Different Responses of Plant Growth and Antioxidant System to the Combination of Cadmium and Heat Stress in Transgenic and Non-transgenic Rice

A comparative study of just cadmium （Cd） or heat and their combination treatments on some physiological parameters and the antioxidant systems in transgenic rice （Oryza sativa L. cv. Zhonghua No.11） carrying glutathione-S-transferase （GST, EC. 2.5.1.18） and catalasel （CAT1, EC. 1.11.1.6） and non-transgenics was conducted. The results revealed improved resistance in the transgenics to Cd and the combined Cd and heat stress than non-transgenics. Data showed that the activities of CAT, GST, superoxide dismutase （EC.1.15.1.1） and all components of the ascorbate-glutatbione cycle measured in the stressed transgenics shoots are significantly different from those of non-transgenics. Results indicated that co-expression of GST and CAT1 had an important effect on the antioxidant system, in particular, the whole ascorbate-glutathione cycle. The less oxidative damage induced by Cd and the stress combination in the transgenics resulted not only from the GST and CAT1 transgene but also from the coordination of the whole ascorbate-glutathione cycle.     

Different Responses of Plant Growth and Antioxidant System to the Combination of Cadmium and Heat Stress in Transgenic and Non-transgenic Rice

A comparative study of just cadmium (Cd) or heat and their combination treatments on some physiological parameters and the antioxidant systems in transgenic rice ( Oryza sativa L. cv. Zhonghua No.11) carrying glutathione-S-transferase (GST, EC. 2.5.1.18) and catalase1 (CAT1, EC. 1.11.1.6) and non-transgenics was conducted. The results revealed improved resistance in the transgenics to Cd and the combined Cd and heat stress than non-transgenics. Data showed that the activities of CAT, GST, superoxide dismutase (EC.1.15.1.1) and all components of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle measured in the stressed transgenics shoots are significantly different from those of non-transgenics. Results indicated that co-expression of GST and CAT1 had an important effect on the antioxidant system, in particular, the whole ascorbate-glutathione cycle. The less oxidative damage induced by Cd and the stress combination in the transgenics resulted not only from the GST and CAT1 transgene but also from the coordination of the whole ascorbate-glutathione cycle.     

转GST和CAT1基因水稻根系抗氧化系统对干旱高温胁迫的响应(英文)

以携带谷胱甘肽转移酶(GST)和过氧化氢酶(CAT1)的转基因水稻和非转基因水稻(Oryza sativa L.) 品种'中花11'的根系为材料, 比较分析了二者在PEG 6000、38℃及PEG 6000和38℃复合胁迫下抗氧化系统特别是抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环系统的变化.结果显示, 6% PEG处理时,转基因水稻的CAT、GST、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)的活性都显著高于非转基因水稻;38℃处理时,前者的CAT、GST、SOD和GR的活性则显著低于后者;6% PEG和38℃复合处理时,前者的CAT、GST、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和DHAR的活性也都显著高于后者,但前者的SOD和GR活性则显著低于后者.6%PEG 诱导的转基因水稻根系的抗坏血酸氧还状态显著低于非转基因水稻,但二者的谷胱甘肽氧还状态无显著差异; 而6% PEG和38℃同时处理时,转基因水稻的谷胱甘肽氧还状态则显著高于非转基因水稻,但二者的抗坏血酸氧还状态差异不显著.研究发现,干旱和高温复合胁迫时,转基因水稻和非转基因水稻的抗氧化组分的变化均不等于这2种单一胁迫的叠加;GST和CAT1基因的转入对水稻抗氧化系统内源功能相关组分尤其是抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环系统产生了一定的影响,两种水稻的根系可能利用不同的抗氧化组分调节机制对这些胁迫做出应答.     

Different Growth and Physiological Responses to Cadmium of the Three Miscanthus Species

Miscanthus has been proposed as a promising crop for phytoremediation due to its high biomass yield and remarkable adaptability to different environments. However, little is known about the resistance of Miscanthus spp. to cadmium (Cd). To determine any differences in resistance of Miscanthus to Cd, we examined plant growth, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), activities of anti-oxidant and C₄ photosynthetic enzymes, concentrations of Cd in leaves and roots, and observed the chloroplast structure in three Miscanthus species treated with 0, 10, 50, 100 or 200 μM Cd in solutions. Miscanthus sinensis showed more sensitivity to Cd, including sharp decreases in growth, Pn, PEPC activity and damage to chloroplast structure, and the highest H₂O₂ and Cd concentrations in leaves and roots after Cd treatments. Miscanthus sacchariflorus showed higher resistance to Cd and better growth, had the highest Pn and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) activities and integrative chloroplast structure and the lowest hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and leaf and root Cd concentrations. The results could play an important role in understanding the mechanisms of Cd tolerance in plants and in application of phytoremediation.     

