Abstract
Gamma (γ)-irradiation of plants at low doses can provoke a broad range of growth-stimulating effects. In order to reveal universal target genes that are involved in molecular pathways of radiation hormesis establishment, we studied nine barley cultivars for their tolerance to γ-irradiation of seeds. Four morphological traits were assessed in barley seedlings after γ-irradiation of seeds at 20 Gy. Nine cultivars were sorted according to the sensitivity to irradiation as γ-stimulated, “no morphological effect”, or γ-inhibited. Gene expression of 17 candidate genes was evaluated for the 7 most contrasting cultivars. Changes in expression of barley homologues of PM19L and CML31 were suggested as possible determinants of radiation hormesis effect. The possible role of jasmonate signaling in roots in radiation growth stimulations was revealed. Morphological analysis and gene expression study showed that the genetic background of a cultivar plays an important role in eustress responses to low-dose γ-irradiation of seeds.
Highlights
Low concentrations and intensities of various stressors can induce stimulating effects on growth and development of plants [1]
The comparison of irradiated and control barley seedlings showed a range of responses to irradiation: growth stimulation, inhibition, and the absence of effect
We provided an analysis of morphological traits of barley seedlings belonging to different cultivars, which grew from seeds irradiated by low dose of γ-radiation (20 Gy)
Summary
Low concentrations and intensities of various stressors can induce stimulating effects on growth and development of plants [1]. The beneficial effect of low intensities of stress exposure on plants is often determined as “positive stress” or eustress, while the effects of harmful high doses of stressors are called distress [2]. Γ-irradiation at low doses causes a wide range of positive effects on plant growth (radiation hormesis effect), including an increase in linear size of organs and accumulation of biomass and certain metabolites [3,4,5,6]. Due to the instability of the radiation hormesis effect in field conditions, its expediency as a ubiquitous agricultural practice is questionable. Hormesis-based interventions in agriculture and food systems are expected to enhance the resilience of agriculture [7]
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