Does DNA methylation pattern mark generative development in winter rape?

In this paper we report on changes in DNA methylation pattern in rape apices and leaves during transition from vegetative to reproductive stage due to grafting and/or vernalization. Grafted plants of winter rape (Brassica napus L., var. "Górczański") (stock from vernalized, scion from non-vernalized plants) were used together with vernalized non-grafted plants. In addition, methylation status was determined also in spring rape (var. "M?ochowski") grown under normal and low temperature. The methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) method with EcoRI/MspI and EcoRII/HpaII restriction enzymes was employed. The majority (ca. 68%) of analyzed loci (566 in winter and 551 in spring rape) were monomorphic, i.e. did not undergo methylation. Both cultivars showed a similar degree of methylation. 188 loci in winter and 176 in spring cultivars expressed changes in the methylation pattern. All differentially amplified fragments resulted from either full methylation of an internal cytosine or from hemi-methylation of an external cytosine. A pair-wise comparison showed that a similar number of loci underwent development-related methylation changes in apices of the winter and spring rape. The majority (80%) of changes were demethylation events in generative (vernalized) apices of the winter cultivar. However, an increased number of demethylated loci was detected in vernalized apices in comparison with generative, non-vernalized ones. In apices of vegetative and generative grafted plants the same number of demethylation events was observed. Overall, 10 MSAP loci were detected that expressed methylation changes in vernalized apices only; among them 7 loci underwent demethylation after vernalization and remained methylated in both vegetative and generative non-vernalized stage. Only 1 locus was demethylated in generative non-vernalized apices. Thus, most of demethylation events can be ascribed to vernalization and not to the generative stage. In leaves of winter rape methylation and demethylation events occurred with similar frequency, while in the spring cultivar more demethylation events were detected. The results show that during vernalization and transition to the generative stage different sets of genes are activated.     

Slow vacuolar channels in vacuoles from winter and spring varieties of rape (Brassica napus)

Currents passing through slowly activating vacuolar channels (SV) in isolated vacuoles from winter (Górczański) and spring (M?ochowski) varieties of rape (Brassica napus) were examined using the patch-clamp technique. Eight-week-long vernalization at 5/2 degrees C (day/night) was applied to obtain the generative stage of winter rape. SV channels of vacuoles isolated from vegetative (rosette) and generative leaves of both varieties were examined in order to investigate a possible role of these ion channels in rape flowering. Single SV channel conductance measured in a vacuole-attached configuration (natural cell sap) ranged from 60 to 83 pS. Lower values were observed in the generative leaves of both varieties. Unitary conductance measured in excised cytoplasm-out membrane patches did not differ significantly among the experimental variants, with the exception of spring generative vacuoles, where it was significantly lower. There was also no difference in SV current densities measured in the whole-vacuole configuration. Gibberellic acid (GA(3)) (2mg/l) caused lowering of macroscopic SV currents by 20%, and had no significant effect on the single channel conductance. We conclude that SV channels play a role in rape vernalization and flowering owing to their multifactor regulation abilities rather than structural changes.     

Electric current affects the rate of development in isolated apical parts of rape in vitro

Apical parts of stems of Brassica napus L. var. oleifera cv. Gorczanski (winter rape) and cv. Mlochowski (spring rape), grown in vitro, were subjected to direct electric current (DC) of different polarity, duration and voltage. The positive orientation of DC, i.e. anode attached to the apical part and cathode to the medium, markedly enhanced the differentiation of the apical meristem in winter rape. The reverse polarity was without effect. DC treatment of positive polarity resulted in spring rape in transition of all explants to generative state while 70 % of non-treated plants remained at vegetative stage. Even negative orientation of DC brought about a rise in percentage of flowering plants with regard to control. The developmental effects of DC were dependent only to a low degree or not at all on duration and voltage of the treatment.     

