小叶锦鸡儿幼苗非结构性碳水化合物积累及分配对干旱胁迫的响应

以2年生小叶锦鸡儿幼苗为研究对象,采用盆栽控水法,设置适宜水分、轻度、中度和重度胁迫处理(即田间持水量的80%、60%、40%和20%),探讨小叶锦鸡儿幼苗在干旱胁迫历时15、30、45和60 d各器官非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)的响应规律。结果表明:不同干旱胁迫处理程度与时间对小叶锦鸡儿幼苗叶片、茎、粗根和细根可溶性糖、淀粉及总NSC含量均具有显著交互作用。轻度胁迫下,各器官可溶性糖、淀粉及总NSC含量在胁迫30 d时均显著低于适宜水分处理,细根可溶性糖和粗根淀粉含量在胁迫60 d时显著高于适宜水分处理。中度胁迫下,随着胁迫时间延长,茎和粗根可溶性糖含量先低于适宜水分处理,而后逐渐增加;与轻度胁迫处理相比,叶片、茎和细根可溶性糖含量增加,茎和粗根淀粉含量降低。重度胁迫下,各器官淀粉含量在胁迫15 d时显著低于适宜水分处理;在胁迫60d时显著高于适宜水分处理。以上结果说明,小叶锦鸡儿幼苗通过调整各器官NSC积累及分配应对不同干旱环境。     

蒙古莸幼苗干旱致死过程中非结构性碳水化合物的变化

以一年生蒙古莸幼苗为对象,设置适宜水分、慢速干旱致死和快速干旱致死3个处理,研究不同干旱强度致死下蒙古莸幼苗各器官中非结构性碳水化合物(NSC,包括可溶性糖和淀粉)的含量变化及其分配规律.结果表明:慢速干旱致死胁迫下各器官可溶性糖含量与适宜水分组无显著差异.随时间的推移,茎可溶性糖含量先增加后减少,淀粉和NSC含量增加;粗根可溶性糖含量减少,淀粉和NSC含量增加;叶可溶性糖含量增加,淀粉和NSC含量减少.致死时(80 d),叶、茎、粗根和细根的NSC含量分别为6.2%、7.8%、8.3%和7.4%.快速干旱致死胁迫下,各器官可溶性糖含量均高于适宜水分处理组,而淀粉和NSC含量均低于适宜水分组.随时间的推移,根可溶性糖含量下降,淀粉和NSC含量上升;茎可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量均上升;叶可溶性糖含量上升,淀粉和NSC含量下降.致死时(30 d),叶、茎、粗根和细根的NSC含量分别为5.9%、6.6%、8.9%和7.7%.应对不同的干旱致死情况,蒙古莸幼苗各器官间非结构性碳水化合物呈现出不同的动态变化.在慢速干旱致死胁迫下,NSC优先为维持各器官生理代谢活动提供能量;而在快速干旱致死下,NSC主要以可溶性糖形式维持植物代谢,调节渗透势,促进吸水,应对急剧的干旱胁迫.     

沿干旱梯度樟子松人工林针叶和枝条非结构性碳水化合物及氮含量的变化

选取沿内蒙古科尔沁沙地自然干旱梯度分布的6个樟子松人工林样点(辉南、西丰、付家、章古台、奈曼和乌兰敖都)为研究对象,测定当年生和1年生针叶和枝条中非结构性碳水化合物(NSCs)和氮(N)含量的变化,以探究干旱条件下樟子松的碳供需状态和养分贮存策略。结果表明: 随干旱加剧,樟子松针叶和枝条中的NSCs和可溶性糖含量显著降低。从最湿润样点(辉南)到最干旱样点(乌兰敖都),樟子松当年生和1年生针叶中可溶性糖含量分别由12.8%和12.5%下降到9.0%和9.5%,而当年生枝条中可溶性糖含量由15.6%下降到9.2%。随干旱加剧,樟子松针叶和枝条中淀粉含量变化不显著,当年生和1年生针叶可溶性糖和淀粉的比值降低,当年生和1年生枝条中N含量显著增加。科尔沁沙地樟子松在干旱条件下显著消耗可溶性糖存储,存在“碳饥饿”致死风险。樟子松倾向维持稳定的淀粉含量以及在枝条中积累N以应对长期的干旱胁迫。     

