Journal of Experimental Agriculture International

The present study aims to evaluate the antioxidant responses and cellular damage in 'América' Japanese Plum and 'GxN-9' peach rootstock plants under soil flooding stress. Two-year-old plants propagated by cuttings were transplanted to pots (4 L) and two months after planting; they were submitted to different flood periods (2; 4 and 6 days); each period being composed of two treatments; control (irrigated daily to field capacity) and water stress (soil flooding). After each stress period; cells damage was evaluated by measuring lipid peroxidation (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂); and the specific activity of the antioxidant enzymes Superoxide Dismutase (SOD); Catalase (CAT) and Ascorbate Peroxidase (APX) from 200 mg of leaf and root tissues. Under stressed conditions; an increase in the activity of the antioxidant enzymes and the levels of H₂O₂ and MDA in both cultivars and tissues were observed. Leaves showed the highest cellular damage when compared with roots; which suggests the higher activity of photosynthetic and photorespiratory metabolism. The values of MDA and H₂O₂ were lower in America when compared to GxN-9; indicating that the antioxidant system of the Japanese Plum cultivar is more efficient as compared to the peach rootstock under soil flood conditions.