Roles of hydrogen gas in plants: a review

Abstract

Hydrogen gas (H2) was first identified as a unique molecular messenger in animals. Since H2 was reported as a novel antioxidant, it has been proven effective in treating many diseases. However, the studies concerning H2 in plants are just beginning to emerge. Here, two paths of H2 production in plants have been reported, namely, hydrogenase and nitrogenase. H2 has positive effects on seed germination, seedling growth, adventitious rooting, root elongation, harvest freshness, stomatal closure and anthocyanin synthesis. H2 also can enhance plant symbiotic stress resistance commonly through the enhancement of antioxidant defence system. Moreover, H2 shows cross talk with nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and other signalling molecules (for example, abscisic acid, ethylene and jasmonate acid). H2 can regulate the expression of responsive genes under abiotic stress and during adventitious roots formation and anthocyanin biosynthesis. Future work will need to focus on the molecular mechanism of H2 and its crosstalk with other signalling molecules in plants. With its promising application in agriculture, hydrogen agriculture will be welcomed in the near future.