Changes in Osmotic Adjustment and Antioxidant Enzyme in Maize (<i>Zea mays L.</i>) Root Exposed to K Deficiency

Potassium (K) deficiency damaged membrane stability through irregular reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by K stress while osmotic adjustment and antioxidant capacities play an essential role in preventing plants from oxidative damages. To investigate the difference of osmoprotectants enzyme activities root, two representative maize varieties, 90-21-3 (K-tolerant) D937 (K-sensitive), were hydroponically cultivated under normal (+K) (-K) treatments Shenyang Agriculture University, China. The results showed that root accumulation, soluble protein decreased stress, but to shoot ratio, proline, free amino acid, sugar, for both genotypes increased. Compared with D937, was able swiftly accumulate more acid sugar when encountering deficiency. activity 90-21-3, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), significantly increased counter levels O2·- H2O2 stress. presented indicated regulator actively responded (K-tolerant maize) accumulated enhanced enzymes degrade ROS, alleviating