Effects of calcium paste as a seed coat on growth, yield and enzymatic activities in NaCl stressed-pea plants

Abstract

The present study was conducted to study the effect of coating the seeds with calcium paste before sowing, on plant growth, yield, the contents of some antioxidants and the activities of carbonic anhydrase and nitrate reductase in the Pisum sativum L. leaves under the influence of NaCl stress. NaCl stress reduced plant growth, photosynthetic pigment levels, ascorbic acid and calcium contents, and the activities of carbonic anhydrase and nitrate reductase. In contrast, proline and sodium contents were increased. These results are negatively reflected in the yield components. However, seed coating with calcium paste reduced the toxic effects of NaCl on plant growth and yield by increasing leaf pigments, ascorbic acid, proline contents and enzymatic activities. This study clearly highlights the effects of calcium paste as a seed coat in mitigating the phytotoxicity of NaCl stress in pea plants.

Keywords: Calcium paste, carbonic anhydrase, nitrate reductase, ascorbate, growth, yield, Pisum sativum L