Seedling growth and antioxidant activity of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) genotypes under salt stress

Abstract

Salinity induces the abiotic stresses which affects plant cell
metabolism and reduces plant productivity. This research
was carried out in order to investigate the effect of salt
stress on seedling growth and antioxidant activity among
two genotypes of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Salt
stress treatments were applied using salt solutions with 0
(control), 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mM NaCl. In experiment,
the effect of different concentration measured of salt level
on germination percentage, seedling length, seedling fresh
and dry weight. Results of the study showed that salt stress
induced changes in antioxidant enzymes, superoxide
dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD), chlorophyll content
and proline concentration. Salt treatment sharply decreased
seedling length, fresh weight, dry weight and chlorophyll
content in GT26-genotype when compared with GT25-
genotype. Both the genotypes (GT25 and GT26) showed an
increased in proline, SOD and POD activities under salt
condition. However, these increases were higher in GT25
than GT26. These results indicate that eggplant genotypes
respond to salt induced oxidative stress by enzymatic
defence systems.