Exogenously applied GA3 promotes plant growth in onion by reducing oxidative stress under saline conditions

Abstract

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a biennial crop of high commercial value in Pakistan. Onion is considered as salt sensitive plant species. The present investigation was carried out to investigate the effect of salinity on onion and its alleviation through exogenously applied gibberellic acid (GA3; 100 mg L-1). Foliar application of GA3 (100 mg L-1) was applied on onion seedlings grown under three levels (0, 2 or 4 dS m-1) of salinity after 45 days of sowing. Results revealed that growth parameters and total soluble protein (TSP) contents declined with increase in soil salinity level. While, antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD and POD) were increased with salinity. However, exogenously applied GA3 significantly enhanced the plant growth and TSP in onion seedlings. Interestingly, CAT, SOD and POD concentration decreased with GA3 application which depicts stress alleviation in saline stressed onion plants due to GA3. It was concluded that the growth of onion could be enhanced to some extent by the application of GA3 under salinity stress.