Effect of sugars on the development of oxidative stress induced by hypothermia in potato plants expressing yeast invertase gene

The influence of sugars on the development of oxidative stress induced by hypothermia was investigated in the leaves of two genotypes of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown in vitro on the Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 2% sucrose. We used wild-type plants of potato, cv. Désirée, and potato plants expressing a yeast invertase gene under the control of the B33 class I patatin promoter and carrying a sequence of proteinase inhibitor II leader peptide for the apoplastic enzyme localization. At temperature of 22°C optimal for growth, expression of the yeast invertase gene in the leaves of transformed plants brought about a modification in the carbohydrate metabolism manifested in the activation of acid forms of invertase and accumulation of intracellular sugars (predominantly of sucrose because of its resynthesis). The exposure of plants to light under prolonged hypothermia (5°C, 6 days) activated all the forms of invertase (predominantly of acid invertase) and induced accumulation of sugars. In the leaves of potato expressing the yeast invertase gene, these processes were more intense. Under chilling, superoxide dismutase activity and the rate of lipid peroxidation in the leaves of investigated potato genotypes depended on the level of accumulated intracellular sugars. It was concluded that sugars play an important role as stabilizers of cellular membranes and scavengers of reactive oxygen species decelerating the processes of free radical oxidation of biomolecules upon the development of oxidative stress induced by hypothermia.     

CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> exchange and structural organization of chloroplasts under hypothermia in potato plants transformed with a gene for yeast invertase

Growth, CO₂ exchange, and the ultrastructure of chloroplasts were investigated in the leaves of potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Désirée) of wild type and transformed with a gene for yeast invertase under the control of patatin class I B33 promoter (for apoplastic enzyme) grown in vitro on the Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 2% sucrose. At a temperature of 22°C optimal for growth, the transformed plants differed from the plants of wild type in retarded growth and a lower rate of photosynthesis as calculated per plant. On a leaf dry weight basis, photosynthesis of transformed plants was higher than in control plants. Under hypothermia (5°C), dark respiration and especially photosynthesis of transformed plants turned out to be more intense than in control material. After a prolonged exposure to low temperature (6 days at 5°C), in the plants of both genotypes, the ultrastructure of chloroplasts changed. Absolute areas of sections of chloroplasts and starch grains rose, and the area of plastoglobules decreased; in transformed plants, these changes were more pronounced. By some ultrastructural characteristics: a reduction in the cold of relative total area of sections of starch grains and plastoglobules (in percents of the chloroplast section area) and in the number of granal thylakoids (per a chloroplast section area), transformed plants turned out to be more cold resistant than wild-type plants. The obtained results are discussed in connection with changes in source-sink relations in transformed potato plants. These changes modify the balance between photosynthesis and retarded efflux of assimilates, causing an increase in the intracellular level of sugars and a rise in the tolerance to chilling.     

Enhanced tolerance to light stress of transgenic Arabidopsis plants that express the codA gene for a bacterial choline oxidase

Arabidopsis thaliana was transformed with the codA gene from Arthrobacter globiformis. This gene encodes choline oxidase, an enzyme that converts choline to glycinebetaine. The photosynthetic activity, monitored in terms of chlorophyll fluorescence, of transformed plants was more tolerant to light stress than that of wild-type plants. This enhanced tolerance to light stress was caused by acceleration of the recovery of the photosystem II (PS II) complex from the photo-inactivated state. The transformed plants synthesized glycinebetaine, but no changes were detected in the relative levels of membrane lipids or in the relative levels of fatty acids in the various membrane lipids. Transformation with the codA gene increased levels of H₂O₂, a by-product of the reaction catalyzed by choline oxidase, by only 50% to 100% under stress or non-stress conditions. The activity of ascorbate peroxidase and, to a lesser extent, that of catalase in transformed plants were significantly higher than in the wild-type plants. These observations suggest that H₂O₂ produced by choline oxidase in the transformed plants might have stimulated the expression of H₂O₂ scavenging enzymes, with resultant maintenance of the level of H₂O₂ within a certain limited range. It appears that glycinebetaine produced in vivo, but not changes in membrane lipids or in the level of H₂O₂, protected the PS II complex in transformed plants from damage due to light stress.     