油菜细胞质雄性不育系发育进程中活性氧的代谢

为进一步认识活性氧化谢同雄性不育的联系,本文研究了油菜不同生长发育时期不育系与保持系的活性氧代谢的差异。     

自交对白菜型冬油菜生理生化特性及抗寒性的影响

为了解自交对白菜型冬油菜后代生理生化特性及抗寒性的影响,以6份白菜型冬油菜为材料,研究了在越冬降温前与降温后,自交和开放授粉后代植株叶片生理生化指标及越冬率的变化。结果表明:(1)除MDA含量外,无论是降温前还是降温后,白菜型冬油菜自交后代植株叶片中的SOD、CAT、POD的活性以及可溶性蛋白和游离脯氨酸含量都较开放授粉表现出不同程度的降低,其幼苗越冬率也较开放授粉植株显著降低。(2)与降温前相比,降温后所有测定指标在两种授粉方式后代中都表现为上升的趋势,其中以CAT活性变化最为显著。研究认为,自交会使白菜型冬油菜后代植株叶片中保护酶活性及可溶性蛋白和游离脯氨酸含量明显降低,MDA含量升高,导致幼苗的越冬率显著下降,进而引起其植株抗寒性减弱。     

Does the lack of vernalization requirement interfere with winter survival of oilseed rape plants?

Recent studies (Rapacz 1999) have shown that cultivars of spring-type oilseed rape are able to cold-acclimate to the level comparable with winter cultivars, but only after prehardening which results both in the increase of photosynthetic activity and in growth cessation. It is commonly known that under field conditions spring-type cultivars could not survive winter. Present studies were undertaken to explain the reasons for low winter hardiness of spring type rape plants. Six cultivars of spring and two of winter rape were sown in the open-air vegetation room at the end of August. The obtained results indicate that the degree of frost damage in spring-type plants increased in the course of winter and this increase was parallel to elongation of generative shoots observed after periods of warming. Each spring cultivar was completely killed by frost just after its generative shoot reached 15–20 cm, irrespective of its frost resistance level, determined previously under laboratory conditions. In the case of winter cultivars survival rate was consistent with laboratory-estimated frost resistance. It is suggested that spring rape could not survive winter because of its limited ability to prevent shoot elongation during winter at temperatures slightly above 0 °C. It was also found that less efficient photosynthetic electron transport in autumn was observed in these spring cultivars in which the elongation of generative shoots was observed already during the first warm break in winter.     

硫肥对春油菜幼苗生理指标和土壤酶活性的影响

该研究以春油菜幼苗为材料,采用土壤盆栽试验,设7个不同施硫(0、35、70、105、140、175、210mg·kg^-1)处理,通过测定春油菜幼苗的株高、植株鲜重、叶绿素含量、MDA含量、SOD、POD、CAT活性、土壤全氮含量、pH、蔗糖酶、过氧化氢酶和脲酶活性指标,分析不同施硫量对春油菜幼苗生理生化指标和土壤相关酶活性的影响。结果表明:在春油菜苗期施用硫肥对幼苗的农艺性状、生理生化指标和土壤酶活性均产生了一定影响。施硫量在35~105mg·kg^-1范围时,对植株鲜重有明显的促进作用;施硫量在70~105mg·kg^-1范围时,类胡萝卜素含量达到最高;施硫量在70~105mg·kg^-1范围时,叶片中POD和CAT的活性明显升高,而MDA含量明显下降;经相关分析,MDA含量与POD活性呈极显著负相关(r=-0.92,P<0.01),与CAT活性呈显著负相关(r=-0.72,P<0.05),说明叶片MDA含量受POD和CAT活性变化的影响;施硫量高于105mg·kg^-1时,土壤脲酶和蔗糖酶活性受到抑制;施硫量高于140mg·kg^-1时,土壤过氧化氢酶活性受到抑制;随着施硫量的增加,土壤pH值和叶片SOD活性逐渐下降;经相关性分析,土壤脲酶活性和全氮含量间呈极显著正相关(r=1,P<0.01),表明土壤全氮含量受土壤脲酶活性变化的影响。由此可知,在低硫(35~105mg·kg^-1)条件下对春油菜幼苗生理生化指标及土壤酶活性具有一定的促进作用,而在高硫(>105mg·kg^-1)条件下则产生抑制。     

Changes in endogenous gibberellins in plant organs producing and utilizing photosynthates

The distribution of endogenous gibberellin-like substances in individual organs ofZea mays L., cv. CE 250, plants was investigated during the transition from the vegetative to the generative phase of development. The gradient of the content of gibberellin-like substances and photosynthetic activity in leaf segments was followed in different parts of the Jeaves, as well as the changes in the content of gibberellin-like substances in leaf segments during an exposure in the light and in the dark. The gradient of the content of endogenous gibberellin-liko substances in the leaves, in the stem and in the spike is interpreted in terms of possible relationship of these compounds to the regulation of sink — source.     

