盐胁迫对不同耐盐性枣树品种根系和叶片中多胺含量及多胺氧化酶活性的影响

为探讨枣(Ziziphus jujuba Mill.)树中多胺及多胺氧化酶活性与其耐盐性的关系,对耐盐性强的‘金丝小枣’和耐盐性弱的‘冬枣’2 年生苗中不同状态和种类的多胺和多胺氧化酶活性进行了研究.结果表明,在120 mmol L^-1 NaCl 盐胁迫下,枣树根系和叶片中的多胺含量升高,耐盐性强的品种的上升幅度显著大于耐盐性弱的品种;随着盐胁迫时间的延长,根系和叶片中多胺含量逐渐降低,耐盐性弱的品种的降低幅度显著大于耐盐性强的品种,叶中的多胺含量的降低幅度大于根中的,结合态多胺的降低幅度大于游离态多胺的、精胺和亚精胺的降低幅度大于腐胺的;两个品种根系和叶片中多胺氧化酶(PAO)活性均明显高于二胺氧化酶(DAO)活性,盐胁迫下耐盐性弱的品种酶活性增强幅度显著大于耐盐性强的品种.这些说明,枣树品种的耐盐性与其内源多胺的组成、含量有关,多胺氧化酶的种类与活性对盐胁迫的响应也密切相关,多胺积累有利于提高枣树品种的耐盐性.     

盐胁迫下小麦甜菜碱和脯氨酸含量变化

运用高效液相色谱-质谱(HPLC-MS)联用技术分析了耐盐性强、中、弱3个小麦品种SW12、宁春4号和中国春苗期5个NaCl浓度胁迫下甜菜碱和脯氨酸含量的变化.方差分析表明盐胁迫下3个小麦品种之间甜菜碱的含量差异达到极显著水平(P＜0.01),SW12的含量最高,宁春4号次之,中国春最低,与小麦耐盐性表现相一致;脯氨酸在叶片中的含量差异不显著,在根中宁春4号和中国春的含量有显著差异(P＜0.05).结果表明:小麦叶和根中甘氨酸甜菜碱含量与小麦盐胁迫呈正相关,是小麦体内抵御盐胁迫的渗透调节物质之一,可作为小麦耐盐性鉴定指标.     

盐胁迫下不同葡萄砧木的渗透调节及抗氧化能力

该研究以13种葡萄砧木品种为材料,采用盆栽试验用100 mmol/L NaCl的1/2 Hoaglands营养液浇灌处理,以葡萄砧木无盐胁迫为对照,待砧木长至20片完全展开叶后测定各品种叶片的相对电导率、渗透调节物质含量、MDA含量、活性氧含量、抗氧化酶活性等指标,探究不同葡萄砧木耐盐能力及其机制。结果显示：(1)至盐胁迫处理结束时,葡萄砧木 ‘188 08’、‘3309C’、‘140R’的处理组叶片近乎完全脱落,‘贝达’、‘5BB’、‘Dogridge’有少部分叶片脱落,而‘101 14’和‘110R’叶枯现象最少。(2)盐胁迫条件下,耐盐性较差的品种‘3309C’和‘140R’叶片相对电导率均大于90%,而耐盐性较强的品种‘101 14’和‘110R’的叶片相对电导率在60%左右;随着盐胁迫处理天数的增加,‘110R’的MDA含量呈明显的上升趋势。(3)盐胁迫条件下,耐盐性较强的品种‘101 14’和‘110R’积累了较多的可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖、脯氨酸等渗透调节物质,而耐盐性弱的品种‘3309C’则积累了较多的活性氧,引起明显的脂膜过氧化,严重影响砧木的正常代谢。(4)在盐胁迫条件下,耐盐品种‘101 14’的SOD、POD等抗氧化酶活性显著提高,有效清除体内过量的活性氧,从而维持细胞膜的稳定性。研究发现,葡萄砧木品种‘101 14’、‘110R’在盐胁迫下能积极积累较多渗透调节物质,增强自身抗氧化酶活性,表现出较强的渗透调节和抗氧化能力,有效抵御盐胁迫造成的伤害,可作为西北盐渍化地区葡萄栽培的砧木品种。     

