Mitigation of sodium chloride toxicity in Solanum lycopersicum L. by supplementation of jasmonic acid and nitric oxide

We investigated the effects of exogenous application of jasmonic acid (JA) and nitric oxide (NO) on growth, antioxidant metabolism, physio-biochemical attributes and metabolite accumulation, in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants exposed to salt stress. Treating the plants with NaCl (200 mM) resulted in considerable growth inhibition in terms of biomass, relative water content, and chlorophyll content, all of which were significantly improved upon application of JA and NO under both normal and NaCl-stress treatments. Salt treatment particularly 200 mM NaCl caused an apparent increase in electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation, and hydrogen peroxide production, which were reduced by exogenous application of JA and NO. Salt treatment triggered the induction of antioxidant system by enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR). Application of JA and NO separately as well as in combination caused a significant improvement in activities of SOD, CAT, APX, and GR activities. JA and NO either applied individually or in combination boosted the flavonoid, proline and glycine betaine synthesis under NaCl treatments. In conclusion, the exogenous application of JA and NO protected tomato plants from NaCl-induced damage by up-regulating the antioxidant metabolism, osmolyte synthesis, and metabolite accumulation.