Effects of exogenous proline on rice seedling germination and physiological and biochemical characteristics under stress from different Cr(VI) concentrations.

ABSTRACT: Heavy metal stress severely compromises crop productivity, with Cr(VI) being particularly detrimental to seed germination and early seedling development. This study demonstrates that exogenous proline (Pro) application significantly alleviates Cr(VI) toxicity in rice through multifaceted mechanisms. Under Cr(VI) stress (2.0-16.0 mg/L), Pro pretreatment increasing germination potential (GP) by 6.0-28.0% and germination rate (Gr) by 0.8-18.2%, while reducing mean germination time (MGT) by 6.9-14.5%; Pro elevating SOD (up to 287%), CAT (4.6-fold), and GR (1.22-fold) activities, alongside increasing GSH (1.1-fold) and AsA (1.3-fold) levels; Pro reducing MDA content by 85.0-88.2% and enhancing photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll: 1.2-fold; carotenoids: 1.5-fold); Pro decreasing Cr accumulation

SUBMITTER: Zhang Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12627736 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature