Original Articles
Shishira T., Nivedita P., DÃÆ
Abstract
Salinity stress has been a major factor, limiting the growth and productivity of the Solanum melongena (Brinjal) plants in the temperate regions. A pot experiment was conducted on 60 days old plants. Four replicates of the plant were subjected to stress levels of 25 mM NaCl and 50 mM NaCl for duration of 10 days with 3 day intervals. The response of S. melongena to this salinity stress was attributed by decrease in total chlorophyll and elevated levels of other stress biomarkers such as Proline, Flavonoids, Ascorbic acid (ASC) and Glutathione (GSH). Salinity induces generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which occurs via electron transport reactions in the mitochondria and chloroplasts. ASC and GSH are key components of non-enzymatic antioxidant system in Brinjal contributing to scavenging of ROS. Parallel elevation of these two antioxidants under salinity suggests efficient operation of GSHcycle.