• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.115-115
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• 2017

Zinc finger proteins constitute a large family which has been studied to have various functions in different organisms. Tandem CCCH zinc finger proteins (TZFs), members of the zinc finger protein family, are known to participate as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression in eukaryotes. Here, we showed that the OsZn15, a gene for tandem CCCH zinc finger protein, is induced by abiotic stress and its overexpression in transgenic rice plants (PGD1:OsZn15) gains higher drought tolerance. Gene expression analysis of promoter:GFP plants revealed that OsZn15 is specifically expressed in anther and embryo, but not in vegetative organs. In-field evaluation, grain yield was higher in the PGD1:OsZn15 than nontransgenic plants under drought conditions. Interestingly, OsZn15 is shown to not only localize at nucleus but also co-localize with both processing bodies (PB) and stress granules (SG), two messenger ribo-nucleoprotein complexes which are known to activate by forming cytoplasmic foci under stress conditions. In sum, these results suggest that OsZn15 increases drought stress tolerance of rice probably by participating in RNA turnover in PB and SG.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.271-276
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• 2009

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L). Lam.) is relatively tolerant to unfavorable growth conditions such as drought, yet has not been exploited to provide a better understanding of the molecular basis of drought stress tolerance. We obtained 983 high-quality expressed sequence tags of 100 bp or longer (average length of 700 bp) from cDNA libraries of detached white fibrous root tissues by subjecting them to dehydration for 6 h. The 431 cDNAs were each assigned a function by alignment using the BLASTX algorithm. Among them, three genes associated with various abiotic stresses and nine genes not previously associated with drought stress were selected for expression pattern analysis through detailed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The direct and indirect relationships of the 12 genes with drought tolerance mechanisms were ascertained at different developmental stages and under various stress conditions.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.461-470
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• 2019

This study was carried out to quantify the drought stress in grafted watermelon seedlings non-destructively by using chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) imaging technique rather than the visual judgment. Six-day old watermelon seedlings were grown under uniform irrigation for 3 days, and then given drought stress. Afterward, the sensor for the measurement of water content in plug tray cell unit was used to classify the drought-stress level into nine groups from D1 (53.0%, sufficient moisture state) to D9 (15.7%, extremely dry stress), and the 16 CF parameters were measured. In addition, re-irrigation was performed on the drought stressed seedlings(D5 - D9) to determine the growth and photosynthesis recovery level, which was not confirmed by visual judgment. The kinetic curve patterns of CF in three different drought stressed seedling groups were found to be different for the early detection of drought stress. All the 16 CF parameters decreased continuously with exposure to drought stress and drastically decreased from D5 (32.1%) where the visual judgment was possible. The fluorescence decline ratio (Rfd_Lss) started to decrease from the initial drought stress level (D5 - D6), and the Maximum PSII quantum yield (Fv/Fm) was significantly decreased in the later extreme drought stress range (D7 - D9) by re-irrigation recovery test. Thus, Rfd_Lss and Fv/Fm parameters were finally selected as potent indicators of growth and photosynthesis recovery in the initial and later stages of drought stress. Also, to the differences in the numerical values of the individual chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, the drought stress level was intuitively confirmed through the image. These results indicate that Rfd and Fv/Fm can be considered as potential CF parameters for the detection of low and extremely high drought stress, respectively. Furthermore, Fv/Fm can be considered as the best CF parameters for recovery at re-irrigation.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.261-268
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• 2019

Climate change and drought stress are having profound impacts on crop growth and development by altering crop physiological processes including photosynthetic activity. But finding a rapid, efficient, and non-destructive method for estimating environmental stress responses in the leaf and canopy is still a difficult issue for remote sensing research. We compared the relationships between photochemical reflectance index(PRI) and various optical and experimental indices on soybean drought stress under climate change conditions. Canopy photosynthesis trait, biomass change, chlorophyll fluorescence(Fv/Fm), stomatal conductance showed significant correlations with midday PRI value across the drought stress period under various climate conditions. In high temperature treatment, PRI were more sensitive to enhanced drought stress, demonstrating the negative effect of the high temperature on the drought stress. But high CO₂ concentration alleviated the midday depression of both photosynthesis and PRI. Although air temperature and CO₂ concentration could affect PRI interpretation and assessment of canopy radiation use efficiency(RUE), PRI was significantly correlated with canopy RUE both under climate change and drought stress conditions, indicating the applicability of PRI for tracking the drought stress responses in soybean. However, it is necessary to develop an integrated model for stress diagnosis using PRI at canopy level by minimizing the influence of physical and physiological factors on PRI and incorporating the effects of other vegetation indices.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.25-25
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• 2022

