Effect of Drought Stress on Morphology and Physiological Properties of Cercis chingii

In March 2015, 1-year Cercis chingii seedlings were potted at greenhouse in Changsha, Hunan province. From August 26th of the same year, drought stress was conducted on potted seedlings by water control to study morphology and physiological properties. The result demonstrated that with duration of drought stress, leaves and twigs were gradually wilting and withering. The contents of soluble sugar, soluble protein, malondialdehyde and the antioxidant enzyme activities in leaves of tested seedlings increased until the 15th days of drought stress. CAT, POD, and SOD reached peaks until the 20th day of drought stress, and then declined. While the relative permeability of the plasma membrane continued to increase with the duration of drought stress. The experiment resulted that C. chingii had potential to drought stress.