Calcium application enhances growth and alleviates the damaging effects induced by Cd stress in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

In this study, the effects of calcium (Ca²⁺) application on acquired systemic tolerance mechanism to cadmium (Cd) stress in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) were studied. The Cd stress reduced the root and shoot growth of sesame, and plant contents of photosynthetic pigments; however, the application of Ca²⁺ improved these parameters under Cd stress condition. The hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde and soluble sugar contents were higher under Cd stress, and were reduced by Ca²⁺ treatment. The antioxidant enzyme activities in the leaves of sesame, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were higher under Cd stress, whereas reduced concentration was observed in Ca²⁺-treated plants. Cd stress increased the contents of diacylglycerol and sterol ester; however Ca²⁺ treatment resulted in a significant increase in phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine. Our results indicated that application of calcium enables sesame plants to withstand the deleterious impact of cadmium through upregulating acquired systemic tolerance system as lipid fractions (galactolipids, phospholipids, neutral lipids), antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT, APX, GR) hence protect membrane functions.     

Effect of salt and drought stress on antioxidant enzymes activities and SOD isoenzymes of liquorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch)

The effects of salinity and drought on the antioxidative system (SOD, POD, CAT) were studied in liquorice seedlings (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch). The results showed that both salt and drought stresses could induce oxidative stress, as indicated by the increase level of lipid peroxidation. The activities of SOD and POD were up-regulated by salt and drought stress, while CAT activity decreased. An additional MnSOD isoenzyme was detected in liquorice subjected to 2%NaCl stress. The data also showed that although the activity of SOD was differentially influenced by drought and salinity, the changes of antioxidant enzyme activities subjected to drought stress follow a pattern similar to that subjected to salt stress, indicating that similar defensive systems might be involved in the oxidative stress injury in liquorice.     

Protective effects of complementary Ca2+ on low-light-induced oxidative damage in tall fescue

Low-light (LL) intensity is a primary abiotic stressor that negatively influences turf grass quality. In the present experiment, we studied the effect of exogenous Ca²⁺ (0, 10, 50, 100, and 200 mM) on the antioxidant system, the accumulation of MDA and proline, the content of photosynthetic pigments in plant leaves in order to investigate whether exogenous Ca²⁺ treatment improves LL tolerance in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). We have found that LL significantly reduced a number of growth parameters (plant height, leaf width, leaf fresh weight, root fresh weight, leaf dry weight, and root dry weight), chlorophyll (Chl) a and Chl b contents, and carotenoid (Car) levels, while considerably enhancing electrolyte leakage (EL), MDA accumulation, calcium (Ca²⁺) concentration, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide radical (O ₂ ^·? ). Moreover, LL significantly induced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), and slightly increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in tall fescue leaves. In contrast, POD and SOD activities declined considerably while CAT activity significantly increased in plant roots under LL stress. The application of 50 mM Ca²⁺ significantly improved the aforementioned growth parameters, the content of photosynthetic pigments, and further enhanced the activities of POD, SOD, and CAT, but decreased electrolyte leakage and MDA and H₂O₂ levels in the leaves and roots of tall fescue under LL stress. These results suggest that Ca²⁺ is likely involved in a resistance to LL by regulating antioxidant enzyme action in tall fescue leaves and roots.     

Exploration of the antioxidative defense system to characterize chickpea genotypes showing differential response towards water deficit conditions

