Study of salinity and ascorbic acid on some physiological responses of Nigella sativa L

In this study، the sodium chloride and ascorbic acid interaction on growth parameters، photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls a، b and (a+b)، carotenoids)، amount of soluble sugar and total protein in Nigella sativa L. were investigated in greenhouse condition. This experiment was conducted in randomized design based on three replications. Plants were exposed to different concentrations of sodium chloride (0، 25، 50، 75 and 100 mM) and ascorbic acid (0 and 10 mM). In plants only exposed to sodium chloride، with the increase of sodium chloride concentration growth parameters، photosynthetic pigments and protein amount decreased compared to control samples while، amount of soluble sugar increased. In plants exposed to sodium chloride and ascorbic acid، growth parameters، photosynthetic pigments، amount of soluble sugars and total protein were higher compared to plants only exposed to sodium chloride. The result showed that spray of ascorbic acid (as an antioxidant) caused resistance against salt stress and decreased side effects of sodium chloride in Nigella sativa L.