褪黑素对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗抗坏血酸代谢系统的影响

以‘津春4号’黄瓜幼苗为试材,采用叶面喷施的方法,研究了外源褪黑素对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片抗坏血酸代谢系统的影响.结果表明:高温胁迫后,黄瓜幼苗叶片过氧化氢(H2O2)和丙二醛(MDA)含量明显增加;还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量持续下降,脱氢抗坏血酸(DHA)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量逐渐升高,AsA/DHA和GSH/GSSG大幅下降;抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APx)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性明显升高,并在12 h达到最大.外施褪黑素能有效抑制高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片H2O2和MDA的积累,提高抗氧化物质AsA和GSH含量及抗坏血酸代谢相关酶APx、MDHAR、DHAR和GR活性,从而增强对H2O2的清除能力,抑制活性氧的产生,维持细胞膜的稳定性,减轻高温对植株造成的伤害,提高黄瓜幼苗抵御高温胁迫的能力.     

H_2S对干旱胁迫下白三叶幼苗抗氧化防御能力的影响

以‘拉丁诺’白三叶(Trifolium repens cv.‘Ladino’)为试验材料,研究外源H2S处理对PEG6 000(聚乙二醇)模拟干旱胁迫下白三叶叶片相对含水量(RWC)、膜脂过氧化、活性氧成分、抗氧化酶、抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环代谢和非酶抗氧化物质的影响,以揭示H_2S调控白三叶抗旱性的生理机制。结果显示:(1)0.2 mmol/L的外源NaHS(H_2S供体)能显著提高干旱胁迫下白三叶的叶片相对含水量,维持显著较低的电解质渗透率(EL)和丙二醛(MDA)含量。(2)与直接干旱胁迫相比,干旱胁迫下外源添加NaHS处理的白三叶叶片内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性显著增强,抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环代谢中关键酶抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)、单脱水抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性及其抗氧化中间产物抗坏血酸(AsA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量也显著提高。(3)叶片类黄酮、总酚和原花青素的含量在一定的胁迫时间范围内亦显著增加,并伴随着活性氧成分O_2~(-·)产生速率和H_2O_2水平降低。研究认为,外源H2S能通过促进干旱胁迫下白三叶体内的多重抗氧化防御能力来提高其幼苗的抗旱性。     

外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响

采用营养液培养方法,研究外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)幼苗根系抗坏血酸(AsA)-谷胱甘肽(GSH)循环中抗氧化物质和抗氧化酶系的影响.结果表明:外施适量NO(硝普钠)可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系AsA、GSH含量和AsA/DHA(氧化型抗坏血酸)、GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽),降低DHA和GSSG含量.添加100 μmol·L-1 BSO(谷胱甘肽合成酶抑制剂)处理下,外源NO可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA含量、AsA/DHA及抗坏血酸酶(AAO)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)比活性,降低DHA、GSH、GSSG含量及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)比活性;添加250 μmol·L-1 BSO处理下,外源NO提高了铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA、GSH、GSSG含量、AsA/DHA及APX和GR比活性,降低了DHA含量及AAO、DHAR和MDHAR比活性.说明外源NO影响了铜胁迫下番茄根系的AsA-GSH代谢循环,并通过调节AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG的变化来减轻氧化胁迫,从而缓解铜胁迫对番茄根系的伤害.     

外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系抗坏血酸谷胱甘肽循环的影响

采用营养液培养方法,研究外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)幼苗根系抗坏血酸(AsA)-谷胱甘肽(GSH)循环中抗氧化物质和抗氧化酶系的影响.结果表明：外施适量NO(硝普钠)可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系AsA、GSH含量和AsA/DHA(氧化型抗坏血酸)、GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽),降低DHA和GSSG含量.添加100 μmol·L^-1 BSO(谷胱甘肽合成酶抑制剂)处理下,外源NO可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA含量、AsA/DHA及抗坏血酸酶(AAO)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)比活性,降低DHA、GSH、GSSG含量及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)比活性;添加250 μmol·L^-1 BSO处理下,外源NO提高了铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA、GSH、GSSG含量、AsA/DHA及APX和GR比活性,降低了DHA含量及AAO、DHAR和MDHAR比活性.说明外源NO影响了铜胁迫下番茄根系的AsA-GSH代谢循环,并通过调节AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG的变化来减轻氧化胁迫,从而缓解铜胁迫对番茄根系的伤害.     

