Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) improves salinity stress tolerance in soybean seedlings by modulating their mineral nutrition, osmolyte contents, and ascorbate-glutathione cycle

Abstract Background In plants, GABA plays a critical role in regulating salinity stress tolerance. However, the response of soybean seedlings ( Glycine max L.) to exogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) under saline stress conditions has not been fully elucidated. Results This study investigated the effects of exogenous GABA (2 mM) on plant biomass and the physiological mechanism through which soybean plants are affected by saline stress conditions (0, 40, and 80 mM of NaCl and Na 2 SO 4 at a 1:1 molar ratio). We noticed that increased salinity stress negatively impacted the growth and metabolism of soybean seedlings, compared to control. The root-stem-leaf biomass (27- and 33%, 20- and 58%, and 25- and 59% under 40- and 80 mM stress, respectively]) and the concentration of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b significantly decreased. Moreover, the carotenoid content increased significantly (by 35%) following treatment with 40 mM stress. The results exhibited significant increase in the concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), malondialdehyde (MDA), dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) oxidized glutathione (GSSG), Na + , and Cl − under 40- and 80 mM stress levels, respectively. However, the concentration of mineral nutrients, soluble proteins, and soluble sugars reduced significantly under both salinity stress levels. In contrast, the proline and glycine betaine concentrations increased compared with those in the control group. Moreover, the enzymatic activities of ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase decreased significantly, while those of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and dehydroascorbate reductase increased following saline stress, indicating the overall sensitivity of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle (AsA-GSH). However, exogenous GABA decreased Na + , Cl − , H 2 O 2 , and MDA concentration but enhanced photosynthetic pigments, mineral nutrients (K + , K + /Na + ratio, Zn 2+ , Fe 2+ , Mg 2+ , and Ca 2+ ); osmolytes (proline, glycine betaine, soluble sugar, and soluble protein); enzymatic antioxidant activities; and AsA-GSH pools, thus reducing salinity-associated stress damage and resulting in improved growth and biomass. The positive impact of exogenously applied GABA on soybean plants could be attributed to its ability to improve their physiological stress response mechanisms and reduce harmful substances. Conclusion Applying GABA to soybean plants could be an effective strategy for mitigating salinity stress. In the future, molecular studies may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms by which GABA regulates salt tolerance in soybeans.