Characterisation of Soybean and Wheat Seeds by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

The effects of equilibration under different air relative humidities (RH, 1 – 90 %) and temperatures (35 and 45 °C) on soybean (Glycine max) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) seeds were studied using different techniques. Seed moisture content, electrical conductivity (EC) of seed leachate and per cent seed germination were measured following standard procedures, and compared with nuclear magnetic resonance spin-spin relaxation time (T₂) measurements. Moisture contents of soybean and wheat seeds, following the reverse sigmoidal trend, were greater at 35 than at 45 °C at any particular RH. Changes in T₂ were related to the changes in germination percentage and leachate EC of both soybean and wheat seeds. Equilibrating soybean seeds at RH 11 % decreased germination percentage with corresponding decrease in T₂. On the contrary, EC of seed leachate increased. In wheat seeds equilibrated at 45 °C, T² was maximal at RH 5.5 %. T₂ declined in seeds equilibrated at high RH (> 80 %) together with low germination percentage.     

Water-soluble phenolic compounds in the coat control germination and peroxidase reactivation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> seeds

In this work, we investigated the inhibitory effects of water-soluble phenolic compounds (WSPCs) in the coat of after-ripening wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds on the processes of germination and peroxidase reactivation. Wheat bran has a WSPC content of 862.5 μg gallic acid equivalent g⁻¹ dry weight. When seeds were incubated in the water extract of bran, germination, peroxidase reactivation, and coleoptile and radicle growth were suppressed in a WSPC concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects were significantly ameliorated by removing WSPCs from bran extract by treating with 1% insoluble polyvinylpolypyrrolidone. Pretreatment of seeds with 0.1% H₂O₂ reduced the WSPC content in the coat, which was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy. With H₂O₂ pretreatment, seed germination, peroxidase reactivation, and post-germination seedling growth were significantly stimulated. Application of the known phenolics caffeic acid, feruic acid, or vanillin to the germination medium blocked seed germination and suppressed peroxidase reactivation. The results described here indicate that WSPCs act as endogenous inhibitors in the coat to control germination of Triticum aestivum seeds, and that inhibition of germination is at least partially caused by suppressing peroxidase reactivation.     

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.     

Change in the reaction of the antioxidant system of wheat sprouts after UV-irradiation of seeds

The response of the antioxidant system of sprouts of wheat Triticum aestivum L. to preliminary irradiation of seeds with UV light was studied. The dependence of lipid peroxidation and the extent of antioxidant activity on the duration of irradiation was studied. It was shown that low doses of UV radiation (5-15 min) stimulate the antioxidant protection of green wheat sprouts grown for eight days. Increasing the irradiation time to 30-60 min leads to the inhibition of lipid peroxidation by the antioxidant system. A more prolonged irradiation of seeds with UV light (for 1-6 h) led to an increase in the level of lipid peroxidation in sprouts. However, 1-2-day-old sprouts from seeds irradiated for 5-6 h, adapted themselves to the influence due to the compensatory mechanisms. By the 8th day of germination of preliminarily irradiated seeds, the content of antioxidants and malone dialdehyde returned to the norm. The dynamics of activity of peroxidase in seeds irradiated with low doses of UV light for 30 min was studied. It was found that on the third day of seed germination, a decrease in peroxidase activity followed by its slight increase occurred. The maximum activity of the enzyme in the endosperm was observed on day 5-6, and in roots and green sprouts, on day 3-5 of germination. It was concluded that antioxidants and peroxidase are involved in the compensatory mechanisms of inhibition of free radicals formed upon UV irradiation of seeds.     

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.     

Mannose-Induced Modulations in Antioxidants,Protease Activity,Lipid Peroxidation,and Total Phenolics in Etiolated Wheat Leaves

Modulation of different antioxidants, total phenolics, lipid peroxidation, and protease activity as a result of mannose treatment (1%) was studied in leaves of etiolated wheat seedlings. Changes in these biochemicals were monitored up to 96 h after treatment at 24-h intervals. Mannose treatment induced a significant increase in protease activity throughout the scanning period, coupled with a gradual decrease in leaf protein content. Membrane lipid peroxidation (MDA content) was higher at 24 and 72 h after treatment. MDA content remained higher for a longer period due to mannose treatment. During the initial 24 h of mannose treatment, only catalase and total phenolic contents were increased. Catalase activity was down regulated with increasing duration of treatment. On the other hand, peroxidase (POD, APX) activities were initially unaffected but increased with increasing treatment duration. The decreased level of lipid peroxidation at 96 h may be due to detoxification of H₂O₂ by peroxidases. Superoxide dismutase activity was not affected by mannose treatment. In conclusion, evidence is provided that mannose can modulate the expression of the enzymatic antioxidant defense system in wheat leaves.     

