Abstract
Greenhouse experiments were conducted to assess the effects of soil salinity on Avicennia officinalis L. (Acanthaceae) of Gujarat at different salinity levels (0.2, 5.4, 10.3, 15.4, 20, 25.6, 30, and 34ppt). Growth and physiological characteristics were monitored over the subsequent 6 months. Total dry weight of plant tissues increased up to 5.1ppt, but decreased at high salt concentrations. Organic solute concentration, such as soluble sugars, proline, and glycine betaine, decreased with an increase in salinity concentration up to 5.1ppt, but increased with a further increase in salinity (above 5.1ppt). There was an increase in total chlorophyll and decrease in total free amino acids and protein oxidation up to 5.1 ppt, after that it showed the reverse trend with a further increase in salinity. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) continuously increased with an increase in salinity stress. Membrane leakage and lipid peroxidation decreased at 5.1 ppt, but increased with a further increase in salinity levels. The activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, decreased at 5.1ppt, but increased with a further increase in salinity levels. The overall result suggests that A. officinalis has a remarkably high degree of salinity tolerance, and shows an optimal growth and high activity of reactive oxygen species-scavenging antioxidant enzymes when soil water salinity was 5.1ppt.
Published Version
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