干旱胁迫对杉木无性系非结构性碳水化合物含量的影响

以杉木Cunninghamia lanceolata 6个优良无性系组培移栽苗为试材,对聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)模拟干旱胁迫条件下各无性系针叶淀粉、可溶性糖及非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)总量进行测定。结果显示,干旱胁迫致使杉木无性系针叶淀粉含量下降、可溶性糖含量有所提高,NSC含量呈下降趋势(除T-cF1无性系外)。干旱胁迫条件下,可溶性糖含量与针叶相对含水量、丙二醛含量间呈显著正相关(P<0.05),而淀粉含量、NSC与过氧化氢酶活性间均为显著负相关(P<0.05)。     

四种灌木幼苗对水分胁迫的生理响应

柠条锦鸡儿(Caragana korshinskii)、白皮锦鸡儿(C.leucophloea)、刺叶锦鸡儿(C.acanthophylla)和长枝木蓼(Atraphaxis virgata)是乌鲁木齐周边植被组成中的重要植物种,在植被恢复中具有潜在价值。研究通过人工控制水分比较这4种灌木对干旱胁迫的生理响应,结果表明:叶片的组织含水量和叶绿素含量随着干旱胁迫的加剧而降低;脯氨酸在干旱胁迫下的积累程度较可溶性糖大;除刺叶锦鸡儿外其它植物幼苗的丙二醛在干旱胁迫下均无明显的积累(P>0.05)。4种灌木在干旱胁迫下通过渗透调节、保持膜系统稳定等途径维持正常的生理活动,对干旱具有一定的适应能力。4种灌木抗旱能力的排序为白皮锦鸡儿>柠条锦鸡儿>长枝木蓼>刺叶锦鸡儿。     

树锦鸡儿、柠条锦鸡儿、小叶锦鸡儿和鹰嘴豆干旱适应能力比较

对1年生豆科作物鹰嘴豆Rupali品种和Almaz品种以及多年生植物树锦鸡儿、柠条锦鸡儿和小叶锦鸡儿叶相对含水量和叶水势对逐渐干旱胁迫的响应进行了分析,比较了两类植物的干旱适应能力。结果表明鹰嘴豆叶相对含水量随叶水势的下降线性下降,树锦鸡儿、柠条锦鸡儿和小叶锦鸡儿叶相对含水量在叶水势分别下降到-2.4MPa、-2.5MPa和-1.5 MPa之前没有下降,之后随水势的下降线性下降。树锦鸡儿、柠条锦鸡儿和小叶锦鸡儿这种叶相对含水量下降的滞后性表明该类植物叶具有较硬而弹性较差的细胞壁,使得植物在干旱胁迫下叶具有良好的保水能力。鹰嘴豆叶具有的最低水势为-4.5MPa,对应的土壤相对含水量为14％,锦鸡儿植物叶具有的最低水势可达-6.7MPa,对应的土壤相对含水量为6％,说明锦鸡儿植物比鹰嘴豆具有更好的干旱适应能力,这种能力可能取决于锦鸡儿植物体内大量渗透调节物质的累积。     

干旱胁迫下接种丛枝菌根真菌对七子花非结构性碳水化合物积累及C、N、P化学计量特征的影响

以濒危植物七子花二年生幼苗为研究材料,采用盆栽试验方法,研究干旱胁迫和接种丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)处理对幼苗不同器官C、N、P化学计量关系和非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)含量的影响。试验共设计4个处理:对照(CK)、干旱胁迫(D)、接种AMF(AMF)、干旱胁迫和接种AMF(D+AMF)。结果表明: 在干旱胁迫下七子花根系AMF的侵染率显著下降,但接种AMF处理植株的株高、叶片数显著高于未接种处理。接种AMF显著提高了干旱胁迫下植株根、叶可溶性糖和NSC含量及茎、叶淀粉含量,且茎和叶可溶性糖与淀粉比显著下降。干旱胁迫导致植株C含量在根和叶中显著增加,P含量在茎中显著减少;与干旱胁迫相比,胁迫下接种AMF植株根、茎、叶P含量及叶C含量显著提高,而根C、N含量及茎C含量显著降低。胁迫下接种AMF植株根、茎C∶N、C∶P、N∶P和叶N∶P均显著低于单一胁迫处理。NSC与C∶N∶P计量比的相关性分析表明,根、叶P含量与可溶性糖和NSC含量呈显著正相关,茎P含量与淀粉和NSC含量呈显著正相关,各器官N∶P与NSC含量呈显著负相关。综上,干旱胁迫显著抑制了七子花幼苗的生长,接种AMF通过提高植株根和叶的可溶性糖含量、根的可溶性糖/淀粉,增加地上部分淀粉含量,促进P元素吸收和降低各器官N∶P来增强植株耐旱性,从而提高七子花幼苗在干旱环境中的存活率。     