冬季高温对白三叶越冬和适应春季"倒春寒"的影响

暖冬和春季"倒春寒"已严重影响着多年生植物生长发育。选择建植3a的白三叶(Trifolium repens Linn)为试验材料,在入冬采用搭建塑料大棚模拟暖冬方法,通过在建棚前、建棚后、冬季融冻胁迫、春季揭棚后和"倒春寒"过程中测定棚外和棚内白三叶植株高度和叶片抗逆生理指标的变化以揭示未来暖冬对白三叶生存和生态园林持续发展的影响。结果表明,冬季棚外气温均温低于0℃,白三叶叶片经历了冻融胁迫,棚内温度高于0℃,叶片始终未结冻。搭棚前,棚内外试验地白三叶生长势无差异。搭棚后100d棚内白三叶株高是棚外的3倍,但揭棚后3个月棚内外白三叶株高一致。另外,冬季虽然棚内外白三叶叶片细胞膜透性、丙二醛(MDA)、脯氨酸、可溶性糖含量和抗氧化酶活力(SOD、CAT、POD)均随气温下降而增高与气温变化呈负相关,但棚外白三叶叶片上述生理指标均高于棚内。在春季揭棚后2d,冬季棚内生长的白三叶不仅叶片细胞膜透性和MDA含量急剧增加并高于揭棚前和棚外白三叶,而且叶片SOD和CAT活性和可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量急剧增加也明显高于棚外白三叶。在春季"倒春寒"时,冬季棚内外不同温度下生长的白三叶叶片细胞膜透性快速升高、脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量、POD和SOD活性均上升,两处理间无显著差异。研究表明,冬季零度以上低温可延缓冬季白三叶绿叶期和单个叶片的寿命,可使白三叶安全渡过春季"倒春寒",未来暖冬不会降低白三叶抗融冻能力和其返青生长势。而这与白三叶能快速应对环境温度变化,通过调整生理代谢使叶片中快速积累渗透调节物和激活抗氧化酶防止氧自由基积累抑制膜脂过氧化,保护细胞膜的完整性有直接关系。     

Electric and structural studies of hormone interaction with chloroplast envelope membranes isolated from vegetative and generative rape

The electric and structural properties of envelope membranes of chloroplasts obtained from vegetative and generative plants of rape and the effect of hormone (IAA, GA(3) and zearalenone) treatment were determined by zeta potential and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) methods. Chloroplasts were isolated from leaves cut off from the vegetative (before cooling) and generative apical parts of plants. The lipid composition of chloroplast envelope membranes were analyzed by chromatographic techniques. Envelopes from generative plants contained higher levels of digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) and smaller amounts of phospholipids (PLs) in comparison to those obtained from vegetative ones. Moreover, envelopes of generative plants were characterized by higher fractions of unsaturated fatty acids. The zeta potential changes caused by hormone treatment were higher for chloroplasts isolated from vegetative plants in comparison to chloroplasts isolated from generative ones. An especially strong effect was observed for chloroplasts treated with IAA. The thickness of bilayers of untreated chloroplasts from vegetative plants were larger by 0.4 nm when comparing to the thickness of layers obtained from generative ones. The effect of hormones (GA(3) and zearalenone) was detected only for vegetative chloroplasts. Both applied methods indicated differences in the properties of untreated and hormone-treated chloroplasts obtained from vegetative and generative plants.     

Seasonal variation in the regulation of redox state and some biotransformation enzyme activities in the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica L.)

