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Hypergravity – an evolutionarily novel environment, enhances the resilience of wheat to simulated drought and salinity stress

Mahamed Ashiq I, Ravikumar Hosamani , Uday Reddy, Ramesh Bhat, Akbar S Md, Basavalingayya K Swamy

Abstract

Previous research from our lab demonstrated that hypergravity that can be simulated using tabletop centrifuges, offers significant benefits to crop plants. Specifically, it enhances seedling vigor and growth parameters in the UAS 375 bread wheat. This enhanced root growth phenotype is believed to boost abiotic stress tolerance by facilitating deeper access to water and nutrients from the soil. This study investigated whether hypergravity-induced root growth enhancements could offer resilience to induced drought and salt stress, and whether such benefits would extend across other wheat genotypes. The results revealed that hypergravity (10g for 12 h) conferred significant tolerance to simulated drought and salt stress. This was evidenced by improved seedling growth parameters as well as increased chlorophyll content and proline accumulation in response to hypergravity followed by stress challenge, compared to stress challenge alone. LC-MS/MS analysis indicated dynamic phytohormone modulation, and qRT PCR data revealed significant alterations in the expression of genes associated with antioxidant enzymes and abiotic stresses. Thus, this study further supports that hypergravity boosts abiotic stress resilience through genetic and hormonal dynamics. Notably, these effects were consistent across genotypes. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that hypergravity can effectively improve resilience against seedling abiotic stresses in wheat.

FP24200  Accepted 04 November 2024

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