干旱高温胁迫下转基因水稻的生理变化

用PEG-6000、38℃及PEG-6000+38℃胁迫处理携带谷胱甘肽转移酶(GST)和过氧化氢酶(CAT1)的转基因水稻和非转基因水稻(Oryza sativa L.cv中花11), 并比较分析了二者在胁迫下的生理指标和抗氧化酶活性变化.结果显示,在单一PEG及PEG和高温复合胁迫下,植株生长、光合参数和相对含水量的降低幅度及H2O2和MDA(malon dialdehyde)的积累量在非转基因水稻与转基因水稻之间都有显著差异.在这2种胁迫下,转基因水稻的可溶性糖含量及CAT和POD (Peroxidase) 活性与非转基因水稻也有显著差异.这些结果表明,谷胱甘肽转移酶(GST)和过氧化氢酶(CAT1)的表达减轻了转基因水稻在单一干旱及干旱+高温复合胁迫下的伤害.     

外源MeJA对镉胁迫下波斯菊生长及抗氧化系统的影响

以波斯菊种子和幼苗为试验材料,采用滤纸上发芽和叶面喷施盆栽幼苗的方法,探讨不同浓度(0、0.5、1.0、5.0、10.0和25.0μmol·L~(-1))茉莉酸甲酯(MeJA)对镉(100μmol·L~(-1) Cd~(2+))胁迫下波斯菊种子萌发、幼苗生长以及抗氧化系统的影响。结果表明,镉胁迫条件下,波斯菊的生长受到严重抑制,施加低浓度MeJA(1.0～5.0μmol·L~(-1))可以促进波斯菊种子萌发,增加波斯菊幼苗叶绿素含量,促进叶片干物质含量的积累和叶片相对含水量增加,提高叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)的活性,增加氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量和氧化型谷胱甘肽/还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH/GSSG)比值,降低游离脯氨酸(Pro)和丙二醛(MDA)含量;而高浓度的MeJA(大于10μmol·L~(-1))则表现出相反的抑制作用,影响镉胁迫下波斯菊种子萌发和幼苗的相关代谢。研究发现,适宜浓度的外源MeJA,在镉胁迫条件下可通过降低渗透调节物质的含量,诱导增强抗氧化酶活性,增加氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量,调整GSH/GSSG比例等途径促进波斯菊种子萌发和幼苗的生长,有效缓解镉胁迫对波斯菊的伤害,从而提高波斯菊幼苗的耐镉性能。     

Silicon Application to Rice Root Zone Influenced the Phytohormonal and Antioxidant Responses Under Salinity Stress

Silicon (Si) application shows beneficial effects on plant growth; however, its effects on the phytohormone and enzymatic antioxidant regulation have not been fully understood. We studied the effects of short-term (6, 12, and 24 h) silicon (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mM) application on salinity (NaCl)-induced phytohormonal [abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), and salicylic acid (SA)] and antioxidant regulation in Oryza sativa. The results showed that Si treatments significantly increased rice plant growth compared to controls under salinity stress. Si treatments reduced the sodium accumulation resulting in low electrolytic leakage and lipid peroxidation compared to control plants under salinity stress. Enzymatic antioxidant (catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) responses were more pronounced in control plants than in Si-treated plants under salinity stress. Stress- and defense-related phytohormones like JA were significantly downregulated and SA was irregular after short-term Si applications under salinity stress compared to control. Conversely, ABA was significantly higher after 6 and 12 h but insignificant after 24 h in Si-treated plants under salinity stress. After 6 and 12 h, Si and salinity stress resulted in upregulation of zeaxanthin epoxidase and 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase 1 and 4 (NCED1 and 4), whereas 24-h treatments significantly downregulated the expressions of these genes compared to those in the control. NCED3 expression increased after 6 and 24 h but it was insignificant after 12 h of Si application compared to control. The current findings indicate that increasing the Si concentrations for longer periods of time can regulate the salinity-induced stress by modulating phytohormonal and enzymatic antioxidants’ responses.     

