PJB-2023-540
INVESTIGATING THE MOLECULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL BASIS OF SALT STRESS AND THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF SELENIUM IN MITIGATING SALT-INDUCED TOXICITY IN MAIZE LINES
MEHRAIN BIBI
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Abiotic stress factors encompass various inanimate components that exert a significant influence on plant growth and productivity, with climate change being a crucial driver reshaping environmental dynamics. Salt-induced stress stands out as a formidable adversary to crop yields. This research initiative aimed to investigate the impact of salt-induced stress and the role of sodium selenate in alleviating this stress in a hydroponic system, focusing on six distinct maize lines: Azam, 8003, TP1219, ZM309, Pop 2011 (w), and Pop 2011 (y).These maize lines underwent four distinct conditions: a control group (0mM NaCl), saline conditions (150 mM NaCl), treatment with sodium selenate at a concentration of 50 µM, and the simultaneous application of sodium selenate and salt stress. Following a post-stress period of 7 days, a comprehensive evaluation revealed that salt-induced stress resulted in a significant reduction in various morphological parameters, including plant height, root and shoot fresh and dry weights, root length, and shoot length. Conversely, the simultaneous application of sodium selenate with salt stress led to notable enhancements across all these parameters, with Azam consistently exhibiting superior performance.Enzymatic activity, proline/sugar levels, chlorophyll, and carotenoid levels were also altered under salt-induced stress, but intriguingly, the application of sodium selenate in conjunction with salt stress effectively reversed these alterations. This study also examined the genetic diversity among the six maize lines using RAPD markers, providing valuable insights into the distinctions and interrelationships among the varieties.In summary, this research underscores the adverse consequences of salt-induced stress on maize varieties and highlights the capacity of sodium selenate to ameliorate these effects. Furthermore, it sheds light on the genetic diversity within these maize lines, contributing to our understanding of their resilience to abiotic stress factors in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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