Investigating the effect of drought stress on expression of WRKY1 and EREBP1 genes and antioxidant enzyme activities in lemon balm (Melissa Officinalis L.).
Drought stress is a severe environmental constraint to plant productivity. In this study, gene expression of WRKY1 and EREBP1 genes and activity of two enzymes were investigated in two genotypes, G9 (as resistance) and G12 (as susceptible) of 10 days-old lemon balm seedlings. Experiments were done according to factorial design on the base of completely randomized design with three replications for expression analysis and enzyme assays. Seedlings were cultured in MS medium suspensions, including 0, 3, 6, 12 and 15 % w/v PEG 6000. Leaf samples were subsequently collected at 0, 3, 6, 24, 48, 72 h after culture. According to the results of the enzyme assay, SOD activity in resistant genotype was more than in sensitive one. POD activity was high in G9 in severe drought condition and in G12 this activity was increased at initial times of drought stress. The survey results revealed that the expression levels of both genes, EREBP1 and WRKY1, in G9 variety were more than G12, and in this respect we can say that the G9 variety is more resistant to drought.
Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, End of Haft Bagh-e-Alavi Highway Knowledge Paradise, P.O. Box 76315-117, Kerman, 7631133131, Iran. me.rahimi@kgut.ac.ir.
Mehdi
M
Rahimi
Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, P.O. Box 41635-1314, Rasht, Iran.
Mojtaba
M
Kordrostami
Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, End of Haft Bagh-e-Alavi Highway Knowledge Paradise, P.O. Box 76315-117, Kerman, 7631133131, Iran.
Mahmood
M
Maleki
Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, End of Haft Bagh-e-Alavi Highway Knowledge Paradise, P.O. Box 76315-117, Kerman, 7631133131, Iran.
Mohsen
M
ModaresKia
Gene expression; Peroxidase; Polyethylene glycol (PEG); Superoxide dismutase