Antioxidant enzymes activities in leaves and yield analysis of different ecological types watermelon under drought stress
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DOI:10.7606/j.issn.1000-7601.2017.03.22
Key Words: watermelon  drought stress  antioxidant enzymes  fruit shape yield  gravel-mulched field
Author NameAffiliation
ZHANG Hua-sheng Vegetable Research Ibstitute of Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China 
YANG Yong-gang Vegetable Research Ibstitute of Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China 
SU Yong-quan Vegetable Research Ibstitute of Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China 
LI Xiao-fang Vegetable Research Ibstitute of Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China 
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Abstract:
      The aim of this experiment was to study the relationship between yield and antioxidant enzyme activity in leaves of different ecological types of watermelon during flowering period. Eleven watermelon varieties with different ecotypes were grew in gravel-mulched field (water shortage) and normal water supply condition, the malondialdehyde (MDA), proline content and antioxidant enzymes activity such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) in leaves were measured. The results showed that there existed marked drought stress in gravel-mulched field, yields of all types of watermelon were decreased, being 18.6%~35.3% and 59.7%~67.8% in large fruit size and small fruit size, respectively, suggesting that large fruit size possessed stronger drought resistance than that of small one. In addition, there were significant differences among varieties. Under drought stress, MDA, proline content, as well as SOD, POD, CAT activity in leaves were increased, indicating that watermelon was sensitive to drought. Moreover, the response of watermelon to drought were variety dependent. The content of proline, activity of SOD, POD, CAT in large fruit size varieties in creased by 83.2%~121.4%, 55.2%~75.3%, 118.1%~204.4%, 52.0%~86.6%, respectively, the range was greater than that of small fruit size varieties, meanwhile, the content of MDA increased by 13.4%~39.8%, the range was smaller than that of small fruit size. Taking fruit yield and physiological response into consideration, we argued that all ecotypes of watermelons gained a certain yield level under gravel-mulched conditions, and large fruit watermelon had a stronger drought resistance than small fruit did. Zhongqing 9, NWU-13, Longkang 9, Longkang 11, JY12 and Jinkang 5 had stronger drought resistance, which may be suitable for gravel-mulched field.