title: Melatonin and resveratrol reverse the toxic effect of high boron (B) and modulate biochemical parameters in pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.).
abstract: The objectives of this research were to test a possible involvement of melatonin (MEL) and resveratrol (RES) in restoring growth and to control boron (B) toxicity in peppers. The plants were subjected to four different nutrient solution treatments as following: 1) half-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution (Control), 2) half-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution+100 μM B (100 μMB), 3) half-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution+100 μM boron+100 μMresveratrol (100 μMRES), and 4) half-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution+100 μM B+1 μMmelatonin (1 μM MEL). Pepper plants subjected to B excess (100 μM) for 68 days (d) exhibited visible B toxicity symptoms, reduced rate of photosynthesis (Pn) and reduced dry weight (DW), while their leaf and fruit had the greatest increase of B concentration. The reduction of photosynthesis was restored, the reduction of DW was prevented, while the B leaf and fruit accumulation was moderated with the application of both 100 μMresveratrol (RES) and 1 μMmelatonin (MEL). Moreover, plants exposed to MEL and/or RES displayed no visible B toxicity symptoms. The present study revealed a novel role of MEL and/or RES in the adaptation of pepper plants to B excess based on plant growth, physiological and biochemical criteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Horticulture, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: esarafi@agro.auth.gr.
authors.forename: Eleana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sarafi
authors.affiliation: Department of Horticulture, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Pavlos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tsouvaltzis
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Development, Democritus University, 68200 Orestiada, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chatzissavvidis
authors.affiliation: Department of Horticulture, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siomos
authors.affiliation: Department of Horticulture, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Therios
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D018533:Biomass; D001895:Boron / Q000633:toxicity*; D002212:Capsicum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000378:metabolism; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005638:Fruit / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010636:Phenols / Q000378:metabolism; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D063245:Plant Development / Q000187:drug effects; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000077185:Resveratrol; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002241:Carbohydrates; D004573:Electrolytes; D010636:Phenols; D013267:Stilbenes; D014867:Water; D002734:Chlorophyll; D002338:Carotenoids; D008550:Melatonin; D001895:Boron; D000077185:Resveratrol
keywords: Antioxidants; Carbohydrates; Carotenoids; Chlorophyll; Flavonoids; Phenols; Photosynthesis