Cross-Stress Tolerance (Cold and Salt) in Plants Have Different Seed Nutrient Content (Maize, Bean and Wheat)

The aim of this study was to determine cross-stress tolerance in plants have different seed nutrient content (maize, bean and wheat). For this purpose, salt (50 and 100 mM NaCI) and cold stress (12/7oC) separately or in combinations (cross stress) were applied and studied the alterations of root and stem growth, total soluble protein content and antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)) associated with induction of cold hardiness by salt stress. Salt and cold stress and its combinations caused inhibition of root and stem growth and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, POD and APX) were significantly increased or decreased due to both salt, cold stress and its combinations. The soluble protein content increased in maize and wheat while decreased in bean in all applications. Cross-stress, on the other hand, decreased the soluble protein content according to alone salt or cold stress in all plants. As a result, there is not determined any relationship among cross-stress tolerance and growth, soluble protein content, antioxidant enzyme activities or plants have different energy sources. For example; while the highest increase in SOD, CAT, POD and APX activities were observed in maize, root-stem growth was most decreased in maize.