Fruits are more sensitive to salinity than leaves and stems in pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.)

The effects of NaCl stress on plant growth, gas-exchange, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), rate of lipid peroxidation, and accumulation of Na⁺ ion and sugar were investigated in leaves and fruits of pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.). Especially, the gene expression of l-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GalLDH), which is the last enzyme of ascorbic acid (AsA) biosynthesis, and the relationships between AsA level and Na⁺ concentration in plant tissue were investigated with increasing salinity. Plants were treated with three treatments: the control (0 mM NaCl) and two salinity levels (50 and 100 mM NaCl) for 21 days under greenhouse conditions. Plant growth was markedly restricted due to the reduction of photosynthetic rate and the increase of Na⁺ accumulation in leaves with the increasing intensity of NaCl stress. Salinity had more effect on fruit growth comparing to leaf growth, suggesting that fruits could be more sensitive to salinity than leaves. In comparison with the control, salt stress significantly increased lipid peroxidation (as measured as malondialdehyde content) but decreased SOD activity in both fruits and leaves although the effect was larger in fruits; and the rate of the decrease in SOD activity was greater than that of the increase in lipid peroxidation. The AsA concentration transiently increased first 7 days but it slightly decreased from the initial level in the end of treatment day 21. The change in GalLDH gene expression was similar to AsA concentration. The accumulation of Na⁺, the reduction of AsA level at severe salinity stress were greater in fruits than in leaves; and AsA level had a negative relationship with Na⁺ concentration in both leaves and fruits. These results suggest that the difference in salt sensitivity between fruits and leaves in pepper plants can be related to the difference in inhibition of AsA synthesis, which in turn is probably due to the toxicity of extreme accumulation of Na⁺.     

Physiological responses and relative tolerance by Chinese apple rootstocks to NaCl stress

The physiological responses and salt tolerance of apple rootstocks were evaluated under high salinity. Seedlings of 15 kinds of apple rootstocks were treated with 200 mM NaCl for 10 d to assess growth, biomass, and physiological responses. Under NaCl stress, their growth parameters decreased compared with the control, with the greatest changes in leaf number, plant height, and relative water content (RWC). In contrast, electrolyte leakage (EL) and activities of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) were increased. For most rootstocks, stress treatment decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and soluble protein contents along with superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Their degree of salt tolerance was comprehensively evaluated based on salt injury index (SI), adversity resistance coefficients (ARC), and cluster analysis. Malus prunifolia Borkh cv. dongbeihuanghaitang, M. sieboldii Rehd cv. daguohongsanyehaitang, M. prunifolia Borkh cv. qiuzi, and M. xiaojinensis Cheng et Jia were salt-tolerant rootstocks, whereas M. prunifolia Borkh cv. yingyehaitang, M. micromalus Hemsl, and M. sieboldii Rehd cv. lushihongguo were salt-sensitive rootstocks. These differences in sensitivity were associated with variations in the activities of anti-oxidation enzymes and in the amount of organic osmotica.     

Photosynthetic and physiological responses to high temperature in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) leaves during the seedling stage

To study the effects of high temperature (HT) on grape growth, a controlled experiment with grapevine (Vitis vinifera L., cv. Hongti) was conducted from July to October, 2015. The HT treatments were 34, 36, 38, and 40°C, with 28°C as control. The changes to photosynthetic pigment characteristics, antioxidant enzyme activities, and relative water content (RWC) under different HTs were investigated. Severe chlorosis was observed during the late stages of HT treatment. Chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b), photosynthetic rate at irradiation saturation (P_max), light saturation point (LSP), apparent quantum efficiency (AQE), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activity in grape leaves increased at first, and then decreased under high-temperature stress (HTS), but the light compensation point acted contrary to the LSP. The carotenoid, malondialdehyde and relative electrical conductivity (REC) increased under HTS; and the Chl/carotenoid ratio and RWC were contrary to the REC. The results suggested that grapes subjected to 38°C for 4 d decreased their RWC, but Chl a, Chl b, P_max, AQE, LSP, SOD, POD, and CAT reached their maximums. Therefore, the high-temperature limit of Hongti was 38°C and the duration time was 4 d.     

