Saad-Allah Khalil M, Sobhy Sherien E, Hafez Elsayed E, Fallatah Thorya A, Kutby Abeer M, Aljeddani Ghalia S, ALgthami Fayza R, ALmoshadak Ameina S, Felemban Wessam F, Elsehely Heba H
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt.
Plant Protection and Bimolecular Diagnosis Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, 21934, New Borg El‑Arab, Egypt.
BMC Plant Biol. 2025 May 23;25(1):688. doi: 10.1186/s12870-025-06688-3.
The resilience of plants against environmental challenges, particularly salinity and dehydration, is crucial for global food security. This study delves into the intricate interaction between NaCl-induced salinity and Azolla aqueous extract (AAE). In a pot trial, wheat kernels were primed with deionized water or 0.1% AAE for 21 h. Seedlings underwent various treatments; tap water, 250 mM NaCl, AAE priming and spray, and combined AAE with NaCl treatments. Seedlings were analyzed for ionic balance, secondary metabolism, antioxidant efficacy, and molecular response to experimental treatments.
GC-MS analysis of AAE revealed key components like γ-aminobutyric acid and benzenedicarboxylic acid. Exposure to 250 mM NaCl significantly reduced N, P, Ca, K, and the K/Na ratio, while increases in Mg and Na. Also, salinity significantly decreased TAC, DPPH activity, and AsA levels while increasing GB in wheat seedlings. Additionally, salinity increased flavonoids, saponins, and anthocyanins but non-significantly decreased phenols. qRT-PCR analysis revealed upregulation of DRF1, CBF3, HQT, CHS, and FLS genes and downregulation of CBF4 and CHI genes by salinity. AAE treatments, alone or combined with salt stress, mitigated Na accumulation (31.50 and 32.87% compared to stressed seedlings), improved N and P levels, alleviated Mg, K/Na, and GB imbalances, and enhanced antioxidant potentials. Combined AAE and NaCl treatments effectually restored antioxidant potentials and regulated secondary metabolites and gene expressions, sustaining enhancement of ionic equilibrium, antioxidant defenses, and molecular responses in salt-stressed wheat.
Overall, AAE can be exploited as a green approach for sustaining normal metabolism and gene expression of wheat seedlings in saline soils.
植物抵御环境挑战，特别是盐分和干旱的能力，对全球粮食安全至关重要。本研究深入探讨了氯化钠诱导的盐胁迫与满江红水提取物（AAE）之间的复杂相互作用。在盆栽试验中，将小麦种子用去离子水或0.1%的AAE预处理21小时。幼苗接受了不同处理；自来水、250 mM氯化钠、AAE预处理和喷雾处理，以及AAE与氯化钠联合处理。对幼苗进行了离子平衡、次生代谢、抗氧化功效和对实验处理的分子反应分析。
AAE的气相色谱-质谱分析揭示了关键成分，如γ-氨基丁酸和苯二甲酸。暴露于250 mM氯化钠显著降低了氮、磷、钙、钾以及钾/钠比值，同时镁和钠含量增加。此外，盐胁迫显著降低了小麦幼苗的总抗氧化能力（TAC）、二苯基苦味酰基自由基（DPPH）活性和抗坏血酸（AsA）水平，同时增加了γ-氨基丁酸（GB）含量。此外，盐胁迫增加了黄酮类、皂苷类和花青素含量，但酚类物质略有下降。实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应（qRT-PCR）分析表明，盐胁迫上调了DRF1、CBF3、HQT、CHS和FLS基因的表达，下调了CBF4和CHI基因的表达。AAE处理，单独或与盐胁迫联合处理，减轻了钠的积累（与胁迫幼苗相比分别降低了31.50%和32.87%），提高了氮和磷水平，缓解了镁、钾/钠和GB的失衡，并增强了抗氧化潜力。AAE与氯化钠联合处理有效地恢复了抗氧化潜力，调节了次生代谢物和基因表达，维持了盐胁迫小麦中离子平衡、抗氧化防御和分子反应的增强。
总体而言，AAE可作为一种绿色方法，用于维持盐渍土壤中小麦幼苗的正常代谢和基因表达。