盐胁迫对3种平欧杂种榛幼苗叶片解剖结构及离子吸收、运输与分配的影响

研究盐胁迫下3个品种平欧杂种榛幼苗叶片解剖结构和离子代谢特征,以揭示盐胁迫响应与适应机制及不同品种的耐盐性差异。以‘达维’、‘辽榛7号’、‘玉坠’2年生压条苗为材料,在盆栽条件下经轻度、中度、重度(分别为50、100、200 mmol/L NaCl)盐胁迫处理,设对照为0,研究幼苗叶片显微解剖结构参数和Na~+、K~+、Cl~-、Ca²⁺含量的变化及其在根、茎、叶中的吸收、运输和分配特征。不同品种平欧杂种榛叶片厚度、上表皮厚度、下表皮厚度、栅栏组织和海绵组织厚度随着盐胁迫程度的增强呈现出先增加后降低的特点,轻度和中度胁迫下各参数显著高于对照。中度盐胁迫显著提高了各品种叶片结构紧密度。盐胁迫导致平欧杂种榛根、茎、叶Na~+和Cl~-含量明显高于对照。盐胁迫下,Na~+和Cl~-在叶中的绝对含量明显高于茎和根,但二者的增幅以根中最大,叶中最小,表明平欧杂种榛根系首先会吸收并截留一定数量的Na~+和Cl~-,然后将其运输至茎和叶中。与对照相比,轻度和中度盐胁迫下根、茎对K~+和Ca²⁺的吸收保持稳定或减少,叶对K~+和Ca²⁺...     

外源脯氨酸对盐胁迫下甜瓜幼苗根系抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响

以2个不同耐盐强度的甜瓜品种‘玉皇’（耐盐性强）和‘雪美’（耐盐性弱）为材料,采用营养液栽培方法,研究外源脯氨酸对盐胁迫下甜瓜幼苗根系抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响。结果显示：（1）盐胁迫下,2个甜瓜品种根系内的还原型抗坏血酸（ASA）、还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）含量降低,氧化型谷胱甘肽（GSSG）含量升高,且‘雪美’变化幅度大于‘玉皇’;（2）盐胁迫下,施用外源脯氨酸提高了2个甜瓜品种根系中ASA和GSH的含量,降低了GSSG含量,同时也提高了GSH/GSSG的比值,且对‘雪美’的作用大于‘玉皇’;（3）盐胁迫处理3 d时,2个甜瓜品种根系的抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶（DHAR）、谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）活性均下降,且‘雪美’下降的幅度较大;随着胁迫时间的延长（5 d时）,‘玉皇’幼苗根系内APX、DHAR、GR活性有所上升,‘雪美’根系中这3种酶活性则进一步降低;（4）盐胁迫下,施用外源脯氨酸提高了2个甜瓜品种根系内的APX、DHAR和GR的酶活性,且对‘雪美’的作用大于‘玉皇’。本研究结果表明,外源脯氨酸可以通过增加非酶促抗氧化物质ASA、GSH的含量和抗氧化酶活性,提高抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环清除活性氧的能力,从而缓解盐胁迫对甜瓜植株的伤害。     

NaCl胁迫对嫁接黄瓜膜脂过氧化、渗透调节物质含量及光合特性的影响

以日本引进的耐盐品种‘帝王新土佐’南瓜为砧木,以‘津研4号’黄瓜品种为接穗,研究了NaCl胁迫对黄瓜嫁接植株和自根植株的膜脂过氧化、渗透调节物质含量及光合特性的影响。结果表明:在NaCl胁迫下,黄瓜嫁接植株叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性均显著高于自根植株,O·2-产生速率及丙二醛(MDA)含量显著低于自根植株,嫁接植株膜脂过氧化轻于自根植株;嫁接植株叶片游离脯氨酸、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质等渗透物质含量均显著高于自根植株;嫁接植株的净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、叶绿素含量均显著高于自根植株;虽然NaCl胁迫抑制光合作用,但嫁接植株仍表现出优势。以上结果证明,嫁接植株耐盐性优于自根植株。     

