Influence of Exogenous Glycine Betaine and Abscisic Acid on Papaya in Responses to Water-deficit Stress

The effects of exogenous foliar glycine betaine (GB) and abscisic acid (ABA) on papaya responses to water stress were investigated under distinct water regimes. Papaya seedlings (Carica papaya L. cultivar “BH-65”) were pretreated with GB or ABA and subsequently subjected to consecutive periods of drought, rehydration, and a second period of drought conditions. Results indicated that water stress induced ABA, jasmonic acid (JA), and proline accumulation but did not modify malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. In addition, water deprivation reduced photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, relative water content (RWC), leaf fresh weight, and increased leaf abscission. GB applied prior to drought imposition decreased the impact of water stress on ABA, JA, proline accumulation, leaf water status, growth, and photosynthetic performance. However, ABA-pretreated plants did not show alteration of most of these parameters under water stress conditions when compared with non-pretreated plants except a clear induction of JA accumulation. Taken together, the data suggest that GB may modulate ABA, JA, and proline accumulation through the control of stomatal movement and the high availability of compatible solutes, leading to improvement of leaf water status, growth, and photosynthetic machinery function. In contrast, exogenous ABA did not stimulate papaya physiological responses under drought, but interestingly ABA in combination with drought could induce progressive JA synthesis, unlike drought alone, which induces a transitory JA increase and may trigger endogenous ABA accumulation. The data also suggest that irrespective of the pretreatments, papaya did not suffer oxidative damage.     

Abscisic acid, indole-3-acetic acid and mineral–nutrient changes induced by drought and salinity in longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) plants

Longan species (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) exhibit a high agronomic potential in many subtropical regions worldwide; however, little is known about its responses to abiotic stress conditions. Drought and salinity are the most environmental factors inducing negative effects on plant growth and development. In order to elucidate the responses of longan to drought and salinity, seedlings were grown under conditions of drought and salt stresses. Drought was imposed by suspending water supply leading to progressive soil dehydration, and salinity was induced using two concentrations of NaCl, 100 and 150 mM in water solution, for 64 days. Data showed that salt concentrations increased foliar abscisic acid (ABA) and only 150 mM NaCl reduced indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and increased proline levels. NaCl treatments also increased Na⁺ and Cl^? content in plant organs proportionally to salt concentration. Drought increased leaf ABA but did not change IAA concentrations, and also increased proline synthesis. In addition, drought and salt stresses reduced the photosynthesis performance; however, only drought decreased leaf growth and relative leaf water content. Overall, data indicate that under severe salt stress, high ABA accumulation was accompanied by a reduction of IAA levels; however, drought strongly increased ABA but did not change IAA concentrations. Moreover, drought and high salinity similarly increased (or maintained) ion levels and proline synthesis. Data also suggest that ABA accumulation may mitigate the impact of salt stress through inducing stomatal closure and delaying water loss, but did not mediate the effects of long-term drought conditions probably because leaves reached a strong dehydration and the role of ABA at this stage was not effective to detain leaf injuries.     

Shoot‐derived abscisic acid promotes root growth

The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays a major role in regulating root growth. Most work to date has investigated the influence of root‐sourced ABA on root growth during water stress. Here, we tested whether foliage‐derived ABA could be transported to the roots, and whether this foliage‐derived ABA had an influence on root growth under well‐watered conditions. Using both application studies of deuterium‐labelled ABA and reciprocal grafting between wild‐type and ABA‐biosynthetic mutant plants, we show that both ABA levels in the roots and root growth in representative angiosperms are controlled by ABA synthesized in the leaves rather than sourced from the roots. Foliage‐derived ABA was found to promote root growth relative to shoot growth but to inhibit the development of lateral roots. Increased root auxin (IAA) levels in plants with ABA‐deficient scions suggest that foliage‐derived ABA inhibits root growth through the root growth‐inhibitor IAA. These results highlight the physiological and morphological importance, beyond the control of stomata, of foliage‐derived ABA. The use of foliar ABA as a signal for root growth has important implications for regulating root to shoot growth under normal conditions and suggests that leaf rather than root hydration is the main signal for regulating plant responses to moisture.     