The present investigation was carried out to characterize genotypic variability in chickpea for water deficit tolerance by exploring the antioxidative defense system and seedling growth. Twenty nine chickpea genotypes including cultivars and advanced lines were grown under control and water deficit conditions induced by adding 3 % mannitol. The genotypes showed differential response in seedling growth under water deficit conditions. The activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were observed to be differentially expressed in the roots of various genotypes, under control and water deficit conditions. The contents of H₂O₂, malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline were also observed to be variable in the roots of all the genotypes, under control and water deficit conditions. Stress tolerance index for the various parameters, viz, CAT and SOD activity, H₂O₂, MDA and proline content, root length, shoot length and their biomass was determined and the level of stress resistance calculated. The genotypes which showed increased activities of CAT and SOD, decreased contents of H₂O₂ and MDA together with least affected seedling growth under water deficit conditions exhibited higher stress resistance capacity. Multivariate principal component analysis for all the parameters affected under water deficit conditions, grouped the genotypes into three clusters having different (high, moderate and low) levels of stress resistance. Complete linkage clustering grouped these genotypes into two major clusters-I and II. The genotypes present in sub–sub cluster ‘A1’ and sub cluster ‘B’ of major cluster-I have been observed to possess high stress resistance levels for respective parameters. It can thus be concluded that chickpea genotypes exhibiting increased stress resistance levels in relation to SOD and CAT activities, H₂O₂ and MDA contents and seedling growth would have higher stress tolerance under water deficit conditions.     

Improving Glycyrrhiza uralensis salt tolerance with N+ ion irradiation

Low energy (25 keV) N⁺ ions were implanted into liquorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) seeds at a fluency of either zero (control) or 900 × (2.6 × 10¹³) ions/cm². After irradiation, all the seeds were planted in the plastic pots for a growth period of one month. Thereafter, the seedlings in the pot were subjected to saline stress at 600 mM for about 3 days. The morphological and physiological characteristics such as total chlorophyll content, proline level, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ATPase, and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction in seedling roots were investigated. Our results indicated that ion irradiation significantly increased the shoot height, leaflet number, taproot lenght, lateral root number, and shoot and root weights of liquorice seedlings with or without saline stress. Furthermore, the total chlorophyll content, proline level, SOD, POD, CAT, ATPase activities, and root TTC reduction vigor of seedlings were all found to be significantly increased under saline stress by ion irradiation compared with their corresponding controls. These results indicated that ion irradiation can strengthen the resistance of liquorice seedlings to saline stress and may have a potential application for the improvement of plants in sand areas.     

植物体内钙信号及其在调节干旱胁迫中的作用

钙作为植物体内第二信使广泛参与了植物响应的各种非生物和生物胁迫的信号传导。胁迫信号通过激活位于细胞质膜上的钙离子通道,产生胞质内特异性的钙信号,传递至钙信号感受蛋白,如钙调素(calmodulin,CaM)、钙依赖蛋白激酶(Ca2+-dependent protein kinases,CDPK)和类钙调磷酸酶B蛋白(calcineurin B-like protein,CBL)等,进而引起胞内一系列生理生化变化,最终对胁迫做出响应。钙信号在植物响应干旱胁迫信号系统中起枢纽作用,主要通过调节气孔运动,水通道蛋白(aquaporin,AQP)和抗氧化酶活性来减少水分流失,提高水分利用率,最终降低干旱对植物细胞的伤害,并具有一定的生态学功能。该文对近年来国内外有关植物体内钙信号的研究进展以及在干旱逆境中的调节作用进行综述,并对今后的研究做了展望。     

彩叶草对模拟干旱胁迫的生理响应

采用盆栽试验,对彩叶草进行PEG-6000浓度为0(对照)、5%、10%、15%、20%(W/V)模拟干旱胁迫,研究在干旱胁迫下彩叶草的生长、渗透调节能力及抗氧化酶活性的变化。结果表明:与对照相比,随着PEG-6000浓度的增加,鲜质量、干质量、含水量、水势、根系脱氢酶活性、无机离子含量包括K+、Na+、Ca2+、Mg2+等均呈下降趋势;NO-3含量呈先下降后上升趋势;硝酸还原酶活性、可溶性蛋白含量、可溶性糖含量、超氧化物歧化酶活性均呈先上升后下降趋势;脯氨酸含量、游离氨基酸含量、过氧化物酶活性、过氧化氢酶活性、超氧阴离子(O-2·)产生速率、质膜透性则呈上升趋势。因此,模拟干旱胁迫对彩叶草生长有抑制作用,且随着PEG-6000浓度增加,其生长受抑制和水分胁迫程度加重;模拟干旱胁迫下,彩叶草不积累K+、Na+、Ca2+、Mg2+和NO-3等无机离子进行渗透调节,而积累脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖、游离氨基酸等有机小分子物质进行渗透调节,但这4种小分子物质增加幅度不尽相同;轻度模拟干旱胁迫虽增强彩叶草抗氧化酶活性,但仍表现轻度的氧化伤害;重度模拟干旱胁迫加重彩叶草氧化伤害。研究结果可为彩叶草耐旱生理机制的研究积累资料,也为其节水型栽植和养护提供依据。     

