Melatonin and its relationship to plant hormones

Improvement of morphophysiological and anatomical attributes of plants under abiotic stress conditions using plant growth-promoting bacteria and safety treatments

Drought and salinity are the major abiotic stress factors negatively affecting the morphophysiological, biochemical, and anatomical characteristics of numerous plant species worldwide. The detrimental effects of these environmental factors can be seen in leaf and stem anatomical structures including the decrease in thickness of cell walls, palisade and spongy tissue, phloem and xylem tissue. Also, the disintegration of grana staking, and an increase in the size of mitochondria were observed under salinity and drought conditions. Drought and salt stresses can significantly decrease plant height, number of leaves and branches, leaf area, fresh and dry weight, or plant relative water content (RWC%) and concentration of photosynthetic pigments. On the other hand, stress-induced lipid peroxidation and malondialdehyde (MDA) production, electrolyte leakage (EL%), and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can increase under salinity and drought conditions. Antioxidant defense systems such as catalase, peroxidase, glutathione reductase, ascorbic acid, and gamma-aminobutyric acid are essential components under drought and salt stresses to protect the plant organelles from oxidative damage caused by ROS. The application of safe and eco-friendly treatments is a very important strategy to overcome the adverse effects of drought and salinity on the growth characteristics and yield of plants. It is shown that treatments with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can improve morphoanatomical characteristics under salinity and drought stress. It is also shown that yeast extract, mannitol, proline, melatonin, silicon, chitosan, α-Tocopherols (vitamin E), and biochar alleviate the negative effects of drought and salinity stresses through the ROS scavenging resulting in the improvement of plant attributes and yield of the stressed plants. This review discusses the role of safety and eco-friendly treatments in alleviating the harmful effects of salinity and drought associated with the improvement of the anatomical, morphophysiological, and biochemical features in plants.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Zinc Sulfate Alleviate Boron Toxicity in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Boron toxicity significantly hinders the growth and development of cotton plants, therefore affecting the yield and quality of this important cash crop worldwide. Limited studies have explored the efficacy of ZnSO4 (zinc sulfate) and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in alleviating boron toxicity. Nanoparticles have emerged as a novel strategy to reduce abiotic stress directly. The precise mechanism underlying the alleviation of boron toxicity by ZnO NPs in cotton remains unclear. In this study, ZnO NPs demonstrated superior potential for alleviating boron toxicity compared to ZnSO4 in hydroponically cultivated cotton seedlings. Under boron stress, plants supplemented with ZnO NPs exhibited significant increases in total fresh weight (75.97%), root fresh weight (39.64%), and leaf fresh weight (69.91%). ZnO NPs positively affected photosynthetic parameters and SPAD values. ZnO NPs substantially reduced H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) by 27.87% and 32.26%, MDA (malondialdehyde) by 27.01% and 34.26%, and O2- (superoxide anion) by 41.64% and 48.70% after 24 and 72 h, respectively. The application of ZnO NPs increased the antioxidant activities of SOD (superoxide dismutase) by 82.09% and 76.52%, CAT (catalase) by 16.79% and 16.33%, and POD (peroxidase) by 23.77% and 21.66% after 24 and 72 h, respectively. ZnO NP and ZnSO4 application demonstrated remarkable efficiency in improving plant biomass, mineral nutrient content, and reducing boron levels in cotton seedlings under boron toxicity. A transcriptome analysis and corresponding verification revealed a significant up-regulation of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, photosynthesis pathway, and ABC transporter genes with the application of ZnO NPs. These findings provide valuable insights for the mechanism of boron stress tolerance in cotton and provide a theoretical basis for applying ZnO NPs and ZnSO4 to reduce boron toxicity in cotton production.

Exogenous Melatonin Enhances Dihydrochalcone Accumulation in Lithocarpus litseifolius Leaves via Regulating Hormonal Crosstalk and Transcriptional Profiling

Dihydrochalcones (DHCs) constitute a specific class of flavonoids widely known for their various health-related advantages. Melatonin (MLT) has received attention worldwide as a master regulator in plants, but its roles in DHC accumulation remain unclear. Herein, the elicitation impacts of MLT on DHC biosynthesis were examined in Lithocarpus litseifolius, a valuable medicinal plant famous for its sweet flavor and anti-diabetes effect. Compared to the control, the foliar application of MLT significantly increased total flavonoid and DHC (phlorizin, trilobatin, and phloretin) levels in L. litseifolius leaves, especially when 100 μM MLT was utilized for 14 days. Moreover, antioxidant enzyme activities were boosted after MLT treatments, resulting in a decrease in the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Remarkably, MLT triggered the biosynthesis of numerous phytohormones linked to secondary metabolism (salicylic acid, methyl jasmonic acid (MeJA), and ethylene), while reducing free JA contents in L. litseifolius. Additionally, the flavonoid biosynthetic enzyme activities were enhanced by the MLT in leaves. Multiple differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in RNA-seq might play a crucial role in MLT-elicited pathways, particularly those associated with the antioxidant system (SOD, CAT, and POD), transcription factor regulation (MYBs and bHLHs), and DHC metabolism (4CL, C4H, UGT71K1, and UGT88A1). As a result, MLT enhanced DHC accumulation in L. litseifolius leaves, primarily by modulating the antioxidant activity and co-regulating the physiological, hormonal, and transcriptional pathways of DHC metabolism.

Melatonin-Mediated Molecular Responses in Plants: Enhancing Stress Tolerance and Mitigating Environmental Challenges in Cereal Crop Production

Cereal crops are crucial for global food security; however, they are susceptible to various environmental stresses that significantly hamper their productivity. In response, melatonin has emerged as a promising regulator, offering potential benefits for stress tolerance and crop growth. This review explores the effects of melatonin on maize, sorghum, millet, rice, barley, and wheat, aiming to enhance their resilience to stress. The application of melatonin has shown promising outcomes, improving water use efficiency and reducing transpiration rates in millet under drought stress conditions. Furthermore, it enhances the salinity and heavy metal tolerance of millet by regulating the activity of stress-responsive genes. Similarly, melatonin application in sorghum enhances its resistance to high temperatures, low humidity, and nutrient deficiency, potentially involving the modulation of antioxidant defense and aspects related to photosynthetic genes. Melatonin also exerts protective effects against drought, salinity, heavy metal, extreme temperatures, and waterlogging stresses in maize, wheat, rice, and barley crops by decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production through regulating the antioxidant defense system. The molecular reactions of melatonin upregulated photosynthesis, antioxidant defense mechanisms, the metabolic pathway, and genes and downregulated stress susceptibility genes. In conclusion, melatonin serves as a versatile tool in cereal crops, bolstering stress resistance and promoting sustainable development. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms and refine application techniques to fully harness the potential role of melatonin in cereal crop production systems.

Role of plant neurotransmitters in salt stress: A critical review

Neurotransmitters are naturally found in many plants, but the molecular processes that govern their actions still need to be better understood. Acetylcholine, γ-Aminobutyric acid, histamine, melatonin, serotonin, and glutamate are the most common neurotransmitters in animals, and they all play a part in the development and information processing. It is worth noting that all these chemicals have been found in plants. Although much emphasis has been placed on understanding how neurotransmitters regulate mood and behaviour in humans, little is known about how they regulate plant growth and development. In this article, the information was reviewed and updated considering current thinking on neurotransmitter signaling in plants' metabolism, growth, development, salt tolerance, and the associated avenues for underlying research. The goal of this study is to advance neurotransmitter signaling research in plant biology, especially in the area of salt stress physiology.

Current views of drought research: experimental methods, adaptation mechanisms and regulatory strategies

Drought stress is one of the most important abiotic stresses which causes many yield losses every year. This paper presents a comprehensive review of recent advances in international drought research. First, the main types of drought stress and the commonly used drought stress methods in the current experiment were introduced, and the advantages and disadvantages of each method were evaluated. Second, the response of plants to drought stress was reviewed from the aspects of morphology, physiology, biochemistry and molecular progression. Then, the potential methods to improve drought resistance and recent emerging technologies were introduced. Finally, the current research dilemma and future development direction were summarized. In summary, this review provides insights into drought stress research from different perspectives and provides a theoretical reference for scholars engaged in and about to engage in drought research.

