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Effects of Exogenous γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) on Photosynthesis and Antioxidant System in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Seedlings Under Low Light Stress

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Abstract

The effects of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) treatment on parameters of photosynthesis and antioxidant defense system were measured in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) leaves under low-light (LL) stress. Seedlings exposed to LL stress showed increased chlorophyll content as well as decreased net photosynthetic rate (P n), stomatal conductance (g s), maximum quantum yield of PSII (F v/F m), actual PSII photochemical efficiency (ΦPSII), electron transport rates and photochemical quenching coefficient (q p). However, almost all the photosynthetic parameters above were enhanced markedly in seedlings treated with GABA under LL stress. Moreover, LL stress increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide anion radical (O2 ·−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. GABA-treated, LL-stressed seedlings exhibited lower MDA, O2 ·− and H2O2 production, and showed an activated antioxidant defense system, including increased activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, glutathione reductase, ascorbate and glutathione. Moreover, seedlings subjected to LL stress showed increased endogenous GABA levels, and the level was further improved by application of exogenous GABA. These results suggest that GABA mitigates the LL-induced stress via regulating the antioxidant defense system and maintaining a high level of photochemical efficiency in pepper seedlings.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the language work of editor with native English background in Elixigen Corporation. This work was financially supported by the President-Aohongbozhe Fund of Jinzhou Medical University (No. XXJJ20140124), the Natural Science Fund of Liaoning Province (No. 2015020797), and Liaoning Engineering Research Center of Meat Processing and Quality Safety Control.

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  1. Liaoning Engineering Research Center of Meat Processing and Quality Safety Control, Department of Food Science and Engineering, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, People’s Republic of China

    Yuefei Li, Ying Ma, Zhen Zhang, Haobo Yue, Lijie Wang, Jing Li & Yang Jiao

  2. Liaoning Research Institute of Cash Crops, Liaoyang, 111000, People’s Republic of China

    Yong Fan

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  1. Yuefei Li
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  2. Yong Fan
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Correspondence to Yang Jiao.

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Li, Y., Fan, Y., Ma, Y. et al. Effects of Exogenous γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) on Photosynthesis and Antioxidant System in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Seedlings Under Low Light Stress. J Plant Growth Regul 36, 436–449 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-016-9652-8

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