Exogenous melatonin accelerates seed germination in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216575
• Publication Date: 2019-06-25T17:30:11Z
• Authors: Shuang Xiao; Liantao Liu; Hao Wang; Dongxiao Li; Zhiying Bai; Yongjiang Zhang; Hongchun Sun; Ke Zhang; Cundong Li
• Keywords: Malondialdehyde

Seed germination is considered the beginning of spermatophyte lifecycle, and it a crucial stage in determining subsequent plant growth development. Although many previous studies have found that melatonin can promote seed germination, role cotton remains unexamined. The main objective this study characterization potential promotional effects (at doses 0, 10, 20, 50, 100 200 μM) on germination. This experiment demonstrated low concentrations while high failed to even inhibited Together, these results indicate 20 μM treatment optimally promotes Compared with control, (GP), rate (GR), final fresh weight (FW) increased by 16.67%, 12.30%, 4.81%, respectively. showed some improvement vigor index (VI), (GI), mean time (MGT), were not statistically significant. Antioxidant enzyme activity during was most prominent under treatment. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) peroxidase (POD) activities significantly 10.37-59.73% 17.79-47.68%, respectively, compared melatonin-free control. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content reduced 16.73-40.33%. Two important hormones abscisic acid (ABA) gibberellins (GAs), also studied. As concentration increased, ABA seeds decreased first then GA3 diametrically opposite trend, which optimal. 42.13-51.68%, about 1.7-2.5 times germinated without melatonin. provides new evidence suggesting increasing antioxidant enzymes, thereby reducing accumulation MDA regulating hormones. has clear applications for improving using