Abstract:
Effects of NaCl stress and exogenous melatonin, arginine, and their combined treatment on morphological, physiological, and biochemical features of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) were estimated. Antioxidants, total soluble protein, and antioxidant enzymes were analyzed in this study. Quantum yield of photosystem II (Y[II]), inorganic ions and yield characters of red pepper were also studied in this research work. Salt stress was applied using 50- and 100-mM sodium chloride. Concentrations selected for exogenous melatonin and arginine treatments were 100 µM and 2 mM, respectively. Results showed that NaCl salt stress significantly reduced morphological characters. Foliar application of melatonin, arginine and their combined treatment improved morphological characters in control as well as salt stress plants. There was negligible change in chlorophyll a and b contents of Capsicum annuum L. under NaCl salt stress. Exogenous melatonin and arginine treatments slightly improved chlorophyll a, b contents in control and stress plants. ROS, MDA and H2O2, antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes were increased under salt stress. Foliar spray of melatonin, arginine and their combined treatment tends to decrease MDA & H2O2 but enhanced total phenolics and antioxidant enzymes under NaCl stress. Salt stress also decreased Y[II] and overall yield of red pepper. Exogenous melatonin and arginine treatments not only improved photosynthetic capacity of red pepper by improving Y[II] but also enhanced overall yield of red pepper plants in control and stress conditions. It is concluded that exogenous melatonin, arginine, and their combined treatment alleviates salt stress in red pepper through improving antioxidant enzymes activities, chlorophyll a and b contents, Y[II] and by scavenging effects of ROS. This resulted in improved plant growth and overall yield of red pepper.
Page(s):
64-64
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Abstract Book on Second International Conference on Recent Approaches in Plant Sciences (RAPS-23) 4-5 May 2023 , Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023
Keywords:
melatonin
,
salinity
,
Arginine
,
Abiotic stress
,
Red pepper