Supplemental monochromatic red light mitigates salt-induced stress in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants
Year: 2025
Type: supplementary-materials
Abstract: The use of supplemental light spectra is emerging as a promising strategy to enhance plant tolerance to abiotic stress. This study examines the role of red (R) LED light in modulating the response of pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) plants to salinity stress. Plants were exposed to 50 mM NaCl for two weeks, with or without prior R LED (GH CSSRM5.24 OSLON® Square model) exposure, resulting in four treatments: control (CON), R LED alone (R LED), NaCl alone (NaCl), and R LED pre-treatment combined with NaCl (LED+NaCl). The LED+NaCl treatment significantly improved shoot biomass, stomatal conductance, transpiration, and photosynthetic rates compared to NaCl alone, alleviating salinity-induced damage. These benefits were associated to enhanced stomatal aperture and upregulated expression of PIP1;2 and PIP1;5 , key aquaporin isoforms for water and CO 2 transport. In contrast, the downregulation of PIP2;7 in root tissues under LED+NaCl suggests its role in reducing water loss and generating hydraulic signals for stomatal regulation. Additionally, LED+NaCl-treated plants exhibited higher antioxidant capacity and increased flavonoid and phenolic accumulation, reinforcing oxidative stress tolerance. These findings suggest that R LED pre-treatment is a viable strategy to enhance salt tolerance in pepper by optimizing water and CO 2 transport, preserving stomatal function, and strengthening antioxidant defenses, offering insights for sustainable crop management.
Source: Plant Science
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,760
OpenAlex ID: W4414519455