Amino acids can be used to make plants more resistant to waterlogging

23 Nov 2023
2338

Floods are expected to be one of the factors negatively affecting the social economy in the eastern region of China, where the frequency and magnitude of the effects are expected to increase in the coming years. Summers in Liaoning Province are often characterised by excessive rainfall due to the increased frequency of extreme weather events.

However, the susceptibility of cherry rootstock to fluctuations in soil moisture is widely recognised; in fact, waterlogging can cause the most susceptible plants to die in a single day. Therefore, in order to ensure cherry production even in these areas, certain methods such as effective cultivation practices (e.g., above-ground cultivation and special drainage systems), reoxygenation and activation of plant response mechanisms are necessary.

Sijun Qin.

Examining the impact of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the root tolerance of P. sachalinensis, a prevalent rootstock used in the area, was the subject of a study conducted by researchers from Henan and Liaoning Province. An increase in ascorbic acid and proline levels in the roots was observed following treatment with GABA, which mitigated the damage caused by waterlogging.

According to the results of this experiment, rootstock tolerance to conditions of prolonged soil saturation can be improved through the activation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defence mechanisms by the application of amino acids that can improve the plants' response to unfavourable conditions caused by water logging.

Source: Sijun Qin, Water physiology in root system of cherry rootstock and its regulation management, IX International Cherry Symposium. https://2021.cherries.org.cn/replayEn.html

Images: IX International Cherry Symposium

Melissa Venturi
University of Bologna (IT)


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Bumblebees and pollination, wildflower strips help preserve habitat

Tech management

03 Feb 2025

Bumblebees play a key role in the pollination service, particularly during rainy or particularly cold periods. For this function they were one of the focuses of the 2025 edition of ‘Stone Fruit Day’, organised by Washington State University, on 22 January.

Varieties, exports and production: Turkish focus in USDA report

Production

12 Sep 2024

Turkey’s cherry production for the 2024/25 marketing year (MY) is expected to decrease compared to last year's record, but it will still be the third-largest ever. Despite the decline in production, cherry exports are projected to reach an all-time high.

In evidenza

Walter Masman: how to improve in order to maintain leadership in Chilean cherry production

Events

02 Jul 2026

Chile’s cherry industry faces a decisive phase: softer exports, heavy dependence on China, more digital consumers and rising technical pressures demand sharper strategies to protect profitability, fruit quality and global leadership in fresh produce markets worldwide.

Thanks to the lack of weather-related problems, Canada is set for a bumper cherry harvest

Production

02 Jul 2026

British Columbia’s Canadian cherry growers expect one of their strongest 2026 harvests in recent years. Larger fruit, higher Brix levels, new varieties and solid export demand strengthen Canada’s position in premium cherry markets across Europe and Asia, too.

Tag Popolari