Metabolome and Transcriptome Analysis Revealed the Pivotal Role of Exogenous Melatonin in Enhancing Salt Tolerance in Vitis vinifera L

Vitis vinifera L. possesses high economic value, but its growth and yield are seriously affected by salt stress. Though melatonin (MT) has been widely reported to enhance tolerance towards abiotic stresses in plants, the regulatory role melatonin plays in resisting salt tolerance in grapevines has scarcely been studied. Here, we observed the phenotypes under the treatment of different melatonin concentrations, and then transcriptome and metabolome analyses were performed. A total of 457 metabolites were detected in CK- and MT-treated cell cultures at 1 WAT (week after treatment) and 4 WATs. Exogenous melatonin treatment significantly increased the endogenous melatonin content while down-regulating the flavonoid content. To be specific, the melatonin content was obviously up-regulated, while the contents of more than a dozen flavonoids were down-regulated. Auxin response genes and melatonin synthesis-related genes were regulated by the exogenous melatonin treatment. WGCNA (weighted gene coexpression network analysis) identified key salt-responsive genes; they were directly or indirectly involved in melatonin synthesis and auxin response. The synergistic effect of salt and melatonin treatment was investigated by transcriptome analysis, providing additional evidence for the stress-alleviating properties of melatonin through auxin-related pathways. The present study explored the impact of exogenous melatonin on grapevines' ability to adapt to salt stress and provided novel insights into enhancing their tolerance to salt stress.

Melatonin delayed senescence by modulating the contents of plant signalling molecules in postharvest okras

Okra has been widely cultivated worldwide. Consumers appreciate its nutritional value and delicious taste. However, okra is very perishable after harvest because of rapid senescence and high susceptibility to mechanical injuries, which limits its storage life and reduces consumer acceptance. This study examined the influence of melatonin treatment on senescence process and endogenous plant signalling molecules in postharvest okras. The results indicated that melatonin treatment delayed senescence by increasing the endogenous melatonin content through upregulation of its biosynthetic genes. In addition, the treatment increased the contents of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellin (GA) due to the positive modulation of their metabolic and signalling genes. Furthermore, treated okras exhibited higher levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) but lower abscisic acid (ABA) content, contributing to the delayed senescence process compared to control. Overall, the findings suggested that melatonin postponed senescence in okras fruit by positively regulating endogenous signalling molecules such as melatonin, IAA, GABA, GA, and ABA.

Enhancement of sweetpotato tolerance to chromium stress through melatonin and glutathione: Insights into photosynthetic efficiency, oxidative defense, and growth parameters

Melatonin (MT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) roles in mitigating chromium (Cr) toxicity in sweetpotato were explored. Plants, pre-treated with varying MT and GSH doses, were exposed to Cr (40 μM). Cr severely hampered growth by disrupting leaf photosynthesis, root system, and oxidative processes and increased Cr absorption. However, the exogenous application of 1 μM of MT and 2 mM of GSH substantially improved growth parameters by enhancing chlorophyll content, gas exchange (Pn, Tr, Gs, and Ci), and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm, ETR, qP, and Y(II)). Furthermore, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide ion (O2•-), electrolyte leakage (EL), and Cr uptake by roots (21.6 and 27.3%) and its translocation to shoots were markedly reduced by MT and GSH application, protecting the cell membrane from oxidative damage of Cr-toxicity. Microscopic analysis demonstrated that MT and GSH maintained chloroplast structure and integrity of mesophyll cells; they also enhanced stomatal length, width, and density, strengthening the photosynthetic system and plant growth and biomass. MT and GSH improved osmo-protectants (proline and soluble sugars), gene expression, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities, mitigating osmotic stress and strengthening plant defenses under Cr stress. Importantly, the efficiency of GSH pre-treatment in reducing Cr-toxicity surpassed that of MT. The findings indicate that MT and GSH alleviate Cr detrimental effects by enhancing photosynthetic organ stability, component accumulation, and resistance to oxidative stress. This study is a valuable resource for plants confronting Cr stress in contaminated soils, but further field validation and detailed molecular exploration are necessary.

Adaptive responses of nitric oxide (NO) and its intricate dialogue with phytohormones during salinity stress

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous free radical that acts as a messenger for various plant phenomena corresponding to photomorphogenesis, fertilisation, flowering, germination, growth, and productivity. Recent developments have suggested the critical role of NO in inducing adaptive responses in plants during salinity. NO minimises salinity-induced photosynthetic damage and improves plant-water relation, nutrient uptake, stomatal conductance, electron transport, and ROS and antioxidant metabolism. NO contributes active participation in ABA-mediated stomatal regulation. Similar crosstalk of NO with other phytohormones such as auxins (IAAs), gibberellins (GAs), cytokinins (CKs), ethylene (ET), salicylic acid (SA), strigolactones (SLs), and brassinosteroids (BRs) were also observed. Additionally, we discuss NO interaction with other gaseous signalling molecules such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive sulphur species (RSS). Conclusively, the present review traces critical events in NO-induced morpho-physiological adjustments under salt stress and discusses how such modulations upgrade plant resilience.

Application of Biotechniques for In Vitro Virus and Viroid Elimination in Pome Fruit Crops

Sustainable production of pome fruit crops is dependent upon having virus-free planting materials. The production and distribution of plants derived from virus- and viroid-negative sources is necessary not only to control pome fruit viral diseases but also for sustainable breeding activities, as well as the safe movement of plant materials across borders. With variable success rates, different in vitro-based techniques, including shoot tip culture, micrografting, thermotherapy, chemotherapy, and shoot tip cryotherapy, have been employed to eliminate viruses from pome fruits. Higher pathogen eradication efficiencies have been achieved by combining two or more of these techniques. An accurate diagnosis that confirms complete viral elimination is crucial for developing effective management strategies. In recent years, considerable efforts have resulted in new reliable and efficient virus detection methods. This comprehensive review documents the development and recent advances in biotechnological methods that produce healthy pome fruit plants. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Melatonin modulates the tolerance of plants to water stress: morphological response of the molecular mechanism

Water stress (drought and waterlogging) leads to an imbalance in plant water distribution, disrupts cell homeostasis, and severely inhibits plant growth. Melatonin is a growth hormone that plants synthesise and has been shown to resist adversity in many plants. This review discusses the biosynthesis and metabolism of melatonin, as well as the changes in plant morphology and physiological mechanisms caused by the molecular defence process. Melatonin induces the expression of related genes in the process of plant photosynthesis under stress and protects the structural integrity of chloroplasts. Exogenous melatonin can maintain the dynamic balance of root ion exchange under waterlogging stress. Melatonin can repair mitochondria and alleviate damage caused by reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species; and has a wide range of uses in the regulation of stress-specific genes and the activation of antioxidant enzyme genes. Melatonin improves the stability of membrane lipids in plant cells and maintains osmotic balance by regulating water channels. There is crosstalk between melatonin and other hormones, which jointly improve the ability of the root system to absorb water and breathe and promote plant growth. Briefly, as a multifunctional molecule, melatonin improves the tolerance of plants under water stress and promotes plant growth and development.

Nanovehicles for melatonin: a new journey for agriculture

The important role of melatonin in plant growth and metabolism together with recent advances in the potential use of nanomaterials have opened up interesting applications in agriculture. Various nanovehicles have been explored as melatonin carriers in animals, and it is now important to explore their application in plants. Recent findings have substantiated the use of silicon and chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) in targeting melatonin to plant tissues. Although melatonin is an amphipathic molecule, nanocarriers can accelerate its uptake and transport to various plant organs, thereby relieving stress and improving plant shelf-life in the post-harvest stages. We review the scope and biosafety concerns of various nanomaterials to devise novel methods for melatonin application in crops and post-harvest products.

