PJB-2018-818
IMPROVED ROOT WATER UPTAKE CAPACITY IS INVOLVED IN EXOGENOUS METHYL JASMONNATE MEDIATED INCREASE IN MAIZE RESISTANCE TO SHORT-TERM SALT STRESS
Jiakun Yan
Abstract
Jasmonic acid (JA) is an important biological hormone involved in many abiotic stress responses and plant developmental processes. Although exogenous JA application is known to enhance plant stress tolerance, the underlying mechanisms of this effect are still poorly understood. The influence of methyl jasmonate (MeJA, 1 μM) on maize (Zea mays L.) seedling growth under short-term salt stress was investigated in the present study. The results showed that the growth of seedlings was not significantly affected by MeJA application under control conditions. Under salt stress, the photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and root hydraulic conductance (Lp) were significantly inhibited, but this inhibition was alleviated by exogenous MeJA application. In addition, MeJA improved aquaporin activity, as HgCl2 application eliminated the advantage MeJA-treated seedlings had under salt stress. Taking all these results into consideration, this study indicates that exogenous MeJA pretreatment enhances maize resistance to short-term salt stress by regulating Lp through improving aquaporin activity. These results suggest that JA holds potential application value in improving crop production in saline and alkaline land.
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