Seed Germination and Physiological Characteristics of Amaranthus mangostanus L. under Drought Stress

摘要

Effects of drought stress on the seed germination and physiological characteristics of amaranth were investigated. The results were as follows: the germination rate and germination potential of amaranth decreased with the increasing of PEG-6000 concentrations. Meanwhile, the root length, shoot length and peroxidase (POD) activity were significantly increased at lower PEG-6000 concentrations, but then decreased with the increasing of PEG-6000. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content, proline content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were all significantly increased under drought stress, and reached the top at 20％ PEG-6000. These findings indicated that amaranth tolerates drought stress through increasing the activities of SOD and POD and accumulating proline content.