Copper‐Induced Oxidative Stress and Responses of the Antioxidant System in Roots of Medicago sativa

The effects of various copper (Cu) concentrations on the antioxidative system in the roots of Medicago sativa were explored. The results indicated that the Cu content of the roots reached a value of 854 μg g^?1 DW at 10 μm Cu and a value of 4415 μg g^?1 DW at 100 μm Cu, suggesting that M. sativa has better ability to tolerate and accumulate Cu than other Cu‐bioaccumulators, and is a potential plant for phytoremediation. Treatment with Cu resulted in a significant increment in the levels of H₂O₂, O₂˙^? and OH˙. The reduced form of ascorbate and glutathione reached a peak at 30 μm Cu, and was followed by a sharp depletion to a lower level than that of the control. In contrast, the levels of the oxidised forms of ascorbate and glutathione showed a progressive increment with increasing Cu concentrations, suggesting that the antioxidant system was unable to cope with Cu stress at higher Cu levels. Under the Cu concentrations tested, the activity of catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) and glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2) increased at lower Cu concentrations, and then decreased, reaching a maximum at 30 μm of Cu for APX and GR, at 10 μm for CAT, whereas the activities of guaiacol peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) were gradually increased with increasing Cu concentrations. PAGE analysis of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.1.5.1.1) revealed that one band is a Mn‐SOD and five bands are identified as Cu, Zn‐SOD, whereas Fe‐SOD isoforms were not found in the roots of alfalfa. Cu at 10–100 μm increased the intensity of constitutive isozymes of CAT, APX and POD, whereas it decreased the intensity of isozymes of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH, EC 1.1.1.49) significantly. The activities of lipoxygenases (LOX, EC 1.13.11.12) were gradually augmented with increasing Cu concentrations, demonstrating that LOXs are probably involved in production of lipid hydroperoxides and superoxide anion. There was a continuous and pronounced enhancement in the activity of esterase (EST, EC 3.1.1.1) in roots treated with 10–30 Cu μm , whereas EST activity in roots exposed to above 30 μm Cu declined, suggesting that EST plays a protective role under lower Cu concentrations stress.     

Exogenous Application of Glycinebetaine Modulates Activities of Antioxidants in Maize Plants Subjected to Salt Stress

The influence of exogenously applied glycinebetaine (0, 50 and 100 m m ) as a foliar spray at different growth stages, i.e. vegetative, reproductive or both at the vegetative and reproductive stages on gas exchange characteristics, glycinebetaine (GB) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) was examined in plants of two maize cultivars, Golden and C-20 grown under saline conditions. Salt stress caused a marked decrease in photosynthetic capacity, chlorophyll contents and SOD activity in both maize cultivars. However, activities of CAT and POD remained almost unchanged in both maize cultivars under salt stress. Accumulation of GB increased with an increase in exogenous level of GB, i.e. 100 m m GB spray caused a greater accumulation of GB in the leaves of maize plants than did 0 or 50 m m . Although exogenously applied GB enhanced photosynthetic capacity of salt-stressed plants of both cultivars, it enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, SOD, CAT and POD, in salt-stressed plants of cv. C-20 only. Overall, the adverse effects of salt stress on maize plants were alleviated by the exogenous application of GB at different growth stages, which up-regulated photosynthetic capacity and the activities of some antioxidant enzymes.     

水杨酸通过提高抗氧化酶活性及基因表达缓解番茄低钾胁迫

探讨水杨酸(SA)对低钾胁迫下番茄幼苗生理指标及基因表达的影响,为研究SA和低钾胁迫之间的关系奠定重要的理论基础。研究喷施不同浓度(0.10,0.25,0.50,1.00 mmol/L)的SA对低钾胁迫下番茄幼苗氧化酶活性及基因表达的影响。结果表明,在低钾处理下喷施0.25 mmol/L的SA,番茄幼苗中Chl、Pro的含量、CAT、APX、POD、SOD的活性与对照组相比明显增加,MDA含量则明显降低。同时采用荧光定量PCR对幼苗叶片中的APX、CAT、POD与SOD基因表达模式进行分析,发现这4个基因的表达量在处理48,96 h后明显增加。推测在低钾胁迫下喷施0.25mmol/L SA能促进APX、CAT、POD与SOD基因的表达,进而降低活性氧ROS的积累,增强番茄幼苗对低钾胁迫的抗性。     

