Ikuyinminu et al., (2023) Molecular Sciences 24(8), 6988
Transcriptome, Biochemical and Phenotypic Analysis of the Effects of a Precision Engineered Biostimulant for Inducing Salinity Stress Tolerance in Tomato
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/8/6988
Summary
Salinity is a significant challenge for agriculture as it affects about 20% of the world’s landmass and one-third of the land used for food production. High salt concentration in irrigation water can lead to negative effects in plant growth and development, which can reduce drastically crop yield and quality.
At Brandon Bioscience, we are committed to developing biostimulants that can help plants withstand these challenging conditions. BLOCSAL, is a precision-engineered biostimulant made from a combination of protein hydrolysate and Ascophyllum nodosum extract, that has previously shown promising results in alleviating the damage caused by irrigation salinity stress in crops, in work previously published by our team of research scientists. In our latest study, our scientists investigated the effects of our biostimulant, BLOCSAL, on the expression of genes related to salinity stress response in tomato plants. This study integrated data from four levels of biological information, including phenological, physiological, biochemical, and transcriptome data from different tissues such as leaf, different leaf, stem, and root tissue of the tomato plant. By evaluating the metabolic portioning in the root, stem, and leaf tissues, along with transcriptome studies, the researchers aimed to investigate deeper the mode of action of BLOCSAL and its potential as a leading product for growers to alleviate salinity stress in their crops.
Our researchers found that BLOCSAL restricted the movement of sodium to the younger, more vulnerable, and more actively growing tissues, such as the upper stem and leaf tissues. This was attained by confining the movement of sodium to the roots and promoting ionic balance through higher accumulation of potassium. This was achieved through the dysregulation of numerous salinity stress related genes such as HKT-1 transporters, vacuole NHX cation-proton antiporter and other various genes that promote potassium/sodium homeostasis. This reduced the harmful effects of sodium accumulation, thereby promoting ion toxicity avoidance.
To further investigate the effects of BLOCSAL, the researchers conducted biochemical analyses, including the measurement of various molecules such as proteins and enzymes. The study found that salinity stress causes water loss in tissues due to the increase in sodium accumulation in the soil, reducing water conductivity. However, foliar application of BLOCSAL increased relative water content (RWC) in young leaves, indicating a positive effect on water uptake and retention. Leaf tissue of treated plants was characterised by an improved osmotic stress tolerance at the physiological level and was correlated with a higher content of osmolytes, such as proline and soluble sugars, and overexpression of genes related to aquaporins, aiding in maintaining cell membrane integrity and cell hydration levels. This study showed BLOCSAL increased photosynthetic pigments including chlorophyll A+B and carotenoid content in young leaf tissue, resulting in increased carbon fixation, improved plant biomass, and higher fruit yield. Additionally, BLOCSAL improved the osmotic stress tolerance in young leaf tissue, which is critical for providing photoassimilates to develop fruits.
Most importantly, this study showed that BLOCSAL increased yields by 48% in stressed plants and closed the yield gap to within 3% of unstressed untreated plants.
Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms by which BLOCSAL can help tomato plants withstand salinity stress. By dysregulating multiple genes related to sodium transporters, promoting potassium uptake and translocation, and improving water uptake and retention, BLOCSAL is a biostimulant that is back with a defined mode of action that promotes plant health and productivity in challenging conditions.
If you would like to know more about our research and our range of biostimulants, speak to us directly
