Effects of salt stress on pigment and total soluble protein contents of three different tomato cultivars.

Abstract

In this study, the effects of salt stress on pigment and total soluble protein contents were investigated in different varieties of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). The seedlings of L. esculentum viz. Hazera, Dalli Tokat and Argy were treated with NaCl at 25, 50, 100, 125, 150 and 200 mM concentrations for 96 with 24 h interval. Pigment and total soluble protein contents of all tomato cultivars were significantly decreased by salt stress depending on time intervals and salt concentrations. Decreasing of pigment and total soluble protein contents were more evident in Hazera under short time salt exposure. Pigment content of Argy plants were less affected by salt concentration and exposure time. The results of this study suggest that the Argy cultivars are relatively better protected under salt stress conditions than Dalli tokat and Hazera cultivars.   Key words: Salt stress, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., chlorophyll, carotenoid, total soluble protein.