Effect of hydrogen peroxide on seedling growth and antioxidants in two wheat cultivars

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate seed germination, seedling growth, and antioxidative responses in two wheat cultivars, Ningchun and Xihan, exposed to different H2O2 concentrations. Ningchun exhibited higher germination rate but lower root and shoot growth than Xihan when exposed to H2O2 treatment. Assays using fluorescent dye H2DCFDA and propidium iodide showed a significantly enhanced H2O2 content and a cell elongation inhibition in H2O2-treated roots. The malondialdehyde content was elevated with increasing exogenous H2O2 concentration. Moreover, treatments of seedlings with H2O2 scavenger, catalase (CAT), and antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene, partly abolished H2O2-induced negative effect on root growth. In both untreated and H2O2-treated leaves, SOD activity in Ningchun was higher than that in Xihan, but POD and APX activities in Ningchun were lower than those in Xihan, leading to elevated H2O2 level in Ningchun leaves but decreased H2O2 content in Xihan ones under H2O2 treatment.

Keywords

• ascorbate peroxidase
• catalase
• glutathione reductase
• triticum aestivum
• superoxide dismutase