2种枸杞叶片对混合盐胁迫的生理响应

选取耐盐性不同的‘宁杞5号’和‘黑杞1号’一年实生苗为试验材料,进行渗透势分别为-0.47、-0.82和-1.18MPa的混合盐(NaCl+Na_2SO_4)胁迫处理,分析比较2种枸杞叶片生理指标的响应特征,以揭示2种枸杞适应盐胁迫的生理机制。结果表明:(1)随着渗透势降低,2种枸杞叶片生理指标响应趋势基本一致,叶绿素(Chl)和可溶性蛋白(SP)含量先升后降,相对电导率、丙二醛(MDA)和脯氨酸(Pro)、可溶性糖(SS)含量逐渐增加,但‘宁杞5号’的变化幅度大于‘黑杞1号’。(2)随着渗透势降低,2种枸杞叶片的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性均增强,但-1.18 MPa混合盐溶液处理则抑制了‘宁杞5号’抗氧化酶活性。(3)随着盐胁迫处理时间的延长,2种枸杞叶片相对电导率、MDA含量、Pro含量、SS含量和CAT活性增加,但‘宁杞5号’的渗透调节物质积累量高于相应‘黑杞1号’;而2种枸杞Chl含量及SOD和POD活性在-1.18 MPa混合盐溶液处理下有所下降。研究表明,2种枸杞均可通过积累渗透调节物质和加强抗氧化酶系统来缓解盐胁迫对自身的伤害,‘宁杞5号’的渗透调节能力较强,而‘黑杞1号’具有更稳定的抗氧化酶系统,从而具有更强耐受盐胁迫的能力。     

黄瓜砧用白籽南瓜对不同盐胁迫的耐性评价

采用营养液栽培,研究Ca(NO3)2和NaCl胁迫对黄瓜嫁接用砧木南瓜幼苗生长和抗氧化酶活性的影响,并用隶属函数法综合评价其耐盐性.结果表明:低浓度盐30 mmol·L-1Ca(NO3)2和等渗的45 mmol·L-1 NaCl处理促进砧木幼苗生长;高浓度盐60、120 mmol·L-1Ca(NO3)2和等渗的90、180 mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下,各砧木幼苗的生长和抗氧化酶系统均受到不同程度的抑制,其中,‘青砧1号’的盐害指数最小,生物量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性的下降幅度以及相对电导率的上升幅度均小于其他砧木.高盐Ca(NO3)2胁迫下,各砧木SOD、POD和CAT酶活性均高于等渗的NaCl,而盐害指数和相对电导率低于NaCl,表明Ca(NO3)2对砧木南瓜幼苗生长的危害小于NaCl.4个砧木品种的耐盐性顺序为‘青砧1号’＞‘佐木南瓜’＞‘丰源铁甲’＞‘超霸南瓜’.     

外源ABA对楸树幼苗NaCl胁迫的缓解效应及其生长生理响应特征

以2年生楸树(苏楸1号和008-1)扦插苗为材料,采用盆栽试验法,分析盐胁迫(0.5%NaCl)处理下楸树幼苗生长、生理的变化,并分析不同浓度外源ABA(15、25、35 mg/L)对盐胁迫(30 d)楸树幼苗的缓解效应及其生理生化特性,以探索重度盐胁迫下适合楸树幼苗生长的适宜外源ABA浓度,为增强盐碱地楸树的耐盐性、提高盐碱地的利用提供理论依据。结果显示:(1)0.5%NaCl胁迫下,两品种楸树幼苗叶片表现出不同程度的盐害症状,且‘苏楸1号’叶片盐害症状较‘008-1’严重;随胁迫时间延长,两品种楸树幼苗的相对电导率(REC)均呈先上升后下降的变化趋势,叶绿素(Chl)、相对含水量(RWC)均呈降低趋势,可溶性糖(SS)、可溶性蛋白(SP)、脯氨酸(Pro)以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性均呈先上升后下降趋势,但‘008-1’的REC显著低于‘苏楸1号’,Chl、RWC、SS、SP、Pro、SOD均显著高于苏楸1号,表明‘008-1’的耐盐性较‘苏楸1号’更强。(2)喷施外源ABA使得盐胁迫下‘008-1’楸树的苗高显著增加、新叶提前萌发,表明外源ABA在一定程度上能够缓解盐胁迫对楸树生长的影响;喷施外源ABA降低了盐胁迫下‘008-1’楸树幼苗叶片的REC,提高了Chl、RWC、SS、SP、Pro、SOD、过氧化物酶(POD)以及过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,促进了内源激素生长素(IAA)、脱落酸(ABA)、赤霉素(GA3)以及玉米素核苷(ZR)的积累。研究表明,楸树品种‘008-1’的耐盐性更强;外源喷施适宜浓度ABA能够缓解盐胁迫对楸树幼苗生长的影响,降低幼苗叶片细胞膜透性,促进幼苗渗透调节物质的积累,增强渗透调节能力,并提高盐胁迫下幼苗的抗氧化酶活性,促进植物对内源激素含量的调节,从而提高楸树的耐盐性,且以25 mg/L ABA处理的效果最好。     

