Physiological Response of Maize Plants (Zea mays L.) to the Use of the Potassium Quercetin Derivative

Abstract

Plant production technologies based solely on the improvement of plants themselves face obstacles resulting from the natural limitations of the biological potential of varieties. Therefore, new substances are sought that positively influence the growth and development of plants and increase resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses, which also translates into an increase in obtained yields. The exogenous application of various phytoprotectants shows great promise in terms of cost effectiveness compared to traditional breeding methods or transgenic approaches in relation to increasing plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. Quercetin is a strong antioxidant among phenolic compounds, and it plays a physiological and biochemical role in plants. As such, the aim of this research was to assess the effect of an aqueous solution of a quercetin derivative with potassium, applied in various concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 3.0% and 5.0%), on the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus and biochemical properties of maize. Among the tested variants, compared to the control, the most stimulating effect on the course of physiological processes (PN, gs, ci, CCI, Fv/Fm, Fv/F0, PI) in maize leaves was found in 3.0 and 5.0% aqueous solutions of the quercetin derivative. The highest total antioxidant capacity and total content of polyphenolic compounds were found for plants sprayed with 5.0% quercetin derivative solution; therefore, in this study, the optimal concentration could not be clearly selected.

Assessment of the Impact of the Application of a Quercetin—Copper Complex on the Course of Physiological and Biochemical Processes in Wheat Plants (Triticum aestivum L.) Growing under Saline Conditions

“…These metabolites include, in particular, phenolic compounds produced by the shikimate-phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway, which include quercetin [ 26 ]. In previous studies conducted by Jańczak-Pieniążek et al [ 39 ] and Migut et al [ 58 ], as a result of spraying with quercetin derivative (potassium quercetin complex), a positive, proportional to the concentrations used, effect of this flavonoid was demonstrated. This resulted in an improvement in the values of content of chlorophyll and selected parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange.…”

Quercetin ameliorates chromium toxicity through improvement in photosynthetic activity, antioxidative defense system; and suppressed oxidative stress in Trigonella corniculata L.

“…Quercetin is reported to protect plants against oxidative damage produced due to various abiotic stresses ( Jisha et al, 2013 ). Previous studies have also reported that application of Qu and Qu derivatives enhanced polyphenols, antioxidant capacity of Zea mays seedlings ( Migut et al, 2021 ). In our case, Qu application antioxidant capacity in T. corniculata seedlings exposed to Cr-stressed conditions, thereby improved growth and morphophysiological characteristics ( Singh et al,2013 ; Table 1 ).…”

Physiological and transcriptomic analyses provide preliminary insights into the autotoxicity of Lilium brownii

“…2,4-DTBP is a phenol that affects the dynamic equilibrium of ROS in plant roots. Low concentrations of phenolic acids increase plant stress resistance ( Mei et al., 2020 ; Chen et al., 2021 ; Migut et al., 2021 ). The accumulation of phenolic acids in the soil leads to soil acidification, where the cells of plant roots are the first to be affected.…”