NaHCO3胁迫对三色堇生长及抗逆生理特性的影响

以三色堇实生苗为材料,设置不同浓度的NaHCO₃［0(CK)、25、50、100、150和200 mmol·L^-1］处理,在胁迫后第7天和第14天分别测定各处理幼苗叶片的渗透调节物质含量、抗氧化酶活性、叶绿素含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量以及株高生长量,探讨三色堇对NaHCO₃胁迫的生理响应机制。结果表明：(1)三色堇株高生长量在NaHCO₃浓度小于等于50 mmol·L^-1时较CK显著增加,在100 mmol·L^-1时与CK相近,在大于100 mmol·L^-1时较CK显著降低。(2)各浓度处理三色堇叶片可溶性糖(SS)、可溶性蛋白(SP)、游离脯氨酸(Pro)含量在胁迫第7天均显著高于CK;而胁迫第14天时,各浓度处理的SS含量、50 mmol·L^-1处理的SP含量以及150、200 mmol·L^-1处理的Pro含量仍显著高于CK。(3)胁迫第7天时,三色堇叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性在各胁迫浓度下较CK均显著增强,但其过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性均无显著变化;胁迫第14天时,各浓度处理的CAT活性、50 mmol·L^-1处理的POD活性以及100、150 mmol·L^-1处理的SOD活性均显著高于相应CK。(4)在NaHCO₃胁迫过程中,三色堇叶片MDA含量均随着胁迫浓度增加而逐渐增加,且均显著高于CK。(5)三色堇叶片的叶绿素含量在胁迫第7天时均无显著变化,胁迫第14天时也仅在150或者200 mmol·L^-1处理下较CK显著降低。研究发现,三色堇植株能耐受小于等于100 mmol·L^-1NaHCO₃胁迫,NaHCO₃对株高生长有低浓度促进、高浓度抑制的剂量效应;三色堇在NaHCO₃胁迫期间能够通过增加渗透调节物质含量、增强抗氧化酶活性来缓解胁迫诱导的过氧化伤害,一定程度上提高了幼苗的耐受能力。     

干旱条件下外源蔗糖对高表达玉米C4型pepc水稻种子萌发的影响

为揭示外源蔗糖参与干旱胁迫下高表达转玉米C₄ 型磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶(phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, PEPC)基因(C₄ pepc)水稻(简称：PC)种子萌发的生理机制,该研究以 PC及其未转基因野生型受体‘Kitaake’(简称：WT)的种子为材料,研究外施不同浓度蔗糖联合模拟干旱(10% PEG 6000)处理下,其种子发芽参数、总可溶性糖及可溶性蛋白含量、蔗糖非发酵1 (sucrose nonfermenting 1, SNF1)相关蛋白激酶(SNF1 related protein kinase 1s, SnRK1s)基因以及PEPC基因表达等参数的变化。结果表明：(1)PEG 6000模拟干旱处理均显著抑制两材料发芽,但明显促进胚根的生长;外施蔗糖则呈现浓度效应,高浓度蔗糖(>150 mmol·L^-1)进一步加剧了干旱对发芽的抑制效应,而低浓度(<30 mmol·L^-1)则可缓解干旱的抑制,但与WT(<30 mmol·L^-1)相比,促进PC水稻萌发的外施蔗糖浓度(<6 mmol·L^-1)更低,且各处理的发芽表现与其α 淀粉酶活性的动态表现一致。(2)与WT相比,外施3 mmol·L^-1蔗糖联合干旱处理下,显著提高了PC种子的发芽率,且伴随PC内源蔗糖含量、总可溶糖和可溶性蛋白含量显著增加;且外施3 mmol·L^-1蔗糖使PC中内源C₃ pepc基因表达下调,而外源导入C₄ pepc基因表达显著增加。(3)与WT相比,干旱处理下外施3 mmol·L^-1蔗糖,PC的糖信号相关基因SnRKs亚家族基因(包括SnRK1s：OsK1a OsK24 OsK35和SnRK2s:SAPK6)的表达也显著增加。研究发现,外施低浓度蔗糖通过上调PC水稻种子中可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量,增强SnRK1s亚家族基因和外源C₄ pepc基因的表达,提高了α 淀粉酶活性,从而缓解了干旱胁迫对PC种子萌发的抑制。     

