Salt-induced modulation in inorganic nutrients, antioxidant enzymes, proline content and seed oil composition in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

BACKGROUND: Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) has gained considerable ground as a potential oil-seed crop. However, its yield and oil production are adversely affected under saline conditions. The present study was conducted to appraise the influence of salt (NaCl) stress on yield, accumulation of different inorganic elements, free proline and activities of some key antioxidant enzymes in plant tissues as well as seed oil components in safflower. Two safflower accessions differing in salt tolerance (Safflower-33 (salt sensitive) and Safflower-39 (salt tolerant)) were grown under saline (150 mmol L-1) conditions and salt-induced changes in the earlier-mentioned physiological attributes were determined. RESULTS: Salt stress enhanced leaf and root Na+, Cl- and proline accumulation and activities of leaf superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase, while it decreased K+, Ca2+ and K+/Ca2+ and Ca2+/Na+ ratios and seed yield, 100-seed weight, number of seeds, as well as capitula, seed oil contents and oil palmitic acid. No significant effect of salt stress was observed on seed oil alpha-tocopherols, stearic acid, oleic acid or linoleic acid contents. Of the two safflower lines, salt-sensitive Safflower-33 was higher in leaf and root Na+ and Cl-, while Safflower-39 was higher in leaf and root K+, K+/Ca2+ and Ca2+/Na+ and seed yield, 100-seed weight, catalase activity, seed oil contents, seed oil alpha-tocopherol and palmitic acid. Other attributes remained almost unaffected in both accessions. CONCLUSION: Overall, high salt tolerance of Safflower-39 could be attributed to Na+ and Cl- exclusion, high accumulation of K+ and free proline, enhanced CAT activity, seed oil alpha-tocopherols and palmitic acid contents. (C) 2011 Society of Chemical Industry