Foliar application of melatonin alleviates the effects of drought stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings

Parichart SILALERT; Wattana PATTANAGUL

doi:10.15835/nbha49312417

Authors

Parichart SILALERT Khon Kaen University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 123 Moo 16 Mittraphap Road, Nai-Muang sub district, Muang District, Khon Kaen 40002 (TH)
Wattana PATTANAGUL Khon Kaen University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 123 Moo 16 Mittraphap Road, Nai-Muang sub district, Muang District, Khon Kaen 40002 (TH)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha49312417

Keywords:

antioxidant enzymes, drought stress, foliar application, melatonin

Abstract

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) plays an essential role in abiotic stress in plants, but its mechanism in drought tolerance is unclear. To better understand the protective roles of melatonin against drought stress, we investigated the effect of foliar application with exogenous melatonin on plant growth, physiological responses, and antioxidant enzyme activities in rice seedlings under drought stress. Rice seedlings were grown for 21 days, and foliar sprayed with 0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 µM melatonin. The control plant was watered daily, while the others were subjected to drought stress by withholding water for seven days. The results showed that drought stress significantly reduced plant growth, relative water content, and chlorophyll content. Electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were also negatively affected by drought stress. Application of melatonin alleviated the effects of drought stress by increasing plant growth, improving relative water content and chlorophyll content, and decreasing electrolyte leakage, MDA, and H₂O₂. Foliar application with melatonin also increased antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX). In addition, melatonin also enhanced proline and total soluble sugar accumulation during drought stress. It is, therefore, suggested that foliar application with 100 µM melatonin was the most effective for reducing the adverse effects of drought stress in rice plants.

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