PJB-2020-167
Phytoremediation capabilities and antioxidant enzymes’ activities of two halophytic shrubs Capparis decidua and Haloxylon salicornicum from Cholistan desert, Pakistan under salinity stress
Muhammad Rafay, Muhammad Madnee, Muhammad Irfan Ashraf, Muhammad Abid, Muhammad Usman Ghaffar, Zaffar Malik, Hamza Basit and Shahriyar Ul Hassan
Abstract
Salt-affected Soils hindering plant biomass production is the burning issue of the world to meet demands for food, fiber and shelter. Recent study was conducted to evaluate two halophytes shrubs species Capparis decidua and Haloxylon salicornicum towards salinity stress. Antioxidant enzymes activities and phytoremediation capabilities (Na+ & K+ concentration) were measured. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse at different salinity levels (0, 70, 140 and 210 mM NaCl). One year old seedlings of Capparis decidua and Haloxylon salicornicum grown through cuttings in the polythene tubes in the nursery area were shifted to hydroponic medium for various parameters. The results revealed that under highly saline conditions H. salicornicum was found more salt tolerant and produced maximum number of leaves (27) than C. decidua (19) at 210 mM NaCl. Chlorophyll contents in C. decidua and H. salicornicum increased till 140 mM NaCl (0.24) and (0.48) and decreased (0.06) and (0.33) at 210 mM NaCl respectively. Uptake of Na+ concentration was increased with the elevated salinity treatments while K+ concentrations were decreased in both species. Na+ concentrations were found maximum in H. salicornicum (60117ppm) at 210 mM NaCl while it was (23225ppm) at 0 mM NaCl. Antioxidant enzymes activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased with increasing salinity while the Catalase (CAT) activity was at highest value at 0 mM NaCl (37.66) and its value decrease with the increasing salinity in both species. The results concluded that the H. salicornicum is more salt tolerant species. Both species can be used for phytoremediation of salinity from saline soils and successful revegetation of deserts.
To Cite this article:
Rafay, M., M. Madnee, M.I. Ashraf, M. Abid, M.U. Ghaffar, Z. Malik, H. Basit and S.U. Hassan. 2022. Phytoremediation capabilities and antioxidant enzymes’ activities of two halophytic shrubs Capparis decidua and Haloxylon salicornicum from Cholistan desert, Pakistan under salinity stress. Pak. J. Bot., 54(4): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2022-4(8)
Download