香蒲对不同浓度Pb~(2+)胁迫的生理应答及其细胞超微结构变化

通过室内水培试验,研究了不同浓度Pb2+(0、0.25、0.50、1.00和2.00mmol·L-1)胁迫对东方香蒲根和叶中Pb含量、叶绿素含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量、抗氧化酶(SOD、CAT和POD)活性以及亚细胞结构的影响。结果显示:(1)随着外源Pb2+浓度的增加,Pb在香蒲根和叶中的积累量均显著高于对照,且Pb在根中的含量明显高于叶中,并与外源Pb2+浓度呈显著正相关关系。(2)香蒲叶片中的叶绿素a和叶绿素b含量随着外源Pb2+浓度的增加呈先升后降趋势,均在处理浓度为0.50mmol·L-1时达到峰值。(3)胁迫处理叶片的MDA含量与对照相比变化不显著,但根中MDA含量呈显著下降趋势。(4)叶片中SOD活性在1.00mmol·L-1 Pb2+处理时达到峰值,然后下降,但始终高于对照,CAT和POD活性则均低于对照组;根中SOD活性除1.00mmol·L-1 Pb2+处理组外均显著低于对照组,CAT和POD活性分别在0.25和0.50mmol·L-1 Pb2+处理时达到峰值,然后随处理Pb2+浓度升高而下降。(5)电镜观察发现,Pb2+胁迫使香蒲叶细胞中叶绿体被膜破裂,类囊体膨胀、破损;根和叶细胞中的线粒体被膜均破裂、内腔空泡化,细胞核核膜破损、核仁消失、染色质凝集。研究表明,Pb2+胁迫致使东方香蒲根、叶生理代谢失衡,亚细胞结构出现不可逆的损伤,这为从分子水平研究Pb2+作用的具体机理以及香蒲在重金属污染修复中的应用提供了依据。     

Effects of calcium on the activities of cytosolic antioxidative enzymes and IAA oxidase during in vitro adventitious rooting of mung bean seedlings

The effects of Ca²⁺ on antioxidative enzymes and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) oxidase during adventitious rooting were investigated in mung bean (Vigna radiata). CaCl₂ significantly promoted the formation and growth of adventitious roots. EGTA (a Ca²⁺ chelator) or ruthenium red (a Ca²⁺-channel blocker) significantly inhibited root formation and growth, but these inhibitory effects could be partially reversed by CaCl₂. Furthermore, inclusion of 5 mM CaCl₂ significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by 10% at 3 h and catalase (CAT) activity by an average of 29.6% at each time point. CaCl₂ decreased peroxidase (POD) activity by 9.4% and 21% at 12 and 24 h, respectively, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity by an average of 13.9% at each time point. These CaCl₂-induced changes in enzymatic activities were similar to changes caused by indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Treatment with EGTA or ruthenium red decreased SOD activity by an average of 18.4% and 15.2%, respectively; POD activity by 27.4% and 57.6%, respectively; APX activity by 10.3% and 15.6%, respectively; and CAT activity by 19.3% and 5.2%, respectively, when compared with CaCl₂. In addition, CaCl₂ increased IAA oxidase activity by an average of 5.5% beginning at 6 h, whereas EGTA significantly decreased IAA oxidase activity by 29.2%, 22.9%, and 13.5% at 6, 9, and 12 h, respectively. The inhibitory effects of EGTA could be partially suppressed by addition of CaCl₂. These results imply that the stimulative effect of Ca²⁺ on adventitious rooting is partially related to Ca²⁺-induced changes in the activities of antioxidative enzymes and IAA oxidase.     

