盐旱交叉胁迫对柽柳幼苗渗透调节物质含量的影响

以2年生柽柳幼苗为试验材料,采用盆栽模拟试验研究不同盐分和干旱胁迫对其叶片中渗透调节物质的影响,以探讨柽柳幼苗对盐旱交叉胁迫的适应性.结果表明:(1)随盐旱胁迫的不断加剧,幼苗叶片中可溶性糖含量呈先升高后降低的趋势,且中度和重度盐旱胁迫下均显著高于对照(CK).(2)幼苗叶片中脯氨酸含量在不同盐旱胁迫下均呈逐渐上升趋势,但在重度盐分和中度、重度干旱交叉胁迫下显著高于CK.(3)幼苗叶片中Na+、Cl含量在不同干旱胁迫下,随盐胁迫的加剧呈不同的变化规律,盐旱胁迫的各个处理水平下均显著高于CK,而K+、Ca2+、SO42-含量在轻度和重度干旱胁迫下随盐胁迫增强不断降低.(4)在中度盐旱胁迫下,K+、Ca2+含量与CK无明显差异.研究表明,柽柳幼苗中渗透调节物质在其抗旱耐盐性方面具有积极的调节作用;柽柳幼苗在盐旱胁迫下表现出一定的交叉适应性,适度的干旱胁迫能增强柽柳幼苗对盐分胁迫的耐受能力.     

甜菜碱对干旱胁迫下湖北海棠超微弱发光及抗氧化能力的影响

以盆栽4年生的苹果砧木湖北海棠（Malus hupehensis）为试材,叶面喷施100 mmol·L^-1的甜菜碱,研究外源甜菜碱对干旱胁迫下湖北海棠叶片超微弱发光（UWL）、丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）、过氧化氢（H₂O₂）、脯氨酸（Pro）及甜菜碱（GB）含量的影响.结果表明,轻度干旱胁迫下,叶片UWL强度提高,但随着干旱胁迫程度的加重而下降,至严重干旱胁迫时UWL明显低于正常供水处理;H₂O₂、MDA含量随干旱胁迫加重而升高;SOD和POD活性随胁迫加重而升高,但至重度干旱时下降.与单独干旱处理相比,叶片喷施甜菜碱显著提高了轻度和中度干旱胁迫叶片的UWL（分别提高35.27%和43.95%）、SOD和POD活性,降低了H₂O₂和MDA含量;促进了Pro和GB的积累.表明甜菜碱及通过甜菜碱诱导的脯氨酸积累,能够提高干旱胁迫下叶片的抗氧化能力,减轻过氧化损伤,对叶片细胞起到保护作用.     

不同抗性苹果砧木叶片抗坏血酸代谢对干旱胁迫的响应

以抗旱性强的苹果砧木新疆野苹果[Malus sieversii (Ledeb.) Roem.]和抗旱性弱的平邑甜茶[M.hupehensis (Panlp.) Reld.]叶片为试材,在20%PEG-6000模拟干旱胁迫条件下,研究了抗坏血酸(AsA)含量、氧化还原状态、合成和代谢相关酶活性对干旱胁迫的响应。结果显示,在正常水分条件下,新疆野苹果和平邑甜茶叶片间AsA含量及代谢相关酶活性差异不显著。干旱胁迫过程中,二者之间叶片AsA、谷胱甘肽(GSH)、总谷胱甘肽和总抗坏血酸含量变化趋势基本一致,但新疆野苹果叶片中的含量增加幅度明显大于平邑甜茶;且与平邑甜茶相比,新疆野苹果叶片具有较高的L-半乳糖酸-1,4-内酯脱氢酶(GalLDH)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性及AsA/DHA(脱氢抗坏酸)和GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽)比率。研究表明,干旱胁迫下,新疆野苹果能够维持较高的AsA合成和再生能力,并具有维持高AsA水平特性,这可能与其具有较强的抗旱性相关。     

