沙芥属植物活性氧清除系统对干旱胁迫的响应

以沙芥属植物沙芥和斧形沙芥幼苗为试材,采用盆栽控水干旱方法,分析其在不同干旱胁迫强度下根和叶的活性氧水平、抗氧化酶活性和抗氧化剂含量的变化,并利用隶属函数法和抗旱系数法综合评价沙芥和斧形沙芥的抗旱性。结果表明: （1）随着干旱胁迫程度的加剧,沙芥和斧形沙芥的根和叶中O^-·₂产生速率及·OH、H₂O₂、MDA含量总体呈逐渐升高的趋势,且干旱胁迫下沙芥比斧形沙芥产生了更多的ROS和MDA。（2）随着干旱胁迫程度的加剧,沙芥和斧形沙芥的根和叶中POD、APX、GST活性及叶中GR活性均先升高后降低,叶中的SOD活性以及根中GR、GPX活性均先降低后升高,根和叶中的CAT活性、叶中的GPX活性和根中SOD活性均逐渐升高;但根和叶中的SOD、POD、CAT活性在各干旱处理下均表现为斧形沙芥高于沙芥。（3）沙芥和斧形沙芥的根和叶中AsA含量随着干旱胁迫程度的加剧而先升高后降低,GSH含量逐渐升高,CAR含量逐渐降低,而VE含量在叶中逐渐升高,在根中却逐渐降低;但斧形沙芥比沙芥合成更多的AsA和GSH,其植物体内AsA GSH循环系统能清除更多的ROS。（4）沙芥和斧形沙芥的根和叶中总抗氧化能力（T AOC）均随着干旱加剧逐渐增强,且斧形沙芥的总抗氧化能力强于沙芥;活性氧清除系统的平均隶属度和综合抗旱系数显示,轻度干旱胁迫下沙芥抗旱性强于斧形沙芥,中度和重度干旱胁迫下斧形沙芥的抗旱性强于沙芥。研究认为,在干旱胁迫条件下,斧形沙芥根叶中ROS和MDA含量明显低于沙芥,而其大部分抗氧化酶活性和抗氧化剂含量高于沙芥,斧形沙芥植株体内抗氧化系统表现出更强的活性氧清除能力,从而表现出更强的抗旱性。     

外源SNP对干旱胁迫下不同马铃薯品种叶片抗氧化酶活性的影响

以正常水分状态、轻度干旱胁迫、中度干旱胁迫和重度干旱胁迫下的马铃薯抗旱品种‘底西瑞’和干旱敏感品种‘大西洋’ 植株为材料,于现蕾期采用0（对照）和0.01 mmol·L^-1 SNP分别喷施各处理植株,对不同处理下2个品种的植株形态、叶片超氧阴离子和H₂O₂含量以及抗氧化酶活性进行比较分析,探讨外源SNP对干旱状态下马铃薯的生理应答机制,为马铃薯的抗旱栽培提供新的技术理论支持。结果显示：（1）SNP喷施对重度水分胁迫下马铃薯植株的正常生长具有一定的保护作用。（2）在干旱胁迫条件下,马铃薯叶片POD活性在品种‘底西瑞’中增加而在品种‘大西洋’中降低,超氧阴离子含量和H₂O₂含量以及CAT和APX活性在各品种中均增加,但超氧阴离子含量和H₂O₂含量增加程度与胁迫程度无关。（3）抗旱品种‘底西瑞’在干旱胁迫下的超氧阴离子含量低于干旱敏感品种‘大西洋’,而其POD、CAT和APX活性则高于‘大西洋’; 0.01 mmol·L^-1SNP处理未改变马铃薯叶片中超氧阴离子和H₂O₂含量随土壤水分的变化趋势,但改变了‘大西洋’叶片中SOD、POD、CAT活性以及‘底西瑞’叶片中APX活性的变化趋势。（4）外源喷施0.01 mmol·L^-1SNP降低了‘底西瑞’在中度和重度胁迫下以及‘大西洋’在轻度和中度胁迫下超氧阴离子含量,提高了干旱胁迫下‘底西瑞’和‘大西洋’的POD和APX活性。研究表明,POD、CAT和APX可作为马铃薯水分胁迫下的应答以及品种抗旱性的筛选指标,外源SNP可通过诱导增强干旱胁迫下马铃薯的抗氧化酶活性来提高其抗旱性。     

