Effect of water and salt stresses on growth, chlorophyll, mineral ions and organic solutes contents, and enzymes activity in mung bean seedlings

The experiment was made by using different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) or salt solutions to decrease the osmotic potential of the growth medium to reveal the response of mung bean (Vigna radiata) to water and salt stresses. No germination (emergence of the seedling) occurred at medium osmotic potential lower than -1.0 MPa in all treatments. It was found that the activity of α-amylase and protease, and contents of proline, saccharides and the soluble proteins decreased in the germinating seeds during 3-d stress. However, after 10-d stress, the contents of organic solutes and the activity of the hydrolytic enzymes increased. Growth, chlorophyll content and mineral uptake were also significantly reduced under stress. The seedlings under water stress induced by PEG were affected much more than under salinity. This may be due to the maintenance of a higher succulence under salt stress than under PEG-induced water stress. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.