极端干旱对草甸草原优势植物非结构性碳水化合物的影响

植物光合作用产生的非结构性碳水化合物(NSCs)水平可以反映植物和生态系统对环境变化的响应程度。近年来, 草原极端干旱事件的发生频率和持续时间增加趋势明显, 对生态系统结构和功能产生深远影响。该研究以内蒙古呼伦贝尔草甸草原为研究对象, 通过连续4年减少66%生长季降水量的控制实验来模拟极端干旱事件, 分析草原6种优势物种和植物功能群NSCs各组分对极端干旱的响应规律与机制。结果显示, 由于植物生物学、光合特性以及生理生态等特性的差异, 不同物种对干旱胁迫的响应具有明显差异。这表明草地植物NSCs组分及其利用策略对干旱胁迫的响应具有物种特异性, 从而导致其生物量的不同响应。将6种植物分为禾草和非禾草两类, 发现干旱显著增加了禾草的淀粉含量, 但对其可溶性糖含量无显著影响; 相反, 干旱显著增加了非禾草功能群的可溶性糖含量, 对其淀粉含量无显著影响, 表明不同功能群采取了不同的干旱应对策略。禾草选择将光合作用固定的能量进行储存以应对干旱胁迫, 其生物量对干旱响应不敏感; 而非禾草选择将能量以可溶性糖的形式直接供植物生长利用以及抵御干旱胁迫, 其生物量对干旱响应较为敏感。这一发现可为预测在全球气候变化背景下草甸草原生态系统结构与功能对极端干旱的响应提供科学参考。     

Extreme drought effects on nonstructural carbohydrates of dominant plant species in a meadow grassland

植物光合作用产生的非结构性碳水化合物(NSCs)水平可以反映植物和生态系统对环境变化的响应程度。近年来, 草原极端干旱事件的发生频率和持续时间增加趋势明显, 对生态系统结构和功能产生深远影响。该研究以内蒙古呼伦贝尔草甸草原为研究对象, 通过连续4年减少66%生长季降水量的控制实验来模拟极端干旱事件, 分析草原6种优势物种和植物功能群NSCs各组分对极端干旱的响应规律与机制。结果显示, 由于植物生物学、光合特性以及生理生态等特性的差异, 不同物种对干旱胁迫的响应具有明显差异。这表明草地植物NSCs组分及其利用策略对干旱胁迫的响应具有物种特异性, 从而导致其生物量的不同响应。将6种植物分为禾草和非禾草两类, 发现干旱显著增加了禾草的淀粉含量, 但对其可溶性糖含量无显著影响; 相反, 干旱显著增加了非禾草功能群的可溶性糖含量, 对其淀粉含量无显著影响, 表明不同功能群采取了不同的干旱应对策略。禾草选择将光合作用固定的能量进行储存以应对干旱胁迫, 其生物量对干旱响应不敏感; 而非禾草选择将能量以可溶性糖的形式直接供植物生长利用以及抵御干旱胁迫, 其生物量对干旱响应较为敏感。这一发现可为预测在全球气候变化背景下草甸草原生态系统结构与功能对极端干旱的响应提供科学参考。     

干旱对4种苗木根尖可溶性蛋白组分和含量的影响

以2年生刺槐、油松、侧柏、沙棘苗木为材料,设置包括适宜水分、中度干旱、重度干旱(分别为田间土壤持水量的70%、50%、35% )3个水分程度和短期(7 d)、中期(14 d)、长期(21 d)3个时间的人为控水胁迫实验,研究了干旱胁迫对4种苗木根尖可溶性蛋白含量及组分的影响.结果表明:刺槐根尖可溶性蛋白含量在短期中度干旱和长期重度干旱下显著减少,而在中长期中度干旱和短期重度干旱下显著增加;侧柏根尖可溶性蛋白含量在短期中度干旱和重度干旱下显著增加,长期中度干旱和中长期重度干旱下减少;随着胁迫程度加重和处理时间的延长,油松根尖可溶性蛋白含量总体增加,而沙棘则减少.4种苗木根尖可溶性蛋白组分在不同干旱胁迫程度和时间下均无明显变化,各分子量可溶性蛋白含量变化大多数与总蛋白含量变化趋于一致.可见,4种苗木根尖可溶性蛋白含量的变化在干旱胁迫程度、胁迫时间以及树种之间差异较大,其对干旱的响应是通过大部分蛋白组分较一致地变化来实现的.     