Influence of yeast-derived invertase gene expression in potato plants on membrane lipid peroxidation at low temperature

Tolerance to chilling was compared in potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Désirée) transformed with a yeast-derived invertase gene under the control of the B33 class 1 tuber-specific promoter and with the proteinase inhibitor II leader peptide sequence providing for the apoplastic enzyme localization (the B33-inv plants) and potato plants transformed only with a reporter gene (the control plants) under in vitro conditions. The total activities of acid and alkaline invertases and contents of sugars in the B33-inv plants exceeded those in the control plants. The exposures at low temperature produced a significant less lipid peroxidation activity in the B33-inv plants, as compared to the control. The authors presume that the B33-inv plants acquire a higher tolerance to low temperatures apparently due to the changes in sugar ratio produced by the yeast invertase.     

Physiological and biochemical adaptations in lentil genotypes under drought stress

Drought is a major restrictive factor for declining grain yield in lentil globally. Present investigation was conducted by taking microsperma (HUL-57) and macrosperma (IPL-406) genotypes of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) as information regarding physiological and biochemical basis of differences in drought resistance in macrosperma (bold-seeded) and microsperma (small-seeded) are not well understood. Pot grown plants were exposed to drought stress at specific phenophase viz. mid-vegetative, flower initiation and pod formation stage by withholding irrigation till the plants experienced one cycle of permanent wilting (PWP). Genotypes exhibited substantial differences for most of the measured traits under drought irrespective of the phenophase of stress imposed. Under drought HUL-57 had lower CMI, higher CSI, lower values of Δ¹³C, maintained higher SLN, accumulated more N and efficiently remobilized accumulated N to developing seeds. Higher chlorophyll content, increased accumulation of osmotically active solutes viz. soluble sugars and proline under drought stress was evident in HUL-57. Drought induced H₂O₂ accumulation and lipid peroxidation in both genotypes, but increments were of lesser magnitudes in HUL-57. Drought stress of pod formation stage followed by flower initiation stage was most damaging than the stress imposed at mid-vegetative stage in both genotypes. HUL-57 showed a better drought resistance capacity than IPL-406. Drought indices viz. DSI, STI and MP are proposed as criterion to identify and breed lentil genotypes for drought conditions.     

Physiological response to heat stress of tomato ‘Micro-Tom’ plants expressing high and low levels of mitochondrial sHSP23.6 protein

Tomato ‘Micro-Tom’ plants were transformed for high or low expression of the mitochondrial small “heat shock” protein (HSP) (MT-sHSP23.6) to evaluate their response to high temperature. The plants were raised for 59 days under a controlled temperature, photoperiod and photon flow density and then subjected to heat stress for 24 h at 37 °C, followed by a recovery period under normal conditions (21 ± 2 °C). The cycle was repeated. The chlorophyll a fluorescence intensity was measured, and the parameters of the JIP-test were calculated. The gas exchange was also evaluated. The JIP-test showed significantly different responses of the genotypes to heat stress. The parameters of photosystem I activity and the net assimilation of CO₂ increased during the first stress cycle in genotypes with a high expression of MT-sHSP23.6 and in non-transformed plants; however, the net assimilation of CO₂ decreased in genotypes with a low expression of MT-sHSP23.6. The data suggest that MT-sHSP23.6 participates in the heat tolerance mechanism, considering that the suppression of this protein resulted in greater physiological damage during heat stress.     