外源α-萘乙酸对花期长期干旱大豆叶片抗氧化系统的影响

以不同耐旱型品种‘南农99-6’和‘科丰1号’大豆为材料,2012年在南京农业大学牌楼试验站进行为期110 d的盆栽试验,研究大豆花期叶面喷施α-萘乙酸(NAA)对长期干旱条件下大豆植株抗氧化系统的影响.结果表明: 干旱胁迫显著降低了大豆地上部干物质量,叶片中丙二醛(MDA)含量及活性氧(ROS)水平显著升高,同时,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)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶（MDHAR）、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)活性,还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量及AsA/DHA(双脱氢抗坏血酸)和GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽)比值显著升高,其中‘科丰1号’大豆的抗氧化能力更高,从而维持较低的ROS水平和MDA含量.NAA可显著提高叶片中的APX、POD、CAT、MDHAR活性及AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比值,其中‘科丰1号’大豆叶片的脱氢抗坏血栓还原酶（DHAR）活性和AsA含量极显著增加.     

外源α-萘乙酸对花期长期干旱大豆叶片抗氧化系统的影响

以不同耐旱型品种‘南农99-6’和‘科丰1号’大豆为材料,2012年在南京农业大学牌楼试验站进行为期110 d的盆栽试验,研究大豆花期叶面喷施α-萘乙酸(NAA)对长期干旱条件下大豆植株抗氧化系统的影响.结果表明:干旱胁迫显著降低了大豆地上部干物质量,叶片中丙二醛(MDA)含量及活性氧(ROS)水平显著升高,同时,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)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)活性,还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量及AsA/DHA(双脱氢抗坏血酸)和GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽)比值显著升高,其中‘科丰1号’大豆的抗氧化能力更高,从而维持较低的ROS水平和MDA含量.NAA可显著提高叶片中的APX、POD、CAT、MDHAR活性及AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比值,其中‘科丰1号’大豆叶片的脱氢抗坏血栓还原酶(DHAR)活性和AsA含量极显著增加.     

黄土高原冰草叶片抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽合成及循环代谢对干旱胁迫的生理响应

通过盆栽实验, 对干旱胁迫下黄土高原地区冰草(Agropyron cristatum)叶片的抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽合成及循环代谢相关酶及物质含量进行了研究。结果表明: 冰草可以通过增强叶片的抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽合成及循环代谢酶: 抗坏血酸过氧化物酶、谷胱甘肽还原酶、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶、L-半乳糖酸-1, 4-内酯脱氢酶和γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶活性, 维持植物体内抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽水平及氧化还原状态, 从而抵御干旱造成的氧化胁迫。但叶片抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽合成及循环代谢对不同水平干旱胁迫的响应, 随胁迫时间的延长而不同。在胁迫24天以前, 严重干旱下叶片的抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽合成及循环代谢增强较显著; 在胁迫24天后, 由于该胁迫下植物所遭受的氧化胁迫较为严重, 叶片中上述6种酶的活性均呈降低趋势。而在中度干旱下叶片抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽合成及循环代谢相关的6种酶在整个胁迫过程中均保持较高的活性。这说明, 冰草能够长时间有效地抵御中度干旱所造成的氧化胁迫, 但只能在一定时间范围内有效地抵御严重干旱所造成的氧化胁迫, 胁迫时间延长则会降低其抵御严重干旱的能力。     

5-氨基乙酰丙酸(ALA)对盐胁迫下葡萄叶片中AsA-GSH循环的影响

以两个耐盐程度不同的葡萄品种‘夏黑’(耐盐性较弱)和‘里扎马特’(耐盐性较强)为材料,分析了不同浓度ALA对不同浓度盐胁迫下葡萄叶片中AsA-GSH循环的影响。研究表明:喷施75 mg·L-1 ALA可显著提高2 g·kg-1盐胁迫下‘夏黑’葡萄叶片中抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)的活性以及还原型抗坏血酸(As A)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量和AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比值,显著降低氢抗坏血酸(DHA)与氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量;而喷施150 mg·L-1 ALA可显著提高4 g·kg-1盐胁迫下‘里扎马特’葡萄叶片中APX、GR、MDHAR、DHAR的活性以及AsA、GSH含量和AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比值,显著降低DHA与GSSG含量。     

甜樱桃‘佐藤锦’果实生长发育过程AsA含量及其相关酶活性的变化

以黄肉甜樱桃品种‘佐藤锦’为材料,测定了其果实生长发育过程中抗坏血酸(AsA)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)的含量变化,及其相关代谢酶L-半乳糖脱氢酶(GalDH)、L-半乳糖-1-4-内酯酶(GalLDH)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和过氧化物酶(APX)的活性变化,分析它们在果实生长发育过程中对AsA积累所起的作用。结果表明:(1)‘佐藤锦’果实生长发育过程中总抗坏血酸(T-AsA)、还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)、脱氢抗坏血酸(DHA)、氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量均在花后0d最高,随后持续下降,而总谷胱甘肽(T-GSH)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量先升后降。(2)随着果实生长发育,AsA和DHA的单果积累量均持续增加,且在果实第二次快速生长期增幅最大;各相关代谢酶活性在甜樱桃果实生长发育过程中呈现出不同的变化趋势,其中GalLDH、MDHAR和DHAR的活性变化同AsA含量变化趋势基本一致。(3)相关性分析发现,GalLDH、MDHAR和DHAR的活性与AsA含量呈极显著正相关关系,说明它们是影响甜樱桃果实AsA含量的关键酶。     

海藻酸铈配合物对毒死蜱胁迫下菠菜叶片抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响

以菠菜(Spinacia oleracea L.)为材料,研究了毒死蜱胁迫下海藻酸铈配合物对菠菜叶片抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响。结果表明,在毒死蜱胁迫下,菠菜叶片中H2O2积累量比对照明显增加,非酶促抗氧化物质-抗坏血酸(AsA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量明显降低,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)和单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDAR)的活性明显升高。在毒死蜱胁迫下,喷施不同浓度的海藻酸铈配合物使菠菜叶片中的H2O2积累量减少,AsA和GSH含量升高,APX、GR、DHAR和MDAR等抗氧化酶活性也有所提高,缓解了毒死蜱胁迫。试验表明,适宜浓度的海藻酸铈配合物处理可使菠菜叶片对毒死蜱胁迫有一定的缓解作用。     

干旱胁迫对高山离子芥试管苗抗氧化系统及其活性氧代谢的影响

该试验以高山离子芥试管苗(Chorispora bungeana)为试材,采用固液培养法,设置对照(不添加PEG-6000,CK),轻度干旱胁迫(5%PEG-6000)、中度干旱胁迫(20%PEG-6000)、重度干旱胁迫(40%PEG-6000)4个干旱处理水平,分析干旱胁迫对高山离子芥幼苗抗氧化系统、活性氧代谢等部分生理特征的影响,以揭示高山离子芥在干旱胁迫下的生理响应特征,为进一步探讨其对干旱环境的适应机制奠定基础。结果显示:(1)随着干旱胁迫程度的增加以及在各时间胁迫处理下,抗氧化酶SOD活性及可溶性糖含量显著升高,POD活性、丙二醛含量、CAT活性和APX活性均经历了先升后降的过程。(2)超氧阴离子(O-·2)的产生速率和过氧化氢(H2O2)的含量均显著升高;高山离子芥试管苗叶片相对电导率呈现出升-降-升的变化趋势。(3)相关分析结果显示,MDA与相对电导率、可溶性糖、SOD、APX、O-·2及H2O2呈极显著正相关关系,可溶性糖与SOD、POD、O-·2及H2O2呈极显著正相关关系;相对电导率以及保护酶系均与O-·2、H2O2呈极显著正相关关系。研究表明,高山离子芥具有较强的耐旱性,高山离子芥试管苗在响应干旱胁迫过程中,抗氧化酶系、活性氧代谢、脂质过氧化及渗透调节物等共同参与了高山离子芥试管苗对干旱胁迫的综合抗逆性形成,从而积极启动应对外界干旱环境的耐旱响应机制。     

Biomass production and relative competitiveness of a C3 legume and a C4 grass co-dominant in the semiarid Loess Plateau of China

