Exogenous melatonin ameliorates ionizing radiation-induced damage by modulating growth, osmotic adjustment and photosynthetic capacity in wheat seedlings


Kurt-Celebı A., Çolak N., Torun H., Dosedělová V., Tarkowski P., Ayaz F. A.

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY, vol.187, pp.67-76, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 187
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.07.014
  • Journal Name: PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, BIOSIS, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.67-76
  • Keywords: Melatonin, Gamma radiation, Triticum aestivum, Osmolytes, Pigments, Priming, ABIOTIC STRESS TOLERANCE, TRITICUM-AESTIVUM L., GAMMA-IRRADIATION, GERMINATION, INCREASES, RESPONSES, PIGMENTS, PROLINE
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

As a multifunctional signal molecule, melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) plays many important roles in the regulation of plant growth and development. The effect of melatonin application on enhancing plant stress tolerance has been widely reported, but the ameliorative effect of exogenous melatonin treatment on plants exposed to ionization stress is still unknown. This study investigated the ameliorative effects of two types of melatonin treatment, pre-sowing priming (prMel) and application during growth (ptMel), in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings exposed to different radiation doses (100, 200, 300 and 400 Gy) of radioactive cobalt (60Co) gamma rays as dry seeds. The growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence, osmotic potential with soluble sugars, fructans and proline contents were then examined. The results indicated that high doses of ionizing radiation (IR) led to decreases in plant growth, pigment contents, chlorophyll fluo-rescence ratios and osmotic potential. However, soluble sugar, fructan and proline contents increased under IR stress conditions. Both melatonin applications, but particularly prMel, enhanced the morphological parameters, preserved the photosynthetic machinery and regulated the osmotic adjustment of IR-stressed wheat seedlings. Taken together, the findings show that exogenously applied melatonin, particularly prMel, play a significant role in alleviating IR stress in wheat seedlings.