Study of the effects of foliar application of ABA during acclimatization

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Dias, MC (Author) Other; Correia, C (Author) Other; Moutinho Pereira, J (Author) Other; Oliveira, H (Author) Other; Santos, C (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture

Vol. 117

Pages: 213-224

ISSN: 0167-6857

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 23 Citations

Scopus - 24 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-3S8

DOI: 10.1007/s11240-014-0434-3

Abstract (EN): This study aims to elucidate the effects of abscisic acid (ABA) foliar application on plant hardening during ex vitro acclimatization using a forest model species Ulmus minor L. Plant leaves were sprayed with ABA (0, 50 and 100 mu M) immediately after ex vitro transfer and twice a week for the first 3 weeks of acclimatization. After this period, parameters related with photosynthesis, hormone levels and oxidative stress were measured to assess plant performance. The results demonstrated that ABA foliar application alleviates the negative shock of ex vitro acclimatization since it reduces the water loss through transpiration, relieving the risk of wilting. Moreover, ABA promoted net CO2 assimilation rate (P (N) ) and plant dry mater accumulation. ABA treatment increased the antioxidant battery during acclimatization, with more effective results at the concentration of 50 mu M ABA. Also, flow cytometry data support that cytosolic compounds, which may increase in response to 50 mu M ABA, could also protect DNA from oxidative damage. We propose here that ABA foliar application (immediately after ex vitro transfer), by preventing water loss, enhancing photosynthesis efficiency and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, improves the plants hardening and ability to deal with the ex vitro stresses.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12