重度干旱胁迫下燕麦叶片活性氧清除系统对喷施腐植酸水溶肥的响应

以燕麦品种‘燕科2号’为试验材料,采用盆栽方式,设置正常供水(CK)、正常供水下喷施腐植酸水溶肥(CKH)、重度干旱胁迫(SS)和重度干旱胁迫下喷施腐植酸水溶肥(SSH)４个处理,对燕麦叶片中活性氧水平、抗氧化酶活性、总抗氧化剂含量及产量等进行测定,以明确腐植酸水溶肥(HA)对重度干旱胁迫下燕麦叶片活性氧清除系统的调控效应,并探讨HA对燕麦耐旱性的影响及其作用机制。结果表明：(1)与CK相比,燕麦叶片超氧阴离子( O₂^-·)、羟自由基(·OH)、过氧化氢(H₂O₂)和丙二醛(MDA)含量、以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性在重度干旱胁迫下显著提高,且均在喷施HA后比重度干旱胁迫处理显著降低,但此时活性氧的水平仍显著高于CK。(2)与CK相比,燕麦叶片过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱氨肽还原酶(GR)和谷胱氨肽过氧化物酶(GPX)活性在重度干旱胁迫下显著降低,而其总抗氧化能力(T AOC)显著提高,它们在喷施HA后均比重度干旱胁迫处理显著提高,但各酶活性仍不同程度低于CK。(3)与CK相比,燕麦籽粒产量和生物产量在重度干旱胁迫下显著下降,喷施HA后又比重度干旱胁迫显著升高,但仍显著低于CK。研究认为,喷施HA可有效提高重度干旱胁迫下燕麦叶片抗氧化酶活性,促进抗氧化物质再生,增强叶片的总抗氧化能力,从而有效清除重度干旱胁迫引起的活性氧积累,降低重度干旱胁迫对植物细胞膜的氧化损伤,最终缓解重度干旱胁迫对燕麦造成的伤害,一定程度上能够减少籽粒产量的损失。     

兰科菌根真菌对干旱胁迫下铁皮石斛生长和抗氧化能力及相关基因表达的影响

利用盆栽的方式研究了干旱胁迫下接种兰科菌根真菌(OM)对铁皮石斛生长的影响,并分析了铁皮石斛叶片相对含水量、游离脯氨酸含量、电解质渗透率、丙二醛(MDA)含量、活性氧成分、抗氧化酶活性变化,用定量PCR技术分析了相关抗氧化酶基因的表达特性,以探讨菌根真菌对铁皮石斛干旱胁迫的缓解作用及其机制。结果表明：(1)与正常水分条件相比,干旱胁迫显著降低了铁皮石斛幼苗的生物量和叶片相对含水量,提高了叶片电解质渗透率、脯氨酸含量、MDA含量、O-·2产生速率和H2O2水平。(2)菌根真菌能显著提高干旱胁迫下铁皮石斛叶片相对含水量,降低叶片电解质渗透率、脯氨酸含量、MDA含量、O-·2产生速率和H2O2水平;在不同水分条件下,菌根真菌均能有效促进铁皮石斛幼苗生长,其株高、根重、茎叶重和总生物量均大于未接种组。(3)菌根真菌可诱导干旱胁迫下铁皮石斛超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)基因的表达,提高SOD、POD和CAT的活性,有效缓解干旱胁迫对质膜的过氧化伤害。研究认为,菌根真菌能提高干旱胁迫下铁皮石斛的抗氧化酶活性及其相关基因表达水平,增强铁皮石斛抗氧化防御能力,有效缓解干旱胁迫对铁皮石斛幼苗生长的抑制。     

He-Ne激光预处理对镉胁迫下小麦幼苗生理特性的影响

用He-Ne激光（波长632.8 nm,辐射剂量5.43 mW/mm²）对萌动小麦种子辐照5 min,待幼苗长至一叶一心时,用150 μmol/L CdCl₂溶液进行胁迫处理,研究He-Ne激光预处理对镉（Cd²⁺）胁迫下小麦幼苗生长发育和生理特性的影响。结果显示:He-Ne激光预处理能显著降低Cd²⁺胁迫下小麦幼苗中丙二醛（MDA）、过氧化氢（H₂O₂）含量及超氧自由基（O^-·₂）产生速率,显著提高幼苗叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸氧化酶（APX）活性,并使叶片抗氧化物质谷胱甘肽(GSH)和抗坏血酸(AsA)含量以及幼苗株高、根长和干重增加。研究表明,He-Ne激光预处理可有效缓解镉胁迫对小麦幼苗生长的抑制作用,并通过促进其幼苗中酶类和非酶类抗氧化剂的产生,有效减少镉胁迫产生的脂质过氧化物含量,从而提高其耐镉性。     

曼地亚红豆杉对甲醛胁迫的生理响应

以一年生曼地亚红豆杉(Taxus media cv.hicksii)扦插苗为材料,采用密闭箱静态熏气法,研究不同甲醛（CH₂O）浓度(0、5、10、20和40 mg·m^-3)和熏气时间（1、3、5、7 d）对曼地亚红豆杉的生理响应。结果显示:（1）在5~20 mg·m^-3CH₂O浓度下,曼地亚红豆杉叶片均无受害症状,在40 mg·m^-3CH₂O熏气1 d时,叶片开始出现受害症状,并随时间的延长逐渐加重;（2）随着CH₂O浓度的增加和熏气时间的延长,叶片MDA、Pro含量和相对电导率皆呈增加趋势,SS含量表现为先升后降,但仍显著高于对照;（3）在5 mg·m^-3CH₂O处理下,叶片SOD、CAT、PPO和GR作为第一道防线共同作用以清除过多的活性氧,其中PPO最为敏感;在10、20 mg·m^-3CH₂O处理下,SOD、POD、CAT、PPO、APX和GR共同作用加快对活性氧的清理;在40 mg·m^-3CH₂O浓度下,各酶的活性均受到抑制,其中APX、PPO和GR活性显著低于对照,而SOD、POD和CAT活性仍显著高于对照。研究表明,在中低CH₂O浓度（5~20 mg·m^-3）处理下,曼地亚红豆杉主要通过合成渗透调节物质和活性氧自由基的酶促清除机制共同作用来适应逆境,在40 mg·m^-3CH₂O浓度下,APX、PPO、GR活性受到显著抑制,细胞膜过氧化程度加剧,植物叶片受到伤害;在CH₂O浓度低于20 mg·m^-3时,曼地亚红豆杉通过自身的应激保护系统来维持正常的生理活动,表现出较强的CH₂O耐受性。     

