This study investigated the stress responses of cinnamic acid (CA) in pea plants and explored the protective role of spermidine (SPD) against CA-induced adverse effects. Pea seedlings exposed to CA had reduced length, biomass, moisture, chlorophyll, sugar, and protein contents and reduced nitrate reductase activity. These parameters increased when SPD was applied alone and in combination with CA. Electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde content were high in seedlings treated with CA but decreased when the SPD + CA treatment was applied. Foliar exposure to SPD partially mitigated CA-induced stress effects by strengthening the antioxidant defense system, which helped preserve the integrity of biochemical processes. These results indicate that SPD (1 mM) could mitigate the adverse effects of CA and enhance plant defense system. Hence, SPD can be used as a growth regulator for the maintenance of physiological functions in pea plants in response to the pernicious consequences of CA stress.
Keywords: Antioxidants; BSA, Bovine serum albumin; CA, cinnamic acid; CAT, catalase; Cinnamic acid; EC, electrolyte leakage; EDTA, ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid; GPX, guaiacol peroxidase; Growth; IAA, indole-3-acetic acid; N-1-NEDD, n-1-naphthyl-ethylene diamine dihydrochloride; NBT, nitro blue tetrazolium; NR, nitrate reductase; PA, polyamine; Pisum sativum; ROS, reactive oxygen species; RWS, relative water content; SOD, superoxide dismutase; SPD, spermidine; Spermidine.
© 2021 The Authors.