Response of barley grains to the interactive e.ect of salinity and salicylic acid

Effect of grain soaking presowing in 1 mM salicylic acid (SA) and NaCl (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM) on barley (Hordeum vulgare cv Gerbel) was studied. Increasing of NaCl level reduced the germination percentage, the growth parameters (fresh and dry weight), potassium, calcium, phosphorus and insoluble sugars content in both shoots and roots of 15-day old seedlings. Leaf relative water content (RWC) and the photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, b and carotenoids) contents also decreased with increasing NaCl concentration. On the other hand, Na, soluble sugars, soluble proteins, free amino acids including proline content and lipid peroxidation level and peroxidase activity were increased in the two plant organs with increasing of NaCl level. Electrolyte leakage from plant leaves was found to increase with salinity level. SA-pretreatment increased the RWC, fresh and dry weights, water, photosynthetic pigments, insolube saccharides, phosphorus content and peroxidase activity in the stressed seedlings. On the contrary, Na⁺, soluble proteins content, lipid peroxidation level, electrolyte leakage were markedly reduced under salt stress with SA than without. Under stress conditions, SA-pretreated plants exhibited less Ca²⁺ and more accumulation of K⁺, and soluble sugars in roots at the expense of these contents in the plant shoots. Exogenous application (Grain soaking presowing) of SA appeared to induce preadaptive response to salt stress leading to promoting protective reactions to the photosynthetic pigments and maintain the membranes integrity in barley plants, which reflected in improving the plant growth.     

Putrescine modulates antioxidant defense response in wheat under high temperature stress

Effects of putrescine (Put) on responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedlings or detached tillers at mid-milky stage to high temperature (HT) stress were investigated. The heat tolerant cv. PBW 343 exhibited higher content of antioxidants and activities of antioxidative enzymes, while lower content of lipid peroxides as compared to the heat-sensitive cv. HD 2329. HT elevated peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, while diamine oxidase (DAO) and polyamine oxidase (PAO) activities were reduced in roots, shoots and developing grains. Application of Put under HT further enhanced POX and SOD activities along with increased content of ascorbate and tocophereol in grains. Invariably POX and SOD revealed higher activities in roots while CAT, DAO and PAO activities were higher in shoots. The content of lipid peroxides was increased in roots and shoots of HT stressed seedlings but less in Put-treated cv. PBW 343.     

Comparison of resistance to drought of three bean cultivars

The aim of the present work was to evaluate oxidative stress and plant antioxidant system of three contrasting bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes in the response to drought. Drought was imposed 14 d after emergence, by withholding water, until leaf relative water content reached 65 %. Water stress increased lipid peroxidation (LPO), membrane injury index, H₂O₂ and OH^⋅ production in leaves of stressed plants. Activities of the antioxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APOX) increased significantly under water stress in all the studied cultivars, while catalase (CAT) increased in cvs. Plovdiv 10 and Prelom, but decreased in cv. Dobrudjanski ran. Furthermore cv. Plovdiv 10 which had the highest APOX and CAT activities also showed the lowest increase in H₂O₂ and OH^⋅ production and LPO while cv. Dobrudjanski ran showed the lowest increases (and often the lowest values) in the antioxidant enzyme activities and the highest increases of H₂O₂ and OH^⋅ production, and LPO. On the basis of the data obtained we could specify cv. Plovdiv 10 and cv. Prelom as drought tolerant and cv. Dobrudjanski ran as a drought sensitive.     

Effect of NaCl stress on rice physiological properties

Salinity is a major yield-reducing factor in coastal and arid irrigated rice production systems. Rice seedlings (Oryza sativa cv. Tarom Atri) were exposed to different NaCl concentrations for 8 days after germination. Plants height, fresh and dry weight, relative water content, pigment and carbohydrate content, photosynthetic efficiency and lipid peroxidase and antioxidant enzyme activity of rice seedlings grown under salt stress were investigated. Seedling grown under 25and 50 mM salt were shorter than the control. They could, however, develop their secondary leaves. Seedlings grown in the nutrient solution supplied with 100 and 200 mM extra salt could not develop their secondary leaves. Fresh weight ofseedlings grown under salt stress reduced up to 42.2% of the non-treated seedlings. Chlorophylls and carotenoids contents decreased significantly in the salt-treated seedlings. Carotenoid contents in NaCl-treated seedlings were decreased to 39.3%. No significant changes occurred in the photochemical efficiency of control and stressed plants. Increasing concentrations of NaCl resulted in increase and decrease of Na⁺ and K⁺ ions, respectively. NaCl salinity caused an increase in both peroxide content and lipid peroxidation. Seedlings which recovered for 24 h showed lower peroxide and malondialdehyde content.     

