Physiological effects of different stubble height and freeze-thaw stress on Secale cereale L. seedlings

Abstract Background As a biennial plant, Secale cereale L is usually harvested in the autumn northern part of China where temperature difference between day and night great disparity Through pot experiment, seedlings were cut to 2, 6 10 cm stubble height, simulated freeze-thaw (FT) stress (10/− 5 °C) was carried out after days regrowth. The physiological effects FT with different height revealed by analyzing relative water content (RWC), osmotic adjustment substance concentration (soluble sugar protein), membrane peroxidation (MDA) catalase (CAT) activity. Results results demonstrated that under freeze (− °C), soluble protein MDA decreased 2 treatment kept higher level MDA, while treatments RWC, content, CAT After stress, protein, RWC than those treatments, activity highest lower. Conclusion These data suggest keeping high more adaptive for short-term stress.