NaCl Phytotoxicity Induces Oxidative Stress and Response of Antioxidant Systems in Cicer arietinum L. CV. Abrodhi

Abstract

NaCl induced reactive oxygen species generation and antioxidative reactions in the leaves of Cicer arietinum L. cv. Abrodhi were investigated in concentration-dependent manners. NaCl concentration was accompanied by a step rise in the superoxide anion radical and hydrogen peroxide. The antioxidant activity and free-radical scavenging activity of methanolic extract of leaf was evaluated against linoleic acid peroxidation and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical. The antioxidant activity ranged from 32.80 percent DW to 74.66 percent DW and free radical scavenging activity varied from 0.30 mg ml DPPH DW to 0.82 mg ml DPPH -1 -1 DW at 3 and 12 mM NaCl stress. The activity of superoxide dismutase and asccorbate peroxidase in leaves was found to be significantly increased and the catalase activity was always suppressed under NaCl stress. Treatment of seedlings with NaCl at 3mM to 12 mM induced prominent increase in non-enzymatic antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, carotenoids, non-protein thiols, total phenols and proline. The present findings were indicated that the NaCl triggered an antioxidative response in Cicer arietinum and the plant was a good source of natural antioxidants.