Physiological response of Dendrathema indicum seedlings to nature drought stress

Abstract： A pot experiment was conducted to study physiological response of Dendrathema indicum seedlings, collected in Benxi of Liaoning Province, to natural drought stress. The experiment included three treatments which were normal watering (Ⅰ, CK), rewatering after 10 days drought stress (Ⅱ) and 20 days drought stress without watering (Ⅲ). The results showed that contents of soluble protein (osmotic adjustment substances) in Ⅱ and Ⅲ were lower than that of CK treatment during the initial processing, but later they were up and closed to the CK gradually. However, change of soluble sugar contents was opposite compared with the soluble protein contents. At early stage, soluble sugar contents raised sharply, but then they began to decline. The relative conductivity and MDA contents were higher than those of CK during the processing; but the contents in Ⅱ were close to the CK along with the progress of drought stress. Trends of antioxidant enzyme levels were more consistent; and increased and then decreased, but increased again finally. This paper argues that this change is a plant selfprotection mechanism at beginning, the late rise in antioxidant enzyme levels may be a plant and environment adaptability. In summary, D. indicum seedlings have better endurance capacity, resilience and adaptive capacity. It has good drought resistance and is a potential landscape plant material.