Exogenous salicylic acid regulates reactive oxygen species metabolism and ascorbate–glutathione cycle in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nitraria tangutorum</Emphasis> Bobr. under salinity stress

The effect of 0.5–1.5 mM salicylic acid (SA) on modulating reactive oxygen species metabolism and ascorbate–glutathione cycle in NaCl-stressed Nitraria tangutorum seedlings was investigated. The individual plant fresh weight (PFW) and plant dry weight (PDW) significantly increased under 100 mM NaCl while remained unchanged or decreased under 200–400 mM NaCl compared to the control. Superoxide anion (O ₂ ^·? ), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced ascorbate (AsA), dehydroascorbate (DHA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) increased whereas the ratios of AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG decreased under varied NaCl treatments. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were enhanced while dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) activities remained unvaried under 100–400 mM NaCl stresses. In addition, exogenous SA further increased PFW, PDW and root/shoot ratio. SA effectively diminished O ₂ ^·? accumulation. H₂O₂ and TBARS decreased under 0.5 and 1.0 mM SA treatments compared to those without SA. 0.5 mM of SA increased while 1.0 and 1.5 mM SA decreased APX activities. DHAR activities were elevated by 0.5 and 1.0 mM SA but not by 1.5 mM SA. MDHAR and GR activities kept constant or significantly increased at varying SA concentrations. Under SA treatments, AsA and GSH contents further increased, DHA and GSSG levels remained unaltered, while the decreases in AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios were inhibited. The above results demonstrated that the enhanced tolerance of N. tangutorum seedlings conferred by SA could be attributed mainly to the elevated GR and DHAR activities as well as the increased AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios.     

Physiological and molecular responses of pearl millet seedling to atrazine stress

Pearl millet has been recommended beneficial for several therapeutic purposes. However, little is known of the physiological responses to abiotic stressors, especially of atrazine. In order to elucidate the physiological and molecular responses of pearl millet to atrazine stress, we studied the response of various biomarkers under increasing herbicide concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 50 mg/kg). We also quantified the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (H₂O₂ and O₂?^?) produced in the leaves to evaluate the extent of oxidative damage. Increasing atrazine concentrations significantly increased ROS and MDA production in the plant leaves. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and peroxidase (POD) activities increased, while catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase activities reduced with increasing atrazine concentrations. Generally, atrazine applied at 50 mg/kg suppressed chlorophyll contents, whereas, chlorophyll (a/b) ratio was increased. Atrazine applied at 50 mg/kg significantly suppressed antioxidant gene expressions to the lowest. The APX gene showed overall low response to the atrazine treatments. The chloroplastic psbA gene showed highest expression with 10 mg/kg atrazine, whereas atrazine at 50 mg/kg significantly suppressed the gene expression to its lowest. Pearl millet was able to suppress oxidative stress under low atrazine levels, but high atrazine concentration could induce more oxidative damage.     

Effects of biochar amendment on the sorption and degradation of atrazine in different soils

ABSTRACT

Sugarcane top-derived biochar was added to an alluvial soil, a moist soil and a paddy soil at the rate of 0.2% and 0.5% (w/w). After the addition of 0.2% and 0.5% biochar, the sorption coefficients (K_d) of atrazine (Ce = 10 mg L^?1) were increased by 26.97% and 79.58%, respectively, in the moist soil with a low level of total organic carbon (TOC), while it increased by 31.43% and 60.06%, respectively, in the paddy soil with a high TOC content. The half-time persistence values of atrazine in the alluvial soil, moist soil and paddy soil were 28.18, 23.74 and 39.84 d, respectively. In the 0.2% biochar amended soils, the corresponding half-times of atrazine for the alluvial soil, moist soil and paddy soil were extended by 10.33, 11.81 and 1.42 d, and they were prolonged by 16.83, 17.52 and 14.74 d, respectively, in the 0.5% biochar amended soils. Atrazine degradation products (deisopropylatrazine and desethylatrazine) decreased after they accumulated to 3.2 and 1 mg kg^?1, respectively. Generally, increasing sorption was accompanied by decreasing degradation of atrazine which is found in biochar-amended soils.     

