Author: Megha Eldho
Eldho, Megha, 2024 Effect of GABA Treatment on Heat Stress Mitigation in Lentils, Flinders University, College of Medicine and Public Health
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Environmental factors impact the growth, development, and productivity of crop yields. Unfavourable environmental conditions can result in a decline in crop yield due to irreversible damage, and even mortality. Responses of plants to different environmental stresses are highly variable and complex. Plant growth and development are adversely affected by abiotic stresses, including extreme temperatures, water deficiency or excess, high salinity, heavy metals, and ultraviolet radiation, resulting in significant crop yield losses globally. Although it is difficult to estimate the effects of abiotic stresses on agricultural lands, FAO reports estimate that about 96.5% of global rural land is affected by abiotic stresses. A rise in temperature has negative consequences on plant growth. GABA is a natural signalling molecule in plants that helps regulate their growth and development. It not only helps plants grow better but also reduces the negative effects of stress by boosting the antioxidant defence system. A high GABA concentration is known to enhance plant stress tolerance by improving photosynthesis, inhibiting the ROS level, activating antioxidant enzymes, and regulating stomatal opening during heat stress. Lentils, which are grown in the winter, are especially sensitive to heat stress. Lentil plants subjected to heat stress experience a range of negative effects. Several beneficial effects were observed by applying GABA to lentils under heat stress. GABA improved the stress tolerance in lentils promoting growth and development and thereby reducing oxidative damage. The study showed that foliar application of GABA in lentils promoted more positive and better results than the seeds pretreated with GABA. Therefore, the supplementation of GABA through the foliar spray method enhanced lentils' physiological and biochemical performance, thus leading to improved growth and yield. Moreover, applying GABA to lentils under heat stress can significantly enhance their resilience and growth. GABA treatment helps mitigate the adverse effects of high temperatures by regulating the GABA level, and starch contents promoting the photosynthetic efficiency in plants. Research shows that GABA can improve seed germination, root development, and overall plant health during heat stress, leading to better yield and quality. Therefore, GABA applications in lentil cultivation can be a promising strategy to ensure productivity and sustainability in the face of rising temperatures.
Keywords: GABA, Heat stress, Lentil, Abiotic stress
Subject: Biotechnology thesis
Thesis type: Masters
Completed: 2024
School: College of Medicine and Public Health
Supervisor: Dr. Sunita Ramesh