NaCl stress - its chromotoxic effects and antioxidant behavior in roots of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat

In vitro raised rooted plantlets of two Chrysanthemum cultivars White Stafour and Kelvin Tito were grown in liquid MS medium supplemented with 0, 50, 75 and 100mM NaCl. With increase in NaCl concentration there was an increase in mitotic inhibition, superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione reductase activity and proline content in root and reduction in root growth. Differential varietal sensitivity to NaCl stress was also clear. All the positive responses towards cytological, physiological and biochemical changes under stress condition indicate possibilities towards inducing salt tolerance through in vitro adaptation of whole plant. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.