棉花两品种耐盐性与抗氧化能力的相关性

对‘新陆早17’和‘中棉49’两个棉花（Gossypium hirsutumL.）品种在氧化剂甲基紫精（MV）和NaCl胁迫下的生理应答进行了研究,以期阐明棉花抗氧化能力与耐盐性的关系。研究结果表明,在40μmol·L-1MV胁迫3d,‘新陆早17’的丙二醛（MDA）和活性氧含量比‘中棉49’低,而抗坏血酸（AsA）、超氧化物岐化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）活性则高于‘中棉49’,表明‘新陆早17’抗氧化能力更强。在200mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫25d,‘新陆早17’的株高和叶绿素降低量、根部Na＋含量、相对电导率都低于‘中棉49’,说明‘新陆早17’耐盐更强。盐胁迫下‘新陆早17’的抗氧化酶活性上升而‘中棉49’却降低,表明‘新陆早17’通过上调SOD、CAT和APX活性来提高其耐盐性。结合棉花两品种的抗氧化和耐盐性差异,说明棉花抗氧化能力的高低能够影响品种的耐盐性。     

盐胁迫下不同基因型番茄可溶性物质含量的变化

以两种野生番茄秘鲁番茄(Lycopersicon peruvianum LAlll)、潘那利番茄(Lycopersicon pennellii LA716)和两种栽培番茄"鲜丰98-7"、"交农1号"为材料,用NaCl 150 mmol/L进行盐胁迫,测定及分析了植株体内Na 、K 、Ca2 等无机离子和某些有机溶质游离脯氨酸、可溶性糖的含量.结果表明,盐胁迫条件下,野生番茄在新叶中积累了大量的Na 等无机离子,而栽培番茄新叶内脯氨酸和可溶性糖的含量却显著提高,且它具有将吸收的Na 区域化到老叶中的能力.说明野生番茄和栽培番茄在可溶性物质的合成和积累能力上有明显差异,它们是通过不同代谢途径和机理来适应盐环境的.     

万寿菊属不同品种初花期抗旱特性分析

以万寿菊属(Tagetes)9个品种为试验材料,研究了自然持续干旱胁迫对它们初花期的花最大直径、叶色、旱害指数等形态指标以及叶绿素含量(Chl a+b,Ch a/b)、叶片相对含水量(RWC)、叶片保水力(WHC)、叶片和花的脯氨酸、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量等生理指标的影响,以揭示其抗旱特性及其生理机制.结果显示:(1)持续6d干旱胁迫条件下,万寿菊9个品种花的最大直径显著降低,叶绿素含量和相对含水量均呈明显下降趋势.(2)万寿菊叶片的脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量均呈上升趋势;而花的脯氨酸含量持续上升,可溶性蛋白含量呈下降趋势,但可溶性糖含量变化趋势复杂.(3)万寿菊旱害指数与其叶片相对含水量、叶绿素总含量、叶片和花的脯氨酸含量、叶片可溶性蛋白含量呈极显著相关.研究表明,抗旱性强的品种可以通过调节自身的渗透调节物质含量减轻干旱伤害;9个品种初花期抗旱性强弱依次为:珍妮>金门>鸿运>拳王>巨人>发现>小英雄>大英雄>迪阿哥.     

