Participation of low molecular weight antioxidants selenium and caffeic acid in the regulation of respiration in Solanum Tuberosum in hypothermic conditions

Abstract

To study the effect of low molecular weight antioxidants on the respiration process, the content of auxins and abscisic acid, 15-day-old potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers grown under laboratory conditions were sprayed with 5.8 μM sodium selenite solution or 0.1 mM caffeic acid solution. Control runners were treated with water. Hypothermia (-2 °C) simulating freezing was created for 2 hours. 21-day-old runners were analyzed. Under optimal temperature conditions, the studied antioxidants stimulated the respiration process, while selenite had a greater effect. Caffeic acid increased the maintenance respiration rate. Selenite and caffeic acid increased the auxin content in the runners. Selenite reduced the amount of abscisic acid, resulting in an increase in the indoleacetic acid/abscisic acid ratio. Under hypothermic conditions, caffeic acid significantly reduced the increase in respiration, and in the option with selenite, an insignificant stabilization of this process was noted with a greater decrease in indoleacetic acid/abscisic acid ration as compared with optimal conditions.