Ca2+ and CaM are Involved in NO- and H2O2-Induced Adventitious Root Development in Marigold

Our previous results have demonstrated that both nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are involved in the promotion of adventitious root development in marigold (Tagetes erecta L.). However, not much is known about the intricate molecular network of adventitious root development triggered by NO and H2O2. In this study, the involvement of calcium (Ca2+) and calmodulin (CaM) in NO- and H2O2-induced adventitious rooting in marigold was investigated. Exogenous Ca2+ was capable of promoting adventitious rooting, with a maximal biological response at 50 mu M CaCl2. Ca2+ chelators and CaM antagonists prevented NO- and H2O2-induced adventitious rooting, indicating that both endogenous Ca2+ and CaM may play crucial roles in the adventitious rooting induced by NO and H2O2. NO and H2O2 treatments increased the endogenous content of Ca2+ and CaM, suggesting that NO and H2O2 enhanced adventitious rooting by stimulating the endogenous Ca2+ and CaM levels. Moreover, treatment with Ca2+ enhanced the endogenous levels of NO and H2O2. Additionally, Ca2+ might be involved as an upstream signaling molecule for CaM during NO- and H2O2-induced rooting. Altogether, the results suggest that both Ca2+ and CaM are two downstream signaling molecules in adventitious rooting induced by NO and H2O2.