UV-B priming enhances specific secondary metabolites in Oryza sativa (L.) empowering to encounter diverse abiotic stresses

Plants are exposed to various abiotic stresses and there exists sophisticated mechanisms within them for tolerating these stresses. The present study clearly revealed the efficacy of UV-B priming at both seed and seedling stage in tolerant (Kanchana) and sensitive (Aiswarya) rice varieties, to tolerate UV-B stress, polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG) and NaCl stresses. Increase in UV stress specific characters such as accumulation of UV absorbing compounds [flavonoids (242–368%) and anthocyanin (367–386%) content],increased activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (116–210%) and increased leaf cuticular wax content (382–403%) was observed in UV-B primed seedlings of rice subjected to UV-B, NaCl and PEG stresses. The increase in the levels shown as percent increase were highest in seedlings subjected to UV-B stress followed by NaCl and PEG stresses. The influence of priming imprints was more effective in seeds and seedlings of the tolerant rice variety (Kanchana) than the sensitive variety (Aiswarya). Functional groups variation in wax content was more prominent in PEG stress conditions than UV-B and NaCl stresses and it was mainly observed in Aiswarya than in Kanchana. Additionally our results suggests the UV-priming mediated enhancement of the stress tolerance potential of a tolerant variety seems to be more successful than the sensitive variety.