The Role of Hydrogen Peroxide in Mediating the Mechanical Wounding-Induced Freezing Tolerance in Wheat

Abstract

Systemic wound response (SWR), a well-characterized systemic signaling response, plays crucial roles in plant defense responses. Progress in understanding of the SWR in abiotic stress has also been aided by the researchers. However, the function of SWR in freezing stress remains elusive. In this study, we showed that local mild mechanical wounding enhanced freezing tolerance in newly occurred systemic leaves of wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.). Wounding significantly increased the maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, net photosynthetic rate, and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes under freezing stress. Wounding also alleviated freezing-induced chlorophyll decomposition, electrolyte leakage, water lose, and membrane peroxidation. In addition, wounding-induced freezing stress mitigation was closely associated with the ratio between reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and the ratio between ascorbate (AsA) and dehydroascorbate (DHA), as well as the contents of total soluble sugars and free amino acids. Importantly, pharmacological study showed that wounding-induced freezing tolerance was substantially arrested by pretreatment of wheat leaves with the scavenger of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or the inhibitor of NADPH oxidase (RBOH). These results support the hypothesis that local mechanical wounding-induced SWR in newly occurred leaves is largely attributed to RBOH-dependent H2O2 production, which may subsequently induce freezing tolerance in wheat plants. This mechanism may have a potential application to reduce the yield losses of wheat under late spring freezing conditions.Highlights:In our previous research, we found that local mechanical wounding could induce freezing tolerance in the upper systemic leaves of wheat plants. Surprisingly, in this paper, we further demonstrated that local mechanical wounding could also increase freezing resistance in newly occurred leaves of wheat plants. RBOH mediated H2O2 and ascorbate–glutathione cycle participate in this systemic wound response.

Priming With the Green Leaf Volatile (Z)-3-Hexeny-1-yl Acetate Enhances Salinity Stress Tolerance in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Seedlings

“…However, the role that GLVs play in plant abiotic stress remains an open question. Previous studies, including our research, documented the importance of wounding- or herbivore-induced phytohormones, such as ethylene (ETH) and jasmonic acid (JA), and signaling molecules, such as hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and nitric oxide (NO), in response to plant abiotic stress (León et al, 2001; Schilmiller and Howe, 2005; Chauvin et al, 2012; Ahmad et al, 2016; Si et al, 2017, 2018); thus, GLVs might also be a crucial molecule in plant abiotic stress.…”

Double benefits of mechanical wounding in enhancing chilling tolerance and lodging resistance in wheat plants

“…These observations differ from our previous results where non‐stomatal limitations occurred (Si et al . ). This could be because of the different growth environments of the wheat plants between hydroponic culture and our field experiment.…”

“…In our previous study, we clearly demonstrated that local mechanical wounding can enhance freezing tolerance of the non‐wounded systemic leaves and the latest fully expanded leaves in wheat (Si et al . , ). However, whether this SWR‐triggered freezing resistance could be applied under field conditions remains unclear.…”

Green leaf volatile (Z)‐3‐hexeny‐1‐yl acetate reduces salt stress in peanut by affecting photosynthesis and cellular redox homeostasis

“…Over the last several decades, the systemic wounding response (SWR) has become a promising approach in combating plant abiotic stress (Schilmiller and Howe ). Previous studies, including ours, have provided strong evidence that mechanical wounding could enhance abiotic stress tolerance in various plant species (Capiati et al , Si et al , Si et al , Si et al ). Several studies indicate that H 2 O 2 , JA and salicylic acid (SA) are integral systemic signals in plant salt stress (Miller et al , Miller et al , Choudhury et al ); however, the mechanisms governing SWR have not been elucidated in detail.…”