Authors : L. Pourabdal , R. Heidary and T. Farboodnia
Abstract: Flooding results in major changes in the soil environment. The slow diffusion rate of gases in water limits the oxygen supply; which affects aerobic root respiration as well as many (bio) geochemical processes in the soil. Production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and induction of oxidative stress in plant tissues are some of the other effects of flooding. Malondealdehyde (MDA) production is the indicator of lipid peroxidation reactions. A significant increase in MDA in plants which were flooded probably is the indication of fatty acid oxidation in the present of free radicals generated by flooding. In this research, seeds of zea mays were sown in pots filled with vermiculate and then the pots were transferred to a controlled growth room with photoperiod of 16/8h light/dark and temperature 27/23 day/night. After 24 h, the seedlings were flooded for 4, 7 and 10 days. After sampling MDA content as well as lipid peroxidation reaction, total protein content and activity including CAT, GPX and APX were measured, in those plants which were flooded total protein increased significantly. Flooded plants had a much higher MDA content than unflooded control plants. Antioxidant enzymes activity in flooded plants such as guaiacol peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase increased.
L. Pourabdal , R. Heidary and T. Farboodnia , 2008. The Effects of Flooding Stress on Induction of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Enzymes Activity in Zea mays L. Seedlings. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 3: 391-394.