Physiological Responses and Antioxidative Enzyme Activities in Pepper(Capsicum annuum) Seedlings under Low Temperature Stress

Physiological responses and activities of antioxidative enzymes were investigated in pepper(Capsicum annuum) seedlings subjected to low temperature stress. The seedlings were exposed to 7℃, 11℃, or 15℃ for 4 h during the early seedling stage of pepper plants. The results showed that plant height and chlorophyll content were unaffected by the treatments. Polyphenol content in seedlings exposed to 7℃ was higher than that at 11℃ and 15℃ for 2 h. After 3 h of treatment, the flavonoid content was higher in pepper seedlings exposed to 7℃ than 11℃ and 15℃, which was slightly higher than that detected in the control. The H2O2 content increased remarkably with increasing exposure time to low temperature(i.e., 7℃) as compared to that at 11℃ and 15℃. The levels of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), ascorbate peroxidase(APX), and peroxidase(POD) fluctuated. These results provide basic information that can be utilized to maintain efficient temperature in greenhouses for sustainable growth of pepper under severe low temperature conditions.