水杨酸提高香蕉幼苗的抗冷性与H2O2代谢有关

探讨了水杨酸(salicylic acid, SA)提高香蕉幼苗抗冷性的可能机理.在常温下(30/22 ℃)用不同浓度(0～3.5 mmol/L)的SA水溶液喷洒叶片1 d,置于7 ℃低温下冷胁迫3 d,随后于常温下恢复2 d后测定电解质泄漏率,结果表明:SA 0.3～0.9 mmol/L能显著提高香蕉幼苗的抗冷性,以0.5 mmol/L效果最佳.若把冷胁迫温度降到5 ℃,SA 0.5 mmol/L 预处理可显著减少幼苗叶片的萎蔫面积.但当SA浓度高于1.5 mmol/L时,恢复期间的电解质泄漏甚至高于对照(蒸馏水处理),表明它们加剧了冷害.SA提高香蕉幼苗的抗冷性可能需要H2O2的参与:1)SA 0.5 mmol/L常温处理诱导了H2O2的积累和活性氧造成的膜脂过氧化--三氯乙酸反应物质(TBARS)的增加,这可能与H2O2的清除酶--过氧化氢酶(CAT)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性的受抑和H2O2的产生酶-超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性几乎不受影响有关;2)外源H2O2(1.5～2.5 mmol/L)也能显著降低低温胁迫期间的电解质泄漏,表明也能提高抗冷性;3)而用H2O2的捕捉剂--二甲基硫脲(DMTU)可明显抑制SA诱导的抗冷性;4)在低温胁迫与恢复期间,SA预处理明显提高了CAT和APX的活性,抑制了H2O2与TBARS的快速上升.     

水杨酸提高香蕉幼苗的抗冷性与H2O2代谢有关

探讨了水杨酸(salicylic acid,SA)提高香蕉幼苗抗冷性的可能机理。在常温下(30／22℃)用不同浓度(0—3．5mmol／L)的SA水溶液喷洒叶片1d,置于7℃低温下冷胁迫3d,随后于常温下恢复2d后测定电解质泄漏率,结果表明：SA0．3～0．9mmol／L能显著提高香蕉幼苗的抗冷性,以0．5mmol／L效果最佳。若把冷胁迫温度降到5℃,SA0．5mmol／L预处理可显著减少幼苗叶片的萎蔫面积。但当SA浓度高于1．5mmol／L时,恢复期间的电解质泄漏甚至高于对照(蒸馏水处理),表明它们加剧了冷害。SA提高香蕉幼苗的抗冷性可能需要H2O2的参与：1)SA0．5mmol／L常温处理诱导了H2O2的积累和活性氧造成的膜脂过氧化——三氯乙酸反应物质(TBARS)的增加,这可能与H2O2的清除酶——过氧化氢酶(CAT)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性的受抑和H2O2的产生酶—超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性几乎不受影响有关;2)外源H2O2(1．5—2．5mmoL／L)也能显著降低低温胁迫期间的电解质泄漏,表明也能提高抗冷性;3)而用H2O2的捕捉剂——二甲基硫脲(DMTU)可明显抑制SA诱导的抗冷性;4)在低温胁迫与恢复期间,SA预处理明显提高了CAT和APX的活性,抑制了H2O2与TBARS的快速上升。     

外源一氧化氮对香蕉幼苗抗冷性的影响

以巴西香蕉(Musa AAA Group Cavendish cv.Brazil)幼苗为试验材料,采用外源一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(SNP)15 μmol·L-1溶液进行冷胁迫(8℃)前处理,考察其冷胁迫和常温恢复过程中抗冷性指标的变化,以探讨外源NO对香蕉幼苗抗冷性的影响.结果表明,在8℃冷胁迫环境下,SNP预处理香蕉幼苗的萎蔫程度较轻,且在常温下恢复快而完全.SNP预处理可以显著降低冷胁迫下香蕉幼苗叶片的质膜相对透性及过氧化氢和丙二醛含量,并显著增加其可溶性蛋白含量.在冷胁迫的前2 d,SNP处理苗的过氧化物酶和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶的活性显著增加,而超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶的活性则在胁迫的第3天才显著上升,经3 d冷胁迫回温(28℃)后,4种酶的活性均显著提高.可见,适当浓度NO能够通过诱导香蕉幼苗体内的抗氧化酶活性来有效缓解其遭受的冷胁迫损伤.     