Little is known of the normal seasonal variation in redox state and biotransformation activities in birds. In long-distance migratory birds, in particular, seasonal changes could be expected to occur because of the demands of migration and reproduction. In this study, we measured several redox parameters in the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica L.) during the annual cycle. We captured the wintering barn swallows before spring migration in South Africa, and we captured the barn swallows that arrived in spring, bred in summer, and migrated in autumn in Finland. The redox status and biotransformation activities of barn swallows varied seasonally. Wintering birds in South Africa had high biotransformation activities and appeared to experience oxidative stress, whereas in spring and summer, they showed relatively low redox (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], and glutathione reductase [GR]) and biotransformation enzyme activities. Autumn birds had very low biotransformation enzyme activities and low indication of oxidative stress but high activity of some redox enzymes (GR and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PDH]). High activities of some redox enzymes (SOD, GR, and G6PDH) seem to be related to migration, whereas low activities of some redox enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GR) may be associated with breeding. Barn swallows in South Africa may experience pollution-related oxidative stress, which may hamper interpretation of normal seasonal variation in redox parameters.     

Response of antioxidant enzymes to transfer from elevated carbon dioxide to air and ozone fumigation, in the leaves and roots of wild‐type and a catalase‐deficient mutant of barley

A catalase-deficient mutant (RPr 79/4) and the wild-type (cv. Maris Mink) barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) counterpart, were grown for 3 weeks in high CO₂ (0.7%) and then transferred to air and ozone (120 nl 1^?1) in the light and shade for a period of 4 days. Leaves and roots were analysed for catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2) activities. CAT activity in the leaves of the RPr 79/4 catalase-deficient mutant was around 5-10% of that determined in Maris Mink, but in the roots, both genotypes contained approximately the same levels of activity. CAT activity in Maris Mink increased in the leaves after transferring plants from 0.7% CO₂ to air or ozone, reaching a maximum of 5-fold, after 4 days in shade and ozone. For the catalase-deficient mutant, only small increases in CAT activity were observed in light/air and light/ozone treatments. In the roots, CAT activity decreased consistently in both genotypes, after plants were transferred from 0.7% CO₂. The total soluble SOD activity in the leaves and roots of both genotypes increased after plants were transferred from 0.7% CO₂. The analysis of SOD isolated from leaves following non-denaturing PAGE, revealed the presence of up to eight SOD isoenzymes classified as Mn-SOD or Cu/Zn-SODs; Fe-SOD was not detected. Significant changes in Mn- and Cu/Zn-SOD isoenzymes were observed; however, they could not account for the increase in total SOD activity. In leaves, GR activity also increased in Maris Mink and RPr 79/4, following transfer from 0.7% CO₂; however, no constant pattern could be established, while in roots, GR activity was reduced after 4 days of the treatments. The data suggest that elevated CO₂ decreases oxidative stress in barley leaves and that soluble CAT and SOD activities increased rapidly after plants were transferred from elevated CO₂, irrespective of the treatment (light, shade, air or ozone).     

高寒山区植物根抗氧化酶系统的季节变化与抗冷冻关系

在高寒山区（海拔2900m）和选取4种多年生草本植物,即无芒雀麦（Bromus inermis）、草地早熟禾（Poa sphyondylodes）、花誉麦（Bromus sinensis）和垂重申披碱草（Elymus nutans）,测定了秋末、冬初、冬季、春季气温变化过程中其根中丙二醛（MDA）含量和抗氧酶活力（过氧化氢酶（CAT）、过氧化物酶（POD）、超氧物歧化酶（SOD））和抗坏血酸氧化酶（APX）变化,分析了抗氧酶系统在根抗冷适应中的作用,结果表明,随秋末降温植物根中MDA含量增加,尔后下降,在冬季和翌年春季保持相对稳定。从9月初到10月下旬,4种植物根中SOD、CAT、POD活力平均增加170％、130％和56％。在冬季下降,但仍远高于9月,在春季气温上升过程中酶活力上升。根能在组织结冰状况下生存与其具备完善的保护酶系统,能及时清除氧自由基抑制膜脂过氧化维持膜完整性有关,据降温过程中MDA含量和抗氧酶活力变化,可将根冷适应分为两个阶段,即第1阶段平均气温在0℃以上,抗氧酶活力增强,MDA增加阶段,第2阶段平均气温降至0℃以下,最低气温降到－15℃以下,抗氧酶活力下降,MDA无明显变化阶段。     