喷施黄腐酸对干旱胁迫下甘蔗苗期叶绿素荧光参数及丙二醛的影响

分别对具4～5张完全叶桶栽甘蔗品种ROC22#和园林6#叶面喷施黄腐酸,分别为正常供水0(CK1)、0(CK2)、200、400、800、1200mg/L黄腐酸,研究在不同胁迫程度下不同浓度黄腐酸对甘蔗叶片叶绿素荧光参数、丙二醛(MDA)含量变化的影响。结果表明,经过黄腐酸处理后甘蔗叶片的PSⅡ原初光能转换效率(Fv/Fm)、光合量子产额(Yield)、光化学淬灭系数(qP)数值在中度和重度水分胁迫下都高于干旱对照CK2,品种和处理间参数的变化有差异;非光化学淬灭系数(qN)值则与正常供水对照比较没有大的差异。黄腐酸处理后甘蔗叶片MDA含量随处理浓度增大而降低,且明显低于干旱对照CK2。从2个参试品种6个处理浓度综合分析,水分胁迫下喷施黄腐酸可提高ROC22#和园林6#甘蔗苗期的抗旱性,以200、400mg/L处理效果较好。     

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。     

钼在桃树干旱胁迫响应中的作用解析

以毛桃(Amygdalus persica)实生苗为试材, 研究干旱胁迫下, 钼酸铵处理对钼辅因子硫化酶编码基因(LOS5/ABA3)表达量、脱落酸(ABA)含量及抗旱相关生理指标的影响。结果表明, 干旱胁迫下, 喷施不同浓度钼酸铵处理毛桃实生苗叶片, 其含水量及叶绿素和脯氨酸含量显著高于对照, 且以0.04%钼酸铵处理效果最好; 电解质渗漏率显著低于对照。干旱胁迫下, 与对照相比, 喷施0.04%钼酸铵的毛桃实生苗叶片中LOS5/ABA3表达量显著提高; ABA含量、水分利用效率和净光合速率均高于对照, 蒸腾速率低于对照, 且差异显著; 叶片抗氧化酶活性显著升高, MDA含量显著降低; 离体处理的叶片质量损失减缓, 且差异显著。研究表明毛桃实生苗在干旱胁迫下喷施钼酸铵可通过上调钼辅因子硫化酶编码基因的表达水平, 提高叶片中ABA和脯氨酸含量及抗氧化酶活性, 从而缓解干旱胁迫下的细胞膜氧化伤害, 降低叶片失水速率, 减轻干旱胁迫对毛桃实生苗的伤害。     

24-表油菜素内酯预处理对干旱胁迫下葡萄幼苗抗氧化系统和渗透调节物质的影响

以酿酒葡萄‘雷司令’(Riesling)一年生营养袋扦插苗为材料,采用人工气候室水培试验,考察在聚乙二醇6000(PEG)模拟干旱条件下,不同浓度(0.05、0.10和0.20mg/L)24-表油菜素内酯(EBR)预处理对‘雷司令’幼苗活性氧、抗氧化物质、渗透调节物质含量和抗氧化酶活性的影响,以揭示EBR预处理对干旱胁迫下葡萄幼苗的抗旱机理。结果显示:(1)与正常生长(对照)相比,干旱胁迫显著提高葡萄幼苗叶片中超氧阴离子自由基(■)、过氧化氢(H_2O_2)和丙二醛(MDA)含量;与干旱胁迫处理(PEG)相比,不同浓度EBR预处理均可降低叶片中■、H_2O_2和MDA的含量。(2)与对照相比,PEG处理显著降低葡萄幼苗叶片的抗坏血酸(AsA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量;与PEG处理相比,各浓度EBR预处理均可显著提高葡萄叶片AsA与GSH的含量,且以0.10mg/LEBR处理效果最好。(3)随着干旱胁迫时间的延长,葡萄幼苗叶片中的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)与抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性均呈先上升后下降的变化趋势,而在正常生长条件下酶活性基本保持不变;EBR预处理的葡萄叶片SOD、CAT、POD和APX活性均始终高于同期PEG处理。(4)PEG处理条件下,渗透调节物质脯氨酸和可溶性蛋白的含量整体高于对照;与PEG处理相比,不同浓度EBR预处理在干旱胁迫中后期均能显著提高葡萄叶片中脯氨酸和可溶性蛋白含量。研究表明,在干旱胁迫下,外源EBR预处理能够提高葡萄叶片抗氧化系统酶活性和渗透调节物质含量,有效降低干旱胁迫诱导的活性氧过度积累及膜脂过氧化程度,提高葡萄幼苗的抗旱能力,且以0.10mg/L EBR处理效果最佳。     

