Physiological Responses of Dendrobium officinale under Exposure to Cold Stress with Two Cultivars

This study aimed to explore the cold tolerance of two cultivars of Dendrobium officinale (MG1, MG2) grown in different regions of China. Under -2 degrees C incubation, cultivar MG1 remained active after 3 d, and continued to grow after returning to room temperature. However, MG2 could only maintain its activity after 2 d treatment at -2 degrees C, and the seedlings died with the low temperature treatment time. Investigation of the characteristics of the plants grown in the south (Hangzhou) or north (Zhengzhou) of China indicated that the leaves of MG1 also had reduced stomatal density, the highest thickness, and a compact microstructure. The contents of proline and soluble sugars were higher in MG1 than those in MG2. The cultivar MG1 had higher SOD enzyme activity than MG2, while CAT and POD activities in samples from Zhengzhou were higher than those from Hangzhou. The contents of polysaccharides and alkaloids in stems of in MG1 were higher than those in MG2, while the content of flavonoids in the Zhengzhou samples was higher than that in the Hangzhou samples. In addition, plant heights, stem diameters, and chlorophyll content were higher in MG1. Overall, MG1 had better cold resistance than MG2. MG1 is a cold tolerant cultivar with thick leaves and reduced stomatal density, higher contents of soluble sugars, proline, CAT, POD, polysaccharides, flavonoids and alkaloids, which together make it more adaptable to low temperatures. Thus, the cultivar MG1, with its demonstrated cold tolerance, can accordingly be grown on a large scale in cold regions, thereby expanding the available planting area for this important traditional medicinal plant to meet the increasing commercial demand for it.