Combined foliar application of nutrients and 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) improved drought tolerance in Leymus chinensis by modulating its morpho-physiological characteristics
Ji-Xuan Song A B , Shakeel Ahmad Anjum A C , Xue-Feng Zong A , Rong Yan A , Ling Wang A , Ai-Jie Yang A , Umair Ashraf D , Ali Zohaib C , Jun Lv A , Yan Zhang A , Yu-Feng Dong A and San-Gen Wang A E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China.
B Guizhou Institute of Biotechnology, Guiyang 550006, China.
C Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan.
D Department of Crop Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
E Corresponding author. Email: wangsg@swu.edu.cn
Crop and Pasture Science 68(5) 474-482 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP16187
Submitted: 6 June 2016 Accepted: 13 April 2017 Published: 31 May 2017
Abstract
Water deficit is an environmental constraint restricting plant growth and productivity, and is further worsened by reduced soil fertility. Plant growth-regulating substances ameliorate damaging effects of abiotic stresses, and their efficacy is improved by application of adequate nutrients. An experiment was undertaken to investigate the influence of foliar-applied nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium: NPK) and 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) alone and in combination on morpho-physiological indices of the perennial grass Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel under drought and well-watered conditions. Drought stress caused a reduction in growth and photosynthetic pigments while increasing the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and osmolytes compared with well-watered conditions. However, application of NPK and ALA improved plant height, fresh and dry weights, and chlorophyll content. Production of soluble proteins and sugars, proline content, and antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase) were increased and MDA accumulation was lowered by application of NPK and ALA relative to the control (no application). Combined application of NPK and ALA proved more advantageous than NPK or ALA alone in exerting ameliorative effect on L. chinensis under drought-stressed conditions. The results suggest that combined application of NPK and ALA improves the growth and development of L. chinensis by modulating physiological processes and aids in sustaining drought.
Additional keywords: antioxidant enzymes, foliar nutrition, grassland, photosynthetic pigments, osmolytes.
References
Ashraf M (2009) Biotechnological approach of improving plant salt tolerance using antioxidants as markers. Biotechnology Advances 27, 84–93.| Biotechnological approach of improving plant salt tolerance using antioxidants as markers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhsV2nsrvP&md5=d6864004c0c90e4817403684f9f19e8cCAS |
Balestrasse KB, Tomaro ML, Batlle A, Noriega GO (2010) The role of 5-aminolevulinic acid in the response to cold stress in soybean plants. Phytochemistry 71, 2038–2045.
| The role of 5-aminolevulinic acid in the response to cold stress in soybean plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhsVagtLnJ&md5=72e666474c46845502d0f84034eefd81CAS |
Bartels D, Sunkar R (2005) Drought and salt tolerance in plants. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences 24, 23–58.
| Drought and salt tolerance in plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXis12ns7c%3D&md5=4f52fc2d83223480a5dec4623cc9e9fbCAS |
Bates LS, Waldren RP, Teare ID (1973) Rapid determination of free proline for water-stress studies. Plant and Soil 39, 205–207.
| Rapid determination of free proline for water-stress studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE3sXlsVGitLk%3D&md5=a5d6be5b1abe908e51c9e335d71518ccCAS |
Blum A (2011) Drought tolerance: Is it a complex trait? Functional Plant Biology 38, 753–757.
| Drought tolerance: Is it a complex trait?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bradford MM (1976) A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Analytical Biochemistry 72, 248–254.
| A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE28XksVehtrY%3D&md5=ec1c81995b5f1a7887c0acb71f446495CAS |
Chen C, Lu S, Chen Y, Wang Z, Niu Y, Guo Z (2009) A gamma-ray induced dwarf mutant from seeded Bermuda grass and its physiological responses to drought stress. Horticultural Science 134, 22–30.
