Effect of cadaverine on Brassica juncea (L.) under multiple stress.

The cadaverine (Cad), an organic diamine was examined for its response on growth in salinity and metal stressed B. juncea cv RH-30 vis-à-vis compared the response of ammonium nitrate. The Cad (1 mM) application ameliorated the effect caused by salinity and metal stress on seed germination and plant growth. The plant growth recovery (dry biomass accumulation) was dependent on stress and diamine type. The higher growth recovery potential of Cad under both stresses was due to elevation in photosynthetic pigments, nitrate reductase activity and organic nitrogen as well as soluble protein, It is inferred that growth in stressed seedlings was mediated by Cad through lowering endogenous Cd/Pb and Na+ / K+ level in leaf and shoot tissues.

Putrescine alleviation of growth in salt stressed Brassica juncea by inducing antioxidative defense system.

Seedlings of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.cv. RH-30) grown in controlled condition (irradiance 75 Wm(-2), RH 60-70% and temp. 25 +/- 2 degrees C) for 7d and watered with Hoagland's solution containing different level of NaCL (50-250 mmol/L NaCl) with or without putrescine (PUT, 0.1 mmol/L) were examined for PUT amelioration of NaCl induced inhibition in seedling growth by altering activity of antioxygenic enzymes and level of free radicals in the leaves. Salinity caused reduction in seedling growth and biomass accumulation was parallel to increased superoxide (*O2-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels, lipid peroxidation (MDA content) and electrolyte leakage in leaf tissues which were reversed significantly by PUT. The antioxygenic enzymes viz superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were differentially altered, depending on salt level. PUT induction of enzyme was in the following order APX>GR>CAT>SOD>POD in leaf tissues of salt stressed seedlings. PUT increased the level of glutathione and carotenoids in leaf tissues. This finding suggests that PUT might be activating antioxygenic enzymes and elevating antioxidants there by controlling free radical generation, hence preventing membrane peroxidation and denaturation of biomolecules resulting into improved seedling growth under salinity.