CO2浓度升高对干旱胁迫下小麦光合作用和抗氧化酶活性的影响

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Effects of metalaxyl enantiomers stress on root activity and leaf antioxidant enzyme activities in tobacco seedlings

The objective of this experiment was to study the effects of metalaxyl enantiomers on the activity of roots and antioxidative enzymes in tobacco seedlings. Water culture experiment was conducted to analyze the effects of different concentrations of metalaxyl enantiomers (30 and 10 mg L^?1) on root activity and leaf superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of tobacco seedlings. The results showed that metalaxyl significantly inhibited root activity and significantly improved leaf SOD, POD, and CAT activities and MDA content. A better physiological response in tobacco seedlings was observed at 30 mg L^?1 than at 10 mg L^?1 metalaxyl. The stereoselectivity for different enantiomers had no obvious effect on root activity and the leaf POD activity, but it affected significantly the SOD and CAT activities and MDA content. The SOD activity was promoted more by R‐enantiomer than by S‐enantiomer at 30 mg L^?1 metalaxyl, and the same effect was observed on CAT activity from the beginning to the end of the stress period. The MDA content under the stress by R‐enantiomer was higher than that under the stress by S‐enantiomer at 10 mg L^?1 metalaxyl.     

Exogenous application of mannitol and thiourea regulates plant growth and oxidative stress responses in salt-stressed maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The mechanism of growth amelioration in salt-stressed maize (Zea mays L. cv., DK 647 F1) by exogenously applied mannitol (M) and thiourea (T) was investigated. Maize seedlings were planted in pots containing perlite and subjected to 0 or 100 mM NaCl in full strength Hoagland's nutrient solution. Two levels of M (15 and 30 mM) or T (3.5 and 7.0 mM) were sprayed to the leaves of maize seedlings 10 days after germination. Salinity stress caused considerable reduction in plant dry biomass, chlorophyll content, and relative water content in the maize plants. However, it increased the activities of catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6), superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO; EC 1.10.3.1), and levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and electrolyte leakage, but it did not change peroxidase (POD; EC 1.11.1.7) activity. Foliar application of M or T was found to be effective in checking salt-induced shoot growth inhibition. Exogenously applied M or T reduced the activities of CAT, SOD, POD, and PPO in the salt-treated maize plants compared to those in the plants not fed with these organic compounds. Salinity increased Na⁺ contents but decreased those of K⁺, Ca^{2 +}, and P in the leaves and roots of the maize plants. Foliar-applied M or T increased the contents of K⁺, Ca^{2 +}, and P, but decreased that of Na⁺ in the salt-stressed maize plants with respect to those of the salt-stressed plants not supplied with mannitol or thiourea. Mannitol was found to be more effective than thiourea in improving salinity tolerance of maize plants in terms of growth and physiological attributes measured in the present study.     

Reduction of hyperhydricity in the culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepidium meyenii</Emphasis> shoots by the addition of rare earth elements

Adventitious shoots induced from maca calli on induction media without rare earth elements (REE) had higher water content and lower soluble protein concentration when compared with shoots sprouted from maca seeds. Due to lower activities of antioxidative enzymes, there were higher concentrations of H₂O₂ and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) in adventitious shoots than those in seed shoots. When La³⁺, Ce³⁺ and Nd³⁺ (0.04 mM to 0.1 mM) were added to induction media, induction rates of the adventitious shoots were only affected slightly, but hyperhydricity rates were significantly reduced. La³⁺, Ce³⁺ or Nd³⁺ enhanced the activities of antioxidative enzymes in adventitious shoots, e.g. peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) and glutathione reductase (GR). When the concentrations of La³⁺, Ce³⁺ and Nd³⁺ were 0.1 mM, the oxygen stress in adventitious shoots was decreased to levels similar to seed shoots, where most adventitious shoots grew normally.     