Coelho FE, Or D (1996) A parametric model for two dimensional water uptake intensity by corn roots under drip irrigation. Soil Science Society of America Journal 60, 1039–1049.
| A parametric model for two dimensional water uptake intensity by corn roots under drip irrigation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK28Xktl2qs7g%3D&md5=4656a64a28c40ebd654ff7bb1d2f1b79CAS |
David TS, Henriques MO, Kurz-Besson C, Nunes J, Valente F, Vaz M, David JS (2007) Water-use strategies in two co-occurring Mediterranean evergreen oaks: surviving the summer drought. Tree Physiology 27, 793–803.
| Water-use strategies in two co-occurring Mediterranean evergreen oaks: surviving the summer drought.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2s7jt1Cisg%3D%3D&md5=f12d74bed86fba4213a706c0245349fbCAS |
De Vos CHR, Schat H, Dewaal MAM, Vooijs R, Ernst WHO (1991) Increased resistance to copper-induced damage of the root cell plasmalemma in copper tolerant Silene cucubalus. Physiologia Plantarum 82, 523–528.
| Increased resistance to copper-induced damage of the root cell plasmalemma in copper tolerant Silene cucubalus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXlslKqurc%3D&md5=4f5cf4e7a27c7892961c7d2dbc8b857cCAS |
Dordas C (2006) Foliar boron application affects lint and seed yield and improves seed quality of cotton grown on calcareous soils. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 76, 19–28.
| Foliar boron application affects lint and seed yield and improves seed quality of cotton grown on calcareous soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XpsVaiur0%3D&md5=68988b67d596705bea063aa7d72a1835CAS |
Gill SS, Tuteja N (2010) Reactive oxygen species and antioxidant machinery in abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 48, 909–930.
| Reactive oxygen species and antioxidant machinery in abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhtlKnu7fF&md5=0bb4cf46349b224aab5e3b008ba65f73CAS |
Guenni O, Baruch Z, Marín D (2004) Responses to drought of five Brachiaria species. II. Water relations and leaf gas exchange. Plant and Soil 258, 249–260.
| Responses to drought of five Brachiaria species. II. Water relations and leaf gas exchange.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXjvF2qsb8%3D&md5=5cbda23e8da9f42e748a8944028a24f6CAS |
Gupta N, Thind SK, Bains NS (2014) Glycine betaine application modifies biochemical attributes of osmotic adjustment in drought stressed wheat. Plant Growth Regulation 72, 221–228.
| Glycine betaine application modifies biochemical attributes of osmotic adjustment in drought stressed wheat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhs1SrsbbK&md5=66b692f3e5584317c17d9ccb1ceb5744CAS |
Hasanuzzaman M, Nahar K, Gill SS, Fujita M (2014) Drought stress responses in plants, oxidative stress and antioxidant defense. In ‘Climate change and plant abiotic stress tolerance’. (Eds Gill SS, Tuteja N) pp. 209–249. (Wiley: Weinheim, Germany)
Hayat S, Hayat Q, Alyemeni MN, Wani AS, Pichtel J, Ahmad A (2012) Role of proline under changing environments: A review. Plant Signaling & Behavior 7, 1456–1466.
| Role of proline under changing environments: A review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXjsVWhu74%3D&md5=89cb74363d82f79b4a20187d1a83c55cCAS |
Higa A, Mori Y, Kitamura Y (2010) Iron deficiency induces changes in riboflavin secretion and the mitochondrial electron transport chain in hairy roots of Hyoscyamus albus. Journal of Plant Physiology 167, 870–878.
| Iron deficiency induces changes in riboflavin secretion and the mitochondrial electron transport chain in hairy roots of Hyoscyamus albus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXpt1Citbk%3D&md5=040701b6256ba84ec19e5a3728d400d4CAS |
Hotta Y, Tanaka T, Bingshan L, Takeuchi Y, Konnai M (1998) Improvement of cold resistance in rice seedlings by 5-aminolevulinic acid. Journal of Pest Science 23, 29–33.
