海马齿再生体系的优化及GUS基因的转化

以海马齿无菌实生小苗的叶片为外植体,对不同激素浓度和组合以及不同pH值等培养条件进行实验比较.结果表明:适于愈伤组织诱导的培养基为MS+2,4-D 2.0 mg/L+6-BA 0.5 mg/L+蔗糖3%,诱导率达100%;适于芽分化的培养基为MS+NAA 3.0 mg/L+6-BA 0.5 mg/L,分化率达到77.4%;诱导愈伤组织形成培养基的最适pH值为4.5,而诱导愈伤组织分化培养基的最适pH值为5.0.以小苗叶片为外植体材料和农杆菌介导的方法进行GUS基因的转化,组织化学染色检测发现共培养2 d后的外植体中有蓝色斑点产生,在转化2个月后的外植体上形成的愈伤组织也存在点状的蓝色斑点.说明GUS基因已转入海马齿外植体中.     

海马齿胚胎发育晚期丰富蛋白基因SpLea5的克隆与表达分析

根据筛选文库时获得的EST序列信息,利用RACE技术从海马齿根中分离获得了一个海马齿胚胎发育晚期丰富蛋白基因的全长cDNA,命名为SpLea5。序列分析结果表明,SpLea5基因cDNA全长685 bp,含有一个294 bp的完整开放阅读框,编码97个氨基酸残基;推测编码的氨基酸序列与柽柳、杨木樨、烟草、甜橙、温州蜜柑、麻风树和陆地棉中相应基因的氨基酸序列一致性为54%、52%、48%、47%、47%、46%、44%、41%,在聚类分析时与高等植物聚为一类。SpLea5在海马齿植株中呈组成型表达,但根中表达最为丰富,茎和叶次之;海水、NaCl、PEG、ABA处理均能够诱导根部SpLea5基因的表达。这些结果表明,SpLea5基因可能参与了海马齿对盐和干旱胁迫的分子响应。     

Growth photosynthetic activity and antioxidant responses of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal bajra (Pennisetum glaucum) crop under salinity stress condition

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi alleviating the adverse salt effects on growth was tested in bajra (Pennisetum glaucum). Towards this objective we analyzed the photosynthetic activity, proline, phosphatase activity and various antioxidant enzymes such as peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase at 0, 100, 200 and 300 mM salinity levels in AM inoculated and non inoculated bajra plants. Total chlorophyll content was significantly higher in moderate salinity condition in AM fungus (Glomus fasciculatum) inoculated plants, which lead to increase in growth and nutrient uptake capacity of mycorrhizal plants. Antioxidant activity was either increased or decreased due to responses to different salinity stress conditions. Proline accumulation was induced by salt and it was more in shoot of non-AM inoculated plants, but in roots proline accumulation was higher in AM plants at all levels of salinity. This work suggests that the AM fungus helps bajra plants to perform better under moderate salinity levels by enhancing the antioxidant activity and proline accumulation as compared to non-mycorrhizal plants.     

Diurnal changes in net photosynthetic rate in potato in two environments

Summary Diurnal changes in net photosynthetic rate were measured in a furrow-irrigated potato crop and in a riverbed crop where the water table was always maintained at 20–28 cm from the soil surface. In the irrigated crop, the photosynthetic rate during mid-afternoon was about half the peak rate observed at noon. This reduction was accompanied by a near tripling of stomatal resistance, a 45% reduction in transpiration, and a 5-fold increase in the difference between leaf and air temperatures. No such changes were observed in the riverbed crop where the photosynthetic rate remained nearly constant at about 0.9 mg m⁻² s⁻¹ between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuber yield in the riverbed crop was about 30% higher than in the irrigated crop.     

