PJB-2023-467
EFFECT OF OSMOTIC AND SALT STRESSES ON GERMINATION AND PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS OF ERUCA VESICARIA SUBS. SATIVA L.
Selma Barris
Abstract
Rocket is a plant well adapted to the different climates in Algeria. It is known for its ability to grow in marginal conditions. It produces protein- and oil-rich seeds as well as edible leaves. Rocket and other members of the Brassicaceae plant family have been shown to contribute beneficial, health promoting phytochemicals to the human diet. However, little is known about its physiological response to water and salt stress. In this study, we sought to investigate the osmotic and salt stress effect on rocket seeds at the germination level and monitor phenolic compounds accumulation during this process. Our findings show that at an osmotic potential of -0.75 MPa, 33.33% of the seeds exposed to polyethylene glycol germinated which suggests that rocket seeds displayed tolerance to water stress. When decreasing the osmotic potential to -1.44 MPa of sodium chloride, the seed germination rate decreased to 21.33% which indicates that rocket seeds were resistant to salt stress. Quantitative analysis of seed’s phenolic compounds showed an increase in polyphenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins content. As expected, the biggest increases were observed in the highest levels of osmotic and salt stress exposures. This accumulation during germination could explain rocket seed’s ability to resist drought and salinity.
Keywords: Germination, NaCl, PEG6000ˑ, Phenolic compounds, Rocket.
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