The influence of low temperature on photosynthesis and antioxidant enzymes in sensitive banana and tolerant plantain (Musa sp.)cultivars 

 -  Photosynthetica, 49, p.201-208, 2008 .
<br/><br/> Low temperature (LT)is one of the major factors that limit crop production and reduce yield. To better understand the cold-tolerance mechanism in the plantains, a sensitive cultivar Williams (Musa acuminata AAA cv. Williams)and a tolerant cultivar Cachaco (Musa paradisiaca ABB cv. Dajiao)were used. LT resulted in increased malondialdehyde (MDA)content, elevated contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)and superoxide radical (O2   -), and decreased photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm)and net photosynthetic rate (PN), but cv. Cachaco showed better LT tolerance than cv. Williams. After LT treatment for 120 h, total scavenging capability (DPPH  scavenging capability)in Williams showed a significant decrease but no significant alternations was found in Cachaco. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX)and peroxidase (POD)displayed a significant increase but superoxide dismutase (SOD)showed no significant alternations and catalase (CAT)showed a significant decrease in Cachaco after 120 h of LT treatment. All the four antioxidant enzymes above showed a significant decrease in Williams after 120 h of LT treatment. Our results suggest that higher activities of APX, POD, SOD, and DPPH  scavenging capability to a certain extent can be used to explain the higher cold tolerance in the plantain, which would provide a theoretical guidance for bananas production and screening cold-resistant variety. 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME<br/>BANANA<br/>LOW TEMPERATURE<br/>PHOTOSYNTHESIS<br/>PLANTAIN