Responses of dormant heather (Calluna vulgaris) seeds to light, temperature, chemical and advancement treatments

Two seed lots of Calluna vulgaris were obtainedfrom English Nature (seed of Cornish provenance) (EN) and John ChambersWildflower Seeds (JCWS). In laboratory tests, under continuous light untreatedseeds of both seed lots were partially dormant at temperatures between14–35 °C, but JCWS seeds were more deeply dormant thanENseeds. The optimum temperature for germination for both lots was ca 18°C. Germination of EN seeds was much lower in the dark than inthe light at all temperatures; JCWS seeds did not germinate in the dark. In thelight at 22 °C, dormancy of both seed lots was broken whenseeds were incubated in GA_4/7 solution(2×10^–4 M). Dormancy ofJCWSseeds at 22 °C in the light was broken when seeds wereincubated in four different smoke solutions but more so when used incombinationwith GA_4/7. Soaking seeds for 4h insmoke/GA_4/7solutions before sowing improved both the speed andpercentage germination in pot experiments on a mist bench in the glasshouse byat least 10-fold. Soaking with GA_4/7 alone produced a 5-fold increasein germination but seedlings were more etiolated than with thesmoke/GA_4/7 mixtures. A seed advancement treatment modified from thatused commercially on sugar beet seeds also promoted germination in bothlaboratory and glasshouse tests. This entailed soaking seeds in 0.2% thiramsuspension for 4h followed by incubation in excess solution at 22°C for 4 days. This treatment was not as effective as thesmoke/GA_4/7 seed soaks.     

ROS production and antioxidative system activity in embryonic axes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus robur</Emphasis> seeds under different desiccation rate conditions

The seeds of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) were subjected to slow (S) and rapid (R) desiccation at desiccation rates of 0.16 and 0.39% H₂O per hour, respectively. Till ca. 40% water content (WC) the germination capacity of seeds in the S and R variants was high (ca. 100%). Between 40 and 28% WC, germination capacity declined to 20 and 50% in S and R variants, respectively. The decrease in seed viability was accompanied by a significant increase of electrolyte leakage from embryonic axes (28% for S and 15% for R variants). In the embryonic axes of seeds subjected to slow desiccation, malondialdehyde (MDA) and free fatty acid (FFA) contents were significantly higher than those in R variants, indicating greater membrane damage due to lipid peroxidation. The production of ROS (H₂O₂ and O₂^·−) was significantly higher in S than in R variants. The low molecular weight antioxidants α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid (ASA), and phenolic compounds indicated different reactions in response to desiccation stress. ASA levels decreased during desiccation to a similar degree in both the S and R variants. A significant decrease of total phenols was observed in R variant, which coincided with a significant increase of guaiacol peroxidase (POX) activity. α-Tocopherol content was significantly higher in the embryonic axes of seeds subjected to rapid drying. The activities of the enzymatic scavengers APX and GR had similar runs and were slightly higher in R variant. The activities of POX and SOD were significantly higher in the embryonic axes of seeds subjected to rapid drying. These results show that rapid dehydration of Q. robur seeds leads to the greater mobilization of antioxidant system in embryonic axes, particularly increased levels of α-tocopherol and POX and SOD activities, in the first stages of water loss. This mobilization has a greater impact on maintenance of higher viability of seeds after drying to lower level of WC.     

Antioxidant status in herbaceous plants growing under elevated CO2 in mini-FACE rings

Here we present studies on the antioxidant status of a semi-natural grassland community, permanently growing in mini-FACE rings under elevated concentrations of atmospheric CO₂ (560 μmol mol⁻¹). In general, in leaves of Dactylis glomerata L. and Trifolium repens L., no differences between ambient and elevated CO₂ were detected as concerns protein content, activity of oxidant-scavenging enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase), and lipid peroxidation. The activity of antioxidant-regenerating enzymes (monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione disulfide reductase) and the content of antioxidants (ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, reduced glutathione and glutathione disulfide) showed remarkable variability between leaves from plants grown in ambient and CO₂-enriched mini-FACE rings. Thus, in general it can be concluded that the effects of elevated CO₂ at environmentally relevant concentrations on the leaf antioxidant status of a grassland community are extremely variable, species-specific and rather limited.     

