Modulation of Antioxidant System by Glutathione in Maize Seedlings under Salt Stress Conditions

Effect of glutathione on seed vigour parameters and antioxidant system at different salt stress levels was observed in maize . Seeds of maize (Zea mays L.) cv J 1006 were soaked for 4hrs in water (hydration), glutathione 100 and 500 ppm solutions and surface dried. The treated seeds were subjected to salt stress levels of 50 , 75 and 100 mM NaCl. Vigour and biochemical parameters were recorded from 10 days old seedlings. Seed treatments increased percent germination, seedling length and biomasss, proline content and activities of antioxidant enzymes viz. catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase of seedlings whereas decreased the malondialdehyde content over untreated seeds. The glutathione 500 ppm was more effective in alleviating salt stress compared to 100 ppm. The findings conclude that glutathione 500 ppm will be useful in ameliorating the adverse effects of salt stress by using seed treatments of glutathione for growing maize in salt affected areas.