Effect of 2-aminoethanol pretreatment on the antioxidant enzyme activity in Zea mays under oxidative stress

Exposure of plants to stress may result in liberation of 2-aminoethanol as an inducer of alarm reaction that activates cellular resistance and tolerance mechanisms. In the present study, the effect of exogenous 2-aminoethanol on stimulation of tolerance mechanisms was investigated in maize (Zea mays L.) plants treated with the herbicide paraquat. Maize shoots were pretreated with 2-aminoethanol. Two days later the shoots were treated with paraquat. Pretreatment with 2-aminoethanol increased catalase and guaiacol peroxidase activities and cysteine content and decreased MDA and hydrogen peroxide content in maize plants treated with paraquat. Based on the results of this study, it can be suggested that strengthening of the antioxidant mechanisms by plant pretreatment with amino alcohol could be helpful in the development of a broad tolerance to adverse stress conditions.