Catalase plays a key role in salt stress acclimation induced by hydrogen peroxide pretreatment in maize

Pretreatment in plants is recognized as a valuable strategy to stimulate plant defenses, leading to better plant development. This study evaluated the effects of H2O2 leaf spraying pretreatment on plant growth and investigated the antioxidative mechanisms involved in the response of maize plants to salt stress. It was found that salinity reduced maize seedling growth when compared to control conditions, and H2O2 foliar spraying was effective in minimizing this effect. Analysis of the antioxidative enzymes catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), guaiacol peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.1) and superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) revealed that H2O2 spraying increased antioxidant enzyme activities. Catalase (CAT) was the most responsive of these enzymes to H2O2, with higher activity early (48 h) in the treatment, while guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were responsive only at later stages (240 h) of treatment. Increased CAT activity appears linked to gene expression regulation. Lower malondialdehyde levels were detected in plants with higher CAT activity, which may result from the protective function of this enzyme. Overall, we can conclude that pretreatment with H2O2 leaf spraying was able to reduce the deleterious effects of salinity on seedling growth and lipid peroxidation. These responses could be attributed to the ability of H2O2 to induce antioxidant defenses, especially CAT activity.

► H2O2 leaf spraying was effective in minimizing the salt stress negative effects.
► H2O2 leaf spraying stimulated the antioxidant enzymatic system.
► CAT was the main enzyme responsive to H2O2 even under high saline conditions.
► CAT transcript levels were increased in H2O2 treated plants.
► The highest MDA levels were found in plants with lower CAT activity.