Effects of Melatonin on Morus nigra cv. 'Ekşi Kara' Exposed to Drought Stress

Today, drought stress threatens the world seriously. Determining effects of some exogenous stimulators in acquiring resistance against will contribute to agriculture under stress. In this regard, we investigated melatonin (MEL) on Morus nigra cv. 'Eksi Kara' (black mulberry) challenging drought. To reach object, reproduced Kara', which is registered Turkey and has economic importance, tissue culture by using meristem method. Plants were then transferred a medium containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) 8000, causes -1.5 MPa stress, 20 μl MEL applied. Leaf samples taken 5th, 10th, 15th days after treatments groups plants grown different (Control, Control+MEL, PEG PEG+MEL). The changes pigment system, relative water content (RWC) antioxidant system evaluated comparatively between assess plants' growth determine their roles coping with Our findings showed that RWC decreased leaves Exogenous added MS had mitigation effect reduction was detected chlorophyll carotenoid leaves. Moreover, MEL+PEG combination improved level. It seen application promoted plant defence mechanism M. plants, exposed increasing accumulation non-enzymatic antioxidants; total glutathione (GSH), phenolic, proline) activities enzymes; catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), reductase (GR), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate (APX). This study also indicates composition partially prevented membrane lipid peroxidation decreasing (malondialdehyde) MDA content.