Effect of NaCl Induced Oxidative Stress on Growth and Antioxidant Enzymes of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa. Duch.) cv. Selva

The modern cultivated strawberry is one of the most delicious, refreshing and soft fruits of the world. About 20% of irrigated arable land in arid and semi-arid regions world wide is salt affected. The possible involvement of antioxidant enzymes in relation to the tolerance to salt stress was investigated in the cultivated Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa. D. Selva. Five months old berry runners were grown and subjected to 0.00, 0.25.0.50, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.50% NaCl treatments. The Growth and antioxidant enzymes investigation was carried out in three important stages of crop such as pre-flowering, flowering and fruiting against salinity induction. Growth of the plant was gradually decreased with the increase in salinity whereas total soluble and proline content and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate Peroxidase (APOX), and Catalase (CAT) increased with increase in NaCl concentrations in external medium till 0.75% and other treatments showed decrease in activity. The activities of SOD, APOX and CAT were up regulated at fruiting stage. These results suggest that the cultivated strawberry Fragaria x ananassa. D. Selva exhibit a better protection mechanism against oxidative damage by up regulation of antioxidant enzymes.