Post-anthesis changes in photosynthetic traits of maize hybrids released in different years

Changes in post-anthesis physiological attributes related to genetic improvement for grain-yield were studied for six Chinese maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids widely grown in North China during the past 50 years. The characteristics assessed included light-saturated photosynthetic rate (P_sat), chlorophyll content, soluble protein content, maximal efficiency of PS2 photochemistry (F_v/F_m), PS2 efficiency (Φ_PS2), ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase) activity and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase) activity. We found that P_sat of the newer hybrids was not always higher than the older ones. However, P_sat of the 1950s hybrids was the highest among all at flowering stage, which was associated with their high PEPCase activity and soluble protein content. Post-anthesis changes in P_sat of the older hybrids can be divided into two phases. During the first phase, which was the decisive phase of grain filling, P_sat of the older hybrids declined gradually whereas the new hybrids remained relatively constant. P_sat of 1950s hybrids was not the highest among all maize hybrids any longer although their PEPCase activities were also the highest. The reduction in P_sat of the older hybrids during this phase was associated with a reduction in the chlorophyll content and the soluble protein content but was not influenced by the specific activity of RuBPCase and PEPCase. Adapting to the lowered CO₂ assimilation capacity, a down-regulation of Φ_PS2 occurred in the older hybrids to protect the photosynthetic apparatus from photo-damage by strong light, while F_v/F_m only decreased slightly during this phase, suggesting a functional PS2 apparatus in senescent flag leaves. During the second phase, the older hybrids underwent an irreversible leaf senescence that certain photosynthetic traits declined substantially with P_sat, whereas the photosynthetic components of the newer hybrids remained functional. Newer maize hybrids produced higher grain yield compared to the old ones mainly because they could remain photosynthetically active when the older hybrids aged during the grain-filling period. The decline in photosynthetic rate of older hybrids during senescence is generally attributed to the degradation of both structural and functional components of chloroplasts.     

Cellular changes and physiological responses to tuber pressure-bruising

Tubers located at lower depths in bins of stored potatoes suffer from pressure-bruising which often develops into an internal grayish or blackspot-like defect. However, little is known about key physiological and cellular changes that constitute pressure-bruising and resulting defects that degrade potato marketability and profits. We determined the changes in periderm water vapor permeability and some of the changes in cellular integrity that may occur in pressure-bruised areas compared to non-pressure-bruised areas of tubers after eight months of storage. Porometric measurements of pressure-bruised areas revealed elevated water vapor loss, which is conducive to blackspot formation, even though there were no apparent breaks in the periderm of pressure-bruised areas. Pressurebruised areas did not appear to readily wound-heal, because the elevated water vapor loss was shown to continue, without decline, when the tubers were porometrically measured again 4 days after removal from the pressure-bruising environment. Analysis of changes in cellular integrity of pressure-bruised regions showed that the tough, rigid cells of the suberized phellem could be damaged or completely flattened by this form of stress. A layer of what appeared to be crushed cells was often detected beneath the pressure-bruised, but partially intact, phellem. Autofluorescence of the crushed layer appeared to be derived from cell walls of collapsed phelloderm cells, starch granules of neighboring cells and material accumulated as a physiological response to the cellular damage incurred from pressure-bruising. These results help explain why the blackspot-like defect sometimes occurs at pressure-bruise sites.     

外源褪黑素对低温胁迫下大豆V1期幼苗光合荧光及抗氧化系统的影响

为缓解东北春大豆产区大豆苗期低温冷害,通过研究外源褪黑素（melatonin,MT）处理对低温胁迫下大豆耐冷性的影响,明确MT提高大豆耐冷能力的作用途径及适宜浓度。以绥农26为供验试材,设置盆栽培养,在大豆V1期（一节期）叶面喷施不同浓度MT（0、50、100、200 μmol·L-1）,3 d后进行4℃低温处理,5 d后取样分析低温胁迫下喷施不同浓度MT对V1时期大豆光合特性、活性氧代谢、渗透调节物质的影响。结果表明,较低温胁迫不喷施MT相比,喷施MT处理能增强低温胁迫下叶片光合作用,Pn、Gs、Tr及光合色素含量均显著提高,且随着外源MT浓度增加呈先上升后下降趋势,Chl a/b显著下降;保护酶SOD（超氧化物歧化酶）、POD（过氧化物酶）、CAT（过氧化氢酶）、APX（抗坏血酸过氧化物酶）活性、Pro（脯氨酸）含量及植株根冠比显著上升,且在100 μmol·L-1浓度处理时作用效果最明显;MDA（丙二醛）含量、叶片相对电导率显著下降。综上可知,在低温迫下施加外源褪黑素可以提高大豆V1期光合速率、增加抗氧化酶活性,减轻膜脂过氧化反应并调节渗透物质含量,从而有助于缓解胁迫伤害,提高大豆幼苗耐冷能力。     