胞外ATP对AlCl3诱导的细胞死亡过程中胞内H2O2和Ca2+水平的影响及其生理机制分析

该实验以烟草悬浮细胞 BY 2 为材料,在烟草悬浮细胞中分别加入0.05、0.10、0.15、0.20 mmol·L^-1AlCl₃,以等体积去离子水处理的悬浮细胞液为对照,并依据前述实验结果选择0.15 mmol·L^-1 AlCl₃,分别添加5 mmol·L^-1 DMTU(H₂O₂ 抑制剂)、20 μmol·L^-1CaCl₂、15 μmol·L^-1 LaCl₃(Ca²⁺通道抑制剂)和50 μmol·L^-1 ATP设计多项处理,分析胞外ATP(eATP)对铝离子(Al³⁺)胁迫引起的植物细胞死亡及其胞内H₂O₂、Ca²⁺的影响,以揭示Al³⁺胁迫下植物调节细胞死亡的可能机制,进一步扩展对eATP功能的认知。结果显示：(1)随着 AlCl₃ 胁迫浓度的提高,细胞死亡水平和胞内H₂O₂水平上升,而胞内Ca²⁺和eATP水平则逐渐降低。(2)外援施加H₂O₂抑制剂 DMTU(二甲基硫脲)和Ca²⁺能够有效缓解AlCl₃诱导的细胞死亡水平的上升;而Ca²⁺通道抑制剂LaCl₃(三氯化镧)则加剧了AlCl₃胁迫下的细胞死亡。(3)在AlCl₃胁迫下对细胞添加外源ATP,能够缓解AlCl₃胁迫下胞内H₂O₂水平上升和Ca²⁺水平下降的同时,并显著降低AlCl₃胁迫导致的细胞死亡。研究表明, Al³⁺以剂量依赖的模式提升细胞死亡和细胞内H₂O₂的水平并降低胞内Ca²⁺和eATP水平,AlCl₃诱导的细胞死亡受到H₂O₂和Ca²⁺水平变化的调节,eATP可以通过调节H₂O₂与Ca²⁺水平缓解AlCl₃诱导的细胞死亡。推测Al³⁺胁迫可能通过抑制钙离子通道而破坏了细胞内H₂O₂和Ca²⁺之间的协同关系,外源ATP对Al³⁺诱导H₂O₂上升的缓解作用可能是由于其提升了细胞的抗氧化能力。     

NaCl胁迫对黄花菜生长和生理特性的影响

为探明黄花菜的耐盐性及其生理机制,该试验以大同黄花菜为材料,采用砂培法,以正常营养液为对照（CK）,用不同浓度（50、100、150、200、250 mmol·L^-1）NaCl溶液浇灌大同黄花菜,分别于处理后5、10、15、20、25 d测定生长指标和生理指标,以明确NaCl胁迫对大同黄花菜生长、膜脂过氧化以及有机渗透调节物质含量的影响。结果表明：（1）随NaCl浓度提高,黄花菜根长和根系鲜质量先增大后减小,其他生长指标则逐渐显著降低,同时地上部含水量变化较小,根系含水量明显增加。（2）黄花菜叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素含量随NaCl浓度提高均明显降低。（3）随NaCl浓度提高,黄花菜叶片丙二醛含量和POD活性逐渐显著增加;抗坏血酸含量在胁迫后20 d明显增加,25 d时呈先增加后降低的变化趋势,并在150 mmol·L^-1 NaCl胁迫下达到最大值;SOD活性在处理后10 d先增加后降低,在200 mmol·L^-1 NaCl处理下达到最大值,15 d后随NaCl浓度提高而显著增加。（4）随NaCl浓度提高,叶片脯氨酸含量逐渐显著增加,可溶性糖含量明显降低,可溶性蛋白含量在短期内逐渐增加,在胁迫15 d后呈先增加后降低的变化趋势,在150 mmol·L^-1 NaCl下达到最大值。研究发现,NaCl胁迫对黄花菜叶片光合色素合成的抑制和过氧化伤害程度均随浓度增加而增大;植株自身抗氧化能力和渗透调节能力在盐胁迫下明显提高,一定程度上缓解了盐胁迫对其植株的伤害,但仍不足以消除胁迫带来的不利影响,使得黄花菜植株生长受到显著抑制;黄花菜对NaCl胁迫的耐性较强,植株在250 mmol·L^-1高盐胁迫下仍能存活。     