Photosynthetic CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O gas exchange and dynamics of carbohydrates content in maize leaves under drought

We studied the temporal sequence of changes in the photosynthetic CO₂/H₂O gas exchange intensity, as well as leaf water status, contents of soluble carbohydrates, starch, proline, pigments, and MDA, in maize seedlings (Zea mays L., cv. Luchistaya) under adaptation to increasing water deficit. The duration of drought was 2, 3, 5, and 6 days. Withholding water from maize plants caused gradual increase in the intensity of water deficit: from mild (2 or 3 days) to moderate (5 days) and nearly severe (6 days) water stress. After 6 days, relative leaf water content decreased by 19.8% as compared to the control. On the second day after the onset of drought, slight reduction in the photosynthetic CO₂/H₂O gas exchange intensity of the treated plants was observed. After 6 days, photosynthesis and transpiration of leaves synchronously reduced almost threefold due to stomatal closure. The progressive soil drought had substantial impact on the carbohydrate metabolism. After 2 days of water deficit, the content of reducing sugars and sucrose increased slightly, whereas after 6 days, it increased ten and four times, respectively. After 2, 3, and 5 days of drought, the starch content declined slightly; however, under severe drought (6 days), it increased by 30% as compared to the control. Simultaneously with the increase in the content of soluble sugars, proline content increased significantly and it was the highest on the sixth day of drought. At all stages of water deficit, the proline content increased more significantly than the content of reducing carbohydrates and sucrose. Under increasing water deficit (5 and 6 days), the content of MDA was found to rise. At the initial drought stage (2 or 3 days) and under severe water deficit (6 days), no significant changes in the pigment content were observed. Thus, at the initial stages of progressive drought, in the leaves of this maize cultivar, a decline in photosynthetic activity proceeded simultaneously with accumulation of reducing sugars, sucrose, and proline. The results obtained showed that, at the first stages of adaptation of maize seedlings to drought, the changes in carbohydrate and proline metabolism have been observed, which have increased upon further plant dehydration.     

The Effect of Calcium Chloride on Growth,Photosynthesis, and Antioxidant Responses of Zoysia japonica under Drought Conditions

Few attempts have been made to study the alleviating effects of signal molecules on zoysiagrass ( Zoysia japonica ) under drought stress. Calcium chloride has been shown to ameliorate the adverse effects of drought stress on many plants. It is necessary to investigate how to enhance drought tolerance of zoysiagrass using calcium chloride. The study elucidated the effects of calcium chloride on zoysiagrass under drought conditions by investigating the following parameters: biomass, chlorophyll (Chl) content, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), chlorophyll fluorescence, antioxidant enzymes, proline content, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Experimental conditions consisted of an aqueous CaCl₂ solution at 5, 10, and 20 mM sprayed on zoysiagrass leaves for 3 d, following by an inducement of drought conditions by withholding water for 16 d. Under drought conditions, all CaCl₂ pretreatments were found to increase the above-ground fresh biomass, as well as below-ground fresh and dry biomass. The resulting Chl (a, b, a+b) contents of the 5 and 10 mM CaCl₂ pretreatment groups were higher than those of the control. In the later stages of drought conditions, the chlorophyll fluorescence parameter Fv/Fm was higher in leaves treated with 10 mM CaCl₂ than in the leaves of the other two treatment groups. Zoysiagrass pretreated with 10 mM CaCl₂ possessed both the maximum observed Pn and antioxidant enzyme activities. Meanwhile, lower MDA and proline contents were recorded in the plants pretreated with 5 and 10 mM CaCl₂ under drought conditions. As a whole, the drought tolerance of zoysiagrass was improved to some extent by the application of a moderate calcium concentration.     