9个高羊茅品种初期生长对镉胁迫的响应

用Cd²⁺浓度0（对照）、25、50、75 mg/L分别处理9个高羊茅品种种子,测定供试品种种子发芽势、发芽率、幼苗苗高、根长、鲜重、叶绿素含量、丙二醛含量、质膜透性等8项指标,比较9个品种耐镉性。结果表明:与对照相比,在不同浓度Cd²⁺胁迫下,家园的发芽势和发芽率以及麦哲伦鲜重呈先略上升后下降趋势,其余品种的均呈下降趋势;9个高羊茅品种幼苗根长、苗高、叶绿素含量均呈下降趋势;9个高羊茅品种丙二醛含量和质膜透性均呈上升趋势。对测定的8项指标进行综合评价结果显示:在Cd²⁺25 mg/L胁迫下,9个品种耐Cd²⁺性由强到弱的顺序为热浪>翠碧A>里园2号>缤狗>麦哲伦>家园>宇宙星>回报>爱瑞3号;在Cd²⁺50 mg/L胁迫下,耐Cd²⁺性的顺序为热浪>翠碧A>缤狗>麦哲伦>里园2号>家园>宇宙星>爱瑞3号>回报;在Cd²⁺ 75 mg/L胁迫下,耐Cd²⁺性的顺序为热浪>缤狗>里园2号>翠碧A>家园>麦哲伦>爱瑞3号>宇宙星>回报。所以,在治理Cd²⁺污染土壤时,要根据污染严重程度,合理选用高羊茅品种。     

燕麦植株生长及叶片生理活性对土壤镉胁迫的响应

该研究以燕麦品种‘燕科2号’(籽粒镉积累量高,Yh)和‘200919 7 1’(籽粒镉积累量低,Yl)为材料,采用盆栽试验,在土壤Cd胁迫条件下测定两种类型燕麦植株生长、叶片光合生理参数及抗氧化酶活性的变化,探讨两品种对Cd胁迫的响应差异。结果表明：(1)Cd胁迫条件下,燕麦品种Yh和Yl植株生长、气体交换参数及叶绿素荧光参数均受到抑制,并以单株干重、叶片净光合速率(P_n)、光化学淬灭系数(qP)表现最为突出,Yh的降幅分别为38.2%、35.0%、14.7%,Yl降幅分别为40.8%、57.1%、27.3%。(2)镉胁迫均诱导增强了两个类型燕麦品种叶片抗氧化酶活性,尤其是SOD活性得到显著增强,Yh和Yl的增幅分别为41.9%和44.9%; Cd胁迫也显著提高了MDA含量,Yh和Yl的增幅分别达到22.2%和18.1%。研究发现,在Cd胁迫条件下,与低Cd积累燕麦品种相比,高Cd积累燕麦品种具有较高的生物量和抗氧化酶活性,以及较强的净光合速率和优异的叶绿素荧光特性,从而表现出较强的耐Cd性。     

Stress Responses of Zea mays to Cadmium and Mercury

A hydroponic experiment was carried out to characterize the oxidative stress responses of maize seedlings (Zea mays L. cv. Dekalb DK604) to cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg). Plants were grown hydroponically for 7 days in a nutrient solution supplemented with several concentrations of Cd and Hg: 0.0 (control), 6 or 30 μM. Growth was inhibited by both metals. The effect was more severe in plants exposed to Hg. Oxidative stress was caused by the exposure to the metals, as quantified by malondialdehyde and carbonyl accumulation, by-products of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, respectively. The activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), enzymes involved in the scavenging of reactive oxygen species, were measured upon metal treatment. We found an activation of a cytosolic APX isoform, as identified by using a specific polyclonal antiserum. However, there were negligible changes in SOD activity. Analysis of thiol-peptides revealed that at 6 μM Cd a remarkable increase in root reduced glutathione (GSH) content occurred, and little effect on the relative content of oxidised glutathione (GSSG) was observed. However, at 30 μM Cd and in plants exposed to 6 and 30 μM of Hg, GSH root content either remained stable or decreased significantly, while the proportion of GSSG increased. Moreover, only Cd was able to induce accumulation of phytochelatins at both assayed concentrations. Apparently, Hg was more toxic than Cd, as inferred from the magnitude of the changes found in the physiological parameters tested.     