Possible correlation between high temperature-induced floret sterility and endogenous levels of IAA,GAs and ABA in rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.)

In order to explore the possible physiological mechanism of high temperature induced sterility in rice, we examined the floret sterility and endogenous plant growth regulator contents in pollens of two hybrid rice cultivars Shanyou63 and Teyou559 that are tolerant and susceptible to high temperature, respectively. Indexes of floret sterility, pollen activity, and variation of endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acids (GAs), abscisic acid (ABA), free proline and soluble proteins in anthers were measured. We found that during the course of high temperature treatment, both cultivars exhibited a marked decrease in pollen activity, pollen germination and floret fertility; however, the high temperature tolerant Shanyou63 showed a much slower rate of decrease than the high temperature susceptible Teyou559. In addition, anthers of both cultivars displayed a decrease in the contents of IAA, GAs, free proline and soluble proteins but an increase in the ABA content. Yet compared to Teyou559, Shanyou63 retained significantly higher levels of free praline and GAs and a lower level of ABA, along with higher pollen vigour and pollen germination rate even after prolonged high temperature treatment. Our study suggests a possible correlation between pollen viability/floret sterility and high temperature-caused changes in IAA, GAs, ABA, free proline and soluble protein contents. The severity in these changes may reflect the variation of rice cultivars in their heat stress sensitivities for floret development.     

Changes in the water status and osmotic solute contents in response to drought and salicylic acid treatments in four different cultivars of wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis>)

Salicylic acid (SA) controls growth and stress responses in plants. It also induces drought tolerance in plants. In this paper, four wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars with different drought responses were treated with SA in three levels of drain (90, 60, 30% of maximum field capacity) to examine its interactive effects on drought responses and contents of osmotic solutes that may be involved in growth and osmotic adjustment. Under drought condition, the cultivars Geza 164 and Sakha 69 had the plant biomass and leaf relative water content (LRWC) greater than the cultivars Gemaza 1 and Gemaza 3. In all cultivars, drought stress decreased the biomass, LRWC, and the contents of inorganic solutes (Ca, K, Mg) and largely increased the contents of organic solutes (soluble sugars and proline). By contrast, SA increased the biomass, LRWC and the inorganic and organic solute contents, except proline. Correlation analysis revealed that the LRWC correlated positively with the inorganic solute contents but negatively with proline in all cultivars. SA caused maximum accumulations of soluble sugars in roots under drought. These results indicated that SA-enhanced tolerance might involve solute accumulations but independently of proline biosynthesis. Drought-sensitive cultivars had a trait lowering Ca and K levels especially in shoots. Possible functions of the ions and different traits of cultivars were discussed.     

Over-expression of heat shock protein gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">hsp26</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis> enhances heat tolerance

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the molecular chaperone HSP26 has the remarkable ability to sense increases in temperature directly and can switch from an inactive to a chaperone-active state. In this report, we analyzed the effect of expression of HSP26 in Arabidopsis thaliana plants and their response to high temperature stress. The hsp26 transgenic plants exhibited stronger growth than wild type plants at 45 °C for 16 h. The chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence decreased much more in wild type than in transgenic plants. Moreover, the transgenic plants had higher proline and soluble sugar contents, and lower relative electrical conductivity and malondialdehyde contents after high temperature stress. Furthermore, we found that over-expression of HSP26 in Arabidopsis increased the amount of free proline, elevated the expression of proline biosynthetic pathway genes and therefore enhanced Arabidopsis tolerance to heat stress.     

