铜胁迫对玉米幼苗生长、叶绿素荧光参数和抗氧化酶活性的影响

本文研究了铜(Cu)胁迫下玉米(Zeamays)幼苗生长、叶绿素含量、叶绿素荧光参数和抗氧化酶活性的变化。研究结果表明,5￣20μmol.L-1Cu处理10天明显抑制玉米幼苗根系生长,并减少玉米幼苗的干物重,以及增加玉米幼苗地上部和根系含Cu量;玉米幼苗吸收的Cu大部分积累在根系,在地上部分布较少。Cu处理还降低玉米叶片的叶绿素含量和Fv/Fm、ETR、qP和qy值。在10天的Cu处理期间,根系中SOD、POD、CAT和GR活性呈现先上升后下降的趋势。而叶片中的SOD、POD、CAT和GR活性在处理前期不受Cu胁迫的显著影响,处理后期则因Cu胁迫而增强。实验表明抗氧化酶在抵御过量Cu引起的氧化胁迫中发挥了一定的作用。     

水分胁迫对春播玉米苗期生长及其生理生化特性的影响

采用盆栽试验,以‘蠡玉18'玉米单交种为供试材料,设置充分供水(CK)、轻度水分胁迫(LS)、中度水分胁迫(MS)和重度水分胁迫(SS)4个水分处理水平,研究了水分胁迫对春播玉米苗期保护酶活性和生长的影响,以探讨土壤水分胁迫对玉米苗期生长发育及其生理过程的影响机制.结果表明:(1)随着水分胁迫程度的加剧,玉米幼苗的生物量显著下降,根冠比、根系活力和脯氨酸含量增加,且水分胁迫对玉米幼苗地上部生物量的抑制作用更大;可溶性蛋白含量差异不明显,MDA含量波动变化.(2)随着水分胁迫时间的延长,根冠比、根系活力和植株脯氨酸含量先升高后降低,可溶性蛋白含量呈先下降后升高的趋势;玉米幼苗叶片和根系MDA积累波动变化,而叶片MDA含量始终高于根系.(3)在水分胁迫初期,玉米叶片中CAT活性较SOD、POD响应更敏感;玉米苗期根系在中度水分胁迫下主要依赖CAT来降低氧化危害,而在重度水分胁迫下前期主要依赖CAT、后期通过CAT和POD的共同作用来降低氧化伤害;水分胁迫条件下,叶片和根系POD同步降低氧化伤害,而SOD和CAT在叶片和根系间存在互补作用.研究表明,在不同程度的水分胁迫条件下,玉米幼苗的生长受到一定程度的抑制,但其能够通过调节自身的保护酶活性和渗透调节物质含量来减轻干旱伤害,维持植株的正常生理代谢功能.     

4个二价金属氯化盐对玉米幼苗生理指标影响的比较研究

比较研究了4个二价金属的氯化盐(CaCl2、MgCl2、CdCl2和CuCl2)对玉米幼苗生长和生理特性的影响.用10 μmol·L-1 CdCl2和CuCl2处理10 d明显减少玉米幼苗根系和地上部干物重,抑制根系伸长生长.同时,叶绿素含量、叶绿素a/b比值、Fv/Fm、F0、Fm、qP、qN和Yield(实际量子产额)都呈明显下降;而抗氧化系统酶(SOD、CAT、POD、GR和APX)活性明显上升.10 μmol·L-1 CdCl2处理下叶绿素含量、Fv/Fm、qP、Yield、还原型GSH含量以及抗氧化酶活性均高于10 μmol·L-1 CuCl2处理.10 μmol·L-1 CdCl2处理还明显降低叶片水势和蒸腾速率,增加叶片气孔阻力,表现出水分胁迫;而10 μmol·L-1 CuCl2处理对叶片水势和蒸腾速率没有显著影响.10 μmol·L-1 CaCl2处理显著增加叶绿素含量和根系净伸长,10 μmol·L-1 MgCl2也增加根系净伸长,但10 μmol·L-1 CaCl2和MgCl2处理对叶绿素荧光参数、水分和抗氧化系统等指标均无明显影响.     