Reactive oxygen species signaling in melatonin-mediated plant stress response

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are crucial signaling molecules in plants that play multifarious roles in prompt response to environmental stimuli. Despite the classical thoughts that ROS are toxic when accumulate in excess, recent advances in plant ROS signaling biology reveal that ROS participate in biotic and abiotic stress perception, signal integration, and stress-response network activation, hence contributing to plant defense and stress tolerance. ROS production, scavenging and transport are fine-tuned by plant hormones and stress-response signaling pathways. Crucially, the emerging plant hormone melatonin attenuates excessive ROS accumulation under stress, whereas ROS signaling mediates melatonin-induced plant developmental response and stress tolerance. In particular, RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOG (RBOH) proteins responsible for apoplastic ROS generation act downstream of melatonin to mediate stress response. In this review, we discuss promising developments in plant ROS signaling and how ROS might mediate melatonin-induced plant resilience to environmental stress.

H2 supplied via ammonia borane stimulates lateral root branching via phytomelatonin signaling

A reliable and stable hydrogen gas (H2) supply will benefit agricultural laboratory and field trials. Here, we assessed ammonia borane (AB), an efficient hydrogen storage material used in the energy industry, and determined its effect on plant physiology and the corresponding mechanism. Through hydroponics and pot experiments, we discovered that AB increases tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) lateral root (LR) branching and this function depended on the increased endogenous H2 level caused by the sustainable H2 supply. In particular, AB might trigger LR primordia initiation. Transgenic tomato and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) expressing hydrogenase1 (CrHYD1) from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii not only accumulated higher endogenous H2 and phytomelatonin levels but also displayed pronounced LR branching. These endogenous H2 responses achieved by AB or genetic manipulation were sensitive to the pharmacological removal of phytomelatonin, indicating the downstream role of phytomelatonin in endogenous H2 control of LR formation. Consistently, extra H2 supply failed to influence the LR defective phenotypes in phytomelatonin synthetic mutants. Molecular evidence showed that the phytomelatonin-regulated auxin signaling network and cell-cycle regulation were associated with the AB/H2 control of LR branching. Also, AB and melatonin had little effect on LR branching in the presence of auxin synthetic inhibitors. Collectively, our integrated approaches show that supplying H2 via AB increases LR branching via phytomelatonin signaling. This finding might open the way for applying hydrogen storage materials to horticultural production.

Melatonin-mediated CcARP1 alters F-actin dynamics by phosphorylation of CcADF9 to balance root growth and salt tolerance in pigeon pea

As a multifunctional hormone-like molecule, melatonin exhibits a pleiotropic role in plant salt stress tolerance. While actin cytoskeleton is essential to plant tolerance to salt stress, it is unclear if and how actin cytoskeleton participates in the melatonin-mediated alleviation of plant salt stress. Here, we report that melatonin alleviates salt stress damage in pigeon pea by activating a kinase-like protein, which interacts with an actin-depolymerizing factor. Cajanus cajan Actin-Depolymerizing Factor 9 (CcADF9) has the function of severing actin filaments and is highly expressed under salt stress. The CcADF9 overexpression lines (CcADF9-OE) showed a reduction of transgenic root length and an increased sensitivity to salt stress. By using CcADF9 as a bait to screen an Y2H library, we identified actin depolymerizing factor-related phosphokinase 1 (ARP1), a novel protein kinase that interacts with CcADF9. CcARP1, induced by melatonin, promotes salt resistance of pigeon pea through phosphorylating CcADF9, inhibiting its severing activity. The CcARP1 overexpression lines (CcARP1-OE) displayed an increased transgenic root length and resistance to salt stress, whereas CcARP1 RNA interference lines (CcARP1-RNAi) presented the opposite phenotype. Altogether, our findings reveal that melatonin-induced CcARP1 maintains F-actin dynamics balance by phosphorylating CcADF9, thereby promoting root growth and enhancing salt tolerance.

Common Methods of Extraction and Determination of Phytomelatonin in Plants

The presence of melatonin in plants, called phytomelatonin, has gained great interest in recent years. The determination of phytomelatonin levels in plant extracts for both physiological and plant foodstuff studies requires sophisticated techniques due to the low endogenous levels of this indolic compound with hormonal nature. This chapter presents the most common and advanced techniques in the determination of phytomelatonin, with special emphasis on the techniques of extraction, cleaning, separation, detection, identification, and quantification. Multiple examples and recommendations are presented for a clear overview of the pros and cons of phytomelatonin determinations in plant tissues, seeds, and fruits, mainly.

Postharvest melatonin and chitosan treatments retain quality of 'Williams' bananas during ripening

The effect of postharvest dipping treatments with 0.5 mM melatonin (MT) and 1% chitosan (CT) either alone or in combination on quality of pre-climacteric 'Williams' bananas during ripening at ambient conditions were investigated. MT or CT treatments delayed ripening by retaining greener peel, higher firmness, titratable acidity (TA), but lower total soluble solids (TSS) and TSS/TA, weight loss, browning and electrolyte leakage than the control. Total phenol (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC) in both peel and pulp increased up to 6 days and then decreased and was higher in treated fruit than the control. Vitamin C content decreased up to 3 days, then increased and was higher in treated fruit than control. MT and CT combination exhibited the highest TPC, TFC and vitamin C contents compared to other treatments. Radical scavenging capacity (RSC) of peel and pulp increased up to 6 days, then decreased and was higher in treated fruit than the control. The treated fruit exhibited lower polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and hydrolytic enzymes but higher peroxidase (POD) activities in both peel and pulp than the control. Postharvest treatments with 0.5 mM MT and 1% CT alone or in combination could be used to retain quality of 'Williams' bananas during ripening.

Melatonin as a key regulator in seed germination under abiotic stress

Seed germination (SG) is the first stage in a plant's life and has an immense importance in sustaining crop production. Abiotic stresses reduce SG by increasing the deterioration of seed quality, and reducing germination potential, and seed vigor. Thus, to achieve a sustainable level of crop yield, it is important to improve SG under abiotic stress conditions. Melatonin (MEL) is an important biomolecule that interplays in developmental processes and regulates many adaptive responses in plants, especially under abiotic stresses. Thus, this review specifically summarizes and discusses the mechanistic basis of MEL-mediated SG under abiotic stresses. MEL regulates SG by regulating some stress-specific responses and some common responses. For instance, MEL induced stress specific responses include the regulation of ionic homeostasis, and hydrolysis of storage proteins under salinity stress, regulation of C-repeat binding factors signaling under cold stress, starch metabolism under high temperature and heavy metal stress, and activation of aquaporins and accumulation of osmolytes under drought stress. On other hand, MEL mediated regulation of gibberellins biosynthesis and abscisic acid catabolism, redox homeostasis, and Ca2+ signaling are amongst the common responses. Nonetheless factors such as endogenous MEL contents, plant species, and growth conditions also influence above-mentioned responses. In conclusion, MEL regulates SG under abiotic stress conditions by interacting with different physiological mechanisms.

Physiological mechanism of sodium salicylate and folcisteine on alleviating salt stress in wheat seedlings

Soil salinization substantially hampers the growth and development of wheat, potentially leading to plant death in severe cases, thus reducing grain yield and quality. This phenomenon poses a significant threat to food security in China. We investigated the effects of two exogenous plant growth regulators, sodium salicylate and folcisteine, on the wheat physiology and key characteristics under salt stress using hydroponics method. The results indicated that both regulators effectively mitigated the growth inhibition of wheat under salt stress. We assessed morphological and physiological indexes, including antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], peroxidase [POD]) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in wheat after foliar application of sodium salicylate and folcisteine under salt stress. The findings revealed that sodium salicylate was more effective than folcisteine. However, folcisteine showed superior performance in reducing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content and superoxide anion (O2-) level compared to sodium salicylate. Simultaneously, Concurrent application of both regulators synergistically enhanced their efficacy, yielding the most favorable outcomes. In addition, this study noted that while the initial effects of these regulators were not pronounced, their sustained application significantly improved wheat growth in stressful condition and alleviated the detrimental impacts of salt stress. This approach could effectively guarantee the food security and production in China.

