Features of the Effect of Quercetin on Different Genotypes of Wheat under Hypoxia

Abstract

Hypoxia is one of the common abiotic stresses that negatively affects the development and productivity of agricultural crops. Quercetin is used to protect plants from oxidative stress when exposed to environmental stressors. O₂ deficiency leads to impaired development and morphometric parameters in wheat varieties Orenburgskaya 22 (Triticum aestivum L.) and varieties Zolotaya (Triticum durum Desf.). Cytological analysis revealed various types of changes in the cytoplasm under conditions of hypoxia and treatment with quercetin. The most critical changes in the cytoplasm occur in the Zolotaya variety during pretreatment with quercetin followed by hypoxia, and in the Orenburgskaya 22 variety during hypoxia. Quercetin has a protective effect only on the Orenburgskaya 22 variety, and also promotes a more effective recovery after exposure to low O₂ content. Hypoxia causes an increase in reactive oxygen species and activates the antioxidant system. It has been shown that the most active components of the antioxidant system in the Orenburgskaya 22 variety are MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD, and in the Zolotaya variety GSH. We have shown that quercetin provides resistance only to the wheat genotype Orenburgskaya 22, as a protective agent against abiotic stress, which indicates the need for a comprehensive study of the effects of exogenous protectors before use in agriculture.

Keywords: ROS; Triticum aestivum L.; Triticum durum Desf.; cytological analysis; hypoxia; quercetin.

Figure 1

Network for treating two wheat genotypes with quercetin.

Figure 2

Cells with different types of altered cytoplasm in the roots of wheat varieties Orenburgskaya 22 and Zolotaya, grown under different conditions. Below are nuclei-stained with DAPI. Bar 10 μm.

Figure 2

Cells with different types of altered cytoplasm in the roots of wheat varieties Orenburgskaya 22 and Zolotaya, grown under different conditions. Below are nuclei-stained with DAPI. Bar 10 μm.

Figure 3

Distribution of ROS+ and ROS—cells in the zones of six-day seedling of wheat roots Orenburgskaya 22 and Zolotaya: A, B—control; C, D—hypoxia: E, F—Qu; G, H—Qu+hypoxia; and I, J—hypoxia+Qu. Bar 400 µm.

Figure 3

Distribution of ROS+ and ROS—cells in the zones of six-day seedling of wheat roots Orenburgskaya 22 and Zolotaya: A, B—control; C, D—hypoxia: E, F—Qu; G, H—Qu+hypoxia; and I, J—hypoxia+Qu. Bar 400 µm.

Figure 4

The intensity of ROS fluorescence under the influence of stress factors in wheat: 1—variety Orenburgskaya 22; and 2—variety Zolotaya. a–e-indicate significant difference were determined (p < 0.05).

Figure 5

H₂O₂ content in roots and shoots in six-day seedlings of Orenburgskaya 22 variety (1) and Zolotaya variety (2). a–e-indicate significant difference were determined (p < 0.05).

Figure 6

GSH content in roots and shoots in six-day seedlings of Orenburgskaya 22 variety (1) and Zolotaya variety (2). a–e-indicate significant difference were determined (p < 0.05).

Figure 7

Expression of MnSOD, Cu/ZnSOD, GST, GPX, CAT, and PX genes in six-day seedlings of wheat varieties Orenburgskaya 22 (1, 3) and Zolotaya (2, 4) under the influence of various factors in (1,2)—roots, (3,4)—shoots. a–e-indicate significant difference were determined (p < 0.05).

Figure 7

Expression of MnSOD, Cu/ZnSOD, GST, GPX, CAT, and PX genes in six-day seedlings of wheat varieties Orenburgskaya 22 (1, 3) and Zolotaya (2, 4) under the influence of various factors in (1,2)—roots, (3,4)—shoots. a–e-indicate significant difference were determined (p < 0.05).

Figure 8

Diagram of the total changes occurring in wheat of the Orenburgskaya 22 variety and the Zolotaya variety under the influence of hypoxia relative to the control.

Figure 9

Diagram of the total changes occurring in wheat of the Orenburgskaya 22 variety and the Zolotaya variety under the influence of Qu relative to the control.

Figure 10

Diagram of the total changes occurring in wheat of the Orenburgskaya 22 variety and the Zolotaya variety under the influence of hypoxia relative to the Qu.

Figure 11

Diagram of the total changes occurring in wheat of the Orenburgskaya 22 variety and the Zolotaya variety under the influence of Qu relative to the hypoxia.