SNF1-Related Protein Kinases Type 2 Are Involved in Plant Responses to Cadmium Stress

Cadmium ions are notorious environmental pollutants. To adapt to cadmium-induced deleterious effects plants have developed sophisticated defense mechanisms. However, the signaling pathways underlying the plant response to cadmium are still elusive. Our data demonstrate that SnRK2s (for SNF1-related protein kinase2) are transiently activated during cadmium exposure and are involved in the regulation of plant response to this stress. Analysis of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) Osmotic Stress-Activated Protein Kinase activity in tobacco Bright Yellow 2 cells indicates that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide, produced mainly via an l-arginine-dependent process, contribute to the kinase activation in response to cadmium. SnRK2.4 is the closest homolog of tobacco Osmotic Stress-Activated Protein Kinase in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Comparative analysis of seedling growth of snrk2.4 knockout mutants versus wild-type Arabidopsis suggests that SnRK2.4 is involved in the inhibition of root growth triggered by cadmium; the mutants were more tolerant to the stress. Measurements of the level of three major species of phytochelatins (PCs) in roots of plants exposed to Cd²⁺ showed a similar (PC2, PC4) or lower (PC3) concentration in snrk2.4 mutants in comparison to wild-type plants. These results indicate that the enhanced tolerance of the mutants does not result from a difference in the PCs level. Additionally, we have analyzed ROS accumulation in roots subjected to Cd²⁺ treatment. Our data show significantly lower Cd²⁺-induced ROS accumulation in the mutants’ roots. Concluding, the obtained results indicate that SnRK2s play a role in the regulation of plant tolerance to cadmium, most probably by controlling ROS accumulation triggered by cadmium ions.Cadmium is one of the most toxic soil pollutants. Cadmium ions accumulate in plants and affect, via the food chain, animal and human health. In plants, cadmium is taken up by roots and is transported to aerial organs, leading to chromosomal aberrations, growth reduction, and inhibition of photosynthesis, transpiration, nitrogen metabolism, nutrient and water uptake, eventually causing plant death (for review, see DalCorso et al., 2008). Plants are challenged not only by cadmium ions themselves, but also by Cd²⁺-induced harmful effects including oxidative stress (Schützendübel et al., 2001; Olmos et al., 2003; Cho and Seo, 2005; Sharma and Dietz, 2009). The extent of the detrimental effects on plant growth and metabolism depends on the level of cadmium ions present in the surrounding environment and on the plant’s sensitivity to heavy metal stress.Tolerant plants avoid heavy metal uptake and/or induce the expression of genes encoding products involved, directly or indirectly, in heavy metal binding and removal from potentially sensitive sites, by sequestration or efflux (Clemens, 2006). The best-characterized heavy metal binding ligands in plants are thiol-containing compounds metallothioneins and phytochelatins (PCs), whose production is stimulated by Cd²⁺. PCs bind metal ions and transport them to the vacuole, thus reducing the toxicity of the metal in the cytosol (for review, see Cobbett, 2000; Cobbett and Goldsbrough, 2002). PCs are synthesized from reduced glutathione (GSH). Therefore, production of compounds involved in cadmium detoxification and, at the same time, in cadmium tolerance closely depends on sulfur metabolism. So far, our knowledge on the cellular processes induced by cadmium that lead to changes in sulfur metabolism in plants has been rather limited.Protein kinases and phosphatases are considered major signal transduction elements. However, until now only a few of them have been described to be involved in cadmium stress response or sulfur metabolism. For instance, excessive amounts of cadmium or copper activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in Medicago sativa (Jonak et al., 2004), rice (Oryza sativa; Yeh et al., 2007), and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana; Liu et al., 2010). Studies on rice MAPKs involved in heavy metal stress response indicate that the activity of these kinases depends on the oxidative stress induced by Cd²⁺. Moreover, Yeh et al. (2007) suggested that the activation of MAPKs in rice by cadmium or copper required the activity of calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) and PI3 kinase, since the MAPK pathways involved in cadmium and copper stress response could be inhibited by a CDPK antagonist (W7) or a PI3 kinase inhibitor (wortmannin). However, so far the function of the identified kinases in plant adaptation to heavy metal pollution has not been established. There is some information concerning an involvement of CDPK in sulfur metabolism (Liu et al., 2006). Soybean (Glycine max) Ser acetyltransferase (GmSerat2;1), the enzyme that catalyzes the first reaction in the biosynthesis of Cys from Ser, is phosphorylated by CDPK. The phosphorylation has no effect on GmSerat2;1 activity, but it renders the enzyme insensitive to the feedback inhibition by Cys (Liu et al., 2006). There is growing evidence that SnRK2s (for SNF1-related protein kinase2) play a role in the regulation of sulfur metabolism. Most information showing a connection between SnRK2s and sulfur metabolism comes from experiments on the lower plant Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Davies et al., 1999; Irihimovitch and Stern, 2006; González-Ballester et al., 2008, 2010). SNRK2.1 is considered a general regulator of S-responsive gene expression in C. reinhardtii (González-Ballester et al., 2008).In higher plants the SnRK2 family members are known to be involved in plant response to drought, salinity, and in abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent plant development (Boudsocq and Laurière, 2005; Fujii et al., 2007, 2011; Fujii and Zhu, 2009; Fujita et al., 2009; Nakashima et al., 2009; Kulik et al., 2011). Ten members of the SnRK2 family have been identified in Arabidopsis and in rice (Boudsocq et al., 2004; Kobayashi et al., 2004). All of them, except SnRK2.9 from Arabidopsis, are rapidly activated by treatment with different osmolytes, such as Suc, mannitol, sorbitol, and NaCl, and some of them also by ABA. Results presented by Kimura et al. (2006) suggest that in Arabidopsis, similarly to C. reinhardtii, some SnRK2s are involved in the regulation of S-responsive gene expression and O-acetyl-l-Ser accumulation under limited sulfur supply, indicating that also higher plants’ SnRK2s could be involved in sulfur metabolism.As it was mentioned before, oxidative stress induced by cadmium ions significantly contributes to the metal toxicity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be produced in many different reactions in various compartments of the cell in response to cadmium (Romero-Puertas et al., 2004; Heyno et al., 2008; Tamás et al., 2009). The best-characterized ROS-generating enzymes that take part in the response to cadmium are the plasma-membrane-bound NADPH oxidases (Olmos et al., 2003; Romero-Puertas et al., 2004; Garnier et al., 2006). There are some indications that plant NADPH oxidases are phosphorylated by SnRK2s (Sirichandra et al., 2009), therefore it is highly plausible that SnRK2s play a role in the regulation of ROS accumulation in plants subjected to cadmium stress. Taking into consideration all facts mentioned above we hypothesized that SnRK2s could be involved in the plant response to stress induced by cadmium ions. To verify this conjecture, we analyzed the activity and potential role of selected SnRK2s, in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cells and Arabidopsis plants, in the response to cadmium ions.     