Light quality regulation of endogenous levels of auxin,abscisic acid and ethylene production in petioles and leaves of wild type and ACC deaminase transgenic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> seedlings

Brassica napus L. seedlings responded to low red to far-red (R/FR) ratio by elongating petioles and decreasing leaf expansion. These typical shade avoidance traits were correlated with significantly decreased endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels and significantly increased endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) levels and ethylene production. The transgenic (T) B. napus line bearing the bacterial ACC deaminase gene, did not respond to low R/FR ratio with altered petiole and leaf growth and less ethylene (especially by petioles) was produced. As with WT seedlings, T seedlings had significantly lower IAA levels in both petioles and leaves under low R/FR ratio. However, ABA levels of low R/FR ratio-grown T seedlings either increased (petioles) or were unaltered (leaves). Our results further suggest that low R/FR ratio regulates endogenous IAA levels independently of ethylene, but there may be an interaction between ABA and ethylene in leaf development.     

Influence of water stress on endogenous hormone contents and cell damage of maize seedlings

Phytohormones play critical roles In regulating plant responses to stress. We Investigated the effects of water stress Induced by adding 12% (w/v) polyethylene glycol to the root medium on the levels of abscisic acid (ABA), indole-3-acid (IAA), zeatin (ZT), and gibberellin3 (GA3) in maize leaves. The results suggested that water stress had significant effects on the four hormone levels. There was a transient increase in the IAA content during the initial stage of adaptation to water stress in maize leaves, but it dropped sharply thereafter in response to water stress. ABA content increased dramatically in maize leaves after 24 h of exposure to water stress, and then the high levels of ABA were maintained to the end, The contents Of ZT and GA3 rapidly declined in maize leaves subjected to water stress. The effects of water stress on chlorophyll content, electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde levels in maize leaves were also studied. The variation of cell damage was negatively correlated with ZT and GA3 levels in maize leaves under water stress. Thus, we explored the roles of ZT and GA3 on the growth of maize seedlings under water stress by exogenous application. It is possible that both ZT and GA3 were effective in protecting maize seedlings from water stress, which would be of great importance for the improvement of drought tolerance in maize by genetic manipulation.     

黄腐酸对冬小麦幼苗IAA、ABA水平的影响及作用机理的探讨

本实验用酶联免疫(ELISA)法测定了黄腐酸(FA)处理后冬小麦幼苗吲哚乙酸(IAA)、脱落酸(ABA)的水平。结果表明,FA能使IAA、ABA水平增加,这与FA能刺激植物生长、抑制气孔开启是一致的,而且FA与这两种激素都没有协同作用。说明FA既能直接对植物起作用,也能通过改变内源激素水平间接起作用。     

黄腐酸对冬小麦幼苗IAA、ABA水平的影响及作用机理的探讨

本实验用酶联免疫（ＥＬＩＳＡ） 法测定了黄腐酸（ＦＡ） 处理后冬小麦幼苗吲哚乙酸（ＩＡＡ） 、脱落酸（ＡＢＡ） 的水平。结果表明，ＦＡ 能使ＩＡＡ、ＡＢＡ 水平增加，这与ＦＡ 能刺激植物生长、抑制气孔开启是一致的，而且ＦＡ 与这两种激素都没有协同作用。说明ＦＡ 既能直接对植物起作用，也能通过改变内源激素水平间接起作用     

Growth response of barley and tomato to nitrogen stress and its control by abscisic acid,water relations and photosynthesis

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and tomato Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were grown hydroponically and examined 2, 5, and 10 d after being deprived of nitrogen (N) supply. Leaf elongation rate declined in both species in response to N stress before there was any reduction in rate of dryweight accumulation. Changes in water transport to the shoot could not explain reduced leaf elongation in tomato because leaf water content and water potential were unaffected by N stress at the time leaf elongation began to decline. Tomato maintained its shoot water status in N-stressed plants, despite reduced water absorption per gram root, because the decline in root hydraulic conductance with N stress was matched by a decline in stomatal conductance. In barley the decline in leaf elongation coincided with a small (8%) decline in water content per unit area of young leaves; this decline occurred because root hydraulic conductance was reduced more strongly by N stress than was stomatal conductance. Nitrogen stress caused a rapid decline in tissue NO ₃ ^- pools and in NO ₃ ^- flux to the xylem, particularly in tomato which had smaller tissue NO ₃ ^- reserves. Even in barley, tissue NO ₃ ^- reserves were too small and were mobilized too slowly (60% in 2 d) to support maximal growth for more than a few hours. Organic N mobilized from old leaves provided an additional N source to support continued growth of N-stressed plants. Abscisic acid (ABA) levels increased in leaves of both species within 2 d in response to N stress. Addition of ABA to roots caused an increase in volume of xylem exudate but had no effect upon NO ₃ ^- flux to the xylem. After leaf-elongation rate had been reduced by N stress, photosynthesis declined in both barley and tomato. This decline was associated with increased leaf ABA content, reduced stomatal conductance and a decrease in organic N content. We suggest that N stress reduces growth by several mechanisms operating on different time scales: (1) increased leaf ABA content causing reduced cell-wall extensibility and leaf elongation and (2) a more gradual decline in photosynthesis caused by ABA-induced stomatal closure and by a decrease in leaf organic N.Abbreviation and symbols ABA abscisic acid - c_i leaf internal CO₂ concentration - L_p root hydraulic conductance     

