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Osmolyte and antioxidant adjustments in indoor plants in response to varying low temperature stress

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Abstract

A study was conducted to examine the low temperature (LT) induced osmatic adjustments and antioxidant properties in indoor plants, viz., Philodendron domesticum, Dracaena fragans, Ficus elastica, Chlorophytum comosum and Sansevieria trifasciata for selecting the best candidate plant to be pot-transplanted in closed environments for oxygen enrichment at high altitude. Contents of glycine betaine (GB) and total soluble sugars (TSS), and ascorbic acid (Asc), a non-enzymatic antioxidant increased under LT stress (~1–4-folds) in all the species as compared to control (25 °C). Among studied plants, S. trifasciata showed greater increase in GB, TSS and Asc contents, respectively at 0 °C. Likewise the contents of total phenol and anthocyanin increased (~1–4-folds) in all the species under LT stress. S. trifasciata showed greater accumulation of total phenol (~2 folds) and anthocyanin contents (~1.5-folds) at 0 °C. Similarly, the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) increased rapidly (~1–557-folds) in all the species studied as compared to control under LT stress. S. trifasciata showed ~206, ~558 and ~18-folds increases in APX, CAT and POX activities, respectively, at 0 °C. Based on the osmolyte adjustment and antioxidant levels under LT stress, S. trifasciata was identified as the most tolerant to low temperature stress, and may be recommended for oxygen enrichment.

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Acknowledgments

Financial assistance received by KK from Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), India is duly acknowledged.

Authors’ contribution statement

KK and SMG were involved in the executions of the experiments, data analysis and preparations of the present manuscript. MCA and MN were provided the research guidance for designing of the research work and editing of the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript before its submission.

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Correspondence to Kamal Kumar.

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Kumar, K., Gupta, S.M., Arya, M.C. et al. Osmolyte and antioxidant adjustments in indoor plants in response to varying low temperature stress. Ind J Plant Physiol. 20, 380–384 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-015-0175-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-015-0175-2

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