Regulation of some biochemical attributes in drought-stressed cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) by seed pre-treatment with ascorbic acid

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) is widely used as a vegetable in many countries; however, productivity is adversely affected in areas affected by drought. To investigate the role of exogenously applied ascorbic acid (AsA) in mitigating the negative effects of drought on cauliflower, a pot experiment was performed using two cultivars of cauliflower ‘Local’ and ‘S-78’. Seeds of both cultivars were soaked in 75 mg l^–1, or in 150 mg l^–1 AsA, or in water (control) for 16 h. Water-deficit stress suppressed plant growth, reduced leaf chlorophyll concentrations, relative water contents (RWC), shoot and root P and K⁺ ion concentrations, and total soluble protein concentrations, significantly. However, significant drought-induced increases were observed in relative membrane permeability (RMP), the accumulation of total phenolic compounds, leaf free proline, glycinebetaine (GB), endogenous AsA, and hydrogen peroxide concentrations, and in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Seed treatment with 75 or 150 mg l^–1 AsA resulted in lower accumulations of H₂O₂, while increasing shoot and root fresh weights and dry weights, RWC, total phenolic compound, free proline, GB, and endogenous AsA concentrations, and the activities of SOD and catalase (CAT). No changes were observed in leaf chlorophyll concentrations or in peroxidase (POD) activities, RMP, shoot and root P and K⁺ ion accumulation, or in total soluble protein concentrations under water stress or non-stress conditions following seed treatment with AsA. ‘Local’ had higher proline concentrations and SOD activities; however, ‘S-78’ had higher RWC values, GB, and AsA concentrations. Overall, a pre-sowing treatment of cauliflower seed with 75 or 150 mg l^–1 AsA improved seedling tolerance to drought stress in both cultivars, which could be attributed to AsA-induced decreases in RMP and H₂O₂ concentrations, increases in the activities of CAT and SOD, increased RWC, and higher total phenolic compound, proline, GB, and AsA concentrations. The exogenous application of AsA therefore offers an effective strategy to minimise the adverse effects of drought stress on vegetable crops, including cauliflower.     

Effect of NaCl salinity in the genotypic variation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) during early vegetative growth

Twenty-five genotypes of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) were tested for salt-tolerance at the vegetative growth stage in pot in the greenhouse experiments at salinity levels of 0, 85, and 170 mM NaCl. Plant survival was the main criterion for classifying genotypes. Other criteria included the ion concentration (Na⁺ and Cl⁻) in root and shoot and biomass accumulation. Four local accessions (‘Paceño’, ‘Tardón’, ‘Sonorense’, and ‘Cuarenteño’), three accessions from California (‘CB46’, ‘CB27’, and ‘CB3’), and one accession from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) (‘IT82D-889’) survived at concentrations of both 85 and 170 mM NaCl and were classified as salt-tolerant, while ‘IT96D-666’, ‘IT89KD-288’, and ‘IT93K-734’ from IITA were classified as salt-sensitive. One local accession (‘Sesenteño’), three accessions from IITA (‘PEPH-V Wes-85’, ‘IT86D-719’, and ‘IT95K-1090-12’), and one accession from California (‘CB5’) were classified as moderately salt-tolerant. Eight accessions from IITA (‘IT96D-733’, ‘IT90K-277-2’, ‘IT91K-93-10’, ‘IT91K-118-20’, ‘IT90K-284-2’, ‘IT95K-1088-4’, ‘IT89KD-391’, and ‘IT94K-437-1’) and one from California (‘CB88’) were classified as moderately salt-sensitive. Biomass was affected by both 85 and 170 mM NaCl in all groups of genotypes, however, salt-tolerant and moderately salt-tolerant genotypes showed higher biomass than genotypes classified as moderately salt-sensitive and salt-sensitive. In all genotypes Cl⁻ concentration was higher in shoots than roots and increased as salinity increased. Similarly Na⁺ concentration increased with increasing salinity. However, in salt-tolerant and moderately salt-tolerant genotypes, Na⁺ concentration was more in roots than shoots, while in moderately salt-sensitive and salt-sensitive genotypes, Na⁺ was higher in shoots than roots.     