水杨酸对冷胁迫下香蕉幼苗抗冷性的效应

用0.6 mmol/L水杨酸(SA)喷洒香蕉幼苗叶片1 d后,于8℃低温胁迫5 d,研究水杨酸对香蕉幼苗抗冷性的影响。结果表明:SA降低了受低温胁迫的香蕉幼苗叶片相对电导率及丙二醛(MDA)和过氧化氢含量,减缓了可溶性蛋白质含量的下降,提高了脯氨酸含量及过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性。表明SA可通过提高香蕉幼苗抗氧化酶活性、清除活性氧的积累、减少膜损伤来缓解低温对香蕉幼苗的损伤。     

外源一氧化氮对低温胁迫下枇杷叶片AsA-GSH循环的影响

采用0.2、0.5、1.0和1.5 mmol·L^-1的硝普钠(SNP)处理3年生‘早钟6号’枇杷幼苗,以喷清水为对照(CK),于-3 ℃低温胁迫处理6 h后在25 ℃下培养4 d,测定恢复0、1和4 d时叶片非酶抗氧化物质和抗氧化酶活性的变化.结果表明：与CK相比,经SNP处理的枇杷叶片过氧化氢(H₂O₂)含量降低,还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和抗坏血酸(AsA)含量及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)活性升高.低温处理后恢复4 d时,经0.5 mmol·L^-1 SNP处理的枇杷叶片H₂O₂含量下降至CK的75.3%,而GSH和AsA含量分别比CK增加了29.12%和23.40%,APX、GR、DHAR和MDAR活性分别比CK增加了50.0%、44.4%、49.53%和62.68%.适当的外源NO处理可提高枇杷叶片的抗氧化系统活性,减轻细胞在低温胁迫下的损伤,其中以0.5 mmol·L^-1的SNP处理效果较理想.     

水杨酸诱导的玉米幼苗适应高温和低温胁迫的能力与抗氧化酶系统的关系

玉米种子经水杨酸(SA)预处理后其幼苗的耐热性与耐冷性提高.其中以300μmol·L-1SA预处理的玉米幼苗对46℃高温胁迫2 d的耐热性提高最大,150μmol·L-1SA预处理的玉米幼苗对1℃低温胁迫5 d的耐冷性提高最大.在高温和低温胁迫过程中,SA预处理过的玉米幼苗中过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、过氧化物酶(GPX)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)的活性水平均高于未经SA处理的.     

低温下壳聚糖处理对黄瓜幼苗生理生化特性的影响

50 mg/L的壳聚糖处理减轻了低温对黄瓜幼苗膜的伤害,低温(6℃)处理4 d后,幼苗膜透性和MDA含量明显低于对照,并且显著减缓了低温导致的光合速率、实际光化学效率(ФPS Ⅱ)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)和1光系数(F’v /Em’)的下降;同时,处理使抗氧化酶SOD、POD、CAT和APX活性提高,可溶性蛋白和脯胺酸含量增加.因此,壳聚糖处理增强了黄瓜幼苗的抗冷性,保护了膜系统,提高了活性氧清除能力,减轻了低温对光合机构的破坏.     

