Jasmonate and hydrogen sulfide interaction ameliorates maize seed germination under heat stress through consolidating...

Jasmonate (JA) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) are important signaling molecules, which play a crucial role in plant growth and stress resilience. However, JA and H₂S interaction in ameliorating maize seed germination under heat stress is unclear. Therefore, in our study, the effect of seed priming with JA, NaHS (H₂S donor), their inhibitors on germination and seedling growth, JA and H₂S metabolism, and antioxidant defense activity under heat stress were investigated. The results showed that, as compared to the control without priming, seed priming with different concentrations (50, 100, 150, and 200 µM) of JA and NaHS increased germination percentage and seedling^,s shoot and root length, and 50 µM JA and 100 µM NaHS were more efficient than that of others, indicating JA and H₂S priming could ameliorate seed germination and seedling growth under heat stress. Also, JA and H₂S priming up-regulated each other^,s metabolic enzyme activity, gene expression, and endogenous level; and these effects were abolished by each other^,s inhibitors, suggesting JA and H₂S interaction in ameliorating maize seed germination under heat stress. Furthermore, JA and H₂S priming enhanced the activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes and the level of antioxidants in germinating seeds under heat stress. These results imply JA interacts with H₂S in ameliorating maize seed germination and seedling growth under heat stress through consolidating antioxidant defense system.