Foliar application of putrescine, salicylic acid, and ascorbic acid mitigates frost stress damage in Vitis vinifera cv. ‘Giziluzum’

BACKGROUND: Cold stress is an effective factor in reducing production and injuring fruit trees. Various materials, such as salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, and putrescine, are used to alleviate the damage of abiotic stress. RESULTS: The effect of different treatments of putrescine, salicylic acid, and ascorbic acid on alleviating the damage of frost stress (− 3 °C) to grapes ‘Giziluzum’ was investigated. Frost stress increased the amount of H(2)O(2), MDA, proline, and MSI. On the other hand, it decreased the concentration of chlorophyll and carotenoids in the leaves. Putrescine, salicylic acid and ascorbic acid significantly increased the activities of catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase under frost stress. Following frost stress, the grapes treated with putrescine, salicylic acid, and ascorbic acid showed higher levels of DHA, AsA, and AsA/DHA than the untreated grapes. Our results showed that the treatment with ascorbic acid outperformed the other treatments in adjusting frost stress damages. CONCLUSION: The use of compounds, such as ascorbic ac id, salicylic acid, and putrescine, modulates the effects of frost stress, thereby increasing the antioxidant defense system of cells, reducing its damage, and stabilizing stable cell conditions, so it can be used to reduce frost damage to different grape cultivars.