水保所知识产出(1956---)知识库

Zinc (Zn) is involved in plant growth and stress resistance and is known to increase crop yield. Here, we
investigated the effect of Zn on water absorption in the roots of maize (Zea mays L.), a crop which is sensitive to
Zn deficiency, during water stress conditions. Seedlings of the maize variety “Zhengdan 958” were cultivated
with 0.1 or 6 μ M ZnSO 4 ⋅7H 2 O. To simulate drought stress, three-week-old seedlings were exposed to 15%
polyethylene glycol (PEG). Root growth parameters, root antioxidant enzyme activity, root hydraulic conduc-
tivity, root aquaporin gene expression, root and leaf anatomy structure, leaf water potential, chlorophyll content,
leaf area, and gas exchange parameters were measured. Under water stress, moderate Zn treatment promoted
root growth; maintained root and leaf anatomy structural integrity. Moderate Zn significantly increased roots
hydraulic conductivity (51%) and decreased roots antioxidant enzyme activity (POD: −11.1%, CAT: −35.1%,
SOD: −3.1%) compared with low-level Zn under water stress. The expression of ZmPIP1;1, ZmPIP1;2, and
ZmPIP2;2 was significantly higher with moderate Zn treatment than that of low-level Zn treatment. The leaf
water potential, chlorophyll content, leaf area, and gas exchange parameters with moderate Zn treatment
increased significantly under water stress compared with low-level Zn treatment. The moderate concentration of
Zn improved root hydraulic conductivity in maize and increased resistance to simulated drought conditions by
maintaining root structural integrity, decreasing antioxidant enzyme activity, and increasing aquaporin gene
expression. Moderate Zn application increased root water absorption and leaf transpiration, thereby maintaining
maize water balance under water stress conditions.