Bothriochloa ischaemum L. and Lespedeza davurica (Laxm.) Schindl. are two co-dominant species of great importance in reducing soil and water loss and maintaining the distinctive natural scenery of the semiarid Loess Plateau of China. Our aim was to determine the growth and interspecific competition between these species under water stress to facilitate the prediction of community succession and guide the selection of appropriate methods of conservation and use in the area. A pot experiment was designed to investigate the effects of water stress and competition on biomass production and allocation, relative competitive ability and water use efficiency of the two species. Bothriochloa ischaemum (a C₄ perennial herbaceous grass) was planted in the same pot with L. davurica (a C₃ perennial leguminous subshrub) at density ratios of 12:0, 10:2, 8:4, 6:6, 4:8, 2:10, and 0:12. The response of the species to their mutual presence at the different ratios was evaluated at three levels of soil moisture (80%?±?5% field capacity, FC (HW), 60%?±?5% FC (MW) and 40%?±?5% FC (LW)). Indices of aggressivity (A), competitive ratio (CR) and relative yield totals (RYTs) were calculated from the dry shoot, root and total weight data. Water stress decreased the biomass production by both species whether in monoculture or mixture, but B. ischaemum was more sensitive to water deficit. Across moisture levels, the growth of L. davurica was more adversely affected by mixed planting. Bothriochloa ischaemum had significantly (P?<?0.05) smaller root:shoot ratios than L. davurica and the root mass of both species tended to increase relative to shoot mass as soil water deficit increased. The aggressivity (A), competitive ratio (CR) and relative yield totals (RYTs) of B. ischaemum were positive across treatments. Bothriochloa ischaemum had much higher CR under each water treatment, but water stress considerably reduced its relative CR while increasing that of L. davurica. The RYT values of the two species indicated some degree of resource complimentarity under both water sufficient and deficit conditions. Our results suggest that it is advantageous to grow the two species together to maximize biomass production. We recommend a mixture ratio of 8:4 of B. ischaemum to L. davurica because it gave significantly higher RYT and transpiration water use efficiency under deficit water conditions.     

Effects of water stress and fertilization on leaf gas exchange and photosynthetic light-response curves of Bothriochloa ischaemum L.

Bothriochloa ischaemum L. is an important species in many temperate regions, but information about the interactive effects of water stress and fertilization on its photosynthetic characteristics was inadequate. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of three water [80% (HW), 40% (MW), and 20% (LW) of field capacity (FC)] and four fertilization regimes [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), nitrogen with phosphorus (NP), and no fertilization] on leaf photosynthesis. Leaf gas exchange and photosynthetic light-response curves were measured at the flowering phase of B. ischaemum. Water stress decreased not only the leaf gas-exchange parameters, such as net photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance (g _s), transpiration rate (E), and water-use efficiency (WUE) of B. ischaemum, but also downregulated P _N-photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) curve parameters, such as light-saturated net photosynthetic rate (P _Nmax), apparent quantum efficiency (AQE), and light compensation point (LCP). Fertilization (N, P, and NP) enhanced the daily mean P _N values and P _Nmax under the HW regime. Addition of N (either alone or with P) improved the photosynthetic capacity of B. ischaemum under the MW and LW regimes by increasing P _N, P _Nmax, and AQE and reducing dark respiration rate and LCP, but the addition of P alone did not significantly improve the photosynthetic performance. Decline in P _N under each fertilization regime occurred during the day and it was caused mainly by nonstomatal limitation. Our results indicated that water was the primary limiting factor for photosynthesis in B. ischaemum, and that appropriate levels of N fertilization improved its potential photosynthetic capacity under water-deficit conditions.     

Effect of drought on pigments, osmotic adjustment and antioxidant enzymes in six woody plant species in karst habitats of southwestern China