干旱胁迫下喷施黄腐酸对燕麦光合及其抗氧化酶活性的影响

为了揭示黄腐酸对干旱胁迫下燕麦光合及其抗氧化酶活性的影响机理,该研究选用燕麦品种‘燕科2号’为材料,采用盆栽试验,以正常供水(田间持水量的75%)为对照(CK),设干旱胁迫处理(田间持水量的45%,D0)、D0 + 喷施不同浓度黄腐酸(0、200、400、600、800、1 000 mg/L)处理(D1~D5),测定各处理燕麦干鲜重、光合性能及其抗氧化酶活性。结果表明:(1)与CK相比,干旱胁迫下燕麦幼苗地上部鲜重和干重、叶片光合色素含量、净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)均显著降低,并导致叶片F_v/F_m、qP、ETR和Φ_PSⅡ显著下降,使叶片抗氧化酶 SOD、POD、CAT活性分别显著提高25.68%、19.98%和7.29%。(2)与D0相比,D0 +喷施600 mg/L黄腐酸后,燕麦幼苗地上部鲜重和干重分别显著提高了28.59%和39.13%,叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素a+b、类胡萝卜素和P_n、G_s、T_r及F_v/F_m、Φ_PSⅡ、ETR分别显著增加了25.17%、21.03%、47.37%和74.38%、26.47%、43.34%及6.49%、69.57%、70.71%,C_i和F_o、NPQ分别显著降低了19.52%和13.32%、43.75%。(3)干旱胁迫下喷施不同浓度的黄腐酸均使幼苗叶片中SOD、POD、CAT活性较D0处理显著增加,其中喷施600 mg/L黄腐酸的叶片SOD、POD、CAT活性最高,分别较D0处理显著增加了12.19%、76.57%和55.26%。研究认为,叶面喷施适宜浓度黄腐酸能够显著提高干旱胁迫下燕麦幼苗的光合作用及其抗氧化能力,缓解干旱对燕麦幼苗的伤害,进而促进燕麦幼苗的生长,且以叶面喷施600 mg/L黄腐酸效果最佳。     

沼液施用对干旱胁迫下玉米幼苗生长和生理特性的影响*

为了探明干旱胁迫下沼液对玉米幼苗抗旱、光合生理、形态的缓解效应,以中度抗旱玉米杂交种‘先玉335’和较强抗旱杂交种‘中单2号’为材料,采用10%聚乙二醇-6000模拟干旱胁迫,研究50%沼液根部浇灌处理对干旱胁迫下玉米幼苗生长和生理特性的影响。结果表明,沼液根部施用可以显著提高两品种玉米的抗旱性,有效缓解干旱胁迫对玉米幼苗根系和地上部生长的抑制作用,促进两品种玉米幼苗生长和提高根系活力,降低根冠比,且‘先玉335’的变幅更大;同时显著提高两品种叶片SOD、POD和CAT活性以及可溶性糖、脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白含量(‘中单2号’的CAT除外),降低MAD含量,且对‘中单2号’的影响更显著;沼液根施还可以显著提高干旱胁迫下两品种叶片的净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr),降低气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO_(2)浓度(Ci),但‘中单2号’的Tr和Gs除外,同时使两品种叶片叶绿素含量和水分利用效率(WUE)均显著增加。可见,沼液根施处理可以有效改善干旱胁迫下玉米幼苗的光合能力,显著提高幼苗抗氧化酶活性和渗透调节物质的含量,减轻膜脂过氧化程度,有效缓解干旱胁迫对2种不同抗旱性玉米幼苗的生长抑制,从而增强玉米耐受干旱胁迫的能力,且对‘中单2号’的缓解效果更明显。     

