PJB-2024-1522
Brassinolide alleviates the drought stress of Oxalis corniculata by enhancing the growth and reducing the oxidative stress
Chen Li and Qingfang Tu
Abstract
Drought stress poses a significant environmental challenge that can severely impact plant growth and productivity, primarily by inducing oxidative stress. In response to this challenge, brassinolide, a plant hormone, has gained increasing attention for its potential to mitigate the adverse effects of drought stress through the regulation of antioxidants. This study aimed to assess the impact of brassinolide on Oxalis corniculata under drought-stress conditions. There were 2 levels of brassinolide i.e., 0 and 0.1 µM brassinolide applied under drought stress and no drought stress. All treatments were applied in 4 replicates. Results showed that the brassinolide + drought stress group exhibited a marked increase in plant height (18.77%), stem diameter (21.78%), leaf area (24.65%), and biomass (22.76%) compared to those subjected to drought stress alone. Oxidative stress parameters, represented by MDA and H2O2 contents, exhibited a significant elevation in the drought stress group when compared to the control group. However, the administration of brassinolide significantly lowered MDA (29.41%) and H2O2 (28.88%) contents within the brassinolide + drought stress group, as opposed to the drought stress-only group. Moreover, antioxidant enzyme activities, including catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), displayed a substantial increase in the brassinolide + drought stress group relative to the drought stress group, with percentage increases ranging from approximately 20.92% to 33.47%. In conclusion, brassinolide treatment significantly enhanced Oxalis corniculata tolerance to drought stress by promoting growth and reducing oxidative stress, emphasizing its potential as a valuable tool in sustainable agriculture
To Cite this article:
Li, C. and Q. Tu. 2024. Brassinolide alleviates the drought stress of Oxalis corniculata by enhancing the growth and reducing the oxidative stress. Pak. J. Bot., 56(3): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2024-3(10)
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