Changes in glucosinolates during crop development in single- and double-low genotypes of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus): II. Profiles and tissue-water concentrations in vegetative tissues and developing pods

The concentrations of glucosinolates in the tissue water of leaves, stems, floral buds and developing pods were measured at defined stages of development in four oilseed rape cultivars known to have different seed glucosinolate concentrations (Bienvenu, Ariana, Cobra and Capricorn). Five alkenyl, two aromatic and three indolyl compounds were identified in the vegetative and reproductive organs. Substantial differences developed in the profiles of compounds present during vegetative growth. The 2-hydroxy-3-butenyl glucosinolate was primarily associated with developing and mature seeds and germinated seedlings. The 4-pentyl glucosinolate occurred mainly during the later stages of vegetative growth in spring, when leaves contained higher concentrations than stems, and during the early stages of flowering. The 2-phenylethyl and 3-indolymethyl glucosinolates were present earlier in vegetative growth when similar concentrations were present in leaves and stems. Differences between cultivars in the tissue-water concentrations of individual glucosinolates were small during vegetative growth. The leaves of Cobra and Capricorn had smaller concentrations of the 3-pentyl glucosinolate than Bienvenu and Ariana especially early in spring, and the stems of Capricorn had smaller concentration of the 3-pentyl and 2-phenylethyl glucosinolates. Greater differences between cultivars developed during pod growth and involved large increases in the concentrations of the 2-hydroxy-3-butenyl and 3-butenyl glucosinolates, especially in Bienvenu and Ariana. The implications of these changes in the types and concentrations of glucosinolates in the different organs for the incidence of pests and diseases are discussed.     

水分胁迫及复水过程中小麦抗氧化酶的变化

对两个抗旱性不同的小麦品种进行水分胁迫和复水处理,研究其抗氧化酶活性的响应。在水分胁迫下,陇春-20的相对含水量高于优鉴-24,复水24h后,优鉴-24的相对含水量恢复较快且高于陇春-20。水分胁迫下,优鉴-24中H2O2含量增加迅速,而且各阶段含量均高于陇春-20,复水后两个品种的H2O2含量都下降,这表明优鉴-24在水分胁迫时受到更严重的氧化胁迫。采用温和胶电泳结合抑制剂实验发现小麦有3条Mn—SOD,一条Fe—SOD和Cu／Zn-SOD同工酶带,CAT同工酶有3条谱带。在水分胁迫和复水期间,优鉴-24的SOD和CAT活性高于陇春-20,随着水分胁迫程度的增加,两个品种的SOD和CAT活性都增强,复水后,优鉴-24的SOD活性继续增强,而陇春-20的Mn—SOD—3活性略微降低,Fe—SOD和Cu／Zn—SOD活性略微升高,陇春-20的CAT活性降低。水分胁迫诱导了Mn—SOD—1在优鉴-24及Mn—SOD-2和Fe—SOD在陇春-20中的表达。     

低温胁迫下嫁接对黄瓜叶片SOD和CAT基因表达与活性变化的影响

研究了低温胁迫下嫁接和自根黄瓜叶片Mn-SOD、Cu/Zn-SOD和CAT mRNA基因表达和酶活性变化及其与抗冷性的关系.结果表明:低温胁迫下,嫁接与自根黄瓜叶片Cu/Zn-SOD、Mn-SOD mRNA基因相对表达量变化分别与其Cu/Zn-SOD、Mn-SOD活性变化相吻合,而CATmRNA相对表达量变化与其CAT活性变化并不一致;嫁接黄瓜叶片Cu/Zn-SOD和Mn-SOD mRNA相对表达量及SOD、Cu/Zn-SOD和Mn-SOD活性均高于自根黄瓜,MDA含量和电解质渗漏率均低于自根黄瓜,嫁接黄瓜较高的SOD基因表达量调控的较高SOD活性是其抗冷性强于自根黄瓜的主要因素;嫁接黄瓜的功能叶CAT mRNA相对表达量略高于自根黄瓜,而幼叶CAT mRNA相对表达量低于后者,但两者CAT活性差异不大,说明低温胁迫对嫁接黄瓜叶片CAT mRNA相对表达量及CAT活性的影响不大.     