4种幼树对二氧化硫胁迫的抗性生理响应

利用密闭环境控制室熏气处理,研究了不同浓度（自然状态和0.5、1.5、3.0 mg·L^-1）SO₂对盆栽巨桉、天竺桂、西蒙得木和茶树幼树叶片渗透调节物质含量、抗氧化系统保护酶活性和丙二醛含量的影响,并就各树种对SO₂的抗性进行综合评价。结果显示:（1）SO₂对4个树种叶片伤害程度表现为天竺桂<西蒙得木<巨桉<茶树。（2）SO₂胁迫显著增加了巨桉和西蒙得木叶片可溶性蛋白（SP）、可溶性糖（SS）和游离脯氨酸（Pro）3种渗透调节物质含量;SO₂胁迫对天竺桂叶片SP和SS含量无显著影响,且对Pro含量的促进作用也是在处理30 d后才体现出来;SO₂胁迫对茶树叶片SP含量无显著影响,使SS含量显著降低,而使Pro含量显著增加。（3）SO₂胁迫总体使巨桉和天竺桂抗氧化系统保护酶——超氧化物酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量增加,但西蒙得木各指标表现不同,而使茶树抗氧化系统保护酶活性和丙二醛含量则全面下降。（4）巨桉、天竺桂、西蒙得木、茶树的最大净吸收S量依次为1.17、1.32、2.04、0.95 g·kg^-1。（5）通过隶属函数法综合7个生理指标得到的SO₂抗性综合排序为天竺桂>西蒙得木>巨桉>茶树,与叶片伤害程度表现一致。研究表明,植物抗氧化保护酶系统在4个树种抵抗SO₂胁迫调节机制中具有重要作用,其中天竺桂超高的基础POD活性可能是其抵抗SO₂伤害的关键机制之一。     

干旱胁迫对2种光合类型C4荒漠植物叶片光合特征酶和抗氧化酶活性的影响

以荒漠C₄草本植物蔷薇猪毛菜(NADP苹果酸酶型,NADP-ME）和粗枝猪毛菜（NAD苹果酸酶型,NAD-ME）为研究对象,采用盆栽控水试验设置正常供水和轻度、中度、重度干旱处理（土壤含水量分别为田间持水量80%、60%、45%和35%）,通过测定不同程度干旱胁迫下叶片含水量、C₄光合特征酶和抗氧化酶活性等指标,探讨不同类型C₄荒漠植物光合特征酶和抗氧化系统对干旱逆境的适应机制。结果显示：（1）2种植物叶片含水量均随干旱胁迫的加剧不同程度降低。（2）叶片磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶（PEPC）活性在中度干旱胁迫下显著增加而在重度干旱胁迫下急剧下降;蔷薇猪毛菜NAD-ME活性和粗枝猪毛菜NADP-ME活性都很低,且它们基本不受干旱胁迫的影响;随干旱胁迫的加剧,蔷薇猪毛菜NADP-ME活性呈下降趋势,而粗枝猪毛菜NAD-ME活性先显著增加而在重度干旱胁迫下显著降低。（3）随着干旱胁迫的加剧,叶片超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性呈下降趋势,过氧化物酶（POD）活性在不同程度干旱胁迫下均有不同程度增加;过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性在中度干旱胁迫下均有不同程度的增加,但在重度干旱胁迫下蔷薇猪毛菜CAT活性降低,而粗枝猪毛菜CAT活性显著增加;丙二醛（MDA）含量随干旱胁迫的加剧均有不同程度的增加。研究认为,一定程度干旱胁迫下,2种荒漠植物的PEPC活性均有增加;不同光合类型C₄植物叶片脱羧酶（NADP-ME和NAD-ME）对干旱胁迫的响应有明显的差异。POD和CAT是这两种C₄植物适应干旱胁迫的主要抗氧化酶,但蔷薇猪毛菜CAT在重度干旱胁迫下没有起到积极保护作用。     

外源H2O2对盐胁迫下小白菜种子萌发和幼苗生理特性的影响

以小白菜"甜脆青"为试材,研究不同浓度（5、10、25、50和100 mmol/L）过氧化氢（H₂O₂）浸种处理对100 mmol/L NaCl胁迫下小白菜（Brassica chinensis L.）种子萌发、幼苗生长及生理特性的影响。结果表明：100 mmol/L NaCl胁迫明显抑制小白菜种子的萌发状况和幼苗生长,发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数及幼苗根和芽长度和鲜重均明显降低,根和芽中CAT的活性及K⁺含量明显受到抑制,渗透调节物质、活性氧和MDA含量显著增加。不同浓度H₂O₂浸种处理提高了NaCl胁迫下小白菜种子发芽势、发芽指数和活力指数,促进小白菜根和芽的生长,增强了NaCl胁迫下根和芽中SOD、CAT和APX的活性及K⁺含量,降低O₂^-·产生速率及H₂O₂和MDA含量,进一步促进脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量的增加,降低体内Na⁺含量。其中以10 mmol/L H₂O₂处理缓解盐胁迫效果最好,明显缓解NaCl胁迫对小白菜种子萌发和幼苗生长的抑制。     

