干旱胁迫对鹿角杜鹃种子萌发和幼苗生理特性的影响

为探明鹿角杜鹃种子萌发和幼苗生长期的耐旱性,以鹿角杜鹃干种子和90d苗龄幼苗为材料,采用聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)模拟不同程度的干旱胁迫,研究干旱胁迫对其种子萌发、早期幼苗生长及幼苗的细胞膜透性、MDA含量、有机渗透调节物质和抗氧化酶活性的影响,并对种子萌发率、早期幼苗生长量与PEG胁迫浓度间进行了回归分析。结果表明:(1)5%~25%PEG胁迫范围内,随着干旱胁迫程度的增加,鹿角杜鹃种子的发芽启动时间推迟,发芽持续时间延长,发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数和幼苗生长量显著降低;重度干旱胁迫(25%PEG)下,鹿角杜鹃种子完全未萌发。(2)发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数以及幼苗生长量的变化均与干旱胁迫程度呈极显著负相关关系,回归分析求得鹿角杜鹃种子萌发的半致死PEG干旱胁迫浓度为15.68%、半致矮PEG干旱胁迫浓度为15.37%。(3)随着PEG胁迫浓度的增加,鹿角杜鹃幼苗叶片SOD活性呈先升后降的趋势,但各胁迫处理仍显著高于CK(0%PEG);细胞膜透性、MDA、脯氨酸、可溶性糖含量、POD和CAT活性则在中度(15%~20%PEG)和重度胁迫下显著升高,与干旱胁迫程度呈极显著正相关关系。研究表明,干旱胁迫显著抑制了鹿角杜鹃种子萌发和早期幼苗生长,使其细胞膜受到损伤,同时鹿角杜鹃可通过体内渗透调节物质和抗氧化酶活性的增加来适应干旱环境,使得自身受抑制、损伤程度降到最低。     

Potentiality of Different Seed Priming Agents to Mitigate Cold Stress of Winter Rice Seedling

Seed priming has proved to be an effective pre-germination seed invigoration technique for different crops to improve seed and seedling performance under different abiotic stresses. In Bangladesh, winter rice is very often exposed to cold waves just after sowing in the nursery bed resulting in poor seed germination and seedling emergence, yellowish and thin seedlings production, and a very low survival rate. Seed priming may mitigate the cold stress during seed germination and seedling emergence and helps in the quality seedling production of winter rice. To evaluate the efficacy of different seed priming techniques in increasing seedling emergence, growth, vigor and survivability of winter rice cultivars under cold stress, a pot experiment was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University during December 2018 to January 2019. The experiment comprised two factors, (A) Winter rice variety namely, i) BRRI dhan29 and ii) BRRI dhan36; (B) Seed priming agent namely i) Control (no priming), ii) 20000 ppm NaCl, iii) 30000 ppm NaCl, iv) 20000 ppm KCl, v) 30000 ppm KCl, vi) 20000 ppm CaCl₂, vii) 30000 ppm CaCl₂, viii) 50 ppm CuSO₄, ix) 75 ppm CuSO₄, x) 10000 ppm ZnSO₄, xi) 15000 ppm ZnSO₄, xii) 2 ppm Na₂MoO₄, xiii) 3 ppm Na₂MoO₄, xiv) 100 ppm PEG (Polyethylene glycol 4000) and xv) 150 ppm PEG. Seeds were sown on two different dates viz., 1st December and 1st January so that seedlings are exposed to cold stress at different stages. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Results indicated that (in most of the cases) seed priming has a positive impact on seedling emergence rate (%), root length, shoot length, root shoot ratio, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, seedling dry weight and survival rate (%). Among the priming agents, KCl and CaCl₂ performed best; while priming with NaCl and PEG showed no advantages over no priming for both the sowing dates. In general, BRRI dhan36 performed better than BRRI dhan29 in terms of seedling growth because of its higher tolerance to cold stress. But, both the varieties performed similarly in terms of emergence rate and survival rate. Thus, priming is an effective tool to increase seed germination, better seedling growth, and higher seedling survivability of winter rice under cold stress, and KCl (20000 ppm) or CaCl₂ (20000 ppm) can be considered as a viable priming agent.     