外源脱落酸对干旱胁迫下滇润楠幼苗生长及生理特性的影响

以滇润楠一年生实生苗为试验材料,研究在良好水分条件(土壤含水量为70%～75%田间持水量)、轻度干旱胁迫及重度干旱胁迫处理下(50%～55%和30%～35%田间持水量)进行外源脱落酸(ABA)喷施对其生长及生理特性的影响。结果表明: 干旱胁迫使得滇润楠幼苗叶片的相对含水量、株高和生物量显著下降,净光合速率及叶绿素荧光参数(PSⅡ最大光化学效率,F_v/F_m)有不同程度的下降,而根冠比、膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)含量显著增加。外源ABA的喷施可提高干旱胁迫下滇润楠幼苗的适应性,尤其是重度干旱下,外源ABA显著提高了叶片相对含水量21.0%,同时增加了植株株高和生物量的累积,提高了根冠比,为良好水分条件的2.1倍;减少了干旱下膜脂过氧化产物MDA的累积,提高了抗氧化酶过氧化氢酶、超氧化物岐化酶的活性,显著增加了脯氨酸的含量,为良好水分条件的7.7倍。外源ABA的喷施显著缓解了干旱胁迫对植株光合器官的不利影响,减少干旱引起的叶片净光合速率及气孔导度的下降,并且减轻了PSⅡ受到干旱的伤害程度,重度干旱下喷施ABA的植株的F_v/F_m显著高于未喷施ABA的植株。外源ABA的喷施可以减轻干旱对滇润楠植株的伤害,提高其抗旱性。     

The effect of plant growth regulator treatments on the levels of ethylene emanating from excised turgid and wilted wheat leaves

Abscisic acid (ABA) inhibits the production of ethylene induced by water stress in excised wheat leaves and counteracts the stimulatory effect of 6-benzyladenine (BA) on this process. The stimulatory effect of BA and the inhibitory effect of ABA were equally pronounced whether external or endogenous ethylene levels were determined. When leaves were sprayed or floated on solutions of BA, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA₃), or ABA, the relative activities of these growth regulators on stress-induced ethylene at 10^-4 mol l^-1 were BA>IAA >GA₃>controls>ABA. In non-stressed leaves, however, where the levels of ethylene produced were 2–20 times smaller, the relative activities were IAA >BA>GA₃>controls>ABA. The effects of BA and ABA spray treatment on water stress induced ethylene were closely similar whether the solutions were applied 2 or 18 h prior to the initiation of water stress. The relationships between the levels of endogenous growth regulators in the plant and ethylene release induced by water stress are discussed.Abbreviations BA 6-benzyladenine - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - GA₃ gibberellic acid - ABA abscisic acid - GLC gas-liquid chromatography - _leaf leaf water potential     

Comparative Analysis of Endogenous Hormones in Leaves and Roots of Two Contrasting Malus Species in Response to Hypoxia Stress

