The Effects of Sudden Freezing on the Biochemical Status of Bamboo Leaves: A Case Study on Nine Species on a Subtropical Plateau

Abstract

The differences in the response of the leaves of different bamboo types to sudden snowfalls in winter were analyzed in order to provide scientific references for the introduction and cultivation of cold-resistant bamboo species and to provide new theoretical information on bamboo afforestation and disaster reduction. A total of nine bamboo species were selected to analyze the physiological and chemical changes in the leaves caused by a sudden snowfall. The results showed that sudden snowfall in winter led to a decrease in the moisture, soluble sugar, and starch contents in the leaves of all of the bamboo species analyzed, but there were increases in the contents of proline, MDA, and H2O2 and in the ratios of AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG. Both the enzymatic activities (SOD, POD, CAT, APX, DHAR, GPX, and GR) and non-enzymatic antioxidant contents (AsA and GSH) were increased after the snowfall, which indicated that the sudden snowfall caused an increase in the antioxidant abilities in the leaves of all bamboo species analyzed. Different bamboo species adopted different strategies for resisting the freezing damage caused by the sudden snowfall. The prevention and mitigation of snow disasters in winter can be scientifically carried out in bamboo forests according to their tolerance abilities.