嫁接对低温弱光下辣椒幼苗膜脂过氧化及抗氧化酶活性的影响

以‘卫士’为砧木,以‘赤峰特选’为接穂进行嫁接,在光照培养箱内对辣椒自根苗(对照)和嫁接苗进行低温 (8 ℃/5 ℃) 弱光(100 μmol·m^-2·s^-1)处理,处理7 d后在正常条件(25 ℃/18 ℃,550～600 μmol·m^-2·s^-1)下恢复3 d,研究低温弱光下辣椒嫁接苗和自根苗电解质渗漏率(EL)、丙二醛(MDA)含量、抗氧化酶活性及根系活力的变化.结果表明：低温弱光胁迫初期,辣椒幼苗叶片与根系的EL、MDA含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性均显著升高,而根系活力大幅降低;1～3 d后EL和MDA含量趋于平稳,SOD、POD、APX、GR活性逐渐降低,根系活力呈上升趋势.恢复3 d后,嫁接苗EL、MDA含量、抗氧化酶活性及根系活力多达到或超过胁迫前水平(根系的MDA含量较胁迫前略高);而自根苗的EL和MDA含量仍显著高于胁迫前.与自根苗相比,嫁接苗在各处理阶段的EL和MDA含量显著降低,而SOD、POD、APX、GR活性及根系活力明显升高,说明嫁接可有效降低辣椒植株的膜脂过氧化,减轻低温弱光对其细胞膜的伤害.     

低温胁迫对巨尾桉幼苗膜脂过氧化及保护酶的影响

以木本植物巨尾桉幼苗为材料 ,研究低温胁迫对巨尾桉膜脂过氧化及保护酶的影响 ,测定了幼苗叶片的O 2(超氧阴离子 )产生速率、H2 O2 、(过氧化氢 )、MDA(丙二醛 )含量、相对电导率和SOD(超氧化物歧化酶 )、POD(过氧化物酶 )、CAT(过氧化氢酶 )、APX(抗坏血酸过氧化物酶 )活性。结果表明 :低温胁迫使叶片O 2 产生速率、H2 O2 、MDA含量和相对电导率增加 ,但抗寒锻炼植株的增幅远小于对照 ;抗寒锻炼植株的SOD、POD、CAT和APX活性均低于对照。     

外源亚精胺和精胺对NaHCO3胁迫下南蛇藤抗氧化系统的影响

研究了叶面喷施亚精胺和精胺对NaHCO₃胁迫下南蛇藤叶片抗氧化系统的影响.结果表明：外源亚精胺和精胺处理使NaHCO₃胁迫下南蛇藤叶片O₂^-·产生速率、H₂O₂、丙二醛(MDA)含量和电解质外渗率显著降低(P<0.05).亚精胺处理明显提高了盐胁迫下超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)等抗氧化酶的活性,以及还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)、类胡萝卜素(CAR)和脯氨酸(Pro)等抗氧化剂的含量,但对还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)含量没有作用;精胺处理明显提高NaHCO₃胁迫下POD和APX的活性以及GSH、CAR和Pro的含量,但对SOD和AsA含量影响不显著,甚至引起CAT活性明显降低.亚精胺和精胺处理明显改善了NaHCO₃胁迫下南蛇藤的生长.外源亚精胺和精胺可以改善NaHCO₃胁迫下南蛇藤叶片的膜保护功能,减少叶片中活性氧的积累,从而提高南蛇藤对NaHCO₃胁迫的抗性.     

嫁接对低温弱光下甜椒幼苗光合作用的影响

以‘卫士’和‘部野丁’为砧木,以‘赤峰特选’为接穂进行嫁接,在光照培养箱内对甜椒自根苗和嫁接苗进行低温(8 ℃/ 5℃)弱光(100 μmol·m^-2·s^-1)处理,处理7 d后在正常条件（25 ℃/18 ℃,PFD 550～600 μmol·m^-2·s^-1）下恢复3 d,研究低温弱光下甜椒嫁接苗和自根苗气体交换参数、羧化效率和荧光参数等的变化.结果表明：低温弱光胁迫3 d时,甜椒幼苗叶片的光合速率（P_n）、气孔导度（G_s）和羧化效率（CE）均下降50%以上,之后P_n、G_s趋于平稳,CE持续下降;胞间CO₂浓度（C_i）呈先下降后上升趋势.低温弱光下,甜椒幼苗的暗下最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、光下实际光化学效率（Ф_PSⅡ）及电子传递速率（ETR）显著降低,初始荧光(F_o)有所升高,表明其光合机构受到一定伤害,但处理结束3 d后基本恢复.与自根苗相比,嫁接苗在各处理阶段的P_n、G_s、CE、Ф_PSⅡ、F_v/F_m和ETR都有不同程度的提高,F_o明显降低.可见,嫁接可显著提高甜椒幼苗的光合功能,减轻低温弱光对其光合作用的影响.     