外源-5氨基乙酰丙酸对干旱胁迫下紫花苜蓿生理特性及次生代谢物含量的影响

为验证喷施不同浓度5-氨基乙酰丙酸(ALA)对紫花苜蓿的响应,该研究以紫花苜蓿品种‘农牧806’为实验材料,用不同浓度(0、5、10、15、20、25 mg·L~(-1))的ALA喷施处理15%聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)模拟干旱胁迫下的紫花苜蓿幼苗,并测定其相关的生理生化指标以及次生代谢物质积累量。结果表明:(1)与对照相比,15%PEG干旱胁迫使得紫花苜蓿叶片中光合色素含量降低,渗透调节物质含量以及抗氧化酶活性增高。(2)与15%PEG处理相比,ALA+15%PEG复配处理下紫花苜蓿幼苗叶片叶绿素a、b和类胡萝卜素以及叶绿素总量分别增加,抗氧化酶(CAT, POD, SOD)活性升高,可溶性蛋白和脯氨酸以及黄酮和皂苷含量上升,丙二醛、H_2O_2和·OH的含量降低,各浓度ALA对15%PEG不同时长胁迫的恢复效果不同。研究发现,叶面喷施适量浓度ALA能够有效提高干旱胁迫下紫花苜蓿叶片抗氧化酶活性以及渗透调节物质、次生代谢物(黄酮、皂苷)含量和光合色素含量,从而增强紫花苜蓿对干旱胁迫的耐受性,并以10 mg·L~(-1)ALA的缓解效果较显著。     

Influence of Exogenous Glycine Betaine and Abscisic Acid on Papaya in Responses to Water-deficit Stress

The effects of exogenous foliar glycine betaine (GB) and abscisic acid (ABA) on papaya responses to water stress were investigated under distinct water regimes. Papaya seedlings (Carica papaya L. cultivar “BH-65”) were pretreated with GB or ABA and subsequently subjected to consecutive periods of drought, rehydration, and a second period of drought conditions. Results indicated that water stress induced ABA, jasmonic acid (JA), and proline accumulation but did not modify malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. In addition, water deprivation reduced photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, relative water content (RWC), leaf fresh weight, and increased leaf abscission. GB applied prior to drought imposition decreased the impact of water stress on ABA, JA, proline accumulation, leaf water status, growth, and photosynthetic performance. However, ABA-pretreated plants did not show alteration of most of these parameters under water stress conditions when compared with non-pretreated plants except a clear induction of JA accumulation. Taken together, the data suggest that GB may modulate ABA, JA, and proline accumulation through the control of stomatal movement and the high availability of compatible solutes, leading to improvement of leaf water status, growth, and photosynthetic machinery function. In contrast, exogenous ABA did not stimulate papaya physiological responses under drought, but interestingly ABA in combination with drought could induce progressive JA synthesis, unlike drought alone, which induces a transitory JA increase and may trigger endogenous ABA accumulation. The data also suggest that irrespective of the pretreatments, papaya did not suffer oxidative damage.     