外源GSH对盐胁迫下番茄幼苗生长及抗逆生理指标的影响

采用营养液栽培法,研究外源谷胱甘肽(GSH)对NaCl胁迫下番茄幼苗生长、根系活力、电解质渗透率和丙二醛(MDA)、脯氨酸(Pro)、可溶性糖含量以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性的影响,为利用外源物质减轻盐胁迫伤害提供理论依据。结果显示:(1)NaCl胁迫显著抑制了番茄幼苗的生长、根系活力和SOD、POD、CAT活性,提高了电解质渗透率及MDA、Pro、可溶性糖含量;(2)外源喷施GSH能够诱导NaCl胁迫下番茄幼苗叶片抗氧化酶SOD、POD、CAT活性上调,电解质渗透率及MDA含量下降,Pro和可溶性糖含量恢复至对照水平;(3)外源喷施还原型谷胱甘肽抑制剂(BSO)使NaCl胁迫下番茄幼苗的根系活力以及抗氧化酶SOD、POD、CAT活性下降,脯氨酸含量提高;(4)喷施GSH可诱导BSO和NaCl共处理番茄植株的根系活力、SOD、POD、CAT活性提高,MDA和Pro含量降低。研究表明,外源GSH可通过提高促进盐胁迫下番茄幼苗植株渗透调节能力及清除活性氧的酶促系统的防御能力、降低细胞膜脂过氧化程度、保护膜结构的完整性,从而有效缓解NaCl胁迫对番茄幼苗生长的抑制,提高其耐盐性。     

Cd胁迫对黄菖蒲幼苗4种抗氧化酶活性的影响

采用水培法对Cd胁迫下黄菖蒲（Iris pseudacorus L．）幼苗叶片和根系中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）的活性进行了研究。结果表明,10、40和120mg·L^-1Cd胁迫下,黄菖蒲幼苗叶片和根系中4种酶活性的变化不同。10和40mg·L^-1 cd胁迫下,黄菖蒲幼苗叶片和根系中的POD及APX活性、叶片中的SOD活性及根系中的CAT均明显高于对照;在120mg·L^-1 Cd胁迫下,叶片中的POD活性及根系中的POD和CAT活性均高于对照;各处理组根系中的SOD活性均低于对照。随处理时间的延长,40和120mg·L^-1Cd胁迫处理组叶片的CAT活性和120mg·L^-1Cd胁迫处理组根系的APX活性逐渐降低,其他处理组不同酶的活性逐渐升高或先升后降。黄菖蒲叶片及根系中的4种酶对Cd胁迫的响应能力有差异,其中POD可能是黄菖蒲耐Cd胁迫的主要抗性诱导酶。     

黄腐酸浸种对PEG模拟干旱胁迫下紫花苜蓿种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

以紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa L.)为研究对象,采用不同PEG模拟干旱处理(CK、10%PEG、0.03%FA+10%PEG和0.05%FA+10%PEG)方法,探讨黄腐酸(FA)浸种对紫花苜蓿种子萌发、幼苗生长及抗逆性生理生化指标的影响。结果显示:(1)在PEG模拟干旱胁迫下,紫花苜蓿种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数、以及幼苗叶绿素含量、膜稳定指数(MSI)和根系活力较对照均呈下降趋势,株高和生物量的增长速率均显著低于对照;而幼苗叶片丙二醛(MDA)、过氧化氢(H2O2)、脯氨酸、可溶性糖含量均随处理时间呈上升趋势,过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性则呈下降-升高-下降的趋势,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性及超氧阴离子(O-·2)产生速率则均呈先升高后降低的趋势。(2)经黄腐酸浸种处理后,模拟干旱胁迫下紫花苜蓿种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数和幼苗株高、生物量、脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量均显著升高,并显著减小了模拟干旱胁迫引起的叶绿素含量、根系活力和MSI下降的幅度,相对提高了SOD、POD、CAT、GR活性,降低了MDA、H2O2含量和活性氧水平。研究表明,10%PEG模拟的干旱胁迫使紫花苜蓿的种子萌发及幼苗生长发育受到显著抑制,而黄腐酸浸种处理可通过提高渗透调节物质含量和保护酶活性来有效缓解干旱胁迫对紫花苜蓿幼苗造成的氧化伤害,增强植株的整体抗旱性,维持其正常生长发育,并以0.05%黄腐酸浸种对干旱胁迫下紫花苜蓿种子萌发及幼苗生长的保护效应较为显著。     

