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Applications of ascorbic acid or proline increase resistance to salt stress in barley seedlings

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Biologia Plantarum

Abstract

The present study was carried out to examine the effects of seed soaking in 1 mM ascorbic acid (AA) or 1 mM proline on the growth, content of photosynthetic pigments and proline, relative water content, electrolyte leakage, antioxidant enzymes and leaf anatomy of Hordeum vulgare L. Giza 124 seedlings grown in greenhouse under 100 or 200 mM NaCl. The plants exposed to the NaCl stress exhibited a significant reduction in growth, relative water content, leaf photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars, as well as alterations in leaf anatomy. However, the treatment with AA or proline ameliorated the stress generated by NaCl and improved the above mentioned parameters. NaCl increased electrolyte leakage, proline content, and activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and POX). The antioxidant enzymes and leaf anatomy exhibited considerable changes in response to AA or proline application in the absence or presence of NaCl.

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Abbreviations

AA:

ascorbic acid

Car:

carotenoids

CAT:

catalase

Chl:

chlorophyll

EL:

electrolyte leakage

POD:

peroxidase

RWC:

relative water content

SOD:

superoxide dismutase

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  1. Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, 63514, Fayoum, Egypt

    R. A. Agami

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Agami, R.A. Applications of ascorbic acid or proline increase resistance to salt stress in barley seedlings. Biol Plant 58, 341–347 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-014-0392-y

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