盐胁迫对黄瓜不同耐盐品种叶绿素含量和叶绿体超微结构的影响

用浓度为225 mmol·L^-1的NaCl溶液对黄瓜不同耐盐品种进行处理,研究NaCl胁迫对黄瓜不同耐盐品种叶绿素含量及叶绿体超微结构的影响。结果表明,在一定盐浓度下,耐盐品种在盐胁迫初期变化不明显,随着盐胁迫时间的延长,耐盐品种和盐敏感品种叶绿素含量降低显著,但耐盐品种比盐敏感品种降低幅度小;同时盐胁迫对叶绿体的膜系统产生伤害,叶绿体老化加快,片层逐渐解体,外形轮廓发生变化,内部片层排列方向发生改变,并发生轻微膨胀,基粒片层数目减少,内部结构趋向简单,以至瓦解,耐盐品种的变化程度小于盐敏感品种。     

辣椒黄绿苗不育系叶片光合色素变化及酶活性研究

研究了辣椒(Capsicum annuum L.)黄绿苗胞质雄性不育系(YBM-A6)、保持系(YBM-B6)及绿苗(96-140)的叶绿素变化及叶片酶活性。从幼苗期到成株期三者的叶绿素含量呈逐步增加的变化趋势,绿苗叶片叶绿素、类胡萝卜含量都远高于黄绿苗,但黄绿苗叶片叶绿素a/b、类胡萝卜素/叶绿素(a+b)(除结果期外)的比值都远大于绿苗。黄绿苗叶片中游离脯氨酸含量均高于绿苗,但其含量变化趋势相同;黄绿苗叶片中过氧化物酶、过氧化氢酶活性变化趋势与绿苗相同;YBM-A6叶片过氧化氢酶活性均低于其保持系YBM-B6,过氧化物酶活性则高于其保持系,超氧化物歧化酶活性在开花结果盛期明显高于保持系YBM-B6和96-140。说明叶绿素和类胡萝卜素含量和变化与辣椒黄绿苗的叶色变化有关,酶活性变化可能与黄绿苗胞质雄性不育系YBM-A6的不育有关。     

Growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant metabolism in mustard (Brassica juncea L.) cultivars differing in ATP-sulfurylase activity under salinity stress

Salinity is one of the major environmental factors limiting crop productivity. The effect of increasing salinity levels (0, 50, 100 mM NaCl) on growth, photosynthetic traits, leaf water potential, oxidative stress, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants was studied in Pusa Jai Kisan and SS2 cultivars of mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss.) differing in ATP-sulfurylase activity at 30 days after sowing (DAS). The cultivar SS2 (low ATP-sulfurylase activity) accumulated higher content of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in leaf than root. SS2 also showed greater content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and H₂O₂ and higher decrease in growth, photosynthetic traits and leaf water potential than Pusa Jai Kisan with increasing salinity levels. Contrarily, Pusa Jai Kisan (high ATP-sulfurylase activity) exhibited higher Na⁺ and Cl⁻ content in root than leaf, lower TBARS and H₂O₂ content and higher activity of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase. However, the activity of superoxide dismutase was greater in SS2 than Pusa Jai Kisan. Higher activity of ATP-sulfurylase in Pusa Jai Kisan resulted in increased content of glutathione, a reduced form of inorganic sulfur and an essential component of cellular antioxidant defense system. The lesser decrease in growth and photosynthesis in Pusa Jai Kisan was the result of lesser Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in leaf, higher turgidity and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes and glutathione content.     

水分亏缺条件下草莓幼苗几个水分生理指标的变化

在离体脱水和不同浓度蔗糖溶液培养条件下,对草莓幼苗的脂质过氧化作用产物丙二醛、过氧化物歧化酶、细胞膜相对透性和组织相对含水量的变化及其相互关系进行研究。结果表明:随着组织相对含水量降低,丙二醛含量增高,细胞膜相对透性增大;丙二醛含量和组织相对含水量之间呈负相关;r新茎=0.89(HS),r叶片=0.75(HS),组织细胞膜相对透性随着丙二醛含量的增高而增大;在离体条件下过氧化物歧化酶对丙二醛含量增高有一定抑制作用。     

Effects of Ascorbic Acid and Reduced Glutathione on the Alleviation of Salinity Stress in Olive Plants

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low molecular mass antioxidants and NaCl salinity on growth, ionic balance, proline, and water contents of ‘Zard’ olive trees under controlled greenhouse conditions. The experiment was carried out by spraying 2 mM of ascorbic acid (Asc) and 3 mM of reduced glutathione (GSH) on the plants that were treated with two salinity levels (0 and 100 mM NaCl) on their root medium. Plant growth parameters (leaf fresh weight, leaf dry weight, leaf number, total fresh weight, and total dry weight) were significantly improved by Asc compared with growth parameters in GSH and control plants. Higher concentrations of Na⁺ and Cl^– were observed in salt-stressed plants, while Na⁺ and Cl^– concentrations were decreased in the olive leaves that were sprayed with Asc. Salinity in the root zone caused a considerable decline in both K⁺ concentration and K/Na ratio. K⁺ concentration and K/Na ratio were significantly increased by application of Asc on plant leaves. Salinity caused an increase in electrolyte leakage (EL) compared with the control plants. Lowest EL and tissue water content (TWC) was obtained in Asc-sprayed plants, whereas TWC was increased in salt-stressed plants. Plants were subjected to salt stress and showed a higher relative water content (RWC) than the control plants. Salt stress induced proline accumulation in olive leaves. In conclusion, exogenous application of Asc is recommended to improve tolerance of olive plants under saline conditions.     

