Alleviation of Deleterious Effects due to 2-Benzoxazolinone by Exogenous Application of Spermidine in Solanum lycopersicum

Abstract

ABSTRACTChemicals in root exudates can have deleterious effects on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) growth and yield. Spermidine (Spd) acts as a plant growth regulator that plays a role in the regulation of physiological processes during stress. The present study reports the effect of exogenous Spd to mitigate the allelopathic stress of 2-benzoxazolinone (BOA) on tomato. The BOA treatment reduced fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW), relative water content (RWC), and decreased chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoid contents. Total soluble sugar (TSS) and protein contents were decreased due to treatment with BOA. Proline content, lipid peroxidation (LP), and antioxidant enzyme activities increased in BOA-treated plants. Electrolyte leakage (EL) from plant leaves increased due to treatment with BOA. Exogenous application to foliage with Spd increased RWC, FW and DW, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant enzyme activity in the BOA-treated seedlings. Protein and sugar contents, LP, and EL were reduced in seedlings exposed only to BOA. Exogenous foliar application of Spd appeared to induce protection against allelochemical stress by strengthening the protective system and helped maintain physiological functions in plants.