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.     

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。     

外源γ-氨基丁酸对低氧胁迫下甜瓜幼苗活性氧代谢的影响

以甜瓜品种‘西域一号’幼苗为材料,采用营养液水培方法,设置正常通气(对照)、正常通气+GABA(5mmol.L-1)、低氧胁迫、低氧胁迫+GABA(5mmol.L-1)4个处理,研究了外源γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)对正常通气和低氧胁迫下甜瓜幼苗活性氧代谢的影响。结果表明:与正常通气处理相比,低氧胁迫处理导致甜瓜幼苗体内O2.-产生速率和H2O2、MDA含量显著增加,同时SOD、POD、CAT、APX、GR等抗氧化酶活性和抗氧化物质AsA、GSH含量显著提高。低氧胁迫下外源GABA能显著提高甜瓜幼苗叶片SOD、CAT、APX、GR等酶活性和AsA、GSH含量,降低了植株体内O2.-产生速率和H2O2、MDA含量;而正常通气条件下添加外源GABA处理对甜瓜幼苗活性氧代谢的影响较小,仅CAT、GR活性和AsA、GSH含量显著提高,而H2O2、MDA含量显著降低。结果证明,添加外源GABA可以通过显著提高低氧胁迫下抗氧化酶活性和抗氧化物质含量来降低甜瓜幼苗活性氧积累,维持其细胞膜结构稳定性,从而有效减轻低氧胁迫对甜瓜幼苗的伤害。     

外源H_2S通过减轻低温光抑制增强黄瓜幼苗耐冷性

以‘津优3号’黄瓜(Cucumis sativus)为试材,叶面喷施硫化氢(H_2S)供体硫氢化钠(NaHS)、H_2S合成抑制剂氨氧基乙酸(AOA)、清除剂次牛磺酸(HT)或去离子水(对照),研究H_2S对低温下黄瓜幼苗光合作用和抗氧化系统的影响。结果表明:低温胁迫初期,黄瓜幼苗叶片的内源H_2S与L-/D-半胱氨酸脱巯基酶(L/DCD)活性快速升高,4或6 h后降低。随着低温胁迫时间的延长,黄瓜幼苗的丙二醛(MDA)含量、电解质渗漏率(EL)和冷害指数逐渐增加,NaHS处理的增加幅度明显小于对照,而AOA和HT处理的与对照差异不显著。低温下黄瓜幼苗的净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、光下光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)实际光化学效率(Φ_(PSⅡ))和暗下PSⅡ最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m),以及核酮糖-1,5-二磷酸羧化酶(RuBPCase)和果糖-1,6-二磷酸酯酶(FBPase)活性逐渐降低,胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)和初始荧光(F_o)趋于升高。与对照相比,NaHS处理的P_n、G_s、T_r、RuBPCase和FBPase活性,以及Φ_(PSⅡ)和F_v/F_m均较高,C_i和F_o较低,而AOA和HT处理的气体交换参数、光合酶活性及荧光参数多与对照差异不显著。随着低温胁迫时间的延长,黄瓜幼苗的过氧化物酶(POD)活性逐渐增加,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性,以及还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和抗坏血酸(AsA)含量先升高,后降低。NaHS处理的SOD、POD、CAT、APX和GR活性及GSH和AsA含量明显高于对照,AOA和HT处理的低于对照或与对照差异不显著。由此可见,H_2S受低温胁迫诱导,外源H_2S可通过减轻低温光抑制增强黄瓜幼苗耐冷性。     

