INDUCTION OF SEVERAL ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES IN THE SELECTION OF A SALT-TOLERANT CELL-LINE OF PISUM-SATIVUM

Using the in vitro culture technique, we selected a cell line of Pisum sativum cv. Challis adapted to 85.5 mM NaCl. The possible relationships between the activity of enzymes related to oxygen metabolism and the salt adaptation of pea calli were analysed. The induction of two new Cu,Zn-SOD isozymes in salt-resistant calli was observed. Peroxidase activity was greatly increased in selected calli and catalase did not show a significant variation. The activity changes observed are discussed in terms of their possible relevance to pea calli adaptation to salt-stress.