A solution culture experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of phosphorus deficiency on active oxygen metabolism and antioxidant enzyme activity in rice seedlings,so as to explore the relationship between protective enzyme activity and active oxygen metabolism.Results:1) The total root length and active oxygen content both in Hong liangyou-166 and Ⅱ you-3027 increased under phosphorus deficiency.2) The superoxide dismutase (SOD),peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activity in roots of Hong liangyou-166 continued to increase,and reached the maximum for 48 h.The SOD activity in roots of Ⅱ you-3027 reached the maximum after phosphorus deficiency treatment for 48 h,POD and CAT activity reached the maximum for 24 h.The results suggested that phosphorus deficiency promoted the root growth and induced the oxidative stress,and the increase of antioxidant enzyme activity was in accordance with defense response to phosphorus deficiency.