Abstract: Waterlogging is one of the major stress factors limiting summer corn (Zea mays L.)production. This study was conducted to determine whether exogenous active oxygen scavengers ameliorated the detrimental effects of waterlogging on H₂O₂, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid (AsA),glutathione (GSH) contents, and O₂-production rate of corn plants grown in the greenhouse.Five scavengers, i. e. 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ), AsA, GSH, a-tocopherol (VitE) and sodium benzoate(SB), were sprayed on the leaves at the beginning of waterlogging treatment. The parameters mentioned above were measured at the 3rd and 5th day after the treatment. These scavengers obviously decreased O2-production rate and H2O2 content, significantly increased chlorophyll content and non-enzymatic antioxidants (AsA, GSH) concentrations. The profound effects of scavengers were found in the old leaf (2nd leaf) and at the later stage (5th day) of the treatment. The results suggested that scavengers can lessen corn waterlogging injury probably caused by oxyradicals. Ameliorative effects of exogenous active oxygen scavengers provided an evidence for alleviating waterlogging damage to corn plants through chemical application.

Key words: Corn, Waterlogging, Active oxygen, Active oxygen scavengers

CLC Number: 

• S513.05