NaHCO3胁迫对三色堇生长及抗逆生理特性的影响

以三色堇实生苗为材料,设置不同浓度的NaHCO₃［0(CK)、25、50、100、150和200 mmol·L^-1］处理,在胁迫后第7天和第14天分别测定各处理幼苗叶片的渗透调节物质含量、抗氧化酶活性、叶绿素含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量以及株高生长量,探讨三色堇对NaHCO₃胁迫的生理响应机制。结果表明：(1)三色堇株高生长量在NaHCO₃浓度小于等于50 mmol·L^-1时较CK显著增加,在100 mmol·L^-1时与CK相近,在大于100 mmol·L^-1时较CK显著降低。(2)各浓度处理三色堇叶片可溶性糖(SS)、可溶性蛋白(SP)、游离脯氨酸(Pro)含量在胁迫第7天均显著高于CK;而胁迫第14天时,各浓度处理的SS含量、50 mmol·L^-1处理的SP含量以及150、200 mmol·L^-1处理的Pro含量仍显著高于CK。(3)胁迫第7天时,三色堇叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性在各胁迫浓度下较CK均显著增强,但其过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性均无显著变化;胁迫第14天时,各浓度处理的CAT活性、50 mmol·L^-1处理的POD活性以及100、150 mmol·L^-1处理的SOD活性均显著高于相应CK。(4)在NaHCO₃胁迫过程中,三色堇叶片MDA含量均随着胁迫浓度增加而逐渐增加,且均显著高于CK。(5)三色堇叶片的叶绿素含量在胁迫第7天时均无显著变化,胁迫第14天时也仅在150或者200 mmol·L^-1处理下较CK显著降低。研究发现,三色堇植株能耐受小于等于100 mmol·L^-1NaHCO₃胁迫,NaHCO₃对株高生长有低浓度促进、高浓度抑制的剂量效应;三色堇在NaHCO₃胁迫期间能够通过增加渗透调节物质含量、增强抗氧化酶活性来缓解胁迫诱导的过氧化伤害,一定程度上提高了幼苗的耐受能力。     

Overexpressing <Emphasis Type="Italic">SgNCED1</Emphasis> in Tobacco Increases ABA Level,Antioxidant Enzyme Activities,and Stress Tolerance

Abscisic acid (ABA) regulates plant adaptive responses to various environmental stresses. 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) is the key enzyme of ABA biosynthesis in higher plants. A NCED gene, SgNCED1, was overexpressed in transgenic tobacco plants which resulted in 51–77% more accumulation of ABA in leaves. Transgenic tobacco plants decreased stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and photosynthetic rate but induced activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate-peroxidase (APX). Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and nitric oxide (NO) in leaves were also induced in the transgenic plants. Compared to the wild-type control, the transgenic plants improved growth under 0.1 M mannitol-induced drought stress and 0.1 M NaCl-induced salinity stress. It is suggested that the ABA-induced H₂O₂ and NO generation upregulates the stomatal closure and antioxidant enzymes, and therefore increases drought and salinity tolerance in the transgenic plants.     

Heat shock protein 70 regulates the abscisic acid-induced antioxidant response of maize to combined drought and heat stress