Peroxisomal APX knockdown triggers antioxidant mechanisms favourable for coping with high photorespiratory H2O2 induced by CAT deficiency in rice

The physiological role of peroxisomal ascorbate peroxidases (pAPX) is unknown; therefore, we utilized pAPX4 knockdown rice and catalase (CAT) inhibition to assess its role in CAT compensation under high photorespiration. pAPX4 knockdown induced co‐suppression in the expression of pAPX3. The rice mutants exhibited metabolic changes such as lower CAT and glycolate oxidase (GO) activities and reduced glyoxylate content; however, APX activity was not altered. CAT inhibition triggered different changes in the expression of CAT, APX and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) isoforms between non‐transformed (NT) and silenced plants. These responses were associated with alterations in APX, GPX and GO activities, suggesting redox homeostasis differences. The glutathione oxidation‐reduction states were modulated differently in mutants, and the ascorbate redox state was greatly affected in both genotypes. The pAPX suffered less oxidative stress and photosystem II (PSII) damage and displayed higher photosynthesis than the NT plants. The improved acclimation exhibited by the pAPX plants was indicated by lower H₂O₂ accumulation, which was associated with lower GO activity and glyoxylate content. The suppression of both pAPXs and/or its downstream metabolic and molecular effects may trigger favourable antioxidant and compensatory mechanisms to cope with CAT deficiency. This physiological acclimation may involve signalling by peroxisomal H₂O₂, which minimized the photorespiration.     

Influence of ozone on transgenic tobacco plants expressing reduced quantities of Rubisco

RbcS-antisense transformed tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Petit Havana) expressing reduced quantities of Rubisco protein were used to examine the role of Rubisco quantity in determining ozone (O₃) sensitivity. Transformed and wild-type plants were exposed to O₃ in the greenhouse and in the field. Stomatal conductance, net photosynthesis and Rubisco protein quantity were measured at various times. Antisense-transformed genotypes responded to O₃ by exhibiting rapid, severe foliar necrosis. The wild-type plants responded more slowly, exhibiting limited injury. Decreases in stomatal conductance, net photosynthesis or Rubisco quantity in plants exposed to O₃ were not observed in asymptomatic leaves. Total biomass was lower for the transformed genotypes and decreased in both genotypes after exposure to O₃. Shoot–root ratio and specific leaf area were higher in the transformed genotypes and increased in both genotypes with exposure to O₃. Measurements of intercellular airspace demonstrated the presence of larger intercellular spaces in the transformed plants. The indirect effects of the rbcS antisense transformation, including morphological changes in the leaf, probably rendered the transformed plants more sensitive to the oxidant. The decreased quantity of Rubisco is not thought to be directly related to increased O₃ sensitivity in the transformed plants.     

Solute accumulation and decreased photosynthesis in leaves of potato plants expressing yeast-derived invertase either in the apoplast, vacuole or cytosol

Potato (Solanum tuberosum cv. Désirée) plants expressing yeast invertase directed either to the apoplast, vacuole or cytosol were biochemically and physiologically characterised. All lines of transgenic plants showed similarities to plants growing under water stress. Transformants were retarded in growth, and accumulated hexoses and amino acids, especially proline, to levels up to 40-fold higher than those of the wild types. In all transformants rates of CO₂ assimilation and leaf conductance were reduced. From the unchanged intercellular partial pressure of CO₂ and apoplastic cis-abscisic acid (ABA) content of transformed leaves it was concluded that the reduced rate of CO₂ assimilation was not caused by a limitation in the availability of CO₂ for␣the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco). In the transformants the amount of Rubisco protein was not reduced, but both activation state and carboxylation efficiency of photosynthesis were lowered. In vacuolar and cytosolic transformants this inhibition of Rubisco might be caused by a changed ratio of organic bound and inorganic phosphate, as indicated by a doubling of phosphorylated intermediates. But in apoplastic transformants the pattern of phosphorylated intermediates resembled that of leaves of water-stressed potato plants, although the cause of inhibition of photosynthesis was not identical. Whereas in water-stressed plants increased contents of the phytohormone ABA are supposed to mediate the adaptation to water stress, no contribution of ABA to reduction of photosynthesis could be detected in invertase transformants. Received: 29 May 1996 / Accepted: 30 December 1996     

Interactive effects of high temperature and elevated carbon dioxide concentration on cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]

