Ethanolamine Enhanced Salt-tolerance of Sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) Callus

Includes references.

Callus culture was initiated from the hypocotyls of sunflower (Helianthus anuls L.) seedlings. Callus was grown on MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium supplemented with Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and Kinetin (KN) and containing different concentrations of either sodium chloride (NaCl), ethanolamine (EA) or both. The characteristics of callus subjected to low and high concentrations of NaCI (LS and HS, respectively) or low and high concentrations of EA (LEA and HEA, respectively) were investigated. The effect of EA on the tolerance of sunflower callus to salinity was studied. Parameters tested were fresh and dry weights (f. wt and d.wt.), carbohydrates (mono., di. and polysaccharides), proline, protein and lipid contents. The activity of some oxidative enzymes and the accumulation of some elements were also evaluated. Data showed that ethanolamine enhanced sunflower callus resistance to salt stress compared with control. Most of the parameters tested increased due to the presence of EA in the medium. An increase in glutathione and a decrease in oxidative enzyme in response to EA were noticed. These changes due to EA resulted in better performance of callus to salinity stress. On the other hand, accumulation of Na and a decrease in K and Ca contents due to salinity stress and EA treatment were recorded in callus tissues. The present study shows that the increase in total proteins and lipids rather than the increase in carbohydrates in responsible for the enhanced resistance to salinity of sunflower callus treated with ethanolamine.

Summary in Arabic.

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