Effect of salinity on seed germination, accumulation of proline and free amino acid in Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

Salinity is a major threat to agriculture, plants exhibits a variety of responses to salt stress that enable them to tolerate and survive in such conditions. Salinity affects physiological and biochemical processes in plants. A short term salt stress induced physiological and biochemical response were observed in P. glaucum. The experiment was conducted to understand the influence of salinity on seed germination, proline and free amino acid accumulation in P. glaucum. It was observed that as the salt concentration increased the germination percentage decreased as compared to control as well as the root/shoot length also decreased. This suggests that salinity greatly influences the germination as well as the plant growth. The levels ofbiochemical components proline and free amino acid were measured during the salt stressed condition. The 14 days old seedlings were subjected to 4 salt treatments (50, 100, 150 and 200 mM NaCI), free proline and free amino acids was calculated at 0, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96th hour. Proline and free amino acid content in the salt stressed tissues increased with increase in salt concentration as well as with duration of salt stress. This result suggests that proline and free amino acid acids acts as compatible solutes in P. glaucum to protect the cellular macromolecules, maintain the osmotic balance and also scavenge the free radicals under salt stressed condition.