Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science (한국초지조사료학회지)

The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science (한국초지조사료학회)
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Structure and action mechanism of humic substances for plant stimulations

  • Jeon, Jong-Rok (Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Food Science & Technology, Institute of Agriculture and Life Science (IALS), Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Yoon, Ho Young (Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Food Science & Technology, Institute of Agriculture and Life Science (IALS), Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Shin, Gyeong-Im (Division of Applied Life Science (BK21Plus), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center (PMBBRC), Research Institute of Life Sciences (RILS), Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Jeong, Song Yi (Division of Applied Life Science (BK21Plus), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center (PMBBRC), Research Institute of Life Sciences (RILS), Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Cha, Joon-Yung (Division of Applied Life Science (BK21Plus), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center (PMBBRC), Research Institute of Life Sciences (RILS), Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Kim, Woe-Yeon (Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Food Science & Technology, Institute of Agriculture and Life Science (IALS), Gyeongsang National University)
  • Received : 2018.08.22
  • Accepted : 2018.09.13
  • Published : 2018.09.30
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Abstract

Humic substances that can be obtained from coal resources such as leonardite in a bulk scale have been employed as crop stimulators and soil conditioners. The polymeric organics containing a variety of aromatic and aliphatic structures are known to activate plants in a multifunctional way, thus resulting in enhanced germination rate and abiotic stress resistance concomitant with induction of numerous genes and proteins. Although detailed structural-functional relationship of humic substances for plant stimulations has not been deciphered yet, cutting-edge analytical tools have unraveled critical features of humic architectures that could be linked to the action mechanisms of their plant stimulations. In this review article, we introduce key findings of humic structures and related biological functions that boost plant growth and abiotic stress resistance. Oxygen-based functional groups and plant hormone-like structures combined with labile and recalcitrant carbon backbones are believed to be critical moieties to induce plant stimulations. Some proteins such as HIGH-AFFINITY $K^+$ TRANSPORTER 1, phospholipase A2 and $H^+$-ATPase have been also recognized as key players that could be critically involved in humic substance-driven changes in plant physiology.

Keywords

References

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