Effect of salicylic acid and ascorbic acid on photosynthetic pigments and some antioxidant enzyme activities in Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) under cadmium stress
Subject Areas : Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology journal
Keywords: Salicylic acid, Cadmium, Ascorbic acid, Antioxidant enzymes, basil,
Abstract :
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an annual, herbaceous plants belonging to the family of lamiaceae. Basil is used toas a herb, a spice as well as fresh vegetables. Today, vegetables grown in contaminated land on the fringes of bigcities is common and one of the main sources of pollution of the land are heavy metals such as cadmium, whichhas adverse effects on plants and humans. In this study, the effects of different concentrations of cadmium,salicylic acid, ascorbic acid and their interactions on the basil was investigated. Basil seeds in pots containingsand with a photoperiod of 16:8 h (light:dark) were planted. After germination, seeds were irrigated withHoagland solution. Seedlings in the 6 leave stage were treated with Cadmium chloride at three concentrations (0,20 and 50 mg/l). After 6 days salicylic acid at concentrations of 0 and 0.1 mM and Ascorbic acid at threeconcentrations ( 0, 100 and 200 ppm) were sprayed on seedlings. Results showed that by increasing theconcentration of cadmium the photosynthetic pigments content decreased but the activity of catalase, superoxidedismutase enzymes are increased. Our results showed that application of ascorbic acid and salicylic acidimproved the effects of cadmium stress on photosynthetic pigments. It seems that ascorbic acid as an antioxidantalleviates the adverse effects of cadmium stress
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