Physiological and Biochemical Responses of 10 New Varieties of Elaeis guineensis to Low Temperature Stress

Half-year-old seedlings of 10 new varieties of Elaeis guineensis Jacg (RYL31-RYL40) were studied under low temperature stress conditions in order to evaluate their physiological and biochemical characteristics. With the increase of intensity of low temperature stress, chlorophyll content showed an increased-decreased-increased change trend; proline and soluble protein showed an increased-decreased trend; soluble sugar contents were closely related to the temperature, increasing with the intensity of low temperature stress; MDA content and relative conductivity of the varieties first decreased and then increased, however, RYL37, RYL38 and RYL39 presented continuous decrease trend. The different physiological indexes exhibited different reactions to the temperature; mild hypothermia could enhance the plant defense function, while high strength (low temperature) could disturb the defense function of the plants.