Journal of Environmental Biology

Calcium interaction with salinity-induced effects on growth and

metabolism of soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivars

 

A. Arshi¹, A. Ahmad¹, I.M. Aref² and M. Iqbal*^1,2

 

¹Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University), New Delhi - 110 062, India

 

²Department of Plant Production, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh - 11451, Saudi Arabia

(Received: July 27, 2009; Revised received: November 06, 2009; Accepted: December 10, 2009)

 

Abstract: In the present work, hydroponic culture of JS-335 and Bragg cultivars of soybean (Glycine max) were raised to analyze changes in growth, reactive oxygen metabolism in terms of H₂O₂ content, lipid peroxidation (TBARS), free radical quenching systems (non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants) and ion accumulation in different plant parts under NaCl and CaCl₂ stress. Fifteen-day-old seedlings were treated with solutions of 25 mM (T₁), 50 mM (T₂) and 100 mM (T₃) NaCl alone and in combination of 10 mM CaCl₂ i.e., 25 mM + 10 mM (T₄), 50 mM + 10 mM (T₅) and 100 mM + 10 mM (T₆).? Observations recorded at 30 days after sowing displayed significant decreases in plant biomass, leaf water potential, leaf area, chlorophyll content and the contents of glutathione (GSH) and ascorbate (AsC) on application of NaCl alone. However, H₂O₂ content and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) in leaves were enhanced, consequently invoking the activities of SOD, APX, GR and CAT. Application of NaCl + CaCl₂ alleviated adverse effects of NaCl stress. The Na⁺ and Cl^- contents in different plant parts increased with NaCl as well as with NaCl + CaCl₂ treatments. The maximum accumulation occurred in roots, followed by the stem and the leaves. The K⁺ and Ca²⁺ contents decreased under NaCl stress; but NaCl + CaCl₂ treatment reduced the extent of decrease caused by NaCl. Thus, calcium ameliorated the deleterious effects of NaCl stress and stimulated plant metabolism and growth.

Key words: Antioxidant enzymes, Biomass accumulation, Glycine max, Ion accumulation, Salinity stress

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