An Enhancing Effect of Exogenous Mannitol on the Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Roots of Wheat Under Salt Stress

The role of mannitol as an osmoprotectant, a radical scavenger, a stabilizer of protein and membrane structure, and protector of photosynthesis under abiotic stress has already been well described. In this article we show that mannitol applied exogenously to salt-stressed wheat, which normally cannot synthesize mannitol, improved their salt tolerance by enhancing activities of antioxidant enzymes. Wheat seedlings (3 days old) grown in 100 mM mannitol (corresponding to −0.224 MPa) for 24 h were subjected to 100 mM NaCl treatment for 5 days. The effect of exogenously applied mannitol on the salt tolerance of plants in view of growth, lipid peroxidation levels, and activities of antioxidant enzymes in the roots of salt-sensitive wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Kızıltan-91) plants with or without mannitol was studied. Although root growth decreased under salt stress, this effect could be alleviated by mannitol pretreatment. Peroxidase (POX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities increased, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities decreased in Kızıltan-91 under salt stress. However, activities of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, POX, CAT, APX, and GR increased with mannitol pretreatment under salt stress. Although root tissue extracts of salt-stressed wheat plants exhibited only nine different SOD isozyme bands of which two were identified as Cu/Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD, mannitol treatment caused the appearance of 11 different SOD activity bands. On the other hand, five different POX isozyme bands were determined in all treatments. Enhanced peroxidation of lipid membranes under salt stress conditions was reduced by pretreatment with mannitol. We suggest that exogenous application of mannitol could alleviate salt-induced oxidative damage by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities in the roots of salt-sensitive Kızıltan-91.     

Salt stress regulates enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidative defense system in the edible part of carrot (Daucus carota L.)

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is widely utilized all over the world due to its enriched healthy nutritional composition. However, its growth and quality is adversely affected due to saline stress. To assess salt-induced regulation in different enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants in the edible part of two cultivars (T-29 and DC-4) of carrot, a greenhouse experiment was conducted. The cultivars were grown for 90 days under varying (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM NaCl) saline regimes. High accumulation of glycinebetaine (GB), malondialdehyde (MDA), and ascorbic acid (AsA) contents was found in the roots of both carrot lines under varying saline regimes. However, total soluble proteins and activities of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) declined in the edible part of both carrot cultivars. Alpha-tocopherol (α-Toco) contents remained almost unaffected at all saline regimes except at 150 mM NaCl, where tocopherol content increased markedly. Of both carrot cultivars, cv. DC-4 accumulated relatively higher amount of GB, soluble protein and α-Toco contents than cv. T-29. The cv. T-29 had considerably higher amounts of AsA and MDA and activities of POD, SOD, and CAT than those in cv. DC-4 both under saline and nonsaline conditions. Overall, GB, AsA, and MDA contents increased while enzymatic antioxidant activities decreased in both carrot cultivars under different saline regimes which indicated that the enzymatic antioxidant metabolism was negatively influenced in the edible part of carrot due to salinity stress. So it can be suggested that the carrot is salt sensitive and its nutritional value in terms of antioxidants declines under salt stress.     

Effect of salt stress on physiological and antioxidative responses in two species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salicornia</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">S. persica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. europaea</Emphasis>)

The effects of salt stress on growth parameters, free proline content, ion accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and several antioxidative enzymes activities were investigated in S. persica and S. europaea. The seedlings were grown for 2 months in half-strength Hoagland solution and treated with different concentrations of NaCl (0, 85, 170, 340, and 510 mM) for 21 days. The fresh and dry weights of both species increased significantly at 85 and 170 mM NaCl and decreased at higher concentrations. Salinity increased proline content in both the species as compared to that of control. Sodium (Na⁺) content in roots and shoots increased, whereas K⁺ and P_i content in both organs decreased. At all NaCl concentrations, the total amounts of Na⁺ and K⁺ were higher in shoots than in roots. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content declined at moderate NaCl concentrations (85 and 170 mM) and increased at higher levels. With increased salinity, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activities also increased gradually in both species. In addition, it seems that GPX, CAT, and SOD activities play an essential protective role in the scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both species. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) indicated different isoform profiles between S. persica and S. europaea concerning antioxidant enzymes. These results showed that S. persica exhibits a better protection mechanism against oxidative damage and it is more salt-tolerant than S. europaea possibly by maintaining and/or increasing growth parameters, ion accumulation, and antioxidant enzyme activities.     

