Antioxidant responses of 'Selva' strawberry as affected by salicylic acid under salt stress

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Salicylic acid (SA) is a phenolic-endogenous plant hormone and its ameliorative effects against abiotic stresses have been well documented. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of salinity and SA on enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants responses of 'Selva' strawberry plants with respect to the time of SA application. METHOD: Well-rooted daughter strawberry plants cv. Selva, were potted in 3L plastic pots and after their establishment, were sprayed with 0.5 or 1.0mM salicylic acid solutions one week before, during or one week after being exposed to 40mM NaCl salinity. Experiments were carried out as bi-factorial in a completely randomized design. RESULTS: The activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase increased by both salinity and SA treatments. The highest antioxidant enzymes activity was observed in plants treated with SA one week before being exposed to salinity stress. These plants had both higher proline and glycine betaine contents and lower protein degradation. CONCLUSION: Before being exposed to salinity stress, treating strawberry plants with salicylic acid probably by improving their antioxidant systems will prepare them to cope better with the deleterious effects of salt stress.