Antioxidant systems of ripening avocado (Persea americana Mill.) fruit following treatment at the preclimacteric stage with aqueous 1-methylcyclopropene

Preclimacteric avocado (Persea americana Mill. cv. Booth 7) fruit were treated with aqueous 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at 0.93 and 9.3 mmol m⁻³ and then stored at 20 °C to investigate the effect of 1-MCP on antioxidant systems of mesocarp tissue during ripening. Exposure to 1-MCP concentrations significantly delayed softening and peak ethylene production. 1-MCP significantly delayed accumulation of total soluble phenolics, flavonoids, and total antioxidant capacity although levels eventually reached control fruit maxima. The influence of 1-MCP was more pronounced at the higher concentration. Activities of peroxidase [POD (EC 1.11.1.7)], superoxide dismutase [SOD (EC 1.15.1.1)], catalase [CAT (1.11.1.6)] and l-ascorbate peroxidase [APX (EC 1.11.1.11)] increased during early ripening of control fruit followed by slight (CAT) or significant (POD, APX) declines with further ripening. Increases in activities of all enzymes were delayed in proportion to 1-MCP concentration, and maximum activities attained during ripening were largely unaffected by 1-MCP. Postclimacteric declines in POD and APX were not observed at the higher 1-MCP concentration, possibly reflecting incomplete ripening. The results indicate that changes in antioxidant parameters of avocado fruit are not markedly influenced by 1-MCP but are delayed or altered in proportion to the general suppression of ripening as indicated by ethylene production and fruit softening trends. Together with previously published reports, the data also indicate that the effects of ethylene-action suppression on antioxidant parameters during ripening vary considerably among different fruits. Relationships between antioxidant systems, ethylene and ripening are discussed.     

Growth and Anti-Oxidative Systems Changes in Elymus dahuricus is Affected by Neotyphodium Endophyte Under Contrasting Water Availability

Although the relationship between fungal endophyte and agronomic grass (Lolium perenne and Festuca arundinacea) in drought tolerance are well documented, the mechanisms responsible for wild grass are not well understood. In this study, we determined the biomass production and growth parameters endophyte infected (E+) and endophyte uninfected (E−) Elymus dahuricus plants under high water (HW) and low water (LW) treatment for 8 weeks in a controlled‐environment condition experiment. We also determined the changes in the activities of the anti‐oxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and content of H₂O₂, as well as levels of proline and chlorophyll a + b were examined in the leaves of E+ and E− plants. Under low water treatment, E+ plants produced more biomass and had higher values in plant height and tiller numbers, but no influence by the fungus were observed in high water treatment. Anti‐oxidative enzyme (include SOD, POD, CAT and APX) activities and contents of proline and chlorophyll a + b increased and H₂O₂ concentration declined in the E+ plants compared with E− plants under low water treatment. Therefore, endophyte infection was a benefit to growth and anti‐oxidative affection E. dahuricus under low water treatment.     

Jasmonic acid does not increase oxidative defense mechanisms or common defense-related enzymes in postharvest sugarbeet roots