低温弱光下水杨酸对黄瓜幼苗光合作用及抗氧化酶活性的影响

为了探讨低温弱光下水杨酸（SA）对黄瓜光合功能的调控作用,以‘津优3号’黄瓜幼苗为试材,叶面喷施不同浓度的SA溶液,研究低温弱光下黄瓜幼苗气体交换参数、光化学效率、MDA含量及抗氧化酶活性的变化.结果表明：低温弱光胁迫使黄瓜幼苗叶片的光合速率（P_n）、气孔导度（G_s）、蒸腾速率（T_r）、PSⅡ光下实际光化学效率（Φ_PSⅡ）及暗下最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）明显降低,胞间CO₂浓度（C_i）显著升高,说明低温弱光下黄瓜幼苗P_n下降的主要原因是非气孔限制;低温弱光还可引起黄瓜幼苗丙二醛（MDA）含量增加,超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性升高,过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性降低,过氧化物酶（POD）活性先升高后降低.而胁迫前用0.5～2.5 mmol·L^-1 SA预处理幼苗,其叶片的P_n、G_s、T_r、Φ_PSⅡ、F_v/F_m及SOD、POD和CAT活性与CK（水预处理）相比均有不同程度的提高,C_i和MDA含量有所降低.表明SA可有效调控低温弱光下黄瓜幼苗叶片的光合功能,提高其低温弱光耐性,其适宜浓度为1 mmol·L^-1.     

NaCl胁迫对沙棘和银水牛果幼苗生长及光合特性的影响

以沙棘和银水牛果2年生幼苗为试材,设NaCl浓度分别为0、200、400和600 mmol·L^-1,研究NaCl 胁迫对其生长及光合特性的影响.结果表明: 随着NaCl浓度的增加,沙棘和银水牛果幼苗的生物量、单株总叶面积均显著下降,且NaCl浓度越高, 下降幅度越大.不同NaCl浓度处理下,沙棘和银水牛果幼苗根冠比较对照显著增加,比叶质量(LMA)略有降低.随着NaCl浓度的增加和胁迫时间的延长,沙棘和银水牛果叶片净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)和气孔导度(G_s)均明显下降, 胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)先降后升,气孔限制值(L_s)和水分利用效率(WUE)则先升后降.P_n下降的原因短期内以气孔限制为主,长期则以非气孔限制因素为主,且树种耐盐性越弱,NaCl浓度越高,由气孔限制转为非气孔限制的时间越早.试验中,沙棘幼苗在600 mmol·L^-1NaCl处理10 d时即出现盐害症状,22 d时全部死亡,而银水牛果可以忍耐600 mmol·L^-1NaCl长达30 d以上,说明银水牛果作为引进树种,其耐盐性较沙棘更强,可能更适合在我国盐碱地大面积推广种植.     

根区不同灌溉方式对苹果幼苗水流阻力的影响

研究了滴灌条件下根区不同灌溉方式（交替滴灌ADI、固定滴灌FDI和常规滴灌CDI）和灌水量对苹果幼苗及各组成部分水流阻力、气孔导度和叶面积的影响.结果表明：根区灌溉方式和灌水量对苹果幼苗水流阻力（R）的影响显著; 在相同的根区灌溉方式下,苹果幼苗根系阻力（R_r）随着灌水量的减少而增大,冠层阻力（R_s）随着灌水量的减少而减小.在相同灌水量下,与常规滴灌相比,交替滴灌和固定滴灌均提高了苹果幼苗叶片和叶柄阻力（R_l+p）,降低了幼苗全株阻力（R_t）、R_r、R_s以及侧枝和主杆阻力（R_lb+mr）.在20 mm和30 mm灌水定额下,交替滴灌的R_l+p分别比常规滴灌高1.06%和0.63%.在平均节水达33%的前提下,交替滴灌和固定滴灌的平均R_l+p分别比常规滴灌高19.65%和24.34%,但交替滴灌和固定滴灌的平均R_lb+mr分别降低了4.83%和14.97%.交替滴灌和固定滴灌等局部根区不同灌溉方式通过有效减小苹果气孔导度和叶面积,提高了R_l+p,从而减少了叶片的蒸腾失水,提高了苹果幼苗的水分利用效率,通过降低R_r和R_lb+mr提高了苹果幼苗调控水分的能力和抗干旱能力.     