Effects of fulvic acid on the photosynthetic and physiological characteristics of Paeonia ostii under drought stress

ABSTRACTPaeonia ost iihas become an economically important oil crop in recent years, but its growth is seriously affected by drought stress in dry areas. In this study, the alleviating effect of fulvic acid (FA) on potted P. ostii under natural drought stress was investigated. The natural drought stress adopted in this experiment was mainly characterized by the low soil water content, and the roots of plants cannot absorb enough water to compensate for the consumption of transpiration, which affects the normal physiological activities and causes damage. The results showed that FA treatment significantly increased the leaf water content and antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, the proline (Pro) content, and the relative electrical conductivity (REC). Moreover, FA treatment improved photosynthetic parameters and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters, maintained the integrity of chloroplasts and mesophyll cells, and increased the expression level of drought-tolerant genes. These results indicated that FA treatment could induce antioxidant enzymes to eliminate ROS, reduce membrane lipid peroxidation and decrease damage to photosynthesis in P. ostii under drought stress, which would provide a measure for alleviating the damage of P. ostii caused by drought stress.KEYWORDS: P. ostii, fulvic acid, drought stress, antioxidant enzymes, photosynthesis     

Contrasting hypoxia tolerance and adaptation in Malus species is linked to differences in stomatal behavior and photosynthesis

We examined the potential differences in tolerance to hypoxia by two species of apple rootstocks. Stomatal behavior and photosynthesis were compared between Malus sieversii and Malus hupehensis. Plants were hydroponically grown for 15 days in normoxic or hypoxic nutrient solutions. Those of M. sieversii showed much greater sensitivity, with exposure to hypoxia resulting in higher leaf concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA) that prompted stomatal closure. Compared with the control plants of that species, stomatal density was greater in both new and mature leaves under stress conditions. In contrast, stomatal density was significantly decreased in leaves from M. hupehensis, while stomatal length was unaffected. Under stress, the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and chlorophyll contents were markedly reduced in M. sieversii. The relatively hypoxia‐tolerant genotype M. hupehensis, however, showed only minor changes in net photosynthesis or chlorophyll content, and only a slight decrease in stomatal conductance due to such treatment. Therefore, we conclude that the more tolerant M. hupehensis utilizes a better protective mechanism for retaining higher photosynthetic capacity than does the hypoxia‐sensitive M. sieversii. Moreover, this contrast in tolerance and adaptation to stress is linked to differences in their stomatal behavior, photosynthetic capacity and possibly their patterns of native distribution.     

黄腐酸对干旱胁迫下黄瓜光合特性及产量和品质的影响

黄腐酸(FA)可参与植物耐旱性的调控,但关于其对干旱胁迫下黄瓜光合作用的调控机制尚不清楚。本研究以‘津优35'黄瓜为试材,采用聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)模拟干旱,通过喷施不同浓度(0、100、300、500、700、900 mg·L^-1)FA,研究其缓解黄瓜干旱胁迫的浓度效应及其对光合关键酶活性、叶绿体超微结构、叶绿素荧光参数、水分利用效率及产量和品质的影响。结果表明: 室内试验中,与对照(0 mg·L^-1)相比,不同浓度FA处理均显著提高了干旱胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的叶片相对含水量和叶面积,降低旱害指数、丙二醛含量和电解质渗漏率,随着FA浓度的增加其缓解效应呈现先升高后下降的趋势,且以700 mg·L^-1 FA的作用效果最好。FA显著增加干旱胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的叶绿素含量、Rubisco和Rubisco活化酶(RCA)活性及基因表达、净光合速率(P_n)、最大光化学效率和实际光化学效率、单位面积吸收光能、捕获光能、电子传递的量子产额和PSⅠ活性,降低K点的上升,维持叶绿体超微结构。温室控水试验表明,FA可显著增加干旱胁迫下温室黄瓜的水分利用效率,促进干物质量的积累,增加果实中Vc、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白和游离氨基酸含量,降低单宁含量。综上,施用FA可在干旱条件下提高温室黄瓜产量,改善果实品质。     

