Effects on Antioxidant Enzymes, Lipid Peroxidation and Photosynthetic of Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) under Water Stress

The SOD, POD, and CAT activities; MDA content; and photosynthetic parameters of burdock (Arctium lappa L.) seedlings from Japan and from Sichuan, Jiangsu, Jilin, and Shandong, China were evaluated to examine their effects on the physiological response of burdock to drought and waterlogging stresses. Polyethylene glycol (20%) stress for 6 days and flooding for 3 days were used to induce drought and waterlogging stresses, respectively. The results showed that the SOD activities of Sichuan burdock are remarkably higher than those of the other four populations. Sichuan burdock has the lowest MDA content, the highest net photosynthetic rate and the best photosynthetic capacity. According to principal component analysis, Sichuan burdock ranks first among these materials for resilience to waterlogging and drought. Therefore, Sichuan burdock is an excellent germplasm resource with drought resistance and waterlogging tolerance abilities.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the physiological response of burdock plants from different regions to drought and waterlogging stresses. Results showed that burdock plants from Sichuan displayed excellent resistance to waterlogging and drought, making them a valuable germplasm resource.