Effect of NaCl salinity on growth and development of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. ) seedlings

Soil salinization is one of the major factors of soil degradation. Salinity inhibition of plant growth is the results of osmotic and ionic effects and the different plant species have developed different mechanisms to cope with these effects. Peanut plant is a hoe planting. In this way the soil is harvested during the growing season, the seeds are cleaned and the soil is lifted. This is why it is considered a good planting crop.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the physiological effects of different NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150 mM) on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. cv. Georgia green) seedlings, which were grown in plastic vessels containing perlite under climate chamber. Peanut seedlings were harvested after 12days thansome physiological parameters were investigated. The seedeling parts were separated and dried at 80 °C in order to determine dry weight and Na content. Fresh and dry weights of root, stem and leaves were reduced by NaCl concentrations. A dose-dependent reduction was found in photosynthetic pigment contents. Whereas total carbonhydrate contents of root stem and leaves were increased, except for seedling roots at 100 and 150mM NaCl, total protein contents were reduced. Concentration dependant enhancement in MDA and H2O2 contents of the roots, stem, and leaves was assumed to be resulted from provoked oxidative stress. Content of non-protein SH groups and total phenolics in the seedling organs increased following NaCl applications. This may be due to an important role in stress caused by NaCl treatment.