Application of hemin-induced growth and biochemical modifications in Hassawi okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) grown in seawater salinity

Abstract

The present study investigated the possible protective role of hemin (75 µM) on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) plants grown under diluted seawater (seawater/normal water) in plastic bags on loam soil and compost (1:1). Four levels of seawater were prepared by diluting seawater to give 1.8, 3.6, 5.4 and 7.2 dsm-1. Okra plants were irrigated with these concentrations of seawater. The effects of seawater salinity on okra plants were evaluated by determining growth parameters, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity ascrobate content, α-amylase, protease and lipid peroxidation in the presence or absence of hemin. The study found that seawater salinity resulted in a high level of lipid peroxidation, which was associated with significant decrease in growth parameters and protease activity. The activity of SOD, CAT and ascorbate content were increased significantly, compared to control plants. Alleviation effect of hemin was obvious on growth parameters at most salinity levels. This was associated by enhancement of CAT and α-amylase activities and reduction of lipid peroxidation compared to the corresponding untreated salinized plants. So hemin could play a central function as a signal molecule in salt tolerance of okra plants. The results of this study demonstrated that okra can be grown successfully using diluted seawater and the different antioxidants could partially alleviate the harmful effects of seawater stress that reflected on growth and some physiological changes of okra plant. According to these findings, it can be pronounced that the treatment of salinized okra with hemin (75 µM) may reduce the negative impact of light salinity stress.