We investigated the interaction between heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and abscisic acid (ABA)-induced antioxidant response of maize to the combination of drought and heat stress. First, the increased activities of enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT), induced by drought were less than those by heat or combined drought and heat stress, except some individual cases (e.g. CAT in leaves, GR in roots). Second, both HSP70 synthesis and H₂O₂ production increased prominently under drought, heat or their combination stress; the increase in leaves induced by drought and heat combination was the highest, followed by heat and by drought, while the increase in roots had not visible difference. Third, either in leaves or roots, pretreatment with ABA inhibitor, HSP70 inhibitor and H₂O₂ scavenger, significantly arrested the stress-induced increase of antioxidant enzyme activities, and ABA inhibitor and H₂O₂ scavenger obviously suppressed HSP70 synthesis, while HSP70 inhibitor slightly heightened H₂O₂ accumulation. Finally, 100 μM ABA significantly enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, HSP70 expression and H₂O₂ production under stresses in comparison with ABA-deficient mutant vp5 maize plants without pretreatment. Thus, ABA-induced H₂O₂ production enhances the HSP70 synthesis and up-regulates the activities of antioxidant enzymes, resulting in the suppression of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Our results suggest that HSP70 may play a crucial role in ABA-induced antioxidant defense of maize to drought and heat combination.     

Ecophysiological adaptation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calligonum roborovskii</Emphasis> to decreasing soil water content along an altitudinal gradient in the Kunlun Mountains,central Asia

To understand the ecophysiological adaptation mechanisms of Calligonum roborovskii to altitude variation, this study analyzed chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b), Chl (a + b), carotenoid (Car), malondialdehyde (MDA), ascorbate (AsA), proline (Pro), membrane permeability (MP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf nitrogen content based on mass (N_mass), and the activities of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in leaves of plants inhabiting different altitudes (A1: 2100 m, A2: 2350 m, A3: 2600 m) on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. The results showed that Chl a, Chl b, Chl (a + b), SLA, N_mass, and the activity of CAT increased with increasing altitude. LMA, MP, MDA, Car, Pro, AsA, O₂⁻, H₂O₂ and the activities of SOD, POD, and APX decreased with increasing altitude. The test results also showed that, changes in venvironmental factors along an altitudinal gradient are not obvious. Soil water content is the main ecological factor. With increasing altitude, soil water content increased significantly. More non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants played an important role in eliminating intracellular ROS. They kept the cell membrane in a stable state and ensured the normal growth of C. roborovskii.     

The relations between antioxidant enzymes and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in common bean cultivars differing in sensitivity to drought stress

Effects of the antioxidant system and chlorophyll fluorescence on drought tolerance of four common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars were studied. The cultivars were positioned in the order of a decrease in their drought tolerance: Yakutiye, Pinto Villa, Ozayse, and Zulbiye on the basis of changes in the water potential, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic pigment content, and lipid peroxidation. Under drought conditions, the level of H₂O₂ was not changed in cv. Pinto Villa but decreased in other cultivars. Antioxidant enzymes (superothide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR)) were generally activated in all cultivars. Interestingly, CAT, APX, and GR activities were not changed in cv. Pinto Villa, APX activity decreased in cv. Yakutiye, and CAT activity was not changed in cv. Zulbiye. The increases in SOD and GPX activities in cv. Ozayse were higher than in other cultivars. Drought stress reduced the effective quantum yield of PS2 (Φ_PS2) and the photochemical quenching (q_p), while it increased nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) in all cultivars. The reduction or increase was more pronounced in cv. Zulbiye. There were generally significant correlations between q_p, NPQ, and ROS scavenging by SOD and APX. Also, there were significant correlations between SOD and q_p in tolerant cultivars and APX and q_p in sensitive ones. The results indicate that activation of SOD and APX was closely related to the efficiency of PS2 in common bean cultivars. This interaction was essential for protection of photosystems and plant survival under drought.     

