Exogenous Melatonin Improves Drought Tolerance by Regulating the Antioxidant Defense System and Photosynthetic Efficiency in Fodder Soybean Seedings

Fodder soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> L.) with high protein and yield is a popular forage grass in northeast China. Seasonal drought inhibits its growth and development during seedling stage. The objective of this study was to observe morpho-physiological changes in fodder soybean seedlings...

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Main Authors: Qianhan Zhao, Xueling Zheng, Chen Wang, Qinyi Wang, Qiyun Wei, Xiashun Liu, Yujiao Liu, Along Chen, Jia Jiang, Xueying Zhao, Tiantian He, Jiayi Qi, Yuchen Han, Haonan Qin, Fuchun Xie, Yajun Chen
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/3/460
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author Qianhan Zhao
Xueling Zheng
Chen Wang
Qinyi Wang
Qiyun Wei
Xiashun Liu
Yujiao Liu
Along Chen
Jia Jiang
Xueying Zhao
Tiantian He
Jiayi Qi
Yuchen Han
Haonan Qin
Fuchun Xie
Yajun Chen
author_facet Qianhan Zhao
Xueling Zheng
Chen Wang
Qinyi Wang
Qiyun Wei
Xiashun Liu
Yujiao Liu
Along Chen
Jia Jiang
Xueying Zhao
Tiantian He
Jiayi Qi
Yuchen Han
Haonan Qin
Fuchun Xie
Yajun Chen
author_sort Qianhan Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Fodder soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> L.) with high protein and yield is a popular forage grass in northeast China. Seasonal drought inhibits its growth and development during seedling stage. The objective of this study was to observe morpho-physiological changes in fodder soybean seedlings under melatonin (MT) treatments and identify appropriate concentration to alleviate the drought damage. Two varieties commonly used in northeast China were treated with 0, 50, 100, and 150 μM melatonin at soil water content of 30%. The results indicated that applying melatonin enhanced height, biomass and altered root morphology of fodder soybean seedlings under water-deficient conditions. The treatments with melatonin at different concentrations significantly reduced the contents of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, O<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup> and MDA, while boosting the capacity of the antioxidant defense system and the content of osmotic adjustment substances. Meanwhile, increases in light energy capture and transmission efficiency were observed. Furthermore, treatment with melatonin regulated the expression levels of genes associated with photosynthesis and the antioxidant defense system. Notably, 100 μM melatonin treatment produced the most favorable effect in all treatments under drought conditions. These research results provide new information for enhancing the drought tolerance of fodder soybean using chemical measures.
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spelling doaj-art-be99e3640df643e9bee6437ded5de5c92025-08-20T02:12:29ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-02-0114346010.3390/plants14030460Exogenous Melatonin Improves Drought Tolerance by Regulating the Antioxidant Defense System and Photosynthetic Efficiency in Fodder Soybean SeedingsQianhan Zhao0Xueling Zheng1Chen Wang2Qinyi Wang3Qiyun Wei4Xiashun Liu5Yujiao Liu6Along Chen7Jia Jiang8Xueying Zhao9Tiantian He10Jiayi Qi11Yuchen Han12Haonan Qin13Fuchun Xie14Yajun Chen15College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, ChinaFujian Zhongke Biological Co., Ltd., Xiamen 361001, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, ChinaFodder soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> L.) with high protein and yield is a popular forage grass in northeast China. Seasonal drought inhibits its growth and development during seedling stage. The objective of this study was to observe morpho-physiological changes in fodder soybean seedlings under melatonin (MT) treatments and identify appropriate concentration to alleviate the drought damage. Two varieties commonly used in northeast China were treated with 0, 50, 100, and 150 μM melatonin at soil water content of 30%. The results indicated that applying melatonin enhanced height, biomass and altered root morphology of fodder soybean seedlings under water-deficient conditions. The treatments with melatonin at different concentrations significantly reduced the contents of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, O<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup> and MDA, while boosting the capacity of the antioxidant defense system and the content of osmotic adjustment substances. Meanwhile, increases in light energy capture and transmission efficiency were observed. Furthermore, treatment with melatonin regulated the expression levels of genes associated with photosynthesis and the antioxidant defense system. Notably, 100 μM melatonin treatment produced the most favorable effect in all treatments under drought conditions. These research results provide new information for enhancing the drought tolerance of fodder soybean using chemical measures.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/3/460fodder soybeandrought stressmelatoninphotosynthesisantioxidant system
spellingShingle Qianhan Zhao
Xueling Zheng
Chen Wang
Qinyi Wang
Qiyun Wei
Xiashun Liu
Yujiao Liu
Along Chen
Jia Jiang
Xueying Zhao
Tiantian He
Jiayi Qi
Yuchen Han
Haonan Qin
Fuchun Xie
Yajun Chen
Exogenous Melatonin Improves Drought Tolerance by Regulating the Antioxidant Defense System and Photosynthetic Efficiency in Fodder Soybean Seedings
Plants
fodder soybean
drought stress
melatonin
photosynthesis
antioxidant system
title Exogenous Melatonin Improves Drought Tolerance by Regulating the Antioxidant Defense System and Photosynthetic Efficiency in Fodder Soybean Seedings
title_full Exogenous Melatonin Improves Drought Tolerance by Regulating the Antioxidant Defense System and Photosynthetic Efficiency in Fodder Soybean Seedings
title_fullStr Exogenous Melatonin Improves Drought Tolerance by Regulating the Antioxidant Defense System and Photosynthetic Efficiency in Fodder Soybean Seedings
title_full_unstemmed Exogenous Melatonin Improves Drought Tolerance by Regulating the Antioxidant Defense System and Photosynthetic Efficiency in Fodder Soybean Seedings
title_short Exogenous Melatonin Improves Drought Tolerance by Regulating the Antioxidant Defense System and Photosynthetic Efficiency in Fodder Soybean Seedings
title_sort exogenous melatonin improves drought tolerance by regulating the antioxidant defense system and photosynthetic efficiency in fodder soybean seedings
topic fodder soybean
drought stress
melatonin
photosynthesis
antioxidant system
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/3/460
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