Local melatonin application induces cold tolerance in distant organs of Citrullus lanatus L. via long distance transport.

ABSTRACT: Melatonin is a ubiquitous chemical substance that regulates plant growth and responses to stress. Several recent studies show that exogenous melatonin confers cold tolerance to plants; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we report that melatonin application at optimal dose, either on the leaves or the roots, not only induced cold stress tolerance in the site of application, but also systemically induced cold tolerance in untreated distant parts. Foliar or rhizospheric treatment with melatonin increased the melatonin levels in untreated roots or leaves, respectively, under both normal and cold stress conditions, whereas rhizospheric melatonin treatment increased the melatonin exudation rates from the xylem. An increased accumulation of melatonin accompanied with

SUBMITTER: Li H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5244382 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature