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.     

NaCl胁迫下亚精胺对番茄种子萌发及幼苗抗氧化系统的影响

采用盆栽试验,研究了NaCl胁迫下外源亚精胺（Spd）浸种处理对“白果强丰”番茄种子萌发、幼苗生长及叶片抗氧化系统的影响.结果表明：Spd浸种处理的番茄种子发芽率（G_r）、发芽指数（G_i）和活力指数（V_i）均显著增加,分别比单纯NaCl处理增加了104.90%、142.31%和122.22%,而番茄种子的平均发芽时间（MGT）缩短了4.97%;Spd浸种处理提高了NaCl胁迫下番茄幼苗叶片超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性,降低了O₂^-·产生速率和过氧化氢（H₂O₂）含量,进而降低了丙二醛（MDA）含量和质膜电解质渗漏率,增加了叶片可溶性蛋白质含量,促进了番茄幼苗生长.表明Spd浸种促进了NaCl胁迫下番茄种子的萌发及幼苗生长,增强了植株的抗盐性.     

外源褪黑素对高温胁迫下菊花光合和生理特性的影响

以切花菊品种‘神马'为试材,研究外源褪黑素(MT)对菊花抗高温胁迫的影响。将供试菊花叶面喷施200 μmol·L^-1的MT后,进行40 ℃(昼)/35 ℃(夜)高温胁迫,观察菊花叶片叶绿体和内囊体超微结构,测定光合和生理指标。结果表明:与常温对照(CK)相比,高温胁迫下菊花叶片叶绿体和类囊体受损,叶绿素含量和最大荧光(F_m)显著降低,OJIP曲线发生变化,K点和J点荧光升高,净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(g_s)均显著降低,胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)均显著增加;相对电导率(REC)、丙二醛(MDA)、活性氧(ROS)、渗透调节物质含量和抗氧化酶活性显著增加。外源喷施MT可维持高温胁迫下植株叶绿体和类囊体结构的完整性,明显降低OJIP曲线中K点和J点上升的幅度,F_m、P_n、g_s、T_r和光合色素含量显著提高,C_i显著下降,缓解了高温胁迫对菊花光合和荧光作用的抑制。同时,外源喷施MT处理显著降低了高温胁迫下菊花REC、MDA和ROS含量,增强了菊花叶片中渗透调节物质含量和抗氧化酶活性。可见,外源MT可通过保护菊花叶片叶绿体结构的完整性,增强光合作用,抑制高温胁迫下菊花植株体内ROS的过度产生,提高抗氧化酶系统的活性,降低膜质过氧化水平和保护脂膜的完整性,从而提高菊花植株抗高温胁迫能力。     

外源表油菜素内酯对NaHCO3胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长及氧化还原平衡的影响

以‘津研四号’黄瓜为试材,以30 mmol·L^-1 NaHCO₃模拟盐碱环境,采用水培法研究了0.2 μmol·L^-1外源2,4表油菜素内酯(2,4-epibrassinolide,EBR)对盐碱胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长和活性氧代谢的影响.结果表明: NaHCO₃胁迫显著诱导了叶片及根系中O₂^-·的产生和H₂O₂的积累,导致丙二醛含量和电解质渗透率提高.NaHCO₃胁迫下,超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化物酶、过氧化氢酶、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶、谷胱甘肽还原酶活性及还原型抗坏血酸、还原型谷胱甘肽含量随胁迫时间延长呈现先升后降的趋势.外源EBR显著提高了NaHCO₃胁迫下黄瓜叶片和根系中抗氧化酶活性、抗氧化物质的含量以及AsA/DHA(双脱氢抗坏血酸)和GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽)比值,维持了植株内的氧化还原平衡,降低了活性氧积累水平,缓解了膜脂过氧化,从而提高了黄瓜幼苗的盐碱耐受性.     

褪黑素对盐碱复合胁迫下黄瓜幼苗光合特性和渗透调节物质含量的影响

为明确外源褪黑素(MT)对黄瓜盐碱胁迫的缓解效应,以‘新春四号’黄瓜为试材,采用复合盐碱(NaCl∶Na₂SO₄∶Na₂CO₃∶NaHCO₃=1∶9∶1∶9)模拟胁迫,测定外源根施MT和盐碱胁迫下黄瓜叶片光合特性和渗透调节物质含量。结果表明: 与正常生长黄瓜幼苗相比,在40 mmol·L^-1盐碱胁迫下,外源施加10 μmol·L^-1 MT能够显著增加黄瓜幼苗叶片的叶绿素、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白质含量,提高净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、光系统Ⅱ最大光化学效率、实际光化学效率、表观光合电子传递速率和光化学淬灭系数,而胞间CO₂浓度、非光化学淬灭系数、蔗糖、果糖、淀粉和脯氨酸含量减小了11.1%、13.8%、12.7%、27.5%、1.3%和32.8%,同时,碳同化关键酶核酮糖-1,5-二磷酸羧化/加氧酶、果糖-1,6-二磷酸酯酶活性显著升高,且Rubisco亚基(CsrbcS和CsrbcL)、CsFBA、CsRCA、CsFBPase、CsTK的mRNA水平均下调表达。综上,外源MT能够提高盐碱胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的叶绿素、渗透调节物质含量、光合化学效率和碳同化关键酶活性,增强幼苗光合能力,减轻复合盐碱胁迫对植株的伤害。研究结果可为抗盐碱栽培提供理论依据。     

外源Spd对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片膜脂过氧化及质子泵活性的影响

以较为耐热的黄瓜品种‘津春4号’为试材,在人工气候箱中,采用石英砂培养加营养液浇灌的栽培方式,研究了叶面喷施外源亚精胺(Spd)对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片膜脂过氧化程度、质子泵活性及其基因表达的影响.结果表明:高温胁迫下,外源Spd促进黄瓜幼苗株高、茎粗、干、鲜质量和叶面积显著增加,有效抑制叶片相对电导率、丙二醛(MDA)含量和脂氧合酶(LOX)活性的升高,有助于提高叶片细胞质膜和液泡膜H+ -ATPase活性,但在基因表达水平上无显著差异.外源Spd可显著降低黄瓜幼苗叶片膜脂过氧化程度,提高质子泵活性,从而稳定膜的结构和功能,缓解高温胁迫对黄瓜幼苗造成的伤害,提高幼苗对高温胁迫的耐性.     

外源表油菜素内酯对NaHCO3胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长及氧化还原平衡的影响

以‘津研四号’黄瓜为试材,以30 mmol·L^-1NaHCO_3模拟盐碱环境,采用水培法研究了0.2μmol·L^-1外源2,4表油菜素内酯(2,4-epibrassinolide,EBR)对盐碱胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长和活性氧代谢的影响.结果表明:NaHCO_3胁迫显著诱导了叶片及根系中O2-·的产生和H_2O_2的积累,导致丙二醛含量和电解质渗透率提高.NaHCO_3胁迫下,超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化物酶、过氧化氢酶、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶、谷胱甘肽还原酶活性及还原型抗坏血酸、还原型谷胱甘肽含量随胁迫时间延长呈现先升后降的趋势.外源EBR显著提高了NaHCO_3胁迫下黄瓜叶片和根系中抗氧化酶活性、抗氧化物质的含量以及As A/DHA(双脱氢抗坏血酸)和GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽)比值,维持了植株内的氧化还原平衡,降低了活性氧积累水平,缓解了膜脂过氧化,从而提高了黄瓜幼苗的盐碱耐受性.     

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。     

一氧化氮参与外源谷胱甘肽对盐胁迫下番茄幼苗抗氧化损伤的调控

采用营养液水培,研究外源谷胱甘肽(GSH)对NaCl和NaCl+Hb(牛血红蛋白,一种一氧化氮清除剂)处理下番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum)幼苗叶片中一氧化氮合酶(NOS)活性及其一氧化氮(NO)水平、膜脂过氧化程度、活性氧(ROS)积累和ROS清除能力的影响。结果表明:施用Hb使盐胁迫下番茄幼苗叶片的氧化损伤程度加剧,NO含量下调,但对GSH含量无显著影响。外源GSH的施用显著提高了盐胁迫下番茄幼苗叶中内源GSH与NO水平,单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)和硝酸还原酶(NR)活性,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性(除72 h),过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性(除48 h),处理48和72 h的谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)活性;降低电解质渗透率、硫代巴比妥酸(TBARS)含量以及处理48和72 h的过氧化氢(H_2O_2)和超氧阴离子(O_2ˉ·)含量。外源喷施GSH亦显著提高NaCl+Hb处理下番茄叶中抗坏血酸(AsA)、GSH和NO水平,CAT和APX活性,处理24和48 h的NR活性以及处理48和72 h的NOS活性;降低电解质渗透率及H_2O_2和TBARS含量。表明外源GSH通过介导内源GSH和NO水平上调,提高抗氧化酶活性和ROS的清除能力来缓解NaCl和NaCl+Hb处理导致的氧化损伤。因此,NO参与了外源GSH对盐胁迫下番茄幼苗抗氧化损伤的调控。     

镧对硝酸盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长及叶片抗氧化酶活性的影响

采用水培方法研究了LaCl₃对硝酸盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长及叶片抗氧化酶活性的影响.结果表明：硝酸盐胁迫显著抑制了黄瓜幼苗的生长,尤其是地上部生长.在处理7 d时,与对照相比,硝酸盐胁迫下的黄瓜单株地上部鲜质量降低了12.77 g,叶片超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性升高,而抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性显著降低.外加低浓度（0.05 mmol·L^-1）LaCl₃可以显著提高硝酸盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗单株鲜质量,比硝酸盐胁迫下提高了35%左右,还提高了叶片热稳定蛋白含量及SOD、POD、CAT、APX、DHAR、GR活性,降低了电解质渗漏率及丙二醛(MDA)含量,在一定程度上缓解了硝酸盐对黄瓜幼苗生长的抑制作用.但外加高浓度LaCl₃（0.5 mmol·L^-1）长期处理对黄瓜硝酸盐胁迫的缓解效果并不明显.因此外加一定浓度的LaCl₃可通过提高黄瓜抗氧化酶活性及热稳定蛋白含量来缓解硝酸盐胁迫.     

WGA reduces the level of oxidative stress in wheat seedlings under salinity

Protective effect of exogenous wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) on wheat seedling (Triticum aestivum L.) during salinity stress was studied. In particular, we examined the state of pro- and antioxidant systems as well as the level of peroxide oxidation of lipids and electrolyte leakage under control conditions and when stressed with NaCl. Generation of superoxide anions and activity of both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase increased during saline stress. Accumulation of O₂ ^·− resulted in peroxide oxidation of lipids and electrolyte leakage in response to stress. The injurious effect of salinity on root growth of seedlings was manifested by a decreased mitotic index (MI) in apical root meristem. This study show that WGA pretreatment decreased salt-induced superoxide anion generation, SOD and peroxidase activities, levels of lipid peroxidation and electrolytes leakage as well as correlating with a reduction in the inhibition of root apical meristem mitotic activity in salt-treated plants. This suggests that exogenous WGA reduced the detrimental effects of salinity-induced oxidative stress in wheat seedlings. Thus WGA effects on a balance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activities of antioxidant enzymes may provide an important contribution to a range of the defense reactions induced by this lectin in wheat plants.     

24-Epibrassinolide alleviated zinc-induced oxidative stress in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seedlings by enhancing antioxidative system

This article encompasses the results on the effects of 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) on the changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activities of antioxidative enzymes in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seedlings subjected to zinc (Zn) stress. Zn toxicity resulted in significant enhancement in the level of membrane lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, contents of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and hydroxyl radical (^·OH), the production rate of superoxide radicals (O ₂ ^·? ) and the activities of lipoxygenase and NADPH oxidase in radish seedlings indicating the induction of oxidative stress. However, Zn-mediated enhancement in indices of oxidative stress was considerably decreased by EBR treatment. EBR application enhanced the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, and peroxidase in radish seedlings under Zn stress. EBR treatment reduced the activity of ascorbic acid oxidase in Zn stressed seedlings. Further, EBR application also enhanced the free proline and phenol levels under Zn stress. From the results obtained in this study, it can be inferred that EBR application alleviated oxidative damage caused by over production of ROS through the up regulation of antioxidative capacity in Zn stressed radish seedlings.     

外源水杨酸对NaCl胁迫下大豆种子萌发和幼苗生长生理的影响

以大豆种子、幼苗为试验材料,采用砂培的方法,研究了0.2mmol·L-1外源水杨酸(SA)对100mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下大豆种子萌发、幼苗形态及生物量、膜脂过氧化和抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果显示:NaCl胁迫下,大豆种子萌发和幼苗生长受到显著抑制,且随着胁迫时间的延长(0~3d),大豆幼苗相对电解质渗漏率、硫代巴比妥酸活性产物(TBARS)含量显著升高,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性均明显降低。外源SA促进NaCl胁迫下大豆种子萌发和根茎生长,增加幼苗生物量积累,降低幼苗叶片相对电解质渗漏率和TBARS含量,增强其叶片SOD、CAT、APX活性。研究表明,NaCl胁迫能显著抑制大豆种子萌发和幼苗生长,而一定浓度的外源SA能有效提高NaCl胁迫下大豆种子活力及幼苗抗氧化酶活性,减轻膜脂过氧化程度,缓解NaCl胁迫所造成的伤害,提高大豆幼苗抗盐胁迫的能力。     

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。     

Arsenic-induced oxidative stress in the common bean legume,Phaseolus vulgaris L. seedlings and its amelioration by exogenous nitric oxide

The adverse effects of arsenic (As) toxicity on seedling growth, root and shoot anatomy, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, root oxidizability (RO), antioxidant enzyme activities, H₂O₂ content, lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage (EL%) in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were investigated. The role of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) in amelioration of As-induced inhibitory effect was also evaluated using sodium nitroprusside (100 μM SNP) as NO donor and 2-(4-carboxy-2-phenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (200 μM PTIO) as NO scavenger in different combinations with 50 μM As. As-induced growth inhibition was associated with marked anomalies in anatomical features, reduction in pigment composition, increased RO and severe perturbations in antioxidant enzyme activities. While activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase increased, levels of ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase decreased significantly and guaiacol peroxidase remained normal. The over-accumulation of H₂O₂ content along with high level of lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage indicates As-induced oxidative damage in P. vulgaris seedlings with more pronounced effect on the roots than the shoots. Exogenous addition of NO significantly reversed the As-induced oxidative stress, maintaining H₂O₂ in a certain level through balanced alterations of antioxidant enzyme activities. The role of NO in the process of amelioration has ultimately been manifested by significant reduction of membrane damage and improvement of growth performance in plants grown on As + SNP media. Onset of oxidative stress was more severe after addition of PTIO, which confirms the protective role of NO against As-induced oxidative damage in P. vulgaris seedlings.     

Effects of foliar applications of nitric oxide and salicylic acid on salt-induced changes in photosynthesis and antioxidative metabolism of cotton seedlings

Nitric oxide (NO) is a plant signaling compound known to mitigate key physiological processes and salicylic acid (SA) is considered to be a signaling molecule that plays a key role in growth, development, and defense responses in plants under stress conditions. This work investigated the effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a donor of NO) and SA on salt-tolerance of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seedlings by examining growth, photosynthetic performance, total osmoregulation substance content, antioxidative enzymes and H⁺-ATPase enzyme subjected to 100 mM NaCl. Addition of 100 mM NaCl inhibited the growth and photosynthetic parameters of cotton seedlings, and dramatically increased the electrolyte leakage, the plant contents of proline, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and Na. Furthermore, antioxidant enzyme activities were restrained. Foliar applications of 0.1 mM SNP or/and 0.1 mM SA led to increase in the growth rate and photosynthesis, including photosystem II, net photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate, improvement of reactive oxygen species-scavenging enzymes activities and reduction of H₂O₂ accumulation in cotton seedlings induced by NaCl. In addition, membrane transport and function were facilitated by decreasing leaf electrolyte leakage, improving ion absorption and activating the osmotic-regulated substances metabolic. Further investigation also showed that SNP and SA alleviated the inhibition of H⁺-ATPase in plasma membrane induced by NaCl. The present study showed that foliar application of SNP and SA alone mitigated the adverse effect of salinity, while the combined application proved to be even more effective in alleviating the adverse effects of NaCl stress.     