Comparative lipid peroxidation,antioxidant defense systems and proline content in roots of two rice cultivars differing in salt tolerance

The changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD: EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT: EC 1.11.1.6), peroxidase (POX: EC 1.11.1.7), ascorbate peroxidase (APOX: EC 1.11.1.11) and glutathione reductase (GR: EC 1.6.4.2), free proline content, and the rate of lipid peroxidation level in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) in roots of two rice cultivars (cvs.) differing in salt tolerance were investigated. Plants were subjected to three salt treatments, 0, 60, and 120 mol m⁻³ NaCl for 7 days. The results showed that activated oxygen species may play a role in cellular toxicity of NaCl and indicated differences in activation of antioxidant defense systems between the two cvs. The roots of both cultivars showed a decrease in GR activity with increase in salinity. CAT and APOX activities increased with increasing salt stress in roots of salt-tolerant cultivar Pokkali but decreased and showed no change, respectively, in roots of IR-28 cultivar. POX activity decreased with increasing NaCl concentrations in salt-tolerant Pokkali but increased in IR-28. SOD activity showed no change in roots of both cultivars under increasing salinity. MDA level in the roots increased under salt stress in sensitive IR-28 but showed no change in Pokkali. IR-28 produced higher amount of proline under salt stress than in Pokkali. Increasing NaCl concentration caused a reduction in root fresh weight of Pokkali and root dry weight of IR-28. The results indicate that improved tolerance to salt stress in root tissues of rice plants may be accomplished by increased capacity of antioxidative system.     

Effects of NaCl and Mycorrhizal Fungi on Antioxidative Enzymes in Soybean

The effects of different concentrations of NaCl on the activities of antioxidative enzymes in the shoots and roots of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr cv. Pershing) inoculated or not with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus etunicatum Becker & Gerdemann, were studied. Furthermore, the effect of salt acclimated mycorrhizal fungi on the antioxidative enzymes in soybean plants grown under salt stress (100 mM NaCl) was investigated. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) were increased in the shoots of both mycorrhizal (M) and nonmycorrhizal (NM) plants grown under NaCl salinity. Salinity increased SOD activity in the roots of M and NM plants, but had no effect on CAT and polyphenol oxidase activities in the roots. M plants had greater SOD, POD and ascorbate peroxidase activity under salinity. Under salt stress, soybean plants inoculated with salt pre-treated mycorrhizal fungi showed increased SOD and POD activity in shoots, relative to those inoculated with the non pre-treated fungi.     

外源水杨酸对NaCl胁迫下大豆种子萌发和幼苗生长生理的影响

以大豆种子、幼苗为试验材料,采用砂培的方法,研究了0.2mmol·L-1外源水杨酸(SA)对100mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下大豆种子萌发、幼苗形态及生物量、膜脂过氧化和抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果显示:NaCl胁迫下,大豆种子萌发和幼苗生长受到显著抑制,且随着胁迫时间的延长(0~3d),大豆幼苗相对电解质渗漏率、硫代巴比妥酸活性产物(TBARS)含量显著升高,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性均明显降低。外源SA促进NaCl胁迫下大豆种子萌发和根茎生长,增加幼苗生物量积累,降低幼苗叶片相对电解质渗漏率和TBARS含量,增强其叶片SOD、CAT、APX活性。研究表明,NaCl胁迫能显著抑制大豆种子萌发和幼苗生长,而一定浓度的外源SA能有效提高NaCl胁迫下大豆种子活力及幼苗抗氧化酶活性,减轻膜脂过氧化程度,缓解NaCl胁迫所造成的伤害,提高大豆幼苗抗盐胁迫的能力。     

Investigations on the antioxidative defence responses to NaCl stress in a mangrove, Bruguiera parviflora: Differential regulations of isoforms of some antioxidative enzymes

