Salinity induced changes in ascorbic acid, hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation and glutathione content in leaves of salt tolerant and salt-susceptible cultivars of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of NaCl salinization onascorbate content, hydrogen peroxide content and lipid peroxidation in seedlings of saltsensitive(H-1236) and salt-tolerant (H-1226) American cotton genotypes. A nonsignificantchange was observed in ascorbate content in salt-tolerant (H-1226) genotypewhen exposed to salt stress, while there was a significant increase of 33.7% in sensitivegenotype (H-1236). Enhancement in hydrogen peroxide content was observed in both thegenotypes upon NaCl treatment. The basal level of hydrogen peroxide content was higherin sensitive genotype (87.2 μmoles/gFW) as compared to the tolerant genotype (67.9μmoles/gFW). The leaves of both the genotypes showed higher level of malondialdehydecontent when subjected to salt stress, however, the extent of enhancement was more insensitive genotype (182%) as compared to that in tolerant genotype (140%).