骆驼蓬提取物浸种对小麦幼苗生长及抗氧化酶活性的影响

以不同浓度骆驼蓬提取液浸种处理小麦。研究对幼苗生长及抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果表明,骆驼蓬提取液浸种后小麦幼苗的根长、株高和干重增加,根冠比增大;幼苗根系活力增强,根系超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性提高,过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性先升后降,过氧化物酶（POD）活性下降,过氧化物酶同工酶表达受抑;叶片叶绿素和可溶性蛋白质含量增加,叶片SOD、POD活性提高,过氧化物酶同工酶表达增强,CAT活性降低。根系和叶片丙二醛（MDA）含量下降。     

壳聚糖对镉胁迫下玉米幼苗根系生长及叶片光合的影响

本试验采用营养液水培法,以玉米品种"郑单958"(镉不敏感型)和"东农253"(镉敏感型)为试验材料,研究在80 mg·L~(-1)Cd~(2+)胁迫下100 mg·L~(-1)壳聚糖对玉米幼苗干鲜重、根系特征(根长、根表面积、根体积、平均直径、总根尖数)、根系细胞膜透性、根系抗氧化酶(SOD、POD)活性、叶片叶绿素含量、光合参数(P_n、G_s、T_r、C_i)及最大光能转化效率(F_v/F_m)的影响,探究壳聚糖提高玉米幼苗抗镉胁迫能力的生理生化机制。结果表明:80mg·L~(-1)Cd~(2+)抑制了玉米幼苗的生长,破坏了根系细胞膜的稳定性和抗氧化酶活性,抑制了叶片光合作用;壳聚糖缓解了镉胁迫对玉米根系生长的抑制,增加了幼苗的根长、根表面积、根体积;增强了根系的渗透调节能力,降低了根系的MDA含量和相对电导率;抑制了根系活性氧的产生,增加了SOD和POD活性;提高了叶片的光合作用,增加了叶片的叶绿素a(Chla)、叶绿素b(Chlb)含量、净光合速率(P_n)和F_v/F_m,从而缓解了镉胁迫对幼苗生长的抑制作用,且对"东农253"(镉敏感型)的缓解效果更好,为壳聚糖应用到玉米抗镉胁迫生产上提供了依据。     

铝胁迫对海莲幼苗保护酶系统及脯氨酸含量的影响

为探讨Al~(3+)胁迫对海莲的影响,研究了10～50 mmol/L Al~(3+)处理下海莲幼苗叶片和根系的过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)的活性以及可溶性蛋白质、丙二醛(MDA)和游离脯氨酸(Pro)含量的变化。结果表明,海莲幼苗能耐受50 mmol/L的Al~(3+)胁迫处理,具有较高的耐铝性。但在50 mmol/L Al~(3+)处理时,海莲幼苗叶片和根系的质膜系统膜脂过氧化加重,MDA含量增加;细胞活性氧代谢失衡。在保护酶系统中,Al~(3+)处理促进了叶片中APX和POD活性的提高,降低了CAT的活性,SOD的活性呈下降趋势;海莲根部POD和SOD活性均显著提高,而CAT活性下降。25～50 mmol/LAl~(3+)处理下,海莲叶片和根部可溶性蛋白质含量均显著下降;Pro的含量在叶片和根均有显著增加。     

外源褪黑素对低温胁迫下茄子幼苗生长及其光合作用和抗氧化系统的影响

以‘沪茄08-1’茄子幼苗为试验材料,采用基质栽培方式,研究了叶面喷施50~200μmol·L-1外源褪黑素(melatonin,MT)对低温胁迫[(10±1)℃(昼)/(5±1)℃(夜)]下茄子幼苗生长、光合作用和抗氧化系统等生理指标的影响,以明确外源MT在茄子幼苗抵御低温逆境方面的生理机制。结果显示:(1)低温胁迫处理后,茄子幼苗株高、茎粗、地上部鲜重和根系鲜重、叶绿素含量、叶片净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr)均显著降低,丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧阴离子产生速率(O-·2)和过氧化氢(H2O2)含量均显著增加。(2)幼苗叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)活性及抗坏血酸(AsA)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量均显著升高,而其脯氨酸(Pro)和可溶性蛋白质含量均显著增加;外源MT处理可有效增强低温胁迫条件下茄子幼苗叶片中SOD、POD、CAT、APX、GR、DHAR活性,提高AsA和GSH含量,增加Pro和可溶性蛋白含量,显著抑制其叶片MDA、O-·2及H2O2的积累。研究表明,外源MT主要通过增强低温胁迫下茄子幼苗的光合作用以及清除活性氧的能力,减缓低温胁迫的危害,提高茄子幼苗对低温胁迫的耐性。     

