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Reactive Oxygen Species and Relative Enzyme Activities in the Development of Aerial Roots of Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa)

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Abstract

Although previous research has indicated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate cell extension and tissue ontogenesis, the functions of ROS in aerial roots have not been previously studied. This research evaluated ROS production and dissipation in aerial roots of Chinese banyan (Ficus microcarpa). Aerial root segments (4 cm long) were cut from trees and divided into developmental zones 1, 2, and 3 (0–5, 5–15, and 15–25 mm from root tip, respectively). According to histochemical and biochemical determinations, production of the superoxide radical (O ·–2 ), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and the hydroxyl radical (·OH) decreased from zone 1 to zone 3. The detected ROS increased with the application of exogenous stimulators of ROS generation and decreased with the application of exogenous inhibitors of ROS generation. Based on protein content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased but peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities decreased from zone 1 to zone 3, whereas based on root segment fresh weight, SOD and CAT activities did not differ among the zones but POD activity decreased from zone 1 to 3. We conclude that ROS are generated mainly in the rapidly developing zones of aerial roots and suggest that NADPH oxidase, POD, and SOD control ROS generation. POD activity and the hydroxyl cycle seem particularly important in ROS generation in aerial roots.

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Acknowledgments

The current study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31270013). The authors are grateful to Prof. Bruce Jaffee for technical editing on an earlier version of the manuscript. The authors are also thankful for the comments and suggestions from two anonymous reviewers and the reviewing editor on an early version of this manuscript.

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  1. Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 723 Xingke Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510650, Guangdong, China

    Nan Liu & Zhifang Lin

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  1. Nan Liu
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  2. Zhifang Lin
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Correspondence to Zhifang Lin.

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Liu, N., Lin, Z. Reactive Oxygen Species and Relative Enzyme Activities in the Development of Aerial Roots of Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa). J Plant Growth Regul 33, 160–168 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-013-9358-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-013-9358-0

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