CO2浓度升高对干旱胁迫下小麦光合作用和抗氧化酶活性的影响

在CO₂浓度分别为350μmol·mol^-1和倍增浓度(700μmol·mol^-1)的两个开顶式生长室内,研究了干旱胁迫下小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)光合作用和抗氧化酶活性的变化.结果表明,CO₂浓度升高显著提高了小麦的净光合速率,降低了蒸腾速率,提高了气孔阻力和水分利用效率.倍增CO₂浓度明显提高了SOD、POD及CAT酶活性,增强了小麦的抗氧化保护能力和抗旱性.     

External bioenergy-induced increases in intracellular free calcium concentrations are mediated by Na+/Ca2+ exchanger and L-type calcium channel

External bioenergy (EBE, energy emitted from a human body) has been shown to increase intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i, an important factor in signal transduction) and regulate the cellular response to heat stress in cultured human lymphoid Jurkat T cells. In this study, we wanted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. A bioenergy specialist emitted bioenergy sequentially toward tubes of cultured Jurkat T cells for one 15-minute period in buffers containing different ion compositions or different concentrations of inhibitors. [Ca²⁺]_i was measured spectrofluorometrically using the fluorescent probe fura-2. The resting [Ca²⁺]_i in Jurkat T cells was 70 ± 3 nM (n = 130) in the normal buffer. Removal of external calcium decreased the resting [Ca²⁺]_i to 52 ± 2 nM (n = 23), indicating that [Ca²⁺] entry from the external source is important for maintaining the basal level of [Ca²⁺]_i. Treatment of Jurkat T cells with EBE for 15 min increased [Ca²⁺]_i by 30 ± 5% (P 0.05, Student t-test). The distance between the bioenergy specialist and Jurkat T cells and repetitive treatments of EBE did not attenuate [Ca²⁺]_i responsiveness to EBE. Removal of external Ca²⁺ or Na⁺, but not Mg²⁺, inhibited the EBE-induced increase in [Ca²⁺]_i. Dichlorobenzamil, an inhibitor of Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchangers, also inhibited the EBE-induced increase in [Ca²⁺]_i in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 of 0.11 ± 0.02 nM. When external [K⁺] was increased from 4.5 mM to 25 mM, EBE decreased [Ca²⁺]_i. The EBE-induced increase was also blocked by verapamil, an L-type voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channel blocker. These results suggest that the EBE-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increase may serve as an objective means for assessing and validating bioenergy effects and those specialists claiming bioenergy capability. The increase in [Ca²⁺]_i is mediated by activation of Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchangers and opening of L-type voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels. (Mol Cell Biochem 271: 51–59, 2005)     

Antioxidative response of metal-accumulator and non-accumulator plants under cadmium stress

The present study aims to elucidate the role of antioxidative enzyme in the adaptive responses of metal-accumulators (Thlaspi caerulescens and Brassica juncea) and non-accumulator plant (Nicotiana tabacum) to Cadmium stress. When seedlings of plants were grown in hydroponic condition for a period of 4 days in the presence of 200 or 400 μM CdCl₂, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance in metal-accumulators decreased more slowly than that in tobacco. MDA content and electrolyte leakage increased with elevated Cd concentration and exposure time in all plant species, while the oxidative damage in tobacco was more serious than that in metal-accumulators. The activities of SOD and CAT in metal-accumulators were significantly higher than that in tobacco under normal condition, whereas there was no significant difference in the activity of POD between Indian mustard and tobacco. The activities of antioxidative enzymes increased rapidly in metal-accumulators in response to the Cd treatments, especially SOD and CAT. In tobacco, CAT activity declined rapidly by exposure to the Cd treatment, though the activity of SOD and POD was enhanced, indicating that the antioxidative enzymes in tobacco could not fully scavenge ROS generated by Cd toxicity. These results collectively indicate that the enzymatic antioxidation capacity is one of the important mechanisms responsible for metal tolerance in metal-accumulator plant species.     

