Foliar application of 24-epibrassinolide improved salt stress tolerance of perennial ryegrass

Abstract

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is a widely used turfgrass. In this study, the effect of exogenously applied 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) on salt stress tolerance of perennial ryegrass was investigated. The results indicated that pretreatment with four concentrations of EBR (0, 0.1, 10, 1000 nM) improved salt tolerance of perennial ryegrass. Exogenous EBR treatment decreased electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), and H2O2 contents and enhanced the leaf relative water content (RWC), proline, soluble sugar, and soluble protein content under salt stress condition. Meanwhile, EBR reduced the accumulation of Na+ and increased K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+s contents in leaves after salt treatment. Moreover, EBR pretreatment also increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity, as well as ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione contents. These results suggested that EBR improved salt tolerance by enhancing osmotic adjustment and antioxidant defense systems in perennial ryegrass.