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。     

兰科菌根真菌对干旱胁迫下铁皮石斛生长和抗氧化能力及相关基因表达的影响

利用盆栽的方式研究了干旱胁迫下接种兰科菌根真菌(OM)对铁皮石斛生长的影响,并分析了铁皮石斛叶片相对含水量、游离脯氨酸含量、电解质渗透率、丙二醛(MDA)含量、活性氧成分、抗氧化酶活性变化,用定量PCR技术分析了相关抗氧化酶基因的表达特性,以探讨菌根真菌对铁皮石斛干旱胁迫的缓解作用及其机制。结果表明：(1)与正常水分条件相比,干旱胁迫显著降低了铁皮石斛幼苗的生物量和叶片相对含水量,提高了叶片电解质渗透率、脯氨酸含量、MDA含量、O-·2产生速率和H2O2水平。(2)菌根真菌能显著提高干旱胁迫下铁皮石斛叶片相对含水量,降低叶片电解质渗透率、脯氨酸含量、MDA含量、O-·2产生速率和H2O2水平;在不同水分条件下,菌根真菌均能有效促进铁皮石斛幼苗生长,其株高、根重、茎叶重和总生物量均大于未接种组。(3)菌根真菌可诱导干旱胁迫下铁皮石斛超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)基因的表达,提高SOD、POD和CAT的活性,有效缓解干旱胁迫对质膜的过氧化伤害。研究认为,菌根真菌能提高干旱胁迫下铁皮石斛的抗氧化酶活性及其相关基因表达水平,增强铁皮石斛抗氧化防御能力,有效缓解干旱胁迫对铁皮石斛幼苗生长的抑制。     

碳酸氢盐处理下桑树和构树的生长、光合和抗逆性差异

为探究喀斯特生境中,在碳酸氢盐的胁迫下HCO^-₃对植株生长及生理特性的影响,该文以构树和桑树幼苗为研究对象,对不同浓度NaHCO₃溶液(0、15、30 mmol·L^-1)处理下植株的生长情况、光合能力、抗氧化酶活性、渗透调节物质含量和细胞膜系统损伤情况进行研究。结果表明:(1)在HCO^-₃处理下,构树和桑树的生长和光合能力均受到抑制,叶片细胞内均发生显著的抗氧化和抗渗透胁迫生理响应。(2)HCO^-₃对构树和桑树生长的抑制作用与其浓度有关,并有显著差异性(P<0.05)。(3)30 mmol·L^-1 HCO^-₃处理对植株生长、光合、抗氧化酶系统和渗透调节系统的抑制作用以及植物细胞的损伤情况要显著强于15 mmol·L^-1 HCO^-₃处理的效果。(4)同等浓度的HCO^-₃处理下,构树的生长、光合能力、抗氧化酶活性、渗透调节物质含量显著高于桑树,其叶片细胞损伤情况显著低于桑树。综上结果均表明,构树对碳酸氢盐胁迫的耐受能力要优于桑树。该研究为阐明桑科植物对喀斯特环境适应机制提供科学支撑。     

草莓TCP转录因子家族生物信息学鉴定及基因表达分析

TCP转录因子家族是植物特异的一类调控逆境胁迫的重要转录因子。该研究利用生物信息学方法对草莓TCP转录因子家族成员进行鉴定,采用qRT PCR方法检测转录因子家族在非生物胁迫中的表达,并对相应转录因子家族基因的结构和功能进行了预测,为探究TCP转录因子在森林草莓非生物胁迫中的作用奠定基础。结果显示：(1)从森林草莓(Fragaria vesca)基因组和凤梨草莓(Fragaria ananassa)基因组中分别筛选了18个和58个TCP基因,并根据基因在染色体上的位置分别命名为FvTCP1~FvTCP18和FaTCP1~FaTCP58,亚细胞定位显示TCP家族基因主要位于细胞核上。(2)qRT PCR分析表明,森林草莓家族基因对逆境胁迫具有响应作用,但不同成员在不同胁迫处理下的响应程度存在差异,FvTCP14在200 mmol·L^-1 NaCl、10% PEG、100 μmol·L^-1 ABA、4 ℃低温、40 ℃高温和100 mmol·L^-1 H₂O₂处理下相对表达量极显著高于对照,分别是对照的43.78倍、166.73倍、38.39倍、265.87倍、626.24倍和451.85倍,表明^FvTCP14响应干旱、盐、ABA、H₂O₂、低温和高温胁迫;另外发现,FvTCP12在4 ℃低温、100 μmol·L^-1 ABA和100 mmol·L^-1 H₂O₂胁迫下与对照相比呈下调趋势,推测FvTCP12基因对低温、ABA和H₂O₂胁迫具有负调控作用。研究表明,森林草莓TCP转录因子在不同逆境胁迫中的表达存在一定的差异。     

