Scholarlink

<p>Exogenous application of metabolites represents a promising strategy to enhance crop drought resilience, but the mode of action of specific candidates remains underexplored. This study elucidates the physiological roles of three metabolites—serine, pantothenic acid, and raffinose—in improving drought tolerance in maize. Using a multi-phase approach involving seed priming, hydroponic screening, and soil-pot trials with foliar or root application, we demonstrated that each metabolite acts through distinct pathways. Serine primarily enhanced superoxide dismutase by 52% and relative water content (RWC) by 27%, implying bolstered photorespiratory one-carbon metabolism and glycine betaine synthesis. Conversely, Pantothenic acid markedly improved RWC by 36.5% and elevated key antioxidant enzymes (CAT and POD), consistent with CoA-mediated energy metabolism. Raffinose significantly promoted root growth—increasing root volume by 56% and tip number by 84%—and reduced oxidative damage, indicating a role in osmotic protection. Soil-pot validation revealed application-method-dependent effects: foliar-applied serine greatly increased shoot biomass, root-drenched pantothenic acid optimally sustained water status and antioxidative capacity, while Raf predominantly enhanced root development. Collectively, these metabolites form a complementary triad that enhances drought resilience through coordinated redox regulation, energy provision, and osmotic adjustment, offering a sustainable biostimulant strategy for maize under water deficit.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Exogenous Serine, Pantothenic Acid, and Raffinose Enhance Drought Resilience of Maize Through Distinct Physiological Pathways and Application-Method-Dependent Efficacy

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月28日

查看全文
  • Shancong Wang,
  • Qihang Yu,
  • Hecheng Liu,
  • Reda M. M. Ahmed,
  • Xinru Hu,
  • Fanzheng Meng,
  • Ningge Liu,
  • Tao Zhang,
  • Ebtesam E. M. Abdelhadi,
  • Yulou Tang,
  • Nasr M. Abdou,
  • Hongchun Ma,
  • Ruixin Shao,
  • Qinghua Yang

摘要

Exogenous application of metabolites represents a promising strategy to enhance crop drought resilience, but the mode of action of specific candidates remains underexplored. This study elucidates the physiological roles of three metabolites—serine, pantothenic acid, and raffinose—in improving drought tolerance in maize. Using a multi-phase approach involving seed priming, hydroponic screening, and soil-pot trials with foliar or root application, we demonstrated that each metabolite acts through distinct pathways. Serine primarily enhanced superoxide dismutase by 52% and relative water content (RWC) by 27%, implying bolstered photorespiratory one-carbon metabolism and glycine betaine synthesis. Conversely, Pantothenic acid markedly improved RWC by 36.5% and elevated key antioxidant enzymes (CAT and POD), consistent with CoA-mediated energy metabolism. Raffinose significantly promoted root growth—increasing root volume by 56% and tip number by 84%—and reduced oxidative damage, indicating a role in osmotic protection. Soil-pot validation revealed application-method-dependent effects: foliar-applied serine greatly increased shoot biomass, root-drenched pantothenic acid optimally sustained water status and antioxidative capacity, while Raf predominantly enhanced root development. Collectively, these metabolites form a complementary triad that enhances drought resilience through coordinated redox regulation, energy provision, and osmotic adjustment, offering a sustainable biostimulant strategy for maize under water deficit.