Abstract
Chilling, a sort of cold stress, is a typical abiotic ecological stress that impacts the development as well as the growth of crops. The present study was carried to investigate the role of ascorbic acid root priming in enhancing tolerance of tomato seedlings against acute chilling stress. The treatments included untreated control, ascorbic acid-treated plants (AsA; 0.5 mM), acute chilling-stressed plants (4 °C), and chilling stressed seedlings treated by ascorbic acid. Exposure to acute chilling stress reduced growth in terms of length, fresh and dry biomass, pigment synthesis, and photosynthesis. AsA was effective in mitigating the injurious effects of chilling stress to significant levels when supplied at 0.5 mM concentrations. AsA priming reduced the chilling mediated oxidative damage by lowering the electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation, and hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, up regulating the activity of enzymatic components of the antioxidant system. Further, 0.5 mM AsA proved beneficial in enhancing ions uptake in normal and chilling stressed seedlings. At the gene expression level, AsA significantly lowered the expression level of CAT and heat shock protein genes. Therefore, we theorize that the implementation of exogenous AsA treatment reduced the negative effects of severe chilling stress on tomato.
Highlights
Global warming represents one of the most significant research concerns currently confronted by biologists and agronomists [1]
Plants pretreated with exogenous ascorbic acid (0.5 mM ascorbic acid-treated plants (AsA)) showed an obvious alleviated effect against chilling-induced stress, as supported by the leaf phenology, turgor, and structure (Figure 1)
Exogenous AsA and exposed to chilling stress displayed similar phenotypes with control plants (Figure 1), confirming that AsA has a potential role in alleviating the chilling stress each other (10.3% and 10.12% respectively) stressed plants recorded the maximum degree damage symptoms in tomato plants
Summary
Global warming represents one of the most significant research concerns currently confronted by biologists and agronomists [1]. Plants were grown under open environments often pass through intervals of abiotic stress throughout their lifetime [2]. Previous studies recorded the adaptable responses of crop plants to various abiotic stresses, in which focus has been laid on particular stress factors [3]. Based on the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the human population is growing fast and may reach around 10 billion in 2050. Food production is lowering due to different abiotic stresses. The earth will need 70% more food by 2050 [4,5]. It is essential to acquire crops that exhibit improved vigor and tolerance to different environmental factors to face the upcoming challenge of food security [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call