| Improvement of cold resistance in rice seedlings by 5-aminolevulinic acid.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXhs1eqt7Y%3D&md5=ac22876ea2f56af29ef28d9018449580CAS |
Hu Y, Zoltan B, Urs S (2008) Effect of foliar fertilization application on the growth and mineral nutrient content of maize seedlings under drought and salinity. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 54, 133–141.
| Effect of foliar fertilization application on the growth and mineral nutrient content of maize seedlings under drought and salinity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXjt1Whtro%3D&md5=2acda41f13076a221214ae18f8e8ce7eCAS |
Khalid KA, Shedeed MR (2015) Effect of NPK and foliar nutrition on growth, yield and chemical constituents in Nigella sativa L. Journal of Materials and Environmental Science 6, 1709–1714.
Landgren C, Jr JSO, Contreras R (2013) Evaluating soil and foliar fertilization of Abies nordmanniana under container and field production. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research 28, 419–427.
| Evaluating soil and foliar fertilization of Abies nordmanniana under container and field production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lei Y, Yin C, Li C (2006) Differences in some morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses to drought stress in two contrasting populations of Populus przewalskii. Physiologia Plantarum 127, 182–191.
| Differences in some morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses to drought stress in two contrasting populations of Populus przewalskii.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XmtFSku7s%3D&md5=5e137d3568558131d31d7b794b51603cCAS |
Li MH, Xiao WF, Shi PL, Wang SG, Zhong YD, Liu XL, Wang XD, Cai XH, Shi ZM (2008) Nitrogen and carbon source-sink relationships in trees at the Himalayan treelines compared to lower elevations. Plant, Cell & Environment 31, 1377–1387.
| Nitrogen and carbon source-sink relationships in trees at the Himalayan treelines compared to lower elevations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXht1aqtb%2FP&md5=f75f23cec2df96248e6c99e2bf99e9e3CAS |
Li LZ, Zhang DG, Xin XP, Yan YC, Yang GX, Li J, Wang X (2009) Photosynthetic characteristics of Leymus chinensis under different soil moisture grades in Hulunber prairie. Acta Ecologica Sinica 29, 5271–5279.
Liu GS, Qi DM (2004) Research progress on the biology of Leymus chinensis. Acta Prataculturae Sinica 13, 6–11.
Liu RX, Zhou ZG, Guo WQ, Chen BL, Oosterhuis DM (2008) Effects of N fertilization on root development and activity of water–stressed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants. Agricultural Water Management 95, 1261–1270.
| Effects of N fertilization on root development and activity of water–stressed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Liu MR, Li JH, Niu JH, Wang R, Song JX, Lv J, Zong XF, Wang SG (2016) Interaction of drought and 5-aminolevulinic acid on growth and drought resistance of Leymus chinensis seedlings. Acta Ecologica Sinica 36, 180–188.
| Interaction of drought and 5-aminolevulinic acid on growth and drought resistance of Leymus chinensis seedlings.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC28XmsFOnsLk%3D&md5=7e2bb91ee2d121a269e072d7da8e3d65CAS |
Nayyar H, Bains TS, Kumar S (2005) Chilling stressed chickpea seedlings: effect of cold acclimation, calcium and abscisic acid on cryoprotective solutes andoxidative damage. Environmental and Experimental Botany 54, 275–285.
| Chilling stressed chickpea seedlings: effect of cold acclimation, calcium and abscisic acid on cryoprotective solutes andoxidative damage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXpslygu7o%3D&md5=bbdab746f0e0425f9895acce237d96f6CAS |
Nielsen DL, Brock MA (2009) Modified water regime and salinity as a consequence of climate change: prospects for wetlands of Southern Australia. Climatic Change 95, 523–533.
| Modified water regime and salinity as a consequence of climate change: prospects for wetlands of Southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXoslyhu7s%3D&md5=363c6988fef95a10cd20f448f4dc150eCAS |
Pandey V, Shukla A (2015) Acclimation and tolerance strategies of rice under drought stress. Rice Science 22, 147–161.