Effects of exogenous nitric oxide on photosynthesis,antioxidative ability,and mineral element contents of perennial ryegrass under copper stress

A hydroponics experiment was conducted to test the effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a donor of NO) supplied with different concentrations on copper (Cu) toxicity in ryegrass seedlings (Lolium perenne L.). Excess Cu (200 µM) reduced chlorophyll content, resulting a decrease in photosynthesis. Cu stress induced the production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide anion (O₂^{? ?}), leading to malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. Furthermore, activities of antioxidant enzymes in Cu-treated seedlings such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) were decreased. In addition, Cu stress inhibited the uptake of K, Mg, Fe, and Zn and increased Ca content in roots. Moreover, in leaves of Cu-stressed seedlings, K, Fe, and Zn contents were decreased and the contents of Ca and Mg were not affected significantly. In Cu-treated seedlings, Cu concentration in roots was higher than in leaves. Addition of 50, 100, 200 µM SNP in Cu-mediated solutions increased chlorophyll content and photosynthesis, improved antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced Cu-induced oxidative damages, kept intracellular ion equilibrium under Cu stress, increased Cu concentration in roots and inhibited Cu accumulation in leaves. In particular, addition of 100 µM SNP had the best effect on promoting growth of ryegrass seedlings under Cu stress. However, the application of 400 µM SNP had no obvious alleviating effect on Cu toxicity in ryegrass seedlings.     

Copper-induced alteration in sucrose partitioning and its relationship to the root growth of two Elsholtzia haichowensis Sun populations

Hydroponic culture was used to comparatively investigate the copper (Cu)-induced alteration to sucrose metabolism and biomass allocation in two Elsholtzia haichowensis Sun populations with one from a Cu-contaminated site (CS) and the other from a non-contaminated site (NCS). Experimental results revealed that biomass allocation preferred roots over shoots in CS population, and shoots over roots in NCS population under Cu exposure. The difference in biomass allocation was correlated with the difference in sucrose partitioning between the two populations. Cu treatment (45 μM) significantly decreased leaf sucrose content and increased root sucrose content in CS population as a result of the increased activities of leaf sucrose synthesis enzymes (sucrose phosphate synthetase and sucrose synthase) and root sucrose cleavage enzyme (vacuolar invertase), which led to increased sucrose transport from leaves to roots. In contrast, higher Cu treatment increased sucrose content in leaves and decreased sucrose content in roots in NCS population as a result of the decreased activities of root sucrose cleavage enzymes (vacuolar and cell wall invertases) that led to less sucrose transport from leaves to roots. These results provide important insights into carbon resource partitioning and biomass allocation strategies in metallophytes and are beneficial for the implementation of phytoremediation techniques.     

Physiological and biochemical mechanisms of silicon-induced copper stress tolerance in cotton (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium hirsutum</Emphasis> L.)

Accumulation of excess copper (Cu) in agricultural soils can decrease growth and quality of crops grown on these soils and a little information is available on the role of silicon (Si) in reducing Cu toxicity in plants. A hydroponic study was conducted to investigate the effects of Si (1.0 mM) on growth and physiology of cotton seedlings grown on different Cu (0, 25, and 50 µM) concentrations. Elevated levels of Cu decreased growth, biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and gas exchange characteristics, and increased the electrolyte leakage (EL), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) contents in leaf, stem, and roots of cotton seedlings. Cu stress alone decreased the activities of key antioxidant enzymes in cotton seedlings. Exogenous application of Si alleviated the toxic effects of Cu on cotton seedlings by improving growth, photosynthetic pigments, and gas exchange characteristics under Cu stress. The Si application decreased Cu concentrations in leaves, stem, and roots as compared with the control plants. Furthermore, Si decreased oxidative stress as evidenced by decreased EL, H₂O₂, and TBARS contents, and increased the antioxidant enzyme activities in cotton seedlings. This study provides evidences of Si-mediated reduction of Cu toxicity in cotton seedlings at physiological and biochemical levels.     