Effect of melatonin foliar sprays on morphophysiological attributes, fruit yield and quality of Momordica charantia L. under salinity stress

Soil salinity is one of the increasing problems in agricultural fields in many parts of the world, adversely affecting the performance and health of the plants. As a pleiotropic signal and antioxidant molecule in both animals and plants, melatonin has been reported to possess significant roles in combating with stress factors, in general and salt stress, in particular. In this study, the interactive effects of melatonin (0, 75, and 150 μM) and salt stress (0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl) were investigated by assaying the some agronomic, physlogical and biochemical attributes and essential oil compounds of bitter melon (Momordica charantia). The results showed that exogenous melatonin could promote net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and PSII efficiency (Fv/Fm), increase K+ content and activity of antioxidant enzymes and decrease reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and Na+ content in stress-submitted seedlings, in comparison to the non-stressed seedlings (p < 0.05). Melatonin increased content of essential oils. Concerning the major compounds of fruits of bitter melon, charantin, momordicin and cucurbitacin were increased with the melatonin treatments, whereas they were critically decreased with the salt stress. In addition, melatonin increased the antioxidant capacity in fruits under non-saline and salinity conditions. Amid the concentrations of melatonin, plants treated with 150 μM of melatonin under either non-saline or saline conditions showed better performance and productivity. Therefore, application of 150 μM melatonin resulted in a significant improvement of salinity tolerance and essential oil compounds in bitter melon plant, suggesting this as an efficient 'green' strategy for sustainable crop production under salt stress conditions.

Mechanistic Approach on Melatonin-Induced Hormesis of Photosystem II Function in the Medicinal Plant Mentha spicata

Melatonin (MT) is considered a new plant hormone having a universal distribution from prokaryotic bacteria to higher plants. It has been characterized as an antistress molecule playing a positive role in the acclimation of plants to stress conditions, but its impact on plants under non-stressed conditions is not well understood. In the current research, we evaluated the impact of MT application (10 and 100 μM) on photosystem II (PSII) function, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and chlorophyll content on mint (Mentha spicata L.) plants in order to elucidate the molecular mechanism of MT action on the photosynthetic electron transport process that under non-stressed conditions is still unclear. Seventy-two hours after the foliar spray of mint plants with 100 μM MT, the improved chlorophyll content imported a higher amount of light energy capture, which caused a 6% increase in the quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (ΦPSII) and electron transport rate (ETR). Nevertheless, the spray with 100 μM MT reduced the efficiency of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC), causing donor-side photoinhibition, with a simultaneous slight increase in ROS. Even so, the application of 100 μM MT decreased the excess excitation energy at PSII implying superior PSII efficiency. The decreased excitation pressure at PSII, after 100 μM MT foliar spray, suggests that MT induced stomatal closure through ROS production. The response of ΦPSII to MT spray corresponds to a J-shaped hormetic curve, with ΦPSII enhancement by 100 μM MT. It is suggested that the hormetic stimulation of PSII functionality was triggered by the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) mechanism that stimulated ROS production, which enhanced the photosynthetic function. It is concluded that MT molecules can be used under both stress and non-stressed conditions as photosynthetic biostimulants for enhancing crop yields.

Drought Stress Alleviator Melatonin Reconfigures Water-Stressed Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Plants' Photosynthetic Efficiency, Antioxidant Capacity, and Endogenous Phytohormone Profile

The production of crops is severely limited by water scarcity. We still do not fully understand the underlying mechanism of exogenous melatonin (MT)-mediated water stress tolerance in barley. This study is the first of its kind to show how MT can potentially mitigate changes in barley's physio-biochemical parameters caused by water deficiency. Barley was grown under three irrigation levels (100%, 70%, and 30% of field capacity) and was foliar sprayed with 70 μM MT. The results showed that exogenously applied MT protected the photosynthetic apparatus by improving photosynthetic pigment content, photochemical reactions of photosynthesis, Calvin cycle enzyme activity, gas exchange capacity, chlorophyll fluorescence system, and membrane stability index. Furthermore, the increased levels of salicylic acid, gibberellins, cytokinins, melatonin, and indole-3-acetic acid, as well as a decrease in abscisic acid, indicated that foliar-applied MT greatly improved barley water stress tolerance. Additionally, by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione reductase and decreasing hydrogen peroxide content, lipid peroxidation, and electrolyte leakage, MT application lessened water stress-induced oxidative stress. According to the newly discovered data, MT application improves barley water stress tolerance by reprogramming endogenous plant hormone production and antioxidant activity, which enhances membrane stability and photosynthesis. This study unraveled MT's crucial role in water deficiency mitigation, which can thus be applied to water stress management.

Melatonin treatment delays the softening of blueberry fruit by modulating cuticular wax metabolism and reducing cell wall degradation

The effects of postharvest melatonin (MT) treatment on cuticular wax and cell wall metabolism in blueberry fruit (Vaccinium spp.) were evaluated. The results revealed that MT treatment maintained the cuticular wax rod-like structure and delayed wax degradation. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis results revealed that MT application changed the cuticular wax composition in blueberries, and 25 metabolic components were screened. The metabolic regulation of wax quality in blueberry fruit may therefore be influenced by MT. Additionally, MT slowed down pectin and cellulose degradation by reducing the activities of cell wall degrading enzymes like pectin methyl esterase polygalacturonase, β-galactosidase, and cellulose in the later stages of storage. It also downregulated the transcriptional expression of related genes like VcPE, VcPG, VcBG6, and VcGAL1. Thus, MT prevented softening and senescence by postponing the degradation of the cell wall in postharvest blueberry fruit.

Role of Txnrd3 in NiCl2-induced kidney cell apoptosis in mice: Potential therapeutic effect of melatonin

Nickel (Ni) exposure is a significant risk factor for kidney dysfunction and oxidative stress injury in humans. Thioredoxin reductase 3 (Txnrd3), an important enzyme in animals, plays a role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating oxidative stress. However, its protective effect against kidney injury has been determined. Melatonin (Mel) has antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects and therefore may be a preventive and therapeutic agent for kidney injury. Our study aimed to investigate the roles of Mel and Txnrd3 in the treatment of nickel-induced renal injury. We divided 80 wild-type mice and 80 Txnrd3 -/- mice (C57BL/6 N) into a control group treated with saline, Ni group treated with 10 mg/kg NiCl2, Mel group treated with 2 mg/kg Mel, and Ni + Mel group given NiCl2 and Mel for 21 days. Histopathological and ultrastructural observation of the kidney showed that nuclei were wrinkled and mitochondrial cristae were broken in the Ni group, and these changes were significantly attenuated by Mel treatment. Mitochondrial and nuclear damage improved significantly in the Ni + Mel and Txnrd3-/- Ni + Mel groups. Furthermore, NiCl2 exposure decreased T-AOC, SOD, and GSH activities in the kidney. The decreases in antioxidant enzyme activity were attenuated by Mel, and these improvements were abolished by Txnrd3 knockout. NiCl2-induced increases in the mRNA and protein levels of apoptosis factors (Bax, Cyt-c, caspase-3, and caspase-9) were attenuated by Mel treatment, and Txnrd3 knockout abolished the repressive effect of Mel on apoptosis genes. Overall, we concluded that Mel improves oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by NiCl2 by regulating Txnrd3 expression in the kidney. Our results provide evidence for the role of Mel in NiCl2-induced kidney injury and identify Txnrd3 as a potential therapeutic target for renal injury.

Exogenous melatonin enhances the tolerance of tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) via DNA damage repair pathway under heavy metal stress (Cd2+) at the sprout stage

Heavy metal (HM) stress is a non-negligible abiotic stress that seriously restricts crop yield and quality, while the sprout stage is the most sensitive to stress and directly impacts the growth and development of the later stage. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), as an exogenous additive, enhances stress resistance due to its ability to oxidize and reduce. However, few reports on exogenous melatonin to tiger nuts under HM stress have explored whether exogenous melatonin enhances plants' resistance to heavy metals. Here, "Jisha 2″ was used as material, with a stress concentration of 5 mg/L and 100 μmol/L of CdCl2 to explore whether exogenous melatonin enhances plant resistance and molecular mechanism. The result revealed that stress limits growth, while melatonin alleviated the sprout damage under stress from the phenotypes. Moreover, stress-enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and membrane lipid peroxidation, while melatonin-increased ROS reduce damage via the analysis of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion (O2-), and Electrolyte leakage (El). Further results indicated that HM leads to DNA damage while exogenous melatonin will repair the damage by analyzing random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), DNA cross-linking, 8-hydroxy-20-deoxyguanine level, and relative density of apurinic sites. Furthermore, gene expression in the DNA-repaired pathway exhibited similar results. These results applied that exogenous melatonin released the hurt caused by HM stress, with DNA repair and ROS balance serving as candidate pathways. This study elucidated the mechanism of melatonin's influence and provided theoretical insights into its application in tiger nuts.