Jasmonic acid (JA) treatment significantly reduces rot due to several sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) storage pathogens. However, the mechanisms by which JA protects postharvest sugarbeet roots from disease are unknown. In other plant species and organs, alterations in antioxidant defense mechanisms and elevations in common pathogenesis-related defense enzymes have been implicated in jasmonate-induced disease resistance. To investigate whether these mechanisms are involved in JA-induced disease resistance in stored sugarbeet roots, the activities of several reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging and pathogenesis-related defense enzymes and the total concentration of antioxidant compounds were determined in harvested sugarbeet roots in the 60 d following treatment with JA. ROS-scavenging and pathogenesis-related defense enzymes and the concentration of antioxidant compounds were largely unaffected by JA as JA-treated roots exhibited small declines in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and chitinase activities, and were generally unaltered in ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), β-1,3-glucanase (β-Gluc), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activities or antioxidant compounds concentration. The lack of increase in enzyme activities or metabolites related to defense against oxidative stress or pathogens suggests that JA-induced disease resistance in postharvest sugarbeet roots does not arise from a direct increase in any of the ROS-scavenging and defense-related enzymes examined, or the concentration of total antioxidant compounds. However, ROS-scavenging enzymes and pathogenesis-related defense enzymes were affected by storage duration with POD, SOD, β-Gluc, chitinase, and PPO activities elevated and APX and CAT activities reduced in roots stored for 10 d or more. Storage-related changes in activities of ROS-scavenging enzymes and defense-related enzymes provide further evidence that these enzymes are uninvolved in sugarbeet root disease resistance during storage since many of these enzymes increased in activity after prolonged storage when disease resistance generally declines.     

Combined Effect of Zinc and Cadmium Levels on Root Antioxidative Responses in Three Different Zinc‐Efficient Wheat Genotypes

This work was undertaken to investigate the effect of zinc (Zn) nutrition on root antioxidative responses to cadmium (Cd) toxicity of three wheat genotypes differing in Zn efficiency. A hydroponic experiment was carried out in which two bread wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L. cvs. ‘Rushan’ and ‘Cross’) and one durum wheat genotype (Triticum durum L. cv. Durum) were exposed to three Zn²⁺ (10^?11.11, 10^?9.11 and 10^?8.81 μm ) and two Cd²⁺ (10^?11.21 and 10^?10.2 μm ) activity levels. ‘Durum’ showed the highest root sulfhydryl (‐SH) groups content and activity of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the lowest root membrane permeability among the studied wheat genotypes. In ‘Durum’, Zn nutrition increased root ‐SH groups concentration of seedlings in Cd‐free nutrient solution. In ‘Cross’, as Zn²⁺ activity increased from 10^?11.11 to 10^?9.11 μm , root ‐SH groups concentration was increased while decreased with increasing Zn²⁺ to 10^?8.81 μm . Cadmium increased root membrane permeability at both 10^?11.11 and 10^?9.11 μm Zn²⁺ levels. Activity of CAT and APX increased in roots of ‘Durum’ plants exposed to Cd at Zn²⁺ = 10^?9.11 μm and thereafter decreased with increasing Zn²⁺ activity. In contrast, CAT and APX activity in roots of ‘Cross’ and ‘Rushan’ genotypes exposed to Cd decreased by increasing Zn activity to 10^?9.11 μm and then increased at Zn²⁺ = 10^?8.81μm . The results showed an increase in activities of antioxidative enzymes in Cd‐treated plants, although this increase was dependent on the crop genotype and Zn levels in the media.     

超高产夏玉米花粒期不同部位叶片衰老与抗氧化酶特性

为探讨超高产玉米叶源衰老特征, 揭示其抗氧化关键酶及膜脂过氧化特性, 为玉米衰老调控和高产栽培提供依据, 本研究在大田条件下, 以我国创高产纪录的夏玉米为例, 从单株水平上对高产纪录试验(EHYR)和普通生产田(MCFF)玉米叶片衰老及抗氧化酶特性比较表明, EHYR产量达19 349 kg hm^-2, 是MCFF的2.28倍。MCFF和EHYR叶片分别在开花后30 d和50 d进入速衰期, MCFF叶片衰老比EHYR提前20 d;速衰期EHYR叶面积降幅比MCFF低5.7%。EHYR在籽粒灌浆后期, 中上部叶片净光合速率较高, 可溶性蛋白含量明显高于MCFF, 而MDA含量则维持较低水平。在叶片衰老过程中, 自开花后20 d开始, EHYR上部和中部叶片SOD活性较高, 下部叶片则以SOD、POD和CAT三者活性较高;MCFF仅中部叶片POD和CAT活性较高。EHYR叶片衰老程度与CAT活性极显著负相关, MCFF叶片衰老与SOD和POD活性显著负相关, 且二者叶片衰老进程中SOD、POD、CAT的直接作用大于间接作用。与MCFF相比, EHYR叶片除具较高SOD和POD活性外, 在籽粒灌浆后期同时保持较高CAT活性和可溶性蛋白含量是降低膜脂过氧化程度, 延缓叶片衰老的重要原因。开花后20 d是EHYR与MCFF叶片衰老出现差异的生理临界点, 因而在此时期之前调控更有利于延缓衰老。     

