INCREASE OF STRESS RESISTANCE IN CROP PLANTS BY USING PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS

Therefore, the effect of ASA and additionally 2-aminoethanol (2-AE), choline and the ethylene-releasing substance 2-chloro-ethyl-phosphonic acid (CEPA) on growth, water use efficiency (WUE), osmotic pressure and other stress indicators in crops was studied.

By spraying ASA in aqueous solutions (0,2 – 2 mg/plant or 1 – 2 kg/ha) to stressed plants (barley, potatoes, sugar beets) the yield and WUE increased significantly (e.g. in barley up to 20% and in sugar beet ≈10%). The effect of a single ASA application was comparable with 6-treatments of the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA). Under non stress conditions ASA acted as an antitranspirant and increased the osmotic pressure ( ). However, after a following drought period in treated plants the rise of the value was lower than in untreated plants (≈50%, significant). The aminoalcohols also stabilized the productivity in crops and decreased the contents of the stress indicators glycine betaine and proline and inhibited senescence progression under drought as well. A resistance activating principle, relevant for fungi, mamalian and plant cells, is discussed.

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