Mannitol is a naturally occurring alcohol sugar (polyol) that is produced by various plants, fungi, and bacteria. It is a six-carbon sugar alcohol that is classified as a carbohydrate. Mannitol has gained attention in agricultural and horticultural contexts, particularly for its role in plant stress tolerance and overall health.
Effects of Mannitol on Plant Health
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Osmotic Adjustment: Mannitol plays a significant role in osmoregulation, particularly under stress conditions such as drought or salinity. By accumulating mannitol, plants can maintain cellular turgor and osmotic balance, allowing them to better cope with water stress. This osmotic adjustment helps to reduce the impact of adverse environmental conditions on plant growth and development (Zhou et al., 2012).
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Antioxidant Properties: Mannitol has been identified as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS). By mitigating oxidative stress, mannitol can help protect cells from damage during periods of stress, thereby enhancing plant resilience (Hernández et al., 2014).
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Improvement of Photosynthesis: Some studies suggest that mannitol can enhance photosynthetic efficiency, particularly under stress conditions. This can lead to improved biomass production and overall plant productivity (Gul et al., 2019).
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Stress Tolerance: Mannitol application has been shown to improve tolerance to various stress conditions, including salinity, drought, and extreme temperatures. This is especially relevant in arid and semi-arid regions where water scarcity is a common issue (Mansour, 2013).
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Growth Promotion: While the effects may vary among species, mannitol can also positively impact growth parameters, including root and shoot development. This may be attributed to its role in carbohydrate metabolism and energy supply during stress recovery (Chaves et al., 2009).
References
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Chaves, M. M., Costa, J. M., & Pereira, J. S. (2009). Irrigation in Mediterranean agriculture: Challenges and opportunities. In: Irrigation and Water Management, pp. 32-48.
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Gul, B., Ansari, R., & Khan, M. A. (2019). Mannitol application improves the physiological and biochemical parameters in Salicornia (Salicornia europaea L.) under salt stress. Plants, 8(11), 389. DOI: 10.3390/plants8110389
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Hernández, J. A., Shultz, J., & Bañuelos, M. A. (2014). Mannitol: A multifunctional molecule in plants. DOI: 10.1007/s11643-014-1329-2.
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Mansour, M. M. F. (2013). Protection of wheat against oxidative stress by proline and mannitol. Journal of Plant Physiology, 170(7), 663-672.
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Zhou, X., Wang, H., & Shen, Y. (2012). The possible role of mannitol in alleviating drought-induced damage to soybean. Plant Stress, 6(1), 29-32.
These references provide insight into the various roles mannitol plays in plant health, especially in response to stress conditions.
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