三种暖季型草坪草在干旱条件下脯氨酸含量和抗氧化酶活性的变化

 测定了土壤干旱条件下矮生狗牙根、沟叶结缕草和地毯草相对含水量和相对电导率的变化。结果表明，矮生狗牙根的耐旱性较强，沟叶结缕草次之，而地毯草对干旱敏感。干旱胁迫下，地毯草积累脯氨酸最多，沟叶结缕草次之，矮生狗牙根最少，草坪草的脯氨酸的积累与耐旱性呈负相关。地毯草超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性持续升高，过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性在短暂升高后降低，过氧化物酶(POD)活性降低；矮生狗牙根和沟叶结缕草的SOD活性先升后降，CAT和POD活性则维持较高水平，表明草坪草的耐旱性与抗氧化酶活性有关。     

Harvest date affects the antioxidative systems in pear fruits

Summary

Pears (Pyrus communis L. cv. Conference) were picked 7 d before (27 d), during (0) or 7 d (+7 d) after the estimated ideal time for commercial harvest. Changes in antioxidant content (ascorbate and glutathione) and in the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total peroxidase (POX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were estimated immediately after harvest for each picking time. Ascorbate and non-protein thiols (glutathione) content significantly decreased with increasing maturity. Concommitantly, the activity of SOD and CAT fell about five-fold and two-fold, respectively, when the fruit was picked more mature, indicating a higher potential for the accumulation of cytotoxic O₂^.2 and H₂O₂ respectively. POX activity remained relatively constant until the optimal harvest date but increased later. APX activity increased 2.5-fold in the more mature fruit but GR remained stable. Collectively, these results provide evidence that harvest date is accompanied by a decline in the non-enzymic and enzymic systems responsible for catabolism of active oxygen species. This may contribute to explain the widely described influence of harvest date on the occurrence of physiological disorders in pears.     

土壤干旱和复水对结缕草生理特性的影响

通过对结缕草在土壤干旱及复水过程中叶片相对含水量(RWC)、游离脯氨酸含量(Pro)、叶绿素含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量、可溶性糖(TSC)含量等生理指标的测定,研究土壤干旱对结缕草生理特性的影响.结果表明:干旱胁迫引起结缕草的叶片相对含水量明显下降,游离脯氨酸含量、丙二醛含量及可溶性糖含量均随干旱天数的增加呈持续增加的趋势,而叶绿素含量和SOD酶活性先增后减.复水后各项生理指标除相对含水量、游离脯氨酸含量外均随着复水时间的增加逐渐恢复至对照水平.干旱胁迫下,结缕草水分平衡的保持、SOD酶活性及丙二醛含量的增加以及脯氨酸和可溶性糖等渗透调节物质的积累,是结缕草抗旱的重要生理机制.     

山葡萄‘双丰’和‘左优红’叶绿素荧光特性及活性氧代谢与低温伤害的关系

为探明山葡萄叶片低温伤害的生理机制,以抗寒性差异明显的‘双丰’(山葡萄种内杂交种)和‘左优红’(种间杂交种)为试材,对低温处理过程中叶绿素荧光参数和活性氧代谢的相关指标进行测定。结果表明,随低温胁迫加剧,两个品种叶片的叶绿素含量、Chl.a/b、Fv/Fm值均呈显著下降趋势,1–qp值及MDA含量明显增加;整个胁迫过程中NPQ值较稳定的‘双丰’其叶片遭受低温伤害程度较轻,NPQ值一直下降的‘左优红’叶片伤害程度较重,‘双丰’的NPQ值始终显著高于‘左优红’。‘双丰’叶片的SOD和APX活性始终较‘左优红’高。说明低温使山葡萄叶片叶绿素分解,PSⅡ电子传递受阻,激发能增加,造成叶绿体膜脂过氧化损伤;热耗散及抗氧化酶共同作用减轻了活性氧对叶片PSⅡ的伤害程度。由此可见,热耗散NPQ值及活性氧清除酶SOD和APX活性的差异可能是造成两个山葡萄品种叶片低温伤害程度不同的重要原因。     

