EXOGENOUS PROLINE IMPROVES OSMOREGULATION, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES OF EGGPLANT UNDER SALT STRESS

Proline is an amino acid whose gathering in the cells of plants stimulated antioxidative enzymes in plants that are under the influence of salinity. The goal of this study was to investigate the exogenous proline application and salt tolerance relationship in accordance with separate criteria such as growth characteristics, photosynthetic pigments in leaves, and biochemical features, consisting of endogenous proline, sugar contents, and the exercises of antioxidative enzymes through the utilization of the eggplant genotypes demonstrates either tolerance (Mardin) or sensitivity (Kemer) to salinity. The seedlings were exposed to control, 100 mM NaCl, 100 mM NaCl + 5 mM proline, and 100 mM NaCl + 10 mM proline. The results demonstrated that the growth trait, total chlorophyll content in leaves, and relative water content in leaves considerably declined whereas the antioxidant enzyme activities in leaves, proline, sugar, and MDA contents in leaves considerably rose under salinity conditions. An effective increase was observed in the enzyme activities in the plants that were salt- and proline-treated when examined in contrast with the control group. This effect was observed much clearly in Mardin genotype than Kemer. Exogenous proline was determined to be beneficial in reducing the harmful effects of salinity on plants.