设施栽培中土壤盐分的形成和防治措施

简述了设施栽培的作用及存在的问题,认为大量施肥造成的营养元素和其他盐类残根过剩以及设施内的土壤经受雨雪淋溶较少是造成设施栽培中土壤盐分浓度升高的主要原因。指出了地下埋设暗管、铺设稻草、种植苏丹草、多施有机肥、种植耐盐作物等是解决这一问题的有效方法。     

Salinity stress and sodium-potassium interactions in micropropagated potatoes

Summary Increased potassium (K) fertilization of saline soils has been implicated in alleviating salt stress in plants. We examined whether varying K concentrations in Murashige & Skoog (MS: 1962) basal medium could affect salt (NaCl) stress in micropropagated potatoes. Plantlets of cvs Sierra and Russet Burbank were evaluated after 1 month of growth in a medium containing 0. 40, or 80 mM NaCl and 6,20, or 30 mMK. The medium K was adjusted using KNO₃ while total nitrogen was kept constant using NH₄NO₃. Growth parameters were less affected in Sierra than Russet Burbank, and roots were less affected than shoots, as the medium salinity increased. Tissue Na levels were greater when the medium K was 6 mM compared with 20 mM MS control. The medium K concentration 50% greater than MS control did not promote growth and did not limit tissue Na levels. While this should be confirmed by field assessment, our results suggest that while K deficiency promotes salt damage, its addition beyond the usual fertilizer recommendations is not beneficial in alleviating salinity stress.     

Histopathological changes induced by Meloidogyne incognita in some ornamental plants

Histopathological changes induced by the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in five ornamental plants, specifically, Calendula (Calendula officinalis), Centaurea (Centaurea montana), Papaver (Papaver somniferum), Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) and Dianthus (Dianthus caryophyllus), were investigated. Based on the galling index (GI), Centaurea was classified as susceptible, Calendula as moderately susceptible, and Papaver as moderately resistant, while Chrysanthemum and Dianthus were highly resistant to M. incognita infection. The histopathology of the galled roots of Centaurea, Calendula, and Papaver during later stages of infection showed that nematodes were localized entirely within the cortex and generally oriented horizontally to the vascular cylinder. Most of the females were mature, and a few of them were associated with egg masses. Giant cells with a variation in cell sizes were observed in the galled roots of all three of the plant species and exhibited a granular cytoplasm and hypertrophied nuclei as a typical reaction to nematode feeding.     

Nematicides induced changes in the chemical constituents of potato tubers

Changes in the chemical constituents of potato tubers grown under different concentrations of 3 synthetic organic nematicides (carbofuran, aldicarb and phorate) and a natural plant product (sawdust) were investigated. There were no significant differences in the specific gravity, dry matter and starch content of tubers from different treatments. A significant increase in the content of non-reducing and total sugars was observed in all the treatments. Nematicidal treatments had significant effects on reducing sugars, true protein, free amino acids, orthodihydroxy phenols, beta-carotene and ascorbic acid. Application of nematicides reduced the content of total phenolic compounds which is a desirable change from a processing viewpoint. Potatoes grown under different nematicidal treatments can be processed into chips and French fries as they contain permissible levels of reducing sugars required for these forms of processing.     

Intake and behaviour responses by sheep to changes in sward characteristics under continuous stocking

Perennial ryegrass pastures were maintained at sward surface heights (SSH) of 30, 60, 90 and 120 mm by continuous variable stocking using lactating ewes and their twin lambs in spring and non-lactating (dry) ewes in autumn.
The effects of SSH on ingestive behaviour, herbage intake, animal performance and sward structure and production were measured in spring, and again in autumn, when an additional SSH of 20 mm was also established.
In spring, differences in sward structure were quickly established with mean tiller numbers of 41 000, 30 000, 21 000 and 19 000 m⁻² and leaf area indices (LAI) of 1·5, 2·2, 3·3 and 4·1 at SSH of 30 to 120, respectively. By autumn the mean tiller numbers had fallen to 26 000, 26 000, 23 000, 18 000 and 13 000 m⁻² and LAI to 1·0, 1·1, 1·5. 2·0 and 1·5 for treatments 20 to 120.
The mean stocking rates for the ewes in spring were 27, 20, 22, and 19 ewes ha⁻¹ and growth rates of their lambs were 208, 275, 250 and 263 g d⁻¹ for treatments 30 to 120. In autumn the stocking rates maintained for dry ewes were 22, 15, 9, 4 and 0 for treatments 20 to 120.
In spring, both grazing times (GT) and prehension biting rate (BR) were negatively correlated with SSH, while bite mass (BM) was positively correlated with SSH. However, mean daily intakes of organic matter (OM), were reduced only for animals grazing the 30 mm sward.
In autumn, intake rate was lower only for the animals grazing the 20mm sward and GT and BR were not significantly affected by SSH.
Relationships between SSH and, components of ingestive behaviour and intake, are presented and the control mechanisms involved are discussed. The results showed that the optimum sward surface height for continuously stocked swards, grazed by sheep, Was between 30 mm and 60 mm.     