Deastringency treatment with CO2 induces oxidative stress in persimmon fruit

Because of astringency at harvest, ‘Rojo Brillante’ persimmons are regularly submitted to deastringency treatment based on exposing fruit to a high CO₂ concentration. The treatment conditions that ensure total astringency removal throughout the various maturity stages have been determined to be 95% CO₂, 20 °C, 24 h. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the redox state of persimmon fruit associated with this deastringency treatment. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (O₂⁻ and H₂O₂), and the activities of the main ROS scavenging enzymes (CAT, POD, APX, and SOD), were determined at harvest and after deastringency in fruit at three different maturity stages.Our results showed that during ‘Rojo Brillante’ persimmon maturation, the level of O₂⁻ gradually increased, while APX activity was lowered. The deastringency treatment with CO₂ induced oxidative stress in the fruit, observed as an over-accumulation of O₂⁻ and H₂O₂. As a response to ROS accumulation, the activities of the CAT, APX and SOD scavenging enzymes were up-regulated after deastringency treatment. The response of POD enzyme was dependent on maturity stage, showing enhanced activity after CO₂ treatment only for the fruit at the most mature stage.     

转codA基因提高番茄植株的耐热性

以野生型番茄(cv. Moneymaker)和转codA番茄为材料,用不同温度(25、30、35、40、45和50℃)分别处理2 h,测定叶片净光合速率(P_n)、PSII最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、过氧化氢(H₂O₂)含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量、相对电导率(REC)和抗氧化酶活性等生理指标;42℃高温处理0、3和6 h后,检测热响应基因的表达量以及D1蛋白的含量,研究高温胁迫对上述参数的影响,探讨转codA基因提高番茄叶片耐热性的机制。。结果表明,高温胁迫下,转codA基因番茄叶片P_n和F_v/F_m的抑制程度明显低于野生型,H₂O₂、MDA的积累量以及REC均低于野生型,而且明显增强了过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)的活性。此外,转codA基因番茄叶片中抗氧化酶基因和热胁迫基因的表达水平均高于野生型,而D1蛋白的降解水平低于野生型。转codA基因番茄体内合成的甜菜碱提高了转基因番茄的耐热性,这与提高和维持较高的抗氧化酶活性、促进热激响应基因的表达及减缓D1蛋白的降解等有关。     

亚精胺预处理对渗透胁迫下小麦幼苗抗氧化能力的影响

以小麦绵农4号幼苗叶片为试材,以－0.6 MPa聚乙二醇-6000(PEG-6000)处理造成渗透胁迫,研究了外源亚精胺（Spd）预处理对小麦相对含水量(RWC)、H₂O₂含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量、电解质渗漏以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性的影响。在渗透胁迫处理     

外源一氧化氮供体SNP对水稻叶片中由硒引起的脂质过氧化的调节作用

一氧化氮(nitric oxide, NO)是植物中一种重要的信号分子, 在诱导种子萌发, 影响植物生长发育, 促进植物细胞衰亡等方面发挥着重要作用。然而对于外源NO是否参与了Se诱导的脂质过氧化调节过程仍不为人知。我们研究了0.2 μmol L^-1和20 μmol L^-1Na₂SeO₃及一氧化氮供体硝普钠(sodium nitroprusside, SNP)处理对水稻叶片叶绿素、H₂O₂和硫代巴比妥酸反应产物(Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances, TBARS)含量, 愈创木酚过氧化物酶(guaiacol peroxidase, GPX)、超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase, SOD)、过氧化氢酶(catalase, CAT)以及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(ascorbate peroxidase, APX)活性等生理生化指标的影响。结果表明, 1 μmol L^-1SNP处理促进GPX、APX和CAT活性, 缓解膜脂过氧化, 降低TBARS含量;显著提高0.2 μmol L^-1Na₂SeO₃处理下水稻叶片中叶绿素含量。在20 μmol L^-1Na₂SeO₃处理下, 外加1 μmol L^-1SNP更加显著促进GPX和CAT活性, 与此同时明显降低20 μmol L^-1Na₂SeO₃处理引起的H₂O₂含量上升, 并降低TBARS含量。NO对植物中由Se引起的脂质过氧化具有调节作用。     