Effects of ascorbic acid,alpha-tocopherol,and glutathione on microspore embryogenesis in Brassica napus L.

The impact of culture conditions and addition of antioxidants to media on microspore embryogenesis in rapeseed (Brassica napus cv. ‘PF704’) was investigated. Different concentrations of ascorbic acid (0, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 mg l^?1) and alpha (α)-tocopherol (0, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 mg l^?1) were evaluated along with two temperature pretreatments (18 d at 30°C; 2 d at 32.5°C followed by 16 d at 30°C). In addition, combinations of reduced glutathione (0, 10, 50, and 100 mg l^?1) and ascorbic acid (5 and 10 mg l^?1) were tested. Microspore embryogenesis was significantly enhanced using 10 mg l^?1 ascorbic acid (334 embryos per Petri dish) compared with untreated cultures (184 embryos per Petri dish) at 30°C. α-Tocopherol (5 and 10 mg l^?1) enhanced (312 and 314 embryos per Petri dish, respectively) microspore embryogenesis relative to untreated cultures (213 embryos per Petri dish) at 30°C, although there were no significant differences among cultures treated with 5–50 mg l^?1 α-tocopherol. When 50 mg l^?1 α-tocopherol was combined with 5 or 10 mg l^?1 ascorbic acid, embryogenesis was significantly enhanced (308 and 328 embryos per Petri dish, respectively) relative to other ascorbic acid levels. Moreover, 10 mg l^?1 of reduced glutathione and 5 mg l^?l ascorbic acid enhanced microspore embryogenesis (335 embryos per Petri dish) compared to cultures without reduced glutathione (275 embryos per Petri dish). Microspore embryogenesis could be improved by adding ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, and reduced glutathione when the appropriate combination and temperature pretreatment were selected.     

X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analysis of Soil Heavy Metal Pollution from an Industrial Area in Kumasi,Ghana

Knowledge of soil heavy metal concentration is very important for assessing the purity and quality of the soil in an environment. The concentrations of nine heavy metals (NHM), Zn, Pb, Cr, Cu, Co, Ni, Cd, Hg, and As, from the near-surface soils (～ 0–15 cm) from an industrial cluster in Kumasi, Ghana, were qualitatively and quantitatively measured and analyzed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy analysis. The sources of these NHM were mainly anthropogenic as a result of the indiscriminate industrial waste disposal. In all, a total of about 100 soil samples were taken from six sampling sites, four of which were industrial and the remaining two residential. Forty soil samples out of the total number were carefully selected for elemental analyses and the mean heavy metal concentrations were calculated using statistical methods. The results from locations of high industrial impact showed that the mean concentrations of the NHM present in the soil were in the order of Zn (189.2?908.6 mgkg^?1), Pb (133.7?571.3 mgkg^?1), Cr (91.3?545.8 mgkg^?1), Cu (62.9?334.6 mgkg^?1), Co (38.6?81.9 mgkg^?1), Ni (12.4?30.9 mgkg^?1), Cd (6.9?13.2 mgkg^?1), Hg (5.5?10.4 mg kg^?1), and As (2.3?18.6 mgkg^?1). Apart from Ni and As, all the heavy metals recorded concentrations that ranged from 10?900% higher than their respective threshold limit values (TLVs). Heavy metal concentrations from the residential sites were comparatively far lower with only Cr, Cd, and Hg registering concentrations between 65?250% above their TLVs. The cluster with its residential communities is at a serious risk of soil heavy metal toxicity and awareness to this needs to be created as such.     

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.     

Growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paenarthrobacter aurescens</Emphasis> strain TC1 on atrazine and isopropylamine during osmotic stress

Paenarthrobacter aurescens strain TC1 can use the herbicide atrazine and its degradation product isopropylamine as nutrients. Because osmotic stress can change the morphology of arthrobacters and decrease their metabolism of some carbon compounds, the effects of increasing NaCl concentrations on strain TC1 and its ability to utilize atrazine and isopropylamine were determined. Strain TC1 was cultured in minimal media with different NaCl concentrations and varying combinations of d-glucose, ammonium sulfate, atrazine, or isopropylamine. Growth was measured quantitatively as an increase in turbidity. Physiological effects were assessed using Biolog? GP test plates and BD BBL Crystal GP or bioMérieux API 20E test systems. The effects of osmoprotective compounds were determined in liquid media and on agar plates. Strain TC1 formed multicellular myceloids and its growth rate slowed as the salt concentration increased, but the culture yields were similar up to 0.6 mol l^?1 NaCl. The bacteria metabolized about half the carbon sources in Biolog? GP test plates, but their use of some compounds and several hydrolytic activities decreased with high salt concentrations. However, strain TC1 grew well with atrazine and isopropylamine as the nitrogen source in media containing up to 0.6 mol l^?1 NaCl. Growth in 0.8 mol l^?1 NaCl was more limited but could be enhanced by glycine betaine, L-proline, and L-glutamate. P. aurescens strain TC1 can continue to use atrazine and isopropylamine as nutrients during osmotic stress and so may be particularly useful for remediation of contaminated soils with low water activity.     

Using volatile organic compounds to enhance atrazine biodegradation in a biobed system

The effect of the terpenes α-pinene, eucalyptol, and limonene, individually and as mixtures, on atrazine (ATZ) biodegradation and on biological activity in a biobed biomixture was evaluated. Additionally, terpenes emitted from the biomixture were captured using solid-phase microextraction. Terpenes added individually at relatively low concentrations (50 μg kg^?1) significantly enhanced ATZ degradation and biological activity during the first incubation days. No significant effect on ATZ degradation was found from adding the terpene mixture, and, interestingly, an inhibitory effect on phenoloxidase activity was found during the first 20 days of incubation when mixed terpenes were present at 100 μg kg^?1. Capturing terpenes demonstrated that during the first hour of incubation a significant fraction of the terpenes was volatilized. These results are the first to demonstrate the feasibility of using terpenes to enhance the degradation of a pesticide. However, successive applications of terpenes or the addition of materials that slowly release terpenes could sustain the ATZ degradation enhancement.     

Metabolism of Atrazine in Liquid Cultures and Soil Microcosms by Nocardioides Strains Isolated from a Contaminated Nigerian Agricultural Soil

Atrazine-degrading microorganisms designated EAA-3 and EAA-4, belonging to the genus Nocardioides, were obtained from an agricultural soil in Nigeria. The degradation kinetics of the two strains revealed total disappearance of 25 mg l^?1 of atrazine in less than 72 h of incubation at the rate of 0.42 mg l^?1 h^?1 and 0.35 mg l^?1 h^?1, respectively. Screening for atrazine catabolic genes in these organisms revealed the presence of trzN, atzB, and atzC. Other genes, specifically atzA, atzD, and trzD, were not detected. Potential intermediates of atrazine catabolic route such as hydroxyatrazine, desethylatrazine, and desisopropylatrazine were utilized as sources of carbon and energy, while desisopropyl desethyl-2-hydroxyatrazine and desisopropyl-2-hydroxyatrazine were attacked but in the presence of glucose. A soil microcosm study showed that degradation was faster in microcosms contaminated with 13 mg of atrazine per g^?1 of soil compared with 480 mg g^?1 of soil. In the former, degradation was 10% higher in the inoculated soil than the non-inoculated control (natural attenuation) over the 28-day study period. Corresponding value obtained for the latter was nearly 70% higher. This study has demonstrated that the bacterial strains isolated enhanced atrazine degradation and the catabolic activities of these strains were not affected with increasing soil atrazine concentration.     