Drought stress is one of the most important factors limiting the survival and growth of plants in the harsh karst habitats of southwestern China. Detailed knowledge about the ecophysiological responses of native plants with different growth forms to drought stress could contribute to the success of re-vegetation programs. Two shrubs, Pyracantha fortuneana and Rosa cymosa, and four trees, Broussonetia papyrifera, Cinnamomum bodinieri, Platycarya longipes and Pteroceltis tatarinowii, were randomly assigned to four drought treatments, i.e. well-watered, mild drought stress, moderate drought stress, and severe drought stress. Midday water potential, the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m), pigments, osmotic solutes (soluble sugars and proline), cellular damages, and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase) were investigated. Drought stress significantly decreased pigments content, but increased the ratio of carotenoids to total chlorophylls in the studied species. After prolonged severe drought stress, the two shrubs exhibited higher F_v/F_m, less reductions of midday water potential, and lower increases of malondialdehyde content and ion leakage than the four trees. Prolonged severe drought stress largely decreased accumulations of osmotic solutes and activities of antioxidant enzymes in the four trees, but significantly increased proline content and superoxide dismutase activity in the two shrubs and peroxidase activity in P. fortuneana. The positive relationships were observed among activities of antioxidant enzymes, and between contents of osmotic solutes and activities of antioxidant enzymes. These findings suggested that the two shrubs had higher tolerance to severe drought stress than the four trees due to higher capacities of osmotic adjustment and antioxidant protection.     

Photosynthetic acclimation and leaf traits of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stipa bungeana</Emphasis> in response to elevated CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> under five different watering conditions

Although plant performance under elevated CO₂ (EC) and drought has been extensively studied, little is known about the leaf traits and photosynthetic performance of Stipa bungeana under EC and a water deficiency gradient. In order to investigate the effects of EC, watering, and their combination, S. bungeana seedlings were exposed to two CO₂ regimes (ambient, CA: 390 ppm; elevated, EC: 550 ppm) and five levels of watering (?30%, ?15%, control, +15%, +30%) from 1 June to 31 August in 2011, where the control water level was 240 mm. Gas exchange and leaf traits were measured after 90-d treatments. Gas-exchange characteristics, measured at the growth CA, indicated that EC significantly decreased the net photosynthetic rate (P _N), water-use efficiency, nitrogen concentration based on mass, chlorophyll and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, while increased stomatal conductance (g _s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i), dark respiration, photorespiration, carbon concentration based on mass, C/N ratio, and leaf water potential. Compared to the effect of EC, watering showed an opposite trend only in case of P _N. The combination of both factors showed little influence on these physiological indicators, except for g _s, C _i, and MDA content. Photosynthetic acclimation to EC was attributed to the N limitation, C sink/source imbalance, and the decline of photosynthetic activity. The watering regulated photosynthesis through both stomatal and nonstomatal mechanisms. Our study also revealed that the effects of EC on photosynthesis were larger than those on respiration and did not compensate for the adverse effects of drought, suggesting that a future warm and dry climate might be unfavorable to S. bungeana. However, the depression of the growth of S. bungeana caused by EC was time-dependent at a smaller temporal scale.     

Photosynthetic characteristics and effects of exogenous glycine of Chorispora bungeana under drought stress

We investigated the photosynthetic characteristics of Chorispora bungeana under conditions of drought stress caused by different concentrations of polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG; 0, 5, 20, and 40%) and various concentrations of exogenous glycine (0, 5, 10, and 20 mM) with 20% PEG. We showed that moderate and severe drought stress of PEG reduced the chlorophyll (Chl) content (both Chl a and b), maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m), actual photochemical efficiency of PSII in light (Y_II), and quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation (Y_NPQ), while Chl a/b and quantum yield of nonregulated energy dissipation (Y_NO) increased. The low and moderate drought stress increased Mg²⁺ and Fe³⁺ contents, while a decrease in Mg²⁺ and Fe³⁺ was found under severe drought stress. Compared to sole PEG stress, the addition of exogenous 10 mM glycine increased Chl, Mg²⁺ and Fe³⁺ contents, F_v/F_m, Y_II, and Y_NPQ, and reduced Y_NO. On the contrary, 20 mM glycine showed an opposite effect, except for Y_NO. Our results proved that Chl contents and fluorescence parameters are reliable indicators for drought tolerance of C. bungeana. We suggest that a proper glycine content can relieve the effect of drought stress on C. bungeana.     

