Jasmonic acid: a key frontier in conferring abiotic stress tolerance in plants
PLANT CELL REPORTS
Authors: Raza, Ali; Charagh, Sidra; Zahid, Zainab; Mubarik, Muhammad Salman; Javed, Rida; Siddiqui, Manzer H.; Hasanuzzaman, Mirza
Abstract
Abiotic stresses are the primary sources of crop losses globally. The identification of key mechanisms deployed and established by plants in response to abiotic stresses is necessary for the maintenance of their growth and persistence. Recent discoveries have revealed that phytohormones or plant growth regulators (PGRs), mainly jasmonic acid (JA), have increased our knowledge of hormonal signaling of plants under stressful environments. Jasmonic acid is involved in various physiological and biochemical processes associated with plant growth and development as well as plant defense mechanism against wounding by pathogen and insect attacks. Recent findings suggest that JA can mediate the effect of abiotic stresses and help plants to acclimatize under unfavorable conditions. As a vital PGR, JA contributes in many signal transduction pathways, i.e., gene network, regulatory protein, signaling intermediates and enzymes, proteins, and other molecules that act to defend cells from the harmful effects of various environmental stresses. However, JA does not work as an independent regulator, but acts in a complex signaling pathway along other PGRs. Further, JA can protect and maintain the integrity of plant cells under several stresses by up-regulating the antioxidant defense. In this review, we have documented the biosynthesis and metabolism of JA and its protective role against different abiotic stresses. Further, JA-mediated antioxidant potential and its crosstalk with other PGRs have also been discussed.
Postharvest physiology of cut Gardenia jasminoides flowers
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
Authors: Celikel, Fisun G.; Reid, Michael S.; Jiang, Cai-Zhong
Abstract
We investigated the postharvest physiology of Gardenia jasminoides, and a range of postharvest treatments that might permit its use as a cut flower. The effects of different vase solution treatments, containing a range of biocides, acidulants, carbohydrate sources and/or growth regulators on the postharvest performance of cut gardenia flowers were studied by measuring water uptake (WU), water loss (WL) and relative fresh weight (RFW) of the flowers during vase life. In deionized (DI) water, gardenia flowers wilted after 2-3 days. Pulse treatment with silver thiosulfate (STS) to inhibit ethylene responses had no effect on vase life. However, abscisic acid (ABA) treatment increased vase life to 5 days by reducing WL and maintaining RFW. Including a cytokinin, benzyl adenine (BA), in the vase solution was the most effective plant growth regulator treatment, doubling vase life to 5.5 days. Vase solutions containing a commercial flower preservative, or combining citric acid, sucrose and aluminum sulfate also doubled the vase life of gardenia flowers. NaOCl in the vase solution provided little benefit, but acidification with aluminum sulfate (AS) or citric acid (CA) increased initial WU and extended vase life. The results suggest that improving water uptake is important for extending the vase life of cut gardenia flowers, and that acidification of the vase solution is an effective tool.