Pre-soaking in 24-epibrassinolide or salicylic acid improves seed germination, seedling growth, and anti-oxidant capacity in Phaseolus vulgaris L. grown under NaCl stress

The effects of soaking common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seeds in 5.0 mu M 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) or in 1.0 mM salicylic acid (SA) on seed germination and seedling growth, drought tolerance, osmoprotectant molecule concentrations, and anti-oxidant systems when grown under 100 mM NaCl stress were investigated. EBL or SA alleviated the adverse effects of NaCl-stress to varying degrees. Despite the preference for EBL, soaking seeds in either compound increased the seed germination percentage, seedling growth, the cell membrane stability index, the relative water content, osmoprotectant concentrations, and the activity of the anti-oxidant system, while it reduced lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage compared to control seeds soaked in distilled water. These findings are important as the potential of EBL or SA to alleviate the harmful effects of NaCl stress offers an opportunity to increase the resistance of common bean plants to growth under saline conditions.