Drought becomes frequent and severe because of continuous global warming, leading to a significant loss of crop yield. In soybean (Glycine max [L.]), most of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) analyses for drought tolerance have conducted by investigating yield changes under water-restricted conditions at the reproductive stages. More recently, the necessity of QTL studies to use physiological indices responding to drought at the early growth stages besides the reproductive ones has arisen due to the unpredictable and prevalent occurrence of drought throughout the soybean growing season. In this study, we thus identified QTLs conferring wilting scores and moisture contents of soybean subjected to drought stress in the early vegetative stage using an recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between Taekwang (drought-sensitive) and SS2-2 (drought-tolerant). For the two traits, the same major QTL was located on chromosome 10, accounting for up to 11.5% of phenotypic variance explained with LOD score of 12.5. This QTL overlaps with a reported QTL for the limited transpiration trait in soybean and harbors an ortholog of the Arabidopsis ABA and drought-induced RING-D UF1117 gene. Meanwhile, one of important features of plant drought tolerance is their ability to limit transpiration rates under high vapor pressure deficiency in response to mitigate water loss. However, monitoring their transpiration rates is time-consuming and laborious. Therefore, only a few population-level studies regarding transpiration rates under the drought condition have been reported so far. Via employing an Arduino-based platform, for the reasons addressed, we are measuring and recording total pot weights of soybean plants every hour from the 1^st day after water restriction to the days when the half of the RILs exhibited permanent tissue damage in at least one trifoliate. Gradual decrease in moisture of soil in pots as time passes refers increase in the severity of drought stress. By tracking changes in the total pot weights of soybean plants, we will infer transpiration rates of the mapping parents and their RILs according to different levels of VPD and drought stress. The profile of transpiration rates from different levels of severity in the stresses facilitates a better understanding of relationship between transpiration-related features, such as limited maximum transpiration rates, to water saving performances, as well as those to other drought-responsive phenotypes. Our findings will provide primary insights on drought tolerance mechanisms in soybean and useful resources for improvement of soybean varieties tolerant to drought stress.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1156-1168
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• 2020

Drought stress is threatening the growth and productivity of many economical crops. Therefore, it is necessary to establish innovative and efficient approaches for improving crop growth and productivity. Here we investigated the potentials of the cell-free extract of Actinobacteria (Ac) isolated from a semi-arid habitat (Al-Jouf region, Saudi Arabia) to recover the reduction in maize growth and improve the physiological stress tolerance induced by drought. Three Ac isolates were screened for production of secondary metabolites, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The isolate Ac3 revealed the highest levels of flavonoids, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in addition to having abilities to produce siderophores and phytohormones. Based on seed germination experiment, the selected bioactive fraction of Ac3 cell-free extract (F2.7, containing mainly isoquercetin), increased the growth and photosynthesis rate under drought stress. Moreover, F2.7 application significantly alleviated drought stress-induced increases in H₂O₂, lipid peroxidation (MDA) and protein oxidation (protein carbonyls). It also increased total antioxidant power and molecular antioxidant levels (total ascorbate, glutathione and tocopherols). F2.7 improved the primary metabolism of stressed maize plants; for example, it increased in several individuals of soluble carbohydrates, organic acids, amino acids, and fatty acids. Interestingly, to reduce stress impact, F2.7 accumulated some compatible solutes including total soluble sugars, sucrose and proline. Hence, this comprehensive assessment recommends the potentials of actinobacterial cell-free extract as an alternative ecofriendly approach to improve crop growth and quality under water deficit conditions.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.54-58
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• 2014

