Genome-wide identification and expression pattern analysis of the Aux/IAA (auxin/indole-3-acetic acid) gene family in alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and the potential functions under drought stress.

Background: Auxin/induced-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) is an important plant hormone that affects plant growth and resistance to abiotic stresses. Drought stress is a vital factor in reducing plant biomass yield and production quality. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.

Effects of exogenous melatonin on growth and physiological characteristics of seedlings under drought stress.

To clarify the alleviation effect of exogenous melatonin (MT) on under drought stress, we examined the response of 'Yanchi' seedlings to simulated drought stress with polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG-6000), by investigating the effects of exogenous addition of different concentrations (0, 1, 10, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg·L) of MT on seedlings growth and physiological characteristics under drought stress. The results showed that drought stress significantly inhibited the growth of seedlings, and that exogenous addition of different concentrations of MT could alleviate the growth inhibition caused by drought stress, with the strongest mitigation effect observed at MT concentration of 100 mg·L. Compared with the drought stress treatment alone, exogenous addition of 100 mg·L MT under drought stress increased plant height, aboveground dry weight, and leaf relative water content by 58.

[Effects of deficit irrigation on seed production performance and water use efficiency of two native plant species in arid areas].

Scientific irrigation is of great significance to plant seed production. With two excellent native plant species in desert steppe, and , as the objects, and full irrigation as the control, we explored the effects of deficit irrigation in different growth stages on the seed production and water use efficiency (WUE) of those two species. The results showed that, compared with the control, soil water content of both species decreased under deficit irrigation.