Regulation of gene expression governing proline metabolism in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thellungiella salsuginea</Emphasis> by NaCl and paraquat

Differential expression of the proline metabolism genes in Thellungiella salsuginea (Pall) E. Schulz was investigated under salinity (100 and 300 mM NaCl), upon the effect of paraquat (0.1 μM), and at their joint action. It was shown that, depending on the intensity of stress factor, expression of the P5CS1 gene was induced in the leaves (at 100 mM NaCl) or roots (at 300 mM NaCl). When the plants on control medium were treated with paraquat, the proline content changed only in the leaves. Time course of proline content in the leaves complied with the dynamic of P5CS1 gene expression, while expression of PDH gene essentially did not change. When the plants, which experienced salt stress, were treated with paraquat, the content of proline and the P5CS1 mRNA level increased even more. The obtained results suggest a complicated nature of signaling between the organs of the halophyte Th. salsuginea causing expression of the proline biosynthesis genes in the leaves and roots under the effect of salinity, paraquat, or upon their joint action. The proline catabolism in these plants was maintained essentially unchanged, which is probably related to the participation of proline and/or the products of its degradation in the pathways of other metabolite biosynthesis. We suggested that proline took part in ROS scavenging process and proline level was under strong control in Th. salsuginea.     

Effect of salinity on osmotic adjustment characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kandelia candel</Emphasis>

To elucidate the osmotic adjustment characteristics of mangrove plants, inorganic ion and organic solute contents of intermediate leaves were investigated in 3-month-old Kandelia candel (L.) Druce seedlings during 45 days of NaCl treatments (0, 200, and 500 mM NaCl). The contents of Na⁺, Cl⁻, total free amino acids, proline, total soluble sugars, pinitol and mannitol increased to different degree by salinity, whereas, K⁺ content decreased by salinity compared with control. NaCl treatment induced an increase of inorganic ion contribution while a decrease of organic solute contribution. It was concluded that accumulating a large amount of inorganic ions was used as the main osmotic adjustment mechanism under salinity treatment. However, accumulation of organic osmolytes might be considered to play much more important role in osmoregulation under severe salinity (500 mM NaCl) than under moderate salinity (200 mM NaCl), thus the damage caused by high toxic ions (Na⁺ and Cl⁻) concentration in K. candel leaves could be avoided.     

Physiological and Biochemical Mechanisms of Salinity Tolerance in <i>Carex morrowii</i> Boott

Carex species are widely used in many parts of the world and contain a large number of ecologically diverse species. Among the Carex species, some of them are known to be glycophytes, while others are halophytes. Carex morrowii Boott (Cyperaceae) is resistant to trample through their root structure and has an essential ornamental value in the landscape with their leaves. However, no information was found about the level of salinity tolerance/ sensitivity of the Carex morrowii among these species. In the present study, changes in trace element contents (Na, K, Ca, Cu, Mn, Mg, Ni, Fe, P, Zn, and N) and their transport from roots to leaves, osmotic regulation, alterations in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, nitrogen assimilation (nitrate reductase activity; NRA) and total soluble protein content in both roots and leaves of Carex morrowii under different salinity concentrations (50 mM, 100 mM, 200 mM and 300 mM NaCl) were examined in detail. Our study provides the first detailed data concerning the responses of leaves and roots and the determination of the level of salinity tolerance/sensitivity of the Carex morrowii. The K+ /Na+ ratio was preserved up to 200 mM NaCl, and accordingly, the element uptake and transport ratios showed that they could control moderate NaCl levels. Ca homeostasis that is maintained even in 200 mM NaCl concentration can be effective in maintaining the structural integrity and selective permeability of the cell membranes, while 300 mM NaCl concentration caused decreased photosynthetic pigments, and deterioration in element content and compartmentation. Moreover, these data suggest that plant parts of Carex morrowii respond differently against varied levels of salinity stress. Although the decrease in NR activity at 200 mM and 300 mM NaCl concentrations in the leaves, NR activity was maintained in the roots. Consequently, Carex morrowii is moderately tolerant to salinity and the carotenoid content and osmotic regulation of Carex morrowii appears to be instrumental in its survival at different salinity levels. Especially the roots of Carex morrowii have a remarkable role in salinity tolerance.     

