Exogenous Glycine Betaine Application Improves Freezing Tolerance of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) Leaves

Exogenous glycine betaine (GB) application has been reported to improve plant tolerance to various abiotic stresses, but its effect on freezing tolerance has not been well studied. We investigated the effect of exogenous GB on freezing tolerance of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) leaves. Seedlings fed with 30 mM GB via sub-irrigation showed effectively assimilated GB as evident by higher GB concentration. Exogenous GB did not retard leaf-growth (fresh weight, dry weight, and leaf area) rather slightly promoted it. Temperature controlled freeze-thaw tests proved GB-fed plants were more freeze-tolerant as indicated by lower electrolyte leakage (i.e., indication of less membrane damage) and alleviating oxidative stress (less accumulation of O2•- and H2O2, as well as of malondialdehyde (MDA)) following a relatively moderate or severe freeze-thaw stress, i.e., -2.5 and -3.5 °C. Improved freezing tolerance induced by exogenous GB application may be associated with accumulation of compatible solute (proline) and antioxidant (glutathione). GB-fed leaves also had higher activity of antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). These changes, together, may improve freezing tolerance through membrane protection from freeze-desiccation and alleviation of freeze-induced oxidative stress.