The effect of beta-carotene on rooting and some physiological parameters of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) under salt stress in vitro culture conditions

Tomato is an important medicinal and nutritional plant. In this study tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)seedlings were cultured in MS medium containing 0, 60 and 120 mM NaCl under 0,6 and 16 mg/ L beta carotene treatment as a non enzymatic anti oxidant in tissue culture conditions. After 3 weeks, the effect of beta carotene on fresh and dry weight, Na K content, the length and the number of the roots and proline content were measured. Adding beta carotene to the culture medium containing salt resulted in the significant increase in the fresh and dry weight and the length and the number of roots. It also reduced a proline and the ratio of K/Na significantly. Betacarotene could mprove the salt tolerence of tomato by increasing of the root growth. it can be sugsted that application of beta caroten might be used for increasing of salt stress in tomato and possibly other useful plants.