Comparative studies of H2O2 detoxifying enzymes in green and greening barley seedlings under cadmium stress

Cadmium(Cd) stress induced alterations in the activities of several representatives of the enzymatic antioxidant defense system such as guiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were comparatively studied in green and greening barley seedlings that represent two different stages of plant development. Although roots were the main site of Cd accumulation, 1.5–3% of Cd was translocated into leaves and it induced oxidative damage which was indicated by the reduced chlorophyll and increased malondialdehyde content of the leaves. In roots of both types of seedlings exposed to various Cd concentrations, the APX activity was enhanced without any increase in the activity of POD. In leaves, however, elevated activities of both POD and APX could be observed. In roots of green seedlings at high concentration of Cd, the APX activity was reduced on the fourth day of culture but no inhibition was found in the POD activity. Leaf CAT which mainly represented the peroxisomal enzyme activity did not display any changes under Cd stress. Our results show that at both developmental stages barley seedlings exhibit a well-defined activity of the enzymatic antioxidant system, which operates differentially in roots and shoots subjected to Cd stress.     

Cadmium toxicity affects chlorophyll a and b content,antioxidant enzyme activities and mineral nutrient accumulation in strawberry

Background

Cadmium (Cd) is well known as one of the most toxic metals affecting the environment and can severely restrict plant growth and development. In this study, Cd toxicities were studied in strawberry cv. Camarosa using pot experiment. Chlorophyll and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities and mineral nutrient concentrations were investigated in both roots and leaves of strawberry plant after exposure Cd.

Results

Cd content in both roots and leaves was increased with the application of increasing concentrations of Cd. We found higher Cd concentration in roots rather than in leaves. Chlorophyll a and b was decreased in leaves but MDA significantly increased under increased Cd concentration treatments in both roots and leaves. SOD and CAT activities was also increased with the increase Cd concentrations. K, Mn and Mg concentrations were found higher in leaves than roots under Cd stress. In general, increased Cd treatments increased K, Mg, Fe, Ca, Cu and Zn concentration in both roots and leaves. Excessive Cd treatments reduced chlorophyll contents, increased antioxidant enzyme activities and changes in plant nutrition concentrations in both roots and leaves.

Conclusion

The results presented in this work suggested that Cd treatments have negative effect on chlorophyll content and nearly decreased 30% of plant growth in strawberry. Strawberry roots accumulated higher Cd than leaves. We found that MDA and antioxidant enzyme (CAT, SOD and APX) contents may have considered a good indicator in determining Cd tolerance in strawberry plant.     

Effects of exogenous nitric oxide on cadmium toxicity, element contents and antioxidative system in perennial ryegrass

The effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a donor of NO) on cadmium (Cd) toxicity in ryegrass seedlings (Lolium perenne L.) were studied by investigating the symptoms, plant growth, chlorophyll content, lipid peroxidation, H⁺-ATPase enzyme and antioxidative enzymes. Addition of 100???M CdCl₂ caused serious chlorosis and inhibited the growth of ryegrass seedlings, and dramatically increased accumulation of Cd in both shoots and roots, furthermore, the absorption of macro and micronutrients were inhibited. Addition of 50, 100, 200???M SNP significantly decreased the transport of Cd from roots to shoots, alleviated the inhibition of K, Ca, Mg and Fe, Cu, Zn absorption induced by Cd, reduced the toxicity symptoms and promoted the plant growth. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) significantly increased in ryegrass seedlings exposed to Cd, and resulted in the lipid peroxidation, which was indicated by accumulated concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. Addition of 50, 100, 200???M SNP significantly decreased the level of ROS and lipid peroxidation. Activities of antioxidant enzymes also showed the same changes. Addition of 50, 100, 200???M SNP increased activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase in ryegrass seedlings exposed to Cd. Addition of 100???M SNP had the most significant alleviating effect against Cd toxicity while the addition of 400???M SNP had no significant effect with Cd treatment.     