干旱胁迫下喷施外源植物激素对甘薯生理特性和产量的影响

为探讨不同时期干旱胁迫下喷施外源植物激素对甘薯生理特性和产量的影响,明确喷施外源植物激素的最佳时期,在人工控水条件下研究了移栽后20(前期)、60(中期)和100 d(后期)干旱胁迫下喷施6-苄氨基嘌呤(6-BA)、α-萘乙酸(NAA)和脱落酸(ABA)对甘薯内源激素含量、光合荧光特性和产量的影响。结果表明: 与喷清水相比,喷施外源植物激素均能显著提高甘薯产量,以6-BA增幅最大,其次是NAA和ABA;前期喷施效果好于中期和后期。不同时期干旱胁迫下,喷施外源植物激素可显著提高甘薯叶片的光合和叶绿素荧光参数,缓解因干旱引起的玉米素核糖核苷(ZR)和生长素(IAA)含量下降的现象。逐步回归分析表明,内源激素和光合特性是影响甘薯产量的关键指标。通径分析表明,前期干旱胁迫下喷施外源植物激素主要通过影响净光合速率(P_n)、IAA、ZR、最大光化学效率和光化学性能指数来影响甘薯产量。生长前期喷施6-BA可调控甘薯内源激素含量,提高光合特性,有效缓解干旱造成的产量损失。     

Fulvic Acid,Brassinolide, and Uniconazole Mediated Regulation of Morphological and Physiological Traits in Maize Seedlings Under Water Stress

Water stress is one of the most important factors limiting sustainable crop production. Therefore, the effects of the plant growth regulators (PGRs) fulvic acid (FA), brassinolide (BR), and uniconazole (Uni) on seedling growth and physiology of two maize (Zea mays L.) varieties were evaluated under???0.7 MPa water stress induced by polyethylene glycol-6000. Under drought stress, the PGRs promoted seedling growth, altered the root-to-shoot ratio, and significantly increased root biomass, length, surface area, diameter, and volume. In addition, depending on the PGR, net photosynthesis rate, SPAD value (indicating chlorophyll content), and water use efficiency increased significantly, under drought stress, whereas transpiration rate decreased. The PGRs also significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities and significantly decreased malondialdehyde accumulation in leaves and roots under drought stress. Zhengdan958 showed greater variation in physiological responses and stronger drought resistance than Xundan20. In alleviating drought stress in maize seedlings, FA had the greatest effects on shoot growth and leaf physiology; Uni exerted its effects by regulating root structure, and BR effects were intermediate. Under drought stress, the three PGRs increased maize seedling growth, which reduced drought stress-induced damage and improved plant ability to resist the adversity. Based on a comprehensive analysis of physiological indices of drought resistance, Uni is recommended as the best PGR to improve maize seedlings resistance to drought.

     

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.     

The effect of plant-hormone pretreatments on ethylene production and synthesis of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid in water-stressed wheat leaves

Excised wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves, when subjected to drought stress, increased ethylene production as a result of an increased synthesis of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and an increased activity of the ethyleneforming enzyme (EFE), which catalyzes the conversion of ACC to ethylene. The rise in EFE activity was maximal within 2 h after the stress period, while rehydration to relieve water stress reduced EFE activity within 3 h to levels similar to those in nonstressed tissue. Pretreatment of the leaves with benzyladenine or indole-3-acetic acid prior to water stress caused further increase in ethylene production and in endogenous ACC level. Conversely, pretreatment of wheat leaves with abscisic acid reduced ethylene production to levels produced by nonstressed leaves; this reduction in ethylene production was accompanied by a decrease in ACC content. However, none of these hormone pretreatments significantly affected the EFE level in stressed or nonstressed leaves. These data indicate that the plant hormones participate in regulation of water-stress ethylene production primarily by modulating the level of ACC.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - ACC 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid - BA N⁶-benzyladenine - EFE ethylene-forming enzyme - IAA indole-3-acetic acid