皇竹草活性氧代谢对阿特拉津胁迫的响应特征

采用水培实验研究了4个浓度（5、10、20、40 mg·L^-1）除草剂阿特拉津胁迫下,皇竹草（Pennisetum hydridum）叶片内超氧阴离子生成速率、过氧化氢（H₂O₂）含量、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性、过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性、过氧化物酶（POD）活性、丙二醛（MDA）含量、原生质膜透性的变化,探讨皇竹草对阿特拉津的抗性及其生理机制。结果显示:（1）低浓度（5、10 mg·L^-1）的阿特拉津胁迫使皇竹草叶片内超氧阴离子生成速率和CAT活性升高,却使H₂O₂含量及SOD和POD活性降低,但随着培养时间的延长,培养液中阿特拉津浓度的降低导致上述指标又有恢复到正常水平的趋势;而高浓度（40 mg·L^-1）的阿特拉津胁迫则使皇竹草叶片内H₂O₂含量、SOD、POD和CAT活性持续降低。（2）在各胁迫浓度下持续胁迫10 d后,皇竹草叶片内MDA含量开始逐渐升高,并且升高幅度随着胁迫浓度的提高而明显增加,但各胁迫浓度下叶片原生质膜相对透性未见明显的变化。研究表明,皇竹草可能通过活性氧等信号分子调控自身保护酶系统的活性来缓解阿特拉津造成的伤害,从而对低浓度（5、10 mg·L^-1）的阿特拉津胁迫表现出较强抗性。     

外源5-氨基乙酰丙酸对盐胁迫下菘蓝种子萌发及幼苗抗氧化酶活性的影响

采用砂培方式,研究了外源5-氨基乙酰丙酸(ALA)对盐胁迫下菘蓝种子的萌发、幼苗叶片的可溶性糖含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量及其抗氧化酶活性的影响,探讨ALA缓解菘蓝受盐胁迫伤害的响应机制。结果显示:(1)菘蓝种子萌发及幼苗生长在100 mmol·L^-1 NaCl胁迫下受到明显的抑制,种子发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数与自然含水量均显著降低,丙二醛含量、可溶性糖含量以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性显著升高。(2)盐胁迫下适宜浓度的ALA处理显著提高了种子萌发率、自然含水量及SOD、POD和CAT活性,降低了可溶性糖和丙二醛的含量,并以16.7 mg·L^-1 ALA处理盐胁迫下菘蓝种子的发芽率、发芽势最大,其幼苗的SOD、POD、CAT活性最强。研究表明,盐胁迫显著抑制菘蓝种子的萌发及幼苗生长,适宜浓度的ALA能够有效缓解盐胁迫对菘蓝种子萌发及幼苗生长的伤害,提高植株的抗盐性,并以16.7 mg·L^-1 ALA处理效果最佳。     

Effect of Coronatine on Antioxidant Enzyme Response of Chickpea Roots to Combination of PEG-Induced Osmotic Stress and Heat Stress

Abiotic stresses, such as high temperature and drought, are major limiting factors of crop production and growth. Coronatine (COR), a structural and functional analog of jasmonates, is suggested to have a role in abiotic stress tolerance. The aim of our study was to examine whether pretreatment with COR enhances the tolerance of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. cv ICC 4958) roots to PEG-induced osmotic stress, heat stress, and their combination. Therefore, seedlings raised hydroponically in a growth chamber for 15 days were pretreated with or without COR at 0.01 μM for 24 h and then exposed to 6 % PEG 6000-induced osmotic stress or heat (starting at 35 °C and then gradually increased 1 °C every 15 min and kept at 44 °C for 1 h) stress for 3 days. After different treatment periods, the changes in relative growth rate (RGR); malondialdehyde (MDA), proline (Pro), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) contents; and the activities of antioxidant enzymes/isoenzymes in roots of chickpea seedlings with or without 0.01 μM COR application were studied. RGR in roots was increased by COR application. Under all stress conditions, H₂O₂, MDA, and Pro levels increased sharply, but pretreatment with COR significantly reduced them. Moreover, COR increased the activities of H₂O₂ scavenger enzymes such as catalase (CAT) under heat stress, ascorbate peroxidase (POX) under PEG stress, and CAT and POX under combined stresses. Therefore, COR might alleviate adverse effects of PEG stress and heat stress and combined stresses on roots of chickpea by reduction of H₂O₂ production, enhancing or keeping the existent activity of antioxidant enzymes, thereby preventing membrane peroxidation.     

