Biochemical, physiological and growth changes in response to salinity in callus cultures of Sesuvium portulacastrum L.

Lokhande, Vinayak Haribhau; Nikam, Tukaram Dayaram; Penna, Suprasanna

In vitro-grown cells of Sesuvium portulacastrum L., an important ‘salt accumulator’ mangrove associate, were incubated on a medium containing different levels of salt, including 0, 100, 200, or 400 mM NaCl, in order to evaluate biochemical, physiological, and growth responses. A significant decrease in callus growth, water status, and cell membrane damage was observed under salt stress. Osmotic adjustment was revealed by the accumulation of inorganic ions, such as sodium (Na ), and organic osmolytes (proline, glycine betaine, and total soluble sugars) in NaCl-treated calli compared to control. However, accretion of osmolytes and inorganic ions did not support growth of calli under NaCl stress conditions. The observed reduced growth rate in calli subjected to stress, up to 200 mM NaCl, was coupled with lower catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities and with a significantly higher superoxide dismutase activity. These findings suggested that S. portulacastrum cell cultures exhibited higher osmotic adjustment to salt stress.

PLANT growth; PLANT physiology; SALT; AIZOACEAE; CARYOPHYLLALES; HERBACEOUS plants

Plant Cell, Tissue & Organ Culture, 2010, Vol 102, Issue 1, p17

0167-6857

Academic Journal

10.1007/s11240-010-9699-3