The investigation on growth and some antioxidative enzymesof the maize(zeamaysl.)plantunder saltand water stress

Abstract

The present study was carried out to determine interactive effects of salinity and drought stress on growth and antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POX), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in hydroponically grown plants of maize, Zea mays L.cv DKC647. Plants were treated two salt (NaCl) concentrations and PEG 6000 to create water stress The results obtained from this experiment show that high salinity reduced shoot and root dry and fresh weight but PEG treatment had no significant effect on this parameters. SOD, POX and PPO activities were increased with the increase in the intensity of NaCl stress, but PEG treatment in addition to NaCl had more significant effect on this enzyme activity. However, the interactive effects of salinity and water stress induced highest SOD, POX, and PPO activities compared to the other treatments in maize plants. These results suggest that maize plants may be increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes to have a better protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS) under salt and water stress.