Role of low molecular weight antioxidants in mitigating the adverse effect of salt stress in Zea mays seedlings

Khaulood A. Hemida et al.,

Maize | Antioxidant enzymes

Vol: 7; Iss:2; Feb. 21 | ISSN: 2454-5422

In order to determine fresh-dry weights, shoot-root lengths, protein content and enzymatic antioxidant activities like superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione reductase, as well as non-enzymatic antioxidant contents such as ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, and glutathione in Zea mays L., an economically important cereal crop, the present work was done. To explore the defensive mechanism of the plant against stress of NaCl salt. Grains of the plant were pre-treated individually or in series before germination with ascorbic acid, glutathione, and alpha-tocopherol. After 15 days of age, seedlings that were exposed to different concentrations of 50-200 mM NaCl were examined and analysed. Results showed that the salt-affected maize seedlings responded positively to treatment with different antioxidants and had a strengthened antioxidant defense system.