Plant hormones play important roles in regulating developmental processes and signaling networks involved in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. We comparatively studied the growth and endogenous hormonal levels in leaves and roots in two Malus species (M. sieversii and M. hupehensis) differing in hypoxia tolerance under normoxic and hypoxia stress. The results showed that hypoxia stress inhibited growth of seedlings of both Malus species, but with significant differences in intensity. Exposure to hypoxia altered the levels of endogenous hormones in leaves and roots in both Malus seedlings. Leaf and root abscisic acid (ABA) contents increased in response to hypoxia stress in both genotypes despite different extents. Compared with M. hupehensis, M. sieversii was more responsive to hypoxia stress, resulting in larger increases in leaf and root ABA contents. The changes in leaf and root ABA contents correlating with the different tolerance levels of the genotypes confirm the involvement of this hormone in plant responses to hypoxia stress. Gibberellins (GAs; GA₁ + GA₄) continuously increased in leaves and roots during the whole period of stress, whereas indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) showed a sharp increase at the early stage in both Malus seedlings. In addition, zeatin riboside (ZR), dihydrozeatin riboside (DHZR), and isopentenyl adenine (IPA) differed in their pattern of changes in both Malus seedlings under hypoxia stress. Based on variations in endogenous hormonal levels in both Malus species that differ in their ability to tolerate hypoxia, we conclude that not a single hormone but multiple hormones and their interplay are responsible for hypoxia tolerance.     

Leaf Abscission Induced by Ethylene in Water-Stressed Intact Seedlings of Cleopatra Mandarin Requires Previous Abscisic Acid Accumulation in Roots

The involvement of abscisic acid (ABA) in the process of leaf abscission induced by 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) transported from roots to shoots in Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reshni Hort. ex Tan.) seedlings grown under water stress was studied using norflurazon (NF). Water stress induced both ABA (24-fold) and ACC (16-fold) accumulation in roots and arrested xylem flow. Leaf bulk ABA also increased (8-fold), although leaf abscission did not occur. Shortly after rehydration, root ABA and ACC returned to their prestress levels, whereas sharp and transitory increases of ACC (17-fold) and ethylene (10-fold) in leaves and high percentages of abscission (up to 47%) were observed. NF suppressed the ABA and ACC accumulation induced by water stress in roots and the sharp increases of ACC and ethylene observed after rewatering in leaves. NF also reduced leaf abscission (7-10%). These results indicate that water stress induces root ABA accumulation and that this is required for the process of leaf abscission to occur. It was also shown that exogenous ABA increases ACC levels in roots but not in leaves. Collectively, the data suggest that ABA, the primary sensitive signal to water stress, modulates the levels of ethylene, which is the hormonal activator of leaf abscission. This assumption implies that root ACC levels are correlated with root ABA amounts in a dependent way, which eventually links water status to an adequate, protective response such as leaf abscission.     

Initial water deficit effects on Lupinus albus photosynthetic performance, carbon metabolism, and hormonal balance: metabolic reorganization prior to early stress responses

The early (2-4 d) effects of slowly imposed soil water deficit on Lupinus albus photosynthetic performance, carbon metabolism, and hormonal balance in different organs (leaf blade, stem stele, stem cortex, and root) were evaluated on 23-d-old plants (growth chamber assay). Our work shows that several metabolic adjustments occurred prior to alteration of the plant water status, implying that water deficit is perceived before the change in plant water status. The slow, progressive decline in soil water content started to be visible 3 d after withholding water (3 DAW). The earliest plant changes were associated with organ-specific metabolic responses (particularly in the leaves) and with leaf conductance and only later with plant water status and photosynthetic rate (4 DAW) or photosynthetic capacity (according to the Farquhar model; 6 DAW). Principal component analysis (PCA) of the physiological parameters, the carbohydrate and the hormone levels and their relative values, as well as leaf water-soluble metabolites full scan data (LC-MS/MS), showed separation of the different sampling dates. At 6 DAW classically described stress responses are observed, with plant water status, ABA level, and root hormonal balance contributing to the separation of these samples. Discrimination of earlier stress stages (3 and 4 DAW) is only achieved when the relative levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), cytokinins (Cks), and carbon metabolism (glucose, sucrose, raffinose, and starch levels) are taken into account. Our working hypothesis is that, in addition to single responses (e.g. ABA increase), the combined alterations in hormone and carbohydrate levels play an important role in the stress response mechanism. Response to more advanced stress appears to be associated with a combination of cumulative changes, occurring in several plant organs. The carbohydrate and hormonal balance in the leaf (IAA to bioactive-Cks; soluble sugars to IAA and starch to IAA; relative abundances of the different soluble sugars) flag the initial responses to the slight decrease in soil water availability (10-15% decrease). Further alterations in sucrose to ABA and in raffinose to ABA relative values (in all organs) indicate that soil water availability continues to decrease. Such alterations when associated with changes in the root hormone balance indicate that the stress response is initiated. It is concluded that metabolic balance (e.g. IAA/bioactive Cks, carbohydrates/IAA, sucrose/ABA, raffinose/ABA, ABA/IAA) is relevant in triggering adjustment mechanisms.     

