Evaluation of biochemical parameters in nitrate-hardened seeds of Indian mustard subjected to salt stress

Abstract

Studies were conducted to evaluate the effects seed hardening (hydration-dehydration) treatments with
KNO3 on some physiological alterations (chlorophyll, carbohydrate, free amino acids and molecules
concerned with peroxidation (H2O2, MDA), proline, antioxidative enzymes (SOD, CAT and APX)). The
seedlings were subjected to salt stress (0.5% and 0.75%). Under salinity stress chlorophyll decreases over
control whereas carbohydrates, free amino acids, MDA and proline contents increased over control.Nitrate
hardening also increased activities of antioxidative enzymes (SOD, CAT, and APX) and lowered lipid
peroxidation. Present investigations suggest that the hardening of seeds with KNO3 for short duration induces
the endurance capacity in Indian mustard seedlings to grow with salinity stressful conditions.