Sugar beet extract acts as a natural bio-stimulant for physio-biochemical attributes in water stressed wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

The present study investigated the role of sugar beet extract (SBE) as a bio-stimulant to ameliorate the adverse effects of drought on seed germination and growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Different concentrations of SBE (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%) were used for priming the wheat seeds. The experiment was conducted in laboratory (PEG-8000 was used to create water stress) as well as under natural environmental conditions (using soil with 100 and 60% field capacity). Significant ameliorating effects of seed priming with SBE were recorded on different germination attributes, i.e., time to 50% emergence (E₅₀), germination index (GI), mean emergence time (MET), germination percentage (G%), coefficient of uniformity of emergence (CUE) and germination energy (GE) under water stress. Without priming, the plants exhibited symptoms of water stress like decreased biomass, reduction in photosynthetic pigments, e.g., chlorophyll, carotenoids. Seed pre-conditioning with SBE improved the plant growth, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidants’ activities and nutrient homeostasis of plants facing water deficit and grown under well-watered conditions. The maximum increase in biomass, content of chlorophyll, carotenoids and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) was 13.4, 8.5, 11.9, 7.6, 13.6, 42.0, 19.8%, respectively, with SBE seed priming under water stress. In conclusion, SBE seed priming effectively reduced the negativities of water stress on seed germination which resulted in better plant growth in terms of enhanced biomass, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant defense mechanism and better nutrient homeostasis. Overall, the findings suggest that seed pre-conditioning with SBE as a bio-stimulant will be helpful for better crop stand establishment under low field capacity, especially in semi-arid and arid agricultural fields.     

种子引发提高小麦抗渗透胁迫能力的效应

种子经渗透势－０．８ＭＰａ或－１．２ＭＰａＰＥＧ－６０００处理后,抗旱性不同小麦（ＴｒｉｔｉｃｕｍａｅｓｔｉｖｕｍＬ．）“晋麦３３”和“８４Ｇ６”种子萌发率均有提高,种子电解质外渗率明显降低,种子萌发适应渗透胁迫能力提高,种子可溶蛋白质含量、ＰＡＬ和ＰＯＤ活性显著增加,“晋麦３３”种子ＣＡＴ活性增加,两品种幼苗ＰＡＬ、ＰＯＤ和ＣＡＴ活性也均有提高,但“８４Ｇ６”种子ＣＡＴ活性下降。     

Selenium (Se) Seed Priming Induced Growth and Biochemical Changes in Wheat Under Water Deficit Conditions

Insufficient stand establishment at early growth stages in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) due to drought stress is a major problem that limits overall efficiency and yield of crop. Priming of seed is an effective method for raising seed performance and improving tolerance of crops to abiotic stresses especially drought. The seeds of two local wheat cultivars (Kohistan-97 and Pasban-90) were soaked in distilled water or sodium selenate solutions of 25, 50, 75, and 100 μM for 1/2 or 1 h at 25 °C and later re-dried to their original moisture levels before sowing. One-hour priming significantly increased root length stress tolerance index, dry matter stress tolerance index, and total biomass of seedlings; however, no significant effect of changing duration of Se seed priming was observed on plant height stress tolerance index and shoot/root ratio. Among cultivars, Kohistan-97 was found to be more responsive to Se seed treatment as 1 h priming at 100 μM significantly increased its total biomass by 43 % as compared to control treatment. Although biomass of seedlings was not affected with Se seed priming under normal conditions, but it increased significantly with increase in rates of Se under drought stress conditions. One-hour priming at 75 μM increased the total sugar content and total free amino acids in both wheat cultivars. A more significant decrease in soluble proteins of seedlings was observed by 1 h priming than 1/2 h priming under drought stress conditions.     