Exogenous hydrogen peroxide can enhance tolerance of wheat seedlings to salt stress

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), an active oxygen species, is widely generated in many biological systems and mediates various physiological and biochemical processes in plants. In this study, we demonstrated that exogenous H₂O₂ was able to improve the tolerance of wheat seedlings to salt stress. Treatments with exogenous H₂O₂ for 2 days significantly enhanced salt stress tolerance in wheat seedlings by decreasing the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), the production rate of superoxide radical (O₂ ⁻), and increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and the concentration of glutathione (GSH) and carotenoids (CAR). To further clarify the role of H₂O₂ in preventing salt stress damage, CAT and ascorbate (AsA), the specific H₂O₂ scavengers, were used. The promoting effect of exogenous H₂O₂ on salt stress could be reversed by the addition of CAT and AsA. It was suggested that exogenous H₂O₂ induced changes in MDA, O₂ ⁻, antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant compounds were responsible for the increase in salt stress tolerance observed in the experiments. Therefore, H₂O₂ may participate in antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant compounds induced tolerance of wheat seedlings to salt stress. The results also showed that exogenous H₂O₂ had a positive physiological effect on the growth and development of salt-stressed seedlings.     

Growth,photosynthetic electron transport,and antioxidant responses of young soybean seedlings to simultaneous exposure of nickel and UV-B stress

The effects of enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 0.4 W m⁻²) irradiance and nickel (Ni, 0.01, 0.10 and 1.00 mM; Ni_0.01, Ni_0.10, Ni_1.00, respectively) treatment, singly and in combination, on growth, photosynthetic electron transport activity, the contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidants, lipid peroxidation, and membrane leakage in soybean seedlings were evaluated. Ni_0.10 and Ni_1.00 and UV-B declined the growth and chlorophyll content, which were further reduced following combined exposure. Contrary to this, Ni_0.01 stimulated growth, however, the effect together with UV-B was inhibitory. Carotenoids showed varied response to both the stresses. Simultaneous exposure of UV-B and Ni as well as UV-B alone reduced the activities of photosystems 1 and 2 (PS1 and PS2) and whole chain activity significantly, while Ni individually, besides strongly inhibiting PS2 and whole chain activity, stimulated the PS1 activity. Both the stresses, alone and together, enhanced the contents of superoxide radical (O ₂ ^⋅− ), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), electrolyte leakage, and proline content, while ascorbate content declined over control. Individual treatments increased the activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), but Ni_1.00 declined SOD activity significantly. Combined exposure exhibited similar response, however, CAT activity declined even more than in control. Compared to individual effects of UV-B and Ni, the simultaneous exposure resulted in strong inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport and excessive accumulation of ROS, thereby causing severe damage to soybean seedlings.This work was supported by the CSIR, New Delhi, India in the form of JRF to Rajiv Dwivedi.     

Protective effects of complementary Ca2+ on low-light-induced oxidative damage in tall fescue

Low-light (LL) intensity is a primary abiotic stressor that negatively influences turf grass quality. In the present experiment, we studied the effect of exogenous Ca²⁺ (0, 10, 50, 100, and 200 mM) on the antioxidant system, the accumulation of MDA and proline, the content of photosynthetic pigments in plant leaves in order to investigate whether exogenous Ca²⁺ treatment improves LL tolerance in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). We have found that LL significantly reduced a number of growth parameters (plant height, leaf width, leaf fresh weight, root fresh weight, leaf dry weight, and root dry weight), chlorophyll (Chl) a and Chl b contents, and carotenoid (Car) levels, while considerably enhancing electrolyte leakage (EL), MDA accumulation, calcium (Ca²⁺) concentration, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide radical (O ₂ ^·? ). Moreover, LL significantly induced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), and slightly increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in tall fescue leaves. In contrast, POD and SOD activities declined considerably while CAT activity significantly increased in plant roots under LL stress. The application of 50 mM Ca²⁺ significantly improved the aforementioned growth parameters, the content of photosynthetic pigments, and further enhanced the activities of POD, SOD, and CAT, but decreased electrolyte leakage and MDA and H₂O₂ levels in the leaves and roots of tall fescue under LL stress. These results suggest that Ca²⁺ is likely involved in a resistance to LL by regulating antioxidant enzyme action in tall fescue leaves and roots.