Changes in morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses to different levels of drought stress in chinese cork oak (Quercus variabilis Bl.) seedlings

Changes in growth, leaf water status, pigments, osmolytes, activities of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and ascorbic acid (ASA) content were investigated in Chinese cork oak (Quercus variabilis Bl.) seedlings. Three-month-old seedlings were subjected to four drought cycles (30, 60, 90, and 120 days) and four drought intensities (80, 60, 40, and 20% field capacity (FC)). The seedlings had optimal height, basal diameter, and leaf water status at 80% FC. These parameters significantly decreased as drought intensity increased. The total root length, diameter, and surface area at 60% FC significantly increased compared with those at 80% FC. However, at 40 and 20% FC these parameters significantly decreased compared with those at 80% FC. The ratio of total root length to seedling height significantly increased with increasing drought intensity. The contents of chlorophyll a + b (Chl _{a + b} ) and carotenoids (Car) significantly decreased at 40 and 20% FC. However, no significant changes in Chl _a /Chl _b and Car/Chl _{a + b} ratios were observed among the four drought intensities. Comparatively, the seedlings accumulated more soluble sugars and proline, as well as they demonstrated the higher POD, SOD, CAT, APX activities and ASA content at >40% FC. However, prolonged drought stress at 20% FC suppressed antioxidant activities and osmolyte accumulation, leading to a rapid increase in lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that a water supply >40% FC is required to support the growth and survival of the current-year seedlings of Chinese cork oak     

Antioxidant defence system and physiological responses of Iranian crested wheatgrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agropyron cristatum</Emphasis> L.) to drought and salinity stress

Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L.) is a cool-season perennial grass, which has demonstrated its potential for use as turfgrass. However, limited information is available on its drought and salinity tolerance. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the antioxidant defence system and physiological traits of six Iranian crested wheatgrass genotypes under drought and salinity stresses. The experimental design comprised a split plot with water treatments (control well-watered, salinity stress and water stress) as main plots and genotypes as subplots. This study demonstrated the variations in drought and salinity tolerance among crested wheatgrass genotypes. ‘ACSKI’, ‘ACAMI’ and ‘ACDTI’ generally performed better than other genotypes under drought and salinity conditions, mainly by maintaining higher activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and non-enzyme antioxidants like glutathione, higher proline and total non-structural carbohydrates content. The increased, decreased, and unchanged activities of antioxidant enzymes in the crested wheatgrass genotypes indicates a different forms of metabolism of antioxidant enzymes in response to drought and salinity stress. In general, drought and salinity stress increases the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content; however, ‘ACSKI’, ‘ACAMI’ and ‘ACDTI’ genotypes could tolerate an increase in MDA content and H₂O₂ content; therefore, lower levels of MDA content and H₂O₂ content were observed. The results showed that increasing levels of diamine oxidase and polyamine oxidase have been associated with increasing drought and salinity tolerance. Based on the biochemical and physiological parameters that were evaluated, we concluded that the genotype ‘ACSKI’ was superior in terms of drought and salinity tolerance. This superiority was mainly a result of better enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defence system and better osmotic adjustment under stress conditions.     

Physiological response of wheat varieties to elevated atmospheric CO2 and low water supply levels

In the phytotron experiment, the effect of elevated atmospheric CO₂ (EC, 750 μmol mol^?1) on the drought tolerance was studied in two winter varieties (Mv Mambo, tolerant; Mv Regiment, moderately tolerant) and in one spring variety of wheat (Lona, sensitive to drought). Changes in net photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance, transpiration, wateruse efficiency, effective quantum yield of photosystem II, and activities of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-Stransferase (GST), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were monitored during water withdrawal. Drought caused a faster decline of P _N at EC, leading to the lower assimilation rates under severe drought compared with ambient CO₂ (NC). In the sensitive variety, P _N remained high for a longer period at EC. The growth at EC resulted in a more relaxed activation level of the antioxidant enzyme system in all three varieties, with very low activities of GR, GST, APX, and POD. The similar, low values were due to decreases in the varieties which had higher ambient values. A parallel increase of CAT was, however, recorded in two varieties. As the decline in P _N was faster at EC under drought but there was no change in the rate of electron transport compared to NC values, a higher level of oxidative stress was induced. This triggered a more pronounced, general response in the antioxidant enzyme system at EC, leading to very high activities of APX, CAT, and GST in all three varieties. The results indicated that EC had generally favourable effects on the development and stress tolerance of plants, although bigger foliage made the plants more prone to the water loss. The relaxation of the defence mechanisms increased potentially the risk of damage due to the higher level of oxidative stress at EC under severe drought compared with NC.