Intake and behaviour responses by sheep to changes in sward characteristics under rotational grazing

A 10-week grazing experiment was conducted on a perennial ryegrass sward with lactating ewes and their twin lambs. Three paddocks were rotationally grazed with rest periods of from 4 to 5 weeks. Sward surface heights at the start of each grazing were 145, 259 and 250mni for treatments RG1, RG2 and RG3. A further four paddocks were maintained by continuous variable stocking (CS) at sward surface heights (SSHs) of about 30, 60, 90 and 120mm. Sward and animal measurements were made on the two different grazing managements as the RG swards were grazed down, giving measurements at similar sward heights for treatments RG and CS.
There was less green leaf and the total herbage mass present under RG was less than on CS swards at the same sward heights, demonstrating the differences in structure between rotationally and continuously grazed swards.
Regression analysis of animal factors on sward factors showed that grazing behaviour was more highly correlated with green leaf mass than SSH or any of the other sward measurements. On the RG swards, maximum intake per animal was reached at about 1500 kg green leaf mass ha⁻¹. A SSH of 60mm allowed the CS ewes to achieve the highest intake rate, but at this height the ewes on treatments RG2 and RG3 were restricted to approximately half this rate. The results suggest that green leaf mass or leaf area index, rather than sward surface height, could be used as a rational basis to relate intake of herbage to sward state for swards changing rapidly in leaf to stem ratio.     

Management of Soil Salinity and Alkalinity Problems in India

SUMMARY

Like the problem of salt-affected soils afflicting many other countries with arid and semi-arid climates, these lands occupy about 8.6 M ha in India out of which 3.5 M ha are in canal commands, commonly referred to as man made or wet deserts. Starting from the early systematic work of Dr. Leather about a century ago, real impetus to development and application of reclamation technologies has occurred in the post independence period, especially the seventies. Salt-affected soils are grouped into saline and alkali/sodic soils on the considerations of soil management and crop responses. Out of the 3.4 M ha of alkali lands in Indo-Gangetic Plains, about 1.0 M ha has been reclaimed by the hydro-chemical technology. Application of amendments like gypsum, equivalent to 50% gypsum requirement, to the surface 15-cm soil only was enough to start cropping with rice. Light and frequent irrigation are ideal for upland crops. Application of higher doses of nitrogen in splits to compensate for volatilization losses, organic matter additions through green manure to increase reclaiming action, skipping phosphorus application in the initial years and the application of zinc to each crop were some of the emerging recommendations. Application of low-grade pyrites also gave encouraging results in calcareous soils. Feasibility of drainage has been successfully demonstrated in 1980s for the quicker rehabilitation of saline and waterlogged soils. Provision for subsurface drains at 1.5–2.0 m depth and 50–75 m spacing in alluvial soils and 12–24 m interval in vertisol was sufficient for facilitating growing crops within 2–3 years on lands lying barren for considerable period. However, technological, economic, social, and political considerations are the major bottlenecks for large-scale amelioration of saline soils, in addition to the safer disposal of drainage waters. Strategies worked out for successful crop production on saline soils after drainage include initial leaching management (minimizing water requirement for leaching by synchronizing with monsoon rains, etc.), proper selection of crops/cultivars, irrigation (method, controlled frequency for enhancing water-table contribution, canal water use during the initial stages including presowing for conjunctive use with drainage waters) and cultural practices (furrow planting, increasing seed rate and fertility management). Some of the future issues for combating salinity and also preventing further land degradations in India are also highlighted.     

