Modulation of enzymatic antioxidants improves the salinity resistance in canola (Brassica napus).

Soil salinity is one of the major obstacles hindering profitable crop production worldwide. This study was conducted to appraise the effects of salinity on germination, early seedling growth, electrolyte leakage and antioxidant activity of different canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars. Three canola cultivars viz. Fornex, Alice and Modena were sown under four (0, 40, 80 & 120 mM NaCl) salinity levels. Substantial decrease in germination percentage, root length, shoots length and seedling dry weight of all canola cultivars was observed at all salinity levels in general but higher salinity level (120 mM NaCl) seemed more detrimental. Canola cultivar Modena had higher germination percentage, root length, shoot length and seedling dry weight than other canola cultivars in saline environment. Moreover, at all levels of salinity seedling electrolyte leakage, catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) activities were increased in canola cultivars. However, higher activities of CAT and POX accompanied with minimum electrolyte leakage were observed in canola cultivar Modena at higher salinity levels. In conclusion, salinity stress severely affected the germination and early seedling growth of canola. Canola cultivar Modena was the most salt tolerant due to maintenance of higher germination and seedling growth under saline conditions with higher CAT and POX activities and better membrane stability. © 2012 Friends Science Publishers