Melatonin interaction with abscisic acid in the regulation of abiotic stress in Solanaceae family plants

Solanaceous vegetable crops are cultivated and consumed worldwide. However, they often confront diverse abiotic stresses that significantly impair their growth, yield, and overall quality. This review delves into melatonin and abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis and their roles in abiotic stress responses. It closely examines the intricate interplay between melatonin and ABA in managing stress within plants, revealing both collaborative and antagonistic effects and elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms. Melatonin and ABA mutually influence each other's synthesis, metabolism and that of other plant hormones, a key focus of this study. The study highlights melatonin's role in aiding stress management through ABA-dependent pathways and key genes in the melatonin-ABA interaction. Specifically, melatonin downregulates ABA synthesis genes and upregulates catabolism genes, leading to reduced ABA levels. It also directly scavenges H2O2, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, thereby underscoring their collaborative role in mediating stress responses. Moreover, the interplay between melatonin and ABA plays an essential role in multiple physiological processes of plants, including stomatal behaviors, wax accumulation, delay leaf senescence, seed germination, and seedlings growth, among others. Recognizing these relationships in Solanaceae vegetable crops holds great importance for improving agricultural practices and crop quality. In summary, this review offers a comprehensive overview of recent studies on the melatonin and ABA interplay, serving as a valuable resource for researchers and breeders dedicated to fortifying crop resilience and productivity within challenging environments.

Melatonin Postharvest Treatment in Leafy 'Fino' Lemon Maintains Quality and Bioactive Compounds

Spain is a great producer of organic lemon; however, it is necessary to reduce the losses caused by post-harvest diseases. Melatonin (MEL) is a naturally occurring compound with physiological functions in fruit growth and ripening and is able to modulate postharvest ripening and senescence, most of it being concentrated in climacteric fruit. Thus, the aim of this study was to apply MEL to organic lemon fruit with stems and leaves (LEAF) and to organic lemon without those components (LEAFLESS) after harvesting and storage during 21 days at 2 °C to understand the effects of this treatment on the fruit quality. For this purpose, two experiments were carried out. First, MEL was applied at 0.01 mM, 0.1 mM and 1.0 mM by immersion for 15 min on lemon fruits, and the quality parameters and bioactive compounds of the fruit were analysed. Subsequently, a second experiment was carried out where the best concentration (1 mM) was selected and another time (15 and 30 min) was added, with the same quality parameters being analysed. As a result, we observed that all MEL treatments showed positive effects on weight loss reduction, softening (higher fruit firmness), total acidity and lower colour changes. Total phenols increased in MEL-treated lemons, both in peel and juice. For the three concentrations tested, the best efficiency was obtained with MEL at 1.0 mM, while LEAF lemons were the most effective. In conclusion, lemons containing stems and leaves (LEAF) improved preservability by using MEL at 1.0 mM with better organoleptic quality and enhanced phenolic compounds.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity of natural products in periodontal disease: a comprehensive review

Periodontal diseases (PD) are common chronic inflammatory oral pathologies that are strongly linked to others not found in the mouth cavity. The immune system mediates the host response, which includes the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, metalloproteinases, and reactive oxygen species (ROS); the latter may play an important role in the establishment and progression of inflammatory diseases, particularly periodontal disease, via the development of oxidative stress (OS). Natural antioxidants have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, and some can reduce serum levels of key PD indicators such tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin IL-1. This review compiles, through a thorough literature analysis, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects of a variety of natural products, as well as their therapeutic potential in the treatment of PD.

Melatonin strongly enhances the Agrobacterium- mediated transformation of carnation in nitrogen-depleted media

With the rising demand for new cultivars of carnation, efficient transformation protocols are needed to enable the bioengineering of new traits. Here, we established a novel and efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system using callus as the target explant for four commercial carnation cultivars. Leaf-derived calli of all cultivars were inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 containing the plasmid pCAMBIA 2301 harboring genes for β-glucuronidase (uidA) and neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and histochemical assays confirmed the presence of uidA and β-glucuronidase (GUS), respectively in transgenic shoots. The effect on transformation efficiency of medium composition and the presence of antioxidants during inoculation and co-cultivation was investigated. The transformation efficiency was increased in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium lacking KNO₃ and NH₄NO_3, and also in MS medium lacking macro and micro elements and Fe to 5% and 3.1% respectively, compared to 0.6% in full-strength medium. Transformation efficiency was increased dramatically to 24.4% across all carnation cultivars by the addition of 2 mg/l melatonin to nitrogen-depleted MS medium. Shoot regeneration was also doubled in this treatment. The establishment of this efficient and reliable transformation protocol can advance the development of novel carnation cultivars through molecular breeding approaches.

The melatonin contained in beer can provide health benefits, due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties

Beer is a fermented beverage with a low alcohol content originating from cereal fermentation (barley or wheat). It forms part of the diet for many people. It contains melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine). Melatonin is a molecule with a wide range of antioxidant, oncostatic, immunomodulatory, and cytoprotective properties. The aim of this work was to review the data supporting the idea that a moderate consumption of beer, because of its melatonin content, is particularly useful in healthy diets and in other physiological situations (such as pregnancy, menopause, and old age). Data source: a) The MEDLINE /PubMed search was conducted from 1975 to April 2022, and b) Our own experience and published studies on melatonin, the immune system, and beer. We provide a review of research on the mechanisms of melatonin generation in beer, its concentrations, and its possible effects on health. The melatonin contained in beer, as part of a healthy diet and in some special physiological situations, could act as a protective factor and improve the quality of life of those who drink it in moderation. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Escherichia coli RimI Encodes Serotonin N-Acetyltransferase Activity and Its Overexpression Leads to Enhanced Growth and Melatonin Biosynthesis

Serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) functions as the penultimate or final enzyme in melatonin biosynthesis, depending on the substrate. The Escherichia coli orthologue of archaeal SNAT from Thermoplasma volcanium was identified as RimI (EcRimI), with 42% amino acid similarity to archaeal SNAT. EcRimI has been reported to be an N-acetyltransferase enzyme. Here, we investigated whether EcRimI also exhibits SNAT enzyme activity. To achieve this goal, we purified recombinant EcRimI and examined its SNAT enzyme kinetics. As expected, EcRimI showed SNAT activity toward various amine substrates including serotonin and 5-methoxytryptamine, with K_m and V_max values of 531 μM and 528 pmol/min/mg protein toward serotonin and 201 μM and 587 pmol/min/mg protein toward 5-methoxytryptamine, respectively. In contrast to the rimI mutant E. coli strain that showed no growth defect, the EcRimI overexpression strain exhibited a 2-fold higher growth rate than the control strain after 24 h incubation in nutrient-rich medium. The EcRimI overexpression strain produced more melatonin than the control strain in the presence of 5-methoxytryptamine. The enhanced growth effect of EcRimI overexpression was also observed under cadmium stress. The higher growth rate associated with EcRimI expression was attributed to increased protein N-acetyltransferase activity, increased synthesis of melatonin, or the combined effects of both.

