title: The role of calcium in improving photosynthesis and related physiological and biochemical attributes of spring wheat subjected to simulated acid rain.
abstract: The response of photosynthesis parameters, catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity, malondialdehyde, proline, chlorophyll, yield and yield components to foliar application of calcium and simulated acid rain in wheat were investigated. Foliar treatment of calcium led to significant increases in the photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, proline, chlorophyll, yield and yield components in plants subjected to acid rain. Antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation in the wheat leaves decreased because of calcium foliar application. Calcium hindered degradation of the rubisco subunits under acid rain treatment compared with water-treated plants. Results suggest that acid rain induces the production of free radicals resulting in lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane so that significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activity was observed. In addition, photosynthetic parameters i.e. photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were drastically suppressed by acid rain. The cellular damage caused by free radicals might be reduced or prevented by a protective metabolism including antioxidative enzymes and calcium. We report that foliar application of calcium before acid rain may ameliorate the adverse effects of acid rain in wheat plants.
authors.affiliation: Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Jallal-Al-Ahmad Highway, Nasr Bridge, Tehran, Iran Zip code: 1411713116 P.O. Box: 14115-336.
authors.forename: Aria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dolatabadian
authors.affiliation: Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Jallal-Al-Ahmad Highway, Nasr Bridge, Tehran, Iran Zip code: 1411713116 P.O. Box: 14115-336.
authors.forename: Seyed Ali Mohammad Modarres
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sanavy
authors.affiliation: Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Jallal-Al-Ahmad Highway, Nasr Bridge, Tehran, Iran Zip code: 1411713116 P.O. Box: 14115-336.
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gholamhoseini
authors.affiliation: Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Jallal-Al-Ahmad Highway, Nasr Bridge, Tehran, Iran Zip code: 1411713116 P.O. Box: 14115-336.
authors.forename: Aydin Khodaei
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Joghan
authors.affiliation: Agronomy and Plant Breeding Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Majdi
authors.affiliation: Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Arman Beyraghdar
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Kashkooli
keywords: Acid rain; Antioxidant enzymes; Calcium; Protein pattern; Wheat