24-EPIBRASSINOLIDE AND NICKEL USED TO ALLEVIATE TOXIC EFFECTS OF COPPER IN SOYBEAN PLANTS
Brassinoesteroid; Copper stress; Nickel supplies; Glycine max; Status redox.
Copper (Cu) is an essential metal for higher plants, however, inadequate doses (deficiency or excess) can cause serious damage to plant growth and development. 24-Epibrasinolide (EBR) is a plant growth regulator with a high capacity to modulate nutrient absorption and antioxidant metabolism. Nickel (Ni) is an essential micronutrient that is associated with several enzymes, such as glyoxalase I, [Ni-Fe]-hydrogenase and urease. It also helps plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. Our research aimed to verify the possible contributions of EBR and Ni in soybean plants grown under Cu stress on growth, nutritional content, photosynthesis and antioxidant metabolism. Two experiments were performed: Experiment 1 was performed in a completely randomized design (CRD) with two EBR concentrations (0 and 100 nM EBR, described as - EBR and + EBR, respectively) combined with three Cu levels (0.0008, 0.8 and 800 µM, defined as low, control and high Cu content, respectively). Experiment 2 was performed in a completely randomized design with a 2x3 factorial, with two Cu concentrations (100 and 500 mg/kg) and three Ni levels (0.2, 1 and 3 mg/kg). Analyses of photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange, nutritional content, oxidative compounds, antioxidant enzymes and biomass were performed. The results demonstrated that both EBR and Ni improved the absorption of essential nutrients and enhanced the antioxidant enzymatic activity. In both experiments, it was shown that EBR and Ni mitigated the harmful interference caused by Cu in the photosynthetic machinery, maximizing electron transport and photosynthesis. Therefore, our results validate the positive influence of EBR and Ni on soybean plants subjected to Cu stress.