Role of melatonin in enhancing arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis and mitigating cold stress in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Melatonin is a biomolecule that affects plant development and is involved in protecting plants from environmental stress. However, the mechanisms of melatonin's impact on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis and cold tolerance in plants are still unclear. In this research, AM fungi inoculation and exogenous melatonin (MT) were applied to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) seedlings alone or in combination to investigate their effect on cold tolerance. The study was conducted in two parts. The initial trial examined two variables, AM inoculation, and cold stress, to investigate the involvement of the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis in endogenous melatonin accumulation and the transcriptional levels of its synthesis genes in the root system of perennial ryegrass under cold stress. The subsequent trial was designed as a three-factor analysis, encompassing AM inoculation, cold stress, and melatonin application, to explore the effects of exogenous melatonin application on plant growth, AM symbiosis, antioxidant activity, and protective molecules in perennial ryegrass subjected to cold stress. The results of the study showed that compared to non-mycorrhizal (NM) plants, cold stress promoted an increase in the accumulation of melatonin in the AM-colonized counterparts. Acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT) catalyzed the final enzymatic reaction in melatonin production. Melatonin accumulation was associated with the level of expression of the genes, LpASMT1 and LpASMT3. Treatment with melatonin can improve the colonization of AM fungi in plants. Simultaneous utilization of AM inoculation and melatonin treatment enhanced the growth, antioxidant activity, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, while simultaneously reducing polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and altering osmotic regulation in the roots. These effects are expected to aid in the mitigation of cold stress in Lolium perenne. Overall, melatonin treatment would help Lolium perenne to improve growth by promoting AM symbiosis, improving the accumulation of protective molecules, and triggering in antioxidant activity under cold stress.

Melatonin Role in Plant Growth and Physiology under Abiotic Stress

Phyto-melatonin improves crop yield by mitigating the negative effects of abiotic stresses on plant growth. Numerous studies are currently being conducted to investigate the significant performance of melatonin in crops in regulating agricultural growth and productivity. However, a comprehensive review of the pivotal performance of phyto-melatonin in regulating plant morpho-physiological and biochemical activities under abiotic stresses needs to be clarified. This review focused on the research on morpho-physiological activities, plant growth regulation, redox status, and signal transduction in plants under abiotic stresses. Furthermore, it also highlighted the role of phyto-melatonin in plant defense systems and as biostimulants under abiotic stress conditions. The study revealed that phyto-melatonin enhances some leaf senescence proteins, and that protein further interacts with the plant's photosynthesis activity, macromolecules, and changes in redox and response to abiotic stress. Our goal is to thoroughly evaluate phyto-melatonin performance under abiotic stress, which will help us better understand the mechanism by which phyto-melatonin regulates crop growth and yield.

Deciphering the melatonin-mediated response and signalling in the regulation of heavy metal stress in plants

MAIN CONCLUSION

Melatonin has a protective effect against heavy metal stress in plants by immobilizing HM in cell walls and sequestering them in root cell vacuoles, reducing HM's translocation from roots to shoots. It enhances osmolyte production, increases antioxidant enzyme activity, and improves photosynthesis, thereby improving cellular functions. Understanding the melatonin-mediated response and signalling can sustain crop production in heavy metal-stressed soils. Melatonin is a pleiotropic signal molecule that plays a critical role in plant growth and stress tolerance, particularly against heavy metals in soil. Heavy metals (HMs) are ubiquitously found in the soil-water environment and readily taken up by plants, thereby disrupting mineral nutrient homeostasis, osmotic balance, oxidative stress, and altered primary and secondary metabolism. Plants combat HM stress through inbuilt defensive mechanisms, such as metal exclusion, restricted foliar translocation, metal sequestration and compartmentalization, chelation, and scavenging of free radicals by antioxidant enzymes. Melatonin has a protective effect against the damaging effects of HM stress in plants. It achieves this by immobilizing HM in cell walls and sequestering them in root cell vacuoles, reducing HM's translocation from roots to shoots. This mechanism improves the uptake of macronutrients and micronutrients in plants. Additionally, melatonin enhances osmolyte production, improving the plant's water relations, and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes to limit lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Melatonin also decreases chlorophyll degradation while increasing its synthesis, and enhances RuBisCO activity for better photosynthesis. All these functions contribute to improving the cellular functions of plants exposed to HM stress. This review aims to gain better insight into the melatonin-mediated response and signalling under HM stress in plants, which may be useful in sustaining crop production in heavy metal-stressed soils.

Synergistic Effect of Melatonin and Lysinibacillus fusiformis L. (PLT16) to Mitigate Drought Stress via Regulation of Hormonal, Antioxidants System, and Physio-Molecular Responses in Soybean Plants

Drought is one of the most detrimental factors that causes significant effects on crop development and yield. However, the negative effects of drought stress may be alleviated with the aid of exogenous melatonin (MET) and the use of plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). The present investigation aimed to validate the effects of co-inoculation of MET and Lysinibacillus fusiformis on hormonal, antioxidant, and physio-molecular regulation in soybean plants to reduce the effects of drought stress. Therefore, ten randomly selected isolates were subjected to various plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) traits and a polyethylene-glycol (PEG)-resistance test. Among these, PLT16 tested positive for the production of exopolysaccharide (EPS), siderophore, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), along with higher PEG tolerance, in vitro IAA, and organic-acid production. Therefore, PLT16 was further used in combination with MET to visualize the role in drought-stress mitigation in soybean plant. Furthermore, drought stress significantly damages photosynthesis, enhances ROS production, and reduces water stats, hormonal signaling and antioxidant enzymes, and plant growth and development. However, the co-application of MET and PLT16 enhanced plant growth and development and improved photosynthesis pigments (chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids) under both normal conditions and drought stress. This may be because hydrogen-peroxide (H2O2), superoxide-anion (O2-), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were reduced and antioxidant activities were enhanced to maintain redox homeostasis and reduce the abscisic-acid (ABA) level and its biosynthesis gene NCED3 while improving the synthesis of jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) to mitigate drought stress and balance the stomata activity to maintain the relative water states. This may be possible due to a significant increase in endo-melatonin content, regulation of organic acids, and enhancement of nutrient uptake (calcium, potassium, and magnesium) by co-inoculated PLT16 and MET under normal conditions and drought stress. In addition, co-inoculated PLT16 and MET modulated the relative expression of DREB2 and TFs bZIP while enhancing the expression level of ERD1 under drought stress. In conclusion, the current study found that the combined application of melatonin and Lysinibacillus fusiformis inoculation increased plant growth and could be used to regulate plant function during drought stress as an eco-friendly and low-cost approach.

Integrative transcriptome and metabolome analysis reveals the mechanism of exogenous melatonin alleviating drought stress in maize roots

Melatonin (MT) is essential for plant development and drought adaptation. However, the molecular and metabolic mechanisms underlying MT-induced drought tolerance in maize roots remain largely unclear. Herein, we investigated the effects of MT on drought tolerance in maize roots using integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, and identified MT-induced genes and metabolites associated with drought resistance. Compared with the untreated control plants, MT application alleviated the deleterious effects of drought on roots, by decreasing the malondialdehyde level and increasing the solute potential, eventually promoting root growth. Transcriptome and metabolome analysis demonstrated that MT significantly upregulates the expression of genes related to flavonoid biosynthesis (PAL, C4H, 4CL, HCT, CHS, CHI, F3'5'H, and DFR), activates drought-responsive transcription factors (ERFs, NACs, MYBs, and bHLHs), and regulates hormone signaling-related genes, especially ethylene response factors (ERF4, ERF81, and ERF110). Moreover, MT increased the accumulation of flavonoid metabolites, particularly apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin, under drought-stress conditions. These findings were further supported by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis and total flavonoid measurements. Altogether, our findings suggest that MT promotes maize root growth during drought by regulating flavonoid synthesis pathways, transcription factors, and plant hormone signals. This study provides new insights into the complex mechanisms by which MT enhances crop resistance to drought damage.

A cysteine-rich secretory protein involves in phytohormone melatonin mediated plant resistance to CGMMV

BACKGROUND

Melatonin is considered to be a polyfunctional master regulator in animals and higher plants. Exogenous melatonin inhibits plant infection by multiple diseases; however, the role of melatonin in Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) infection remains unknown.