Assessment of atrazine decontamination by epiphytic root bacteria isolated from emergent hydrophytes

Aim of the study was to identify atrazine remediating bacteria that can potentially succeed in situ where they encounter varied environmental conditions. Three epiphytic root bacteria, genus Pseudomonas and Arthrobacter, were isolated from rhizoplanes of hydrophytes Acorus calamus, Typha latifolia, and Phragmites karka. Potential of these strains to decontaminate environmentally relevant concentrations of atrazine was determined in liquid atrazine medium (LAM) and Luria-Bertani (LB) medium at varying pH and temperature. There was an increase in decontamination by the strains with time upon exposure to 2.5 to 10 mg l^?1 atrazine over a period of 15 days, notably, in both minimal and nutrient-rich media. Growth in terms of O.D.₆₀₀ and biomass determined during the same period also showed a corresponding surge. Pseudomonas sp. strain AACB mitigated atrazine in a wide range of pH (5 to 8). Pseudomonas sp. strains AACB and TTLB decontaminated >?62% atrazine at 10 °C. All the strains exhibited plant growth–promoting traits in vitro, reported for the first time in the presence of atrazine. Strain AACB exhibits the novel trait of atrazine decontamination under harsh environmental conditions mimicked in lab. Strains isolated in the present study promise success in in situ remediation. Bioreactors and water treatment plants can be designed comprising the hydrophytes and the strains inoculated into their rhizospheres to improve efficacy of the treatment. They can be used to study plant-bacterium mutualistic symbiosis or other interactions occurring during atrazine mitigation.     

Antioxidants in the apoplast and symplast of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) leaves: seasonal variations and responses to changing ozone concentrations in air

Concentrations of the antioxidants ascorbate and glutathione were measured in the apoplast of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) leaves and in leaf tissue. During early leaf development, reduced ascorbate (ASC) was almost absent from the apoplast, whereas levels of oxidized ascorbate (DHA) were high. Less than 20% of the apoplastic ascorbate was reduced. ASC increased towards midsummer, reaching top levels of about 4molm^?3 apoplast volume in July and August. Reduction increased to 60–75% in summer. Neither DHA reductase nor glutathione was detected in the apoplast of beech leaves. Levels of apoplastic ascorbate were compared with ambient concentrations of ozone in air. Statistical analysis indicated a significant interrelation between atmospheric ozone and apoplastic ascorbate. In midsummer of 1993, contents of DHA were increased in the apoplast when ozone concentrations were high. Apoplastic ASC was also positively correlated with ambient ozone concentrations, but with a delay of 3 to 7d. In leaf tissue, levels of ascorbate were between 17 and 21 μmolg^?1 FW in summer. Except for late April and November, more than 95% of the intracellular ascorbate was reduced. Glutathione contents were lowest during the summer. Oxidation was increased in spring and autumn, when apoplastic ascorbate was also largely oxidized. Usually, 80 to 90% of the glutathione was reduced. During the summer, intracellular concentrations of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were increased, with a delay of about 1d following periods of high ambient ozone concentrations. The transitory accumulation of GSSG may be explained by slow enzymatic regeneration of glutathione.     

Nickel-induced oxidative stress and the role of antioxidant defence in rice seedlings