Influence of silicon on antioxidant mechanisms and lipid peroxidation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars under drought stress

Abstract

The effects of exogenous silicon (Si) on leaf relative water content (RWC), and the growth, Si concentrations, lipid peroxidation (MDA), lipoxygenase (LOX) activity, proline and H₂O₂ accumulation, non-enzymatic antioxidant activity (AA) and the activity of some antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; ascorbate peroxidase, APX) in shoots of ten chickpea cultivars grown under drought were investigated. Drought stress decreased the growth of all the cultivars while applied Si improved the growth at least five of the 10 chickpea cultivars. Silicon applied to the soil at 100 mg kg^?1 significantly increased Si concentrations of the cultivars and counteracted the deleterious effects of drought in 5 of the ten chickpea cultivars by increasing their RWC. In most cultivars tested H₂O₂, proline and MDA content and LOX activity were increased by drought whereas application of Si decreased their levels. APX activity was increased by drought but it was depressed by Si. In general, SOD and CAT activities of the cultivars were decreased by drought. Depending on cultivars, the CAT activity was decreased, and increased or unchanged in response to applied Si, while the SOD activity of the cultivars increased or unchanged by Si. The non-enzymatic antioxidant activity of the cultivars was also increased by Si. These observations implied an essential role for Si in minimizing drought stress-induced limitation of the growth and oxidative membrane damage in chickpea plants.     

Differences in physiological and biochemical characteristics in response to single and combined drought and salinity stresses between wheat genotypes differing in salt tolerance

The combined drought and salinity stresses pose a serious challenge for crop production, but the physiological mechanisms behind the stresses responses in wheat remains poorly understood. Greenhouse pot experiment was performed to study differences in genotype response to the single and combined (D + S) stresses of drought (4% soil moisture, D) and salinity (100 mM NaCl, S) using two wheat genotypes: Jimai22 (salt tolerant) and Yangmai20 (salt‐sensitive). Results showed that salinity, drought and/or D + S severely reduces plant growth, biomass and net photosynthetic rate, with a greater effect observed in Yangmai20 than Jimai22. A notable improvement in water use efficiency (WUE) by 239, 77 and 103% under drought, salinity and D + S, respectively, was observed in Jimai22. Moreover, Jimai22 recorded higher root K⁺ concentration in drought and salinity stressed condition and shoot K⁺ under salinity alone than that of Yangmai20. Jimai22 showed lower increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, but higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and guaicol peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7), under single and combined stresses, and catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) under single stress. Our results suggest that high tolerance of Jimai22 in both drought and D + S stresses is closely associated with larger root length, higher Fv/Fm and less MDA contents and improved capacity of SOD and POD. Moreover, under drought Jimai22 tolerance is firmly related to higher root K⁺ concentration level and low level of Na⁺, high‐net photosynthetic rate and WUE as well as increased CAT and APX activities to scavenge reactive oxygen species.     

旱-盐复合胁迫对玉米种子萌发和生理特性的影响

分别用15% PEG、100 mmol·L^-1 NaCl及其混合溶液模拟干旱(D)、盐(S)及旱-盐复合胁迫(D+S)对玉米种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响.结果表明: 3种胁迫处理均明显抑制了种子萌发、幼芽、幼根的伸长及生物量的积累,且影响程度为D>D+S>S;幼芽及幼根中过氧化氢(H₂O₂)、超氧阴离子(O^-·₂)等活性氧含量及丙二醛(MDA)含量明显升高,质膜相对透性增大,脯氨酸、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白等生理渗透调节物质含量显著增加,且幼芽中含量高于幼根,积累程度均为D>D+S>S.3种胁迫处理均使幼芽、幼根中的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX) 等抗氧化酶活性增强;其中,SOD和APX活性表现为复合胁迫介于单一胁迫之间,而POD和CAT活性表现为复合胁迫大于单一胁迫;说明旱-盐复合逆境胁迫对玉米种子萌发及幼苗生理特性的影响并不是单一胁迫的简单叠加,与单一干旱胁迫相比,旱-盐复合胁迫在一定程度上能够缓解干旱胁迫对玉米种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响.     

