Salt stress changes biochemical, physiological and photosynthetic attributes of Satureja spicigera
Subject Areas : Stress Physiology
Hoshangh Rahmati
1
,
Borzou Yousefi
2
1 -
2 -
Keywords: Antioxidant activity, Medicinal plants, Photosynthesis, Salt stress ,
Abstract :
We investigated the effect of salt stress on photosynthetic, physiological, and biochemical traits of Satureja spicigera (C. Koch) Boiss., a medicinal plant used in edible products and healthcare industries. The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design (RCB) with three replications in a greenhouse. The salt treatments included four levels of NaCl (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM). Results showed that salinity levels caused a significant reduction in some photosynthetic, morpho-physiological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics; however, it boosted antioxidant activity. Salinity levels significantly reduced leaf fresh weight (12.56%), leaf dry weight (18.53%), relative water content (11.94%), chlorophyll a (33.33%), chlorophyll b (15.62%), chlorophyll a+b (29.24%), and carotenoid content (42.46%). However, salinity significantly boosted the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (236.50%), peroxidase (85.67%), and catalase (82.78%) on average. Salt stress also significantly increased proline content (373.33%), protein content (84.49%), and leaf electrical conductivity (333.26%) on average. Results confirm that S. spicigera tolerates NaCl concentrations below 100 mM; however, it is highly sensitive to NaCl concentrations above 100 mM, so that a salinity of 150 mM causes a dramatic decrease in photosynthesis and growth. Therefore, we do not recommend the cultivation of this plant in highly saline and semi-saline soils.
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