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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2023, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (12): 126-138.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2023129

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The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and melatonin on the heat tolerance of perennial ryegrass

Hong-jian WEI(), Wen-yuan HE, Yue WANG, Ming TANG, Hui CHEN()   

  1. College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture,South China Agricultural University,Guangzhou 510642,China
  • Received:2023-04-24 Revised:2023-06-08 Online:2023-12-20 Published:2023-10-18
  • Contact: Hui CHEN

Abstract:

High temperature stress is a major factor limiting the growth and development of cool-season grasses. To investigate the effects of individual inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), exogenous melatonin, and their combined application on the growth and heat tolerance of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), a pot experiment was conducted. The current research aimed to test and analyze the effects of AMF and exogenous melatonin treatments under high temperature stress on the growth of perennial ryegrass, endogenous melatonin levels and expression of its synthesis genes, antioxidant capacity, and content of osmotic adjustment substances. The results showed that high temperature stress significantly inhibited the growth of perennial ryegrass, while exogenous melatonin treatment increased the colonization rate of AMF in the roots of perennial ryegrass. Inoculation with AMF and/or melatonin treatments promoted the growth of perennial ryegrass under high temperature stress, increased the endogenous melatonin content in the roots of perennial ryegrass, upregulated the expression of melatonin synthesis genes, reduced relative electrical conductivity (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, and enhanced the activities of root antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT, and APX) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), as well as the content of flavonoids, proline, total phenols, soluble sugars, and betaine. Notably, the combined application of AMF and melatonin showed a synergistic effect in improving the heat tolerance of perennial ryegrass. In summary, inoculation with AMF and melatonin treatment upregulated the expression of melatonin synthesis genes in the roots of perennial ryegrass, increased the endogenous melatonin content, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced oxidative damage, and improved osmotic adjustment capacity, thereby enhancing the heat tolerance of perennial ryegrass.

Key words: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, melatonin, perennial ryegrass, high temperature stress, osmotic adjustment