Response of Rice Plants to Hydrogen Sulfide Stress: Physiological Mechanisms and Recovery Thresholds
摘要
Purpose: Rice roots are vital for nutrient uptake but can be damaged by H₂S in paddy fields. Plant responses to H2S stress have been partially studied, the threshold for recovery after stress relief remains unclear. Methods: We hypothesized a specific concentration of exogenous H2S would enable rice to recover from H2S toxicity and restore normal growth. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedings were treated with different concentrations (i.e., 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 mM) of H2S donor, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), and their responsive photosynthetic performance, osmoregulation, membrane lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activity were tested after stress period and recovery period. Results: The results indicated that after 7 days of NaHS exposure, high concentrations (1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 mM) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the chlorophyll content of rice leaves, while treatments with low NaHS concentrations (i.e., 0.1 mM and 0.5 mM) showed positive effects. Antioxidant enzymes were greatly activated by NaHS to scavenge excess superoxide anion. Plants exhibited a positive osmoregulatory response to enhance membrane stability. After 7 days of stress relief, most physiological stress response processes were reversible at NaHS concentrations below 3.0 mM, but the 3.0 mM treatment caused irreversible damage. Conclusions: Thus, it can be speculated that in a real rice field environment, the transient and limited generation of H2S is unlikely to exert a fatal influence on rice plant growth. Over time, it may return to a normal state and potentially exhibit compensatory growth.