Two-month-old healthy seedlings of a true mangrove, Bruguiera parviflora, raised from propagules in normal nursery conditions were subjected to varying concentrations of NaCl for 45 d under hydroponic culture conditions to investigate the defence potentials of antioxidative enzymes against NaCl stress imposed oxidative stress. Changes in the activities of the antioxidative enzymes catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (POX), glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assayed in leaves to monitor the temporal regulation. Among the oxidative stress triggered chemicals, the level of H₂O₂ was significantly increased while total ascorbate and total glutathione content decreased. The ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathiones, however, increased due to decreased levels of oxidized glutathione in the leaf tissue. Among the five antioxidative enzymes monitored, the APX, POX, GR and SOD specific activities were significantly enhanced at high concentration (400 mM NaCl), while the catalase activities declined, suggesting both up and downregulations of antioxidative enzymes occurred due to NaCl imposed osmotic and ionic stress. Analysis of the stress induced alterations in the isoforms of CAT, APX, POX, GR and SOD revealed differential regulations of the isoforms of these enzymes. In B. parviflora one isoform of each of Mn-SOD and Cu/Zn-SOD while three isoforms of Fe-SOD were observed by activity staining gel. Of these, only Mn-SOD and Fe-SOD2 content was preferentially elevated by NaCl treatment, whereas isoforms of Cu/Zn-SOD, Fe-SOD1 and Fe-SOD3 remained unchanged. Similarly, out of the six isoforms of POX, the POX-1,-2,-3 and -6 were enhanced due to salt stress but the levels of POX-4 and -5 remained same as in control plants suggesting preferential upregulation of selective POX isoforms. Activity staining gel revealed only one prominent band of APX and this band increased with increased salt concentration. Similarly, two isoforms of GR (GR1 and GR2) were visualized on activity staining gel and both these isoforms increased upon salt stress. In this mangrove four CAT-isoforms were identified, among which the prominent CAT-2 isoform level was maximally reduced again suggesting differential downregulation of CAT isoforms by NaCl stress. The results presented in this communication are the first report on the resolutions of isoforms APX, POX and GR out of five antioxidative enzymes studied in the leaf tissue of a true mangrove. The differential changes in the levels of the isoforms due to NaCl stress may be useful as markers for recognizing salt tolerance in mangroves. Further, detailed analysis of the isoforms of these antioxidative enzymes is required for using the various isoforms as salt stress markers. Our results indicate that the overproduction of H₂O₂ by NaCl treatment functions as a signal of salt stress and causes upregulation of APX, POX, GR and deactivations of CAT in B. parviflora. The concentrations of malondialdehyde, a product of lipid peroxidation and lipoxygenase activity remained unchanged in leaves treated with different concentrations of NaCl, which again suggests that the elevated levels of the antioxidant enzymes protect the plants against the activated oxygen species thus avoiding lipid peroxidation during salt stress.     

Exogenous application of penconazole regulates plant growth and antioxidative responses in salt-stressed Mentha pulegium L.

The mechanism of growth amelioration in salt-stressed pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) was investigated by exogenous application of penconazole (PEN). Seven weeks after sowing, seedlings were treated with increasing NaCl concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 75 mM) with or without PEN (15 mg l^?1) and were harvested randomly at different times. Results showed that some growth parameters and the relative water content (RWC) decreased under salt stress, while lipid peroxidation, H₂O₂ content, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), peroxidase (POX; EC 1.11.1.7), polyphenol oxidase (PPO; EC 1.10.3.1), catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.1) remarkably increased. Exogenous application of PEN increased some growth parameters, RWC, antioxidant enzyme activities, and H₂O₂ content, but the effects of PEN were more significant under salt stress conditions. PEN treatment also decreased lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that PEN-induced tolerance to salt stress in M. pulegium plants may be related to regulation of antioxidative responses and H₂O₂ level.     

Changes in antioxidant levels in Oryza sativa L. roots subjected to NaCl-salinity stress

Imposition of NaCl-salinity stress induced oxidative reactions in root tissue of rice seedlings. A uniform accumulation of proline was marked with the increasing NaCl concentrations. Both peroxide content and lipid peroxidation level (MDA) increased with the salt treatment from the control. CAT, GPx and SOD activities decreased with the increasing NaCl concentrations suggesting a possible oxidative damage to root tissue.     