| Acclimation and tolerance strategies of rice under drought stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Parida AK, Das AB, Mohanty P (2004) Defense potentials to NaCl in a mangrove, Bruguiera parviflora: differential changes of isoforms of some antioxidative enzymes. Journal of Plant Physiology 161, 531–542.
| Defense potentials to NaCl in a mangrove, Bruguiera parviflora: differential changes of isoforms of some antioxidative enzymes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXltFCgtr0%3D&md5=934c4f57be70e7f36e56c4bb71e7f0dbCAS |
Pavlovič A, Demko V, Durchan M, Hudák J (2009) Feeding with aminolevulinic acid increased chlorophyll content in Norway spruce (Picea abies) in the dark. Photosynthetica 47, 631–634.
| Feeding with aminolevulinic acid increased chlorophyll content in Norway spruce (Picea abies) in the dark.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Qi Y, Dong Y, Geng Y, Yang X, Geng H (2003) The progress in the carbon cycle researches in grassland ecosystem in China. Progress in Geography 22, 342–352.
Razmjoo K, Heydarizadeh P, Sabzalian MR (2008) Effect of salinity and drought stresses on growth parameters and essential oil content of Matricaria chamomile. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology 10, 451–454.
Schachtman DP, Goodger JQD (2008) Chemical root to shoot signaling under drought. Trends in Plant Science 13, 281–287.
| Chemical root to shoot signaling under drought.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXnt1artbg%3D&md5=941375c0034644501392cf7baddbbf8eCAS |
Shabbir RN, Ahsraf MY, Waraich EA, Ahmad R (2015) Combined effects of drought stress and NPK foliar spray on growth, physiological processes and nutrient uptake in wheat. Pakistan Journal of Botany 47, 1207–1216.
Shabbir RN, Waraich EA, Ali H, Nawaz F, Ashraf MY, Ahmad R, Awan MI, Ahmad S, Irfan M, Hussain S, Ahmad Z (2016) Supplemental exogenous NPK application alters biochemical processes to improve yield and drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Environmental Science and Pollution Research International 23, 2651–2662.
| Supplemental exogenous NPK application alters biochemical processes to improve yield and drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXhs1KlurrE&md5=4293702c76178bc0525541824646ae98CAS |
Shi Q, Bao Z, Zhu Z, Ying Q, Qian Q (2006) Effects of different treatments of salicylic acid on heat tolerance, chlorophyll fluorescence, and antioxidant enzyme activity in seedlings of Cucumis sativa L. Plant Growth Regulation 48, 127–135.
| Effects of different treatments of salicylic acid on heat tolerance, chlorophyll fluorescence, and antioxidant enzyme activity in seedlings of Cucumis sativa L.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XpsVWltg%3D%3D&md5=8cdd587badd56891a8fb41919cbceaa7CAS |
Stancheva I, Geneva M, Boychinova M, Mitova I, Markovska Y (2014) Physiological response of foliar fertilized Matricaria recutita L. grown on industrially polluted soil. Journal of Plant Nutrition 37, 1952–1964.
| Physiological response of foliar fertilized Matricaria recutita L. grown on industrially polluted soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhtlaru7bJ&md5=c13d51fad48eb917ff8d609801f06ebdCAS |
Sun YP, Zhang ZP, Wang LJ (2009) Promotion of 5-aminolevulinic acid treatment on leaf photosynthesis is related with increase of antioxidant enzyme activity in watermelon seedlings grown under shade condition. Photosynthetica 47, 347–354.
| Promotion of 5-aminolevulinic acid treatment on leaf photosynthesis is related with increase of antioxidant enzyme activity in watermelon seedlings grown under shade condition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhtlyqsbzK&md5=e5bf6198b0cba96058fd188d81929591CAS |
Talaat NB, Shawky BT (2014) Protective effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants exposed to salinity. Environmental and Experimental Botany 98, 20–31.
