Responses of rice seed germination to acid rain stress
In order to understand the response mechanism of rice (Oryza sativa) seed germination to acid rain, the germination percentage, germination energy, inhibition index of shoot (root), water absorption rate, respiration rate, storage reserve transform (loss) rate, the content of
malonydialdehyde, and the activities of peroxidase and catalase were investigated during seed germination of rice exposed to the simulated acid rain at pH 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 5.0, respectively. Results indicated that the seed germination of rice was not changed by acid rain at pH 4.0
and 5.0. However, the seed germination of rice exposed to acid rain at pH 2.0-3.5 was decreased comparing with that of rice exposed to the solution without acid rain, and especially the seed germination was completely inhibited by acid rain at pH 2.0 and 2.5. Moreover, the absorbing water
rate, respiration rate and storage reserve transform (loss) rate of rice seeds exposed to acid rain at pH 2.0-3.5 were decreased comparing with that of rice exposed to the solution without acid rain. Finally, the activities of peroxidase and catalase were inhibited by acid rain at pH 2.0 and
2.5, and took part in removing free radicals at pH 3.5 and 4.0. Meanwhile, the content of malonydialdehyde in rice exposed to acid rain at pH 2.0-3.5 were increased comparing with that of rice exposed to the solution without acid rain. These results indicated that the antioxidative enzymes
could remove the free radicals induced by acid rain, but the lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane still occurred, leading to the damage in the physiological processes and then the inhibition in the seed germination of rice. It was a possible response mechanism of seed germination to acid
rain.
Document Type: Research Article
Publication date: 01 April 2010
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