Exogenous foliar spray of selenium (Se) alleviates cold stress by promoting photosynthesis and antioxidant defense in waxy maize

Abstract

Exogenous application of selenium (Se) is an effective approach to improve abiotic stresses under climate change scenario. To investigate the effects of Se-induced improvement of cold tolerance, waxy maize seedlings sprayed with varied Se dose (0, 30, 60, 90 mg L -1 ) were exposed to low temperature (13 °C, LT) and ambient temperature (25 °C, NT) for ten days. The plant growth performances, such as net photosynthetic rate (A n ), oxidative damage, enzymes activities and related gene expression, and non-enzymatic levels of AsA and GSH were evaluated. The results showed that LT induced higher levels of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) , superoxide (O 2 •−), and decreased membrane stability index (MSI), An, leaf area (LA) and shoot dry weight (SDW) compared to NT, while Se-sprayed plants displayed higher antioxidant enzymes activities of SOD, CAT, APX and GR, and up-granulated genes encoding these four proteins, as well the increased contents of AsA, GSH and GSH+GSSG under LT, thereby decreased the accumulation of H 2 O 2 and O 2 •− content, which in turn maintained higher MSI, An and subsequent SDW. The results indicated that Se-induced low temperature tolerance might be associated the improved photosynthetic capacity, as well as enhanced antioxidant defense system.

The role of melatonin in plant growth and metabolism, and its interplay with nitric oxide and auxin in plants under different types of abiotic stress

“…For example, in barley, exogenous melatonin can enhance photosynthetic carbon assimilation by improving the plant antioxidant defense systems of organelles under cold stress ( Li et al., 2016 ). Therefore, the improved performance of primed seeds in terms of seedling growth and germination might be the result of improved antioxidant defense systems under cold stress ( Cao et al., 2022 ). However, an understanding of the growth of waxy corn and other crop seeds primed with melatonin in response to cold stress is still limited ( Cao et al., 2022 ).…”

“…Therefore, the improved performance of primed seeds in terms of seedling growth and germination might be the result of improved antioxidant defense systems under cold stress ( Cao et al., 2022 ). However, an understanding of the growth of waxy corn and other crop seeds primed with melatonin in response to cold stress is still limited ( Cao et al., 2022 ).…”

Beneficial elements in plants: developing resilience under stressful environments

“…Generating engineered plants by modulating the expression of genes associated with nutrient metabolism and the defense system can help maintain nutritional content and improve crop productivity under abiotic stress. Al, aluminium; Co, cobalt; Na, sodium; Se, selenium; Si, silicon and expression of antioxidant enzymes (Cao et al 2022). In another study, the application of potassium iodate (KIO 3 ) or an iodine-based biostimulant product improved the yield and quality (high potassium, K and phosphorous, P concentrations) of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) fruit under salt stress (Medrano Macias et al 2021).…”