Determination of physiological responses on hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) plant exposed to different salt concentrations

Abstract

Plant growth is restricted by many environmental factors. Soil salinity is considered as an important agricultural problem for dry and semi-dry fields in many regions around the world. It is known that salinity is an important stress factor restricting water and nutrient intake of plants. In this study, the physiological responses of hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) exposed to different salt concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mM) were investigated. The stomata status, osmotic potential, proline content, chlorophyll and caretonoid contents and protein variances were examined in the plants exposed to salt. The physiological responses of the hyacinth varied depending on the salt concentration. Stress was kept under control at concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 mM; however, bulbs were decayed and necrosis was formed on the leaves at concentration of 400 mM. This study on hyacinth will help us to learn about tolerance mechanisms raised by plants with bulb against salt stress. It was seen in this study that the stomata size decreased when the salt concentration was increased and the chlorophyll and caretonoid contents also decreased. A significant decrease was seen in proline content and it increased at 400 mM and some protein bands which existed in control group disappeared in electrophoresis study.

Key words: Salt, stress, hyacinth.