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The effect of combined salinity and waterlogging on the halophyte Suaeda maritima: The role of antioxidants

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 16:37 authored by Gazala M Alhdad, Charlotte E Seal, Mohammed J Al-Azzawi, Tim Flowers
Suaeda maritime is a halophytic plant and its habitat is salt marsh. In order to adapt to saline or waterlogged conditions, plants have evolved mechanisms that include antioxidant protection. However, the combined effect of salinity and waterlogging on antioxidants in S. maritime is unknown. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effect of saline-flooding on levels of glutathione and phenolic compounds (antioxidants) and the correlation between their concentration and activity in S. maritime shoots grown in their natural habitat and in a glasshouse. Shoots were collected from two different elevations (and so different degrees of flooding) of a salt marsh while other plants were grown in half strength seawater in the controlled conditions of a glasshouse for 8 weeks (drained and flooded). Shoot samples were used to measure dry weight, glutathione and its reduction state, malonyldialdehyde content (MDA), polyphenol content, superoxide anion and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) scavenging activity in the shoots of S. maritime. Growth of S. maritima was greater in plants growing on the high marsh than at a lower elevation and in drained medium as opposed to waterlogged conditions in the glasshouse. Waterlogging caused an increase in glutathione and its reduction state. The glutathione half-cell redox potential (E-GSSG/2GSH) was more negative in plant shoots grown under waterlogged conditions than in plants grown under normal conditions. Higher DPPH and superoxide anion scavenging activity was associated with high antioxidant concentrations (glutathione and polyphenols). Conclusions. Under saline-flooded conditions in the field and in the glasshouse, plants produced a higher concentration of antioxidants than under drained conditions. These result indicated that antioxidant molecules play an important role in S. maritima plants under combined salinity and waterlogging stress. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Environmental and Experimental Botany

ISSN

0098-8472

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

87

Page range

120-125

Department affiliated with

  • Biology and Environmental Science Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2014-01-16