Comparative study of biochemical responses of different saffron (Crocus sativus) accessions to salt stress and alleviative effects of salicylic acid

Abstract:The present research is an attempt to study certain responses of some accessions of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) to salinity and ameliorative effects of salicylic acid. For this purpose, the effect of four concentrations (0, 100, 200 and 300 mM) of NaCl on some biochemical parameters in leaves of saffron collected from different regions of Iran (Natanz, Deyhook, Ghaenat) have been studied. For this purpose the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid with two concentrations (0.5 and 1 mM) has also been investigated. Our results showed that the contents of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde and proline increased in all accessions under salinity stress and salicylic acid reduced them in Natanz. Activity of antioxidant enzymes, peroxidase, catalase, ascorbat peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and superoxide dismutase in three accessions was measured. In Natanz the activities of antioxidant enzymes increased at first and then decreased and salicylic acid treatment reduced the activities of the enzymes. In Ghaenat the highest activities of enzymes was detected under maximum salinity and salicylic acid (1mM) reduced the activities of the enzymes. The obtained results of this analysis demonstrated that Ghaenat is the most resistant accession and salicylic acid could improve oxidative damage in saffron under salt stress.