Effect of salicylic acid pretreatment on drought stress responses of zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica)

The present study was carried out to examine the effects of exogenous salicylic acid (SA) on growth, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and some physiological and biochemical characteristics of zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) plants subjected to drought. Aqueous 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mM SA solution was sprayed on the leaves of zoysiagrass for 3 days. Drought was induced by withholding watering for 16 days after SA application. Biomass, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate (P _n), activities of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT)), MDA and proline contents were determined. Pretreatments with 0.1 and 0.5 mM SA significantly increased fresh and dry weights and chlorophyll content, while 1 mM SA pretreatment did not show significant change compared to controls. SA pretreatments showed a marked increase in P _n compared with controls from the 7th to 16th day after drought start. Activities of SOD, POD, and CAT were increased by SA pretreatments. MDA and proline contents after 0.1 and 0.5 mM pretreatments were lower than those of controls from the 6th to 12th day of drought, while 1 mM SA pretreatment did not show significant change from the 0th to 9th day of drought. This work suggests that suitable exogenous SA (0.5 mM) helps zoysiagrass to perform better under drought stress by enhancing the net photosynthetic rate and antioxidant enzyme activities while decreasing lipid peroxidation as compared to the controls. SA could be used as a potential growth regulator for improving plant growth under drought stress.     

Changes of antioxidative enzymes,lipid peroxidation and chlorophyll content in chickpea types colonized by different <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glomus</Emphasis> species under drought stress

In order to investigate the effects of Glomus species on some physiological characteristics of two chickpea types (Pirouz cultivar of Desi type and ILC-482 of Kabuli type) under non-stress (NS) and drought stress, an experiment was conducted using a factorial arrangement based on completely randomized design with three replications. Drought stress decreased shoot and total dry weight in plants. However inoculation of plants with mycorrhiza improved these traits. Leaf chlorophyll content was decreased, but leaf proline content and guaiacol peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.7) (POD), catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) (APX) activities were increased as a result of drought stress. Drought stress had no significant effect on soluble protein content and polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.10.3.1) (PPO) enzymatic activity in chickpea plants. In general, drought stress and especially severe drought stress increased membrane lipid peroxidation (MDA) in chickpea plants, which was more evident in non-inoculated than in inoculated plants. Inoculation of chickpea by AM significantly increased POD and PPO activities compared with non-inoculated chickpea, but had no effect on CAT activity and proline content of leaves. The reaction of chickpea cultivars to inoculation by AM species and irrigation levels were different. ILC-482 showed that antioxidant enzymes activities were more and thus less MDA compared with Pirouz cultivar. In general, the most POD and PPO activities were recorded for inoculated plants with G. etunicatum and G. versiform species, and the most APX activity was observed in plants inoculated with G. intraradices.     

西藏3种野生牧草苗期对干旱胁迫的响应

通过气候培养箱盆栽试验,探究了干旱胁迫对西藏3种野生牧草(赖草(Leymus secalinus)、垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans)和老芒麦(Elymus sibircus))苗期生长特性和生理指标的影响,并对其抗旱能力进行综合评价,旨在为选育抗旱性强的优良牧草种质资源和人工草地建植提供科学理论依据。研究发现,随着干旱胁迫时间的增加,土壤相对含水量呈现先快速下降后缓慢下降的变化趋势,种植不同牧草的土壤含水量变化值也不相同。3种野生牧草幼苗的株高变化量、植株含水量和叶绿素(Chl)含量均随干旱胁迫时间的增加而呈现下降趋势;植物体内游离脯氨酸(Pro)含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性均表现为随着干旱胁迫时间增加而增大;可溶性糖含量均表现为随干旱胁迫时间的增加呈现先减小后增大的变化趋势:干旱胁迫第5天的可溶性糖含量最低,但老芒麦干旱胁迫第20天时的可溶性糖含量仍低于对照;垂穗披碱草可溶性蛋白含量随着干旱胁迫时间的延长而增加,老芒麦和赖草体内可溶性蛋白含量呈现先减小后增大的变化趋势,老芒麦在干旱胁迫第10天时可溶性蛋白含量最低,而干旱胁迫第5天时赖草体内可溶性蛋白含量最低。用隶属函数法对干旱胁迫下3种野生牧草苗期8个指标进行综合评价,其抗旱性强弱顺序依次为:赖草垂穗披碱草老芒麦。结果表明3种牧草中赖草的抗旱能力最强,适合在西藏干旱地区种植;但由于赖草有性繁殖能力较低,而垂穗披碱草有性繁殖能力较强,可以作为西藏干旱、半干旱地区生态恢复的首选草种。     

