Petru CUZA
Department of Geosciences and Forestry, Moldova State University,
MD 2009, Chisinau – Republic of Moldova
https://doi.org/10.47743/jpd.2024.31.1.948
Keywords: Quercus robur L., Q. petraea
Lielb., Q. pubescens Willd., leaves, thermal shock, recovery,
adaptation, thermotolerance.
Abstract: The total activity of antioxidant substances,
oxidases, and catalases was evaluated in the leaves of three oak
species – pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.), sessile
oak (Q. petraea Liebl.), and downy oak (Q. pubescens
Willd.) from the Republic of Moldova, subjected to thermal shock
at 50 °C for durations of 20, 40, and 60 minutes. The study
aimed to identify variations as well as common and divergent responses
of these species according to ecological zone, thermal shock duration,
and recovery period, in order to assess their thermotolerance
and specific adaptations to environmental conditions. The results
showed that during the recovery period, leaves of pedunculate
oak and downy oak from the center and southern regions, as well
as sessile oak from the center region, exhibited high total antioxidant
activity. Additionally, pedunculate oak and sessile oak from the
center and southern regions displayed increased oxidase activity,
while sessile oak from the center region demonstrated high catalase
activity, indicating the activation of adaptive processes to thermal
shock. Conversely, pedunculate oak and sessile oak from the northern
region exhibited a decrease in total antioxidant and oxidase activity
during the recovery period, suggesting an increase in leaf thermotolerance.
Moreover, the downy oak from the northern region demonstrated
an increase in thermotolerance, reflected in the activity of all
types of antioxidant substances after extended recovery periods.
The study demonstrated that the investigated oak species enhance
their thermotolerance in the northern region by developing specific
adaptive strategies to thermal shock. These oak species adjust
their antioxidant and enzymatic activity in accordance with the
specific environmental conditions of the ecological zone in which
they grow.
How to cite this article:
CUZA P. 2024. Evaluation of antioxidant activity in oak leaves
from the Republic of Moldova exposed to heat stress. J. Plant
Develop. 31: 37-52
https://doi.org/10.47743/jpd.2024.31.1.948
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