Changes in Several Physiological and Biochemical Indices of Maize Seedling Roots Caused by Drought Stress

The changes in several physiological and biochemical indices of seedling roots of new maize variety Qingnong 8 were studied under the simulated drought condition with 18% PEG-6000 and water shortage. The results showed that under drought conditions,the contents of soluble protein and malonialdehy( MDA) and the activities of superoxide dismutase( SOD) and peroxidase( POD) in roots of maize seedlings significantly increased,and the increasing amplitude reduced after water shortage for 96 h. The re-watering treatment results after 48 h water shortage showed that the SOD and POD activities and the MDA content could recover to normal level,and the soluble protein content was lower than normal content. This study showed that the maize seedlings of Qingnong 8 suffered drought injury could grow normally after re-watering treatment.