Seed Viability and Biochemical Changes Associated with Accelerated Ageing in Dendrocalamus Strictus Seeds

Accelerated ageing of Dendrocalamus strictus Ness seeds at 42 ± 1°C and 100% relative humidity for 1 to 8 d was conducted. Seeds lost viability and changed their biochemical constituents. Reductions in the contents of sugars, starch, proteins and lipids were found. Decrease in the activity of the peroxidase as well as acid and alkaline phosphatase were also observed. Increase in total free amino acids content and the activity of amylase confirmed the degradation of seed reserves.     

Ameliorative Role of Castasterone on Copper Metal Toxicity by Improving Redox Homeostasis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica juncea</Emphasis> L.

The transition metal elements like copper act as double-edged sword for living cells. Cu, a redox active metal, is essential for various biological processes, but at higher concentrations it leads to toxicity by inducing production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of exogenously applied castasterone on oxidative stress markers and redox homeostasis managers in Brassica juncea plants subject to copper stress for 30 days. Copper-exposed plants showed accumulation of free radicals (H₂O₂ and superoxide anion) and lipid peroxidation. However, the exogenous treatment of seeds via the seed soaking method with different concentrations of castasterone reduced H₂O₂ production, superoxide anion radical content, and lipid peroxidation, thus indicating improved detoxification of ROS. Enzyme activity was increased by 19.19% for guaiacol peroxidase, 16.20% for superoxide dismutase, 35.74% for glutathione peroxidase, 27.58% for dehydroascorbate reductase, and 42.75% for ascorbate peroxidase, with castasterone pre-soaking under copper stress. The levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants were also increased with castasterone pre-treatment under copper stress. It may be concluded that castasterone treatment enhanced redox homeostasis managers in addition to increased levels of osmoprotectants.     

Effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide on the content of lipid peroxidation products in lungs and other organs of mice

The influence of lipopolysaccharide fromEscherichia coli (LPS, 17 mg/kg body weight) on the lipid peroxidation process in organs of mice was studied. The content of conjugated dienes (CD), lipid peroxides (LP), malondialdehyde (MDA) (all three lipid peroxidation by-products), peroxidase (PO) activity and wet-to-dry weight ratio in lungs, heart, spleen, kidneys and liver were determined 1.5 h after intravenous injection of LPS. Animals observed at this time-point had reduced activity and decreased body temperature by about 2°C, however, all analysed organs did not reveal any changes of wet-to-dry weight ratio comparing to organs from mice injected with sterile, pyrogen free 0,9% NaCl. Only extracts from heart and lungs showed significant increase in the tissue level of at least two lipid peroxidation products. The heart content of CD, MDA, and LP was about 1.5-, 1.3-, and 2.4-fold higher than in control group. In lungs CD and MDA increased 3.3- and 1.3-times but in spleen only content of LP was elevated. In these organs the suppression of PO activity was also observed. Liver and kidneys did not reveal any convincing enhancement of lipid peroxidation process and alterations of PO activity. Since free radical reactions are involved in lipid peroxidation process and inactivation of PO these results suggest that heart, lungs and spleen are the organs mostly exposed to oxidative stress during the first 1.5 h after single injection of LPS in mice.Abbreviations CD conjugated dienes - LP lipid peroxides - LPS lipopolysaccharide - MDA malondialdehyde - PMNL polymorphonuclear leukocytes - PO peroxidase - TBA thiobarbituric acid     

UV-B and cadmium induced changes in pigments,photosynthetic electron transport activity,antioxidant levels and antioxidative enzyme activities of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Riccia</Emphasis> sp.

UV-B and cadmium, alone and together, induced changes in photosynthetic pigment levels, photosynthetic electron transport activity, enzymatic and non-enzymatic (low molecular weight) antioxidants, level of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation in Riccia sp. were evaluated. Chlorophyll content was found to decrease with the rising concentration of cadmium and UV-B exposure alone and its level further declined when both the stresses were applied together. In contrast to this, carotenoids exhibited varied response, as it showed enhancement with UV-B (15, 30 and 45 min exposure) and low concentration of Cd (1 and 10 μM) treatment alone and in combination. Both the stresses caused strong inhibitory effect on PS II activity (H₂O → p-BQ), while PS I activity (DCPIP/ASC → MV) appeared to be less sensitive. Total peroxide content increased with simultaneous increase in lipid peroxidation. The level of non-enzymatic antioxidant ascorbate and enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity were found to increase with simultaneous decrease in catalase activity following UV-B and Cd treatments. These results indicate that 45 min of UV-B exposure and 10, 100 and 1000 μM cadmium alone and together, strongly arrested electron flow through PS II which caused accelerated generation of reactive oxygen species (H₂O₂) and excess accumulation of H₂O₂ due to significant inhibition of catalase activity, led to the oxidative damage in Riccia sp.     