Exogenous Nitric Oxide (as Sodium Nitroprusside) Ameliorates Polyethylene Glycol-Induced Osmotic Stress in Hydroponically Grown Maize Roots

The present study was designed to examine whether exogenous sodium nitroprusside (SNP) supplementation has any ameliorating action against PEG-induced osmotic stress in Zea mays cv. FRB-73 roots. Twenty percent or 40 % polyethylene glycol (PEG6000; ?0.5 MPa and ?1.76 MPa, respectively) treatment alone or in combination with 150 and 300 μM SNP was applied to hydroponically grown maize roots for 72 h. Although only catalase (CAT) activity increased when maize roots were exposed to PEG-induced osmotic stress, induction of this antioxidant enzyme was inadequate to detoxify the extreme levels of reactive oxygen species, as evidenced by growth, water content, superoxide anion radical (O ₂ ^?? ), hydroxyl radical (OH^?) scavenging activity, and TBARS content. However, supplementation of PEG-exposed specimens with SNP significantly alleviated stress-induced damage through effective water management and enhancement of antioxidant defense markers including the enzymatic/non-enzymatic systems. Exogenously applied SNP under stress resulted in the up-regulation of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione S-transferase (GST), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), total ascorbate, and glutathione contents involved in ascorbate–glutathione cycle. On the other hand, growth rate, osmotic potential, CAT, APX, GR, and GPX increased in maize roots exposed to both concentrations of SNP alone, but activities of monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) and dehydroascorbate reductase decreased. Based on the above results, an exogenous supply of both 150 and 300 μM SNP to maize roots was protective for PEG-induced toxicity. The present study provides new insights into the mechanisms of SNP (NO donor) amelioration of PEG-induced osmotic stress damages in hydroponically grown maize roots.     

外源海藻糖对高温胁迫下穗分化期水稻叶片生理特性及产量的影响

该研究以耐热型水稻品种Nagina22和热敏型水稻品种YR343为供试材料,采用盆栽试验,设置喷施清水+常温处理(NT0)、喷施清水+穗分化期高温胁迫(HT0),以及分别喷施5、10、15、20 mmol·L^-1外源海藻糖+高温胁迫(分别记为HT1、HT2、HT3、HT4)共6个处理,分析外源海藻糖对高温胁迫下穗分化期水稻叶片叶绿素含量、光合气体交换参数、抗氧化酶活性、渗透调节物质含量、活性氧含量等生理特性,以及籽粒产量及其构成因素的影响,为水稻抗热栽培和耐热品种的选育提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)在高温胁迫下水稻穗分化期,2个水稻品种叶片的叶绿素含量、光合气体交换参数及渗透调节物质含量均降低,叶片MDA和H₂O₂含量以及■的产生速率均上升,叶片抗氧化酶活性呈先增后降的趋势,最终显示水稻籽粒产量及其构成因素显著下降。(2)喷施外源海藻糖能显著增加高温胁迫下穗分化期水稻的每穗粒数、千粒重和结实率,从而提高籽粒产量,其中弱势粒千粒重和结实率的增幅高于强势粒,外源海藻糖最适喷施浓度为15 mmol·L^-1...     