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.     

Carbohydrate and Proline Contents in Leaves, Roots, and Apices of Salt-Tolerant and Salt-Sensitive Wheat Cultivars1

Intra-specific variations in nonstructural carbohydrates and free proline were determined in leaves, apices, roots, and maturing seeds of two salt-tolerant cultivars (CR and Kharchia-65) and one salt-sensitive cv. Ghods of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in sand culture at various levels of salinity (0, 100, 200, and 300 mM NaCl and CaCl₂ at 5 : 1 molar ratio) under controlled environmental conditions. The levels of leaf, apex, and root ethanol-soluble carbohydrates, fructans, starch, and proline increased in line with elevating level of salinity in all three cultivars under investigation. The contents of proline, soluble and insoluble carbohydrates in the apex increased to levels exceeding those in the leaves and roots. Soluble carbohydrate content of salt-sensitive cv. Ghods was higher in the leaves, apices, and roots and lower in the maturing seeds than in the other cultivars at all levels of salinity except at 300 mM. The results show considerable variation in the amount of soluble, insoluble sugars, and proline among plant tissues and wheat genotypes in response to salinity. Higher soluble carbohydrates and fructan in leaves, roots and maturing seeds of stressed plants indicate that their accumulation may help plant to tolerate salinity. Salt-sensitive cv. Ghods accumulated less soluble sugars in the maturing seeds and higher soluble sugars in the apices, which might be used as an indicator in screening wheat genotypes for salinity tolerance.     

Accumulation of proline and glycine betaine in Ipomoea pes-caprae induced by NaCl

The present study pertains to the effect of different concentration of NaCl on the contents of proteins, free amino acids, proline and glycine betaine in leaves, stems and roots of Ipomoea pes-caprae. The protein content of the tissues increased in response to salinity upto 200 mM NaCl; the free amino acids content showed a reversal trend. The proline and glycine betaine contents increased with increasing salinity upto 500 mM NaCl. The accumulation of proline and glycine betaine might play a role in the alleviation of salt stress. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of NaCl on fatty acids, phenolics and antioxidant activity of Nigella sativa organs

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of salinity on growth, fatty acid composition, phenol content and antioxidant activity of Nigella sativa organs. Plants were grown hydroponically under NaCl stress (0, 20 40 and 60 mM). The results indicated that salinity affected N. sativa growth. The fatty acid composition of the leaves and the roots was investigated for the first time and major fatty acids were linolenic acid (58.1%) in the leaves and linoleic (43.9%) and palmitic (33.3%) acids and in the roots. Total fatty acid (TFA) content of the leaves decreased at 60 mM NaCl while root TFA increased at 20 and 40 mM NaCl. Moreover, the fatty acid composition was affected by NaCl; in leaves, the double bond index (DBI) decreased accompanied by a decrease of the level of linolenic acid which reached 14% at 60 mM NaCl. However, root DBI degree increased at 40 at 60 mM NaCl provoked mainly by the increase of the amount of linoleic acid by 15 and 8%, respectively, and the decrease of the amount of palmitic acid by 20 and 14%, respectively. Salt stress increased total polyphenol and individual phenolic acid contents in shoots. Moreover, the antiradical activity of the shoots (DPPH) increased at 60 mM NaCl. However, in roots, the total polyphenol content and the antiradical activity decreased sharply with increasing NaCl doses. Data reported here revealed the variation of fatty acids and phenolic compound contents in different organs of N. sativa, and the possible role of theses changes in the plant salt response were discussed.     

