Molybdenum application enhances antioxidant enzyme activity and COR15a protein expression under cold stress in wheat

Under cold stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered the main source of damage to plant cells. Mechanisms of ROS scavenging in wheat are very important during stress and the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, Catalase and Glutathione peroxidase are key to facilitating ROS scavenging. Molybdenum (Mo) is involved in many plant physiological and biochemical processes including antioxidant enzymes. This study reports research to investigate the effect of Mo application in enhancing antioxidant enzymes in two wheat cultivars. The results confirmed that antioxidant defense is important in wheat that is exposed to abiotic stress and that changes in activities of antioxidant enzymes occurred during exposure of plants to low non-freezing temperatures and by adding Mo. Mo application had a positive effect on gene expression of both Cbf14 and COR15a protein expression, indicating upregulation of the stress response regulon. In addition, Mo enhanced antioxidant enzymes activity and improved frost tolerance.