Pre-treatment with H2O2 induces salt tolerance in Barley seedlings

Barley seedlings were pre-treated with 1 and 5 A mu M H2O2 for 2 d and then supplied with water or 150 mM NaCl for 4 and 7 d. Exogenous H2O2 alone had no effect on the proline, malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2 contents, decreased catalase (CAT) activity and had no effect on peroxidase (POX) activity. Three new superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoenzymes appeared in the leaves as a result of 1 A mu M H2O2 treatment. NaCl enhanced CAT and POX activity. SOD activity and isoenzyme patterns were changed due to H2O2 pre-treatment, NaCl stress and leaf ageing. In pre-treated seedlings the rate of (CO2)-C-14 fixation was higher and MDA, H2O2 and proline contents were lower in comparison to the seedlings subjected directly to NaCl stress. Cl- content in the leaves 4 and 7 d after NaCl supply increased considerably, but less in pre-treated plants. It was suggested that H2O2 metabolism is involved as a signal in the processes of barley salt tolerance.