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Effects of brassinolide on drought resistance of Xanthoceras sorbifolia seedlings under water stress

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Abstract

We conducted pot experiments to investigate the effects of brassinolide on 1-year-old Xanthoceras sorbifolia B. seedlings. In the experiment, roots were soaked in 0–0.4 mg/l brassinolide. After the seedlings were established, the soil water content in the pots was regulated to simulate drought conditions and various physiological parameters were measured. The results showed that the treatment with 0.2 mg/l brassinolide decreased the malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage of seedlings growing under moderate or severe water stress when compared with untreated seedlings. Leaf water content, relative water content, soluble sugar content, soluble protein content, free proline content, ascorbic acid content, glutathione content and superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities were all greater in water-stressed seedlings in the 0.2 mg/l brassinolide treatment as compared to the control. The results indicate that the application of brassinolide can ameliorate the effects of water stress and enhance drought resistance of Xanthoceras sorbifolia seedlings.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by science and technology planning project of China (2006BAD03A02). Dr. J. Gale is thanked for reading the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Environment and Resources, Northwest A&F University, Taicheng Road No. 3, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China

    Kai Rong Li & C. H. Feng

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  1. Kai Rong Li
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  2. C. H. Feng
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Correspondence to Kai Rong Li.

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Communicated by S. Lewak.

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Li, K.R., Feng, C.H. Effects of brassinolide on drought resistance of Xanthoceras sorbifolia seedlings under water stress. Acta Physiol Plant 33, 1293–1300 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-010-0661-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-010-0661-0

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