Improvement of drought tolerance of soybean plants by using methyl jasmonate

Abstract

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is a naturally occurring plant growth regulator and play vital roles in plant defense and many developmental processes such as root growth and seed germination. This study was undertaken to study the possible role of using methyl jasmonate to alleviate the adverse effect of water stress on soybean genotypes (Giza 22 and 35). The results showed that water stress reduced shoot length, fresh and dry weights of shoot and root, photosynthetic pigments, relative water content and oil content in the shoots of all soybean genotypes. On the other hand, there was a considerable increase in cell wall fractionation, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, flavonoids, phenolic acid and sugar fraction content in the shoots of the soybean genotypes in response to the water stress. Foliar spray with methyl jasmonate increased all the above parameters as compared to stressed plants. The results investigate the important role of MeJA in alleviation of water stress in soybean plants and suggest that MeJA could be used for improving plant growth under water stress as a potential growth regulator. The soybean genotypes Giza 22 was found to be more resistant to water stress than Giza 35.

Role of Ascorbic acid, Glutathione and Proline Applied as Singly or in Sequence Combination in Improving Chickpea Plant through Physiological Change and Antioxidant Defense under Different Levels of Irrigation Intervals

“…This reduction may be due to the pigment photo-oxidation and the degradation of chlorophyll. Similar results are reported in cotton and soybean plants [30,31]. Plants respond to drought stress by closing stomata to limit water loss, reducing carbon flow [36] and reducing ATP synthase and Rubisco activities [37].…”

“…Our results showed that moderate and severe drought stress caused a reduction in chickpea growth and yield. Decreases in the growth of common bean plants [27], wheat plant [28] and soybean plants [29][30][31] have been recorded as a result of drought stress. A decline in plant growth due to drought stress may be attributed to the deregulation of elongating cells due to disruption of the flow of water from the xylem to elongating cells, reduction in the growth-promoting hormones, cell elongation, cell expansion and mitosis during cell division [32].…”

Functions of Jasmonic Acid in Plant Regulation and Response to Abiotic Stress

“…Conversely, the exogenous application of JAs could alleviate drought stress associated damage in P. armeniaca. Foliar application of MeJA on soybean leaves can enhance water stress tolerance capacity, and further analysis showed increased levels of sugars, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids [35]. Such findings indicate that both endogenous and exogenous JAs participate in drought stress tolerance in plants.…”

Jasmonic Acid Signaling Pathway in Response to Abiotic Stresses in Plants

“…The increase in the endogenous JA content was rapid and transient in A. thaliana [21] and citrus (Citrus paradisi × Poncirus trifoliata) [115] immediately after drought stress, but the content decreased to the basal level with prolongation of the stress. MeJA treatment could improve the drought resistance in peanut (Arachis hypogaea) [116], rice (Oryza sativa) [117], soybean (Glycine max) [118], and broccoli (Brassica oleracea) plants [119]. The application of exogenous MeJA not only increased the total carbohydrate, polysaccharide, total soluble sugar, free amino acid, total proline, and protein contents, but also the activities of catalase (CAT), POD, and SOD in maize plants (Zea mays) [120].…”