不同沙地共有种沙生植物对环境的生理适应机理

选择3个温带沙地(松嫩沙地、呼伦贝尔沙地、科尔沁沙地)4个共有种沙生植物(黄柳(Salix gordejevii)、差巴嘎蒿(Artimisia halodendron)、扁蓿豆(Melissitus ruthenica),猪毛菜(Salsola collina),通过自然状况下其叶片抗氧化酶活力和渗透调节物及丙二醛(MDA)含量日变化分析,探讨抗氧化酶活力和渗透调节物在沙生植物适应沙漠环境强光辐射和温度日变化中的作用,以及不同科属沙生植物抗逆生理调控机理的差异。结果表明:(1)不同沙地的4个共有沙生植物种可通过自身快速生理代谢调解,积累渗透调节物、提高抗氧化酶活力应对沙漠环境强光辐射和温度日变化,但生理调控幅度较小。(2)3个沙地不同科属的4个共有种在渗透调节物含量和抗氧化酶活力及种类上存在差异。扁蓿豆叶片日均MDA含量、POD(peroxidase)活力、CAT(catalase)活力、脯氨酸含量均最高,分别较其它3个种平均高2、10、2和2.5倍。黄柳叶片日均MDA含量较高,SOD(superoxide dismutase)活力和可溶性糖含量最高,分别较其它3个种高1.2和3倍。差巴嘎蒿和猪毛菜叶内MDA含量较低,POD、CAT、SOD活力和脯氨酸、可溶性糖含量均最低。沙生植物细胞中膜脂过氧化程度和抗氧化酶活力及渗透调节物含量呈正相关。自然状况下3个沙地的扁蓿豆和黄柳通过生理代谢调节维持细胞水分和氧自由基代谢平衡适应沙漠环境,差巴嘎蒿和猪毛菜依靠特殊的叶片形态结构变异减少光辐射吸收、降低水分蒸腾、维持叶片水分平衡、降低细胞膜脂过氧化。因此不同科属沙生植物维持叶片水分和氧自由基代谢平衡可能是其适应沙漠环境生存的重要生理调控机理。由于不同科属沙生植物种对沙漠环境适应的生理调节机理的不同,在未来农作物、林木抗逆育种中,根据具体科属植物选择合适的沙生植物作为亲本对提高抗逆育种效率是十分重要的。     

Influence of exogenously applied paclobutrazol on some physiological traits and growth of Stevia rebaudiana under in vitro drought stress

This investigation was carried on to find out the changes occurred in Stevia rebaudiana in response to paclobutrazol (PBZ; 0–4 mg L^?1) treatment and drought stress. Polyethylene glycol (PEG; 0–6 % w/v) was used to stimulate drought stress. Drought stress reduced fresh and dry weight, water content, chlorophylls, carotenoids, anthocyanins, water soluble carbohydrates, reducing sugar and proline amounts. Electrolyte leakage, MDA, α-tocopherol and glycine betaine contents increased in drought-stressed plants. The activity of P5CS and PDH enzymes and protein content showed no significant changes under drought stress. PBZ (with or without PEG) treatments decreased fresh and dry weight and water content. In PBZ-treated plants, less pigments was damaged by drought stress. PBZ treatment reduced the negative effect of drought stress on lipid peroxidation which resulted in lower electrolyte leakage and MDA content, compared to the same PEG level without PBZ. PBZ (with or without PEG) treatments increased glycine betaine, α-tocopherol, proline and protein contents. The amount of water soluble carbohydrates, reducing sugar and activity of P5CS and PDH were not affected by PBZ treatments. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that drought stress increased a 25 kD protein with a critical function in plant development under stresses. According to the results, PEG provoked a severe drought stress in S. rebaudiana that could partly be restored by PBZ treatment.     

