Journal of Plant Biochemistry & Physiology
Open Access

Abstract

Sulfur and Nitrogen Co-ordinately Improve Photosynthetic Efficiency, Growth and Proline Accumulation in Two Cultivars of Mustard Under Salt Stress

Lubna Rais, Asim Masood, Arif Inam and Nafees Khan

The potential of applied nitrogen (N) or sulfur (S) at 100 mg.kg-1 soil individually or in combination in the
alleviation of 100 mM NaCl stress was studied in mustard (Brassica juncea L.) cvs. Alankar and Chutki. In general,
salt stress decreased photosynthetic efficiency, nitrate reductase activity, N content and growth in both the cultivars,
but the effect was greater in Chutki compared to Alankar. In contrast, proline accumulation increased under salt
stress but to a greater extent in Alankar. The individual application of N and S protected the plants from salt stress,
but combined N and S treatment was more efficacious in alleviating salt stress and more conspicuously in Alankar
by limiting chlorophyll degradation, increasing N assimilation and proline accumulation. It was concluded that the
cultivar Alankar was more responsive to individual and combined N and S treatments. However, the combined N and
S application resulted in greater proline accumulation and alleviated salt stress effects on photosynthetic efficiency
and growth.

Published Date: 2013-02-04; Received Date: 2013-01-14