Seedlings of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Pant-12 grown in sand cultures containing 200 and 400 μM NiSO₄, showed a decrease in length and fresh weight of roots and shoots. Nickel was readily taken up by rice seedlings and the concentration was higher in roots than shoots. Nickel-treated seedlings showed increased rates of superoxide anion (O₂ ^•− ) production, elevated levels of H₂O₂ and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) demonstrating enhanced lipid peroxidation, and a decline in protein thiol levels indicative of increased protein oxidation compared to controls. With progressively higher Ni concentrations, non-protein thiol and ascorbate (AsA) increased, whereas the level of low-molecular-weight thiols (such as glutathione and hydroxyl-methyl glutathione), the ratio of these thiols to their corresponding disulphides, and the ratio of AsA to dehydroascorbic acid declined in the seedlings. Among the antioxidant enzymes studied, the activities of all isoforms of superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD, Mn SOD and Fe SOD), guaiacol peroxidases (GPX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) increased in Ni-treated seedlings, while no clear alteration in catalase activity was evident. Activity of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and glutathione reductase (GR)—significantly increased in Ni-treated seedlings. However such increase was apparently insufficient to maintain the intracellular redox balance. Results suggest that Ni induces oxidative stress in rice plants, resulting in enhanced lipid peroxidation and decline in protein thiol levels, and that (hydroxyl-methyl) glutathione and AsA in conjunction with Cu-Zn SOD, GPX and APX are involved in stress response.     

EBR预处理对盐胁迫下葡萄幼苗叶片抗氧化物质及酶活性的影响

以2年生葡萄(Vitis vinifera L.)酿酒品种赤霞珠扦插苗为材料,在水培条件下,分别用0、0.05、0.10和0.20mg/L 24-表油菜素内酯(EBR)预处理幼苗,然后进行50mmol/L NaCl胁迫,分别在胁迫6d和12d测定幼苗叶片中超氧阴离子(O_2~)、丙二醛(MDA)、抗氧化物质含量以及相关酶活性,探讨EBR预处理对葡萄幼苗耐盐性的影响。结果表明:与单独盐胁迫处理相比,不同浓度的EBR预处理使盐胁迫葡萄幼苗叶片O_2~和MDA含量显著降低,同时使其抗氧化物质抗坏血酸(AsA)、脱氢抗坏血酸(DHA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量以及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性显著升高;其中,0.10mg/L EBR预处理的表现最佳,在盐胁迫12d时,其葡萄叶O_2~和MDA含量比单独盐胁迫处理分别显著降低30.5%和22.0%,其叶片相应AsA和GSH的含量较单独盐胁迫处理分别显著提高82.8%和27.9%,且GR、APX和SOD活性分别显著提高7.2%、8.5%和24.0%。研究发现,在盐胁迫条件下,适宜浓度的外源BRs预处理能够显著降低葡萄叶片中活性氧含量,提高抗氧化物质含量和抗氧化酶活性,以促进AsA-GSH循环的快速有效运转,有效减轻植株的过氧化伤害,缓解盐胁迫对葡萄幼苗的伤害,提高葡萄的耐盐性。     

Reactive oxygen species, ascorbate–glutathione pool, and enzymes of their metabolism in drought-sensitive and tolerant indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings subjected to progressing levels of water deficit

Water deficit for rice is a worldwide concern, and to produce drought-tolerant varieties, it is essential to elucidate molecular mechanisms associated with water deficit tolerance. In the present study, we investigated the differential responses of nonenzymatic antioxidants ascorbate (AsA), glutathione (GSH), and their redox pool as well as activity levels of enzymes of ascorbate–glutathione cycle in seedlings of drought-sensitive rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Malviya-36 and drought-tolerant cv. Brown Gora subjected to water deficit treatment of ?1.0 and ?2.1 MPa for 24–72 h using PEG-6000 in sand cultures. Water deficit caused increased production of reactive oxygen species such as O₂?^?, H₂O₂, and HO? in the tissues, and the level of production was higher in the sensitive than the tolerant cultivar. Water deficit caused reduction in AsA and GSH and decline in their redox ratios (AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG) with lesser decline in tolerant than the sensitive seedlings. With progressive level of water deficit, the activities of monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione transferase increased in the seedlings of both rice cultivars, but the increased activity levels were higher in the seedlings of drought-tolerant cv. Brown Gora compared to the sensitive cv. Malviya-36. Greater accumulation of proline was observed in stressed seedlings of tolerant than the sensitive cultivar. In-gel activity staining of APX revealed varying numbers of their isoforms and their differential expression in sensitive and tolerant seedlings under water deficit. Results suggest that an enhanced oxidative stress tolerance by a well-coordinated cellular redox state of ascorbate and glutathione in reduced forms and induction of antioxidant defense system by elevated activity levels of enzymes of ascorbate–glutathione cycle is associated with water deficit tolerance in rice.     