Carbohydrate and Proline Contents in Leaves, Roots, and Apices of Salt-Tolerant and Salt-Sensitive Wheat Cultivars1

Intra-specific variations in nonstructural carbohydrates and free proline were determined in leaves, apices, roots, and maturing seeds of two salt-tolerant cultivars (CR and Kharchia-65) and one salt-sensitive cv. Ghods of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in sand culture at various levels of salinity (0, 100, 200, and 300 mM NaCl and CaCl₂ at 5 : 1 molar ratio) under controlled environmental conditions. The levels of leaf, apex, and root ethanol-soluble carbohydrates, fructans, starch, and proline increased in line with elevating level of salinity in all three cultivars under investigation. The contents of proline, soluble and insoluble carbohydrates in the apex increased to levels exceeding those in the leaves and roots. Soluble carbohydrate content of salt-sensitive cv. Ghods was higher in the leaves, apices, and roots and lower in the maturing seeds than in the other cultivars at all levels of salinity except at 300 mM. The results show considerable variation in the amount of soluble, insoluble sugars, and proline among plant tissues and wheat genotypes in response to salinity. Higher soluble carbohydrates and fructan in leaves, roots and maturing seeds of stressed plants indicate that their accumulation may help plant to tolerate salinity. Salt-sensitive cv. Ghods accumulated less soluble sugars in the maturing seeds and higher soluble sugars in the apices, which might be used as an indicator in screening wheat genotypes for salinity tolerance.     

Effect of cycocel and furfuryl amino purine on protein metabolism of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L.) under simulated drought conditions

Water stress drastically decreased relative water content and total soluble protein whereas it increased free amino acids, proline and protease enzyme in P. americanum. Treatments with 6-furfuryl amino purine (0.50 mM) and cycocel (60 mM) maintained the levels of soluble protein contents but the applications of furfuryl amino purine decreased free amino acids and free proline under stress conditions.     

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。     

Synergistic effects of drought and ascorbic acid on growth,mineral nutrients and oxidative defense system in canola (Brassica napus L.) plants

A study was conducted to find out the role of ascorbic acid (AsA) in modulating growth and different physio-biochemical attributes of canola plants under well-watered as well as water-deficit conditions. Drought stress imposed on 60 % field capacity significantly decreased the shoot and root fresh and dry weights, leaf chlorophyll contents, shoot and root P, root K⁺, and activity of CAT enzyme, while increased chlorophyll a/b contents, MDA, NPQ, leaf total phenolics, free proline and GB contents in both canola cultivars. Foliar-applied varying levels (50, 100 and 150 mg L^?1) of AsA enhanced shoot and root fresh and root dry weights, qN, NPQ, shoot and root P, AsA as well as the activity of POD enzyme particularly under drought stress conditions. Of both canola cultivars, cv. Dunkeld was higher in shoot fresh weights, ETR and F _v /F _m, MDA, proline and GB contents, and POD activity, however, cv. Cyclone in total phenolics and qN under well-watered and water-deficit conditions. Overall, the foliar-applied AsA had a positive effect, though not marked, on salt sensitive cv. Cyclone in terms of improved growth and other attributes, whereas exogenously applied AsA had a non-significant effect on relatively salt tolerant cv. Dunkeld.     

The effect of etiolation and shading of stock plants on rhizogenesis in stem cuttings of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cotinus coggygria</Emphasis>

In order to improve vegetative propagation of a difficult to root Cotinus coggygria the stock plants were subjected to: etiolation, shading and spraying with IBA, combined with the application of two commercially available rooting powders. The IBA treatment was more suitable for rooting of C. coggygria cuttings than the NAA application and it enhanced rhizogenesis regardless of the form of auxin application (foliar application to a stock plant or a rooting powder used directly on cuttings) and the amount of light provided to stock plants. Etiolation did not improve rhizogenesis in stem cuttings, however, reduction of light intensity by 50% and 96% of the ambient prior to harvest of cuttings affected rooting positively. Positive effects of shading can be ascribed to changes in shoot anatomy, i.e. a weaker sclerenchyma development. Synergistic effect of shading and foliar auxin application can result from the increase in leaf blade area and/or thinner lower epiderm. Enhanced rooting in cuttings from shoots grown out under reduced light intensity was accompanied by decrease in the contents of total soluble sugars, soluble proteins and free ABA and by increase in total chlorophyll, free amino acids, polyphenolic acids and free IAA contents.