Responses of Camellia sinensis to drought and rehydration

Abstract

The effects of drought and rehydration on tea seedlings were significant. After five days of drought imposition the contents of chlorophylls, carotenoids, ascorbate and glutathione, and activities of guaiacol peroxidase and glutathione reductase decreased. Simultaneously, contents of proline, H 2O 2 and superoxide anion, lipid peroxidation and activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase increased. These parameters recovered to different degrees during subsequent rehydration.