The role of xylopodium in Na+ exclusion and osmolyte accumulation in faveleira [Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus (d. arg.) Pax et K. Hoffm] under salt stress

The aim of this work was to evaluate physiological and biochemical responses of faveleira under salinity. Plants were grown in nutrient solution containing 0, 50, 100 or 150 mM NaCl. After 8 days of stress, plants were harvested and separated into roots, xylopodium, stem + petiole (SP), and basal, median and apical leaves. Salinity reduced the dry weight of all plant parts, although the indicators of water status were not changed. Salt stress increased the content of Na⁺ in the different plant parts, especially in xylopodium, in which it increased approximately eightfold while the content of K⁺ decreased by approximately 40 % under 150 mM NaCl. As a consequence, the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio decreased in all plant organs. In stressed plants, the content of soluble sugars was increased in the roots, SP and leaf strata and the content of soluble proteins increased in all organs. The content of total free amino acids increased in the roots, SP and apical leaves, while the proline content increased in all organs except in xylopodium. It is suggested that the xylopodium may be involved in a mechanism of exclusion and/or compartmentalization of Na⁺ in faveleira under salinity to avoid ionic toxicity in the leaves.     

Effect of NaCl on Biomass and Contents of Sugars, Proline and Proteins in Seedlings and Leaf Explants of Nicotiana tabacum Grown in vitro

Effects of NaCl on growth in vitro and contents of sugars, free proline and proteins in the seedlings and leaf explants of Nicotiana tabacum cv. Virginia were investigated. The fresh and dry mass of the seedlings decreased under salinity. These growth parameters in leaf explants decreased at 50 mM NaCl and increased up to 150 mM NaCl and then decreased at higher level of salinity. Free proline content in both seedlings and leaf explants increased and polysaccharide content decreased continuously with increasing of NaCl concentration. Reducing sugars, oligosaccharides, soluble sugars and total sugars contents in both seedlings and leaf explants decreased up to 150 mM NaCl and then increased at higher concentrations of NaCl.     

Exogenous salicylic acid improves salinity tolerance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nitraria tangutorum</Emphasis>

In the present study, the physiological responses of Nitraria tangutorum Bobr. seedlings to NaCl stress and the regulatory function of exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA) were investigated. NaCl in low concentration (100 mM) increased while in higher concentrations (200–400 mM) decreased the individual plant dry weights (wt) of seedlings. Decreased relative water content (RWC) and chlorophyll content were observed in the leaves of seedlings subjected to salinity stress (100–400 mM NaCl). Furthermore, NaCl stress significantly increased electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The levels of osmotic adjustment solutes including proline, soluble sugars, and soluble protein were enhanced under NaCl treatments as compared to the control. In contrast, exogenous application of SA (0.5–1.5 mM) to the roots of seedlings showed notable amelioration effects on the inhibition of individual plant dry wt, RWC, and chlorophyll content. The increases in electrolyte leakage and MDA content in the leaves of NaCl-treated seedlings were markedly inhibited by SA application. The SA application further increased the contents of proline, soluble sugars, and soluble protein. The activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were up-regulated by NaCl stress and the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT were further enhanced by SA treatments. Application of SA in low concentration (0.5 mM) enhanced while in higher concentrations (1.0 and 1.5 mM) inhibited APX activities in leaves of NaCl-treated seedlings. These results indicate that SA effectively alleviated the adverse effects of NaCl stress on N. tangutorum.     

Counteraction of Salinity Stress on Wheat Plants by Grain Soaking in Ascorbic Acid, Thiamin or Sodium Salicylate

The interactive effects of salinity stress (40, 80, 120 and 160 mM NaCl) and ascorbic acid (0.6 mM), thiamin (0.3 mM) or sodium salicylate (0.6 mM) were studied in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The contents of cellulose, lignin of either shoots or roots, pectin of root and soluble sugars of shoots were lowered with the rise of NaCl concentration. On the other hand, the contents of hemicellulose and soluble sugars of roots, starch and soluble proteins of shoots, proline of either shoots or roots, and amino acids of roots were raised. Also, increasing NaCl concentration in the culture media increased Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ accumulation and gradually lowered K⁺ and Mg²⁺ concentration in different organs of wheat plant. Grain soaking in ascorbic acid, thiamin or sodium salicylate could counteract the adverse effects of NaCl salinity on the seedlings of wheat plant by suppression of salt stress induced accumulation of proline.     

