Seedling growth and antioxidant activity of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) genotypes under salt stress

Salinity induces the abiotic stresses which affects plant cell metabolism and reduces plant productivity. This research was carried out in order to investigate the effect of salt stress on seedling growth and antioxidant activity among two genotypes of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Salt stress treatments were applied using salt solutions with 0 (control), 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mM NaCl. In experiment, the effect of different concentration measured of salt level on germination percentage, seedling length, seedling fresh and dry weight. Results of the study showed that salt stress induced changes in antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD), chlorophyll content and proline concentration. Salt treatment sharply decreased seedling length, fresh weight, dry weight and chlorophyll content in GT26-genotype when compared with GT25- genotype. Both the genotypes (GT25 and GT26) showed an increased in proline, SOD and POD activities under salt condition. However, these increases were higher in GT25 than GT26. These results indicate that eggplant genotypes respond to salt induced oxidative stress by enzymatic defence systems.