Physiological and metabolomic analysis of Punica granatum (L.) under drought stress

Abstract

Punica granatum has a noticeable adaptation to drought stress. The levels of the green leaf volatile trans-2-hexenal increased in response to drought stress suggesting a possible role of this compound in drought stress response in pomegranate. Punica granatum (L.) is a highly valued fruit crop for its health-promoting effects and it is mainly cultivated in semi-arid areas. Thus, understanding the response mechanisms to drought stress is of great importance. In the present research, a metabolomics analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of drought stress on volatile organic compounds extracted from the leaves of pomegranate plants grown under water shortage conditions. The time course experiment (7 days of water deprivation and 24-h recovery) consisted of three treatments (control, drought stress, and rehydration of drought-stressed plants). Plant weights were recorded and control plants were irrigated daily at pot capacity to provide the lost water. Fraction of transpirable soil water has been evaluated as indicator of soil water availability in stressed plants. The levels of proline, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation as well as of the photosynthetic parameters such as photosynthesis rate (A), stomatal conductance (g s), photosynthetic efficiency of photosystem II, and photochemical quenching were monitored after the imposition of drought stress and recovery as markers of plant stress. Constitutive carbon volatile components were analyzed in the leaf of control and drought-stressed leaves using Head Space Solid Phase Micro Extraction sampling coupled with Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. A total of 12 volatile compounds were found in pomegranate leaf profiles, mainly aldehydes, alcohols, and organic acids. Among them, the trans-2-hexenal showed a significant increase in water-stressed and recovered leaves respect to the well-watered ones. These data evidence a possible role of the oxylipin pathway in the response to water stress in pomegranate plants.

Developmental and biochemical analyses of in vitro drought stress response in ornamental European Bluestar (Amsonia orientalis Decne.)

“…Under the tested stress factor, an increase in H 2 O 2 and MDA levels indicates this cellular damage in A. orientalis. Several cellular protectants can be accumulated to regulate the cellular redox status under drought stress due to excessive H 2 O 2 production (Catola et al, 2016). Also, activities of ROS-scavenging enzymes are triggered by H 2 O 2 production.…”

Transcriptome analysis of <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> treated with green leaf volatiles: possible role of green leaf volatiles as self-made damage-associated molecular patterns

“…In contrast to the other GLVs, 2-Hal plays an important role in inducing oxidative stress responses, which suggests that RSLVs, including 2-Hal, are abiotic stress-related infochemicals, and, thus, 2-Hal emission is enhanced by abiotic stresses such as heat 26) and drought. 27) On the contrary, gene expression data obtained using the Agilent array indicated that 2-Hal downregulated a group of genes related to auxin metabolism, possibly accounting for the ability of 2-Hal to inhibit root elongation. 28)…”

Growth, Secondary Metabolites and Enzyme Activity Responses of Two Edible Fern Species to Drought Stress and Rehydration in Northeast China

“…Drought stress is one of the most serious abiotic stresses, which can lead to serious damage to plants including stomata closure, limitation of photosynthesis and inhibition of physiological functions such as antioxidant functions [6][7][8]. Under drought stress, plants will regulate the morphology, physiology and metabolism to adapt to a water deficit environment [9].…”