Spermidine application enhances tomato seedling tolerance to salinity-alkalinity stress by modifying chloroplast antioxidant systems

The purpose of this study was to elucidate whether exogenous spermidine (Spd) protection of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedlings under salinity-alkalinity stress is associated with antioxidant enzymes in the chloroplast. The effects of exogenous Spd on antioxidant enzyme activity and antioxidant content in the chloroplast were evaluated in seedlings of salt-sensitive ecotype (Zhongza 9) grown in a 75 mM salinity-alkalinity solution, with or without 0.25 mM Spd foliar spraying. Results showed that salinity-alkalinity stress increased MDA content, superoxide anion O₂^?- generation rate, superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) activities and ratio of AsA/DHA and reduced contents of ascorbate (AsA), dehydroascorbate (DHA), AsA+DHA, glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), GSH+GSSG, dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) activity and ratio of GSH/GSSG in chloroplasts. The exogenous Spd application combined with salinity-alkalinity stress decreased the O₂^?- generation rate and MDA content compared to salinity-alkalinity stress alone. The exogenous Spd also increased AsA-GSH cycle components and increased all antioxidant enzyme activities in most cases. Therefore, exogenous Spd alleviates salinity-alkalinity stress damage using antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymatic systems in chloroplasts.     

Differential responses of antioxidative defense system to prolonged salinity stress in salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive Indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings

The present investigation evaluated the ability of an antioxidative defense system in terms of the tolerance against salinity-induced oxidative stress and also explored a possible relationship between the status of the components of an antioxidative defense system and the salt tolerance in Indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes. When the seedlings of a salt-sensitive cultivar was grown in sand cultures containing different NaCl concentrations (7 and 14 dS m^?1) for 5–20 days, a substantial increase was observed in the rate of superoxide anion (O ₂ ^·? ) production, elevated levels of H₂O₂ and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) which indicated an enhancement in lipid peroxidation. A declination in the level of thiol clearly indicated an increase in the protein oxidation as well as a decline in the reduced forms of ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) and the ratios of their reduced to oxidized forms occurred in the salt-sensitive seedlings. Similar treatment caused a very little alteration or no change in the levels of these components in the seedlings of salt-tolerant cultivar. The activity of antioxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), its isoform Cu/Zn-SOD and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) increased in both the cultivars against salinity. In salt-sensitive seedlings, the activity of the various enzymes, guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), and glutathione reductase (GR) increased at moderate salinity treatment of 7 dS m^?1 NaCl while the activities of these enzymes declined with higher salinity level of 14 dS m^?1 NaCl. However, a consistent increase was observed in the activities of these enzymes of salt-tolerant seedlings with an increase in the duration and the level of the salinity treatment. The results suggest that a higher status of antioxidants (AsA and GSH) and a coordinated higher activity of the enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPX, APX, and GR) can serve as the major determinants in the model for depicting salt tolerance in Indica rice seedlings.     

Exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid pretreatment ameliorates oxidative stress triggered by low-temperature stress of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum lycopersicum</Emphasis>