Effect of abiotic stresses on the activity of antioxidative enzymes and contents of phytohormones in wild type and AtCKX2 transgenic tobacco plants

The responses of antioxidant enzymes (AOE) ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in soluble protein extracts from leaves and roots of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Samsun NN) plants to the drought stress, salinity and enhanced zinc concentration were investigated. The studied tobacco included wild-type (WT) and transgenic plants (AtCKX2) harbouring the cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase gene under control of 35S promoter from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtCKX2). The transgenic plants exhibited highly enhanced CKX activity and decreased contents of cytokinins and abscisic acid in both leaves and roots, altered phenotype, retarded growth, and postponed senescence onset. Under control conditions, the AtCKX2 plants exhibited noticeably higher activity of GR in leaves and APX and SOD in roots. CAT activity in leaves always decreased upon stresses in WT while increased in AtCKX2 plants. On the contrary, the SOD activity was enhanced in WT but declined in AtCKX2 leaves. In roots, the APX activity prevailingly increased in WT while mainly decreased in AtCKX2 in response to the stresses. Both WT and AtCKX2 leaves as well as roots exhibited elevated abscisic acid content and increased CKX activity under all stresses while endogenous CKs and IAA contents were not much affected by stress treatments in either WT or transgenic plants.     

Abscisic acid-regulated responses of aba2-1 under osmotic stress: the abscisic acid-inducible antioxidant defence system and reactive oxygen species production

We investigated the interaction among abscisic acid (ABA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defence system in the transduction of osmotic stress signalling using Arabidopsis thaliana WT (Columbia ecotype, WT) and an ABA-deficient mutant (aba2-1). For this, 50 μm ABA and osmotic stress, induced with 40% (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG8000; -0.7 MPa), were applied to WT and aba2-1 for 6, 12 or 24 h. Time course analysis was undertaken for determination of total/isoenzyme activity of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6), ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11), NADPH oxidase (NOX; EC 1.6.3.1) activity; scavenging activity of the hydroxyl radical (OH˙), hydrogen peroxide (H(2) O(2) ); endogenous ABA and malondialdehyde (MDA). The highest H(2) O(2) and MDA content was found in PEG-treated groups of both genotypes, but with more in aba2-1. ABA treatment under stress reduced the accumulation of H(2) O(2) and MDA, while it promoted activity of SOD, CAT and APX. APX activity was higher than CAT activity in ABA-treated WT and aba2-1, indicating a protective role of APX rather than CAT during osmotic stress-induced oxidative damage. Treatment with ABA also significantly induced increased NOX activity. Oxidative damage was lower in ABA-treated seedlings of both genotypes, which was associated with greater activity of SOD (Mn-SOD1 and 2 and Fe-SOD isoenzymes), CAT and APX in these seedlings after 24 h of stress. These results suggest that osmotic stress effects were overcome by ABA treatment because of increased SOD, CAT, APX and NOX.     

Does a terminal drought tolerance QTL contribute to differences in ROS scavenging enzymes and photosynthetic pigments in pearl millet exposed to drought?

The control of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the stability of photosynthetic pigments under stress conditions are hypothesized to contribute to drought tolerance. Here we studied how ascorbic peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) isozyme activities and chlorophyll a, b (Chl a, b) and carotenoids (Car) contents responded to water stress and whether they related to presence of a terminal drought tolerance QTL in pearl millet. We used PRLT2/89-33 (QTL donor), H77/833-2 (sensitive), and near-isogenic lines (QTL-NILs) introgressed with the QTL in H77/833-2 background. Under water stress there was no significant change in the total APX activity; only the proportional APX5 activity increased, with higher band intensity in tolerant genotypes. There were no significant changes in total activities of CAT and SOD under water stress, with similar band intensities in all genotypes, and a new CAT isozyme was induced in all genotypes. The photosynthetic pigment content decreased under water stress, although not differently in any genotype. Under water stress, the activities of most APX, CAT and SOD isozymes were closely related to the total chlorophyll/carotenoids ratio. Overall, besides APX5, water stress did not lead to major changes in the profile of isoenzymes involved in ROS scavenging. Similarly, the pigment content under stress did not discriminate genotypes according to the presence/absence of the QTL. This absence of discrimination for the ROS scavenging enzymes and for the pigment content under stress suggests that these traits may not play a key role in terminal drought tolerance in pearl millet.