干旱胁迫对远志种子萌发及幼苗生长和生理特性的影响

以远志(Polygala tenuifolia Willd.)为研究对象,采用不同浓度(2.5%~25%)聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)模拟不同程度的干旱胁迫,探讨干旱胁迫对远志种子萌发及幼苗生理生化特性的影响。结果表明:(1)随着干旱胁迫强度的增加,远志种子的发芽启动时间推迟,发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数和活力指数降低,但种子发芽率在2.5%~15%PEG胁迫下与对照无显著性差异,而在20%PEG胁迫下均显著低于对照,在25%PEG胁迫下种子不能萌发;在干旱胁迫条件下,远志幼苗生物量降低,胚芽生长受到显著抑制,胚根长度则先伸长后缩短。(2)远志幼苗叶绿素含量在2.5%~10%PEG范围内随胁迫强度的增加和时间的延长而持续上升,在15%和20%PEG胁迫下则表现为先上升后下降,在10%PEG胁迫处理第15天时含量最高,为对照的1.34倍。(3)幼苗叶片的游离脯氨酸、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量随PEG胁迫强度的增加和时间的延长而增加,各指标均在20%PEG胁迫处理第15天时含量最高,分别为对照的1.99倍、1.53倍和1.50倍。(4)随着PEG胁迫时间的延长,远志幼苗叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性先上升后下降,并在10%PEG胁迫处理第10天时活性最强;过氧化物酶(POD)活性随着胁迫时间的延长表现出先上升后下降又上升的特性,并在20%PEG胁迫处理第5天时活性最强;叶片丙二醛(MDA)含量在15%和20%PEG胁迫处理下持续上升,在2.5%~10%PEG胁迫范围内先上升后又有所下降。研究发现,远志种子在轻、中度干旱胁迫下仍可正常萌发,而且幼苗能通过调节自身生长、渗透调节物质含量和抗氧化酶活性主动适应干旱环境,对干旱环境表现出较好的适应能力。     

种子引发提高小麦抗渗透胁迫能力的效应

种子经渗透势-0.8 MPa或-1.2 MPa PEG—6000处理后,抗旱性不同小麦(Triticum aesttvum L．)“晋麦33”和“84G6”种子萌发率均有提高,种子电解质外渗率明显降低,种子萌发适应渗透胁迫能力提高,种子可溶蛋白质含量、PAL和POD活性显著增加,“晋麦33”种子CAT活性增加,两品种幼苗PAL、POD和CAT活性也均有提高,但“84G6”种子CAT活性下降。     

A comparison of two large-scale seed priming techniques

Leek seed lots of high (91%) and low (82%) viability were primed in aerated polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions in Bubble-columns and by a non-osmotic priming technique in both 1987 and 1988 and the seeds were then sown in the field. Both methods of priming established a similar seed moisture content during treatment and, in the laboratory, produced seeds with more rapid and uniform germination than untreated seeds, with a greater advantage for Drum compared with Bubble-column priming in PEG. In the field, both priming techniques gave seedling emergence responses similar to those from priming in PEG by the laboratory-scale technique on filter paper. Both large-scale priming methods gave earlier and more uniform emergence than untreated seeds and gave similar or slightly higher levels of seedling emergence, except on one sowing occasion when seeds were stored before sowing followed by sowing into a drying seedbed.     

Improving seed germination and seedling growth of Lepidium sativum with different priming methods under arsenic stress

This study was carried out to determine the effects of seven kinds of priming, gibberellic acid (GA), salicylic acid (SA), citric acid (CA), sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) on seed germination and seedling emergence of garden cress (Lepidium sativum) under arsenic stress. Results revealed that germination percentage (GP), seed vigor index (SVI), radicle length (RL), plumule length (PL) and tolerance index (TI) were significantly decreased when arsenic stress was augmented from 0 to 100 mg L^?1. Nevertheless, primed seeds (hormo, nutri and halo-priming) increased seed germination and seedling emergence and tolerance index of L. sativum. Phytotoxicity was also reduced by priming practices. Meanwhile, priming with gibberellic acid (GA) had the most positive effects on measured traits. Generally, the order of the effect of priming treatments tested decreases by the following order: GA > CA > KCl > Fe > Zn > SA > NaCl. The result of this study is coherent with the hypothesis that under heavy metal stress, priming can develop seed germination performance and seedling emergence.     