Salt stress effects on growth,pigments, proteins and lipid peroxidation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salicornia persica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. europaea</Emphasis>

The effects of NaCl stress on growth, water status, contents of protein, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), various sugars and photosynthetic pigments were investigated in seedlings of Salicornia persica and S. europaea grown in vitro. Seeds were germinated under NaCl (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 mM) on Murashige and Skoog medium for 45 d. The shoot growth of both species increased under low NaCl concentration (100 mM) and then decreased with increasing NaCl concentrations. In contrast to S. persica, root length in S. europaea reduced steadily with an increase in salinity. Proline content in S. persica was higher than in S. europaea at most NaCl concentrations. Proline, reducing saccharide, oligosaccharide and soluble saccharide contents increased under salinity in both species. In contrast, contents of proteins and polysaccharides reduced in both species under salt stress. MDA content remained close to control at moderate NaCl concentrations (100 and 200 mM) and increased at higher salinities. MDA content in S. europaea was significantly higher than S. persica at higher salinities. Salt treatments decreased K⁺ and P contents in seedlings of both species. Significant reduction in contents of chlorophylls and carotenoids due to NaCl stress was also observed in seedlings of both species. Some differences appeared between S. persica and S. europaea concerning proteins profile. On the basis of the data obtained, S. persica is more salt-tolerant than S. europaea.     

Changes in water relations,photosynthetic activity and proline accumulation in one-year-old olive trees (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Olea europaea</Emphasis> L. cv. Chemlali) in response to NaCl salinity

The comparative responses of young olive trees (Olea europaea L. cv “Chemlali”) to different NaCl salinity levels were investigated over 11 months. One-year-old own rooted plants were grown in 10-L pots containing sand and perlite mixture (1:3 v/v). Trees were subjected to three irrigation treatments: CP (control plants that were irrigated with fresh water); SS1 (salt stressed plants irrigated with water containing 100 mM NaCl) and SS2 plants (salt stressed plants irrigated with water containing 200 mM NaCl). Shoot elongation rate, relative water content, leaf water potential and net carbon dioxide exchange rates decreased significantly with increased NaCl salinity level. Under stressed conditions, the increase of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions in both leaves and roots was accompanied with that of proline and soluble sugars. The above results show that the accumulation of proline and sugars under stressed conditions could play a role in salt tolerance. The absence of toxicity symptoms under both stress treatments and the superior photosynthetic activity recorded in SS1-treated plants suggest that cv Chemlali is better able to acclimatize to 100 mM NaCl than at 200 mM NaCl. Our findings indicate that saline water containing 100 mM NaCl, the most available water in arid region in Tunisia, can be recommended for the irrigation of cv Chemlali in the arid south of Tunisia.     

Responses of grass pea seedlings to salinity stress in in vitro culture conditions

Physiological and molecular mechanisms of adaptation to abiotic stresses of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) are still poorly understood. Responses of four genotypes of grass pea to salinity stress in tissue culture conditions were investigated at early seedling growth stages. Salinity stress was induced in the agar media by adding 0, 50, 100 and 200 mM of NaCl. Germination and seedling emergence percentage was not significantly affected by 50 and 100 mM of NaCl. However, NaCl in 200 mM concentration lowered level of these parameters. Generally, exposure to NaCl stress significantly reduced length of grass pea seedling organs (root and shoot) but did not influence the content of dry weight in shoots and increased it in the roots in two cases. Increasing salt concentration decreased integrity of cellular membranes both in root and shoot tissues. Higher accumulation of phenolic compounds and significant changes in activity of antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase and catalase) were observed in the roots but not in the shoots. Similarly, the content of proline increased mostly in the roots from moderate (100 mM) salinity conditions. Adverse conditions did not resulted in alterations in photosynthetic pigments content of any tested genotypes. The better performance of shoots than roots may result from in vitro conditions in which experiments were conducted.