盐碱胁迫对不同砧木黄瓜嫁接苗生长及根区土壤酶活性的影响

针对黑龙江等地的苏打盐碱土壤,模拟其盐碱成分,采用盆栽的方法,以2 种耐盐碱性强的砧木和2 种耐盐碱性弱的
砧木的黄瓜嫁接苗为试材,自根苗为对照,用盐浓度为100 mmol·L^-1,pH 值 9.0 的盐碱液处理土壤,研究盐碱胁迫对不同耐
盐碱砧木嫁接黄瓜及自根苗生长状况及根区土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明,盐碱胁迫下耐盐碱性强的砧木嫁接黄瓜产量、地上
部鲜质量、地下部鲜质量、株高和叶绿素含量均显著高于耐盐碱性弱的砧木嫁接黄瓜和自根苗。盐碱胁迫下定植后30 d,耐盐
碱性强的砧木嫁接黄瓜土壤脲酶和中性磷酸酶活性高于耐盐碱性弱的砧木嫁接黄瓜及自根苗;定植后40 d,耐盐碱性强的砧木
嫁接黄瓜土壤过氧化氢酶和脱氢酶活性高于耐盐碱性弱的砧木嫁接黄瓜及自根苗;定植后50 d,耐盐碱性强的砧木嫁接黄瓜土
壤脲酶、过氧化氢酶、中性磷酸酶和脱氢酶活性均高于耐盐碱性弱的砧木嫁接黄瓜及自根苗。耐盐碱性强的砧木嫁接苗生长健
壮,受盐害程度低,说明嫁接能显著提高黄瓜的耐盐碱性;耐盐碱性强的砧木嫁接苗抗性增强与土壤酶活性提高密切相关。     

Acetyl salicylic acid induces stress tolerance in tomato plants grown at a low night-time temperature

Summary

Abiotic stresses are becoming more prevalent as the intensity of agriculture and the demand for farmable land increase. Night-time temperature is one of the major environmental factors that influence plant metabolic processes. The permeability of cell membranes, levels of osmoregulatory substances, reproductive flowering stage, growth rate, and total anti-oxidant capacities of leaves were investigated in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum, formerly Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ‘Liaoyuanduoli’) plants exposed to a low night-time temperature (LNT) of 9ºC or to an ambient night-time temperature (ANT) of 15ºC, with or without exogenous foliar spray treatment with acetyl salicylic acid (acetyl-SA). Three applications of 1.0 ml of 0.4 mM acetyl-SA made to 4-week-old tomato seedlings at 5 d intervals reduced the decline in fruit yield in the first and second fruit clusters due to LNT treatment by decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) and increasing proline concentrations and total anti-oxidant capacity in tomato leaves. Under LNT stress, lipid peroxidation, measured in terms of MDA content, and hence membrane permeability were reduced by 0.4 mM acetyl-SA treatment. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POX) activities were increased by 0.4 mM acetyl-SA treatment. The accumulation of superoxide free radicals (O₂ ^?–) was inhibited, but H₂O₂ concentrations were increased by 0.4 mM acetyl-SA treatment. These results suggest that acetyl-SA could be used as a growth regulator to improve fruit yields and the tolerance of tomato plants exposed to LNT stress.     

亚适温、弱光照及盐胁迫下辣椒叶片活性氧代谢特征

 测定了亚适温(18 ℃/10 ℃, 昼/夜) 、弱光(80μmol·m- 2 ·s- 1 ) 及盐胁迫(70 mmol· L ^-1 NaCl) 逆境下辣椒叶片抗氧化酶活性及活性氧、丙二醛(MDA) 含量等指标。整个试验期间(处理后1～15 d) , 亚适温、弱光与盐胁迫对SOD、CAT、GR活性均存在显著或极显著的互作效应, 试验前期(处理后1～9 d) 对APX、GPX活性及O₂^- 、H₂O₂含量存在显著或极显著的互作效应, 试验后期(处理后5～15 d) 对MDA含量存在显著或极显著的互作效应。亚适温主效应对辣椒叶片SOD、GPX、GR活性及O₂^- 、H₂O₂、MDA含量的影响大于弱光、盐胁迫主效应, 对APX、CAT活性影响较大的是盐胁迫主效应。     

