Comparative analysis of some biochemical responses of three indica rice varieties during polyethylene glycol-mediated water stress exhibits distinct varietal differences

Extensive investigation into plant response and adaptation to diverse osmotic stresses like high salt/dehydration/low temperature, involving a broad spectrum of cellular physiological and biochemical changes, is essential to unravel intrinsic mechanism to mitigate against such stresses. In our previous communications, we conducted biochemical analyses of indica rice varieties, subjected to exogenous salt/abscisic acid-mediated oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to compare differential biochemical responses of the salt-sensitive (IR-29), salt-tolerant (Pokkali) and aromatic (Pusa Basmati or PB) rice varieties during polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced dehydration stress. The greater susceptibility of IR-29 and PB, to water scarcity, was reflected by the higher toxic Na⁺ and putrescine accumulation, considerable decrease in (reduced/oxidized) glutathione, maximal increment in protease activity and greater downregulation of nitrate reductase activity. On the other hand, Pokkali appeared to suffer lesser damages as evidenced from much lower endogenous Na⁺ but higher K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ accumulation, registering the highest levels of osmolytes like glycinebetaine and higher polyamines (spermidine and spermine) accounting to improved relative water content, higher (reduced/oxidized) glutathione, maximal induction of the enzyme phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and practically unhindered nitrate reductase activity, following PEG treatment. The highest induction of sugars and proline in IR-29 and PB probably played the osmoprotective/antioxidative functions, enabling to a certain extent to heighten their lipoxygenase inhibition or H₂O₂ scavenging potential, more than Pokkali, to ward off oxidative damages and sustain survival under critical dehydrated situations. Thus, the salt-tolerant Pokkali also showed prominent dehydration-tolerance properties, whereas the aromatic rice PB, almost identical in their biochemical responses to IR-29, showed greater sensitivity to PEG-mediated water deficit.     

Comparative lipid peroxidation,antioxidant defense systems and proline content in roots of two rice cultivars differing in salt tolerance

The changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD: EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT: EC 1.11.1.6), peroxidase (POX: EC 1.11.1.7), ascorbate peroxidase (APOX: EC 1.11.1.11) and glutathione reductase (GR: EC 1.6.4.2), free proline content, and the rate of lipid peroxidation level in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) in roots of two rice cultivars (cvs.) differing in salt tolerance were investigated. Plants were subjected to three salt treatments, 0, 60, and 120 mol m⁻³ NaCl for 7 days. The results showed that activated oxygen species may play a role in cellular toxicity of NaCl and indicated differences in activation of antioxidant defense systems between the two cvs. The roots of both cultivars showed a decrease in GR activity with increase in salinity. CAT and APOX activities increased with increasing salt stress in roots of salt-tolerant cultivar Pokkali but decreased and showed no change, respectively, in roots of IR-28 cultivar. POX activity decreased with increasing NaCl concentrations in salt-tolerant Pokkali but increased in IR-28. SOD activity showed no change in roots of both cultivars under increasing salinity. MDA level in the roots increased under salt stress in sensitive IR-28 but showed no change in Pokkali. IR-28 produced higher amount of proline under salt stress than in Pokkali. Increasing NaCl concentration caused a reduction in root fresh weight of Pokkali and root dry weight of IR-28. The results indicate that improved tolerance to salt stress in root tissues of rice plants may be accomplished by increased capacity of antioxidative system.     

Antioxidants and stress-related metabolites in the seedlings of two indica rice varieties exposed to cadmium chloride toxicity

We present here a comprehensive study depicting the differences in biochemical responses to increasing CdCl₂ concentrations (0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.5 mM) in the two indica rice varieties, IR-29 (salt-sensitive) and Nonabokra (salt-tolerant), in order to contribute to our understanding of genotypic variation of cadmium tolerance. The oxidative damages in both the varieties enhanced with the increase in CdCl₂ concentrations, the susceptibility of IR-29 being more pronounced than Nonabokra. The detrimental effects in IR-29 were reflected in greater chlorophyll loss, higher H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde content even at lower concentrations and drastically higher lipoxygenase activity, protein oxidation and putrescine accumulation, especially at higher CdCl₂ levels. The antioxidants like anthocyanin and carotenoids, antioxidative enzymes like guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), osmolytes like proline, reducing sugars, spermidine and spermine, increased in both the varieties with CdCl₂ levels. While anthocyanin, reducing sugars and spermine showed greater increment in IR-29, the GPX/APX activity was more enhanced in Nonabokra; the increase in carotenoids, proline and spermidine being similar in both the varieties. However, reverse trends were noted for cysteine level and CAT activity; IR-29 showed marked decrease in cysteine content and CAT activity with increased cadmium exposure, whereas in Nonabokra, both the parameters increased, particularly at higher cadmium levels. Thus, the detoxification mechanism in the more-susceptible IR-29 was probably rendered by anthocyanin, reducing sugars and spermine in particular, as well as by GPX/APX, rather than cysteine and CAT, which showed cadmium sensitivity. Thus, the CdCl₂ stress-dependent comparative biochemical analyses displayed major differences in the two rice varieties in terms of tolerance to Cd toxicity. Our data provides evidence that Nonabokra, which is a well-known variety tolerant to sodium chloride toxicity, also shows promising tolerance to cadmium toxicity, and hints at their possible utilization in Cd remediation.     

