Growth Responses to NaCl and H2O2 Stress in Dianthus Chinensis L. Seedling

Dianthus chinensis L., an ornamental plant, could be tolerant to salt stress. In order to compare the effect of salt stress and H(2)O(2) stress on growth and physiological metabolism in Dianthus chinensis L., the germinated seeds were treated in different NaCl, H(2)O(2) as well as their combination solutions, respectively. By analyzing the seedling growth, it was found that salt stress and H(2)O(2) stress had almost same effect on seedling growth. They all shortened seedling length, especially the root. Low concentration of H(2)O(2) seemed to induce more vigor in seedling than only salt stress based on rate of free and bound water. Protein content in seedling under combination of 50mM NaCl and 10mM H(2)O(2) significantly increased compared to those under only 50 mM NaCl or only 10mM H(2)O(2), on the 5th day.