Scientia Agricultura Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 58 ›› Issue (19): 3959-3969.doi: 10.3864/j.issn.0578-1752.2025.19.012

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Effects of Exogenous Zeatin on Photosynthetic Parameter, Antioxidant System and Expression of Genes Related to Zeatin Synthesis in Pepper Under Low-Temperature Combined with Low-Light Stress

ZHANG Jie(), HU ChenXi, QI JianBo, ZHANG YongTai, CHEN YiBo, ZHANG YongJi()   

  1. Jiangsu Lixiahe Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Yangzhou 225007, Jiangsu
  • Received:2025-05-05 Accepted:2025-06-22 Online:2025-10-01 Published:2025-10-10
  • Contact: ZHANG YongJi

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Abstract:

【Objective】The objective of this study is to explore the effects of exogenous zeatin (ZT) application at different concentrations on the tolerance and expression of ZT biosynthesis-related genes in pepper (Capsicum annuum) under low- temperature combined with low-light stress, and to reveal the mechanism of zeatin regulating the tolerance of pepper to low-temperature and low-light stress.【Method】The ‘Yangjiao No. 2’ pepper variety was used as the test material. After the seedlings had grown six true leaves, the leaves were sprayed four times with ZT solutions at concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 μmol·L-1. Then, the seedlings were transferred to a low-temperature combined with low-light environment simulated by an artificial climate chamber (temperature: 10 ℃/5 ℃ (day/night), light intensity: 100 μmol·m-2·s-1, photoperiod: 12 h/12 h (day/night)) for 7 d. Growth indices, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, osmoregulatory substance levels (soluble sugars, soluble proteins, and proline), electrical conductivity (EC), reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, antioxidant enzyme activities (POD, SOD, and CAT), expression of ZT biosynthesis-related genes and endogenous ZT content were measured.【Result】Exogenous ZT application significantly enhanced plant height, stem diameter, root length, and both aboveground and underground fresh weights under stress conditions. Additionally, ZT treatment significantly increased chlorophyll content, photosynthetic parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. It also elevated the levels of osmoregulatory substances and the activities of key antioxidant enzymes, while reducing ROS accumulation. Furthermore, exogenous ZT induced the upregulation of ZT biosynthesis-related genes, including CaCKX6, CaCYP375A1, CaZOX, and CaZOG, and increased the content of endogenous ZT in pepper, which improved the low-temperature combined with low-light tolerance. Among the tested concentrations, 150 μmol·L-1 ZT was identified as the most effective concentration.【Conclusion】Exogenous application of 150 μmol·L-1 ZT effectively enhanced osmoregulatory substance content, stabilized chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, induced the upregulation of ZT biosynthesis-related genes and the production of endogenous ZT, thereby improving the resistance of pepper to low-temperature combined with low-light and alleviating the adverse impacts of low-temperature combined with low-light stress in pepper.

Key words: exogenous zeatin, low-temperature combined with low-light, pepper (Capsicum annuum), photosynthetic parameter, antioxidant system, gene expression

Table 1

Primer sequences used in this study"

引物名称Primer name 引物序列Primer sequence (5′→3′) 用途Usage
RT-CaCKX6 F: TCCATCCGAAATCCGTTGC R: CTTGCGCCTGGCCTAGAAG 表达量分析Expression level analysis
RT-CaCYP375A1 F: ATGGCAGGATAAAGTTCGT R: CACTGTGATGTATGGCAAG 表达量分析Expression level analysis
RT-CaZOX F: CTACTAAGAAGAGGCAACC R: TATCAAGCCATCTCAAGCA 表达量分析Expression level analysis
RT-CaZOG F: TGGCTCATTCGTCCACAGG R: CAAGCAGCTATTGGCACCC 表达量分析Expression level analysis
Actin F: TGTCCATCTGCTCTCTGTTG R: CACCCCAAGCACAATAAGAC 内参基因Reference gene

Table 2

Effects of ZT at different concentrations on pepper growth indices under low-temperature combined with low-light stress"

指标Index CK T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6
株高Plant height (cm) 9.33±0.17a 8.12±0.13d 8.95±0.14b 9.26±0.09ab 9.32±0.18a 8.87±0.09b 8.36±0.05bc
茎粗Stem diameter (mm) 2.30±0.08a 2.07±0.04e 2.18±0.02c 2.27±0.02b 2.31±0.09a 2.20±0.02c 2.13±0.02de
根长Root length (cm) 19.85±1.12a 10.29±0.78e 15.29±0.84d 18.30±0.70b 19.87±1.19a 18.17±1.05b 15.62±1.49c
地上部分鲜重
Aboveground fresh weight (g)		 5.19±0.28a 4.14±0.06g 4.40±0.14e 4.72±0.12c 4.99±0.15ab 4.67±0.08cd 4.22±0.08f
地下部分鲜重
Underground fresh weight (g)		 2.42±0.05a 1.87±0.09e 2.25±0.08c 2.36±0.08b 2.43±0.08a 2.37±0.04b 2.11±0.07d

Fig. 1

Effects of ZT at different concentrations on chlorophyll content and photosynthetic parameters in pepper under low-temperature combined with low-light stress"

Fig. 2

Effects of ZT at different concentrations on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in pepper under low-temperature combined with low-light stress"

Fig. 3

Effects of ZT at different concentrations on osmoregulatory substances and electrical conductivity in pepper under low-temperature combined with low-light stress"

Fig. 4

Effects of ZT at different concentrations on reactive oxygen species accumulation and antioxidant enzymes in pepper under low-temperature combined with low-light stress"

Fig. 5

Effects of ZT at different concentrations on the expression of ZT biosynthesis-related genes and endogenous ZT content under low-temperature combined with low-light stress"

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