Protease Activity and Associated Changes During Germination and Early Seedling Stages of Cotton Grown under Saline Conditions

摘要

Salinity (NaCl) induced changes in protease activities and associated metabolic changes in three cotton varieties (NIAB-Karishma, NIAB-86 and K-115) were studied during germination and early seedling stages under controlled conditions. The increase in salinity of the medium resulted in the decrease of protease activities in all varieties, however it was more pronounced in NIAB-86. Decrease in mobilization of reserve protein and reduced concentrations of total free amino acids with increasing salinity were recorded in all the cotton varieties. Variety K-115 showed better performance than others. It showed highest germination followed by NIAB-Karishma and NIAB-86. The variety K-115 also had higher to mobilization capacity and had higher levels of total free amino acids and less reserve protein during germination and early seedling growth stages.