Physiological Response of Dodonaea viscosa Seedlings Treated with Light and Water

Abstract:

In order to explore the adaptability of Dodonaea viscosa in coral sand environment, three light treatments, such as full light (FL), shade (HL) and dark (NL), and three water gradients, including normal water control (WW), moderate stress (MS) and severe stress (SS) were set up. The changes in physiological indexes of stress resistance of D. viscosa seedlings under both light and water treatment were studied. The results showed that light, water and their interaction had significant effects on contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), proline (PRO) and soluble protein (SP), and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) (P<0.05). The MDA content remaintained at a low level in HL and NL. SOD activity increased with the increase of dark degree. POD activity is the highest under FL×WW condition. With the decrease of light intensity, CAT activity increased gradually. The content of SP was the highest under HL and SS, and the content of Pro was the highest under HL and MS. Therefore, light and water had an interactive effects on the growth of D. viscosa seedlings. In the practice of ecological restoration in special habitats, appropriate shade and water would be helpful to the growth of D. viscosa seedlings.

Key words:Water;Light;Dodonaea viscosa;Physiological response