Partial oxidative protection by enzymatic and non-enzymatic components in cashew leaves under high salinity

The work evaluated the role of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in cashew (Anacardium occidentale) leaves under 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM NaCl. Salt stress increased protein oxidation and decreased the lipid peroxidation, indicating that lipids are less susceptible to oxidative damage. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was not changed, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity steadily decreased while the catalase (CAT) activity strongly increased with the increasing NaCl concentration. High salinity also induced alterations in the ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) redox state. The salt resistance in cashew may be associated with maintaining of SOD activity and upregulation of CAT activity in concert with the AsA and GSH antioxidants.     

盐胁迫对槲树(Quercus dentata)幼苗离子平衡及其生理生化特性的影响

检测NaCl胁迫对槲树（Quercus dentata）幼苗离子平衡和生理生化特性的影响,为揭示槲树的耐盐机理,其在园林中的推广应用提供参考。以一年生槲树实生苗作为实验材料,经100、200、300 mmol/L的NaCl溶液浇灌处理30 d,测定不同时间的离子含量和生理生化指标变化。结果表明,随NaCl浓度的增加和处理的时间延长,槲树各指标表现出以下规律：（1）根茎叶积累大量Na⁺,引起离子毒害,导致叶片受损,根系Na⁺含量显著高于地上部分,这种补偿作用有助于减轻地上部分受到的损害;（2）各部分K⁺含量降低,根部较茎叶更为显著,导致Na⁺/K⁺明显升高;（3）Ca²⁺由根部向地上部分转运,在叶片中浓度显著增加,有助于建立新的离子稳态;（4）Mg²⁺含量总体上呈降低趋势;（5）叶片含水量逐渐降低,丙二醛含量和相对电导率逐步升高,且在重度胁迫下的变化更显著;（6）轻度盐胁迫下,叶片过氧化物酶（POD）活性无显著变化,而过氧化氢酶（CAT）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性逐渐升高,在重度胁迫下3种酶活性出现降低;（7）脯氨酸和可溶性糖少量积累,辅助调节渗透平衡。总之,槲树幼苗能够通过调控离子平衡,提升抗氧化酶活性,积累渗透调节物,从而提高耐盐性,抵御200 mmol/L以下的NaCl胁迫。     

Alleviation of salt-induced adverse impact via mycorrhizal fungi in Ephedra aphylla Forssk

The current investigation was carried out to examine the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in alleviating adverse effects of salt stress in Ephedra aphylla. The plants were exposed to 75 and 150 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) stress with and without application of AMF. Salt stress caused significant decrease in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents; however, the application of AMF restored the pigments content in salt-affected plants. Proline, phenols, and lipid peroxidation were increased with increasing concentration of NaCl, but lower accumulation has been reported in plants treated with AMF. NaCl stress also showed increase in different antioxidant enzymes activities (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase), and further increase was observed in plants treated with AMF. The nutrient uptake, Na⁺ and Na/K ratio increased and potassium and phosphorus were decreased with increasing concentration of NaCl in the present study. However, the colonization with AMF significantly increased K⁺ and P and reduced Na⁺ uptake. It is concluded that presown soil treatment with AMF reduced severity of salt stress in E. aphylla through alterations in physiological parameters, antioxidants and uptake of nutrients.     

Roots and leaves display contrasting oxidative response during salt stress and recovery in cowpea

In this study, we compare some antioxidative responses of leaves and roots associated to growth reduction in cowpea plants (Vigna unguiculata) during short-term salt stress and recovery. The salt treatment was imposed (200 mM NaCl) for six consecutive days and the salt withdrawal after 3 d. The salt treatment caused an almost complete cessation in the relative growth rate of both leaves and roots. Although NaCl withdrawal has induced an intense reduction in the Na(+) content from the leaves and roots, the growth recovery was slight, after 3 d. The leaf lipid peroxidation was increased in salt-stressed plants and slightly reduced in recovered plants after 3 d. Surprisingly, in the salt-stressed roots it decreased markedly after 3 d treatment and in the pre-stressed/recovered roots it was restored to levels near to the control. In leaves, catalase (CAT) activity showed a rapid and prominent decrease after 1 d of NaCl treatment and salt withdrawal had no effect on its recovery. In contrast, the root CAT activity was not changed by effects of both NaCl and salt withdrawal, over time interval. Leaf superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity did not change in all treatments, whereas in roots it significantly decreased after 3 d of salt treatment and recovered after NaCl withdrawal. Contrasting to the other enzymes, the guaiacol-peroxidase activity increased in leaves and roots, reaching almost 200% of control values and it significantly decreased in both organs from the pre-stressed/recovered plants. In conclusion, cowpea roots and leaves present distinct mechanisms of response to lipid peroxidation and CAT and SOD activities during salt stress and recovery. However, these responses and/or the oxidative damages caused by reactive oxygen species were not related with the growth reduction.     

