Protection of CaCl2 of Catharanthus roseus under salinity stress by inducing antioxidative defence system and increase of photosynthetic pigments

This study evaluated the effects of calcium chloride as alleviator agent in salinity stress on Catharanthus roseus. 49- day- old plants were treated with different concentrations of NaCl (0, 35, 70 and 100 mM) alone and in combination of various CaCl2 concentration (0, 5 and 10 Mm) for 21 days. Then, percent of Inhibition of 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl radical (I%), activity of antioxidant enzymes, contents of photosynthetic pigments, leaf number and area were measured. The results indicated that pigments contents, leaf area and number were significantly decreased by salinity. Addition of CaCl2 to salinity-stressed plants increased of pigments contents, leaf area, the activitiy of antioxidant enzymes and I% in compared to plants grown with NaCl alone. The maximum enhancement was observed with the combined treatments (100mM NaCl 5mM CaCl2). The results are discussed in terms of the beneficial effects of calcium supply on the growth of vinca under saline conditions.