›› 2011, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (1): 139-145.

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of Drought Stress on Physiological and Biochemical Properties of Amorpha fruticosa Seedlings

YAN Shu-yun, ZHOU Zhi-yu, ZOU Li-na, QIN Yu   

  1. College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
  • Received:2009-12-16 Revised:2010-08-13 Online:2011-02-25 Published:2011-09-06

Abstract: In recent years, precipitation has reduced and groundwater has been seriously pumped. Drought trend has become as a global focus. Relevant research, such as the adaptive mechanism and drought resistance of plants to drought habitats, has become as one of the important issues of plant physiological ecology. Amorpha fruticosa is an easily-bred perennial deciduous legume shrub with its strong adaptability to drought stress. Objective of this study is to research the physiological, ecological and adaptive properties of A. fruticosa seedlings under drought stress so as to provide the theory and reference for its utilization and popularization in arid and semiarid areas. Effect of drought stress on physiological and biochemical properties of A. fruticosa were studied with potted seedlings. The changes of net photosynthesis rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs), osmotic adjustment, protective enzymes, chlorophyll content, and water status were investigated. Results show that water saturation deficit (WSD), plasma membrane permeability and MDA content of A. fruticosa were increased with the increase of drought stress, while Pn, Tr and Gs were decreased. However, water use efficiency (WUE), SOD activity and contents of K, soluble sugar and free proline (Pro) were increased evidently. Soluble sugar and Pro played an important role in osmotic adjustment. Contents of chlorophyll a (Chla), chlorophyll b (Chlb), total chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid (Car) pigment were also increased with the decrease of soil moisture content. Moreover, the change of Chla/Chlb ratio was not so remarkable with the increase of drought stress intensity. A physiological injury of A. fruticosa occurred under the drought stress. Drought stress on physiological and biochemical properties of A. fruticosa seedlings was different to a certian extent. Generally speaking, the higher the drought stress intensity is, the more distinct the index change will be. Results in this study show that Tr, WUE, contents of Pro, soluble sugar and K as well as SOD and POD activity are the objective reflection of the adaptive mechanism of A. fruticosa seedlings to drought habitats and could be used as the identification indexes of its drought resistance. These results reveal that A. fruticosa seedlings increase their drought resistance by changing their physiological properties and have a certain resistance to drought stress. Adaptation of A. fruticosa seedlings could provide the theory and reference for its utilization and popularization in arid and semiarid areas.

Key words: Amorpha fruticosa, drought stress, soil moisture, drought tolerance

CLC Number: 

  • Q945