Does exogenous glycinebetaine affect antioxidative system of rice seedlings under NaCl treatment?

The effect of exogenously applied glycinebetaine (GB) on the alleviation of damaging effects of NaCl treatment was studied in view of relative water content (RWC), malondialdehyde content, and the activity of some antioxidant enzymes in two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars differing in salt tolerance (salt-tolerant Pokkali and--sensitive IR-28), comparatively. Both cultivars took up exogenously applied GB through their roots and accumulated it to considerable levels. Leaf RWC of both cultivars under salt treatment showed an increase with GB application. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (AP), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR) increased in leaves of Pokkali, but peroxidase (POX) activity decreased under salinity. In IR-28, the activities of SOD, AP and POX increased, whereas CAT and GR decreased upon exposure to salt treatment. When compared to the salt-treated group alone, GB application decreased the activities of SOD, AP, CAT, and GR in Pokkali, whereas it increased the activities of CAT and AP in IR-28 under salinity. However, the activity of POX in IR-28 under salinity showed a decrease with GB application compared to the NaCl group. In addition, lipid peroxidation levels of both cvs. under salt treatment showed a decrease with GB treatment. Therefore, we conclude that GB protects both rice seedlings from salinity-induced oxidative stress.     

盐胁迫对4个水稻种质抗逆性生理的影响

为筛选水稻(Oryza sativa)耐盐种质资源,研究了水稻耐盐相关生理指标。结果表明,盐胁迫下,耐盐种质Pokkali、Fl478、JX99的电导率较低,细胞膜透性较小,叶片叶绿素含量较高,受盐害程度较弱。盐胁迫促进了丙二醛的大量积累,加剧了细胞膜脂过氧化程度,而耐盐种质的丙二醛积累较少,但高盐胁迫下3个耐盐种质的丙二醛含量升高,破坏了细胞膜的完整性。感盐种质R29的临界饱和亏的增幅较大,耐盐种质相对含水量降幅小。应用模糊隶属函数法综合评价,4个水稻种质的耐盐性依次为JX99PokkaliFL478IR29。     

Redox homeostasis, antioxidant defense, and methylglyoxal detoxification as markers for salt tolerance in Pokkali rice

To identify biochemical markers for salt tolerance, two contrasting cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa L.) differing in salt tolerance were analyzed for various parameters. Pokkali, a salt-tolerant cultivar, showed considerably lower level of H₂O₂ as compared to IR64, a sensitive cultivar, and such a physiology may be ascribed to the higher activity of enzymes in Pokkali, which either directly or indirectly are involved in the detoxification of H₂O₂. Enzyme activities and the isoenzyme pattern of antioxidant enzymes also showed higher activity of different types and forms in Pokkali as compared to IR64, suggesting that Pokkali possesses a more efficient antioxidant defense system to cope up with salt-induced oxidative stress. Further, Pokkali exhibited a higher GSH/GSSG ratio along with a higher ratio of reduced ascorbate/oxidized ascorbate as compared to IR64 under NaCl stress. In addition, the activity of methylglyoxal detoxification system (glyoxalase I and II) was significantly higher in Pokkali as compared to IR64. As reduced glutathione is involved in the ascorbate–glutathione pathway as well as in the methylglyoxal detoxification pathway, it may be a point of interaction between these two. Our results suggest that both ascorbate and glutathione homeostasis, modulated also via glyoxalase enzymes, can be considered as biomarkers for salt tolerance in Pokkali rice. In addition, status of reactive oxygen species and oxidative DNA damage can serve as a quick and sensitive biomarker for screening against salt and other abiotic stresses in crop plants.     