     

Biochemical responses of Hyacinth bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lablab purpureus)</Emphasis> to salinity stress

Effect of salinity on Hyacinth bean, Lablab purpureus (HA-4 cultivar) was evaluated in 10-day old seedlings with 100–500 mM NaCl over 72 h of exposure. The stress reduced dry and fresh weight, leaf surface area, root and shoot length, total chlorophyll, and RWC. Oxidative stress markers, H₂O₂, glutathione, TBARS, proline, ascorbic acid, total phenols, and total soluble sugar contents were significantly elevated. Salinity enhanced antioxidant enzymes, POX, and GR activities and reduced that of CAT in concentration and time dependent manner in leaves. Antioxidant enzymes in roots showed inverse relationship with concentration and time of exposure. Metabolic enzyme β-amylase activity increased in both leaves and roots. Acid phosphatase decreased in leaves and elevated in roots. Intensity of constitutive isozymes correlated with in vitro levels under stress, but the protein band patterns differed from controls. Lablab showed reasonable tolerance up to 300 mM NaCl, but leaves and roots differed in their response.     

Effect of salinity on osmotic adjustment,proline accumulation and possible role of ornithine-δ-aminotransferase in proline biosynthesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cakile maritima</Emphasis>

The short time response to salt stress was studied in Cakile maritima. Plants were exposed to different salt concentrations (0, 100, 200 and 400 mM NaCl) and harvested after 4, 24, 72 and 168 h of treatment. Before harvesting plants, tissue hydration, osmotic potential, inorganic and organic solute contents, and ornithine-δ-aminotransferase activity were measured. Plants of C. maritima maintained turgor and tissue hydration at low osmotic potential mainly at 400 mM NaCl. The results showed that, in leaves and stems, Na⁺ content increased significantly after the first 4 h of treatment. However, in roots, the increase of Na⁺ content remained relatively unchanged with increasing salt. The K⁺ content decreased sharply at 200 and 400 mM NaCl with treatment duration. This decrease was more pronounced in roots. The content of proline and amino acids increased with increasing salinity and treatment duration. These results indicated that the accumulation of inorganic and organic compounds was a central adaptive mechanism by which C. maritima maintained intracellular ionic balance under saline conditions. However, their percentage contribution to total osmotic adjustment varies from organ to organ; for example, Na⁺ accumulation mainly contributes in osmotic adjustment of stem tissue (60%). Proline contribution to osmotic adjustment reached 36% in roots. In all organs, proline as well as δ-OAT activity increased with salt concentration and treatment duration. Under normal growth conditions, δ-OAT is mainly involved in the mobilization of nitrogen required for plant growth. However, the highly significant positive correlation between proline and δ-OAT activity under salt-stress conditions suggests that ornithine pathway contributed to proline synthesis.     

Effect of salt stress on growth parameters, enzymatic antioxidant system, and lipid peroxidation in wild chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)

Efficient utilization of saline land for food cultivation can increase agricultural productivity and rural income. To obtain information on the salt tolerance/susceptibility of wild chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), the influence of salinity (0–260 mM NaCl) on chicory seed germination and that of two salinity levels of irrigation water (100 and 200 mM NaCl) on plant growth, antioxidative enzyme activity, and accumulation of proline and malondialdehyde (MDA) were investigated. The trials were performed outdoors, in pots placed under a protective glass covering, for two consecutive years. Seeds showed a high capacity to germinate in saline conditions. The use of 100 mM NaCl solution resulted in 81 % germination, whereas seed germinability decreased below 40 % using salt concentrations above 200 mM NaCl. Wild chicory showed tolerance to medium salinity (100 mM NaCl), whereas a drastic reduction in biomass was observed when 200 mM NaCl solution was used for irrigation. MDA, present in higher amounts in leaves than in roots, decreased in both tissues under increasing salinity. Proline content increased remarkably with the level of salt stress, more so in roots than in leaves. In salt stress conditions, the activity of antioxidant enzymes (APX, CAT, POD, SOD) was enhanced. The electrophoretic patterns of the studied enzymes showed that the salinity of irrigation water affected only the intensity of bands, but did not activate new isoforms. Our results suggest that wild chicory is able to grow in soil with moderate salinity by activating antioxidative responses both in roots and leaves.     