The Effects of Cold Acclimation on Several Enzyme Activities in Cucumber Seedling

The changes in activities of SOD, peroxidase, catalase and ATPase in chilling sensitive cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings using biochemical and cytochemical methods were studied. The results indicated that the activities of SOD, peroxidase and catalase enhanced dramatically in cold acclimated cucumber seedlings and the three enzymes remained stable under chilling stress. Consequently, the ability of cleaning up free radical of oxygen and peroxidates increased. The cold-tolerant character of plasmalemma ATPase activity was developed after low-temperature acclimation. All these changes provided the possibility for protecting the stability of membrane structure and metabolism from chilling injury, and for the enhancement of cold tolerance by low temperature acclimation.     

Participation of H2O2 in Enhancement of Cold Chilling by Salicylic Acid in Banana Seedlings

The possible physiological mechanism of enhancement of cold tolerance by salicylic acid (SA) in banana seedlings (Musa acuminata cv. Williams 8188) was explored. Measurements of leakage electrolyte after 2 d of recovery at 30/22 ℃ (day/night) following 3 d of cold stress at 7 ℃ showed that pretreatment with hydroponic solution containing SA 0.3－0.9 mmol/L as foliar spray under normal growth conditions (30/22 ℃) could significantly enhance cold tolerance of banana plants. The highest enhancing effect of SA occurred at 0.5 mmol/L and it showed the lowest leakage rate of electrolyte or smaller leaf wilting area after 2 d of recovery at normal temperature from 3 d of 7 ℃ or 5 ℃ cold stress. Higher concentrations (≥2.5 mmol/L) of SA, however, caused more electrolyte leakage, indicating that they aggravated chilling damage. Enhanced cold tolerance by SA could be related to H2O2 metabolism. Compared with water-treated seedlings (control), SA 0.5 mmol/L treatment inhibited activities of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), increased peroxidase (POX) activity, but did not affect the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) under normal growth conditions, and these changes might lead to an accumulation of H2O2, whereas SA pretreatment enhanced the activities of CAT and APX, and reduced the increase in productions of H2O2 and thiobarbituric acid-reaction substances (TBARS) during subsequent 7 ℃ cold stress and recovery periods. Exogenous H2O2 treatments (1.5－2.5 mmol/L) also increased cold tolerance of banana seedlings. Furthermore, pretreatment of banana seedlings with dimethylthiourea (a trap for H2O2) significantly inhibited cold tolerance induced by SA. These results suggested that endogenous H2O2 may be required for SA-enhanced cold tolerance. The significance of the interaction of SA, H2O2 and H2O2-metabolizing enzymes during cold stress has been discussed.     

氧化胁迫对水稻幼苗抗冷力的影响

利用Ｈ２Ｏ２和甲基紫精（ＭＶ）对水稻幼苗作三种不同程度的氧化胁迫预处理。结果表明：轻度氧化胁迫预处理（１０ｕｍｏｌ／ＬＨ２Ｏ２或１０ｕｍｏｌ／ＬＭＶ处理４ｈ）提高了水稻幼苗的抗冷力,严重氧化胁迫预处理（１０ｕｍｏｌ／ＬＨ２Ｏ２或１０ｕｍｏｌ／ＬＭＶ分别处理１６ｈ和４０ｈ）则削弱水稻幼苗的抗冷力。氧化胁迫预处理刺激了水稻幼苗叶片抗氧化酶（ＳＯＤ,ＣＡＴ,ＰＯＸ和ＡＰＸ）的活性。经冷胁迫后,不同预处理苗的叶片抗氧化酶活性、膜脂过氧化和膜结构的变化趋势不同：轻度氧化胁迫预处理使幼苗仍保持较高的抗氧化酶活性,减轻了由冷胁迫引起的膜脂过氧化和细胞膜的渗漏程度,而严重氧化胁迫预处理则相反。因此,水稻幼苗对氧化胁迫感知并作出反应的机制（氧化应激机制）在水稻幼苗对低温反应和适应过程中起着很重要的调节作用。     