The relationship between stomatal resistance and abscisic-acid levels in leaves of water-stressed bean plants

Leaf water potentials of Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants exposed to a -3.0 bar root medium were reduced to between -7 and -9 bars within 25 min and remained constant for the next several hours. This treatment led to considerable variation between leaves in both abscisic-acid (ABA) content and R_s, although the two were well correlated after a 5-h treatment. There was an apparent 7-fold increase in leaf ABA levels necessary to initiate stomatal closure when plants were exposed to a -3.0 bar treatment, but when plants were exposed to a -5.0 bar stress R_s values increased prior to any detectable rise in ABA levels. To explain these seemingly contradictory results, we suggest that the rate of ABA synthesis in the leaf, rather than the total ABA content, determines the status of the stomatal aperture.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - PEG polyethylene glycol - R_s stomatal diffusion resistance of lower leaf surface - leaf water potential     

How the roots contribute to the ability of Phaseolus vulgaris L. to cope with chilling-induced water stress

Intact plants and stem-girdled plants of Phaseolus vulgaris grown hydroponically were exposed to 5 degrees C for up to 4 d; stem girdling was used to inhibit the phloem transport from the leaves to the roots. After initial water stress, stomatal closure and an amelioration of root water transport properties allowed the plants to rehydrate and regain turgor. Chilling augmented the concentration of abscisic acid (ABA) content in leaves, roots and xylem sap. In intact plants stomatal closure and leaf ABA accumulation were preceded by a slight alkalinization of xylem sap, but they occurred earlier than any increase in xylem ABA concentration could be detected. Stem girdling did not affect the influence of chilling on plant water relations and leaf ABA content, but it reduced slightly the alkalinization of xylem sap and, principally, prevented the massive ABA accumulation in root tissues and the associated transport in the xylem that was observed in non-girdled plants. When the plants were defoliated just prior to chilling or after 10 h at 5 degrees C, root and xylem sap ABA concentration remained unchanged throughout the whole stress period. When the plants were chilled under conditions preventing the occurrence of leaf water deficit (i.e. at 100% relative humidity), there were no significant variations in endogenous ABA levels. The increase in root hydraulic conductance in chilled plants was a response neither to root ABA accretion, nor to some leaf-borne chemical signal transported downwards in the phloem, nor to low temperature per se, as indicated by the results of the experiments with defoliated or girdled plants and with plants chilled at 100% relative humidity. It was concluded that the root system contributed substantially to the bean's ability to cope with chilling-induced water stress, but not in an ABA-dependent manner.     

The Influence of Prior Water Stress and Abscisic Acid Foliar Spraying on Stomatal Responses to CO2, IAA, ABA, and Calcium in Leaves of Solanum melongena

The influence of a water stress or foliar ABA spraying pretreatmenton stomatal responses to water loss, exogenous ABA, IAA, Ca²⁺,and CO₂ were studied using excised leaves of Solanum melongena.Both pretreatments increased stomatal sensitivity of water loss,in the presence and absence of CO₂, but decreased stomatal sensitivityto exogenous ABA. CO₂ greatly reduced the effect of exogenouslyapplied ABA. IAA decreased leaf diffusion resistance for controland ABA sprayed leaves, but did not influence the LDR of previouslywater-stressed leaves. CA²⁺ did not influence LDR of any leavesof any treatments. Key words: Water stress, stomatal response, pretreatments     

Cytokinin-producing, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria that confer resistance to drought stress in Platycladus orientalis container seedlings

