Physiological Response of Kalanchoe tubiflora Leaves to Drought Stress and Rewatering

Abstract:

In order to understand the mechanism of drought tolerance in Kalanchoe tubiflora, some physiological and biochemical indexes in K. tubiflora leaves were determined under drought and rewatering conditions. The results showed that O₂^· production rate, and H₂O₂ and malonaldehyde ( MDA) content increased with prolonged droughts, and the contents of soluble sugar and proline, as well as SOD activity enhanced, while CAT activity reduced. All of these could restore to the level before drought under rewatering treatment. In conclusion, it was suggested that K. tubiflora tolerate drought stress by accumulation of osmoregulators, improving capacity of active oxygen scavenging, thus reducing the damage caused by oxidative stress.

Key words:Kalanchoe tubiflora;Drought;Antioxidant enzyme;Osmoregulation