| Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2025 |
| Title |
Enhancing drought tolerance in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) by optimizing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) supplementation: physiological, biochemical and molecular insights |
| Journal |
Protoplasma |
| Label |
Muhovski-U1 |
| Date |
22 October 2025 |
| Endnote keywords |
γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), Faba bean, Drought stress, Gene expression, Antioxidant enzymes |
| Abstract |
This study examined the influence of exogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on drought tolerance in faba bean (Vicia faba) under 15% PEG-induced drought stress conditions. Faba bean plants were subjected to treatments with varying GABA concentrations (0.5, 1, and 2 mM) to evaluate physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses to drought stress. The results indicated that a concentration of 0.5 mM GABA significantly enhanced the photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll content, while also markedly improving relative water content (RWC). At this concentration, GABA treatment mitigated oxidative damage, evidenced by reduced levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and increased antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase). Furthermore, GABA supplementation influenced the accumulation of proline and soluble sugars, thereby facilitating osmotic regulation and stress adaptation. Gene expression analysis revealed that GABA modulated key drought-responsive genes, notably enhancing the expression of those associated with antioxidant defenses (VfCAT, VfSOD, VfAPX), water transport (VfPIP), and osmoprotection (VfP5CDH), particularly in leaf and root tissues, with differential effects observed across GABA concentrations. Interestingly, higher concentrations of GABA (1 and 2 mM) yielded reduced or inconsistent outcomes, suggesting the existence of an optimal concentration threshold for stress mitigation. Collectively, these findings underscore the potential of GABA as a beneficial agent for enhancing drought resilience in faba bean, providing a promising strategy to improve crop tolerance to water scarcity. |
| Fichier |
|
| Lien |
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00709-025-02126-1 |
| Authors |
Abid, G., Abdelkader, R., Mhamdi, M., Nefissi, R., Muhovski, Y., Ghouili, E., Abdelkrim, S., Gao, Y., Li, Z., Souissi, F., Jebara, S., Jebara, M. |