RESULTS

In this study, we demonstrated that exogenous melatonin treatment can effectively control CGMMV infection. The greatest control effect was achieved by 3 days of root irrigation at a melatonin concentration of 50 μM. Exogenous melatonin showed preventive and therapeutic effects against CGMMV infection at early stage in tobacco and cucumber. We utilized RNA sequencing technology to compare the expression profiles of mock-inoculated, CGMMV-infected, and melatonin+CGMMV-infected tobacco leaves. Defense-related gene CRISP1 was specifically upregulated in response to melatonin, but not to salicylic acid (SA). Silencing CRISP1 enhanced the preventive effects of melatonin on CGMMV infection, but had no effect on CGMMV infection. We also found exogenous melatonin has preventive effects against another Tobamovirus, Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, these results indicate that exogenous melatonin controls two Tobamovirus infections and inhibition of CRISP1 enhanced melatonin control effects against CGMMV infection, which may lead to the development of a novel melatonin treatment for Tobamovirus control.

Impact of Pre-Storage Melatonin Application on the Standard, Sensory, and Bioactive Quality of Early Sweet Cherry

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is involved in multiple functions in plants. However, its role in some metabolic pathways and exogenous application's effect on fruits is still unclear. Furthermore, the effects of pre-storage melatonin treatment on sensory traits and consumer acceptance of cherries have yet to be studied. For this reason, the early sweet cherry cultivar 'Samba' harvested at the commercial ripening stage was treated with different melatonin concentrations (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mmol L^-1) and stored for 21 days under controlled cold temperature and humidity. The standard quality, respiration rate, postharvest aptitude, sensory quality, phenols, and antioxidant systems (non-enzymatic and enzymatic) were analysed at 14 and 21 days of storage. Postharvest treatment with melatonin 0.5 mmol L^-1 improved firmness and reduced weight loss and non-commercial fruit percentage while increasing respiration rate, lipophilic antioxidant activity, and ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activity. Furthermore, the treated cherries showed better sensory qualities, such as uniformity of colour and skin colour, as well as being sourer and showing better consumer acceptance and liking after 14 days of storage. Therefore, we conclude that the 0.5 mmol L^-1 concentration is effective on the standard, sensory, and bioactive quality of early sweet cherries and can be considered an eco-friendly tool for maintaining the postharvest quality of early cherries.

Abscisic acid in plants under abiotic stress: crosstalk with major phytohormones

KEY MESSAGE

Extensive crosstalk exists among ABA and different phytohormones that modulate plant tolerance against different abiotic stress. Being sessile, plants are exposed to a wide range of abiotic stress (drought, heat, cold, salinity and metal toxicity) that exert unwarranted threat to plant life and drastically affect growth, development, metabolism, and yield of crops. To cope with such harsh conditions, plants have developed a wide range of protective phytohormones of which abscisic acid plays a pivotal role. It controls various physiological processes of plants such as leaf senescence, seed dormancy, stomatal closure, fruit ripening, and other stress-related functions. Under challenging situations, physiological responses of ABA manifested in the form of morphological, cytological, and anatomical alterations arise as a result of synergistic or antagonistic interaction with multiple phytohormones. This review provides new insight into ABA homeostasis and its perception and signaling crosstalk with other phytohormones at both molecular and physiological level under critical conditions including drought, salinity, heavy metal toxicity, and extreme temperature. The review also reveals the role of ABA in the regulation of various physiological processes via its positive or negative crosstalk with phytohormones, viz., gibberellin, melatonin, cytokinin, auxin, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, ethylene, brassinosteroids, and strigolactone in response to alteration of environmental conditions. This review forms a basis for designing of plants that will have an enhanced tolerance capability against different abiotic stress.

Morphological and Physiological Mechanisms of Melatonin on Delaying Drought-Induced Leaf Senescence in Cotton

Leaf senescence reduces the photosynthetic capacity of leaves, thus significantly affecting the growth, development, and yield formation of cotton. Melatonin (MT) is a multipotent substance proven to delay leaf senescence. However, its potential mechanism in delaying leaf senescence induced by abiotic stress remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the effect of MT on delaying drought-induced leaf senescence in cotton seedlings and to clarify its morphological and physiological mechanisms. Drought stress upregulated the leaf senescence marker genes, destroyed the photosystem, and led to excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS, e.g., H₂O₂ and O₂^-), thus accelerating leaf senescence. However, leaf senescence was significantly delayed when 100 μM MT was sprayed on the leaves of the cotton seedlings. The delay was embodied by the increased chlorophyll content, photosynthetic capacity, and antioxidant enzyme activities, as well as decreased H₂O₂, O₂^-, and abscisic acid (ABA) contents by 34.44%, 37.68%, and 29.32%, respectively. MT significantly down-regulated chlorophyll degradation-related genes and senescence marker genes (GhNAC12 and GhWRKY27/71). In addition, MT reduced the chloroplast damage caused by drought-induced leaf senescence and maintained the integrity of the chloroplast lamellae structure under drought stress. The findings of this study collectively suggest that MT can effectively enhance the antioxidant enzyme system, improve photosynthetic efficiency, reduce chlorophyll degradation and ROS accumulation, and inhibit ABA synthesis, thereby delaying drought-induced leaf senescence in cotton.

Histone deacetylase 9 regulates disease resistance through fine-tuning histone deacetylation of melatonin biosynthetic genes and melatonin accumulation in cassava

Melatonin participates in plant growth and development and biotic and abiotic stress responses. Histone acetylation regulates many plant biological processes via transcriptional reprogramming. However, the direct relationship between melatonin and histone acetylation in plant disease resistance remains unclear. In this study, we identified cassava bacterial blight (CBB) responsive histone deacetylase 9 (HDA9), which negatively regulated disease resistance to CBB by reducing melatonin content. In addition, exogenous melatonin alleviated disease sensitivity of MeHDA9 overexpressed plants to CBB. Importantly, MeHDA9 inhibited the expression of melatonin biosynthetic genes through decreasing lysine 5 of histone 4 (H4K5) acetylation at the promoter regions of melatonin biosynthetic genes, thereby modulating melatonin accumulation in cassava. Furthermore, protein phosphatase 2C 12 (MePP2C12) interacted with MeHDA9 in vivo and in vitro, and it was involved in MeHDA9-mediated disease resistance via melatonin biosynthetic pathway. In summary, this study highlights the direct interaction between histone deacetylation and melatonin biosynthetic genes in cassava disease resistance via histone deacetylation, providing new insights into the genetic improvement of disease resistance via epigenetic regulation of melatonin level in tropical crops.

Melatonin mediates elevated carbon dioxide-induced photosynthesis and thermotolerance in tomato

Increasing carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) promotes photosynthesis and mitigates heat stress-induced deleterious effects on plants, but the regulatory mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we found that tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants treated with high atmospheric CO₂ concentrations (600, 800, and 1000 µmol mol^-1 ) accumulated increased levels of melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxy tryptamine) in their leaves and this response is conserved across many plant species, including Arabidopsis, rice, wheat, mustard, cucumber, watermelon, melon, and hot pepper. Elevated CO₂ (eCO₂ ; 800 µmol mol^-1 ) caused a 6.8-fold increase in leaf melatonin content, and eCO₂ -induced melatonin biosynthesis preferentially occurred through chloroplast biosynthetic pathways in tomato plants. Crucially, manipulation of endogenous melatonin levels by genetic means affected the eCO₂ -induced accumulation of sugar and starch in tomato leaves. Furthermore, net photosynthetic rate, maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, and transcript levels of chloroplast- and nuclear-encoded photosynthetic genes, such as rbcL, rbcS, rbcA, psaD, petB, and atpA, significantly increased in COMT1 overexpressing (COMT1-OE) tomato plants, but not in melatonin-deficient comt1 mutants at eCO₂ conditions. While eCO₂ enhanced plant tolerance to heat stress (42°C) in wild-type and COMT1-OE, melatonin deficiency compromised eCO₂ -induced thermotolerance in comt1 plants. The expression of heat shock proteins genes increased in COMT1-OE but not in comt1 plants in response to eCO₂ under heat stress. Further analysis revealed that eCO₂ -induced thermotolerance was closely linked to the melatonin-dependent regulation of reactive oxygen species, redox homeostasis, cellular protein protection, and phytohormone metabolism. This study unveiled a crucial mechanism of elevated CO₂ -induced thermotolerance in which melatonin acts as an essential endogenous signaling molecule in tomato plants.

