Evaluation of Oxidative Stress Tolerance, Growth Responses, Osmolites and Phytohormonal Estimation of the Selected Halophytes

摘要

The present study was aimed to determine physiological responses of the selected halophytes Suaeda fruticosa Forsk, Atriplex leucoclada Boiss, Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) and Salicornica verginica L. Concomitant with the determination of soil characteristics collected from district Mardan. Haloxylon salicornicum present the highest concentration of K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions in its leaves as compared to the other three selected halophytes, whereas Fe+2, Cu+3, Zn+2 and heavy metals like Co+3 and Ni+3 were higher in Atriplex leucoclada. The analysis of the physiological response mechanisms showed that Atriplex leucoclada possessed higher chlorophyll a/b ratio and protein content. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD) and Catalase (CAT) activities were found higher in the leaves of Haloxylon salicornicum. The production of abscisic acid (ABA) was significantly higher as compared to indole acetic acid (IAA) in all the selected plants. Atriplex leucoclada Suaeda fruticosa and Salicornica verginica possessed higher concentration of ABA. The Salicornica verginica and Haloxylon salicornicum appear to use sugar as osmolyte while proline was found significantly higher in Suaeda fruticosa and Atriplex leucoclada. Correlation present between K+/Na+ and proline content. Among the selected halophytes Atriplex leucoclada have higher K+/Na+ ratio as well as proline and protein contents.