Limitations in carbohydrate supplies have been implicated as a factor responsible for reproductive failure under heat stress. Heat stress affects two stages of reproductive development in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], and genotypes are available with tolerance and sensitivity to heat during these different stages. The objectives of this study were to determine the responses of these cowpea lines to ambient and elevated [CO₂], under heat stress and optimal temperature, and test whether differences in carbohydrate supplies due to genotypes, CO₂ enrichment and heat stress are associated with differences in sensitivity to heat during reproductive development. Plants were grown in reach-in growth chambers and subjected to day/night temperatures of either 33/20 or 33/30°C, and [CO₂] levels of either 350 or 700 μmol mol^-1. Under intermediate night temperature (33/20°C), all lines set substantial numbers of pods. Under high night temperature (33/30°C) with either ambient or elevated [CO₂], one heat-sensitive line produced no flowers and the other set no pods, whereas the heat-tolerant line abundantly set pods. High night temperature reduced the overall carbohydrate content of the plants, especially peduncle sugars, and caused decreases in photosynthetic rates. The high pod set of the heat-tolerant line, under high night temperature, was associated with higher levels of sugars in peduncles compared with the heat-sensitive lines. The heat-tolerant line accumulated substantial shoot biomass, exhibited less accumulation of starch in leaves, and possibly had less down-regulation of photosynthesis in response to CO₂ enrichment and heat stress than the heat-sensitive lines. Elevated [CO₂] resulted in higher overall carbohydrate levels in heat-sensitive lines (starch in leaves, stems and peduncles), but it did not increase their heat tolerance with respect to flower production or pod set. Heat-induced damage to floral buds and anthers in the sensitive lines was associated with low sugars levels in peduncles, indicating that heat had greater effects on assimilate demand than on leaf assimilate supply. The heat-tolerant line was the most responsive genotype to elevated [CO₂] with respect to pod production under either high or intermediate temperatures.     

Hydrogen peroxide-induced salt tolerance in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis</Emphasis> salicylate-deficient transformants <Emphasis Type="Italic">NahG</Emphasis>

The effect of hydrogen peroxide treatment on the salt tolerance of wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana L. plants (Col-0) and plants transformed with the bacterial salicylate hydroxylase gene (NahG) was studied. The base tolerance to salt stress caused by 200 mM of NaCl in solution culture was higher in plants with the NahG genotype in comparison with the wild-type plants. Growth inhibition was observed for wild-type plants under the action of exogenous hydrogen peroxide, which was not observed for the NahG transformants; salt tolerance increased in the both types of plants after treatment, which was assessed based on the growth indicators and the ability to preserve the chlorophyll pool following NaCl treatment. The content of endogenous Н2О2 in the leaves of wild-type plants increased significantly following exogenous hydrogen peroxide treatment and salt stress, while it practically did not change in the leaves of the NahG genotype. The SOD activity increased in both genotypes after treatment with exogenous hydrogen peroxide, and remained at an elevated level after salt stress in comparison with the nontreated plants. Furthermore, the catalase activity increased in leaves of the salicylate-deficient genotype but not in the Col-0 genotype. The guaiacol peroxidase activity increased in plants of both genotypes under the action of hydrogen peroxide and salt stress, with the NahG plants demonstrating a higher degree of increase. The Н₂О₂ treatment facilitated the increase of the proline content in leaves of the plants of both genotypes under conditions of salt stress. It was concluded that there were hydrogen peroxide signal transduction pathways in Arabidopsis plants that were salicylic acid independent and that the antioxidant system functioned more effectively in salicylate-deficient Arabidopsis plants.     

Photosynthetic response to water stress and changes in metabolites in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Jasminum sambac</Emphasis>

Gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, and contents of some metabolites in two genotypes of jasmine (Jasminum sambac), single petal (SP) and double petal (DP) one, were analyzed during dehydration and re-hydration. Water stress significantly decreased net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and maximum photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m) in both jasmine genotypes, but increased minimum fluorescence (F₀) only in DP-jasmine. Water stress also decreased starch content, while increased contents of total soluble sugars and proline in leaves of both genotypes. SP-jasmine demonstrated higher drought tolerance as evidenced by maintaining higher gas exchange and photochemical efficiency and lower alteration of metabolites than DP-jasmine. Recovery analysis revealed that drought-induced injury in photosynthetic machinery in jasmine plants was reversible. DP-jasmine exhibited a slow recovery of drought-induced impairment in photosynthetic activity and associated metabolites, suggesting that this genotype had lower capacity to adapt to water limited condition. Higher yield stability of SP-than that of DP-jasmine under rain-fed condition finally confirmed higher drought tolerance of SP-jasmine.     

