Paclobutrazol-Induced Biochemical Changes in Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. ‘Malas Saveh’ under Freezing Stress

Freezing injury is an important limiting factor in the production of pomegranate in Iran.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of paclobutrazol (PBZ) on cold hardiness of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. ‘Malas Saveh’. Different concentrations of PBZ including 0 (control), 31, 62, 125 or 250 mg L–1 were sprayed on one-year-old plants in August and the electrolyte leakage of their stems was measured at three acclimation stages (November, January, and March). PBZ treatments, especially at 125 and 250 mg L–1 concentrations increased cold hardiness, and corresponding soluble carbohydrates and proline contents. The highest variation in freezing tolerance was observed between control and PBZ-treated plants in January, and the lowest found in November. Irrespective of PBZ treatment, correlations between cold hardiness and soluble carbohydrate concentrations were stronger, compared to proline. Soluble carbohydrates were higher in January, associated with deep dormancy, whereas the maximum proline content was detected in March, at deacclimation stage. Results suggest that PBZ application can reduce low temperature-induced dysfunction of cell membrane through increasing soluble carbohydrates and proline contents.