Effect of ploidy levels on the activities of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase,superoxide dismutase and peroxidase in Cenchrus species grown under water stress

The effects of ploidy levels on the activities of Δ¹-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS; EC not assigned), superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) and guaiacol peroxidase (POX; EC 1.11.1.7), as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline contents were studied in two months old plants of Cenchrus species. The Cenchrus species represent three ploidy levels: diploid, tetraploid, hexaploid and two life spans: annual and perennial. Plants were subjected to water stress for 2, 4, 6 and 8 d by withholding water under glasshouse conditions. Although the levels of proline increased with the magnitude of water stress, the P5CS activity did not show a corresponding increase in all species. Peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities showed an increase or steady state in the early phase of drought and then declined with the further increase in the magnitude of water stress, indicating differing behaviors of species towards drought tolerance. Under drought, diploid Cenchrus species had a higher POX activity, MDA accumulation and lower proline content than tetraploid species. Lower POX and higher P5CS activities and proline contents, however, were observed in hexaploid and tetraploid species. Taken together, our findings suggest that diploid species have a less efficient antioxidant system to scavenge reactive oxygen species than tetra and hexaploid Cenchrus. This may result in a corresponding variability in growth and persistence under natural grasslands. The study also paves the way for investigations on the molecular events associated with drought in Cenchrus species differing in ploidy and life span.     

杠柳幼苗对不同强度干旱胁迫的生长与生理响应

以黄土丘陵区常见灌木杠柳(Periploca sepium Bunge.)的两年生苗木为试验材料,模拟不同程度的土壤干旱环境,研究了土壤干旱对杠柳生长和生理生化特性的影响。结果表明,在3种土壤水分条件下杠柳的耗水和快速生长期均集中在6-8月,与黄土丘陵区雨热期重叠。在干旱胁迫下杠柳生长减慢,生物量累积减小,生物量优先向根系分配,根冠比显著增大。与适宜水分下相比,干旱胁迫下杠柳的水分利用效率随生物量与耗水量减小而显著升高,表明杠柳具有节约型水分利用对策。杠柳在干旱前期和中期丙二醛(MDA)含量下降、膜透性略有增加,干旱末期MDA含量和细胞膜透性与适宜水分相比显著升高。在中度干旱与严重干旱下,杠柳的超氧化物歧化酶与过氧化物保护酶活性持续上升直到试验末期才稍有下降。干旱胁迫对杠柳叶片渗透调节物质含量的影响显著,脯氨酸、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量均随着干旱胁迫程度的加大而显著升高,且随着胁迫时间的延长,脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量一直保持上升趋势;可溶性蛋白含量在前期急剧上升,中、后期下降,但含量一直高于适宜水分处理。本研究表明,杠柳能够充分利用黄土丘陵区局部雨热资源优势、具备减少地上蒸发面积、增加地下生长、吸收深层土壤水源等御旱策略以及保持较高的抗氧化酶活性和渗透调节能力等生理学耐旱机制,本研究从生长、生理特征上揭示了杠柳在黄土高原植被自然恢复中普遍存在的原因。     

Sex-Related Responses of Populus cathayana Shoots and Roots to AM Fungi and Drought Stress

We investigated the impact of drought and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on the morphological structure and physiological function of shoots and roots of male and female seedlings of the dioecious plant Populus cathayana Rehder. Pot-grown seedlings were subjected to well watered or water-limiting conditions (drought) and were grown in soil that was either inoculated or not inoculated with the AM fungus Rhizophagus intraradices. No significant differences were found in the infection rates between the two sexes. Drought decreased root and shoot growth, biomass and root morphological characteristics, whereas superoxide radical (O₂–) and hydrogen peroxide content, peroxidase (POD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and proline content were significantly enhanced in both sexes. Male plants that formed an AM fungal symbiosis showed a significant increase in shoot and root morphological growth, increased proline content of leaves and roots, and increased POD activity in roots under both watering regimes; however, MDA concentration in the roots decreased. By contrast, AM fungi either had no effect or a slight negative effect on the shoot and root growth of female plants, with lower root biomass, total biomass and root/shoot ration under drought. In females, MDA concentration increased in leaves and roots under both watering regimes, and the proline content and POD activity of roots increased under drought conditions; however, POD activity significantly decreased under well-watered conditions. These findings suggest that AM fungi enhanced the tolerance of male plants to drought by improving shoot and root growth, biomass and the antioxidant system. Further investigation is needed to unravel the complex effects of AM fungi on the growth and antioxidant system of female plants.