茄子幼苗耐低温性生理机制研究

选择耐低温性不同的6份茄子高代自交系幼苗为材料,进行白天10℃/夜间7℃低温处理10d,调查其耐低温性、生长指标(株高、茎粗、鲜重、干重)、生理指标(POD、SOD、APX活性及脯氨酸含量),以探讨低温对茄子幼苗生长过程中的生长和生理指标的影响.结果显示:(1)各材料的上述性状在常温下均差异不显著,而在低温处理下差异极显著;与对照相比较,幼苗株高、茎粗、鲜重和干重下降,而POD、SOD、APX活性及脯氨酸含量上升.(2)各材料指标的升降幅度与其低温耐受性密切相关,耐低温性强的材料生长指标下降幅度较小,而生理指标提高幅度较大,耐低温性弱的材料则表现相反.(3)各指标间相比较,茄子耐低温性与株高、茎粗、干重、POD活性、SOD活性呈显著正相关,与其余性状的相关未达显著水平.研究表明,低温使茄子幼苗的生长受到一定程度的抑制,但耐低温材料能够通过调节自身的保护酶系统活性来减轻低温的伤害,维持植物体的正常生长及生理代谢功能.     

Heat shock-mediated APX gene expression and protection against chilling injury in rice seedlings

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings, when kept at 42 degrees C for 24 h before being kept at 5 degrees C for 7 d, did not develop chilling injury. Chilling resistance was enhanced in parallel with the period of heat-treatment. The level of APX activity was higher in heated seedlings whereas CAT activity was decreased by heat stress. There was no significant difference in SOD activity between heated and unheated seedlings. The elevated activity of APX was sustained after 7 d of chilling. The cytosolic APX gene expression in response to high and low temperature was analysed with an APXa gene probe. APXa mRNA levels increased within 1 h after seedlings were exposed to 42 degrees C. Elevated APXa mRNA levels could also be detected after 24 h of heating. The APXa mRNA level in preheated seedlings was still higher than unheated seedlings under cold stress. The promoter of the APXa gene was cloned from rice genomic DNA by TAIL-PCR, and characterized by DNA sequencing. The promoter had a minimal heat shock factor-binding motif, 5'-nGAAnnTTCn-3', located in the 81 bp upstream of the TATA box. Heat shock induction of the APXa gene could be a possible cause of reduced chilling injury in rice seedlings.     

Role of Catalase in Inducing Chilling Tolerance in Pre-Emergent Maize Seedlings

The mechanisms of chilling acclimation and the role of antioxidant enzymes, catalase in particular, in inducing chilling tolerance in pre-emergent maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings have been investigated. Seedlings were acclimated to chilling stress in two different ways. Three-day-old seedlings did not survive 7 d of 4[deg]C stress unless acclimated by exposure to either 14[deg]C for 1 d or 4[deg]C for 1 d followed by recovery at 27[deg]C for 1 d. Although no changes in superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase activities were observed, both kinds of acclimated seedlings had higher catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase, and guaiacol peroxidase activities compared with nonacclimated seedlings during low-temperature stress and recovery conditions. To study the role of CAT in chilling tolerance, aminotriazole (AT) was used as a tool to artificially inhibit CAT activity and to initiate oxidative stress in the seedlings. Treatment of acclimating seedlings with 3 mM AT for 18 h abolished the acclimation phenomenon. AT treatment was found to be specific to CAT inhibition, because the total activities or isozyme profiles of the other investigated antioxidant enzymes were not altered in AT-treated seedlings. Protein carbonyl content, an indication of oxidative damage, was increased 2-fold in nonacclimated and AT-treated acclimated seedlings. These results collectively indicate that acclimation to prolonged chilling stress can be achieved by briefly pre-exposing the seedlings to 4[deg]C chilling stress and that acclimation-induced (oxidative stress-induced) CAT seems to play a major role, probably along with other antioxidant enzymes, in inducing chilling tolerance in pre-emergent maize seedlings.