The effect of reactive oxygen species on ethylene production induced by osmotic stress in etiolated mungbean seedling

After 10 h osmotic stress in 25% polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) solution (–1.8 MPa) at 25 °C in darkness, the etiolated mungbean seedlings were transferred to pure water for recovery. The ethylene release rate and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including superoxide radical (O₂^–) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), were investigated during the recovery process. The results showed that ethylene production rate and amount of ROS increased dramatically after osmotic stress, and a close correlation was observed between ethylene release rate and concentrations of ROS. Inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis, aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) or aminooxyacetic acid (AOA), could reduce the ethylene release rate, but had no significant influence to the content of O₂^– and H₂O₂. As well as, silver thiosulfate (STS), an inhibitor of ethylene action, exhibited no obvious effect to the concentration of ROS, showing stress-inducible ethylene was not the cause for the increase of stress-inducible ROS. On the other hand, exogenous generator of superoxide radical (methylviologen, MV, or sodium dithionite, Na₂S₂O₄) could enhance the ethylene production evidently, which could be inhibited by exogenous scavenger of superoxide radical (superoxide dismutase, SOD, or 1, 4-diazabicyclo (2,2,2) octane, DABCO). However, either exogenous H₂O₂ or catalase (CAT) had no significant influence on ethylene production. The results suggested that it was superoxide radical but not H₂O₂which was involved directly in osmotic stress-inducible ethylene biosynthesis. The dual-role of superoxide radical on stress ethylene biosynthesis was also discussed.     

Expression of defence-related peroxidases Prx7 and Prx8 during abiotic stresses in barley roots

The expression of defence-related peroxidases Prx7 and Prx8 in barley roots grown under selected abiotic stress conditions (toxic metals: Cd, Al, Co, Cu, Hg; drought, salinity, extreme temperatures: heat, cold) and compounds activating (2,4-D) or inhibiting (SHAM) POD activity as well as H₂O₂ and H₂O₂ scavenger (DTT) was characterized. Strong Cd concentration dependent expression of Prx8 peroxidase gene was observed, which correlated with root growth inhibition induced by Cd- and some other stress factors (heavy metals, heat and salinity). Application of H₂O₂ did not cause changes in expression of Prx8, but H₂O₂ scavenger (DTT) as well as the inhibitor (SHAM) and the activator (2,4-D) of PODs induced increase in Prx8 expression. Our results demonstrate that root growth inhibition during any disturbance of active oxygen species (AOS) in root tissue is correlated with up-regulation of Prx8 gene expression in barley roots.     

Nitrogen deprivation induces cross-tolerance of Poa annua callus to salt stress

Alternative respiration pathway (AP) is an important pathway which can be induced by environment stresses in plants. In the present study, we show a new mechanism involving the AP in nitrogen deprivation-induced tolerance of Poa annua callus to salt stress. The AP capacity markedly increased under a 600 mM NaCl treatment or nitrogen deprivation pretreatment and reached a maximum under the nitrogen deprivation pretreatment combined with the NaCl treatment (–N+NaCl). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and H₂O₂ content and Na⁺/K⁺ ratio significantly increased under the 600 mM NaCl treatment but less under the–N+NaCl treatment. Moreover, both the nitrogen deprivation and the NaCl stress stimulated the plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPase activity and increased pyruvate content. The maximal stimulating effect was found under the–N+NaCl treatment. When the AP capacity was reduced by salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM, an inhibitor of AP), content of MDA and H₂O₂ and Na⁺/K⁺ ratio dramatically increased, whereas PM H⁺-ATPase activity decreased. Moreover, exogenous application of pyruvate produced a similar effect as the nitrogen deprivation pretreatment. The effects of SHAM on the Poa annua callus were counteracted by catalase (a H₂O₂ scavenger) and diphenylene iodonium (a plasma membrane NADPH oxidase inhibitor). Taken together, our results suggest that the nitrogen deprivation enhanced the capacity of AP by increasing pyruvate content, which in turn prevented the Poa annua callus from salt-induced oxidative damages and Na⁺ over-uptake.     

Hydrogen peroxide is required for abscisic acid-induced NH4+ accumulation in rice leaves

The role of H₂O₂ in abscisic acid (ABA)-induced NH₄⁺ accumulation in rice leaves was investigated. ABA treatment resulted in an accumulation of NH₄⁺ in rice leaves, which was preceded by a decrease in the activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) and an increase in the specific activities of protease and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). GS, PAL, and protease seem to be the enzymes responsible for the accumulation of NH₄⁺ in ABA-treated rice leaves. Dimethylthiourea (DMTU), a chemical trap for H₂O₂, was observed to be effective in inhibiting ABA-induced accumulation of NH₄⁺ in rice leaves. Inhibitors of NADPH oxidase, diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) and imidazole (IMD), and nitric oxide donor (N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone, PBN), which have previously been shown to prevent ABA-induced increase in H₂O₂ contents in rice leaves, inhibited ABA-induced increase in the content of NH₄⁺. Similarly, the changes of enzymes responsible for NH₄⁺ accumulation induced by ABA were observed to be inhibited by DMTU, DPI, IMD, and PBN. Exogenous application of H₂O₂ was found to increase NH₄⁺ content, decrease GS activity, and increase protease and PAL-specific activities in rice leaves. Our results suggest that H₂O₂ is involved in ABA-induced NH₄⁺ accumulation in rice leaves.     