井冈山杜鹃叶片抗氧化系统对高温胁迫的响应

以井冈山杜鹃(Rhododendron jinggangshanicum Tam)4年生实生苗为材料,通过人工气候箱盆栽实验,研究了不同高温处理下其叶片形态及生理生化指标的变化,以阐明高温胁迫下井冈山杜鹃抗氧化系统的防御机理.结果显示:(1)30℃和38℃处理6 d后,叶片过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)及过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性分别比对照极显著(P<0.01)升高44.44%和127.16%、33.12%和129.35%、106.52%和188.64%;超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性增幅较小,分别比对照增加3.77%和5.11%.(2)随着胁迫温度的升高,可溶性蛋白质、脯氨酸(Pro)含量均明显上升,而抗坏血酸(AsA)含量却显著降低;除30℃处理与对照之间的可溶性蛋白质含量差异显著(P<0.05)外,其它处理间差异均达到极显著(P<0.01).(3)随着胁迫温度的升高,叶片过氧化氢(H2O2)、丙二醛(MDA)含量大量积累,各处理间差异达到极显著或显著;而形态上则表现为受害加重,植株出现轻度萎蔫、老叶褐化脱落、新叶坏死等现象.研究表明,井冈山杜鹃受到高温胁迫的氧化伤害可能与AsA含量显著下降和H2O2、MDA含量大幅增加有关,其植物体能诱导增加抗氧化保护酶活性及Pro含量以提高其抗氧化能力,从而减轻高温引发的活性氧毒害.     

