Mitigation of salt stress in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) by the application of triacontanol and hydrogen sulfide

ABSTRACT

Salinity stress is a well-known abiotic stress that has been shown to have a negative impact on crop growth, production, and soil richness. The current study was intended to ameliorate salt stress in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.), keeping in mind the detrimental influence of salt stress. A pot experimentation was executed on B. juncea to examine the efficacy of exogenous application of triacontanol (TRIA) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) (NaHS donor), either alone or in combination, on growth attributes, metabolites, and antioxidant defense system exposed to salt stress at three distinct concentrations (50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl). Increase in the concentration of oxidative markers (malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide) was found which results in inhibited growth of B. juncea. The growth characteristics of plant, such as root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight under salt stress, were improved by foliar application of TRIA (150 µM) and H₂S (25 µM) alone as well as in combination. Additionally, salt stress reduced the levels of protein, metabolites (flavonoids, phenolic and anthocyanin), antioxidant enzyme activity including that of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, polyphenol oxidase and guaiacol peroxidase as well as the level of ascorbic acid and glutathione (non-enzymatic antioxidants). However, application of TRIA and H₂S alone or in grouping substantially raised the content of protein, metabolites and antioxidant defense system in plants of B. juncea.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Abiotic stress
• antioxidants
• climate change
• gaseous molecule
• metabolites
• plant growth regulators

Acknowledgments

Authors are thankful to Lovely Professional University, Punjab for helping in providing laboratory facilities to carry out the present study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Author contribution

TV, SB and DK designed the study. TV carried out experiments, analyzed the data, and wrote the manuscript. SB, TV, AR, ID, PVVP and DK reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors reviewed the results and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no external funding.