The Effects of Exogenous Ascorbic Acid on the Mechanism of Physiological and Biochemical Responses to Nitrate Uptake in Two Rice Cultivars (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.) Under Aluminum Stress

As a major antioxidant in plants, ascorbic acid (AsA) plays a very important role in the response to aluminum (Al) stress. However, the effect of AsA on the mitigation of Al toxicity and the mechanism of nitrate nitrogen (NO₃ ^?–N) uptake by plants under Al stress are unclear. In this study, a hydroponic experiment was conducted using peak 1 A rice (sterile line, Indica) with weaker resistance to Al and peak 1 superior 5 rice (F1 hybrid, Indica) with stronger resistance to Al to study the effects of exogenous AsA on the physiological and biochemical responses to NO₃ ^?–N uptake by rice roots exposed to 50 μmol L^?1 Al. Al stress induced increases in the concentrations of H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA) and in the activities of antioxidant enzymes [such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)]. Plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPase and H⁺-pump activities, endogenous AsA content and NO₃ ^?–N uptake in rice roots decreased under Al stress. After treatment with 2 mmol L^?1 exogenous AsA combined with Al, concentrations of H₂O₂ and MDA in roots notably decreased, and endogenous AsA content and activities of SOD, POD, CAT, and APX in rice roots increased significantly; furthermore, the interaction of PM H⁺-ATPase and the 14-3-3 protein was also enhanced significantly compared with that in control plants without AsA treatment, which clearly increased NO₃ ^?–N uptake. Based on all of these data, the application of AsA significantly reduced the accumulation of H₂O₂ and MDA and increased the activities of PM H⁺-ATPase and the H⁺-pump by increasing the endogenous AsA content, the antioxidant enzyme activities, and the interaction of PM H⁺-ATPase and the 14-3-3 protein in the roots of the two rice cultivars under Al stress, thereby improving the uptake of NO₃ ^?–N in rice.     

Comparative analysis of some biochemical responses of three indica rice varieties during polyethylene glycol-mediated water stress exhibits distinct varietal differences

Extensive investigation into plant response and adaptation to diverse osmotic stresses like high salt/dehydration/low temperature, involving a broad spectrum of cellular physiological and biochemical changes, is essential to unravel intrinsic mechanism to mitigate against such stresses. In our previous communications, we conducted biochemical analyses of indica rice varieties, subjected to exogenous salt/abscisic acid-mediated oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to compare differential biochemical responses of the salt-sensitive (IR-29), salt-tolerant (Pokkali) and aromatic (Pusa Basmati or PB) rice varieties during polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced dehydration stress. The greater susceptibility of IR-29 and PB, to water scarcity, was reflected by the higher toxic Na⁺ and putrescine accumulation, considerable decrease in (reduced/oxidized) glutathione, maximal increment in protease activity and greater downregulation of nitrate reductase activity. On the other hand, Pokkali appeared to suffer lesser damages as evidenced from much lower endogenous Na⁺ but higher K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ accumulation, registering the highest levels of osmolytes like glycinebetaine and higher polyamines (spermidine and spermine) accounting to improved relative water content, higher (reduced/oxidized) glutathione, maximal induction of the enzyme phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and practically unhindered nitrate reductase activity, following PEG treatment. The highest induction of sugars and proline in IR-29 and PB probably played the osmoprotective/antioxidative functions, enabling to a certain extent to heighten their lipoxygenase inhibition or H₂O₂ scavenging potential, more than Pokkali, to ward off oxidative damages and sustain survival under critical dehydrated situations. Thus, the salt-tolerant Pokkali also showed prominent dehydration-tolerance properties, whereas the aromatic rice PB, almost identical in their biochemical responses to IR-29, showed greater sensitivity to PEG-mediated water deficit.