Investigation of the effects of proline pre-treatment on germination of Black Pine seeds under drought stress

Forests, which are essential ecosystems for all living things, are under severe pressure from global warming and drought in recent years. Black pine is one of the most important species used in afforestation activities in our country due to its drought resistance and low ecological demands. Proline can act as a stress tolerance enhancer, antioxidant, osmolyte, and signal molecule in plants. In this study, the effects of exogenous proline treatment against drought stress during germination were investigated. The drought severity to be used during germination was determined. Black pine seeds were planted in petri dishes containing different concentrations of proline solution (control, 0.1 mM, 0.5 mM, 1 mM, 5 mM and 10 mM). Drought stress (15% PEG) was applied to the germination medium seven days after planting. Germination speed, germination rate, root length, fresh weight, relative water content, lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide, proline content, and some antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GPX, and APX) were measured in the samples obtained at the end of the germination period. When the findings of the study were examined, it was determined that exogenous proline treatment at a certain concentration (1 mM) increased growth and development by promoting germination against drought stress.