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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2014, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (7): 66-73.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20140710

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Effects of Drought Stress and Rewatering on Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Quercus variabilis Seedlings

Cui Yuchuan, Zhang Wenhui, Li Zhiping   

  1. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal and Plant Resistance College of Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University Tianjin 300387
  • Received:2013-05-08 Revised:2014-02-20 Online:2014-07-25 Published:2014-07-04
  • Contact: 张文辉

Abstract:

Effects of drought and rewatering on growth, osmoregulation, and antioxidants of two-year-old potted Quercus variabilis seedlingswere investigated. A weighting method was used to control soil water content, by which produced a different water stress gradient. The results showed that: 1) the plant height, basal diameter, leaf number, dry and fresh weight of root, stem and leaf declined with drought stress. Length of tap and secondary roots increased with the increase of stress degree. 2) Activities of antioxidant enzymes including peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase in leaves elevated firstly and then decreased with the increase in duration and degree of drought stresses. Content of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased, while soluble protein and proline contents increased and then decreased during three-week drought treatment. 3) Under drought stress, the Na+ content in root, stem and leaf of Q.variabilis seedlings declined, whereas the content of K+ changed little; Zn2+ concentration decreased in root and stem, but increased in leaf. 4) After rewatering, activities of the antioxidant enzymes recovered to the control level; but MDA content decreased, with MDA content under severe drought stress was significantly higher than that of control. The content of soluble protein and proline decreased, showing no significant difference with control. Mineral elements in different plant organs also recovered to the control level. Thus, the Q.variabilis seedlings reduced aboveground growth and increased the belowground growth to adapt to drought stress. In addition, under light and moderate drought stresses, the Q.variabilis seedlings protected their leaves from damage through increased activities of antioxidant enzymes and osmotic regulation. With the aggravation of drought stress (duration and stress degree), activities of antioxidant enzymes, contents of soluble protein and proline decreased. After rewatering, physiological parameters of Q.variabilis recovered, indicating that Q.variabilis seedlings have a strong tolerance to adapt to drought stress.

Key words: Quercus variabilis, drought stress, rewatering, protective enzyme, growth, biennial Quercus variabilis seedlings

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