Abstract
Water deficiency and low temperature are two important ecological factors which affect the distribution and cultivation of oil palm. To find out how oil palm adapts to the environmental conditions, the dynamics of a series of important physiological components derived from the leaves of potted oil palm seedlings under drought stress (DS) (water with holding) and low temperature stress (LTS) (10 degrees C) were studied. The results showed that low temperature and water stress inhibited the growth of oil palm seedlings. The relative conductivity, injury index, malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline content in the leaves increased to different degrees with the extension of low temperature and drought stress. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities increased and then decreased gradually with the duration of treatment time. The variations of the earlier mentioned parameters except proline content under low temperature stress were greater than that under drought stress. Thus, oil palm possibly showed different response mechanisms under low temperature and drought stress by mediations of these substances, in order to increase plant defense capability. These data provided the information that was utilized to initiate the breeding programme used to improve drought and cold tolerance in oil palm.
Highlights
Drought stress (DS) and low temperature stress (LTS) are among the important environmental factors that limit plant growth and productivity (Tommasini et al, 2008)
To find out how oil palm adapts to the environmental conditions, the dynamics of a series of important physiological components derived from the leaves of potted oil palm seedlings under drought stress (DS) and low temperature stress (LTS) (10°C) were studied
The seedling growth was stopped at the end of the experimental period in the low temperature stress
Summary
Drought stress (DS) and low temperature stress (LTS) are among the important environmental factors that limit plant growth and productivity (Tommasini et al, 2008). The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a plantation crop with major economic importance in South East Asia, Africa and South America, giving rise to a diverse range of commercial products ranging from margarine and cooking oils to animal feeds, soaps and detergents. It would be identified as green energy in the future. This paper seeks to further clarify the adoption and responding mechanism under low temperature and drought stress and provide valuable information for the introduction, drought and cold tolerance breeding of oil palm
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