ABA accumulation and PsAO gene expression in field pea under water deficit

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research

Author
G. Petrović
Senior Research Assistant
Abstract
The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays a crucial role in plant responses to drought and other abiotic stresses, facilitating adaptation mechanisms under water-deficit conditions. This study aimed to investigate the response of field pea (Pisum sativum) varieties to drought stress by evaluating ABA concentrations, stomatal conductance, and the expression of PsAO genes during the third leaf pair stage. Drought stress was simulated by withholding irrigation to impose moderate and severe levels of water deficit. A statistically significant increase in ABA concentration was observed in all tested pea varieties under stress conditions. Under moderate drought, stomatal responses varied among genotypes; however, severe drought triggered accelerated stomatal closure across all varieties. The cultivar Dukat exhibited the highest stomatal sensitivity, which corresponded with a tenfold increase in ABA concentration, suggesting a strong reliance on chemical (ABA-mediated) drought signaling. In contrast, Javor showed only a modest (2.5-fold) increase in ABA, despite reduced stomatal conductance, indicating a likely reliance on hydraulic signals for drought response. Gene expression analysis revealed that PsAO2 and PsAO3 genes were upregulated under drought, while PsAO1 expression remained relatively unchanged compared to control plants. Notably, PsAO3 expression was consistently elevated under both moderate and severe drought, suggesting that this gene may play a central role in conferring drought tolerance in field pea. These findings highlight the importance of ABA biosynthesis and signaling, particularly via PsAO3, in the adaptation of pea plants to water-deficit conditions.

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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 01 January 2024