Exogenously applied polyamines increase drought tolerance of rice by improving leaf water status,photosynthesis and membrane properties

Drought stress hampers rice performance principally by disrupting the plant–water relations and structure of biological membranes. This study appraised the role of polyamines (PAs) in improving drought tolerance in fine grain aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.). Three PAs [putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm)] were used each at 10 μM as seed priming (by soaking seeds in solution) and foliar spray. Primed and non-primed seeds were sown in plastic pots with normal irrigation in a phytotron. At four-leaf stage, plants were subjected to drought stress by bringing the soil moisture down to 50% of field capacity by halting water supply. For foliar application, 10 μM solutions each of Put, Spd and Spm were sprayed at five-leaf stage. Results revealed that drought stress severely reduced the rice fresh and dry weights, while PAs application improved net photosynthesis, water use efficiency, leaf water status, production of free proline, anthocyanins and soluble phenolics and improved membrane properties. PAs improved drought tolerance in terms of dry matter yield and net photosynthesis was associated with the maintenance of leaf water status and improved water use efficiency. Among the antioxidants, catalase activity was negatively related to H₂O₂ and membrane permeability, which indicated alleviation of oxidative damage on cellular membranes by PAs application. Foliar application was more effective than the seed priming, and among the PAs, Spm was the most effective in improving drought tolerance.     

Oxidative Stress Tolerance Mechanism in Rice under Salinity

The research was conducted to investigate comparative oxidative damage including probable protective roles of antioxidant and glyoxalase systems in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings under salinity stress. Seedlings of two rice genotypes: Pokkali (tolerant) and BRRI dhan28 (sensitive) were subjected to 8 dSm⁻¹ salinity stress for seven days in a hydroponic system. We observed significant variation between Pokkali and BRRI dhan28 in phenotypic, biochemical and molecular level under salinity stress. Carotenoid content, ion homeostasis, antioxidant enzymes, ascorbate and glutathione redox system and proline accumulation may help Pokkali to develop defense system during salinity stress. However, the activity antioxidant enzymes particularly superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and non-chloroplastic peroxidase (POD) were observed significantly higher in Pokkali compared to salt-sensitive BRRI dhan28. Higher glyoxalase (Gly-I) and glyoxalase (Gly-II) activity might have also accompanied Pokkali genotype to reduce potential cytotoxic MG through non-toxic hydroxy acids conversion. However, the efficient antioxidants and glyoxalase system together increased adaptability in Pokkali during salinity stress.     

Uptake of sodium in protoplasts of salt-sensitive and salt-tolerant cultivars of rice, Oryza sativa L. determined by the fluorescent dye SBFI

In this study, the uptake of Na+ into the cytosol of rice (Oryza sativa L. cvs Pokkali and BRRI Dhan29) protoplasts was measured using the acetoxy methyl ester of the fluorescent sodium-binding benzofuran isopthalate, SBFI-AM, and fluorescence microscopy. By means of inhibitor analyses the mechanisms for uptake and sequestration of Na+ in the salt-sensitive indica rice cv. BRRI Dhan29 and in the salt-tolerant indica rice cv. Pokkali were detected. Less Na+ was taken up into the cytosol of Pokkali than into BRRI Dhan29. The results indicate that K+-selective channels do not contribute to the Na+ uptake in Pokkali, whereas they are the major pathways for Na+ uptake in BRRI Dhan29 along with non-selective cation channels. However, non-selective cation channels seem to be the main pathways for Na+ uptake in Pokkali. Protoplasts from Pokkali leaves took up Na+ only transiently in the presence of extracellular Na+ at 5-100 mM. Therefore, it is likely that the protoplasts have a mechanism for fast extrusion of Na+ out of the cytoplasm. Experiments with protoplasts pretreated with NH4NO3 and NH4VO3 suggest that the salt-tolerant Pokkali extrudes Na+ mainly into the vacuole. After cultivation of both cultivars in the presence of 10 or 50 mM NaCl for 72 h, the isolated protoplasts from Pokkali took up less Na+ than the control protoplasts. The results suggest that the salt-tolerance in Pokkali depends on reduced uptake through K+-selective channels and a fast extrusion of Na+ into the vacuoles.     

