Effect of abiotic environmental factors on the content of antimicrobial proteins thionins in barley (Hordeum vulgare)
It is found that the content of antimicrobial proteins thionins in barley is reduced during low temperature stress compared to control plants and that it is caused by a slowdown in the accumulation of thionins at a low temperature. Under conditions of drought and flooding the amount of thionins in barley increases several times. The increase in thionin levels in barley plants during drought depends upon the variety of barley and is inversely dependent upon its drought resistance. In contrast, the rate of increase in thionin content during flooding is in direct dependence upon tolerance of barley seedlings to this stressor. The acquired results suggest that the level of thionins registered under the action of abiotic environmental factors can be used as an indicator of biotic stress tolerance and also that it can be a part of a comprehensive evaluation of barley plants tolerance to biotic and different types of abiotic stresses, at least to drought and flooding.