Seed Priming Improves Biochemical and Physiological Performance of Wheat Seedlings under Low-Temperature Conditions

Abstract

Wheat is a widely cultivated cereal throughout the world and stress caused by low temperatures significantly affects all stages of wheat development. Seed priming is an effective method to produce stress-resistant plants. This work was carried out to determine whether different priming methods (hormo-, halo-, osmo-, and hydropriming) can increase the resistance of wheat to low-temperature conditions (10 °C). The effect of priming on growth, as well as the biochemical and physiological performance of wheat seedlings were monitored. In general, priming had a significant stimulatory effect on the monitored characteristics. Hormo- and halopriming had a positive effect on the growth, vigor index, and total soluble protein content of wheat seedlings. Additionally, hormopriming reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in wheat seedlings compared to unprimed seeds. A dominant effect on antioxidant enzymes (superoxide-dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, and pyrogallol peroxidase) was recorded after seed priming with KNO3. The effectiveness of priming was also confirmed through the increased content of phenolic compounds (including flavonoids), and total antioxidant activity. The HPLC analysis showed increased content of chlorogenic acid, catechin, 4-hydroxy benzoic acid, sinapic acid, rutin, naringin, and quercetin in primed wheat seedlings compared to unprimed grown seedlings under low-temperature conditions with the best effects achieved by hormo- and hydropriming. It is concluded that seed priming can be regarded as a promising approach for increasing the resistance of wheat seedlings to low-temperature stress.

Quercetin and Rutin as Tools to Enhance Antioxidant Profiles and Post-Priming Seed Storability in Medicago truncatula

“…Differently, seed priming induces an increase in antioxidant properties and stress responsiveness in other experimental systems that do not imply post-priming aging or that assess antioxidant parameters at later growth stages [74]. Previous accounts in G. max reported a decrease in ROS levels and an increased expression of antioxidant response genes (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) following priming [75], and priming enhanced the total antioxidant activity and the content of phenolic compounds (including flavonoids) in Triticum aestivum seedlings [76]. These patterns in the antioxidant response to priming highlight the need to consider seed priming and dry-back also in terms of a controlled stress, possibly exploring the aspects of priming-associated stress memory [4,6].…”

Seed Priming with Salicylic Acid Alleviates Salt Stress Toxicity in Barley by Suppressing ROS Accumulation and Improving Antioxidant Defense Systems, Compared to Halo- and Gibberellin Priming

“…GA 3 seed priming can also overcome seed dormancy by stimulating embryo growth and mobilizing reserves in maize plants [ 58 ]. In other studies, seed priming with GA 3 improved rice seedling emergence even under low-temperature stress [ 59 ], and halopriming (KNO 3 ) or hormopriming (GA 3 ) improved wheat and oat seed germination, while hormopriming (IAA or GA 3 ) improved barley germination under salt stress [ 60 ].…”