Proteomic and Biological Analyses Reveal the Effect on Growth under Flooding Stress of Chickpea Irradiated with Millimeter Waves

Abstract

Overview

Chickpea, a significant food legume grown in arid and semiarid regions, faces growth reduction due to flooding stress. This study explores the use of millimeter-wave irradiation to enhance chickpea growth under such stressful conditions.

Findings

• A comprehensive proteomic analysis was performed to understand the effects of millimeter-wave irradiation on chickpea plants under flooding.
• It was found that irradiation notably improved chickpea growth and its tolerance to flooding stress.
• Specifically, millimeter waves helped regulate key proteins involved in photosynthesis in leaves and supported fermentation processes in roots.
• Additionally, irradiation also regulated the cell death rate, significantly reducing it in irradiated chickpeas compared to unirradiated ones under flooding conditions.
• Important markers such as RuBisCO activase in leaves and alcohol dehydrogenase in roots showed positive changes in irradiated plants.

Conclusion

This study provides vital insights into how electromagnetic fields, specifically millimeter waves, can be utilized to ameliorate the adverse effects of environmental stresses like flooding on plant growth, noting an improvement in both physiological and biochemical parameters in chickpea.