不同小麦品种对低温胁迫的反应及抗冻性评价

以济麦19、济麦21、济南17等15个冬小麦品种为材料,对其在低温胁迫条件下功能叶和叶鞘超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量与可溶性蛋白含量等生理指标进行测定,以功能叶各项指标的抗冻系数作为衡量抗冻性的指标,利用主成分分析、聚类分析对其抗冻性进行综合评价。低温胁迫条件下,不同冬小麦品种起身拔节期功能叶和叶鞘中SOD活性、POD活性和CAT活性均不同程度地上升,MDA含量和可溶性蛋白含量均下降。通过主成分分析和聚类分析,将15个冬小麦品种划分为3类:济麦19、山农8355属强抗冻类型;山农664、泰山9818、济麦21、济麦22、烟农24、烟农19、烟农21、汶农6号、鲁麦21、济南17属中度抗冻类型;其余3个品种(泰山23、聊麦18、临麦2号)属弱抗冻类型。     

The activity of antioxidant defence enzymes in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis from the Adriatic Sea

The activity of the antioxidant defence enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px, EC 1.11.1.9), glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2) and the phase II biotransformation enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST, EC 2.5.1.18) in whole mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were studied. The mussels were collected in winter and in spring at two localities in the Adriatic Sea: Bar Port and Tivat Bay. Our results show that the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and GST were seasonally dependent with higher activities in winter. GR activity was also higher in winter, but only in mussels from Bar Port. In mussels from Tivat Bay, GR activity was lower in winter compared to spring. In addition, a decrease in CAT activity in mussels from Bar Port compared to those from Tivat Bay was found. It can be concluded that seasonal variations should be incorporated into interpretation of biomonitoring studies in mussels.     

Antioxidant enzymes in the liver of Chelidonichthys obscurus from the Montenegrin coastline

The activities of antioxidant defence enzymes — total, manganese and copper zinc containing superoxide dismutase (Tot SOD, Mn SOD, CuZn SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR) and biotransformation phase II enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST) — in the liver of longfin gurnard (Chelidonichthys obscurus) from the Montenegrin coastline (Adriatic sea) were investigated. The specimens were collected in winter (February) and late spring (May) at two localities: Platamuni (PL, potentially unpolluted) and the Estuary of the River Bojana (EB, potentially polluted). The obtained results show that the activities of Mn SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and GST in winter were significantly lower at EB than at PL. In spring, the activities of CAT and GST were decreased, while GR activity was increased at EB in comparison to PL. The activities of Mn SOD and GST at PL were decreased and GSH-Px, GR and GST activities at EB were increased in spring compared to winter. Our work represents the first study of liver antioxidant enzymes of longfin gurnard from the Montenegrin coastline and reveals that locality, as a variable, has a greater influence on antioxidant enzymes and biotransformation phase II enzyme GST activities compared to season.     

Effect of salt stress on antioxidant defense systems,lipid peroxidation,and chlorophyll content in green bean

Salt stress-induced changes in antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR), total chlorophyll content, and lipid peroxidation measured as malondialdehyde (MDA) content, in leaves of a green bean genotype Gevas sirsk 57 (GS57) and cv. Fransiz 4F-89 differing in salt tolerance were investigated. Plants were subjected to three salt treatments (0, 50, and 100 mM NaCl) under controlled climatic conditions for 7 days. The salt-sensitive cv. 4F-89 exhibited a decrease in GR activity at all salt treatments, but the salt-tolerant genotype GS57 showed only a slight decrease in GR under 50 mM salt treatment and an increase under 100 mM salt treatment. CAT and APX activities increased with increasing salt stress in both varieties. CAT and APX activities were higher in the salt-tolerant GS57 than salt-ensitive cv. 4F-89. The two varieties showed an increase in MDA content with an increase in salinity, but the increase in sensitive cv. 4F-89 under salt stress was higher than that in salt-tolerant GS57 genotype. The increasing NaCl concentration caused a reduction in the chlorophyll content in cv. 4F-89 but not in GS57.