Effects of molybdenum on antioxidative defense system and membrane lipid peroxidation in winter wheat under low temperature stress.

Effects of molybdenum (Mo) on antioxidative defense system and membrane lipid peroxidation in leaves of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum H. var. Huamai 8) were investigated under low temperature stress. Results of experiments indicate that Mo application in winter wheat induced a dramatic decrease in electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde content under low temperature stress. The activities of antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1), peroxidase (POX, EC 1.11.1.7) and catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) were increased by Mo application and the extents of increase at low temperature were higher than those at normal temperature. Mo application also caused a significant increase in the ascorbic acid (AsA) and proline contents both at normal and low temperature and following the low temperature stress the increases in ascorbic acid and proline contents in Mo-treated winter wheat were higher. There was no significant difference in carotenoid (CAR) content between with and without Mo treatment under normal temperature, while there was a significant increase in Mo treatment under low temperature stress. It could be speculated that Mo application enhanced cold resistance by increasing the capacity to scavenge active oxygen species and alleviating membrane damage in winter wheat under low temperature stress.