Application of metformin to improvement of crop seed germination and stress resistance

Abstract

The invention discloses application of metformin to improvement of crop seed germination and stress resistance, the metformin is used as a widely used hypoglycemic drug, has a cross-species conservative metabolism regulation function, can activate an antioxidant defense system of plants, maintain K < + > / Na < + > balance in the plants, and can improve the survivability of crops in saline-alkali soil. After the metformin is adopted to treat the seeds, the germination rate and the germination potential of the seeds are obviously improved, the chlorophyll content, the peroxidase content, the soluble protein content and the like of seedlings are obviously increased, the malondialdehyde content is obviously reduced, and the stress resistance is obviously enhanced. The technology is low in treatment cost, simple to operate and obvious in effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of plant growth regulators, and more particularly to the application of metformin in improving crop seed germination and stress resistance. Background Art

[0002] With climate change and the intensification of agriculture, soil salinization has become a major environmental issue threatening global food security. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, approximately one billion hectares of land worldwide are affected by salinization. In China, saline-alkali land accounts for 25% of the total arable land, 20% of which is abandoned due to inability to grow crops. The ability of seeds to germinate under salt stress is a prerequisite for plant development in saline-alkali conditions. The most prominent stages of plant development are seed germination and seedling development, which are also the most sensitive to abiotic stresses. Crop seeds have weaker overall stress resistance during the germination and seedling stages compared to other growth stages. Excessive salinity stress can reduce seed germination and inhibit seedling growth, resulting in stunted plant growth and development. However, currently, there are relatively few technologies and products that promote stress-resistant germination of saline-alkali seed crops during the seedling stage. New plant stress-resistant technologies are needed to promote stress-resistant seed germination and seedling development in saline-alkali soils. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, currently common methods for saline-alkali land improvement include drainage, spray irrigation to remove salt, soil modification, and other physical and chemical amendments. These are costly and only treat the symptoms rather than the root cause. Improving the salt-alkali resistance of crops is an effective method for saline-alkali land improvement. The present invention provides a new plant stress regulator, metformin, which can effectively improve the salt-alkali resistance of crops. It is an efficient, convenient, and green solution to solve the problems of poor seed germination, weak seedlings, and seedling death in saline-alkali soil conditions, and has great application prospects.

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] The application of metformin in improving crop seed germination and stress resistance, using metformin solution as a plant growth regulator, the concentration of metformin solution is 10-200μmol·L -1 .

[0006] Preferably, the crops include vegetables, wheat and corn.

[0007] Preferably, the vegetables include Chinese cabbage and beans.

[0008] It can be seen from the above technical solutions that compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0009] Metformin, as a widely used hypoglycemic drug, has a cross-species conserved metabolic regulation function, which can activate the antioxidant defense system of plants and maintain K+ / Na + Balance can improve the survival of crops in saline-alkali soils. Treating seeds with metformin significantly improved seed germination rate and germination potential, increased chlorophyll content, peroxidase, and soluble protein in the seedlings, significantly reduced malondialdehyde content, and significantly enhanced stress resistance. This technology is low-cost, simple to operate, and highly effective. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without paying any creative work.

[0011] Figure 1 The germination of pakchoy treated with different concentrations of metformin, a means no addition, b means μmol·L -1 After 12 h of treatment, c was 100 μmol·L -1 Treatment for 12 h, d is 200 μmol·L -1 Processing 12h;

[0012] Figure 2 Effects of metformin on chlorophyll content in leaves of pakchoy seedlings under salt stress;

[0013] Figure 3 Effects of metformin on malondialdehyde content in leaves of pakchoy seedlings under salt stress;

[0014] Figure 4 Effects of metformin on the soluble sugar content in leaves of pakchoy seedlings under salt stress. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0016] Example 1

[0017] Use 10-200 μmol·L for Chinese cabbage seeds -1 After soaking the seeds in metformin solution for 0-24 hours, the seeds were placed on a Petri dish covered with two layers of filter paper, and then 10 mL of 200 mmol·L -1NaCl solution, and then placed the culture dish in a constant temperature incubator at 25℃ to conduct the experiment on the effect of metformin on the germination of pakchoy seeds under salt stress. Each culture dish contained 100 seeds, and each treatment was repeated 3 times. Water was replenished on time every day. After 5-7 days of culture, the germination rate, germination potential, chlorophyll, malondialdehyde, catalase and other stress resistance indicators were tested. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2 and Figure 2-4 As shown:

[0018] Table 1 Effect of metformin on germination rate of pakchoy seeds under salt stress (%)

[0019]

[0020] After treating pakchoy seeds with metformin, the germination rate increased significantly, by more than 15% compared with untreated seeds.

[0021] Table 2 Effects of metformin on germination index of pakchoy seeds under salt stress

[0022]

[0023] After treating pakchoy seeds with metformin, the germination index increased significantly, and the germination index increased by more than 50% compared with untreated seeds.

[0024] Among them, see Figure 1 After treating the seeds of Chinese cabbage with metformin, the chlorophyll content in the seedlings of Chinese cabbage increased significantly, and the chlorophyll content increased by more than 10% compared with the untreated ones;

[0025] See also Figure 2 After treating the seeds of Chinese cabbage with metformin, the content of malondialdehyde in the seedlings of Chinese cabbage was significantly reduced, and the content of malondialdehyde was reduced by more than 20% compared with the untreated ones;

[0026] See also Figure 3 After treating the cabbage seeds with metformin, the soluble sugar content in the cabbage seedlings increased significantly, and the soluble sugar content increased by 5%-40% compared with the untreated ones.

[0027] Example 2

[0028] For beans seeds, use 10-200 μmol·L -1 After soaking the seeds in metformin solution for 0-24 hours, the seeds were placed on a Petri dish lined with two layers of filter paper. Then, 10 mL of 200 mmol / L⁻¹ NaCl solution was added. The Petri dishes were then placed in a 25°C constant-temperature incubator to test the effects of metformin on the germination of pakchoy seeds under salt stress. Each Petri dish contained 50 seeds, and each treatment was replicated three times. Water was replenished daily. After 5-7 days of incubation, the seeds were tested for germination rate, germination potential, chlorophyll content, malondialdehyde, catalase, and other stress resistance indicators.

[0029] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. Reference can be made to the common and similar parts between the various embodiments. For the devices disclosed in the embodiments, since they correspond to the methods disclosed in the embodiments, the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can be referred to the method description.

[0030] The above description of the disclosed embodiments is intended to enable one skilled in the art to implement or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown herein but is intended to conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. Application of metformin in improving crop seed germination and stress resistance.

2. The use of metformin in improving crop seed germination and stress resistance according to claim 1, characterized in that Metformin solution was used as a plant growth regulator.

3. The use of metformin in improving crop seed germination and stress resistance according to claim 2, characterized in that: The concentration of the metformin solution is 10-200 μmol·L -1 .

4. The use of metformin in improving crop seed germination and stress resistance according to claim 1, characterized in that The crops include vegetables, wheat and corn.

5. The use of metformin in improving crop seed germination and stress resistance according to claim 4, characterized in that: The vegetables include Chinese cabbage and beans.

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