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. 2011 Feb;6(2):270-7.
doi: 10.4161/psb.6.2.14633. Epub 2011 Feb 1.

Effect of drought and rewatering on the cellular status and antioxidant response of Medicago truncatula plants

Panagiota Filippou  1 , Chrystalla Antoniou, Vasileios Fotopoulos
Affiliations

Effect of drought and rewatering on the cellular status and antioxidant response of Medicago truncatula plants

Panagiota Filippou et al. Plant Signal Behav. 2011 Feb.

Abstract

Effects of water stress on plants have been well-documented. However, the combined responses to drought and rewatering and their underlying mechanisms are relatively unknown. The present study attempts to describe spatiotemporal alterations in the physiology and cellular status of Medicago truncatula tissues that result from and subsequently follow a period of moderate water deficit. Physiological processes and cellular damage levels were monitored in roots and leaves by determining lipid peroxidation levels, as well as nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide content, further supported by stomatal conductance and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements in leaves. During water stress, cells in both organs displayed increased damage levels and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species content, while leaves showed reduced stomatal conductance. Furthermore, both tissues demonstrated increased proline content. Upon rewatering, plants recovered displaying readings similar to pre-stress control conditions. Furthermore, molecular analysis of antioxidant gene expression by quantitative real-time RT-PCR revealed differential spatiotemporal regulation in a number of genes examined (including catalase, cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase, copper/zinc and iron superoxide dismutase and alternative oxidase). Overall, M. truncatula plants demonstrated increased sensitivity to drought-induced oxidative damage; however, this was reversed following rewatering indicating a great elasticity in the plant's capacity to cope with free oxygen radicals.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effect of drought and rewatering on Jemalong A17 M. truncatula plants. (A) Healthy, control plant. (B) Plant 11 d after drought imposition and (C) plant rewatered for 2 d after 9 d drought.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Physiological effects of drought and rewatering on Jemalong A17 M. truncatula plants. (A) leaf stomatal conductance, (B) chlorophyll fluorescence representing maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) (Fv/Fm). Data denoted with different letter are statistically different according to Tukey's pairwise comparison test (p < 0.05). X axis guide: 0 day, control; 3 day, 3 days after drought imposition; 9 day, 9 days after drought imposition; 11 day, 11 days after drought imposition; 11 day (rewater), 9 days after drought imposition + 2 days of rewatering.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Cellular damage and reactive oxygen-nitrogen species content in Jemalong A17 M. truncatula tissues following drought and rewatering. (A and B) MDA content in leaves and roots respectively, (C and D) H2O2 content in leaves and roots respectively, (E and F) NO content in leaves and roots respectively. Data denoted with different letter are statistically different according to Tukey's pairwise comparison test (p < 0.05). X axis guide: 0 day, control; 3 day, 3 days after drought imposition; 9 day, 9 days after drought imposition; 11 day, 11 days after drought imposition; 11 day (rewater), 9 days after drought imposition + 2 days of rewatering.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effects of drought and rewatering on free proline content in Jemalong A17 M. truncatula plants. (A) proline content in leaves, (B) proline content in roots. Data denoted with different letter are statistically different according to Tukey's pairwise comparison test (p < 0.05). X axis guide: 0 day, control; 3 day, 3 days after drought imposition; 9 day, 9 days after drought imposition; 11 day, 11 days after drought imposition; 11 day (rewater), 9 days after drought imposition + 2 days of rewatering.
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