Bioengineering Techniques to Improve Nitrogen Transformation and Utilization: Implications for Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Future Sustainable Crop Production

Nitrogen (N) is crucial for plant growth and development, especially in physiological and biochemical processes such as component of different proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, and plant growth regulators. Six categories, such as transporters, nitrate absorption, signal molecules, amino acid biosynthesis, transcription factors, and miscellaneous genes, broadly encompass the genes regulating NUE in various cereal crops. Herein, we outline detailed research on bioengineering modifications of N metabolism to improve the different crop yields and biomass. We emphasize effective and precise molecular approaches and technologies, including N transporters, transgenics, omics, etc., which are opening up fascinating opportunities for a complete analysis of the molecular elements that contribute to NUE. Moreover, the detection of various types of N compounds and associated signaling pathways within plant organs have been discussed. Finally, we highlight the broader impacts of increasing NUE in crops, crucial for better agricultural yield and in the greater context of global climate change.

Exogenous Melatonin Alters Stomatal Regulation in Tomato Seedlings Subjected to Combined Heat and Drought Stress through Mechanisms Distinct from ABA Signaling

The understanding of stomatal regulation in climate stress is essential for ensuring resilient crops. The investigation of the stomatal regulation in combined heat and drought stress aimed to link effects of exogenous melatonin on stomatal conductance (g_s) and its mechanistic interactions with ABA or ROS signaling. Melatonin-treated and non-treated tomato seedlings were subjected to moderate and severe levels of heat (38°C for one or three days) and drought stress (soil relative water content of 50% or 20%) applied individually and in combination. We measured g_s, stomatal anatomy, ABA metabolites and enzymatic ROS scavengers. The stomata in combined stress responded predominantly to heat at soil relative water content (SRWC) = 50% and to drought stress at SRWC = 20%. Drought stress increased ABA levels at severe stress, whereas heat stress caused an accumulation of the conjugated form, ABA glucose ester, at both moderate and severe stress. The melatonin treatment affected g_s and the activity of ROS scavenging enzymes but had no effect on ABA levels. The ABA metabolism and conjugation of ABA might play a role in stomatal opening toward high temperatures. We provide evidence that melatonin increases g_s in combined heat and drought stress, but the effect is not mediated through ABA signaling.

The pathway of melatonin biosynthesis in common wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Melatonin (Mel) is a multifunctional biomolecule found in both animals and plants. In plants, the biosynthesis of Mel from tryptophan (Trp) has been delineated to comprise of four consecutive reactions. However, while the genes encoding these enzymes in rice are well characterized no systematic evaluation of the overall pathway has, as yet, been published for wheat. In the current study, the relative contents of six Mel-pathway-intermediates including Trp, tryptamine (Trm), serotonin (Ser), 5-methoxy tryptamine (5M-Trm), N-acetyl serotonin (NAS) and Mel, were determined in 24 independent tissues spanning the lifetime of wheat. These studies indicated that Trp was the most abundant among the six metabolites, followed by Trm and Ser. Next, the candidate genes expressing key enzymes involved in the Mel pathway were explored by means of metabolite-based genome-wide association study (mGWAS), wherein two TDC genes, a T5H gene and one SNAT gene were identified as being important for the accumulation of Mel pathway metabolites. Moreover, a 463-bp insertion within the T5H gene was discovered that may be responsible for variation in Ser content. Finally, a ASMT gene was found via sequence alignment against its rice homolog. Validations of these candidate genes were performed by in vitro enzymatic reactions using proteins purified following recombinant expression in Escherichia coli, transient gene expression in tobacco, and transgenic approaches in wheat. Our results thus provide the first comprehensive investigation into the Mel pathway metabolites, and a swift candidate gene identification via forward-genetics strategies, in common wheat.

Phytomelatonin: A master regulator for plant oxidative stress management

Phytomelatonin is the multifunctional molecule that governs a range of developmental processes in plants subjected to a plethora of environmental cues. It acts as an antioxidant molecule to regulate the oxidative burst through reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging. Moreover, it also activates stress-responsive genes followed by alleviating oxidation. Phytomelatonin also stimulates antioxidant enzymes that further regulate redox homeostasis in plants under adverse conditions. This multifunctional molecule also regulates different physiological processes of plants in terms of leaf senescence, seed germination, lateral root growth, photosynthesis, etc. Due to its versatile nature, it is regarded as a master regulator of plant cell physiology and it holds a crucial position in molecular signaling as well. Phytomelatonin mediated oxidative stress management occurs through a series of antioxidative defense systems, both enzymatic as well as non-enzymatic, along with the formation of an array of secondary defensive metabolites that counteract the stresses. These phytomelatonin-derived antioxidants reduce the lipid peroxidation and improve membrane integrity of the cells subjected to stress. Here in, the data from transcriptomic and omics approaches are summarized which help to identify the gene regulatory mechanisms involved in the regulation of redox homeostasis and oxidative stress management. Further, we also recap the signaling cascade underlying phytomelatonin interactions with both ROS and reactive nitrogen species (RNS)and their crosstalk. The discoveries related to phytomelatonin have shown that this regulatory master molecule is critical for plant cell physiology. The current review is focussed the role of phytomelatonin as a multifunctional molecule in plant stress management.

Nitric Oxide Acts as a Key Signaling Molecule in Plant Development under Stressful Conditions

Nitric oxide (NO), a colorless gaseous molecule, is a lipophilic free radical that easily diffuses through the plasma membrane. These characteristics make NO an ideal autocrine (i.e., within a single cell) and paracrine (i.e., between adjacent cells) signalling molecule. As a chemical messenger, NO plays a crucial role in plant growth, development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Furthermore, NO interacts with reactive oxygen species, antioxidants, melatonin, and hydrogen sulfide. It regulates gene expression, modulates phytohormones, and contributes to plant growth and defense mechanisms. In plants, NO is mainly produced via redox pathways. However, nitric oxide synthase, a key enzyme in NO production, has been poorly understood recently in both model and crop plants. In this review, we discuss the pivotal role of NO in signalling and chemical interactions as well as its involvement in the mitigation of biotic and abiotic stress conditions. In the current review, we have discussed various aspects of NO including its biosynthesis, interaction with reactive oxygen species (ROS), melatonin (MEL), hydrogen sulfide, enzymes, phytohormones, and its role in normal and stressful conditions.

The role of melatonin in plant growth and metabolism, and its interplay with nitric oxide and auxin in plants under different types of abiotic stress

Melatonin is a pleiotropic signaling molecule that reduces the adverse effects of abiotic stresses, and enhances the growth and physiological function of many plant species. Several recent studies have demonstrated the pivotal role of melatonin in plant functions, specifically its regulation of crop growth and yield. However, a comprehensive understanding of melatonin, which regulates crop growth and yield under abiotic stress conditions, is not yet available. This review focuses on the progress of research on the biosynthesis, distribution, and metabolism of melatonin, and its multiple complex functions in plants and its role in the mechanisms of metabolism regulation in plants grown under abiotic stresses. In this review, we focused on the pivotal role of melatonin in the enhancement of plant growth and regulation of crop yield, and elucidated its interactions with nitric oxide (NO) and auxin (IAA, indole-3-acetic acid) when plants are grown under various abiotic stresses. The present review revealed that the endogenousapplication of melatonin to plants, and its interactions with NO and IAA, enhanced plant growth and yield under various abiotic stresses. The interaction of melatonin with NO regulated plant morphophysiological and biochemical activities, mediated by the G protein-coupled receptor and synthesis genes. The interaction of melatonin with IAA enhanced plant growth and physiological function by increasing the levels of IAA, synthesis, and polar transport. Our aim was to provide a comprehensive review of the performance of melatonin under various abiotic stresses, and, therefore, further explicate the mechanisms that plant hormones use to regulate plant growth and yield under abiotic stresses.