclimation and tolerance to drought stress in wheat plants, but also provides clues for improving wheat’s drought tolerance through breeding or genetic engineering.     

beta-Aminobutyric acid-induced resistance against downy mildew in grapevine acts through the potentiation of callose formation and jasmonic acid signaling

beta-Aminobutyric acid (BABA) was used to induce resistance in grapevine (Vitis vinifera) against downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola). This led to a strong reduction of mycelial growth and sporulation in the susceptible cv. Chasselas. Comparing different inducers, the best protection was achieved with BABA followed by jasmonic acid (JA), whereas benzo (1,2,3)-thiadiazole-7-carbothionic acid-S-methyl ester (a salicylic acid [SA] analog) and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment did not increase the resistance significantly. Marker genes for the SA and JA pathways showed potentiated expression patterns in BABA-treated plants following infection. The callose synthesis inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose partially suppressed BABA- and JA-induced resistance against P viticola in Chasselas. Application of the phenylalanine ammonia lyase inhibitor 2-aminoindan-2-phosphonic acid and the lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitor 5, 8, 11, 14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA) also led to a reduction of BABA-induced resistance (BABA-IR), suggesting that callose deposition as well as defense mechanisms depending on phenylpropanoids and the JA pathways all contribute to BABA-IR. The similar phenotype of BABA- and JA-induced resistance, the potentiated expression pattern of JA-regulated genes (LOX-9 and PR-4) following BABA treatment, and the suppression of BABA-IR with ETYA suggest an involvement of the JA pathway in BABA-IR of grapevine leading to a primed deposition of callose and lignin around the infection sites.     

Proteomic Profiling and Protein-Protein Interaction Network Reveal the Molecular Mechanisms of Susceptibility to Drought Stress in Canola (<i>Brassica napus</i> L.)

Drought stress is one of the most important abiotic stresses that plants face frequently in nature. Under drought conditions, many morphological, physiological, and molecular aspects of plants are changed and as a result plants experience a remarkable reduction in growth, yield, and reproduction. To expand our understanding of the molecular basis of the plant response to drought stress, the proteomic profile and protein-protein network of canola (Brassica napus L.) were studied. The focus was to show molecular mechanisms related to canola susceptibility to drought stress. The experiment used a completely randomized design, implemented in a hydroponic system under greenhouse conditions. To impose drought stress, plants were exposed to Hoagland’s solution supplemented with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 for 7 days. The drought stress resulted in 161reproducible protein spots in twodimensional electrophoresis of canola leaves. The t-student test showed 21 differentially abundant proteins (DAP), of which 2 and 19 were up and down accumulated, respectively. Two spots identified as 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase and D-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase showed an increased abundance of 2.11 and 1.77, respectively. The extended protein-protein interaction of differentially abundant proteins and KEGG analysis showed 47 pathways directly and indirectly associated with canola response to drought stress. DAPs with increased abundance were associated with amino acid and signaling processes, whereas DAPs with decreased abundance were mostly connected with pathways responsible for energy production. The results of the study will help to elucidate further the molecular events associated with the susceptibility to drought stress in canola.     

GABA/BABA priming: a means for enhancing abiotic stress tolerance potential of plants with less energy investments on defence cache

Abiotic stress is one of the major factors limiting plant growth and yield globally. Though substantial progress has been made in breeding and genetic manipulation of plants to enhance abiotic stress tolerance, the task remains as a challenge even today. Investigations on the priming activity of various chemicals in plants for enhancing abiotic stress tolerance have been undertaken over the past few years. Priming with γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) and β-amino butyric acid (BABA) gains greater attention, because priming with these non-protein amino acids equips the plants to resist abiotic stresses effectively without suffering costly energy investments in operating defence mechanisms. It is well documented that the protective effect of non-protein amino acids like BABA and GABA on plants is due to a potentiation of natural defence mechanisms against abiotic stresses but at the same time not activating the complete defence arsenal before the stress exposure. The exact mode of action of priming with GABA/BABA in plants is still a puzzle, though their importance as signaling molecules during stress is undoubtful. The better understanding of molecular, physiological, and ecological aspects of GABA/BABA priming might lead to the emergence of this technique as a successful strategy for enhancing the abiotic stress(es) tolerance potential of plants in the field, without compromising much on productivity.     

beta-Aminobutyric acid-induced protection of Arabidopsis against the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea

The non-protein amino acid beta-aminobutyric acid (BABA) protects numerous plants against various pathogens. Protection of Arabidopsis plants against virulent pathogens involves the potentiation of pathogen-specific defense responses. To extend the analysis of the mode of action of BABA to necrotrophs we evaluated the effect of this chemical on Arabidopsis plants infected with the gray mold fungus Botrytis cinerea. BABA-treated Arabidopsis were found to be less sensitive to two different strains of this pathogen. BABA protected mutants defective in the jasmonate and ethylene pathways, but was inactive in plants impaired in the systemic acquired resistance transduction pathway. Treatments with benzo-(1,2,3)-thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester, a functional analog of salicylic acid (SA), also markedly reduced the level of infection. Moreover, BABA potentiated mRNA accumulation of the SA-associated PR-1, but not the jasmonate/ethylene-dependent PDF1.2 gene. Thus, besides jasmonate/ethylene-dependent defense responses, SA-dependent signaling also contributes to restrict B. cinerea infection in Arabidopsis. Our results also suggest that SA-dependent signaling is down-regulated after infection by B. cinerea. The observed up-regulation of the PDF1.2 gene in mutants defective in the SA-dependent signaling pathway points to a cross-talk between SA- and jasmonate/ethylene-dependent signaling pathways during pathogen ingress.