Soil Salinity in South India: Problems and Solutions

SUMMARY

Soil salinity is assuming menacing proportions for production of agricultural and horticultural crops in South India. South India comprises of Andhra Pradesh (AP), Tamil Nadu (TN), Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, and Islands in Bay of Bengal (Andaman and Nicobar) and Arabian Sea (Lakshadweep). It comprises central uplands, Deccan plateau (Karnataka plateau and Telangana plateau of AP), Nilgiri hills of TN, South Sahiailri, Eastern hills (Eastern Ghats, TN, upland) and Coastal Plains. The rainfall ranges from 400 to 500 mm in AP, 450 to 1300 mm in Karnataka, 500 to 1215 mm in TN, 100 to 450 mm in Kerala. Climate is mainly semi-arid in nature. Red soils (Alfisols, Inceptisols, and Entisols) make up about 60–65% and are well drained, blacksoils (Vertisols and Inceptisols) comprise about 20–25% and the rest are coastal sands. Soil salinity problems are encountered in almost all the districts in Karnataka and AP. The area extends to about 0.176 million ha in AP, 0.2 million ha in Karnataka, 0.0427 million ha in TN and about 0.03 million ha in Kerala. Introduction of canal irrigation water and use of underground saline waters accelerated the appearance of salt affected soils. Soil salinity observed in South India ranges from hydrometphic saline soils in Kerala to highly saline (EC 20–30 dS m^?1) in Karnataka and AP. Saline soils were classified in to Natrargids or Solarthrids at subgroup level depending on the occurance of nitric or salic horizon within few centimetres of the surface. Soil salinity has reduced crop yields upto 50% and consequently cropping has been abandoned in many areas. Excess soluble salts can be removed through scrapping the surface salt crust or flushing and leaching or through subsurface drainage depending on the problem. Crops also vary in their ability to tolerate salinity at different stages of growth. In most crops subjected to irrigations with saline waters, germination and early seedling stages are generally the most sensitive and their tolerance increases with age. Salt tolerant varieties and nutrient management of crops in saline soils are important solutions for crop production under saline soils.     

Salinity reduces radiation absorption and use efficiency in soybean

The potential rate of plant development and biomass accumulation under conditions free of environmental stress depends on the amount of radiation absorption and the efficiency of utilizing the absorbed solar energy to drive photosynthetic processes that produce biomass materials. Salinity, as a form of soil and water stress, generally has a detrimental effect on plant growth, and crops such as soybean are usually sensitive to salinity. Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine soybean growth characteristics and the relative impact of salinity on radiation absorption and radiation-use efficiency (RUE) at a whole plant level. Cumulative absorption of photosynthetically active radiation (∑APAR) was estimated using hourly inputs of predicted canopy extinction coefficients and measured leaf area indices (LAI) and global solar radiation. On 110 days after planting, soybean plants grown under non-saline conditions in the field accumulated 583 MJ ∑APAR m⁻². A 20% reduction in ∑APAR resulted from growing the plants in soil with a solution electrical conductivity (EC) of about 10 dS m⁻¹. Soybeans grown under non-saline conditions in the field achieved a RUE of 1.89 g MJ⁻¹ ∑APAR for above-ground biomass dry materials. The RUE reached only 1.08 g MJ⁻¹ ∑APAR in the saline soil, about a 40% reduction from the non-saline control. Salinity also significantly reduced ∑APAR and RUE for soybeans in the greenhouse. The observed smaller plant and leaf sizes and darker green leaves under salinity stress were attributed to reductions in LAI and increases in unit leaf chlorophyll, respectively. Reductions in LAI exceeded small gains in leaf chlorophyll, which resulted in less total canopy chlorophyll per unit ground area. Analyzing salinity effect on plant growth and biomass production using the relative importance of ∑APAR and RUE is potentially useful because APAR and total canopy chlorophyll can be estimated with remote sensing techniques.     

Mechanical and structural changes in multimode optical fibers induced by aging in harsh gaseous and liquid reagents

The increased optical fiber development for a variety of physical and chemical measurements using smart structures and sensors leads to investigate the mechanical and chemical reliability of standard commercial acrylate polymer coated fibers. Multimode optical fiber was subjected to aggressive chemical reagents in gaseous and liquid phase, such as acetylene, ammonia, dimethyl-sulfoxide for different durations after prior vacuum exposure. Tensile testing results were treated using Weibull statistic. A comparison of mean failure strengths of aged fibers for similar exposure duration has revealed the highest sensitivity to acetylene and dimethyl-sulfoxide reagents. Based on analysis of aged fiber surface morphology obtained from Scanning Electron Microscopy, we can deduce the damage extent and the consequence on the structure of the fiber in contact with these harsh environments.     