壳聚糖包衣对油菜种子萌发及幼苗耐盐性影响

以不同浓度的壳聚糖对油菜种子进行包衣处理,考察其对油菜种子萌发及幼苗耐盐性的影响,并在不同盐浓度胁迫条件下对种子萌发时的发芽势、发芽率、生物量（鲜重、干重、根长、芽长）等指标进行测定,同时分析油菜幼苗叶绿素含量、可溶性蛋白及可溶性糖含量的变化。结果表明,一定浓度的壳聚糖包衣处理可提高油菜种子发芽率、发芽势、生物量、幼苗的耐盐指数、叶绿素含量、可溶性蛋白及可溶性糖的含量,其中浓度为0.25 g·L^-1壳聚糖包衣处理对油菜种子萌发的促进效果较好,而浓度为0.50 g·L^-1壳聚糖包衣处理对提高油菜幼苗耐盐性具有较好的促进作用。     

水引发对油松种子和幼苗的生理效应及其作用机理

为了解决油松种子在直播造林中发芽率低、幼苗抗旱性差的问题,研究了油松种子水引发的方法及引发对其种子和幼苗的生理效应,并对水引发后幼苗的抗旱机理进行了探索。结果表明:油松种子水引发的最佳条件为10℃,闭光条件下分批给种子加水,加水总量为种子初始质量的30%,引发10 d。水引发可显著(P0.05)降低种子的半数发芽天数和硬实率,显著提高种子的发芽指数、最终发芽率和活力指数;水引发种子的可溶性糖及可溶性蛋白含量相比对照也得到提高。水引发可增加油松幼苗的茎粗、鲜重及根长,降低其相对苗高;并极显著(P0.01)提高了幼苗过氧化氢酶、过氧化物酶和根内脱氢酶活性,降低了游离氨基酸含量。干旱胁迫下,引发种子的幼苗脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量分别高于对照39.6%、118.9%,丙二醛含量低于对照93.4%,均达极显著水平。综合分析认为,水引发提高了种子可溶性糖及可溶性蛋白含量为种子萌发提供了保障,从而提高了种子发芽率,并通过增强幼苗抗氧化酶活性、降低丙二醛含量,进而增强幼苗抗氧化系统的功能,最终明显提高其抗旱性。     

Canola seed germination and seedling emergence from pre-hydrated and re-dried seeds subjected to salt and water stresses at low temperatures

Low soil temperatures and low water potentials reduce and delay the seed germination of canola (Brassica rapa L., B. napus L.) in western Canada. Germination is also very sensitive to the salinity effects of nitrogen fertiliser placed with the seed, especially when the seed bed is relatively dry. The effects of pre-hydration and re-drying treatment on canola (Brassica rapa L. cv. Tobin) seed germination and seedling emergence at 10°C subjected to either a water or salt stress were determined. Low water potentials, induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG 8000), low soil moisture, or high concentrations of salts, reduced both germination and seedling emergence, and increased the time to 50% germination and emergence of seeds at 10°C. At equal osmotic potentials, Na₂SO₄ was less inhibitory on low temperature germination than either NaCl or PEG, suggesting that the sulphate ion partially alleviated the inhibitory effects of low water potential. Solutions of NaCI produced more abnormal seedlings compared to Na₂SO₄, suggesting that NaCl was more toxic than Na₂SO₄ during seedling development. Pre-hydration and re-drying partially overcame the inhibitory effects of both low water potential and salts on seed germination and seedling emergence at 10°C. The seed treatment increased the germination rate in Petri dishes and seedling emergence from a sandy loam soil. Water potentials or soil water contents required to inhibit 50% germination or emergence at 10°C were lower for treated seeds compared to control seeds. Salt concentrations inhibiting 50% emergence were higher for treated seeds than control seeds. Neither treated nor control seeds produced seedlings which emerged if the soil water content was lower than 9% or when the soil was continuously irrigated with salt solutions of 100 mmol kg^-1 of NaCl or 50 mmol kg^-1 of Na₂SO₄. These results suggest that the pre-hydration and re-drying treatment did not lower the base water potentials at which seedling emergence could occur. Abnormal seedlings were observed in both treated and control seeds, particularly if the soil was watered with NaCl solutions; however, the seed treatment reduced the number of abnormal seedlings.     