Effect of NaCl on biomass, protein and proline contents, and antioxidant enzymes in seedlings and calli of two Trigonella species

The effects of NaCl on growth, contents of proteins and proline, and activities of catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were investigated in seedlings and calli of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. and T. aphanoneura Rech. f. Seeds and hypocotyl explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM NaCl. Seed germination and the fresh and dry mass of the seedlings decreased significantly under salinity. In both species significant increases in protein content of seedlings over that of control were observed at 150 and 200 mM NaCl. Protein content in calli decreased at 200 mM NaCl over that of control. Protein content was higher in seedlings than in calli at all NaCl concentrations. Conversely, proline content was lower in seedlings than in calli at all the tested NaCl concentrations. NaCl caused changes in the activities of peroxidase, catalase and polyphenol oxidase in seedlings and calli.     

Short- and long-term effects of NaCl on physiological and biochemical characteristics in leaves of a true mangrove, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kandelia candel</Emphasis>

Changes in the physiological and biochemical characteristics of the leaves of Kandelia candel (L.) Druce seedlings in response to short-term (7 days) and long-term (60 days) treatments with two NaCl concentrations (250 and 500 mM) were studied. The growth rates were measured in terms of plant height, leaf area, and dry weight and were greater in the culture treated with 250 mM NaCl. Photosynthetic pigments also showed a preference for salinity growth conditions. The content of soluble sugars increased under any salinity during continuous treatments, whereas the proline level increased by the end of long-term culture. Further, during the treatment with 500 mM NaCl, the contents of hydrogen peroxide increased dramatically, whereas the levels of MDA, a measure of lipid peroxidation, decreased. The intactness of membrane integrity under this salinity condition may be explained by the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) which increased during the long-term experiment. It is concluded that the ability of K. candel to tolerate salt may occur mainly by inducing biosynthesis of soluble sugars and proline and increasing the activities of SOD and POD. The results imply that K. candel can survive well at 250 mM NaCl conditions and become acclimated to seawater salinity (∼500 mM) for 60 days of exposure. Published in Russian in Fiziologiya Rastenii, 2009, vol. 56, No. 3, pp. 403–409. This text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Effect of ABA on the contents of proline, polyamines, and cytokinins in the common ice plants under salt stress

The effects of ABA treatment on the contents of proline, polyamines (PA), and cytokinins (CK) in the facultative halophyte the common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) subjected to salt stress were studied. Plants grown in the phytotron chamber on Jonson nutrient medium for 6 weeks were subjected to 6-day-long salinity by a single NaCl adding to medium. During first three days of salinity, half plants of each treatment were placed for 30 min on nutrient medium containing 0, 100, or 300 mM NaCl plus ABA in the final concentration of 1 μM. Salinity reduced biomass accumulation and water and chlorophyll contents in plants. This was accompanied by the increase in the levels of MDA, proline, and sodium ions. ABA treatment of salt-stressed plants favored biomass accumulation and photosynthetic pigment protection, reduced the intensity of oxidative stress and the level of NaCl-induced proline accumulation. ABA treatment increased the contents of putrescine (Put) and spermidine (Spd) in the leaves and roots of control plants (not subjected to salt stress), reduced the losses of Put in the leaves and roots and Spd in the roots in the presence of 100 mM NaCl, and suppressed cadaverine (Cad) accumulation in the roots in the presence of 300 mM NaCl. In the presence of NaCl, ABA reduced the contents of zeatin and zeatin riboside and increased the level of zeatin-O-glucoside in the roots and isopentenyladenosine and isopentenyladenine in the leaves. Thus, ABA protective action under salinity can be realized through the weakening of oxidative stress (a decrease in MDA content) and the regulation of PA, proline, and CK metabolism, which has a great significance in plant adaptation to injurious factors.