[Response of reactive oxygen metabolism in melon chloroplasts to short-term salinity-alkalinity stress regulated by exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid].

The regulatory effect of exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in melon chloroplasts under short-term salinity-alkalinity stress were investigated in melon variety 'Jinhui No. 1', which was cultured with deep flow hydroponics. The result showed that under salinity-alkalinity stress, the photosynthetic pigment content, MDA content, superoxide anion (O2·) production rate and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content in chloroplast increased significantly, the contents of antioxidants ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) increased, and the activities of H⁺-ATPase and H⁺-PPiase were inhibited obviously. With exogenous GABA application, the accumulations of O2·, MDA and H2O2 induced by salinity-alkalinity stress were inhibited. Exogenous GABA alleviated the increase of photosynthetic pigment content, improved the activity of SOD, enzymes of AsA-GSH cycle, total AsA and total GSH while decreased the AsA/DHA ratio and GSH/GSSH ratio. Foliar GABA could enhance the H⁺-ATPase and H⁺-PPiase activities. Our results suggested that the exogenous GABA could accelerate the ROS metabolism in chloroplast, promote the recycle of AsA-GSH, and maintain the permeability of cell membrane to improve the ability of melon chloroplast against salinity-alkalinity stress.

[Effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid on photosynthetic characteristics of tomato seedlings under NaCl stress].

In this research, the possibility of exogenous application of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on photosynthetic characteristics of tomato seedlings under NaCl stress was investigated. Five leaves seedlings of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Jinpeng No. 1) were used as starting materials, applied with 50 mg · L(-1) ALA by foliage spray or 10 mg · L(-1) ALA by root soaking to study the changes in their photosynthesis and fluorescence parameters under 100 mmol · L(-1) NaCl. The result showed that, photosynthetic gas exchange parameters (net photosynthetic rate P,, stomata conductance g(s), intercellular CO2 concentration Ci, transpiration Tr) and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv'/Fm', Fm', ΦPS II, ETR, qP, Pc) were severely reduced under NaCl treatment and ALA application by foliage spray or root soaking with proper concentrations exerted positive influences on tomato seedlings under salt stress, while there were some differences between foliage spray and root soaking in the influence on chlorophyll content, photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence. Both foliage spray with 50 mg · L(-1) ALA and root soaking with 10 mg L(-1) ALA significantly increased Pn, Ci, g(s) and Tr of tomato seedlings under NaCl stress, alleviated photosynthetic inhibition. Root application of ALA had a better effect on the chlorophyll content than foliage application. However, the photosynthetic parameters showed that foliage application of ALA had a better effect than root application, and both treatments had no difference in the influence on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of tomato seedlings. It could be deduced that the regulating effect of ALA on enhancing salt tolerance of tomato seedlings is attributed to its effect on improving chlorophyll biosynthesis and metabolism, increasing stomatal conductance and reducing stomatal limitation, thus, enhancing the photosynthetic capacity and PS II photochemical efficiency of tomato leaves under NaCl stress.