氧化铈纳米颗粒种子引发对盐胁迫下辣椒种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

氧化铈纳米颗粒(CeO₂NP_S),因具有较强的自由基清除能力和抗氧化酶特性,已被证明可提高植物的耐盐性,但其对辣椒种子引发作用和机制尚不明确。为揭示CeO₂NP_S种子引发处理辣椒对盐胁迫下的萌发及幼苗生长的影响,以辣椒品种(Capsicum annuum)茂蔬360为试验材料,设置了7个CeO₂NP_S浓度(0、0.05、0.1、0.2、0.3、0.4、0.5 mmol·L^-1),以未引发处理组为对照,研究不同浓度CeO₂NP_S种子引发处理后对盐胁迫下辣椒种子萌发、幼苗生物量和生理生化指标的影响。结果表明:(1)0.5 mmol·L^-1 CeO₂NP_S种子引发处理后的种子,其可溶性蛋白质、脯氨酸含量和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、抗坏血酸(AsA)含量和AsA/DHA比值显著提高,超氧阴离子(O₂^-)含量显著降低; 盐胁迫下,该处理种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数最大。(2)0.4 mmol·L^-1 CeO₂NP_S种子引发处理的幼苗在盐胁迫下的鲜重、干重和根长最大,幼苗的可溶性蛋白质、AsA含量和AsA/DHA比值均显著提高。综上认为,CeO₂NP_S引发处理不仅可通过降低种子水势、促进贮藏物质代谢和提高抗氧化能力提高种子在盐胁迫下的发芽率,还可在苗期通过增强蛋白合成和抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环(AsA-GSH)促进盐胁迫下幼苗的生长。     

人工老化处理对结球甘蓝种子生理生化特性的影响

以结球甘蓝品种‘冬升’种子为材料,研究高温(40℃)高湿(相对湿度100%)人工老化处理过程中种子的萌发特性、种子浸出液相对电导率和丙二醛、可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖含量以及抗氧化酶活性的变化,以揭示种子劣变的机理。结果表明:(1)人工老化处理甘蓝种子的含水量和不正常苗率均随着老化时间的延长逐渐增加,而种子发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数和活力指数的增加均逐渐降低。(2)随着处理天数的延长,老化处理甘蓝种子的浸出液电导率显著增大,浸出液可溶性糖含量逐渐升高,可溶性蛋白含量表现出显著下降趋势,而种子MDA含量呈先升高后逐渐下降的趋势。(3)在结球甘蓝种子老化进程中,其种子中SOD、POD、CAT活性变化的趋势相似,均随老化程度的加深而逐渐降低;而APX活性在老化处理的最初2d显著增加,第6天显著降低。研究发现,在结球甘蓝种子老化进程中,种子活力和萌发率显著降低,其种子浸出液电导率、可溶性蛋白含量、可溶性糖含量、保护酶活性变化与种子老化及劣变程度密切相关,膜脂过氧化作用可能是引起或加剧种子老化劣变的重要原因之一。     

水分胁迫对蔓性千斤拔种子萌发和生理指标的响应

利用不同浓度的聚乙二醇(PEG)模拟水分胁迫条件,测定蔓性千斤拔种子发芽率、发芽指数、平均发芽速度、苗长等萌发特性及渗透调节物质、保护酶活性等生理指标。结果显示,随着PEG浓度的增加,苗长受到明显抑制,发芽率影响不大,降低了平均发芽速度,在4%浓度范围内提高了发芽指数;可溶性糖、脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白含量呈上升趋势,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性呈逐渐上升的趋势。这些结果表明,在一定的PEG胁迫浓度范围内,蔓性千斤拔种子萌发有较高的膜保护酶系统及渗透调节能力,并能不同程度的提高其萌发的整齐度。     

