Studies on the growth and antioxidative enzyme activities of cucumber seedlings grown under low light and low temperature indicated that exposure of cucumber plants to low light at normal temperature and chilling under low light resulted in a retardation and a complete inhibition of plant growth, respectively, and their root vigor was also decreased. Chilling under low light increased the activities of SOD and GPOD, showing more significant effects at 7 degrees C than at 12 degrees C. The activities of these enzymes returned to normal after 5 days of recovery under normal conditions. Low light at normal temperature didn't affect SOD activity, which was increased when the plants were returned to normal growth conditions. GPOD activities increased markedly after 5 days of low light treatment and decreased during recovery. In addition, the content of MDA was increased during chilling and low light treatment.