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。     

外源褪黑素对低温胁迫下茄子幼苗生长及其光合作用和抗氧化系统的影响

以‘沪茄08-1’茄子幼苗为试验材料,采用基质栽培方式,研究了叶面喷施50~200μmol·L-1外源褪黑素(melatonin,MT)对低温胁迫[(10±1)℃(昼)/(5±1)℃(夜)]下茄子幼苗生长、光合作用和抗氧化系统等生理指标的影响,以明确外源MT在茄子幼苗抵御低温逆境方面的生理机制。结果显示:(1)低温胁迫处理后,茄子幼苗株高、茎粗、地上部鲜重和根系鲜重、叶绿素含量、叶片净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr)均显著降低,丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧阴离子产生速率(O-·2)和过氧化氢(H2O2)含量均显著增加。(2)幼苗叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)活性及抗坏血酸(AsA)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量均显著升高,而其脯氨酸(Pro)和可溶性蛋白质含量均显著增加;外源MT处理可有效增强低温胁迫条件下茄子幼苗叶片中SOD、POD、CAT、APX、GR、DHAR活性,提高AsA和GSH含量,增加Pro和可溶性蛋白含量,显著抑制其叶片MDA、O-·2及H2O2的积累。研究表明,外源MT主要通过增强低温胁迫下茄子幼苗的光合作用以及清除活性氧的能力,减缓低温胁迫的危害,提高茄子幼苗对低温胁迫的耐性。     

外源-氧化氮供体硝普钠对黑麦草幼苗耐碱性的影响

采用营养液砂培方法,研究外源一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(SNP)对NaHCO3胁迫下黑麦草幼苗生长、活性氧代谢和渗透溶质积累的影响.结果表明:60 μmol·L-1 SNP能够缓解100 mmol·L-1NaHCO3胁迫对黑麦草幼苗生长的抑制作用,减缓NaHCO3胁迫导致的叶片O2产生速率、H2O2和丙二醛(MDA)含量的增加,提高NaHCO3胁迫下幼苗叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、质膜H+-ATP酶的活性和谷胱甘肽(GSH)、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质和脯氨酸的含量及K+/Na+比,降低过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和抗坏血酸(AsA)含量,对游离氨基酸含量影响不大.上述结果表明,NO可能通过激活抗氧化系统活性、促进渗透溶质积累和改善Na+、K+平衡等缓解碱胁迫对幼苗的伤害,从而提高黑麦草的耐碱性.     

外源一氧化氮供体对NaCl胁迫下多裂骆驼蓬幼苗叶片ASA-GSH循环的影响

研究了外源一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(SNP)对NaCl胁迫下多裂骆驼蓬幼苗抗坏血酸(ASA)-谷胱甘肽(GSH)循环抗氧化系统及H2O2和丙二醛(MDA)含量的影响。结果表明,0.15mmol.L-1SNP能提高300mmol.L-1NaCl胁迫下多裂骆驼蓬幼苗叶片抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和谷胱甘肽转硫酶(GST)活性,增加还原型抗坏血酸(ASA)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量,降低脱氢抗坏血酸(DHA)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量,提高ASA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比率,降低H2O2和MDA水平,对单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDAR)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)活性无显著影响。NO信号转导途径关键酶鸟苷酸环化酶(GC)抑制剂亚甲基蓝(MB)逆转了SNP对盐胁迫下APX、GR、GST活性和ASA、GSH、DHA,H2O2、MDA含量及ASA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比率的调节效应。由此表明,NO可能通过GC介导的cGMP信号转导参与ASA-GSH循环活性氧清除系统的调节,从而缓解盐胁迫诱导的氧化伤害。     

外源NO对NaCl胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长和根系谷胱甘肽抗氧化酶系统的影响

以津春2号黄瓜为材料,采用营养液水培的方法,研究了外源一氧化氮(NO)对黄瓜幼苗生长和根系谷胱甘肽抗氧化酶系统的影响.结果表明,(1)正常生长条件下添加NO能促进黄瓜幼苗生长,而添加亚甲基蓝(MB-1)显著抑制黄瓜幼苗的生长;(2)添加NO显著缓解了NaCl胁迫对黄瓜幼苗生长的抑制,提高根系还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性,而氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量略有下降,同时缓解了NaCl胁迫下抗坏血酸(ASA)含量的下降幅度;(3)NaCl胁迫下添加NO的同时添加MB-1可部分解除NO的作用,与NaCl胁迫下单独添加NO处理比较,GR活性、GSH和ASA含量均降低,GSSG含量提高,APX先升高后下降.研究发现,外源NO可能通过鸟苷酸环化酶(cGC)介导来调节NaCl胁迫下黄瓜幼苗根系GR活性和GSH、GSSG、ASA含量,提高抗氧化酶活性和非酶抗氧化物质含量,增强植株对活性氧的清除能力,减少膜脂过氧化,缓解NaCl胁迫对黄瓜幼苗造成的伤害.     

