Full Length Research Article
Growth and physiological response of eight Pea (Pisum sativum L.) varieties under In vitro salt stress
Fatima Ishrat1, Humera Afrasiab1, Firdaus-e-Bareen Bareen1, Farman Ahmad Chaudhury2
*- Corresponding Author: Humera Afrasiab (Email: nida13pk@gamil.com)
Authors' Affiliations
2. School of Food Sciences and Technology, Minhaj University Lahore – Pakistan
Publisher's Note: This is publication of a provisionally accepted manuscript. Full length publication shall follow as its turn comes up.
Abstract
Background: Salt stress is one of major abiotic stress that negatively affects plant growth and decreases the productivity of important crops. Pisum sativum is an important vegetable crop and is sensitive to NaCl stress. The present research work was aimed to identify salt tolerant varieties of pea grown in Pakistan. For this purpose, eight varieties (Climax, Janass, Lina Pak, Meteor, Rondo, Pea-09, Pea-267 and Pea-450) were collected for salt stress studies.
Methods: MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of NaCl (0, 20, 40, 80 and 100mM) was used and 15 days old in vitro plantlets were given salt stress using step-up NaCl treatment. After one month of treatment, the plants were harvested, and different morphological parameters were recorded.
Results: The results showed that the growth of most of the pea varieties improve at lower (20mM) NaCl concentration, but a gradual reduction was observed with increase in NaCl level. The length of shoots, number of leaves, chlorophyll and dry weight were less effected by salt stress in pea varieties Meteor, Rondo and Climax and most significant reduction was observed in Pea-09 and Pea-450. Moreover, the salt tolerant varieties (Meteor, Rondo, and Climax) showed an increase in protein content and free radical scavenging activity (IC50 value) in all treatments.
Conclusion: The present research findings suggest that Meteor, Rondo, and Climax are potentially tolerant varieties to NaCl stress based on their less detrimental effects and having high protein level and antioxidant activity. This study also shows that the number of leaves, chlorophyll, and protein content, and antioxidant potential are efficient markers for screening of stress tolerant lines.