Chemical stress induced by heliotrope (Heliotropium europaeum L.) allelochemicals and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes

The aims of this study were to evaluate the allelopathic potential of heliotrope on some biochemical processes of dodder. The preliminary experiments revealed that the effect of aqueous extract of leaves of heliotrope is higher than its seeds and roots. So, the aqueous extract of leaves was used in remaining experiments. Leaf extracts of 5 g powder per 100 mL H2O inhibited the germination of dodder seeds up to 95% and that of radish up to 100%. While, the aqueous extract of vine leaves which is a non-allelopathic plant did not have any inhibitory effect on these seeds. Vine leaf was used as a control to show that the inhibitory effect of heliotrope is due to an inhibitory compound but not due to the concentration. The leaf extract of heliotrope at 0.0, 0.1, 1.0, 2, 3, 4 and 5 g powder per 100 mL H2O reduced the radish seedling growth from 14 cm to about 0.5 cm and that of dodder from 7.5 cm to about 0.25 cm. The effects of heliotrope allelochemicals on some physiological and biochemical processes of radish was also Investigated. The activity of auxin oxidase increased in leaves and roots of radish. Suggesting that the reduced radish growth is due to the decreased active auxin levels in its leaves and roots. The activity of alpha-amylase was reduced, so reduction of starch degradation and lack of respiratory energy is the prime reason of germination inhibition in dodder and radish seeds. The level of soluble sugars increased. This is an indication of reduction of the activity of some respiratory enzymes and reduced consumption of these sugars. Proline levels were also increased, indicating that, the chemical stress is induced by leaf extract. Finally, the activities of GPX and CAT which are antioxidant enzymes were increased, along with increased extract concentration. These finding shows that the chemical stress induced by leaf extract produces super oxide (O2*) and H2O2, which is neutralized to H2O and O2 by these enzymes.     

部分CIMMYT小麦种质的耐盐性鉴定与评价

为了筛选耐盐小麦新种质,以耐盐小麦品种青麦6号为对照,分别在小麦苗期以相对盐害指数、芽期以根系盐害易感指数和相对苗长为鉴定和评价指标,对选自国际玉米小麦改良中心（CIMMYT）的417份小麦材料进行耐盐性筛选与鉴定。结果显示,有39份小麦种质的耐盐性优于对照,经相关分析和主成分分析发现,总根长SSI值可作为根系耐盐指标用于耐盐性综合评价;结合总根长SSI值、盐害指数和相对苗长的隶属函数综合值进行聚类分析发现,cm58、cm163、cm439和cm440 四份小麦种质的耐盐性优于对照青麦6号,是研究小麦耐盐性和培育耐盐小麦新品种的优异材料。     

Physiological responses of Brassica napus to fulvic acid under water stress: Chlorophyll a fluorescence and antioxidant enzyme activity

The ameliorative effect of fulvic acid(0, 300, and 600 mg L-1) on photosystem II and antioxidant enzyme activity of the rapeseed(Brassica napus L.) plant under water stress(60, 100, and 140 mm evaporation from class A pan) was studied using split plots in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results indicated that application of fulvic acid(FA) improved the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII(Fv/Fm)and performance index(PI) of plants under both well-watered and limited-water conditions. The time span from Foto Fmand the energy necessary for the closure of all reaction centers was significantly increased, but the size of the plastoquinone pool was reduced with increasing water stress levels. Plants treated with FA had higher peroxidase and catalase activities under all irrigation conditions. Activities of ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in plants increased with increasing water stress. Malondialdehyde increased under severe water stress, but application of FA significantly decreased lipid peroxidation. Production of reactive oxygen species(ROS) is a common phenomenon in plants under stress. Under this condition, the balance between the production of ROS and the quenching activity of antioxidants is upset, often resulting in oxidative damage. In this study, application of FA significantly increased fluorescence of chlorophyll a, inhibiting ROS production and enhancing antioxidant enzymes activity that destroyed ROS. Thus, ROS in plant cells was reduced under water stress by application of FA and consequently lipid peroxidation was reduced.