Enhancing zinnia floral traits by exposure to UV radiation and H2O2 treatment

Hussein, Ali J. (author), Al-Issawi, Mohammed H. (author), Sekhi, Yassir S. (author)

The study aimed to determine the effects of abiotic stress, represented by ultraviolet radiation (UV-B) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), on the floral and molecular traits of the zinnia plant (Zinnia elegans L.). The experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, University of Anbar. The results showed that UV-B exposure at 7 days of seedling age reduced the time to the first floral bud, suggesting radiation accelerates flowering. The same treatment also showed the highest gene expression levels for ZeCHI and Ze5GT, linked to anthocyanin biosynthesis, reflected in improved flower color traits. Hydrogen peroxide treatments enhanced antioxidant defenses, with 1 % and 2 % concentrations increasing catalase (CAT) activity and 1 % boosting superoxide dismutase (SOD). These treatments improved oxidative balance. The 2 % hydrogen peroxide treatment increased floral longevity and the number of flowers, indicating that regulating oxidative stress improves flower quality and duration. Results suggest abiotic stresses can effectively enhance floral, molecular, and physiological traits in zinnia by regulating gene expression and boosting antioxidants, providing a scientific basis for ornamental plant improvement.

• Language: English
• Keywords: Zinnia elegans, UV-B radiation, hydrogen peroxide, anthocyanin, gene expression
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 11 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 122, no. 3
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-189578
• UDC: 631
• ISSN on article: 1854-1941
• DOI: 10.14720/aas.2026.122.3.28595
• COBISS.SI-ID: 294452995
• Publication date in RUL: 09.10.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Acta agriculturae Slovenica
• Publisher: Biotehniška fakulteta, Oddelek za agronomijo in Oddelek za zootehniko, Biotehniška fakulteta, Oddelek za agronomijo in Oddelek za zootehniko, Univerza v Ljubljani, Biotehniška fakulteta, Založba Univerze v Ljubljani
• ISSN: 1854-1941
• COBISS.SI-ID: 219581184

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Izboljšanje cvetnih lastnosti cinije z izpostavljenostjo UV-sevanju in obdelavo s H2O2
• Keywords: cinije, okrasne rastline, glicinbeatin, UV-B sevanje, vodikov peroksid, antocianin, izražanje genov