One of the proposed mechanisms through which plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) enhance plant growth is the production of plant growth regulators, especially cytokinin. However, little information is available regarding cytokinin-producing PGPR inoculation on growth and water stress consistence of forest container seedlings under drought condition. This study determined the effects of Bacillus subtilis on hormone concentration, drought resistance, and plant growth under water-stressed conditions. Although no significant difference was observed under well-watered conditions, leaves of inoculated Platycladus orientalis (oriental thuja) seedlings under drought stress had higher relative water content and leaf water potential compared with those of noninoculated ones. Regardless of water supply levels, the root exudates, namely sugars, amino acids and organic acids, significantly increased because of B. subtilis inoculation. Water stress reduced shoot cytokinins by 39.14 %. However, inoculation decreased this deficit to only 10.22 %. The elevated levels of cytokinins in P. orientalis shoot were associated with higher concentration of abscisic acid (ABA). Stomatal conductance was significantly increased by B. subtilis inoculation in well-watered seedlings. However, the promoting effect of cytokinins on stomatal conductance was hampered, possibly by the combined action of elevated cytokinins and ABA. B. subtilis inoculation increased the shoot dry weight of well-watered and drought seedlings by 34.85 and 19.23 %, as well as the root by 15.445 and 13.99 %, respectively. Consequently, the root/shoot ratio significantly decreased, indicative of the greater benefits of PGPR on shoot growth than root. Thus, inoculation of cytokinin-producing PGPR in container seedlings can alleviate the drought stress and interfere with the suppression of shoot growth, showing a real potential to perform as a drought stress inhibitor in arid environments.     

Water relations of the tos1 tomato mutant at contrasting evaporative demand

The tos1 (tomato osmotically sensitive) mutant, isolated from an in vitro screen of root growth during osmotic stress, was less sensitive to exogenous ABA, but accumulated more ABA under osmotic stress than WT plants. We assessed growth and water relations characteristics of hydroponically grown tos1 seedlings (in the absence of osmotic stress) at low and high evaporative demands. Growth of tos1 was severely inhibited at both high and low evaporative demands. Twenty DAS, WT and tos1 genotypes had a similar leaf water and turgor potential, but mature tos1 plants (45 day old) showed a significant diurnal loss of leaf turgor, with recovery overnight. Increased evaporative demand increased turgor loss of tos1 plants. High evaporative demand at the beginning of the day decreased stomatal conductance of tos1, without diurnal recovery, thus whole plant transpiration was decreased. De-topped tos1 seedlings showed decreased root hydraulic conductance and had a 1.4-fold increase in root ABA concentration. Impaired root function of tos1 plants failed to meet transpirational water demand and resulted in shoot turgor loss, stomatal closure and growth inhibition.     

Movement of Abscisic Acid into the Apoplast in Response to Water Stress in Xanthium strumarium L

The effect of water stress on the redistribution of abcisic acid (ABA) in mature leaves of Xanthium strumarium L. was investigated using a pressure dehydration technique. In both turgid and stressed leaves, the ABA in the xylem exudate, the `apoplastic' ABA, increased before `bulk leaf' stress-induced ABA accumulation began. In the initially turgid leaves, the ABA level remained constant in both the apoplast and the leaf as a whole until wilting symptoms appeared. Following turgor loss, sufficient quantities of ABA moved into the apoplast to stimulate stomatal closure. Thus, the initial increase of apoplastic ABA may be relevant to the rapid stomatal closure seen in stressed leaves before their bulk leaf ABA levels rise.

Following recovery from water stress, elevated levels of ABA remained in the apoplast after the bulk leaf contents had returned to their prestress values. This apoplastic ABA may retard stomatal reopening during the initial recovery period.

     

Effects of varied water regimes on root length,dry matter partitioning and endogenous plant growth regulators in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to quantify the effect of varied water regimes on root length, partitioning of dry matter and plant growth regulators by using sunflower genotypes differing in maturity and drought tolerance. Significant depressing effect of drought stress was evident on traits (i.e., reproductive dry matter, leaf area index and cytokinin concentrations in leaves). However, root/shoot, reproductive/vegetative ratios and Abscisic acid (ABA) concentration were found to increase under drought stress. Drought stress also changed the dry matter accumulation pattern of genotypes. In most cases it reduced the days to reach the maximum peak showing early senescence.

ABA was identified as a multi-functional plant growth regulator under drought stress, causing early senescence of plants and translocation of assimilates to the roots and reproductive part while root growth under drought stress was explained by the indole-acetic acid (IAA) concentrations. Maintaining higher cytokinin contents were involved in accumulation of higher reproductive dry matter under drought stress. Although ABA and IAA were both involved in the development of defense responses during the adaptation and survival to drought stress but higher productivity under drought stress was only realized through maintaining higher cytokinin contents.