Cd~(2+)胁迫对小桐子幼苗叶片抗氧化系统的影响

以小桐子幼苗为材料,设置不同浓度CdCl_2处理,测定Cd~(2+)胁迫对小桐子幼苗叶片中可溶性蛋白、丙二醛(MDA)含量,以及5种抗氧化酶活性和2种抗氧化剂含量的变化,探讨镉胁迫对小桐子幼苗抗氧化系统的影响。结果表明:(1)Cd~(2+)胁迫导致小桐子幼苗叶片中可溶性蛋白含量降低、MDA含量增加;(2)随着镉胁迫时间的延长,幼苗叶片中愈创木酚过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、抗坏血酸专一性过氧化酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)等抗氧化酶活性表现出先升高然后降低的变化趋势;(3)幼苗叶片中还原型抗坏血酸(ASA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量随着胁迫时间延长而降低,但其中氧化型抗坏血酸(DHA)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量则升高。研究表明,镉胁迫初期能诱导小桐子幼苗抗氧化系统活性显著增强,提高其抗氧化能力,但随着胁迫时间的延长,致使其抗氧化酶的活性和抗氧物质含量下降,植株遭受明显氧化胁迫,幼苗生长受到镉的严重毒害。     

Effects of NaCl and Mycorrhizal Fungi on Antioxidative Enzymes in Soybean

The effects of different concentrations of NaCl on the activities of antioxidative enzymes in the shoots and roots of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr cv. Pershing) inoculated or not with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus etunicatum Becker & Gerdemann, were studied. Furthermore, the effect of salt acclimated mycorrhizal fungi on the antioxidative enzymes in soybean plants grown under salt stress (100 mM NaCl) was investigated. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) were increased in the shoots of both mycorrhizal (M) and nonmycorrhizal (NM) plants grown under NaCl salinity. Salinity increased SOD activity in the roots of M and NM plants, but had no effect on CAT and polyphenol oxidase activities in the roots. M plants had greater SOD, POD and ascorbate peroxidase activity under salinity. Under salt stress, soybean plants inoculated with salt pre-treated mycorrhizal fungi showed increased SOD and POD activity in shoots, relative to those inoculated with the non pre-treated fungi.     

Changes in gas exchange, proline accumulation and antioxidative enzyme activities in three olive cultivars under contrasting water availability regimes

Changes in photosynthetic performance, osmolyte accumulation and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were investigated in one-year-old olive cultivars (Chemlali, Meski and Picholine) subjected to contrasting water availability regimes under arid climatic conditions in Tunisia. Shoot elongation rates (SER) and photosynthetic performance were markedly reduced by the water deficit regime (WD) in all cultivars except for Chemlali, which proved to be superior to the other two cultivars with respect to drought tolerance. Higher photosynthetic performance (net photosynthesis (P_n), stomatal conductance (g_s) and transpiration rates (E)) in the Chemlali and Meski cvs. compared to Picholine olive allowed them to maintain better plant water status and shoot elongation rates. Under WD conditions, Chemlali showed a greater capability for proline accumulation. Leaves grown under WD conditions showed signs of oxidative stress such as reduced chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations. Nevertheless, different cultivars developed certain antioxidative defense mechanisms, including elevated SOD, APX and CAT activities. In contrast, PPO activity decreased under WD circumstances. Comparatively, Chemlali olive displayed better antioxidative enzyme activity, and thus better protection against oxidative stress. These results show that the ability of olive trees to up-regulate the enzymatic antioxidative system might be an important attribute linked to drought tolerance. These findings demonstrate that the association of higher P_n, proline accumulation and antioxidative defenses could be effective in a water-limited environment and may be useful selection criteria in breeding programs with the objective of improving drought tolerance and growth of olive trees, at least under the described environmental conditions.