Putrescine eases saline stress by regulating biochemicals, antioxidative enzymes, and osmolyte balance in hydroponic strawberries (cv. Albion).

Abstract

Salinity is a significant abiotic stress factor that causes considerable damage to many plants through various mechanisms. In this study, the ameliorative effect of putrescine (100, 150, and 200 ppm) on salinity stress (1 g L^-1 NaCl) was investigated in strawberry cv. Albion grown in hydroponic culture. Results showed that putrescine provided root development comparable to control under salt stress. Chlorophyll a and b levels were slightly enhanced by putrescine, while the Chlorophyll a/b ratio was significantly improved. The total phenolics, carbohydrates, anthocyanin, and protein were also raised by putrescine treatments under saline conditions. The antioxidant mechanism was also fortified by putrescine treatment, evidenced by the increased DPPH scavenging and the rise in the antioxidant enzymes, SOD and CAT. The oxidative substances, particularly MDA, notably decreased by rising putrescine doses. Moreover, putrescine treatments positively regulated root-to-shoot osmolyte homeostasis with a diverse effect mechanism according to applied doses. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive insight into the effects of putrescine on the saline stress mechanism in strawberries and suggests it as a favourable biogenic agent.