多胺对玉米种子吸胀期间耐冷性和种子发芽能力的影响

以玉米耐寒自交系黄C和低温敏感自交系Mo17为材料, 研究了亚精胺(Spd)和精胺(Spm)引发对玉米种子吸胀中的耐冷性和种子发芽能力的影响。种子经0.25 mmol L^-1的Spd和Spm引发72 h后, 在5℃下低温吸胀不同时间(12、24、36和48 h)。结果表明, Spd和Spm引发提高了胁迫期间两自交系胚内过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性, 以及可溶性蛋白质和脯氨酸(Pro)含量, 降低了胚渗出液的核苷酸含量, 同时显著提高发芽率, 并显著缩短平均发芽时间。低温吸胀48 h后, 与对照相比, Spd和Spm处理分别提高两自交系种子的平均发芽率18.5%和14.0%, 分别缩短平均发芽时间1.21 d和1.14 d。黄C在种子吸胀期间的耐冷性强于Mo17。总之, Spd和Spm处理能提高玉米种子吸胀期间的耐冷性, 提高低温胁迫下种子发芽能力。     

Methyl Jasmonate‐Induced Alteration in Lipid Peroxidation,Antioxidative Defence System and Yield in Soybean Under Drought

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a plant‐signalling molecule, is involved in an array of plant development and the defence responses. This study was conducted to explore the role of exogenous MeJA application in alleviating the adversities of drought stress in soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill.). Soybean plants were grown under normal conditions until blooming and were then subjected to drought by withholding irrigation followed by foliar application of (50 μm ) MeJA. Drought stress substantially suppressed the yield and yield‐related traits, whereas it accelerated the membrane lipid peroxidation. Nonetheless, substantial increase in activities of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT)), proline, relative water contents (RWC) with simultaneous decrease in membrane lipid peroxidation was observed in MeJA‐treated plants under drought. These beneficial effects led to improvement in biological and grain yield, and harvest index under drought. Interestingly, MeJA application was also useful under well‐watered conditions. These results suggest the involvement of MeJA in improving the drought tolerance of soybean by modulating the membrane lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activities.     

低温胁迫对甜菜抗氧化系统的影响

旨在研究低温胁迫对甜菜细胞膜过氧化及抗氧化系统的影响,并为研究其他植物的抗寒性生理机制提供参考依据。以甜菜品种‘KWS9147'为实验材料,采用水培方式栽培,设置了4℃的低温处理(L)和25℃的室温对照(CK),测定低温处理前后甜菜叶片中丙二醛(MDA)含量和抗氧化系统酶活性的变化。结果表明,低温胁迫会对细胞膜造成损害并促使抗氧化系统产生防御作用,甜菜低温胁迫处理1天后与对照组对比,丙二醛(MDA)含量和抗氧化系统酶活性发生了显著的变化,丙二醛(MDA)的含量增加了31.32%,总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)及过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性显著上升,分别上升了10.74%、4倍、2.22倍、32.85%、和2.56倍。综上,甜菜在低温胁迫下抗氧化能力提高,从而清除活性氧自由基(ROS)的积累,减缓细胞膜脂过氧化对细胞造成的伤害。     

