Abstract:
Objective Effect of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) treatment on eggplant seed germination under high temperature was studied.
Methods Under high temperatures, GABA in the concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 3, or 5 mmol·L−1 was added to observe ‘Bulika’ eggplant seed germination. With threshold temperature for germination determined, physiological characteristics, endogenous hormone secretion, and relevant gene expressions of the germinating seeds treated by GABA at varied concentrations were monitored.
Results The highest temperature the seeds could tolerated was found to be 38 ℃. To maximize the temperature effect below the threshold, 37℃ was selected for the experimentation. Since 0.5 mmol·L−1 GABA raised the seed germination rate at 37 ℃ by 138.81% in 6d, the addition level was applied for the subsequent experiments. With the GABA treatment under heat stress, the seed germination potential and indicators were improved, the hypocotyls lengthened, the proline, soluble sugar, and protein contents enhanced, the SOD, POD, and CAT activities elevated, and the MDA and H2O2 accumulations reduced over control. In addition, the endogenous hormones GA3, GA1, GA7, JA-Ile, and SA rose significantly, ABA and IAA declined, and JA remained high compared to CK in 3d. The expressions of GA synthesis genes (i.e., GA20ox2 and GA3ox1), signaling factors (i.e., GID1a, GID1b, and GID1c), and ABA degradation genes (i.e., CYP707A1 and CYP707A2) were upregulated, while the GA degradation genes (i.e., GA2ox1 and GA2ox2) and negative regulator della downregulated. Meanwhile, the ABA synthesis genes (i.e., NCED1 and NCED2) and signaling factors (i.e., ABI5 and SnRK2.3) were inhibited.
Conclusion Treating the eggplant seeds with 0.5 mmol·L−1 of GABA stimulated germination and enhanced heat tolerance to 37℃ through a synergy of multi-pathways. Theoretically, the application could help accelerate eggplant seedling operation.