Effect of pretreatment with hydrogen sulfide donor sodium hydrosulfide on heat tolerance in relation to antioxidant system in maize (Zea mays) seedlings

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a signal molecule that is involved in plant growth, development and the acquisition of stress tolerance including heat tolerance, but the mechanism of H₂S-induced heat tolerance is not completely clear. In present study, the effect of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a H₂S donor, treatment on heat tolerance of maize seedlings in relation to antioxidant system was investigated. The results showed that NaHS treatment improved survival percentage of maize seedlings under heat stress in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that H₂S treatment could improve heat tolerance of maize seedlings. To further study mechanism of NaHS-induced heat tolerance, catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities, and glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AsA) contents in maize seedlings were determined. The results showed that NaHS treatment increased the activities of CAT, GPX, SOD and GR, and GSH and AsA contents as well as the ratio of reduced antioxidants to total antioxidants [AsA/(AsA+DHA) and GSH/(GSH +GSSG)] in maize seedlings under normal culture conditions compared with the control. Under heat stress, antioxidant enzymes activities, antioxidants contents and the ratio of the reduced antioxidants to total antioxidants in control and treated seedlings all decreased, but NaHS-treated seedlings maintained higher antioxidant enzymes activities and antioxidants levels as well as the ratio of reduced antioxidants to total antioxidants. All of above-mentioned results suggested that NaHS treatment could improve heat tolerance of maize seedlings, and the acquisition of this heat tolerance may be relation to enhanced antioxidant system activity.     

Hydrogen sulfide alleviated chromium toxicity in wheat

Effects of H₂S on seed germination under chromium (Cr) stress were investigated in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Under Cr stress, the percentage of germination of wheat seeds decreased, but this decrease could be alleviated by pretreatment with NaHS, an H₂S donor, in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, NaHS significantly enhanced the activities of amylase, esterase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and guaiacol peroxidase in Cr-stressed germinating seeds, whereas reduced the Cr-induced increase in lipoxygenase activity and over-production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and H₂O₂, and sustained slightly higher content of endogenous H₂S.     

Hydrogen sulfide promotes wheat seed germination under osmotic stress

Effects of NaHS, H₂S donor, on germination and antioxidant metabolism in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds under osmotic stress were investigated. With the enhancement of osmotic stress, which was mimicked by PEG-6000, the seed germination dropped gradually. NaHS treatment could promote wheat seed germination against osmotic stress in a dose-dependent manner; while Na⁺ and other sulfur-containing components, such as S²⁻, SO₄²⁻, SO₃²⁻, HSO₄⁻ and HSO₃⁻, were not able to improve seed germination as NaHS did, confirming H₂S or HS⁻ derived from NaHS contribute to the protective roles. Further experiments showed that NaHS treatment combined with PEG enhanced the activities of amylase and esterase in comparison to PEG treatment alone. Alternatively, NaHS treatment significantly reduced malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide accumulation in seeds. Significant enhancement of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities and decrease in lipoxygenase activity were observed in NaHS treated seeds, while peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were not affected as compared with the control. Furthermore, the H₂S donor treatment could retain higher levels of endogenous H₂S in wheat seeds under osmotic stress. These data indicated that H₂S played a protective role in wheat seed against osmotic stress.     

Hydrogen Sulfide Improves the Vase Life and Quality of Cut Roses and Chrysanthemums

