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International Conference on

Recent Trends in Environmental Sustainability

ESCON22/SAgri/32
Role of exogenous vitamins to mediate plant defense responses under abiotic stress

*1
Muhammad Arslan Ashraf
1 Department of Botany, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan

Correspondence: marslanashraf@gcuf.edu.pk; arsilpk@gmail.com
Abstract

The changes in climatic conditions induce several abiotic stresses that impair plant growth and
yield potential. Waterlogging, drought, temperature, salinity, and heavy metals are among the
major environmental constraints. Plants manifest modifications in critical physiological and
biochemical processes in response to these environmental constraints. The generation of
reactive oxygen species (ROS) at an accelerated rate is reported in plants when under abiotic
stress. Higher ROS levels cause substantial damage to critical cellular compartments. However,
plants possess an intricate antioxidant defense mechanism to combat ROS generation.
Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants comprise an antioxidant system. Plants also exhibit
modifications in osmotic adjustments, nutrient acquisition, and hormonal balance under abiotic
stress. Further, plants undergo loss of turgor which is considered the leading cause for growth
reduction under stressful conditions. Several vitamins have the potential to mediate plant
defense responses. Menadione sodium bisulphite (vitamin k derivative), tocopherol (vitamin
E), thiamin (vitamin B1), ascorbic acid (vitamin c), and niacin are important vitamins with the
ability to improve plant defense responses under abiotic stress. Vitamins application, either as
a foliar application or pre-sowing seed treatment, effectively mitigates the underlying stress
conditions by regulating physiological and biochemical processes in plants.
Keywords: Reactive oxygen species; Menadione sodium bisulphite; Enzymatic and non-
enzymatic antioxidants

Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus

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