低温胁迫对甘蔗幼苗活性氧代谢和抗氧化酶的影响

作物对低温胁迫的响应是一个复杂的生理生化过程。为了选育耐寒性强、稳产高糖的甘蔗品种,在前期区域试验的基础上,选择4个抗寒能力不同的甘蔗品种（系）作为研究材料。通过测定分析不同甘蔗品种（系）活性氧（ROS）代谢和抗氧化酶如超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）活性,研究其对低温的响应。结果发现：随低温胁迫时间的延长幼苗叶片ROS增加,抗氧化酶活性在一定时间范围内以较快速率提高并对低温胁迫产生的ROS进行清除,且活性出现降-升-降的响应过程;不同甘蔗品种（系）抗氧化酶对胁迫的响应存在差异。与此同时,叶片的相对电导率和丙二醛（MDA）含量也随胁迫时间延长而波动增加,根据两者的大小变化得出不同甘蔗品种（系）对低温胁迫的敏感性,即ROC22>FN39>GR2>GT28。     

低温胁迫下精胺对黄瓜幼苗抗氧化酶系统及膜脂过氧化的影响

研究了低温(5℃)胁迫下精胺对黄瓜幼苗叶片抗氧化酶系统和膜脂过氧化的影响。结果表明,外施精胺显著降低了低温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片的丙二醛含量和电解质渗漏率、增强了超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、过氧化物酶和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶活性,提高了抗坏血酸和脯氨酸含量,从而增强了植株抗氧化能力,减轻了细胞膜伤害,提高了黄瓜的抗寒力。     

外源信号物质对肉苁蓉种子萌发与吸器形成POD、CAT活性及ROS含量的影响

利用外源信号物质氟草敏(norflurazon)和2,6-二甲氧基对苯醌(2,6-DMBQ)分别诱导肉苁蓉种子萌发与吸器形成,研究它们在此过程中对过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性及活性氧(ROS)含量的影响。结果表明：在诱导肉苁蓉种子萌发时,经norflurazon处理0~168 h后,种子中POD和CAT活性呈现显著升高的变化趋势,种子中ROS含量显著升高。在诱导肉苁蓉种子萌发体吸器形成时,经2,6-DMBQ处理0~72 h后,肉苁蓉种子萌发体中POD和CAT活性呈现显著升高的变化趋势,萌发体中ROS含量显著升高。表明在诱导肉苁蓉种子萌发与吸器形成过程中,外源信号物质norflurazon和2,6-DMBQ能影响POD、CAT活性及ROS含量的变化。

     

Cotton Leaf Senescence can be Delayed by Nitrophenolate Spray Through Enhanced Antioxidant Defence System

Leaf senescence is an oxidative process, and most of the catabolic processes involved in senescence are propagated irreversibly once initiated. An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that nitrophenolates (Atonik, a plant growth regulator) spray can delay the leaf senescence through reduced oxidative damage. Atonik 3.75 g a.i. ha^?1 was sprayed during boll filling stage on cotton, and the senescence process was evaluated by quantifying total chlorophyll contents, photosynthetic rate, Fv/Fm ratio, various reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, antioxidant content and antioxidant enzyme activity from 90 days after sowing (DAS) to 130 DAS. The result indicated that nitrophenolate spray reduced the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), superoxide anion (O₂^?) accumulation, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), lipoxygenase activity and membrane permeability over unsprayed control. The antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase, SOD; ascorbate peroxidase, APX; peroxidase, POX; glutathione peroxidase, GSH‐Px) were significantly increased by the nitrophenolate spray. POX (118.1 %) and GSH‐Px (143.3 %) activities were enhanced to a higher level compared to APX (8.5 %) activity at 130 DAS. Enhanced accumulation of ascorbate (144.9 %), phenol (154.7 %) and proline (50 %) was seen in nitrophenolate‐sprayed plants compared with unsprayed control plants at 130 DAS. Ascorbate content is increased by higher dehydroascorbate reductase enzyme activity. Ascorbate was thus able to replenish reducing equivalents to phenoxyl radicals resulting in an increase in phenolic compounds. The increased phenolic acid content may be involved in scavenging the ROS produced during senescence process. The higher level of reduced ascorbate and low level of endogenous H₂O₂ in the leaves may be the prerequisite for delayed leaf senescence in the nitrophenolate‐sprayed plants. Based on the present work, it can be concluded that nitrophenolate‐sprayed plants can postpone the leaf senescence by peroxide/phenolic/ascorbate system which is involved in scavenging the ROS produced during leaf senescence.