Recent studies indicate that hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) plays various physiological roles in plants. However, whether H₂S participates in the postharvest senescence in cut flowers remains unknown. In this study, the regulatory roles of H₂S during the senescence of cut roses (Rosa hybrida L.) and chrysanthemums (Dendranthema morifolium Ramat.) were investigated. The results showed that compared with the control (distilled water), the 50 μM sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) treatment, a H₂S donor, extended the vase life of cut roses to 9.3 days and their flower diameter also showed an increment of 22.7% after 4 days treatment. Treatments with 30 μM NaHS significantly prolonged the vase life of cut chrysanthemums to 8.87 days and the flower diameter was 13.21% longer than the control on day 6. Additionally, results also indicated that a 30 or 50 μM NaHS treatment effectively decreased the rate of fresh weight changes and O²⁻ production and H₂O₂ content, increased the levels of soluble sugar, soluble protein, anthocyanin and carotenoid, and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase) of cut roses and chrysanthemums in comparison with the control, implying that H₂S might be involved in regulating the osmotic balance, antioxidant system and the degradation of nutrient and pigments. Altogether, H₂S at proper doses might play an important role in improving the longevity and quality of cut roses and chrysanthemums by maintaining water balance, reducing the degradation of pigments and nutrient and enhancing antioxidant capacity.

     

Effects of exogenous hydrogen sulfide on the redox states of ascorbate and glutathione in maize leaves under salt stress

This study investigated the effects of exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) on the redox states of ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) in maize leaves under NaCl (100 mM) stress. Salt stress increased the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), Γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (Γ-ECS), and L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GalLDH), malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage, and reduced the ratios of reduced and oxidised forms of AsA (AsA/DHA) and GSH (GSH/GSSG) compared with control. Pretreatment with NaHS (H₂S donor) further enhanced the activities of the above enzymes except MDHAR and ameliorated the decrease in the ratios of AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG compared with the salt stress alone. Pretreatment with NaHS significantly reduced the malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage induced by the salt stress. Pretreatment with NaHS alone did not affect any of the above mentioned parameters compared with the control. Our results suggest that exogenous H2S could maintain the redox states of ascorbate and glutathione by up-regulating the ascorbate and glutathione metabolism and thus play an important role for acquisition of salt stress tolerance in maize.     

The oxidative stress caused by NaCl in Azolla caroliniana is mitigated by nitrate

In order to assess the role of the antioxidant defense system against salt treatment, the activities of some antioxidative enzymes and levels of some nonenzymatic antioxidants were estimated in Azolla caroliniana subjected to NaCl treatment (50 mM) for 10 days in absence or presence of nitrate. In A. caroliniana, salt treatment in absence of nitrate preferentially enhanced electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation, and H₂O₂ content. Also, the specific activitiy of guaiacol peroxidase (POX), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased. In addition, reduced glutathione level increased and consequently, glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio increased. Accumulation of Na⁺ increased significantly by salinity stress which resulted in a significant decrease in K⁺ accumulation, accordingly, K⁺/Na⁺ ratio decreased. Replacement of potassium chloride by potassium nitrate in nutrient solution under salt stress (50 mM NaCl) exhibited a reduction in electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation, and H₂O₂ contents. Conversely, the specific activity of APX, POX, GR, CAT, and SOD increased. The content of total ascorbate decreased, in contrast, reduced and GSSG increased and the ratio of GSH/GSSG increased 2.3-fold compared to the control value. Sodium ion accumulation was minimized in the presence of nitrate, potassium ion accumulation increased and as a result, K⁺/Na⁺ ratio increased when compared with the corresponding salinized plants. The differential changes in the specific activity of antioxidant enzymes due to NaCl treatment and nitrate may be useful as markers for recognizing salt tolerance in A. caroliniana.     

Differences in antioxidant activity in response to salinity stress in tolerant and susceptible wheat genotypes

Effects of long-term sodium chloride salinity (100 and 200 mM NaCl; ECe = 6.85 and 12.3 dS m^–1) were studied in tolerant (Kharchia 65, KRL 19) and susceptible (HD 2009, HD 2687) wheat genotypes. NaCl decreased relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content (Chl), membrane stability index (MSI) and ascorbic acid (AA) content, and increased the contents of hydrogen peroxide, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APOX) and glutathione reductase (GR). Kharchia 65 showed lowest decline in RWC, Chl, MSI and AA content, lowest increase in H₂O₂ and TBARS contents and higher increase in SOD and its isozymes, APOX and GR, while HD2687 showed the highest decrease in AA content, highest increase in H₂O₂ and TBARS contents and smallest increase in activities of antioxidant enzymes. KRL 19 and HD 2009 showed intermediate response both in terms of oxidative stress and antioxidant activity.