Assessment of antioxidant system and enzyme/nonenzyme regulation related to ascorbate-glutathione cycle in ferulic acid-treated Triticum aestivum L. roots under boron toxicity

Ferulic acid (FA; 3-methoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) can eliminate stress-induced damage because of its ability to induce antioxidant activity under stress. The aim of this study was to identify the effects of FA on water status, antioxidant system, and lipid peroxidation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) roots exposed to boron (B) stress. Plants were grown in hydroponic culture containing the combination or alone form of 25–75 μM FA and 4–8 mM B. Stress significantly decreased growth (RGR), water content (RWC), proline content (Pro), and osmotic potential (YP). However, FA alleviated the decrease in RGR, RWC, and Pro content. Compared to the control groups, stress decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), but an increase was only observed in glutathione reductase (GR) activity.