Response of antioxidant enzyme activity and pigment content in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seedlings under salt stress

Abstract

Abstract. In order to evaluate the effects of osmotic stress on fresh weight, pigment content and responses of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX) and catalase (CAT), a factorial experiment was carried out under laboratory conditions with five common bean genotypes and two salt stress levels induced by NaCl (control and 400 mM). Electrophoretic analyses were performed for three antioxidant enzymes SOD, POX and CAT in leafs of common bean genotype seedlings using 8% slab polyacrylamide gels. For SOD, POX and CAT, three, three and one isozymes were observed, respectively. Salinity was decreased fresh weight and chlorophyll content. Anthocyanins and carotenoids concentration was increased in common bean genotypes. Statistical analysis showed that salinity stress has a significant effect on fresh weight, pigment content and enzymatic activities in common bean seedlings. SOD, POX and CAT activities were increased significantly in the salt stress compared with control condition about 40, 21 and 30.5 percent, respectively. These results seem to indicate that 41218 genotype of common bean tolerance to salt stress is associated with enhance activity of antioxidant enzymes.