title: Melatonin enhances root regeneration, photosynthetic pigments, biomass, total carbohydrates and proline content in the cherry rootstock PHL-C (Prunus avium × Prunus cerasus).
abstract: The present study, investigates the effects of melatonin (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 μM) on the morphogenic and biochemical responses in the cherry rootstock PHL-C (Prunus avium L. × Prunus cerasus L.), from shoot tip explants. The incorporation of melatonin (0-10 μM) in the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, greatly influenced rooting either positively or negatively. Melatonin, irrespective of its concentration, had a negative effect concerning the number of roots. However, application of 0.5 μM melatonin significantly increased the root length; while 1 μM melatonin increased the root length by 2.5 times, and the fresh weight of the roots by 4 times, in comparison to the control. Although 0.05 μM melatonin increased rooting by 11.11%, 5 μM melatonin had a significant reduction on the number, the fresh weight of roots, and the rooting percentage. Melatonin concentration of 0.1 μM resulted in the greatest chlorophyll (a + b) content, and 5-10 μM reduced the chlorophyll concentration by 2 times, compared to the control. The high melatonin concentrations (5 and 10 μM), increased the levels of proline and carbohydrates in leaves by 3-4 times. In the roots, 0.5 μM of melatonin concentration increased the carbohydrate levels by 1.5 times, while 0.05, 0.1 and 1 μM melatonin concentration significantly reduced the proline content.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pomology, Department of Horticulture, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece. vsarropo@agro.auth.gr
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sarropoulou
authors.forename: Kortessa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dimassi-Theriou
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Therios
authors.forename: Magdalene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koukourikou-Petridou
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D018533:Biomass; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism*; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010788:Photosynthesis; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000378:metabolism; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D011392:Proline / Q000378:metabolism*; D027861:Prunus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010860:Pigments, Biological; D002734:Chlorophyll; D011392:Proline; D008550:Melatonin