Acetic-acid-induced jasmonate signaling in root enhances drought avoidance in rice

Abstract

Conferring drought resistant traits to crops is one of the major aims of current breeding programs in response to global climate changes. We previously showed that exogenous application of acetic acid to roots of various plants could induce increased survivability under subsequent drought stress conditions, but details of the metabolism of exogenously applied acetic acid, and the nature of signals induced by its application, have not been unveiled. In this study, we show that rice rapidly induces jasmonate signaling upon application of acetic acid, resulting in physiological changes similar to those seen under drought. The major metabolite of the exogenously applied acetic acid in xylem sap was determined as glutamine—a common and abundant component of xylem sap—indicating that acetic acid is not the direct agent inducing the observed physiological responses in shoots. Expression of drought-responsive genes in shoot under subsequent drought conditions was attenuated by acetic acid treatment. These data suggest that acetic acid activates root-to-shoot jasmonate signals that partially overlap with those induced by drought, thereby conferring an acclimated state on shoots prior to subsequent drought.

Jasmonic Acid in Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance and Interaction with Abscisic Acid

“…Drought stress induced the expression of JA biosynthesis genes, such as LOX1, AOS1, AOC1, and OPR3, in wheat, indicating that drought stress promotes JA production by activating the expression of JA biosynthetic genes. Recent studies by Kim et al (2017) and Ogawa et al (2021) showed that drought stress triggers dynamic metabolic changes that produce acetate to activate JA biosynthesis and response, and exogenous acetate treatment improves drought tolerance [78,79]. These findings indicate a mechanistic connection between drought and JA response, supporting that JA is deeply involved in plant response and tolerance to drought stress.…”

Broad‐spectrum stress tolerance conferred by suppressing jasmonate signaling attenuation in Arabidopsis JASMONIC ACID OXIDASE mutants

“…These findings indicate that elevated basal JA‐Ile signaling upon jao2 deficiency directs a distinct drought–survival pathway. Some of these characteristics are reminiscent of a recently reported, conserved drought survival strategy where stress‐induced acetate triggers JA signaling and much ameliorated tolerance without recruiting typical ABA responses (Kim et al, 2017; Ogawa et al, 2021). In contrast to increased Botrytis resistance that seemed to rely mainly on elevated basal defenses in jao2 , jao2 ‐triggered drought tolerance is additionally characterized by primed responses under stressed conditions.…”

Exogenous citric acid enhances drought tolerance in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)

“…Previous studies revealed that organic acids participate in the plant response to drought stress (Li et Exogenous application of acetic acid improved drought tolerance in several species (Kim et al 2017;Ogawa et al 2021;Rahman et al 2021). To examine their potential role in defence in tobacco under drought, five-leaf stage seedlings were treated with different organic acids for 7 days before drought stress (Fig.…”

“…Exogenous application of these organic acids has been considered a promising strategy to manage plant adaptation by activating stress adaptation mechanisms under field conditions. For example, exogenous application of acetic acid enhances drought resistance in a variety of plant species, including Arabidopsis, rice, maize, rapeseed and wheat, by promoting de novo jasmonic acid (JA) synthesis and its signalling pathway (Kim et al 2017;Ogawa et al 2021;Rahman et al 2021). Recently, external application of acetic acid was found to enhance drought avoidance in cassava plants through upregulation of abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis and associated genes (Utsumi et al 2019).…”