Aluminum tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana as affected by endogenous salicylic acid

Endogenous salicylic acid (SA) functions in plant response to an aluminum stress were assessed. We used different Arabidopsis thaliana genotypes including snc1 with a constitutively high content of SA, sid2 and nahG (transgenic lines) both with a low content of SA, SA insensitive mutant npr1-1, and snc1/nahG (i.e., the nahG expression in the snc1 background) with a similar SA content as in wild type (WT) plants. Results show that the snc1 plants displayed obvious growth retardation of roots and shoots under the Al³⁺ stress, whereas the sid2, nahG, and npr1-1 plants exhibited alleviated symptoms in comparison with the WT plants. The Al³⁺ content increased in all the tested genotypes with the increasing AlCl₃ concentration applied, but no significant variations were detected among the tested genotypes. The snc1 had much higher superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities, and a lower catalase activity and the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione accompanied by higher accumulations of H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde compared with the WT plants. These changes were largely reversed by the introduction of nahG; the sid2, nahG, and npr1-1 plants were less affected than WT plants in all the above-mentioned parameters. The Al³⁺ stress significantly enhanced malate exudation in all the tested genotypes, but no significant correlation was observed between the SA-involved response to the Al³⁺ stress and the malate exudation. Based on these data, it was concluded that the SA-related functions in Arabidopsis response to the Al³⁺ stress were associated with the control of oxidative stress, but not of malate exudation.     

Physiological and biochemical responses of Theobroma cacao L. genotypes to flooding

Flooding is common in lowlands and areas with high rainfall or excessive irrigation. A major effect of flooding is the deprivation of O₂ in the root zone, which affects several biochemical and morphophysiological plant processes. The objective of this study was to elucidate biochemical and physiological characteristics associated with tolerance to O₂ deficiency in two clonal cacao genotypes. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse with two contrasting clones differing in flood tolerance: TSA-792 (tolerant) and TSH-774 (susceptible). Leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, chemical composition and oxidative stress were assessed during 40 d for control and flooded plants. Flooding induced a decrease in net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration of both genotypes. In flood conditions, the flood-susceptible clone showed changes in chlorophyll fluorescence, reductions in chlorophyll content and increased activity of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. Flooding also caused changes in macro- and micronutrients, total soluble sugars and starch concentrations in different plant organs of both genotypes. Response curves for the relationship between photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and net photosynthetic rate (P _N) for flooded plants were similar for both genotypes. In flood conditions, the flood-susceptible clone exhibited (1) nonstomatal limitations to photosynthesis since decreased in maximum potential quantum yield of PSII (F_v/F_m) values indicated possible damage to the PSII light-harvesting complex; (2) oxidative stress; (3) increased leaf chlorosis; and (4) a reduction in root carbohydrate levels. These stresses resulted in death of several plants after 30 d of flooding.     

Drought effect on photosynthetic activity,osmolyte accumulation and membrane integrity of two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicer arietinum</Emphasis> genotypes