小麦幼苗生长及其抗氧化酶活性对模拟酸雨与金属离子复合胁迫的响应

通过水培试验,研究了模拟酸雨(pH 3.5)与Al(3、30 mg/L)、Pb(25、250 mg/L)、Cd(0.11、mg/L)单独或复合胁迫对小麦幼苗生长及抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果表明,模拟酸雨与Al、Pb、Cd单独或复合处理12 d后,小麦幼苗根长降低54.01%~94.81%,苗高降低18.88%~77.95%,单粒萌根数降低21.87%~80.37%,其生长发育受到显著抑制,抑制效应随处理浓度增大和作用时间延长而增强,且复合处理组抑制效应更强;幼苗根部超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性在模拟酸雨与单一金属离子处理下显著升高,而在3种金属离子复合处理下显著降低,但酸性条件下无论金属离子单独及复合处理后,过氧化物酶(POD)活性均显著升高,过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性均明显下降。研究发现,酸性条件下3种金属离子对植物细胞均产生氧化胁迫作用,且它们复合胁迫的毒性效应大于其单独胁迫。     

拟南芥漆酶基因AtLAC4参与生长及非生物胁迫响应

植物漆酶基因家族在拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)中共有17个成员,目前各基因的具体功能尚不十分清楚.该研究利用过量表达的方法初步分析了拟南芥AtLAC4的功能.GUS染色显示AtLAC4在拟南芥的维管组织中有较强的表达,并在叶片排水器中特异表达.AtLAC4过量表达导致植株木质素含量增多、次生壁加厚、植株变小和莲座叶叶柄变短.ABA对AtLAC4的表达具有明显的诱导作用,AtLAC4过量表达植株对外源ABA敏感;干旱处理后,AtLAC4过量表达植株的耐旱能力比野生型明显增强.以上结果表明,AtLAC4基因在调控植物生长发育及非生物胁迫响应中具有重要作用.     

Antioxidant Responses of Lentil to Cold and Drought Stress

The effects of cold and drought stress on antioxidant responses and growth parameters in shoots and roots of lentil (Lens culinaris M cv Sultan 1) seedlings were investigated. Ten-day-old hydroponically grown seedlings were subjected to drought and cold (4°C) stress for 5 days. The length and fresh weight of shoots decreased significantly under both stress conditions, contrary to the increase in these growth parameters for roots under the same conditions. The oxidative damage as generation of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide, was markedly higher in shoots under cold. Both stress conditions caused a significant increase in malondialdehyde levels in root tissues. The increase in proline levels was more pronounced under cold stress in shoots and roots. The tested stress conditions had no significant effect on chlorophyll contents. Superoxide dismutase activity was differentially altered in shoot and root tissues under drought and cold stress. The catalase activity was higher in roots under drought stress. On the other hand, ascorbate peroxidase activity increased in root tissues under cold stress. The results indicate that improved tolerance to cold and drought stress in root and shoot tissues of lentil might be correlated to the increased capacity of antioxidative defense system.     

Role of Chitosan in the Regulation of the Growth,Antioxidant System and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Maize Seedlings under Cadmium Stress

Russian Journal of Plant Physiology - Cadmium (Cd) pollution was becoming more and more serious; there is an urgent need for an effective solution to inhibit the harm of cadmium stress. Chitosan...     

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.     

Understanding Plant Community Responses to Combinations of Biotic and Abiotic Factors in Different Phases of the Plant Growth Cycle

Understanding plant community responses to combinations of biotic and abiotic factors is critical for predicting ecosystem response to environmental change. However, studies of plant community regulation have seldom considered how responses to such factors vary with the different phases of the plant growth cycle. To address this deficit we studied an aquatic plant community in an ecosystem subject to gradients in mute swan (Cygnus olor) herbivory, riparian shading, water temperature and distance downstream of the river source. We quantified abundance, species richness, evenness, flowering and dominance in relation to biotic and abiotic factors during the growth-, peak-, and recession-phases of the plant growth cycle. We show that the relative importance of biotic and abiotic factors varied between plant community properties and between different phases of the plant growth cycle. Herbivory became more important during the later phases of peak abundance and recession due to an influx of swans from adjacent pasture fields. Shading by riparian vegetation also had a greater depressing effect on biomass in later seasons, probably due to increased leaf abundance reducing light intensity reaching the aquatic plants. The effect of temperature on community diversity varied between upstream and downstream sites by altering the relative competitiveness of species at these sites. These results highlight the importance of seasonal patterns in the regulation of plant community structure and function by multiple factors.