Abstract:

       We investigated the influences of drought stress on the seed germination and seedling physiology of Malus robusta, which was simulated with different concentrations of PEG solution. Results show that the relative germination rate, germination potential, germination index and vigor index of the seeds processed with PEG decrease with the increase of stress intensity. SOD activity of the seedlings increases with the increase of PEG concentration, while POD activity demonstrates the opposite tendency. MDA and proline content increase with the increase of stress intensity. This indicates that higher PEG concentration cause worse damage to the seedlings of Malus robusta.

Key words: PEG stress, Malus robusta seed, germination, seedling physiology