Effect of temperature on secondary metabolites production and antioxidant enzyme activities in Eleutherococcus senticosus somatic embryos

Somatic embryos of Eleutherococcus senticosus were exposed at 12, 16, 24 and 30 °C for duration of 45 days in bioreactor. The effects of such treatments on the growth, eleutheroside B, E, E₁, total phenolics, flavonoids, chlorogenic acid concentrations and antioxidant enzymes activities were investigated. The results revealed that low (12 and 18 °C) and high (30 °C) temperature caused significant decrease in fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), total phenolics, flavonoids and total eleutheroside accumulation, while low temperature increased eleutheroside E accumulation in somatic embryos. Low temperature significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities whereas a strong increase in ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) activity was obtained at 12 °C grown somatic embryos. In contrast, high temperature significantly decreased antioxidant enzymes activities and even guaiacol peroxidase (G-POD) activity also decreased at low temperature in comparison to 24 °C grown embryos. These data suggest that low and high temperature treatment provoked an oxidative stress in E. senticosus embryos, as shown by the increase in lipid peroxidation. The increase in lipid peroxidation was paralleled by a rise in lipoxygenase (LOX) activity and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content. However, this stress was more prominent at high temperature than low temperature grown embryos. This result suggests that the reduced growth of embryo at 30 °C was concomitant with reduced efficiency of these protective enzymes. On the other hand, increases in antioxidant activities at 12 and 18 °C could also be a response to the cellular damage; however, this increase could not stop the deleterious effects of low temperature, but reduced stress severity thus allowing embryo growth to occur.     

Low-temperature stratification strategies and growth regulators for rapid induction of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis seed germination

The seeds of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis are deeply dormant, and they remain dormant for 18 months or longer in their natural environment. Periodic exposure of the seeds to a low-temperature of 4 °C broke the dormancy in about 16 weeks (112 days). The most effective temperature stratification scheme was an interval of 14 days at 4 °C and 14 days at 22 °C. Both GA₃ and ethephon significantly enhanced the germination rate during the stratification treatment. The seed coat, particularly the mesophyll outer layer of the seed coat, strongly inhibited the germination. With removal of the seed coat and exposure of the uncoated seeds to 600 mg/l GA₃ for 48 h before the temperature stratification of 14 days at 4 °C and 14 days at 22 °C for 112 days, a germination percentage as high as 95.3% of the seeds was attained in about 160 days.     

Hydrogen peroxide scavenging regulates germination ability during wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seed maturation

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) promotes seed germination of cereal plants and ascorbic acid which acts as antioxidant suppresses the germination of wheat seeds, but the role of H₂O₂ scavenging on germination during seed maturation has not been demonstrated. We investigated relationship of germination, ascorbate, H₂O₂ scavenging enzymes and sensitivity to ascorbic acid (AsA) maturing seeds of two typical wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, cvs. Shirogane-Komugi and Norin61. Shirogane-Komugi had marked high germination ability than Norin61 during seed maturation. Although the H₂O₂ content had no difference in the two culti-vars, sensitivity to AsA of Norin61 seeds was higher than that of Shirogane-Komugi seeds during seed maturation. The sensitivity to AsA closely correlated with germination characteristic in the two cultivars. Especially, at 28 days after pollination (DAP), sensitivity to AsA in Norin61 seeds was remarkably high. At that stage, no significant differences were observed in endogenous AsA level, ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1) activities in the two cultivars. However, catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) activity and CAT mRNA in Norin61 were remarkably higher than in Shirogane-Komugi. Sensitivity to AsA at 35 and 42 DAPs kept high levels in Norin61, and endogenous AsA and CAT activity in the seeds were significantly higher than in Shirogane-Komugi. These results revealed a direct correlation between germination and antioxidant sensitivity during the developmental stages of wheat seeds.Key words: ascorbic acid, germination, hydorogen peroxide, maturation, wheat seed     

Effect of desiccation on physiological and biochemical indicators associated with the germination and vigor of cryopreserved seeds of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nicotiana tabacum</Emphasis> L. cv. Sancti Spíritus 96

Cryopreservation is a valuable technique for the long-term conservation of plant germplasm and complementary to traditional seed storage methods. However, critical factors such as seed moisture content should be optimized before using this technique as a safe strategy for storing seeds such as those of Nicotiana spp. This study aimed to determine the effect of desiccation on physiological and biochemical indicators associated with germination and vigor in cryopreserved seeds of Nicotiana tabacum cv. Sancti Spíritus 96 (SS-96). The germination and vigor of seeds with a range of moisture content were assessed using electrolyte leakage and accelerated aging tests. In addition, these physiological indicators were related to the oxidative state of the seeds, in terms of the rate of O₂ ^·? generation and the H₂O₂ content, and the activity of enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase and catalase. The cryopreserved seeds of N. tabacum SS-96 with a moisture content of 2.1% exhibited higher vigor probably due to the retention of membrane integrity, reflected by lower levels of lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage associated with the absence of oxidative stress. The results suggest 2.1% as the optimal moisture content for the storage of seeds of this cultivar, both at cryogenic temperatures and at 5°C.     