硝基苯酚胁迫下外源褪黑素对水稻幼苗生长及生理特性的影响

采用液体培养实验方法,研究硝基苯酚胁迫对水稻(Oryza sativa L.)幼苗生长、抗氧化特性、光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)光合特性的影响,以及添加外源褪黑素对缓解硝基苯酚胁迫的作用。结果显示,随着硝基苯酚胁迫浓度的升高,水稻幼苗株高、根长、地下部干重、地上部干重、全株干重和叶片PSⅡ实际光化学效率[Y(Ⅱ)]、光化学淬灭系数(q P)、PSⅡ电子传递速率(ETR)、叶绿素含量均有所下降,而叶片非光化学淬灭系数(qN、NPQ)上升;同时,根系活性氧[过氧化氢(H_2O_2)和超氧阴离子(O·-2)]积累量、抗氧化酶[超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)]活性,以及渗透调节物质(可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖)含量呈先升高后降低的趋势。在非硝基苯酚胁迫下,与对照组相比,添加外源褪黑素显著提高了幼苗地下部干重、根系可溶性糖含量和SOD活性、叶片PSⅡ光化学效率和叶绿素含量。与单独添加硝基苯酚处理相比,硝基苯酚+褪黑素复合处理显著缓解了硝基苯酚胁迫对幼苗生长、叶片PSⅡ光化学效率和叶绿素合成的抑制作用;降低了根系活性氧水平、抗氧化酶活性和渗透调节物质含量。研究结果表明添加外源褪黑素能够显著缓解硝基苯酚胁迫对水稻幼苗生长、根系活性氧水平、抗氧化酶活性、叶片PSⅡ光化学效率及叶绿素合成的不良影响,提高水稻幼苗对硝基苯酚胁迫的适应性。     

NaCl pretreatment alleviates salt stress by enhancement of antioxidant defense system and osmolyte accumulation in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

Enhancement of salt (NaCl) tolerance by pretreatment with sublethal dose (50 mM) of NaCl was investigated in V. radiata seedlings. NaCl stress caused drastic effects on roots compared to shoots. Accompanying reductions in length, number of root hairs and branches, roots became stout, brittle and brown in color. Salt stress caused gradual reduction in chlorophyll, carotenoid pigment contents and chlorophyll fluorescence intensity also. Superoxide dismutase and catechol peroxidase activities increased under stress in both roots and leaves. But catalase activity showed an increase in roots and decrease in leaves. In these seedlings, the oxidative stress has been observed under salinity stress and the level of proline, H2O2 and malondialdehyde content were increased. But pretreatment with sublethal dose of NaCl was able to overcome the adverse effects of stress imposed by NaCl to variable extents by increasing growth and photosynthetic pigments of the seedlings, modifying the activities of antioxidant enzymes, reducing malondialdehyde and H2O2 content and increasing accumulation of osmolytes like proline. Thus, mungbean plants can acclimate to lethal level of salinity by pretreatment with sublethal level of NaCl, improving their health and production under saline condition.     

Exogenous nitric oxide promotes waterlogging tolerance as related to the activities of antioxidant enzymes in cucumber seedlings

We investigated the effects of exogenous sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, on growth of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., cv. Jinyou No.1) seedlings and antioxidant enzyme activities in cucumber leaves under waterlogging stress. The growth of cucumber seedlings was significantly inhibited when plants were exposed to waterlogging, whereas shoot spraying with SNP significantly alleviated the inhibition of growth from this type of stress: height, fresh and dry weights of the flooded plants increased obviously. Waterlogging also caused the activation of the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)), the reduction of the chlorophyll content, and the accumulation of MDA and protein in leaves. It was found that SNP treatment further potentiated the antioxidant enzyme activities and maintained the chlorophyll and protein content during the entire water-logging period; however, it reduced the MDA content. Thus, NO protects plants from oxidative damage and promotes growth by activation of antioxidant enzymes in leaves in an extent sufficient for the alleviation of membrane injury. However, exogenous NO had no significant effects on cucumber seedlings growth and antioxidant enzyme activities under nonstress conditions.     

Glutathione-Mediated Alleviation of Chromium Toxicity in Rice Plants

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to determine the possible effect of exogenous glutathione (GSH) in alleviating chromium (Cr) stress through examining plant growth, chlorophyll contents, antioxidant enzyme activity, and lipid peroxidation in rice seedlings exposed to Cr toxicity. The results showed that plant growth and chlorophyll content were dramatically reduced when rice plants were exposed to 100 μM Cr. Addition of GSH in the culture solution obviously alleviated the reduction of plant growth and chlorophyll content. The activities of some antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase in leaves, and CAT and glutathione peroxidase in roots showed obvious increase under Cr stress. Addition of GSH reduced malondialdehyde accumulation and increased the activities of these antioxidant enzymes in both leaves and roots, suggesting that GSH may enhance antioxidant capacity in Cr-stressed plants. Furthermore, exogenous GSH caused significant decrease of Cr uptake and root-to-shoot transport in the Cr-stressed rice plants. It can be assumed that GSH is involved in Cr compartmentalization in root cells.