Sophora tonkinensis: response and adaptation of physiological characteristics, functional traits, and secondary metabolites to drought stress

Abstract

The medicinal plant Sophora tonkinensis is a characteristic Chinese shrub of karst areas. The arid climate in karst areas produces high‐quality S. tonkinensis; however, the mechanisms of drought tolerance are not clear, which restricts sustainable plantings of S. tonkinensis. This study involved a 20‐day drought stress experiment with potted S. tonkinensis and threee soil water regimes: control (CK), mild drought (MDT), and severe drought (SDT). Plant morphology, biomass, physiological indicators, alkaloid content, and other changes under drought stress were monitored. The content of soluble sugars and proteins, and activity of antioxidant enzymes in leaves and roots were higher under drought than CK, indicating that S. tonkinensis is tolerant to osmotic stress in early drought stages. Content of matrine and oxymatrine increased gradually with increasing drought duration in the short term. The epidermis of S. tonkinensis leaves have characteristics of desert plants, including upper epidermal waxy layer, lower epidermal villi, and relatively sunken stomata, suggesting that S. tonkinensis has strong drought tolerance. In conclusion, drought stress changed the cell structure of S. tonkinensis, induced antioxidant enzyme activity and increased its resistance to drought.

Effects of Exogenous Abscisic Acid on the Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Camellia oleifera Seedlings under Drought Stress

“…Osmoregulatory substances such as proline and soluble sugars in plant cells help maintain osmotic balance and stabilize cell turgor under drought stress [ 40 , 41 , 42 ]. In our study, compared to CK and A0, the use of exogenous ABA under drought stress conditions significantly increased the content of proline and soluble sugars in leaves.…”

Multifaceted insights into the environmental adaptability of Arnebia guttata under drought stress

“…However, appropriate water scarcity in the environment can be advantageous for plants, particularly certain medicinal ones. According to Liang et al (2023), the medicinal plant Sophora tonkinensis, indigenous to karst areas, exhibits enhanced drought tolerance, resulting in an augmentation of medicinal components such as matrine and oxymatrine under varying soil water conditions. Furthermore, following exposure to drought conditions, the antioxidant capacity of Melia azedarach experienced augmentation, coupled with a notable increase in the accumulation of lipid metabolites such as fatty acids and oleamide.…”

“…However, appropriate water scarcity in the environment can be advantageous for plants, particularly certain medicinal ones. According to Liang et al. (2023) , the medicinal plant Sophora tonkinensis , indigenous to karst areas, exhibits enhanced drought tolerance, resulting in an augmentation of medicinal components such as matrine and oxymatrine under varying soil water conditions.…”