Amelioration of salinity stress by exogenously applied spermidine or spermine in three varieties of indica rice differing in their level of salt tolerance

We present here the comparative protective potentiality of exogenously applied polyamines (PAs), namely spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm), in mitigating NaCl toxicity and inducing short-term salinity tolerance in three indica rice varieties, namely M-1-48 (salt-sensitive), Nonabokra (salt-tolerant) and Gobindobhog (highly sensitive). The retardation in root length or shoot length and toxic Na⁺ accumulation or K⁺ loss, the considerable increment in malondialdehyde/H₂O₂ accumulation or lipoxygenase activity, all of which were particularly noteworthy in M-1-48 and Gobindobhog during salinity stress, was appreciably reduced by co-treatment with Spd or Spm. Both the PAs also inhibited the extent of salt-induced protein carbonylation in all the varieties and enhanced protease activity, especially in Gobindobhog. The prevention of chlorophyll degradation was better with Spd in Nonabokra and Gobindobhog. While the salt-induced increase in anthocyanin or reducing sugar level was further prompted by Spd or Spm in all the varieties, the proline content was elevated by Spd particularly in Gobindobhog. During salinity stress, both the PAs were effective in lowering the putrescine accumulation in M-1-48 and Gobindobhog, and strikingly increasing the Spm level in all the varieties, the highest being in Gobindobhog. In addition, they enhanced the activity of peroxidases and compensated for the decreased catalase activity in all the varieties. Thus the two PAs could recuperate all the three varieties from salt-induced damages to different degrees. The salt injuries, encountered in M-1-48 and Gobindobhog, both of which showed greater susceptibility to salinity stress, were more pronouncedly alleviated and counteracted by the PAs, than the salt-tolerant Nonabokra. The reversal of inhibitory effect of salinity stress was conferred by preventing growth inhibition or various forms of cellular damages, maintaining proper K⁺/Na⁺ balance or triggering the level of osmolytes and activity of antioxidant enzymes. Our communication offers a referenced evidence for an understanding of the mechanism by which higher PAs relieve the damages particularly in salt-sensitive rice varieties.     

Identification of trans-acting factors regulating SamDC expression in Oryza sativa

Abiotic stress affects the growth and productivity of crop plants; to cope with the adverse environmental conditions, plants have developed efficient defense machinery comprising of antioxidants like phenolics and flavonoids, and osmolytes like polyamines. SamDC is a key enzyme in the polyamine biosynthesis pathway in plants. In our present communication we have done in silico analysis of the promoter region of SamDC to look for the presence of different cis-regulatory elements contributing to its expression. Based on the presence of different cis-regulatory elements we completed comparative analysis of SamDC gene expression in rice lamina of IR-29 and Nonabokra by qPCR in response to the abiotic stress treatments of salinity, drought, cold and the biotic stress treatments of ABA and light. Additionally, to explore the role of the cis-regulatory elements in regulating the expression of SamDC gene in plants we comparatively analyzed the binding of rice nuclear proteins prepared from IR-29 and Nonabokra undergoing various stress treatments. The intensity of the complex formed was low and inducible in IR-29 in contrast to Nonabokra. Southwestern blot analysis helped in predicting the size of the trans-acting factors binding to these cis-elements. To our knowledge this is the first report on the comprehensive analysis of SamDC gene expression in rice and identification of the trans-acting factors regulating its expression.     

干旱胁迫下表观遗传机制对转C4型PEPC基因水稻种子萌发的影响

为探究干旱胁迫下表观遗传机制对高表达玉米(Zea mays) C₄型PEPC转基因水稻(Oryza sativa)种子萌发的影响, 以转C₄型PEPC水稻(PC)和野生型水稻Kitaake (WT)为试材, 采用10% (m/v)聚乙二醇6000 (PEG6000)模拟干旱条件, 通过单独和联合施用PEG6000、DNA甲基化抑制剂5-氮杂胞苷(5azaC)和可变剪接抑制剂大环内酯类(PB)进行种子发芽实验, 测定种子活力、萌发过程中可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量、α-淀粉酶活性以及PEPC、糖信号相关基因和部分剪接因子基因的表达。结果表明, 0.25 µmol·L^-1PB处理对2种供试水稻在干旱条件下种子萌发均表现出显著抑制作用, 使干旱条件下种子萌发过程中可溶性总糖、蔗糖、葡萄糖和果糖含量以及可溶性蛋白含量均有所下降, PB也抑制糖信号-蔗糖非发酵1 (SNF1)相关蛋白激酶(SnRKs)家族和剪接因子丝氨酸/精氨酸富集蛋白家族(SR proteins)相关基因的表达以及α-淀粉酶的活性, 但对PC的抑制作用小于WT。5 µmol·L^-15azaC处理对干旱条件下种子萌发的效果与可变剪接抑制剂相反。5 µmol·L ^-1 5azaC联合PEG6000干旱处理部分减缓了干旱对水稻种子发芽率的抑制作用, 使供试材料发芽率升高, 表明DNA甲基化和可变剪接机制参与了水稻芽期干旱耐性, 其中对PC的作用更大。     

Effects of Epigenetic Mechanisms on C4 Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase Transgenic Rice (Oryza sativa) Seed Germination Under Drought Stress

