PHYSIOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL, AND ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF TWO GENOTYPES OF VICIA FABA GROWN UNDER SALINITY STRESS

The faba bean genotypes Hassawi-3 and ILB-4347 were evaluated under three different NaCl treatments (50 mM, 100 mM, and 150 mM) for growth, physiological parameters, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in leaves. Salinity stress significantly reduced the growth and biomass yield of both genotypes. Calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), and potassium (K+) contents were reduced, whereas sodium content was increased in both genotypes with increasing NaCl concentration. Higher levels of Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and K+/Na+ ratio, along with lower Na+ accumulation were observed in ILB-4347 than those in the Hassawi-3 genotype. Chlorophyll, carotene, leaf relative water content (LRWC), proline, and protein content were reduced (by 54.61%, 51.51%, 42.33%, 105.19% and 44.80% in Hassawi-3 and 35.29%, 38.29%, 31.92%, 113.93% and 34.80% in ILB-4347) these effects were treatment and genotype dependent. Salinity stress significantly enhanced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and electrolyte leakage (EL) in both genotypes; however, Hassawi-3 showed more accumulation compared to ILB-4347. Both genotypes subjected to salt stress showed enhancement in total antioxidants, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and ascorbic acid (AsA) content. These results indicate that ILB-4347 is more tolerant than the Hassawi-3 genotype against salt stress and could be used as part of a better strategy to reclaim salt affected soils.