Drought was induced in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes (ChK 3226 and ILC 3279) differing in yield capacity. Water stress (S1, RWC around 55–50%; S2, RWC ≤ 40%) drastically reduced stomatal conductance (g _s) and net photosynthetic rate (P _N) in both genotypes. ILC 3279 showed greater photosynthetic capacity (A _max) decreases. Maximum PSII photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m), photochemical quenching (q_P), total chlorophylls (Chls) and carotenoids (Cars) content showed stability in both genotypes under stress, but in S2 ILC 3279 presented an increase in basal fluorescence (F₀) and a greater reduction in estimation of quantum yield of linear electron transport (Φ_e) than ChK 3226. Membrane damage evaluated by electrolyte leakage occurred earlier and was greater in ILC 3279. It also presented a decrease of total fatty acids (TFA) along drought, while in ChK 3226 greater amounts of TFA were observed in S1. In rehydration, P _N of S1 plants completely recovered (ILC 3279) or remained slightly below control (ChK 3226). As regards S2 plants, ILC 3279 showed stronger P _N and g _s reductions than ChK 3226, despite both genotypes totally recovered A _max and chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence. ChK 3226 recovered more efficiently from membrane damage. Under control conditions, greater amounts of most of the studied soluble metabolites occurred in ChK 3226 plants. Malate and citrate decreased with water stress (S2) in both genotypes. Sucrose and pinitol (that had a higher concentration than sucrose in both genotypes) increased in ILC 3279 (S1 and S2), and decreased in ChK 3226 (S2). In ILC 3279 proline and asparagine followed similar patterns. Genotypes showed a similar shoot dry mass (DM) in control plants, but root DM was higher in ChK 3226. Drought reduced root and shoot DM in ChK 3226 already under S1, while in ILC 3279 root DM was unaffected by drought and shoot biomass decreased only in S2. Root/shoot ratio was always higher in ChK 3226 but tended to decrease under stress, while the opposite was observed in ILC 3279. No pods were obtained from control plants of both genotypes, or droughted ILC 3279 plants. ChK 3226 produced pods under S1 (higher yield) and S2. Under stress conditions, ChK 3226 was less affected in photosynthetic activity and membrane integrity, showing a better tolerance to drought. This agrees with the better yield of this genotype under water stress. Distinct strategies seem to underlie the different physiological responses of the two genotypes to water deficit. In spite of its significant solutes accumulation, ILC 3279 was more affected in photosynthetic activity and membrane integrity during water stress than ChK 3226, which showed better yield under drought. A relation could not be established between solutes accumulation of ILC 3279 and yield.     

Leaf gas exchange and multiple enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant strategies related to drought tolerance in two oil palm hybrids

Key message

The drought tolerance in young oil palm plants is related to greater efficiency in preventing oxidative damage by activating enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant strategies simultaneously.

Abstract

Drought is a major environmental constraint limiting growth and yield of oil palm trees. In this study, two oil palm hybrids (BRS Manicoré and BRS C 2501) were grown in large containers and subjected to a water deficit during 57 days. Leaf gas exchange analysis was combined with an in-depth assessment of the antioxidant system over the drought imposition. Under drought, leaf water potential at predawn (Ψ _pd) decreased similarly in both hybrids. In parallel, there were decreases in the net CO₂ assimilation rate (A), chlorophyll concentrations and Rubisco total activity. Overall, these decreases were more pronounced in BRS C 2501 than in BRS Manicoré. BRS C 2501 plants triggered more markedly its enzymatic antioxidant system earlier (Ψ _pd = ?2.1 MPa) than did BRS Manicoré, but these responses were accompanied by higher concentrations of H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde in BRS C 2510 than in BRS Manicoré. With the progress of drought stress (Ψ _pd = ?2.9 MPa and below), BRS Manicoré was better able to cope with oxidative stress through a more robust antioxidant system. In addition, significant decreases in drought-induced NAD⁺-malate dehydrogenase activities were only observed in stressed BRS C 2501 plants. Regardless of watering regimes, the total carotenoid, ascorbate and glutathione concentrations were higher in BRS Manicoré than in BRS C 2501. In conclusion, BRS Manicoré is better able to tolerate drought than BRS C 2501 by triggering multiple antioxidant strategies involved both in reactive oxygen species scavenging and dissipation of excess energy and/or reducing equivalents particularly under severe drought stress.