Climate change may result in greater risk of yield reduction of waxy corn due to drought stress and maize is one of the sensitive crops to the soil moisture shortage. While irrigation is the most effective practice to reduce the drought damage, farmers are unable to apply water due to limited water resource and irrigating facilities. The study was conducted to investigate the application effect of salicylic acid and abscisic acid on reducing drought stress of waxy corn (Zea mays L.). Drought stress was imposed by withholding irrigation from 9 days before anthesis to 14 days after anthesis. Salicylic acid or abscisic acid was applied on tasseling date at concentration of 0.5 mM and 0.1 mM, respectively. Drought stress increased anthesis-silking interval (ASI) by 3.0~3.3 days and decreased plant height, ear length, ear diameter, number of rows in ear, and yield by 47~51 cm, 4.6~5.0 cm, 4.4~5.3 mm, 1.5~2.0, and 2.4~2.5 Mg/ha, respectively. Application of salicylic acid and abscisic acid did not significantly reduced the drought injuries of waxy corn. Pretreatment of the plant growth regulators before water deficit stress or divided application at low concentration may be required to obtain the reduction effect on drought stress of waxy corn.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 2002

To investigate the changes in the composition and pool size of carbohydrates under drought stress, white clover (Triforium repens L.) were exposed to -0.04 Mpa(well-watered, control) or to -0.12 Mpa (drought-stressed) of soil water potential during 28 days. Dry weight of leaves in drought-stressed plants was remarkably decreased by 45% within 14 days and 74% within 28 days compared to those of the control. Glucose concentration in drought-stressed plants was increased, while that of control was slightly decreased or remained at same level throughout experimental period. Fructose and sucrose concentrations in leaves were not significantly changed for drought-stressed plants, but those of the control were significantly decreased on plant after 14 days. Fructose and sucrose concentrations in stolon of control plants were sharply decreased, while that of drought-stressed plants was less varied. Those concentrations in roots were generally increased in drought-stressed plants. The concentration of total soluble sugars at 28 day was 438.0 and 632.6 mg $g^{-l}$ dwt. in control and drought stressed plants, respectively. Starch concentration of stolon and roots of control plants was significantly increased to 2.0 and 1.4 times of initial level, respectively, whereas those of drought stressed plants was nearly same level or slightly decreased compared to initial level.l.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.306-306
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• 2017

Screening for drought and salinity tolerance was undertaken for selected Philippine upland rice landraces during germinative and seedling stages to identify varieties which can potentially be grown in marginally dry and saline soils. While increasing PEG and NaCl concentrations caused obvious signs of injury to all rice genotypes, considerable varietal differences were noted in the nature of responses providing evidence that these genotypes possess broad intraspecific genetic variations for drought and salt tolerance. Inconsistent responses of these varieties during both growth stages highlight complexities involved in stress responses and underscore the futility of utilizing a single stage in the rice plant's life cycle for physiological screening. Notwithstanding these perplexing responses, G_Katiil and Ml-Pilit Tapul were observed to thrive relatively well despite increased salt and drought stress during early growth stages and may therefore possess genes needed in crop improvement efforts for drought and salinity tolerance. While these results do not reflect the entire spectrum of adaptive expression to drought and salinity stress during the life cycle of the upland rice plant, they nonetheless provide an easy, reliable and reproducible method for preliminary identification of drought and salt tolerant rice varieties.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2014

Recent genome annotation revealed that Populus trichocarpa contains 81 glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes. GST genes play important and varying roles in plants, including conferring tolerance to various abiotic stresses. Little information is available on the relationship - if any - between drought/salt stresses and GSTs in woody plants. In this study, we screened the PatgGST genes in hybrid poplar (Populus alba ${\times}$ Populus tremula var. glandulosa) that were predicted to confer drought tolerance based on our expression analysis of all members of the poplar GST superfamily following exposure to salt (NaCl) and drought (PEG) stresses, respectively. Exposure to the salt stress resulted in the induction of eight PatgGST genes and down-regulation of one PatgGST gene, and the level of induction/repression was different in leaf and stem tissues. In contrast, 16 PatgGST genes were induced following exposure to the drought (PEG) stress, and two were down-regulated. Taken together, we identified seven PatgGSTs (PatgGSTU15, PatgGSTU18, PatgGSTU22, PatgGSTU27, PatgGSTU46, PatgGSTU51 and PatgGSTU52) as putative drought tolerance genes based on their induction by both salt and drought stresses.