干旱胁迫下表观遗传机制对转C4型PEPC基因水稻种子萌发的影响

为探究干旱胁迫下表观遗传机制对高表达玉米(Zea mays) C₄型PEPC转基因水稻(Oryza sativa)种子萌发的影响, 以转C₄型PEPC水稻(PC)和野生型水稻Kitaake (WT)为试材, 采用10% (m/v)聚乙二醇6000 (PEG6000)模拟干旱条件, 通过单独和联合施用PEG6000、DNA甲基化抑制剂5-氮杂胞苷(5azaC)和可变剪接抑制剂大环内酯类(PB)进行种子发芽实验, 测定种子活力、萌发过程中可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量、α-淀粉酶活性以及PEPC、糖信号相关基因和部分剪接因子基因的表达。结果表明, 0.25 µmol·L^-1PB处理对2种供试水稻在干旱条件下种子萌发均表现出显著抑制作用, 使干旱条件下种子萌发过程中可溶性总糖、蔗糖、葡萄糖和果糖含量以及可溶性蛋白含量均有所下降, PB也抑制糖信号-蔗糖非发酵1 (SNF1)相关蛋白激酶(SnRKs)家族和剪接因子丝氨酸/精氨酸富集蛋白家族(SR proteins)相关基因的表达以及α-淀粉酶的活性, 但对PC的抑制作用小于WT。5 µmol·L^-15azaC处理对干旱条件下种子萌发的效果与可变剪接抑制剂相反。5 µmol·L ^-1 5azaC联合PEG6000干旱处理部分减缓了干旱对水稻种子发芽率的抑制作用, 使供试材料发芽率升高, 表明DNA甲基化和可变剪接机制参与了水稻芽期干旱耐性, 其中对PC的作用更大。     

Effects of Epigenetic Mechanisms on C4 Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase Transgenic Rice (Oryza sativa) Seed Germination Under Drought Stress

为探究干旱胁迫下表观遗传机制对高表达玉米(Zea mays) C₄型PEPC转基因水稻(Oryza sativa)种子萌发的影响, 以转C₄型PEPC水稻(PC)和野生型水稻Kitaake (WT)为试材, 采用10% (m/v)聚乙二醇6000 (PEG6000)模拟干旱条件, 通过单独和联合施用PEG6000、DNA甲基化抑制剂5-氮杂胞苷(5azaC)和可变剪接抑制剂大环内酯类(PB)进行种子发芽实验, 测定种子活力、萌发过程中可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量、α-淀粉酶活性以及PEPC、糖信号相关基因和部分剪接因子基因的表达。结果表明, 0.25 μmol·L^-1PB处理对2种供试水稻在干旱条件下种子萌发均表现出显著抑制作用, 使干旱条件下种子萌发过程中可溶性总糖、蔗糖、葡萄糖和果糖含量以及可溶性蛋白含量均有所下降, PB也抑制糖信号-蔗糖非发酵1 (SNF1)相关蛋白激酶(SnRKs)家族和剪接因子丝氨酸/精氨酸富集蛋白家族(SR proteins)相关基因的表达以及α-淀粉酶的活性, 但对PC的抑制作用小于WT。5 μmol·L^-15azaC处理对干旱条件下种子萌发的效果与可变剪接抑制剂相反。5 μmol·L ^-1 5azaC联合PEG6000干旱处理部分减缓了干旱对水稻种子发芽率的抑制作用, 使供试材料发芽率升高, 表明DNA甲基化和可变剪接机制参与了水稻芽期干旱耐性, 其中对PC的作用更大。     

