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Humic Substances Isolated from Recycled Biomass Trigger Jasmonic Acid Biosynthesis and Signalling
Rakiely M Silva1, Alice N A Peres2, Lázaro E P Peres2
1Núcleo de Desenvolvimento de Insumos Biológicos para Agricultura (NUDIBA), Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Ave Alberto Lamego 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, Brazil.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 9, 2023
Summary
Humic acids from vermicompost act as plant biostimulants, enhancing tomato growth by modulating jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis and signaling pathways. This approach offers a sustainable alternative to conventional pesticides.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Plant Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Intensive agriculture relies on chemical inputs, posing risks to environmental and human health.
- Plant biostimulants derived from humic substances offer a sustainable alternative to conventional agrochemicals.
- Humic substances are known to influence plant growth, often linked to plant hormones like auxins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of humic acids (HA) from vermicompost on jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis and signaling in tomato seedlings.
- To evaluate the potential of HA as a biostimulant to enhance plant growth and defense mechanisms.
- To explore the cross-talk between JA, ethylene, and auxin signaling pathways under HA treatment.
Main Methods:
- Tomato (Micro-Tom) seedlings with a JA-responsive reporter gene (JERE::GUS) were treated with HA.
- Gene expression analysis using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) for JA synthesis and signaling genes.
- Assays to measure JA levels and reporter gene activity.
Main Results:
- Humic acid application promoted tomato plant growth.
- HA treatment significantly increased the transcription levels of JA synthesis genes (LOX, OPR3) and JA signaling genes (JAZ, JAR).
- Positive modulation of ethylene (ETR4) and auxin (ARF6) signaling components was observed, indicating hormonal cross-talk.
Conclusions:
- Humic acids from vermicompost effectively stimulate plant growth and activate the jasmonic acid-mediated defense system in tomato.
- HA application can emulate plant defense responses without inhibiting growth, presenting a viable strategy to reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides.
- The study highlights the potential of humic substances as sustainable biostimulants in agriculture.
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