ANTIOXIDATIVE RESPONSE OF MUNGBEAN (VIGNA RADIATA L.) TO SALT STRESS

The effect of salt stress (NaCl) on growth, specific activity of catalase and peroxidase and accumulation of proline and Na+ and K+ content in leaves from mungbean were examined. The plant dry weight decreased with higher concentrations of the salt. The results at the various growth stages revealed an increase in the activity of catalase and peroxidase activity with the increasing intensity of salt stress from 50 mM to 200 mM NaCl. Activity of catalase and peroxidase significantly increased at 20 days after sowing (DAS) as compared to control. The proline accumulation also increased with higher concentration of salt, whereas K+ concentration decreased that caused an injury to the plants.