Growth Parameters and Antioxidant Activity in Cucumber Seedlings with the Application of Chitosan and Hydroxycinnamic Acids Conjugates under Salt Stress
E. L. Nedved, J. N. Kalatskaja, I. A. Ovchinnikov, E. I. Rybinskaya, Aliaksandr Kraskouski, V. V. Nikalaichuk, Kseniya Hileuskaya, Viktoryia Kulikouskaya, В. Е. Агабеков, Н. А. Ламан
Abstract
Chitosan-ferulic and chitosan-caffeic acids conjugates with a ratio of 5 : 1 were synthesized with the modified carbodiimide method, which the degree of acid cross-linking to be regulated from 0.5 to 3.4%. The biological activity of the synthesized conjugates was studied in 7-day-old cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L.). A significant growth-stimulating effect of conjugates seed treatment was observed in stressful conditions of seedling growth in comparison with control plants when there were no changes in the antioxidant status. The coordination effect of conjugates on seedling organ growth under different growing conditions was established; it is manifested by an increase in the root to shoot length ratio. Possible mechanisms to alleviate prolonged salinity-induced stress via seed treatment with chitosan and hydroxycinnamic acids conjugates due to a decrease in the lipid peroxidation intensity in seedling cotyledons, stabilization of the proline level, and an increase in the total peroxidase activity are discussed.