Low temperature is an important limiting factor in tomato production in early spring and winter. 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) protects crops against varied abiotic stresses. However, the methodology to precisely use ALA to increase the cold tolerance in tomatoes is still not fully known. We therefore explored the effects of ALA concentration, application period, and dose on membrane lipid peroxidation, antioxidation, photosynthesis, and plant growth in different tomato cultivars (Zhongza No. 9, ZZ and Jinpeng No. 1, JP) at low-temperature stress. Results revealed that low temperature caused plants oxidative damage and growth inhibition in both ZZ and JP plants. The ROS (hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion) accumulation and membrane lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde content and the relative electrical conductivity) were more remarkable in JP plants than ZZ plants under low temperature. The catalase (CAT) and ascorbate–glutathione cycle (AsA–GSH) induced by ALA reliably eliminated excessive ROS to maintain the redox balance in both tomato cultivars under low-temperature stress. In AsA–GSH cycle, AsA regeneration was mainly catalyzed by dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), from dehydroascorbate (DHA) to AsA and monodehydroascorbate (MDA) to AsA in ZZ plants, while AsA regeneration in JP plants was mostly catalyzed by DHAR, from DHA to AsA. The ALA optimum concentration was 25 mg L^?1. The tomato plants with five true leaves pretreated with 6 mL ALA were more effective than spraying after cold occurred. In conclusion, the two tomato varieties illustrated different capacities to bear low-temperature stress. And ZZ plants were more tolerant to low temperature than JP plants. Precise ALA pretreatment observably alleviated low temperature induced-damage via CAT and AsA–GSH cycle in both cultivars. The regeneration of AsA in AsA–GSH cycle may be more comprehensive in ZZ plants than JP plants, to better tolerate low-temperature stress.     

Combined action of antioxidant defense system and osmolytes in chilling shock-induced chilling tolerance in Jatropha curcas seedlings

Low non-freezing temperature is one of the major environmental factors affecting growth, development and geographical distribution of chilling-sensitive plants, Jatropha curcas is considered as a sustainable energy plants with great potential for biodiesel production. In this study, chilling shock at 5 °C followed by recovery at 26 °C for 4 h significantly improved survival percentage of J. curcas seedlings under chilling stress at 1 °C. In addition, chilling shock could obviously enhance the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR), and the levels of antioxidants ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH), as well as the contents of osmolytes proline and betaine in leaves of seedlings of J. curcas compared with the control without chilling shock. During the process of recovery, GR activity, AsA, GSH, proline and betaine contents sequentially increased, whereas SOD, APX and CAT activities gradually decreased, but they markedly maintained higher activities than those of control. Under chilling stress, activities of SOD, APX, CAT, GR and GPX, and contents of AsA, GSH, proline and betaine, as well as the ratio of the reduced antioxidants to total antioxidants [AsA/(AsA + DHA) and GSH/(GSH + GSSG)] in the shocked and non-shock seedlings all dropped, but shocked seedlings sustained significantly higher antioxidant enzyme activity, antioxidant and osmolyte contents, as well as ratio of reduced antioxidants to total antioxidants from beginning to end compared with control. These results indicated that the chilling shock followed by recovery could improve chilling tolerance of seedlings in J. curcas, and antioxidant enzymes and osmolytes play important role in the acquisition of chilling tolerance.     

Seed germination,plant growth and physiological responses of Salsola ikonnikovii to short-term NaCl stress

Salsola ikonnikovii (Chenopodiaceae), a drought-tolerant plant species that is distributed in sand or light-saline soil in Xinjiang, China, produces seeds (fruits) with attached winged perianths. To study the role of the wing in seed germination under salt stress and to further investigate the growth and physiological responses of the plants to salt stress, the germination behaviour of S. ikonnikovii was determined after winged and non-winged seeds were treated with 0–1000 mmol · L^?1 NaCl. Several parameters of two-month old plants that had been treated with NaCl for three weeks were measured. The results revealed that the winged perianths limited germination but protected the seeds from salt damage. The growth of the plants was stimulated by lower concentrations of salt (≤100 mmol · L^?1 NaCl), while increasing salt concentrations inhibited growth. The level of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde increased significantly at high concentrations of salt. Correspondingly, concentrations of the osmolytes proline, betaine, and soluble sugars, and the activities of antioxidative enzymes (catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) increased, but the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (carotenoids, glutathione) were significantly reduced at high salt concentrations. These results imply that osmotic adjustment and the antioxidative system may work synergistically to ensure that a plant grows normally under high salt concentrations.