Antioxidant defense mechanism under salt stress in wheat seedlings

The present study was carried out to study the effect of salt stress on cell membrane damage, ion content and antioxidant enzymes in wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedlings of two cultivars salt-tolerant KRL-19 and salt-sensitive WH-542. Seedlings (4-d-old) were irrigated with 0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl. Observations were recorded on the 3^rd and 6^th day after salt treatment and 2^nd day after salt removal. The relative water content declined with induction of salt stress, more in WH-542 than in cv. KRL-19. K⁺/Na⁺ ratio in KRL-19 was higher than in WH-542. WH-542 suffered greater damage to cellular membranes due to lipid peroxidation as indicated by higher accumulation of H₂O₂, MDA and greater leakage of electrolytes than KRL-19. The activities of catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase increased with increase in salt stress in both the cultivars, however, superoxide dismutase activity declined. Upon desalanization, partial recovery in the activities of these enzymes was observed in KRL-19 and very slow recovery in WH-542.     

Salinity-induced changes in two cultivars of Vigna radiata: responses of antioxidative and proline metabolism

The influence of increasing salinity stress on plant growth, antioxidant enzymes and proline metabolism in two cultivars of Vigna radiata L. (cv. Pusa Bold and cv. CO 4) was investigated. Salt stress was imposed on 30-days-old cultivars with four different concentrations of NaCl (0, 100, 200 and 300 mM). The roots and shoots of CO 4 showed greater reduction in fresh weight, dry weight and water content when compared to Pusa Bold with increasing salt stress. Under salinity stress, the roots and shoots of CO 4 exhibited higher Na⁺: K⁺ ratio than Pusa Bold. The activities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzymes and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration were found to be higher in the leaves of Pusa Bold than in CO 4, whereas oxidized glutathione (GSSG) concentration was found to be higher in the leaves of CO 4 compared to those in Pusa Bold. Our studies on oxidative damage in two Vigna cultivars showed lower levels of lipid peroxidation and H₂O₂ concentration in Pusa Bold than in CO 4 under salt stress conditions. High accumulation of proline and glycine betaine under salt stress was also observed in Pusa Bold when compared to CO 4. The activities of proline biosynthetic enzymes were significantly high in Pusa Bold. However, under salinity stress, Pusa Bold showed a greater decline in proline dehydrogenase (ProDH) activity compared to CO 4. Our data in this investigation demonstrate that oxidative stress plays a major role in salt-stressed Vigna cultivars and Pusa Bold has efficient antioxidative characteristics which could provide better protection against oxidative damage in leaves under salt-stressed conditions.     

Antioxidative Defense Potential to Salinity in the Euhalophyte Salicornia brachiata

The antioxidative defense mechanism to salinity was assessed by monitoring the activities of some antioxidative enzymes and levels of antioxidants in an obligate halophyte, Salicornia brachiata, subjected to varying levels of NaCl (0, 200, 400, and 600 mM) under hydroponic culture. In the shoots of S. brachiata, salt treatment preferentially enhanced the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (POX), glutathione reductase (GR), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), whereas it induced the decrease of catalase (CAT) activity. Similarly, salinity caused an increase in total glutathione content (GSH + GSSG) and a decrease in total ascorbate content. Growth of S. brachiata was optimum at 200 mM NaCl and decreased with further increase in salinity. Salinity caused an increase in Na⁺ content and a decrease in K⁺ content of shoots. Proline levels did not change at low (0-200 mM NaCl) or moderate (400 mM NaCl) salinities, whereas a significant increase in proline level was observed at high salinity (600 mM NaCl). Accumulation of Na⁺ may have a certain role in osmotic homeostasis under low and moderate salinities in S. brachiata. Parameters of oxidative stress such as malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation, and H₂O₂ concentrations decreased at low salinity (200 mM NaCl) and increased at moderate (400 mM NaCl) and high salinities (600 mM NaCl). As a whole, our results suggest that the capacity to limit ionic and oxidative damage by the elevated levels of certain antioxidative enzymes and antioxidant molecules is important for salt tolerance of S. brachiata.