REGULATION OF MORPHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL TRAITS OF GARDEN PEA (Pisum sativum L.) THROUGH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF INDOLE BUTYRIC ACID UNDER SALT STRESS CONDITIONS

Physiological and biochemical mechanisms of adaptation to NaCl salt stress of Garden pea (Pisum sativus L.) are still poorly understood. Responses of morphological, physiological and biochemical approaches of garden pea to salinity stress in natural field conditions were investigated at seedling growth stages. In this study, the ability of Indole butyric acid (0, 0.1 mg/L-1 IBA) to modify the morpho-physiology and photosynthesis in P. sativum plants pre-treated with NaCl was investigated to explore possible remedial measures to counter salinity stress.

Salinity stress was induced in the pots containing soil by adding 0, 80, 100 and 120 mM NaCl respectively. Seedling length was not significantly affected by 80 and 100 mM of NaCl. However, NaCl in 120 mM concentration lowered level of different parameters. Generally, exposure to NaCl stress significantly reduced length of garden pea plantlet organs (leaf area, leaflet area, number of leaves, number of leaflets and number of branches). Disintegration of PSII components and significant changes in content of photosynthetic pigments (β-carotene and lycopene) were observed in the 20 day old plants.