Exogenous application of methyl jasmonate alleviates arsenic toxicity by modulating its uptake and translocation in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Methyl jasmonate (Me-JA) is a plant growth regulator known for modulating plant responses to various abiotic and biotic stresses. The unavoidable arsenic (As) contamination in rice (Oryza sativa) results in reduced crop yield and greater carcinogenic risk to humans. The present work examines the significance of Me-JA induced molecular signaling and tolerance towards arsenic toxicity in rice. The arsenite (AsIII; 25 μM) stress hampered the overall growth and development of the rice seedling. However, the co-application (25 μM AsIII+0.25 μM Me-JA) resulted in increased biomass, chlorophyll content, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities as compared to AsIII treated plants. The co-application also demonstrated a marked decrease in malondialdehyde content, electrolyte leakage and accumulation of total AsIII content (root + shoot) as compared to AsIII treated plants. The co-application also modulated the expression of genes involved in downstream JA signaling pathway (OsCOI, OsJAZ3, OsMYC2), AsIII uptake (OsLsi1, OsLsi2, OsNIP1;1, OsNIP3;1), translocation (OsLsi6, and OsINT5) and detoxification (OsNRAMP1, OsPCS2, and OsABCC2) which revealed the probable adaptive response of the rice plant to cope up arsenic stress. Our findings reveal that Me-JA alleviates AsIII toxicity by modulating signaling components involved in As uptake, translocation, and detoxification and JA signaling in rice. This study augments our knowledge for the future use of Me-JA in improving tolerance against AsIII stress.

Keywords: Arsenic; Gene expression; Methyl jasmonate; Plant stress; Rice.