Abstract
To study the oxidative stress and antioxidative response of Cinnamomum camphora seedlings exposed to nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) fumigation. Measurements were made up of the growth, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, antioxidant system and lipid peroxidation of one-year-old C. camphora seedlings exposed to NO(2) (0.1, 0.5, and 4 microl/L) fumigation in open top chambers over a period of 60 d. After the first 30 d, 0.5 and 4.0 microl/L NO(2) showed insignificant effects on the growth of C. camphora seedlings. However, exposure to 0.5 and 4.0 microl/L NO(2) for 15 d significantly reduced their chlorophyll content (P<0.05), enhanced their malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (P<0.05), and also significantly reduced the maximal quantum yield of PSII in the dark [the ratio of variable fluorescence to maximal fluorescence (F(v)/F(m))] (P<0.05). In the latter 30 d, 0.5 microl/L NO(2) showed a positive effect on the vitality of the seedlings, which was reflected by a recovery in the ratio of F(v)/F(m) and chlorophyll content, and obviously enhanced growth, SOD activity, ascorbate (AsA) content and glutathione reductase (GR) activity (P<0.05); 4.0 microl/L NO(2) then showed a negative effect, indicated by significant reductions in chlorophyll content and the ratio of F(v)/F(m), and inhibited growth (P<0.05). The results suggest adaptation of C. camphora seedlings to 60-d exposure to 0.1 and 0.5 microl/L NO(2), but not to 60-d exposure to 4.0 microl/L NO(2). C. camphora seedlings may protect themselves from injury by strengthening their antioxidant system in response to NO(2)-induced oxidative stress.
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