| Protective effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants exposed to salinity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhvFWjtLvM&md5=7d9b046d50555052173deb4b2839ddaaCAS |
Usman M, Raheem ZF, Ahsan T, Iqbal A, Sarfaraz ZN, Haq Z (2013) Morphological, physiological and biochemical attributes as indicators for drought tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.). European Journal of Biological Sciences 5, 23–28.
von Wettstein D, Gough S, Kananagara CG (1995) Chlorophyll biosynthesis. The Plant Cell 7, 1039–1057.
| Chlorophyll biosynthesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXnt1Sgt7o%3D&md5=69c5892007e44f9ec18fd59c3f4674c7CAS |
Wang RZ, Gao Q (2003) Climate-driven changes in shoot density and shoot biomass in Leymus chinensis (Poaceae) on the North-east China Transect (NECT). Global Ecology and Biogeography 12, 249–259.
| Climate-driven changes in shoot density and shoot biomass in Leymus chinensis (Poaceae) on the North-east China Transect (NECT).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wang DL, Wang ZW, Zhang XJ (1999) The comparison of photosynthetic physiological characteristics between the two divergent Leymus chinensis types. Acta Ecologica Sinica 19, 837–843.
Wang JJ, Jiang WB, Liu H, Liu WQ, Kang L, Hou XL (2005) Promotion by 5-aminolevulinic acid of germination of pakchoi (Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis var. communis Tsen et Lee) seeds under salt stress. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology 47, 1084–1091.
| Promotion by 5-aminolevulinic acid of germination of pakchoi (Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis var. communis Tsen et Lee) seeds under salt stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXhtlWkur%2FJ&md5=b4912e1fea48c2665e370938abf2d53cCAS |
Wellburn AR (1994) The spectral determination of chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b, as well as total carotenoids, using various solvents with spectrophotometers of different resolution. Journal of Plant Physiology 144, 307–313.
| The spectral determination of chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b, as well as total carotenoids, using various solvents with spectrophotometers of different resolution.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXmsFShsbY%3D&md5=9b57c922c4bcfc1432fab3d0e2099d3dCAS |
Yun-Ying C, Hua D, Li-Nian Y, Zhi-Qing W, Li-Jun L, Jian-Chang Y (2009) Effect of high temperature during heading and early filling on grain yield and physiological characteristics in indica rice. Acta Agronomica Sinica 35, 512–521.
Zhang WD, Liu GS, Liu J, Liu F, Qi DM, Li FF, Dong GJ, Zhao JJ (2002) A preliminary study on self-incompatibility of Leymus chinensis. Acta Botanica Boreali – Occidentalia Sinica 10, 287–292.
Zhang WF, Zhang F, Raziuddin R, Gong HJ, Yang ZM, Lu L, Ye QF, Zhou WJ (2008) Effects of 5-Aminolevulinic acid on oilseed rape seedling growth under herbicide toxicity stress. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation 27, 159–169.
| Effects of 5-Aminolevulinic acid on oilseed rape seedling growth under herbicide toxicity stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhang J, Li DM, Gao Y, Yu B, Xia CX, Bai JG (2012) Pretreatment with 5-aminolevulinic acid mitigates heat stress of cucumber leaves. Biologia Plantarum 56, 780–784.
| Pretreatment with 5-aminolevulinic acid mitigates heat stress of cucumber leaves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38Xpt12gtrs%3D&md5=34e5001f41e79532f82c3f15dfa0d109CAS |
Zhen A, Bie ZL, Huang Y, Liu ZX, Fan ML (2012) Effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid on the H2O2-content and antioxidative enzyme gene expression in NaCl-treated cucumber seedlings. Biologia Plantarum 56, 566–570.
| Effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid on the H2O2-content and antioxidative enzyme gene expression in NaCl-treated cucumber seedlings.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XlvFGhtLk%3D&md5=8ec44206f6be84bd7d79fd0c9ea536f7CAS |