为探究干旱胁迫下表观遗传机制对高表达玉米(Zea mays) C₄型PEPC转基因水稻(Oryza sativa)种子萌发的影响, 以转C₄型PEPC水稻(PC)和野生型水稻Kitaake (WT)为试材, 采用10% (m/v)聚乙二醇6000 (PEG6000)模拟干旱条件, 通过单独和联合施用PEG6000、DNA甲基化抑制剂5-氮杂胞苷(5azaC)和可变剪接抑制剂大环内酯类(PB)进行种子发芽实验, 测定种子活力、萌发过程中可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量、α-淀粉酶活性以及PEPC、糖信号相关基因和部分剪接因子基因的表达。结果表明, 0.25 μmol·L^-1PB处理对2种供试水稻在干旱条件下种子萌发均表现出显著抑制作用, 使干旱条件下种子萌发过程中可溶性总糖、蔗糖、葡萄糖和果糖含量以及可溶性蛋白含量均有所下降, PB也抑制糖信号-蔗糖非发酵1 (SNF1)相关蛋白激酶(SnRKs)家族和剪接因子丝氨酸/精氨酸富集蛋白家族(SR proteins)相关基因的表达以及α-淀粉酶的活性, 但对PC的抑制作用小于WT。5 μmol·L^-15azaC处理对干旱条件下种子萌发的效果与可变剪接抑制剂相反。5 μmol·L ^-1 5azaC联合PEG6000干旱处理部分减缓了干旱对水稻种子发芽率的抑制作用, 使供试材料发芽率升高, 表明DNA甲基化和可变剪接机制参与了水稻芽期干旱耐性, 其中对PC的作用更大。     

Expression levels of the Na + /K + transporter OsHKT2;1 and vacuolar Na + /H + exchanger OsNHX1 , Na enrichment,maintaining the photosynthetic abilities and growth performances of indica rice seedlings under salt stress

Salt affected soil inhibits plant growth, development and productivity, especially in case of rice crop. Ion homeostasis is a candidate defense mechanism in the salt tolerant plants or halophyte species, where the salt toxic ions are stored in the vacuoles. The aim of this investigation was to determine the OsNHX1 (a vacuolar Na+/H+ exchanger) and OsHKT2;1 (Na+/K+ transporter) regulation by salt stress (200 mM NaCl) in two rice cultivars, i.e. Pokkali (salt tolerant) and IR29 (salt susceptible), the accumulation of Na+ in the root and leaf tissues using CoroNa Green® staining dye and the associated physiological changes in test plants. Na+ content was largely increased in the root tissues of rice seedlings cv. Pokkali (15 min after salt stress) due to the higher expression of OsHKT2;1 gene (by 2.5 folds) in the root tissues. The expression of OsNHX1 gene in the leaf tissues was evidently increased in salt stressed seedlings of Pokkali, whereas it was unchanged in salt stressed seedlings of IR29. Na+ in the root tissues of both Pokkali and IR29 was enriched, when subjected to 200 mM NaCl for 12 h and easily detected in the leaf tissues of salt stressed plants exposed for 24 h, especially in cv. Pokkali. Moreover, the overexpression of OsNHX1 gene regulated the translocation of Na+ from root to leaf tissues, and compartmentation of Na+ into vacuoles, thereby maintaining the photosynthetic abilities in cv. Pokkali. Overall growth performance, maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), photon yield of PSII (ΦPSII) and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) was improved in salt stressed leaves of Pokkali than those in salt stressed IR29.     

Potassium nutrition of rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties under NaCl salinity

A salt-tolerant (Pokkali) and a salt-sensitive (IR28) variety of rice (Oryza sativa L.) were grown in a phytotron to investigate the effect of K (0, 25, 50 and 75 mg K kg^–1 soil) application on their salt tolerance. Potassium application significantly increased potential photosynthetic activity (Rfd value), percentage of filled spikelets, yield and K concentration in straw. At the same time, it also significantly reduced Na and Mg concentrations and consequently improved the K/Na, K/Mg and K/Ca ratios. IR28 responded better to K application than Pokkali. Split application of K failed to exert any beneficial effect over basal application.     

Crop-specific endophytic colonization by a novel,salt-tolerant,N2-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing Gluconacetobacter sp. from wild rice

A novel salt-tolerant, N₂-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing, Gluconacetobacter sp. (PA12) tagged with gusA gene, colonized Porteresia coarctata (wild rice) and Pokkali (salt-tolerant variety) more intensively when compared to Ponni (salt-sensitive variety). This was confirmed using a colony-counting method.