Changes in the Activity of Antioxidant Enzymes in Wheat Leaves and Roots as a Function of Nitrogen Source and Supply

The activity of enzymes participating in the systems of antioxidant protection was assayed in the second leaf and roots of 21-day-old wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in a medium with nitrate (NO^– ₃ treatment), ammonium (NH⁺ ₄ treatment), or without nitrogen added (N-deficiency treatment). The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and catalase in the leaves and roots of the NH⁺ ₄ plants was significantly higher than in the plants grown in the nitrate medium. The activity of SOD decreased and ascorbate peroxidase markedly increased in leaves, whereas the activity of ascorbate peroxidase increased in the roots of N-deficient plants, as compared to the plants grown in nitrate and ammonium. Low-temperature incubation (5°, 12 h) differentially affected the antioxidant activity of the studied plants. Whereas leaf enzyme activities did not change in the NH⁺ ₄ plants, the activities of SOD, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and catalase markedly increased in the NO^– ₃ plants. In leaves of the N-deficient plant, the activity of SOD decreased; however, the activity of other enzymes increased. In response to temperature decrease, catalase activity increased in the roots of NO^– ₃ and NH⁺ ₄-plants, whereas in the N-deficient plants, the activity of peroxidase increased. Thus, in wheat, both nitrogen form and nitrogen deficiency changed the time-course of antioxidant enzyme activities in response to low temperature.     

Physiological responses of wheat seedlings to drought and UV-B radiation. Effect of exogenous sodium nitroprusside application

Physiological and biochemical responses of wheat seedlings to drought, UV-B radiation, and combined stress were investigated. Drought, UV-B, and combined stresses retarded seedling growth by 26.5, 29.1, and 55.9%, respectively. One reason for growth retardation may be the oxidative damage indicated by an increase in the H₂O₂ content and lipid peroxidation degree. Furthermore, there was negative correlation between shoot fresh weight and H₂O₂ content, fresh weight and the content of thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS), and the positive correlation between H₂O₂ content and TBARS (R ² = 0.9251, 0.9005, and 0.9007, respectively). The activities of superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase increased under drought, UV-B, and the combination of stresses, while catalase activity decreased under the combined stress as compared to the control. The combination of drought and UV-B caused more severe damage to wheat seedlings than stress factors applied separately. Thus, the combined application of drought and UV-B had more strong adverse effects on wheat seedlings. The addition of 0.2 mM sodium nitroprusside (SNP) enhanced wheat seedling growth under drought, UV-B, and combined stress, likely, due to decreasing the accumulation of H₂O₂ and lipid peroxidation as well as activating the antioxidant enzymes. However, SNP treatment decreased the proline content. Published in Russian in Fiziologiya Rastenii, 2007, Vol. 54, No. 5, pp. 763–769. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Induction of heat tolerance in wheat coleoptiles by calcium ions and its relation to oxidative stress

Effects of Ca²⁺ ions on the intensity of lipid peroxidation, activities of guaiacol peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase, as well as on heat resistance of winter wheat (Triticum aestivium L.) coleoptiles were examined. A preliminary incubation of coleoptile segments in a 5 mM CaCl₂ solution was shown to improve their survival rates after an injuring heat treatment (43.5°C). The effect of Ca²⁺ was suppressed by the inhibitor of Ca²⁺ channels (1 mM LaCl₃). An incubation of coleoptiles in the presence of 5 mM CaCl₂ prior to the stress treatment elevated the content of lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA) and stimulated the activities of guaiacol peroxidase, SOD, and catalase. After the heat exposure of untreated and Ca²⁺-treated seedlings, differential changes in MDA content and in activities of guaiacol peroxidase, SOD, and catalase were observed. It is concluded that a short-term oxidative stress arising in Ca²⁺-enriched plant tissues after the heat treatment is unrelated to their irreversible damage.Translated from Fiziologiya Rastenii, Vol. 52, No. 2, 2005, pp. 227–232.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kolupaev, Akinina, Mokrousov.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.