NO 和ABA 对辣椒幼苗自毒作用缓解的生理生化机制

 为探究NO 和ABA 对辣椒幼苗自毒作用缓解的生理生化机制,以蛭石珍珠岩混合基质栽培 的辣椒‘陇椒2 号’幼苗为材料,用连作3 年辣椒的土壤和基质浸提液浇灌幼苗,研究喷施外源SNP（NO 供体,150 μmol · L-1）和ABA（100 μmol · L-1）对自毒作用下辣椒幼苗叶片的抗氧化酶活性、抗氧化剂 和渗透调节物质含量、膜脂过氧化损伤的影响。结果表明,土壤和基质浸提液均导致辣椒幼苗叶片超氧 化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性,以及脱氢抗坏血酸（DHA）含量 的下降;还原型抗坏血酸（AsA）、脯氨酸（Pro）、可溶性蛋白和丙二醛（MDA）含量,以及相对电导率 和AsA/DHA 上升;土壤浸提液胁迫程度显著大于基质浸提液。外源NO 和ABA 处理显著提高辣椒幼苗 叶片的SOD、POD 和CAT 活性,以及Pro 和可溶性蛋白含量,降低MDA 含量和相对电导率,显著促进 AsA 含量升高和DHA 含量下降,维持较高的AsA/DHA,NO 对自毒作用下辣椒幼苗氧化损伤的缓解效应 显著好于ABA。研究结果表明外源NO 和ABA 通过提高自毒作用下辣椒抗氧化酶活性、渗透调节物质含 量和AsA/DHA 比值,有效地阻止辣椒体内MDA 积累和电解质渗漏,缓解自毒作用对辣椒幼苗造成的膜 脂过氧化,增强辣椒的抗逆性。     

Stimulation of ROS-scavenging systems in squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) plants by compost supplementation under normal and low temperature conditions

The beneficial effect of compost, the final product of aerobic biodegradation of organic matter, on growth, lipid peroxidation [as malondialdehyde (MDA], hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide anion (O₂^•−), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as reduced ascorbate (ASC) and glutathione (GSH) and their oxidized forms was investigated in squash (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Eskandarany) plants exposed to normal and low temperature (LT) conditions. LT stress of 8 °C significantly reduced the plant growth of untreated plants, but compost alleviated the adverse effect of stress and significantly increased the fresh and dry weights under normal and stress conditions. LT also induced accumulation of H₂O₂ and O₂^•− and resulted in increased lipid peroxidation, pointing out to cellular oxidative stress. Under compost application, such reactive oxygen species (ROS) and peroxidized lipids were markedly reduced, but SOD, CAT, APX and GR activities, key enzymes of ROS-scavenging systems, were significantly increased. Data also indicated that there were general reductions in total ascorbate and glutathione pool in LT control plants, but compost-treated ones considerably have maintained higher levels of such redox metabolites. Significantly higher ratios of ASC/DHA (dehydroascorbate) and GSH/GSSG (glutathione disulfide) were generally found in compost-treated plants than in untreated-ones. It is evident that compost induced enhancement of LT tolerance was related to up-regulation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems. Such enhancement would eventually protect plant cells from LT-induced oxidative stress reactions via scavenging ROS.     

Effect of CaCl2 treatment on the acclimatisation of mericlone seedlings of Cattleya and Phalaenopsis

Summary

To increase resistance to environmental stress during the acclimatisation of mericlone seedlings of Cattleya and Phalaenopsis, seedlings were treated with CaCl₂. The effectiveness of CaCl₂ treatment on acclimatisation was determined by investigating the levels of anti-oxidative enzyme activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS), the amounts of chlorophyll and malondialdehyde (MDA), the net rate of photosynthesis (A), and the area of leaf-burn caused by high temperature injury. The activities of four anti-oxidative enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and peroxidase (POD)] in mericlone seedlings of Cattleya and Phalaenopsis increased with CaCl₂ treatment. The highest increase was in the treatment with 4 mM CaCl₂. Mericlone seedlings treated with 4 mM CaCl₂ had increased SOD, CAT, APX, and POD activities compared with the controls after 35 d of acclimatisation in a greenhouse. The levels of superoxide anions (O₂^?–) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were also low. In line with this, any decrease in chlorophyll content, increase in MDA content, drop in A, or injury due to high temperature stress were mitigated by CaCl₂ treatment. These results show that CaCl₂ treatment is effective for the acclimatisation of mericlone seedlings of Cattleya and Phalaenopsis by increasing their resistance to environmental stress.