Effect of Azospirillum Lectins on the Ascorbate Peroxidase Activity and Ascorbic Acid Content in Wheat Seedling Roots Exposed to Abiotic Stresses

We examined the effect of lectins from two Azospirillum strains (the epiphyte A. brasilense Sp7 and the endophyte A. brasilense Sp245) on the ascorbate peroxidase activity and ascorbic acid content in roots of etiolated wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings under simulated abiotic stresses: hypothermic (5°С) and hyperthermic (42°С) stress, salinity (1% NaCl), drought (5% sucrose), and heavy metal toxicity (CoSO 4 , ZnSO 4 , Pb(CH 3 COO) 2 , and CuSO 4 ). Both lectins increased ascorbate peroxidase activity and ascorbate content in stressed seedling roots. Based on the obtained data, we propose that the antioxidant action of the Azospirillum lectins underlies the protective effect of these proteins toward wheat seedling roots subjected to abiotic stresses.