Changes in Germination and Seedling Traits of Sesame under Simulated Drought

Drought is considered one of the leading abiotic constraints to agricultural crop production globally. Present study was conducted to assess the effects of different drought treatments (viz. Control, 10% PEG, and 20% PEG) on seed germination, germination indices, seedling traits, and drought tolerance indices of sesame. Our results showed that maximum reduction in the studied parameters was observed at higher PEG concentration (i.e., 20% PEG). As compared to control, the drought treatments viz. 10% and 20% PEG decreased the values for germination indices, such as germination percentage, coefficient of variation of germination time, germination index, and seedling vigor index. Similarly, for seedling traits, the values were decreased for root length, shoot length, root shoot ratio, root fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight and shoot dry weight under 10% and 20% PEG treatments significantly in comparison with control. Furthermore, relative to control, the values for drought tolerance indices, such as germination drought tolerance index, root length drought tolerance index, shoot length drought tolerance index, total seedling length drought tolerance index, root fresh weight drought tolerance index, shoot fresh weight drought tolerance index, total fresh weight drought tolerance index, root dry weight drought tolerance index, shoot dry weight drought tolerance index and total dry weight drought tolerance index were also reduced under 10% and 20% PEG treatments, respectively. Our results confirms that drought impact on seed germination and seedling traits could be quantified by using different indices which can further help to design drought adaptation and mitigation strategies. Based on these results it can be concluded that germination indices, seedling traits, and drought tolerance indices have great potential to simulate drought stress impacts on different crop traits thus they should be used in all kinds of stress related studies.     

生物土壤结皮对种子萌发和幼苗建植的影响研究进展

生物土壤结皮（BSC）在陆地生态系统中具有重要的生态地位,尤其是旱地生态系统中,BSC占据了种子植物之间的广阔地面。因此,BSC的发展必然影响种子植物更新过程与植被空间格局;但其作用方式、影响程度等因相关研究涉及多气候要素、土壤类型、BSC组成物种和种子植物物种的差异及其不同组合,导致目前的研究结论存在广泛争议。研究综合论述了BSC改变地表微形态对种子传播过程的影响;BSC改变土壤特性（物理、化学、生物学）对种子萌发和幼苗存活与建植等关键环节的影响;并结合种子形态特征及种子萌发、幼苗建植的性状等,综合分析了BSC对种子传播、种子萌发与幼苗建植等更新过程的潜在影响机理;探讨了目前研究矛盾性结论产生的原因。总体来说,深入研究并全面揭示BSC对种子植物更新过程的影响,应加强学科交叉,将分子生物学、植物生理学、生物化学等微观研究,与遥感、野外生态因子过程监测、控制实验等宏观、中观研究结合,从机理到过程方面动态研究BSC对种子植物更新过程的影响,并引入水文模型、气候模型、种群动态模型等模型预测方法,研究气候变化、各类干扰频发的情景下,BSC对种子传播、萌发及幼苗建植过程的潜在影响,以期促进对BSC与种子植物间相互关系的研究,加深对干旱脆弱生态系统植被发展规律的认识。     

Chilling tolerance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nicotiana tabacum</Emphasis> induced by seed priming with putrescine

Chilling stress is one of primary constraints to tobacco production in many parts of the world. The present study was conducted to induce chilling tolerance in tobacco by seed priming with putrescine (Put) in relation to physiological changes, using seeds from two tobacco varieties, MSk326 (chilling sensitive variety) and Honghuadajinyuan (HHDJY, chilling tolerant variety). Seed germination, seedling antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, as well as polyamine concentration were determined under low temperature. During chilling stress at 11°C, seed priming with 0.01 mM Put for 48 h (Put0.01mM48 h) and seed priming with 0.1 mM Put for 48 h (Put0.1mM48 h) significantly increased germination percentage, germination index, seedling length and dry weight of both varieties compared to the controls without Put treatment. When seedlings of 4-leaf stage suffered a short chilling stress (5°C), Put 0.1 mM 48 h improved the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), increased endogenous Put, Spd and Spm concentration and decreased the MDA concentration. The results showed that Put priming treatments were available to enhance the chilling tolerance of tobacco seedlings. The optimal treatment of Put was Put0.1 mM48 h.