     

Salicylic Acid Application Mitigates Oxidative Damage and Improves the Growth Performance of Barley under Drought Stress

Drought is a severe environmental constraint, causing a significant reduction in crop productivity across the world. Salicylic acid (SA) is an important plant growth regulator that helps plants cope with the adverse effects induced by various abiotic stresses. The current study investigated the potential effects of SA on drought tolerance efficacy in two barley (Hordeum vulgare) genotypes, namely BARI barley 5 and BARI barley 7. Ten-day-old barley seedlings were exposed to drought stress by maintaining 7.5% soil moisture content in the absence or presence of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mM SA. Drought exposure led to severe damage to both genotypes, as indicated by phenotypic aberrations and reduction of dry biomass. On the other hand, the application of SA to drought-stressed plants protected both barley genotypes from the adverse effects of drought, which was reflected in the improvement of phenotypes and biomass production. SA supplementation improved relative water content and proline levels in drought-stressed barley genotypes, indicating the osmotic adjustment functions of SA under water-deficit conditions. Drought stress induced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide (O₂ ^•− ), and the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) in the leaves of barley plants. Exogenous supply of SA reduced oxidative damage by restricting the accumulation of ROS through the stimulation of the activities of key antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). Among the three-applied concentrations of SA, 0.5 mM SA exhibited better mitigating effects against drought stress considering the phenotypic performance and biochemical data. Furthermore, BARI barley 5 showed better performance under drought stress than BARI barley 7 in the presence of SA application. Collectively, our results suggest that SA played a crucial role in improving water status and antioxidant defense strategy to protect barley plants from the deleterious effects of water deficiency.     

Drought tolerance in two oil palm hybrids as related to adjustments in carbon metabolism and vegetative growth

Drought tolerance was examined in two oil palm hybrids (BRS Manicoré and BRS C 2501) grown in large pots and subjected to long-term drought (57 days) and rehydration. Regardless of hybrids, predawn water potential (Ψ _pd), net photosynthesis rates, and stomatal conductance decreased similarly upon drought imposition, but the absolute values of these variables were lower in BRS C 2501 than in BRS Manicoré. Overall, drought-induced decreases in activities of key enzymes associated with carbon metabolism, including Rubisco, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, and sucrose-phosphate synthase, were stronger in BRS C 2501 than in BRS Manicoré. Our data suggest that synthesis of starch (and possibly sucrose) was fundamentally limited by a lower substrate availability rather than by enzymatic constraints, particularly until day 34 after suspending watering. Drought stress provoked similar decreases in biomass accumulation in either hybrid; however, BRS Manicoré plants displayed higher total leaf area and root length coupled with greater relative decreases in dry matter of above-ground parts than of roots as compared to BRS C 2501, thereby leading to an increased root-to-above ground ratio in the former. Upon resuming irrigation, the slow recovery of Ψ _pd preceded the recovery of stomatal conductance and photosynthesis irrespective of hybrid. BRS Manicoré was better able to recover enzyme activities and carbohydrate status than BRS C 2501. In conclusion, both hybrids could tolerate (or survive) the severe drought conditions, but, overall, BRS Manicoré plants were better able to adjust its physiological, morphological, and biochemical traits to cope with drought than did BRS C 2501.     

Influence of elevated carbon dioxide on water relations of soybeans

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill cv `Bragg') plants were grown in pots at six elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations and two watering regimes in open top field chambers to characterize leaf xylem potential, stomatal resistance and conductance, transpiration, and carbohydrate contents of the leaves in response to CO₂ enrichment and water stress conditions. Groups of plants at each CO₂ concentration were subjected to water stress by withholding irrigation for 4 days during the pod-filling stage.

Under well watered conditions, the stomatal conductance of the plants decreased with increasing CO₂ concentration. Therefore, although leaf area per plant was greater in the high CO₂ treatments, the rate of water loss per plant decreased with CO₂ enrichment. After 4 days without irrigation, plants in lower CO₂ treatments showed greater leaf tissue damage, lower leaf water potential, and higher stomatal resistance than high CO₂ plants. Stomatal closure occurred at lower leaf water potentials for the low CO₂ grown plants than the high CO₂ grown plants. Significantly greater starch concentrations were found in leaves of high CO₂ plants, and the reductions in leaf starch and increases in soluble sugars due to water stress were greater for low CO₂ plants. The results showed that even though greater growth was observed at high atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, lower rates of water use delayed and, thereby, prevented the onset of severe water stress under conditions of low moisture availability.