Abstract
As a typical warm-season grass, Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L).Pers.] is widely applied in turf systems and animal husbandry. However, cold temperature is a key factor limiting resource utilization for Bermudagrass. Therefore, it is relevant to study the mechanisms by which Burmudagrass responds to cold. Melatonin is a crucial animal and plant hormone that is responsible for plant abiotic stress responses. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of melatonin in cold stress response of Bermudagrass. Wild Bermudagrass pre-treated with 100 μM melatonin was subjected to different cold stress treatments (−5°C for 8 h with or without cold acclimation). The results showed lower malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage (EL) values, higher levels of chlorophyll, and greater superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities after melatonin treatment than those in non-melatonin treatment under cold stress. Analysis of chlorophyll a revealed that the chlorophyll fluorescence transient (OJIP) curves were higher after treatment with melatonin than that of non-melatonin treated plants under cold stress. The values of photosynthetic fluorescence parameters increased after treatment with melatonin under cold stress. The analysis of metabolism showed alterations in 46 metabolites in cold-stressed plants after melatonin treatment. Among the measured metabolites, five sugars (arabinose, mannose, glucopyranose, maltose, and turanose) and one organic acid (propanoic acid) were significantly increased. However, valine and threonic acid contents were reduced in melatonin-treated plants. In summary, melatonin maintained cell membrane stability, increased antioxidant enzymes activities, improved the process of photosystem II, and induced alterations in Bermudagrass metabolism under cold stress.
Highlights
Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L).Pers.] is widely cultivated in sports fields, lawns and golf courses and used in animal husbandry
To investigate whether the exogenous melatonin played a positive role in maintaining cell membrane stability of Bermudagrass under cold stress, MDA content and electrolyte leakage (EL) alterations were determined
The results showed that, both MDA and EL were higher in the plants after cold treatment than those of control
Summary
Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L).Pers.] is widely cultivated in sports fields, lawns and golf courses and used in animal husbandry. As a typical warm-season grass, the optimal temperature for growth ranges from 26.7 to 35◦C. When the temperature is below 15◦C, the plants stop growing. The utilization of Bermudagrass is limited by low temperature and the shoots wither in late autumn and winter. Cold is considered as a key factor limiting widespread use in Bermudagrass.
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