Aging and some physiological and biochemical characteristics of two <i>Aelorupus</i> species

Abstract

In order to understand the effects of aging on physiological traits involved in abiotic stress tolerance in different species of halophyte plants (Aelorupus lagopoides and Aeloropus littoralis), alteration in weight, malondialdehyde (MDA), sodium and potassium, proline, protein and antioxidant enzymes in these two species after germination and during the increasing of the age were studied. According to these results, ageing in both species result in change of the ion content, proline content and protein levels. Decreased chlorophyll and carotenoids content was followed to reduced photosynthetic capacity. According to the results of this study, the potential of the abiotic stress tolerance in vegetative growth of A. lagopoides is probably higher than A. littoralis and this potential during the aging is less altered, because A. lagopoides compare with the other species in maintaining potassium than sodium ions were more efficient at different time. Although the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidases (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymes in A. lagopoides in non-stress conditions during normal aging was changed, most of the time, antioxidant activity of this enzyme in A. lagopoides was higher than A. littoralis. Furthermore, the amount of MDA and fluctuations in A. lagopoides on different days was lower than the other species, which is a conformation for better antioxidant system in A. lagopoides.

Key words: Aelorupus lagopoides, Aeloropus littoralis, aging, antioxidant and abiotic stress.